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View Full Version : Summary: 12/20/06 Wed Nite KH Computer Help Desk Chatroom Session


mommalina
12-22-2006, 03:09 AM
We competed for 3d and 4th place in computer chatrooms for most of the
night, and closed the room about 12:15 a.m.

I had half of this summary composed and typed here and somehow lost it
when I went to check a PM and some other posts! Arrow and Firefox tabs
would not take me that far back.
:hurt:

WHO WAS THERE
KH MEMBERS - Lina, Doug, Lawrence, Vivienne, Rich, Elliot, Pete, Al,
SkipCox, Dan, John Campi, Photolady, Fred .... Sorry you couldn't make it,
Rob (kern). Hope you're feeling better. .... N3, you have not visited our forum
since December 13. Paltalkers were wondering if you are okay. Maybe you bought
that new computer and are busy setting it up?

VISITORS WHO PARTICIPATED - hypervisor, NEW UNDERTAKER,
The Right_Stuff

PALTALK 9.0

- No longer beta. Video and duplex audio (more than one person talking). You can
update at www.paltalk.com. No rush -- 8.5 will still be available and functional to
accommodate W98 users.

- some of us wondered how duplex audio would work--or rather, not work. Too
many talking at the same time? Some wanting attention *now*? It would be rude,
but at least you could interrupt a long-winded conversation. Lawrence, on the other
hand, would like to have a duet with Vivienne (he never gives up!).

- check http://support.paltalk.com/v9 for what's new in Paltalk.

COMPUTER-RELATED DISCUSSIONS

--> FIREFOX UPDATE 2.0.0.1 - Should update automatically and smoothly

-- > EXTERNAL DVD WRITERS - good web site for fast service, free shipping:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Home.jsp

-- >FIREWALLS

- Some feel Window XP's one-way firewall is enough, you don't need a two-way
firewall. A good AV and spyware protection prevent crap from connecting out from
your pc.

- Vista has two-way firewall.

--> INTEL NIC CARDS

- NIC (network interface controller) is a piece of computer hardware designed to
allow computers to communicate over a computer network.

- Intel nic card runs better in the motherboard. AMDs freeze up. (Rich)
Linux loves Intel. Intel runs better. More expensive? (Lawrence)

-- > DOUG'S COMPUTER PROBLEM

- Network Xpro machine, has 8 shared folders, works fine for days, then after
accessing shares, that machine locks up the network. Machine locks up as well, like it
is looking for something. Only way out is reboot, whereupon it works fine for a few
days. Never generates any errors in event log or anything else. Machine gets locked
with hour-glass pointer and can't open ctrl-alt-del task manager. Onboard Intel
100/1000 Pro wired nics on the mobo are great.

- Nic card or MS update for realtech at fault? Change the nic card or update that
driver again? Problem seems to be following an MS update for realtech.

-- > INTERNET EXPLORER 7 - Doug's work IT Dept turned on auto update, and
machines have been farkled since! Skip thinks IE is just fine for most stuff...his gps
tracker recommends not using it. Other companies have similar caveats. John thinks
Firefox is the main squeeze. (Agreed!)

-- > ANTIVIRUS PROGRAMS

- Bullguard, really something but solely antivirus program (Lawrence).
- Avira, liked best by Lawrence, very well-rated says Rich.
- AVG, Rich is reseller.

- Bulletproof (http://www.bulletproofsoft.com/) used to be Bull$hitware, a spoof
program, not real, stealing from Spybot (Rich). Spybot and Adaware accused BPS of
theft. Visitor NEW UNDERTAKER said Bulletproof caught shutdown virus.

- AdAware. Lawrence was very suspicious of it, found machines that had it always
appeared to have viral stuff, suspected the update sites had been infected. Doug
values the program only for AdWatch and the registry lock; *that* is worth the price!

-- > VIRTUAL BUSTER

- A mutation of WinFixer2006, nastiest Dan has seen in a year, run-in this week, was
a nightmare.

-- > ACRONIS 1.9* (see Edit) - Photolady having permission problem. Doug says must
have a USER on each machine with access to the share. When you create the share,
you can specify permissions and users. Right click on receiving folder, and check
PERMISSONS under security and sharing.... make sure USER or EVERYONE is
there. In Acronis, you have to fill in the section where it specifies USER and PW for
the destination share. When you create backup, it will ask you, when you send to a
network share, the USER and PW to enter to send it to. You must have a common
USER that has permissions and a valid PW in that share. Even if the share has
EVERYONE's permissions, it still needs a USER on that machine.

-- > AN OPERATING SYSTEM ON A MICROCHIP? - Visitor NEW UNDERTAKER
mentioned possibility of doing this. It would be more stable. More money
for repair people. But how would you handle a virus? How do you fix that?

-- > AL'S W98 ACTING UP AGAIN

- He probably installed and maybe improperly uninstalled some 500 software programs
over the years. He's being asked to move Windows to a new directory.

- John thinks clean install to a new folder sounds like a decent idea. Installing to a new
folder does work. Then, you have to install all programs again.

- Al has a backup, so Doug says replace the image.

- He could install Puppy Linux until he's ready for a new computer with Vista.

- Time to upgrade to XP, Al! .. :brick:

-- > GAMES

Lawrence: The graphics in some of these newer games is so close to reality it is
amazing. His sons had the "stormovic" russian fighter game, it was pretty good!

Photolady: A lot of people having problems playing WOW. Though most are because
of their system specs......not enough. She thought she wanted Oblivion; but after buying a
previous version of The Elder Scrolls: MorrowWind, she was disappointed in that game.

-- > CDs IN MACHINE - take them out when not in use!

-- > MONITORS

- CRTs better for games. No longer in stores, older models online. You can get
later LCDs with higher resolution. Some don't like the widescreen, may not be better,
but we are going to have to live with it.

- 1440 x 900 resolution is standard on Doug's 19-inch LCD ViewSonic. His CRT was
1600 x 1200 in the square format.

- 1600 x 1200 is manufacturer's recommendation for Lina's 21.3-inch LCD Viewsonic.
But she needs larger fonts. Doug approves of the 1024 x 768 resolution and 120 DPI
(125%) she's trying.

-- > YESTERDAY'S COMPUTERS AND HARDWARE - We seemed to be
having an archive discusssion. W98, 95, 3.1. Lawrence has machine operating 3.11.
Doug said most of us stem from 3.1, shows how old we are! John has a hammer and
chisel....and a scribe. .. :) .. Rich can't remember anything about W98 except for the
desktop screen. Lina remembers scrambled desktop screens at least once a week (she
was weaned on W98).

-- > AUSTRALIAN SUNDAY COMPUTER MARKET - that's Lawrence's
"church," where he faithfully worships every Sunday .. :pray2: .. Doug wondered if
they serve bourbon (instead of wine?).


NON-COMPUTER-RELATED DISCUSSIONS

- turp (turpentine) is Australian for booze. LOL
- how many countries use metric system.
- driving on different sides of the road.
- loss of loved ones

Until next week, drink and be merry--but don't drive! Happy Holidays!

Lina

Vivienne
12-22-2006, 05:58 AM
Lina:

A wonderful summary!! The summaries were so missed when you were gone! The time it takes to do them! And the concentration you must give for hours while you not only listen but actively participate. Wow!

And Lina - 3:00 am ??? You were up and posting it at 3:00 am??

Thank you!!!

Vivienne

compusimple
12-22-2006, 07:01 AM
Lina- Had to leave early, really appreciate summary.
many thanks
elliott

mommalina
12-22-2006, 01:03 PM
Vivienne wrote:And Lina - 3:00 am ??? You were up and posting it at 3:00 am??

As I reported, I lost more than half of what I had composed and typed. .. :eek:!!
Was so upset and disgusted with myself, I gave up and took a very long nap
.. :sleep: .. I love being retired, independent. and able to do what I want, when I
want, most of the time. Some things do get better as one gets older.

I learn and retain quite a bit by doing these summaries and get a lot out of
it. My only fear .. :scared: .. is that I'll get something mixed up.....but we're not talking
about national security here, and some of those that do read this would
probably pick it up and correct it.

Vivienne, we get a kick out of your participation in our chatroom. Never
the same without you!

Happy holidays,

Lina

Vivienne
12-22-2006, 01:23 PM
Lina:

As I reported, I lost more than half of what I had composed and typed. .. :eek:!!

Poor baby!! It's awful when that happens. All the effort and time and then it's gone! Whenever I write anything that is more than two lines, I copy it to the clipboard ready to paste. :-) When I remember!!


I love being retired, independent. and able to do what I want, when I
want, most of the time. Some things do get better as one gets older.

I love being retired as well for the very same reasons you do. :-)


My only fear .. :scared: .. is that I'll get something mixed up.....but we're not talking
about national security here, and some of those that do read this would
probably pick it up and correct it.

They would, for sure. It's awesome that with all the technical jargon that is going on, you don't get many things wrong at all. Your knowledge is awesome.


Vivienne, we get a kick out of your participation in our chatroom. Never
the same without you!

:-) Thank you!!! Lina, I love being there. Such a fantastic group of people - all so different and yet each so generous in their sharing, so helpful and so kind. I mustn't forget funny as well. How you 'guys' can make me laugh! It feels wonderful belonging to such a 'team'!! And you know what! I think of you as the leader! :-) A wonderful, sensitive, intelligent leader with a lot of curiosity and a great sense of humour. Am I making you blush??? :-)

Vivienne

mommalina
12-22-2006, 03:26 PM
Lina:
:-) Thank you!!! Lina, I love being there. Such a fantastic group of people - all so different and yet each so generous in their sharing, so helpful and so kind. I mustn't forget funny as well. How you 'guys' can make me laugh! It feels wonderful belonging to such a 'team'!!

Yes, we are all different--gender, nationality, age, education,
employment, life experiences. Participation in the chatroom
continues to be an education for me. And it can be fun!


And you know what! I think of you as the leader! :-) A wonderful, sensitive, intelligent leader with a lot of curiosity and a great sense of humour. Am I making you blush??? :-

:redface: ......... :redface: .......... :redface: .......... :redface:

Lina

Tortanick
12-23-2006, 08:37 AM
Whats wrong with leaving CDs in a machine? I never had any problem with it.

mommalina
12-23-2006, 12:23 PM
Whats wrong with leaving CDs in a machine? I never had any problem with it.

Tortanick, thanks for your question. :sorry: .. I now see I could have elaborated;
but, hey, it was 3 a.m., and I was running out of steam.

I don't think I caught the entire audio conversation, except not to leave CDs
in machine during long periods of non-use.

They were talking and typing about failing DVD writers. Doug commented
that they do die a slow death; pull the tray, clean laser lens with Q-tip and
alcohol. SkipCox concluded that when a DVD writer is worth forty bucks,
ditch the old stuff.

Doug interjected that his son has a bad habit of leaving game CD in the tray.
Explorer won't load up until it reads the CD, which lags everything down.
A dead CD, and Explorer can't read it and won't load the file system,
causing the machine to slog to a halt.

That's when an oral discussion took place about not leaving (and forgetting)
a CD in the machine.

I also regret not being able to summarize a discussion about ports--way
over my head. .. :noidea:

My summaries are no substitute for attending the KH chatroom session;
unfortunately, time-zone differentials make it impossible for some of
our overseas friends to join us. .. :frown:

Again, Tortanick, thanks for asking .. :) .. You gave me the opportunity to
elaborate with a clearer mind.

Lina

photolady
12-23-2006, 01:43 PM
Well, I thank you for reporting on your chat. Now I don't have to search my saved messages for the intructions Doug gave me on my problems with permissions and Acronis backups. ;)

As for leaving cds/dvds in the tray, I can see the point of not doing so, but I too have to confess, I've left them there for days without any problems. Although, I am not sure if any problems with the cds/dvds getting hot while in the drive, might be.

FWIW, you could type all this into a word document, then copy and paste here. (excuse this if you already know that). ;)

mommalina
12-23-2006, 04:24 PM
Well, I thank you for reporting on your chat. Now I don't have to search my saved messages for the intructions Doug gave me on my problems with permissions and Acronis backups. ;)

I'm so glad it was helpful. I wonder sometimes if the summary should not
go into such detail.:)

PL, when you get those sort of instructions during a session, some typed in
the text box and some oral, it may be helpful to send yourself a copy of the
textbox before you leave. The trick then is to match the typed text with
your written notes. That's what I do to come up with the summary. Will
undoubtedly work better for you, a savvy computer gal, than it does for me!


FWIW, you could type all this into a word document, then copy and paste here. (excuse this if you already know that). ;)

Thanks. I tried that, but I like to insert all the bells and whistles (bold,
italic, underline gimmicks and smilies), even out the right-hand margin,
check Preview Post, check quoted urls, all while composing the
summary. I do copy to Word Pad as I'm progressing, but somehow I lost
that this last time, Save or no Save.:frown:

I never did get to learn about and use the word-processing software that
came with my computer. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

Lina

photolady
12-23-2006, 04:48 PM
Well, I don't know about this Vbulletin software but another version had the option to add "Last Post" in the reply box. That was helpful to a lot of my other tech friends when they lost internet connection or ability to get back to where they'd typed a response.

Mods/Admin any idea if this is an option?