Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
September 2, 2007

Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.

Volume 3, Number 12 — Sunday, September 2, 2007

Part 1  | Part 2

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IN THIS WEEK'S ON-LINE ISSUE:
   1.   Why Buy a Notebook Computer?
   2.   Updates Last Week
   3.   My Notebook's LCD Dies
   4.   My Computer Security Software Recommendations
   5.   My Dell Notebook Repair Experience
   6.   Windows Genuine Advantage SNAFU
   7.   Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends

Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter.

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1.  Why Buy a Notebook Computer?

I've mentioned many times that my main computer is my notebook computer. Sure, I have a desktop computer, too, I just don't use it very much.

Before getting my Inspiron 8600 in 2004, my primary computer was a Dell Inspiron 5000, which was also a notebook. That notebook taught me a number of important things to consider when buying a notebook — especially when buying one to be the main computer.

First, and foremost, you should consider why you even want a notebook.

Do you want a computer that you can take on a personal trip, but plan to use only when you're traveling?

Or, do you want a notebook to be your primary computer, so that when you travel with it, you have all your programs, records and data?

That initial decision is crucial in determining which notebook you buy — and how statisfied you will be with it.

If you want a notebook for temporary, occasional use, you'll probably be happy with one of the cheap $600 models that are advertised in the newspaper each week.

With an Intel Celeron or an AMD Sempron -based notebook, the computers start out slow, and then are typically loaded with "helpful programs" that the manufacturer thinks should run all the time so that they can slow you down even more.

You can use WinPatrol (free) to get control of these unnecessary programs. Spend your time on Google deciding what you need to keep and what you can safely stop — or buy WinPatrol Plus ($30) to get access to their information database to guide you in those decisions.

For this type of computer, you should consider it disposable for all but a hard drive failure, at least once the manufacturer's warranty has expired. You can't buy repair parts anywhere, except for hard drives. You have to deal with the manufacturer or an authorized service center. You may be able to buy an extended warranty, but the cost will be a very significant fraction of the cost of the machine itself. You also may have to ship your notebook to be repaired.

If the notebook will be a substitute for your desktop computer, or, if you want your notebook to be your primary computer as mine is for me, you will probably want to buy a much more expensive model.

By the time you pick the fast processor, the large hard drive, the higher graphics capabilities, the extra memory, and such necessities for a desktop substitute, you've quickly arrived at $2,000 or more for the notebook.

At this level, you definitely will want to buy the extended warranty. I choose to buy Dell notebooks and pick the 4-year in-home extended warranty and their 4-year Complete Care accidental damage coverage, too.

Why do I buy a notebook computer? I use my notebook on a roll-around notebook computer table in my family's den. That way, I'm with the family (not in another room) and can read emails and surf (and talk) while I watch television or a movie.

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2.  Updates Last Week

Microsoft (operating systems, email, web browser, office suites):
Microsoft releases almost all updates once per month, on the second Tuesday. This week did not include Patch Tuesday. However, there was one update. Microsoft didn't get it out in time for the Daylight Saving Time changes in the Spring, but last week, they finally released their update:

Microsoft Windows XP

Update for Windows XP (KB933360)
Installing this update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2007 due to revised Daylight Saving Time laws in many countries. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Firefox (web browser, http://www.mozilla.com, free):
No new version this week. Version 2.0.0.6 was released on August 1, 2007. This was a security update.

Opera (web browser, http://www.opera.com, free):
No new version this week. Version 9.23 was released on August 15th. This release of a recommended security upgrade, in addition to having several other changes and bug fixes.

Netscape (web browser, http://browser.netscape.com, free):
No new version this week. Version 9.0b3 (beta version) was released during the week ending August 18, 2007.

SeaMonkey (web browser, email, HTML editor, newsreader; http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey; free): No new version this week. Version 1.1.4 was released on August 3, 2007. This was primarily a security update.

Eudora (email, http://www.eudora.com):
No update last week. Version 7.1.0.9 was released October 11, 2006. Eudora is now free, with no ads and no "paid mode" option.

Sponsored mode in the earlier versions of Eudora expired on March 31st — and reverted to the less-functional "Lite" mode. Fortunately, Eudora is very nicely designed. Just upgrade to v7.1.0.9 to get back to Sponsored mode.

The current release is the last version for this incarnation of Eudora. Qualcomm has handed the product to the Mozilla Foundatiton. The next time we actually see a new release of Eudora, it is expected to be Eudora features built onto a Thunderbird base.

Mozilla Thunderbird (email, http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird, free):
No new version this week. Thunderbird version 2.0.0.6 was released on August 1, 2007. This is primarily a security update.

OpenOffice (office suite — spreadsheet, word processor, presentations, graphics, web design; http://www.openoffice.org; free): Version 2.2.1 was released during the week ending June 16th. This is a security fix and bug fix release, with no new features.

3.  My Notebook's LCD Dies

Across the last couple of weeks, I could see that I would probably be calling Dell Support soon about my Inspiron 8600. The LCD, on startup or when returning from a blank-screen screensaver, would have a very red-ish tint to all the colors. Within 8-10 seconds after starting, the LCD would lose the red tint and brighten until it was back to normal colors.

However, I wasn't ready for my experience of Monday night. I came home, turned on my notebook computer and checked my emails. After dinner, I returned to the notebook to find that the screen was black. "No problem, that's the black screen screensaver," I thought. I moved the mouse. Nothing happened. I pressed a key, nothing happened. I tried again. Finally I held down the power button to trigger a power-off.

After some more experimentation, I found that my notebook would now light up the LCD for periods ranging from 6 seconds to about 22 seconds before the screen went black.

I tried suspending Windows (Alt-Esc on my notebook triggered hibernation). Restarting with a quick press to the power button, I got the same short operation of the LCD and then a black screen. I even tried booting a Windows 98 boot floppy, only to find the same result.

At this point, it was time to call Dell Support to get the hardware problem fixed.

Since the problem was the built-in display, if I needed to, I could hook up an external LCD monitor (or a CRT monitor) and a USB-based keyboard to the notebook.

Meanwhile, I'm glad I bought the Dell extended warranty with in-home service. It just saved me a bundle.