Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread

[lndm]

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.

 

[CCRunner]

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.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

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 )

 

[CCRunner]

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.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

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

 

[Genocidicbunny]

"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

 

[lndm]

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

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

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.

 

[Ulyaoth]

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.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

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.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

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

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.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

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.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

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.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

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?

 

[lndm]

No .

 

[Bratmon]

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

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

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.

 

[Perfection]

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.

 

[Zelig]

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?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

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