Archive through May 05, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: 2003 May: Computer Problem - I need advice/help (ARCHIVES): Archive through May 05, 2003

Zachsmom

Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I just installed Netscape. Everytime I go to a different thread it asks "What Username do you want for this form?" Then it shows "zachsmom" twice. How do I get this to stop? I find it very annoying!

Tagurit

Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I thought I was the only one dealing with that annoying problem Zachsmom! I can't stand it! (I do know when I click on the name it automatically puts my password in which is helpful). I look forward to finding out how to rid us of this problem!

Draheid

Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:22 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Zachsmom & Tagurit: In Netscape v7.0, click on 'Edit - Preferences' then scroll down that list to 'Privacy & Security - Passwords' and uncheck the 'Remember passwords' box. Then use the 'Manage Stored Passwords' button then 'Remove All' in order to remove what's there already and hopefully keep it from interfering with you any more.

Hope this helps.

Zachsmom

Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:33 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Dra! It worked!

Lizadee

Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 11:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Not sure why but this morning when I came into work and tried to get into my E-mail or any other sites that use my password I get "this page cannot be displayed"
And usually when this happens it takes about a month for someone to figure it out
I can get into my E-mail on anyother computer just not mine
Any suggestions

Draheid

Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 11:27 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Lizadee: I'm not clear on what's going on with your computer. Are you able to get to any sites, specifically any that do NOT require your password to get into? What version of Windows & browser are you using? How are you connected to the internet??

Hopefully with a little more information, I can offer some help on this.

Lizadee

Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 11:43 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I can get into sites the only ones I can't get into are ones that use passwords to access

Good questions Draheid and because I am so computer illiterate I am going to ask someone else those questions

windows 2000, internet explorer, connected by network
hope this helps

Draheid

Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 12:51 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Lizadee: My first thought is the security settings in Internet Explorer. You might try resetting them by clicking on 'Tools - Internet options' then click on the "Security" tab and click on "Default Levels" button then "Ok" to apply and save those settings.

It could also be a problem with your Cookies setting, also in the 'Tools - Internet options' under the 'Privacy' tab. Check to see if that setting has changed or is set incorrectly for your computer.

Hope this helps.

Lizadee

Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 01:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks butt no go !!
I'll have to try again tomorrow I am leaving work here in about 1/2 hour
I know that my girlfriend here had trouble and went under "ask help" and they said something ab- out the date on it being incorrect and she fixed her date and the darn thing worked
I just can't believe somehing happened over night No one uses our computers after we shut down for the evening so I just don't know what the heck would have happened

Faerygdds

Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 01:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Couple of things it could be... (I used to work for an ISP in Tech Support, so I have some know how)

First thing to do is clear your cache.

In Internet Exploder (I mean Explorer):
Click on Tools, then Internet Options.
Should be the first page where it says something about clearing files. Push the button and clear all the files. Also, clear out your cookies. (not sure which tab this is under)

If that doesn't work, then there are other places to look too.

Since you are on a network, some of them might require admin assistance. What it actually sounds like to me is that either a) your TCP/IP stack is slipping and about to crash which means that unless the internet component of your network is not reinstalled properly (which includes a registry hack), you may lose net access all together and all pages will give you that error. OR 2) The file that holds all your password info has gotten corrupted. If that is the case, then your admin can help you delete the file -- it will auto create itself.

Just a few suggestions... hope one of them works for you.

Lizadee

Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay we fixed it
Thanks everyone we had to download internet 6
Whatever that means ??
and now I'm back with my E-mail
I am so happy I may skip my lunch here at work (not)

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 03:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I have been out to Office Max today buying items with excellent rebates.

I got a Kyphermedia CD writer because I don't have one, and it was virtually free after rebates.

I got a Western Digital 80 Gb hard drive because my 6 Gb is almost full.

I got Kingston 256 MB DDR RAM memory (which was also virtually free after rebates) just in case it would be a good idea to have 256 instead of the 120 MB I currently have.

I have a 633 Celeron processor, 2-3 years old, Windows ME.

Here are my questions:

1. Should I put in the 256 MB RAM, or is the 120 I have sufficient? (I presume if I put in the 256, I would remove the 120?)

2. Is it easy enough to install the new hard drive that I (okay, Bigdog, but he doesn't know anything about building computers either) can do it myself following the installation directions that came with it?

3. Same question, CD re-writer.

4. Same question, RAM, if answer to 1 was yes.

Draheid

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 03:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Juju2bigdog: I will presume for the sake of this discussion that all the components you have purchased are compatible with your computer.

IMPORTANT: When working in your computer, be sure to disconnect the power cable first. Once inside your computer, be sure to 'ground' yourself to the chassis of the computer by touching the metal frame before reaching inside to work on it.

This should discharge any possible static electricity from your body which can be harmful to your computer especially to sensitive components such as memory chips!!!

1. You will probably have to remove one or more memory chipsets (sticks) in order to install the new RAM. I would recommend removing the smallest and leaving the rest giving you even more memory to use.

2. a) You should be able to install the 80GB drive as a secondary drive giving you the entire drive as storage leaving your operating system and programs on the 6GB drive.
2. b) Alternatively, if you have the software you want to use on the computer available on the original installation CDs, you could first replace your existing hard drive, install the operating system and software, then install your old hard drive as a 2nd drive and copy the files from there to your new drive.
2. c) Your new drive may have utilities included and instructions on how to install it in your computer and run a program which will move everything over from your old drive and make the new one bootable with all your program files and data intact and giving you the additional storage.

3. CD-RW is very simple to install. Simply insert it into a physical drive space in the computer, connect the data & power cable and finally connect the audio cable from the CD-RW drive to the Sound Card.

4. Installing RAM is very simple. First you must determine where the memory slots are. Then decide which you wish to remove. Finally insert the new RAM in the empty slot. Be careful to insert the RAM in the correct direction (it should be 'keyed' to allow it to only go in one way - look for a notch off-center on the memory and a matching 'key' in the memory slot) and insert it into the slot pressing on both ends equally to insure it goes in straight and makes the best connection possible.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know.

Hope this helps.

Zachsmom

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 03:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
RAM I am unsure about..normally I would say yes you can just plop different values but I think the type of RAM has to be compatible. Drah will problably fill you in on that. (I have added RAM so the answer to #4 is yes..it's easy and you can do it)

Installing the HD is easy..follow the instruction..also watch when you take out the existing HD to remember where to put the new cables into..it's very easy.

Same with CD Rom..basically unplug the old one and put the new one in.

I have done all of the above and I am thinking if I can do it anyone can..lol!!!

(for the RAM..I have 120 and a 256)

Depending on where your memory slots are..put in the memory while you have the HD out!!

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 04:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Dra and Zmom, thanks a bunch.

Compatability issues:

The hard drive box says "guaranteed compatability"

The CD-writer, well, it's just a standard one. Wouldn't they all be similar?

The RAM, how will I know if it is compatible? If it's not, it won't fit in the slot?

Drah, I did look at the instructions for installing the hard drive, and it has instructions (and presumably a utility included) for transferring stuff from the old drive to the new one.

Draheid

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 04:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Juju2bigdog: Unfortunately, RAM is pretty standardized in form factor so it would probably fit, however, not all motherboards are setup to know how to handle larger RAM such as a 256MB. Most older machines can't handle anything bigger then a 128MB. I should be able to find the configuration for your machine online and give you a link to show you what they say about it if I have the brand/model # to look up.

Let me know.

Jed245

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 05:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Juju... The ram will probablly fit as dra said. You really shouldn't need to worry about removing the 128 though. I've installed several computers with ram in such a manner.

Everything now a days just pops out or in. For the ram after you unplug and open up your computer you will want to look for a few things.

Compare your ram card with other componets in the computer. There will be one of about the same size with either chips on one or both sides of it.

After you have found that look to see if there is an empty slot next to it. If so then that is likely where your ram would fit.

As for compatability of the ram. Just plug it in and start up the pc after everything is done.

I would recommend installing the hard drive first it should have all the instructions with it on how to do this. It's easy... :o)

After it is installed put the pc back together and make sure that it worked.

Next I'd go with the ram. After you install it into an empty socket (if there are none you will have to remove the old ram) Put it together and see if it worked.

To check this just right click on the my computer icon on desktop then select properties. After you have done that there will be a window pop up with several options one of which is a tab that says general click that.

On that window it will tell you your computers ram. If you had an empty slot you should have something like 386 megs of ram.

After you have finished those steps. Then install the cd writer. Most computer cases have a blank slot for this upgrade. After you unplug and open up your computer.

Look under the existing cd rom drive and hard drive.. There might be an empty slot with a plastic cover. If so remove the plastic cover and insert the cdwriter there. The instructions should tell you how to hook up the various wires.

Jed :o)

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Big smoochies, Dra and Jed, (extra smoochie for Jed for the instructions for dummies, lol, we DO need it)





Dra, the computer is a shop built one that the guy built himself. I figure I will take it all in to him and pay him to do it after we mess it up. JUST kidding about the messing up part, although that IS my last resort option in my plan.

Been busy tonight backing up all files just in case ...

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey, guess what? I found a Users Guide for the AMR Plus Technology P6STP-FL Mainboard that came with this computer!!! It has a whole bunch of info, including this: Two DIMM sockets are available for the installation of up to 1 GB SDRAM memory.

Yay!! BUT - is this an uh oh or not? What I bought is DDR. I admit I do not know the difference between SD and DDR. I CAN return this RAM, by the way, if I either don't need it or can't use it.

Ladytex

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
That is what I was afraid of when you said you had a 633 Celeron. I don't think the RAM you bought will work on your motherboard. SDRAM and DDR are not compatible

Zachsmom

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 11:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
that's what I meant earlier about the RAM being campatible. I think you can use only one or the other..but not both at the same time..but not 100% on that either..also not sure if you can use DDR RAM..so just don't listen to me

Jed245

Monday, May 05, 2003 - 04:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Well Juju, Ladytex and zachsmom are right. You can't mix DDR and SDRAM. Some systems allow you to exchange One for the other. If the place you got the ram from has a good return policy you might want to try switching the 128 out for the 256. :o)

Then put it all back together and fire it up. If it goes really really really slow. OR if it has problems then the ram is likely not compatable with your system.

if it boots up fine and seems to work with no problems. Just follow the steps I posted earlier for checking to see if the ram worked. If so WOOHOO ya got new ram. :o)

But, even if that does work you might be better off calling the store and asking them if you can exchange your 256 ddr for 256 sdram. :o) That way you will have the 300+ ram :o)

Hope that helps.
Jed. :o)

Draheid

Monday, May 05, 2003 - 06:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Technically, DDR is defined as "Double Data Rate" and is still a SDRAM module with enhanced accessibility. (FYI: SDRAM = Synchronous Dynamic RAM).

According to the memory configuration tool at Crucial Technologies, your motherboard does not support DDR memory. What you need is PC100 or PC133 SDRAM instead. (If you wish to look for further information, you need to know that your motherboard manufacturer is "Elite Group (ECS)" - look for 'Motherboard' products then your particular model "P6STP-FL" or Click Here to go direct.

Hope this helps.

Juju2bigdog

Monday, May 05, 2003 - 09:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay!!! Thanks, everybody. I am going to return the DDR RAM. I see Office Depot has PC 133 128 MB SDRAM for 15 bucks after rebate or 256 for 20 after rebate. I think I might get one of those.

Next question - in buying CD-R's, should I buy a certain brand for quality's sake? Or all they all the same? Do I have to be careful of the X number I buy? This new CD writer is 48X. Does that mean I have to buy 48X CD-R's? There are some 40X at a good price with rebate right now.

Draheid

Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Juju2bigdog: I've used a variety of brands of CD-R & CD-RWs without any trouble that I can remember, so I can't really speak to a specific brand. I've bought name-brand & store brand both. You either need to pay attention to the 'X' factor or be certain when you are burning a disc that you set the software to the speed the disc is capable of not the drive's maximum speed.

Hope that helps.