Yet another computer question(s) - HD, Anti-Virus and Mac ?s

[And That]

Hey guys-

 

I have a Seagate 250 GB hard drive in a CompUSA HD USB enclosure, and it has all been working perfectly since I bought it a year ago. Then suddenly today, I turned on the HD enclosure and up popped a message that my computer recognizes the thing as a "Cypress AT2LP RC42" USB Composite Device. I have no earthly idea what that is, but it isn't my drive. It has always just popped up as a "USB2.0 Mass Storage Device."

 

I uninstalled the USB Composite Device driver in the Device Manager, but it popped back up again as the Cypress whatever. I have the driver CD for the CompUSA enclosure, but can't get the computer to recognize that driver. What gives?

 

Also, my anti-virus program that I got free through my school is about to run out because I don't go to that school anymore. Can someone recommend a good free anti-virus program? Thanks.

 

 

(added tags --1992)

[aracko]

First I would restore system settings to a day last week.

 

Start>Programs>accessories>system tools

 

2nd - good anti virus - do you have Roadrunner? They have one on their site that I have been THRILLED with - and its free to Time Warner Customers.

[And That]

I live in Minnesota, so I have Comcast. I guess I haven't checked out if they have a free anti-virus program, tho since I'm not the name on the internet bill, they might not give it to me for free anyway.

 

Edit: I restored it to last Tuesday, but my system is still recognizing it as the Cypress whatever.

 

I'm also considering buying a new computer, and am strongly thinking about making the leap to a Mac. I have two big questions about it. First, assuming I can get this external HD working again, I'd still be able to connect to a Mac and access my MP3s, correct? Second, do I remember right that the current Mac OS has a feature where you are able to run Windows programs in a Windows environment? Thanks.

[pretendastronaut]

Yes, a Mac can pull up a HD formatted for PCs. And yes, as long as you get an Intel Mac (which is what all the new ones are anyway, so if you buy new you're safe, if you buy used, be sure to checck), you can run Windows on it as well using either Bootcamp from Apple or Parallels.

[1992casey]

The Mac handles a kajillion hard drive formats, so you should be fine.

 

To run Windows on a Mac, you need Parallels Desktop for Mac (not free) or Boot Camp (free).

 

Parallels runs your OSes side by side without rebooting. Boot Camp requires rebooting, but may also offer a speed advantage at times.

 

Also, Parallels will run a long list of OSes, including versions of Windows back to 3.1. Boot Camp was Windows XP only the last time I heard; maybe it supports Vista by now.

 

I think Apple may refer to Boot Camp as beta. In reality, I think it's a part of the next OS (10.5/Leopard) that's ready right now.

[DSFastball55]

Boot Camp does run Vista. I've been running it for awhile now on my Macbook.

[bjkrautk]

Just to throw out an anti-virus option, I run Avast on my laptop.

 

I don't know if it's "good" or not....but I don't have any viruses that I know about.

[1992casey]

I can't speak for any personal experience with Avast, but everything I've heard is good. AVG is another good freebie. I've seen good luck with that one.

[chowyo123]

Comcast offers McAfee for free. www.comcast.net/benefits/

You just need a comcast e-mail address....

 

Also, I found a link where people are having the same HD problems as you. Some people have posted some steps which worked for them, others say it's the enclosure. Anyway, I'll let you read it and hopefully it helps you. www.everythingusb.com

[berniebrewer4life]

Quote:

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I can't speak for any personal experience with Avast, but everything I've heard is good. AVG is another good freebie. I've seen good luck with that one.

---

 

Both are very good. I haven't used Avast myself, but i swear by AVG.

[brettac1]

I was looking at externals yesterday at Best Buy... I think I will stay away from Seagate now.

 

I know this has been discussed at some point, but does anyone have any thoughts on Maxtor? Particularly this one: www.bestbuy.com/site/olsp...5610071764

 

I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a decent bang for the buck, I guess.

 

EDIT: Further research informs me that they (Maxtor and Seagate) are one and the same.

[Diskono]

Quote:

---

I was looking at externals yesterday at Best Buy... I think I will stay away from Seagate now.

 

I know this has been discussed at some point, but does anyone have any thoughts on Maxtor? Particularly this one: www.bestbuy.com/site/olsp...5610071764

 

I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a decent bang for the buck, I guess.

 

EDIT: Further research informs me that they (Maxtor and Seagate) are one and the same.

---

I don't think any one brand of hard drives are better than others - they all have about the same failure rate. Seagates have the best (5 year) warranty, so I usually buy those.

[And That]

Brett, it turned out that it was my CompUSA enclosure that stopped working, not my hard drive. I've been very happy with my Seagate purchases over the years... the one time I didn't buy a Seagate, I got a Western Digital, and that thing died inside of a year. I've had 3-4 Seagates, and have never had one die on me.

 

I have another question about Macs... would it be better for me to wait until October when OS X Leopard is released? My Dell is on its very last legs, but I don't want to have to upgrade to a new OS right away either. Does anyone know the upgrade cost I would face from Tiger to Leopard?

[brettac1]

Brett, it turned out that it was my CompUSA enclosure that stopped working, not my hard drive. I've been very happy with my Seagate purchases over the years... the one time I didn't buy a Seagate, I got a Western Digital, and that thing died inside of a year. I've had 3-4 Seagates, and have never had one die on me.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

I know virtually nothing about this, but what exactly is an "enclosure"? Like on that one that I linked to earlier, I take it that I wouldn't have to get a seperate enclosure for that, right?

[And That]

I know virtually nothing about this, but what exactly is an "enclosure"?

 

An enclosure turns an internal hard drive into an external hard drive. FWIW, it's always been cheaper for me to buy an internal hard drive and a separate enclosure than a factory-built external. That might not still be the case, tho. You can get an enclosure for around $20 w/shipping on eBay... I think I paid $25 for mine at CompUSA.

 

There's also the advantage in buying two separate components where if one breaks, you still have the other. That WD drive I talked about earlier was bought as an external hard drive... if it hadn't been factory sealed, I could have at least salvaged the enclosure and used it for my next hard drive.

 

If they are priced about the same, I'd opt for the internal HD/enclosure tandem, but if the external costs less, I don't think it matter all that much.

[brettac1]

An enclosure turns an internal hard drive into an external hard drive.

 

OK, that's pretty much what I figured.

 

I'll have to look into prices and whatnot.