Tasgandy
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Posts posted by Tasgandy
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Very interesting information Hazelnut (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and I have often wondered when the "BIOS" as such in it's current format would be replaced/bypassed/upgraded
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Tommyk, I also vote for Gmail, have been using since inception, overall very happy.
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Well if you want something different,how about some good news! The vet has just rang and after Fluffy was in the vet and a blood test taken for Hyperthroidism,Increase in appetite but with wheight loss,and can be a thyroid problem that can lead to heart problems well the results are that the blood tests are within normal levels ! so there`s no need for tablets for the rest of her life or an operation !
Now that is good news Fluffy
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I agree that it is bad to rush the release of a new OS because with a short period of time, you can't put as much good in it than waiting for 4 or 5 years of innovation that would really make it solid.
But let us not forget that the rate by which technology evolves and develops is getting faster than the past. Even 5 years for me is not a guarantee. Windows XP was released on 2001 and 5 years later on late 2006 and early 2007, Vista was released and got so much criticism on its flaws. But Windows 7 was released less than 3 years later and now several of us are impressed by it so much and its doing well on the market share. We are still getting used to it that's why some of us refuse to see a new OS until the next 5 years or so. Well, let us just hope MS doesn't get too over confident from the success on Windows 7 and that they have learned their lesson.
But personally, I want to get my hands on a beta build and answer my questions by myself.
I agree Ishi the time between "upgrades, new models" etc of all types is getting shorter and not necessarily a bad thing.
Some examples: Motor vehicles 1 year, Wide-screen TV's 1 year (sometimes less), application software - varies based on sales and opposition products 1 to 3 years, business computer hardware refresh rate between 2 & 3 years, business network input - output devices 1 to 3 years.
I suppose one major benefit with a new OS we get a chance to play with a Beta version..............bring it on developers.
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Post as many as you want Tasgandy.
The more the merrier.
This being the case DennisD, I could not resist with this one.............you gotta laugh, well I did
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Some info leaked here
http://msftkitchen.com/2010/06/windows-8-plans-leaked-numerous-details-revealed.html
Simply another "marketing merry-go-round" albeit good clean fun for an upgrade tragic like me.
The box manufacturers (IT industry in general) need new OS's to be reinvented, improved, made to operate faster, etc. so they can keep selling us new PC's, monitors etc. I am just waiting for the "3D" computer monitor (if it hasn't already been invented). Although I can not see myself sitting in the corner of my office with a pair of "black rimmed" 3D glasses (similar to Clarke Kent) typing a response to a Piriform Forum member question / comment like this one.
Back to Windows 8.............with the theme of MS looking at Apple, maybe, just maybe they could call the new OS iwindows
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I spend hours looking at street view. One of the best things ever.
My wife and I occasionally go and look down on our old houses we use to live. I recently had a look at the house that I grew up in, strange looking back 50 years..........surprised that the old house was still there. Great invention Google Maps.
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Microsoft's Research Labs released this a few days back.
Enter a link to any web page or image and see the magic.
It uses Silverlight and zooms in quite a lot. Do check it out.
Yeah you're right, magic..............good for images, I shall use it.........many thanks.
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Desktop on my Windows 7 PC states "I will never............again" other than that statement, a bit boring, I'll try better next month
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cats
in The Lounge
My most memorable time related to our favorite cat was a ginger tomcat name TC, this was at a time when I was working in Cooma a country town in NSW, an Eastern State of Australia where I was working for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority who supplied houses for their workers and these houses were built reasonably close to one an other.
Late one Saturday afternoon when I was working in the Garage on my boat, TC wandered up the gravel driveway with "a fishing rod & reel" in his mouth. Upon investigation I located the owner a next door neighbour of mine, apologies and a couple of beers later all was forgotten.
That was until the next weekend on a cool Sunday afternoon when TC wandered up the driveway again with a look of "Hey Dad look what I found!". Believe it or not it was a "baked chicken" hanging out of his mouth. It turned out that my next door neighbour had placed the chicken on a plate, put it on the windowsill, window open to cool the cooked chook down.............along comes TC.............and the rest is history.
No matter how hard I tried I could never get TC to hunt for and bring back $$$$$$$$
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Hi guys
I have now managed to reseat my graphics card and there is unfortunatley no change to the situation
Tas my pc/motherboard must be at least about seven years old.
I couldn`t figure any other connection to the motherboard to bypass my grahics card
I have found this on the internet and would welcome comments on this thread
http://pressf1.pcworld.co.nz/showthread.php?t=31516
This has some elements that could be part of the problem as i have recently had my psu changed,however it was working fine when it left the shop !
Fluffy
Well Fluffy I have a read of the thread and yes it does sound like your issue somewhat. As I said before if it was me presented with this problem I would be looking at performing those steps previously mentioned: Disconnect anything not required to make the PC boot up, just leaving the CPU, RAM, the boot HDD, keyboard, graphics card and the monitor.
Should this action not provide a result for you the next step for me is an easy one as I do have several older motherboards I can use for problem solving which involves swapping motherboards around.
Unless you are located here in Tasmania which you are not I do not see any other option than having to resort to taking your PC back to the Guys who changed over your power supply for some advice. The big problem looming here is that your existing MB is 7 years old and unless you can locate a similar age MB (new NOT 2nd hand) that will accept your old i'm guessing "PCI/AGP4 video card", your old "CPU" and "RAM" you are looking at a new PC.
There is however one other alternative that I am using at my place. My wife's PC is experiencing some major issues at boot up (won't go into the boring details) and is due for a re-build (low level format and re-install the OS & Apps). However "she who must be obeyed / her indoors" does not want me to do the re-build just yet so for the last 2 months she has not turned the PC off, she just switches the Monitor off at bed time. A waste of power I know however you could take this action whilst you save up some $$
Sorry Fluffy but at this stage I am out of suggestions for you.
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Yeah I've have windows 7 and yeah I've those options, while they do help depending on the number of windows opened... it really does not help that much when it comes of more than 2 windows, not that much. I can't think of someone who uses more than 2 Hrad Disk or more than 2 partitions that wouldn't find handy an application that could allow you too move freely, without wasting much space, in seven win+tab is quite good to see what's going on your desk but neither alt+tab win+tab or spacebar + tab are an efficient solution to this.
Although i do like the idea of having a bar like the alt+tab shows, somewhere to the left of my desktop with drag and drop functionality.
VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (I have not tried it yet with Win 7) I'll try this afternoon and report back.
VirtuaWin is a freely distributed program and is licensed under the GNU General Public License.
Copyright © 1999-2005 Johan Piculell
Copyright © 2006-2010 VirtuaWin (VirtuaWin@home.se)
Hope this helps.
Just tried VirtuaWin, works with Win 7, I still prefer Win key / Tab or Alt / Tab - but there again I'm an old bloke.
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Hi Guys,sorry for not coming back to you sooner,I`ve been doing a few tests !
EDIT: I have been given some great info on installing a graphics card so Fluff is up for re-seating the card if there are any tips !!
Yes Fluffy go here first and please read:
Although this shows how to remove an old video card and install a new one, reading this Fluffy, will guide you how to remove your existing card and re-fit / re-seat your existing card.
How old is your PC / Motherboard?
Ishi is referring to the fact that some motherboards come with a "on-board" Video card, (integral in the motherboard) the connector "D" shaped and normally "blue" in colour (looks exactly the same as the blue "D" connector on your installed NVIDIA Video card). If your motherboard has one you can do as Ishi suggests unplug the cable from the NVIDIA and connect to the other one.
Good luck let us know how you get on, chin up Fluffy
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Back to Windows 7 - at the end of the day and for me it's preferred over Ubuntu.............albeit an interesting exercise.
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Hi guys 1
I didn`t reliase the beeps meant something !!.Well when everything starts up fine,i get one beep then everthing fires up ok.
When my computer doesn`t start.I get no beep (or beeps,)sometimes even the reset button doesn`t get the one beep either i have to try that a few times.When i do press either the reset or main on button,the power light comes on my external hardrive,the dvd player and cd drive light flashes.but not the montitor or keyboard.the external speakers have their own power button.I have noticed as well that two little lights below the main switch,with a lightbulb symbol and a drum like symbol they no longer light up even when my machine is working fine.I`m wondering if this is indicating its to do with the mechanics of the actual switch? I`ve had the machine a few years now....I`m just dreading that one time i try and switch on it`s not going to work !
F
Fluffy when things like this happen for me or my clients I always need to go back to basics.
Disconnect anything not required to make the PC boot up, just leaving the CPU, RAM, the boot HDD, keyboard, graphics card and the monitor.
Firstly disconnect / unplug all other external devices and other internal HDD's if your system has 2 or more physical HDD's.
This is a fairly standard way of troubleshooting adhoc/intermittent boot up issues. To disconnect a physical HDD (last item to be disconnected) just remove the internal power cable from where it plugs into the HDD.
If all works well once you have successfully booted up the PC with the basics (CPU, RAM, the boot HDD, keyboard, graphics card and the monitor) you could then commence re-connecting / plugging in "ONE by ONE" each of the devices that you have removed, and try to boot up the PC to check which device (if any) may be the cause of the problem. So re-connect one device, boot the PC, if it works, re-connect another device and boot up again, etc.
NB: I would only perform the above once you have (as Redhawk suggested) "re seated" all your internal cables, RAM, Video card etc.
If all else fails and you have had the power supply replaced (and you do not have another Monitor to test with your PC......try to borrow one), you could try taking the PC back to the Tech's that fitted the replacement power supply and tell them that you still have the same issue that existed prior to them fitting the new power supply, "can you please assist me?"
Let us know how you go Fluffy.
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Rats !!! It`s happening again ! even when i have my monitor switched on before i switch the computer on,the monitor is not powering up and i`ve noticed the keyboard light doesn`t either......I have to press the reset button..
I`m asking for any more ideas ! My graphic card drivers are up to date i believe
Fluffy
As Redhawk asks, does your PC make a "beeping" sound when you first switch on the power?
If so you need to count (very carefully) the exact number of "beeps". So how many "beeps"?
Error reporting
BIOS POST card for ISA bus
BIOS POST card for PCI bus.
Professional BIOS POST card for PCI bus.
A word of caution - POST beep codes
Manufacturers do not all use the same beeps codes and do not seem to observe any standard. It is important before attempting to fix a problem to search for specific information relating to your motherboard and BIOS version. Failure to do this can result in serious damage to a system, as well as wasting time and money.
Original IBM POST beep codes
* 1 short beep - Normal POST - system is OK
* 2 short beeps - POST error - error code shown on screen
* No beep - Power supply, system board problem, disconnected cpu, or disconnected speaker,
* Continuous beep - Power supply, system board, or keyboard problem
* Repeating short beeps - Power supply or system board problem or keyboard
* 1 long, 1 short beep - System board problem
* 1 long, 2 short beeps - Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)
* 1 long, 3 short beeps - Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)
* 3 long beeps - 3270 keyboard card
POST AMI BIOS beep codes
* 1 - Memory refresh timer error
* 2 - Parity error in base memory (first 64 KiB block)
* 3 - Base memory read/write test error
* 4 - Mother board timer not operational
* 5 - Processor failure
* 6 - 8042 Gate A20 test error (cannot switch to protected mode)
* 7 - General exception error (processor exception interrupt error)
* 8 - Display memory error (system video adapter)
* 9 - AMI BIOS ROM checksum error
* 10 - CMOS shutdown register read/write error
* 11 - Cache memory test failed
* 12 - continue beep sound --- it indicate that the board is not getting ram chip
Reference: AMIBIOS8 Check Point and Beep Code List, version 2.0, last updated 10 June 2008
POST beep codes on CompTIA A+ Hardware Core exam
These POST beep codes are covered specifically on the CompTIA A+ Core Hardware Exam:
Beeps Meaning
Steady, short beeps Power supply may be bad
Long continuous beep tone Memory failure
Steady, long beeps Power supply bad
No beep Power supply bad, system not plugged in, or power not turned on
No beep If everything seems to be functioning correctly there may be a problem with the 'beeper' itself. The system will normally beep one short beep.
One long, two short beeps Video card failure
So Fluffy we need to start with the number of "beeps", and the pattern.
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You have a fascination of setting up a lot of these entertainment stuff whilst keeping yourself wired and I guess you have spent a lot of money and you just avoid things that your wife would hate such as not putting a PC on the lounge and not cleaning the CPU on top of the couch or a table. You are 63 or 64 years young
, if I am not wrong but you like gadgets.However, do you have a storage where all your shared media files are stored??? A common storage that all your networked TV's and PC's can access the media files from???
I have more than enough budget for this Western Digital WD TV Live HD Media Player, you are saying as it would cost $104.99 but I'd rather spend the money on other hardware like a larger hard disk or Windows 8 like what I said earlier.
I use a Western Digital hard drive though.
Yes Ishi you are correct, I do like gadgets, in particular computer based / related gadgets. Probably related to the fact that I have been involved in the industry since the days of IBM DOS 3.0 around 1983 and yes I am 64 years of age, will turn 65 next February.
With regard to storage of multimedia files, each of my PC's have multiple physical hard drives and these days HD space is very cheap and most PC tower boxes can accommodate at least 6 HD's, one just needs a powerful power supply which are not all that expensive these days. We have come a long way since the days of my first PC with a 10MB hard drive.
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I can't really spend that much like you lol so I use the default Windows Media Center on Windows 7 cause I use a TV tuner and so far its simple but not bad. I can also listen to local FM radio in Windows Media Center cause my tuner includes an antenna. I can also record TV in it but I wish, I could get a free service online that would bring more TV shows on my Windows Media Center but I don't know if any free service supports my country.
Windows Media Player allows me to stream for online radio stations too. I prefer using default programs lol...
I hear you and understand Ishi, the only reason I have a little spare cash is that last September I gave up smoking........put some away and spend it on computer related software and hardware.
I also have a couple of HD TV capture cards, (Ultraview & Winfast) hence the reason I spend a lot of time editing out adverts, then processing HD 1080P profile with TMPGEnc 4.X creating DivX *.avi movies / shows that I view in the lounge room. Many rooms in the house have been networked with 10/100 and TV aerial and I did not want to put a PC in the lounge, the wife would not appreciate it. I also still have a DVD player I use also coupled up to the same TV via S Video. I suppose it is my way of enjoying my semi retirement, I've been working for some 48 years and getting ready for full time retirement.
Your system sounds great as the media centre included with Win 7 is not to bad at all, I have tried it as I do have 1 Win 7 box.
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For the past 8 years I have enjoyed being a user of the MG35 "Media-gate" media player siting on my LAN and accessing movies, TV captures, music and photo's residing on my PC located in my home office. The networked MG35 was connected to my LCD HD TV located in the lounge room and served it's purpose well over the years.
As time and tide move on what with new file formats (H.264/AAC / MP4 and the like) no access to the net from this media player, unable to handle High Definition (720P / 1080P etc.) TV captures and no way of "previewing" any media prior to using the play button, I thought it time to have a look at a replacement.
Yesterday afternoon, following several days of research saw me commit to spending $196.00 AUS. (I believe RRP $149.00 US, although I am sure street price would be cheaper) at a local Electronics store on the Western Digital WD TV Live HD Media Player. My price included standard 12 months + 12 months extended warranty.
It took me longer to physically disconnect and remove my MG35 media player from the network & TV than it did to "fire up" the replacement. Well that might be a bit of an exaggeration.....but connecting the WD TV Live HD box was "simple". Plug in the RJ45, plug-in the HDMI cable to the TV and WD, insert 2 batteries in the small but easy to use remote control, turn on the power switch (after plugging it in first.........I'm like a kid with a new toy at Christmas)....and bingo. Several screens later I was scrolling through multiple hard drives on the 3 PC's on the LAN. One can not only "preview" movies & TV shows (when you can't remember if you have seen that one or this one) the clever d*** WD actually begins to "Run" the movie in a very small box (similar to PIP) with sound might I say, then when you say "Oh yea, that's the one I wanted" it starts from the beginning.
The WD TV Live processor features 500MHz cpu speed, a 333MHz coprocessor, a 333MHz DSP, and up to 1 GB of 64-bit DDR-2 DRAM. The WD TV Live comes with 512MB of DRAM and 256MB of NAND Flash memory installed. Western Digital has tweaked the original Sigma SMP8600 Family design slightly by including 6 video Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) which should give it the ability to handle high-def content with ease.
Under a "file management" screen you can even delete, move, copy,...............Oh hell, this is a great little media player, one can do much, why not go and have a look if your interested WD TV Live HD Media Player
Hey I almost forgot, two of the "BIG" things that attracted me to this particular media player, because their are many units on the market were:
1/ with an internet connection present it will check and offer you firmware upgrades (as it did for me when I first turned it on)
2/ should you not wish to OR unable to connect to your network (hard cable or WiFi) you can plug in 2 USB hard drives, camera's, USB sticks etc.
Whilst this unit is not the only contender out there for me it seriously represented a good "Bang for my Buck".
Highly recommended.
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I found this little Gem that may be of interest to some.
Time for a reinstall of your applications. Except that you forgot to write down the installation key of that software, and the CD case (or confirmation email) has long since been lost. So you face the prospect of having to buy another licence for that can't-do-without application.
If that sounds familiar, here's a possible solution. A tiny, free utility for Windows (XP and above) that retrieves and displays the installation keys for loads of Windows apps. There are other utilities that do this but the fact that this one is tiny and can be used from a USB stick makes it stand out. No installation required. CD Key Finder
PS: a game CD Key finder also available at the same link
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OK folks, so who's going to win? and what is your prediction of the score..........Spain to win 2 goals to 1
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I know, I know, I can use those "clear nicotine patches" that I have left in the packet................managed to give up smoking 1/2 way through the second pack. If I put 2 of them side by side it'll fit......
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I'm using Windows XP professional, it's a work computer, I had ccleaner installed, but I was upgrading to the new version and now it won't install properly. I've uninstalled it and tried to do a fresh install but still no luck.
I've also tried the slim version. I haven't noticed anything else with my computer. Could my workplace be stopping this from installing correctly? I can't see how they could be.
I'm tried with two different browsers, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.
As an Ex network administrator I suggest you contact your network administrator and advise He or She just what software application you would like to install. He or She will advise you if this action is possible or not, good luck.
Speccy v1.05
in Announcements
Posted
Many thanks Piriform & Mr. G - this version of Speccy has correctly identified my system and all of it's components.
PS: installation offered in English 1st and subsequent installations.