Summary: 01/03/07 Wed Nite KH Computer Help Desk Chatroom Session

[mommalina]

Summary: 01/03/07 Wed Nite KH Computer Help Desk Chatroom Session

We tied for 3d and 4th place in computer chatrooms throughout the evening and
closed at 12:10 am.

WHO WAS THERE
KH MEMBERS- Lina, Rob (kern), Doug, Lawrence, John Campi, Photolady,
N3, Billy (Wildred), Rich, Pete, Al, Lou (DaBear2)

Tony (Kelly)and Rob Cohan--where you been? Vivienne, we hope you and your computer
are well; we missed you. Elliot, Fred, SkipCox, June, and all who did not join us last
night --Happy New Year!:cheer2:

VISITORS WHO PARTICIPATED: BeamMeUpScottie, dragon137, sincere7,
and-- excuse the vernacular-- Im Phucked Up... :frown:

COMPUTER DISCUSSIONS

*VISTA FLAWS

We discussed Vista's flaws last night, and Lawrence was kind enough to email me the
following from Bullguard (an AV) newsletter dated December 30, 2006:

Flaws detected in Vista

Microsoft is facing an early crisis of confidence in the quality of its Windows Vista operating system as computer security researchers and hackers have begun to find potentially serious flaws in the system, CNET reports.

On December 15, a Russian programmer posted a description of a flaw that makes it possible to increase a person's privileges on all of the company's recent operating systems, including Vista.

And over the weekend a Silicon Valley computer security firm said it had notified Microsoft that it had also found that flaw, as well as five other vulnerabilities, including one serious error in the software code underlying the company's new Internet Explorer 7 browser.

The browser flaw is particularly troubling because it potentially means that Web users can become infected with malicious software simply by visiting a booby-trapped site. That would make it possible for an attacker to inject rogue software into the Vista-based computer.

Click here* to read the full story.


*That url took you to CNET, but the article (NY Times) is no
longer available there. If you want to buy it, check:
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00D16FF35550C768EDDAB0994DE4044 82

Lawrence: Bullguard reports Vista problems with memory, priorities system, IE.

I checked out Bullguard's news web site--interesting: http://www.bullguard.com/news/

More emailed comments from Lawrence. Perhaps these should be added
to Rich's post (see below):
Good Morning Again Momma, Another interesting thing about this Vista is
that it requires occasional re-activation either by phone connection or
on-line, if this is not done periodically (at least once every six
months) the system will revert to a reduced function mode, so there are
potential problems apparent.

A further problem happens if a hard drive is cloned, the clone will not
be activated if it is used, so this will be an interesting effect to see
how images and backup copies will be made to function in an emergency
situation.

Of course these Vista systems will all need to be activated similarly,
regardless of the application.

It will be interesting to see what happens if someone has a malfunction
or changes a drive or some major component and expects a simple
continuation of a backed up system.
There will be some head scratching involved.

In Australia W-XP was locally 1.6 times more expensive than if it were
shipped directly from the U.S.
Windows Vista will be up to 1.9 times more expensive so obviously there
is reasoning somewhere that Australians are discriminated against
price-wise, so it will be interesting to see how this may affect acceptance.

A full "Vista Ultimate" software package will retail here for AUS$750 as
against US$399 so there is a bit of a "screw you" factor involved, it
will be interesting to see how this translates in reality.


Rich: 512 RAM with Vista is a nightmare. Programs don't work with it.

For Rich's struggle to install Vista and comments by others, check this thread: http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5392

*VISTA AND THE MILITARY...per Lawrence

The whisper is that the Australian military appears to be committing entirely to
Vista in a bid to improve security, this apparently is in line with the US
military view.

It seems "Lemmings" are intelligent in comparison with military decision
makers. :rolleyes:

*AERO.. is the graphics feature in Vista

*PHOTOLADY'S MOBO ORDER NIGHTMARE

She needed a socket 754 motherboard, but the supplier's website said they
were discontinuing the one she wanted. She asked which boards were
similar. Ordered 3 of them. Delivered. Did not fit! Long story about not
returning them. She may be able to trade for AM2 motherboards.

It gets worse....she found she already had a socket 754 motherboard! We
all commiserated and empathized with Photolady. We've all been there,
done that (or something similar)!

*SP-3...will have patches to protect Vista and XP

*XP MEDIA CENTER...confuses Lawrence, N3 did not install
it (on new computer).

*AL'S MONITOR

Al has a 3- or 4-year old troubled monitor he's using with his dinosaur computer.

Advice: Use a magnet counterclockwise to degauss the monitor; i.e., remove or
neutralize the magnetic field. Or his monitor may have a button that will do this.

Question: I assume this applies only to CRTs? Is there anything to degauss on
an LCD monitor?

*RAMBUS RAM

Rich is rebuilding a 6-yr old HP with rambus ram, 1.5G Pentium 4 for a
nice lady. Computer not worth saving, but lady is. .. ;)

*OVERCLOCKING

We discussed overclocking at length. You have to be really picky with
RAM.

Doug's thread at http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?p=22421#post22421
provides two good web sites on overclocking:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/12/11/overclocking-guide-part-1/
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/04/overclocking_guide_part_2/

*SOUND CARDS

Rich doesn't like onboard sound, uses sound card. He likes Turtle Beach,
which are difficult to find.

*NET TO PHONE SERVICE...check www.skype.com, also
www.net2phone.com

*BURNING MOVIES TO CD

Im Phucked Up downloaded movies in mostly .avi files (about 700MBs in
size) bought 16x DVD+R cd's but doesn't know how to burn them. New
computer with NTI CD & DVD MAKER 7.

Doug: Read the help in that program. Depending on the download and the
burning program, you have DRM issues to account for.

Photolady: Get video help at www.videohelp.com. You can search for your
answers without having to sign up. However, if you have questions, you'll
have to join that site. It's free to join. I'm a member there under the user
name kidmegabit.

Rob: I believe that NTI will auto convert the avi files to mpeg2 during the
dvd burn process.

*REFORMATTING....Doug equates that as a shot gun for an ant! lol

*FIREFOX ADBLOCK

Make sure you're using latest version, AdBlock Plus 0.7.2.3,
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Adblock_Plus/1139538992/1

Check Doug's thread on this,
http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5263&highlight=AdBlock

That's enough, folks! No room to list non-computer topics.

Lina

[mommalina]

One more tidbit we talked about:

*PALTALK NAMES

Black - the norm, free.

Green- will cost you. N3 was awarded one-year's worth, a prize for the
Halloween costume he wore to a Paltalk party (don't ask, don't tell). .. ;)

Purple or Violet - Awarded to veteran (circa 2000) Paltalk members in good
standing. (Shhhhh, I wouldn't tell Jerry Falwell if you get one.)

Lina

[Tortanick]

*SOUND CARDS

Rich doesn't like onboard sound, uses sound card. He likes Turtle Beach,
which are difficult to find.


I genrally use creative, whats the diffrence?

[qldit]

Good Evening All, well anyone in the know that resides in the US could be really lucky, they can recieve $1000 worth of software including free VISTA systems simply by watching three MS brainwashing video clips at http://powertogether.com but this must be done before 28th February and is only for Yankee people in that country!!!!
It seems this activity is aimed at getting some new kind of Office 2007 file format popular so that more peasants can be slaved to that crappy system!
Of course it could also have effect on potential piracy addicts and gain favour to bring them back to the underside of the redmond thumb!!!
I would love to know how many KH people actually take advantage of this offer, you chaps probably won't be told about it till after the expiry date!!!!
So go for it, and don't tell anyone at all!!!!
Promise!!!! LOL!!!
Cheers, qldit.

[mylanta]

Forget it:
We're sorry, there are no more gifts available. There are still plenty of things to explore and to learn about Windows Vista. Enter now to learn more!

Already Registered? If you have already registered for the Vista Campaign, selected a gift and are eligible to receive the free gift, please continue to watch your webcasts to complete the requirements for your free Windows Vista Business.

[mylanta]

I genrally use creative, whats the diffrence?

T the cards are such crap. Used to be the hardware was great but the software sucked...now they both suck. Drivers interfere with PM. Audio levels hard to keep steady in different modes I am sick of it. Turtle beach you install and it gives a great sound the same in any application.
The old SB Live's are still solid but they do not have the output. Audigy's just don't hold up and are expensive.

[Tortanick]

Really I never had any problems with either card.

[Seth]

Really I never had any problems with either card.

Me either.

Rich,

Maybe you have an extraordinary amount of static electricity running through your body. When installing any device, wrap yourself in of those lead shields used for x-rays:D.

[compusimple]

Bless you Lina for missing me.
Am in Fla now and dial-up to paltalk just won't cut it on single phone line apt.
Your summary even more important.
Back soon

Elliott

[qldit]

Good Morning All, and a Hapy New Year to those that missed the last KH Wed Night, (should be called the Thurs Afternoon session)
Actually Elliott, in that you weren't there, it allowed you to be the main topic of converstion, and I was quite shocked to hear of your exploits, of course that material cannot be repeated, but I do believe Momma has done an excellent report once again, she certainly is an excellent "editor"!
Cheers, Lawrence.

[mommalina]

Lawrence wrote:
Actually Elliott, in that you weren't there, it allowed you to be the main topic of converstion, and I was quite shocked to hear of your exploits, of course that material cannot be repeated, but I do believe Momma has donean excellent report once again, she certainly is an excellent "editor"!
Cheers, Lawrence.

Elliot and anyone who hasn't interacted with Lawrence in the chatroom:
be advised that Lawrence will pull your leg until it's close to an amputation!

If any of you can but have not elected to join us on Wednesday nights, you
are missing more than the exchange of computer information--Lawrence,
Doug, Dan, Al, N3, and others often inject a dose of wry humor to the most
technical conversation. .. :D

Elliot, all I know about you is via your Profile and posts here and periodic
attendance in the chatroom. Unless you have blabbed, your secrets are
safe! .. :tape2:

Lina

[PeteF]

[B]WHO WAS THERE
KH MEMBERS- Lina, Rob (kern), Doug, Lawrence, John Campi, Photolady,
N3, Billy (Wildred), Rich, Pete, Al, Lou (DaBear2)


Yeah, I was there only about 10 minutes when I got IM'd by a friend
I had lost contact with from the Philippines in recent weeks due to
the 12/27/06 earthquake that cut of parts off parts of Aisa from
the Internet. That's why I suddenly dissappeared. It's going to
take a few weeks to repair the broken cable on the ocean floor.



*NET TO PHONE SERVICE...check www.skype.com, also
www.net2phone.com


I've been using net2phone for all my LD calls for the past couple
of years. Rates are very low and allow me to call from PC to any
phone in the world. I can also use it as a regular phone card
service calling Phone to Phone. I have my computer dial all
the numbers which makes it convenient to use. Dialing manually
is not practical because you have to dial about 34 digits just
to make a Phone to Phone call.

Catch you all next week!

---pete---

[mommalina]

Lina wrote:

*AL'S MONITOR

Al has a 3- or 4-year old troubled monitor he's using with his dinosaur computer.

Advice: Use a magnet counterclockwise to degauss the monitor; i.e., remove or
neutralize the magnetic field. Or his monitor may have a button that will do this.

Question: I assume this applies only to CRTs? Is there anything to degauss on
an LCD monitor?

Anyone have an answer to the above question? Probably a dumb question,
but look who's asking. .. ;)

Lina

[photolady]

I believe Lina this only applies to CRT's. Passing a magnet over a LCD would probably do more harm than good.

As for my motherboard problem. All solved. I was able to replace the wrong ones with AM2 boards. Will be RMA'ing the others out Monday.

[compusimple]

Lawrence- I know that can't be true cause there is too much talent signing in to chat room to waste on discussing my exploits.

Have to find my mike by wed.

Elliott

[qldit]

Good Evening Elliot, fear not, what we don't know we can invent!!!
Art often involves a little colour to accentuate a nice picture!!!
Do hope you find your mic!!

Yes PL, degaussing only applies to CRT's but there is a phenomenon where LCD type screens can retain an image as a kind of ghost, this happens sometimes where these screens are used constantly for security surveillance and stuff like that, it seems that when this happens in casinos the fix is to replace the screen.
It is worth knowing about. I believe over time the effect diminishes with ordinary use.
Cheers, Lawrence.

[mommalina]

Yes PL, degaussing only applies to CRT's but there is a phenomenon where LCD type screens can retain an image as a kind of ghost, this happens sometimes where these screens are used constantly for security surveillance and stuff like that, it seems that when this happens in casinos the fix is to replace the screen.

Lawrence, some advice, please, about the use of LCD computer monitors.

Could leaving one on say 10 hours a day without a screen saver cause it to
retain an "image as a kind of ghost"? Or does that only happen if the same
image is on the screen constantly, with no break?

I've been advised not to program the computer to turn an LCD monitor off
after x minutes of inactivity, that it works like a fluorescent light, that
there's more wear-and-tear repeatedly turning it on and off.

Was also advised that a screen saver was not necessary for LCD monitors,
but I could use one as a shield against prying eyes. However, I swore off
screen savers, hibernate, and standby some time ago. I put a blank Word
Pad page on the screen for prying eyes.

My new LCD monitor has an approximate life of 50,000 hours....I'd like
it to outlast me .. :)

It is worth knowing about. I believe over time the effect diminishes with ordinary use.


I don't understand the above statement and ask you to clarify, please.

Cheers .. :cheer2:

Lina

[qldit]

Good Morning Momma, when I first heard about this problem I was quite amazed, I haven't personally seen it.
It seems that with these surveillance kinds of applications the monitors do develop ghosts of long term screen subject material.
The older CRT type monitors were really bad for this problem, I have one under the bench in my garage that is a real good example, you can see the entire target picture very easily.

I first saw a post about solid state screens and ghosts on TSG and thought it was a joke, but when I was discussing odd things with a casino security technician here it was mentioned as a real unexpected oddity!
Because of the possibility of visual impairment for an operator the fix was to use a new monitor, it appears it happens from time to time so it was not just one isolated case and is a commonly known problem in those circles.
The tech went on to mention that one of these problem monitors had been given away and that the new owner later reported the ghost image had reduced progressively over time and eventually became undiscernible.
But I haven't been lucky enough to be given one yet!!!

I really don't believe it is a good idea to leave images showing on them at all, virtually every system I have been involved with was either switched off or set for screen blank kinds of situation when not in use.
I suspect that may be the reason for a "blank screen" screensaver in some operating systems.

I haven't personally seen the problem and I don't own one of these monitors but I definitely would not leave it in a flouressed mode if I did, simply because of backlighting and other kinds of wear and damage possibility considerations.
It will be an interesting subject for discussion on todays chat.

I do not agree with the advice given to you on this matter, it appears to lack a basic logic.
It is possible that in some instances solid state devices may be more prone to cycling failures at power-up in really cold environments, but that would be below zero kinds of applications more likely.

I would think this issue needs some clarification from the manufacturer and a direction with an explanation for that reasoning.

Isn't it great when the simplest things become complicated!!! LOL!!!

By the way, I had a friend that retired, and at his retirement party he mentioned he had purchased a new car and that "it would see him out" (meaning it would last him for the rest of his life) I couldn't resist adding that if it had been a Ford or a Holden he might be expecting longevity, but in that he had bought a Mitsubishi quite obviously he wasn't expecting much of a future!!! So be wary of saying things like that, LOL!!!

Cheers, Lawrence.