Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: HEAVEN: Ancient Geek - the computer thread
|
aj
 firewire technophobe
# 1383
|
Posted
I should add that the laptop can see our neighbours' networks. [ 11. January 2008, 19:28: Message edited by: aj ]
-------------------- if there's no god, then who turns on the light when you open the fridge?
Posts: 2994 | From: ...on location | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Eutychus
From the edge
# 3081
|
Posted
I don't know for sure, but when you find out, let me know!
Exasperatingly, I successfully troubleshooted (shot?) a similar issue for a friend (although not with Vista) but can't solve the problem here. For the friend, I temporarily got rid of the WEP key making the network open. The 'puter then "found" the network, so I knew it was a problem with the key. IIRC, I deleted all the known networks from the 'puter's settings and then added their network back on, inputting the WEP code every time it was requested. But doing this hasn't solved the problem here. (Another possibility is that your router is set to accommodate only a certain number of IPs, I think...).
-------------------- Let's remember that we are to build the Kingdom of God, not drive people away - pastor Frank Pomeroy
Posts: 17944 | From: 528491 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Triple Distilled
Shipmate
# 11157
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Sparrow: quote: Originally posted by butler: quote: Originally posted by Sparrow: quote: Originally posted by Wesley J: quote: Originally posted by Sparrow: I'm having a problem with the CD/DVD drive on my computer. I haven't used it for a while, and now it doesn't seem able to detect any files on any kind of disk I put in the drive - either a CD, DVD or a program disk. If go into "my computer" it shows the (E) drive exists, but it doesn't show any files on it. It always used to start to play any kind of disk automatically, but now nothing happens. When I put a disk in the slot, the green light shows briefly then goes off. Any ideas?
Try this: Go to -> My Computer -> right-click E drive -> Properties -> Autoplay -> choose from options -> Ok
Perhaps this may help somewhat? If not, do get back.
No, that doesn't work!
Most likely is the drive has simply died. what type of computer is it and is it currently a dvd burner in it ? it quite a simple and cheap tast to replace a drive (on most computers) and if you get back with these details will be able to give you instructions on replacing it
It's a Dell Dimension 3100C - I've only had it just over a year! The drive is a CD/DVD burner - Philips DVD+-RW DVD8801.
Time to pull out a screwdriver sparrow go to this page and download the service manual (its only 2mb) then open the zip file and double click on the parts0.htm document and will give you full instructions on the physical replacing of the drive. before you do this however you will need to pick up a PATA dvd burner which will not cost a whole heap (pioneer or LG are usually best). One final note try to do this on a wooden bench or at least a bit of cardboard and be carefull not to do it on carpet that causes static electricity. Dont be worried its a pretty simple operation the only other thing you need to check is when you have your old drive out before you put your new one in on the back there is a jumper which will either be on cs(cable select) m (master)or s (slave) just copy that setting onto the new drive. (btw apologies for bad spelling or grammer as I had one person complain )
-------------------- Formerly known as Butler I propose an Anglican compromise. We torture her, but infinitesimally slowly, so that everyone ends up confused.(Thanks Anna B)
Posts: 299 | From: adelaide australia | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Triple Distilled
Shipmate
# 11157
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by aj: We've got a student staying with us and we're trying to get her Vista laptop onto our wireless network. It's a Linksys router and I've updated the MAC address information in the router's setup pages.
Her laptop can't see out network. I've tried various combinations of turning off security, toggling the SSID broadcast, disabling the MAC filter, resetting routers, components, computers, etc., to no avail. I'm not Vista savvy, but I have a work laptop running XP which seems fine on the wireless.
Anything really obvious that I'm missing?
couple of questions 1) have you got hide ssid clicked on your router ? 2)what encryption are you running on your network? 3) what brand of laptop is it?
(and the main thing your missing is the hammer for anything with Vista on it)
B.
-------------------- Formerly known as Butler I propose an Anglican compromise. We torture her, but infinitesimally slowly, so that everyone ends up confused.(Thanks Anna B)
Posts: 299 | From: adelaide australia | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by basso: Wesley, this page looks like it might be helpful.
It seems to depend on which platform you're on - I don't have a "Custom" option on my Mac. I'll continue to poke around.
b.
Aha! Looks like you're on to something! Thanks muchly, basso. Looks promising! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Sparrow: I'm having a problem with the CD/DVD drive on my computer. I haven't used it for a while, and now it doesn't seem able to detect any files on any kind of disk I put in the drive - either a CD, DVD or a program disk. If go into "my computer" it shows the (E) drive exists, but it doesn't show any files on it. It always used to start to play hany kind of disk automatically, but now nothing happens. When I put a disk in the slot, the green light shows briefly then goes off. Any ideas?
quote: Originally posted by Sparrow: It's a Dell Dimension 3100C - I've only had it just over a year! The drive is a CD/DVD burner - Philips DVD+-RW DVD8801.
Sparrow - really an annoying problem. I see your machine is one of the posh new tiny ones.
You may've already done all the steps suggested in the 3100C Owner’s Manual (link to pdf here, as given before by butler). There's a few things in there you can do before you grab a screwdriver.
Do you have a warranty for more than 1 year? (IMHO, always a good idea to get e.g. 3 years, even if it costs more - I did that for both of my machines, DELLs too.) Go and pester their support for a bit?
There's more specific information on the Philips DVD+-RW DVD8801 drive on the DELL support website. Philips say "This Philips drive is a special customized product and is sold only as part of a computer system (OEM)", thus the link to DELL.
I was wondering earlier if perhaps a driver update might be useful. Here (TinyURL link) is a driver update of 13 April 2007, so you might not have that yet.
I hope you'll manage to get it to work again eventually, or as a last resort might have to replace it.
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sparrow
Shipmate
# 2458
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Wesley J: Sparrow - really an annoying problem. I see your machine is one of the posh new tiny ones.
You may've already done all the steps suggested in the 3100C Owner’s Manual (link to pdf here, as given before by butler). There's a few things in there you can do before you grab a screwdriver.
Do you have a warranty for more than 1 year? (IMHO, always a good idea to get e.g. 3 years, even if it costs more - I did that for both of my machines, DELLs too.) Go and pester their support for a bit?
There's more specific information on the Philips DVD+-RW DVD8801 drive on the DELL support website. Philips say "This Philips drive is a special customized product and is sold only as part of a computer system (OEM)", thus the link to DELL.
I was wondering earlier if perhaps a driver update might be useful. Here (TinyURL link) is a driver update of 13 April 2007, so you might not have that yet.
I hope you'll manage to get it to work again eventually, or as a last resort might have to replace it.
Thanks for all this Wesley, I had already found the same site you mention with the updated driver. I'm going to try and instal it when I have a bit more time tomorrow.
If that doesn't work then it's down to my nearest PC world and get a new drive!
-------------------- For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life,nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Posts: 3149 | From: Bottom right hand corner of the UK | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pheonix
 Twisted fire starter
# 2782
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by aj: I should add that the laptop can see our neighbours' networks.
First of all what encryption do you use on your router? There are different flavours of WPA (I'm assuming you do use WPA?!?!)
Are the wireless drivers on her laptop fully up to date? It isn't searching in the wrong mode? peer 2 peer vs infrastructure?
Have you tried turning off IPV6 on the laptop in case its causing any problems? (untick the protocol in network connections)
Is the router firmware upto date?
Posts: 2384 | From: on the move. | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
aj
 firewire technophobe
# 1383
|
Posted
Got it working.
I briefly enabled the SSID broadcast, and then the new computer found the network. I got it connected, then turned off the SSID broadcast. The new computer seems able to connect at will now.
thanks!
-------------------- if there's no god, then who turns on the light when you open the fridge?
Posts: 2994 | From: ...on location | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
ecumaniac
 Ship's whipping girl
# 376
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by andreas1984: Does anyone know if one could use the same iPod device over both an iMac and a pc that runs Windows Vista? I mean, without having to reformat the iPod to a file system recognized by Windows...
If the iPod is formatted for Windows, the Mac will still read it, but I'm not sure that it is possible the other way round. Only because when I got my iPod my friend loaded on songs from his Mac, but at the time I had a Windows (XP) machine and he then had to jump through hoops to reformat it.
The other issue if it's Windows formatted is that you will only be able to do software updates by connecting it to a Windows machine.
My question is: any suggestions for good backup software for the Mac? Today I had a hard drive crash that, while not life-shattering, is still quite inconvenient. Next week I'm going to go get a big external drive. I'm considering upgrading to Leopard too. [ 14. January 2008, 11:16: Message edited by: ecumaniac ]
-------------------- it's a secret club for people with a knitting addiction, hiding under the cloak of BDSM - Catrine
Posts: 2901 | From: Cambridge | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
basso
 Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by ecumaniac:
My question is: any suggestions for good backup software for the Mac? Today I had a hard drive crash that, while not life-shattering, is still quite inconvenient. Next week I'm going to go get a big external drive. I'm considering upgrading to Leopard too.
Get your external drive and follow the directions here.
Your backups are taken care of.
(I'm going to MacWorld SF this week. I think there's a new Mac in my future.)
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
ecumaniac
 Ship's whipping girl
# 376
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by basso: (I'm going to MacWorld SF this week. I think there's a new Mac in my future.)
Wow! I want one!
(I'm posting from a loaned laptop running WinXP. The screen refresh rate is reeeeeely slow. That's not normal, right?)
-------------------- it's a secret club for people with a knitting addiction, hiding under the cloak of BDSM - Catrine
Posts: 2901 | From: Cambridge | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
|
Posted
I would like an editor almost exactly like the one I get up when I "View source" in Firefox. The difference would be that I can actually edit the file!
A brief description - it recognises the keywords of xhtml and css and bungs them in blue. It also matches up brackets and shows up " />" bits. Comments are in green.
Any suggestions?
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
BroJames
Shipmate
# 9636
|
Posted
If you are on a Mac, you might like to look at WebDesign which I found easy to use - even though I am/was a complete novice. They also offer free trial usage so you can decide. If I was spending time now trying things out I'd probably take a look at nVu or Kompozer (essentially a bugfix release of the same software - AFAICT) which allow HTML or WYSIWYG editing modes. These are both open source and available for multiple OSs
Posts: 3374 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
|
Posted
Kompozer is exactly what I want. It shows the code in the same way as the 'view source' in Firefox.
Many thanks.
bb
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by babybear: Kompozer is exactly what I want. It shows the code in the same way as the 'view source' in Firefox.
Many thanks.
bb
bb, I may be late and you may've already made up your mind - and perhaps for the better product. However, I'd like to put forward Alleycode HTML Editor, which I've found to be quite useful in the past. Plus it's free.
Have fun with your new software, whatever you may choose! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Amorya
 Ship's tame galoot
# 2652
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by babybear: I would like an editor almost exactly like the one I get up when I "View source" in Firefox. The difference would be that I can actually edit the file!
A brief description - it recognises the keywords of xhtml and css and bungs them in blue. It also matches up brackets and shows up " />" bits. Comments are in green.
Any suggestions?
Try Coda.
Posts: 2383 | From: Coventry | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
Oi! My suggestion was for Win. Using the OS of The Enemy here - I repent. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
basso
 Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
|
Posted
If you're on a Mac, the HTML editor of choice is BBEdit.
I use vim, which does syntax highlighting very well. It's certainly not for everybody, but if you've used vi and not hated it, vim is all you need.
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
|
Posted
I despise vi. Well, actually, I don't, but I hate the fundamental flaw in it where a way to navigate is 'hjkl'. These are one step out from the 'home keys' in touch typing, and as I learn how to type I get seriously discombobulated by them. I know that I could re-map the keys so that 'jkl;' become the navigation keys, but that only stores up problems if I were to use vi on any other machine than my own.
The HTML source view in Kompozer is exactly what I was after. I like the way the colours have been done, and it is a very simple text editor, on a par with Notepad. Tis Notepad that I have been using up until now.
I am not a fan of how Kompozer looks in any other views, but it looks great for writing code by hand.
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Paul.
Shipmate
# 37
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by babybear: I despise vi. Well, actually, I don't, but I hate the fundamental flaw in it where a way to navigate is 'hjkl'. These are one step out from the 'home keys' in touch typing, and as I learn how to type I get seriously discombobulated by them. I know that I could re-map the keys so that 'jkl;' become the navigation keys, but that only stores up problems if I were to use vi on any other machine than my own.
In vim certainly, and probably other vi's, you can use the cursor keys as an alternative to hjkl.
However vi(m) really isn't for everyone, if you hate it, I won't try to convince you.
Posts: 3690 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
|
Posted
Argh, spoke too soon. Whilst the code appears how I would like, and functions as a simple text editor, when the file is saved it doesn't save the formatting style I like. I can't get it to have blank line, and it puts in 'weird' linebreaks.
Gremlin and I have trawled through various bits and pieces and found the following advice "Don't use a WYSIWYG authoring tool to write code." KompoZer is in ver 0.7.10 just now, and it won't be until 0.9.x that the formatting of text will be looked at.
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jengie jon
 Semper Reformanda
# 273
|
Posted
Not sure what you want Babybear, just had a quick check and below maybe a possibility.
Sometime ago I think ChrisT recommended TSW. I have used it for writing a couple of my own websites and I like it. I am less happy over previewing CSS (I need something other than what I am getting but I am not sure what and if you work differently this may not be a problem) but for straight coding it is fine!
As I said I got the recommendation here, Oh and it has a good ftp client that goes with it. I am very happy with that. Ended weeks of frustration over whether a site was up to date or not!
Actually investigate the site further as I think it has a cut down coder that may suit your needs.
Jengie [ 17. January 2008, 22:23: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]
-------------------- "To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sparrow
Shipmate
# 2458
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Wesley J:
You may've already done all the steps suggested in the 3100C Owner’s Manual (link to pdf here, as given before by butler). There's a few things in there you can do before you grab a screwdriver.
Thanks for all this Wesley, I had already found the same site you mention with the updated driver. I'm going to try and instal it when I have a bit more time tomorrow.
If that doesn't work then it's down to my nearest PC world and get a new drive! [/QUOTE]
Well, that didn't work (trying to update the driver. I downloaded the file which was supposed to be the new driver - it's a zipped file - but when unzipping it there's nothing inside it!
![[Paranoid]](graemlins/paranoid.gif)
-------------------- For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life,nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Posts: 3149 | From: Bottom right hand corner of the UK | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
The link I've posted and now used, contains two items when I unzip it. I get 'AD21.cvt' which is 925kb, and 'WinDWFlash V1.03" of 64kb (SCSI Disk Flash Tool).
If you PM me your e-mail addy, Sparrow, I'll forward both the zip folder and the two files to you.
All best!
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
ecumaniac
 Ship's whipping girl
# 376
|
Posted
Having finally had enough of the WinXP laptop I'm using while my Mac is in hospital, I'm going to jump on the Linux bandwagon.
I'm following the tutorial from pendrivelinux.com to save the hassle of partitioning the drive.
I'll report back when it's done. Wish me luck!
-------------------- it's a secret club for people with a knitting addiction, hiding under the cloak of BDSM - Catrine
Posts: 2901 | From: Cambridge | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Codepoet
 Best Bear On Board
# 5964
|
Posted
I am off to college later this year, and so will have no money, and hence am thinking I ought to get off the MS wagon and start using Free software. While I can see that most of the software I would want to use has an Open equivelent, I can;t get my head around what the Open equivelent of MS Outlook (and exchange) is. I need to be able to manage email, calander and contacts, access them all via the while I am out and about and also sync my PDA/mobile phone with it as well (especially for diary and contacts) Obviously in the MS worls, the solution id exchange, outlook, active sync and windows-mobile. Any suggestions what I can use to do this in the Open world?
-------------------- It's more important to be kind than to be right.
Posts: 1156 | From: Southampton | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Drifting Star
 Drifting against the wind
# 12799
|
Posted
Is there a way of searching with google and specifying that the search terms must be within the same sentence - or even paragraph?
-------------------- The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Heraclitus
Posts: 3126 | From: A thin place. | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
EJ.
Shipmate
# 9063
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Codepoet: While I can see that most of the software I would want to use has an Open equivelent, I can;t get my head around what the Open equivelent of MS Outlook (and exchange) is. I need to be able to manage email, calander and contacts, access them all via the while I am out and about and also sync my PDA/mobile phone with it as well (especially for diary and contacts) Obviously in the MS worls, the solution id exchange, outlook, active sync and windows-mobile. Any suggestions what I can use to do this in the Open world?
There are several options - I think the piece of software you're looking for is called Evolution. I don't know much about syncing Evolution to anything, but it is the closest equivalent to Outlook that I know of.
Posts: 137 | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Paul.
Shipmate
# 37
|
Posted
From a Hell thread -
quote: Originally posted by The Wanderer: Does anyone know an alternative to Paypal? I need to send money over the Net, they are asking for documents they've already got, and are slowly driving me mad! Is there another firm out there that does the same sort of thing, but works?
I've used Egg Pay successfully a couple of times.
Posts: 3690 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Robert Armin
 All licens'd fool
# 182
|
Posted
Many thanks - I'll explore that tomorrow.
-------------------- Keeping fit was an obsession with Fr Moity .... He did chin ups in the vestry, calisthenics in the pulpit, and had developed a series of Tai-Chi exercises to correspond with ritual movements of the Mass. The Antipope Robert Rankin
Posts: 8927 | From: In the pack | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
John Donne
 Renaissance Man
# 220
|
Posted
Visiting a friend, also an ancient geek and he told me a wonderful story, relating to one of the original PC XTs. (He said it was an 8080 processor, but I suspect he meant 8088).
Anyway, he was working as a programmer at the time, and a mate mentioned his machine (the aforementioned PC XT) which was behaving a bit flakily... So he told the mate to drop it round and he'd have a look. When he opened the case, he found that a mouse had made its nest right on top of the CPU!! There was no fan in this machine - and the mouse nest (wait for it-- ) was made of a shredded pest control leaflet!
[ETA: This same friend working now at a university had another mouse story for me Staff were complaining that the new laser printer was leaving streaks on the printouts... when he opened it up, a mouse had tried to run up over the drum and been zapped by the high voltage. There it remained wedged, and its little paws had etched the surface of the drum! Hence the streakiness. The drum was replaced under warranty ] [ 28. January 2008, 12:05: Message edited by: Jimmy B ]
Posts: 13667 | From: Perth, W.A. | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Autenrieth Road
 Shipmate
# 10509
|
Posted
Hi fellow geeks, my geeky specialty being databases rather than email, I'm hoping for a bit of geeky reassurance (do geeks do reassurance? hmmmm.)
I'm trying to make webpage mailto: links bring up gmail instead of Outlook Express. Have gotten to where gmail comes up, but the page just says "Loading" and the status bar says "Done 100%". Windows XP, IE7, Norton 360, Gmail Notifier 1.0.25.0, Gmail "newer version." Outlook Express is on the machine but not configured and never used.
I've tried toggling the "block popups" in the toolbar, but to no effect.
I'm thinking for a workaround of making the mailto: links bring up OE, and configure OE to send mail through gmail. Apart from that I want OE to be completely transparent -- no POPing of email, no having to use OE to look at anything.
Any thoughts? Either for fixing the problem at its root, and/or for the feasibility of the mostly-transparent workaround, and/or any other workaround possibilities?
[ETA: for configuring OE, I'm thinking of something like this. Everything I know about this whole setup I've found out through Google.] [ 30. January 2008, 15:02: Message edited by: Autenrieth Road ]
-------------------- Truth
Posts: 9559 | From: starlight | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
sheba
 ship's border collie
# 10654
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by ecumaniac: Having finally had enough of the WinXP laptop I'm using while my Mac is in hospital, I'm going to jump on the Linux bandwagon.
I'm following the tutorial from pendrivelinux.com to save the hassle of partitioning the drive.
I'll report back when it's done. Wish me luck!
Hooray! Another Linux convert. I recommend Ubuntu Linux 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon, the one I'm using at the moment. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
-------------------- Spiders are a little people, but they live in Kings' palaces. Am Yisrael Chai! עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי
Posts: 69 | From: hampshire, england | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Autenrieth Road
 Shipmate
# 10509
|
Posted
Ah, it turns out that it's bogsstandard to set up OE to have an IMAP connection to one's gmail, giving one one's choice of clients (OE, web, etc.) that can be used interchangeably. So that's all set then. My problem had been thinking of gmail as synonymous with its web interface.
-------------------- Truth
Posts: 9559 | From: starlight | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
duchess
 Ship's Blue Blooded Lady
# 2764
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Jimmy B: Visiting a friend, also an ancient geek and he told me a wonderful story, relating to one of the original PC XTs. (He said it was an 8080 processor, but I suspect he meant 8088).
Anyway, he was working as a programmer at the time, and a mate mentioned his machine (the aforementioned PC XT) which was behaving a bit flakily... So he told the mate to drop it round and he'd have a look. When he opened the case, he found that a mouse had made its nest right on top of the CPU!! There was no fan in this machine - and the mouse nest (wait for it-- ) was made of a shredded pest control leaflet!
[ETA: This same friend working now at a university had another mouse story for me Staff were complaining that the new laser printer was leaving streaks on the printouts... when he opened it up, a mouse had tried to run up over the drum and been zapped by the high voltage. There it remained wedged, and its little paws had etched the surface of the drum! Hence the streakiness. The drum was replaced under warranty ]
You know, it would have been cheaper just to get a cat.
-------------------- ♬♭ We're setting sail to the place on the map from which nobody has ever returned ♫♪♮ Ship of Fools-World Party
Posts: 11197 | From: Do you know the way? | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
QLib
 Bad Example
# 43
|
Posted
Can anyone tell me why my computer (Windows XP) - which used to happily let me plug in and plug out my USB pen without any of the tiresome 'safely dismounting*' stuff that I have to do at work (XP Pro)- has suddenly started forgetting at 20 minute or, on bad days, 20 second, intervals that the USB pen is plugged in and ignores its contents, refuses to save files back to the pen etc. Is this the result of another 'improvement' downloaded?
*'Dismount' - wtf? What do they think we're doing with those pens? ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
-------------------- Tradition is the handing down of the flame, not the worship of the ashes Gustav Mahler.
Posts: 8913 | From: Page 28 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Karl: Liberal Backslider
Shipmate
# 76
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Qlib: Can anyone tell me why my computer (Windows XP) - which used to happily let me plug in and plug out my USB pen without any of the tiresome 'safely dismounting*' stuff that I have to do at work (XP Pro)- has suddenly started forgetting at 20 minute or, on bad days, 20 second, intervals that the USB pen is plugged in and ignores its contents, refuses to save files back to the pen etc. Is this the result of another 'improvement' downloaded?
*'Dismount' - wtf? What do they think we're doing with those pens?
Does it do this with other USB devices?
-------------------- Might as well ask the bloody cat.
Posts: 17938 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Jimmy B: This same friend working now at a university had another mouse story for me Staff were complaining that the new laser printer was leaving streaks on the printouts...
A friend was telling me of a callout she had been on earlier in the week. The printer was only printing out half of the page. It was because there was a bun lodged inside and this was preventing the print head getting all the way across the page.
bb
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
QLib
 Bad Example
# 43
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider: Does it do this with other USB devices?
Nope - I have a USB modem, which it manages quite happily.
-------------------- Tradition is the handing down of the flame, not the worship of the ashes Gustav Mahler.
Posts: 8913 | From: Page 28 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
I guess you'll have tried different USB ports on your and other machines? - If the problem persists, looks to me like a physical connection error of the pen drive. Some modestly priced models are not exactly reliable.
If not, get back - and let us think... ![[Paranoid]](graemlins/paranoid.gif)
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
basso
 Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
|
Posted
The flash memory in a pen drive is rated only for a certain number of write cycles. I think that yours is probably worn out - even without moving parts!
I'd try replacing it with a different drive.
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
QLib
 Bad Example
# 43
|
Posted
It's a relatively new pen, and still functions fine at my place of work. There are 2 USB ports at the front of my computer and the modem works when plugged into either of them. The pen has problems whichever one it is plugged into.
The computer has started urging me to plug the pen into a "Hi-Speed" port, which I guess is at the back and relatively inaccessible. But I guess I'll get a connecting thinggy and try that next. Thanks for the ideas so far.
-------------------- Tradition is the handing down of the flame, not the worship of the ashes Gustav Mahler.
Posts: 8913 | From: Page 28 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
R.A.M.
Shipmate
# 7390
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by ecumaniac: My question is: any suggestions for good backup software for the Mac? Today I had a hard drive crash that, while not life-shattering, is still quite inconvenient. Next week I'm going to go get a big external drive. I'm considering upgrading to Leopard too.
Upgrade to Leopard, get the biggest external hard drive you can afford, preferably with a firewire cable. Use TimeMachine. (Even better get a TimeCapsule - I want to)
Otherwise do what I do with my inadequately sized hardrive and just drag and drop the really important stuff once a week. (Or more often if I am getting those dreams about my computer eating my essay the day before it is due). I also use a usb stick for stuff I am working on at the moment. (remembering to save things to .doc or .rtf formats so I can use them on Library computers.)
My uni also has some online storage, so occasionally I have put things on there, as a combination of back up and for remote access.
-------------------- Formerly Real Ale Methodist Back after prolonged absence...
Posts: 1584 | From: (Sunshine on) Leith | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Qlib: It's a relatively new pen, and still functions fine at my place of work. There are 2 USB ports at the front of my computer and the modem works when plugged into either of them. The pen has problems whichever one it is plugged into.
The computer has started urging me to plug the pen into a "Hi-Speed" port, which I guess is at the back and relatively inaccessible. But I guess I'll get a connecting thinggy and try that next. Thanks for the ideas so far.
Good thinking re getting a USB cable or a USB hub, possibly a powered one.
Hi-speed ports are USB 2.0, which practically all new computers got; USB 1.1 is older and slower, and that your drive's viewed as a lo-speed 1.1 shows that your machine currently can't correctly indentify this particular pendrive. - But we already knew that, didn't we.
Hope working with a USB hub will help. Sure worth a try. 3 ports aren't a lot anyway; I got 5 and still need an extra hub! Silly manufacturers!
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Drifting Star
 Drifting against the wind
# 12799
|
Posted
I have a new optical mouse with a 'tiltable wheel'. And yes, it does tilt, but I can't see what this tiltableness is for ... it certainly doesn't help me go around corners any faster. Can some let me in on the secret please?
-------------------- The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Heraclitus
Posts: 3126 | From: A thin place. | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
Yep. Each tilt is either programmable or has a certain function assigned to it. On my Logitech G5 mouse for example, I use the right tilt to move one step forward, and the left one step back, e.g. while surfing the web, or working on documents. Very nifty.
You should find more info on the manufacturer's website, and normally have the appropriate software on a CD-ROM that comes with your mouse.
Hope that helps. It's a very useful feature I find. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Drifting Star
 Drifting against the wind
# 12799
|
Posted
Aaah - thank you! That does sound useful. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
-------------------- The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Heraclitus
Posts: 3126 | From: A thin place. | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
aj
 firewire technophobe
# 1383
|
Posted
quote: Originally posted by Real Ale Methodist: quote: Originally posted by ecumaniac: My question is: any suggestions for good backup software for the Mac? Today I had a hard drive crash that, while not life-shattering, is still quite inconvenient. Next week I'm going to go get a big external drive. I'm considering upgrading to Leopard too.
Upgrade to Leopard, get the biggest external hard drive you can afford, preferably with a firewire cable. Use TimeMachine. (Even better get a TimeCapsule - I want to)
At the very least it's worth using an external hard drive with something like Carbon Copy Cloner to backup the entire disk. I first used CCC with great success a few years ago when I got a new hard drive for my Powerbook and wanted to make an exact copy of the information on the old disk.
-------------------- if there's no god, then who turns on the light when you open the fridge?
Posts: 2994 | From: ...on location | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wesley J
 Silly Shipmate
# 6075
|
Posted
Ok - me again.
Just had the most amazing geeky experience:
Norton Internet Security asked to be upgraded to NIS 2008, as otherwise any future subscription update wouldn't be possible. As I got NIS 2008 on another machine and like it, told myself, ok why not, sounds a good idea to me.
So that's what I do, and then NIS 2008 tells me: 'Your subscription has expired', and me, hey wait a minute - I want my two months' remaining subscription back!
I use their chat facility, and a nice man from India makes me change a few settings, namely temporarily turn back the computer date to 28 Jan 2008, and hey presto - I've now got an entire 12 (twelve!!) months of remaining subscription... Chap says, there's no other way around it, so seems that Symantec for a change've mightily messed up and are now literally paying for it. Very nice this!
BTW, and with all due respect to (free) AVG AntiVirus owners (which seems excellent), Norton Internet Security 2008's now finally a great lot faster than any Norton before - even a weak, slow machine shouldn't take 10 minutes to start up any more, but only a short while, like it should be.
At last, with NIS 2008, they got the hang of that, I guess. Really took 'em quite some time!
Anyway - I'm now enjoying 10 months's worth of free updates with Norton, because they couldn't get the tweak right. Not complaining there. Full stop. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
-------------------- Be it as it may: Wesley J will stay. --- Euthanasia, that sounds good. An alpine neutral neighbourhood. Then back to Britain, all dressed in wood. Things were gonna get worse. (John Cooper Clarke)
Posts: 7354 | From: The Isles of Silly | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
|