Here's a good reason to love your Mac

[farmermac]

I've been working on removing a metric ton of spyware and trojans from my in-law's vista laptop computer. I'm down to one that is re-directing all links in web browsers to random spyware links trying to reinfect the computer. Apparently it's a new variant that isnt being detected by any of the 10 programs I tried so far to clean it up. I backed up their important files (pictures) in case it has to be nuked.

I hope my father in law gets the hints i've been dropping and gets himself a mac for his next computer. That is all

 

[TheBaconKing]

My dads old sony was similar before I told him to get a new computer because I was done fixing his. He ended up following my purchase behaviors and got a Mac.. Now instead of fixing his computer when I go home, I have to teach him how to use it.

 

[Richard1028]

During our family's PC days I had to nuke the kid's "Vista" machine once a month. I'd give them 1 days notice to get any crap off the thing before the "nuking" commenced.

It got so tiresome I finally just made a drive image using Norton Ghost.

 

[farmermac]

so how would you suggest i drop the hint to them that getting a macbook to replace their 4 year old laptop?

 

[Stvwndr219]

My dads old sony was similar before I told him to get a new computer because I was done fixing his. He ended up following my purchase behaviors and got a Mac.. Now instead of fixing his computer when I go home, I have to teach him how to use it.

Haha this!!!

I would try showing him around your mac? Letting him know that he can do the exact same things with half as many headaches.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

so how would you suggest i drop the hint to them that getting a macbook to replace their 4 year old laptop?

Tell em you're done. That's what i'm planning to do. I've locked down their machine, put on the latest anti-spyware + windows defender etc apps, 6 months later it's completely reinfected and hosed. I know Windows isn't bad if you know how to manage it, but for people who like to click on random things it's a nightmare. My mother purchased a top of the line Power Mac several years ago but she abandoned the platform because all of the software in the stores were for windows ( )

 

[Jeff240sx]

so how would you suggest i drop the hint to them that getting a macbook to replace their 4 year old laptop?

I had this issue. My gf's parents have the slowest, most infested desktop I've ever had the misfortune of using.

So, her and I decided that we were done cleaning it, helping them out with install/uninstall complexities, etc.

We bought them an iMac 21.5". They'll get it for xmas this year - it's sitting in my living room making me jealous at the moment.

 

[fehhkk]

Tell em you're done. That's what i'm planning to do. I've locked down their machine, put on the latest anti-spyware + windows defender etc apps, 6 months later it's completely reinfected and hosed. I know Windows isn't bad if you know how to manage it, but for people who like to click on random things it's a nightmare. My mother purchased a top of the line Power Mac several years ago but she abandoned the platform because all of the software in the stores were for windows ( )

I still wonder what websites people click on (that isn't porn), that will get your windows pc in a state like that.

 

[Gen]

I still wonder what websites people click on (that isn't porn), that will get your windows pc in a state like that.

I have friends that use Google for torrents :/

 

[Eddyisgreat]

I still wonder what websites people click on (that isn't porn), that will get your windows pc in a state like that.

Aside from the typical nefarious apps i.e. infected warez downloaded from illegitimate sites, I see alot of scareware type popups, i.e. the ones that say your machine is infected and you need to download something to clean it up. I oft have to tell novices "don't click that!" because they end up bombarded with prompts "are you sure you wanna leave? your machine is infected!" and just end up getting frustrated. Then if they end up installing the app, it'll hose their system until they pay up. Toolbars that are bundled with apps cause headaches as well. Not as big as the above but still, some are just nasty. Oh, coupon printers.."screensavers"....etc.

 

[preppy]

My dads old sony was similar before I told him to get a new computer because I was done fixing his. He ended up following my purchase behaviors and got a Mac.. Now instead of fixing his computer when I go home, I have to teach him how to use it.

So true for both my parents and my in-laws...just can't win

 

[shyam09]

so how would you suggest i drop the hint to them that getting a macbook to replace their 4 year old laptop?

like this

"so mr. in law, let's see all we can try to do is grab these files, and delete them, then i would suggest *cough cough* GET A MAC *Cough Cough* you run antivirus/antispyware software again. my recommendations are avast and malwarebytes anti malware you know to *cough cough* GET A MAC, MEANS NO VIRUSES! *Cough Cough*, sry guess i have a bad coughing problem. hmm where was i oh yes- *cough cough* GET A MAC *Cough Cough*oh my god. ok mr. in law, ill try to fix up your computer, but in the mean time *cough cough* GET A MAC *Cough Cough* Im really sry. must be Mac season. oh i mean apple season (take a bite from an apple), sigh. i mean coughing season. ok back to the PC, lets see. so lets look at all the quarantined files now and *cough cough* GET A MAC,*Cough Cough* STOP LOOKING AT ME *Cough Cough*BUY A MAC! *Cough Cough*"

if that doesnt tell him then follow this solution.
"Look mr. in law. your PC sucks. Buy a MAC. look at your son/daughter. he/she has a mac, and he/she loves it! Join the party!
its great for photos too!!"

If that doesn't work (which would be quite surpsing)
then:
"Oye, Chuck (assuming this is your in law's name) Here's a mac, here is you. Grab some cash and get a MAC!"

if this doesnt work
drag them to the apple store (not literally, have some respect for the old people). [under the basis that you are looking for some accessories..] and have him/her look around for a while.

If this doesn't work, then your in law is a very firm PC believer!
try this:
apple gives 10% off for college students, it will make you feel young again (LOL!) *
* note using this technique will result in a bad day/night from husband/wife.

f none of this works, than .. let the in law live his PC life

 

[InsanelyApple]

like this

"so mr. in law, let's see all we can try to do is grab these files, and delete them, then i would suggest *cough cough* GET A MAC *Cough Cough* you run antivirus/antispyware software again. my recommendations are avast and malwarebytes anti malware you know to *cough cough* GET A MAC, MEANS NO VIRUSES! *Cough Cough*, sry guess i have a bad coughing problem. hmm where was i oh yes- *cough cough* GET A MAC *Cough Cough*oh my god. ok mr. in law, ill try to fix up your computer, but in the mean time *cough cough* GET A MAC *Cough Cough* Im really sry. must be Mac season. oh i mean apple season (take a bite from an apple), sigh. i mean coughing season. ok back to the PC, lets see. so lets look at all the quarantined files now and *cough cough* GET A MAC,*Cough Cough* STOP LOOKING AT ME *Cough Cough*BUY A MAC! *Cough Cough*"

if that doesnt tell him then follow this solution.
"Look mr. in law. your PC sucks. Buy a MAC. look at your son/daughter. he/she has a mac, and he/she loves it! Join the party!
its great for photos too!!"

If that doesn't work (which would be quite surpsing)
then:
"Oye, Chuck (assuming this is your in law's name) Here's a mac, here is you. Grab some cash and get a MAC!"

if this doesnt work
drag them to the apple store (not literally, have some respect for the old people). [under the basis that you are looking for some accessories..] and have him/her look around for a while.

If this doesn't work, then your in law is a very firm PC believer!
try this:
apple gives 10% off for college students, it will make you feel young again (LOL!) *
* note using this technique will result in a bad day/night from husband/wife.

f none of this works, than .. let the in law live his PC life

Okay, that is VERY funny. I mean dude. You just brightened up my Monday.

A way you can get someone to switch is by saying NO VIRUSES. Whenever I recommend a computer to a non tech savvy person, I recommend a Mac, because they get viruses, but they don't affect the computer because they all are for Windows. XD