I'd guess there was no malware. I'd suggest that I/O errors caused corrupted data and the symptoms of malware.

thanks. Posted it (its on another geek forum and nobody else is helping the poor guy) and just waiting for person to get on.

If you have faulty hardware (not know it) and you run a stress test on it, can it kill the bad hardware? Google just got me a bunch of people asking for stress test utilities or asking if they have to.

If it does then good riddance to it, I suppose.

BTW, thermal transfer grease is sometimes not applied well or can dry out. This would be an unfortunate but avoidable death while stress testing.

On my new computer every once in a while turning it on, it'll just reboot once I log into windows. It hasn't been putting that send windows the error report thing until it just did it now. Of course that error report is useless to me, so what good is it. Could it be a hardware issue or maybe something wrong with windows?

On my new computer every once in a while turning it on, it'll just reboot once I log into windows. It hasn't been putting that send windows the error report thing until it just did it now. Of course that error report is useless to me, so what good is it. Could it be a hardware issue or maybe something wrong with windows?

Could be a driver issue. On the old DOS-based Windows, if you had a driver problem you'd probably get the Blue Screen of Death, but NT-based Windows will just reboot. I know there's a way to disable the automatic reboot, but I can't remember how to do it.

Try looking at the crash dumps -- or if you have no idea what I'm talking about, use this (http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed).

I have a corded, optical Logitech mouse, connected through USB port (about 1,5 years old) that has so far served me faithfully.
Few days ago it started to misbehave: i.e. it freezes, in which case the only cure seems to be disconnecting it from port and reconnecting again. This has so far always worked, while simple yanking/adjusting the connection never has.
However, it is happening at intervals of 15-60 minutes and crawling under the table every so often has become kind of annoying.

What the hell is broken? The mouse? The port? Should I try to clean them somehow?
:confused:

I have a corded, optical Logitech mouse, connected through USB port (about 1,5 years old) that has so far served me faithfully.
Few days ago it started to misbehave: i.e. it freezes, in which case the only cure seems to be disconnecting it from port and reconnecting again. This has so far always worked, while simple yanking/adjusting the connection never has.
However, it is happening at intervals of 15-60 minutes and crawling under the table every so often has become kind of annoying.

What the hell is broken? The mouse? The port? Should I try to clean them somehow?
:confused:

Does the light go out on it?

Also, have you tried another port?

Yes and yes. It still happens with another port, so it seems to be mouse's problem. It also randomly makes the "USB device (un)connected sounds, but does not necessarily freeze then.
Time to buy another mouse? :hmm:

EDIT: Well, it's becoming rampant.:mad:

I'd recommend getting another mouse. They're cheap, anyways.

Noob question: What does RMA stand for? I know it means returning it, but when I googled it for the meaning I got stuff on risk management association or rubber manufacturers.

Return Merchandise Authorization

Yes and yes. It still happens with another port, so it seems to be mouse's problem. It also randomly makes the "USB device (un)connected sounds, but does not necessarily freeze then.
Time to buy another mouse? :hmm:

EDIT: Well, it's becoming rampant.:mad:

Check drivers too. Maybe something went wonky.
Do any other USB devices do similar things in that specific USB port? Have you tried other USB ports?

Could it be a hardware issue or maybe something wrong with windows?
Yes and yes. If it always happens at the same point, it is more likely to be an issue with windows. Overheating and faulty RAM are hardware possibilities.

I have a corded, optical Logitech mouse,
I would initially suspect that either windows has become busy with some process lately, or your cord has become frayed internally.

Yes and yes. If it always happens at the same point, it is more likely to be an issue with windows. Overheating and faulty RAM are hardware possibilities.

Yeah, happened again just now after turning the computer on and first logging into windows, rebooted right away. Sending the error report, windows said it was due to a driver or hardware issue, but that doesn't make sense to me unless it's the hard drive hitting an error right at that spot.

Also, what mhz should pc 1333 RAM be running at? I thought it'd be 1333 but my RAM is only at 666mhz.

Yeah, happened again just now after turning the computer on and first logging into windows, rebooted right away. Sending the error report, windows said it was due to a driver or hardware issue, but that doesn't make sense to me unless it's the hard drive hitting an error right at that spot.

Not to alarm you but it can't hurt to do a backup. Did you try the program I sent? WhoCrashed. It'll take the crash dumps and tell you what happened.

Also, what mhz should pc 1333 RAM be running at? I thought it'd be 1333 but my RAM is only at 666mhz.

If its DDR2, then thats correct. its showing the SDR speed which you double to get your effective speed.

it'd DDR3.

Yeah, happened again just now after turning the computer on and first logging into windows, rebooted right away.
I'd probably reseat the RAM and try again (check for excess dust while you're there). If no, swap the RAM sticks with each other and try again. You may also want or need to reinstall windows, which wouldn't be a bad next step.

I just bought a second monitor, and want to play civ on it, while i use msn & the web on the other.

but.. whenever I click on anything on the other monitor (be it a web browser, my desktop, a msn chat window), civ minimizes. How can I get it to stop doing that?

My primary monitor is a 24 inch samsung syncmaster T240 (the one i want civ running on), and my desktop extends onto a 20 inch viewsonic.

Any help?

edit: my video card is a geforce 8800gts 512

edit2: now it isn't even letting me move the mouse past the "civ screen boundary" (aka, the primary monitor) if i have civ maximized on it. ie. i can't move my cursor onto my second monitor anymore, unless i alt-tab out

edit3: running windows xp

I just bought a second monitor, and want to play civ on it, while i use msn & the web on the other.

but.. whenever I click on anything on the other monitor (be it a web browser, my desktop, a msn chat window), civ minimizes. How can I get it to stop doing that?

My primary monitor is a 24 inch samsung syncmaster T240 (the one i want civ running on), and my desktop extends onto a 20 inch viewsonic.

Any help?

edit: my video card is a geforce 8800gts 512

edit2: now it isn't even letting me move the mouse past the "civ screen boundary" (aka, the primary monitor) if i have civ maximized on it. ie. i can't move my cursor onto my second monitor anymore, unless i alt-tab out

edit3: running windows xp

Windowed mode if you can.

Windowed mode if you can.

Yeah, that occured me.. but that's kinda crappy.

Surely there's a better solution?

I dont think there is. Its the way DX works. When you click outside of its window, it loses focus. Since the game is maximized, losing focus means minimizing. Some may also lock the cursor into their area which requires the use of alt-tab.

just set it to the maximal window size you can. Its really not that bad.

Yeah, no way to do what you want warpus.

I've got a workaround by having my second monitor also hooked up to my laptop, so if I'm in something fullscreen, I just hit a button to swap inputs, and I can use the laptop with that monitor without losing focus on the fullscreen app.

I used to do triple screen flight simming, but I needed three computers. Actually, it was a good way to do it. ;)

I'm having a problem viewing CFC. I have Firefox, Adblock Plus, and NoScript. Up until a couple of days ago there were no problems, but Firefox and NoScript update on their own regularly. Now, I cannot click on smileys to add to a post nor can I click on the icons in the reply box for formatting or tags. Going through the menu options for NoScript I can't figure out if those are blocking me. I don't have the same problem on other forums. Ones using UBB, SMF, and PHP do not have a similar problem. I don't go to any other forum using vBulletin. Any suggestions?

I'm having a problem viewing CFC. I have Firefox, Adblock Plus, and NoScript. Up until a couple of days ago there were no problems, but Firefox and NoScript update on their own regularly. Now, I cannot click on smileys to add to a post nor can I click on the icons in the reply box for formatting or tags. Going through the menu options for NoScript I can't figure out if those are blocking me. I don't have the same problem on other forums. Ones using UBB, SMF, and PHP do not have a similar problem. I don't go to any other forum using vBulletin. Any suggestions?

Try disabling noscript.

If I allow everything on the page with NoScript, it still does not work.

If I allow everything on the page with NoScript, it still does not work.

Try ctrl-f5, and if that doesnt work, clear private data.

:eek: Thanks. that settled it. Do you know what caused it?

I have Adobe Flash Player 10, and I was wondering why is it sometimes that a frame (like for a flash game) doesn't load at times. Why does it sometimes just show a black screen?

:eek: Thanks. that settled it. Do you know what caused it?
its loading from cache and it doesnt realize that you unblocked it? its a good idea to ctrl-f5 when something isnt loading properly. ctrl-f5 forces firefox to reload the page from the server, not from cache.

My mom got me a CD drive at a yard sale for a few dollars. I found tutorials that explain how to install it. One question:

What's the worst that can happen if I install it improperly?

Edit: I'd like to know because it'd be good to install it right away, but I'm wondering if I should wait until the Vista installation CD comes in.

A cd drive? You could cause a wormhole that will cause the end of the milky way galaxy and the ascendancy of Andromeda.


Or nothing, as long as you don't jam the wrong power cord in it and maybe fry something that way, nothing can go wrong.

LOL, thank you.

Really, it's a simple piece of hardware. You screw it into the drivebay, plug in the IDE cable, plug in the power card, done. I don't think cd drives need drivers or anything, I think that's just DVD drives.

If it was a DVD drive (I think it is, I don't know why I said CD drive) wouldn't it kick in automatically on bootup? Hold on, I'll grab the box.

EDIT: DVD-RW drive. There's no CD in the box, unless mom took it out without me knowing.

ANOTHER EDIT: She didn't.

It'll work, but you may need some drivers. My new computer my drive works fine, only drivers it came with that I haven't installed are for lightscribe and the writing abilities.

You won't need drivers for a CD or DVD just to get it to read or write discs. Your BIOS will find it (if you haven't set it to manual).

Pin number one (red trace) on the left with the drive door facing you. If your system has a free IDE socket and you have a free cable then it should be straightforward.

Thanks.

Question: I felt like installing a game. So I put the CD in and it goes along fine until one file, where it always freezes up then gives me a copy error. I took the CD out and noticed a very tiny scratch. Is there any way to do it? I've thought of copying it to HDD then installing but dunno how the DRM would cooperate.

It's Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002.

Edit: Googled. the copyprotection is SafeDisc.

Another Edit: Damn! The Sound.cab file won't copy.

If you try to copy it to the HDD won't you get the same issue when you get to that file?

Anyway, IIRC you don't need the CD to play.

I can't even install the thing.

I tried free flight simulators (e.g. FlightGear) but I can't even get them to work.

Another question: If you disable access to IE on your computer (I think you can in the Program Defaults), would that prevent programs from taking advantage of exploits (better security)?

edit: On moms computer, the mobo beeps when accessing the A (floppy) drive. Why?

Trillian Issues.

I'm using Trillian Basic 3. I signed in but all my contacts are orphaned, and after re-adding each of them to my account, they're all still offline. I tried signing in via Yahoo! Messenger, and a lot are online, so I'm guessing it's a Trillian issue. What's happening and how can I fix this?

Another question: If you disable access to IE on your computer (I think you can in the Program Defaults), would that prevent programs from taking advantage of exploits (better security)?

It doesn't actually remove IE - it just removes access to it from the Start Menu. You can see that this is the case by going to Run and typing in iexplore and hitting enter - you're still able to access IE even though it's "disabled". So you will essentially have the same level of security as if you still had IE "enabled" but just never used it. In other words, no, it doesn't provide better security, assuming you don't use IE anyways.

Now, in Windows 7, you will be able to disable IE entirely so that it cannot be accessed. This should, theoretically, provide somewhat better security, although if Windows Explorer still has Internet abilities even with IE disabled that may not be the case. But that's still off in the future. For now, you can't totally disable IE.

Sorry, that's the only one of the recent questions I'm able to answer. Good luck with the others.

Another question: If you disable access to IE on your computer (I think you can in the Program Defaults), would that prevent programs from taking advantage of exploits (better security)?

Sure, but the same thing is applicable to any browser.

Just keep IE updated, and don't worry about it.

Trillian Issues.

I'm using Trillian Basic 3. I signed in but all my contacts are orphaned, and after re-adding each of them to my account, they're all still offline. I tried signing in via Yahoo! Messenger, and a lot are online, so I'm guessing it's a Trillian issue. What's happening and how can I fix this?

Trillian 3 is ancient and has issues with pretty much all the protocols now, probably best bet is to use a different IM client.

FWIW, I've tried pretty much everything available, and have been unable to find a satisfactory IM client. :(

Trillian 3 is ancient and has issues with pretty much all the protocols now, probably best bet is to use a different IM client.

FWIW, I've tried pretty much everything available, and have been unable to find a satisfactory IM client. :(

But I don't want a different client :cry: Trillian was made for me, it's so tidy and compact and clean.

The problem was somehow fixed after an hour and a half trying, but I don't know what I did that actually fixed it. Does anyone know if it's worth going pro with Trillian?

Is the Pro version newer?

Edit: Or updated more often? It submitted before I was finished :hmm:

Is the Pro version newer?

Edit: Or updated more often? It submitted before I was finished :hmm:

No, versions are exactly the same between the two, Pro just has more features.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_instant_messaging_clients

For some reason in Opera whenever I click on any link to go back to the sub forum from a thread, it does NOT show that the thread has been read and I have to refresh the page, every single bloody time. Sometimes when I open a thread I have to refresh to see the latest posts too, and for a long time even to see my newest post! I've cleared the cache and cookies but nothing works.

One problem thouhh is that there seems to be n way to delete every cookie at once, they seem to have to be deleted one at a time.

EDIT: And it's getting incredibly annoying. Even a DL speed of 660kbs (twice what I had before I moved) is not helping reduce the annoyingness.

Can games use overlays?

I tried making a screenshot of a game, and it gave me the characteristic black screen. Then I did something that the game didn't account for and there was a CtD. Tip: Riding a horse vertically up a cliff is not going to work.

Also, what exactly are overlays and why do they always give a black image? I googled it and got something about not using the PCI bus, but I'm sorta confused.

i've downloaded a mod for a game (specifically operation anubis for battlefield 1942) but the mod says it cant download because I don't have version 1.45 of bf42 and I have to update. However, I already have version 1.61, and can't really go backwards. now what?

Assuming it will work, can you go to the mod's home site and learn how to insert it manually?

I think some addons have an INI file or something saying what version it'll work on. is there anything and can you change it?

Does anybody know of a multi-IM program which has Yahoo Messenger Photo Sharing? That's the only feature of YIM that's keeping me from switching.

For some reason in Opera whenever I click on any link to go back to the sub forum from a thread, it does NOT show that the thread has been read and I have to refresh the page, every single bloody time. Sometimes when I open a thread I have to refresh to see the latest posts too, and for a long time even to see my newest post! I've cleared the cache and cookies but nothing works.

One problem thouhh is that there seems to be n way to delete every cookie at once, they seem to have to be deleted one at a time.

EDIT: And it's getting incredibly annoying. Even a DL speed of 660kbs (twice what I had before I moved) is not helping reduce the annoyingness.

Tools > Preferences > Advanced > History > Check Documents should be set to Always

The problem is that its downloaded as an installer application, and I can't find any other way to get it.

The problem is that its downloaded as an installer application, and I can't find any other way to get it.

Try this:
http://legroom.net/software/uniextract

I use it quite a bit. Last I checked, it was malware-free, do a scan anyways.

Tools > Preferences > Advanced > History > Check Documents should be set to Always

Thanks!:goodjob:

Any idea why a game would crash on Vista every time the horse runs into something? Never happened on XP. Haven't tried administrator mode.

Try moving the pc out of the horse's way?

Edit: Seriously, it is not a very good question. At the very least, you need to tell us the name of the game...

Sorry. Another horse game, I mean. It's called "Let's Ride!: Friends Forever." It shames me to say this.

Any idea why a game would crash

The game sucks.

Or they kept it within budget.

Or they kept it within budget.

So keeping a game under budget by leaving game-stopping bugs makes it not suck?

My stupid internet is being inexplicably slow, and that stupid online speed test (http://www.speedtest.net/) lies about how fast it is.

Its taking it 25+ minutes to load a 5 minute youtube video.

Ideas? Calling my ISP would just result in "restart your router!", "our speed test says your connection is fine!" and other such evil lies.

If it makes a difference, it seems to be sporadic... it will run like normal, then slow wayyyyyy down for a minute or two, then run normal again, etc.

You running wireless? Restarting everything actually does help.

Fixed it! Stupid roommate was DLing stupid torrents which slows down our stupid wireless for some stupid reason.

Fixed it! Stupid roommate was DLing stupid torrents which slows down our stupid wireless for some stupid reason.

The reason is each task that accesses your internet portal, usually splits the signal equally. So if you have a 500 abajaba line, and you're doing two downloading tasks at once, each will download at 250 abajaba speed, usually. Uploading and Downloading won't affected each other, usually, though.

So keeping a game under budget by leaving game-stopping bugs makes it not suck?

It still sucks. But if the publisher wants it out in a month and refuses to hand over any more money to hire more programmers or something, that leaves them not much of a choice.

I tried compatibility mode -- no luck. So I'm trying settings. There's two options called 16 Bit Mode and Layer Off, but I don't know what they mean.

Edit: I checked the support site. Told me to update the video drivers. THEY ARE CURRENT!!!! :mad: There's no way to contact them either.

If I was downloading a .wmv file, and it crashed (at some 99.8%) and I can't reach the source any more, is there any way I can watch what has been downloaded already, or is there no way to "cut the file short" if there's a final 0.2% missing?

VLC has a reputation to be able to play broken files. I don't know about WMV, but can't hurt to try.

If I was downloading a .wmv file, and it crashed (at some 99.8%) and I can't reach the source any more, is there any way I can watch what has been downloaded already, or is there no way to "cut the file short" if there's a final 0.2% missing?

VLC has a reputation to be able to play broken files. I don't know about WMV, but can't hurt to try.

Depending on how it was downloaded, aimee may be right. But if it was using FireFox, which uses .part files, you're gonna need a way to merge the part files. I dont think such a way really exists.

Can you have both Adobe Flash Player and Macromedia Flash Player? Or would the two conflict with each other?

Can you have both Adobe Flash Player and Macromedia Flash Player? Or would the two conflict with each other?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Flash

They're different versions.

Depending on how it was downloaded, aimee may be right. But if it was using FireFox, which uses .part files, you're gonna need a way to merge the part files. I dont think such a way really exists.

Dang, I thought the .part files were a Windows thing.

Depending on how it was downloaded, aimee may be right. But if it was using FireFox, which uses .part files, you're gonna need a way to merge the part files. I dont think such a way really exists.

No, I was using uTorrent, and the file I was using is not up any more... I tried loading the file in some media-players, they all recognized it, but couldn't play it (didn't show its length, and as such the "play" button did nothing, and neither did the progress slider).

Question: I installed a few older games on Vista and found they're more compatible here than on my XP box! But the thing is, when the resolution is very small, Vista turns it into a window. Is this standard? I like it, doesn't pixellate.

Is windows 7 gonna use that same horrible interface and such as vista?

Is windows 7 gonna use that same horrible interface and such as vista?
IDK what is so bad about it?

7:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Windows_7.png

It's hideous for one. It's inefficient.

It's hideous for one. It's inefficient.

1. You can go back to the Windows 2000 look in about 10 seconds.

2. Once you disable the window and toolbar animations and sliding effects, how is it inefficient?

I need some help with my laptop. It's about four years old and it constantly overheats and shuts itself down. I try to run very few programs, and I'm not doing anything that sophisticated so that shouldn't be a problem. I clean the thing out with compressed air periodically so I don't think that's it either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I need some help with my laptop. It's about four years old and it constantly overheats and shuts itself down. I try to run very few programs, and I'm not doing anything that sophisticated so that shouldn't be a problem. I clean the thing out with compressed air periodically so I don't think that's it either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Buy a cooling pad (should be less than $40).

Or buy a new laptop.

Buy a cooling pad (should be less than $40).

Or buy a new laptop.

I forgot to mention that it's already on a cooling pad. Sorry...

As for buying a new one, believe me; if I had the cash I would've already done so.

Not much else you can do then.

FWIW, fanless netbooks are real cheap, and I'd consider pretty much anything that doesn't randomly shut down an improvement over something that does.

My former roommate placed bags of frozen vegetables under his laptop to keep it from shutting down when he was playing games.

If you feel like risking it, crack it open, pull off all the heatsinks, reapply thermal paste and put them back on ( make sure to clean all surfaces of the old stuff before). If you havent done this in several years, the thermal paste in there is likely dried out.

If you feel like risking it, crack it open, pull off all the heatsinks, reapply thermal paste and put them back on ( make sure to clean all surfaces of the old stuff before). If you havent done this in several years, the thermal paste in there is likely dried out.

Blow out the heatsinks and fans with some compressed air, too. These can clog up and even doing this alone can help cool the laptop down.

Blow out the heatsinks and fans with some compressed air, too. These can clog up and even doing this alone can help cool the laptop down.

I need some help with my laptop. It's about four years old and it constantly overheats and shuts itself down. I try to run very few programs, and I'm not doing anything that sophisticated so that shouldn't be a problem. I clean the thing out with compressed air periodically so I don't think that's it either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

need i say more? :p

You and I both know that if you're cracking the case and taking the heatsinks out, blowing them out there will be much more effective than trying to blow them out while they're still inside the machine. ;)

Question: Is there any way to get Unicode binaries to work on Windows 9x? Just curious. I googled it and got a bunch of stuff on "Unicode handling Wstring Win95/98 Binary", whatever that means.

Edit: Different wording in google say that 9x has a limited amount of unicode.

I'm trying to download new graphics drivers for my NVIDIA card, but the website says I have to download from "the manufacturer of this system", which I think is HP, since it is an HP Pavilion dv6815m laptop. Is that the manufacturer of the system?

Anyway, I went to the HP website to download the drivers, clicked on the "Support and drivers" tab, then the page says "step 1: start by selecting a task". When I click either option, nothing happens. what do I do?

I'm trying to download new graphics drivers for my NVIDIA card, but the website says I have to download from "the manufacturer of this system", which I think is HP, since it is an HP Pavilion dv6815m laptop. Is that the manufacturer of the system?

Anyway, I went to the HP website to download the drivers, clicked on the "Support and drivers" tab, then the page says "step 1: start by selecting a task". When I click either option, nothing happens. what do I do?

HP is the brand.

You may want to try a different browser. Some websites only like certain browsers. So if you're using Firefox/Opera/Chrome/Whatever, you may have to use (gasp!) IE.

HP is the brand.

You may want to try a different browser. Some websites only like certain browsers. So if you're using Firefox/Opera/Chrome/Whatever, you may have to use (gasp!) IE.
Ok, how do I find out who is the manufacturer of my system then?

Ok, how do I find out who is the manufacturer of my system then?

Oops, bad wording -- I should have said HP is manufacturer. :blush:

Okay, I tried IE, but it keeps saying "error on page" in the bottom left corner of the window

Now I'm stumped. Best to wait for someone else to figure it out.

If you know your exact display, you can get the drivers from the NVIDIA site. I think it'll be in the Display Properties or Device Manager or something.

Edit: On Vista, I found it under the Advanced Settings under Display Settings. In Vista, it's under Customize, in XP it's Display Properties.

Link the page you are having trouble with.

http://www.hp.com/#Support

dv6815m does not exist according to them. can you clarify that?

dv6815m does not exist according to them. can you clarify that?
Maybe it's because I got it from best buy? :dunno:

I got it about 6 - 8 months ago.

Other than that, I don't think I can clarify it. :(

I went to my system specs in the control panel, and it says the model is "HP Pavilion dv6700 Notebook PC"

I think when I saw it on best buy website, it said "HP Pavilion dv6815nr" notebook pc.

I went to my system specs in the control panel, and it says the model is "HP Pavilion dv6700 Notebook PC"

I think when I saw it on best buy website, it said "HP Pavilion dv6815nr" notebook pc.


That's what I needed. There is no "m" on the product list. Beyond that, last night when I first followed your link it worked and I was able to get through the pages and find downloads, but I didn't have your correct model number. However now I am experiencing the problem that the page gives an error and I cannot proceed. So you may have to try a number of different times before you get there.

edit, which OS are you using?

edit 2, is this the driver you need? http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_notebook_winvista64_179.48_beta.html

That's what I needed. There is no "m" on the product list. Beyond that, last night when I first followed your link it worked and I was able to get through the pages and find downloads, but I didn't have your correct model number. However now I am experiencing the problem that the page gives an error and I cannot proceed. So you may have to try a number of different times before you get there.

edit, which OS are you using?

edit 2, is this the driver you need? http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_notebook_winvista64_179.48_beta.html

I'm using Vista 32-bit, so the drivers in the link wouldn't work for me. My Graphics card is a NVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M. Another name for it is "MCP67M".

Is this the right one? http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_notebook_winvista_179.48_beta.html

Is this the right one? http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_notebook_winvista_179.48_beta.html
Thanks. I also got to the HP support page at just the right time, so I was able to download their driver.

Now, another question: How do I make room for the most possible system restore points in windows vista? And how do I save those restore points on another hard drive so they won't be deleted?

If you have a boot sector virus in your HDD, and for some reason can't get DBAN or something, can you run a strong magnet over it to remove the virus? Or would that render the HDD unusable?

You'd run the risk of magnetising parts that probably shouldn't be biased, not to mention the trouble in low level formatting. Anyway, if the drive can access the sector then so can you.

Thanks.

So I guess you can use magnets to destroy HDDs? If you took a magnet to a drive, then removed it to see the platter, would the platter be clear? I'd try for myself, but I don't have a spare drive.

It would only be clear if the substrate was clear, but you'd need one helluva magnet to clear off the platters. Technically, a strong enough magnet would be able to pull you apart too, so the point is moot.

Wow, where'd you see that, magnets ripping people apart? I tried googling it and didn't find anything.

Edit: Interesting thing I found about somebody pulling apart an old HDD to see what was inside and found rare-earth magnets.

I gave a friend a matched pair of 1" long cylindrical neodymium magnets and suggested he try to pull them apart. He snapped his finger between them badly enough to bring tears to his eyes :cry::mischief:

Wow, where'd you see that, magnets ripping people apart? I tried googling it and didn't find anything.

Edit: Interesting thing I found about somebody pulling apart an old HDD to see what was inside and found rare-earth magnets.

I never said those kinds of magnets were feasable to humanity as it stands now.

Some well-known materials that exhibit easily detectable magnetic properties (called magnets) are nickel, iron, cobalt, gadolinium and their alloys; however, all materials are influenced to greater or lesser degree by the presence of a magnetic field.

That means that theoretically, a magnet powerful enough would be able to act on the human body as those it was made of a what we would consider magnetic material.

How to seperate MSN and Games for Windows Live? Out of the box usernames are shared between both.

Fallout just arrived which adds achievements to your Live profile. So I set GFWL to remember my Live account (I have one just for Xbox Live, since I never buy MS points, the worst someone could do is buy me stuff or get me gamerscore. A tragedy...). However this changed my Windows Live Messenger settings. My WLM remembers my username but not my password or anything. Anyone to force the two to seperate so I can set GFWL to remember again?

Where's the 'Any' key? :lol:

Okay, another one -- near the print screen buttoin, there's a "Pause/Break" button. Nothing happens when I press it. Any use for it anymore? (I think it used to kill apps in DOS when they froze.)

Alright, so I'm not sure how many people read my last post about my computer randomly overheating, but I've been working at it since then and I have yet another question:

About three days ago, one of the computer fans started making this really loud and horrible rattling/buzzing noise. I looked it up and most sites said that that meant the bearing was going on it and I'd have to buy a new one. So I just acknowledged that yet another thing was wrong with it and I went on with my life. Last night I cleaned the whole laptop out with compressed air again, and while I was spraying it into one of the vents I could hear it turning the fan and making it buzz/rattle, so that settled for me that it was the fan and I'd have to replace it. Once the comp. was cleaned out I started it up, and now I can't hear anything at all. No buzzing, no rattling, it doesn't even sound like the fans are running. I have it on a cooling mat, and that's the only thing I can hear. It's been running for about ten hours now, so I don't seem to be in any danger of it overheating, but do you think that just cleaning it out solved the fan problem, or do you think the one fan just stopped working? Or could it be something else that I didn't think of?

I would change that fan. Just because you haven't overheated to the point of burnout yet does not mean that you won't at some time soon.

How do you change the speed of a case fan? Mine's running at 100% and it's really cool inside and noisy so I'd figure to change it to 80% or so. I googled and got stuff on CPU fan, but it's the case fan that's noisy. I'd rather not unplug it.

Speedfan should be able to modify it. Another way, more physical is to limit the voltage going to the fan. A fan at 12V will be faster than 5V. Id have to get back to you on how to do that, but you can start your googling there.

Where's the 'Any' key? :lol:

Okay, another one -- near the print screen buttoin, there's a "Pause/Break" button. Nothing happens when I press it. Any use for it anymore? (I think it used to kill apps in DOS when they froze.)

It kills CLI (command line interface) apps. Although in most modern OSes it's is functionally equivalent to ctrl-C at the CL. In older OSes, occasionally Break would work where ^C would not.

I looked at Speedfan and got this. What it mean?

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6940/speedfani.png

Click configure and see if you can change any settings in the fans tab.

Sadly, there's 5 fans listed and I don't know which one to change!

4 fans are at 0 rpm. Meaning probably not installed. Try the one that's turning.

while I was spraying it into one of the vents I could hear it turning the fan and making it buzz/rattle,
A fan shouldn't be turned with compressed air as this can damage the fan. Do you have any comfirmation that the fan is in fact turning now?

Do you have any comfirmation that the fan is in fact turning now?

It just kicked on as I was reading your question, so yes. I just find it odd that it was so incredibly loud and now it's almost silent.

Edit: I may just replace the thing anyways. It's acting like it's going to stop working, so I'd rather not deal with even more overheating.

I can't disagree with you changing it, that can't be a bad thing. Fans are often noisier when they are restricted due to wind velocity, bearing pressure and temperature.

Question: I found a Vista theme I like (NOT Aero), but it says to install VistaGlazz and then copy the files to a folder. But VistaGlazz isn't compatible with Home Basic. Any ideas?

P.S. This is the theme:
http://vishal-gupta.deviantart.com/art/Vista-Black-for-Vista-Basic-63288112

I followed a few links and it said either VistaGlazz or some trialware. I googled and it says VistaGlazz, VistaGlazz, VistaGlazz, etc etc.

How do I get to safe mode with networking in windows vista?

I got the Vista Theme thing figured out -- Patched the DLL's.

How do I get to safe mode with networking in windows vista?

Power off the computer. Then turn on, at the BIOS startup, it should give you two or three keys to press. Depends on the BIOS, on my old computer it was F8, I think on my new one it's either ESC or Delete. Try all of them, one of them should take you to the boot menu and you go from there.

If you press the wrong key and end up in the BIOS or recovery partition (if you have one), no sweat, just go back without saving and try again.

Linky (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm#03)

Silly question: I rebooted and then realized I left the BtS CD in. And the boot order is set to CD first. And the CD spun up, but then it just ignored it and went from the drive. How does it do that -- does it somehow detect there's no system files on it and not to bother? My old one would give me a blank screen.

For choosing Safe Mode, its always the F8 key.

CD's that you can boot off have a bootable flag/sector. The System checks for those.

When I tried pressing F8 on my new computer, nothing happened.

When I got my first computers years ago, I remember being told that it's bad to install more than one thing a day. Is this true? Or if it was, would it no longer matter much? I think it was something about the hard drive, I mean I guess I can see installing a bunch of things at once maybe causing the hard drive to get fragmented a lot, not sure about it being any kind of permanent bad damage.

Well, my guess is -- that if you install several programs, shutdown for the night and startup to find something broken, it's hard to tell which program did it.

If you do system restore points, I don't think that would be much of a problem. I never had trouble installing several things at once.


Now I'm perplexed. Not a question but just something weird:
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3112/weirdness.png
ok?

When I got my first computers years ago, I remember being told that it's bad to install more than one thing a day. Is this true? Or if it was, would it no longer matter much? I think it was something about the hard drive, I mean I guess I can see installing a bunch of things at once maybe causing the hard drive to get fragmented a lot, not sure about it being any kind of permanent bad damage.

I can't see any reason for that. Other than as Aimee mentioned if you do one thing at a time and give it a trial period, then when part of it does not work it is simpler to tell which part that is. But beyond that the computer doesn't care how much is installed at what time.

When I tried pressing F8 on my new computer, nothing happened.

A failure is you.

You pressed it at the wrong time.

No, I tried several times. Even my mom did. F8 didn't do anything.

When I got my first computers years ago, I remember being told that it's bad to install more than one thing a day. Is this true? Or if it was, would it no longer matter much? I think it was something about the hard drive, I mean I guess I can see installing a bunch of things at once maybe causing the hard drive to get fragmented a lot, not sure about it being any kind of permanent bad damage.
May have had to do with the drive getting hot. Not an issue nowadays and not an issue with the OS.
No, I tried several times. Even my mom did. F8 didn't do anything.
Wait till the black screen just comes up after the BIOS report and before the windows boot splash screen. Straight away start pressing the F8 button at the rate of three times per second. Later you'll get a feel for it.

Why isn't my iPhone charging? I've had it plugged into the laptop for about 2 hours and the battery hasn't moved, it's just keeping it at a steady, almost dead level.

Why isn't my iPhone charging? I've had it plugged into the laptop for about 2 hours and the battery hasn't moved, it's just keeping it at a steady, almost dead level.

Is it plugged in right? Damaged battery?

Another guess -- I heard in a few places that after being reliable for so many charges, it'll just quit charging. Don't know how old yours is, so might be in need of replacement. The battery, not the phone.

Nickel Cadmium or Lithium?

Edit: Never mind, I made a mistake

Why isn't my iPhone charging? I've had it plugged into the laptop for about 2 hours and the battery hasn't moved, it's just keeping it at a steady, almost dead level.

Do you have it plugged into a powered USB port? Did it use to charge on that very port before? Does the computer recognize it as plugged in? What happens if you use a different port?

Is it true that one of the best anti-viruses is common sense?

Yes, yes it is.
Get any viruses lately aimee?

Ahhh .

Yes, yes it is.
Get any viruses lately aimee?

No. On any of my computers, a grand total of one virus. Which was a rogueware.

Why isn't my iPhone charging? I've had it plugged into the laptop for about 2 hours and the battery hasn't moved, it's just keeping it at a steady, almost dead level.

Can you connect to it using iTunes? In my experience the iPhone/iPod Touch cable isn't too reliable, I'm on my third.

It's ok, it suddenly started charging again. Maybe it was a loose connection.

Ok, so I have just finished my 1st build! And first thing is first, I need internet! We already have comcast cable. It is hooked up to a Motorola surfboard upstairs which our workstation is using. It has got a LAN plug-in in the back, but connected to it with no avail. When I plug the LAN directly into our workstation it SEEMS to have a connection but the web page eventually times out. I talked to comcast and they told me to get a wireless connection for $3 a month, but before i do anything else i want to know if their are any alternatives I am overlooking. :hmm:

I talked to comcast and they told me to get a wireless connection for $3 a month,
:rolleyes:


Go into IE > Tools > Internet Options >Connections > LAN Settings, and make sure 'Automatically detect settings' is checked.

:rolleyes:


Go into IE > Tools > Internet Options >Connections > LAN Settings, and make sure 'Automatically detect settings' is checked.
Just did but results are the same.

If you needed to change it, give it a moment or restart your system. Check that the modem is actually connected (by looking at the lights).

Make sure the drivers for your ethernet port are installed as windows often won't do it for you. Other than this, it should be working.

I just got my laptop back from the shop and I've got a new problem.

When I plug in speakers, they don't turn off the main internal speakers. I switched them to be default like google told me to but that just turned off the normal speakers, still no sound from the headphones. I'm pretty sure it's not the headphones themselves because I tried two different pairs of them.

Is your laptop using a Realtek audio chip? I think there is a property that tells the chip to turn off speakers when you have something plugged in.

If you have it, Control Panel> Realtek Audio Manager (or something similar)> Advanced Device Settings ( In the top right corner of the newly opened window ).
Look through those options ( There are probably only two or three )

No, I don't think it does. At least it's not showing up in a search of my computer..... sorry I'm pretty bad at using computers/knowing what's going on with them.

Why does my school block access to anti-keylogger sites?

"Why does my school block access to porn sites?"
You shouldnt be doing that. If you suspect there's a keylogger, talk to your school IT guy. Its the school computers though and you should not be running maintenance ont hem

LOL!

Seriously though, it's the schools computer and they are allowed to prevent you from playing with them.

BUT....it does sound as if they're contravening your privacy at the same time. It seems right that they have no right to insist you actually use these computers.

Of course, talking to them about it isn't likely to get you anywhere even though it is probably the proper thing to do. I guess you could either prepare a reasonable case against these key-loggers, or come up with an alternative intelligent idea :mischief:

I was looking up antikeyloggers because I read somewhere that if a school blocks them, they're likely to have keyloggers.

Due to the way the computer's set up (it resets on reboot) there's really no way for malware to get on, unless they disable the reset feature.

I have to use the computers for classes. Or I fail them.

How much difference does it make to have your hard drive set to SATA mode over IDE? XP needs to be set in IDE mode, and the instructions to change it to SATA mode on the microsoft site don't work(the registry they say to change doesn't exist for some reason) and so I'm just using it on IDE mode. Doesn't seem to be holding anything back really, everything loads up in a matter of seconds, but the drive is nearly empty still so I'm wondering if it could make a big difference when loaded up.

I think the main differences are speed (which you have no problem with) and compatibility (which you also seem to have no trouble with). Don't know how much. If it works for you, use it.

LOL!

Seriously though, it's the schools computer and they are allowed to prevent you from playing with them.

BUT....it does sound as if they're contravening your privacy at the same time. It seems right that they have no right to insist you actually use these computers.

Of course, talking to them about it isn't likely to get you anywhere even though it is probably the proper thing to do. I guess you could either prepare a reasonable case against these key-loggers, or come up with an alternative intelligent idea :mischief:

My school has students sign a technology contract that basically states you have no privacy if you use the schools computers: "We have the right to monitor all communications on these computers."
This is why I bring my own laptop to school and often just tunnel through to my home pc. They try to break that and they're invading my home privacy and have no case whatsoever.

I've been considering setting up a tunnel like that. Which would jumble up the URLs and stuff. But technically that's against the rules so I don't want to get in trouble.

An SSH tunnel doesnt 'jumble up' the URL's. It forwards your connection to another computer which then processes it. Its not something you can set up on a school computer easily though. Having your own is the best way.

My mom once turned off a frozen computer (my old one) using the PSU switch rather than the reset button. Isn't this sorta bad for the circuitry?

No .

How would I go about creating and editing animated .gifs?

How would I go about creating and editing animated .gifs?

You'd need an animation editor. I use the one that comes with Paint Shop Pro, but one I downloaded and it looks interesting is called GiftedMotion (http://www.onyxbits.de/giftedmotion).

Is there any free bandwidth limiting software out there? I have problems with downloaders for installing programs eating to much internet bandwidth and lowering the quality of VOIP calls.

Is there any free bandwidth limiting software out there? I have problems with downloaders for installing programs eating to much internet bandwidth and lowering the quality of VOIP calls.

Are you sure it's the downstream bandwidth that's a problem, and not the upstream?

Are you running on a router that can do QoS?

http://www.netlimiter.com/ -- the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

Are you sure it's the downstream bandwidth that's a problem, and not the upstream?No, I am not. It could be either or.

Are you running on a router that can do QoS?Router guy doesn't think QoS is going to work.

http://www.netlimiter.com/ -- the only one I can think of off the top of my head.
Needs to be free.

QoS is a nice way of saying limiting peoples bandwidth, and is used to enforce sharing. Do you need something more than that?

Does having a laptop connected to the mains improve it's performance?

Does having a laptop connected to the mains improve it's performance?

I assume your meaning is "plugged into a wall outlet". (The English and the Americans: two peoples separated by a common language. ;))

Technically, the answer would be "no". But laptops, by default, come with different power settings for when it is plugged in vs when it is on battery, half-power-battery, etc. These settings are modifiable, so you can set it to run the same on 10% battery as on full external power. These settings are to help prolong battery life while disconnected, though, so doing such a thing would be considered rather foolish.

I assume your meaning is "plugged into a wall outlet". (The English and the Americans: two peoples separated by a common language. ;))

That is what I meant, yes. ;)

Technically, the answer would be "no". But laptops, by default, come with different power settings for when it is plugged in vs when it is on battery, half-power-battery, etc. These settings are modifiable, so you can set it to run the same on 10% battery as on full external power. These settings are to help prolong battery life while disconnected, though, so doing such a thing would be considered rather foolish.

Thanks. It's just I think I have noticed my laptop perform better when plugged in. Might just be a coincidence.

My laptop performs much better when plugged in too. The CPU and GPU are not in a power-saving state, and thats likely why its faster when its plugged in.

I assume your meaning is "plugged into a wall outlet". (The English and the Americans: two peoples separated by a common language. ;))

Way separated ;) What we call mains you call line (IIRC), but what we call line is a 2 Volt signal cable.

Why is it called x86? I wiki'd it and didn't find anything that made sense.

186, 286, 386..... They're actually 80386 etc, but people drop the 80.... 86 is Intels code for a 16-bit processor in that line (but that no longer applies).

That makes sense.

Why is it called x86? I wiki'd it and didn't find anything that made sense.

huh?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86

That explains it fairly well...

Why is it called x86? I wiki'd it and didn't find anything that made sense.

An instruction set architecture (ISA) is a set of commands that a CPU supports at the basic level. This can range from very simple stuff, like "move x from y to z", or "add x and y", to complex operations like "calculate the square root of x".

x86 is the name for a very popular family of ISAs by Intel. They are all fully backwards compatible (afaik) so the latest CPU supports all the commands that were included in the first CPU of the family.

From time to time, new commands are added. These are called extensions. You probably are too young remember this, but a big deal was made out of the MMX extension for multimedia commands back in the late '90s.

x86 has become the de facto standard ISA for desktop computers, so even Intels competitors design their ISAs to be compatible with it.

That's it, grossly simplified. For more info, you really should check out the wiki links.

Hi all.
Ive had my laptop for about 3 years now and its going well, but i think it might be breaking the mouses i plug into usbs. Ive gone through about 5 mouses in this time and its getting really annoying.
They usually work fine for a while(several weeks to several months), then start getting temporamental (only working if i jiggle the usb or plug into a different usb) and then stop working. The most recent one stopped working and came with the error message 'power surge in hub port.'
I do carry it around alot and so often bump/drop my mouse, so do you think they stop working due to wear and tear/my poor care of them, or could it be that laptop is making a power surge and shorting them out?
Any help is much appreciated.

It's possible a power surge is doing it. I think except for the really cheap dollar-store mice, a lot of them survive bumps and bruises easily (I have a $7 Microsoft mouse which has even survived crashing 6 feet to the floor when it was knocked off a shelf. And it fell pretty hard. What happened was I had it on a shelf because I was getting a new computer desk and when I reached up to get it without bothering to find a stepstool I just missed and it fell).

Question: Am I the only one who used to believe viruses were little bugs crawling inside the computer eating the hard drive? :lol:

Id think that a power surge strong enough to fry the mouse would take the port with it. Just try taking better care of them :P

And yes Aimee, you are the only one.

A power surge is not necessarily a power overload, and is not necessarily caused by the port. I'd check the port voltage using one of those motherboard sensor reading programs to be sure.

Even if the port is overvoltage, it may be current limited so it's possible it could take out the mouse but not die. The mouse may have gone short circuit then burned open circuit. If this caused the mouse to appear permanently dead then it would be an internal issue within the mouse, not a connecting wire issue unless you managed to get them permanently twisted.

Is it true the only foolproof way to prevent viruses is to never use a computer? :lol:

Common sense is the best anti-virus, that's for certain. But saying that, I think 99% of people who own a computer will get infected with a virus at some point. It's like a bike getting a puncture or your car breaking down.

Is it true the only foolproof way to prevent viruses is to never use a computer? :lol:

Just like the only foolproof way to avoid pregnancy is to never have sex. ;)

Actually, you *can* use a computer. Just never connect it to the internet, and never insert any removable media. Not that that leaves you with much....

LOL.

What happens if you load a Windows virus under WINE?

Edit: Googled. The people who tried it said they had to reinstall. :lol:

Okay, another one: Let's say you took a fresh install of Windows XP without doing updates or installing everything or surfing the net, although it's connected. And left it sitting there. How long can you expect it to last before xxx-rated pictures start popping up and stuff? I read 20 minutes but that was surfing the web.

I've heard 20 minutes or less before your system is hit by bots and other malware. And that's just being connected - NOT surfing.

(Of course, this is easily mitigated by a good hardware firewall. If the bad guys can't see you, they can't get you. ;))

What would you call a good hardware firewall that's available to the public?

A public 'gateway'?

What would you call a good hardware firewall that's available to the public?

Any of the linux-based routers with user selectable firmware.

Earlier today I signed out of my Vista admin account and later on signed back in. When I did, I noticed some of the icons that are usually on the right side of the monitor (I keep recycle bin in lower right hand corner -- bad habit of accidentally dragging things into it) were shifted about halfway, like the screen resolution changed. Any clue?

I have a Vista box at work that we're running using remote admin, we have a test setup connected to it that can occasionally become flaky and require a power cycle. I'd like to know if there's a cheap computer controlled power switch out there.

Is there any free bandwidth limiting software out there? I have problems with downloaders for installing programs eating to much internet bandwidth and lowering the quality of VOIP calls.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5917

If you have Mozilla, this works like a charm. Por--- I mean Video downloads were killing my bandwidth, but this little baby solved that problem.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5917

If you have Mozilla, this works like a charm. Por--- I mean Video downloads were killing my bandwidth, but this little baby solved that problem.
Unfortunately downloaders for installing programs are seperate programs from firefox.

Unfortunately downloaders for installing programs are seperate programs from firefox.

Oh wait, I read what you said again, sorry for the false hope. :-(

I misread your post.

Unfortunately downloaders for installing programs are seperate programs from firefox.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/109326-qos-bandwidth-reserve-limit.html

Try this.

That would work if I was making the VOIP calls, unfortunately, the VOIP calls are on other computers.

That would work if I was making the VOIP calls, unfortunately, the VOIP calls are on other computers.

If you are on a network, I would think that lowering the bandwidth on your computer would allow for other computer to have better VOIP calls.

By default, Vista can reserve up to 20 percent of the network bandwidth for QoS traffic handled by the QoS Packet Scheduler. One hundred percent of the network bandwidth is available to be shared by all programs unless a program (Ex: Windows Update) specifically requests priority bandwidth. This 20 percent reserved bandwidth is still available to other programs unless the requesting program (Ex: VoIP applications) is sending data. Vista can then restrict the best effort traffic to a minimum of 80 percent of the bandwidth to the other programs so that the high priority traffic can be accommodated. If the program that reserved the bandwidth is not sending sufficient data to use it, the unused part of the reserved bandwidth is available for other data flows on the same host.


This will show you how to change the percentage of reserved bandwidth to what you want it to be instead, or disable the reserved bandwidth.
So as I understand it, it's reserving some bandwith for some programs to use but allowing other programs to use it if it isn't being used. That doesn't help me at all.

So as I understand it, it's reserving some bandwith for some programs to use but allowing other programs to use it if it isn't being used. That doesn't help me at all.

Well, worth a shot, sorry I couldn't help. :-(

If you don't have a Windows Vista/OEM disc or a recovery partition, how do you reinstall Vista?

I googled it and got recovery partitions and shareware and stuff for specific OEMs.

The rent-to-own place can't get me an OEM disc and my mom is too cheap to buy a copy.

Obviously, without a disk or a recovery partition, you *can't* reinstall Vista.

If you don't have a Windows Vista/OEM disc or a recovery partition, how do you reinstall Vista?

I googled it and got recovery partitions and shareware and stuff for specific OEMs.

The rent-to-own place can't get me an OEM disc and my mom is too cheap to buy a copy.

The 'questionable' way is to get your serial and use a torrented copy. Technically, since you would be installing the same version using a legal serial key, it is legal, but at the same time questionable.

I read somewhere that M$ will kill Windows if it detects its fake. or something like that.

First off, it wont kill it, it will simply nag. Second off, how do you think it detects a pirated copy? Through WGA. What does WGA check? That the license is legal. Which is for the most part the serial key. Now there may be hiccups with activation since OEM copies tend to only activate once., but if you call up MS and tell them that you had to reinstall because of blank problem, they should activate it for ya.

MS will disable XP, the same way as if you install a copy without activating and in 30 days you can't login (unless you prevent them from doing this).

Is/was there an icon on the desktop offering to create setup discs?

I didn't see one. I also didn't see anything in the start menu.

If you're licensed to use Vista (as you are) then you should hold the CD. As far as I know, those are the rules. Anyway, a computer is useless without the facility to reinstall. Does it seem suspicious to you that they won't give you the ability to reinstall but they gave you a single copy of windows to begin with?

If you're licensed to use Vista (as you are) then you should hold the CD. As far as I know, those are the rules. Anyway, a computer is useless without the facility to reinstall. Does it seem suspicious to you that they won't give you the ability to reinstall but they gave you a single copy of windows to begin with?

This is from the place that charges in the area of 1000% interest to purchase a computer.

I apologise if I'm stepping over the line here, but if a person must borrow money on a tight budget, better make it a personal loan from a bank or something like it, which is regular and predictable.

This is from the place that charges in the area of 1000% interest to purchase a computer.

I apologise if I'm stepping over the line here, but if a person must borrow money on a tight budget, better make it a personal loan from a bank or something like it, which is regular and predictable.

Indeed. Although its not 1000% interest, even at something like 15%, you're going to end up paying a large sum over the course of the contract. And better yet, unlike at a bank, if you miss a payment, they can just take it back and keep your money.

/Off Topic

There was apparently a recovery partition when I first got the computer which was passworded, as I tried pressing several keys and got into it, but the recovery partition was passworded as well! And when it came back from the shop for me to use (this is when my other one died), it was gone.

Notice the "ghost drive" which is about 5 gigs and 100% free:

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9883/hmmmmmp.jpg

Indeed. Although its not 1000% interest, even at something like 15%, you're going to end up paying a large sum over the course of the contract. And better yet, unlike at a bank, if you miss a payment, they can just take it back and keep your money.

/Off Topic

No, it's around 1000%. APR is 30% and the actual cost of the product is inflated by nearly 10x over retail value.

when it came back from the shop for me to use (this is when my other one died), it was gone.

You should pursue this with them.

I tried that -- the guys at the rent-to-own place don't really know computers even when I tried to simplify it. I do have the tech guy's business card ... somewhere.

Weirdness: I accidentally dropped some safety pins into the box where I also keep my portable drive. I just pulled the drive out to do a backup and the safety pins were attached to it, like a magnet! What gives? I thought a magnet would kill the HDD....

You're kidding, right? You do know that disks (and diskettes, for that matter) are magnetic media, right?

And regular fridge magnets aren't nearly strong enough to mess up hard drives.

Yeah, I know they're magnetic media. And that's probably why not to put a magnet near them.

The pins needn't be magnetic, just ferrous. They may be magnetic now. (remember the rare earth magnets?)

Aha!

So the HDD has a rare earth magnet so it can read/write? That's what I understand, google isn't much help today.

Aha!

So the HDD has a rare earth magnet so it can read/write? That's what I understand, google isn't much help today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earth_magnet

Thanks.

Also found this. (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_there_magnets_in_hard_drives)

Also found this. (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_there_magnets_in_hard_drives)

Well then, that answer doesnt do anything to actually answer the question.

Silly question, I guess my brain decayed as I used to be able to do this:

Suppose you rip a DVD and get VOB files. How do you demux those so you can get the video and audio streams (I want the audio as I have a T.P. and the Heartbreakers concert which I want to put on a CD). A free program or something?

Thanks.

http://www.videohelp.com/ <- Plenty of guides on all things Audio/Video

Thanks. :)

Question: What happens if you take a sledgehammer to a hard drive while it's in use? Would the little pieces fly out and hit you in the eye? Would the computer give a BSOD?

You'd just love to try that, wouldn't you. Maybe you should! Be a mythbuster.

Why don't you simply disconnect a drive while you're doing something and see for yourself?

There's a chance that a hammer may cause some voltages to be applied to places they oughtn't so there might be some wider damage. Due to the case being made of a soft metal I'd think the shrapnel would be contained.

Well, I would, but I don't have a hard drive to spare....

Somebody at school must have been annoyed by all the Access Denied messages on the schoolboard network. Because I accidentally clicked on a blocked link and saw the Access Denied message changed to "The site http://www.something.com has been blocked by incompetent system administrators who think that anything fun should be banned. Seig Heil!"

I have OpenOffice 3.0, and I was wondering why checking for updates fails. Also, why isn't the spellchecker working? (I type wrong words intentionally and it doesn't underline them, and the F7 spellcheck says nothing is wrong)

For the updates, I'm guessing a weird firewall setting blocks it.

The spellchecker? I don't know much about OpenOffice spellchecker, but my guess there may be a missing dictionary or something.

Question: Is it video card or graphic card?

Question: Is it video card or graphic card?

The terms don't matter and are interchangeable.

A video card, also known as a graphics accelerator card, display adapter, or graphics card,

Hey, Wiki comes through again.

I know theyre interchangable but which to use ?

Whichever you like. Anyone will know what you mean.

thats what interchangeable means Aimee, that any one will work.

I'd have to say that 'video adapter' is the 'proper' term.

I use 'graphics card' a lot myself, but technically it is improper for a couple of reasons. Firstly, calling it a 'card' is architecture specific. It assumes that both people know and are talking about a specific machine. These days we just assume that everyone's talking PCs and this assumption saves us.

Secondly, 'graphics' is a specific kind of video adapter. It's like someone asking you how you got here today and instead of saying "by car", you say "by Toyota". Again, the assumption that we all have graphics adapters just happens to save us, because we all do.

Thanks every one.

Is this tutorial right? Would it work with other distros? Except for reinstalls of Windows I ahven't installed OS.

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_with_linux_vista_installed_f irst.htm

Also if you have a 500 gig HDD with about 162 gigs used, how big should the Linux partition be?

Thankies.

if you have a 500 gig HDD with about 162 gigs used, how big should the Linux partition be?

Except for putting a couple of dozen gig aside for either of those OSes to swim around in, the bulk of the space will be for your personal stuff. The choice of where to put it comes down to ease of access, data integrity and ease of moving it around next install.

Why do you guys always use HDD instead of HD? Is there some kind of ambiguity with HD?

High Density.

or Hard Disk Drive which is technically more correct.

High Density.

Also High Definition.