Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[David R]

Yep. So strange.

I see there are a few other networks with strong signals inside. If any are using the same channel, or even a nearby channel, they could be causing interference. In the screenshot, you only show that optimumwifi is on channel 1. Check the other networks to see what channel they are on.

I think that while inside I’m connecting to a different optimum access point than when I’m outside even though it’s only 15 feet apart and that the access point I can connect to from inside is not connected to the internet.

Have you been able to confirm if that is what is happening?

[pixi]

Can a MAC address be traced?

[Yisroel Tech]

Can a MAC address be traced?

You are very very vague and therefore it is impossible to answer your question. Traced by whom through which method?

[pixi]

You are very very vague and therefore it is impossible to answer your question. Traced by whom

I'm not sure.

through which method?

Is there a method at all?

[Yisroel Tech]

I'm not sure.
Is there a method at all?

A program on your computer can definitely read your MAC address.

[pixi]

A program on your computer can definitely read your MAC address.

Of course.
My question is if it can be traced by someone else who has no access to my computer just as my IP address can easily be traced, I assume that the MAC  address is not as easy but I would like to know if it's possible at all.

[Yisroel Tech]

Of course.
My question is if it can be traced by someone else who has no access to my computer just as my IP address can easily be traced, I assume that the MAC  address is not as easy but I would like to know if it's possible at all.

If you never had anything to do with them, no software (or malware...) associated with them, not connected to their internet, not visited their site. Then the answer is No.

[pixi]

If you never had anything to do with them, no software (or malware...) associated with them, not connected to their internet, not visited their site. Then the answer is No.

If I had nothing to do with them, they can't even track my IP address (how should they). What if I visited a website, is my MAC address traceable?

[Yisroel Tech]

What if I visited their site?

Officially they should not be able to obtain it, if you didn't execute any script (ActiveX or Java etc.), but browsers may have security holes, so I won't assure it.

I'm not sure in regards to what you are asking it, but there are a ton of other fingerprinting methods that websites can use to detect your uniqueness even with changing IPs.

[pixi]

I'm not sure in regards to what you are asking it, but there are a ton of other fingerprinting methods that websites can use to detect your uniqueness even with changing IPs.

Such as? If you block your IP and  MAC address how can they identify you?

[Yisroel Tech]

Such as? If you block your IP and  MAC address how can they identify you?

Google "browser fingerprinting", there's a ton of ways, beginning by your connected devices (do you have Bluetooth, etc.), screen size, and much much much more.

[pixi]

Google "browser fingerprinting", there's a ton of ways, beginning by your connected devices (do you have Bluetooth, etc.), screen size, and much much much more.

So they can't really obtain my MAC address unless I download some sort of file or do some other shtick.
What's the best Browser Fingerprinting Protection (chrome)?

[Yisroel Tech]

So they can't really obtain my MAC address unless I download some sort of file or do some other shtick.
What's the best Browser Fingerprinting Protection (chrome)?

I think Disconnect: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/disconnect/jeoacafpbcihiomhlakheieifhpjdfeo?hl=en

Also of course an ad blocker like uBlock Origin: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en

[PETERP]

My I3 HP 17 ' laptop ,running win 7 with 6 GB of ram is getting slower and slower every week.
 Would adding 2Gb of Ram make an appreciable difference . It is 3-4 years old .

I disable a lot of services and did not notice any difference .
It even seems slow to close out a browser . 

I ran the HP memory diagnostic and it said everything is fine .

[Yisroel Tech]

My I3 HP 17 ' laptop ,running win 7 with 6 GB of ram is getting slower and slower every week.
 Would adding 2Gb of Ram make an appreciable difference . It is 3-4 years old .

I disable a lot of services and did not notice any difference .
It even seems slow to close out a browser . 

I ran the HP memory diagnostic and it said everything is fine .

Is it slow also after restart (like 5 mins after restart) or not? You should also check in Task Manager if any of the things show high numbers while it is slow.

Without really looking into it I would not say another 2 GB of RAM will help you anything.

[PETERP]

   Exactly 5 mins after restart I opened Firefox and for all the images on the Yahoo home page to fill in took about 2-3 secs.
Then I also opened IE and it was about 5 secs.   In task manager about 5-7% of CPU is being used by FF and IE
 Also in " show processes from all users "   
System Idle is using between 80 - 93  with FF and IE using the rest

 Logged into Yahoo em on IE and took about 6 seconds to fill in Yhoo mail page

[Yisroel Tech]

   Exactly 5 mins after restart I opened Firefox and fot all the images on the Yahoo home page to fill in took about 2-3
Then I also opened IE and it was about 5 secs.   In task manager about 5-7% of CPU is being used with FF and IE
 Also in " show processes from all users "   
System Idle is using between 80 - 93  with FF and IE using the rest

What are the numbers of the total for CPU, RAM, HHD Usage, etc?

[PETERP]

 " In show process from all users" ?

ALso there is no total of CPU RAM OR HDD usage . Where do I see that

In resource monitor ?

[Yisroel Tech]

" In show process from all users" ?

ALso there is no total of CPU RAM OR HDD usage . Where do I see that

In resource monitor ?

Windows 7 in the performance tab (more details when you open the Resource Monitor):


In Windows 10 on top of the list:

[PETERP]

Windows 7 in the performance tab (more details when you open the Resource Monitor):


In Windows 10 on top of the list:

My win is Home Basic and when I right click on taskbar the task mamager it opens has no performance tab or anything but the processes running

and show processes from all users only gives the the abilty to end process on the bottom right

If I open resource monitor from the 'start 'search window it says 

  Overview < CPU , Memory  ,Disk  < Network

and is not the same as yours.


ETA   Also in my resource monitor under memory it shows 5 firefox.exe  Running ?