Replies

I wish I could identify some change in software or computer setup that coincides, but the only possibility is the addition of Adobe Premiere Elements 13 and Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 at around the time the slowdown started.

I would uninstall and see if there is any change.

Build 10547 is still Beta stage. Have you sent Feedback about your problem to MS?

Hi WD, If your username is the way you feel, you need to assess what direction to take. Is there any info on your comp that you want to retain/keep? How old is your comp? Are you using W10 or is the comp capable?
Computer Techies don’t come cheap. Usually their hourly rate plus travel fee is the starting charge for diagnosis. If they are accepted and carry out repairs – the diagnosis fee is waived. The simple way to fix (if you have the computer knowhow and ability) is to follow Malware and Security clean up instructions from a competent Bulletin Board Service specialist.
The next choice is to renew the HDD and install your OS from your original Windows disc and start afresh. Last choice is buy a new computer after considering all costs.

It seems to be very important when trying W10 Upgrade especially from W7 that only 1 (one) HDD is connected. That any 3rd. party AV is disabled. Unplug USB external devices. (wireless keyboard and mouse seem to be OK – my experience) and ensure that the updates are installed before trying to use the new OS. I have had 4 completely uneventful W10 Upgrades (3 from W8.1 and 1 from W7) with only 1 HDD connected each time. I have always had MSE/Defender as the AV and have never had any problems with the installs.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-create-an-installation-dvd-or-usb-for-build/94ed9bb0-e638-4d7e-9678-7f45c8666013?OCID=WIP_r_Body_Wiki
This will enable you to try out W10 – Insider program.

I can say that many Institutions are still using XP. Banks and Hospital Boards & many many businesses. They pay for their MS Patches and Updates as was offered by MS at a price. The charge for these continued Updates and Patches would be a non-event for the Home user. As most AV Brands are due to cease Updates to their software for XP users in 2016 – the clock is ticking. Those who moved with the times will get FREE Upgrade to W10 from W7/8.1 so if you didn’t dump XP/Vista or earlier versions of Windows when you do need to make the change, it will need new machines (Hardware) to handle W10.

Here’s a link to answer ALL the questions. In the link if you open the links under Read This First – MS answers the queries. Scroll down to the section where questions are answered by an employee of MS and again I feel you will get all the answers you require. There is a list of W10 OS levels and what will be replaced/renewed. MS states that Windows Media Center will not be provided in W10 and will be uninstalled during the Upgrade to W7 & W8.1 currently running it. Furthermore, you will be advised when MS will do the Upgrade at a time to suit YOU. Cheers Neil.
http://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/3820ma/windows_10_free_upgrades_kb3035583_and_you_a_faq/

Can I write and print my own documents?
The WOW! Computer has an integrated word processor that lets you write, edit, save and print your own text documents. It also includes software for spreadsheets and slide presentations. Most recent HP printers will work with your WOW! Computer – just plug the USB cable from your printer into the WOW! Computer.

This from the WOW specs sheet. Why do you need to use a Brother Laser printer if the HP works OK? Neil.

Have you got the latest TB update (Version 31.3.0)?
Have you run TB in Safe Mode? (Help > Restart with Addons Disabled.) You may have a corrupt Addon causing the problem.

If your PC has the OS requirements and the correct type of CPU – running W8/8.1 is not a problem. My HP Notebook and main comp both run Wireless Internet/Printer without any hassles.

My HP notebook updated through Auto Updates without any hassle. If you are set to Auto Update – allow All updates to install prior to W8.1 and it goes sweet as. My main Desktop did exactly the same thing – from W8 Pro to W8.1 – no problems.

Hi polgy70, When you got your W8 – did you not make complete backup of the install? Why did you install Comodo when W8/8.1 are regarded as the most secure system from MS?
As suggested by Drew, if you have to do a fresh install – don’t forget to get ALL updates from MS before you try to install W8.1. Defender is built into the system and MBM and SpywareBlaster would be the only extras I would install. Don’t forget to make a Backup to an external drive! Cheers.

Try BelArc Advisor (Free) which will tell you all you want to know about Laptop / PC. Cheers.

Hi mchldpy, Yes, I do have time on my hands. As a septuagenarium, the computer is my plaything. Since retirement, I have built 6 comps and repaired 2 Laptops. I’m currently renewing a Digitizer screen and an LCD screen on a Ideos U8150 smartphone. Boy does it fill in the time.

This is the answer for above scam:
For about a year I’ve been reading about phonyscam phone calls from people claiming to be from Microsoft calling to fix a person’s computer.

Well, truth be told, I was feeling really neglected and left out because I hadn’t been called yet — even though I’ve had my “burn” number out there for at least a decade.

Well, ‘lo and behold, I FINALLY GOT A CALL!!!

Having expected the call for some time, when I was finally “chosen”, and I had waaaay too much time on my hands, I decided to see how long I could keep the guy on the phone.

I won’t give the 30 minute transcript, I’ll just hit the highlights: (by the by, this guy had such a heavy, heavy accent that half the time I really meant “could you repeat that, please?)(although I won’t include all of them here, I said it at least 50 times or more)

Call Center: Hello, Chris?
Me: Yes?
CC: I’m calling from the Microsoft support department because of all the errors on your computer that you’ve logged with MS.
Me: You mean when I click on the “send report to MS” when a program crashes it goes to you?
CC: Yes! That’s why I’m calling. You’ve got a lot of viruses on your computer and if we don’t fix it right away your computer will slow down even more and the hard drive will fail.
Me: Really? That’s terrible! But how do you know about all the errors because I don’t always send the report? And, how do you know what version of Windows I’ve got?
CC: Because those crashes get reported to us.
Me: Hmmm. How do you know which program crashed and which version of Windows I have?
CC: Windows 7?
Me: (no answer)
CC: Windows Vista?
Me: (no answer)
CC: Windows XP?
Me: I have Windows XP!!!
CC: Good. I can show you how many errors you have in the Event Viewer. Do you see the Windows key on your keyboard?
Me: Where’s that? I don’t see any key with Windows on it.
CC: On the bottom row on the left next to the ctrl key.
Me: Could you repeat that please? I can’t understand you.
CC: On the bottom row on the left next to the ctrl key.
Me: OK, I see the ctrl key, but there’s no Windows key.
CC: On the bottom row on the left next to the ctrl key and next to the alt key.
Me: Oh, OK, I see it now. But it doesn’t look like a Windows key; there’s a little rectangular box with an arrow on it. Is that what you mean?
CC: No, it’s next to the ctrl key.
Me: I’m telling you it’s a rectangular box with an arrow on it.
CC: (a little exasperatedly) On the left side between the ctrl and alt key!
Me: Oh, left, left. OK, I see it now. I’ve always wondered what that’s for. Now what?
CC: Press that key once.
Me: Done.
CC: Do you see “run”?
Me: No, all’s I see are my programs.
CC: No, on the left do you see “run”?
Me: No. Would it be under Accessories? I see Command Prompt there — is that what you mean? Should I click that?
CC: No! It’s on the left side of that window.
Me: Oh, left, left: Yes, but all I see is the word Run.
CC: That’s good. Now click it.
Me: Right click?
CC: No, left click.
Me: OK.
CC: Now, in that box type in . . .
Me: I don’t see a box. The only thing I see is RUN in bold letters.
CC: You left clicked . . .
Me: Oh, left, left. I have dyslexia and I get confused sometimes. OK, I clicked it.
CC: Good! Now, in that box type in “E” as in Edward.
Me: OK, “B” as in Backward . . .
CC: NO! E; E; E as in Edward.
Me: Oh, OK, EEE . . . now what?
CC: No! Only one E!
Me: OK, should I type the number 1 or spell it out before the E?

(We went on like this for almost 5 minutes with me deliberately putting in the wrong letters and saying, “Could you repeat that, please? Your accent is very heavy.” [always politely, and with apologies, of course] before we finally got to the Event Viewer)

CC: Now, on the left do you see Application?
Me: Yes.
CC: OK, now double click it to open it.
Me: My computer is set up for “single-click”. If I double click it will that cause one of the viruses to run?
CC: No, it will just open a new window.
Me: WOW!!! There’s a lot of stuff in there! What is it?
CC: That lists all the crashes from you programs that get sent to us at the Microsoft Support Center.
Me: So even if I don’t click “send report to MS” you get the information anyway?
CC: Yes, that’s why we’re calling because your computer is very infected and if we don’t fix it right away, tomorrow when you turn on your computer it will crash.
Me: Could you please repeat that?
CC: (repeats above)
Me: WOW! It’s a good thing you called! But how do you know it’s going to crash tomorrow?
CC: Now, do you see any red circles with a cross in them and yellow circles with an exclamation mark? That’s how we know.
Me: No, I don’t see any crosses, but there’s some yellow thingies.
CC: You don’t see any red crosses?
Me: No, but I do see a lot of red circles with “X”‘s in them. Is that what you mean?
CC: Yes. How many of them are there?
Me: Don’t you have that information since it’s all being sent to MS?
CC: Yes, we do. This is to show you how badly your computer is infected. Now, how many of the crosses do you see?
Me: I told you there’s no “crosses”, only “X”‘s!
CC: OK, how many X’s do you see?
Me: Man, there’s a LOT of them! OK, let’s see: One, two, three . . . ( I s-l-o-w-l-y count to 20)
CC: (mumbles something)
Me: Darn it! You made me lose count! Now I’m gonna have to start over. One, two, three . . . (I play this out for a few minutes till I get to 40 [actually, I only had one X and it was a SeaMonkey gklayout.dll error] before he got exasperated (again) and said:
CC: That’s enough. You can see by all the crosses how bad your computer is infected.
Me: Even though they’re X’s and not crosses it’s still an infection? How can that be? I “think” I have an Anti-Virus program.
CC: You get infections from your e-mail, the web and downloaded programs. What Anti-Virus program are you using?
Me: I don’t know. Where do I find it?
CC: Oh, that’s very bad; you don’t know what program you’re running and that’s why your computer is going to crash!
Me: Tomorrow?
CC: What?
Me: You said my computer is going to crash tomorrow if I don’t fix it.
CC: Yes. But don’t worry because our technicians will fix it for you.
Me: I though “you” were the technician because you seem to know a lot about my computer and that it’s going to crash tomorrow.
CC: I am a technician but our specialist team needs to connect to your computer so he can fix everything for you.
Me: Someone is going to come to my place and fix it? Wow! How much is that going to cost me?
CC: No, we do it remotely.
Me: How are you going to fix it remotely if you’re not here?
CC: We do it using a special website and our technicians can scan your computer and fix it.
Me: You can fix it all the way from India?!? Gosh! What part of India are you in?
CC: We’re in Brooklyn.
Me: Brooklyn!!! Wow! I was born there! Have you had a Nathan’s hot dog with the works on it?
CC: No, but let’s connect to our team and fix your computer.
Me: OK, what do we do?
(At this point I go through a similar routine as I did above with the Windows key and we finally get to the Run box and the guy’s voice is getting higher and more strained)
CC: OK, now type in WWW dot.
Me: Ok WWW dot
CC: WWW dot. —
Me: OK, WWW dot WWW dot, now what?
CC: NO! Only one W!
Me: OK, one W
CC: OK, WWW dot
Me: W dot WWW dot —
CC: NO! Just WWW dot —
Me: OK WWW dot, now what?
CC: type the letter “L” as in Larry.
Me: Did you say “B” as in Barry?
CC: NO! L, L as in Larry!
Me: OK, “L”
CC: Now “O” as in Oscar.
Me: Could you please repeat that? (which he does)
Me: Are you saying “awful”?
CC: NO!!! “O” as in Oscar!!!
Me: Oh, Oscar! You know I have a second cousin, twice removed, named Oscar! He has a lovely daughter but the poor thing has ingrown toenails so bad she can hardly walk. She really need to get an operation to fix that so she . . .
CC: That’s fine, but lets get back to your computer. Now have you typed in “L” and “O”?
Me: Yes.
CC: OK . . .
Me: OK, I clicked OK and I’m on LO.com. Now what?
CC: NO! NO! NO! Don’t click anything until I tell you!
Me: OK.
CC: Now, type in L, O, . . .
(At this point I repeatedly “mishear” just about every letter the guy says [e.g. CC: “M as in Mary: Me: Harry doesn’t start with an “M”] and his voice is getting into the castrato range [evil grin])
CC: Now, have you got “logmein123.com”?
Me: Yes. Logmein one, two, three dot com.
CC: Good, NOW click OK.
Me: Right click or left click?
CC: (probably muttering Indian swear words because I didn’t understand a thing he said) Left click!!!
Me: OK, I’m at logmeinonetwothree.com. Now what?
CC: Do you see the Support Connection box?
Me: No. There’s a box in the middle of the page that says Help Desk Software, Email Software, Stock Trading, etc., etc.
CC: ??? What page are you on???
Me: The one you told me: logmein o-n-e, t-w-o, t-h-r-e-e.
CC: NO! NO! NO! It’s the numbers 1,2,3 not spelled out!
Me: Well, why didn’t you say so? OK, I’m now on the page that has the box.
CC: I’m going to give you a code number to type in there so our technicians can fix your computer. (He then proceeds to give me a six digit number which, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, I misheard)
Me: OK, no wait! My computer just shut down!!! (It didn’t) What did you do???
CC: We haven’t done anything yet.
Me: Well, then, why did my computer just shut down?
CC: It’s probably all the viruses you have.
Me: OK, let me start it again. This’ll take a few minutes because it’s really slow (at this point I went to the bathroom).
CC: Hello? Hello? Chris? Hello?
Me: OK, I’m at the Desktop again. You’ll have to walk me through to the website again because I didn’t write it down. (I didn’t give him as hard a time as I did at first)
Me: HEY! I entered the code and it says, “Session using this code is already in use”. If you didn’t do anything to my computer to make it shut down, why am I getting the “In use” message??? Say, what are you guys up to???
CC: I’ll have to give you another code. (He then gives me “another” code)
Me: OK, I reentered the code and it says “Code has expired”!
CC: Did you put in the new code?
Me: No. I reentered the one you gave me because I though you were going to renew it!
CC: NO!!! Use the NEW code I gave you!!!
Me: OK, OK. There, I put in the code.
CC: Good. Now click on Connect to technician.
Me: Right click or left click?
CC: !!!!!!!!!!
Me: OK, it says, “Internet Explorer cannot display page”.
CC: What number did you type in?
Me: The one YOU gave me! Let me try again.
Me: Nope, I got the same message that it’s in use!
CC: Try this number xxxxxx
Me: It says “Code does not exist”! Hey, is this one of those crank phone calls from a radio station trying to keep me on the line for a long time? Because if it is, it’s not funny!
CC: No sir, we’re just trying to fix your computer.
Me: Well, all this time we’ve been on the phone, I know it’s gonna cost me something. How much do I have to pay???
CC: (He launches into his sales spiel about how fixing it is “free” but it requires a one-year warranty contract that’s good 247 365 with toll-free tech support and for only $110.00)

At this point (about the 25 minute mark) I have him spell out the terms of the contract (with a LOT of “could you repeat that, please?” thrown in).

Me: So, it’s $110, right?
CC: Yes.
Me: Well, I really wish you’d have said so in the first place because I’m on the dole and can barely afford the paper to wipe my arse.
CC: (Much, much cursing in Indian and English with pointed references to my parentage and sexual orientation). Hangs up!

I kept him on the phone for 29 minutes and 47 seconds!!! I feel so badly about that. NOT!!!

I think there should be some sort of contest to see who can keep these b*****ds on the phone the longest. Unfortunately I didn’t record the call, elsewise I’d have it posted on youtube.
Thanks to jpChris.
Sorry about the length of this Post, but we do need to laugh now and again – especially at the scammers expense.