Question:
Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
Hi,
I was walking past an Office Depot, and saw the machine listed above on sale for $549 after rebate. I have been meaning to buy a notebook for years, but the decision was always put off, because I couldn't make up my mind. This sounded like a good deal, but since I didn't comparison shop, I really don't know.
http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?...tk=all&An=text
I would like this laptop to eventually replace my desktop. I hope to live on a sailboat in the next 3 to 5 years. I hope to keep this laptop for as many years as I can, and it may even serve as my entertainment. (I currently watch less than an hour of tv a week.)
If I sail, I may be using this computer overseas. Are there specific international models of computers? I have never traveled overseas, so I don't know what I need to look for. If I am overseas, I would like to be able to watch local videos, if possible.
I don't expect that all my questions will be answered here. However, I seemed to find everything but the specific, very basic information I needed by searching the internet. I am sure that some readers will know good resources for me to read.
Is there a recommended "burn-in" procedure or testng procedure? Of course, they talked me into an expensive service contract, which I will probably drop once I read it, because it probably contains many exceptions for various repairs, despite the salesman's insistance that everything was covered. I would like to identify any problems within my 14 day refund period.
Speciffically, I would like to run Linux applications, and since it came with Windows, should I try to arrange a dual boot set-up? Is this machine appropriate for Linux? What distribution do you recommend?
Also, I want to know the security of wi-fi, and when I can and can't use it. There is an unsecured network that is accessable from my home. Is it legal for me to use this network? How do I find out? Is it safe for me to use this network?
Mary
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
I am coling off a little bit, and I played a CD on the machine yesterday, the sound of it was painful, so this machine very obviously won't fulfill my music entertainment needs anytime soon.
My son pointed out that if I can avoid my dial-up ISP charges, I can offset the cost of my new toy, while increasing my connection speed. My connection speed is only double what it was on on dialup. I noticed other connection speeds are magmitudes of order above my current speed.
At this point, I am thinking the machine will be returned to the store, until I am sure I have a valuable use for it. I do not need a very expensive portable DVD player.
Mary
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
It's not a bad deal.
As for local videos, I'm unsure what you are referring to.
As for international models, are you referring to the power plugs?
For the WiFi, if its not yours, then technically it is illegal, and you wouldn't want to use it anyways, as they can track what sites you went to and oher security hazards.
I'm unsure how the ISP has to do with the notebook, if possible, please reword or rephase.
Thanks and I hope you're questions are/can be answered.
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
Is there a recommended "burn-in" procedure or testng procedure? Of course, they talked me into an expensive service contract, which I will probably drop once I read it, because it probably contains many exceptions for various repairs, despite the salesman's insistance that everything was covered. I would like to identify any problems within my 14 day refund period.
What I generally do is leave the laptop on for a week or so without turning it off (or leave it on as often as possible), and make sure everything functions properly. Also make sure you use it on battery at least once (run it all the way down).
Speciffically, I would like to run Linux applications, and since it came with Windows, should I try to arrange a dual boot set-up? Is this machine appropriate for Linux? What distribution do you recommend?
I am not a Linux user, but many forum members have their laptops set up to do a dual-boot with Linux. Check our dedicated for that.
Also, I want to know the security of wi-fi, and when I can and can't use it. There is an unsecured network that is accessable from my home. Is it legal for me to use this network? How do I find out? Is it safe for me to use this network?
It is illegal as posted to use your neighbors WiFi, even if it is unsecured.
I am coling off a little bit, and I played a CD on the machine yesterday, the sound of it was painful, so this machine very obviously won't fulfill my music entertainment needs anytime soon.
You may want to consider a pair of portable speakers, or if you have the space, a 2.1 setup.
These might be better:
At this point, I am thinking the machine will be returned to the store, until I am sure I have a valuable use for it. I do not need a very expensive portable DVD player.
Perhaps you would consider completing our FAQ so we could evaluate your needs. Also post your current computer's specifications if you could. It may not be necessary to get a new machine yet.
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
Chaz, she posted the model in a link in the first post:
http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?...tk=all&An=text
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
Thanks everyone,
Especially for your patience with my sloppy terminology, and my newbieness.
What I meant by "local' DVDs was ones with a region code for the USA. If I travel, I would like to be able to watch DVDs for other regions. I know that it is more complicated than just having the correct region code. I know that there are different video formats, etc. I just want to be able to assure myself that the hardware I have purchased hasn't been crippled. I have read a few horror stories. Like someone couldn't use their printer overseas. and so they needed to change the configuration through the manufacturer. I tend to keep my equipment as long as I can. I don't want to rely on a manufacturer's willingness to support the product in the future.
I am not very concerned about international power sources, because I am sure that there are adaptors, etc.
As far as the ISP, if I had a legal wireless connection, like a nearby coffeehouse, and I felt my information was adequately protected, I thought that I could drop my ISP, which is currently using a dial up modem. Is it safe to do, for example, my banking on-line over such a connection, since the bank is using encryption?
I am so excited that I now have a machine that I can actually play around with the software, since I will now have something bigger than a floppy drive to back up my files to.
Thanks,
Mary
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
Ah, for such DVD's, you'll need the correct region code for the optical drive, however, I believe there are work-around programs - however, I'm not to familiar with it.
Usually coffeehouse connections are pretty secure, in terms of people using it, its the unsecure 'unknown' connections that one can connect to thats pretty risky.
Answer:
Re: Cori, Please define "secure"
Thanks for replying. I am not sure what you mean by secure.
The coffee shop I was at yesterday had no password needed to hop onto the network, so it was not secure in the sense of a secured/unsecured network.
Are my communications to the network "readable" to the router?
I feel that I can trust the owners of this shop, but can I always? (It would be a lot of bother to open a shop just to rip off info, but it COULD happen. Very disgruntled employee, or techie who hasn't been paid.) While 99.999% of people are honest and trustworthy, those few bad pennies need to circulate, because they can't hang out in one place too long.
Are my communications to the network "readable" to other people within a certain range of me?
I know that I may sound paranoid, but that is what happens to people after they work as actuaries. They tend to focus on unlikely scenarios that may have a major financial impact.;)
Better than answering my questions, could you direct me to a website or article. Most of what I have found seems directed to the owners of the network, not the users.
I am feeling VERY vulnerable, between corporate spyware, and Windows holes. I just never worried too much with Linux, since Linux was originally developed as a multi-user system, and had some sort of security from day one. And I guess market share is still low enough that crackers just don't bother.
Mary
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
Personally, I wouldn't feel that comfortable entering my credit card details over wifi, but then I wouldn't be that keen to enter those same details into a wired public access computer in a coffee shop or library.
Here are two short articles, one IMHO quite scary (and probably a bit too technical) and the the other that makes it sound harmless (probably written by a cracker??).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_security
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_LAN_Security
Jules
Answer:
Re: Impulse purchase by newbie: HP Pavillion dv6105us
For the region code you can usually get around by using a program called AnyDVD. There is also a program called DVD Region Free that reportedly works with drives that are not RPC1 (Region Free) to begin with. Mainly there are 2 layers for region protection. The hardware and the software. The hardware typically will require you to flash the drive which is risky at best. DVD Region Free supposedly is able to work around that. Neither program is free although they have free trials.
AnyDVD - http://www.slysoft.com
DVD Region Free - http://www.dvdidle.com
Just umm... keep in mind that region changes at the hardware level can only be done 5 times. After that you are stuck with whatever you set it at. Set it once at Region 1 and just leave it there.