The Computer Hardware and Software Thread

[Warduke]

This is the thread for all your computer questions and problems.



If you have any question regarding computers, or are having any problems, post about it here. We've been doing this in chat for a long time, someone mentions a problem and usually, someone can help them.



So we thought this would make a good thread. Hopefully with all the people at the Kitten (and quite a few geeks ) someone will be able to help.

---

Lil' Trevor : Always the life of the party.

[BytrSuite]

Geeks!





Brian, what's mozilla?

________
"Oh, good! I was hoping to add theft, endangerment and insanity to my list of things I did today."
"Ah! You, too?"
(Stitch laughs delightedly)

[Warduke]

What's Mozilla you ask?



Well only the best browser out there



For more info about Mozilla, check out www.mozilla.org and also take a look at www.mozillazine.org, a great source of Mozilla information and they also have a great posting board about all things Mozilla. Plenty of good stuff to be found there.

---

Lil' Trevor : Always the life of the party.

[borgqueen]

Can I ask something?

Well, here I go:

Will someone please explain to me how to get the little pictures under your username etc. on the left? I've done it on other sites but I'm not sure how to do it on here.

Thankyou.

Lauren.

[justin]

From your account screen you need to click on the edit profile link.



Then enter the URL of the picture under My Photo. Make sure that the box that says private is unticked.



There are more details in the faq



HTH

I understand, you should be with the person you l-love


I am

[Kalita]

In case anyone wasn't sure, I am a fully qualified and certified IT technician. I work in a big office and handle tons of geeky computer stuff daily, for pay. Any questions you have, no matter how obscure, I'll take on as a public service.



Unless someone else gets there first. But I am on record...

[daiailun]

Ok, well, this certainly isn't obscure; it's more like Basic 101. I’ve got a DVD recording and I want to extract some stills from the DVD for reprint in a newsletter. Don’t worry about copyright issues, already got permission. (This is a DVD about the Protestant church in China, produced in Shanghai.) I’ve got a DVD player on my computer and Windows Media Player 9.0 (I think that’s the version) and RealOne Player. What other programmes do I need to do this? I tried to right click when the DVD was on pause, hoping to capture a still and ‘save as’, but no luck. People do this all the time and I feel like such a dummy, not knowing this basic. Thanks for any help you all can give.



Diane

[petal of roses]

Hey Diana,



One of the programs that you need to have to make stills of your DVD are WinDVD or PowerDVD. Too bad that you can't make any stills with Windows Media Player or RealOne Player.



I hope that this was helpful.



When you need help with making stills you can always e-mail me. r.m.bierens@planet.nl



petal of roses

[WebWarlock]

I'll be happy to hlp as well.



I ran the FAQ for the newsgroup alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 for years. I might be a bit slow on some of the newer hardware.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side,
home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks: Available October 31st, 2003!

"I love kittens!" - My son

[slowontheuptake]

OK I have a question for any of you super nice computer geeks.

My current computer has been dying a slow, weezing, rattling death for years and I have planned out it's grizzly demise for nearly as long. Baseball bat? Shotgun? Beat it to death with a shovel? Choices, chioces.



Anyhoo, as I am shopping for a new computer I was wondering what your opinions are for the best brand considering quality, customer service etc. Or conversely, which company is the most likely to thoroughly screw me (and not in a good way).

My budget is $1500 at the most if I ever want to eat again. I don't need peripherals just comp and screen at the moment. I'm an artist and geared toward illustration and design if that helps.

Feel free to just tell me which companies to avoid.

Thanks.

[justin]

Diane,



I'm not 100% certain (I'm a bit rust when it comes to Windows) but I think that if you pause the DVD on the frame you want then press ALT + PRINTSCRN you'll copy a screenshot of the DVD player window into the clipboard. You then just need to paste it into any graphics program, then save it.



slowontheuptake, When it comes to brands, from what I've heard Evesham are pretty good, though I haven't had any experience with them myself.

I will say that unless you want either a top end games machine or a laptop there's no reason to spend as much $1500. You'll be looking at spending $1000 at the very most, probably less.



HTH

I understand, you should be with the person you l-love


I am

[Shinnen]

Heh... my computers had died a sudden demise. Not that it hadn't been sputtering and wheezing long before that



Anyway,slowontheuptake ... for customer service, Dell perhaps provides one of the best i've seen. Including onsite technicians if anything does go seriously wrong with your machine. One to avoid is Gateway (if they are still around) because i know at least 6 of my friends who choose a Gateway machine at first thought they had a better computer than a Dell (I'm not promoting Dell but this is the truth). Then it starts malfunctioning within a few months and claiming warranty is hell. Not to mention getting the parts changed. And last but not least, Gateway shutdown and some of my friends were stuck without waranties for their machines when Gateway collapsed and pulled out of the market in australia, asia and basically the whole world. If you know computer shops well, then creating a clone machine would be ideal.



For heavy duty graphics and video works, getting a machine with speed and stability is good. You don't have to get the latest and fastest motherboards and processors (some of those technologies sometimes are buggy) But a current P4 (for PC) or a regular powerbook (not the 12" one) or a G4 machine would be good if you can't afford a lot. With 1500 (depends on what currency we are talking about) maybe a PC is a good choice. Load up on a good graphics card, ATI Radeon 9600pro with 128mb ram is a good card. You could go for alternative brands like Elsa Gladiac or Nvidia. Make sure you have at least 64mb ram on the card, best is 128 of course. For motherboard, get something with RAID technology and don't go for boards with integrated graphics/audio and modem. For hard disks, if it's within your budget, get two 7200rpm hard disks. From experience, if the disk with your operating system crashes, you'll love it that you saved a copy of your work in the other hard disk. At least a total of 80Gbs of hard disk space is a good thing. More if you do video editting. For memory. well... load up on that too. At least a 512mb DDR400 chip would work well. (nowadays 256mb ram isn't enough for crap) As for monitors, if you can't afford style (LCD flats ), go for value for money. A 17" or 19" inch (flat CRT) Samsung or Dell would be ideal.



I think i overstepped things here. *shrug* anyway, that's my opinion for a great graphic tuned machine.

CheerZ

Shinnen



If you love someone, set her free ...

If she comes back, and if you love her still, set

her free again,repeat ...

[slowontheuptake]

Talk about going above and beyond. Thank you for you're very informitive reply Shinnen.

Thank you to justin as well.

I guess I'm off to do some online window shopping.

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



I'm coming at this group bass ackward. If there are computer sharks, I'm a computer flounder. That's why I'm using a Mac (an old G-3) but with OS 10.2, a ton of RAM and a cable modem due to my wife the Apple goddess. It's been a simple to use tool for me. I try not to look when my wife opens the GUI to peer at the kernel underneath (don't ask me-for all I know it's elven tech) because I think all flavors of UNIX are basically user-surly.



If you're looking for a basic tool I'd suggest most strongly a Mac.



No matter what you choose get MORE memory than you actually think you'll ever need. You'll use it up and want more no matter what your skill level.



Jixer

[Shinnen]

Jixer, i guess ram will never be enough. But I've used the mac before (I'm not in favor of macs cos they always crashed on me), but macs have one thing very good about the memory management. You can adjust the individual programmes to run on separate ram settings.



In a pc, memory management isn't that great, so if you do heavy graphics, always work with a single software (eg photoshop) or if you like music (like me), then Photoshop and winamp. That's for the fastest performance. But my old comp tends to lag when i use Dreamweaver (a program where there's no memory management unlike adobe softwares)

CheerZ

Shinnen



If you love someone, set her free ...

If she comes back, and if you love her still, set

her free again,repeat ...

[pagnmickie]

OMG(ess) It's a GEEK thread!!! *hugs computer screen* I feel at home now!



-Mickie

Be happy people. Happy people don't self destruct.
-Cyndi Lauper

[The Shadowcat]

As someone who has worked for Gateway technical support, I can whole heartedly say, DON'T BUY A GATEWAY.



If you are looking for a computer that comes with good service, then Dell is the way to go. I've not had dealings with Dell myself, but most Dell owners that I have spoken to have great things to say about their customer service and tech support.



I'll throw my services out to the Kittens. I've done tech work for several companies, and specialize in hardware and Windows. I'm also one of the resident geeks in chat, and like to tinker with things. If you need help, drop me an email.

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



I'll take your word for it, Shinnen. For all I know the reason memory works is because it's made of crystalized ginko extract. Okay, I know a tiny bit more than that but when I worked (briefly) in cubeland I was customer support for the Mac platform product. That was about 1997. My job was mostly to research and find things for our customers. Yes, I was paid to use a better computer than I could afford, a 7600, and look up things on the web. They outsourced my job of course



I've noticed OS10 is incredibly stable compared to all the other Mac OS variations I've used and I'm loving 10.2



I'm still very careful about frequent saving and I store all my fic on a Zip disc. Always back up your work.



Jixer

[tiredsoul]

Oh, now I feel so at home



I get to throw my two cents in and maybe, between all of us, we can make a buck



Most people are spot on here. IMHO, Gateway is an excellent product, but customer service is horrible. Dell's service is good, but the product is horrible. Maybe it's me, but I wouldn't need customer service if the product was good in the first place. I have supported every type of machine out there at one time or another and it seems to me that most issues occur on the software end, rather than the hardware end.



That said, I will be the one to say that Mac is the way to go, especially if geared toward graphics in any way. Shinnen is right about the memory allotment and that it is much more user-friendly. But I go with Mac for three reasons: 1) the standard color capability is like no other and that is essential in graphics; 2) my Macs live happily for years while I trade in PCs once every eighteen months; and 3) OSX which is the most stable, as jixer said, operating system I have run across in my *cough* years of computer use. And using Photoshop 7 and Illustrator 10, which were built for that, the system rocks.



But it all comes down to simple economics sometimes. While a Mac costs more, it lasts longer. In the short term, you can get a lot for $1500 on the PC side with a bunch of peripherals to go along with it. Bottom line is how you’re gonna use it, what you’re gonna load on it and how reliant you’ll be on tech support.



And I am going to add another two cents on tech support. Everyone uses Windows. It’s a fact. It would seem from that, that it would be easy to have a problem and find a solution. I mean, somebody out there must have had the same problem at one time or another, right? Probably true, but try finding that in a huge midst of newsgroups, help sections, and such. The Mac community is small but dedicated. We’re a rare breed but when something goes wrong, we usually know the answer pretty quickly because there are less “conflicts” that can go wrong, mainly because there is less software availability that conflict.



I am not knocking Windows at all. I use it as well and compatibility-wise, it is necessary for some people. I will say it is better on the Internet.



So that’s four cents there … maybe we’ll get to that buck sooner



--celia

---------------------------------

When innocence is shattered
... madness is inevitable
www.gotlicky.com

[Scout]

Quote:

---

As someone who has worked for Gateway technical support, I can whole heartedly say, DON'T BUY A GATEWAY.

---

Now there’s a credible warning if I’ve ever heard one!



I own a Dell laptop and my family owns several Dell computers and handhelds, and I can say that we’ve had good luck with the machines. The only problem I’ve had is a laptop adapter that didn’t work upon arrival, but they FedExed a new one that arrived the next day free of charge.



Sometimes finding information on their site or getting a good person on the phone isn’t as easy as it should be. And they also have a tendency to not tell you when new or discounted items are about to go up on the site. My family’s been burned twice that way. Twice we made a purchase and the next day new or discounted products went on sale – products we would have preferred to have bought instead.



But looking at the big picture, Dell has been good and I would most likely buy my next computer from them.



BTW, love the geek thread.

[xita]

My Gateway is over 2 1/2 years old. My hard drive was messed up right from the beginning but they sent me one right away no problem. I've had no problems since. I've upgraded and stuff, I have found the computer to be very easy to upgrade. I like to deal with my problems on my own so whatever conflicts I have encountered, I've dealt with them so I really wouldn't know anything about tech support.



Here's a question i really want a flat screen, big one! What should I stay away from as I start sort of kind of looking for one.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"The suspense is terrible. I hope it'll last."

-Willie Wonka

[funkyasian]

woohoo!! a geek thread...well now...i'm home...i see that celia has thrown her 2 cents in about MAC's...and honestly, after having worked with them now for a few months...OSX isn't all that bad...anything older, we'll have issues. as far as dell vs. gateway - i personally choose dell...i own several dell laptops/desktops and all works very well...tech support sometime can be a little moronic, but not that bad...just this morning i was on the phone with a dell tech who is replacing everything except for the outershell of my latitude because we can't find the cause of the problem...i like that...it's essentially getting a new laptop...



anyway...since i'm a certified IT geek too, i offer my services to those who may need...



ooh, and xita - i've been getting NEC 17" LCD monitors at work...those have really nice resolution, sharp images, etc. looks nice too actually...but stay away from samsung syncmaster...the few around the office here are blurry for some reason, like you can never tune it right to get a nice sharp image. hope that helps



steph

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. ~ Oscar Wilde

[darkmagicwillow]

jixer wrote:

---

I've noticed OS10 is incredibly stable compared to all the other Mac OS variations I've used

---

That's because OS10 is based on UNIX, while the older Mac OS's were based on the old Mac OS code base. UNIX is a whole family of operating systems, including Linux which you've probably heard of, and FreeBSD which is the closest relative to OS10.

--

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit." -- "Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost."

Edited by: darkmagicwillow at: 7/28/03 8:26 am

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



I try not to think about the kernel underneath the GUI, DMW. My wife can open the shell but she's a kind person who doesn't do it around me.



Just consider UNIX to be my version of frog fear.





Jixer

[jaycatt23]

I have a problem with stinky MS word 2000.



Basically, it crashes (maybe? I don't know, but everything stops working) really frequently, sometimes just as I try to open it up, sometimes when I try to open more than one window at a time.



But this only happens under one username on my laptop - if I use the computer as me, it breaks, but if I pretend to be my dad, it works.



Is this a common problem? Or is it just my laptop that stinks? (I'm away from home at the minute, so I'm not in a position to get it fixed).



And if I try to fix it by reinstalling word, or windows (or getting a suitable adult to do this for me, considering I'm totally inept) does that mean I'll lose all my files, or are they hidden on a different part of the computer?



Or should I wait till I get home and take it to the laptop doctor?



I'm not stupid, I just don't get on with computers.

[The Shadowcat]

Hi, jaycatt23. I've got nothing better to do, so I'll take a shot at your Word 2000 question.



My first question is, do you have problems with any other programs under your profile?



If the answer is no, then there is something corrupted in Word, and it will have to be reinstalled. The first thing you should do is backup any documents that you need (put them on cd or disk). Then find the disks for Word. If you have a friend who understands how to install programs off of a cd, ask them to help you. (It's really not that difficult.) Just make sure that you uninstall Word first, then reboot. THEN reinstall Word. This will make sure that it's a fresh install, and not just over-written files (which can still be corrupt).



Let me know if it works.

[salsasharkok]

You might also check MS Office Updates (Internet Explorer only, they have no lahv for the lizard) to see if you need any service packs or patches.



Just click on the 'Go' button under Check for Office Updates, and it'll automagically check to see what you may need.

============================================================

Will the last one out of the buffyverse please turn off the lights?

[WebWarlock]

Ok some of you on broadband (cable, DSL or ISDN) might have this problem. It took me a bit to figure it out but I found the solution and now you can benefit.



I was getting these anoying popups all the time from Microsoft Window's messanger service. Things like "Buy Viagra Online" or "Get your University Diploma!"



Anyway here is how you can get rid of them.



Windows 2000

1. Click Start, go up to Settings and click Control Panel. When the Control Panel opens, double click Administrative Tools and then double click Services

2. Scroll down and highlight Messenger

3. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.

4. Click the STOP button.

5. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar

6. Click OK





Windows XP Home

1. Click Start, go up to Settings and click Control Panel

2. Click Performance and Maintenance

3. Click Administrative Tools

4. Double click Services

5. Scroll down and highlight Messenger

6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.

7. Click the STOP button.

8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar

9. Click OK





Windows XP Professional

1. Click Start, go up to Settings and click Control Panel

2. Click Administrative Tools

3. Click Services

4. Double click Services

5. Scroll down and highlight Messenger

6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.

7. Click the STOP button.

8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar

9. Click OK



Windows NT

1. Click Start and then Control Panel

2. Double Click Administrative Tools

3. Select Services-> Double-click on Messenger

4. In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop

5. Then choose Disable as the Startup Type

6. Click OK



This is not a problem with Macs or Unix boxes.



Hope this helps someone.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side,
home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks: Available October 31st, 2003!

"I love kittens!" - My son

[BytrSuite]

Thanks, Tim. Someone mentioned that to me quite a while ago but I was silly and didn't do it then. Heh, done now.



And, it is a problem for the users on dial up, too.

________
"Oh, good! I was hoping to add theft, endangerment and insanity to my list of things I did today."
"Ah! You, too?"
(Stitch laughs delightedly)

[Urn of Osiris]

speaking of pop up ads. I've noticed I can't go anywhere on the net without being bombarded with the bastards.



Anyone have a suggestion for software that might help get rid of this nuisance. I've been surfing around and even the sites that sell the software have pop up ads. It's sucking up my resources, specifically when I'm on dialup and my time and battery power is limited.



Help??

Urn of Osiris

Peace is not the absence of conflict; it's the absence of inner conflict. Unknown
When we stand up, we are standing up for everybody. Each of us needs to know, in fact, that we are rainbows in the clouds... for everybody. MAYA ANGELOU