Random Tech Questions

[PapaBear]

I've thought about starting this one for a while, but still ended up posting the questions in the other "Random Questions" thread, with poor results. Post your tech questions here, so the people who tend to have that sort of knowledge have a better chance of seeing it.

I'll start...

I have a nice voltage meter, but it only has battery test settings for 1.5 and 9 volts. I often have to test a battery that's 3 or 6 volts. Will my meter give an accurate reading, if I set it to 9 volts?

[JPMNICK]

I've thought about starting this one for a while, but still ended up posting the questions in the other "Random Questions" thread, with poor results. Post your tech questions here, so the people who tend to have that sort of knowledge have a better chance of seeing it.

I'll start...

I have a nice voltage meter, but it only has battery test settings for 1.5 and 9 volts. I often have to test a battery that's 3 or 6 volts. Will my meter give an accurate reading, if I set it to 9 volts?

no it wont, but why not just put it on voltage setting and test.

if you test on 9v it is going to come up short everytime

[PapaBear]

no it wont, but why not just put it on voltage setting and test.

if you test on 9v it is going to come up short everytime
I don't know much about this thing. Here's a pic I found online. Do you see the setting I should use?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41e%2B98UlSwL.jpg

[biggestmexi]

I don't know much about this thing. Here's a pic I found online. Do you see the setting I should use?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41e%2B98UlSwL.jpg

thats a mutli-meter btw

[S0S]

It will be approximate.

[PapaBear]

thats a mutli-meter btw
Well, can I use it to accurately test 3 and 6 volt batteries?

[StanUpshaw]

Well, can I use it to accurately test 3 and 6 volt batteries?

grab some wire and build a 9v out of the 3 + 6

[OGC]

to answer your question, it will give you a vague idea of the "voltage" left in the battery, but since there is no load on the battery it won't be accurate.

[LZMan1]

grab some wire and build a 9v out of the 3 + 6


the question is: would he make a series or a parallel (http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_5/1.html) circuit?

[Chigworthy]

to answer your question, it will give you a vague idea of the "voltage" left in the battery, but since there is no load on the battery it won't be accurate.

I guarantee there's a load on the battery.

[Hottub]

I guarantee there's a load on the battery.

Ewww!

[zentraed]

I don't know much about this thing. Here's a pic I found online. Do you see the setting I should use?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41e%2B98UlSwL.jpg

The settings on the multimeter are for the maximum levels, so you should be able to test your 3V and 6V batteries on the 9V setting. If you had a 1 V battery, you would use the 1.5 V setting. But, the V DC should also work. Just set it to 20 V like in the picture, and it should tell you your battery output. If the voltage is more than 90% of the battery rating, then the battery is still good.

[PapaBear]

The settings on the multimeter are for the maximum levels, so you should be able to test your 3V and 6V batteries on the 9V setting. If you had a 1 V battery, you would use the 1.5 V setting.
THANNNNNK YOU!

I shall now try to have more random problems to not start threads about.

[PapaBear]

For someone who wants to start playing with Linux, and is only familiar with Windows, what is the best version to start with? I don't do programing, so I'm not looking for one that is programing based. I mostly work with photos and videos. But I'm always looking to learn more.

[ANC]

For someone who wants to start playing with Linux, and is only familiar with Windows, what is the best version to start with? I don't do programing, so I'm not looking for one that is programing based. I mostly work with photos and videos. But I'm always looking to learn more.

Try Fedora 12. It's. Pretty straight forward. Also, anytime you wanna fool around with a new OS,give Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. It free and easy to figure out.

[Hottub]

Try Fedora 12. It's. Pretty straight forward. Also, anytime you wanna fool around with a new OS,give Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. It free and easy to figure out.

:bye:

[ANC]

:bye:
Hey Hey Tub!

I am headed to HP training and finally had a chance to post from the ferry via Blackberry.

:bye:

[PapaBear]

I want to try playing with Ubuntu Studio 10.04. My problem is, I can't figure out how to set it up along side of Windows. Every time I try to install it, it wants to get rid of Windows. Am I doing something wrong, or is this particular distro meant to be run alone?

[SatCam]

I want to try playing with Ubuntu Studio 10.04. My problem is, I can't figure out how to set it up along side of Windows. Every time I try to install it, it wants to get rid of Windows. Am I doing something wrong, or is this particular distro meant to be run alone?

Well the problem you most likely have is that your Windows partition takes up your entire hard drive. Ubuntu wants atleast 1 partition to itself, so you'll either have to resize your partition/reinstall windows, or install ubuntu it on a different hard drive

[PapaBear]

Well the problem you most likely have is that your Windows partition takes up your entire hard drive. Ubuntu wants atleast 1 partition to itself, so you'll either have to resize your partition/reinstall windows, or install ubuntu it on a different hard drive
I have 174 of 297 gigs free.

[StanUpshaw]

I have 174 of 297 gigs free.

Are you using Vista/7 right now?
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/

If you're using XP, it's a little trickier.

[Death Metal Moe]

I'm not sure if this is still available for all Linux OS's but when I was interested in Ubuntu it let me put it on a CD-R and just load the OS from that to try it. Of course it's not full function and things take time to load from the CD but it's a great way to see if you even want to install it. Then the CD-R you just booted from works as an install disc too.

If you've already decided you want it on your system then yea, you're gonna have to partition an area for it by itself or add a hard drive for it and dual boot.

[PapaBear]

Are you using Vista/7 right now?
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/

If you're using XP, it's a little trickier.
Actually, it's very easy for 7 or XP using Partition Wizard (http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html). It works great, and it's free.

[SatCam]

I have 174 of 297 gigs free.

Is that your partition size or your free hard drive space?

[PapaBear]

Is that your partition size or your free hard drive space?
That's how much is free on that drive. I'm adding a second drive in a little while and giving that a shot.

[PapaBear]

I'm fixing a dirty comp for someone. Last night, Spybot found over 600 problems. I got rid of most everything with Spybot and Malwarebytes, but Spybot still says there are 17 problems. When I try to remove them, it says I have to be an Administrator to do that. But I AM in Admin mode. Do you think doing it in safe mode my work? And if doesn't, any other suggestions as to what could be causing this? It's Vista, BTW.

[Chigworthy]

I'm fixing a dirty comp for someone. Last night, Spybot found over 600 problems. I got rid of most everything with Spybot and Malwarebytes, but Spybot still says there are 17 problems. When I try to remove them, it says I have to be an Administrator to do that. But I AM in Admin mode. Do you think doing it in safe mode my work? And if doesn't, any other suggestions as to what could be causing this? It's Vista, BTW.

I've had issues with Vista and admin privileges. I've had to delete all user accounts to bypass the internal Vista police.

[PapaBear]

I've had issues with Vista and admin privileges. I've had to delete all user accounts to bypass the internal Vista police.
It only has one user account.

[StanUpshaw]

Is UAC turned off?

[PapaBear]

Is UAC turned off?
I don't know. I'll have to check when I try again later. I keep telling this chick "DON'T LET YOUR KIDS TOUCH YOU COMPUTER!" :wallbash:

[StanUpshaw]

I sometimes think I should set up a spare computer just to run unprotected for a while, so I can learn more about recovering from malware. I've been so successful preventing the nasty shit that I'm useless when people want help removing it.

[PapaBear]

I sometimes think I should set up a spare computer just to run unprotected for a while, so I can learn more about recovering from malware. I've been so successful preventing the nasty shit that I'm useless when people want help removing it.
Most of the time, the combination of avast, spybot, and malwarebytes does fine for fixing most of the comps that I fix. And some of them have been pretty fucked up. I sometimes have to reformat, though.

[Chigworthy]

Is UAC turned off?

This is what I meant.

[PapaBear]

Safe mode did the trick. I'm glad I never owned a Vista comp.

[Chigworthy]

Does anyone know why my laptop's "mousepad internal finger-scroll-bar thingamajigs, you know the invisible magic zones that let you scroll a page by sliding your fingers, yeah those things" stop working randomly? It's not a browser issue; it is universal when it happens. I will scroll down a page fine, then seconds later, they don't work. The cursor doesn't change or anything after they fail. Restart always brings them back. I'm wondering wtf is happening.

[KnoxHarrington]

Does anyone know why my laptop's "mousepad internal finger-scroll-bar thingamajigs, you know the invisible magic zones that let you scroll a page by sliding your fingers, yeah those things" stop working randomly? It's not a browser issue; it is universal when it happens. I will scroll down a page fine, then seconds later, they don't work. The cursor doesn't change or anything after they fail. Restart always brings them back. I'm wondering wtf is happening.

There's probably a background process or helper application that controls the more advanced functions of that trackpad, and something is causing it to crash or stop working, which is why a restart helps. You probably need to look into reinstalling the software that supports that trackpad.

The trackpad on my netbook will decide to zoom text in sometimes if I swipe it wrong. I'm just happily trying to read my Golden Girls erotic fanfic, and next thing I know the type is so tiny I'm having trouble reading about what Blanche and Rose are about to do to each other with that zucchini. It's annoying.

[Chigworthy]

There's probably a background process or helper application that controls the more advanced functions of that trackpad, and something is causing it to crash or stop working, which is why a restart helps. You probably need to look into reinstalling the software that supports that trackpad.

The trackpad on my netbook will decide to zoom text in sometimes if I swipe it wrong. I'm just happily trying to read my Golden Girls erotic fanfic, and next thing I know the type is so tiny I'm having trouble reading about what Blanche and Rose are about to do to each other with that zucchini. It's annoying.

I'll give this a shot when I have some spare time.


PS: My favorite is the one with the 50th high school reunion, the swarthy, uncut janitor, and the "crisco delivery".

[PapaBear]

If I buy a used Comcast cable box on eBay, does Comcast have to activate it or anything? Will they do it on a box I buy used?

[usoilworker]

If I buy a used Comcast cable box on eBay, does Comcast have to activate it or anything? Will they do it on a box I buy used?

Here comcast only rents the cable boxes out. When they went all digital, I had to start forking out extra cash each month to get just the basic channels. Atleast there in HD now

[PapaBear]

Here comcast only rents the cable boxes out. When they went all digital, I had to start forking out extra cash each month to get just the basic channels. Atleast there in HD now
They rent them out here, too. But there are used boxes for sale on eBay. We have Digital Starter coming to the house, but the TV in my room doesn't have a box, so I can't see the digital channels. A while back, they moved Cartoon Network to digital, so that means I can't watch Adult Swim in my room. Now, they're moving History, and a couple of other channels to digital, too. I don't want to pay $8 bucks a month to get a couple of extra channels that interest me.

[StanUpshaw]

They rent them out here, too. But there are used boxes for sale on eBay. We have Digital Starter coming to the house, but the TV in my room doesn't have a box, so I can't see the digital channels. A while back, they moved Cartoon Network to digital, so that means I can't watch Adult Swim in my room. Now, they're moving History, and a couple of other channels to digital, too. I don't want to pay $8 bucks a month to get a couple of extra channels that interest me.

To simply view the channels, I believe any digital tuner (QAM) will do the job. It won't allow you any of the interactive services like On Demand/PPV/etc.

[PapaBear]

To simply view the channels, I believe any digital tuner (QAM) will do the job. It won't allow you any of the interactive services like On Demand/PPV/etc.
If that's true, then THANK YOU! I just want to be able to view channels that are digital.

[StanUpshaw]

Er, maybe Comcast does things their own way. I can't be sure.

Read this page (http://digitalnow.comcast.com/About_Digital_Update.aspx) and see what applies to you.

[disneyspy]

ive captured PUP FRICTION but when i play it the video doesnt match up with the audio after a few minutes and by the end the audio is about 2 minutes behind,how do i fix this so i can put it on disc?

[Space Edge]

ive captured PUP FRICTION but when i play it the video doesnt match up with the audio after a few minutes and by the end the audio is about 2 minutes behind,how do i fix this so i can put it on disc?

send it to my I'll fix the sync.

[disneyspy]

send it to my I'll fix the sync.

you're deffinatly getting a copy,i just wanted to do one techy thing without having to have someone else do it for me

[StanUpshaw]

ive captured PUP FRICTION but when i play it the video doesnt match up with the audio after a few minutes and by the end the audio is about 2 minutes behind,how do i fix this so i can put it on disc?

Almost certainly a film speed problem if you captured from video tape. VHS is usually 30 FPS, but your video program most likely encoded at 24/23.976 FPS. Use MediaInfo (http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download/Windows) to find those values.

You'll need to do is speed up/resample the audio to match. Audacity might do that, but I like Goldwave.

[disneyspy]

Almost certainly a film speed problem if you captured from video tape. VHS is usually 30 FPS, but your video program most likely encoded at 24/23.976 FPS. Use MediaInfo (http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download/Windows) to find those values.

You'll need to do is speed up/resample the audio to match. Audacity might do that, but I like Goldwave.

thank you,i must google now to try and figure out what you just posted

[Space Edge]

you're deffinatly getting a copy,i just wanted to do one techy thing without having to have someone else do it for me

It's not the easiest thing to do especially if you have never done video synching before. If you don't want to bother with it send me a PM and I'll give you my server adress so you can upload it there and I can fix it.

[StanUpshaw]

I can try to talk you through it in more detail, but I need some extra info.

I assume you hooked up a VCR to your video card or some other device. Then what did you use to do the capture? What kind of file did it give you?




Or just let spacey do it.

[Snacks]

Anyone know of a good free firewall or one with a free antivirus software?

I have been using avast or avg for a couple of years now and thought it came with a firewall. I just activated my mothers new computer and took the junk software out. When I was installing avg it said that the paid version came with a firewall. So i decided to install avast instead and it said the same ting. I was a little surprised.

[PapaBear]

Zone Alarm Free (http://download.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm-Free-Firewall/3000-10435_4-10039884.html)

[Chigworthy]

I have some podcasts that I would like to strip of their podcast status. I understand people are too busy to just download podcasts as they are made available, but that's not how I roll, and the podcast designation really cripples the files as far as being able to use them in playlists and just having them show up with the rest of my music/radio files.

How do I get the damn things to just be regular .mp3 files?

[StanUpshaw]

Are you using iTunes or something else?

[Chigworthy]

Are you using iTunes or something else?

Zune

[badorties]

Anyone know of a good free firewall or one with a free antivirus software?

I have been using avast or avg for a couple of years now and thought it came with a firewall. I just activated my mothers new computer and took the junk software out. When I was installing avg it said that the paid version came with a firewall. So i decided to install avast instead and it said the same ting. I was a little surprised.

i've been using MS Security Essential & windows firewall now, and have not had a major problem since ... plus it doesn't take up a lot of space or resources ... and i've installed it on every family PC that encountered that horrible antivirus 20XX malware over the last few years


my question: i have approx +/- 20mbps connection through TW, but any downloads above 50kb/s will cripple all internet activity ... and i my downloads will cap out at around 1.5mbps

is there a way to open up the router to improve the connection ...?

[Chigworthy]

This reminds me. How the fuck do I convert podcasts to normal .mp3s without buying some warez-made program?

[StanUpshaw]

This reminds me. How the fuck do I convert podcasts to normal .mp3s without buying some warez-made program?

What are they instead of mp3s? Does the Zune software convert them to something else? Nearly very podcast I subscribe to is an MP3 (or very rarely WMA/OGG/etc.)

I have no idea if Zune converts them or stores them weird, but if it does, the first thing I'd recommend is that you stop using it for podcasts. Juice (http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/) is good and free. If they're still on the server, it would be much easier just to redownload them than worry about some conversion.

[Snacks]

What are they instead of mp3s? Does the Zune software convert them to something else? Nearly very podcast I subscribe to is an MP3 (or very rarely WMA/OGG/etc.)

I have no idea if Zune converts them or stores them weird, but if it does, the first thing I'd recommend is that you stop using it for podcasts. Juice (http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/) is good and free. If they're still on the server, it would be much easier just to redownload them than worry about some conversion.

no zune doesnt convert them to anything. if you rip using zune it will default as a windows music file wmv i think but you can change it to rip everything as mp3 and when it loads onto your zune it will not change it/convert your music.

I hated the zune software when I first bought one. It made no sense that I couldnt just use windows media to drag and drop like on a creative mp3 player. But the new software is a little better. I dont understand why zune had to make you use zune software, it was one of the many reasons I never bought an ipod. oh well.

[Chigworthy]

no zune doesnt convert them to anything. if you rip using zune it will default as a windows music file wmv i think but you can change it to rip everything as mp3 and when it loads onto your zune it will not change it/convert your music.

I hated the zune software when I first bought one. It made no sense that I couldnt just use windows media to drag and drop like on a creative mp3 player. But the new software is a little better. I dont understand why zune had to make you use zune software, it was one of the many reasons I never bought an ipod. oh well.

I'm not sure how or why you rip podcasts. I just download them. And proprietary software for managing media players is pretty much the industry standard, as is third party shareware/freeware to bypass it.

Podcast files are usually .mp3s, but they have a podcast designation that is buried deeper than normal metadata. In Zune, the podcasts are not treated as music, so you can't include them in playlists or genres in your music collection. It's not really about Zune, it's more about how the fuck do I strip the podcast designation from .mp3s.

I have no idea if Zune converts them or stores them weird, but if it does, the first thing I'd recommend is that you stop using it for podcasts. Juice is good and free. If they're still on the server, it would be much easier just to redownload them than worry about some conversion.

I don't want to download a separate program to listen to podcasts. That would be even more inconvenient than just having them in a separate category from music on my zune. Again, it's not about converting them, it's about stripping the podcast designation that some podcasters add to the file. It is done at the creation of the file, and is apparently impossible to remove.

[StanUpshaw]

You can listen to them with whatever you want. It just downloads them into folders.

[Chigworthy]

You can listen to them with whatever you want. It just downloads them into folders.

This is 100% correct. And has nothing to do with what I was asking about.

[StanUpshaw]

You don't know what you're asking about. If you knew, you wouldn't be asking. So go fuck yourself. You're on your own.

[Chigworthy]

You don't know what you're asking about. If you knew, you wouldn't be asking. So go fuck yourself. You're on your own.

There are at least two things about you that I know to be true:

1)You are incapable of simple reading comprehension.
2)You are very emotional.

[PapaBear]

Why is it, I can no longer sign into my USPS.com account of Firefox, but I can on Explorer?

[hanso]

Maybe something is blocking like no script add on.


In windows xp if a folder is used in my documents it stays at the bottom. This is how I would like it to stay. However it goes back to being with all the other folders at top. How to keep it like this?

[Snacks]

anyone know anything about windows movie maker? whenever I make a video it put a black border around the video. when you stretch the video to full screen it has a black border. Anyone know how to remove this?

Any good movie editing software out there that is free and easy to use?

[biggestmexi]

anyone know anything about windows movie maker? whenever I make a video it put a black border around the video. when you stretch the video to full screen it has a black border. Anyone know how to remove this?

Any good movie editing software out there that is free and easy to use?

You should try this. (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Aspect+Ratio+wiki&l=1)

[zentraed]

You should try this. (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Aspect+Ratio+wiki&l=1)

Nice!

But yeah, try adjusting the aspect ratio settings in WMM. I'm assuming the "border" is either only on the top or on the sides? If you're getting a "postage stamp" with borders on all four sides, then your image isn't being scaled properly. That would probably be due to a codec issue.

[PapaBear]

When I turned on my computer tonight, before it got to the welcome screen, a window popped up that said I may be using a pirated copy of Windows (I'm not). It had an opting for "get it now" one for "remind me later", and "cancel". I hit cancel, and everything seems fine. Why did this happen?

[KnoxHarrington]

When I turned on my computer tonight, before it got to the welcome screen, a window popped up that said I may be using a pirated copy of Windows (I'm not). It had an opting for "get it now" one for "remind me later", and "cancel". I hit cancel, and everything seems fine. Why did this happen?

Probably a registry entry or some system file got fucked up. If it doesn't happen again, I woudn't worry.

[StanUpshaw]

Maybe this?

http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3619406

[PapaBear]

Maybe this?

http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3619406
That's from 2006. I'm sure my security software would have picked that up.

[StanUpshaw]

It could just be a false positive. Certainly not unheard of.

[PapaBear]

I backed up my comp with Comodo last night. It's probably a registry error, like Knox said.

[dereckfishboy]

I backed up my comp with Comodo last night. It's probably a registry error, like Knox said.

I've had the same issue with my copy of Windows 7. Legit license, came up as not being genuine. Rebooted, never happened again (yet).

Microsoft's piracy protection seems wonky at times, to me at least. I had to uninstall Microsoft Genuine Advantage because it kept calling out my Office 7 that I purchased directly from Microsoft as being non-genuine.

[Jayw]

So i have no idea what the problem is here. My samsung monitor just keeps spamming the message "check signal cable, digital". I am getting no response what so ever from my video card/ pc. Wtf..... the tower worked fine from a different moniter and then i took it from a different house. Could the vid card blow up in transit or something. I am good with computers but i am stumped. Do you guys think it is a moniter problem orvideo card issue?? Sorry for the typing this evo touchscreen is annoying.

No computer ftl.

[Jayw]

The computer boots up and sounds like normal and the videocard fan is spinning. Wtf

[PapaBear]

I take it you don't have another monitor or comp handy at the moment. Right? Problems of that sort are always best sorted out by process of elimination. I wouldn't do anything until you can try that.

[Jayw]

Ya, wasnt looking forward to going through that tommorow... went for the hail mary rnf.net will solve it.

It is strange though, i mean the only two things i think it could be is the video card not sending a signal.

The cable to monitor somehow went bad in my 3 days away.

Or the monitor went bad while i was away.

It must be the vid card. Man i need to make more friends if my comp going out fucks my shit up, sigh.

So i guess i will cop a monitor tommorow to start the elimination process. I got a dell though so buying new hardware like video cards for it sucks balls. Dells are built strictly to that spec so theres not even a power cord that most high quality vid cards need.

Wow touchscreen typing is really starting to piss the fuck out of me. Wtb a swype d/l

[Snacks]

Ya, wasnt looking forward to going through that tommorow... went for the hail mary rnf.net will solve it.

It is strange though, i mean the only two things i think it could be is the video card not sending a signal.

The cable to monitor somehow went bad in my 3 days away.

Or the monitor went bad while i was away.

It must be the vid card. Man i need to make more friends if my comp going out fucks my shit up, sigh.

So i guess i will cop a monitor tommorow to start the elimination process. I got a dell though so buying new hardware like video cards for it sucks balls. Dells are built strictly to that spec so theres not even a power cord that most high quality vid cards need.

Wow touchscreen typing is really starting to piss the fuck out of me. Wtb a swype d/l

that sucks, I was looking into getting a HP touch screen but now may have to rethink that!

My mother laptop died and I cant figure out how to even get it on. When you press the power button, it blinks like it wants to turn on and even clicks like normal right before windows boots up. But that only happens for a quick second and then nothing. The monitor and nothing else every comes on or stays on. I thought it could be the battery or power cord but no nothing worked. Does anyone know what it could be?

[Jayw]

Very weird I tried starting my computer this morning and it worked fine. Really dont know what that was about.

[StanUpshaw]

Did you happen to go inside and make sure everything was firmly connected? I was BSODing and I believe the reason was that my video card had worked itself slightly out of its slot. Now every computer problem I hear about I blame on loose video cards and memory.

[Chigworthy]

Did you happen to go inside and make sure everything was firmly connected? I was BSODing and I believe the reason was that my video card had worked itself slightly out of its slot. Now every computer problem I hear about I blame on loose video cards and memory.

Or the jack was damaged in moving.

[PapaBear]

I'm attempting my most physically difficult laptop repair tonight. By "physically difficult", I mean it's not a software or minor hardware issue. I have to take the whole damn thing apart. HERE'S WHAT I HAVE TO DO. (http://pcrepairhelp.net/dc-power-jack-repair/dell-dc-power-jack-repair/dell-inspiron-1150-dc-jack-repair/) Any helpful tips, anyone? The website seems to explain it fairly well.

[Snacks]

I'm attempting my most physically difficult laptop repair tonight. By "physically difficult", I mean it's not a software or minor hardware issue. I have to take the whole damn thing apart. HERE'S WHAT I HAVE TO DO. (http://pcrepairhelp.net/dc-power-jack-repair/dell-dc-power-jack-repair/dell-inspiron-1150-dc-jack-repair/) Any helpful tips, anyone? The website seems to explain it fairly well.

that does seem very intense. I hope you are charging a pretty penny?! That computer is so old that if your charging anything over $100 -$150 they are better off scraping it and buying a newer one.

[PapaBear]

that does seem very intense. I hope you are charging a pretty penny?! That computer is so old that if your charging anything over $100 -$150 they are better off scraping it and buying a newer one.
I'm doing it as a favor for a good lady friend. And, yes... The common charge for this repair is $99, from I've seen online. At least, I get more repair knowledge by taking it on.

[KC2OSO]

I'm doing it as a favor for a good lady friend. And, yes... The common charge for this repair is $99, from I've seen online. At least, I get more repair knowledge by taking it on.
I did that one a few months ago. The power receptacle had come loose from the board.

As always, be wary of is making note where the screws come from along the way. I bag and tag mine.

Once you get to the socket, use a low wattage iron , ~25 watts...and rosin core lead solder. Don't use the high tin mix - It sucks! I also put a bead of 5 minute epoxy around the base of the socket where it meets the board.
Good luck mister.

[PapaBear]

I did that one a few months ago. The power receptacle had come loose from the board.

As always, be wary of is making note where the screws come from along the way. I bag and tag mine.

Once you get to the socket, use a low wattage iron , ~25 watts...and rosin core lead solder. Don't use the high tin mix - It sucks! I also put a bead of 5 minute epoxy around the base of the socket where it meets the board.
Good luck mister.
I'm letting my father do the soldering. He's good at that. And he also suggested the epoxy idea, which I think is wise. I have question for you, though. As I said, I don't know much about soldering. In addition to whatever soldering equipment he's always had, he also has that cold soldering thingamajig. He's never used it. I think his old equipment is probably high wattage. Do you think he should try the cold one? It's that one that came out a couple of years ago, where it's only supposed to be hot when it's actually in contact with what you're working on.

[PapaBear]

I think THIS (http://science.howstuffworks.com/cold-heat.htm) is the thing I'm talking about.

[KC2OSO]

PB, I've never used one of those. For me, I'd go with what I know the olde tyme soldering stick from RShack.

Meantime one of these kits (http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/complete.htm) will have you soldering like a pro ina few evenings.

Anyway, good luck and PM me if you hit a snag - Mike

[PapaBear]

PB, I've never used one of those. For me, I'd go with what I know the olde tyme soldering stick from RShack.

Meantime one of these kits (http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/complete.htm) will have you soldering like a pro ina few evenings.

Anyway, good luck and PM me if you hit a snag - Mike
Thanks, bro. I'll pass the info on to my father. And I'm going to check in to those kits, too. I've only tried soldering once or twice, and never on circuit boards. Fortunately, I have plenty of old circuit board lying around, that I can practice on.:thumbup:

[Chigworthy]

I'm attempting my most physically difficult laptop repair tonight. By "physically difficult", I mean it's not a software or minor hardware issue. I have to take the whole damn thing apart. HERE'S WHAT I HAVE TO DO. (http://pcrepairhelp.net/dc-power-jack-repair/dell-dc-power-jack-repair/dell-inspiron-1150-dc-jack-repair/) Any helpful tips, anyone? The website seems to explain it fairly well.

I had to replace the LCD screen on my wife's laptop, which had the same type of "Power Button Bezel". There were hidden screws holding it in there, so I destroyed it. Luckily I did that before ordering the new LCD, so I was able to throw a new $5 bezel in with the order. Bottom line is that the design sucks because it snaps in, so if you miss a screw, you will break it since you have to apply force to remove the thing to unsnap it.

[Snacks]

I took out a 2.5" hard drive out of a laptop. I then put it into an external case to remove all data. Now that I was able to do all the I want to keep this as a portable and smaller external hard drive so I formatted the drive to wipe it clean and to get the extra space.

The drive shows up as 2 drives. 1 is the 141 gbs of free space and the 2nd is a recovery drive which was the recovery software from the laptop I took the drive out of. I formated both and they are both empty but every time I plug it in it still shows up as 2 drives and 1 says recovery even though its empty. How can I make it show up only as one drive?

[instrument]

I took out a 2.5" hard drive out of a laptop. I then put it into an external case to remove all data. Now that I was able to do all the I want to keep this as a portable and smaller external hard drive so I formatted the drive to wipe it clean and to get the extra space.

The drive shows up as 2 drives. 1 is the 141 gbs of free space and the 2nd is a recovery drive which was the recovery software from the laptop I took the drive out of. I formated both and they are both empty but every time I plug it in it still shows up as 2 drives and 1 says recovery even though its empty. How can I make it show up only as one drive?

you have to re-partition it..as 1 space.

[StanUpshaw]

In Vista/7, all you have to do is go into Disk Management, then choose 'Delete Volume' on the smaller one, and then 'Extend Volume' on the bigger one. It takes seconds to do.

[Snacks]

In Vista/7, all you have to do is go into Disk Management, then choose 'Delete Volume' on the smaller one, and then 'Extend Volume' on the bigger one. It takes seconds to do.

ok I did that and deleted the volume. I deleted but that space has combined with the other one. The one part was 141 gb and the other one was 7.1 or something like that. I deleted the 7.1 but the 141 didnt go to 148.1, it stayed at 141 . I reformatted the drive and it still says 141. Anyone know where it went or how to get the 7 gb back?

Its not a big deal to get those 7 gb I just want to learn for the future.

[StanUpshaw]

Is there still an 'Extend Volume' option available?

[Snacks]

Is there still an 'Extend Volume' option available?

I just did it, thanks for the help I learned something new and can use this knowledge the next time! Im the only one in my family that is ever asked to fix things when it comes to computers. Yet I dont know everything I need to know!

Thanks Instrument as well

You guys helped a lot!

[PapaBear]

Also for the future, if you're not using Windows 7, PARTITION WIZARD (http://download.cnet.com/Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html) is very good and easy (and free).

[Snacks]

Also for the future, if you're not using Windows 7, PARTITION WIZARD (http://download.cnet.com/Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html) is very good and easy (and free).

Thanks PB. Im using windows 7 but may use this anyway plus it will be good for my other computers!

[StanUpshaw]

Let's say I have a long x264 .MKV video. Is there a simple way to extract clips from it?

I just want a program that will let me enter a start time and an end time, and have it spit out a clip. Transcoding is not an option.

[PapaBear]

Does Audacity work with MKV? I've never heard of it, and had to look it up. If it does, Audacity is pretty simple to set start and end points.

[StanUpshaw]

Does Audacity work with MKV? I've never heard of it, and had to look it up. If it does, Audacity is pretty simple to set start and end points.

As far as know, Audacity only handle audio.

[PapaBear]

As far as know, Audacity only handle audio.
Oh. I thought it was audio.

[PapaBear]

A friend said his comp is making a whining noise all of the sudden, that sounds like our work comps sound when they start to overheat. I know his comp is clean, because I worked on it recently. The fans and such are free of dust. I doubt there's much going on, but I told him I'd recommend a core temp monitor for him, just to be safe.

He has Windows XP. I did a quick search and found THIS (http://download.cnet.com/Core-Temp-32-bit/3000-2094_4-10794077.html?tag=mncol;2) one. Does anyone know of a good free program (or know anything about the one I linked to) he can use, that's simple? I can check his comp out for him, but I'd rather find something he can do himself.

[KC2OSO]

Whining noise...Does anyone know of a good free program (or know anything about the one I linked to) he can use, that's simple? I can check his comp out for him, but I'd rather find something he can do himself.

Just my opinion...think away

I'm not so much interested in what is wrong with the computer, rather, what the user is doing to the computer.

Sorry not to provide an answer but just another question...what is the user doing to invoke all of this processor whizz?

With a small 2 or 3 gByte database, an inefficient query can send a processor into a tizzy and lock a processor up for quite a while.

Agree the comp may be fucked with malware etc. but if that is not the case, there may be another cause.

[PapaBear]

Just my opinion...think away

I'm not so much interested in what is wrong with the computer, rather, what the user is doing to the computer.

Sorry not to provide an answer but just another question...what is the user doing to invoke all of this processor whizz?

With a small 2 or 3 gByte database, an inefficient query can send a processor into a tizzy and lock a processor up for quite a while.

Agree the comp may be fucked with malware etc. but if that is not the case, there may be another cause.
I'll have to ask him more about what he was doing when he heard the noise. I don't even know if he was actually using it when he heard it. He doesn't really even actually use it that much. It might have been a noise that he heard while it was just running idle, or he might have been using it.

[Snacks]

A friend said his comp is making a whining noise all of the sudden, that sounds like our work comps sound when they start to overheat. I know his comp is clean, because I worked on it recently. The fans and such are free of dust. I doubt there's much going on, but I told him I'd recommend a core temp monitor for him, just to be safe.

He has Windows XP. I did a quick search and found THIS (http://download.cnet.com/Core-Temp-32-bit/3000-2094_4-10794077.html?tag=mncol;2) one. Does anyone know of a good free program (or know anything about the one I linked to) he can use, that's simple? I can check his comp out for him, but I'd rather find something he can do himself.

what is the perfect temp range for the core?

[PapaBear]

what is the perfect temp range for the core?
I don't know. It's a pretty old comp. I just know that some of the monitoring programs can let him know if the core is too hot. I don't even know if it's the core. We just had a one minute conversation about today. He got worried when he heard the sound and mentioned it to me. I figured it would reassure him if I could let him know about a program that would let him know that his comp isn't overheating.

[zentraed]

Let's say I have a long x264 .MKV video. Is there a simple way to extract clips from it?

I just want a program that will let me enter a start time and an end time, and have it spit out a clip. Transcoding is not an option.

MKVTools should allow you to do that.

[biggestmexi]

Let's say I have a long x264 .MKV video. Is there a simple way to extract clips from it?

I just want a program that will let me enter a start time and an end time, and have it spit out a clip. Transcoding is not an option.

http://fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/

[StanUpshaw]

Ok, here's another one:

I want to listen to MP3s in the background while I play a full-screen game. However, quite often I want to pause the MP3 so I can listen to the in-game audio.

The problem is that a lot of full-screen games don't like to be Alt+Tab'ed. And even if everything worked properly, the process just takes too long.

I want there to be a keystroke/hotkey that will pause/unpause my MP3 no matter what program is in the foreground. Preferably, I'd like it to integrate with my current player (Zoom Player), but that's not a dealbreaker.

Any suggestions?

[Chigworthy]

A friend said his comp is making a whining noise all of the sudden, that sounds like our work comps sound when they start to overheat. I know his comp is clean, because I worked on it recently. The fans and such are free of dust. I doubt there's much going on, but I told him I'd recommend a core temp monitor for him, just to be safe.

He has Windows XP. I did a quick search and found THIS (http://download.cnet.com/Core-Temp-32-bit/3000-2094_4-10794077.html?tag=mncol;2) one. Does anyone know of a good free program (or know anything about the one I linked to) he can use, that's simple? I can check his comp out for him, but I'd rather find something he can do himself.

Is he playing minecraft? This simple-looking game overheats my computer constantly.

[biggestmexi]

Ok, here's another one:

I want to listen to MP3s in the background while I play a full-screen game. However, quite often I want to pause the MP3 so I can listen to the in-game audio.

The problem is that a lot of full-screen games don't like to be Alt+Tab'ed. And even if everything worked properly, the process just takes too long.

I want there to be a keystroke/hotkey that will pause/unpause my MP3 no matter what program is in the foreground. Preferably, I'd like it to integrate with my current player (Zoom Player), but that's not a dealbreaker.

Any suggestions?

get a multimedia keyboard

Is he playing minecraft? This simple-looking game overheats my computer constantly.


:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: +10 gold gold if i could

[zentraed]

Ok, here's another one:

I want to listen to MP3s in the background while I play a full-screen game. However, quite often I want to pause the MP3 so I can listen to the in-game audio.

The problem is that a lot of full-screen games don't like to be Alt+Tab'ed. And even if everything worked properly, the process just takes too long.

I want there to be a keystroke/hotkey that will pause/unpause my MP3 no matter what program is in the foreground. Preferably, I'd like it to integrate with my current player (Zoom Player), but that's not a dealbreaker.

Any suggestions?

Go in to the Zoom Player options and configure a Global Hotkey for the play/pause function

[StanUpshaw]

How?


Nevermind, I got it. Rock.

[hanso]

Is he playing minecraft? This simple-looking game overheats my computer constantly.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LnjSWPxJxNs?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LnjSWPxJxNs?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[StanUpshaw]

Go in to the Zoom Player options and configure a Global Hotkey for the play/pause function

I spoke too soon. The hotkey works while I have normal programs open, but not when I have the game open (Fallout 3, in this case).

[Devo37]

for the last week or so, every time i start up my laptop, the c:\windows\system32\recovery folder opens up at startup.

can't figure out why it's opening. any ideas??

[Snacks]

Im looking to get a new email address but dont want to go with the old faithfuls like gmail, yahoo, hotmail etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good, secure, reliable, email company? I have been reading some things about hushmail and gmx but dont know much about them. I have also read that some of these free email companies are better then others when it comes to privacy and encryption.

Any suggestions or help would be great. Is encryption important when looking for email services? What about computer encryption software, is that the same and how does that work?

[biggestmexi]

unless your sending pedo pics or government secrets i think gmail would be good.



or just get LIfeLock

[Snacks]

unless your sending pedo pics or government secrets i think gmail would be good.



or just get LIfeLock

I want something different for email choices as well. I dont want some long ass email address either. I want something that I can choose my initials or my name abbreviated etc. I dont want to have an email address that is 10 letters and #s because all the "good addresses" are taken!

Plus I have been reading that gmail should not be trusted with any personal information. If my checking account emails, work emails etc I would think something more secure is important. I dont think people want secure email address just because they are sending govt secrets or fucked up pictures.

[biggestmexi]

I want something different for email choices as well. I dont want some long ass email address either. I want something that I can choose my initials or my name abbreviated etc. I dont want to have an email address that is 10 letters and #s because all the "good addresses" are taken!

Plus I have been reading that gmail should not be trusted with any personal information. If my checking account emails, work emails etc I would think something more secure is important. I dont think people want secure email address just because they are sending govt secrets or fucked up pictures.

i got my first and last name with gmail.......

whacthca looking for Kingoftheinternet@yahoo.com?

:wink:

[Snacks]

i got my first and last name with gmail.......

whacthca looking for Kingoftheinternet@yahoo.com?

:wink:

lol my first and last name are almost 20 letters! I would like initials or something very short!

is that your real email address? if it is thats pretty fucking funny and very long! :ohmy:

[PapaBear]

I'm trying to figure out if there is a good monitor splitter option for my situation. I have two desktop PC's. I have two monitors. Both PC's have video cards with dual monitor capability. My primary monitor has both VGA and HDMI outputs. My secondary monitor only has VGA output.

Currently, I can run both PC's at the same time. I only use the one of the PC's occasionally, but it is sometimes used while I'm also using the other PC. As it is now, I can do this by moving my primary PC's desktop over to the secondary monitor, while using the primary monitor for the secondary PC.

Is there a good (and cheap) splitter I can use to connect the secondary monitor (VGA) to both PC's, instead of connecting the primary monitor (which already has both VGA and HDMI) to both PC's?

I hope I explained this clearly.

[PapaBear]

Here's a tough one because I don't have the computer, or even know what kind it is. My boss' wife's laptop is running slow. He said it's a very nice one, with plenty of RAM, that ran really fast when she got it. I suggested the same things I do to just about anyone who complains about slow comps.

Spybot, Malwarebytes, Advanced System Care, and disable unnecessary start up items. He said he ran the three programs, but didn't disable the start up items. He said it made no difference at all. Can you think of any other common problems to look for, besides getting him to do the start ups?

[sailor]

Tell her to stop visiting porn sites.

[PapaBear]

Tell her to stop visiting porn sites.
Actually, he said she spends all day doing stupid Facebook games.

[Snacks]

Actually, he said she spends all day doing stupid Facebook games.

sounds about right. it seems that is what stay at home moms do while the kids are at school. they dont cook, they dont clean, they dont do anything but play farmville and post pictures of their kids doing nonsense!

I would bet she has downloaded something from facebook or from one of the game sites directly. It seems these games put on a ton of spyware and junk that is hard to get rid of. I would suggest to him to remove all or any games she had to actually download to get on her computer. If that doesn't work they probably need to do a complete restore just to clean it out. My mother who is now retired seems to have a similar problem every 3-6 months. Sometimes it works to just uninstall the game software.

[hanso]

Taking off extra programs/apps not used much anymore seemed to help my pc get faster.

[disneyspy]

is ATT's 3Mps fast enough to stream video from like ESPN3 or any of those not legal sites?

[KnoxHarrington]

is ATT's 3Mps fast enough to stream video from like ESPN3 or any of those not legal sites?

It should be, but if you do just about anything else at all, you might start getting some buffering.

[disneyspy]

It should be, but if you do just about anything else at all, you might start getting some buffering.

thanx,i need to think of ways to cut spending soon but eyes needs my nets

[disneyspy]

i'm trying to send someone a file on AIM and all its said for like the last hour and a half is 'connecting'. that person's status says available. whats up with that?

[KnoxHarrington]

i'm trying to send someone a file on AIM and all its said for like the last hour and a half is 'connecting'. that person's status says available. whats up with that?

The FBI has intercepted the connection and is downloading a copy of those files as evidence in your child porn distribution trial.

Well, either that or the port that AIM uses for file transfer is not connecting, either because AIM blows, or firewall interference, on either end. I'd probably recommend using a service like Dropbox to make the file transfer.

But, seriously, it's the FBI.

[disneyspy]

The FBI has intercepted the connection and is downloading a copy of those files as evidence in your child porn distribution trial.

Well, either that or the port that AIM uses for file transfer is not connecting, either because AIM blows, or firewall interference, on either end. I'd probably recommend using a service like Dropbox to make the file transfer.

But, seriously, it's the FBI.

thanks but snoogans just explained it too me

and i got called a fool

[disneyspy]

i watched the michigan game on my 3mps DSL sevice today and holy shit, it wasnt bad at all

[PapaBear]

When quoting posts that have embedded videos while I'm using Firefox, I can't see the video so I can remove it from the quoted post. I can only do it when using IE. Is there a way to work around this?

[hanso]

is ATT's 3Mps fast enough to stream video from like ESPN3 or any of those not legal sites?

ATT uverse was ready here so I just signed up. Fiber to node sounds better.And save $ with bundle? Will have to see next week if it's hooked up hopefully.

[hanso]

When quoting posts that have embedded videos while I'm using Firefox, I can't see the video so I can remove it from the quoted post. I can only do it when using IE. Is there a way to work around this?

I see videos doing this but use an older Firefox.

[Snacks]

any programs or software out there that allows you to take pictures from video? I know if your watching a video in VLC it lets you take a screenshot but its never great quality and its always a smaller picture even if you have the video full screen. I want something that take a clearer, full screen or larger pics.

[StanUpshaw]

any programs or software out there that allows you to take pictures from video? I know if your watching a video in VLC it lets you take a screenshot but its never great quality and its always a smaller picture even if you have the video full screen. I want something that take a clearer, full screen or larger pics.

The ffdshow codec has a screenshot feature, but it can be tricky to figure out. Depending on the video type, VirtualDub (or one if its myriad incarnations) will take screenshots. I think Fraps will do it, but I'm not sure.

They probably won't make the screenshots any bigger than the original video resolution, and any program that would is simply stretching the image like you would in Photoshop.

[hanso]

What is a good video converter for mkv files? Or divx?

[Snacks]

What is a good video converter for mkv files? Or divx?

http://download.cnet.com/Any-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-10661456.html

that is pretty good. it converts everything. just change the frame size to something like 620x320 .

[StanUpshaw]

What is a good video converter for mkv files? Or divx?

There are loads of programs that are great, once you take the time to learn them. Handbrake, Ripbot, or what I've been using for a while, MeGUI.

But for a simplified process, something like AutoGK works great for divx/xvid.




Actually, this SUPER (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/SUPER) program looks like it's worth a try. I'm going to download it myself.

[StanUpshaw]

During peak hours, YouTube is next to unusable. I'm assuming they have Euro servers might be faster than overtaxed US servers. Is there any way to make YouTube switch to Euro servers when I want to?

Preferably without some complicated proxy nonsense?

A Greasemonkey script would be ideal.

[PapaBear]

I've developed a recent problem on my Windows 7 comp. When trying to open photo folders, it takes forever. My RAM meter runs at 99 or 100% while it's opening (also when moving the files to new folders). The only major change I've made to my computer is that I got rid of Zone Alarm firewall, and started using Online Armor firewall. I don't know if the two things are related.

Any ideas? I have 4GBs of RAM, so most actions usually perform very quickly and smoothly. And I don't have any problem at all when doing things like watching movies online while doing other tasks. I think it's only happening when I'm dealing with photo files.

Edit: I think this only happens when I have folders open in two different locations. Like when I'm trying to move files from one folder to another.

[StanUpshaw]

Shit like that always seems to be something like a virus scanner. Does the new program include anything like that? Is there a place where you can exclude certain folders from being monitored?

What process is using all the memory?

[PapaBear]

Shit like that always seems to be something like a virus scanner. Does the new program include anything like that? Is there a place where you can exclude certain folders from being monitored?

What process is using all the memory?
I don't think the new firewall has virus scanning, but it does have a bunch of other stuff I haven't explored yet. I think I may try disconnecting from the internet, then shutting down the firewall program to see if it makes a difference. I was happy with Zone Alarm, but I got really tired of the window that shows up every time I start the comp, asking me if I want to try the pay version.

[PapaBear]

I tried it. Online Armor is the culprit. Dammit! Time to make some firewall decisions.

[hanso]

Horror AVG Update Ballsup Bricks Windows 7

http://www.slyck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53249

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/02/avg_auto_immune_update/

[PapaBear]

Horror AVG Update Ballsup Bricks Windows 7

http://www.slyck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53249

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/02/avg_auto_immune_update/
I like AVG, but I've had occasional problems with their updates in the past. I sometimes put it on older systems for people, but I've given up on using it on my own computers. They do always quickly fix their problems, but it's just a pain to have to worry about it.

[Snacks]

when upgrading ram can you use any 200pin or 240 pin etc?

I usually look up on a site a specific model # and they give you the ram you need. But I have come to find out you can find much cheaper ram on ebay the is a generic name. The only problem is they dont list every computer that specific ram is compatible with. So I was wondering what is the easiest way to know if ram will work in a computer?

Im upgrading a 2gb to a 4 gb so I need to buy 2 2gb 200 pin DDR2 Sodimm. Can I use any ram that just comes up like that?

Any places you guys know of that has really cheap ram besides ebay?

[biggestmexi]

when upgrading ram can you use any 200pin or 240 pin etc?

I usually look up on a site a specific model # and they give you the ram you need. But I have come to find out you can find much cheaper ram on ebay the is a generic name. The only problem is they dont list every computer that specific ram is compatible with. So I was wondering what is the easiest way to know if ram will work in a computer?

Im upgrading a 2gb to a 4 gb so I need to buy 2 2gb 200 pin DDR2 Sodimm. Can I use any ram that just comes up like that?

Any places you guys know of that has really cheap ram besides ebay?

Newegg

and

tiger direct


srsly

[Charlie_Don't_Surf]

Newegg

and

tiger direct


srsly

You forgot microcenter and directron faggot.

[Snacks]

You forgot microcenter and directron faggot.

I knew tiger and newegg but they dont have a huge selection. I will give these other 2 a try I have never heard of them! Thanks!

What about the pins and how to choose? Is the only thing that matters the amount of pins? Will all 200 pins fit a 200 pins computer or are there different 200 pins sizes? How to know which will fit without getting the exact ones in the computer already?

[Willmore]

I knew tiger and newegg but they dont have a huge selection. I will give these other 2 a try I have never heard of them! Thanks!

What about the pins and how to choose? Is the only thing that matters the amount of pins? Will all 200 pins fit a 200 pins computer or are there different 200 pins sizes? How to know which will fit without getting the exact ones in the computer already?

Different RAM fit different motherboards, but no, you can't fit a 240pin RAM into a 200pin slot, sometimes there's also an issue with the speed/bus, etc.

Always check your motherboard manufacturer's web-site for a list of compatible RAM if you're not sure.

[Snacks]

Different RAM fit different motherboards, but no, you can't fit a 240pin RAM into a 200pin slot, sometimes there's also an issue with the speed/bus, etc.

Always check your motherboard manufacturer's web-site for a list of compatible RAM if you're not sure.

Im sorry maybe I said it wrong. I meant can you buy and 240 pin to fit into a 240 pin. Or any 200 pin and fit it into any 200 pin slot and work?

[Willmore]

Im sorry maybe I said it wrong. I meant can you buy and 240 pin to fit into a 240 pin. Or any 200 pin and fit it into any 200 pin slot and work?

Usually, not always. Check the motherboard web-site to be 100% sure.

[Snacks]

Usually, not always. Check the motherboard web-site to be 100% sure.

ok thanks. which site is that?

Willmore let me ask you this. I would like to try to replace a motherboard on an old laptop just to try it. Is there a site to teach how to do this step by step? Any repair instruction sites for all computer repairs? Video would be best but anything that would help self teach would be fine too! Is there a motherboard tester they sell?

[Willmore]

ok thanks. which site is that?

Willmore let me ask you this. I would like to try to replace a motherboard on an old laptop just to try it. Is there a site to teach how to do this step by step? Any repair instruction sites for all computer repairs? Video would be best but anything that would help self teach would be fine too! Is there a motherboard tester they sell?

Whichever company manufactured your motherboard. If you don't know, try to find the documentation that came with your PC. If you don't have that, restart your computer and the first screen you see - the POST screen, when the memory gets counted, the drives get checked etc. Press the Pause button as soon as you see it, the motherboard ID should be on that screen, usually above the memory counter. Sometimes there is a splash screen (picture) instead of the POST screen, you would have to go into the BIOS in this case, by pressing delete, or F8, or some other button. In there either remove the splash screen, or find the motherboard version.

And there's no replacing a motherboard on a laptop yourself. If it's broken - send it to whoever made it, if you want to upgrade, you're out of luck.

[zentraed]

ok thanks. which site is that?

Willmore let me ask you this. I would like to try to replace a motherboard on an old laptop just to try it. Is there a site to teach how to do this step by step? Any repair instruction sites for all computer repairs? Video would be best but anything that would help self teach would be fine too! Is there a motherboard tester they sell?

There isn't a market for laptop motherboards. They're custom-designed to fit the manufacturer's case designs. You may be able to find a replacement for your particular model, but you won't be able to "upgrade" it. You should be able to get a copy of the Service Manual from your manufacturer (or google it). That will show you step-by-step how to disassemble and replace all of your laptop's serviceable components.

As far as RAM goes, a 200-pin SODIMM is not going to be interchangeable with a 240 pin DDR2 or DDR3 module. Even if there were an adapter, it wouldn't fit in the case. SODIMM chips are small and they stack right on top of each other on the bottom of your laptop.

Check your documentation to determine which RAM speeds your motherboard supports. I usually make my purchases at Newegg.

[PapaBear]

I think I may have asked this question before, but I never got an answer. Does anyone know why I can't log into my USPS account using Firefox? I can only log in using Explorer. With Firefox, it just tells me that either my username or password are incorrect. I try resetting the password, but that doesn't help.

[StanUpshaw]

Anyone ever use Fracture (http://www.fractureme.com/about)?

It's a service like Shutterfly, except they apparently print your photos directly on a piece of glass, and it's supposed to look extra cool.

I guess my question is...does it look extra cool?

I'm thinking about ordering a couple vouchers for my mom for Christmas. You see...there's this other site called Jasmere.com which is a Woot-type operation that's offering $35 vouchers to Fracture for $15 (at the moment...their gimmick is that the per unit price drops, depending on the number of people who buy in, so $70 worth of Fracture is only costing me $30 now, and may cost only $28 by tomorrow).

So in any case, I'm not wasting too much money, but I'd hope my mom actually enjoys it and it's not just some gimmicky shit.

[Zorro]

I am only able to log into the mobile RF.Net site on my Ipad. Does anyone know how I can get the full site? Someone recommended Skyfire, but that was a no go

[Space Edge]

I am only able to log into the mobile RF.Net site on my Ipad. Does anyone know how I can get the full site? Someone recommended Skyfire, but that was a no go

You can't multiple people have brought up the mobile skin issue in other threads and the answer was you can't change it. Is it possible for them to set it up so we could change it yes, will that happen probably not.

[Zorro]

Thanks.

[Snacks]

Anyone know how to fix a blackberry? I have one that I bought on ebay. It has a 507 error screen. I know that means no operating system but no matter what I try I cant get a new OS to install. Does anyone know how to bypass everything or how to fix BB problems?

[Snacks]

Also for the future, if you're not using Windows 7, PARTITION WIZARD (http://download.cnet.com/Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html) is very good and easy (and free).

I just tried this on another hard drive I removed from an old laptop and it worked great. The only reason I did use this is I couldnt find disk management for some reason. Even though I plan on using this software again can someone tell me why I could find Disk Management and or how to find it now? I must have known before because I did this before without this software so I must be losing my mind or something is missing!?

[CountryBob]

Chick spilled hot tea with sugar onto my laptop. It shut it down and will not work now. Anyone have any ideas how to dry/clean that shit out?

[disneyspy]

Chick spilled hot tea with sugar onto my laptop. It shut it down and will not work now. Anyone have any ideas how to dry/clean that shit out?

pull the battery out and put it in a garbage bag filled with rice underneath a heat lamp for 24 hours then use compressed air can on it,then kill the chick

[zentraed]

I just tried this on another hard drive I removed from an old laptop and it worked great. The only reason I did use this is I couldnt find disk management for some reason. Even though I plan on using this software again can someone tell me why I could find Disk Management and or how to find it now? I must have known before because I did this before without this software so I must be losing my mind or something is missing!?

In Windows, right click on (My) Computer and click on Manage. Disk Management shows up under the Storage section.

[zentraed]

Chick spilled hot tea with sugar onto my laptop. It shut it down and will not work now. Anyone have any ideas how to dry/clean that shit out?

The sugar is definitely a problem. Disassemble the laptop as much as possible. Get a service manual if you can and it will walk you through a teardown. Then get rid of all the stickiness you find. Lint free cloth with rubbing alcohol should do it.

[Snacks]

In Windows, right click on (My) Computer and click on Manage. Disk Management shows up under the Storage section.

thats what i thought but there is no manage section. if i right click on the drive properties comes up or format etc. but nothing that says manage!

the funny thing is i did this before and had no problem. i dont know if im having a brain fart or what?! im using win 7 btw

[Snacks]

do they sell enclosures for 2.5" hard drives that can be used in 3.5" desktops? Basically making a 2.5" into a 3.5"?

Also do they sell enclosures/cases that hold multiple 2.5" hard drives? I have 2 160 gbs 2.5" I figured maybe i cant put them in some dual enclosure and have either 320 gbs or at least have them together instead of having then as individuals. I guess similar to some of the bigger 2 tb drives that come as 2 1 tb but together in one thick enclosure!

[StanUpshaw]

do they sell enclosures for 2.5" hard drives that can be used in 3.5" desktops? Basically making a 2.5" into a 3.5"?

Also do they sell enclosures/cases that hold multiple 2.5" hard drives? I have 2 160 gbs 2.5" I figured maybe i cant put them in some dual enclosure and have either 320 gbs or at least have them together instead of having then as individuals. I guess similar to some of the bigger 2 tb drives that come as 2 1 tb but together in one thick enclosure!

Based on those capacities, is it safe to guess you're talking about IDE drives? If so, then all you need is something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203012).

But my real advice would to be throw that ancient shit in the trash and buy a new drive.

[Snacks]

Based on those capacities, is it safe to guess you're talking about IDE drives? If so, then all you need is something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203012).

But my real advice would to be throw that ancient shit in the trash and buy a new drive.

no they are sata drives. i was just wondering if i could use one of my old 2.5 inch into an old desktop to make it a workable desktop. i want to take an old desktop and use it only hooked up to my bedroom tv. i figured this would be a way to do it without having to buy a 3.5" for the desktop.

what about the other question. do they make dual enclosures for 2.5"? I have seen them from 3.5 but never 2.5

[StanUpshaw]

I may be wrong, but don't 2.5 and 3.5 SATA drives use identical connections?

As far as I know, the only concern would be the mounting hardware, and I'm guessing they sell a bracket or spacers of some sort. But if you're putting it in a desktop, just put one screw in and take care when you're moving the case around.




And no, I've never seen a dual enclosure designed for 2.5 drives.


EDIT: Here are a bunch of HD brackets (http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=43&name=HDD-Accessories)

[Snacks]

I may be wrong, but don't 2.5 and 3.5 SATA drives use identical connections?

As far as I know, the only concern would be the mounting hardware, and I'm guessing they sell a bracket or spacers of some sort. But if you're putting it in a desktop, just put one screw in and take care when you're moving the case around.




And no, I've never seen a dual enclosure designed for 2.5 drives.

no you are right they dont but i figured there was some sort of enclosure that would make the sata inside this enclosure but the outer connectors would connect to an ide. anyway no big deal figured there had to be.

i know all laptops are sata are desktops now sata too? i got to think they are changing all drives to be the same types just different sizes?

[StanUpshaw]

no you are right they dont but i figured there was some sort of enclosure that would make the sata inside this enclosure but the outer connectors would connect to an ide. anyway no big deal figured there had to be.

i know all laptops are sata are desktops now sata too? i got to think they are changing all drives to be the same types just different sizes?

I don't really understand your question, but no matter what kind of drive you have and no matter what kind of PC you have, there is a way to make them work.

Can you find the model number of your hard drive?

[hanso]

It sure is a PIA to clean cut an image from a pic. I use basic editors. PS was over my head.

[zentraed]

do they sell enclosures for 2.5" hard drives that can be used in 3.5" desktops? Basically making a 2.5" into a 3.5"?

Also do they sell enclosures/cases that hold multiple 2.5" hard drives? I have 2 160 gbs 2.5" I figured maybe i cant put them in some dual enclosure and have either 320 gbs or at least have them together instead of having then as individuals. I guess similar to some of the bigger 2 tb drives that come as 2 1 tb but together in one thick enclosure!

Yes, all of these things are possible. Here's a 2x2.5" RAID enclosure. (http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Enclosure-Portable-External-PCXL25SR/dp/B002FZJ1K8)

You can get a mounting bracket to make the 2.5" drives fit in a standard 3.5" bay. SATA drives all use the same connector, so there's no problem getting it hooked up running.

I've never seen a bridge from SATA-to-IDE, but when SATA first came out, IDE-to-SATA bridges were common. A lot of the first SATA drives were just IDE drives with bridge chips built-in. There shouldn't be any need to convert from SATA-to-IDE since SATA has been around for almost 8 years now.

[Snacks]

thanks. after looking at the dual closure you posted I would be better off keeping them as individuals drives because the cost of the dual enclosure is a waste at that price!!!

[PapaBear]

What are the main cell phone carriers that have those $40-$50 month to month plans? I can think of Boost, T Mobil, and Cricket. What are some of the others? I looked at those three, and they mostly suck for service in my area.

[weekapaugjz]

jitterbug

[PapaBear]

jitterbug
Bite me.

[weekapaugjz]

don't tempt me.

[Snacks]

What are the main cell phone carriers that have those $40-$50 month to month plans? I can think of Boost, T Mobil, and Cricket. What are some of the others? I looked at those three, and they mostly suck for service in my area.

gsm there are simple mobile, h2o mobile, jolt, and pure. they all offer a $40 plan for unlimited calling and unlimited text (sms) no picture.. Most of them for $10 more you can get the picture messaging but to be honest is picture messaging worth the extra $10? If you go with a gsm buy your sim on ebay, they are much cheaper. h2o lets you use att sim cards but they have to be new and unused. You can get att sim cards for $1 on ebay.

As for cdma you have metro pcs $40 talk text, pic text and web, page plus and platinum tel.

So you know Simple mobile is basically tmobile service and the other gsms are all att service. They are just sold to those companies as resellers!

[PapaBear]

Hmmm... I haven't heard of a single one of those. I'll check, but they probably have bad service here, too. Boost isn't terrible, but not great. T-mobile hardly works outside my city at all, and Cricket doesn't even exist here.

[Snacks]

Hmmm... I haven't heard of a single one of those. I'll check, but they probably have bad service here, too. Boost isn't terrible, but not great. T-mobile hardly works outside my city at all, and Cricket doesn't even exist here.

how does att work in your area? what service works well in your area? i can tell you which is the best cheapest one!

[PapaBear]

AT&T works great here. I've had it for 11 years. But with unlimited Internet, I'm paying $84 a month. I'd love to be able to drop that down to $50 ($60 with a smart phone). The minutes don't matter much. I have 450 now, and I never come close to using it all. I've built up about 4000 rollover minutes that I've never even touched once.

[Snacks]

AT&T works great here. I've had it for 11 years. But with unlimited Internet, I'm paying $84 a month. I'd love to be able to drop that down to $50 ($60 with a smart phone). The minutes don't matter much. I have 450 now, and I never come close to using it all. I've built up about 4000 rollover minutes that I've never even touched once.

check to see if metropcs works in your are. they have the best plans, with the best rates. you cant get a smartphone with unlimited talk text and web for $50 or a regular phone with the same for $40 and no taxes!

If you like att try h2o. its great. You cant even give it a try for pretty much free. buy a sim card on ebay for $1. activate the sim and they give you $7 of free service. if it works well for you, you can either switch to a $40 plan or if you want to port your number buy another new sim and create a new acct with your ported #.

heres h2os gsm site they also have cdma. if you go with the sim card you can use any unlocked phone or any att phone!
https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=index

[PapaBear]

I'll definitely look into that. Especially since my ATT phone is only a couple of months old.

EDIT: Their stupid map doesn't zoom into specific areas. I'll have to try that card and $7 of service idea.

[Snacks]

I dont know if this is the right place to ask this but I figured I would.

I bought a eReader and wanted to know if i could use 1 of my extra left over plugs from other devices to charge it. I always keep some old ac plug when i throw away old electronics just in case. Well 3 of the plugs I have laying around fit into the reader and they all show that the reader is charging. My biggest concern is it will burn out the battery, or ruin it some way.

The charger that came with it says input 100-240v 50-60hz output 12v

the other chargers say as follows.

1) input 100 - 220v output dc 5v-11v
2) input ac 120v 60hz 6.5w output 3vdc 100ma
3) input ac 117v 60hz 7.5w output dc 9v 400ma

Like I said every one worked and seems to charge the reader. I didnt leave them in long enough to see if any got hot. I want to use one of them (the 1st one mainly) as a charger for travel and leave the main one at home.

If anyone knows anything about plugs let me know if its safe, if it would ruin it or cause a fire etc?

[PapaBear]

I don't know about ereaders, but I once tried to use a "seemingly" compatible cable to charge a Blackberry phone. It said it was charging, but when I checked it hours later, the phone wasn't charged at all. It didn't damage it, though.

[biggestmexi]

I dont know if this is the right place to ask this but I figured I would.

I bought a eReader and wanted to know if i could use 1 of my extra left over plugs from other devices to charge it. I always keep some old ac plug when i throw away old electronics just in case. Well 3 of the plugs I have laying around fit into the reader and they all show that the reader is charging. My biggest concern is it will burn out the battery, or ruin it some way.

The charger that came with it says input 100-240v 50-60hz output 12v

the other chargers say as follows.

1) input 100 - 220v output dc 5v-11v
2) input ac 120v 60hz 6.5w output 3vdc 100ma
3) input ac 117v 60hz 7.5w output dc 9v 400ma

Like I said every one worked and seems to charge the reader. I didnt leave them in long enough to see if any got hot. I want to use one of them (the 1st one mainly) as a charger for travel and leave the main one at home.

If anyone knows anything about plugs let me know if its safe, if it would ruin it or cause a fire etc?

you should match the ma on the chargers.

Also the fact that you have 5-11v, will mean it will charge considerably slower.

I would NOT recommend doing this, but if your in a pinch you could.

[Snacks]

you should match the ma on the chargers.

Also the fact that you have 5-11v, will mean it will charge considerably slower.

I would NOT recommend doing this, but if your in a pinch you could.

Im not too worried about it being slower since it would only be used when on vacations or maybe when needed in a pinch etc.

I just dont want it to damage it. So would any of them damage it, do you recommend any of them more then the other?

[biggestmexi]

Im not too worried about it being slower since it would only be used when on vacations or maybe when needed in a pinch etc.

I just dont want it to damage it. So would any of them damage it, do you recommend any of them more then the other?

I will not recommend any of them.

But Id use the first one.

[Snacks]

I will not recommend any of them.

But Id use the first one.

lol thanks!

[Snacks]

How do you create a password or change a password for a wireless router/modem?

My brothers router/modem isnt secure so I want to make it password protected. While Im at it 1 of my friends has a router/modem that is password protected but the password came with the unit. He asked me how to change the password to something he created rather then looking on the bottom of the router every time he needs the password!

[zentraed]

How do you create a password or change a password for a wireless router/modem?

My brothers router/modem isnt secure so I want to make it password protected. While Im at it 1 of my friends has a router/modem that is password protected but the password came with the unit. He asked me how to change the password to something he created rather then looking on the bottom of the router every time he needs the password!

You need to connect to the router's configuration page. If you left everything as default, it's probably located at http://192.168.0.1 . Just type that into the web browser of a computer on the network. You may have to be directly plugged into the router for that to work (depends on the brand).

Once you're in there, you can make any changes you want, including password and WiFi security settings.

[Snacks]

You need to connect to the router's configuration page. If you left everything as default, it's probably located at http://192.168.0.1 . Just type that into the web browser of a computer on the network. You may have to be directly plugged into the router for that to work (depends on the brand).

Once you're in there, you can make any changes you want, including password and WiFi security settings.

yeah that let was it but i was 1.1 not 0.1! thanks!

i was able to change the ssid with no problem but how do i change the wep password? it said it need hex key. whats the difference between a hex and ascii?

i just want to be able to use a word or a word with numbers as a password!

[Snacks]

I switched from WEP to WPA2 which allowed me you use any combination of letters, numbers words etc. Should that be ok, any thing I should look into or change etc?

[KnoxHarrington]

I switched from WEP to WPA2 which allowed me you use any combination of letters, numbers words etc. Should that be ok, any thing I should look into or change etc?

WPA2 is far superior to WEP in many ways -- being able to use real words for your password is only part of it. WEP can be cracked. WPA2 can't be cracked by anyone you could keep out of your system anyway.

You might want to consider not broadcasting your SSID. That way, it doesn't show up if some random scumbag is looking for a network. You'll have to enter the network name as well as the password when you connect, but that's easy.

[Snacks]

WPA2 is far superior to WEP in many ways -- being able to use real words for your password is only part of it. WEP can be cracked. WPA2 can't be cracked by anyone you could keep out of your system anyway.

You might want to consider not broadcasting your SSID. That way, it doesn't show up if some random scumbag is looking for a network. You'll have to enter the network name as well as the password when you connect, but that's easy.

what do you have to do to not show your ssid? how would you even find your network when adding a computer if you can see it?

when i look at the available networks on my computer, mine is 1 of like 10!

[Snacks]

ok so I was able to change everything nice but something weird happened today, maybe one of you can tell me why this happened.

lets say we named the networks "Snacks" everything worked fine then today it seemed to be a little slower then normal so i unplugged the router like i have done in the past. when it reconnected me my network now says "Snacks 2". all of our computers reconnected with no problems but why does it now say snacks 2 on our computers yet when you look up the router it just says snacks?

[biggestmexi]

ok so I was able to change everything nice but something weird happened today, maybe one of you can tell me why this happened.

lets say we named the networks "Snacks" everything worked fine then today it seemed to be a little slower then normal so i unplugged the router like i have done in the past. when it reconnected me my network now says "Snacks 2". all of our computers reconnected with no problems but why does it now say snacks 2 on our computers yet when you look up the router it just says snacks?

maybe something in the router changed, number wise.
every time i tether mt droid x to my laptop it adds a number. i have to go through and delete them, but ive been up to 20= before.

[Snacks]

maybe something in the router changed, number wise.
every time i tether mt droid x to my laptop it adds a number. i have to go through and delete them, but ive been up to 20= before.

and how did you do that? i went back into the router settings and nothing changed. is it something i need to change on my computer?

in all the years i have used this router not once did it add a number after unplugging to reset the router. seems odd!

[KnoxHarrington]

and how did you do that? i went back into the router settings and nothing changed. is it something i need to change on my computer?

in all the years i have used this router not once did it add a number after unplugging to reset the router. seems odd!

I think Windows does that sometimes...if the connection is interrupted in some way, it creates a new connection type and gives it another number. If everything's working, don't worry about it.

[Chigworthy]

and how did you do that? i went back into the router settings and nothing changed. is it something i need to change on my computer?

in all the years i have used this router not once did it add a number after unplugging to reset the router. seems odd!

Go to your wireless networks manager on your computer and delete all the old connections. I've heard this can lead to a better wi-fi experience, but not for me. I'm on my third router and both of our laptops will still drop the connection on a regular basis. Wi-fi is designed to make me miserable.

[disneyspy]

Go to your wireless networks manager on your computer and delete all the old connections. I've heard this can lead to a better wi-fi experience, but not for me. I'm on my third router and both of our laptops will still drop the connection on a regular basis. Wi-fi is designed to make me miserable.

i have a belkin and once a week i have to unplug (count to 10) and plug that stupid bitch back in

[Snacks]

i have a belkin and once a week i have to unplug (count to 10) and plug that stupid bitch back in

I have always had to do this. I learned this a long time ago when wireless 1st came out and it has always worked. I just dont get why it stays 2 next to my connected network on my computer yet the network itself doesnt and is as it should be?!

[disneyspy]

i just got a new dell tower w/ windows 7,i cant get my new projector to see it,it will see my lappy when i connect to VGA but not the tower,all i can get it to see is the s-video,any ideas of what i can try?

[StanUpshaw]

I bet Mexi will know.

[disneyspy]

its not a droid

[disneyspy]

i got it,tanx for nutin

[OGC]

I'm looking to get an external hard drive in the 2TB range. I'm expecting to pay around $100-$200. Does any one have any recommendations either for or against brands ?

[Snacks]

I'm looking to get an external hard drive in the 2TB range. I'm expecting to pay around $100-$200. Does any one have any recommendations either for or against brands ?

http://www.buy.com/prod/fantom-drives-greendrive-2tb-esata-usb-2-0-32mb-cache-external-hard/q/loc/101/215776019.html

[StanUpshaw]

I just got this one for $90, and it's been decent so far.

It was annoyingly formatted as FAT32 out of the box, but it was no big deal to change it on Vista, even after I had several hundred gigs on it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145326

[OGC]

http://www.buy.com/prod/fantom-drives-greendrive-2tb-esata-usb-2-0-32mb-cache-external-hard/q/loc/101/215776019.html

Do you have one of these ? Does it have the "auto-on" feature when you connect it to the computer ?

[Snacks]

Do you have one of these ? Does it have the "auto-on" feature when you connect it to the computer ?

i dont my cousin does. i just asked him and he had no idea what that is. it has an on/off switch and it is plug and play!

[biggestmexi]

i got a western digital 2tb during black friday.

It is an actual drive, one of there good ones too.

it works great.

[OGC]

i dont my cousin does. i just asked him and he had no idea what that is. it has an on/off switch and it is plug and play!


What I mean is that the hard drive powers itself on when you connect it to the computer. When you unplug the usb cable, it powers itself off.

My guess is that if it has an on/off switch, it doesn't have the auto on/off feature I was asking about.

[OGC]

i got a western digital 2tb during black friday.

It is an actual drive, one of there good ones too.

it works great.

Got a link ?

[Snacks]

the built in mouse on laptop isnt working properly. its a hp laptop and has one of those buttons that you press to turn the mouse on or off. it also has a scroll line built in. well the button no longer seems to be turning it off because it stays on no matter whats pressed even though the power color does change. the built in scroll also isnt working. any clues?

i looked at the devices but my regular usb mouse shows up but i dont know what this is called or how to fix the problems.

[PapaBear]

I believe it's called a touchpad. And from my limited experience, when it doesn't work, you're probably screwed. But I don't really know a lot about laptops. I've seen a couple go bad, and none were driver issues.

[Snacks]

I believe it's called a touchpad. And from my limited experience, when it doesn't work, you're probably screwed. But I don't really know a lot about laptops. I've seen a couple go bad, and none were driver issues.

lol you know whats funny. i updated the drivers for every mouse that seemed to have a driver on the computer like an hour ago, nothing worked. I just did a restart and everything is back to working! Technology is odd sometimes.

[PapaBear]

lol you know whats funny. i updated the drivers for every mouse that seemed to have a driver on the computer like an hour ago, nothing worked. I just did a restart and everything is back to working! Technology is odd sometimes.
You're wrong. It doesn't work. You're doomed. YOU'RE IN DENIAL!

[Snacks]

You're wrong. It doesn't work. You're doomed. YOU'RE IN DENIAL!

Its working a I write this! Unless its playing a mind trick on me!

[jonyrotn]

Why does my smart phone get such a kick out of making me feel so stupid? Not for nothin' but if I catch that cocky little fucker looking down its nose at me one more time I'm gonna Control, Alt, Delete the shit out of that condensing little prick..I'll do some "check out the brain on Brad" type shit! Like a fat black lady, "oh no child..I'm not the one!"...

[PapaBear]

Why does my smart phone get such a kick out of making me feel so stupid? Not for nothin' but if I catch that cocky little fucker looking down its nose at me one more time I'm gonna Control, Alt, Delete the shit out of that condensing little prick..I'll do some "check out the brain on Brad" type shit! Like a fat black lady, "oh no child..I'm not the one!"...
This is weird. Not 15 seconds before I read your post, one of my daughter's friends posted on her facebook page that his smart phone was smarter than him.

[StanUpshaw]

Why does Seagate produce such amazingly shitty products?

I don't think I've ever retired a Seagate drive. Every one I have ever bought has shit the bed.

[Jayw]

I am about to freak the fuck out. I reformatted my computer today and it is a fucking nightmare. Usually it takes 3-4 hours but something has gone horribly wrong.

I finally fixed all the driver errors.... But now during web browsing or doing anything the screen freezes and goes black (no blue screen just straight to fuckville). I have been on now fine for about 15 minutes. Something just doesn't seem right like everything is slower too. I think it might have something to do with my vid card, because that shit took forever to get the driver installed right. P.S. never buy an ATI videocard ever.

I am fucking pissed I reformatted because one of my accounts was compromised due most likely to a key logger. I use to be able to keep my computer on for ever and have no freezes with so much bullshit in the background. Now I have barely anything and the shit is freezing up for no reason. fuck this fucking bullshit.

Guess I don't have a question unless someone can solve why my comp is locking up for no apparent reason.

[PapaBear]

Though you are using a video card, does your mobo have integrated video available? If so, take out the card and see if you still have the same problem.

[Jayw]

I wish it did papa. The problem is I got a dell so it is hard to just swap in a new video card to trouble shoot these things. They make it so specific to the build you order you can't add things like an extra hard drive or new video card without buying a new power supply to power them.

I have another spare tower by my main tower right now just to power my back up hard drive.

Things are going smoother now, comp has been on for about 45 minutes while I am surfing and what not. Rage level has been deescalated.

[JPMNICK]

I am about to freak the fuck out. I reformatted my computer today and it is a fucking nightmare. Usually it takes 3-4 hours but something has gone horribly wrong.

I finally fixed all the driver errors.... But now during web browsing or doing anything the screen freezes and goes black (no blue screen just straight to fuckville). I have been on now fine for about 15 minutes. Something just doesn't seem right like everything is slower too. I think it might have something to do with my vid card, because that shit took forever to get the driver installed right. P.S. never buy an ATI videocard ever.

I am fucking pissed I reformatted because one of my accounts was compromised due most likely to a key logger. I use to be able to keep my computer on for ever and have no freezes with so much bullshit in the background. Now I have barely anything and the shit is freezing up for no reason. fuck this fucking bullshit.

Guess I don't have a question unless someone can solve why my comp is locking up for no apparent reason.

did you do a low level format when you reinstalled?

[PapaBear]

Speaking of Dell... I reformatted a Dell laptop for a friend last night. I had the discs, but this is one of the most annoying set of discs, I've ever dealt with. It had the OS on the format disc, but all of the extra programs were on their own individual discs. Very annoying.

[Jayw]

Of course after I typed that post it froze, but at least this time it gave me a blue screen.

My idea that it was the video card was confirmed. It said that ATI2DVAG was the problem. And said that it was either the device or the driver that is causing the system to hang and go on an infinite loop.

I thought I fixed the problem earlier. The card has been through a lot maybe it is just old and beat down.

Really don't want to spend money but I might need to just get a cheap vid card that fits this Dell sigh.

[Jayw]

did you do a low level format when you reinstalled?

I booted up with the xp disc and did the full format, took 45+min .

There were two options a quick and the other one. I did the other one.

[PapaBear]

I recommend Newegg.com, if you need to get a new one. They are cheap, realiable, and even the free shipping is pretty damn quick. Especially if you live near NJ, where most of their stuff ships from.

[Jayw]

Ya I use newegg a lot, love it. I am going to give this new store by me a shot its called micro center they have a lot of cheap stuff, plus I can return it easily if it doesn't fit in this wack ass dell.

But I'll be fucking with it all night hopefully I can figure this out without having to buy anything or reinstall all this stuff again.

[Snacks]

Speaking of Dell... I reformatted a Dell laptop for a friend last night. I had the discs, but this is one of the most annoying set of discs, I've ever dealt with. It had the OS on the format disc, but all of the extra programs were on their own individual discs. Very annoying.

Was it an older dell? I absolutely hate restoring dells. They suck balls even with the discs. They make you still search fro certain drivers and it still doesnt seem to work properly!

[Snacks]

Ya I use newegg a lot, love it. I am going to give this new store by me a shot its called micro center they have a lot of cheap stuff, plus I can return it easily if it doesn't fit in this wack ass dell.

But I'll be fucking with it all night hopefully I can figure this out without having to buy anything or reinstall all this stuff again.

Why not bring the computer with you and see what they have that fits so you dont need to make multiple trips? How old is that dell? Is it a laptop or desktop? You said it was XP? You might be able to sell it on ebay for parts and use that money and the money for the video card to buy a new computer!

[PapaBear]

Was it an older dell? I absolutely hate restoring dells. They suck balls even with the discs. They make you still search fro certain drivers and it still doesnt seem to work properly!
I think it's from 2008, so it's not terribly old. I did restore a couple of older Dell laptops over the last couple of years where I had to order the restore disc (XP Home). Those sound like what you're talking about. I had serious issues trying to get those to work. I had to get drivers using an other comp, then put them on the Dell, just to get it connected to the Internet, so I could get the rest of the drivers. Major pain in the ass.

[Snacks]

I think it's from 2008, so it's not terribly old. I did restore a couple of older Dell laptops over the last couple of years where I had to order the restore disc (XP Home). Those sound like what you're talking about. I had serious issues trying to get those to work. I had to get drivers using an other comp, then put them on the Dell, just to get it connected to the Internet, so I could get the rest of the drivers. Major pain in the ass.

exactly. after the disaster of doing the first one I would download the drivers first and put them on a thumb drive and then once the restore was complete I would have all the drivers ready to go!

[Jayw]

Why not bring the computer with you and see what they have that fits so you dont need to make multiple trips? How old is that dell? Is it a laptop or desktop? You said it was XP? You might be able to sell it on ebay for parts and use that money and the money for the video card to buy a new computer!

It is about a 2007 I think. It came with vista I just prefer to run XP because it is fast. I prefer speed over anything fancy. Looking into this ATI2dvag problem it runs deep. I am scared.

http://www.modernstreet.com/general/ati2dvag-problem/

[Snacks]

It is about a 2007 I think. It came with vista I just prefer to run XP because it is fast. I prefer speed over anything fancy. Looking into this ATI2dvag problem it runs deep. I am scared.

http://www.modernstreet.com/general/ati2dvag-problem/

yeah that doesnt sound fun.

I hated vista but love 7. If you need a new one dont think of 7 as you did of the shitty Vista. I loved XP, it was my fav OS but 7 has become my favorite OS of all the windows OS.

[Jayw]

yeah that doesnt sound fun.

I hated vista but love 7. If you need a new one dont think of 7 as you did of the shitty Vista. I loved XP, it was my fav OS but 7 has become my favorite OS of all the windows OS.

It might be time for me to update. I used 7 on campus it was good. I should have bought it from the bookstore before I graduated they had a killer student discount.

[Snacks]

It might be time for me to update. I used 7 on campus it was good. I should have bought it from the bookstore before I graduated they had a killer student discount.

Just do it, I dont think you will regret it. The only regret might be you didnt buy one about a month to 6 weeks ago. They had some great sales on laptops. If youre going to build one get one with usb 3.0. Im starting to see lots of items that are 3.0 which means by summer everything will be only 3.0!