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Troubleshooting 101 : How to fix the family computer and save your holiday

downloadsquad.com — Face it, if you're even slightly more computer literate than the rest of your family you've been pegged "the computer guy"; Henceforth doomed to a life of unpaid tech support. There's no time when it's more readily apparent than the holidays. We're here to help you with some basic troubleshooting tips and tricks.

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  • breals, on 11/08/2007, -11/+0The page doesn't load the content
  • ibanezplayer85, on 11/11/2007, -1/+14This happens to me basically every time I visit my grandparents and/or other family members, and it's hard to say "no" when they're feeding you dinner. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the computer problems I come across are spyware-related. Definitely bring the PC Repair System, Spybot, AdAware, hijackthis, LSPFix, a free antivirus (I like Avast), PortableApps, and anything else that'll make your life easier. Oh, and a copy of Firefox to make sure it doesn't happen again.
    • drlha, on 11/09/2007, -0/+16Happens to me too. The fact is that I love my family and am happy to help them out without bitching about it. People need to stop moaning about this and accept that you're a valuable resource in your family, just like your uncle who can fix your car.
    • jasz, on 11/08/2007, -2/+1wasnt these one of those "switch" Apple commercials?
    • FranTaylor, on 11/09/2007, -6/+2Just say, "Sorry, I don't do Windows". Works for me every time.
  • superpixel, on 11/08/2007, -0/+10agreed, spyware gets 'em everytime. be prepared for a short training course in Firefox, and don't bother explaining plug-ins (although some older folks I've known like the themes).
    • Psythik, on 11/09/2007, -2/+5I don't even tell them I installed Firefox. I just change the FF icon to an IE icon and they can't tell the difference.

      /oh wait, the guy below me just said that... >_
      • MjrParanoid, on 11/09/2007, -2/+3Ok, so now that you have messed with their system in such a stupid way because you don't respect them enough to tell them what they need to do they will be even more confused and lost if they try to get phone support from someone else.
        Way to go, you rock.
        • Psythik, on 11/09/2007, -0/+1Actually, last time I tried to introduce them to Firefox, I kept getting the response "that's nice, but how do I get to my Internet Explorer to visit the internet"? My grandma assumes that the only way to get to the internet is through IE, and doesn't grasp the concept of alternative browsers. If I make Firefox *look* like IE, she can use Firefox without confusion since grandmas don't know it's not IE.
  • tarkam, on 11/12/2007, -2/+37A couple of things that have worked for me:
    1. Install Firefox, and create a shortcut for it on the desktop BUT replace its icon with the blue Internet Explorer E. They don't even notice it is another browser.
    2. Go to Internet Explorer and configure it to use a Fake proxy, so they don't use it by accident.
    3. Partition the drive. Change the location of "My Documents", "My Music" to the secondary drive. Then make 2 images of the drive with Ghost. The first one with the computer as if ti was brand new, the second one with all of the apps pre installed. If they infect or mess up the computer in the future it is really easy and fast to restore it, about 15 minutes to be up and running again.
    4. Ubuntu. I've converted quite a few people now.
    5. Like a commenter on the website said: Hamachi + VNC

    • rnreekez, on 11/08/2007, -0/+5Hamachi and VNC is good but the best solution is just using LogMeinFree. I have a combination of both on all my systems. I typically use hamachi but sometimes hamachi will time out. So I have logmein as a backup. In case, hamachi goes down I can use logmein and restart hamachi.
      • CaptRR, on 11/09/2007, -0/+4LogMeIn is good too, but another alternative that is really nice is UltraVNC singleclick. You will have to configure your ports on your side, but then again what self respecting geek cannot configure the ports on his or her own router. Then all your family member has to do is, run an .exe, that doesn't install anything, and bang, you have control over their computer. Once you shut down the window, the .exe uninstalls itself.

        I use this method of tech support several times a week, and it works like a charm. Just say, "Go to this address www.whatever.com/remote.exe, and run it."
      • rpgmaker, on 11/09/2007, -0/+3LogMeIn is the company behind Hamachi.
    • silveravnt, on 11/09/2007, -3/+52nd Ubuntu.
    • Narcism, on 11/09/2007, -0/+96. Know how to use Start->run.. MSConfig.
    • shadowblade989, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1#1 is brilliant. I wish I would've thought of that a few times in the past.
    • MjrParanoid, on 11/09/2007, -11/+1Ok, Firefox is just another browser, no more or less secure than IE. Get over it.
    • bwilliams80, on 11/08/2007, -0/+3firefox with the vista-aero (ie 7) theme.
      https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/498 ...
    • antdude, on 11/08/2007, -1/+2For me, #1 doesn't work because some sites don't even work. :(
      • ChuqAU, on 11/10/2007, -0/+4I had that problem about 3 years ago, but most sites have come to their senses since then. Those that haven't, well they've probably gone the way of the dodo!
  • typicalusername, on 11/08/2007, -15/+7Burried for the Ubuntu comment. I already hate supporting their ***** windows apps. Now, I should support their Linux? No way!
    • MjrParanoid, on 11/08/2007, -1/+4I hear ya. Lets get grandma and Grandpa on Linux. That sounds like a GREAT idea!
      • durant125, on 11/08/2007, -2/+3Uh Linux can be easier to learn then Windows from scratch buddy. Get Grandma and Grandpa on MAC. No left click or right click and they can install hardware themselves.
  • smurfz, on 11/08/2007, -4/+5LOL! I like the picture with the monitor and the poll =P
  • canthraxp, on 11/08/2007, -1/+6Dugg for the impaled CRT.
    (yes, my diggs are cheap)
    • dawesdust12, on 11/08/2007, -1/+5Dirty diggs done cheap!?
    • Psythik, on 11/08/2007, -3/+2But CRTs are good for gaming, especially when you have an old laptop that can't run every game in an LCD's native resolution!
      • antdude, on 11/08/2007, -0/+3Yep, but they are bad for power, weight, and size.
  • xtrolyte, on 11/08/2007, -1/+3This happens to me quite a lot. Great little article.
  • Gotno, on 11/08/2007, -0/+12The usual Christmas greetings of handshakes, hugs, and kisses have been replaced with a distanced, "Hey, it's great to see you again. Oh yeah, when you get a minute, can you take a look at our computer?"

    I've already admitted defeat, and rather than complaining I just do it like a good little bitch.
  • MysticSavage, on 11/08/2007, -9/+21. Power down PC, remove all cables.
    2. Chuck said PC into traffic.
    3. Profit.
    • drakenlot, on 11/08/2007, -0/+5You missed up, it's:

      3. ????
      4. PROFIT!!!
  • mikehill33, on 11/08/2007, -6/+7Worthless.
  • Alexinator, on 11/09/2007, -4/+7Everyone is entitled to their opinions I suppose..
    Tarkam, those are some good ideas. FF seems to me a more safe environment over IE, but that's just my opinion. However, I don't think Ubuntu is the way to go. Windows is more general user friendly since that seems to be their main target market is the typical Family Computer.
    • MjrParanoid, on 11/08/2007, -4/+1Safety and usability are two different things.
      As far as Usability goes, IE wins. Hands down, every day.
      I use both, but IE just works all the time without having to deal with having to go get plugins randomly, or deal with updates being applied when I go to launch the app.
      Seriously, is there anything more annoying than having to wait for FF to apply patches when you just started it up get the phone number of the local pizza delivery joint?
      You just need to tell the users that they should actually read the messages before they say YES.
      • m00nmaster, on 11/08/2007, -0/+2"Seriously, is there anything more annoying than having to wait for FF to apply patches when you just started it up get the phone number of the local pizza delivery joint?"

        Yes. Getting sued, dying, getting in a car accident trying to get to work on time to read Digg and get first posts.
      • cphelps, on 11/08/2007, -0/+2That's something that annoys me. People who think ***** 30 seconds to 1 minute are going to ***** ruin their whole day. Wow, big ***** deal you had to watch a green bar for a very minimal amount of time. Let's whine because our browser is updated and probably more secure, and it cost us 30 seconds.
      • melat0nin, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1There is just no way that IE is more usable that Fx. The layout of the toolbar is less intuitive than Fx, which confirms to the general UI principles of most software that is currently released. I find IE a pain in the arse to use.
      • bigsteve, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1There are *required* Firefox plug-ins now? No plug-in I've ever used has done anything but provide me a convenience. If it didn't, I removed it. And god forbid updates apply on app launch! I'm glad the app is self-updating, and that the Firefox dev team is actively and competently making the program better, and my online experience safer.

        And as for your "read the messages" remark, what if the message is designed to look like a Windows dialog box, and says something that sounds like the user should confirm? NoScript to the rescue!
    • tarkam, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1I agree with you that Ubuntu is not always the best bet. But I've dealt with quite a few PC users that don't want to switch to a Mac, have tons of pirated software (like office), and use their PCs just for Internet (mail, IM, general browsing), Music, Pictures, very basic Excel and Word. I've set up dual boot systems with Windows & Ubuntu and so far they are liking it a lot. Sure it takes some work to get their PCs running "flawlessly" but it has worked. Usually they never look back. But as you also said it's just an opinion and to each his own.
  • TheLoneWolf071, on 11/10/2007, -0/+14OR you could bring it to Geeksquad and have them charge $200 to say it's broken
  • heathuff23, on 11/08/2007, -7/+1Well, thats buried as lame
  • supdigga, on 11/08/2007, -0/+5http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/frustrations/388b ...
    It's worth a try...
    • repete, on 11/08/2007, -0/+0Damn. I did a search, and didn't find your comment and posted the same...Sad. My favourite shirt. At first I got it just to wear. Now I actually wear it for its proper function.
  • jpaolini, on 11/08/2007, -3/+2I think everyone who is reading this from Digg already knows these "tips" - albeit some of the comments here have been helpful, such as tarkem's above.
    • Thorox, on 11/08/2007, -0/+2Maybe the next tip will be how to use the Reply button on Digg...
  • drakenlot, on 11/08/2007, -1/+2This is all stuff that any 'family tech support' should know. I learned nothing new, and I doubt many people actually did.
  • RADRaze2KX, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1Something tells me that most people here reading this article already know how to fix the family computer, and absolutely despise having to do so.

    [FWDs Article to Dad] Now I can say this Digg post saved my holiday SCHEDULE.
  • Tomchei, on 11/09/2007, -11/+6Step 1. Tell them to buy a Mac
    Step 2. If that doesn't float, install Ubuntu for them and be done with it.
    • racco, on 11/09/2007, -1/+3i did step 1

      problem solved :n)
    • supdigga, on 11/08/2007, -1/+5Then they can call you every time they want to install something
      • directrix13, on 11/09/2007, -2/+1Or you can teach them how to use Synaptic on Ubuntu or the drag'n'drop install of Mac OS X. Neither one is particularly hard.
    • skyteria, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1And don't forget with Ubuntu, they never have to update their software manually.
  • cawfee, on 11/08/2007, -1/+1I still find it amazing how some of my relatives manage to get some of the worst ad-ware and viruses on the planet on their systems, and to top it off, on a regular basis. Ah well, 've got more knickknacks and boxes of candy from it than I can count. In a generation or two this will all be standard knowledge and one can't profit off of knowing the simplest of things anymore, so let's enjoy it while we can.
    • MicrosoftBob, on 11/09/2007, -0/+3It's called porn, and yes, relatives do look at it sometimes.
  • digitallysick, on 11/08/2007, -2/+4I agree with the above, the problem is always spyware, virii and IE, They browse with IE and the computer gets full of garbage. Not to mention they always have weatherbug and 50 toolbars installed on top of IE. Usually have to clean it out, and put on firefox, and then i try to talk them out of norton, into useing either kaspersky or NOD
    • MjrParanoid, on 11/08/2007, -4/+1That is just stupid. Cleaning IE has the same effect as installing a new browser.
      Have people forgotten how to think critically nowadays?
      Whatever stupid crap they did to flub up IE they will repeat with Firefox.
      Been there, done that, now I have the Tshirt. Go to Thinkgeek.com to figure out which one.
      • fr34k5h0w, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1Wow, you mean I can get MyWay search bar by visiting a random site in Firefox? Yes, I've been missing the pile of crap! /sarcasm
  • jinkop38, on 11/08/2007, -2/+0If Windows did it, go to Live.com and chose the fix utility. Come back a few minutes later and it should be done.
  • Mystyrys, on 11/08/2007, -4/+3I told my son he couldn't move out until he taught his little brother to take his place as in house tech support. :)
    • MjrParanoid, on 11/09/2007, -4/+3Or you could learn to read an think for yourself. Talk about a self proclaimed victim...
      • Mystyrys, on 11/09/2007, -0/+7Pffft, you don't recognize sarcasm when you see it? I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself and often do. I ask him to do it because he's quicker or doesn't have to "read" something to find out how to fix it. Why not utilize his skills when they are as handy as in my own house? We merely tease him about being tech support.

        You are too quick to jump to an unsupported conclusion about someone else's motivations and abilities.
      • warplayer, on 11/09/2007, -0/+2And since when is a parent wrong to encourage their child to think critically, especially about technical things?
  • bloogey, on 11/08/2007, -0/+6clam anti virus.... anyone know if this is any good?
    • MjrParanoid, on 11/09/2007, -6/+1I like the new version, Hairy.
      Seriously, does this look like a chat room?
      • MicrosoftBob, on 11/08/2007, -0/+2You're just full of sunshine today, aren't you?

      • bigsteve, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1Settle down Beavis. It *looks* like a discussion thread about tips for fixing relative's machines, including which software to use, and maybe even how to do it on the cheap or for free.
    • durant125, on 11/08/2007, -0/+3Open Source and free, so only as good as the community that supports it. Great idea.
    • Chandon, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1It's what a lot of the $10,000 corporate email firewall appliances use as a virus scanner. That says something about it's quality.
  • scottkendall, on 11/09/2007, -1/+5My parents have one of each computer, my mom used to use a PC for her work and my dad was all Mac as he enjoys his photo / movie stuff. I was ALWAYS fixing my mom's computer EVERY time I would go back home. Finally, it got to the point about a year ago that my mom's computer was acting up so much that she decided to "take a chance" and get a Mac. We ending up getting a brand new iMac (and Parallels for those "must have" PC programs), and immediately I stopped have to work on her system any more. Now I get phone calls like "I am wanting to do something like....how can I do it", or "can you teach me this...". My life has been MUCH, MUCH simpler after she switch to a Mac. She even admitted about 2 months ago, that she should have switched (to a mac) along time ago!
  • MlShred, on 11/09/2007, -5/+8Solution 1: BUY A MAC!
    Solution 2: Tell them it's their only solution
    • superkendall, on 11/08/2007, -1/+5You don't have to tell them it's the only solution. You just have to tell them it's the only solution you'll support.

      I tell family and friends to get a Mac, and I'll help them with issues - if they buy Windows, they are on their own. And of course I'd be happy to help with Linux, but I don't mention that in order not to confuse them.
    • Quix, on 11/08/2007, -2/+3Amen. I finally got so tired of doing spyware cleanup I started telling people "I'll help you with your computer again when you get a Mac." I just don't have the time, patience, or pain tolerance to deal with Windows issues any more.
      • bigsteve, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1When I started telling people to get Macs, I found out which of my casual friends were real friends and which were just after free tech support, because with all the problems it solved, some of them stopped calling me all together. Which is fine.
  • durant125, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1Everyone talks about IE and Firefox. Opera is the most robust I've found. You can tailor it for your family needs.
    • bigsteve, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1Opera is nice, I've just found firefox to be a bit lighter-weight for some older machines. Still, anything but IE should drastically improve their situation.
  • bmartin, on 11/09/2007, -0/+6I used to have to do this occasionally, until my parents and sibling switched over to Ubuntu. The key here is that they're not heavy gamers and I found replacements for everything they needed; the few games my brother "really needed" run well in Wine. If they have any problem, I can connect to their computers remotely using SSH. I installed both Ubuntu and Windows, but set Ubuntu as the default, then I installed their HP OfficeJet for them. They simply stopped using Windows and my tech support calls have dropped to 0.
  • Quix, on 11/09/2007, -0/+9Any comment mentioning a Mac will likely be dugg down into oblivion in this thread (some people can't handle the truth, or confuse reasoned information with smug elitism), but here we go:

    Since convincing my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, cousin, and a dozen friends/neighbors/coworkers to buy Macs, my PC support time has been cut to almost nothing. No longer do I spend my weekends/holidays cleaning spyware off their PCs or trying to figure out device driver problems. Sure, once in a while I have to help them with a random question about iChat or Safari, etc., but that's it.

    And now with Leopard, I can *show* them what to do remotely with a couple of clicks via iChat.

    Using Macs in my own home makes my life easier, but other people using Macs in their own homes makes my life easier too. A win for them, a win for me.

    For those who continue to resist investing some money in a Mac, at the very least I install Firefox on their system and tell them to stay far away from the little blue "e."

    Fact. Do with it what you will.
    • MioTheGreat, on 11/08/2007, -1/+2"Since convincing my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, cousin, and a dozen friends/neighbors/coworkers to buy Macs, my PC support time has been cut to almost nothing. "

      I had the exact same experience after installing Vista on my family's computers. My grandparents, sister, parents, etc.

      All of them have been running Vista for about a year now, and I haven't had a single phone call from any of them with computer trouble.

      "And now with Leopard, I can *show* them what to do remotely with a couple of clicks via iChat."

      Windows has had this feature since like Windows 98 with Netmeeting, and it was integrated into XP with Remote Assistance.
    • ChuqAU, on 11/08/2007, -0/+5"All of them have been running Vista for about a year now, and I haven't had a single phone call from any of them with computer trouble."

      Just wait until they finish waiting for it to log in.
    • bigsteve, on 11/08/2007, -0/+1Do with it what I will? I know! I'll attack your opinion on a nerd-news site's message board! :-P
  • potterboy, on 11/09/2007, -1/+3Format C:
    Inset gOS or uBuntu disk.
    Install
    If ubuntu, make it so things are in the same place, possible try kubuntu.
  • saigumi, on 11/09/2007, -0/+4I've stopped mine from asking by tossing back requests of them from their area of expertise:

    Sure, after I take a look at your computer, could you check out this rectal wart I have? It really hurts.

    Hey, could you take a look at my taxes after I look at your computer? I know I should be getting back more money.
  • macgecko, on 11/09/2007, -2/+6100% Guaranteed to reduce if not remove all your support calls:
    1) Buy a Macintosh.
    2) Do not give them admin rights.
    Almost all the calls stopped as they had a working computer that did not blue screen or become infected with a virus...
    • melat0nin, on 11/08/2007, -2/+3hmm yes because PCs bluescreen all the time. Haven't you been reading digg of late? Everyone knows that the BSOD is a thing of the past. I aint no MS fanboy, but really now, can we concentrate on reality?
      • Quix, on 11/09/2007, -1/+1"Everyone knows that the BSOD is a thing of the past."

        Hmm, somebody didn't read Walt Mossberg's review of Gateway's new all-in-one (which was discussed at length on Digg) in which Mossberg suffers several BSODs (running Vista).

        Your "BSOD is a thing of the past" claim appears to be a, um, thing of the past.
        • melat0nin, on 11/13/2007, -1/+1Ah so because santa claus mossberg had a few BSODs, they are automatically the staple of the Windows experience a la 1998? I think not. I've not had a BSOD in ~5 years (touch wood), and I'm sure judging by the comments of other diggers on the issue many of them haven't seen them for similar periods of time.

          If people are going to legitimise their Windows-bashing they should at least concentrate on the real problems with the OS. Gassing on about BSODs just reeks of anti-fanboyism and sensationalism.
  • cphelps, on 11/09/2007, -0/+4I'm starting to see a pattern with all of these "How to" internet lists. How to get more sleep, how to eat better etc etc. This pattern is as follows:

    1. State the obvious.
    2. State the obvious.
    3. State the obvious.
    4. State the obvious.
    5. State the obvious.
  • repete, on 11/08/2007, -0/+0The only proper response to this situation - http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/frustrations/388b ...
  • RicktheBrick, on 11/09/2007, -0/+1All of these tips assume the computer is working. I have a computer with on board video. When it is turned on nothing shows on the monitor. I opened up the computer and removed the power cord and finally removed and replaced the on board battery. I than inserted a pci video board and started up the computer and I had video on the monitor. It has been working now for over 3 years since that repair. I went to edit the bios and saw a line that had the option of either pci video or on board video. Removing the battery changed it to pci.
  • upchuk, on 11/09/2007, -0/+0So true with my neighbors and family. Now even my wifes boss now calls me for tech support.
  • larrywsm, on 11/10/2007, -0/+1I always thought that"Format c: enter" followed by a long walk was the best method to fix the family computer
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