The Computer Help Thread

[scsimodem]

I've noticed an alarming number of computer problem threads recently, so I thought I'd make this one to sort of consolidate. Anyway, here's the info:

About Me: I work for a computer help desk in a store from a nationwide electronics retailer. You know, one of the guys with the short-sleeved dress shirts and black ties who drive around in the black and white VW Beetles. I only say this so you know that I see a LOT of computer problems of every color of the rainbow and have friends who have seen even more than I have. If I see no reasonable solution to your problem on this thread, I'll try to bring it up among my friends to see if I can help you.

If I refer you to a professional, it really won't bother me which professional you choose (though I'd prefer it be the guys I work for, obviously). If I tell you not to try it unless you're sure, I mean to say that what I'm suggesting is highly dangerous to your system and you shouldn't even attempt it unless you know exactly what you're doing. Otherwise, find someone who knows what they're doing.

I will subscribe to this thread so I can see what's going on any time I log on. I tend to check the forums about 1-2 times per day (originally to keep track of online games, but those both ended, so now it's just habit).

Rules:

1. Be Respectful: If you are trying to help somebody with a problem, do not demean them in any way. We were all newbs, if not n00bs, at some point, so try to be understanding. I guarantee that anybody who can operate a forum is way more computer savvy than some of my clients. If you are seeking a solution and the guy giving it seems condescending, just accept the solution and move on. In this format, it's far more efficient for me to type out instructions that a monkey could follow than to assume you know something only to come back the next day and have to explain it. Nobody assumes you're dumb, we just can't assume you're smart. I know that in my case, if I don't intentionally make it simple, I skip steps that nobody but fellow computer geeks would know how to do, so just be patient.

2. Be Patient: Your computer problems are the end of the world. We get that, but as I said, 1-2 times per day, assuming I'm not really busy (just finished finals, so that should be OK). Just sit back and wait for a reply. If you think you've been missed, feel free to post again, but please wait until at least 24 hours after the original post before doing so.

3. Never Feel Stupid: We've all had a first computer and a few wallbanger moments. If you're in a panic because your mouse won't work and you then discover that it wasn't turned on, don't sweat it. Even I've done that before.

4. Carefully Consider Your Options: I am far from perfect, and being unable to see your computer in person, it's really easy to misdiagnose. This can be minimized by being thorough and precise in your descriptions (error numbers and such), but is still imperfect. When in doubt, take it to a professional. Most will give you a quick diagnosis for free if it takes less than half an hour, and any would be more than willing to fix your computer if you have some spare dough.

5. No Problem Too Small: Much like with the head of the mental health thread, I fix problems big and small. I don't know everything about every piece of software, but if I have a solution, I'll offer everything from installation tips to things you can do to increase game performance, and we have a wealth of knowledge of the forums, so don't be afraid to ask.

6. Do Not Ask Me to Fix It For You: I can and have done software fixes via MSN Instant Messenger. If I find your case interesting enough...and I'm feeling charitable...and bored...I might volunteer to give it a whirl, but please don't ask. I'm quite busy and such a thing is difficult and time consuming. If I do PM you about it, don't advertise that I helped. I don't want politics of this nature spilling into the thread.

General Tips (for your computer):

1. Do not do anything shady: Porn is the source of nearly every virus out there today, and most of them are spread through file-sharing clients like Limewire and BitTorrent. If your AV software pops up and asks you if you're sure, you probably shouldn't go ahead, and none of them filter stuff through Limewire or BitTorrent. In fact, those programs are such big security risks that professional grade anti-virus software deletes them.

2. Get a good anti-virus program and keep it up to date. AVG Free is not good enough (though it's something if you can't afford anything else). Of the major retailers, I recommend Webroot and Kaspersky and try to avoid Trend Micro and McAfee. I'm not a big fan of Norton, either, but more from a technical standpoint. It does get the job done.

3. Reformatting will fix it. If reformatting doesn't fix it, then you have a hardware issue. I know everyone knows this, but I can't stress it enough, REFORMATTING WILL ERASE EVERYTHING.

4. Back up important data early and often. Programs can only be backed up with a full hard drive image. Copying them across doesn't work.

So there it is. Post away and may your computers run quickly and smoothly.

P.S. If you have any questions about my job, please PM me. I'll be happy to answer anything the company has not classified as confidential, but let's keep it off the thread.

[Jack Squat]

I've got an issue I'd like second opinions on. It's not my computer, so I can only post what this person has told me.

Computer is a Dell Dimension 2400 running XP, and is about 4 years old.

The problem is that some CDs won't rip onto the computer. It sounded like it'd play the CDs, but just not rip them. The person is using iTunes for their media player. Upon asking further, it sounded like CDs could rip if you were stubborn enough about it, but that point wasn't clear. I know the problem isn't with CDs, as two of the ones that are being troublesome are mine, and I've successfully ripped them to multiple computers of mine.

My first guess was that iTunes is the problem, and suggested several alternatives (both different format in iTunes and other programs). Also said if none of that worked, to look at checking the drivers (via Dells reinstall disks) and clean the tower & check connections - though problems there would really more result in the drive not reading CDs or the drive itself if I'm not mistaken. From the sound of this person's status on Facebook, the only thing they didn't do was open up the tower to do that last part; but they may have decided to skip the alternative media players - I'll hopefully get more info tomorrow when I see this person.

My thought processes is if it wasn't iTunes or a driver or connection problem, that the drive is failing and will need to be replaced. Am I right on this, or am I missing something? I know the amount of info isn't as desirable as one would like, but it's everything I've been presented with at the moment. If more info's needed, is there anything in particular I should ask?

[scsimodem]

If it's ripping some CDs and not others, I'm thinking software problem. To be sure, try simply playing the CDs. If they play fine, but won't rip, it's a software problem. If that's the case, try re-installing iTunes or use a different program (I tend to use Winamp, though I only recommend that for advanced users).

If the CDs don't play well, you're looking at a hardware problem. If the connections are fine, try a different IDE port. That's the data ribbon that connects to the back of the drive inside the tower. Try using a different ribbon and a different slot on the motherboard (if there is one). If those don't work, it's a problem with the drive. If the problem is intermittent, it's likely a faulty laser assembly or spindle. Either way, it means 'new drive.'

Additionally, there's a chance that if iTunes is set to its maximum ripping speed, it could be having problems with error checking while ripping. If the CD starts to burn, but then fails out, try lowering the ripping speed. I don't currently have iTunes on this computer, so I can't tell you where that option is, but there is a way to lower the ripping speed. The lower the speed, the easier it is for the computer to correct errors encountered.

[memnarch]

I borked my computer really bad a while back and I'm curious; would there have been anyway to keep it functioning? What I had done was mess around in the registry (bad idea I now) and as far as I could tell I made to computer "forget" what a .exe file was supposed to do.

And also (possibly related) is the windows file backup utility the method to save programs if your hard drive goes bad?

[Supagoof]

This is a wonderful idea. Thank you scsimodem for starting it. You will of course let us know if you ever get a program uploaded into your brain with all government secrets right? That does happen to people employed in large retailers as fixers of teh computers, so I've been told. :smallwink:

[Don Julio Anejo]

You can also PM me anytime you like if you need computer help. No official credentials... just good at troubleshooting stuff for some reason.

PCs only unfortunately. That is, no Macs and no Linux, I've never had to troubleshoot the first one :wink: and never had to use the second one (thank god!).

[PairO'Dice Lost]

PCs only unfortunately. That is, no Macs and no Linux, I've never had to troubleshoot the first one :wink: and never had to use the second one (thank god!).

Well, I'm not much of a Mac person, but I can assist folks with Linux issues; I've used Arch, Gentoo, and Debian in the past and am currently running Ubuntu, so I can probably help with most distros.

[InaVegt]

Well, I'm not much of a Mac person, but I can assist folks with Linux issues; I've used Arch, Gentoo, and Debian in the past and am currently running Ubuntu, so I can probably help with most distros.

You are missing the RPM hell systems there.

[scsimodem]

I borked my computer really bad a while back and I'm curious; would there have been anyway to keep it functioning? What I had done was mess around in the registry (bad idea I now) and as far as I could tell I made to computer "forget" what a .exe file was supposed to do.

And also (possibly related) is the windows file backup utility the method to save programs if your hard drive goes bad?

If you can actually get a .exe to run, there are a lot of 3rd party registry fixers out there. If you have a recovery partition or your original discs, you may be able to run a 'repair installation' of Windows. Basically, it installs itself again over your current copy without erasing much, if any, of the stuff there. It was designed just for circumstances like yours. You'll have to boot from the disc, though.

If all else fails, you've got 2 choices: manual registry editing and reformatting. Since option 1 got you into this mess, I recommend option 2.

Word of advice to all: Never never never never never NEVER NEVER!!!!! edit the registry unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing. I've borked my computer more than once that way and it's never pretty to fix. In fact, the MyWebSearch virus pretty much wrecks your computer by overwriting (mostly) random registry entries. The first symptom is loss of internet over wireless.


This is a wonderful idea. Thank you scsimodem for starting it. You will of course let us know if you ever get a program uploaded into your brain with all government secrets right? That does happen to people employed in large retailers as fixers of teh computers, so I've been told.

No, no secret government information, though they do surgically install magic implants in our fingertips that make all technology work around us. I can't count the number of times somebody's finally brought in the computer with a chronic (several months) problem only to have it mysteriously disappear the second I touch the thing. Kinda sucks for us, as a problem would net us some $$.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

You are missing the RPM hell systems there.

Unfortunately true; I've used Fedora and a few variations on SUSE, but it's been a while, and I wouldn't trust myself to help someone with those as much as I would for the others.

[KuReshtin]

I can't count the number of times somebody's finally brought in the computer with a chronic (several months) problem only to have it mysteriously disappear the second I touch the thing.

I get that a lot as well. Only I must have som psychic powers, cause I manage to do it over the phone.

Me: "Have you tried the NumLock key?"
Customer: "Of course I have. Don't be stupid!"
Me: "Can you just try it one more time while I'm on the phone, please?"
Customer: "I'm telling you, it doesn't help."
Me: "Just indulge me, sir. Please. Just for fun."
Customer: "..."
Me: "So.... Everything working now, then?"
Customer: "I don't understand. i've tried that tons of times."
Me: "Okay, then. Thanks for calling. "

Also:


Word of advice to all: Never never never never never NEVER NEVER!!!!! edit the registry unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing.
Quoted for absolute truth.

[scsimodem]

I get that a lot as well. Only I must have som psychic powers, cause I manage to do it over the phone.

Me: "Have you tried the NumLock key?"
Customer: "Of course I have. Don't be stupid!"
Me: "Can you just try it one more time while I'm on the phone, please?"
Customer: "I'm telling you, it doesn't help."
Me: "Just indulge me, sir. Please. Just for fun."
Customer: "..."
Me: "So.... Everything working now, then?"
Customer: "I don't understand. i've tried that tons of times."
Me: "Okay, then. Thanks for calling. "


You have to Zen it. You sound like a jerk if you ask them to plug it in or turn it on. Here are my 2 important tips for techies on how not to make your clients sound like idiots while still getting them to do things they should have known how to do.

Tip 1: If you must ask the client to do something basic and simple, like plug the thing in, make it sound like you're trying something that involves said action. For example, instead of saying, "Could you check to make sure the unit is plugged in?" say, "Ok, I've seen this before. I want you to try unplugging the unit and then plugging it back in."

Tip 2: Add superfluous keys to keystrokes you want your client to make if they insist they've tried it already. In the above example, you could try asking the client to press alt + numlock, since that does the same thing as just pressing numlock on a standard desktop keyboard. If no such key exists, just tell them to press a function key, like shift or ctrl, then the key in question.

[Anuan]

Okay, I need a little bit of help :smallsigh:

A little background;

There's two accounts on my computer, my own, the first that was created, which is an Administrator account, and another belonging to two friends.
Now, as stated, this first account is the administrator account. I'm running Vista Home (I know, I know :smallsigh:) and the problem is this;

Certain, newish games (Hellgate:London, a slightly older Settlers game, Dead Space) and the like won't let me uninstall them (NEED MOAR SPAYSS ON POOTAR), claiming I need Administrator privilages etc. Like I said, this is the Administrator account. Halp?

[InaVegt]

Okay, I need a little bit of help :smallsigh:

A little background;

There's two accounts on my computer, my own, the first that was created, which is an Administrator account, and another belonging to two friends.
Now, as stated, this first account is the administrator account. I'm running Vista Home (I know, I know :smallsigh:) and the problem is this;

Certain, newish games (Hellgate:London, a slightly older Settlers game, Dead Space) and the like won't let me uninstall them (NEED MOAR SPAYSS ON POOTAR), claiming I need Administrator privilages etc. Like I said, this is the Administrator account. Halp?

Try right clicking and 'run as administrator'

[Anuan]

Try right clicking and 'run as administrator'

No option to do that in the Games folder, or in Add/Remove programs.

[Jack Squat]

Is User Account Control on? (When you try and install, does a message prompting a continue show up?)

[Anuan]

Yes, it is. And suddenly I feel like this should have been an obvious thing to check as the source of this problem...

Edit: Er...how do I turn it off? ._.;

Double-edit: Nevermind, found it, I'm tech-savvy I swears <.<

Triple-edit!: Yay! This fixed my problem! :smallbiggrin:

[Don Julio Anejo]

Just thought I'd mention that after four long years, my power supply finally went out with a bang. A literal bang. Anyone want to donate me a 100 bucks for a new one? :smallbiggrin:

[Zeb The Troll]

I'm starting to see a whole new proliferation of computer related help threads come up. I'm hoping to see this consolidated effort gain a foothold. Just now I counted 7 new computer help request threads on the first page. :smallsigh:

[Dispozition]

Just thought I'd mention that after four long years, my power supply finally went out with a bang. A literal bang. Anyone want to donate me a 100 bucks for a new one? :smallbiggrin:

Unforunately, you're out of luck. PSUs are the one thing I don't have spares of...CPUs as well, actually...Mainly because they're the things that break on me.

[Belkar_Fett]

So, every time I log onto my laptop, I get one of three messages. Like, literally the moment I log into my account the message pops up and my computer restarts. It's either...

-DCOM server Process Launcher
-Plug and Play
-Host process for Windows

...has terminated unexpectedly and my computer restarts.

I've figured out a way around this. I can turn off WLAN autoconfig and the message doesn't pop up. The downside to this is that I can't get online (I'm typing this from a friend's computer). So, I can either access my computer with no internet or have internet for rough 10 seconds before my computer restarts. If anyone knows anyway to fix this than thanks. I really appreciate it.

[KuReshtin]

Try upgrading the WLAN driver and see if that works.
Since you can't go online to download the driver straight to your machine, the old USB memory stick is your best friend.
Just download the driver package onto the USB stick on another machine and then transfer it over from there.

Before running the new driver package, it might be a good idea to totally removing the old version, mainly because of two reasons.

1. If the old version is causing the problem, and you're installing an upgrade of it, there might still be traces left of the defective driver, and that can still cause problems.
2. If you have the latest driver on your system right now, the machine might not let you install the new driver package as it will give you the message that "you already have the most current version installed".

[lesser_minion]

@Belkar_Fett:

Depending on the router you use, you might be able to try a wired connection, which might make it a bit easier to fix the problem (some routers can take wired connections, and both the modem and the router probably came with an ethernet cable, so you might be able to connect like that).

I'd guess that something's become corrupted somehow - that could happen if an update gets interrupted (did you unexpectedly lose internet or power in the middle of doing something some time before your incident?)

If you open System Restore, you should hopefully be able to grab a list of restore points and why they were created - if you could post the most recent entries then it might be useful.

Are you using Windows XP by any chance?

[Quincunx]

Could someone re-post the process by which one roots out and gets rid of gigabytes' worth of pointless system restore points? SMEE detailed it a few months ago, but trying to find a particular piece of computer advice from a computer guru has been difficult, Google search notwithstanding.

[memnarch]

Well, which OS do you want?

[lesser_minion]

On Windows ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7, you can clear system restore points using Disk Cleanup. It should be under Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools, and it might also be in the control panel as well.

Exactly where you go from there might vary - on Windows 7, you need to click a button marked "Clean up system files", then go to the More Options tab. Then you can just click the button inside the System Restore frame.


I might have just been attacked by a malware site though (I opened up a suspected phishing site from phishtank) - just a popup trying to get me to install some rogue software. I stopped the script running and clicked 'cancel', but I'm not totally sure whether or not the site managed to do anything dangerous.

[Belkar_Fett]

Try upgrading the WLAN driver and see if that works.
Since you can't go online to download the driver straight to your machine, the old USB memory stick is your best friend.
Just download the driver package onto the USB stick on another machine and then transfer it over from there.

Before running the new driver package, it might be a good idea to totally removing the old version, mainly because of two reasons.

1. If the old version is causing the problem, and you're installing an upgrade of it, there might still be traces left of the defective driver, and that can still cause problems.
2. If you have the latest driver on your system right now, the machine might not let you install the new driver package as it will give you the message that "you already have the most current version installed".

Know any sites I can download it (I don't know much about computers and I understood maybe half the tech phrases in that)?


@Belkar_Fett:

Depending on the router you use, you might be able to try a wired connection, which might make it a bit easier to fix the problem (some routers can take wired connections, and both the modem and the router probably came with an ethernet cable, so you might be able to connect like that).

I'd guess that something's become corrupted somehow - that could happen if an update gets interrupted (did you unexpectedly lose internet or power in the middle of doing something some time before your incident?)

If you open System Restore, you should hopefully be able to grab a list of restore points and why they were created - if you could post the most recent entries then it might be useful.

Are you using Windows XP by any chance?

I'll go into System Restore and see what I find. I'll post the results if you think you can figure out the problem from it.

And yes, I have windows xp.:smallannoyed: I want a mac so bad.

[KuReshtin]

Know any sites I can download it (I don't know much about computers and I understood maybe half the tech phrases in that)?


It all depends on what kind of computer you've got.
The drivers are usually specific for different computers, so if you have a Dell computer, they have drivers listed for their computers on their home page, if you have a Lenovo computer, they've got their drivers listd on their home page, and so on.

If you've got a generic machine, then you'd need to find out what the wireless network card's manufacturer is and you need to find the driver on their home page.

Since we don't have any more information on what type of computer you've got, that's all I can say at the moment.

[lesser_minion]

Before you try to update your device drivers, you should find your wireless card in Device Manager, right-click on it and choose Properties.

As I said, your wireless router might have a spare ethernet port you may be able to use to plug your machine into directly - that should make this a lot easier (if it does, you simply need to find a cable that matches and connect it between your PC and the router - if you're not sure, would you be able to provide us with a picture?).

If you can do that, you should be able to click directly on "Update Driver..." and ask windows to look for the driver online. Otherwise, you should be able to find some information on your wireless card which you should be able to use to find the drivers online.

You could also search online for your computer's manufacturer, and then search their website for your machine's model number and brand. There should be a downloads section you can use to find the appropriate software.

Also, regarding your "I want a Mac" comment, please be advised that Apple computers can suffer these problems.

The main reason people don't moan about Macs on the internet is that Apple take customer support more seriously than most militaries take logistics and training. Unfortunately, they also place image before security (nobody can get away without antivirus software. Not Mac users, not Linux users, not Windows users, not FreeBSD users and not even OpenBSD users).

[Don Julio Anejo]

(nobody can get away without antivirus software. Not Mac users, not Linux users, not Windows users, not FreeBSD users and not even OpenBSD users).
Actually anyone can get away with without an antivirus software. It just involves not going to porn/warez sites (or at least only going to the ones you know are safe), not running random .exe files you got off the internet, having a firewall and disabling ActiveX and similar stuff that can run programs without your consent. Also, an antivirus still won't save you from a well-written virus because they disable any security software you have anyway and poorly written ones or those made just for lulz are usually obvious viruses.

PS: I'm not advocating not having AV, I'm just saying that if you wanted to and were, in fact, extra careful, you could get away with not having one.

PPS: having a (hardware) firewall is perhaps the most important thing there is if you don't do stupid stuff anyway. Especially if you use torrents or file-sharing, since many people can see your ip and they may not be looking at them just for lulz.

[Don Julio Anejo]

To everyone in this thread: do you guys have any experience with Hackintosh? I want to install Snow Leopard on my netbook (I need a few mac-only programs for school and frankly don't want to go to the computer lab every time I need to use it) but haven't really used a Hac before. Or is it too much pain and not worth it in the long run? Also, I don't want it on my desktop since I use that to play games 95% of the time and dual boot is more pain than it's worth.


Could someone re-post the process by which one roots out and gets rid of gigabytes' worth of pointless system restore points? SMEE detailed it a few months ago, but trying to find a particular piece of computer advice from a computer guru has been difficult, Google search notwithstanding.
If you right-click on my computer and click "Properties", there will be a tab titled System Restore. In there you can disable it completely or reduce the amount of space used for it.

So, every time I log onto my laptop, I get one of three messages. Like, literally the moment I log into my account the message pops up and my computer restarts. It's either... [...]

It would also help us if you told your computer model (e.g. "Asus EeePC 1000HE" in my case which is a little Asus netbook). We'd be able to give you more specific advice.

Also, what you're describing could be a virus.

[bluewind95]

Actually anyone can get away with without an antivirus software. It just involves not going to porn/warez sites (or at least only going to the ones you know are safe), not running random .exe files you got off the internet, having a firewall and disabling ActiveX and similar stuff that can run programs without your consent. Also, an antivirus still won't save you from a well-written virus because they disable any security software you have anyway and poorly written ones or those made just for lulz are usually obvious viruses.

PS: I'm not advocating not having AV, I'm just saying that if you wanted to and were, in fact, extra careful, you could get away with not having one.

PPS: having a (hardware) firewall is perhaps the most important thing there is if you don't do stupid stuff anyway. Especially if you use torrents or file-sharing, since many people can see your ip and they may not be looking at them just for lulz.

This. I had a computer running well with no antivirus. I only got an antivirus after careless college people and their USB drives annoyed me enough. I didn't even get the best antivirus out there. I got Avast! free because of a really neat feature: I can have it tell me everything it scans. This is useful for what Don Julio says: a well-written virus still will hit the computer, and hard. Then there's viruses that the antivirus won't recognize and... yeah, relying on an antivirus turns out to be a not-so-great idea. It's wonderful to have one, since it will save you a lot of work a lot of the time, but I think it's better to rely on being able to detect, delete and recover from an infection on your own. That's why I advocate the use of programs like HijackThis. They won't deal with anything automatically, but they will give you the tools to deal with the problem yourself, especially when faced with something the antivirus can't deal with.

It's true you really have to know what you're doing in order to use those tools, but on the other hand... it's something you can learn. It's not like there's a course (that I know of) that teaches you what you can or can't touch in a registry. But it's a matter of intuition, too. I'm certainly not going to touch the root classes part of the registry at the folder that says ".dll" because as far as I can see, that's what tells the computer how to handle a dll file. But something in startup that says "virus.exe" or "virus.dll" (With another name, of course) that isn't associated to any file/program that I know should be starting up on my computer merits, at the very least, an extensive google search to find out what it is and whether it should be running or not. If it's a virus or other malware that really shouldn't be running in my computer, then I assume it's safe to delete it. Carefully, of course.

I don't know if anyone ever heard of "Gizmos"? That was a very neat collection of programs which, sadly, came with no uninstaller and was so horribly invasive of the system that it is classed as malware. An antivirus won't do anything about it because it's not really a virus. But if you want to get rid of it... short of a system reformatting, you really can't. Deleting the application folder won't work. ... Unless you grab regedit and go on a software inquisition crusade.

DEFINITELY, one should not ever, ever touch the registry if they have no idea what they might be doing to their computer. But... anyone who owns and is responsible for the general maintenance of a computer should, I think, learn how to at least backup the registry. And how to restore it. Then, when faced with a problem, they can have all the fun in the world learning how to edit the registry without problems. After all, they can just restore it if they really mess up.

... That's my not-very-educated-especially-not-systematically opinion, though. It's worked for me, but I can't say that it would work for everyone. I'm also not to be held responsible if you DO go and grab regedit and destroy your computer. :smalltongue:

[lesser_minion]

For most users, I wouldn't advocate doing without antivirus software. A careful user might be able to get away without it, but not all users are careful (and six pints of snakebite can mess up anyone).

However, you are right that the real issue is overconfidence - antivirus software doesn't guarantee safety any more than running Linux or OpenBSD does.

The main reason to use antivirus software is because anyone can mess up. If you're careful, your antivirus software should never actually have to step in and block anything of note.

The most advanced malware in use at present is generally professionally made, and it will generally take a few weeks for a solution to be developed. Yes, it can disable your security software after a successful infection (it actually has to get through the security software first). Yes, it generally is equipped to get through any security software when it first arrives.

Your main defences against new malware are basically decent antivirus software (with heuristic scanning and real-time protection), keeping everything fully patched (you don't necessarily have to visit a dodgy site in order to be attacked), and not disabling your operating system's in-built security (or even turning it up).

However, being careful is possibly the single best thing you can do.

[bluewind95]

I don't think one should go without antivirus software. It's possible, but having an antivirus software will protect you against a good deal of problems and even when you are able to rid yourself of an infection on your own, it will save you a lot of time to have the antivirus deal with it automatically rather than manually doing it yourself. I just don't think it's a great idea to entirely depend on the antivirus. One should let it do the heavy work, but must also be ready to step in the instant the antivirus fails. This includes knowing when the computer is infected, how to find the problem and how to fix it.

Being careful is the best thing anyone can do, but that can fail too. I'd say that's the first line of defense. The second is the security software. You're there as backup, but must be able to perform the same job your antivirus is performing- that is, you must know what is infecting the computer and how to delete it.

Also... it's a great idea to keep a disk with some operating system that can run from the disk. Just in case the computer refuses to boot from the hard drive, even in safe mode. Linux distros are a good choice.

I'm curious, though... why do you recommend not to turn up the built-in security?

[lesser_minion]

I wrote the sentence badly.

My recommendation was to avoid turning off things like PolicyKit and User Account Control, and to consider turning them up. It read like I was saying not to turn up UAC, which wasn't what I meant to say at all.

There are exceptions - because Linux is less frequently used as a home OS, for example, PolicyKit can sometimes be absolutely ridiculous - asking for the root password in order to apply a security update is a little over the top.

Admittedly, I just tried full UAC on Windows 7, and it asks for confirmation before opening a control panel applet and then asks for it again if I choose to quit (saving changes). Ouch.

Also, your avatar is broken.

[Don Julio Anejo]

The problem is that if you don't have anything sensitive on your computer (like a bunch of financial account information), the tradeoff of performance vs. antivirus simply isn't worth it. Try a fresh install of Windows. Then install an antivirus and turn on live protection... It feels like a 10 year old Celeron trying to run Vista, doesn't it? It usually takes twice as long to open anything with live scanning running.

And if you you're not using scanning, there's no real point in having an AV suite (or at least a paid one) since chances are you're only going to scan suspicious files (the kind you shouldn't open anyway).

[lesser_minion]

The problem is that if you don't have anything sensitive on your computer (like a bunch of financial account information), the tradeoff of performance vs. antivirus simply isn't worth it. Try a fresh install of Windows. Then install an antivirus and turn on live protection... It feels like a 10 year old Celeron trying to run Vista, doesn't it? It usually takes twice as long to open anything with live scanning running.

I'm not sure what antivirus software you use or on what system, but that isn't my experience in the slightest.

If you're running Vista tolerably, you should be able to spare the small amount of memory and processor time it would cost you to run antivirus software.

* Unless that antivirus software happens to be Kaspersky Internet Security 2010, which has jumped right into the pit of bloated suck.

[scsimodem]

To everyone in this thread: do you guys have any experience with Hackintosh? I want to install Snow Leopard on my netbook (I need a few mac-only programs for school and frankly don't want to go to the computer lab every time I need to use it) but haven't really used a Hac before. Or is it too much pain and not worth it in the long run? Also, I don't want it on my desktop since I use that to play games 95% of the time and dual boot is more pain than it's worth.

It's a royal pain in the arse, but definitely cheaper than getting a Macbook. You just need to check and see if the chipset you're using is supported and if your devices all have Mac drivers out there somewhere. I've seen it pulled off on a lot of computers, but it tends to take days to work out all the kinks.

As far as the AV discussion, here's what I say:

You can maybe get away with not having an antivirus and still use the internet if you meet the following conditions:

You are the sole user of your computer at all times...period.
You never, even by accident, click on any ad banners with ad services that don't scan their own ads (MySpace and Facebook are notorious).
You download nothing except from established, reputable, sites.
You never open e-mail attachments unless you already know what they are.

Free ones can be sufficient for a sufficiently advanced computer user (you are probably only a sufficiently advanced computer user if it's your job or if your friends bug you to fix their computers), as many free versions (like Spyware Doctor) simply omit deletion of the files and registry keys.

99% of people need a good, paid for virus scanner, and not McAfee. That thing's about as effective as a cardboard cutout of an attack dog. I use Webroot. I can afford it and it saves me headaches.

[bluewind95]

I'm one of those people that gets bugged to fix computer issues by friends.

While I studied computer software engineering, I wasn't taught what I know of computer maintenance there. I'm pretty much self-taught here.

What I say is... 99% of the people should learn that kind of maintenance thing. :smalltongue:

Seriously. Anyone who's the main owner/admin of a computer really should know how to tweak advanced configurations and how to fix at least minor registry issues. Or, if nothing else, to be able to backup and restore a registry.

[lesser_minion]

In my experience, quite a few people end up being overconfident one way or another.

I think I'm a reasonably advanced computer user, in that I can generally get things to work. I dual-booted FreeBSD with Windows Vista for a time, before switching from FreeBSD to Fedora (atm I use Windows 7 on its own).

BitTorrent isn't dangerous on its own, as long as you're careful what you do with it. That basically means not downloading anything by BitTorrent that you wouldn't download using FTP or HTTP.

For Windows, your main choice is between AVG Free, Avira Antivir personal, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

MSE isn't crippled - it is full featured and free. How far you trust Microsoft is really the main issue with it.

Avira Personal Edition is apparently very well regarded, and a decent choice if you have to rescue a system. I just switched to it, and while it doesn't do as much as Kaspersky, it doesn't seem to hurt performance anywhere near as much. It chucks a nag screen at you once a day, as far as I can tell.

AVG Free is about the best known of the three - It apparently is crippled fairly heavily in some areas, and has a banner floating around somewhere as well.

For FreeBSD and Linux users, you can use Avira, Clam AV, or AVG Free, and you should be able to get by on one of those.

Avira and AVG will have to be downloaded from their respective websites, but Clam AV is available as a FreeBSD port, and included in the default repository for Fedora (and, presumably, Red Hat).

[lesser_minion]

Sorry to double-post, but I think this warrants it.

I'm cross-posting this from another thread on behalf of CoffeeIncluded:


Okay, so I have an HP Pavilion laptop with Vista running on it (Unfortunately). I've had it for about 9 months.

Yesterday the sound system started breaking on me. On the top of the keyboard you toggle the volume and stuff not with a dial, but by touching the screen.

But starting yesterday it doesn't respond when I touch it, and in fact the sound toggles up and down randomly. I tried cleaning it off but it didn't work.

Could anybody please help me with this?

[Mattarias, King.]

Hey guys. Most glorious thread here. :smallsmile: I'll bookmark it and help any way I can. Awesome.

I have a bit of a "problem", I guess. That is, my laptop's being slow. I understand this happens to all computers over time, but I'm not a fan of the inevitable. How do I get this baby zooming like it used to?

For the record, these are my specs:


Dell Latitude D630
MS Windows XP, SP3
Intel Core2 Duo CPU, T7100 @ 1.80 GHz,
3.0 gigs of RAM, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 135M

Memory doesn't seem to be an issue, since I have a 350-someodd gig external HD going on. Any tips? I run CCleaner about once a week, and defrag about that much. Doesn't seem to help.

[memnarch]

Well, how much of your CPU is used when it's just sitting there? As in, how many background applications are running?

[Mattarias, King.]

Well, how much of your CPU is used when it's just sitting there? As in, how many background applications are running?

When it's just idle? Not that much, I believe. Peerguardian, comodo firewall, AVGfree, snoopfree privacy shield, and AIM, usually. All I can really think of. I've prevented a bunch of ones from starting up with the computer, so it's not that, I figure.

[Don Julio Anejo]

When it's just idle? Not that much, I believe. Peerguardian, comodo firewall, AVGfree, snoopfree privacy shield, and AIM, usually. All I can really think of. I've prevented a bunch of ones from starting up with the computer, so it's not that, I figure.
And there you have it..
Also, chances are if you haven't formatted your computer in a while, a lot of these problems are from too much random crap in the registry. Download regclean or a number of other applications. If you're using your external hard drive a lot, your computer can seem slower as well, since it takes much longer to access than an internal one (unless you're using SATA but it's doubtful you are since it's a laptop).

PS: you don't have to defrag that often anymore. Windows more or less does it by itself when you move files and you only really need to defrag if you rewrote the better part of your hard drive recently or something like that.

PPS: IMO Avast! is the best antivirus (that you don't have to pay for) as long as you can get past the annoying interface.

[lesser_minion]

I'm going to dispute your recommendation for Avast! and suggest going with Avira Antivir.

It isn't even especially obvious that Avast! can be used free of charge.

AVG Free shouldn't really be much of a performance hit though - it doesn't exactly scan much.


When it's just idle? Not that much, I believe. Peerguardian, comodo firewall, AVGfree, snoopfree privacy shield, and AIM, usually. All I can really think of. I've prevented a bunch of ones from starting up with the computer, so it's not that, I figure.

You might have a slight issue with your RAM - I'm not sure exactly why, but I think current-generation RAM performs fastest when you have a matched pair of modules.

I don't think it makes that much difference unless you're gaming though.


For the defrag thing, it's worth doing, I think. You might want to try running CCleaner and IOBit SmartDefrag, to see if those help.

[memnarch]

Already runs CCleaner; he said that himself.

...
Memory doesn't seem to be an issue, since I have a 350-someodd gig external HD going on. Any tips? I run CCleaner about once a week, and defrag about that much. Doesn't seem to help.

I'll second trying a free defragmenter and state that Defraggler (http://www.piriform.com/defraggler) is pretty good.


As for Avast! vs. Avira, I'd just like to say that I think you got the two mixed up for obviousness. (Avast! has Free version link on their homepage) :smalltongue:
Avira homepage (http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php)
http://i48.tinypic.com/o0ues8.jpg
Avast! homepage (http://www.avast.com/)
http://i50.tinypic.com/116hsmg.jpg

[Lupy]

All right, people who know what I'm talking about.

Who thinks that you'll be able to use preexisting USB2 ports at USB3 speeds by connecting them to a USB3 output on the motherboard?

[memnarch]

You mean use a USB 2.0 port, that's just a plugin spot, to hook up a 3.0 connection through it? Possibly, as the plugs are the same shape (if I remember right).

[Mattarias, King.]

Ah, arright, I think it might indeed be my RAM. Got a 2 gig stick and a 1 gig stick under my keyboard.. Gonna be tough getting to that 1 gig stick though.. :\ Hrm..

I already use defraggler. Sorry about not mentioning that. It's a pretty dan good program, I must say.

But then is it a consensus that I should switch from AVG free to one of those others or what?

<<; And I do game. WoW, Ragnarok, D&D Online, all that good stuff.

[lesser_minion]

Not especially. AVG Free shouldn't be causing your problems. I got a tonne of slowdown out of Kasperky, but that was because I had some of the security settings turned up far too high (for a start, Kaspersky's ad filtering only works with IE for some reason. Additionally, the anti-phishing is weaker than the phishing filter built into Opera, and )

None of the games you mentioned should really have much of a problem under those specs (possibly DDO).

Your RAM wouldn't actually be the cause of your problems - it's just that I'm pretty sure it's slightly sub-optimal. I'm not even completely sure if it's true.

I think it's just general slowdown really. Go through the registry with CCleaner, and see if there are any issues. Also check how much space you have left on your main (internal) hard disk.

I'm not familiar with defraggler, but it should be reasonable.

[memnarch]

Do you use your external hard drive often?


Also, if you're gaming on your laptop, gotta remember that while games get more advanced (through updates and new game purchases), your computer is going to be staying the same. The graphics card/integrated chip is going to need to do more stuff than it had to a year ago.

[lesser_minion]

I generally play games that are 2-3 or more years behind the bleeding edge, and I think Mattarias does as well.

Although integrated graphics aren't necessarily the greatest kind out there. I've had some fairly bad experiences with a friend's laptop, which had a GMA 950. Just don't ask it to preserve aspect ratios...

I'm not too familiar with NVidia graphics cards, apart from the statistic that said that they were one of the biggest causes of bluescreens for a while.

[Mattarias, King.]

Hm, y'all got points. I don't use my external too much though. Just for WoW and DDO and storing huge things like my music folder. And I've got about 51% or so free space on my internal.

Hm.. So.. Nothing I can really do about it, then? I do run the registry cleaner every once in a while (I hear too much is bad), but it doesn't seem to help. Hmm.. I suppose the only solution is to just deal with it or get a new laptop, eh?

[lesser_minion]

From Google, I had a look, and it seems that the NVS 135M is mostly intended for business applications - it's not a gaming card at all, although it is better than an integrated one.

From what I can tell, it's just the same reduction in performance that you usually get with Windows over time.

[Don Julio Anejo]

AVG used to be great but the new version they have on their site is 90% composed of bells and whistles. I installed it on my desktop a month back... to delete it four hours later. Seriously, when it makes a pretty good desktop (overclocked Core 2 E8400, 4 gigs of 1066 RAM, 64-bit Windows 7, HD4870) run like a 10 year old celeron, something is wrong with it. A few other people who installed it just recently had the same problems. If it's an old install, it runs great and I would recommend it again in a flash.

On RAM: if it's two identical sticks, they run in parallel (called dual-channel memory). Basically both of them fill up at the same time, reducing time needed to access them and read/write information. Otherwise, they run in series - the second stick fills up only after the first one.

[SMEE]

Could someone re-post the process by which one roots out and gets rid of gigabytes' worth of pointless system restore points? SMEE detailed it a few months ago, but trying to find a particular piece of computer advice from a computer guru has been difficult, Google search notwithstanding.

Right click the partition (usually c:), click disk cleanup. Wait it to finish scanning, click the more options tab.
There you will see the System restore and shadow copies group if you're running Vista.
Click on the clean up button within it.

[Maximum Zersk]

I have a problem.

See, my scanner won't work. It says the the computer has insufficient memory.

Now, it was working before, when my computer was Vista. Now, though, when we upgraded to 7, it won't work.

My computer is an HP Pavilion, and my scanner is a Canon Pixma MX300, if that helps.

[lesser_minion]

How much memory do you have?

It's a strange issue, but I don't think I can figure it out without that.

Are you using the default software for the scanner?

[Moofaa]

Could be a driver issue, did you go to the scanner manufacturers website and download the latest version?

[Lupy]

You mean use a USB 2.0 port, that's just a plugin spot, to hook up a 3.0 connection through it? Possibly, as the plugs are the same shape (if I remember right).

I couldn't tell from the photos I've seen, and I can't find a computer store near me with a card in stock.

[memnarch]

Looking at this site (http://www.usb3.com/), it's backwards compatible, but the fast speed option doesn't fit the plug outlet.

[Maximum Zersk]

How much memory do you have?

It's a strange issue, but I don't think I can figure it out without that.

Are you using the default software for the scanner?

4 GB


Could be a driver issue, did you go to the scanner manufacturers website and download the latest version?

Tried it. Won't work.

[lesser_minion]

4 GB

Tried it. Won't work.

UAC?

Try right-clicking on your scanner software and going to Troubleshoot Compatibility.

I'm pretty sure there are a few small changes to how UAC works in 7 (Windows 7 will tell an admin to go to hell if they try to install unsigned drivers, whereas I think Vista will just throw a warning and a confirmation box).

Are you using 32-bit or 64-bit, and did that change when you upgraded?

[Belkar_Fett]

Since we don't have any more information on what type of computer you've got, that's all I can say at the moment.

It's a Compaq with Windows Vista. Need any more info?

[Don Julio Anejo]

First result (http://www.fixya.com/search/p466486-canon_pixma_mp150_all_in_one_inkjet/insufficient_memory) for Google search "pixma a300 insufficient memory"

Possible solution (http://www.fixya.com/support/t125439-error_message).

[KuReshtin]

It's a Compaq with Windows Vista. Need any more info?

The best way in that case is to actually call the Compaq helpline and ask. Most drivers will be available on their home page, though, so if you head in to Compaq.com, there whould be a downloads / drivers section there.
Once you get there, though, you will need to know the actual model of Compaq machine you've got. Usually, you'll find that information on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
The problem you're having might be something they've heard of at the Compaq support, so giving them a phone might be a good idea.

Are you running Vista or XP on the laptop? Cause earlier in the thread you said you were using XP, and now you say you're using Vista. It's confusing me a bit.

[Belkar_Fett]

Are you running Vista or XP on the laptop? Cause earlier in the thread you said you were using XP, and now you say you're using Vista. It's confusing me a bit.

Vista. Sorry about the confusion. I know NOTHING about computers and forgot which I had. But it's definitely Vista.

[Starfols]

My PC took an astonishing 37 hours to defragment. Should I be worried?

[Dispozition]

My PC took an astonishing 37 hours to defragment. Should I be worried?

Depends. How big was the hard drive and how long had it been since you last defragmented it?

My 1tb hdd takes a solid day to defrag most of the time, and I try to do it every few months. My 160gb hdds took at least 30 hours last time I did them, but that was after a year or two of not defragging them.

[memnarch]

Ok, I think I know what's going on, but I'd like to ask people here for their idea/opinion.
(big screenshot)
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj264/programmer162/IMG_0015.jpg

That is a picture of my laptop computer screen. I've been having display problems for the past few weeks, but this is the first time I've gotten this result. Computer froze and the sound stayed the same pitch until shutoff. The other times the display turned off, except for the back light which is still glowing. That would usually happen after I've been using my computer for a long time and using the RAM a lot (lots of browser tabs :P)

This time, the computer loaded up like normal and after a little while of web surfing, the screen changed to the picture.


Now, I think it is most likely a graphics card problem, but that doesn't explain why the mouse pointer in the picture is still fine.

[lesser_minion]

From your description, I think you have a problem with your graphics drivers - I've had my laptop pull a similar trick to the one you described (freezing with a blank screen) because of outdated drivers, and you might have a similar kind of issue, although I'm guessing that corruption is more likely if it's suddenly started doing this.

What graphics card do you use?

You might need to update your drivers, possibly using Mobility Modder as well.

[memnarch]

I'm using a ATI Radeon x1200 Series.

[lesser_minion]

I'm using a ATI Radeon x1200 Series.

Hmm... See if you can update the drivers using mobility modder and the reference set (Mobility Modder is here: http://www.hardwareheaven.com/modtool.php).

With any luck, that will solve your problems.

[memnarch]

Yeah, I just need to find the drivers is all.

[lesser_minion]

Yeah, looks like ATi have stopped distributing the notebook drivers on their website.

Saying that, I think I may have found the pages for the X1200 series:

- Vista 32 bit: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_vista32.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.7&lang=English
- Vista 64 bit: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_vista64.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.7&lang=English
- XP pro/home: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_xp.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.7&lang=English
- XP 64-bit: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_xp64.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.19&lang=English
- XP Media Centre: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_mce.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.19&lang=English

Windows 7 uses the Vista drivers.

[Kobold-Bard]

My laptop has gotten into a couple of bad habits in the last week.

1. It randomly closes my internet browser for literally no reason. I could live with this until I tried watching iPlayer, then realised I had to start from scratch. I primarily use Google Chrome, but it happens with IE and Firefox too.

2. It keeps telling me I am running out of memory and that I need to delete/close stuff. My Computer says I have 62.4GB free of an 138GB maximum, which seems to be pretty siilar to what I usually have (I haven't made any big additions to my laptop's memory lately).

If it matters I'm using Vista.

Any thoughts?

[Dispozition]

My laptop has gotten into a couple of bad habits in the last week

2. It keeps telling me I am running out of memory and that I need to delete/close stuff. My Computer says I have 62.4GB free of an 138GB maximum, which seems to be pretty siilar to what I usually have (I haven't made any big additions to my laptop's memory lately).

If it matters I'm using Vista.

Any thoughts?

It would be referring to RAM (or Random Access Memory, last word being important there). Vista may be the problem since it's quite RAM hungry. Do you know how much RAM you have installed?

[Kobold-Bard]

It would be referring to RAM (or Random Access Memory, last word being important there). Vista may be the problem since it's quite RAM hungry. Do you know how much RAM you have installed?

If I am remembering the right thing I think it's 1.8GB.

The thing is, despite what people say I've never had a problem with Vista. In three computers it's never given me any trouble (gravity on the other hand is a real asshat when it comes to my computers).

In case of virus options I have scanned and deleted some crap with Malwarebyte's free thingy, but the problem persists.

[Don Julio Anejo]

One of the possible causes could be having too much stuff installed. These days every second program tries to install some kind of a "tray manager" or whatever that claims it helps your programs start faster or adds features but in reality does absolutely nothing except eat up your RAM and space next to the clock. There's no real way to quantify how much is a lot, but it _could_ be the case of things like printer managers or update clients or even antiviruses eating up all of your available space.

Also, check your paging file. To do so, right-click on My Computer. Click on Advanced System Settings (last link on the left). Click on the Advanced tab. Click on Settings. Click on another Advanced tab.

It will have a box that says "Virtual Memory." First thing you want to do is check that under "Total paging file size for all drives:" is at least 1024 MB. But even if it is, click on "Change" and check the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives." It may ask for a restart.

You may also want to run a real antivirus like Avast!. Malwarebytes only scans for malware (like programs that open browser windows with ads even when you're not browsing the web), it doesn't scan for actual viruses (like trojans and the likes).

And finally, are you in the habit of having about 25 different browser windows, a media player and an office program with a 100 mb file open at the same time? This will take up all of your ram and then some as well.

[Dispozition]

If I am remembering the right thing I think it's 1.8GB.

The thing is, despite what people say I've never had a problem with Vista. In three computers it's never given me any trouble (gravity on the other hand is a real asshat when it comes to my computers).

While Vista is a decent platform now after many updates, it doesn't change the fact that it loves chewing through RAM. 1.8GB is on the low end for Vista to work well, iirc.

[lesser_minion]

Memory means RAM as opposed to hard disk space.

Apart from that, it's hard to tell what's going on really. Even Google Chrome shouldn't eat enough RAM to cause a problem, and while Vista can easily devour a gigabyte on its own, that shouldn't be the source of the issue either.

If there is too little RAM to go round, it shouldn't start closing programs out of hand - it should try to page memory out to your hard disk.

Could your laptop have been damaged recently? If there was a hardware issue, I could see this sort of mess happening. You might also want to have a look at what's running in the background on your laptop and see if that's using up too much memory. Don is right - quite a few programs do load half of themselves into memory when you boot your computer.

With only 1.8 Gb, once Vista and OpenOffice.org 'Quickstarter' have taken their cut, you'd only have 400mb left for your web browsers. Visit a couple of flash-heavy or badly designed web pages, and that will disappear very quickly, especially with Chrome or IE.

You might want to consider installing another web browser, and seeing if it does any better (I doubt it, but it might be worth a try).

Make sure any and all browser plug-ins are disabled - plug-ins are one of the things that are common to most web browsers, so a problem with one of them could lead to a problem with all of them (a lot of plug-ins use the same code for both ActiveX and Netscape).

Malware infections and hardware issues are the other possibilities. You might want to run a scan with your normal anti-virus software (Defender and MBAM are both supposed to supplement it, not be run on their own), and possibly get a second opinion from another AV suite as well.

I'd recommend Avira (http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html?tag=contentMain;contentAux) antivir, as it's basically free, and I've found it to be pretty efficient as well.

Finally, you might want to turn off Aero, and make sure OpenOffice (if you have it) isn't eating 400mb without doing anything.

[LordZarth]

Here's a puzzle for you. I'm using a MacBook, running Snow Leopard.

Periodically, several strange things will happen. My top bar will freeze, as will the dock. Usually this only occurs when I click on them: for example, hovering over the dock, which would cause that part to expand, has it freeze completely after it expands. Also, clicking an icon, say the File tab, would have that open and then freeze (the top bar).

Strange core services also freeze. Wireless internet functionality ceases, as well as the ability to command-tab switch through applications. Throughout this, however, applications still work! ...to some degree. I cannot command-tilde switch between windows; I would have to drag the window down so I could see the one behind it, then select that window.

When I said that the top bar and dock freeze upon contact, I didn't mean that's what causes it. All at once, the strange stuff starts. Internet kicks out, and then of course if I select a menu it will freeze.

I don't know if command-tab or -tilde functionality ceases with the rest, or after the dock freezes. I do know that, as said above, some applications work, such as Firefox, but I think Photo Booth, for example, freezes.

The whole thing is decidedly strange. I then of course have to hold down the power button to turn it off; clicking the power button does not bring up a shutdown menu.

[Hardcore]

Sounds like the system is not up to handle the work load, so to speak. Given this is a laptop I would first suspect heat dissipation problems. Buy a can of air and blow out the dust.

[Belkar_Fett]

Me again. Still got got computer issues when my laptop starts up. I did however make a small step forward today. I learned of a way to cancel automatic shutdown, however, even though I can stay logged on as long as I want AND have internet my sound is not working. The volume remains at zero and the little speaker icon at the bottom of my screen has an x over it. Any ideas how to fix this?

[lesser_minion]

Me again. Still got got computer issues when my laptop starts up. I did however make a small step forward today. I learned of a way to cancel automatic shutdown, however, even though I can stay logged on as long as I want AND have internet my sound is not working. The volume remains at zero and the little speaker icon at the bottom of my screen has an x over it. Any ideas how to fix this?

If you mouse over the icon, what does the tooltip say?

You may have to re-install your sound drivers, or at least check them, but I'm not sure exactly what you're describing.

Is the icon completely crossed out and greyed out?

[Belkar_Fett]

If you mouse over the icon, what does the tooltip say?

You may have to re-install your sound drivers, or at least check them, but I'm not sure exactly what you're describing.

Is the icon completely crossed out and greyed out?

The little speaker icon or symbol that's next to the time in the bottom right hand corner. There's a little red circle over part of it and inside the circle is a white x. Also, how would I go about re-installing my sound drivers?

[Mattarias, King.]

Uhm, hey guys, my girlfriend has a problem I can't fix. :\ Her speakers aren't letting out sound, but her headphones are. Any idea? She just got this sweet new gaming laptop, too.

[lesser_minion]

The little speaker icon or symbol that's next to the time in the bottom right hand corner. There's a little red circle over part of it and inside the circle is a white x. Also, how would I go about re-installing my sound drivers?

Try clicking on the icon and checking the settings that come up. It sounds to me like you might have accidentally muted it.

The procedure to re-install drivers varies, annoyingly.

Check to see if a sound card is listed in Device Manager as well, and see if that notes a problem.

[Belkar_Fett]

Try clicking on the icon and checking the settings that come up. It sounds to me like you might have accidentally muted it.

The procedure to re-install drivers varies, annoyingly.

Check to see if a sound card is listed in Device Manager as well, and see if that notes a problem.

Tried clicking it. Nothing happens. If I hover the mouse over it, it says volume: 0. I tried un-muting it. Nothing. Will check the sound card in device manager.

edit: Nothing in device manager.

[KuReshtin]

edit: Nothing in device manager.

As in "There's no sound card in the device manager" or "there doesn't seem to be any problem with the sound card in the device manager"?

If you don't see a sound card installed in the device manager at all, you need to find the driver for the sound card and install it again. You'll likely find the driver on the homepage of the manufacturer of the laptop.

If the sound card looks ok in the device manager, and it says that the sound card is working properly if you check the properties, then it might be somethine else.
I know that some laptops have two different volume controllers. ONe that you get when you click/double click on the speaker in the task bar, but also you have volume keys on the keyboard (like physical keys or key combinations) that are separate from the software controllers.

Make sure you've checked that the sound hasn't been disabled from those settings.

Also, to be able to help further, it would greatly help to know what type of Compaq laptop you've got. What's the model name?
If you go here (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?tmp_renderType=findModel&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00033108#ServiceTag) it'll tell you how to find the model name of your laptop, and that will help you to find the drivers for the laptop to be able to install the corect ones.

[lesser_minion]

Did you unmute it and turn the volume up, or did it not let you?

Try clicking the Mixer link and see what that has to say. It might be trying to play through the HDMI port or something silly like that.

[Belkar_Fett]

As in "There's no sound card in the device manager" or "there doesn't seem to be any problem with the sound card in the device manager"?

If you don't see a sound card installed in the device manager at all, you need to find the driver for the sound card and install it again. You'll likely find the driver on the homepage of the manufacturer of the laptop.

If the sound card looks ok in the device manager, and it says that the sound card is working properly if you check the properties, then it might be somethine else.
I know that some laptops have two different volume controllers. ONe that you get when you click/double click on the speaker in the task bar, but also you have volume keys on the keyboard (like physical keys or key combinations) that are separate from the software controllers.

Make sure you've checked that the sound hasn't been disabled from those settings.

Also, to be able to help further, it would greatly help to know what type of Compaq laptop you've got. What's the model name?
If you go here (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?tmp_renderType=findModel&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00033108#ServiceTag) it'll tell you how to find the model name of your laptop, and that will help you to find the drivers for the laptop to be able to install the corect ones.

The device manager has nothing in it. Like, the window is empty. It listed nothing when I had it opened. Also, the model is Compaq Presario CQ50-142US Notebook PC


Did you unmute it and turn the volume up, or did it not let you?

Try clicking the Mixer link and see what that has to say. It might be trying to play through the HDMI port or something silly like that.

I hit the mute/un-mute button on the key board and I got no change.

I didn't understand anything in the second half of your post. Please dumb it down to someone who is computer illiterate.

[lesser_minion]

I hit the mute/un-mute button on the key board and I got no change.

I didn't understand anything in the second half of your post. Please dumb it down to someone who is computer illiterate.

Sorry.

When you click on the speaker, it should pop up with a slider that lets you change the volume - check that that isn't right at the bottom.

It will also have a hyperlink marked 'Mixer'. When you click on it, it will pop up with a window telling you the name of the device being used for sound, and a list of programs trying to play sounds right now.

It's possible to set it up so that it's trying to play sound in a way you weren't expecting - for example, if your laptop can connect to a TV, it might be trying to send sounds there.

[Belkar_Fett]

Sorry.

When you click on the speaker, it should pop up with a slider that lets you change the volume - check that that isn't right at the bottom.

It will also have a hyperlink marked 'Mixer'. When you click on it, it will pop up with a window telling you the name of the device being used for sound, and a list of programs trying to play sounds right now.

It's possible to set it up so that it's trying to play sound in a way you weren't expecting - for example, if your laptop can connect to a TV, it might be trying to send sounds there.

Yeah, just did that. It said no audio device is installed. Now what?

[KuReshtin]

The device manager has nothing in it. Like, the window is empty. It listed nothing when I had it opened. Also, the model is Compaq Presario CQ50-142US Notebook PC


Right.

In that case, click this link (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-63166-1&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2093&product=3813512) to get to the driver page for the sound card.
Once there, you should just need to click on the "Download now" link, save the file to your desktop, then double-click it and follow the instructions.
That will install the driver, so if that's the problem, then that should fix it.

The fact that your device manager is completely empty worries me a bit.
You don't even get the computer name at the top of that window?

It could look empty if the computer has been collapsed, so that you only see the computer name listed, and then a 'plus' on the side. (see spoilered pic)
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/kureshtin/images/DevMan1.jpg
If you see that, and click on the 'plus', you should get the list of device types. (see pic below)
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/kureshtin/images/DevMan2.jpg
If you get that, you can then double-click on the 'Sound, Video and Game Controllers' header to be able to see the sound driver. (see below)
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/kureshtin/images/DevMan3.jpg


Edit: Hehe.. Long-winded post was ninja'd to provide the question to the answer I had been typing up.

[Belkar_Fett]

Right.

In that case, click this link (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-63166-1&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2093&product=3813512) to get to the driver page for the sound card.
Once there, you should just need to click on the "Download now" link, save the file to your desktop, then double-click it and follow the instructions.
That will install the driver, so if that's the problem, then that should fix it.

The fact that your device manager is completely empty worries me a bit.
You don't even get the computer name at the top of that window?

It could look empty if the computer has been collapsed, so that you only see the computer name listed, and then a 'plus' on the side. (see spoilered pic)
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/kureshtin/images/DevMan1.jpg
If you see that, and click on the 'plus', you should get the list of device types. (see pic below)
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/kureshtin/images/DevMan2.jpg
If you get that, you can then double-click on the 'Sound, Video and Game Controllers' header to be able to see the sound driver. (see below)
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/kureshtin/images/DevMan3.jpg


Edit: Hehe.. Long-winded post was ninja'd to provide the question to the answer I had been typing up.

First of all, I downloaded the driver. How long should it to install because I have the window up that's "initializing application" with loading bars that been going on for well over an hour (probably closer to two by this point)? Also, no, device manager is literally empty.

[lesser_minion]

That is pretty worrying.

I'm guessing a little here, but it sounds to me like part of the OS has died somewhere.

For now, I'd suggest copying absolutely everything you don't want to lose to an external drive. If you end up having to do anything drastic them it will probably result in at least half your hard disk being wiped, depending completely on how your disk is configured.

[KuReshtin]

That is pretty worrying.

I'm guessing a little here, but it sounds to me like part of the OS has died somewhere.

For now, I'd suggest copying absolutely everything you don't want to lose to an external drive. If you end up having to do anything drastic them it will probably result in at least half your hard disk being wiped, depending completely on how your disk is configured.

^^ This. Definitely this. If the device manager is completely empty, there's something wrong with the OS.

Might need to run a recovery of the system and reinstall the entire harddrive and OS.

[Etcetera]

I have two monitors on my computer, and recently I decided to change their resolution to 1440x900 for convenience sake. Often, when I log on, my primary screen resets its resolution to the original and the secondary monitor becomes primary (it gets the start menu and has my icons on it). When I change the resolution in control panel it says that my primary monitor is still primary, but it is not (i.e, it does not have the taskbar on it). While I can fix this, it's very inconvenient having to fix it every time. I'm running Vista.

[Dispozition]

I have two monitors on my computer, and recently I decided to change their resolution to 1440x900 for convenience sake. Often, when I log on, my primary screen resets its resolution to the original and the secondary monitor becomes primary (it gets the start menu and has my icons on it). When I change the resolution in control panel it says that my primary monitor is still primary, but it is not (i.e, it does not have the taskbar on it). While I can fix this, it's very inconvenient having to fix it every time. I'm running Vista.

Are you using an ATI or Nvidea graphics card? If it's ATI I can probably help since the drivers have a really easy fix, but if it's Nvidea I'll be leaving it so someone else.

EDIT: If ATI, do you have the CCC installed?

[LordZarth]

Here's a puzzle for you. I'm using a MacBook, running Snow Leopard.

Periodically, several strange things will happen. My top bar will freeze, as will the dock. Usually this only occurs when I click on them: for example, hovering over the dock, which would cause that part to expand, has it freeze completely after it expands. Also, clicking an icon, say the File tab, would have that open and then freeze (the top bar).

Strange core services also freeze. Wireless internet functionality ceases, as well as the ability to command-tab switch through applications. Throughout this, however, applications still work! ...to some degree. I cannot command-tilde switch between windows; I would have to drag the window down so I could see the one behind it, then select that window.

When I said that the top bar and dock freeze upon contact, I didn't mean that's what causes it. All at once, the strange stuff starts. Internet kicks out, and then of course if I select a menu it will freeze.

I don't know if command-tab or -tilde functionality ceases with the rest, or after the dock freezes. I do know that, as said above, some applications work, such as Firefox, but I think Photo Booth, for example, freezes.

The whole thing is decidedly strange. I then of course have to hold down the power button to turn it off; clicking the power button does not bring up a shutdown menu.

Update. As far as I can ascertain, this appears to only happen when the Finder is quit.

[Etcetera]

Are you using an ATI or Nvidea graphics card? If it's ATI I can probably help since the drivers have a really easy fix, but if it's Nvidea I'll be leaving it so someone else.

EDIT: If ATI, do you have the CCC installed?

NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is what it is...

[Dispozition]

NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is what it is...

I'll be of limited (read no) help then. I'm only familiar with ATI cards. Sorry v.v

[Blaine.Bush]

So I was having some trouble with my computer, and the problem turned out to be the hard drive. I replaced it with one I got for free from a friend. The problem is, now my CD-ROM drive won't work. I've checked to make sure all the cables are plugged in correctly and that they're good cables, but the CD-ROM drive still won't work. :smallfrown:

Edit: Forgot to mention I also tried changing around the jumpers on both the hard drive and the CD-ROM drive.

[Mystic Muse]

Okay. I'm on Ubuntu 8.10 and something weird has happened.

Nothing is appearing in the "back" or "forward" arrows. Pidgin( My IM program) doesn't work at all, and my computer hard drive is saying it doesn't have enough space left for a 3.5 GB file. I recently checked and I should have about 60 GB left of space left on my computer. I'll check again just to make sure however, I don't seem to recall putting over 55 GB of data on this computer ever.

Does anybody have a solution to this problem?

EDIT: checked. I have 49.8 GB of space taken up along with some other "undetectable" things and yet I have 2.8 GB of space on my hard drive. This is a 120 GB hard drive so something is wrong.

[Zeb The Troll]

So I was having some trouble with my computer, and the problem turned out to be the hard drive. I replaced it with one I got for free from a friend. The problem is, now my CD-ROM drive won't work. I've checked to make sure all the cables are plugged in correctly and that they're good cables, but the CD-ROM drive still won't work. :smallfrown:

Edit: Forgot to mention I also tried changing around the jumpers on both the hard drive and the CD-ROM drive.Have you checked in the BIOS to make sure that your CD-ROM is a bootable device?

[Zeb The Troll]

Sorry. I haven't used any flavor of Linux since 1997, and then only just enough to get through the class. You might try posting this in The Computer Help Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135059), however.

[Mystic Muse]

Okay. I'm on Ubuntu 8.10 and something weird has happened.

Nothing is appearing in the "back" or "forward" arrows. Pidgin( My IM program) doesn't work at all, and my computer hard drive is saying it doesn't have enough space left for a 3.5 GB file. I recently checked and I should have about 60 GB left of space left on my computer. I'll check again just to make sure however, I don't seem to recall putting over 55 GB of data on this computer ever.

Does anybody have a solution to this problem?
checked. I have 49.8 GB of space taken up along with some other "undetectable" things and yet I have 2.8 GB of space on my hard drive. This is a 120 GB hard drive so something is wrong.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

Nothing is appearing in the "back" or "forward" arrows. Pidgin( My IM program) doesn't work at all, and my computer hard drive is saying it doesn't have enough space left for a 3.5 GB file. I recently checked and I should have about 60 GB left of space left on my computer. I'll check again just to make sure however, I don't seem to recall putting over 55 GB of data on this computer ever.

What do you mean by "appearing in the 'back' or 'forward' arrows"?
What error are you getting with Pidgin (try starting it from the terminal and see if there's a message), or if you aren't getting an error, does it do anything weird when it tries to start?
What specific error do you get when trying to copy a file?

[valadil]

Is it actually saying you don't have room to write or could it be some other error?

Is your linux installation set up over multiple partitions? I always separate / and /home. Sometimes /var, /boot, and /usr too. If so are you sure the partition you're using has enough free space?

Not sure what's up with the back and forward arrows or with pidgin. Try making a new account. Do your programs work right in there? If they do then it's probably just your pidgin and browser (firefox, nautilus, or whatever else has forward and back arrows (you need to be more specific when making help requests!)) in your user's settings. Deleting or moving your settings files from them would fix the problem if that's the case (most settings in your user directory are stored in dot files. They start with a period and are hidden when you browse the folder. Firefox settings are usually in .mozilla and pidgin's are inexplicably in .purple).

Finally if your hard drive really is that full, try using filelight (it's in the apt repos) to figure out what your biggest files are. Or if you're feeling l33t, try using find instead. 'find / -size +100M -printf "%k kb\t%p\n" 2> /dev/null | sort -n' will find and sort files above 100MB.

[Hardcore]

Kyuubi, because ubuntu still is smaller than Windows you need to go to a dedicated Ubuntu forum to get help .list of links to forums in many languages. (http://www.ubuntu.com/support/community/locallanguage)
Look at the list and find that which suits you best and post your questions there. (I didn't know what language you speak)

[PairO'Dice Lost]

Kyuubi, because ubuntu still is smaller than Windows you need to go to a dedicated Ubuntu forum to get help .list of links to forums in many languages. (http://www.ubuntu.com/support/community/locallanguage)
Look at the list and find that which suits you best and post your questions there. (I didn't know what language you speak)

...or he could let valadil and me help him. :smallwink: Linux isn't all that obscure anymore, and there are several of us Linux folks right here willing to lend a hand.

[Mystic Muse]

hmm. I seem to be able to delete files through a picture program on linux. It looks like I could (theoretically) delete my entire windows OS through it. WOuld this be a good idea or would it screw up my computer in ways I can't imagine? (the OS itself is useless at this point. nothing works on it and there's no data worth salvaging)

This SHOULD free up some space on my drive if I do it.

EDIT: when I delete files it's taking up MORE space instead of less :smallconfused:

[PairO'Dice Lost]

hmm. I seem to be able to delete files through a picture program on linux. It looks like I could (theoretically) delete my entire windows OS through it. WOuld this be a good idea or would it screw up my computer in ways I can't imagine? (the OS itself is useless at this point. nothing works on it and there's no data worth salvaging)

This SHOULD free up some space on my drive if I do it.

It would be better to remove the Windows partition via GPartEd or another partition editor rather than just deleting the files, but technically speaking you wouldn't harm your computer.


EDIT: when I delete files it's taking up MORE space instead of less :smallconfused:

Have you remembered to empty the Trash and/or been using rm?

[Mystic Muse]

well, it's mainly old windows files I've been deleting and it asks whether I want to "delete permanently" which is what I've been doing. However when I delete Ubuntu files yes, I do empty the trash.

also, what's rm and Gparted? (I'm still kind of new to Ubuntu but it's my only alternative at this point)

[Jack Squat]

well, it's mainly old windows files I've been deleting and it asks whether I want to "delete permanently" which is what I've been doing. However when I delete Ubuntu files yes, I do empty the trash.

also, what's rm and Gparted? (I'm still kind of new to Ubuntu but it's my only alternative at this point)

rm is a command for linux that you enter via the terminal. It stand for remove, so it's basically the delete function. if I wanted to delete file.txt that's located in documents, I could do it by

jsquat~> rm /documents/file.txt

or by going into the documents folder and deleting it that way

jsquat ~> cd /documents
jsquat/documents~> rm file.txt

There's other options that you can do and what not (such as typing -i to prompt and make sure you want to delete the file), but those aren't really important for the basic user.

Gparted is a partition editor by the GNOME project. You can find it by Googling it.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

also, what's rm and Gparted? (I'm still kind of new to Ubuntu but it's my only alternative at this point)

As Jack Squat said, using rm is the same as deleting a file graphically, but it bypasses the Trash; you need to empty the trash after deleting graphically but not after using rm, so I was checking on whether or not you'd need to empty it.

GPartEd lets you change, add, delete, etc. partitions on your computer. It's perfectly fine to just delete Windows files, but even if you remove all of them you still have extra space taken up on your computer for all of the Windows stuff that isn't plain files (boot information, for instance) so removing the partition frees up more space. GPartEd should probably be installed by default on your machine, but you should back up your files and look for a tutorial before doing anything with it.

[Mystic Muse]

okay, I checked in the add/remove applications bit and it says I have Gparrted.

the problem is it's not showing up in the section it's supposed to be in.

[Lupy]

You have to boot the liveCD to use gparted, you can't use it while you're booted from the hard drive you're editing.

[Anima]

You can start gparted by entering
~> sudo gparted
in the terminal. It will prompt you then for your password.

[Dr.Epic]

Something's wrong with flash drive. It should be able to hold 4 GB and it did just that but now it can't even hold 300 MB worth of documents. I deleted all the files on it just to make sure there'd be enough room and it's fairly new so I don't know what the problem is. Any ideas?

[Mystic Muse]

@ dr Epic. Check the trash bin. I know on my OS the files get sent there and I have to delete them there or the space will still be taken up.

Make sure the USB drive is connected to the computer when you do this.

[Dr.Epic]

@ dr Epic. Check the trash bin. I know on my OS the files get sent there and I have to delete them there or the space will still be taken up.

Make sure the USB drive is connected to the computer when you do this.

Yeah that was the problem. Thanks.

[Mystic Muse]

Yeah that was the problem. Thanks.

yay!

:elan: I'm Participating!

[Dr.Epic]

yay!

:elan: I'm Participating!

Like "Beam me up Scotty," and "Luke I am your father," I don't think he ever said that.

[Mystic Muse]

Like "Beam me up Scotty," and "Luke I am your father," I don't think he ever said that.

he didn't?

dang.

ARCHIVE SPLURGE TIME! (After D&D. Which I should be preparing for and not wasting time on here)

[Dr.Epic]

he didn't?

dang.

ARCHIVE SPLURGE TIME! (After D&D. Which I should be preparing for and not wasting time on here)

Let me know if it actually comes up.

[Mystic Muse]

Let me know if it actually comes up.

will do.Hidden message? what hidden message?

[moxproxy]

Ok, this might not be a "problem", but I thought I'd give it a try anyway.

I'm getting a new computer, and since I just started playing WoW, I've decided on getting my very first non-laptop. But being rather new to computer gaming, I really don't know much about what hardware to get.

So could anyone help me out? Which graphics card is better? Which processor should I choose? How much RAM will I need? What thingamajig fits the thingamabob?

Now, I'm on a budget, and a small one at that, but I still want to be able to play a smooth running game. After several years on outdated old laptops, I think I just might lose it if my newly built computer starts lagging. :P

Any and all tips will be greatly appreciated. :)

[Don Julio Anejo]

Now, I'm on a budget, and a small one at that, but I still want to be able to play a smooth running game. After several years on outdated old laptops, I think I just might lose it if my newly built computer starts lagging. :P

It would greatly help us if you could give a number, even if a very rough ballpark estimate. E.g. "1000 bucks is my upper limit but prefer to keep it under 700."

Basically, there's two ways you can do this. Either build a well-rounded computer (that will, unfortunately, cost 1000+ for the components), or build something purely for gaming while cutting corners.

The cheap version? Well, games don't care about number of cores on your CPU, only the clock/architecture. Which means an older dual-core CPU like the E8400 is still a viable option. This, however, involves cutting corners when it comes to RAM since newer i7 series use triple channel and faster RAM when compared to Core Duo. It also means a slower motherboard.

Basically something like this:
Intel E8400
A p45 motherboard (Asus P5Q series, for example)
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
Radeon HD5770 video card
750-850W or higher PSU (850 if you want to use 2 video cards eventually*)
(+case, hard drive, optical drive, etc).

The nice version?
i7 920 + motherboard for it (again, can't go wrong with ASUS)
3x2GB (6GB in total) 1066 or better RAM
Radeon HD5850
850W or higher PSU

* - I personally don't recommend using 2 video cards. Because simply put, a medium-high end video card (e.g. HD5770, GTX280) will let you play any current game at max or near max settings. Getting two of them is overkill. Getting two older and cheaper cards, and you run the risk of bugs or incompatibility a year or two down the road, while only getting a small speed boost down the road in return. Things may change eventually, but right now it's not worth it - it's simply easier (and probably cheaper too) to buy a new card 2 years from now.

[moxproxy]

It would greatly help us if you could give a number, even if a very rough ballpark estimate. E.g. "1000 bucks is my upper limit but prefer to keep it under 700."

Basically, there's two ways you can do this. Either build a well-rounded computer (that will, unfortunately, cost 1000+ for the components), or build something purely for gaming while cutting corners.

The cheap version? Well, games don't care about number of cores on your CPU, only the clock/architecture. Which means an older dual-core CPU like the E8400 is still a viable option. This, however, involves cutting corners when it comes to RAM since newer i7 series use triple channel and faster RAM when compared to Core Duo. It also means a slower motherboard.

Basically something like this:
Intel E8400
A p45 motherboard (Asus P5Q series, for example)
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
Radeon HD5770 video card
750-850W or higher PSU (850 if you want to use 2 video cards eventually*)
(+case, hard drive, optical drive, etc).

The nice version?
i7 920 + motherboard for it (again, can't go wrong with ASUS)
3x2GB (6GB in total) 1066 or better RAM
Radeon HD5850
850W or higher PSU

Well, my ballpark figure would be no more than $1200, so if I were to buy from the States I could probably get a pretty decent machine. But I'm Scandinavian, and things are a bit more expensive here.

The Radeon HD5850 costs about $130 more here than from American sites. RAM is somewhere between double and triple the American price, from what I've gathered by running a quick search.

Now, if I bought everything from an American site, I'd have to pay tax on top, adding at least 25%, possibly more, to the price. :smallannoyed: Also I would have to factor in warranty issues in case something gets broken, and such. Now, if I knew someone "over there" who could collect and re-pack my purchases, that extra tax wouldn't be necessary... :smallamused: :smalltongue:

I'd prefer not cutting corners, and I'd like a computer that's not completely outdated in a year. But it doesn't necessarily have to be top of the line. :)

EDIT: Yup, as I feared, the "cutting corners"-version you've described will cost between $1000-1400. :smallfrown: Guess I'll have to settle for that range.

[Mystic Muse]

Okay. I got Gparted up but my Windows OS isn't showing up in the list of partisions. Or maybe it is. It says "NTFS" but it also says that I've got 54 times more unused space than I actually have.:smallconfused:

[Don Julio Anejo]

EDIT: Yup, as I feared, the "cutting corners"-version you've described will cost between $1000-1400. :smallfrown: Guess I'll have to settle for that range.
Sorry, haven't checked this thread for a while :frown:
I don't know the exact prices, but I'm guessing basically what I posted should work fine:

- Core 2 Duo E8400 + an aftermarket cooler for it (e.g. this one (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41337&vpn=RR-B10-212P-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER), considered one of the better cheap coolers) so you can overclock it (4.0 GHz is quite possible and 3.6 can even be done on a cooler that comes with the chip if you get some decent thermal paste, although I don't recommend this high). 3.4 or so on a stock cooler or 3.8 on a good aftermarket one is a better idea.

- Asus P5Q motherboard (there's lots of versions, but it doesn't really matter as long as the chipset is P45 and you're not overpaying 20-30 bucks for SLi or Crossfire if you don't intend to use it)

- 2x2GB of RAM. DDR2 800 or 1066. The second one will probably require some screwing around if you want to run it at 1066 won't give you that much of a performance boost, but if they cost about the same, there's no point in saving $4 when you're spending $1200. Preferrably buy one set of two sticks (it'll say "2x2GB") or two identical sticks.

- 750 watt or higher power supply (Antec is good, Corsair and OCZ are also not bad)

- Best Radeon HD you can afford with your money (probably means either the 5770 or 5850), nVidia currently doesn't offer as much bang for your buck

- Hard drive. You can also get two identical drives and run them in Raid 0 (two drives running parallel so information is evenly distributed between the two), which gives a pretty good speed boost for accessing data (e.g. loading new levels, copying files, etc), however you're kinda screwed even if one of them fails. You can also do Raid 3/4 so one hard drive functions as a real-time backup but it's a pain in the ass to set up from what I heard and requires 3+ disks.

- A case. Personal preference mostly. Don't buy one that comes with a PSU unless it's from a reputable company (google it x_x) and it's at least 650W, 750 preferrably. More case fans helps.

- An optical drive. Blu-ray, or whatever you kids use these days. I've been using the same DVD burner for the last 5 years and feel perfectly fine with it even though it can't even do dual layer. Again, personal preference mostly.

The above will give you a pretty good gaming computer that should be able to handle games for at least another 2 years, after which you'd probably have to upgrade your CPU+motherboard. May not be superfast compared to i7's when doing video encoding and whatnot, but will still blow any laptop out of the water. Will work just as well for games as i7 since I'm pretty sure very few games make use of multiple cores just yet and certainly not the ones I play (Empire Total War, Fallout 3, Oblivion, Dragon Age).

[Lioness]

This is more of a virus problem than a software/hardware thing.

Basically, last night sometime my Hotmail sent out a spam email to everyone on my contact list. Was this a hacker or a virus?

I've been running a thorough scan all day with Avast, and when that finished I'll be going through it with AVG. I've also changed my hotmail password, just in case it was a hacker.

Is there anything else I should do?

[Dispozition]

This is more of a virus problem than a software/hardware thing.

Basically, last night sometime my Hotmail sent out a spam email to everyone on my contact list. Was this a hacker or a virus?

I've been running a thorough scan all day with Avast, and when that finished I'll be going through it with AVG. I've also changed my hotmail password, just in case it was a hacker.

Is there anything else I should do?

Virus. And the change in password should stop the virus. It's pretty common really.

[Mystic Muse]

Is there anything else I should do?

Turn off your computer and make sure it powers down.
drop it in a 43 foot hole in the ground
bury it completely rocks and boulders should be fine
then burn all the clothes you may have worn any time you were online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvfD5rnkTws :smallbiggrin:

If the antiviruses don't pick anything up then you probably should be more worried about your password than a virus.

Make sure your password is memorable but extremely hard to guess.

[Mystic Muse]

okay. I have an odd problem of my own.

I can't seem to log onto the administrator account on Linux.

not only that but I can't delete files from an old account I deleted. (when I deleted it the files didn't go with it oddly)

also, I know have Ubuntu 9.04. I imagine that's relevant.

Oh and one other question while I'm at it. If I were to cut the ends off two USB cords and fuse them together could I use that new cord to transfer data from a computer to another computer? Or would this be a really bad idea? I don't plan on actually doing this any time in the near future. I was just wondering.

[Jack Squat]

Oh and one other question while I'm at it. If I were to cut the ends off two USB cords and fuse them together could I use that new cord to transfer data from a computer to another computer? Or would this be a really bad idea? I don't plan on actually doing this any time in the near future. I was just wondering.

Short answer, no. You need a bridged USB cable. Linky (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/248)

[Anima]

@ Kyuubi
The NTFS partition should be your Windows partition, but it's not clear to me what you mean with the unused space. Not formatted space, or free space on the partition.

I'm also not quite sure where your problem with the administrator account is.
Since you were able to run gparted, which is only possible with root access, I fail to see the problem.
The actual root user account is by default not accessible. That's why you have to use sudo for those things.

You can not delete the data from the other account, due to the lack of the right "write" for the files.
To delete them use the command:


sudo rm -r "path"

Enter the complete path for the directory you want to delete, you can copy the path from the file browser.

[moxproxy]

*A lot of highly useful information*

Thanks a lot! :) I'll look into getting an i7 here, and then buy RAM, power supply and such from the States. That way I might be able to afford it. If not, I'll just go with your setup.

[KuReshtin]

...power supply ... from the States.

Just make sure to flip the switch on the voltage on the power supply before you connect it and start it up, since the US runs on 110V whereas Norway, along with most of Europe runs on 210-230V, and if you don't flip it over to handle the increased Voltage, you'll fry the power supply the first thing you do.
And trust me. That is not covered by any warranty.

[moxproxy]

...flip the switch...

Thanks, I'll remember. :) I make it a point to always read the instructions on everything I buy, and understanding them, before doing anything. Hopefully they would have mentioned something about this. Although you never know, right?

[KuReshtin]

Thanks, I'll remember. :) I make it a point to always read the instructions on everything I buy, and understanding them, before doing anything. Hopefully they would have mentioned something about this. Although you never know, right?

Not necessarily. If the PSU was intended for the US market, they might not have thought about mentioning it in the leaflet included with the PSU.

I've had a bunch of customers that have had this problem, and none of them were very happy when i told them that they'd had to pay for a new power supply, especially if they'd just bought the machine from the US and brought it over to Europe.

Also check to see if the import tax and VAT (MVA in Norge) will make it cheaper to buy the parts in Norway.

[Dr.Epic]

HOLY CRAP! MY LAPTOP'S GOT A VIRUS!!!:smalleek:

I got this message saying my computer's infected with this virus called Worm.Win32.Netsky. I can only get on in safe mode. I've looked around the web and have found instructions as to how I can remove it. (http://www.spywareremove.com/removeWormWin32Netsky.html) I'm just wondering if any one else knows about this virus and can help me out.

[lesser_minion]

Do you know how you might have got this?

Do you regularly use Internet Explorer? Windows Media Player?

Have you opened any e-mail attachments recently?

I've seen a couple of different explanations of this particularly piece of malware, so it might be worth having another look.

[Timarvay]

Two questions:

First, I think my computer's moniter died. After I turn it on, it works normally for about a second before going dark. It doesn't turn off or anything, but turning if off and on does make it work for another second or so. It is several years old, but I've had moniters last longer without any issues. I don't have a spare to hook my computer up to, so I can't be sure if it is a moniter issue, but the computer does seem to work fine apart from that. Dual booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu, if that matters, and the problem happens in startup and both operating systems.

Second, I recently installed Ubuntu on the computer with the problems. What are some good, free programs to install on it once I get the moniter working?

[peterpaulrubens]

Second, I recently installed Ubuntu on the computer with the problems. What are some good, free programs to install on it once I get the moniter working?Totally depends on what you're looking for Ubuntu to do for you.

What ARE you looking for Ubuntu to do?

[Dr.Epic]

Do you know how you might have got this?

Do you regularly use Internet Explorer? Windows Media Player?

Have you opened any e-mail attachments recently?

I've seen a couple of different explanations of this particularly piece of malware, so it might be worth having another look.

1. I got this one message that my computer may be infected an I downloaded some program (the site I linked to said that was a common cause of the virus).

2. No; Firefox but I did open internet explorer and that's how I got that message. Yes I use Windows Media Player

3. Yes.

[lesser_minion]

1. I got this one message that my computer may be infected an I downloaded some program (the site I linked to said that was a common cause of the virus).

2. No; Firefox but I did open internet explorer and that's how I got that message. Yes I use Windows Media Player

3. Yes.

In that case, I don't really have anything to add about how to remove it.

[Dr.Epic]

In that case, I don't really have anything to add about how to remove it.

Thanks for the help any way.

Do you by any chance know how to open Windows Task Manager? I've tried control+alt+delete but in safe mode it does pop up. I'll try and search for it. Hopefully I can find it follow the instructions.

[lesser_minion]

Ctrl+Alt+Del should be infallible, but the other method is to right-click on the taskbar.

Virtually everything that pops up from the internet claiming that your computer might be infected with malware is fraudulent. Good security software doesn't really need to advertise much.

If you do get a dialog box saying that your computer may have a virus, you should block scripts from that page from executing, close the dialog, report the site, and leave it.

What security software do you use, btw?

[Dr.Epic]

Ctrl+Alt+Del should be infallible, but the other method is to right-click on the taskbar.

Virtually everything that pops up from the internet claiming that your computer might be infected with malware is fraudulent. Good security software doesn't really need to advertise much.

If you do get a dialog box saying that your computer may have a virus, you should block scripts from that page from executing, close the dialog, report the site, and leave it.

What security software do you use, btw?

Well my problem got worse. I tried fixing it myself and delected some stuff and now my taskbar is gone along with all my icons on my desktop. Task manager still doesn't appear when I hit ctrl+alt+del. What the crap am I supposed to do?:smallannoyed: I'm going to de calling tech support very soon.

[Dispozition]

Well my problem got worse. I tried fixing it myself and delected some stuff and now my taskbar is gone along with all my icons on my desktop. Task manager still doesn't appear when I hit ctrl+alt+del. What the crap am I supposed to do?:smallannoyed: I'm going to de calling tech support very soon.

Ctrl+shift+escape. Brings up task manager. Failing that, you have a virus that's disabling it, you need to get into run, if you can.

[Dr.Epic]

Ctrl+shift+escape. Brings up task manager. Failing that, you have a virus that's disabling it, you need to get into run, if you can.

Yeah, I read online that might work. Let's hope so.

[Don Julio Anejo]

Two questions:

First, I think my computer's moniter died. After I turn it on, it works normally for about a second before going dark. It doesn't turn off or anything, but turning if off and on does make it work for another second or so. It is several years old, but I've had moniters last longer without any issues. I don't have a spare to hook my computer up to, so I can't be sure if it is a moniter issue, but the computer does seem to work fine apart from that.
Take your monitor over to a friend or neighbour and ask to connect it to their computer. Or ask a friend to come over with a laptop, or whatever. If it works fine, it's most likely the video card or there's something wrong with the output itself. Also, just in case, try a different cable. If neither helps, unfortunately, you have to get a new monitor.

[Dr.Epic]

Ctrl+shift+escape. Brings up task manager. Failing that, you have a virus that's disabling it, you need to get into run, if you can.

Yeah, that didn't work. I have no idea what I am going to do because when I log on I just get a black screen with a mouse. I have no idea what I'm going to do about my files or what I'm going to tell my professors. I have to contact tech support.

[lesser_minion]

Yeah, that didn't work. I have no idea what I am going to do because when I log on I just get a black screen with a mouse. I have no idea what I'm going to do about my files or what I'm going to tell my professors. I have to contact tech support.

If you've lost material because of something that isn't entirely your fault, I don't see how it could be that horrible a problem.

A few anti-virus companies provide a way to fix seriously damaged systems, however - Avira have this:

http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/12/avira_antivir_rescue_system.html

The problem is that you will have to burn it to disk or pop it onto a bootable memory stick somehow, and I can't really help you use it either. I don't even know if it gives you any graphics, or how easy it is to use.

[Dr.Epic]

If you've lost material because of something that isn't entirely your fault, I don't see how it could be that horrible a problem.

My big problem is that I have a class that requires I have a working laptop with me in class for assignments. I have no idea how I'm going to complete in class work.


A few anti-virus companies provide a way to fix seriously damaged systems, however - Avira have this:

http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/12/avira_antivir_rescue_system.html

The problem is that you will have to burn it to disk or pop it onto a bootable memory stick somehow, and I can't really help you use it either. I don't even know if it gives you any graphics, or how easy it is to use.

Hopefully that will work. I don't know how I'll get it on my computer. I'm not sure a CD or flash drive will work. I tried the latter earlier and nothing. My computer's really messed. To reiterate, if this doesn't work, I'm going to contact tech support.

[lesser_minion]

My big problem is that I have a class that requires I have a working laptop with me in class for assignments. I have no idea how I'm going to complete in class work.

Call your tutor as soon as possible and tell them that your computer is not working. I'm not sure how harsh the system is in America, but this is hardly something that's under your control.

Presumably, they will be fairly understanding.


Hopefully that will work. I don't know how I'll get it on my computer. I'm not sure a CD or flash drive will work. I tried the latter earlier and nothing. My computer's really messed. To reiterate, if this doesn't work, I'm going to contact tech support.

You will need to find a friend and burn it onto a CD, but from there, you should be able to just pop it into your CD ROM drive and reboot.

As I said, it might be able to find and remove the danger, but you might end up being forced to use it to find any important information and get it backed up.

[Dr.Epic]

Call your tutor as soon as possible and tell them that your computer is not working. I'm not sure how harsh the system is in America, but this is hardly something that's under your control.

Presumably, they will be fairly understanding.

You will need to find a friend and burn it onto a CD, but from there, you should be able to just pop it into your CD ROM drive and reboot.

As I said, it might be able to find and remove the danger, but you might end up being forced to use it to find any important information and get it backed up.

Yeah I'll try that. I'll also give my campus tech support a visit at some near point in the future.

[lesser_minion]

For those of you who are having a problem with xkcd, the main page was broken accidentally - the </title> closing tag is missing.

[Dr.Epic]

Well I talked to tech support today. They said I need a recovery disk. Lesser_minion is the program you linked to a download for that? If so is it better than ordering a recovery disk? My city really got hit with snow and even with an over night delivery it might take a while and I have a class that requires I have a laptop. I ordered something that should have been here a week ago but I got a message saying there was a delivery delay because of snow.

Also, the person I talked said I need to back up my files. Do you think a campus tech support (I not sure how good the tach support is at my school so you'll have to base this on generalities) can do that or will I have to go out to a computer store?

[lesser_minion]

Well I talked to tech support today. They said I need a recovery disk. Lesser_minion is the program you linked to a download for that? If so is it better than ordering a recovery disk? My city really got hit with snow and even with an over night delivery it might take a while and I have a class that requires I have a laptop. I ordered something that should have been here a week ago but I got a message saying there was a delivery delay because of snow.

Also, the person I talked said I need to back up my files. Do you think a campus tech support (I not sure how good the tach support is at my school so you'll have to base this on generalities) can do that or will I have to go out to a computer store?

Basically, they're asking you to get all of your files off the computer, then wipe everything and start over. The disk I linked you to is a way to recover your files - basically, the disk has its own antivirus software and its own operating system which lets you access your files despite everything being broken.

[Anima]

Well I talked to tech support today. They said I need a recovery disk. Lesser_minion is the program you linked to a download for that? If so is it better than ordering a recovery disk? My city really got hit with snow and even with an over night delivery it might take a while and I have a class that requires I have a laptop. I ordered something that should have been here a week ago but I got a message saying there was a delivery delay because of snow.

Also, the person I talked said I need to back up my files. Do you think a campus tech support (I not sure how good the tach support is at my school so you'll have to base this on generalities) can do that or will I have to go out to a computer store?

Well, to put it simply, your tech support wants to return your computer to a blank slate and start from scratch. That's why he is asking you to back up your files. Depending on the amount of data you have to save, you should not need anything special. Simply burn them on a CD/DVD, transfer them to another partition (That is of course only possible if you have more than one. If you have another drive besides c that is a harddisk, you can use it for that purpose.) or save them online.

[Dr.Epic]

Well, to put it simply, your tech support wants to return your computer to a blank slate and start from scratch. That's why he is asking you to back up your files. Depending on the amount of data you have to save, you should not need anything special. Simply burn them on a CD/DVD, transfer them to another partition (That is of course only possible if you have more than one. If you have another drive besides c that is a harddisk, you can use it for that purpose.) or save them online.

The thing is I can't do anything on my computer. I either get a blue screen in normal mode or a black screen in safe mode. I can't access my files to do anything with them. I have to go to a tech place and have them copy my files. There's about 2-5 GB of stuff I need and maybe 10-12 GB of other crap I could lose.

Also how much would a recover disk cost to buy/ship. The guy I talked to said shipping over night would go for about $20 and I'm wondering what other people have paid.

Could I also have someone fix it via phone? My mom wants me to pay some phone charge when I call tech support so that they can fix it. I wondering if they can actually somehow fix it on their computer hundreds of miles away or would they only advise me on how to fix it.

[Anima]

That's easy to fix, if you have access to a CD Burner.
Download an Ubuntu ISO from here (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download) (Which is free of charge and legal, just in case) and burn it on a cd.

Make sure that your Laptops BIOS is set to boot from the cd drive before booting from the harddisk. A dialogue should show up where you can choose to run the system from the cd. It will be slow as hell, but you should be able to move all the data via an USB Stick, which should work under Ubuntu.

[RS14]

About three weeks ago, I replaced the fan/heatsink assembly for my laptop's CPU/GPU. All was fine.

Today I had my screen abruptly blank. On reboot, it did the same thing within a few minutes. Load was not exceptional; certainly not in comparison to previous use since Fan/heatsinks were replaced.

Third time resulted in bios messages of some nature, mirrored across eight subscreens. It appears that something no longer knows the dimensions of the screen, gives undersized output, then tiles it across the screen. It follows up with a series of red lines, then displays the GRUB menu, still mirrored across eight subscreens.

Googling doesn't seem to produce much. It's a Lenovo R61 with discrete graphics. Out of warranty. Has anyone seen anything like this? I'm assuming my video card is dead/dying. Or could it be some sort of issue with the monitor/connection?

[Don Julio Anejo]

Apparently the fake virus scan virus is reaching epidemic proportions. Three people I know IRL have caught it (one good friend and two random people I know).

If it helps, we were able to remove it by running several scans of AVG + Avast + Adware in safe mode (the hard part was getting the programs installed) and his computer seems to be fine now, but no guarantees as the virus could just be biding its time and pretending to be gone. Also I had him change all his important passwords (e.g. online banking, Facebook, etc) from a different computer.

[lesser_minion]

Tell me about it. There seem to have been at least four threads about rogue software, and my computer nearly got attacked by a website distributing it as well.

[Dr.Epic]

Well I ordered a reinstallation disk that's supposed to arrive Monday. Let's hope it works and I can get all my work done.

[RS14]

One other thing: I can get to and use a Unix shell (tiled across eight subscreens :smallsigh:) if anyone knows any diagnostic steps I could take from there.

Edit: Somehow, Damn Small Linux will boot fully in GUI mode. Thus I've got a full (tiled) desktop now, not that it's terribly useful.

lspci output didn't seem remarkable. If anyone thinks they can interpret it helpfully, I'll copy it down and post it.

Well, one simple question that maybe someone will be able to answer: on a laptop, will displaying the BIOS generally involve hitting the video card at all? I wouldn't have thought so, but sort of assumed this was a video card problem, since that had been tinkered with not too long ago. If not, I suppose this is a connection or monitor issue.

Edit2: This appears to be resolved, for the moment by changing a BIOS setting. I'm not sure if this is a total fix.

Edit 3: No, it isn't. It failed on the third boot, same error. For the curious, the bios setting was something or other under display. Default was 'PCI,' switched to 'internal'.

[Dr.Epic]

Well I ordered a reinstallation disk that's supposed to arrive Monday. Let's hope it works and I can get all my work done.

I got the disk. I put it in the computer. Nothing. Am I doing something wrong? I tried calling tech support but I got this recorded message saying they had technical problems and couldn't help me. What now?

[lesser_minion]

I got the disk. I put it in the computer. Nothing. Am I doing something wrong? I tried calling tech support but I got this recorded message saying they had technical problems and couldn't help me. What now?

You need to start your computer with the disk inside, otherwise it won't do anything.

Your BIOS might not be configured to allow you to do this - that's not something I can really help with, because I don't know what BIOS you use or where to find the setting. Now that you have the disk, however, you might want to take the computer back to your campus' IT team.

[Fostire]

I got the disk. I put it in the computer. Nothing. Am I doing something wrong? I tried calling tech support but I got this recorded message saying they had technical problems and couldn't help me. What now?

Oh the irony :smallbiggrin:

[RS14]

Generally you should see some sort of message almost immediately upon boot along the lines of "Press F1 for BIOS settings." Other common keys are F2, F5, F9, F10, F11, F12. Do so. If you don't see such a message, try these anyway. Alternatively, you may have some special key e.g. "ThinkVantage." Go through the BIOS menus looking for anything related to Boot devices. Set your CD drive to the highest priority. Then reboot with the CD in the drive. It should boot off the drive and restore your system.

[Lioness]

I have a question.

How does one completely uninstall a previous operating system and start anew?
We have the installation disk for the new one. The old one isn't quite the version we want, so we'd like to install this one instead. But we don't want both operating systems on there.

We've done backup, just can't figure out how to delete the old OS.

Edit: or even how to completely wipe the HDD, even of the OS

[tyckspoon]

I have a question.

How does one completely uninstall a previous operating system and start anew?
We have the installation disk for the new one. The old one isn't quite the version we want, so we'd like to install this one instead. But we don't want both operating systems on there.

We've done backup, just can't figure out how to delete the old OS.

Edit: or even how to completely wipe the HDD, even of the OS

Almost every OS installer has an option to format or repartition the hard drive. Should show up pretty quickly once you start running the new install disc. When you hit that point, it will give you several options, typically including 'quick reformat' and 'full reformat'. Quick reformats simply mark the space available for use- the old data is still there, it's just not flagged as real data so it'll eventually be overwritten. Full reformats actually rewrite the drive to mostly-blank (I assume you do not have data or paranoia sufficient to require a Department-of-Defense spec data cleanse, but they're not hard to come by if you want to run one anyway.) If you run one of those, go start a game of Monopoly or something; they take a while. You can also find those partition/hard drive managers as bootable images (put them on a floppy/CD/USB drive and run them instead of the normal OS) if you want to clear the drive before you start installing the new OS.

TL,DR: You'll get the option in the process of installing the new OS.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

I have a question.

How does one completely uninstall a previous operating system and start anew?
We have the installation disk for the new one. The old one isn't quite the version we want, so we'd like to install this one instead. But we don't want both operating systems on there.

We've done backup, just can't figure out how to delete the old OS.

Edit: or even how to completely wipe the HDD, even of the OS

You should just be able to install the new one over the old one without any trouble, as tyckspoon said; most installers these days are good about doing all the necessary formatting and deletion behind the scenes.

As to how to completely wipe the hard drive...well, there are easy ways, hard ways, and fun ways to do that. :smallwink: Overwriting it with null data, recursively deleting everything, etc. are my favorite methods, if only for the inevitable reactions to "Man, I just rm -rf * my hard drive this weekend...."

[Lioness]

It's XP Professional.

We just ran the disk, there were no options for reformatting or any of that stuff, but we've just tried to install it, hoping it will write over the other stuff.

Edit: Mum tried to delete the other partition, but it wouldn't let her, because it has setup files on it.

[Dispozition]

It's XP Professional.

We just ran the disk, there were no options for reformatting or any of that stuff, but we've just tried to install it, hoping it will write over the other stuff.

Edit: Mum tried to delete the other partition, but it wouldn't let her, because it has setup files on it.

You need to boot from it, not just run it.

[Lioness]

You need to boot from it, not just run it.

Whoops...

Did that, now I believe it's working.

[Dvandemon]

How do I increase RAM and where do I get compressed air for my fan? Or another fan

[memnarch]

How do I increase RAM and where do I get compressed air for my fan? Or another fan

You increase your RAM by buying bigger RAM chips. Compressed air you can get from a store like Target or Walmart (need to be 18 or older).

Another fan you can buy online (google is your friend).

[Zeb The Troll]

You increase your RAM by buying bigger RAM chips. Compressed air you can get from a store like Target or Walmart (need to be 18 or older).

Another fan you can buy online (google is your friend).I suggest going to somewhere like Crucial.com and finding out exactly what size and configuration of RAM your computer can use. No point buying 8GB of DDR3 if your MoBo only supports 2GB of DDR2.

[Cristo Meyers]

Ok so...

Our laptop caught a virus that I'm pretty sure I've fixed, but not before it did it's damage. The Windows Vista firewall is damaged, we can't turn it back on. Any time we try it only brings up the "choose a program to open this document" screen. Near as we can tell, it's quite literally gone.

The problem is, there's no restore disk, so just repairing it that way is a no-go. Is there a worthwhile third-party firewall we can install until we do the upgrade from Vista to 7?

[Zeb The Troll]

Ok so...

Our laptop caught a virus that I'm pretty sure I've fixed, but not before it did it's damage. The Windows Vista firewall is damaged, we can't turn it back on. Any time we try it only brings up the "choose a program to open this document" screen. Near as we can tell, it's quite literally gone.

The problem is, there's no restore disk, so just repairing it that way is a no-go. Is there a worthwhile third-party firewall we can install until we do the upgrade from Vista to 7?ZoneAlarm has always gotten high marks as a software firewall, even (or more accurately 'especially') its free version.

[lesser_minion]

How do I increase RAM and where do I get compressed air for my fan? Or another fan

As far as I'm aware, Crucial and Samsung are the two best suppliers out there. You'll need to buy some chips from one of those two.

Crucial have a scanner, although I'm not sure if I can really recommend it - it always suggests the most hardcore thing that would work, even if that means your motherboard will automatically underclock it.

[Dvandemon]

Okay so i cleaned out some (read:all) of the cookies on my computer; some had suspect names; and now whenever I post a pop-up says I need to extend my message to 10 characters. It treats the forum tools as pictures and I have a...suspect antivirus program. I don't trust the icon because it looks unusually "low resolution" compared to the other round icons on my desktop. This all started when I got a random message saying I have over 13 viruses on various parts of my computer. Ugh! help me please!

Maybe I just need a new computer...

[tcrudisi]

Okay so i cleaned out some (read:all) of the cookies on my computer; some had suspect names; and now whenever I post a pop-up says I need to extend my message to 10 characters. It treats the forum tools as pictures and I have a...suspect antivirus program. I don't trust the icon because it looks unusually "low resolution" compared to the other round icons on my desktop. This all started when I got a random message saying I have over 13 viruses on various parts of my computer. Ugh! help me please!

Maybe I just need a new computer...

A suspect anti-virus program? What is the name of it? Also, make sure you type out the name exactly, as sometimes they will change just one letter to make it look like a legitimate anti-virus program.

I suggest the following programs: Spybot S&D, Malwarebytes, and Ad-Aware. They all have free versions which work nicely. One is good to have, but two is better. I'd suggest Malwarebytes as one of the two -- the other can easily be Spybot S&D or Ad-Aware. There are quite a few other good ones to choose from as well. Download two of those and run them. Chances are they will find the faux anti-virus and get rid of them for you.

[Dvandemon]

It just says Antivirus and the icon is just an unloaded generic icon image now :smalleek::smallfrown: Not sure if this is important,but program logo used to be a circle with 4 sections colored blue,red,green and yellow

I'm scared