roomate troubles... urgh!

[Breakaway_republic]

Hey guys [and ladies]...

I'm not sure how to approach/word this, so I guess i'll just ask and pray someone can provide even just a word of wisdom [or rebuke].

Situation:

I'm living with a good friend of mine from the DnD group I attend [along with his wife]. His wife has some emotional issues that help to only destabilize their marriage and often cause more confilcts than necessary.

What happened/is happening:

Last night, after I got home from work my roommate decided to go out to Wal-mart and get an internal DVD drive and attempt to install it. needless to say, it failed because the computer that was being worked on didn't have the right type of power supply. His wife got all puffy because it didn't work and she didn't respond well to her husband being frustrated [he also has temper troubles].
After the failed install, the wife decided to resart the computer. upon startup, the computer displayed an error message concerning AIM [AOL IM]. I attempted to fix the problem,only have the wife rudely rebuff my offer of fixing to rectify the fault [so, in response I said "okay then..." and cooked up a pizza for myself to snack on]. The husband asked me nicely of why I was trying to fix the error, and understood that all that was being done was the remaining uninstallation of AIM. Soon after, her and the husband went outside and argued for a few minutes.
The result... she comes in and yells at me, stating that because her father was a computer repair man in the military, she knows as much as I do when it comes to computers (the setup/repair/installation/maintenance/upgrading thereof) and that I need to "back off" because 'the computer works fine".
I said "ok.. just pretend that I don't remember how to fix anything on the PC for all intents and purposes"
When I entertained the notion that she knew what she was doing with her AIM and asked how she supposedly took care of the concern she responded "oh, i used add/remove program from the start menu... it's just that it gave me an error message saying the same thing it did for you."

I don't think it would have done that if she was telling the truth.

Fast forward about 22 hours to now.

I came home from my daily 5 hour tour at work, to find the anti-viral/-spyware/-hacker system that I helped put in non-functional and nearly uninstalled [as in no features are on the computer, just the core program, no updates or modules are there anymore].
I asked what happened, the wife said "I restored the complete system, it's working fine. DO NOT ADD OR REMOVE ANYTHING TO THE COMPUTER!" without allowing me to explain why we needed the anti-viral/spyware system.
This wouldn't usually be a concern (since i've got my own PC in my bedroom), but the only PC that can acess the 'net is in the living room.

i'm not sure what to do, or what to say. i've already taken the Advanced System Care [the backup anti-spyware and safe system optimizer] off the computer.

i'm guessing the reason why the roommate is getting all controlling and immature is that I've already stated that i'm moving out at the end of June due to conflicts that have been going on between her and her husband on an almost daily basis, as well as other issues.

PLEASE help!!

 

[Breakaway_republic]

Sorry... i double posted.

Please remove/delete thread!

 

[Richard]

I removed the post for you

As to my advice, if you are moving out in the end of June, that is about a month away. If they don't want you putting an anti-virus program on their computer you could try and explain to them WHY its so important, or just surf the internet w/o it, and it's their loss. It seems like a place I would not want to live in, and i'm glad you are getting out! It's silly that these people are acting so immature over something like this.

 

[Sketcher]

Let them have their crap system. Leave it alone. If you guys have broadband and you absolutely can't live without the Internet until you move out, get permission to hook up a router to that computer and get a wireless NIC for yours so that you can access the Internet without their computer being your problem. And if they don't go for that, ride it out and let it go. Some people are extremely touchy about their computers.

What these people really need is to take it to a technician who can help them sort it all out. They'll probably listen to him. They've made it clear that your help isn't welcome. After all, you're just one of three amateurs.

 

[CrazyPerson]

Some people just think they know better then anyone else how things work, regardless of how much they actually know...

I live with one of those people, my grandfather.

anyway... What i have had to do with him is learn what really is, and what isn't important. Only argue the important things.

Best option might be to ask about a wireless rougher and offering to pay for it. get the internet in your room, with the anti virus and spyware installed, firewall your computer so its difficult for something form there's to jump onto yours ect.

I probably don't know much about computers compared to you... if the tech side of this advice is a bad idea please tell me why because i am interested in learning.

 

[explodingboy]

Move out.
Don't even try to mess with their computer, it's going to be more hassle than its worth. Some people just like to complain.

 

[Amila001]

Simple. Don't mess with their pc. Allow her to have her way. You have less than 30 days to leave. Swallow every insult sent to you and be happy that you are moving out.

 

[TheZach]

Ok, its their computer they can do what they want on it.

As a certified computer nerd with too many certifications to count - I don't run anti-virus or spyware protection. Simple reason is I don't do stupid things on my computer to get it, I keep backups of everything, and don't allow anyone else on the computer.

Anti-virus just causes me more trouble then its worth.

 

[BroBarry]

Yeah, it does seem like the best thing for you to do would be to move out or else learn how to just handle those kind of blow ups. I know many people like that, when they are in the heat of the moment, the best thing to do is to let them have their moment. You know that no matter what you said at that time, it wouldn't have been the right thing to her. Some people are just very difficult to deal with.

 

[nesian]

Sounds like an unpleasant situation to be in, not only because of the couples' PC but their on-going arguments.
Nearing the end of June, yay!
Good luck finding better flatmates

 

[Breakaway_republic]

Thanks, nesian. It is a wee bit frustrating. Thank God theres less than 7 days to go, and that I can hang out at the library.

i'm grateful in the fact that a great friend from high school already asked me to move in with him. We've already hammered out the details [over a couple of sodas]. Other than packing my computer crap and the desk, all is nearly ready to go.

The female roommate started to go out to a psychologist shortly after the first post, and it's done her a lot of good. Since then, she's been more confident and honest about things. Even better is that she has been more active in the Sat. and wed. PM games, and she's looking for a part time job (to help herself make more friends and money for herself for after the bills get paid).

Unfortunately, the husbands not doing so well. He's become addicted to roleplaying and video games. Anytime we try to encourage him to get outside and at least get a breath of fresh air, he yells at us. Oh well... he's already lost 1 friend, and soon he will lost a roommate [in 7 days].

I'll be praying for the old boy, but as for what [for him]... i'm not sure. God will work a great thing through this, i'm sure.