My Letter to "Contact Us"--My Solution to Orange Crate Issue

[Berry Princess]

Very well done letter. While I know I can play the games and not have problems, I do know that others can at times or not be able to at all. BTW, I only play VMK while I am on AOL and I have McAfee for a virus scanner. I don't get problems with the games. Yes I have crashed with VMK but really not to often does it ever happen. My computer though isn't to old (like 1-2 yrs) but its also set up to play MMO games so maybe that is why I don't get the problems. Not sure though. When I have to log on 2 players I will have on on AOL and the other done through IE. Sorry for those that are having problems. I would gladly help play friendly HM if I can. My time for doing so varies on when my 1yr old naps and I have to pick up my boys from school. But if its around certain times I can help those out that want the crates. Credits are always a welcomed thing IMO.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

Berry,

AOL and MacAfee do not cause problems for everyone, but I can say for sure, new computer setup for games or not: You will run better without MacAfee. But older computers... forget it, MacAfee is as bad as a virus on an older computer.

 

[cat_herder]

Hi all,
I just sent this to Contact Us. I'm hoping that offering solutions rather than just complaining about the difficulties in earning the Orange Crate will do us some good.
Thought some of you might be interested in my letter.
Thanks in advance for looking at this!
TikiKrissy

The problems with that is they have to rewrite the software and test it and that takes time.

Right now I'm looking for a play of friendly ghosts.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

stop using firefox is my first suggestion, it is a memory hog. Download IE7 is my second.

I've already tried that and had more problems. So I uninstalled it.
Plus, my IE6 uses more resources than my firefox does.

If you virus scanner is MacAfee or Norton, remove it and install "Avast!"

And the easiest way to uninstall either of those programs is...?
I've heard that both are extremely difficult to get off of your computer once it's there. And unfortunately, the only thing my ex-fiance would use was Norton. So that's what he installed on my computer. I can't remember if I had MacAfee or Norton before that, but either one would probably have been wiped out when he re-imaged my computer 3 years ago.
As for Avast, do I have to manually keep up with updates and checks, etc? Or are those things done automatically?

If you have MSN Messager or Yahoo Messager, disable them.

I already told you that those were shut off, closed and not running.

As far as what "should be running" well, nothing should be running! Anything that appears as an icon by your clock is not nessecary with the exception of mouse software, virus scanner and maybe a graphics card or something like that. I am sure there are ALOT of things you can do, such as clean up your hard drive to make sure you have at least 5 gig of free space on your C drive. Remove programs you do not use, or use infrequently, especially games. Uninstall any extral toolbars or addons you have on your machine (IE, Yahoo, Ebay, Google toolbars, Viewpoint addins)

I have 12 gig of space on my C drive. I don't let it get lower than 10.
I was also not referring to anything running beside the clock. I'm not that much of an idiot when it comes to computers. I was referring to all the extra little things that run while hiding in the program manager. All those with the little codes. Many of those have to run while your computer is running. But I do know that some do not. But I have no idea what could be turned off safely even if I know what the codes mean.
I have also run disk cleanup and it didn't really help VMK run any better.
I have no tool bars running on my computer other than yahoo that runs only when IE is running. I don't even know what Viewpoint is, so I'm sure I don't have it.

Any programs I have on my computer are used quite frequently. If I don't use it, I take it off. No point in using up space. Anything else are programs I do use occasionally so I can't take them off because those are generally ones that have to be paid for. I can't pay for something, use it once, then uninstall it, then pay for it again when I need to use it.

So what else do you suggest?

 

[cat_herder]

Well I just found out that if you win the ghost game and get a bonus you don't get the orange crate too or the extra 40 credits for winning.

 

[TikiKrissy]

No for that one, I need the mad tea party pin

Oh gosh!! I didn't realize that they'd FINALLY changed the prize!
Thanks for the heads up Key!!
- Goes to ride Alice!!!! -
TikiKrissy

 

[mtlhddoc2]

I've already tried that and had more problems. So I uninstalled it.
Plus, my IE6 uses more resources than my firefox does.


And the easiest way to uninstall either of those programs is...?
I've heard that both are extremely difficult to get off of your computer once it's there. And unfortunately, the only thing my ex-fiance would use was Norton. So that's what he installed on my computer. I can't remember if I had MacAfee or Norton before that, but either one would probably have been wiped out when he re-imaged my computer 3 years ago.
As for Avast, do I have to manually keep up with updates and checks, etc? Or are those things done automatically?


I already told you that those were shut off, closed and not running.



I have 12 gig of space on my C drive. I don't let it get lower than 10.
I was also not referring to anything running beside the clock. I'm not that much of an idiot when it comes to computers. I was referring to all the extra little things that run while hiding in the program manager. All those with the little codes. Many of those have to run while your computer is running. But I do know that some do not. But I have no idea what could be turned off safely even if I know what the codes mean.
I have also run disk cleanup and it didn't really help VMK run any better.
I have no tool bars running on my computer other than yahoo that runs only when IE is running. I don't even know what Viewpoint is, so I'm sure I don't have it.

Any programs I have on my computer are used quite frequently. If I don't use it, I take it off. No point in using up space. Anything else are programs I do use occasionally so I can't take them off because those are generally ones that have to be paid for. I can't pay for something, use it once, then uninstall it, then pay for it again when I need to use it.

So what else do you suggest?

Wel, from all of this, it sounds like, if you have Norton on your PC, it has not been updated in 3 years.

I suggest following this link and running the "Housecall" free system check from trend:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

If your PC has not been updated for that long (even if you had Norton running, it is still not a very good protector) I would gather that, at the very least, you have a bunch of spyware on your system, possibly even a virus or 5.

Avast updates automatically every single day (whereas Norton updates once per week) - Avast can be found by going to download.com and searching for it

 

[IlikedisneyandVmk]

Good letter,

But you can do what I do also, if no friends around ,play yourself, you may not get many credits, but one of YOU will get the orange crate! LOL

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Wel, from all of this, it sounds like, if you have Norton on your PC, it has not been updated in 3 years.

I suggest following this link and running the "Housecall" free system check from trend:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

If your PC has not been updated for that long (even if you had Norton running, it is still not a very good protector) I would gather that, at the very least, you have a bunch of spyware on your system, possibly even a virus or 5.

Avast updates automatically every single day (whereas Norton updates once per week) - Avast can be found by going to download.com and searching for it

It has been updated. Every year I pay to update Norton. I always get the newest version of it and I just updated it a couple months ago.
I would never have an outdated virus program running on my computer. Especially since I have DSL and I'm online all the time and can't afford to buy a new computer.

 

[i-love-disney]

Great letter
I agree, they should give out the crate in different ways as there are so many flaws in Haunted Mansion game. I love the idea of giving it out as a Host prize.
Today when I played HM, one person was being really rude to me because they didn't win, I asked why they wanted to win and they said to win the crate. Then on the next stage they left the game! Grrr!
I dread to think what it will be like at the weekend, all the games will be full

But anyway that orange box is very coooool and I'm also winning a lot of credits from playing!!!

 

[TikiKrissy]

Just wanted to thank everyone who suggested that we all play with friends in Haunted Mansion. I agree with this wholeheartedly!

However, I wanted to tell the "powers that be" in VMK that I've personally had some problems/issues with people leaving the game mid-game. I figured that if nobody tells them, they won't know.

Thanks again everyone for the great feedback on my letter. I appreciate you guys and gals!

TikiKrissy

 

[mtlhddoc2]

It has been updated. Every year I pay to update Norton. I always get the newest version of it and I just updated it a couple months ago.
I would never have an outdated virus program running on my computer. Especially since I have DSL and I'm online all the time and can't afford to buy a new computer.

Ok. You updated a couple of months ago. I have updated my virus program approximately 60 times since you did you last update. At work, we update our virus software every 3 hours. 2 days ago, we had a virus break into the system. Honestly, since you are going to fight me on this every step of the way, I wont bother.

 

[BattyMcDoon]

what version of MAC OS is it?

I bet that wont matter though, I can say, with authority, that your issue is probably your connection. It freezes because your computer is not getting/trransferring enough data to and from the VMK servers. The big issue with the VMK software is that when it logs in, logs out or crashes, it memory spikes the computer, which causes freeezing hanging issues with alot of people

Yea I'm working really hard to get better internet. But I've got OS X 10.4.10. It's just over a year old and I'm really tired of taking it to the store for help lol. The Geniuses do not live up to their name.

 

[jasonpwns]

qare you using Safari, or IE?

Unfortunately, MACs are a whole different animal. The only thing I could really suggest on a MAC is that if you are using IE, stop and use Safari. If you still have problems, it is one of three probable things: low Hard Drive space, low RAM and slow/inconsistent Internet Speed/Connection. Not all cable/DSL companies are the same, some are better than others as far as consistent speed and line drops and things. Worst case scenario, your MAC OS is kablooey - reinstalling the MAC OS will fix that in most cases.

IE7 is virus ridden and all IE is off of my comp I have no problems really just I refuse to use IE7 since even with proper virus check and not going to bad stuff just from site adds alone I got a virus with a clean windows xp install. So since ive been using flock (look it up) I haven't had any virus/problems plus IE failed the acid 2 test and is worthless



Edit: I may be a kid but I know alot about computers. My dad is certified in Net+, A+, Microsoft Certified and so on. So I know alot about computers and at my school I'm taking an A+ computer class and plan on getting certified may of next year. So I am not dull on this kind of subject.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Ok. You updated a couple of months ago. I have updated my virus program approximately 60 times since you did you last update. At work, we update our virus software every 3 hours. 2 days ago, we had a virus break into the system. Honestly, since you are going to fight me on this every step of the way, I wont bother.

I'm not fighting you. I'm replying to you about things you're saying.
I updated to the new version a couple months ago. It automatically updates when it's scheduled to and whenever they update the program. In fact, there have be a few times when I'm even in VMK that it updates on it's own. I sit there thinking what on earth it's doing then it will finally popup that my virus protection has been updated. That was just a couple days ago.
I'm happy that a business has time to manually update their virus programs every 3 hours. Most people can't do that.

I'm currently running the scan you suggested. For a long time it said it would take 1.25 days to scan all of my files and folders. Now it's finally down to 14 hours.
Must be the 100 gig of music on my F drive.

Oh. And my C drive has 18.4 gig of space available.

 

[bytheblood]

Well I just found out that if you win the ghost game and get a bonus you don't get the orange crate too or the extra 40 credits for winning.

I think that is hit or miss. I have received a bonus and the crate.

I am willing to trade my orange crates for snow carpet.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

wow, 14 hours, yikes. You should probably just cancel it and scan the c drive only.

For the record, we do not update "manually" every 3 hours. I do not remember saying that either. Our server actually updates by the minute, but only pushes out to teh desktops every 3 hours.

My point there was that, even though we have a $1,000,000 virus scanning dedicated server with the best software money can buy, we STILL got a virus. AND I have said on this board, and to you, numerous times, that Norton/MacAfee is a 2nd rate virus scanning program. Avast is free, updates frequently (at least once a day) and I have never had a virus that it did not catch. I even went as far as to put a virus on my home network to see which PC would pick it up. Norton did not, Avast did. I have been a computer technician, at the desktop level, for 10 years (I was a programmer before that).

 

[mtlhddoc2]

IE7 is virus ridden and all IE is off of my comp I have no problems really just I refuse to use IE7 since even with proper virus check and not going to bad stuff just from site adds alone I got a virus with a clean windows xp install. So since ive been using flock (look it up) I haven't had any virus/problems plus IE failed the acid 2 test and is worthless



Edit: I may be a kid but I know alot about computers. My dad is certified in Net+, A+, Microsoft Certified and so on. So I know alot about computers and at my school I'm taking an A+ computer class and plan on getting certified may of next year. So I am not dull on this kind of subject.

Ok, so, IE is virus ridden.

What does that mean?

Do you mean "Virus riddled"?

Yes, I have all those certs, plus about a dozen others. I am MCSE+E+I, and just recerted on Vista. A+ wasnt worth the time or the trouble, but I got it anyway, wont ever bother to recert on that because it really really was a waste of time and money. I also spent 3 years working at Microsoft, but the pay really stunk.

IE is not "virus riddled" people who do not protect their computers are "virus riddled". I have run for over 2 years on the same XP install without ever getting a virus. And I am not some clean cut guy either, I frequently go to what would be called "disreputable" sites. And no viruses. I go to alot of hacking sites. No viruses. go figure. Maybe, Jason, just maybe, the fact that I have been in the business for over 20 years might mean that I know a little bit more than you.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

wow, 14 hours, yikes. You should probably just cancel it and scan the c drive only.

For the record, we do not update "manually" every 3 hours. I do not remember saying that either. Our server actually updates by the minute, but only pushes out to teh desktops every 3 hours.

My point there was that, even though we have a $1,000,000 virus scanning dedicated server with the best software money can buy, we STILL got a virus. AND I have said on this board, and to you, numerous times, that Norton/MacAfee is a 2nd rate virus scanning program. Avast is free, updates frequently (at least once a day) and I have never had a virus that it did not catch. I even went as far as to put a virus on my home network to see which PC would pick it up. Norton did not, Avast did. I have been a computer technician, at the desktop level, for 10 years (I was a programmer before that).

Well, I was just finally able to actually finish that scan.
What it said:

HouseCall did not find any potential threats on your computer- you can go on working reliably.

Keep it up and don't give the next attack a chance!

It found nothing. Guess Norton couldn't be quite so bad.
I also tend to download a lot of music and a view videos here and there.

 

[Awsumgoofey]

Just wanted to thank everyone who suggested that we all play with friends in Haunted Mansion. I agree with this wholeheartedly!

However, I wanted to tell the "powers that be" in VMK that I've personally had some problems/issues with people leaving the game mid-game. I figured that if nobody tells them, they won't know.

Thanks again everyone for the great feedback on my letter. I appreciate you guys and gals!

TikiKrissy

You are welcome for the suggestion on friendly ghosts. We all know that VMK will not have any of these issues resovled today or maybe even this month. I have yet to read anything from them (Yavn's "cough" weekly newsletter), that VMK even knows of an issue with people crashing in all the games.

I would not go out and spend any money on fixing this problem. VMK worked just fine until 10/01/07 when the new updates came into play. I have found that making sure all of your avatar's inventory is loaded helps alot. I can usually now get through more fireworks games then not. I do believe this is a VMK issue , for example I was playing a game of Mansion last night with friends, when in the middle of the second round I had an access error come up and had to shut down. Well so did the three other people that were playing with me. I don't think my computer caused that

Anyway I know they will fix what needs to be fixed. But it sure would be nice to have thing from those "powers to be" that they are working on this issue.

See you all in the game,
Goofy