Sound Advice Required. !!

[HansUrbancka]

To appreciate my problem, it is necessary to read my earlier posting :-

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Question1533066.html

I duly ordered the Dell Desktop but then received a telephone call from the firm to say that the Dell item was Not in stock, however, I could have a refurbished Lenovo 9362 for the same price. Naturally, I accepted the offer because the Lenovo had 4GB of RAM whereas the Dell only had 2GB.

I duly received the Lenovo and set it up, only to discover that it appeared to have a serious fault, Continually freezing and having to be forced into a shutdown. After numerous attempts at 'booting up' I was able to download Malwarebytes and a scan discovered 45 'Pups' were littered in the comp.
Obviously, I removed them but the problem continued. It was then I realised that Java was loaded, so I got 'shot-of' it and everything then seemed to be OK.

The real surprise came when I was unable to get any sound. Result, today I had an on-line chat with a Microsoft Technician who took over my Desktop and did everything I had aready tried, without any success resulting from the Chat, which took over two hours. I declined an offer of a more 'in-depth' examination of my Computer by Microsoft at a payment of $99 (more than what I paid for the refubished computer at £59.)

Has anybody, including Buenchico, any suggestions what next I should try.

Hans.

[Buenchico]

I'm sorry that you've had a problem. I've been using that company for years with only the smallest of difficulties (which have always been immediately resolved by a simple phone call to them).

I'm extremely worried though that you've allowed a 'Microsoft technician' access to your computer, as Microsoft doesn't provide direct support services to home users. (i.e. the firm you've been dealing with has absolutely nothing to do with Microsoft. It could be 'legit' but, equally, it could have dumped lots of nasty stuff onto your computer).

Phone AC Computer Warehouse on 0161 476 2220 and explain your problems to them. I'm sure that they'll see to it that you end up with a fully-functioning computer.

[HansUrbancka]

Hi Chris.......Thanks for your prompt reply.

I did as you advised and contacted AC Computers. Allowed a take over over my computer and after an half hour of witnessing all I had done of re-downloading Realtek Drivers etc (which incidentally was the format of the site which I honestly believed to be Microsoft....and still think it could have been) ended in a situation where I am to be contacted tomorrow by another technician of AC because there is a problem which the firm wishes to put right.

Hans.

[Buenchico]

Well I'm glad that you seem to be getting there (even if somewhat slowly).

I have complete faith in the people at AC Computer Warehouse. I know that they'll be concerned that they've inadvertently supplied you with a duff PC and I'm sure that they'll get it sorted out for you as soon as possible.

[HansUrbancka]

I honestly feel that AC Comps will sort out matters. Don't know what got into me that made me look elseware for solutions to my problems. It could have been I knew that I had altered some items (such as removing Java etc) and was thinking that AC would refuse to accept any liability for my attempts at correcting matters.

The posting above from 10ClarionSt is very intereting because I ordered a Dell and ended up with a Lenovo which, at present, appears to be disasterous.

Hans.

[HansUrbancka]

Good news. This morning, as promised, I was contacted by AC Computer Warehouse who took remote control of my Desktop Computer and did a complete re-install of Windows 7 Pro. Accordingly I can report that all is now in order.

The firm was certainly concerned and coudn't have been more helpful.

Thanks Buechico for your advice, which has solved matters.

Hans.

[Buenchico]

I'm really, really pleased to read your post, Hans.

Even the best companies in the world get things wrong occasionally. The real test of their 'quality' is how good they are at putting things right afterwards. I've always had faith in AC and I'm pleased that it's not been dented through your experiences.

Getting a new computer set up can always be a bit tedious though, so here are a few links which might help you:

1. Although many sites using video streaming are now switching to HTML5, you'll probably need Adobe Flash Player on your computer. (It doesn't come as part of Windows). You can get it from here:
https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
(NB: Deselect the 'optional offers'!)

2. Windows also doesn't come with a PDF reader, so you'll need to install one. Adobe Acrobat Reader is the 'standard' (simply because Adobe invented the PDF format) but it's clunky, bloated software. Foxit Reader is the best-known alternative (and well worth considering)
https://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/pdf-reader/
but my own choice is the little-known Sumatra PDF:
https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader.html

3. Windows comes with its own security software but it performs poorly in independent tests. My own choice is Avast:
https://www.avast.com/en-gb/index

4. Windows 7 Pro includes a 'starter edition' of Microsoft Word but, if you need a full office suite, consider OpenOffice:
https://www.openoffice.org/
(If you choose to install it I recommend changing the default 'save' option to use Microsoft formats though. Simple instructions here: http://helpdeskgeek.com/office-tips/set-openof%EF%AC%81ce-org-to-save-in-microsoft-of%EF%AC%81ce-format-by-default/ )

5. If you need a free DTP program, look no further than Serif PagePlus SE:
http://www.serif.com/desktop-publishing-software/?mc=FSSPAGEPLUS

6. Irfanview is a vastly better image viewer than what comes with Windows:
http://www.irfanview.com/
(If you look 'under the bonnet' though you'll find that it's also got some excellent image-editing features).

Hoping that something there helps you,

Happy computing!

Chris

[HansUrbancka]

Thanks Buenchico for the links. The comp was reloaded with Adobe Flash and Acrobat Reader. However, I shall be dumping Acrobat and installing your choice of Sumatra which I had in my original Vista set-up. I have also used Open office in the past and found it really good, but, as you say, it's best to save pages in Microsoft formats; especially if mailing documents.

Cheers....Hans.