Demonically Possessed Laptop

[Jerry]

Well, it looks like I am stuck with this thing for a while. The desktop's pwr supply was toast, as I had thought. The computer will now come on, but will not post. Even with only the MB connected, it won't post, so it looks like the MB is fried also. I'm looking for a new MB,at this point. I do, however have a problem, I cannot locate my Windows XP CD. This means, any updated board I install will cause Microsoft to require that I get a new key before my OS will be permanent on the machine. Since I can't find the CD, I'm looking for the same MB I have. It is an ASROCK socket 939, dual sata2 , with PCI express and AGP slots

[bunchdescendant]

Jerry-

Find that CD!

The OS will detect that you have changed the Mobo and do the deed to ya. It's possible to call Micro$oft and explain the situation but don't bank on it.

Ray

[Jerry]

Jerry-

Find that CD!

The OS will detect that you have changed the Mobo and do the deed to ya. It's possible to call Micro$oft and explain the situation but don't bank on it.

Ray

Yeah, I've been through that one before! My opinion of Microsoft would get me put on probation by the mods, so, I'll keep it to myself, and advise everyone else to do the same. My daughter says that if I replace the MB with an identical board, the OS shouldn't detect the change. She claims she has done it before. She does know ways around "Microsoft's tyrannical policies., but I don't want to go that route.

[Kilted_John]

"I did make one discovery. I seem to be plagued by a pesky netflix popup. Now I have noticed that when the advertisement tab in the task bar flashes, the cursor goes crazy. Maybe this thing is possessed,by a virus. Adaware can't seem to detect and remove it. Norton is loaded on this machine, but it is years out of date. And, since I rarely use this old laptop, I haven't thought it was worth the cost of a Stillwater to update it, or buy new antivirus software. Does anyone know of any decent freeware antivirus?

Jerry,

Firstly, start using Firefox. Secondly, download the AVG free Antivirus software. Install that. Also, another good choice for anti-spyware is spysweeper (not sure if that's the exact name - I'm mainly a Mac guy)... The other thing, do a search on Google to find out how to kill off Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger, but the built-in messenger, which frequently sends the pop-ups, even if you're not using IE or Firefox.

-J

[Jerry]

Jerry,

Firstly, start using Firefox. Secondly, download the AVG free Antivirus software. Install that. Also, another good choice for anti-spyware is spysweeper (not sure if that's the exact name - I'm mainly a Mac guy)... The other thing, do a search on Google to find out how to kill off Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger, but the built-in messenger, which frequently sends the pop-ups, even if you're not using IE or Firefox.

-J

John, I already use only Firefox,other than for online billpay through my bank. Whatever software the bank uses,doesn't like firefox. I did get rid of the popup by removing NETZERO.

[The Supreme Canuck]

The other thing, do a search on Google to find out how to kill off Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger, but the built-in messenger, which frequently sends the pop-ups, even if you're not using IE or Firefox.

FYI, that's an optional add-on to AdAware.

[bunchdescendant]

Yeah, I've been through that one before! My opinion of Microsoft would get me put on probation by the mods, so, I'll keep it to myself, and advise everyone else to do the same. My daughter says that if I replace the MB with an identical board, the OS shouldn't detect the change. She claims she has done it before. She does know ways around "Microsoft's tyrannical policies., but I don't want to go that route.

Key word is highlighted. Identical? Not so. The Mobo's Serial numbers would be different. Kind of a 'been there, done that' situation. Another point to make is the bios will possibly be updated too. This could be a good thing but do you want to take a chance?

It's better to find the CD. Less hassle unless you really enjoy talking to a moron that only wants you to buy a new registration key and nothing more.

And my opinion of M$ would get me permanently banned!

Ray

[Jerry]

Since it seems that no matter what board I wind up with, I might upgrade to a better MB and processor and go another route around the Microsoft monopoly. One choice would be switching to Linux. But, I am concerned about running my Windows based games in Linux. Does anyone know if they would run? As for this possessed laptop, I have to be very careful. I was on another forum, posting about ducks, and later, typed the word "five". It did it's jump the cursor thing,and I'll let everyone guess where it put the letter "F"

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Jerry, if you are looking to move away from MS and get a new PC, take a look at the Zonbu offering. Based on Linux, and they do all the upgrades, backups, etc. for you. I am seriously considering it for my next purchase. They are low power consumption as well.

[Archangel]

John, I already use only Firefox,other than for online billpay through my bank. Whatever software the bank uses,doesn't like firefox. I did get rid of the popup by removing NETZERO.

Have you tried using it for the bank? I do all the time and no problem.