New computer issues

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and replace my computer, but I have some issues with it which some of you may be able to help me with. What made me jump are the following:

1. I was at my nearest Costco (which is a 2 hour drive plus a ferry ride from me) and saw some computers with Windows11.

2. As with everything from Costco, it has generous return privileges.

3. The other store within 100 miles of me (BestBuy) had closed their doors.

4. The one I was interested in and purchased is fairly high end, with an I7 processor, separate graphics processor, 16 GB RAM, and a 1 TB solid state drive.

It's a Samsung, if that make any difference (my earlier ones have been either HP or Dell).

First issue, which I should have noticed, is that it doesn't have an Ethernet port. It does have 2 USBC and one Thunderbolt ports, and I see that there are both RJ45-USBC adapters and cables available; do these work well?

2. Poor setup documentation (actually none!).

3. I had earlier purchased an Office 365 Family subscription and installed it on my current computer. This new one had me download and setup the same thing, but it thinks I still have 5 more setups available (since the Family subscription allows 6 total, and I had already used 1, that number should now be 4). I'm concerned that it isn't using my existing subscription.

4. It still pops up with an 'Install Office' message; since MS has an Office variant which works over the internet using OneDrive, I'm concerned that that's what it's trying to do.

Any suggestions, other than return it? And, if I choose to return it, how do I remove all the content specific to me?

PS My flakey network problem hasn't totally gone away, it may be my ISP, because periodically, I'm streaming something on my iPhone and I get the message "Your internet service has stopped, do you want to switch to Cellular?", which I don't do and the connection is soon restored.

Featured Answer

bengz6westmd

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

My first reply I knew it was the computer w/o an ethernet port. A usb3.0 connection should be fine as long as it works properly -- ports are never the internet bottleneck, the ISP speed is.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

bengz6westmd
4 years ago
Most modems/routers these days have a USB port, so maybe they just use those these days along w/the wireless, but sure seems strange not having an ethernet port.
mtvhike
Original Author
4 years ago
It's not the router that doesn't have an Ethernet port, but the computer; that depends on WiFi.
Related Discussions
2004 Passat a/c computer issue
Q
Comments (1)
Take it to the dealer and find out.
...See More
new computer, new problems
Q
Comments (4)
In the IE8 Browser, Look over to the left top of browser where it says Page, Safety, Tools. Click the arrow Next to Tools when the window opens hold you mouse over TOOLBARS ANOTHER WINDOW will open please make sure there is a check mark in the box to the Left of Menu Bar. I think that's what you needing, zep516
...See More
computer is having issues
Q
Comments (1)
since you did not list what programs you ran did you update and run malwarebytes? have you done control alt delete to bring up task manager to see what it shows is using up your cpu resources? I would also look in the event viewer for red flags in any of the category lists
...See More
Help :-/ computer issue
Q
Comments (11)
That looks to me like Costco's website has an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate that has not been properly registered with a certificate authority OR that your browser is out of date and unable to verify the certificate. When a website uses HTTPS (rather than HTTP), it's using encryption to securely communicate, to keep the data communicated between you and the website private. The website registers the certificate with a certificate authority that our browsers know to check. This registration is intended to protect you, the consumer, against accessing a fake website only pretending to be Costco. I would try updating your browse if you haven't already. And if the issue still persists, personally I would wait and come back and check in a few days to see if Costco has resolved the issue. I would not make a purchase on a site where my browser doesn't trust the certificate.
...See More
azinoh
4 years ago
I hope you are somehow mistaken, but if it really does not have an Ethernet port I would return it immediately and get one that does. Just my $0.02.
Elmer J Fudd
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
There are inexpensive adapters ethernet to USB-C socket that I suspect work just fine. Or, if you want or need several conventional USB sockets, get a small hub to plug into it.

Go to the equivalent of Control Panel (or Settings), programs, and uninstall MS Office 365. That should stop the popups. Then install the software for the license for what you have.

If you experience connection problems with your iphone, then it is some kind of line problem. Starting with the router and then going upstream to the modem, the house wiring, the drop from the system, or the system. I don't remember details of prior issues you've had but that should be your investigation path.

Your ISP should be able to check logs for the connection status of your modem. It's easy enough to buy a new router, check if there's any improvement, and return it within the permitted period of the change does no good. Be sure to pick a seller that will give a full refund without a restocking fee
mtvhike thanked Elmer J Fudd
mtvhike
Original Author
4 years ago
Elmer, thank you for your thoughtful answers.

I've seen the ethernet to USB0C adapters on Amazon, just didn't know how well they worked. I already have the hub you mentioned, to give me more conventional USB ports, just not the Ethernet.

My concern about the MS Office 365 license is that it looks like the one I already have on my older computer, and I think it may be just the same license. It's just that the pop-ups are asking me to install the cloud-based version.

I mentioned the iPhone issue only because it indicates a problem with my line, not the computer. I did recently get a new modem from my ISP. I'll contact them and see if they have any outage records.

Since BestBuy closed, the only store near-ish me is Staples, which is about 45 minutes away. I'm going there later this week and see what they have with another router. The problems of living in the Boonies!
mtvhike
Original Author
4 years ago
In setting up my new computer, I had to download an application. The download speed is only 170k/sec which seems awfully slow.
Elmer J Fudd
4 years ago
Yes, that's extremely slow. If you run speedtest, what does it say?
mtvhike
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
11 Mbps. So does that mean that the source server is very slow? This is a niche application for streaming high resolution audio files called BluOS. It is sourced in Canada. I have this app or its equivalent on my older PC and my iPhones.
Elmer J Fudd
4 years ago
Yes.

I see that product line is a Sonos competitor? I haven't heard of it but I also haven't been in the market for stuff of that kind in a long time. What I have of a similar nature still works and fills my needs.

Good luck.
mtvhike
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, it's a Sonos competitor. I selected it for two reasons - it streams higher quality audio, and it's home company is a well-known high end equipment manufacture, NAD.
badabing2
4 years ago
What's the model #? Or Costco SKU.
mtvhike
Original Author
4 years ago
Samsung 950XDB/950XDC