[sirchtruth]

I wish I could answer your questions but I only know enough to keep me in trouble.

I'm looking for a GOOD quality $200-$400 digital camera. Anyone got suggestions?

[Ronin]

I can't help but I am going to give you a bump because this is the kind of information I like to learn as well.

*bump*

[general_re]

Ethernet is how you communicate with the dead.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

2) I have a virus/spyware, whatever. How do I get rid of it?

go get ad-aware,stingerXE and macafee firewall that will help

also if you use winmx,kazaa and stuff careful what you d/l

[dennisw]

What's with spyware and how harmful is it? I use zone alarm and am careful with updates and e-mail.

[Nataku X]

But I have something. I have to type every other letter two or three times. My computer is slow and doesn't recognize every keystroke. My CAPS lights is always on. My USB port works intermitently.

It sounds like either your keyboard or USB port is thrashed (assuming it's USB keyboard).

[AppyPappy]

Ethernet is basically networking. You only care about 10/100 or Gigabit if your network has them. So if your network is Gigabit, you want Gigabit. I don't even know what I have.

Boot into safe mode (look up "safe mode" in Windows Help). Then run your virus scan.

[palmer]

Ethernet is a simple and cheap way to network computers. If your computer has ethernet you can insert a router between it and the internet (cable modem or DSL modem). That router will protect you from quite a few attacks. On the other hand, nothing can stop you from clicking on an attachment and getting infected. If you did that, you should back up your essential documents and reinstall or restore your OS.

[TommyDale]

Ethernet is the protocol that connects local area networks. Unless you work in an office connected with fiber, you don't need gigabit ethernet, just 10/100. If you are connecting to a cable/dsl modem, 10/100 is what you will use.

For spyware detection, go to Google.com and search for
SpyBot. It is rated the best at detecting spyware. I also use AdAware, as it detects even a few "spyware" files that SpyBot leaves.

As for viruses, just running an anti-virus like Norton AntiVirus does no good unless you update on a weekly basis.
Use the Norton program, and let the software run automatic updates.

As for the CAPS light always on, it sounds like you have
a keyboard problem. The USB port may not be from the drivers not loading properly. You might want to look into how to update drivers.

[LanPB01]

I used to have so much spyware on my computer that it ran slow and didn't recognize every keystroke as well. I downloaded SpyBot S&D (it's free) and Lavasoft's AdAware (also free), and the spyware problem was elminated. You can find both of these by doing a search on Google, or find the links to them by searching other computer related threads on FreeRepublic. The links get posted here all the time.

[per loin]

Ethernet is a system of hooking computers together so that they can communicate with each other or share a connection to the internet. If you have only one computer in your home or office, you will not need or use ethernet.

The cards (Network Interface Cards - NICs) that are used for ethernet have a connection that looks like an enlarged female phone connection on them. On newer computers the connections are built into the motherboards.

The NICs connect together with a wire called CAT5 (Catagory 5) . The 10/100 designation tells the speed that they can operate at.

[SubMareener]

Sounds as if the commies have gotten you! Or are you trying to run Windows XP on a 136 MHz Pentium II with 64MByte of RAM?

[rdb3]

What is ethernet?

This is a LAN, normally in one building or one room.

Does it have something to do with internet connections, DSL, etc?

Nope. Internet and ethernet are two separate things.

Do I need it?

Depends on your needs. If you don't have a home network, you don't need it.

I'm looking for a new laptop. Should I care if it has 10/100 or Gigabit Ethernet?

If you don't have broadband, then it really wouldn't matter since you'll only be connected on a 56K modem. However, if your new laptop already comes with it, that's a good thing. IOW, it doesn't hurt.

(2) I have a virus/spyware, whatever. How do I get rid of it?

Norton Antivirus finds nothing. SpyCOp finds nothing. I have ZOne Alarm Pro. But I have something. I have to type every other letter two or three times. My computer is slow and doesn't recognize every keystroke. My CAPS lights is always on. My USB port works intermitently.

This doesn't sound like virii. It sounds like hardware problems.

[alnick]

I have to type every other letter two or three times. My computer is slow and doesn't recognize every keystroke. My CAPS lights is always on.

Have you checked to see if the problem is a bad keyboard? Try plugging in another keyboard to see if you still have those problems.

[holymoly]

(2) I have a virus/spyware, whatever. How do I get rid of it?

You base this conclusion on the fact that your keyboard & USB port are acting up? I doubt that spyware is the cause. It may be a software problem, but it may also be a hardware problem.

You gave use very little information to go on. You didn't state what OS you're using, or what your system specs are (other than the fact that you have a USB port.) Without this information, it's very hard to provide any meaningful advice.

Depending on the version of Windows you're using (assuming you're using Windows)select:

Start > Run

Then type in "MSCONFIG" (without the quotes) and click "Ok."

Click the "Startup" tab and see what loads when your system boots up. If you find something suspicious, you can either search for it on your system (right clicking on files and selecting "Properties" may sometimes provide information) or search for the filename on Google.

[JammingJAY]

1: What is ethernet? It is the hardware level of networking.
2: Does it have something to do with internet connections, DSL, etc, well yes, it is the means in which data moves down your network cable.
3: Do I need it? Nah.

Now if you meant TCP, UDP, ICMP and IP these are “protocols” they are a standardized communication method. Both computer (or many ) must know the protocol or there is no “handshake” and no communication.
TCP/IP, UDP/IP and ICMP/IP are the standard protocols for the internet. IP = Internet Protocol. What happens is we take a TCP “packet” and incase it in a IP packet like this IP-TCP-IP. The IP part is internet routing addressing when the data (TCP) arrives at its destination it is stripped off leaving TCP. Got it?
There are other protocols like IPX, same rules apply.

Spybot S&D and AdAware sounds good to me. Spyware “tracks” your assigned spybot number feeding IP packets to the trackers. Maybe some TCP stuff. They use this info to “target” your spam by your surfing habits.

Sounds like your keyboard is bad.

Best anti-virus is safe computing. Don’t launch attachments or execute software you don’t know the background on.

Jammer

[judywillow]

Ethernet is the set of protocols which both the internet and local area networks use to pass data packets around. For home use, even 10 mps (megabits per second) is more than most people need. You'd need an ethernet card (usually around $12 at marketpro shows) for each computer in question, and then the cables and possibly a hub (about $50) to connect them or, in the case of simply needing two computers networked together, you could use a reversed cable and the hub becomes unnecessary. You have to specify local IP numbers for each computer and go through the ethernet setup routines in Windows or Linux.

I have a linux computer which connects to the internet, and that avoids all viruses and cybernetic mayhem, which is all targeted at Microsoft operating systems and software, and then I have a windows machine for running windows software, and the two are thus networked together. Once ethernet connections are established, the SAMBA package on Linux lets the windows machine view part of the linux directory system as if it were a microsoft windows network drive.

[Rain-maker]

Use Spybot Search and Destroy. I've tried several spyware removers over the years,

and Spybot does the best job for updateable freeware.

 

Get it here: http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=news

 

 

 Spybot Search and Destroy

Spybot blows venerable Ad-aware out of the water when it comes to protecting you against ad-serving software.
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/4505-3514_16-20848563.html?tag=dir

 

 

Editor Rating: 
Member Rating: 
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,994109,00.asp

[Rebelbase]

I use Spybot Search and Destroy. Google the name. Its a freebie and can be run manually or automatically when you boot up.

You can set your Internet Explorer security to reject or prompt Active X controls and plugins. Go to Tools/Internet options/Security/Custom Level.

I set mine to prompt. There are times when I want to view a video and I have to load an active x control, then I use Spybot to delete it after the viewing.

[B.Bumbleberry]

I'm looking for a new laptop.

Bought a Compaq X1010 laptop about 3 months ago. It is a closeout model and precursor to a newer machine with not significantly better features that costs a lot more. It was on sale at CompUSA for $1,500 (after rebates), which included a DVD/CDRW drive and extra RAM. Nice machine--almost miraculous technology, really. If you've been plugging away on an old obsolete desktop, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven.

Spent another $150 at Compaq to get a docking station so that all I have to do is pick up the laptop and go. No fiddling with connecting and unconnecting cables. Unless you're a heavy gamer, this machine would handle all your needs and solve your other problems as well. I haven't used my desktop since I got it, and don't think I ever will. Go splurge. And good luck.