:picard:
Vista is a better OS, I would not reccomend downgrading for home use. Linux on home computers is far from desirable.
He’s going to have to reinstall the OS on it anyway, its going to come preloaded with half a HD full of bloatware.
Fucking right, hate that shit. I have a gateway I got for free from the V.A, DO NOT BUY A GATEWAY. Garbage
Good to hear because that was the other cheapy that I was going to fall back on.
Ended up getting the Toshiba, had 2GB installed right off the bat. After NYS state taxes and peace of mind of getting everything installed at the store the “cheap” was gone, but still a slightly better deal than any other system offering 2GB. So in the end it is a toss up. :shrug:
Now it is a matter of getting all the pre-loaded crap off.
Fuzzy was asking me why I said it was garbage, I may need to elaborate. I’ve sent it in 3 times to the warranty department, they replaced the Hard drive, DVD/CD burner, and the idiots working in the tech dept loaded the wrong drivers into the system causing major issues that I wasnt going to dick around with. The 2nd time I sent it back after 3 weeks they lost the Laptop somehow. It showed up 2 weeks later after that. I’m a bit of a complainer when it comes to shit not working right the first time, so I called corporate HQ and since my warranty expired by 2 months they said they were not going to do anything about the issues I’ve had. But I guess what can they do.
When I got it back the 3rd time it still wasnt running right, I formated the HD and put my own OS on there. Works like a charm now.
Yea its a shame there is so much incompetence in the computer market these days. Support being a big one. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Jarrod had the experience he had with the computer.
There just isn’t enough interest in computers to have people enthusiastic about computers to off good support. Where I work its difficult to find people that fit the profile to get hired, and we really don’t expect that much in terms of technical knowledge.
The market it rapidly growing and there may never be enough help to take care of it all.
that doesnt mean that he should pirate software or spend money on a copy of xp. re-format and install Vista from factory CD for no licensing worries.
a very common thing is to include a restore CD and not a factory WINDOWS CD
for the most part all the same shit would go right back onto the machine
The best thing to do, is buy a computer keeping in mind that software is free so don’t get any software packages with the computer.
Take this computer once it ships to you to someone that knows how to secure a computer, and is willing to help out. Have this person start from scratch. Format, install OS, set up auto updates for windows and antivirus software. There a good portion is done.
Now people have to realize when something is presented to them if that is a threat or not. Then basic usages of a few others programs. You will be trouble free for a while.
PREVENTION!
is worth a pound of 
^ I must admit that “The Crow” soundtrck turned me onto the first emo band ever.
Found that earlier,then thought of this thread.
I’d probably buy the middle one.Core2,Nvidia graphics,big screen.