Tech/Computer advice from me

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That is odd. I just use their standalone zip file from cpuid.com and run the .exe file. I don't even need to run the installer. The installer file from the official site is smaller at 1.6 megabytes.

You want the 32-bit version; your processor does not support running 64-bit programs.

I suspect Cnet's downloader is what's actually causing the strange things these guys are experiencing. So avoid it in the future.

https://www.google.com/search?clien...d58183a0780002&bpcl=40096503&biw=1600&bih=734

http://insecure.org/news/download-com-fiasco.html
http://www.extremetech.com/computin...downloads-in-bloatware-lies-about-motivations

I was unaware Cnet.com has fallen from grace like this. So I guess this conversation granted us both a benefit. I certainly won't be using CNET for a long while.

If you want to play it safe though, you can get an old version at FileHippo.com.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_cpuz/3486/
 
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Hmm, so it's the CNET site that's bad, overall. And not simply just the program itself, eh ?
I havnt heard of this FileHippo site. Is it supposed to be similar to CNET, but generally regarded as safe ?
 
Fear The Spear said:
Hmm, so it's the CNET site that's bad, overall. And not simply just the program itself, eh ?
I havnt heard of this FileHippo site. Is it supposed to be similar to CNET, but generally regarded as safe ?
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It should be.

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/filehippo.com
Very few comments of malware. The ones that are there seem to be isolated incidents and either application-specific issues or false positives.

CNET on the other hand, has consistently had recent complaints about malware being installed; you'll see them if you sort the comments by date. They're similar to the ones you have posted about

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/download.cnet.com

FileHippo is handy if you want an older version of the program.


If you want the latest version though, just go to the official site at www.cpuid.com. If you're worried about the installer having something, then just get the .zip file (32-bit) and run a virus scan on the .zip file and the cpuz.exe file. It should come clean. Extract the files and just double-click cpuz.exe. The cpuz.exe file is the program itself and running it will make it work without having to "install" it.

You can also use virustotal.com to do another scan just in case.
 
SirClintonPortis said:
You can also use virustotal.com to do another scan just in case.
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I downloaded from filehippp and used this VirusTotal and it found "Win32.Banker"
I'm not familiar with this spyware, so I googled it, and it appears to be a "banking keylogger"
Again, I'm not positive what these do, but it sounds like a program that can hack into your bank account by copying the keystrokes you use to log into your account. Is that correct ? I read some keyloggers are not considered "malicious". How about this one ?
 
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Fear The Spear said:
Also, after I encountered that virus result, I tried your other suggestion, and downloaded directly from the CPUID site, and Virus Total found 11 viruses in that file.
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Hmm, well, try out Belarc Advisor then. This too should be a clean download. But, scan it with your software and Virustotal first before running it, since I suspect a virus or worm is infecting the originally clean CPU-Z files very quickly, and that something might be able to infect any file you download.

The basis for my suspicion is that I downloaded the exact same CPU-Z files myself on different computers and the detection ratio on Virustotal was 0/46. I also ran a Symantec Endpoint Protection scan on all of them and nothing was detected.
 
SirClintonPortis said:
But, scan it with your software and Virustotal first before running it, since I suspect a virus or worm is infecting the originally clean CPU-Z files very quickly, and that something might be able to infect any file you download.
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Does this imply my PC already has one or more viruses, and the infection on the file is coming from my PC, after it downloads ? Or do you mean, from elsewhere ?
 
Fear The Spear said:
Does this imply my PC already has one or more viruses, and the infection on the file is coming from my PC, after it downloads ? Or do you mean, from elsewhere ?
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Yes, it means your PC is infected somewhere. CPU-Z only has three files in its .zip file, so somehow the file from the official site getting 11 files is something fishy.

May I ask which antivirus, anti-spyware, etc programs you are currently using?
 
I just decided to peek at this thread to see what it was about.....and honestly, I have no idea what the **** you guys are talking about. :)

I feel so inadequate.....
 
Don't worry LSF, I just read this now as well. I'm surprised that as Spear is running XP from 2002, he hasn't been advised that MS support will no longer be available online as of April, so there won't be any service packs, or security updates from then.

By spending the money to bring his current PC up to BASIC standards of today, he would be better off spending it on a new computer. The difference all round will be noticeable, and money well spent.
 
LoyalSkinsFan said:
I just decided to peek at this thread to see what it was about.....and honestly, I have no idea what the **** you guys are talking about. :)

I feel so inadequate.....
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Don't feel bad. 6 months ago, I wouldn't have been able answer much computer hardware. It takes a bunch of incremental steps, and Google is a great tool.

SkinnedAussie said:
Don't worry LSF, I just read this now as well. I'm surprised that as Spear is running XP from 2002, he hasn't been advised that MS support will no longer be available online as of April, so there won't be any service packs, or security updates from then.

By spending the money to bring his current PC up to BASIC standards of today, he would be better off spending it on a new computer. The difference all round will be noticeable, and money well spent.
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Well, I doubt the RAM upgrades on his current rig he might do will cost him more than 25 bucks, and that's assuming he gets 1GB sticks. He turn this thing into his legacy secondary rig with all the old apps he uses while building up the funds for an upgrade.

But I agree with you and I believe I said something to the effect earlier, even 350 bucks will get him something massively better. He can play HD video without the need for a video card.
 
Funny thing is, I've been a mac guy since the beginning......the beauty is I really haven't had to learn all the nuts and bolts stuff. The things have always just WORKED. :)
 
SirClintonPortis said:
Yes, it means your PC is infected somewhere. CPU-Z only has three files in its .zip file, so somehow the file from the official site getting 11 files is something fishy.

May I ask which antivirus, anti-spyware, etc programs you are currently using?
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I have Avast, Malwarebytes, and Spyware Blaster.

I have a high level of trust in Avast. It actually seems hyper-sensitive, and completely blocks me from even entering webpages that appear suspicious.
I've run scans on both Avast and Malwarebytes and they havn't found anything.
Spyware Blaster does not perform "scans". It's real-time protection, that prevents the majority of spyware and cookies from even entering the system, so there's never a need to "clean them out", like you would with programs like Spybot, or SuperAntispyware, or Spyware Terminator.

Before you mentioned the possibility of me being infected, it never even crossed my mind that I might have had a virus. The only potential sign I see that I might have a virus is the slow performance and frequent "time-outs", however, as you suggested earlier, I also, attributed that to the level of RAM, quality of processor, and the like.

Another thing I frequently do, is uninstall my Avast, and then install another free antivirus, or one with at least a free trial, and they don't find viruses either.
 
LoyalSkinsFan said:
Funny thing is, I've been a mac guy since the beginning......the beauty is I really haven't had to learn all the nuts and bolts stuff. The things have always just WORKED. :)
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Most non-Apple guys don't know crap about the insides either. So that's why they need to consult computer repair guys for service, use their warranty, or RMA the product. ;)

Besides, they're built in such a way there's no reason to crack open a Mac except to upgrade RAM or repair things like broken screens.

The truth is that a Mac's hardware components are tightly controlled by Apple and that's why "the strange things" are less likely to happen. Whereas, the "off-the-shelf" PCs built by so-called original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are more likely to have a lousy power supply, which can lead to instability issues, or other evidence of cost-cutting like bad capacitors.
 
Yeah, Mike...I don't know about any of that stuff. I just know I got a great deal on my Mac and it is far better than any machine I have ever used. Not hype, simply top quality performance.
 
MikeSr619 said:
You like fords over chevys.

Doesnt make Chevy a less quality of car maker. Just means you like it better. same with PC's and Macs. What you use it for is probably more tailored towards a Mac.
Posted via BGO Mobile Device
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Mike, I have always been a PC guy first. Never had a Mac, refusing to pay for something that I felt was "all hype". A friend proposed a deal I couldn't refuse that included thousands of dollars worth of programs.

It wasn't about preference, I took a deal that I couldn't refuse.

I am grateful I did, it was a great deal for a machine that has performed far better than anything I have ever used.
 
Mike, I understand you know more about Computers. I am not trying to challenge your knowledge of computers.

What I am telling you is that I got a great deal on a computer/Mac that I would never have bought if it hadn't been for the deal I got.

That computer turned out to be the best computer I have ever used.

That is not disputing anything you've said. It is merely pointing out that I like my Mac and I am glad I have it.

Edit: Now get back on Facebook so we can go make fun of the 4 Seattle Seahags' fans that exist outside of Seattle!
 
Elephant said:
A friend proposed a deal I couldn't refuse that included thousands of dollars worth of programs.
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I also have access to thousands of dollars worth of programs, but mine are actually FREE, and LEGAL, operating system included!

With that knowledge, I can then put ALL my money into hardware.
 
MikeSr619 said:
Apple guys always swear their machines are so good.

How much did you pay? How easy is it to swap out hard drives, upgrade memory, change our video cards?

Oh ya...you "dont get viruses". Sorry, but apple is all hype. And its hysterical that they have windows for macs but you dont see many PC people begging for snow leopard or whatever crap animal theyre on now
Posted via BGO Mobile Device
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I wouldn't say it's all hype. Just rather high-priced and poor value for the dollar hardware-wise. But folks might and do indeed get a tangibly good computing experience from that operating system and other frills and value that over paying less for more powerful hardware and getting Linux or Windows. If they have the money to blow on it, then that's fine by me.

But yeah, the "don't get viruses" mantra is due to the computer attackers not giving a damn because it's not particularly profitable for them, not because the OS is coded more safely.

It's the culture of "OMG, I'm an Apple guy. I am so awesome, everything they make is awesome, and everything else blows" back-patting that more irksome. Sorry, but Apple still subcontracts to the usual electronics manufacturers like Pegatron, Foxconn, etc, and so the insides are just like every other computer product out there.
 
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