Technical Smechnical

Sometimes I hate computers. Sometimes I could just open the window and toss the darned thing out. I thought I was doing a good thing when I installed McAfee. It's free with my Comcast service. Soon after downloading it, all the trouble started.

Everything has slowed down dramatically. It takes about 5 full minutes to get the computer up and running after it's been shut down. Then that @%#!*& McAfee thing pops up and tells me my computer isn't safe anymore. I made the mistake today of having it scan the computer. That should do it, shouldn't it? How long can it take, anyway?!?

Well, how about 4 long, grueling hours!! And then the blasted thing said it had found 9 problems. Did I want to fix them? Well, hell, yes! I clicked on the "Fix" button and after another 1/2 hour or so, it came up with a message telling me that the problems couldn't be fixed! What!?!

Then, to make matters even worser (yes, worser!) it then said the computer was safe! Huh? But, actually, when I clicked on the internet (to complain in this blog), a notice popped up saying the computer wasn't safe. Now I'm pulling my hair out!!! Somebody open a window.

The other day, I tried using McAfee's technical advisor. It's done over the internet in a chat room. This guy was very technical and I didn't understand one word he typed. Well, yes I did. I understood the words "Hello, Janice". After that, I was lost. Somebody open a window.

I downloaded a FAQ document on how to solve some of the problems. The first one said to clear the cached copy of the HackerWatch database file and download a fresh copy. What? Ok, never mind, just do it. I clicked Start, Run, typed Explorer.exe and clicked OK. It then told me to navigate to C:\Documents and Settings.

After a brief crying jag, I finally found it. Ok. Now I was to click on All Users. Great! There it was. Now I'm rolling! After clicking on All Users I was to click on Application Data and then McAfee\HackerWatch\data.

Hmmm. Screech to a skidding stop. There's no Application Data thingy. None. I clicked on all four folders thinking maybe it was hiding in one of them. Nope. Not there. I can't go any further. Without that folder, I can't get to McAfee\HackerWatch\data. So now what? I'm supposed to open that folder and delete the HwLocal.xdb. Somebody open a window.

In order to install the McAfee Security stuff, it told me I had to delete any other security I had or it couldn't install. So now, if I uninstall McAfee (but I bet it won't let me uninstall it!) I won't have anything at all.

I'm opening up the window.