Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any other 
computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet Explorer 
or Outlook Express to work.
I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various tests, 
which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. Pings 
worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the internet.
Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It was 
uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email was 
established.
I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers 
with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working 
properly, this is unacceptable.

Rant over....

George

George Weston wrote:
> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
> connection with the internet and email was established.
> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>
> Rant over....
>
> George

The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't know 
how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a manual 
would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays

"kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
> George Weston wrote:
>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>
>> Rant over....
>>
>> George
>
> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays

The manual was probably online    ;o)

"Gizmo."  wrote in message 
news:jEA7k.35616$7m7.22312@newsfe30.ams2...
>
> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>> George Weston wrote:
>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>
>>> Rant over....
>>>
>>> George
>>
>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>
> The manual was probably online    ;o)

Exactly!
And we didn't want Bullguard anyway.

George

George Weston wrote:
> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any other 
> computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet Explorer 
> or Outlook Express to work.
> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various tests, 
> which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. Pings 
> worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the internet.
> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It was 
> uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email was 
> established.
> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers 
> with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working 
> properly, this is unacceptable.
> 
> Rant over....
> 
> George
> 
> 

First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not 
limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from 
scratch.

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:23:22 +0100, Cork Soaker wrote:

> George Weston wrote:
>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any
>> other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security). I bought a
>> new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet
>> Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be
>> causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a connection
>> with the internet and email was established.
>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from
>> working properly, this is unacceptable.
>> 
>> Rant over....
>> 
>> George
>> 
>> 
>> 
> First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not
> limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from
> scratch.

Good idea - and don't forget to install 'trollkill'

Arse Cork OK wrote:

>> First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not
>> limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from
>> scratch.
> 

Nope. Find a Live CD distribution of Linux that boots straight into 
FireFox and talks to the router. Insert CD into machine and superglue 
the drive door shut. You may remove the HDD, Windows License and keep it 
for yourself.

Then the machine is ready for anyone who just wants a fiddle with 
Internet and Gmail, and is not tech savvy.

Happy faces all round ;-)

-- 
Adrian C

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:57:38 +0100, "George Weston"
 wrote:

>
>"Gizmo."  wrote in message 
>news:jEA7k.35616$7m7.22312@newsfe30.ams2...
>>
>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>
>>>> Rant over....
>>>>
>>>> George
>>>
>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>
>> The manual was probably online    ;o)
>
>Exactly!
>And we didn't want Bullguard anyway.

Which is the main reason I never buy from the likes of Mesh etc.

If I don't want the hassle of setting up a PC I also do not want the
hassle of reinstalling windows to get rid of the cr*p put there by the
vendor.

-- 
(\__/)  M.
(='.'=) Owing to the amount of spam posted via googlegroups and
(")_(") their inaction to the problem. I am blocking most articles
posted from there.  If you wish your postings to be seen by
everyone you will need use a different method of posting.
See http://improve-usenet.org

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:23:22 +0100, Cork Soaker <Thunderbird@Hardy.invalid>
wrote:

>George Weston wrote:
>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any other 
>> computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet Explorer 
>> or Outlook Express to work.
>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various tests, 
>> which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. Pings 
>> worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the internet.
>> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It was 
>> uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email was 
>> established.
>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers 
>> with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working 
>> properly, this is unacceptable.
>> 
>> Rant over....
>> 
>> George
>> 
>> 
>
>First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not 
>limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from 
>scratch.

......take a shotgun to it.

"kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
> George Weston wrote:
>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>
>> Rant over....
>>
>> George
>
> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays

I ahve found a few of the newer security suites that include firewalls seem 
to be deliberatly awkward if you want to configure them yourself. Firewalls 
with the newest norton, mcafee and AVG all seem to subsribe to the idea that 
they know best. It can take quite a while to hunt out the necessary options 
to open ports.

AVG 8 firewall is absolutely atrocious, it changes profiles back to defaults 
following reboots, and blocks outlook express from sending or recieving 
emails on secure ports....

Gaz

"Gaz"  wrote in message 
news:6ca0hkF3e0fhhU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>> George Weston wrote:
>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>
>>> Rant over....
>>>
>>> George
>>
>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>
> I ahve found a few of the newer security suites that include firewalls 
> seem to be deliberatly awkward if you want to configure them yourself. 
> Firewalls with the newest norton, mcafee and AVG all seem to subsribe to 
> the idea that they know best. It can take quite a while to hunt out the 
> necessary options to open ports.
>
> AVG 8 firewall is absolutely atrocious, it changes profiles back to 
> defaults following reboots, and blocks outlook express from sending or 
> recieving emails on secure ports....

Now it's working again, I'm going back tomorrow and setting up what I use 
with no problems whatsoever - and all free:
AVG Free,
Zonealarm
Spybot
Ad-aware.

George

Gizmo. wrote:
> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message
> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>> George Weston wrote:
>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't
>>> get Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>
>>> Rant over....
>>>
>>> George
>>
>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you
>> didn't know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to
>> work.  Having a manual would have helped but they seldom come with
>> manuals nowadays
>
> The manual was probably online    ;o)

If it's anything like the manual for my Firewall it's not worth the bits to 
read ;-)

"Jones"  wrote in message 
news:tkev54lok56590tmtv0h9f3hk74nt12ts7@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:23:22 +0100, Cork Soaker 
> <Thunderbird@Hardy.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>>George Weston wrote:
>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any 
>>> other
>>> computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old 
>>> one.
>>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet 
>>> Explorer
>>> or Outlook Express to work.
>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various 
>>> tests,
>>> which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. Pings
>>> worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the internet.
>>> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It 
>>> was
>>> uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email was
>>> established.
>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers
>>> with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working
>>> properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>
>>> Rant over....
>>>
>>> George
>>>
>>>
>>
>>First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not
>>limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from
>>scratch.
>
> ......take a shotgun to it.

I'm beta testing Bullguard Gamer's Edition and have had no problems with it 
so far
I can't say the same for AVG v8, Norton or McAfee

Nicola Redwood wrote:
> "Jones"  wrote in message
> news:tkev54lok56590tmtv0h9f3hk74nt12ts7@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:23:22 +0100, Cork Soaker
>> <Thunderbird@Hardy.invalid>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>> any other
>>>> computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>> old one.
>>>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>> Internet Explorer
>>>> or Outlook Express to work.
>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing
>>>> various tests,
>>>> which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with
>>>> activating email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that
>>>> Bullguard might be causing the problem. It was
>>>> uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and
>>>> email was established.
>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software
>>>> trial offers with new computers. However, when they stop the
>>>> computer from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>
>>>> Rant over....
>>>>
>>>> George
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're
>>> not limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and
>>> start from scratch.
>>
>> ......take a shotgun to it.
>
> I'm beta testing Bullguard Gamer's Edition and have had no problems
> with it so far
> I can't say the same for AVG v8, Norton or McAfee

I have no problems with Nortons & yet can't get ZoneAlarm or AVG to do what 
I want.  Which basically is just shwing that everybody does & sees things 
from different perspectives

"George Weston"  wrote in message 
news:6c81ekF3cult8U1@mid.individual.net...
> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any other 
> computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet 
> Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various tests, 
> which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. Pings 
> worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the internet.
> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It was 
> uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email was 
> established.
> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers 
> with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working 
> properly, this is unacceptable.
>
> Rant over....
>
> George
>
>

I think a warning to all is never let someone claiming to be an expert offer 
to
fiddle with a new computer when they don't have a clue.
Often the "expert" (in his own head) will cause many problems, not know how
to fix them and cause a load of trouble before walking away.
Your lack of knowledge is what caused the problem.

"George Weston"  wrote in message 
news:6c83n3F3fpdjnU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Gizmo."  wrote in message 
> news:jEA7k.35616$7m7.22312@newsfe30.ams2...
>>
>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>
>>>> Rant over....
>>>>
>>>> George
>>>
>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>
>> The manual was probably online    ;o)
>
> Exactly!
> And we didn't want Bullguard anyway.
>
> George
>
It's not your computer is it?  I hate people who only recommend software 
they can
copy setting in to from their own PC to look like an expert.  There is 
nothing wrong
with that software - the problem is you don't know much about computers. 
Well
certainly not as much as you seem to be telling people.

"George Weston"  wrote in message 
news:6ca0vkF3f3ivoU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Gaz"  wrote in message 
> news:6ca0hkF3e0fhhU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>
>>>> Rant over....
>>>>
>>>> George
>>>
>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>
>> I ahve found a few of the newer security suites that include firewalls 
>> seem to be deliberatly awkward if you want to configure them yourself. 
>> Firewalls with the newest norton, mcafee and AVG all seem to subsribe to 
>> the idea that they know best. It can take quite a while to hunt out the 
>> necessary options to open ports.
>>
>> AVG 8 firewall is absolutely atrocious, it changes profiles back to 
>> defaults following reboots, and blocks outlook express from sending or 
>> recieving emails on secure ports....
>
> Now it's working again, I'm going back tomorrow and setting up what I use 
> with no problems whatsoever - and all free:
> AVG Free,
> Zonealarm
> Spybot
> Ad-aware.
>
> George
>
>
>
I thought so!  You only know how to get those programs to work, so you
don't need to know what they do really.
I do hope you have set up a suitable hosts list.

Arse Cork OK wrote:

> Good idea - and don't forget to install 'trollkill'

Oh yes, I have my own troll!

The troll can't figure out that "Cork Soaker" is very close to "Cock 
Sucker" and so has to try to make an acronym that makes no sense.

Trolls are incredibly stupid, aren't they?

Nicola Redwood wrote:

> I'm beta testing Bullguard Gamer's Edition and have had no problems with it 
> so far
> I can't say the same for AVG v8, Norton or McAfee 

I've always had success with Symantec Antivirus (on Windows of course), 
but Norton Firewall / Security is an abomination, and totally unnecessary.

"john m" <john@nospam.2net> wrote in message 
news:g3otmd$dbl$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "George Weston"  wrote in message 
> news:6c83n3F3fpdjnU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Gizmo."  wrote in message 
>> news:jEA7k.35616$7m7.22312@newsfe30.ams2...
>>>
>>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rant over....
>>>>>
>>>>> George
>>>>
>>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>>
>>> The manual was probably online    ;o)
>>
>> Exactly!
>> And we didn't want Bullguard anyway.
>>
>> George
>>
> It's not your computer is it?  I hate people who only recommend software 
> they can
> copy setting in to from their own PC to look like an expert.  There is 
> nothing wrong
> with that software - the problem is you don't know much about computers. 
> Well
> certainly not as much as you seem to be telling people.

Thanks for the positive and friendly reply  ;-(
Did I say that I'm an expert? No. However, I have installed and set up many 
computers over the years and have never come across anything like this.
If you read my original post again carefully, you'll see that not even the 
ISP could fathom why it wouldn't connect, when talking me through all the 
settings on the phone.
It was only an afterthought that prompted me to think it might be the 
unused, trial version of Bullguard lurking on the machine that could be the 
problem. It was. As soon as it was uninstalled, everything sprung into life.
Which begs the question already asked - why did the manufacturer install 
Bullguard in such a state that no connection to the internet was possible 
unless it was used - or uninstalled, without some sort of warning or 
installation guide/manual, etc?
And no - I'm not recommending software that I can copy setting (what does 
that mean?). She had AVG, Zonealarm, etc on her old machine and wanted the 
same on her new one.

George

"john m" <john@nospam.2net> wrote in message 
news:g3otr7$dep$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "George Weston"  wrote in message 
> news:6ca0vkF3f3ivoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Gaz"  wrote in message 
>> news:6ca0hkF3e0fhhU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rant over....
>>>>>
>>>>> George
>>>>
>>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>>
>>> I ahve found a few of the newer security suites that include firewalls 
>>> seem to be deliberatly awkward if you want to configure them yourself. 
>>> Firewalls with the newest norton, mcafee and AVG all seem to subsribe to 
>>> the idea that they know best. It can take quite a while to hunt out the 
>>> necessary options to open ports.
>>>
>>> AVG 8 firewall is absolutely atrocious, it changes profiles back to 
>>> defaults following reboots, and blocks outlook express from sending or 
>>> recieving emails on secure ports....
>>
>> Now it's working again, I'm going back tomorrow and setting up what I use 
>> with no problems whatsoever - and all free:
>> AVG Free,
>> Zonealarm
>> Spybot
>> Ad-aware.
>>
>> George
>>
>>
>>
> I thought so!  You only know how to get those programs to work, so you
> don't need to know what they do really.
> I do hope you have set up a suitable hosts list.

Either be helpful or don't bother responding.

George

"john m" <john@nospam.2net> wrote in message 
news:g3otje$cpj$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "George Weston"  wrote in message 
> news:6c81ekF3cult8U1@mid.individual.net...
>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any 
>> other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet 
>> Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various tests, 
>> which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. Pings 
>> worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the internet.
>> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It 
>> was uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email 
>> was established.
>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers 
>> with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working 
>> properly, this is unacceptable.
>>
>> Rant over....
>>
>> George
>>
>>
>
> I think a warning to all is never let someone claiming to be an expert 
> offer to
> fiddle with a new computer when they don't have a clue.
> Often the "expert" (in his own head) will cause many problems, not know 
> how
> to fix them and cause a load of trouble before walking away.
> Your lack of knowledge is what caused the problem.

As I said in response to your earlier response, I'm no expert.
I caused no problem, the ISP helpdesk couldn't either.
What would you have done?

George

>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any 
>>> other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old 
>>> one.
>>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet 
>>> Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various 
>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching correctly. 
>>> Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating email or the 
>>> internet.
>>> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It 
>>> was uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and email 
>>> was established.
>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial offers 
>>> with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from working 
>>> properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>
>>> Rant over....
>>>
>>> George
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I think a warning to all is never let someone claiming to be an expert 
>> offer to
>> fiddle with a new computer when they don't have a clue.
>> Often the "expert" (in his own head) will cause many problems, not know 
>> how
>> to fix them and cause a load of trouble before walking away.
>> Your lack of knowledge is what caused the problem.
>
> As I said in response to your earlier response, I'm no expert.
> I caused no problem, the ISP helpdesk couldn't either.
> What would you have done?


The first thing would be to actually check the settings of Bulldog rather 
than just remove it.

Peter Crosland

George Weston wrote:
> "john m" <john@nospam.2net> wrote in message
> news:g3otr7$dep$1@news.albasani.net...
>>
>> "George Weston"  wrote in message
>> news:6ca0vkF3f3ivoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "Gaz"  wrote in message
>>> news:6ca0hkF3e0fhhU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>
>>>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message
>>>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh
>>>>>> (or any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard
>>>>>> Security). I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to 
>>>>>> replace
>>>>>> her old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but
>>>>>> couldn't get Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing
>>>>>> various tests, which showed that the computer was online and
>>>>>> synching correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice
>>>>>> with activating email or the internet. Today, I had a thought
>>>>>> that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It was
>>>>>> uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and
>>>>>> email was established. I can understand why computer manufacturers 
>>>>>> bundle software
>>>>>> trial offers with new computers. However, when they stop the
>>>>>> computer from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rant over....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> George
>>>>>
>>>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that
>>>>> you didn't know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE
>>>>> to work.  Having a manual would have helped but they seldom
>>>>> come with manuals nowadays
>>>>
>>>> I ahve found a few of the newer security suites that include
>>>> firewalls seem to be deliberatly awkward if you want to
>>>> configure them yourself. Firewalls with the newest norton,
>>>> mcafee and AVG all seem to subsribe to the idea that they know
>>>> best. It can take quite a while to hunt out the necessary
>>>> options to open ports. AVG 8 firewall is absolutely atrocious, it 
>>>> changes profiles back
>>>> to defaults following reboots, and blocks outlook express from
>>>> sending or recieving emails on secure ports....
>>>
>>> Now it's working again, I'm going back tomorrow and setting up
>>> what I use with no problems whatsoever - and all free:
>>> AVG Free,
>>> Zonealarm
>>> Spybot
>>> Ad-aware.
>>>
>>> George
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> I thought so!  You only know how to get those programs to work, so
>> you don't need to know what they do really.
>> I do hope you have set up a suitable hosts list.
>
> Either be helpful or don't bother responding.
>
> George

Believe it or not that last bit was a constructive suggestion/hope...

George Weston wrote:
> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any other 
> computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).

I seem to recall finding this on a number of new Dell systems last year.

One useful tool, assuming it's not a system I am zapping completely and 
dumping a linux image on, is the Dell Decrapifier, which you can get from
	http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/

I wish I'd found that, instead of having to manually de-crapify six 
machines in parallel, and then run windows update, and download some 
four years worth of critical XP fixes that Dell neglected to build into 
their currently shipping system image  (I second guessed that one, 
having experienced that particular surprise before, and placed all of 
the systems onto a network served by a hastily lashed-up caching squid 
proxy server, thus reducing the network load and time significantly 
(allocate huge cache on server, point IE at proxy server, run windows 
update on one machine and watch cache fill up, then run windows update 
on the other machines and watch the ADSL connection do pretty much 
nothing).  One word of warning, this approach has been known to trigger 
failures in the 'windows genuine advantage' checks, which go away on a 
retry.  Personally, I think 'Windows Genuine Advantage' is almost as 
much of an oxymoron as 'Microsoft Works'

So, not only was the system crapped-up with stuff I didn't want, but it 
was lacking significantly in critical updates, such that if placed 
unprotected on the internet, would probably be compromised in about 15 
minutes.

Another tool you may find useful for bulk-updating for security fixes is 
Heise.de'/c't Project offline-update
Download:
http://www.heise.de/ct/projekte/offlineupdate/download_uk.shtml (part 
english/part german)
Details:
http://www.heise-online.co.uk/security/Do-it-yourself-Service-Pack--/features/80682

"john m" <john@nospam.2net> wrote in message 
news:g3otmd$dbl$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "George Weston"  wrote in message 
> news:6c83n3F3fpdjnU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Gizmo."  wrote in message 
>> news:jEA7k.35616$7m7.22312@newsfe30.ams2...
>>>
>>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rant over....
>>>>>
>>>>> George
>>>>
>>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>>
>>> The manual was probably online    ;o)
>>
>> Exactly!
>> And we didn't want Bullguard anyway.
>>
>> George
>>
> It's not your computer is it?  I hate people who only recommend software 
> they can
> copy setting in to from their own PC to look like an expert.  There is 
> nothing wrong
> with that software - the problem is you don't know much about computers. 
> Well
> certainly not as much as you seem to be telling people.

So what AV and Firewall software would an expert like yourself recommend ?
It would also help if you gave reasons.

"john m" <john@nospam.2net> wrote in message 
news:g3otr7$dep$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "George Weston"  wrote in message 
> news:6ca0vkF3f3ivoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Gaz"  wrote in message 
>> news:6ca0hkF3e0fhhU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "kraftee" <kraftee@b&e-cottee.me.uk> wrote in message 
>>> news:psydnZfXRpipS8PVnZ2dnUVZ8t3inZ2d@bt.com...
>>>> George Weston wrote:
>>>>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or
>>>>> any other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>>>>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her
>>>>> old one. Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get
>>>>> Internet Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>>>>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various
>>>>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching
>>>>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating
>>>>> email or the internet. Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might
>>>>> be causing the problem. It was uninstalled and immediately a
>>>>> connection with the internet and email was established.
>>>>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial
>>>>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer
>>>>> from working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rant over....
>>>>>
>>>>> George
>>>>
>>>> The problem wasn't the security package the problem was that you didn't 
>>>> know how to configure the package to allow IE or OE to work.  Having a 
>>>> manual would have helped but they seldom come with manuals nowadays
>>>
>>> I ahve found a few of the newer security suites that include firewalls 
>>> seem to be deliberatly awkward if you want to configure them yourself. 
>>> Firewalls with the newest norton, mcafee and AVG all seem to subsribe to 
>>> the idea that they know best. It can take quite a while to hunt out the 
>>> necessary options to open ports.
>>>
>>> AVG 8 firewall is absolutely atrocious, it changes profiles back to 
>>> defaults following reboots, and blocks outlook express from sending or 
>>> recieving emails on secure ports....
>>
>> Now it's working again, I'm going back tomorrow and setting up what I use 
>> with no problems whatsoever - and all free:
>> AVG Free,
>> Zonealarm
>> Spybot
>> Ad-aware.
>>
>> George
>>
>>
>>
> I thought so!  You only know how to get those programs to work, so you
> don't need to know what they do really.
> I do hope you have set up a suitable hosts list.

In my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the list George gave.
Why do you think otherwise  ?

"Cork Soaker" <Thunderbird@Hardy.invalid> wrote in message 
news:8t85j5-i3i.ln1@quarkbomb.dyndns.org...
> Arse Cork OK wrote:
>
>> Good idea - and don't forget to install 'trollkill'
>
> Oh yes, I have my own troll!
>
> The troll can't figure out that "Cork Soaker" is very close to "Cock 
> Sucker" and so has to try to make an acronym that makes no sense.
>
> Trolls are incredibly stupid, aren't they?

I dispute that remark   ;o)

In message , Adrian C 
<email@here.invalid> writes

>Insert CD into machine and superglue the drive door shut.

You may come to regret that, the heating / cooling *can* (did here!) 
cause a CD to explode in the drive ...

Getting the pieces all back out was quite a problem (would have been 
more difficult had I taken your advice :-)  )
-- 
Rex M F Smith

On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:48 +0100, Jim Howes
<jimhowes@this.address.is.wrong> wrote:

>One word of warning, this approach has been known to trigger 
>failures in the 'windows genuine advantage' checks, which go away on a 
>retry.  Personally, I think 'Windows Genuine Advantage' is almost as 
>much of an oxymoron as 'Microsoft Works'

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/07/wga_disadvantage/

-- 
(\__/)  M.
(='.'=) Owing to the amount of spam posted via googlegroups and
(")_(") their inaction to the problem. I am blocking most articles
posted from there.  If you wish your postings to be seen by
everyone you will need use a different method of posting.
See http://improve-usenet.org

Cork Soaker wrote:
> George Weston wrote:
>> Just a word of warning to anyone buying a computer from Mesh (or any 
>> other computer supplier that bundles Bullguard Security).
>> I bought a new computer from Mesh for my daughter to replace her old one.
>> Yesterday, I spent all day setting it up, but couldn't get Internet 
>> Explorer or Outlook Express to work.
>> I spent quite a bit of time on the phone to her ISP, doing various 
>> tests, which showed that the computer was online and synching 
>> correctly. Pings worked satisfactorily but no dice with activating 
>> email or the internet.
>> Today, I had a thought that Bullguard might be causing the problem. It 
>> was uninstalled and immediately a connection with the internet and 
>> email was established.
>> I can understand why computer manufacturers bundle software trial 
>> offers with new computers. However, when they stop the computer from 
>> working properly, this is unacceptable.
>>
>> Rant over....
>>
>> George
>>
>>
> 
> First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not 
> limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from 
> scratch.

Preferably with a non microsoft OS, if you can.

Adrian C wrote:
> Arse Cork OK wrote:
> 
>>> First thing you should do with any new computer (assuming you're not
>>> limited by a ridiculous Microsoft license) is wipe it, and start from
>>> scratch.
>>
> 
> Nope. Find a Live CD distribution of Linux that boots straight into 
> FireFox and talks to the router. Insert CD into machine and superglue 
> the drive door shut. You may remove the HDD, Windows License and keep it 
> for yourself.
> 
> Then the machine is ready for anyone who just wants a fiddle with 
> Internet and Gmail, and is not tech savvy.
> 
> Happy faces all round ;-)
> 
If all you want is browser/email/word processing linux is the best.