Helpdesk
Q: We aren’t getting anywhere near the Internet speed we are paying for – it takes 30 seconds or so just to load the Yahoo home page. How can I be sure that the trouble is with our Internet provider, and not with my computer? I am using AVG’s free anti-virus program and Advanced System Protector. — Al Surwin
A: I rewrote Al’s email since it was rather long. But I have kept the most important information intact. I’ll go into some detail with this answer since many of you – based on the emails I receive – are in the same boat.
The first thing to do is to check to see how much speed you’re getting from your Internet connection. That can tell you a lot. For instance if you are paying for 12 Mbps and just getting 6 Mbps then you’ll need to call your Internet provider and have it check things out. It could be a problem with the provider – and if that’s the case it needs to fix things. But if you are getting close to the right speed for your account and things are still slow – let’s say you are getting 11 Mbps on that 12 Mbps account, well that’s close enough – the problem may be in your computer. You can check your Internet speed by going to http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/.
Keep in mind that your Internet provider – not me, not some website – should be your first stop if you feel that your connection is too slow. They can work – hands on – to test the lines and offer specific advice.
Also keep in mind that you need to make sure that nothing you’ve done could be causing the problem. There’s a clue to Al’s problem in his email. He’s using a program called Advanced System Protector. That’s not a program I would recommend. I’ve seen reports (and you can use a search engine like Google and find some yourself) that it can create problems. I asked Al to remove that program. I haven’t heard back so I don’t know if that solved his problems, but it is sure something he should try.
Send technology questions to Bill Husted at tecbud@bellsouth.net.
It’s hard to know when it’s smart to pull the plug on an old computer and send it into retirement. I constantly hear from readers who are happily using a machine that’s five years old, or even older.
Up to a point, there’s nothing wrong with that. And I know there’s comfort when you use a familiar old machine with its old software. You know how everything works, where everything is. And even if the machine has developed some annoying quirks – well, you’ve learn to live with them too. A new machine involves expense. And hassle, you’ll need to transfer your data to that machine. Then you’ll almost certainly need to learn to use a new operating system. The thought of all this can become a barrier, an excuse, for keeping things as they are.
But there are things to look for, markers that show where you are, that can help you decide when to buy a new computer.
Operating system
If your computer is using an operating system that is three generations back or more, it may be time to pull the pin. Let me explain what I mean by three generations back. The most current version of Windows is Windows 8. Before that there was Windows 7. Before that there was Vista. And Vista replaced Windows XP (one of the most beloved versions of Windows ever).
How are things working for you?
When I started writing these columns decades ago, I created what I called – with heaps of vanity – Husted’s First Law of Computing. It went like this: You need to replace your computer when it can no longer do what you need doing in a satisfactory way. That rule still makes great sense.
Do you need to spend money on the machine?
If you reach the point where your old computer needs a new hard disk, or more memory chips, new video card … whatever … that’s a fine time to sit down and think. I’d say that if you need to spend more than $100 on that old machine you should seriously consider avoiding that expense and instead replace the machine. After all one purchase can lead to another and, before long, you are in over your head. And if you’ll need to pay someone to install any needed hardware instead of doing it yourself, the case for a new machine is even stronger.
I know money can be an issue. You may be able to squeeze a couple of hundred dollars out of the budget but no more. So it’s tempting to do what you can afford – repairing the old machine – rather than popping more dollars for a new one. But even the cheapest of the new computers will outperform a PC that’s five years old or older. I spent a moment browsing ads to check prices (I used frys.com if you want to check my work) and found new computers as cheap as $250. Now these aren’t state-of-the-art computers – but, like I said, they’ll still outperform a very old machine.
My wife says that I am not good at handling change. But, even for me, it’s clear that getting rid of that old computer is often the smart thing to do. And that change is likely to put change in your pocket when compared to paying to keep an old computer on life support.
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