Annoying problem

Bullitt · 11-25-2006, 02:16 PM

My old desktop PC got fried from a power surge in my dorm a little less than a week ago. I just bought a new Gateway MX6931 laptop and the darn scroll portion of the touch pad will work in every program.. except Firefox, which I always use instead of IE. I have a wireless mouse that I used with my old desktop, but not here at home so I'm stuck with the touch pad for now. I have looked through the mouse and touch pad settings and whatnot and can't figure it out. Its the new version of Firefox and Windows Media Center.

Any ideas?
Also thinking about getting LoJack for laptops since college campuses seem to be prime for laptop theft.

mbpark · 11-25-2006, 06:55 PM

Hello,

#1. Download the latest Synaptics TouchPad drivers from www.synaptics.com. You'll be glad you did, as Gateway doesn't expose the full functionality of their own products, apparently.

#2. LoJack for Laptops is good. One of my customers evaluated this as a potential solution for laptop theft. The problems were:

a. It "phones home" to Vancouver, CA. This was not something that my customer wished it to do.

b. It requires Windows to run. Their program hides in the BIOS and inserts itself into Windows. Putting Linux or a Knoppix bootable CD into the drive will render their program useless.

However, it is burned into the BIOS, and Gateway is one of the manufacturers that offers this service as a value-added option. If you're going to run Windows, this is a definite plus to have.

The other option you're going to want to look into is encryption of your sensitive data. Please look at TrueCrypt (www.truecrypt.org) if you're going to be toting a new laptop around a college campus, where many students have found alternate (read: theft) ways of supporting themselves.

Thanks,

Mitch

Bullitt · 11-25-2006, 08:32 PM

Thanks! Drivers updated and everything is golden. I absolutely love this laptop just FYI. Great hardware for the $.
I think I am going to invest in the LoJack. I would guess that most punks that steal laptops on campus wouldn't think to use a Linux boot CD to circumvent something (The LoJack software) they don't know is even there.

Funny story, when I was buying the laptop I asked the guy at Best Buy if they sold LoJack and he said no and that he doesn't recommend it because you "have to send your PC in to get a GPS tracking chip installed, etc. etc. blah blah bull**** and more bull****." I feel sorry for people who shop for stuff like this at Best Buy and have only the Geek Squad's or sale's rep. word to go on.

tw · 11-25-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt

I feel sorry for people who shop for stuff like this at Best Buy and have only the Geek Squad's or sale's rep. word to go on.

Did they also promote the $100 surge protector? Secondary warranty? What else?

Bullitt · 11-25-2006, 09:18 PM

Haha yeah they offered the $99 installation of anti virus and spyware software (sold separately of course), and they also promised to make my computer run 15-20% faster with their "system diagnostic software". The guy also tried to sell the $299 extended factory warranty
The only reason I bought it there was to take advantage of the good deal and get a computer before I headed back to campus tomorrow.

tw · 11-25-2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt

Haha yeah they offered the $99 installation of anti virus and spyware software (sold separately of course),...

Are you saying that does not come installed on the Gateway? Or were they offering to sell and install something that was already installed?

Meanwhile comprehensive system diagnostics comes free from responsible computer manufacturers. Why then would they offer to sell you something that comes standard and free? Or does not come on Gateways either?

mbpark · 11-25-2006, 09:53 PM

Unfortunately, Best Buy amd their ilk make little to no money on the hardware and attempt to make it back on services and overpriced hardware. I have a friend who works at CompUSA who explained to me to never buy cables there. The cables are 500% of what they cost online. People, in general, are also too lazy or scared (mostly scared) to install av or antispyware software.

skysidhe · 11-27-2006, 09:52 AM

Interesting ! Thanks for the outlook.

BigV · 11-27-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt

--snip--Any ideas?
Also thinking about getting LoJack for laptops since college campuses seem to be prime for laptop theft.

Kensington retractable cable laptop lock

DaughterofV has one of these, and so far, so good. In the dorm room it's locked to the table, allowing her (and her roommate) a bit more peace of mind as they walk in and out of the room, including company. For travel, the cable has a spring loaded retractor and winds into itself like a tape measure, into a package about the size and shape of a stack of two carabiners. If you're never going to leave it unattended, no biggie. If you're going to the library and want to be able to leave it on the table as you browse the shelves, or go to the washroom, just lock it to the table again. More paranoid? Carry it with you in your backpack, or have a trusted friend watch over it.

By the time the thieves have physical possession of your system, I have serious doubts that any installed program would be any kind of deterrent or recovery tool.

btw, I know the link is from Best Buy, but of course this product is available everywhere....

Bullitt · 11-27-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Kensington retractable cable laptop lock

DaughterofV has one of these, and so far, so good. In the dorm room it's locked to the table, allowing her (and her roommate) a bit more peace of mind as they walk in and out of the room, including company. For travel, the cable has a spring loaded retractor and winds into itself like a tape measure, into a package about the size and shape of a stack of two carabiners. If you're never going to leave it unattended, no biggie. If you're going to the library and want to be able to leave it on the table as you browse the shelves, or go to the washroom, just lock it to the table again. More paranoid? Carry it with you in your backpack, or have a trusted friend watch over it.

By the time the thieves have physical possession of your system, I have serious doubts that any installed program would be any kind of deterrent or recovery tool.

btw, I know the link is from Best Buy, but of course this product is available everywhere....

Yeah I'm thinking about getting one of those cables for when the laptop is in my room and I'm not there. I can't tell from the BB website picture but it looks like that cable could be cut by just a pair of wire cutters. Something stronger would be more reassuring.

busterb · 11-27-2006, 12:56 PM

Maybe this?

Bullitt · 11-27-2006, 04:11 PM

looks good to me

BigV · 09-05-2008, 08:45 PM

So Bullitt, how has your computer held up over the last couple years?

Bullitt · 09-05-2008, 09:30 PM

Pretty decently for how much it gets moved around. The dvd drive is dying, and the plastic casing of the screen is cracked up the side from heat. Other than that it's goin pretty good. Got a Creative sound card for laptops that goes into the PCI slot so now I can run my 7.1 from the laptop! It's a heavy ass sucker though, and only has about 1.5 hrs worth of battery life on a full charge, so I recently purchased a small 13" notebook for taking to classes and such.

11-25-2006, 08:32 PM	#3
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	Thanks! Drivers updated and everything is golden. I absolutely love this laptop just FYI. Great hardware for the $. I think I am going to invest in the LoJack. I would guess that most punks that steal laptops on campus wouldn't think to use a Linux boot CD to circumvent something (The LoJack software) they don't know is even there. Funny story, when I was buying the laptop I asked the guy at Best Buy if they sold LoJack and he said no and that he doesn't recommend it because you "have to send your PC in to get a GPS tracking chip installed, etc. etc. blah blah bull** and more bull**." I feel sorry for people who shop for stuff like this at Best Buy and have only the Geek Squad's or sale's rep. word to go on. __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass.

11-25-2006, 09:18 PM	#5
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	Haha yeah they offered the $99 installation of anti virus and spyware software (sold separately of course), and they also promised to make my computer run 15-20% faster with their "system diagnostic software". The guy also tried to sell the $299 extended factory warranty The only reason I bought it there was to take advantage of the good deal and get a computer before I headed back to campus tomorrow. __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass.

11-25-2006, 09:53 PM	#7
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	Its how best buy makes money..... Unfortunately, Best Buy amd their ilk make little to no money on the hardware and attempt to make it back on services and overpriced hardware. I have a friend who works at CompUSA who explained to me to never buy cables there. The cables are 500% of what they cost online. People, in general, are also too lazy or scared (mostly scared) to install av or antispyware software.

11-27-2006, 12:56 PM	#11
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	Maybe this? __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

11-27-2006, 04:11 PM	#12
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	looks good to me __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass.

11-25-2006, 02:16 PM	#1
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	Annoying problem My old desktop PC got fried from a power surge in my dorm a little less than a week ago. I just bought a new Gateway MX6931 laptop and the darn scroll portion of the touch pad will work in every program.. except Firefox, which I always use instead of IE. I have a wireless mouse that I used with my old desktop, but not here at home so I'm stuck with the touch pad for now. I have looked through the mouse and touch pad settings and whatnot and can't figure it out. Its the new version of Firefox and Windows Media Center. Any ideas? Also thinking about getting LoJack for laptops since college campuses seem to be prime for laptop theft. __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass. Last edited by Bullitt; 11-25-2006 at 02:23 PM.

11-25-2006, 06:55 PM	#2
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	Your issues. Hello, #1. Download the latest Synaptics TouchPad drivers from www.synaptics.com. You'll be glad you did, as Gateway doesn't expose the full functionality of their own products, apparently. #2. LoJack for Laptops is good. One of my customers evaluated this as a potential solution for laptop theft. The problems were: a. It "phones home" to Vancouver, CA. This was not something that my customer wished it to do. b. It requires Windows to run. Their program hides in the BIOS and inserts itself into Windows. Putting Linux or a Knoppix bootable CD into the drive will render their program useless. However, it is burned into the BIOS, and Gateway is one of the manufacturers that offers this service as a value-added option. If you're going to run Windows, this is a definite plus to have. The other option you're going to want to look into is encryption of your sensitive data. Please look at TrueCrypt (www.truecrypt.org) if you're going to be toting a new laptop around a college campus, where many students have found alternate (read: theft) ways of supporting themselves. Thanks, Mitch

11-27-2006, 09:52 AM	#8
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	Interesting ! Thanks for the outlook.

09-05-2008, 08:45 PM	#13
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	So Bullitt, how has your computer held up over the last couple years? __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

09-05-2008, 09:30 PM	#14
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	Pretty decently for how much it gets moved around. The dvd drive is dying, and the plastic casing of the screen is cracked up the side from heat. Other than that it's goin pretty good. Got a Creative sound card for laptops that goes into the PCI slot so now I can run my 7.1 from the laptop! It's a heavy ass sucker though, and only has about 1.5 hrs worth of battery life on a full charge, so I recently purchased a small 13" notebook for taking to classes and such. __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass.

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