If I took everything I know about computers and measured it in tons...it would probably
weigh about 3 ounces...!
Problem is, I rely on computers for practically everything...and I spend a lot of time enjoying the fruits of this technology which I know so little about...! What trust I place in man made products...!!!
Well lately that trust has been betrayed...
Here's the story...
My desktop computer at home which serves as the hub for printing, wireless router, and wireless internet for my laptop (blogging machine) recently developed a severe virus rendering it inoperable...
Of course, this is the computer that my kids usually use, so my first inclination, and usually reliable one, was to ask the kids what strange web sites they have been on...the answer which came back predictably was, "We dunno, Dad"...
Well after some intensive research, and by pure accident, I discovered that someone had downloaded a weird application which seemed like 'very soft porn' to me...
Thoughts of trashing another computer, sending it out for repair, and having to purchase a replacement flooded my mind...!
But before I panicked, I decided to try a 'system restore', as recommended by Kathy, a coworker in our office...!!!
I couldn't wait to try this idea, so as soon as I got home I went to the desktop, turned it on and before it had a chance to fully boot, placed it into 'safe mode'...
Finding the 'restore system' prompt and pursuing that route was like discovering gold...
I went back to a point a couple of weeks ago, and sure enough it was far back enough to
predate the date of the infected application...!!!
I'm leaving a lot of the gory and boring details out, but suffice it to say that my computer is now back to normal, and all is well at the Gaspari household...!!!
And lately that trust has been restored...
Moral of the story: Fall in love with that 'restore system' feature of your computer and don't drift too far away from it...!!!
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
In my mangled computer history Fran I have done one of those system restores too. It is slightly better than a hard disk crash, at least you are back in business.
Feb 18, 2009 03:05 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Debi: It's like a magic wand...!!! LOL
Gary: I hear you, my friend!!! :)
Thanks, Fran
Feb 18, 2009 03:21 AM
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Lenn,
I see you've been there, done that...!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran
P.S. This is when they stop being 'cute'...!!! LOL
Feb 18, 2009 04:06 AM
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent
Fran- I spend so much time on the computer that even going back a few days to systeme restore causes me to lose so much so now I have an external back up. Funny how dependent we become.
Feb 18, 2009 04:41 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Martha,
Since I don't use that computer and have nothing important saved on it, I didn't much care what was lost...I was kind of hoping that whoever downloaded the toxic app would have lost something of importance to teach them a lesson...!!! Thanks, Fran
Feb 18, 2009 04:47 AM
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,
I have used that feature many times (same reason- kids on my computer). I neven once used the feature where you can set the computer back to factory defaults.
Feb 18, 2009 04:49 AM
Crystal Springs Real Estate - Kentwood, MI
When system restore doesn't work, hopefully you have the fresh install disks laying around... however I hear alot of new computers dont come with them anymore and the manufacturers charge upwards of a $100 for them now.
Now.. step 1 after buying a computer: Make a Backup Disk with all the programs. I think Best Buy geek squad does it for $45 when you buy a computer there.
Feb 18, 2009 05:10 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Leslies: I think I got lucky this time!!! :)
Daniel: Thanks for the good information...this way of learning sure beats reading the manuals!!! LOL,
Thanks, Fran
Feb 18, 2009 05:28 AM
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!
Fran
I look at mine everyday and pray it never outsmarts me to the point where I am pleading with it.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Feb 18, 2009 07:36 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Greg: I'm very thankful!!! :)
Tommy: They do seem to exert a certain amount of control over us, don't they!!! :)
Thanks, Fran
Feb 18, 2009 07:49 AM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
Fran 2oz here, what happens to the virus in that case, does it just go away.
Feb 18, 2009 08:30 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Charles,
Together we have 5 oz., and I don't have a clue...Maybe the mouse eats it!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran
Feb 18, 2009 08:42 AM
Crystal Springs Real Estate - Kentwood, MI
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Daniel,
They're the books written in many languages...About 100 pages long...4 or 5 in English!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran
Feb 18, 2009 03:51 PM
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon
For all you out there, you need to set your computer to set these restore points or it will not work. I found out the hard way that after a year of owning a computer, I didn't have a restore point and had to wipe the drive and start all over!
Feb 18, 2009 07:25 PM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Good for you, Fran! I did that once to an old PC that got a "worm", but I had a nice fellow from tech support on the other end of the phone. So I'm impressed!
Now, who downloaded the naughties?
Feb 19, 2009 01:46 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Patricia,
When I asked the boys that question, all hands were in their pockets!!! I'm surprised they didn't blame it on their younger sister!!! :^) Thanks, Fran
Feb 19, 2009 01:56 AM
Rainmaker
826,658
826,658
Fran Gaspari
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
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