Fail to disconnect, freeze or ask to close session when shutdown

How do you deal with heavy download when living in remote places

[tomda]

LNote: I am not a technician and English is not my mother tongue, so do not be surprise if some of the terms I am using are incorrect

Hi,

I live in subsaharian Africa, maximum connection speed for dial-up connection from a standard ISP is between 20 and 40 kbps :( ouch!

Last week, I have finally decided to have Internet at home despite the low speed connection. I am using an ACER laptop that has Windows XP Home SP2 (sadly not updated for the last three years).

Here the problems I have:
1/ Can not disconnect. Windows refuse to open properties box for the connection
2/ Freeze and refuse to open "Start Menu" most of the time
3/ When asking to shut down, it ask me to "Close session"
4/ Then freeze again...
5/ I have manage to download Adaware updates and scan (found 5 critical objects) but when trying to connect, the computer freeze.

My main problem is not how to remove spyware and malware but what should I do to:

1/ Get last Microsoft Updates from a CD-ROM. Since downloading updates will take me hours if not days and will cost me a lot of money. Is there a way to get last patches on a CD-ROM from Microsoft by mail?

2/ What is the best antivirus software for users with very low connection?

And any other tips for guys like me who live in remote places and struggle to download heavy stuff would be appreciated!

Thanks

[bill]

1/ Get last Microsoft Updates from a CD-ROM.

Microsoft has international support. You can contact the branch nearest you and ask whether they could send you a CD with all the most recent updates. I know that they were mailing XP SP2 CDs free of charge. Maybe they have a similar plan for patches and updates in your region:

[support.microsoft.com...]

They have options where you can contact support reps by e-mail, web, or phone.

[jtara]

There is a company that was in the news recently that is selling "packs" of websites in various subject areas on CDs (or DVDs?).

I don't know if they offer Windows updates, Linux release updates, etc. but it would be an excellent use of this service if they do.

I could see a "Windows Pack" with all of the updates, the Microsoft site, various third-party information sites and forums, etc. Same thing could be done for major Linux releases. It would be a great boon for those with dial-up connections.

For example, I just don't see keeping a Fedora release up to date over a dial-up connection. With most Linux releases it's not just the updates, either. With Fedora, install any package that you left out from the original install, and it's going to be installed from online.

[bill]

Are you referring to the free VMware Player & Server? These create virtual PCs/Servers, but you would still have to download the package. It wouldn't be the same as getting MS to mail a CD full of patches.

[Green_Grass]

"Same thing could be done for major Linux releases. "

Good business Idea.. But already exists in India :-) . It is not my site but they contacted me in the past.

I will send you a sticky.. Maybe it will help you.