[Elecraft] win 7 32/64 bit ... caution needed...

[Alan Bloom]

Much as I hate Microsoft Windows, I have to admit that if you just want
a computer that works, Windows is the best choice.  If you don't mind
climbing up a steep learning curve and spending hours playing around
with the computer trying to get everything to work, then Linux is the
way to go.

I use Ubuntu Linux on a computer that is dedicated to email and web
surfing.  By keeping my Windows machine (that has all my important stuff
on it) not connected to the Internet, I don't have to worry about
viruses.

I would like to be able to use the modem on the Linux machine as a
backup for when my Internet access fails (which happens on a fairly
regular basis).  But, despite reading through all the help files and
spending several hours on it, I have never been able to get the modem to
work.  It works fine under Windows on the same computer (dual-boot
Windows and Lunux).  Took me about 5 minutes to activate it.

When I first installed Ubuntu, everything else worked fine.  But after
one of the updates, the sound quit working.  I Googled the problem,
found a couple of helpful troubleshooting information sites, and spent
several hours trying various things but was never able to get it working
again.  Also, I use a KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switch between the two
computers.  Ubuntu worked fine with it at first, but after one of the
updates I now have to completely boot up with the KVM switched to that
computer or it hangs up.  And again, a couple hours of troubleshooting
did not cure the problem.

No doubt, given enough self-study and hours of messing around I could
eventually solve those problems.  But frankly I have better things to
do.  Computers are not a hobby for me.  I don't enjoy messing with them.
I just want something that works.  So I hold my nose and use Windows.

Al N1AL