Dial-up, anyone still using?

[MaroonBells]

Hi,

I am not the biggest computer geek so I need some advice.

I have had dial-up at home for years. Just switched to cable, and nothing but problems. Our laptop is 5 years old and is running like a snail. We try to clean it up but all the adware/ spyware/ firewall stuff is slowing things down.

Is there any true value in high-speed connections if you have to deal with all the protection issues?

And on a side note: would a new laptop solve my problems?

[Trolsk]

Cable isn't always so good, at least when you're sharing the uplink with several neighbours. What happens then is that you can only push data during certain intervals (unless the specs has changed since I had cable, ~5 years ago). When you're downloading data through a TCP-stream (the norm), your OS must acknowledge the data transmitted, during transfer; these acknowledges would be delayed because of the timesharing, slowing the transmission.

If you have that particular problem, you will notice a speed-up during low-traffic hours (night-time).

[Edit] I would try your connection with someone else's laptop. If the problem is still there, I'd call the provider's support.

[MaroonBells]

Thanks Hush, I thought cable meant a dedicated line. Guess I'll have to play load music day-in-day-out to scare away the neighbors!

[INTrPosr]

I have identical problems as MB. I continue to use dial up, because I can't afford cable or high speed. Anyone have ideas on good fast dial ups? I know that AOL provides it, but I just can't see going to them out of principle.

[Ka.avik]

There are good dial-up account out there. AOL doesn't provide them.
If you're going to go with dial up, choose a local ISP -- they're likely to give you the best service. Once you're used to it, good dial up can be acceptbly fast -- I routinely got 4K/s throughput. Not out where I live now, though --
2.5-3K/s. Cheap phone wires is what the neighbors propose as an answer.

DSL / Cable can be faster, or it can be slower. Laptops are not computers. Buy a computer. Go to a good store, you should be able to find a small-name brand computer for $200-$500, and kbd/mouse/monitor can be had at any used computer store or some second hand store, or pawn shops, or whatever.

Or, do like I did -- buy the computer parts over the internet (still at least $250 for everything, but you get much better components) see pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) for a variety of vendors to choose from among. And buy the best monitor you can at the store. Your eyes will be much happier. (hint -- look for low dot pitch rates and high refresh rates. Never mind the screen size!)

[MaroonBells]

Thanks Ka.avik, very helpful.
A computer might be tough as we don't have a dedicated office and two tods walking around. The laptop can go on the top of the bookcase!

["InsertNameHere"]

I had a 7 year old computer that crashed over the winter. I've never had dial-up, only cable, so I'm not quit sure. Do dail-up now have call waiting properties? When I go home for the summer I don't want to pay for cable because I'll only be there for a few months. So I'm thinking of dail-up, but not if I have to get another phone line...

[Ka.avik]

A computer might be tough as we don't have a dedicated office and two tods walking around. The laptop can go on the top of the bookcase! No problem there -- just secure the computer to the bookcase top, and buy a monitor cable extension. You'll still need some kind of furniture to put the monitor on, and it's quite a bit heavier than a laptop, but wally world (http://www.walmart.com/) carries cheap furniniture that will do the job.

Or just spend a lot more an a good LCD screen that can be mounted to the wall! Then you just have to keep the kbd / mouse out of reach http://forums.intpcentral.com/images/smilies/whistling.gif

[MaroonBells]

Do dail-up now have call waiting properties?

AOL didn't, you would need to set something up with your tel company. Is a big downside, I agree.

[MaroonBells]

No problem there -- just secure the computer to the bookcase top, and buy a monitor cable extension.

Pure genius, never thought of that! Cheers.

[SheepDog]

Probably the biggest mistake you can make when getting high speed internet is installing their software on your machine. I get dumb looks when I tell people this, but I've seen it over and over where people do the package install, which loads all kinds of crap on their machine, and it slows down to a crawl. You can remove some of it if you're determined, but it's a painful process.

I happen to have DSL, but I configured the TCP/IP settings completely myself, and use the browser that I obtained from a different source. I'm paying for bandwidth, not for the opportunity to run some ISP's branded version of crappy software.

[MaroonBells]

Probably the biggest mistake you can make when getting high speed internet is installing their software on your machine. I get dumb looks when I tell people this, but I've seen it over and over where people do the package install, which loads all kinds of crap on their machine, and it slows down to a crawl. You can remove some of it if you're determined, but it's a painful process.

I happen to have DSL, but I configured the TCP/IP settings completely myself, and use the browser that I obtained from a different source. I'm paying for bandwidth, not for the opportunity to run some ISP's branded version of crappy software.

That might be the issue!

PS: what browser do you use, I was recommended Avant.

[SheepDog]

I use mozilla. Opera is also supposed to be good. I could never recommend IE.

[MaroonBells]

Any recommendations on spyware and the like? I ran NOD32 last night but that didn't particularly speed up my computer as I was forced to delete infected, critical files.

[PiccoloNamek]

You could try running the tweak test at broadbandreports. I know it helped me find what was causing my problems. (Massive packet loss)

http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

Now that I have everything optimized, I've gotten speeds as high as 6.3Mbps. (Aroudn 780 kilobytes per second!)

[kuranes]

Any recommendations on spyware and the like? I ran NOD32 last night but that didn't particularly speed up my computer as I was forced to delete infected, critical files.
I've got Internet Explorer for the Mac, Mozilla, and Firefox. That way when Explorer is screwed up ( such as when accessing www.allmusic.com ) I switch to Firefox or something else. I use the local phone company baby bell for my ISP. I've heard that spyware doesn't infect Macs yet. Interesting to know if people on this site believe otherwise. I clear out the cookies from time to time, but you need a certain amount of them operating for stuff like Ebay, it seems.
K

[MaroonBells]

I've heard that spyware doesn't infect Macs yet. Interesting to know if people on this site believe otherwise.

I don't have a Mac but heard the same, too small a market for advertisers and the like.

[kuranes]

you're right. More people familiar with IPOD than there are people familiar with Macs now. I overheard these kids saying about Paul McCartney once, "I hear he used to be with a band called The Beatles." K

[ohnoaninfp]

Hi,

I am not the biggest computer geek so I need some advice.

I have had dial-up at home for years. Just switched to cable, and nothing but problems. Our laptop is 5 years old and is running like a snail. We try to clean it up but all the adware/ spyware/ firewall stuff is slowing things down.

Is there any true value in high-speed connections if you have to deal with all the protection issues?

And on a side note: would a new laptop solve my problems?
Yes!!! I think. I wanted to get a lapr top so I can surf the net and do my work in my room, but they are too expensive. I did find a good deal though. But still I can't really afford it so I will probably have have to ask my dad for some financial help.

[MaroonBells]

Yes!!! I think. I wanted to get a lapr top so I can surf the net and do my work in my room, but they are too expensive. I did find a good deal though. But still I can't really afford it so I will probably have have to ask my dad for some financial help.

I also like the laptops, I am not as comfortable building one myself but that could save you lots of money. Or buy a refurbished one. There are tons of sites where to get one of those, particularly IBM.

[Nighthawk]

Any recommendations on spyware and the like? I ran NOD32 last night but that didn't particularly speed up my computer as I was forced to delete infected, critical files.The 3 apps I run to clean my pc of spyware (all free) are:

Spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Adaware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

[MaroonBells]

Thanks Nighthawk. I did use Lavasoft, will try the other two.

[Claverhouse]

You also need Spywareblaster by Javacool (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/). Free, and free to update manually.

I also run a few other things for specific trojans etc., among them Stinger, Bugbear Remove & Klez Remove from MacAfee, which googling I see you can get free from either here (http://www.antivirus.ro/?page=26&producator=1), or here (http://dushan10.tripod.com/), from time to time on a random basis.

Also it's as well to check your .ini files for anything that may have got through once in a while.

On dial-up, and considering 4kp a very poor return for several lifetimes' service to Mankind,



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Chukamuk]

I've owned two Macs since Apple came out with OSX(Unix BSD under the hood). A 933 G4 and now a dual 2.5 G5. I wouldn't trade my Mac for any PC. I do have a PC but it has Redhat Linux running on it and it doubles as a DVR.

My wife's PC has Windows XP on it and I'm constantly trying to keep it up and running. I put SpyBot(great freeware) on it for the spy/adware removal and Norton's anti-virus but, it's still a pain in the ass with all the security updates.

I'm not running any virus or spyware protection software on my Mac because, it's currently not necessary. If you have any Mac specific questions I'd be glad to help.

I have high-speed cable and I love it but your mileage may vary. And I agree, whoever you go with, don't use their software. It's usually crap.

[Miss Anthropic]

I have a 2 year old Dell laptop and my cable internet works just fine! If yours is still slow after you cleaned everything up can you add some memory? I just did that and it sped things up quite a bit. (It was ok before, but great now)

[int]

The 3 apps I run to clean my pc of spyware (all free) are:

Spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Adaware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspxBingo. When I have to go onsite for spyware issues (I'm a tech some days, a System Admin others, a network engineer others, etc...) I use these three. We also sometimes load Spy Sweeper from www.webroot.com (http://www.webroot.com/) if the client wants to pay for it. Oh, and make sure your software is up to date (there are no updates)...otherwise you're not cleaning everything up.

I'll also run HiJack This! if all else fails...you gotta know what you're looking at though. Try here for a walkthrough, of sorts:
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

Also, a free virus scanner is AVG Free Edition, from http://free.grisoft.com (http://free.grisoft.com/).

[Claverhouse]

I've got Internet Explorer for the Mac, Mozilla, and Firefox. That way when Explorer is screwed up ( such as when accessing www.allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com) ) I switch to Firefox or something else.

[Coldly] Wouldn't it be better doing it the other way round ?


I've heard that spyware doesn't infect Macs yet.
Dunno, but speaking of which I just came across this on Slashdot, SUSE Thread (http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/28/1414237&tid=143&tid=106),
take for instance, mac os x: in the past 2 years, apple has released buggy updates that



accidentally formatted your harddisk (under certain circumstances, and only if you had 2 of them)
deleted your email (only if german was set as preferred language)
destroyed your ibook battery (which was kinda cool if you got a replacemend 2 months before the guarantee ended).
the only one that effected me was the battery-killer, but still, that's a kinda scary history.
I know it's not funny. :dont:

:rolleyes:
:hello:

:lol:

:rofl:


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[MaroonBells]

I have a 2 year old Dell laptop and my cable internet works just fine! If yours is still slow after you cleaned everything up can you add some memory? I just did that and it sped things up quite a bit. (It was ok before, but great now)

Yes, that's is definately an option. Just want to make sure it is not a drop in the bucket.

[Star Cannon]

dudes, I recommend ram freer.

www.aoksoft.com

I haven't had problems with ram ever since I got it. The computer runs as fast as the second day we got it. A very good improvement.

I also recommend using Karen's Registry Cleaner. Keeps everything nice and neat...

[Claverhouse]

dudes, I recommend ram freer.

www.aoksoft.com (http://www.aoksoft.com)

I haven't had problems with ram ever since I got it. The computer runs as fast as the second day we got it. A very good improvement.

The link just goes to a search engine...


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Architectonic]

How often do you use the internet?
How much do local calls to your isp cost? (when connecting to the internet)
How much does a monthly dial up connection cost?

Do you need a separate phone line for the dial up connection? If so, how much is the line rental per month?

After doing the math, ADSL worked out to be a cheaper option for us than dial-up.

MaroonBells, in regards to your laptop, what programs do you have running in the background all the time? What operating system do you have (and what specs does your computer have - RAM, cpu etc?) Chances are your computer is running too much junk running in the background all the time. Because we have a dedicated firewall connected to the ADSL modem, I don't run any firewall programs on this computer. I don't run any virus scanners. I do have a few spyware cleaning programs, but I make sure they do not run all the time and I rarely need to run them if ever.

[garak]

Laptops are not computers. Buy a computer. Go to a good store, you should be able to find a small-name brand computer for $200-$500, and kbd/mouse/monitor can be had at any used computer store or some second hand store, or pawn shops, or whatever.
You have no idea what you're talking about. Laptops aren't computers? A $200 machine with a pawn shop monitor? WTF dude? That's horrible advice.

Also, pricewatch is full of shoddy vendors. And numbers are not the important thing about monitors -- you can find a monitor with a low dot pitch that's garbage, and a really nice monitor that has "worse" specs. Quality is completely dependent on the brand, and even more importantly the individual model.

[Partisan]

Not only am I on dial-up, but the antique analog switches around here only allow me to connect at 28.8 max. Highspeed does not exist here. Strangly enough, I can still pwn on Half-Life. w00t.

New laptop? Nay. Rarely do people listen to my advice, but I'll try anyway.

I worked in computer and network repair for about six years, and in that time, the most successful fix-all end-all solution was to erase the partition info, flash the MBR, write a new partition, format, and re-install OS. If you are super-fond of Windows, stick to it. If you feel like using your Te to learn something new, I would suggest a beginner level flavor of Linux. Mandrake or MEPIS (They are free). They rarely make a virus for those platforms, and I personally have never expierienced any type of malware. If you do, make sure you aren't using Bob's brand motherboard, modem, video card, scsi, or raid.

If you need something new, and just for the next year, you can try getting a IBM/Dell (Will atone to the computer gods later) with a student discount. If you have some extra cash, and need a small computer, try looking into Shuttle, Inc. Can find plenty of stuff at NewEgg.com. Or if someone hands you $1000 dollars, and you don't know how to spend it, you can always grab an ACER laptop. They aren't a gigantic coporation, but in my experience, they have been great, and they always use mainstream hardware vendors.

All I can think of right now.

[MaroonBells]

Thanks everyone for the tips. :)

In the end we got a Toshiba - Satellite 350 Notebook L15-S104 (Intel® Celeron® M processor 350; DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive; 15" display; 40.0GB hard drive; 256MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM). Not the fanciest but for a good price at Best Buy ($650 after rebates).

There might be better systems and deals out there but I don't have the knowledge and the time (respectively) for that. So far it has been a pleasure (we switched back to dial-up and cancelled our comcast cable). Our 5 year old HP Pavilion is now dusting over in the corner and I don't miss it (some people said that HP always has lots running in the background).

PS: I didn't know that your battery runs out after a year/ year and a half - we never replaced the HP one ... :blink:

[melancholeric]

dudes, I recommend ram freer.

www.aoksoft.com

I haven't had problems with ram ever since I got it. The computer runs as fast as the second day we got it. A very good improvement.

I also recommend using Karen's Registry Cleaner. Keeps everything nice and neat...
Yep, that takes to search engine.
Try RAMBooster (http://www.sci.fi/~borg/rambooster/).

[philonightmare]

the most successful fix-all end-all solution was to erase the partition info, flash the MBR, write a new partition, format, and re-install OS. If you are super-fond of Windows, stick to it. If you feel like using your Te to learn something new, I would suggest a beginner level flavor of Linux. Mandrake or MEPIS (They are free). They rarely make a virus for those platforms, and I personally have never expierienced any type of malware. If you do, make sure you aren't using Bob's brand motherboard, modem, video card, scsi, or raid.

That's exactly what I did with two of my computers. It's easy writing new partitions and reformatting, etc. I stuck with Windows though. I've never tried linux, etc before.

[Architectonic]

MaroonBells - good luck with the new pc. :)


I worked in computer and network repair for about six years, and in that time, the most successful fix-all end-all solution was to erase the partition info, flash the MBR, write a new partition, format, and re-install OS.

LOL, the cop-out approach!

Real techos can fix problems without a reformat. ;P

I admit I've done it before though. (overclocking and partition magic do not mix....) And I'd love to do it to my Dad's pc. Its an extremely cluttered win98 install. I've seen him install linux, like 12+ times on various hardware configurations (from about 1994 onwards) and yet I've never seen him use it for day to day activities, instead he uses his awful win98 install.