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Archive through August 22, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Jun. ~ Aug.: All Things Technical: The Help Desk ARCHIVES: Computer Problems? Ask Here (ARCHIVES): Archive through August 22, 2005 users admin

Author Message
Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju, I did call, but they couldn't find it, even tho I know exactly where I left it. I can only assume the cleaning crew threw it away. Ordered a new one. I really need a new camera. Mine was an early digital camera and it's about three times the size of the cute ones they have out now. But it's hard to bring myself to buy one since it was so spendy and it still works so well!

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It's nice to see someone who hasn't succumbed to having the latest techy gear when theirs still works fine for them!

I'd still think about getting the card reader though.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 2:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OK..two issues..My CDR drive doesn't seem to be responding. We have the Direct CD program and it keeps telling me that I don't have a CD in the drive, and I do.

Also, Zone alarm keeps popping up for authorization even on ones that I have said 'allow' to and 'remember'.

Buttercup
Member

07-16-2005

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 3:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Not sure if this is the right place to ask or if I should go to the Dumb Questions thread

I have MSN messenger, but I never open it and sign on unless I have time to chat. However, sometimes a "conversation" window pops up and there is somebody there to talk (somebody on my list) even though I am not logged in!

How is this possible?

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 3:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
i have this problem with skootz, it always shows her as on, she says she isn't signed on, i think that when you sign on to use your email or browser, that it automatically signs you on. you need to check your settings and make sure that all of the "sign on when windows opens" and all that is turned off. and that it doesn't automatically load when you boot up your computer also.

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 4:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
MSN messenger can be a "naughty" program.

I can tell you how to disable it if you like.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 4:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Jimmer, in my case, it may just be due to laziness. I never learned how to use all the features on this one. I'm afraid I'll get a new one and won't be able to take a single picture!

Buttercup
Member

07-16-2005

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 4:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yes, puuuhleaze--all the help I can get is good

I know for sure that I don't sign on when I open Windows. Today when I got that "conversation" window again, I went and opened Messenger myself and it said I wasn't signed on

I then clicked to see what would happen when I clicked on "Sign In" and whadda ya' know...the "conversation" window got dimmed and some little message in the corner popped up and disappeared again before I got a chance to see what it said.

Sorry if this sounds confusing, but I AM too

By the way, I use Outlook Express for email if that matters.

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 4:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I only know how to disable MSN Messenger completely. But since you occasionally use it for chatting you may not want to do anything this drastic.

To completely disable MSN messenger (if you're sure you never want it).

Stop The Service FIRST, Using Task Manager ... THEN open file explorer and search for msmsgs.exe. Rename the file msmsgs.exe. Just put your initials in front of it so it's easy to find again if you ever want it back.

Let me know if you need more detailed instructions.

That's funny Karuuna. I understand how you might feel that way but we're always here to help!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 6:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OK..two issues..My CDR drive doesn't seem to be responding. We have the Direct CD program and it keeps telling me that I don't have a CD in the drive, and I do.

Also, Zone alarm keeps popping up for authorization even on ones that I have said 'allow' to and 'remember'.


Buttercup
Member

07-16-2005

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 6:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Landi and Jimmer, thanks for your help

Jimmer, your instructions are great, however, I don't want to completely disable Messenger--I just don't like the "surprise visits" when I have little time...I don't want to deal with the guilt of turning my friends and family away even though I'm sure they'll understand...or the temptation to start yapping when I really can't...whacky, I know

I guess for now I'll just block everybody on my list to see if that works Thanks again!

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 5:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, not much response in the Comparing DSL Services thread, so I'll try a related question here....If you don't want to read some of the background of the problem, skip to the stuff in blue below (specific questions in bold if you don't want to read even the lengthy blue part)...

STILL having trouble with Earthlink. After a half hour of trying to connect on my first boot-up of the day, I decided to call them. First call went to the number they gave me two weeks ago to check on the "status" of the "trouble ticket" they'd put in. Well, in the mean time, the service had improved some, so I assumed they'd fixed something (even though their engineers didn't call me like they said they would).

Service has started to deteriorate again in the last few days, culminating with not getting logged in at all today. I finally power cycled the modem while I was on hold (something they ALWAYS make me do when I call, even though I always do it several times before I call), and finally got connected. I stayed on the line to see if anything was ever really done with the "trouble ticket." Don't think it was, by what the person I talked to today insinuated.

Anyway, they said in order to have a stable connection (dis-connects were half of my complaint, the other was extremely slow downloads), they decreased my "speed" from 764kbps (I believe it was that number, it was in the 700's anyway) to 382kbps.

Question: isn't that pretty slow for DSL? How does it compare to dial up? Should I be paying 40$ a month for this "service?"

They said it could be my modem (the one they sent me as part of the "package" when I signed up for DSL 4 years ago). They say if the modem is 4 years old, that could be the problem.

Question: How long is a reasonable time for a DSL modem to last?

They also said they'd be happy to send me a "free" new modem, if I agree to another one year contract with them.....uh, not unless its a last resort. I'm not going to be strong armed into staying with crappy service just to get a "free" modem when they'll likely send me bottom line quality stuff in that regard.

So, I'm thinking of just going out and buying a new modem myself. The person I talked to said I could do that as long as the modem was "supported by Earthlink."
Question: So um, a modem isn't just a modem? Or are they snookering me into getting one from a company they are in cahoots with?

She gave me 4 brand name DSL modems...Speed Stream (models 5260,5100,5263,5360,5660,5667), VisionNet, Netopia, and Broadmax. I plan on trying to do online research on these tonight. But I thought in the mean time, maybe someone here might have had some experience in one of the models to tell me if it was a good one, or if it was one to stay away from.


Sorry this ended up to be such a long post. But I'm pretty darn frustrated, and I'm just trying to get this issue resolved! I have a tendency to get pretty over involved in giving a background/history of the problem, cause I think the more info, the better it is to diagnose. Problem is, not too many people have the patience to listen to the whole spiel.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 6:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Whoami, it does sound like the modem may be bad. I know when my Qwest modem went south on me however, they just gave me a new one. In fact, I used a local company to set up my Qwest DSL, and they even gave me a loaner till the new one arrived.

So, I just think you're getting bad service. Can you break the contract if they gave you equipment that didn't meet the promises of the contract? I'd strong arm 'em if I were you.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 7:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I wish I could at least check into Qwest. I'm bound to Earthlink till January, or I have to pay $145.00 to get out of the contract. I'm not very good at strong arming. I know I've let them know in no uncertain terms I am not satisfied. But if the modem is 4 years old, I guess that's not their fault. The original "set up" kit included the modem, but I don't know if that meant they'd forever provide modems at whim. I know I'll be danged if I let them send me a "free" modem and get hooked into yet another year with them.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 9:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Who, I traded in my cable modem for another because it was one year old and they told me it wouldn't hurt. Fortunately it didn't cost me anything. It also turned out to not be the problem. If you recall, we were having very similar problems with crashing, server not responding, and the computer simply turning off. I had to take my computer in for repair.


Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 9:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yea, I think my next step is to look into replacing the modem. Earthlink is "happy to replace" the one I have, as long as I agree to another one year contract....something I'll be hanged if I do. Call me stubborn but, I fell for it once (to reduce the monthly rate), and I'm just not ready for them to twist my arm behind my back again and hold me hostage.

At least I think my problem is a bit different than yours. My computer isn't crashing or freezing (knock on wood and ). I've just been experiencing slow downloads, disconnects, and a deteriorating connection speed when I do connect.

When they were fiddling around with the line today, the girl said something about hearing "noise" on the line that made them decide they should reduce the connection speed to 382 to improve the stability.

Draheid
Board Administrator

09-09-2001

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Whoami: 384K is slow for DSL these days. 1500K is typical and I've heard even higher in some instances. $40/month is very high, IMO. I have cablemodem at 5000K maximum download speed for $45/month.

When I was working briefly for a local ISP, we bought used DSL modems on Ebay for our customers so we could provide them as inexpensive as possible and rarely had any trouble with them. You should be able to pick up a used/refurbished one for probably well under $50 I believe.
DSL Modems are not at all the same as a dialup modem. They use a completely separate signal from what a dialup modem uses and connect to the computer through an ethernet connection (or USB in some instances). Also, dialup speed is limited to 53K for comparison.

On the phone side of your connection, do you often hear any kind of static or other strange noises? Are there filters on the telephones that you have connected to the line with DSL service?

If you browse to Broadband Reports Speedtest site and run one of their tests, first you'll see what your connection speed is currently. Then you can compare your speed with others in your area on the same service. This should give you a good idea if you're the only one having problems or the service in that area is just generally bad.

If the service company is saying there is noise on the line, then THEY should FIX that, not force you to contend with much slower speed than you are paying for. I believe you have a good case to hold them to their end of the bargain or let you out of the contract. Just my opinion, but I think you're getting a bad deal there and bad service/support to boot.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, August 19, 2005 - 11:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hmmmm....seems like I am getting a raw deal. Looks like it may be time to fire off a very stern note (I'm much better at getting nasty in the strong arm method by the written word. If I had to talk my way through this, I'd be a goner).

I suppose I should hold off buying a modem then, and see if I can get them to improve their service (or let me out of the contract) before I do any investing.

Question about broadband....it uses a modem too? Or did I read/hear once that the cable connects directly to the computer?

Thanks for your help and advice everyone!

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 3:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OK, one more related question before I log off for the night....

Assuming I go for the cable internet, and switch to....say....Comcast (since I already have Comcast Cable TV)......they have where I can "lease" a modem for 3$ a month. Or should I just buy one? At 3$ a month, it would take 26 months to "pay for" one if I bought my own. I'm thinking, by that time, it may need replacing, and I assume Comcast would switch it out? I guess that's something to ask them.

I guess what I'm asking is, for those who currently have Cable Internet, do you own your modem, or lease it?

Draheid
Board Administrator

09-09-2001

Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 11:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Whoami:

All types of modems are separate devices. They take the digital data signal from the computer and convert it to an analog signal to be transmitted over the connection (modulation) and then convert back from analog to digital for use by the computer (demodulation). That's where the name is derived, Modulation - Demodulation. There were initially all types of modems including those that were installed inside the computer but these days, they are mostly external. Mainly because they are easier to use and share as external devices.

I do not pay rent on my modem, it belongs to the cable company. I had the same one for several years (before it was launched officially, as an employee at the time, I was beta testing for them) but it finally started showing signs of age so I took the old one to them and picked up a new one. The improvement was amazing.

I think the rent is just an easier way to keep updated with newer technology when/if it comes out. Plus, if you have problems, they will replace it for free too. For the same assurance, you'd need to purchase an extended warranty along with the modem, so be sure to factor that cost into your calculations. Also consider any 'service' required on one you own would probably mean having to be offline for the time it takes to have the modem serviced.

Does that help?

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 12:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Whoami, do you have Circuit City in your area? Where I live, Comcast has a special deal with Circuit City. You get 6 months service, maybe free modem, and $50 Circuit City gift card. Best deal around. You get it through Circuit City, of course, not Comcast. I have not taken advantage of it yet, because I never know if I am going to be in town for six months at a time, but I may do it next year.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 11:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks again for your help Dra and Juju! Yes, Dra, very helpful!

I'll have to look into that Circuit City thing, though the closest one to me is 15 miles away; which may as well be 1500 miles away, since I'm pretty much handcuffed to the house.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 3:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think that as quick as technology moves, renting may be best.

Although, since RCN wouldn't upgrade my modem (it was within spec), I chose to buy one and forgo renting this go around. I've had it almost a year now and it's paid for itself now. So, I guess it's a wash.

Heyltslori
Moderator

09-15-2001

Monday, August 22, 2005 - 12:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am trying to fix a computer that takes a LONG time (like 10 minutes) to load up when you first turn it on. I think the problem is that it is loading way too many things. Can someone tell me where to find the list of things it's loading, and how to know what is safe to remove from that list? Thanks!

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Monday, August 22, 2005 - 12:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
wouldn't that be in msconfig - startup area?

Run - msconfig