Click on pictures to see them enlarged in a photo stream. Comments: word verification on to allow anyone to comment but try and deter excessive amounts of spam! I LOVE getting comments!

Saturday 24 October 2009

Computer problems

Started having problems with anti-virus software earlier this week (it kept freezing during a scan). After consultation with IT guru who lives on Orkney Mainland, I downloaded and ran various software to ensure it wasn’t a nasty virus infecting my computer. All clear – phew. So went onto manufacturer's website to see if I could sort out problem and saw a newer version of anti-virus software available. Downloaded this….. BIG mistake……

What is it with the latest products from large corporations that makes them want to take over my entire computer…….? The programme suddenly morphed into the kind of security guys you see at large venues: built like a brick wall, wearing a sharp suit, shades, and ear/microphone. So these guys clearly decided the greatest security risk to my computer was ME…….. “Code Red – she’s approaching her email!” I got the computer equivalent of “STEP AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD, MADAM”…… complete lockout.

Anyway I managed to sneak under the radar and email IT guru –but it’s 10.30 pm and I know I won’t get a reply till the morning. This doesn’t stop me sending five more emails with increasing desperation ….. nor does it help my impatience to get things sorted so start “uninstalling” World Domination Software. I’ve done this before and know what to do….. “My name is Bond, Jane Bond, I like my martini shaken but not stirred”. Meanwhile “Gold Finger” makes one last attempt at World Domination and crashed my computer. I’m not beaten that easily and rebooted – only to find my email software trashed, leaving my inbox which was formerly full of vibrant friendly messages, completely empty…… I drained the martini in one gulp.

And the uninstall, having crashed, had left traces of World Domination on my computer, which was clashing with my existing firewall software. Existing software does not go in for flashy World Domination, but is more the type of security you would have seen in a 1970’s London Disco: very low key, blokes in open necked shirts, who silently appeared en masse to surround any trouble and discretely removed it. Which meant if you were singing along to the latest Glam Rock hit by Sweet (remember them?) while dancing around your handbag, you barely noticed anything……..

So – there was a bit of a battle between discrete security and the Sharp Suit guys and my web browser bit the dust. However this time it had been protected by discrete security and once I’d finally despatched the Sharp Suit guys I was rewarded with the return of my web browser…..

And during all this my IT guru was sending me calming emails with things like “Today you are going to edit the registry” and while I hyperventilated he would calmly give me step by step instructions to forever rid myself of World Domination software and install something more helpful …… I wanted a functioning computer…. I followed instructions…..

So – I now have installed sensible functioning security which doesn’t try to dominate The World or my computer and if anyone suggests I need to upgrade I will not be responsible for my actions……..

9 comments:

  1. I'm still breathless (with laughter) after your exploits of the week. And it's wonderful to see that Orcadian guile and goodness can still triumph over shades-and-suits evil.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ohhhhhhhhh, i can so relate to this. ;) Great post! Lizzy :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great story, Sian! So glad you kept your sense of humor. I assume this was a Microsoft product. Since I use Linux, I don't have to deal with any of this garbage, but I can certainly relate to those days when the computer seems out to get you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sweet and dancing round your handbag...ahh happy days And may I point out they were also known to wear silver on occassion, I'm just wondering if this is part of the bring back JACKIE campaign
    Auchenshugglegranny

    ReplyDelete
  5. ROFL!!!! Yes, discrete is far more preferable to Mafia software. My IT guru warned me ten years ago to avoid "Wunderkinder" programs like the plague. "If they promise you the moon, you may get Apollo 13," she said, "so wait until the bugs are worked out of it." ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm hurting with laughing! At the same time I so relate to this. My pc is on permanent go slow (had it - in other words, son had to do something clever with my laptop and now amid 10 thousand cables I'm abl-ish to work again. Waiting to sum up the courage to get a new pc and transfer ALL my stuff onto it...
    Just caught sight of your antics and I'm off again, tears pouring down my face!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been getting a "your security is out of date and should be upgraded" message for the last six months, and I've been telling it to get lost, I'll do it later.

    After reading your story, perhaps it's a good thing I wasn't in any hurry!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for all your comments! I am just relieved to be free of "World Domination software" and have the good guys in charge. Fingers crossed, but all seems with with the computer now...... but say it quietly in case it decides to stir up trouble again....

    ReplyDelete