Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread

[Cutlass]

Visiting again

<problem fixed after another re-install>
If anyone wishes, these quesitons are still puzzling me:

- I am wondering what is Microsoft's policy with regard to a corrupt OP disk. I.e. if I bought a new hard drive would I retain my copy of Vista?
- Is it possible (in theory) to transfter OP (Vista) files from an old laptop(PC) disk to a new one?

MS wants to force you to buy a new copy of Windows for every computer. To this end they have designed it so that you can't even change the hardware config very much without them calling it a "new computer"

 

[Padma]

FWIW, I generally end up with a total rotation of hardware over the course of 5 - 6 years. Even then, it often isn't "worn out" or "broken", just that I want a newer/larger/more powerful item.

I do tend to replace the mobo, cpu, and RAM as all one "unit", though.

 

[lndm]

I think this has been taken out of context. Windows checks for hardware changes to prevent sharing the copy amongst different people and their different computers. Nowhere that I know of does it say that you can't take your copy with you when you buy a new system. It's always been that you buy a licenced copy of windows independently of the computer. The idea of it coming with the system is a microsoft scheme to get windows on all systems if possible, thats all.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I've been installing a few games on Vista. However, for a few of them (and they're designed to run on Vista), the shortcuts don't show up in the Start Menu. WHERE ARE THEY????

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Just go to the install folder and make your own. Not that hard ffs

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Yeah, that's what I did. It's still weird that the icons weren't there.

EDIT: I found where the icon was. It was stuck under this Vista thing called Games Browser.

I read somewhere that if a CD drive spins slowly, it's more likely to recover data from a damaged CD. Is this true? (Googling brought up a few things, but they seemed to contradict each other.)

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Another one:

I have this game from 2006 or so, before Vista came out. And it writes a folder to the Application Data folder, which in Vista has a different name and location. How exactly does Vista tell the installer where to put it?

Also, why exactly did it say to insert the second disc into the floppy drive when it's on a CD?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

The installer probably uses a system path variable, so Application data is something like %APP DATA% which each OS knows where it is. Its usually not an absolute location.

Does it really matter? If the game installs fine, does it matter at all?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Just wondering. Thanks.

 

[Gelion]

MS wants to force you to buy a new copy of Windows for every computer. To this end they have designed it so that you can't even change the hardware config very much without them calling it a "new computer"

Thats what I've been experiencing
I do hope they make the right choices with Windows 7.

FWIW, I generally end up with a total rotation of hardware over the course of 5 - 6 years. Even then, it often isn't "worn out" or "broken", just that I want a newer/larger/more powerful item.

I do tend to replace the mobo, cpu, and RAM as all one "unit", though.

It seems to be my case was well when I think of it. I always try to hold on to dying computers, scavanging parts for future use, but the way things are going it is more of a hobby than a real investment. I've changed 4 PCs over 15 years of usage and one of them simply burned down after a year due to bad manufacture.

I think this has been taken out of context. Windows checks for hardware changes to prevent sharing the copy amongst different people and their different computers. Nowhere that I know of does it say that you can't take your copy with you when you buy a new system. It's always been that you buy a licenced copy of windows independently of the computer. The idea of it coming with the system is a microsoft scheme to get windows on all systems if possible, thats all.

I do understand that it is not supposed to be like that. However with Windows Vista there are no clear instructions as to how to extract your copy of Vista if you, say, decided to use it with another computer (shocking example, I know).

Question
I've reinstalled everything on my laptop that hasn't been used for two months. Only problem remaining now is that I cant run the old copy of Northon 360 I've purchased. Direct load from Program menu and the command prompt are giving me tons of icons on the toolbar. These icons dissapear when I scroll over them. So far I cannot google out the problem

 

[Genocidicbunny]

To 'extract' Vista you get a serial key reader that tells you your current serial key and download a copy of Vista. Then when installing, you use the serial key you got off your old machine.

why would you use Norton? Get avast or AVG and get rid of norton.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

For serial key, I use Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder. Will also get the keys for some other programs, if youre lucky.

I also second AVG or Avast.

 

[Gelion]

To 'extract' Vista you get a serial key reader that tells you your current serial key and download a copy of Vista. Then when installing, you use the serial key you got off your old machine.

Cooler than I thought It is even easy to find!

why would you use Norton? Get avast or AVG and get rid of norton.

I would be more than glad to, but I still have a subscription. Does me no good though, it doesn't work.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Question -- I got a broken NES for free. I think the problem is that water and dirt got into the inside. It will turn on, but the cartridge (which is in perfect shape) freezes and shows messed up graphics, then it wouldn't load at all. Any idea how to fix it, or should I just start looking for another?

I did google, but seems most of them were different types of damage. Adding "water damage" brings up either some plumbing company or random games with water in them.

 

[Perfection]

I'd open it up and clean it out on off chance it's something stuck in there. If that doesn't fix it, you're probably screwed.

 

[GoodGame]

Basically try to clean off any circuit corrosion caused by the water catalyzing oxidation reactions (i.e. 'rust').

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/19/how-to-clean-up-water-damaged-electronics/

We'll leave the deets to Grynx, but basically this rescue mission involves complete disassembly of the affected device, rather counterintuitively running the circuit boards under more water, and using an alcohol-based cleaning agent (not gasoline, warn several commenters) to brush the remaining rust/calcium residue from the guts. Money quote from the article: "If the substance is already dry, as it was for me, then use your wife&#8217;s toothbrush (you don&#8217;t want to use your own, right?) to brush off as much as possible."

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Thanks. I'll open it up sometime to see if it's rusted out.

Should I take any anti-static precautions, or is that only for computers?

 

[Perfection]

Personally, I wouldn't bother, (I don't bother with computers either), but it really depends on your setup. If you're going to be rolling around your chair and shuffling your feet on a carpeted area and it's a low humidity environment it might be wise.

And pretty much anything electronic is susceptible to some degree to electrostatic discharge. I don't know about how much NESes in particular are.

 

[Gelion]

Question
I've reinstalled everything on my laptop that hasn't been used for two months. Only problem remaining now is that I cant run the old copy of Northon 360 I've purchased. Direct load from Program menu and the command prompt are giving me tons of icons on the toolbar. These icons dissapear when I scroll over them. So far I cannot google out the problem

Anyone?!!...

 

[lndm]

I do understand that it is not supposed to be like that. However with Windows Vista there are no clear instructions as to how to extract your copy of Vista if you, say, decided to use it with another computer (shocking example, I know).

Do you mean that you bought a computer with vista on it but didn't get the install cds?

I've reinstalled everything on my laptop that hasn't been used for two months. Only problem remaining now is that I cant run the old copy of Northon 360 I've purchased. Direct load from Program menu and the command prompt are giving me tons of icons on the toolbar. These icons dissapear when I scroll over them. So far I cannot google out the problem

Not sure I understand the problem. Is it activated?