Recent Posts

4726

Living Room / Re: tc1100 tablet pc dies before i've even set it up

« Last post by 4wd on September 02, 2010, 03:11 AM »

4wd; that sounds like exactly what has happened. the usb ports had been fine when using a memory stick. and the pop sound happened exactly on making contact between the external dvd drive cable and tablet's usb socket.

the external drive is quite "basic". it's actually just an empty case that you put your own drive inside. the power unit is inside the case - not that there is much to see. i'll upload a photo if you like.

-nudone (September 02, 2010, 02:07 AM)

That sounds more like a short in the USB cable, (or interface board inside the external case), or the external had become faulty and was feeding voltage back down the cable - unless your willing to test the USB cable itself or check the USB port on the external for shorts/voltage then I would suggest putting it aside and not using it.  Or possibly there's something wrong with either the USB cable 'A' plug or tablet socket that allowed the 5V power to contact either the metal shield or one of the data lines.

Otherwise, if you want to test it I suggest going to Poundland or similar and buying a cheap 4 port USB hub to act as a buffer.  Plug the powered external DVD into the hub first, if it doesn't go bang then plug the hub into a PC and see if it is recognised.  If it does work, always use the external through the hub in future - just in case.

as for "next time". i think i may just avoid using external DVD drives completely. it has always been the sort of equipment i'd use on other people's computers - if they don't have a DVD drive. so, in one way, i've been very lucky that i've only broken my own machine - i could easily have blown up someone else's computer by the sounds of it. from now on, i'll just use a memory stick.

It could happen to anyone, I've a Sony DRX-S70U-W slimline external DVD that I use all the time, along with a couple of external 2.5" HDDs.

i'll have a look inside the tc1100 and take some photos. it's not like i can hurt anything now...

It'll be interesting to see them and hopefully it will be something simple, (eg. protection diode, fusible link), albeit possibly a pain because it'll most likely be surface mount.

4727

Living Room / Re: tc1100 tablet pc dies before i've even set it up

« Last post by 4wd on September 01, 2010, 08:33 PM »

Ah... I misunderstood.  I thought that perhaps the combination of connecting the drive and the machine caused the difficulty.  I just can't see connecting a drive causing such a catastrophic failure on its own, so assumed that it was the machine.

-wraith808 (September 01, 2010, 04:55 PM)

Actually, connecting the external drive could have nuked the tablet - it depends how much power was drawn by the external through the USB port and whether or not the USB ports are protected from over-current situations.

It might be that a fusible link has suffered catastrophic failure due to an over-current condition, (hence the *pop*), and could be easily replaced by the technically inclined.  Or given the age, an electrolytic capacitor has failed - still easily replaceable.

Without knowing more about the equipment involved it's hard too say.

If you feel up to it nudone, why not disassemble the tablet and post a couple of hi-res pics somewhere we can look at them?

PS: Next time perhaps try this ?

PPS: What type of external DVD drive was it, (eg. slimline with/without separate PSU, 5.25" HH in external case, etc) ?

4728

General Software Discussion / Re: wireless (wifi) network connection manager with saved profiles

« Last post by 4wd on September 01, 2010, 06:50 PM »

He specifically showed me how on a mac, when it detects a new connection, all that happens is a box pops up asking for the wifi password, and BAM you are connected.

-superboyac (August 31, 2010, 10:34 PM)

I think the problem, (or good thing - depends on your POV), there is that the Mac has uniform hardware thus the software can be specifically tailored for it.  All the facilities of the hardware are known and can be taken advantage of easily.

Addendum: Try WeFi, from reading the blurb it may do what you want.

Just downloaded/installed while sitting at the local library - when I started it, it found and connected to the library network, (unprotected apart from ID/pwd), without me doing anything.  I'll see what happens when I get home and try it on my WEP WiFi, (after I turn SSID broadcast back on).

To 'Claim a WeSpot', (free access WiFi), you need to be a Facebook weenie, (no offence if you are a Facebook weenie ), because you need a Facebook account to log into your WeFi account from the application - very retarded AFAIAC.

However, if you're not interested in 'Claiming We(e)Spots' then it should still work OK for simple detection/connection.  It can store User/Password logins for WiFi hotspots so that it can auto-connect without you having to enter them.

At home, turned off Hide SSID in the router and the network showed up in seconds in WeFi, double-click on it to connect, prompted for WEP key and then it connected.......pretty easy.

The manager within WeFi is pretty basic, you can add or remove any connections but can't edit them.

Conclusion: It's definitely simpler than XPs Wireless Config and you have access to a database of thousands of WiFi spots that have been detected by others, (location maps included).

Of course MS' network connection stuff gets in the way sometimes - if you go into Wireless Configuration then WeFi turns itself off - so it's not a true replacement.

But I think I'll leave it on the netbook at this point to see how it goes in general.

4729

General Software Discussion / Re: wireless (wifi) network connection manager with saved profiles

« Last post by 4wd on August 31, 2010, 06:55 PM »

But, is there a software that actually takes over the wifi configuration that Windows/Intel uses?  These managers manage the connection, but they still are using the Windows/Intel windows and dialogs for the actual configuration.  I want a whole new interface.  Something easier, something more intuitive, something more simple and elegant.

-superboyac (August 31, 2010, 10:28 AM)

Well, the easiest one I ever found for WiFi config was................XPs standard Wireless Configuration Control Panel.

I have a few dongles here, everyone of them comes with its own manufacturers' WiFi settings program and everyone of them is a PITA compared to XPs.

My friend rang me up one day asking about how to set up a wireless link he was having trouble with between a PC with Netgear WG111 dongle and a router with WiFi - he'd been trying for over an hour.  I told him to uninstall Netgears settings program and use the XP Wireless Config, he didn't believe me but in less than a minute it was working.

It's not elegant but it is simple, easy and intuitive IMHO.

However, the Wireless Configuration they shipped in Vista was a complete dogs breakfast - it took my friend and I ~30 minutes just to get his laptop to connect to my WEP encrypted router.  It really is crap.

Windows 7 I can't comment on because I haven't used its Wireless Config at all.

EDIT: And now I can comment on W7 - it's as bad as Vista.

4730

Living Room / Re: Double-sided tape with one side to be removed later?

« Last post by 4wd on August 30, 2010, 10:41 PM »

Interesting, I've never seen double-sided foam tape here that didn't use a peel off backing on one side.

eg. this is what I just pulled out of my drawer, 3M double-sided foam tape about 30mm wide.



3M Scotch Mounting Tape

I also have a couple of rolls of 'gumbo' tape, (my name for it ), which is basically just the gumbo used on normal tape but the paper backing can be peeled away leaving you with a layer of sticky gumbo - if you get my meaning.  But they are 2+ decades old, so no idea where they came from - surprised they still work actually.

4731

Living Room / Re: New Desktop - Super Easy OS Upgrade

« Last post by 4wd on August 29, 2010, 09:22 PM »

You can install whatever version of Win7 you like, (except Enterprise), from any normal Win7 install disk, (not sure about upgrade DVDs) - I've done it with a Win7HP DVD and it worked fine.

All you need to do is modify or delete the file that tells the installer what to install by default - once that is done you will be presented with a list of Win7 OSes you can install from that DVD.

4732

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by 4wd on August 28, 2010, 11:29 PM »

If you want step-by-step instructions then I don't think it's going to get much more step-by-step than Lee Indy's tutorial - all 48 steps at one step per page, (makes me want to chew my arm off but hey ).

-4wd (August 26, 2010, 12:40 PM)

*now* I understand about the chewing the arm off comment - is he trying to maximise his advertising views or what... Ironically the layout makes it very difficult to follow & he often has comments before the Step ## instructions which I didnt notice for a while..

-tomos (August 28, 2010, 02:57 PM)

Yeah, I know he is trying to help people but honestly 48 pages!?

4 or 5 steps per page would have made it a much better experience IMO - even with the advertising, (most of which is blocked via Adblock or Outpost here anyway).

4733

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by 4wd on August 26, 2010, 12:40 PM »

@tomos:

You don't mention what version of XP is on either machine, the workgroup designation depends on the version of XP you're using, the defaults are:
XP Home - MSHOME
XP Pro    - WORKGROUP

You'll need matching workgroups if you want to be able to easily compare directories side-by-side or use a program like Beyond Compare or WinMerge, (while they can take an IP address, it is easier if you can browse to the respective directories that you want to compare using Windows Explorer).

If you want step-by-step instructions then I don't think it's going to get much more step-by-step than Lee Indy's tutorial - all 48 steps at one step per page, (makes me want to chew my arm off but hey ).

I've walked through them and it looks very simple to follow, pictures are included where necessary - there's also a tutorial for connecting via a router.

No offence but considering your level of expertise in this, after finishing transferring/comparing files/directories I would recommend you unshare ALL directories (folders) you might have shared from the respective systems.  (You really only have to share folders on one system and just use the other to browse/copy any files/folders.)

If your firewall is proving to block the connection then there is also tutorials on how to turn the most popular ones off here.  REMEMBER to turn it back on BEFORE connecting to the internet.

EDIT: He seems to be relying on APIPA, (169.254.x.x), addresses to be assigned by default, (to save the reader from delving into network settings), as such it can take 2-3 minutes before they are assigned - the amount of time XP takes to decide there really is no 'outside' world

EDIT: Boy my grammar goes to pot sometimes - corrected.

4734

General Software Discussion / Re: wireless (wifi) network connection manager with saved profiles

« Last post by 4wd on August 25, 2010, 12:22 AM »

Found another one hiding on my pc: Eusing Free IP Switcher

4735

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 7 + NAS drive := major suckage

« Last post by 4wd on August 23, 2010, 07:21 PM »

Anyway, sounds like a weird problem - I do suspect that it's the NAS drive that has some quirks rather than Win7, but weird it certainly is. Tried running a chkdsk on the partition?

-f0dder (August 23, 2010, 01:02 PM)

Good point, I just had 3 files on my DNS-313 that I couldn't modify/delete/update and it was because there was a disk error.  chkdsk fixed it but then I just reformatted it anyway.

@tranglos: Since it's affecting all methods of copying files perhaps the firmware update has reset something on the DNS-323, like character encoding:

I created a file named     Abc„def”  – ghi « jklm.htm  ( your file name example ) on my C: drive  and copied ( context menu ) to the NAS. 
It copied without a problem

-ljbirns (August 22, 2010, 06:58 PM)

Tried the same thing, it worked fine.

4736

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 7 + NAS drive := major suckage

« Last post by 4wd on August 22, 2010, 08:02 PM »

I do think Win7 has something to do with it, because I did not have the problem under XP, only 2 weeks ago. The NAS drive is D-link DNS-323. What's even weirder, those clobbered filenames on the NAS are even more trouble than I thought: they cannot be renamed (read error). They can be copied back and deleted, but not renamed. The wonders!

-tranglos (August 22, 2010, 05:57 PM)

Works fine here for my D-Link DNS-313.  I don't map the drive, just browse to it via Explorer, (not normally used), or ftp via DOpus, (my normal method of access).



Normally all files copied to the DNS-313 are done by SyncBackSE using SAMBA access but they can all be viewed as full filenames without any access problems.

Perhaps you should try disabling 8.3 names on NTFS partitions?  (One of the first things I do after a new install.)

Set HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation to 1 and then reboot as per information here.  (Take note of the warnings associated with the value - I've never had a problem but YMMV.)

4737

General Software Discussion / Re: wireless (wifi) network connection manager with saved profiles

« Last post by 4wd on August 20, 2010, 08:10 PM »

There's also NetSetMan, both a freeware and paid, (Pro), version.

I've also got MultiNetwork Manager which I believe came from GAOTD, they then offered an update to v9 later for free, which I took them up on.

But being a bit lazy I use neither, it was easier to just change the settings for the adapter and set some shares for the 2-3 places I took my computer.

Addendum: You can still get a free license for MultiNetwork Manager 9 using the instructions here.  Just tried it and it worked.

4738

General Software Discussion / Re: Shut down scheduler

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 11:55 PM »

Sooo... Which term is proper to describe what most ISPs are currently placing a cap on? E.g., my ISP - Comcast - tells me there is a bandwidth cap of 250 GB/month.

-J-Mac (August 19, 2010, 10:06 PM)

You have a monthly download, (they could also count upload data, some ISPs do), data quota of 250GB, after downloading that amount they will reduce your bandwidth from, to give an Australian example, ADSL2+ to 256kb/s or even 0kb/s.  When your next monthly billing period starts they return you to the bandwidth transfer rate you've paid for.

In Australia ISPs rarely refer to it as a Bandwidth Cap; it's Monthly Data Allowance/Amount, Monthly Included Data, etc, to indicate a definite limit.  After that you are either shaped, (bandwidth reduction), or billed per MB/GB.

There was much 'annoyance' at ISPs here advertising Unlimited monthly downloads and then in small print saying you'd be subject to bandwidth shaping to 64kb/s or 128kb/s.  Technically, you still have unlimited download capability it's just a lot slower.
IIRC, it was deemed false advertising saying Unlimited when they clearly do limit you at some point.  Consequently, Unlimited now means Unlimited.......but at a price.

They also advise that customers who download a lot of movies use a tremendous amount of bandwidth. Is that a true statement? And if so, is that because they use a lot of data transfer speed? Or because of the amount of data being downloaded?

The first statement is sufficiently ambiguous to be used in both the correct and incorrect context of bandwidth.

If there is someone downloading movies 24/7 and Comcast' load balancing is 'poor' then that person might well be using a lot of the available bandwidth at the expense of other users.  In which case they should throttle his bandwidth at that point to allow a fairer apportionment of total available bandwidth.
They do it for Bittorrent protocol all the time here in Australia.

Technically, since you probably don't have a bandwidth of 250GB/s there's no way they can cap your usage.  But you might as well beat your head against a brick wall than try and convince a robot at the end of the phone that their terminology is wrong.

4739

Living Room / Re: How difficult/feasible to do a desktop virtualization of my home PC?

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 08:48 PM »

You can patch both Vista HP and 7 HP to allow RDP Host to work:

Vista HP
Windows 7 HP

I've done it to my install of W7HP x64 and it works fine, (apart from sound but not a problem for me).  Haven't tried Vista because I don't have it.

All the usual warnings apply: You screw it up, it's your fault.

4740

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 9

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 01:00 PM »

Thanks 4wd. I think it must have been longer than that because that was shown to me back in 2007 .....

-J-Mac (August 19, 2010, 12:29 PM)

Probably was, time becomes more fluid when you're retired

I think their wording could use some work. The one statement seems pretty unambigous; "on a single computer". I certainly consider my laptop a computer.

-edbro (August 19, 2010, 12:33 PM)

If you only have laptops then I guess you can install a Single license on two laptops you own, (in theory).  I've a Dual license and have it installed on my desktop and my two laptops.

4741

General Software Discussion / Re: Shut down scheduler

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 12:17 PM »

Are there any downloaders that use less bandwidth or any way to dl using less bandwidth for the poor folks like myself that get throttled by their isp?

-complearning123 (August 19, 2010, 06:58 AM)

No, there isn't.  Regardless of how slow or how fast you download "something", that "something" takes up the same amount of bandwidth.

-skwire (August 19, 2010, 09:37 AM)

I do wish people would stop referring to data allocation as bandwidth^w.

In website hosting, the term "bandwidth" is often incorrectly used to describe the amount of data transferred to or from the website or server within a prescribed period of time, for example bandwidth consumption accumulated over a month measured in gigabytes per month. The more accurate phrase used for this meaning of a maximum amount of data transfer each month or given period is monthly data transfer.

You get throttled when you use up your data allocation for the month, ie. your available bandwidth, (transfer rate), is reduced.

If you set a download at 20kB/s it does not take the same bandwidth as one at 150kB/s.  However, the amount of data transferred will be the same, it will just take longer.

The difference is the same as the one between Speed, (Bandwidth), and Distance, (Data Allocation).

4742

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 9

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 12:06 PM »

I don't think it has changed and I don't think multi installs are authorized. You can buy a single license or a dual license. The dual license obviously costs more but you can then install on 2 machines.

From their site:

The single install Licence allows you to install Directory Opus on a single computer.

-edbro (August 19, 2010, 10:56 AM)

The license changed a year or two ago.  See here:

Please Note:

* Multiple-install licences are only for use at a single site. The use of Opus at multiple sites requires purchase of separate licences for each site. Volume site discounts are available - please contact sales for details.
* Single, Dual and Five Install Licence packs include one free personal laptop Licence for the registered owner. In addition to the number of licensed installs the registered owner may install Opus on a single, personal laptop owned by the registered user.

* Emphasis by me.

4743

General Software Discussion / Re: Shut down scheduler

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 07:55 AM »

Are there any downloaders that use less bandwidth or any way to dl using less bandwidth for the poor folks like myself that get throttled by their isp?

-complearning123 (August 19, 2010, 06:58 AM)

I don't know of any download managers that don't allow you to set the maximum transfer rate.

eg. Wellget, (an oldie but still my favourite), has 3 modes: Unlimited, Automatic and Manual.

Manual mode will limit transfer rate to what you specify here.

4744

General Software Discussion / Re: Shut down scheduler

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2010, 06:39 AM »

It sounds to me like the problem is that the sites the OP is downloading from do not accept the multiple connections that download managers tend to use - thus the Shutdown-on-finish won't work because he can't use DAP with its multiple connections.

However, some download managers allow you specify sites where the number of connections will be restricted, (ie. to one), Orbit is one of them and I think FDM can also do it.

I know I have used Orbit without any problems on fileshare sites, you can also have it identify itself as a browser, (IIRC - haven't needed to use it recently).

Otherwise, if you want to keep your current downloader then have a look at DShutdown which can be triggered when your WAN transfer rate drops below a certain level as well as at a certain time.

4745

Living Room / Re: ultimate insult from fraudulent ebay seller tries to sell me iPhone 4

« Last post by 4wd on August 16, 2010, 12:46 PM »

Paypal has the option to send one time login codes to a mobile phone, (SMS), US$5 cheaper than ordering another gizmo you need to cart around.

That said, I do have one of their Key cards since their SMS would not send me a code no matter how many times I told it to - maybe it had to do with me not being in my home country at the time.
Even though my bank uses the same method, (SMS code), and it works perfectly anywhere on the planet I can get a signal.

paypal has an incredibly cool hardware security key that generates one-time-use login codes; it's like a $5 onetime fee and i love mine.

-mouser (August 16, 2010, 10:20 AM)

Also, it isn't a onetime fee, it's US$5 per Key - they have a life of around 2 years.  Whereas the SMS to your phone shouldn't cost anything.

Don't forget to activate it for use with your ebay account too.



You can also log in a little faster by entering your normal password followed by the code at the password prompt, (eg. password123456).  This works for Paypal and ebay.

4746

Living Room / Re: Lists of Forums with help on home contractor problems (roof, heating, etc.)

« Last post by 4wd on August 14, 2010, 05:48 AM »

In Australia we have to do a 4 year apprenticeship and our work has to be to a pretty good standard to pass.

-Fred Nerd (August 14, 2010, 04:13 AM)

Now if only they taught the buggers that you don't need to broadcast a radio for a 500 metre radius because you'll never hear it over the power tools anyway.

Apologies if you are the exception.

4747

General Software Discussion / Re: Which archive software are we using in 2010 (and why)?

« Last post by 4wd on August 11, 2010, 04:47 AM »

WinRAR for rar archives for really only one reason - the ability to keep broken files.  Something no other archiver I've tried seems to be able to do, is it really that hard to not have the program delete temporary files?

Otherwise, I use IZArc2Go because it can handle some archives that WinRAR can't and I generally create zip archives using DOpus, (or IZArcCC from a button in DOpus).

4748

General Software Discussion / Re: Anyone have a nice, clean XP theme that I can download?

« Last post by 4wd on August 10, 2010, 07:23 PM »

I do like what you've done on the left there..what is that, by the way?  Are those drives?  Did you just take the drive buttons and stack them vertically?

-superboyac (August 10, 2010, 12:17 PM)

Just drag the appropriate toolbar to wherever you'd like it in the lister - you need to make sure the toolbar drag bars are turned on.

it looks like you have a couple of things there that are not drives.  how did you do that?

See my post here for my drive toolbar which adds things that aren't drives.

EDIT: To turn on toolbar drag bars you need to unlock the toolbars, ie. Right-click on a vacant spot on a toolbar and untick 'Lock the Toolbars'.

4749

General Software Discussion / Re: Best app ore method to restore a Win7 system? (not a disk image)

« Last post by 4wd on August 07, 2010, 11:54 PM »

Another thread hijack:

I thought I'd try Shark007's codec pack since it seemed people were saying good things about it........stupid me, (will I never learn?) 

A file that before installation I had no trouble playing in MPC-HC, no longer would play the video even though MPC-HC is set to use it's internal filters.

The config interface for Shark007's codec pack is confusing compared to ffdshow, IMO, or maybe I'm just used to ffdshow.

So, after all of 20 minutes Shark007 got removed and I went back to XviD 1.22 (x86) and ffdshow x64 - and everything works again.

Codec packs - BAH!

4750

General Software Discussion / Re: Media players

« Last post by 4wd on August 05, 2010, 09:50 AM »

-thanks, 4wd 

-Curt (August 05, 2010, 02:25 AM)

No problem - I just found where I picked up a later build.

Nightly builds are available from XhmikosR >here< - use the msvc2008 builds.