Buy a new computer or not?

[wyndslash]

it seems that the computer in my dad's office keeps getting viruses; it's a pretty old computer, but i think it runs windows vista. my dad wants to replace the computer with a new one but i'm not sure if that would be a good solution. what do you think? i wonder if it's due to the user (his secretaries use it) or the actual system or both. whenever it gets a virus, he tells me to fix it and i always put antivirus on it after reformatting it.

 

[kevincott]

There is obviously an issue, he can get a new machine if he wishes but there is no reason to believe he will stop getting viruses.

Malware/viruses are obtained realistically through a persons usage patterns and will continue until their habits change.

 

[linuxrich]

Malware/viruses are obtained realistically through a persons usage patterns and will continue until their habits change.

...or their operating system changes. Seriously. If it's an office machine, put openSUSE or something similar on there. Users get user accounts, whoever administers it gets the root account and therefore the only authority to add/remove programs. No mor viruses!

 

[cursor system]

If it is virus issues, I don't think buying a new one is the next thing. There are many things you can do to get rid of the virus like formatting the system, installation of good and effective antivirus and some other precautions.
if all these have been done without any solution, then he can go for new one

 

[Kruncha]

Knowing what specifacations your system has, would really help in giving an informed answer. As it is, a new pc is no different to a format (except in price).

K.

 

[rui-no-onna]

it seems that the computer in my dad's office keeps getting viruses; it's a pretty old computer, but i think it runs windows vista. my dad wants to replace the computer with a new one but i'm not sure if that would be a good solution. what do you think? i wonder if it's due to the user (his secretaries use it) or the actual system or both. whenever it gets a virus, he tells me to fix it and i always put antivirus on it after reformatting it.

PEBKAC = problem exists between keyboard and chair

...or their operating system changes. Seriously. If it's an office machine, put openSUSE or something similar on there. Users get user accounts, whoever administers it gets the root account and therefore the only authority to add/remove programs. No mor viruses!

Since it's a business machine, there might be some programs they're running that require Windows. As for user accounts with limited privileges, those can be accomplished on Windows, too.

 

[horsecharles]

...or their operating system changes. Seriously. If it's an office machine, put openSUSE or something similar on there. Users get user accounts, whoever administers it gets the root account and therefore the only authority to add/remove programs. No mor viruses!

PEBKAC = problem exists between keyboard and chair



Since it's a business machine, there might be some programs they're running that require Windows. As for user accounts with limited privileges, those can be accomplished on Windows, too.

If no windows-only progs needed and alternatives to MS Office suffice, then Linux peachy keen.

Otherwise take second suggest,

AND I would get new system-Vista such a pig / 7 such a pleasure to manage...with the added bonus of much better hardware; and it won't cost much.
Win 7 is stable enough to set it to auto update, And comes with enough & improved security addons to preclude needing third party firewall, antivirus, and spyware blocker.
I would both install and include in auto update all those optional components...although disable if using third party counterparts.

I would spend the extra dollars to get the Ultimate version, 64 bit..

.which makes it very easy to remotely manage/ run programs in virtual box and/or sandbox, and Very Important: has Free XP Mode to allow running legacy apps, which the other 64 variants don't bring.

 

[Kruncha]

PEBKAC = problem exists between keyboard and chair

lol, good one

K.

 

[wyndslash]

Thanks for the opinions. We ended up getting a new machine. It turns out that the machine my dad wanted to replace was an old dinosaur still running on windows xp and freezing on my every move. I created user accounts on the new machine.

 

[snoop600]

Buying a new computer will not necessarily stop viruses but Windows 7 is more secure. Install a good anti-virus app and keep it updated.

 

[Digital Controller]

Thanks for the opinions. We ended up getting a new machine. It turns out that the machine my dad wanted to replace was an old dinosaur still running on windows xp and freezing on my every move. I created user accounts on the new machine.

My Dad owns a small business and encountered similar problems with slow computers.

I replaced 3 of the computers in the office and added an extra main server for backups and built them from scratch, each computer, minus monitors, keyboards, and mice (already supplied) cost the company around 200 dollars.

Bare bones computers are all a company really needs, they aren't doing anything hardcore on them. I know there previous computers were going on 8 years so these new ones, each with XP will run even better.


As for anti virus, i would suggest MSE, i love it and it works great with Windows.

 

[Rolo42]

As for anti virus, i would suggest MSE

MSE is better than nothing; otherwise, it isn't advised:

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: May/Jun 2012