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Archive through September 28, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: All Things Technical: The Help Desk (ARCHIVES): Computer Problems? Ask Here (ARCHIVES): Archive through September 28, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 6:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Draheid! I'll give it a try.

Nino
Member

09-20-2004

Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Maybe someone can help me out. The clock on my computer is always correct whenever I first turn it on, but almost every time I go online, the clock starts changing! It jumps forward by hours. However, if I reboot, the clock always returns to the correct time! Any idea why this continues to happen?

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Nino: Which operating system and version are you using? If you are using Windows/XP there is a setting for the computer to automatically obtain the correct time from the national standards institute occasionally when you connect to the internet. This should also update your system clock though, so I would suspect something else is affecting it. It is possible that you have something running that you are unaware of which is causing this to happen. I have heard of some types of "spyware" or "trojan" programs that can cause this type of symptom. If you are not already using them, you may want to use one of the free programs that will scan your computer for these type of problems and clean them out for you. I recommend "Adaware" or "SpyBot Search & Destroy" both are available for free at the following links:

For Adaware, visit Lavasoft.ru or Click Here to download directly from Download.com.

For SpyBot Search & Destroy, visit Safer-networking.org or Click Here to download directly from Download.com.

For the direct download, save the file to your computer then run this file to install the program.

Hope this helps.

Nino
Member

09-20-2004

Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Draheid, thank you! I'm using Windows 98 Second Edition. I think I have Adaware on my computer already, so I'll run it and see what happens.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Nino: Your version of Windows does not have the ability to automatically synchronize your system to the national standards time. There are programs you can install for this, however, it sounds to me as there isn't any problem with the computer itself since the time reverts to the correct time when you reboot. You may also simply have some legitimate programs running which affect the timing of Windows and because of this, Windows attempts to compensate for it. It would make more sense to lose time frequently rather than gaining time as you've described. This could be caused by the combination of programs required to go on-line and therefore not affected when you are not on-line.

Please let me know if you discover anything using AdAware or if the problem continues after you have cleaned the system.

Hope this helps.

Resortgirl
Member

09-23-2000

Friday, September 24, 2004 - 9:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Dra!
I don't know if you got my IM because I'm having big problems with it. I can send messages, and sometimes see one reply but then nothing. I don't know if the recipient see's all the ones I write or not. I also am having problems with pages loading online. And even as I type this it halts every once and a while and then catches up again. My AIM keeps getting disconnected and says to check my internet connection, but I'm always online now, aren't I? Could I have goofed up something with the Zone Alert? I'm sorry to be a bother, but it's driving me NUTS!

smoochies

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Friday, September 24, 2004 - 10:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Draheid.

Hope it's okay to ask about a problem on behalf of my next door neighbour.

She was infected with the W32.Krogo.V. She's running Windows XP. She has removed the virus 3-4 times but had to redowload/install Windows and the virus keeps hijacking and shutting her down.

Any ideas? She's used removal tools from Symantec.

Thank you for any ideas you can offer. :-)



Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Friday, September 24, 2004 - 12:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Rupertbear: One often overlooked step to removing a virus on Windows/XP is disabling the System Restore feature. Otherwise the virus gets into the restore files and no known removal tools can touch it in there so it stays and stays.

From the Symantec website:
Disable System Restore and run another virus scan for Windows XP
Follow the steps in each section in the order listed.

To disable System Restore
  1. Click Start > My Computer.
  2. Click Properties.
  3. On the System Restore tab, check Turn off System Restore.
  4. Click Apply > click OK.
  5. Restart the computer.

To run another virus scan
  1. Run LiveUpdate, and download the latest virus definitions.
  2. Make sure that Norton AntiVirus is set to scan all files and all drives.
  3. Scan the computer.

To re-enable System Restore
  1. Click Start > My Computer.
  2. Click Properties.
  3. On the System Restore tab, uncheck Turn off System Restore.
  4. Click Apply > click OK.
  5. Restart the computer.

Hope this helps.

ETA: Or it could simply be too many stuck in their computer

Babyruth
Member

07-19-2001

Friday, September 24, 2004 - 1:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Update and thanks again to those who replied to my post a while back about sharing internet service at home between a PC and Mac. Last week we took advantage of a sale at CompUSA, and got a zippy new 79.99 NetGear router for 29.99 after rebates, PLUS FOR FREE a tech came to our house to install/set it up and make sure both puters work with it.

Houston, we are wireless!
'Course, now that I see how simple it is, well, duh! But it was all new to me!

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Friday, September 24, 2004 - 3:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LMAO!!! Okay...I'll pass your expertise along to her.

And thank you. :-)

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, September 24, 2004 - 9:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yay, BR!!! You can tell me how to do it when I take the leap.

Vixeninvegas
Member

10-07-2002

Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 3:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi all - I'm totally computer challanged (can turn it on & get here but that is about it - LOL)

Was just wondering - I have some old games for Windows 3.1 & Windows 95 but my recent computer runs Windows 98 - is there any way to get to play these dopey games again? I miss them - I have the entire LSL game series & understand I can't play the first 3 cuz they are DOS but was hoping there was some way to play the most recent 2

Thanks so much for your input! Vixen

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 5:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay, who can give me a simple explanation of burning DVD's? I am getting Momma's 100th birthday videotape put on DVD. The place making that DVD for me wants $10 for each additional copy. I can BUY a DVD burner and make my own for less than the cost of all the additional copies people want.

Now, here is my question. In order to copy the DVD, do I need both a DVD reader AND a DVD burner in my computer? Unfortunately, Bigdog talked me out of getting the DVD reader on this new computer. So, if I buy one, I will only have the DVD burner. Is it like burning CD's, where if I want to copy the entire disc, the software temporarily puts it on my hard drive (I have a really big, mostly empty hard drive) and then copies it to the blank DVD?

We are talking amateur video we shot ourselves, so no problems with copyrights or encoding.

Is there anything I have to look out for?

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 8:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju: You should be able to use the burner to read the DVD into an 'image' file (aka 'Rip' the DVD), then make as many copies as you want from that image file onto a recorder.

You should also explore the cost of media and also the compatibility of the end-users DVD players to be sure they are compatible.

Another option to consider is VCD (Video CD). These are lower quality images but still look fine on most TVs and can be burned onto standard CD-R discs. Again, the end-user's DVD will need to be able to play a VCD or SVCD (Super Video CD) as well.

Hope this helps. Ask if you have any more questions though - I'll try to help if I can.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 10:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Dra. Now, as to the cost of media, well ... uhhhhhhhhh ... you know I can find a bargain at any time, right? Good old Office Max had a sale on Imation DVD +R's and -R's last week, and I have a rain check. Hahahahaha! $6.99 for 10, which seems like a pretty good price.

Now, here is another question, since I have not bought the DVD's yet. The guy is making the master as DVD-R. He said that is the one most likely to play on everybody's home players that they use for rental movies. But tonight I read at PC-World, I think, that DVD+R is most likely to play on mom and pop's home player. However, article was dated Jan. 2004. I was intending to get the -R's for my copies if I get the burner. Do you have any opinion on that?

Oh! Just thought of another question. I read something tonight that led me to believe that since Bigdog's video camera is digital, I maybe could have made the master DVD myself (if I had a DVD burner) without special software or capture cards. I was under the impression that I needed a capture card AND a special software program AND a DVD burner to make the DVD myself, which is why I sent it off to have somebody else make it. Bigdog's camera is MiniDV.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju: First of all, if you know or can get the brand/model of DVD player for whoever wants a copy, you could visit http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers and lookup that player (or one very close) to see what others have reported would work on there.

For a digital camera to be connected, you most likely would need a 1394 (FireWire) port on your computer and some sort of video editing software (usually a 'lite' version of such is included if the computer has a 1394 port or would come with an add-on card if you purchased one).

I have a Sony Digital-8 camcorder and Pinnacle Studio-DV for video editing and find the combination works very well for me. Of course, I have a little experience in digital editing from my previous job but I'm not likely to spend $40,000 on a system like they have! lol

Bigdog's MiniDV would work great and it's possible your new computers have the necessary port. You'll need a cable to connect them and XP should have no trouble detecting the camera once you connect it and turn it on. If you have questions about this, let me know - IM me or something and I may be able to help you figure it out that way.

Hope this helps.

ETA: As far as creating the DVD to record, the newer versions of Pinnacle Studio should have the necessary utility for that as well, but I am not positive. I prefer Nero for burning CDs and I hear their latest is equally capable for burning DVDs as well.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Dra. Just checked. My Dell Dimension 4600 has NO firewire port. PC Magazine calls it "a hiccup in such a well-equipped system." New notebook doesn't have one either. I didn't even know what one is. How was I supposed to know I was going to need one in two months??????

Oh well. Baby steps. As it stands right now, I have the MiniDV (well, actually an edited VHS copy) of Momma's 100th at a company in Michigan for them to put it onto DVD at the reasonable rate of $10 per hour of DVD, 2 hours per DVD.

I am thinking of making my own copies of the DVD the MI company makes, for the ELEVEN other folks all with various unknown brands of DVD players, and that is why I am thinking of buying a DVD burner.

I was going to go with an off-brand Micro-Advantage DVD burner for $40 after rebate from Office Max if they get them in stock, but I just came across a good deal on a Plextor PX-712A with a 20% discount and $50 rebate from Dell for essentially the same price, only $7 more for shipping. Looks like it comes with Roxio software.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh! And thanks for the DVD player website, Draheid! Maybe I will ask folks what kind of player they have and get some blanks of both DVD+R's and DVD-R's.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju: Have you seen this:

Mad Dog MultiMedia Dominator 6-in-1 4X DVD-R/-RW Drive. Price shown reflects $30 Instant Rebate. Get $40 Back by Mail. Rebate Valid 8/15 - 9/30. Limit 1.
Item # 20686205 , Style # MD-4XDVDRW-M $49.00 here at Office Max


Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 1:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju, if your Dell has a PCI slot, you could buy a Firewire add in PCI card. They're relatively inexpensive, imo.

Heck, let me check my computer stuff stash, I may have one I could sell you for cheap if you're interested.

Babyruth
Member

07-19-2001

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 2:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Flat screen monitors. I want one!

Either 15" or 17", nice and sharp, maybe like the Dell ones we have at work. Been looking at CompUSA online, been to Circuit City. Want to spend under $400 if possible.

Anybody got any recommendations, testimonials? I have an old HP CRT that came with this PC, back in 99, and I wanna upgrade to a flat screen with a sharp image.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 3:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The new Sony flat screen LCD monitors with the Xbrite technology are quite nice. Of course, they're a little more expensive than other brands.

If money is no object, the new Apple 20 and 23 inch LCD screens are nice and, from what I've read, are PC and Mac compatible.

Samsung LCD's are good too.

Honestly, most LCD's are made by only a couple of companies and then rebranded.

I have a Sony LCD for my PC that I'm quite happy with.

Juju, about DVD players/recorders. The best brand, IMO, is Plextor. They make excellent optical drives and are highly rated.

Babyruth
Member

07-19-2001

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 3:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Wendo! I will jot that info down and take it with me. :-)

Vixeninvegas
Member

10-07-2002

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 5:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Nice - hmm guess I am invisible. Nice to know.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 5:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vixen: You aren't invisible - you did a terrible thing in your post above! You made me go hunting for my old copies of LSL to see if I could find a way to get them to work! I still haven't found them, keeping in mind I have diskettes, CDs, & old tapes stuffed in three different locations in the house, so I haven't been able to give you a good answer. I usually don't respond if I don't have a good answer unless nobody else has responded either.

I'm sorry, I should have said something earlier. I will try to let you know as soon as I can find those darn games - assuming I can just test and not get involved in playing them again!