Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Max on September 18, 2013, 11:31:45 AM
-
So I boot up my desktop (Win7 64bit) When I attempt to click on a task bar, screen or startup icon, the cursor whirls around with the blue ball. Nothing opens with a left or right click. This has happened before but not in some time...thought whatever caused it simply "went away". My first suspicion was a HD issue. If I reboot using safe mode/networking, all the desktop icons are launch friendly.
I ran Malware bytes which turned up 21 objects (I removed them) ...didn't resolve the problem. So basically, my computer is functional 9tho limited) is safe mode, and dysfunctional in normal mode.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
-
I ran Malware bytes which turned up 21 objects (I removed them) ...didn't resolve the problem. So basically, my computer is functional 9tho limited) is safe mode, and dysfunctional in normal mode.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
if that's the case, you're system is still infected. probably got a virus in whatever malware package infected your system...now boot into safe mode and run a good anti-virus scanner that includes a rootkit detection/deletion.
-
Such as?
-
Eset online scanner http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe (http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe). Before running it in Safe Mode with Networking, look at the Advanced features to select the two first options for potentially unwanted/unsafe applications.
If that doesn't do the trick, try ComboFix, tutorial and download link here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix)
-
I attempted the EST download and got a "contained virus and was deleted warning :cry
-
Eset download? Contained virus? Oh well, looks like your antivirus is ultimately sensitive. Did you download it in Safe Mode with Networking? Because I believe most antivirus programs don't run in Safe Mode. Definitely it is not a virus, Eset is the company that makes the quite respectable Nod32 antivirus program.
-
I attempted the eset download in safe mode as my normal desktop is unusable. I already have Nod 32 installed but can't use that in safe mode either. It defaults to a DOS window and displays a "failure" message.
-
Which browser do you use? The link I posted is not for Internet Explorer.
-
I have IE, FF and Chrome available.
-
Alright, if you can't get the download working with FF or Chrome, go to the Eset site, www.eset.com (http://www.eset.com), choose your country if needed and when on the front page, look for Online Scanner at the Quick Links section at the bottom of the page.
It may even be possible that whatever is plaguing your computer simply has a "blacklist" for pages and tools that could remove it. Download and run Rkill from http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/dl/10/ (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/dl/10/). Don't get puzzled, Rkill may use another, more familiar name like Explorer to fool the nasties it's trying to stop. If there's something running in the background preventing your cleaning attempts, Rkill should open you a chance.
-
No no no no no....NO! :bhead
Let me clue you in on a few "secrets" the BestBuy Geek Squad boys do not want you to know. There are plenty of free tools you can use to clean even the most infected operating system. All it takes is:
- A little bit of your time
- Access to an uninfected PC with a CD burner
- A bit of technical know-how (you do not need to be a PC tech). You should be comfortable with using CDROM burning software. Familiarity with getting into and changing the BIOS setup of a PC may also come in handy.
The process I will detail below is what I do when a neighbor / family member / friend brings me an infected system to clean. I've been using this process for years and it has rarely failed to remove all viruses from even the most heavily infected PC. As a sidenote, I used to do this for free, but now have so many people come to me to fix PCs I charge a nominal fee for my time and run a very small side business which supports my home cockpit / flight sim hobby. :D
Step One - You have to start from the outside looking in..
Understand that attempting to repair an infected operating system by first booting INTO said infected operating system (yes...even in safe mode) and running an anti-virus program WITHIN the infected operating system is a VERY. BAD. IDEA. Why?
- Many new viruses are sophisticated enough to disable, fool or worse replace an installed antivirus program.
- A good number of viruses use registry tricks to lock out executable files (e.g. .exe and .msi files).
- Even if you are lucky enough to be infected by a virus that doesn't do these things, most viruses will pull down other viruses from the internet to maintain the lock of the operating system...so guess what...you will likely end up with a virus that does!
Best starting approach is to download a bootable antivirus rescue CD image and burn it to a blank CD-R or DVD-R. You will want to perform this task on another PC that is NOT infected. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS ON THE INFECTED PC.
There are a number of open-source / free and commercial-but-free CD images out there. Here are some of my favorites.
1.) AVG Rescue CD - http://www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd (http://www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd)
2.) BitDefender Rescue CD - http://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-create-a-bitdefender-rescue-cd-627.html (http://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-create-a-bitdefender-rescue-cd-627.html) NOTE: Takes a long time to boot and update.
3.) Dr.Web - http://www.raymond.cc/blog/download/?did=1318 (http://www.raymond.cc/blog/download/?did=1318)
You will need to download one of these CD images (AVG is my first choice), burn it to blank CD-R or DVD-R media. If you do not know how to burn a .iso image to a CD or lack CD burning software (e.g. Nero)the following link may be of help to you: http://www.imgburn.com/ (http://www.imgburn.com/).*
Once you have downloaded the image and burnt it to CD, the next step is to "boot" the inflected PC from the CD**. Also make sure the PC is connected to the Internet. If the PC uses wireless to connect to the Internet, it is best for you to "hard wire" the PC or laptop into your router using a network cable rather than use wireless (just trust me on this). You need to be connected to the Internet in order for the antivirus software on the CD to download the latest virus definitions. If you can't connect the PC to the Internet there is a chance the virus(es) on the PC may not get cleaned, especially if its a new virus.
Insert the CD and turn on the PC. You should see the CD spin and the Windows Startup will not display. You may get lots of text scrolling across the screen. This is normal...almost all of the free bootable CDROM tools run using the Linux operating system...so in essence you are starting your PC using Linux. Note this does not replace your Windows operating system installation....it simply bypasses the installed operating system and runs the Linux operating system on the CD.
At this point I will assume you using the AVG CD. If you are using one of the other tools the sequence or choices may very.
1.) Once you have successfully booted, you should be presented with a menu of options. If you have the PC connected to the Internet, Choose the Update menu option. This will Update the antivirus software. Once you have successfully updated the software, run a scan by choosing Scan on the menu. It may take a while for the Scan to complete.
2.) Once the Scan is complete, choose Scan Results. This will show you what was detected and give you the option to clean the detected infections.
3.) Once the detected infections are cleaned, go back to the menu and choose Shutdown to shutdown the PC.
Step Two - Taking the fight inside (the operating system that is)....
Time to see if you've cleaned enough of the infection to boot Windows.
1.) Time to download some additional tools from the uninfected PC. DO NOT ATEMPT TO DOWNLOAD ANYTHING TO THE PC THAT WAS/IS INFECTED. Until the PC is confirmed clean, anything done on this PC must be considered suspect.
You will want to copy these files to a CD or a USB flash drive after you download them. The download links are:
- Malwarebytes AntiMalware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ (http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/)
- Spybot 2 - http://www.safer-networking.org/spybot2-own-mirror-1/ (http://www.safer-networking.org/spybot2-own-mirror-1/)
- ClamWin Portable - http://portableapps.com/apps/security/clamwin_portable (http://portableapps.com/apps/security/clamwin_portable)
Be sure to choose the "Free" versions for Malwarebytes and Spybot, not the pay versions.
2.) Unhook your PC from the Internet completely. If you have or use wireless, either turn off the wireless on the PC or unplug your router for now. The reason you are doing this is to make sure any remnant of the infection Windows it does not pull down additional viruses and reinfect the PC. If the Internet connection is down, the virus should have limited reinfection options. Do not reconnect the PC until I instruct you to do so later.
3.) Power on the PC and let it boot into Windows - Be sure to remove the antivirus boot CD from Step One or you will be back in Linux. :)
4.) Sign into Windows and navigate around. If all went well, the system is likely more responsive and may no longer show outward signs of an infection (i.e. functions locked out, menus messed up, etc). If this is the case its a very good sign...but we are not finished.
5.) Insert the CD or USB flash drive containing the three tools above. Copy the tools to your desktop.
6.) Reconnect the PC to your router / internet connection.
7.) Run the Spybot install. Once installed, run the update to make sure you have the latest definitions then run a FULL scan of your system.
8.) Once the scan is complete, reboot the PC and log back in...if everything seems OK, move on to #9.
9.) Install and run Malwarebytes Antimalware - Once installed run the tool - update the definitions- Run a full scan, once complete, move to #10
10.) At this stage, unless the scan results still showing malware infections, you are likely OK.
11. (optional)) Run ClamWin Portable, let it update its virus definitions and run a full scan.
That should do it. If the system is clean, please make sure the operating system has an up-to-date antivirus software installed and running. If you don't, I suggest and personally use AVG (http://www.avg.com (http://www.avg.com)) for years with zero problems. AVG also has a fairly small CPU utilization footprint, which is great for gamers....unlike McAfee or Norton which, IMHO, are bloated software cows. The FreeAVG version is fine for most, but do consider using the paid version and support these fine professionals.
If the system is still infected, you will unfortunately need to take the system to a professional. :frown: Honestly, this should rarely be the case.
Hope this jumbled mess helps.
Fulcrum
* You can also use the images to create a bootable USB flash drive. I advise against this, however, for the following reasons:
- Some older PCs won't boot from USB, while almost all PCs built in the past 8-10 years will boot up from a bootable CD.
- Creating bootable USB sticks is a bit more complicated and involves the use of additional tools like UNETBOOTIN (http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ (http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/).
** Many PCs are automatically set up to boot from a CD if the CD is bootable, others require that you press a Function Key at startup (usually F10 or F12) to go to a "Boot Selection Menu", finally some PCs may be able to boot from CD but the boot media preference order is not right i.e. the PC is setup to boot from a Hard Drive first, a floppy (ye gods, who uses those damn things these days) second, a USB stick, the CDROM forth, etc). If the PC does not boot from the CD and there is no mention of a "Hit F12 for Boot Selection Menu" at startup you will likely have to go into the BIOS/Setup and change the boot order. Most PCs require you hit the Delete, F1 or F2 buttons at startup to get into the BIOS setup. Once in, you will have to look for a "Boot" menu and follow whatever instructions are presented once you find the Boot Media Order menu. Unfortunately I cannot be more specific as the BIOS can very depending on PC and BIOS manufacturer.
-
Gentlemen,
Granted, my problem may be virus, malware related. BUT>>>is there any possibility it made be a hardware issue? Again...in normal boot, my desktop icons are not operable...but they ARE in safe mode..
-
In my personal opinion, based on working on PCs for 25 years....nope. It's almost certainly a virus.
-
Gentlemen,
Granted, my problem may be virus, malware related. BUT>>>is there any possibility it made be a hardware issue? Again...in normal boot, my desktop icons are not operable...but they ARE in safe mode..
it would be a very very very very odd case if it were related to anything hardware...it would have to be a seriously corrupted driver and i wouldn't even want to hazard a guess as to which one it could even be.
99.9% of the time...if normal doesn't work and safe mode does, it's a virus...especially if you just cleaned a bunch of malware off the system.
-
Agreed. See my post. Safe mode is not the best route to take for cleaning the virus. Not saying you CAN'T do it from safe mode....just that it isn't the most effective way.
-
Absolutely fabulous, Fulcrum! And perfectly correct. :salute
I was so blinded to just give some options for Gyrene's suggestion of running some scanning tools in Safe Mode and then sorting out why they wouldn't work, that I totally forgot about the bootable scanners. My personal favourite of them is F-Secure Rescue CD: http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/labs_global/removal-tools/-/carousel/view/142 (http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/labs_global/removal-tools/-/carousel/view/142), and I've also used Kaspersky and Avira in those rare cases when F-S can't recognize the netcard.
Fulcrum, I recommend you to include Rkill in your bag of tricks, it might come in handy after having done the basic cleaning with a boot cd.
Max, do as the man says. I stand corrected. And about if it could be a hardware problem, I've seen viruses damage video drivers so that the image looked like it only had 8 colours and a resolution of 640x480.
Somehow it's much easier to do the right things in the right order when the thing is on my desk than trying to figure out another person's capability and resources on the other side of the world in a foreign language...
-
Fulcrum's suggestion is optimal, especially if the infection is of an unknown or particularly harmful nature...i've been lucky lately not having to deal with anything more harmful than the moneypak virus and the gpcode file encrypter virus. both easily removed without having to do anything real special.
-
Absolutely fabulous, Fulcrum! And perfectly correct. :salute
I was so blinded to just give some options for Gyrene's suggestion of running some scanning tools in Safe Mode and then sorting out why they wouldn't work, that I totally forgot about the bootable scanners. My personal favourite of them is F-Secure Rescue CD: http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/labs_global/removal-tools/-/carousel/view/142 (http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/labs_global/removal-tools/-/carousel/view/142), and I've also used Kaspersky and Avira in those rare cases when F-S can't recognize the netcard.
Fulcrum, I recommend you to include Rkill in your bag of tricks, it might come in handy after having done the basic cleaning with a boot cd.
Max, do as the man says. I stand corrected. And about if it could be a hardware problem, I've seen viruses damage video drivers so that the image looked like it only had 8 colours and a resolution of 640x480.
Somehow it's much easier to do the right things in the right order when the thing is on my desk than trying to figure out another person's capability and resources on the other side of the world in a foreign language...
No worries at all! Most people go the "Safe Mode" route....just in my experience it's not a great way to go. Once the OS is compromised you are (pardon the language) screwed....best to eliminate the OS from the equation before you attempt to repair the system.
F-Secure and Kaspersky are great too and in my tool kit. Havent used Avira in a while...as for Rkill...come on man, do I look like an amature?!?! *grin* Just kiddin'...and don't answer that. :rofl
You are also correct on the virus being able to damage video card drivers...but in that case I'd still make sure the virus is gone / system is clean prior to fixing the driver, lest you run into an issue of fixing the symptom and not the problem. I suspect the virus may well have damaged this and other drivers (likely through replacing or deleting DLLs and other needed files, etc).
-
i've been lucky lately not having to deal with anything more harmful than the moneypak virus and the gpcode file encrypter virus. both easily removed without having to do anything real special.
Same here, that's why I got blinded so easily.
On second thoughts, about if it possibly could be hardware related: Back in 2005 or so Fujitsu-Siemens had a desktop with a certain motherboard made by Asus. The southbridge had a tiny fan in an aluminum cup as a cooler. The fan was of very poor quality and it burned its bearings in a couple of years. Depending on usage the southbridge would last for over three years before overheating, but when it did, the computer was fully functional in Safe Mode. I can't remember, though, if normal booting crashed or just stuck. Nevertheless, starting Windows normally was an unusable option.
In any case, starting with a virus cleaning especially when nasties have already been found is the right way to do. After having cleaned the computer backing up everything valuable would not be a bad idea either just in case there'd be something hardware related.
@Fulcrum: You're perfectly right in saying that the computer must be clean before repairing any damage the viruses might have caused. That's one reason I like to run ComboFix after the boot CD: It both cleans and fixes, using the tools of the Windows Recovery Console. Running chkdsk /r from the Windows installation/repair disk on a cleaned machine will do basically the same, and then sfc /scannow. Or even a repair install of the OS. And before my friend MrRipley gets to say it, in tough cases a total clean reinstall is the ultimate solution for getting rid of anything harmful, be it viruses or damaged drivers/dll's/anything. Sometimes that just isn't an option, at least not the primary one.
-
Fulcrum , very good info and explantion. If possible this should be a "sticky" somewhere.
-
Same here, that's why I got blinded so easily.
On second thoughts, about if it possibly could be hardware related: Back in 2005 or so Fujitsu-Siemens had a desktop with a certain motherboard made by Asus. The southbridge had a tiny fan in an aluminum cup as a cooler. The fan was of very poor quality and it burned its bearings in a couple of years. Depending on usage the southbridge would last for over three years before overheating, but when it did, the computer was fully functional in Safe Mode. I can't remember, though, if normal booting crashed or just stuck. Nevertheless, starting Windows normally was an unusable option.
In any case, starting with a virus cleaning especially when nasties have already been found is the right way to do. After having cleaned the computer backing up everything valuable would not be a bad idea either just in case there'd be something hardware related.
@Fulcrum: You're perfectly right in saying that the computer must be clean before repairing any damage the viruses might have caused. That's one reason I like to run ComboFix after the boot CD: It both cleans and fixes, using the tools of the Windows Recovery Console. Running chkdsk /r from the Windows installation/repair disk on a cleaned machine will do basically the same, and then sfc /scannow. Or even a repair install of the OS. And before my friend MrRipley gets to say it, in tough cases a total clean reinstall is the ultimate solution for getting rid of anything harmful, be it viruses or damaged drivers/dll's/anything. Sometimes that just isn't an option, at least not the primary one.
I actually haven't used ComboFix tho....gonna have to check that one out. Anything that saves me time is welcome. :D
-
Many thanks for the valuable input. I printed the "Fulcrum Method" and will give it a shot tomorrow when I have a couple of hours.
Expect more questions...my level of geek expertise is a 5 on a scale of 1-10.
:salute
-
And before my friend MrRipley gets to say it, in tough cases a total clean reinstall is the ultimate solution for getting rid of anything harmful, be it viruses or damaged drivers/dll's/anything. Sometimes that just isn't an option, at least not the primary one.
IMO reinstall is always an option. I never trust any antiviruses ability to clean the system. If the antiviruses worked, the system wouldn't get infected in the first place! It's that simple. Boot to linux live cd, copy necessary personal files to a USB stick or a network drive, use the same bootable DVD to scan the personal files and then format the drive not forgetting the boot sector erase. If the computer has an unprotected bios even the bios should be reflashed.
Then preferably my favourite last part to fix the infection is to install linux on the computer instead of windows :D My parents used to have malware or other problems every 2 months minimum while on windows. After literally forcing them to use linux I haven't had to go there to fix anything for the past 2 years. Well, 4 months ago I did. They complained that the wireless network in their linux laptop didnt work. So I go there to check, sure enough no internet. I troubleshoot and troubleshoot. I can't find any problems. Then it struck me... do they have internet IN GENERAL? No.. The problem was that the wireless modem upstairs had dropped offline lol.
Only gaming computers in my family run windows anymore. All else is either OSX or linux and even their browsers run noscript and java is uninstalled.
-
If there is no other way to get the system clean, I am all for reformatting/reinstalling the OS ( after trying to save as many/much of my pics/files/data/etc.. as possible
I also like Fulcrum's bootable CD recovery/cleaner CD reply
I usually use a combination of
www.malwarebytes.org ( I most times will use the chameleon version of it, so it hides itself from the most pesky virus problems, although the regular name version has worked a good amount of times as wel )
using the above along with RKill, tdsskiller, and sometimes even using regassassin, although I have only used regassassin on a limited basis.......
once I have done a complete run through of the above programs, I will often do 2 or 3 more sweeps
then I will use ESET's online Scanner, once finished with that, and everything is checking out good, I will install ESET Smart Security ( 4.xx, 5.xx , 6.xx and now I think they are up to version7.xx )
If I am not mistaken and recall correctly, the link I provided for malwarebytes, will give you instructions on what order to run these programs in......... be cautious of using regassassin, read all instructions thoroughly )
alot of good posts in this thread, Maxie
pm me or call me if I can be of any help or you want someone to walk you through the process........
Good Luck, Bro
<S>
TC ( Johnny )
-
AAR....
Did a fresh install of W7 on a new hard drive. All's well. Thanks for all the tips!!
-
AAR....
Did a fresh install of W7 on a new hard drive. All's well. Thanks for all the tips!!
Ugh. Sorry to hear that. Must have been something pretty nasty...but glad to hear you are back up and running! :salute
-
The old HD was almost 5 yrs old...figured a clean install was as good as anytime to spring for a new one. Never did pinpoint the issue(s) but I'm no longer pulling my hair out. :devil
-
Ugh. Sorry to hear that. Must have been something pretty nasty...but glad to hear you are back up and running! :salute
Why sorry? Fresh install on a fresh hdd is never a bad thing.
-
Why sorry? Fresh install on a fresh hdd is never a bad thing.
No, but it is always a time consuming pain-in-the-arse to get the PC back to where it was i.e. all drivers installed, applications reloaded, games reloaded, setting restored, documents restored, etc. Even if you are organized, have all your drivers at all times (I do), files backed up, etc it still consuming time I'd rather use for some other activity.
-
The old HD was almost 5 yrs old...figured a clean install was as good as anytime to spring for a new one. Never did pinpoint the issue(s) but I'm no longer pulling my hair out. :devil
Yeah....in that case it was time to start thinking about a new drive. Good to hear it all worked out! :aok
-
I am careful with the internet and it's been a couple of years since I got a virus. I have my hd's partitioned and it's easier to reinstall windows that way. you still have to update everything but at least you wont lose a lot of data.
semp
-
No, but it is always a time consuming pain-in-the-arse to get the PC back to where it was i.e. all drivers installed, applications reloaded, games reloaded, setting restored, documents restored, etc. Even if you are organized, have all your drivers at all times (I do), files backed up, etc it still consuming time I'd rather use for some other activity.
Not if you were smart and imaged your drive after you initially set up the system and saved your personal files to a separate harddrive or partition. After practising a couple times with a full reinstall maybe you can learn something in the process (like making the image instead of starting from zero). Frequent reinstalling makes you more confident with the computer enabling you to experiment with tweaks and settings knowing that you can routinely set the computer up from scratch again if necessary.
Then again if youre scared of a reinstall and constantly worry about 'breaking' something chances are you'll never advance in your computer knowledge and are forced to rely on crappy AV etc. solutions which expose you to serious risks.
-
Not if you were smart and imaged your drive after you initially set up the system and saved your personal files to a separate harddrive or partition. After practising a couple times with a full reinstall maybe you can learn something in the process (like making the image instead of starting from zero). Frequent reinstalling makes you more confident with the computer enabling you to experiment with tweaks and settings knowing that you can routinely set the computer up from scratch again if necessary.
Then again if youre scared of a reinstall and constantly worry about 'breaking' something chances are you'll never advance in your computer knowledge and are forced to rely on crappy AV etc. solutions which expose you to serious risks.
Ripley:
For the record, I do image all of my builds. After 24 years in the IT field I personally don't need to experiment with reinstalling a PC operating system given the thousands of times I've done so. I also practice most of the measures you mention...including creating images.
But the average PC user does not, and likely cannot, perform these tasks due to lack of knowledge and/or required resources e.g. Home NAS server to store images. My comment concerning a reinstall was for an average user.
-
Ripley:
For the record, I do image all of my builds. After 24 years in the IT field I personally don't need to experiment with reinstalling a PC operating system given the thousands of times I've done so. I also practice most of the measures you mention...including creating images.
But the average PC user does not, and likely cannot, perform these tasks due to lack of knowledge and/or required resources e.g. Home NAS server to store images. My comment concerning a reinstall was for an average user.
We have a difference in views. I don't see an 'average user' I see a user with 'unused potential'. I always encourage people to go outside their comfort zone and perhaps learn something.
-
We have a difference in views. I don't see an 'average user' I see a user with 'unused potential'. I always encourage people to go outside their comfort zone and perhaps learn something.
I had that attitude when I was younger. Cleaning up messes created by 'average users' with 'unused potential' cured me of that.
-
I had that attitude when I was younger. Cleaning up messes created by 'average users' with 'unused potential' cured me of that.
I'm not young anymore. If I have to manage someone I make sure they won't mess their computer up - which is why I install linux to anyone who comes asking for help with viruses etc. nowadays and are not willing to pay for repeated visits :)
-
I had that attitude when I was younger. Cleaning up messes created by 'average users' with 'unused potential' cured me of that.
same here. most people can't grasp the idea of "don't click on those things". switching a person to linux is only a viable alternative when you know the person can handle the concept of "works like but not quite".
-
same here. most people can't grasp the idea of "don't click on those things". switching a person to linux is only a viable alternative when you know the person can handle the concept of "works like but not quite".
Nowadays linux works quite like older windowses and windows 8 is far harder to learn for users. An average user who does not game finds everything he/she needs in a standard distribution: Firefox/Chrome, instant messaging including but not limited to Skype, Office suite, sound and photoediting apps, Steam etc. With the coming Steambox even AAA titles are now being released with a linux support. For example Gabe Newell talked the Infinity Ward (Call of Duty etc) into jumping to the linux bandwagon.
When I introduce users to linux the first reaction is always "I don't know linux. It's too hard for me." Then after I show my custom made desktop to them they're like "Wow, I didn't know this! I like it!" :D
Even my parents use linux every day for all their daily needs. They're not nerds and not very young anymore either. My mothers level with computing can be described well with her terminology when she tries to explain something to me from the computer. "When I go to the start" means when she goes to the desktop. "When I open the internet" means that she opens the web browser... She has no clue how and why stuff works, but she just uses it. For many years already.
Nowadays the distros are so automated and advanced that any real knowledge is only required if you want to do something advanced such as compile your own kernels or drivers. Or if you happen to have incompatible hardware. Most computers get configured much easyer than windows - all the drivers are detected and installed completely automatically and you boot to a ready desktop on first install. Even my Microsoft Precision Pro joystick autoconfigured and worked straight on the first boot without me touching anything.
There are only a couple common problem areas still with linux and hardware: Wireless drivers can fail autoconfiguration if you have a nonsupported chip and some printer models require the cumbersome process of downloading a driver from the manufacturer (sound familiar?) and depending from the distro, either double clicking the .deb or .rpm package directly from desktop or running a simple command from the CLI.
Even most windows applications run fine nowadays with Wine and you can load Microsoft truetype fonts to make MS apps fonts and web pages look identical to windows ones. I can run Aces High with pegged out framerates using Wine, but it's not completely bug free yet.
-
:aok