So I was round at Dinoman’s house last night trying to fix problems with his 2 computers – 1 laptop, 1 desktop. 2 hours worth of fiddling problem determination, and the only thing I fixed was the popup on his LCD saying he’s using the wrong resolution (which he _is_, but who am I to judge).
Why is so amazingly difficult to ascertain the nature of a problem on Windows?!?!?! It bugs the hell out of me. You have no way of telling if it’s a hardware problem, or software. You spend hours on trial and error methods, having to reboot each time, and it takes an age. There are no system logs to check whether somethings working or not. And I’m _still_ not entirely sure what the problem is, although it’s probably hardware related in some way. But even if the hardware is replaced, I’m not entirely convinced that Windows is going to get it working properly without fiddling.
The other problem was just as annoying – trying to get a USB adsl modem working. It installed fine, except that Window wouldn’t find the installed drivers. And wouldn’t take them from the CD. And wouldn’t uninstall any of it – just crashed it.
I’m so thankful I’m a Linux user, and don’t have to worry about all that crap.
mrben
Hmm, the reason I abandoned Linux was because it refused to see my modem, something Windows had no problem with.
Shame, as I was really keen to switch to Linux (except for when wanting to play games).
Thank you Ben for all your hard work last night!
Think I am going to try and solve my problems by…
a. Purchasing DVD re-writer to replace old one…Hopefully works…if not back to the drawing board.
b. Upgrading to Wireless, So I forget the USB ASDL modem.
Thank you MrBen!
P.S. My screen resolution is perfect!!!
Lumpy Custard – this is a very common frustration, but alas one that is really not Linux’s fault. The vast majority of internal modems are not really modems at all – they are functionally useless bits of hardware that require clever software to do that actual modulate/demodulate from whence modem gets his name – commonly they are called software modems, or simply ‘Winmodems’.
Support for winmodems under Linux used to be non-existent. Now it’s a lot better, with the advent of the Linmodem project (http://www.linmodem.org) but it relies entirely on people reverse-engineering the modem software, because the manufacturers (for the most part) refuse point blank to release any. And, FYI, reverse engineering software like that is, AFAIK, a lot harder that reverse engineering a simple driver when you have the requisite hardware.
Mind you – most folks are on broadband these days, which is much better supported.
Anyway – just thought I would clear that up. Next time you want to try Linux, let me know….
This was an external ADSL modem that was causing hassle. Dad’s was also an external ADSL thing, but a much newer model and he also had no joy. As for Linux…
Well considering the hassle my wife has using an OS she’s “familiar” with I think I won’t cause more friction in the house by installing another one:
- That button! THAT ONE! The one you always use!
*click*
-That one?
- NO! AAAAAAHHH!!!
and also:
- Why’s it not working?
– Well, what did that message say?
- I dunno. I just clicked OK.
– You didn’t read it?
- I never read the messages.
– AAAAAAHHH!!!
External ADSL? Oh well – can’t win them all. USB, I would presume? I admit that the support for those is not ideal, although a lot better than it was. Personally, I got myself an ADSL router, and just plug the network cable into it.
Try dropping a newish version of Knoppix in and see how it fares (3.9 is good, or the 4.0 DVD if you’ve got the kit to burn a copy)
“the 4.0 DVD if you’ve got the kit to burn a copy”
Or this months Linux Format
-Dx