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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
I've been using Norton Utilities since the DOS days, and I started using Norton AV when it was first introduced.
There's no longer a need for Norton Utilities anymore, since most of these are in Mac and Windows as part of the OS and everything else is available as freeware.
Norton AV worked fine for years, but a couple of years ago, on 3 computers (I had a 3 computer license) it started acting up. I forget what it was doing. Anyway the solution was uninstall and reinstall.
So I made a disk image with Ghost (something I do before adding or deleting any program), uninstalled and reinstalled on three computers. Then connected for a looooooooooong virus definition update.
A couple of months later, the same problem. Then a third time. That's when I dumped it for a competitor.
I still use Ghost, and it has saved my a** many times. Besides for weekly incremental back ups, and monthly disk images (on different external drives), I always do another disk image before adding or removing any software. I've installed some buggy software, and having the ability to restore my drive to the pre-new-software state takes the apprehension out of putting something new on the computer.
Recently I bought a guitar multi-effects pedal and it came with Cubase LE. I haven't tried Cubase in years so I installed it. The installation never got past the "virtual USB key" copy protection. It wouldn't finish installing the program, and every time I turned the computer on, it would stall for about 4 minutes and then ask to finish the installation before completing the computer boot. Needless to say I tried, it wouldn't complete, and the computer wouldn't boot.
Norton Ghost to the rescue!!! Restored my drive from the disk image I made before Cubase, and the problem was solved. Of course I never got Cubase on, but I no longer have the problem it caused either.
Anybody want a copy of Cubase LE????
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618 |
Hi Critter,
If you find a new computer, could you keep us updated? I've been looking for over a month. I'm in the same price range and having no luck. So far what I've checked out that would be useful to me are all well above my $500 price range. Good hunting and if I find something I'll post as well.
You can PM me as well if you like.
Wayne,
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Don't overlook refurbished computers that come with the same warranty as new, often these can represent quite the cost savings advantage.
--Mac
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 681
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 681 |
It's getting to be a pain in the a##, Asus has some that would do but they don't have internal fans except for the processor, seems kinda dumb...........duh! Every one I look up for reviews at different sites, well you have to spend more for what you need and for expansion later...........anyway. The way I see it, this also needs to be my computer powerhorse because my good one died.....The best I found so far is an HP model HPE-210y for $899.99. Reviews are good on this one........it has a quad amd. Now I find for $100.00 more HP has a six core model amd, brand new system.....The budget is really gettin messed up here. I also found out that the lower priced models have power supplies that barely run what's already in the box.......I am on my old gateway and to load songs in Biab is well should I say have a beer and come back. I know you can get computers online, build it to what you want but, after seeing how UPS flings the Biab harddrive on my deck, I would hate to see what they would do with a computer........s*&^ it's not a paper........I went to the UPS depot in Sheboygan and told them about what I saw, and they said do you have pictures or a video........PG be carefull who have deliver.......FedEx knocks on the door and hands it to you!!!!!!! JUst a thought. I am still searching for the right box but I am afraid the budget is out the window....................................................................... 
Critter
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618 |
Same here Critter. I've given up at the moment. I can't buy what I bought in 2007 for $1000, for $1500-$2000. I found the same, bad graphics, one fan, a very small power supply etc. And if I see a $500-$600 PC the upgrades I'd have to do would be at least 2-4 hundred dollars and a new power supply. I've done the same research you're talking about and it seems I can't even replace what I have in my 2007 XP PC for the same money.
Lots of junk out there. I read an article that said Chip orders were way down. Companies aren't selling. So expect price cuts in the Fall. We'll see.
Wayne,
p.s. I've even brought my Gateway P4 2.0, that went through a flood back to life)
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Off-Topic
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I've been getting good results with the slightly lower priced emachines offerings.
Good quality builds, lotta bang for the buck, but like the others you still may have to add a few things to take it to the top. First thing I always do is swap out the stock PSU for a higher wattage one that has a quiet fan. Especially if the use will be for DAW work or other application where you will be adding peripherals such as soundcards and/or more disk drives. And its always a good idea to throw more memory RAM at these things.
I have found that it is often the case where you can purchase a computer that does not have a lot of RAM in it and then purchase more RAM separately and come out ahead on the price, too. So I tend to avoid those "fullhouse" offerings and moave downscale a bit to the ones that may not come with all that RAM installed at the factory.
Another way to go and save money would be to consider upgrading the box you already have. New mobo and cpu plus RAM and new OS install disks. Careful spec. comparison can tell you if the other things you already have are compatabile with the new mobo and you should do that excercise thoroughly before buying or risk painting yourself into a corner.
--Mac
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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Saturday, May 16: Closed
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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