Topics

76

Living Room / How can I get hard drive space... without deleting (my) stuff?

« on: June 16, 2008, 05:17 PM »

Alright, here is a question that may stomp even the most "clean" computer users...

How can I get more free space back, WITHOUT uninstalling programs, WITHOUT deleting things I need (VB projects, family photos, archived document stuff...), and WITHOUT removing my games (that's the point of freeing space, to be able to put another game (namely, Crysis) onto the computer).

I use my own SystemCare program, and that runs a small AHK script to clean my computer, followed by Disk Cleanup, CCleaner, and Steven Gould's CleanUp! - so junk files are not an issue. I run backups on my 2nd partition, so they are already out of the way. I uninstall every app that I don't need and keep only stuff I need, archiving stuff that I may need later onto the backup partition.

I can't get a second hard drive because cash is tight for the family, but I only have 9.16GB left, and it is draining fast.

My only idea is that I could move all my backups onto my old server (used for Sauerbraten by the DC Gamers Club), however then I don't know how to combine two NTFS partitions (my main Windows partition and the then-empty Backup partition). Either that, or there might be some software out there that searches for and deletes no-longer-needed things that Windows leaves (service pack uninstall files, etc).

Ideas?
-Brandon

(My backup partition is also running low on space, at just 3.47GB left - see the image below)

77

Living Room / "iPod" screensaver for Windows, possible?

« on: May 28, 2008, 10:18 PM »

Hey there,

I assume everyone has see at least one of those Apple iPod commercials, you know, the ones where the black (colorless, not race) dude dances with his iPod and you get the little color ribbons trailing it. Well, I am wondering if it would be possible to make one of these as a screensaver, but make it based off of a algorithm, or some system to prevent any one "playback" of the screensaver to be the same as a previous one.

I am asking because I (being the Vista lover that I am) am on Vista Home Premium, and use Animated Desktop (Google it, it is at iStartedSomething) to display the uber-fancy Vista "ssbranded.scr" screensaver as my desktop wallpaper. The "ribbon" screensaver is nice, and close to what I am looking for, but I just want a single colored line that is smooth - not 5 that look like they are bouncing into insanity.

Is it even possible to make a "dynamic" screensaver? Could someone make one? Is there one already out on the 'net that I didn't catch?

-Brandon

78

Living Room / This might take some of you back - IBM laptop, can anyone give me some info?

« on: May 28, 2008, 01:37 PM »

Some of you might feel a bit nostalgic here, and plus I could use a hand - so post I will

I went to Goodwill a couple days ago with a friend to return a complete POS Windows 2k desktop PC - that the owner didn't format, and the mom wasn't exactly happy about the pr0n I found on the HD. So back it goes.

I am looking for a new desktop for him when we run into the laptop section. I am always looking for new stuff, and I picked up this old IBM. Fell in love with it. 45 minutes later I leave with a new (old) IBM.

So now I have an IBM Thinkpad, "Type 9545-308" - the bottom says its from "1981, 1993" - and I am looking online for a power adapter (its those old 4 pin ones that are like \_/ ) and a floppy drive for it. But I am just wondering if anyone had any info on what this laptop has inside it, and what OS it runs (if any)? It has no floppy drive and the lid doesn't shut properly, but other than that it looks to be in very good condition...

Thoughts?

Image of it is here (but mine actually looks like it works, like a laptop that will run; this one looks like, well... yea): http://www.geocities...mics21/lapparts2.jpg

-Brandon

79

Coding Snacks / Temp Mouse Fix - stretch the life of your dying mouse

« on: May 25, 2008, 11:39 AM »

I made this program for a friend yesterday and felt like I should share it here at DC just in case someone has a similar issue.

Temp Mouse Fix is just that - a temporary utility to extend the time before you *have* to go buy a new mouse. It assumes that the left and right mouse buttons are both no more, but that the mouse still functions as a pointing device (you cannot use the keyboard as a mouse with Temp Mouse Fix - Windows Accessibility Tools can do that for you).

There is no GUI and only the default tray menu. When opened you are told that, in short:

Control+1 = Click
Control+2 = Double Click
Control+3 = Right Click

There are a few limitations to the program. When you right click you MUST choose a menu item - the left click option doesn't do anything (I have no idea why). Also, because Control is used, you can end up selecting multiple items when single clicking (good or bad, but a minor inconvenience at the most). Dragging is not available as well.

Hopefully this helps someone out

-Brandon

(If you don't have or know what "AutoHotkey" is, download the EXE)

80

Living Room / Why do children love CAPS LOCK?

« on: May 23, 2008, 10:37 PM »

OK, this question has been boggling my mind for a year or so now...

Why in the world must little kids ABSOLUTELY ALWAYS HAVE CAPS LOCK ON? It drives me insane!

My sister, she had to type a 3 page report (with images) for her homework assignment for a class. The first page was entirely in CAPITALS. ARGH! Why??!??

My next door neighbor's kid does the same thing. And a friend of mine used to do it a few years back. Why do little kids love caps?

My only theory is that it is easier to read, and it matches the way the letters look on they keyboard. But... still...

81

Living Room / How hot is too hot? Overclocking thoughts...

« on: May 20, 2008, 06:00 PM »

Hey all,

I have always been amazed at the fact that you can speed up parts of a computer via a few simple steps, and "overclock" the speeds that things operate at. I haven't really been able to successfully do this, until a couple days ago. I stumbled across an updated RivaTuner and said "what the heck, why not?" and grabbed it.

I now have my GPU core running at 754MHz (905 max) and my GPU RAM at 900 (1220 max). However, the card runs idle at about 150F (65C). When gaming, I can run most (I am still testing) of my games at max options, including AA and resolution. The card temp seems to barely rise.

Is it OK to have the card operate at this temp? Can I push it harder and see just how far it will go? And are there any compact, external ATi GPU water cooling kits that aren't too pricey?


And on a related note, can BIOS be edited to allow overclocking of the CPU and FSB (and even RAM perhaps)?

-Brandon

82

Living Room / Disabling Quick Launch once and for all - possible?

« on: May 18, 2008, 12:34 AM »

Hey everybody,

I absolutely hate the Quick Launch toolbar in XP and Vista - not that is isn't easily removed/hidden, but the fact that on an Explorer crash or Registry Compaction it comes back just drives me mad. Please tell me there is some way to permanently get it off; deleted, no longer living, cold dead.

Hacks, mods, registry changes, an exact Vista explorer shell recreation just without Quick Launch... anything to make it never appear again is welcome.

Any thoughts? (I already run Linux too so you can't go there )

-Brandon

83

DC Gamer Club / Project Torque: Free to play racing insanity

« on: May 16, 2008, 11:43 PM »

Anyone with an older gaming PC or modern average office computer (or better, of course) should be able to run this maddeningly fun racing game.

Project Torque is a 100% online (DSL or better required, sorry dialup folks) racing game. It has 6 game modes, with a 7th coming out next update. They are:

• Pro Versus (racing)
• Amateur Versus (racing with ghost - no vehicle to vehicle collisions)
• Capture the Flag (most insane game type, 16 people in CTF can be ... there is no word to describe it )
• Explorer (explore the map for items and collect them all, but get Combo Bonuses for even more Experience and Reward Points )
• Thunder Alley (NASCAR racing with a twist - major Experience and Reward Points can be had, if you have the patience )
• Challenge (winner takes all - pay up, get in, get even, get your share of the moolah - just try to place in the top 3 to at least get some of your (and their) cash back )

The game includes fictional and real life cars, in FF, FR, RR, MR, and AWD drivetrains. Real life cars require you to purchase Aeria Points to buy, due to agreements with car manufacturers ($20 = 2500 Aeria Points, and most high end real life cars are about 1950 Aeria Points).

There are several landscapes and environments to wreak havoc on...

• License test - test drive your car and get new and higher licenses here. No other events take place here.
• Japan - A somewhat believable recreation of a small city in Japan - Pro/Amateur VS, CTF and Explorer can be played here
• Mud - A fictional map made for rally and AWD vehicles - Pro/Amateur VS and Explorer can be played here
• Serpentine - A Euro (or somewhere in the East, sorry about not knowing the exact location ) track with large lake and interesting landscape - Pro/Amateur VS and Explorer can be played here
• Circuit - A fictional racetrack, quite expansive, and confusing - Pro/Amateur VS, CTF and Explorer can be played here
• England - A rural area somewhere in England. Popular with noobs. - Pro/Amateur VS can be played here
• San Fran Bay Area (USA) - The San Francisco bay area, complete with slippery roads near the ocean - Pro/Amateur VS can be played here
• Construction Site - A fictional construction area, made for rally and AWD vehicles. Features destructible environment items. Insane fun on CTF. Pro/Amateur VS and CTF can be played here

I think there is another course but I can't think of it right now. You get the idea though

You get a choice of about 6 cars when you first start out (I own 2 of these "noob cars") and a wide selection of colors. You can upgrade your vehicle with RP and AP, assuming your XP level is high enough.

Project Torque is a several hundred MB install file and it may need patching (about 30 mins on 3MBPS for me) and it takes 3.08GB HD space (as of this writing, on my machine). It is worth every byte though


You can check it out for yourself at the official website here: http://project-torque.aeriagames.com/

They are always having sales and events, and they scroll along the main menu at the top if you don't catch them in the Patcher or on the site.

I hope to see some of you in Project Torque!
-Brandon

84

Living Room / [RESOLVED] Help! My task manager is broken! :(

« on: May 13, 2008, 08:18 PM »

Hi everyone,

I've had this issue before but don't remember how I fixed it, basically the Windows Task Manager still works (opens, terminates stuff, etc) but no longer shows tabs, its window border, or any menus. It is a listbox with a checkbox and a button. Useful, but not nearly as much as it usually is. I mean, I like simplicity, but really...

Does anyone know how I can "fix" Task Manager?

-Brandon

(Screenshot below)

85

Living Room / Questions about upgrading my Linux distro

« on: May 08, 2008, 01:57 PM »

Hey all,

Background info:

Spoiler

I run Xubuntu on a secondary partition (one drive for all my uses) and it has been acting up lately (I need to boot into the recovery console, then "continue" into the GUI for a boot). I am a total Linux idiot, so repairing it was more trouble than it is worth. Conveniently, Xubuntu presented me with an array of updates, along with an Upgrade.

I installed all the updates first, just like I do for Windows Service Packs, but since I am running a specialized version of Ubuntu, should I update through the Update Panel (not sure of the correct name) or burn a new ISO and do a different (manual) method? I don't have any data I couldn't lose on the partition (install ~10 apps and bring my songs and configuration files back, a 2 hour job) so I am just not sure what to do? Can someone guide me in the right direction?

-Brandon

86

Living Room / Streaming audio across a network to multiple PCs?

« on: April 30, 2008, 10:27 PM »

Hi everybody,

I have several computers in my house (3 of them are mine) and I want to be able to send the audio (selected programs or everything, doesn't matter) through my network to the other PCs (to simulate full-house surround sound if you will ).

I would assume that this wouldn't be too hard of a thing to tackle, but I'm not sure. I just need audio - something that will let me hear my music through the house without having to manually "sync" iTunes on all the computers (a difficult task, I might add ).

Known programs that let you do this? Jury-rig options? Could this call for a coding snack? Can I program it myself (AHK/VB .NET)?

-Brandon

87

Living Room / Recycling Epson ink - where???

« on: April 17, 2008, 01:35 PM »

A couple months ago my HP printer kind of died out on me (the little cartridge mover thing kept getting stuck and hitting the side of the printer case was getting annoying when you have to do it for every pass the thing has to make) so I talked my dad into buying me a new Epson printer that was on sale from TigerDirect. The shiney CX9400 arrived and I quickly used up the initial ink cartridges - in about 2 weeks.

Now normally we take the old cartridges to Staples for their $3 per cartridge payback plan, but it appears that they only take DELL, HP, Lexmark and some other company - no Epson ink (ironic, as that is where we bought the ink...). So now I have to simply toss away my empty cartridges.

Does anyone know where I can donate and/or sell old used Epson cartridges? Epson doesn't provide little recycle send-back-to-warehouse bags with their ink like HP does, and I like to be able to recycle things. Ideas?

-Brandon

88

Skrommel's Software / ColorTaskbar Vista compatibility?

« on: April 17, 2008, 01:25 AM »

Wondering if ColorTaskbar could have support added for Vista's AERO, to shift through the built in colors - and maybe do the same for all the "glass" components as well?

It is a neat little tool, but I don't want to have to use the Classic look just to use it.

Would this be possible Skrommel?

-Brandon

89

General Software Discussion / Looking for iPod Shuffle auto-shutoff addon

« on: April 07, 2008, 12:55 AM »

Hey everyone,

Got my first iPod working a couple days ago, and (as some of you know I am *NOT* an Apple fan) I am overall happy with it. However, I often leave it unattended playing (or just on and paused) without remembering to switch it off. Does anyone know how my 2nd Gen Shuffle can be set to auto shutoff after X minutes? (firmware hacks or other things are fine - I don't have AppleCare but I am not concerned about it breaking).

Any ideas?

-Brandon

90

Developer's Corner / Launching Google search in Visual Basic - Help?

« on: March 31, 2008, 05:12 PM »

Hey everybody,

Using the WebBrowser control, I had an issue getting a search box (returning a Null variable value). I changed it to search directly (via Google) however VB doesn't want to pass the user's search terms into the Google URL that I have. Tried quotes in every logical location, changed variables, used the {} brackets (not sure what they are called) around the variable... nothing works.

The search box (basic text box) is called txtSearch, and the variable is WebSearch. Here is the code...

[Select]

    Private Sub DoSearch()
        Dim WebSearch As String
        WebSearch = txtSearch.Text
        AppManager.CurrentBrowser.Navigate("http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=", txtSearch.Text)
    End Sub

The browser WILL go to the page, but ONLY the Google home page (because there is no search term being sent).

Can anyone help me out? It has to be simple, but I simply cannot get it!

-Brandon

91

Developer's Corner / Programming in the Linux operating system: where to start?

« on: March 26, 2008, 07:42 PM »

I have recently made a somewhat successful (and exciting) attempt to switch to the Linux operating system, and have chosen to use Xubuntu with the Xfce 4 desktop environment to let me get a good solid chance this time around (I have tried many Linux distributions before, but this one seems to just "work" for me). I have it installed and all is running well so far (updates are downloading, music is playing, Firefox is letting me post, etc).

So I am wondering, if and how can I produce small/basic applications on my distro? According to what I have read about this particular distribution, the desktop environment has many options for developers looking to create items for Xfce.

Could anyone point me in a direction of where to start? I would really love to learn how to make things for Linux, as I have done for Windows.

-Brandon

92

Living Room / Shopping for a cheaper-than-dirt MacBook

« on: March 25, 2008, 06:49 PM »

I have been looking for the past couple weeks ALL OVER the internet (Google, ebay Amazan, and a few more) for a Macintosh laptop that I can use for tinkering and possibly programming. I don't need anything dual core or more than a GB of RAM, just a basic system that can work and not stall out. If anyone has an older Macbook/iBook/G3/G4/G5 that they don't need anymore, and they can sell it for around $300, I would really be interested in buying it. I have found a couple really good deals, but the hardware is too minimal for what I need (10GB HD, 256MB RAM, basic CD drive).

Can anyone direct me as to where I can find a stable but cheap Mac laptop? Or does anyone have one collecting dust?

-Brandon

93

Developer's Corner / Visual Basic .NET - Can I make a dynamic GUI?

« on: March 21, 2008, 05:36 PM »

Does anyone know if it is possible to make a drag-and-drop GUI, configurable on-the-fly by the user? Something like this...

User starts program
Program window opens, awaits action
User clicks Button1 to execute action XYZ. After execution the user returns to the program.
User right clicks on Button1, and drags Button1 to a new location
The user closes the program (optional)
Program saves custom GUI item locations
User starts program (if program was closed)
Program window opens, loads the GUI item locations, adjusts items accordingly, and awaits user action
User clicks Button1 as if it were positioned originally (from in the VB designer) and action XYZ executes.

To be totally honest, I expect this to be very complicated and use a lot of code, and on top of that I have absolutely no idea how to save settings (I am going to go Google-mad after this post and begin researching on Setting saving and loading). But, I figure it is worth a shot to ask! Can't know until you try, right?

If anyone understood any of the ideal end-user steps above, and could help me with this in any way, please help me understand how I would go about doing this

94

Developer's Corner / Help with Inno Setup shortcuts please!

« on: March 19, 2008, 04:57 PM »

Sorry about the strange topic title, but it was a bit too long IMO. If anyone can, could someone please instruct me as to how to create a shortcut in the Start Menu (I have accomplished this part) with a "Start In" directory? I need to do this to run other EXE files in that directory, and they fail to open without this entered.

Here is my code that I have for icon creation in the Start Menu, on the desktop, and in the Quick Launch bar.

[Select]

[Icons]
Name: "{group}\SnapSuite 2008"; Filename: "{app}\SnapSuite 2008.exe"
Name: "{group}\{cm:UninstallProgram,SnapSuite 2008}"; Filename: "{uninstallexe}"
Name: "{commondesktop}\SnapSuite 2008"; Filename: "{app}\SnapSuite 2008.exe"; Tasks: desktopicon
Name: "{userappdata}\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\SnapSuite 2008"; Filename: "{app}\SnapSuite 2008.exe"; Tasks: quicklaunchicon

Can someone help me with this? I am sure it is simple but I do not want to make any errors.

-Brandon

95

General Software Discussion / Way to call upon multiple ObjectDock docks via keystroke?

« on: March 16, 2008, 12:54 PM »

Bit of an odd question, but is there a way to force multiple (4) docks to appear (slide in as usual - I have them slide away when a fullscreen app opens) when a keystroke is pressed?

(If you are curious as to why...)

Spoiler

I need this because I am attempting to remodel (if you will) my desktop, and I have moved 24 games/game tools into 4 docks, setup as an inverted square (so they all overlap in the process of sliding to their respective screen sides), but I have to open another program after closing/minimizing a fullscreen app in order to see the docks, and also because I often am working on something (ex Firefox) in Maximized mode, and need to access one of the docklets.

Any ideas? (I have ObjectDock Plus, if that is a feature in the Plus-only version?)

-Brandon

96

DC Gamer Club / Sauerbraten Server Updates and DonationCoder map - Sauerbraten FPS fun

« on: March 09, 2008, 07:12 PM »

I have gotten a couple of fellow DC gamers to join me in a fast paced FPS (first person shooter) known as Sauerbraten. It is similar to the old-school Doom type games, where you are always moving rapidly, and stuff can change in an instant. It is very fun and offers countless hours of insane killing

Pros:
Many gametypes
Easy to learn
Not too "gorey"
Can become very funny at times
Runs on OLD hardware
Lots of nice effects for NEW hardware
Built in co-op map editor function (!!!)
POWERFUL map editor
AVAILABLE FOR WINDOWS, MAC, OR LINUX!

Cons:
Large download + patch (~216MB)
People in co-op editing can be a pain (online people)
(A few) Cheaters online


Bonus:
I can host games behind my router with no problem ON-DEMAND
I can host games behind my router with no problem for DEDICATED SERVERS


Myself, Deozaan, and p3lb0x have been making maps and battling each other for the past week, and the game can become really addicting. Unfortunately, I am planning on making all servers private/closed down to public due to my having to take 20+ minutes every time I get ready to save the DonationCoder map to clean up crap people leave and make it look good again (and not like a sandbox). But, more fun for us, right?

Here are some screenshots of the DonationCoder.com/wtfCody.com map - contributed to by those stated above, as well as several loyal players online that happened to join in and assist (or destroy ).

Sauerbraten official website: http://www.sauerbraten.org/

Come join us!

-Brandon

EDIT: File size correction

97

Post New Requests Here / IDEA: Drop to disconnect

« on: March 08, 2008, 08:33 PM »

Anyone familiar with OS X's drag-and-drop interface should know what I am talking about here right off the bat...

What I am looking for is a small program that tells Windows to Safely Remove Hardware when I drag the drive icon onto the program icon.


Ex:

I plug in a drive. Said drive appears in My Computer.
I copy file ABC.exe on drive
I close drive window
I drag drive icon from My Computer onto DropToDisconnect.exe on my desktop
A Windows dialog box appears telling me it is safe to remove the hardware
I remove the drive


Can anyone do this for me?


EDIT: And possibly a key-combo that opens a GUI window allowing me to select (multiple, if need be) items to disconnect? That would be really awesome...

98

DC Gamer Club / Voice chat: good or bad?

« on: February 29, 2008, 07:37 PM »

Figured this would come up sooner or later, so I might as well be the one to start it up.

Personally, I think it would be a good idea to setup a voice chat system to use during gameplay (and possibly non-gaming, like just general discussion?). But there is the whole thing of having to own a headset first of all, then making sure it works, then setting up the server to do chats on, and fixing bugs...

I would be all for voice chat, but I can't do much- except maybe find a good program (teamspeak and ventrillo are kinda...confusing (IMO)).


Any thoughts?

99

DC Gamer Club / "DonatonCoder" crew now in Drift City

« on: February 25, 2008, 07:03 PM »

Hey fellow gamers,

I have started a "crew" in the racing game I play, known as Drift City: the "DonatonCoder" crew (note spelling error, see below for reason). This is a set of players that join together to earn points, reputation, work together and also dominate the channels (servers) in racing ability.

Pros:

• This allows anyone interested in the game to group with other DC'ers at any time in play.
• Easy way for anyone interested to quickly join others starting out, and get help from me (and anyone else).
• Lets everyone meet everyone else, so we know people right from the start.
• Allows us to gain a reputation on the various servers.
• etc....

Cons:

• I had to remove the I in Donationcoder to fit the crew name into the requirements (and I didn't notice till after I made it, and spent $10k on it...). But it is a minor misspelling (and I couldn't avoid it anyways).
• You have to be an active member, and remember to log on regularly (trouble for some of you )
• You can't act foolishly (it is fun... ) because everyone can see the Crew tag (within visual range) and we don't want a bad reputation

If you play the game, and want to join the crew, I am online most of the time so just IM me on Xfire, or any of my other 12 instant messaging options... http://incredisims.com/contactus.aspx and I will meet you and get you setup

If you want to try the game, it is about 750MB (plus the occasional update), but will run on most PCs today. You can get started here: http://drift.ijji.com/

-Brandon

100

Living Room / Keeping a program window on top NO MATTER WHAT - possible?

« on: February 23, 2008, 06:43 PM »

I have been looking for almost a year or so now for a simple, extremely barebones app that does nothing but keep a user-selected window on top of everything (and also keeps the focus on the current app until I deliberately click outside/hit a key combo/etc). I get very angry when I am playing a game (or doing the usual activity known as work) and something comes up and says something (or asks a question) and I hit a keyboard key/mouse stroke on one of the options, and something goes wrong/happens/opens/etc.

Skrommel's WinWarden could probably do this, but like I said I want something that just is basically open > pick window > tell to keep on top > done

Anyone have any ideas?

-Brandon