Most common PC problem

gruimed · 06-10-2006, 06:46 AM

What is the most common PC problem ?

yustr · 06-10-2006, 11:13 AM

USERS

dai · 06-10-2006, 11:40 AM

have to agree with yustr
users
psu

**Spatcher** · 06-10-2006, 12:13 PM

I saw the thread title and also thought USERS.

I'll have to say viruses/spyware/adware because you asked for the most common problem.

**Ralck** · 06-10-2006, 12:26 PM

For the common user, it seems to be the user is the biggest problem, which causes viruses/spyware/adaware.
For me however, the biggest problem seems to be problems with windows, but that's because I tweak it way too much, which basically means again it's the user's fault :-P.

gruimed · 06-10-2006, 01:56 PM

Well... the user may be the CAUSE of the problem, but I was asking about the problem itself. The user may mess up his broadband configuration - in that case the problem is misconfiguration and the cause is the user.

Once again, I was asking about the problem itself.

**JeremyC** · 06-10-2006, 02:00 PM

viruses/spyware/adware

**DumberDrummer** · 06-10-2006, 03:32 PM

dangit... I thought that I would come in here and be a smart aleck and say users, but looks like 20 people have already beaten me to the punch...

**Joefireline** · 06-11-2006, 11:44 AM

I would say Windows makes the problems! When I first got my laptop, I had 6 different spyware things on my computer before I went onto the internet! So windows couses it, spyware is the problem, and the user has to solve it. Though you could say it is the users fault for using windows. If all users used linux, computing would be so much more surcure...

dai · 06-11-2006, 11:47 AM

i doubt it was windows,who loaded the laptop

**DumberDrummer** · 06-11-2006, 12:39 PM

yeah, I'm pretty sure windows doesn't ship with spyware

**Joefireline** · 06-11-2006, 01:16 PM

I am sure it was what was on the xp cd, and when I have done windows updates, I have found it has installed spyware programs!

Zazula · 06-11-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DumberDrummer

dangit... I thought that I would come in here and be a smart aleck and say users, but looks like 20 people have already beaten me to the punch...

Dammit, DD, I had come here with your comment in mind as soon as I started reading the first posts, but you had already said even that!

So, I can say it's a user-machine misconfiguration: the pc needs a user (homo pc.gurius) that is not at all common, and the typical user (homo pc.ignoramus) needs to stay away from pc's in the first place!

yustr · 06-11-2006, 09:02 PM

Here's one not on the list: lazy engineering. There is absolutely no reason for most of the problems we see that cannot be explained by those two words. And if I add "greed" I think I've got them all covered.

What I mean by lazy engineering combined with greed is best summed up with these simple leters: chkdsk (or pick any other command line of your choice). These are DOS commands from 25 years ago. (Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with DOS. del *.* was very useful.) Why does MS still use it? Greed or they're just lazy. Sure it works but in 25 years they couldn't come up with anything better?

Spyware. Virus'. Why is my system vulnerable at all? Surely they can write a program that pretests every system change and stops those that could be damaging. They could if they weren't lazy enginers. Or if they weren't greedy owners who don't let the (non) lazy engineers work.

On the otherhand, we keep buying it so I guess its just a case of "give the people what they want".

Zazula · 06-11-2006, 09:12 PM

Yes, yustr, you make quite a point here!

Anyone remember the time when we could actually get a 5.25" with a thoroughly debugged piece of software? You see, it had to be thoroughly debugged in order to fit in those measly storage means - now we're getting behemoth software hodgepodges that are greedily marketed well before any actual debugging ever takes place!

In other words, it's the Marketing Depts that rule our digital lives, not the Engineering Depts. We, the users, have become the guinea pigs to what the next "hotfix" or "service release" will be about...

gruimed · 06-12-2006, 01:57 AM

Just wanted to note that it's ok to discuss whatever you like in this thread, but the original question was about "problems" (like viruses, hardware, broken configuration), not causes (users, engineers, bad karma).

As for the points being mentioned here - well, it's obvious that users and engineers are by definition behind 100% of computer problems.

Regarding systems becoming less and less stable - well, it's pretty clear that first, systems become more complex and second - it does not pay to produce good quality software.

But once again, the original poll question was not about that.

levt · 06-12-2006, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruimed

What is the most common PC problem ?

As IT professional I'm facing PC problems on daily basis, I can state that 90%
my customers refering to me with problems related to OS misconfiguration. I suppose that they get support for internet from the ISP, HW problems are generally resolved by PC store, but thay get stuck with the OS configuration problems.

**Glaswegian** · 06-12-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yustr

Spyware. Virus'. Why is my system vulnerable at all? Surely they can write a program that pretests every system change and stops those that could be damaging.

Just as well or I'd have nothing to do of an evening!

ocimico · 06-12-2006, 06:54 AM

Well, as an administrator, i can safely say, that most user problems stem from (besides the general computer illiteracy, that is) those 2 troubles...

Viruses, or other types of self-propagated malware, like self-installing homepages, browser bars and search engines
All those "helpful" programs that think they have a right to install themselves in startup, TCP stack, services or event queues.

Both problems cause system instability, long responce time, and otherwise affect user's productivity... I consider both types a malware, since even though the second kind is installed by user willfully, user is rarely if ever warned of the effect, and the effect may be as destructive as with most viruses (and even more so - antivirus doesn't remove it)
Therefore, i voted for viruses/spyware/adware...

P.S. You can't blame the user... For example, most MacOS users are computer-illiterate... But the system is wisely designed not to let them destroy it so easily...

bry623 · 06-12-2006, 07:25 AM

I voted for viruses, but wold have voted for the PEBKAC error.

View Poll Results: What is the most common PC problem ?
Hardware	4	10.26%
Standard applications (office, iexplorer, games, etc)	2	5.13%
misconfiguration	11	28.21%
internet (network in general) related (excluding viruses)	10	25.64%
viruses/spyware/adware	23	58.97%
OS (windows bugs, etc)	6	15.38%
Other/User Error	3	7.69%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

06-10-2006, 06:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
gruimed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 OS: linux	Most common PC problem What is the most common PC problem ?

06-10-2006, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,049 OS: XP Pro My System	USERS __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

06-10-2006, 11:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,593 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	have to agree with yustr users psu __________________

06-10-2006, 12:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spatcher Henry Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,484 OS: Mac OSX	I saw the thread title and also thought USERS. I'll have to say viruses/spyware/adware because you asked for the most common problem. __________________ JohnThePilot: Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon (a nation without a language is a nation without a heart) John Butler Trio: Go take a step outside, see what's shakin' in the real world - Good Excuse Paul Kelly: Just add a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang - How to Make Gravy

06-10-2006, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	For the common user, it seems to be the user is the biggest problem, which causes viruses/spyware/adaware. For me however, the biggest problem seems to be problems with windows, but that's because I tweak it way too much, which basically means again it's the user's fault :-P. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

06-10-2006, 01:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
gruimed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 OS: linux	Well... the user may be the CAUSE of the problem, but I was asking about the problem itself. The user may mess up his broadband configuration - in that case the problem is misconfiguration and the cause is the user. Once again, I was asking about the problem itself.

06-10-2006, 02:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
JeremyC Resident Alchemist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,148 OS: SuSE 10.0/XP Pro	viruses/spyware/adware __________________

06-10-2006, 03:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
DumberDrummer Cymru am byth Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,385 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	dangit... I thought that I would come in here and be a smart aleck and say users, but looks like 20 people have already beaten me to the punch... __________________ Living with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane _____________________________________________ ... and with those words so begins my lifetime of longing for the devil's warm embrace

06-11-2006, 11:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	I would say Windows makes the problems! When I first got my laptop, I had 6 different spyware things on my computer before I went onto the internet! So windows couses it, spyware is the problem, and the user has to solve it. Though you could say it is the users fault for using windows. If all users used linux, computing would be so much more surcure...

06-11-2006, 11:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,593 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	i doubt it was windows,who loaded the laptop __________________

06-11-2006, 12:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
DumberDrummer Cymru am byth Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,385 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	yeah, I'm pretty sure windows doesn't ship with spyware __________________ Living with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane _____________________________________________ ... and with those words so begins my lifetime of longing for the devil's warm embrace

06-11-2006, 01:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	I am sure it was what was on the xp cd, and when I have done windows updates, I have found it has installed spyware programs!

06-11-2006, 09:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,049 OS: XP Pro My System	Here's one not on the list: lazy engineering. There is absolutely no reason for most of the problems we see that cannot be explained by those two words. And if I add "greed" I think I've got them all covered. What I mean by lazy engineering combined with greed is best summed up with these simple leters: chkdsk (or pick any other command line of your choice). These are DOS commands from 25 years ago. (Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with DOS. del . was very useful.) Why does MS still use it? Greed or they're just lazy. Sure it works but in 25 years they couldn't come up with anything better? Spyware. Virus'. Why is my system vulnerable at all? Surely they can write a program that pretests every system change and stops those that could be damaging. They could if they weren't lazy enginers. Or if they weren't greedy owners who don't let the (non) lazy engineers work. On the otherhand, we keep buying it so I guess its just a case of "give the people what they want". __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

06-11-2006, 09:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Yes, yustr, you make quite a point here! Anyone remember the time when we could actually get a 5.25" with a thoroughly debugged piece of software? You see, it had to be thoroughly debugged in order to fit in those measly storage means - now we're getting behemoth software hodgepodges that are greedily marketed well before any actual debugging ever takes place! In other words, it's the Marketing Depts that rule our digital lives, not the Engineering Depts. We, the users, have become the guinea pigs to what the next "hotfix" or "service release" will be about... __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

06-12-2006, 01:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
gruimed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 OS: linux	Just wanted to note that it's ok to discuss whatever you like in this thread, but the original question was about "problems" (like viruses, hardware, broken configuration), not causes (users, engineers, bad karma). As for the points being mentioned here - well, it's obvious that users and engineers are by definition behind 100% of computer problems. Regarding systems becoming less and less stable - well, it's pretty clear that first, systems become more complex and second - it does not pay to produce good quality software. But once again, the original poll question was not about that.

06-12-2006, 06:54 AM	#19 (permalink)
ocimico Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3 OS: WinXP, MacOS, Linux	Well, as an administrator, i can safely say, that most user problems stem from (besides the general computer illiteracy, that is) those 2 troubles... Viruses, or other types of self-propagated malware, like self-installing homepages, browser bars and search engines All those "helpful" programs that think they have a right to install themselves in startup, TCP stack, services or event queues. Both problems cause system instability, long responce time, and otherwise affect user's productivity... I consider both types a malware, since even though the second kind is installed by user willfully, user is rarely if ever warned of the effect, and the effect may be as destructive as with most viruses (and even more so - antivirus doesn't remove it) Therefore, i voted for viruses/spyware/adware... P.S. You can't blame the user... For example, most MacOS users are computer-illiterate... But the system is wisely designed not to let them destroy it so easily...

06-12-2006, 07:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
bry623 Manager, The Conversation Pit/Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NW Territory circa 1787 Posts: 11,692 OS: winxp pro sp2	I voted for viruses, but wold have voted for the PEBKAC error. __________________ "If you aren't a liberal when you're 20, you have no heart. If you aren't a conservative when you are 50, you have no brain"