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Topics - Carol Haynes [ switch to compact view ]

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76
I have a somewhat irritating problem at the moment and am at a loss on how to deal with it ...

A number of bogus adverts have started appearing offering jobs to people who want to work from home. Here is one example:

text included because I hope carigslist will be removing this
ACCOUNTING FOR BUSY OFFICE (Southwest Michigan)
Date: 2011-06-18, 10:08PM EDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]
We are in need of an accountant to handle almost everything in the accounting department. Accounts payable and receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, general ledger, day to day posting of incoming checks, visa, cash, day to day posting of all invoices recieved. Person needs to be very proficient in all areas of accounting. If interested, please send resume with salary history here. Must also have an bachelor degree or equivalent work experience to be considered.
Please no spamming.
Only serious inquiries please.


    Location: Southwest Michigan
    Compensation: $20 to $25 per hour
    Telecommuting is ok.
    This is a contract job.
    This is an internship job
    OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
    Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
    Please, no phone calls about this job!
    Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

   
   
PostingID: 2449089178


see http://swmi.craigsli.../acc/2449089178.html

Apart from the poor grammar and spelling it looks plausible but is actually a fake job.

When someone responds to this sort of thing they are getting an email which has whole pages listed from my website (including my name) and a number of people have googled me and found my website as a result.

These people are obviously distressed and asking me about jobs. Below is one such conversation that a potential employee had with this scammer (name of the person applying is the only thing I changed) and whilst to you or me this looks like an obvious scam quite a few people have been drawn in. I suspect that at some point they would be asked for some sort of payment or bank details so that the scam pays off.

My question is what can I do about it (I contacted craigslist and am awaiting a reply - but I suspect that is only the tip of the iceberg). Deos anyone know of a way of stopping people lifting whole chunks of websites? I presume this is automated as they made such a bad job of it! They did a cut and paste job with my business name and the fake business name which only adds the confusion and stupidity.

Quoted correspondence
Here is everything that has transpired between us and the individual (Anthony Cole). I am appalled by this behavior. My husband has been looking for a job for a while now and this was the first break we've had. I hope that there is something that can be done to stop this. My husband will be reporting them to the BBB in the hopes that this will help stop things.
Once again, sorry that you have to be in this position. It is a sad world that we live in that we can't even trust our own websites out there! I hope this all helps.

J.

Here's the response we got:

(this email was from a Dawn Longley with this email address: [email protected])

Dear Applicant,

We have reviewed your resume on www.craiglist.com and believe you could qualify for this position. We have forwarded your resume to the Head of Operation. Mr Anthony Cole of Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant . He would like to conduct an online interview with you on Tuesday 28th June ,2011 between 9:00AM -2:00 PM EST to discuss more about the Accounting Clerk Position that you are yet to occupy.

Set Up a Screen name with the yahoo Instant Messenger online at www.messenger.yahoo.com and add up the Head of Operation screen name:acole001 to your buddy list.

His Screen Name with Yahoo Instant Messenger is: acole001

Email Address: [email protected]

He will be waiting to talk to you on yahoo messenger right away.Endeavor to get online ASAP.

I Wish you the best of Luck on the Interview. If you have any problem, Please feel free to email back .

Human Resource Dept-


Here's the info he sent during the interview:

Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant is located in California USA.


With nearly 30 years of experience working with computers in business and education, Carol Haynes established Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant at the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park to provide computer repairs, upgrades, system setup and installation and web design and web hosting to local computer users in the home, at school and in small businesses. See the Services pages for a list of some of what is offered.


With an up to date knowledge of modern hardware, wired and wireless small office and home office (SOHO) networks and most desktop operating systems, Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant aims to provide an affordable, timely, friendly and professional service for all your computing needs.


Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant's commitments to customers are:

 appointment times (usually within 48 hours) are kept,  prices are clearly stated in advance,

 work will only be carried out after full consultation, and wherever possible onsite,

if parts are required you have the option of supplying them yourself or DCS will supply them at the best price possible.



SERVICE=============


Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant offer a range of services including:


    supplying new computers, printers and other peripherals to order

    hand built computers to your own specification

    repairs and upgrades

    software recommendations

    full website design and hosting

    specification and installation of small office and home computer networks

    set up internet access and suggest alternative ways to distribute internet securely throughout your home or office to multiple computers

    troubleshoot hardware and software problems and removing viruses and other malware

    advice, support and training

    system health checks and clean system reinstalls


For further information please select options from the menu on the right.


Something else you need? Just ask.


If it can be done it will be ... professionally and with a smile!


Whatever your needs Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant is here to help.



JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Entering all checks vouchers and payment in appropriate account ;Maintains accurate records of all Receivable's and Payable's Developing, analyzing, and maintaining financial reporting systems in general accounting, budget or cost systems.Responsible forcompiling amounts owed from purchase orders, charge slips, sales tickets etc



BRIEFING SUMMARY

You will be enlisted for 2 weeks training programme. Find Training programme details below:


*You will have to be online from 9am to 12pm daily for training programmes as you will be given series of tasks during training.


*You will resume work fully after training and your working hours will be 8am - 4pm your time zone.


*Whether or not you have an assignment or task to carry out you will be paid for $18/hr and for 6hrs a day as long as you are online during the stated hours.


*You have to keep strict record of time and activities. A time sheet should be sent in every Friday's days for monitoring (In your own format).


*In carrying out any assignment or task a progress report has to be emailed every Friday to me.


*You are paid weekly.


*There is no start up cost, the training would be administered on line, this is an Internet based position, and the base pay is $18 per hour During training and $23 per hour after training.


*Either party is free to terminate at any time with notice.


*At the end of your training, you will receive a 1099 form at the end of the year as you are listed as an Independent contractor.


*Benefits include: 401k, health and dental, paid vacation and 2 weeks sick leave you will be enrolled for this benefits after 2months after which you would become a regular employee of company.


WORKING EQUIPMENTS

Equipments will be provided for you by the Company asap. This includes a Hp Laptop/Notebook for mobility and some other software for accuracy, Speed of data processing, Time Monitoring and Effectiveness,(4 in one Zebra ZM 400vvBarcode Printer and Cards,Fax Machine,Scanner,Photocopier Machine, 4Drawer Cabinet and Office Desk).


Details on the Uses and delivery of these equipments would be provided to you ASAP.


You would be Given the Following to start work with after training:

* Staff User Name and Password for Our Website Link ( For easy access to company data and task for each day )



Employment Supervisor

 

And here's the conversation between my husband and Anthony Cole:
(He was talking to me until my husband could get to the computer)
Anthony Cole: Hi J

Anthony Cole: Let me know when he is ready

Anthony Cole: i will be here

JJ: Sounds good. I just sent him a text. He only works about 10 minutes from our house.

Anthony Cole: ok

JJ: My husband just sent me a text saying he was on his way home. He should be here in about 15 minutes tops.

Anthony Cole: Ok

JJ: Hello, This is JJ.  I am here now.

Anthony Cole: Hello

JJ: I am interested to hear more about the position.

Anthony Cole: My name is Anthony Cole  from Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant and you are?

JJ: JJ

Anthony Cole: Nice to meet you JJ

Anthony Cole: I will send you the job details and company profile to read and get more familiar with what we do.

JJ: Nice to meet you too.  Thank you.

Anthony Cole: Accept the file and read

You have received 1 file from Anthony Cole.
DSC JOB DETAILS.txt
Open (Alt+Shift+O)

Anthony Cole: Got it?

JJ: Yes and I am currently reading it.  Thank you.

Anthony Cole: Ok Read and let me know when to proceed with the online interview

JJ: So, this is entirely an online position?  Would I ever have to report to any office physically?

JJ: I am looking to work this position in the evening.  Would that be possible?

Anthony Cole: Yes the hours are flexible

JJ: I am looking to work this job from 4 - 11 p.m.  Would that be possible.  

Anthony Cole: YEs sure .

Anthony Cole: Read and let me know when to proceed with the online interview

JJ: I read it and am ready to proceed.

Anthony Cole: ok

Anthony Cole: I have a couple of questions to ask you before i make the employment decision

JJ: Ok.  Go ahead when you are ready.

Anthony Cole: Are you capable of handling this position?

JJ: Yes, I believe I am.

Anthony Cole: How well do you work under pressure?

JJ: Pretty well.  When I am under pressure I go into a "Get It Done" mentality until I am done with the task at hand.

Anthony Cole: What do you understand by privacy and code of conduct relates to employees?

JJ: As far as privacy goes, I understand that when working with any financial data, I am to use the information only to do my job and not for anything else.  As far as code
of conduct goes...I understand that I will be a remote employee and therefore you are trusting me to be honest with what I am doing for you.

Anthony Cole: Do you have any form of disability?

JJ: No.

Anthony Cole: How well do you relate with people?

JJ: I believe I relate decently well with people.

Anthony Cole: What is your stongest point as an individual?

JJ: I am a self starter and will do whatever it takes to get a job done that I have set out to do as long as it does not go against my morals or values.

Anthony Cole: Rate your self on a scale of 1-5 based on the following MATHEMATICAL ACCURACY, SPELLING ACCURACY,TYPING SPEED,STATISTICAL ACCURACY?

JJ: I would rate myself a 4 for all of those.

Anthony Cole: Will you be able to dedicate 7hours of your time to this position Mon-Fri?

JJ: I believe so, as long as long as those hourse would be able to be from 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. weekdays.

JJ: (hours) Excuse my typo.

Anthony Cole: Congratulations......This is to confirm that you have been approved to be a staff of ANTHONY BOXER COMPUTER CONSILTANT, having reached the requirements,
passed the interview and recommended for the Job by the Board of Director on employment.

JJ: Thank you very much!!!  I am looking forward to serving your company to the best of my ability.  How long has your company been outsourcing accounting?  How many other accountants do you have working for you?  
Anthony Cole: As for your duties, they will be as follows: Your Primary duties include: Preparation of Balance sheets (Mini), account balancing, invoicing recording,proper data analysis of sales records and recording pay slips into accounting database all these will be done through the use of the Accounting Software.

Secondary duties: Now, your secondary daily duties would be to report to your Supervisor, who would be attached to you online, He/She would assign logs of duty daily and you would be required to work according to instructions, using the Microsoft Office tools and the Accounting software. Now the function of the Accounting software is to arrange, formalize and manage the data you have processed, sent to your supervisor via E-mail.

Can you handle the job duties ?

JJ: Yes.

Anthony Cole: I want you to send me your full name address and phone number to [email protected] so i  can send you the employment letter to sign and also create an employee profile for you.

Email that and get back to me online to proceed.

JJ: Just sent you the e-mail.

Anthony Cole: You will be undergoing a 2 day orientation which will commence as soon as you have all working materials and you are rest assured that you will be paid for it okay ?

JJ: Sounds good.  Is this information being mailed today?

Anthony Cole: Yes we will send you funds to purchase the materials.

Anthony Cole: You will need some Data entry/Accounting software and also a time tarcker to commence your training and orientation and also you need the software to get started with work...the work of the time tarcker is to calculate your hours worked since this is an online work from home.

The funds for the software will be provided for you by the company via check ..... make sure you use them as instructed for the software okay ?

JJ: I certainly will.  Thank you!

Anthony Cole: As soon as the check its been issued out to you i will notify you and provide you with the tracking number so you can keep track and know when it will get to you okay ?

JJ: OK.  Great!

Anthony Cole: Please do not play with our time and our money, you can decline now if you are not able to perform the simple tasks,or if you are not okay with recieving company funds in other to purchase the needed software to start work with okay ?

JJ: I am not interested in playing with your time or money.  I want to confirm that my hours would be from 4 to 11 p.m.  This is important as I have a day job that I am keeping.

JJ: I also would like to know one thing: Why do you send company funds to purchase software as opposed to providing me with the software itself?

Anthony Cole: Yes because we like to test employee on how capable they can handle the company funds .

JJ: That sounds like a very good answer.  Because we have never physically met, you would want to make sure I would handle company funds properly.

JJ: I will look for the materials to come within the next couple of days and once I have purchased the software with the company funds I will be able to log on at 4 p.m. Eastern any time this week to begin.  

JJ: Thank you, once again.

Anthony Cole: Yes sure but please i need you to be online tomorrow morning in the morning so i can brief you on what to do with the check when it arrives and i should have the tracking number by tomorrow .

JJ: What time would you need me online tomorrow morning.  As I have before stated, I am available to work after 4.  If the morning is the only time that would be available for you, around this time tomorrow would work (I will simply take a lunch again).

Anthony Cole: Ok good.

Anthony Cole: This time is fine .

JJ: Thanks again.  Bye.  And I will talk to you tomorrow.

Anthony Cole: Talk to you tomorrow

Here is the conversation I had once I figured out this was a fake:
Anthony Cole: Excuse   me
(this is in response to me saying that I was not interested in working for him because I discovered it was a fake)

JJ: I google searched Carol Haynes and found her website that talks about fake job offers being sent out.

Anthony Cole: With our company name?

JJ: Here is the link....http://www.dalescomp...ces.com/contact.html

Anthony Cole: That is not our company

JJ: No. But with all the exact wording you sent me in the file you wanted me to read.

JJ: Here is the link to what I am speaking of: http://www.dalescomp...vices.com/about.html

Anthony Cole: it is possible that thesame website design company  made our site

Anthony Cole: but i have never heard of dales computer services

JJ: Well. It's in the about me section. Please take the time to look at it. It's about Carol Haynes who started your company.

JJ: I don't understand why that information would be on a website that you designed.

JJ: I mean no offense. I'm just trying to look out for the well being of my family.

Anthony Cole: Yes i understand and i am very suprised you think we are illegal

Anthony Cole: Because i have never heard of dalescompuetservices or what ever

JJ: Well, I'm struggling with the fact that the information in the file that you sent me is also on a computer services website in Europe and they are saying that someone is putting out fake jobs using their information.

JJ: Did you look at the site to see what I am referring to?

Anthony Cole: Yes i did but i swear i have never heard of them

Anthony Cole: and we dont have thesame company name

JJ: No. But in the file you sent me it refers to DCS which is not short for Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant and I couldn't figure out what that was referring to.

JJ: That's how I came across Carol Haynes and Yorkshire National Park and the information about fake jobs.

Anthony Cole: Oh know i understand what you mean that you searched for the name carol Haynes ...but that could a coincident of names .

JJ: Well. And I would agree with you, BUT, all the information about your company is EXACTLY the SAME as on her computer services website AND it's actually based in Europe where she supposedly originated her ideas.

Anthony Cole: DCS on the file name mean Desktop Secure Configuration.

JJ: This is the section I'm referring to:

JJ: Anthony Boxer Computer Consultant's commitments to customers are:
appointment times (usually within 48 hours) are kept,  prices are clearly stated in advance,
work will only be carried out after full consultation, and wherever possible onsite,
if parts are required you have the option of supplying them yourself or DCS will supply them at the best price possible.

Anthony Cole: Its a security configuration used to save files without virus risk

JJ: DCS as "desktop secure configuration" does not fit!

JJ: The sentence "if parts are required you have the option of supplying then yourself or DCS will supply them at the best price possible"

JJ: does not make sense using desktop secure configuration

Anthony Cole: you meant the DSC on the file name

JJ: It doesn't say DSC in your file it says DCS.

Anthony Cole: I am sure you are just being curious but the position is 100% legal and risk free
Last message received on 6/28 at 8:32 PM

JJ: I think it's best that we part ways. I do not feel comfortable with this position. Sorry to waste your time and I'm also sorry that my time was wasted. Have a good night.




77
I had a very strange problem today - I inserted an SD camera card and nothing happened except that there was a logged error in the System Events about a faulty disk controller.

Looking in Device manager there was an unknown USB device that had been disabled by Windows (Code 43) to stop further damage to my system.

I rarely use the card slots so I don't know when this error appeared but I have had a couple of freezes recently and wonder if this was the cause.

Searching the web I found non-working internal card readers (connected to a 7 pin USB header) seem to often spontaneously stop working with a Code 43 error and I couldn't find a solution. One case a Dell engineer had visited someone and swapped the part but still couldn't get it to work and eventually gave up with a 'hardware fault'.

Well at least for me I have solved the issue by taking the CMOS battery out for 5 minutes and then resetting the BIOS back to system defaults. When the computer started again there were 4 non working "mobile devices" listed (with the error cannot start device) but the unknown USB device had disappeared and been replaced with a "USB Mass Storage" device. Rebooting again and it is all back to normal.

I have no idea what has happened - maybe it was a system freeze that caused the problem or maybe the device caused the freeze.

Now all I have to do is write a rude letter to Gigabyte and ask why they placed the CMOS battery and CMOS clear jumper under the PCIe cards (between the device slots and the back plate) which meant removing graphics and sound cards just to change the battery!!

Hope this helps someone in the future.

78
Living Room / Suggestions for removing nVidia drivers?
« on: June 05, 2011, 09:48 AM »
I installed a new ATI card in someones computer and ever since they have had regular BSODs related to graphics drivers.

Before wiping and installing from scratch has anyone any ideas on how to clean out all the graphics drivers and start from clean?

So far I used nVidia's uninstall routines to remove the drivers priori to removing the card, I have also use DriverCleaner.Net and Drive Sweeper to flush out nVidia remnants.

The motherboard has an Intel based chipset so there are no nForce drivers or other nVidia software installed but still the BSODs are coming daily.

Tried removing and installing various versions of Catalyst drivers - including the latest version but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Any other suggestions short of a full reinstall of Windows would be appreciated.

I also have the problem that the only way to install Windows on this machine is from an HP installation image - is this going to reinstall the nVidia stuff because it expects a card to be in there or is it more intelligent than that?

79
Living Room / Strange phone problem - can anyone help?
« on: May 23, 2011, 12:48 PM »
I had to replace my cordless phones and after looking at lots of different makes opted for Panasonic as they had good reviews and most other makes didn't seem to fair so well.

I have a main socket and a single extension with a wired phone on the extension and the cordless base unit on the main socket. Both had ADSL filters.

I have absolutely no problems making calls from the wired phone, and my previous cordless phones worked fine (albeit with really crappy sound).

The Panasonic phones have a problem - any number that has a 3 in it (or if you are using 3 to navigate menus) don't work - at least not consistently.

Given that the area I live in has a 3 in just about every number it takes about 3 or 4 attempts to make a call (using redial - so the number is correct). I just get number not recognised more than 50% of the time and if I am using menu navigation on a switchboard it just doesn't seem to hear 3 when pressed.

I returned the phones as faulty to Amazon and got a replacement but exactly the same problem. I have nmow changed model number (still Panasonic) and still get the same issue.

I have tried turning off broadband in case there was a frequency clash but that doesn't seem to make a difference.

One of the reasons I liked these phones is that they support call chaining from the address book. I make a fair number of overseas calls and use access numbers so call chaining is really handy - unfortunately it is almost impossible to dial my mother's number without error - even manually!

Has anyone got any clue how to troubleshoot this and work out how to fix it (other than just sending them back and getting a different make).

80
OK Portal 2 gave me the bug and now ...

Having said that there are a few games I have downloaded from Steam that have had problems starting on my system (WIn 7 64-bit) and I think I have found the problem.

FWIW I offer it hear ... I found that some games (especially older games) load to the taskbar and the screen flashes a lot (presumably trying to change to the correct resolution etc.) and finally gives up and just sits on the taskbar until I close it using the task manager.

This was really frustrating but I discovered that part of my Samsung monitor setup installed Multiscreen which was starting with windows. This tool allows the monitors to be divided into separate screen areas that you can send windows to etc. - useful but not essential.

Exiting Multiscreen solved the problem and now all my Steam games work fine.

81
25% discount on new and additional licenses from www.perfectdisk.com

Discount expires on Monday 28th Feb 2001

82
Living Room / SATA III - why no better rating than SATA II ?
« on: February 19, 2011, 06:49 PM »
Just finished setting up my new system which comprises of:

Antec 300 case (2 large case fans which are pretty quiet)
Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H motherboard
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T CPU
4 x 4Gb Crucial PC3-10600 RAM
2 x 1 Tb WD1002FAEX SATA III drives
2 x Pioneer DVD+-R DL writers
650W Corsair PSU
Sapphire Radeon HD6570 1Gb graphics card (to replace onboard graphics as I want to run 3 Samsung B2430H monitors)
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
Microsoft Comfort Desktop 5000 (wireless keyboard and mouse)

Set up went well and everything worked first time.

I have now moved my old Creasive Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum PCI card into the box and found the rather shoddy drivers on Creative's website and am thinking of going back to the onboard sound with my 7.1 speakers.

Also added my old Hauppauge TV card - which seems to work much better now and also works well through Windows Media Center.

Having done all this I looked at the system rating by Microsoft and it pegs at 5.9 because the drives are the lowest value. (Graphics rate at 7.0 and CPU and memory at 7.5).

I just set up a barebones system for a customer and installed a WD SATA II drive on a SATA II interface and that also pegs at 5.9.

The question is why do SATA II and SATA III drives peg at the same value? How can I get more speed out of the SATA III drives without resorting to striped arrays?

I have enabled AHCI mode in the BIOS so it isn't stuck in IDE Mode.

Enabling AHCI Mode in Windows 7
I had the devil of a job to find out how to stop the system BSODing as a result - FWIW here is the simple solution:

Set the following registry value:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci]
"Start"=dword:00000000

For some reason this is set to 3 at normal setup (even if you supply an AHCI driver during setup) which means AHCI is disabled. Setting it to 0 allows the system to install the drivers on the next boot. The process is as follows:

1) Set registry value
2) Reboot into BIOS and enable AHCI mode
3) Reboot into windows - allow the drivers to install
4) Reboot again.

If you miss booting into the BIOS it doesn't actually matter as the drives in WIndows simply stay in IDE mode - which begs the question why was it disabled in the first place?


The only other minor disappointment I have is that the stock AMD CPU cooler isn't exactly silent. It isn't bad but it is louder than I want - anyone know of a good AM3 coompatible silent CPU cooler that will keep a 6 core CPU nice and cool. (I don't want to splash out for water cooling!).

 

83
Living Room / Fantastic Rant ...
« on: January 07, 2011, 10:36 AM »
Don't you just love banks? Well no not really - but here is a template for dealing with them:

http://www.linkedin....ar-156464.S.39398197

84
Living Room / Connections problem has me stumped ...
« on: December 07, 2010, 10:57 AM »
Here's the situation:

New BT Broadband 2.0 Hub/Router setup and working fine.

Desktop computer (Win XP SP3 Home) connecting wirelessly using a D-Link USB WiFi dongle. Browsing seems to work fine and often downloads are fine but some files stubbornly refuse to download past 90%.

I can download the offending files wirelessly on my laptop no problem but the Desktop just stops downloading and never completes. This seems to eliminate the connection which seems rock steady and fast on the laptop.

Things I have tried on the Desktop:

1) Installed the latest D-Link drivers - connection seems stable - 100% strength (only about 10 feet from the router).
2) Cleaned browser cache and flushed DNS cache.
3) Scanned (Malwarebytes and Avast Antivirus) and all seems clean.
4) Reset Winsock settings.
5) Used MSCONFIG to disable everything except MS services.
6) Checked HOSTS and Proxy settings - both are at standard windows settings.

Nothing seems to make any difference. There are no errors in Application or System logs (not even any warnings).

I just can't figure out what is happening on that computer to make downloads so difficult.

Anyone got any ideas please - I'm stumped!

85
Living Room / Freezing BIOS even - any ideas why?
« on: November 24, 2010, 02:03 PM »
Got a client with a computer that freezes - even to the point of not allowing a forced switch off by holding the power button.

No errors showing in windows - it doesn't reboot ... black screen and everything dead but still with power LED on. You have switch off and on at the wall to reboot.

At first I thought it might be a windows XP standby issue but I have disabled standby and now the computer doesn't seem to crash once the system is up and running but after a switch on from cold if freezes during windows boot.

I have updated drivers (including graphics) and checked all error logs. I have also downloaded the Fujitsu diagnostics tool but that says everything is working fine. BIOS is at the final revision. I also did a check for any malware but couldn't find any.

I am a bit stumped - anyone got any ideas?

My thought is a chip on the point of dying but works when it has a chance to warm a little but would value some help.

Cheers

Carol

86
Living Room / Ideas for christmas geek presents
« on: October 30, 2010, 12:06 PM »
I have been trying to think what the moderately geeky person would like for christmas:

There is the inevitable USB Mug Warmer:

usb-mug-warmer.jpg

but I also saw the USB Mouse Mat Hand Warmer:

usb-hand-warmer.jpg

and how about a Mouse Phone?

mouse_phone.jpg

Anyone got any other ideas? My main criteria are computer related and cheap stocking fillers (not expensive gadgets).

87
Post New Requests Here / DONE+ - Jiggle Mouse
« on: September 28, 2010, 04:23 PM »
A friend has a laptop that has been set up by a stupid systems admin at work so that after 4 pm if the computer is idle it just shuts down.

Unfortunately he has used a policy editor or something similar to enforce this and it is driving her nuts.

What I need is a little tray app the waits until the computer has been idle for a couple of minutes and then simulates jiggling the mouse a bit randonly (say every minute or two) to ensure the computer keeps awake and thinks someone is using it.

It sholdn't do anything when the computer is in use.

I could probably do this with AHK if I had time to sit down and think about it but work is mad at the moment!

Anyone any ideas?

Cheers

88
Living Room / Any CPanel Gurus out there?
« on: August 21, 2010, 06:48 AM »
I have a CPanel account with one main domain registered (say main.com) and two parked domains (parked1.com and parked2.com).

I want to set it up so that if anyone puts any of those three domain names into a browser then the parked1.com domain is visited and the URL changed to reflect the correct URL.

Currently if I put any of the domain names into a browser the website displays properly but with the URL I entered not based on parked1.com?

Any ideas how to achieve this?

I have tried domain redirects (both in the Parked domain section, and the Redirects section) but they seem to have no effect. It may be because I have a .htaccess file which may override redirects (but I don't know a lot about .htaccess to change a complex file).

89
Great piece of software for e-publishing (Help files, PDF files and lots more) now freeware

http://www.2brightsparks.com/infohesive

InfoHesiveEP.gif

Miffed that I paid for it but it is a great bit of software - now thoroughly affordable ;)

Just hope it doesn't mean no more development  :tellme:

90
Living Room / What the heck has happened to Google search?
« on: June 12, 2010, 08:16 AM »
Is it just me or is the new Google search simply broken?

It has been increasingly frustrating for a long time that it is difficult to find anything relevant because of SEO kiddies bunging up the top spots (yes I know there is another thread) but since the "new" google started appearing search results have become totally useless.

Almost everything now seems to be pretty much irrelevant to the search items.

What is going on?

91
Living Room / Sharing Media in WMP problem
« on: May 31, 2010, 03:13 PM »
I am getting a new TV which supports DLNA and want to sort out Media Sharing from WMP.

I set up sharing in WMP 11 on my WinXP box and I can share music quite happily on my Windows 7 box.

However, as soon as I try to access shared video on Windows 7 WMP just gives a connecting to  library message and on the XP box the WMP Network service gets stuck.

After that no sharing is possible without resetting SSD, UPNP and WMP Network services on the XP box.

Anyone got any idea what is going on and how to fix it? There are loads of instructions on how to enable sharing (and since music works it must be set up OK) but I can't really find anything that covers troubleshooting things ???

92
Got an email today of from MS saying that Hyper-V hardware is no longer required for Windows 7 XP Mode in Win 7 Pro and Ultimate.

Haven't tried it yet (downloading now). It is available from:

http://www.microsoft...tual-pc/default.aspx

Basically you need the original two Hyper-V based downloads plus a third update which remove the Hyper-V requirement.

93
Living Room / Mouse annoyance - any ideas?
« on: May 23, 2010, 02:01 PM »
I have been using a Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 for quite a while now and so far have been very happy with it.

Today it started randomly clicking things (intermittently - but frequently enough to be really annoying) even when I was not touching it and also selcting things just on the move without touching the buttons.

I have updated the driver to the latest version, changed the battery etc. all without effect.

Anyone got any ideas or is the micro-switch under the left button worn out? I have never worn a mouse out before but I suppose the switch could be dodgy.

94
Living Room / Two computers - one set of secreens etc. Ideas?
« on: May 10, 2010, 07:13 AM »
I have two desktop computers and would like to set up a single array of 3 monitors/keyboard/mouse (possibly other external peripherals) that can be shared at the flick of a switch.

Anyone any idea how to achieve this?

I suppose what I am looking for is a box (if possible cheap) which I can can connect to two different computers' graphics cards (preferably 4 input from each) and have multiple VGA/DVI outputs (4 preferably) and a set of USB throughput connectors - probably about 6-8 or so (not a hub which can cause problems) plus ideally traditional PC AT-style keyboard and mouse connectors.

Ideally I need something available in the UK or at least Europe to avoid stupid import fees.

95
Living Room / One of my cats, Titch, passed away yesterday
« on: May 05, 2010, 12:39 PM »
Very quiet house today and lonely sister.

See a little photo tribute to her at:

http://www.facebook....763&l=714faa53ba

96
General Software Discussion / AVAST! 5 released
« on: January 20, 2010, 11:18 AM »
AVAST! 5 has been released (though only English seems to be currently available).

There is no automatic update but it does seem to install over version 4 without problem. It extends existing free license during the upgrade.

The free version still needs to be registered but the registration process is now built into the software rather than having to go back to the website and wait for a license code.

avastsc.png

See http://www.avast.com...e-antivirus-download for more details.

Installed it and it looks quite nice - big UI change though.

The Pro version has also been released and now includes a firewall (not sure version 4 did but I never tried it so maybe it did).

97
Living Room / Help for Heroes - Christmas CD
« on: December 13, 2009, 07:45 AM »


The UK charity Help for Heroes has just released a Christmas fund raising CD.

They have enlisted the help of John Tams (a brilliant folk singer who came to international fame via the TV series Sharpe) to record two of his songs with the Band of the Rifles and Bugles.

The two songs are new arrangements or Love Farewall and Over the Hills and Far Away. Both tunes originate from the period of the Napoleonic wars but the words are just as relevant today.

They are fantastic songs, brilliantly played and sung and a very worthy charity.

The download MP3 version is only £1 and all proceeds go to the charity.

Go to http://www.helpforhe...k/love-farewell.html to hear Love Farwell and to purchase the MP3s. Or you can buy the CD for £4.99 at the bottom of the page. Not sure about international shipping options.

Try to help if you can - the songs are well worth hearing.

The music was also shown on a BBC news item (though not sung by John Tams). See http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=sMrtKJS4iRI

Be warned which ever version you listen to you need tissues at the ready.

98
Living Room / Be careful with your credit cards!
« on: November 27, 2009, 03:29 AM »
I just renewed my subscription to an American magazine using a special offer couple and filled in my credit card details. The offer said the three year subscription rate was £59 charged in pounds sterling but when I got my credit card statement it says they charged me $119 US (which translates as £73.85).

I contacted my card company (HSBC) to report an unauthorised transaction only to be told that they couldn't do anything about it unless the magazine provide written evidence that they charged the wrong amount and refuse to do anything about it.

OK £14.85 isn't a huge loss but there is a wider issue here ...

If you give your credit card details out over the telephone, internet or in a written instruction (i.e. any transaction completed without you present to check the details and enter a pin code) the seller can charge you for any amount they like and it is up to you to get them to provide written evidence that they committed fraud before you have any protection via your card company.

Be warned - if you give your card details you may suddenly find yourself financing someone's trip to the Bahamas and unless they admit they did wrong you will have to bear the loss!!!

Apparently in the crazy credit world fraud pays!

99
Living Room / Google execs may go to prison!
« on: November 26, 2009, 03:25 PM »
Google executives could face a year in jail

Italian prosecutors demand stiff sentences in Google Video case

Rosalie Marshall

V3.co.uk, 26 Nov 2009

Just a day after Google got into legal hot water in Germany, it emerged that four of the firm's executives standing trial in Italy could face a year's prison sentence following charges of defamation and failure to exercise control over personal data.

Defence lawyer Giuseppe Bana reportedly said that prosecutors had asked Judge Oscar Magni for one-year sentences, after allowing a clip to be posted on Google Video in Italy showing a boy with Down's Syndrome being bullied by four classmates.

See full article at http://www.v3.co.uk/...executives-face-jail

100
Living Room / Xara Xtreme 2 for $19 until 6th November
« on: October 30, 2009, 11:40 AM »
Xara have a special off at the moment on version 2 of Xara Xtreme.

It isn't the latest version but it is a good app and presumably if you want to there is no problem upgrading to the latest version.

See http://site.xara.com/offers/xaraxtreme/ for details

The full cost of Xara Xtreme 5 is $89 and Xara Xtreme Pro $249

To upgrade from Xtreme 2 would cost $59 / $159

So a purchase of Xtreme 2 and an upgrade to version 5 would save $11 on a first purchase of Xtreme (ie. about 12.5% discount) and $71 saving on Xtreme Pro 5 (about 28% discount).

Note upgrades from version 2 are supplied as unlockable downloads AND a CD version with loads of clipart/fonts etc and a 450 page manual.

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