[Dell PC?]

I got my "DELL XPS 430"

Now all I need is some sort of (check list) for settings etc...

I don't know what to have enabled or disabled in "Vista: for security etc...

 

Craig

[Secure file deletion]

After selecting a bunch of picture files "JPG's" to be copied to CD, and successfully burning them to a CD, I realised that I could fit more on that disk.

I selected 3 more pic's, "Windows" warns me that there isn't enough space left on that disk...

I have 2 options...

Insert a new blank CD, or delete the copies from the "Staging area"

I delete the 3 files "copies" of the original pic's from the "Staging area"

Later I use CCleaner with "Secure file deletion" selected and the "Recycle bin" is emptied.

Then I found that the 3 original pictures "JPG's" in "My Pictures" folder don't have thumbnail preview like all the others? and no program can open them?

I still had the pic's on my camera so all was not lost:)

I retraced all my steps and have found that my problem only occurs when using CCleaner with "Secure file deletion" selected?

Every things fine when using "Normal file deletion"?

 

CCleaner v2.17.853

[Antivirus on or off?]

It doesn't mean the file is infected, it means there's archives placed inside of another archive.

For example lets say you have a file named MainFile.zip and inside of it may be another archive(s) for example SubFile1.zip, SubFile2.zip, etc. Sort of a warning I suppose since some malware could be packed that way to hide, especially in password protected archives.

Yeah I Googled "Decompression bomb"

[Antivirus on or off?]

Do you see avast's blue ball spinning while using the game?

 

If you do then it is scanning files or the Web through Network Shield.

Hi Kenny

I can force the game to run in a window, and yes "avast" is active some of the time according to the system tray icon.

[Antivirus on or off?]

Aren't you a Sandboxie user craig?

 

If you had real problems with a game, you would probably get away with having your browser Sandboxed. I'm not recommending you do that, but I believe Humpty surfs without an A/V running. Just his virtual apps.

 

Just a thought.

Hi Dennis

Yes I do use Sandboxie for Firefox & Thunderbird.

[Antivirus on or off?]

If the AV produced a slowdown it could be configured to only scan infectable items, versus just turning it off completely. That may have been an issue like ten years ago with just about every AV due to how the old Windows OSes worked, but shouldn't be an issue with XP or newer, at least I don't think.

Not sure if this is worth a mention? however after scanning with "avast" my system always comes up clean, except for 3 files that are large (game map files)

avast describes them as "decompression bombs" they are "zip" files that installed with the game.

Malwarebytes & SuperAntiSpyware don't seem concerned with them.

[Strange image in Firefox 3]

I just checked the IE7Pro website, and I'm not getting anything strange.

[Antivirus on or off?]

I'd personally leave it on. I know some software-based firewalls have a game mode, however I'm unaware of any antivirus or other antimalware with such functionality.

Hi Andavari

I use Windows firewall and my ADSL modem has a firewall.

I'm not having any problems connecting or playing.

They suggested turning it "avast" off to improve FPS game play etc...

I will be keeping it ON!

Thanks for the quick reply

 

Craig

[Antivirus on or off?]

Hi guys

I have some security concerns about online gaming.

A bunch of friends that I know and trust have suggested that it's OK to switch-off my "Antivirus" while playing on (our game server).

They turn-off theirs to improve game play.

I keep my "avast" Antivirus running.

Am I being over cautious?

 

Craig

[Dell PC?]

Got that from http://www.netplus.com.au/ I have no idea if that's a reputable dealer. For less money, I got a similar graphics card and a soundcard. Only thing is I don't know is that particular motherboard. I didn't research it.

 

 

AJ

Hey AJ

Thanks for doing more research.

http://www.netplus.com.au/ is on the west coast, "Perth Western Australia"

I'm on the east coast, "Benalla Victoria"

If I decide to build my own PC, I'm probably better to source parts from Melbourne.

However' as I said in my previous post, I like the idea buying a system "online" and having it delivered to my door

 

Craig

[Dell PC?]

I did a quick conversion and it comes to just under 1100 US dollars. You could build a better system for that price, or definitely cheaper for the same components. The parts aren't bad, but you could do better.

 

 

AJ

Hi AJ

Yes I agree

I've also been doing some home work on pricing for building a similar system.

My main problem is where I live.

I'm at least 200km from any place that I can get computer parts, or complete computers at reasonable prices.

With "work commitments" I don't really have the time to build my own PC, and I dread the thought of driving from store to store looking for that "Ultimate Desktop PC Deal"

I hate shopping!

I just want a fairly good "mid-spec" system, and I like the idea of buying this system or one similar "online" and having it delivered to my door

[Dell PC?]

I'm thinking about a Dell PC, and was just wondering if anyone has a Dell XPS 430 Desktop?

I've seen good and not so good reviews about Dell PC's

The main spec's for this machine are...

 

Intel Core2 Quad Processor Q8200 2.33GHz, 1333FSB, 4MB

 

Windows Vista Home Premium OEM Version

 

Dell S2209WFP 21.5" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

 

3GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz Memory

 

500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with NCQ

 

16X DVD +/- RW with Dual Layer Write

 

512MB ATI Radeon HD 4670

 

Integrated 7.1 Audio

 

 

The price in Australia is about $1700.00

 

 

Craig

[anyone using cooleris for firefox?]

iam thinking of getting this cool eye candy add on..from the site, looks really cool. but iam also concerned with this kind of add on, the CPU usage must be as high as using google earth. what you think?

 

Hi Xion44

 

Cooliris with Firefox3, runs OK on my system.

 

Windows XP SP3

Intel Pentium D 805 CPU 2.66GHz

1GB RAM

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB

ADSL2+ Broadband connection

 

I've found that it really depends on the "website" YouTube, deviantart, etc... as to how smooth it runs

[Games]

Urban Terror

[the foods we hated as kids]

I cant believe what I'm seeing in these hate lists

About the only things I would rather not eat or drink are...? gee I cant think of anything!

I'm not that fond of KFC! it's too greasy!

[Photoshop]

Paint.NET can open PSD's with this plugin.

 

But do note the quoted limitations that the author has outlined:

Thanks again Andavari

I'm still going to try "GIMP"

[Photoshop]

Paint.NET is also something worth trying out, although you need to browse their forums for useful plugins you'd need for replacing IcoFX with Paint.NET. I use it along with IcoFX, and in my opinion Paint.NET sizes down icons better when saving them.

Hi Andavari & corona

I've played around with both (Ico FX) & (Paint.NET)

I need a program that can open a base (psd) file "Photoshop Image" and after I'm finished building on it, I can save it as a (png or ico) file.

I guess (GIMP) is the way to go

 

Craig

[Photoshop]

Hey guy's

I've been trying to make my own icon set for "Rocket Dock" and I don't have (Adobe Photoshop), so would (Gimp) be the best alternative program to use?

I have been playing around with (IcoFX 1.6)... but it is very basic

 

Craig

[Dog saves injured dog]

I watched the video from your link Craig so I am wondering if You Tube actually took it out?

Hi Hazel

There are a few video's of the same video on YouTube, uploaded by different (account-members)

I just selected "copied" the first video's "ULR" and pasted it in my post here.

I'm an (account-member) of YouTube, so I thought that I could at least paste a "URL" link to a "video", on a forum like (Piriform Forums)

I've been reading, and trying to "decipher" YouTube's (Terms of Use)

I'm still wondering if I've done something wrong?

[Dog saves injured dog]

It's already been removed.

 

AJ

Yeah... I see it's been removed.

Err... did I do something wrong by putting a link to that YouTube video in my post?

[Dog saves injured dog]

Check out this YouTube Video

[CD-R]

Look into LAME and read the recommended encoder settings for its VBR mode. With LAME you can very easily encode with a transparent setting as detailed in that link.

 

If you're wanting the best quality on the very first try without playing around:

Grab yourself a copy of EAC and use the recommended secure settings, then dump lame.exe into its folder using V2 ("Preset Standard") as the encoding settings and you'll instantly be set for success on the very first go.

Hey thanks Andavari

I've successfully use CD-R disk's, and made some standard audio CD's with (Windows Media Player 11), No "coasters"

I'll have a go at using "LAME & EAC"

 

Craig

[CD-R]

Thanks again Dennis & Andavari

Like I was saying in my previous post, I just want "quality" as close to original copies of my favorite CD's for use in the car.

I'll give (Windows Media Player 11) a try first, and see what it can or can't do with regards to burning standard audio CD's

I know that WMA & MP3 means compression! and that musical detail is lost "missing" in a WMA or MP3 recording , that's something I don't want

 

Craig

[CD-R]

Hi craig. I always use Burrrn, although I only ever burn standard audio cd's, not MP3 cd's.

 

I've never had a coaster, it burns CD Text (if you want that), and burns gapless tracks perfectly.

 

Burrrn:

 

To burn an MP3 or WMA cd you can use Ashampoo (Free Version)

 

Ashampoo Burning Studio 6.75:

Hi Dennis & Kenny

Actually I think that's what I want to do (burn standard audio CD's)

I just want to make "quality" copies of my own CD's to have in the car.

Can't I just use (Windows Media Player 11)? or should I use (Burrrn)?

According to the players instruction manual "Unfinalized CD-R/CD-RW disc playback is

not possible"... so how do I "finalize" a CD-R/CD-RW disk?

Sorry for all the questions

I plan to get a pack of CD-R's tomorrow and start making some disk's... not coaster's LOL

I haven't had much... (any) experience making "audio disk's"

 

Craig

[CD-R]

Hey guys' I've just installed a (Pioneer CD RECEIVER DEH-2050MPG Compressed audio compatibility WMA & MP3) in my car and I need to know what is the best & easiest "software & format" to use for burning audio tracks to a CD-R disc?

 

Craig