Random Questions...

[XMike]

Hey, I made a video and it's in .wmp format. How would I get it to play on a DVD disc?

[HUEY HOG]

I would like to free up some ram but I don't know what programs need to be running plus I don't know how to stop or remove them. I have a pic of the processes that are running from start up. I have windows XP home, Norton internet security, IE7, wallpaper changer Sound max, nvidia.

[TenaciousD.]

OK, got a new PC today and I was just going through My Computer when I noticed this, the HDD only had 30GB and the DATA has 110GB. Right now everything saves into HDD (games etc.) but soon I'm gonna want to switch to the DATA because it has the most room. Anyone know how I can change it so all new Programs save into the DATA area.

 

 

Also DATA only has the folders "Documents and Settings" and "22739ab788a37c1fdef1e8" whatever that is.

 

Would I be able to move the Program Files into DATA is pretty much what I'm asking.

[Crokey]

@TD: Yes you can use the D: drive to store the 'Program Files' directory, although you shouldn't just move the files there, you'll have to reinstall everything there from scratch so your Registry can 'record' it as being there, I did this myself on an old system which had multiple HDD's in them, the Windows directory was really the only bit of software on the C: drive as Documents and Settings (Well documents) were on a seperate drive with shortcuts to the new drive/folders in the 'My Documents' desktop section (if that made sense)

 

When you do re-install eveything, most installation programs ask you to select your installation directory, which is when you specify the 'D:\Program Files' drive, you might have to choose 'Custom' installation or 'Advance', it depends on the installation. Some games and programs might want to store things in your My Documents folder, for example San Andreas will want to save 'savegames' to your My Documents but since the My Documents part is already on the D: drive the system should default/redirect any references My Documents to the D: drive. If it doesn't then check back here and see if we can help out there, it could just be that some programs/games are stubborn and don't like a change in drive

 

As for '22739ab788a37c1fdef1e8', it could be a temp directory, check it for any contents if it's empty it should be ok delete it, if any program is looking for it it will no doubt recreate the folder again for it's purposes. If it has data in it then do a google search using a sample of the programs/files in there to see if they are vital system components or temp files or backup files

 

To sumise, yes you can use the D: drive for Program Files, but you'll have to reinstall and specify them to install on the D: drive, do not move them, or the windows directory will not be able to find them

 

Once done, don't forget to run a registry cleaner, defrag, anti-virus, anti spam etc to keep everything nice and clean.... PS the defrag can be very important, as my old defragging software was getting on a bit, until I tried a new bit of kit and now my system runs like new

 

NEXT

 

@HUEY HOG: The best advice I can offer you, is search on google using the exact name of the process running in task manager and there are several sites out there which tell you the importance of each file, ignore the ones which want you to install some 'magical' bit of kit which can 'solve all your problems' as you'll just end up with more problems, or less money, some files aren't that nessesary to run while some are extremely vital and should not be messed with. For example you've got several instances of 'svchost.exe' running DO NOT stop them, same for 'alg.exe' Whereas 'jusched.exe' is not critical and is an auto-update program for Sun's Java, which to be honest you don't need to keep that up-to-date with As with most drivers and plugins, you're best setting aside a little time each month to check that all these things are up-to-date, like Graphics Drivers, Sound Drivers, Virus definitions, Windows Updates, Flash plugins, Java Plugins, your favorite programs etc

 

CAUTION: Before you attempt any of this for which I'm about to explain, set a System Restore point in case you stop a vital program/instance. If the first reboot after doing alterations are unsuccessful reboot and press F5 before the little windows logo with the loading bar comes up and you should get a set of options one of which should be 'Last Known Good Configuration' this should set things back again to before you made any alterations. The System Restore point is an extra layer security should you need it. Do not undertake this lightly, I only say this to cover my own butt and to let you know what you're getting yourself in for... don't worry its not that bad, and in the long run could free up a little more RAM

 

Before I begin, remember to ask your self if you really want those little programs like 'wallpaper changers', which I find a little gimiky and hog resources, if you don't want them uninstall them first. And check a couple of sites for the opinions of files/processes, if the process is deemed to be 'Vital' do not touch it, if the process is dependant on various applications running decide of you really need that program running from the start, some programs/services start from boot-up out of conveinance as opposed to nessesity, for example 'reader_sl.exe' is only needed to start-up Adobe PDF reader a little quicker, and if you rarely use PDF's then don't bother with it, and it's not required to for the program to function properly anyways so it is pretty useless to have it running

 

Once you know what programs/services/ to stop then go to Start>Run> then type 'msconfig' (without quotation marks), this will bring up the System Configuration Utility, the Services and Startup tabs will be the ones you need. Each process will be listed here and you can uncheck all those you don't want to run, once you've done that restart your machine and logon as usual, if you get any messages about programs not being able to work because a service or program hasn't started, don't worry all is not lost as you can go back into 'msconfig' and re-enable them, and then they'll reload next time you reboot. You'll also get a message saying that you've changed services etc and a little radio button saying don't show this again on startup and an OK button, don't check the box and OK it until you're satisfied with the new settings, you can however OK it get rid of the message while you tweek things a little further, then when you're happy reboot and logon on then check the box and OK it.

 

You may find that some programs don't work becuase you've disabled the service which it needs, just simply go back into 'msconfig' and renable the service it requires. Once again do not undertake this lightly, if you are unsure about a program/service do not stop it, lean towards safety, it's not a novice thing to do this.

 

Once done, run things like a registry cleaner, defrag, anti-virus, anti-spam etc, just to make things a little tidier.

 

NEXT

 

@mathew1g: Q:'In terms of performance what is better, getting 2 DDR2 memory sticks of 1gb each or one stick of 2gb? '

A: It's six and two threes really, it can depend on speed on the RAM, if they are the same then it's really a case of making provision for future RAM expansion and what your systems Maximum RAM allowance is, if you want to expand then get a single stick of 2Gb, if not get two 1Gb sticks. Also go to Crucial.com for the system checker as your system might require that you install RAM in pairs, in which case this would mean two 1Gb sticks.

 

EDIT:

@xmikester: Do you have any CD Wrting software like Nero or Roxio installed, as this would help for an answer

 

Edited December 26, 2006 by Gareth Croke

[mobb098a]

ok this seems too good to be true i have a amd64 bit 4000+ and it "runs" at 21c idle and 25c max im using a cheep thermaltake tr2-r1 fan cooler i think the thermal sensor is dead or is it a really good processor im confused because allot of people say that amd's get really hot theres no performance problems just i think that my bios's thermal monitor is sayin bs

[Lost-Fender]

I just have a little question:

 

I downloaded some themes from DeviantArt.com for Mozilla Firefox. These are .ZIP files. How do you use/load the themes into Firefox?

[TenaciousD.]

Thanks Gareth, got it sorted now

[facugaich]

@HUEY DOG: Follow Gareth Croke's advice, but instead of using 'msconfig' to disable services (it's ok to disable startup programs through it) use 'services.msc'. I read somewhere that it was better to do it that way... don't remember where. Also here's a little guide to know which services to disable.

[Loman]

I just have a little question:

 

I downloaded some themes from DeviantArt.com for Mozilla Firefox. These are .ZIP files. How do you use/load the themes into Firefox?

First unzip the file so you have the .jar file, then, in firefox, click Tools" on the menu and choose "Add-ons", then select the Themes tab. Next, just drag the .jar file onto the themes list and it should install

[_-playero-_]

@TD: Yes you can use the D: drive to store the 'Program Files' directory, although you shouldn't just move the files there, you'll have to reinstall everything there from scratch so your Registry can 'record' it as being there, I did this myself on an old system which had multiple HDD's in them, the Windows directory was really the only bit of software on the C: drive as Documents and Settings (Well documents) were on a seperate drive with shortcuts to the new drive/folders in the 'My Documents' desktop section (if that made sense)

 

When you do re-install eveything, most installation programs ask you to select your installation directory, which is when you specify the 'D:\Program Files' drive, you might have to choose 'Custom' installation or 'Advance', it depends on the installation. Some games and programs might want to store things in your My Documents folder, for example San Andreas will want to save 'savegames' to your My Documents but since the My Documents part is already on the D: drive the system should default/redirect any references My Documents to the D: drive. If it doesn't then check back here and see if we can help out there, it could just be that some programs/games are stubborn and don't like a change in drive.

 

You can also use a Junction Link. This way you wont have to reinstall anything and it will be as easy as moving the files.

 

Just let me know or use google.

[vALKYR]

My PC is screwing with my happyness:

 

Monday it started with crashing in iTunes, then it got worse with crashing every 10 minutes ... and with crashing it mean that not even the mouse and keyboard do ANYTHING at all. No hardware activity, nothing at all, it just sits there.

 

So I first killed off the drivers (NVIDA, 93.71) and then it stopped doing funny, I formated my C:/ Partition anyway to be on the safe side and just now I removed my camera from the USB Connection without doing the funny hardware removing thingy and guess what: total crash once again.

 

Normally, when I just plug off a USB stick or so it just screams omg bad bad ur stick will now explode but this time the thing just totally flips.

 

Any ideas?

[Lost-Fender]

I just have a little question:

 

I downloaded some themes from DeviantArt.com for Mozilla Firefox. These are .ZIP files. How do you use/load the themes into Firefox?

First unzip the file so you have the .jar file, then, in firefox, click Tools" on the menu and choose "Add-ons", then select the Themes tab. Next, just drag the .jar file onto the themes list and it should install

The problem is that inside the .ZIP file there are no .JAR files, but lots of many files: images, XML's and other stuff...

[Lawley]

I got a quick question, is it normal for my radeon x800 pci(e) to be running at x8, and not x16, i have a crossfire board, with only 1 card atm, and am not getting a very good performance, if its meant to be running at 16x how do i change it.

 

Motherboard - Asus A8R-MVP

CPU - AMD 64 3200+

Ram - Dual Channel Geil DDR400 3200

Graphics - Sapphire Radeon x800

 

EDIT: NVM i sorted it i hadnt inserted the MVP switch that came with my motherboard this swaps it from crossfire mode to single gpu mode.=).

 

 

 

One thing though, is it allright to use the same thermal paste from my CPU and use it on my graphics card heatsink? as i still have some left over.

Edited December 28, 2006 by Lawley

[MMFF]

I recently got the Sims 2. When I try to play it, it lags a lot. It will run smooth for little bits at a time, but mostly lags. I'm not very computer savy, so I want to know what could be the problem. I think it is a lack of ram.

 

The Sims 2 system requirements say I need 256 MB of Ram. When I click on control panel and then system it says I have 224 MB of Ram. That means I am 32 MBs short. If I was to buy this would that make the game run smoothly?

[Edmachine]

Simple question. From where does the sound comes? In my PC. Those DOS sounds. From where they come?

[Brutuz]

Simple question. From where does the sound comes? In my PC. Those DOS sounds. From where they come?

You have a small speaker in you computer that is either in your case or hanging off your mobo

 

 

I recently got the Sims 2. When I try to play it, it lags a lot. It will run smooth for little bits at a time, but mostly lags. I'm not very computer savy, so I want to know what could be the problem. I think it is a lack of ram.

 

The Sims 2 system requirements say I need 256 MB of Ram. When I click on control panel and then system it says I have 224 MB of Ram. That means I am 32 MBs short. If I was to buy this would that make the game run smoothly?

 

It ain't the RAM, I have The Sims 2 as well and you obviously have 256Mbs of RAM, just you have a Internal Graphics card, which uses the RAM as its GRAM, so get a Graphics Card and it shouldn't lag as much, PM me with your Mobo's details, like whether it has PCI-E or AGP

[San Andreas Nut]

Ok Im getting an external HDD for my music, movies etc. can you guys recommed any?

 

probably just get one off ebay but if you highly recommend one post me a link.

 

one question, someone once told me you cant run games off an external HDD, is this true?

 

thanks!

[|Zephyr|]

Ok Im getting an external HDD for my music, movies etc. can you guys recommed any?

 

probably just get one off ebay but if you highly recommend one post me a link.

 

one question, someone once told me you cant run games off an external HDD, is this true?

 

thanks!

With my external I bought a hard drive then an enclosure ... it was a lot cheaper when I didn it, not sure about now ... suppose it depends on size etc ...

 

... yes you can run the games from an external btw ... its just another hard drive, after all ....

[San Andreas Nut]

Ok Im getting an external HDD for my music, movies etc. can you guys recommed any?

 

probably just get one off ebay but if you highly recommend one post me a link.

 

one question, someone once told me you cant run games off an external HDD, is this true?

 

thanks!

With my external I bought a hard drive then an enclosure ... it was a lot cheaper when I didn it, not sure about now ... suppose it depends on size etc ...

 

... yes you can run the games from an external btw ... its just another hard drive, after all ....

oh ok, yeah my dad is actually giving me his 120gb external I found out today so I dont have to buy one but If I need more space further down the track I'll upgrade, can I install games onto the external? to save space on my regular HDD?

[Edmachine]

I have a Maxtor external HD. It is connectable with internet connection. I think that means that anyone can use it. But I don't think that I would be able to write anything in it, because 1: it hasn't got any OS. 2: It isn't connected to my computer, only to a router and to electricity. Though I am not sure if it connected to my router.

[San Andreas Nut]

this is kinda urgent, I have seinfeld dvds that i want to copy, when I put them in my dvd drive it makes clicking sounds and i can hear it spinning trying to read it but it cant, the dvds have some scratchs & blemishes but none are deep..

 

how do i get it to read & recognize?

[GTAThomas]

The old peanut butter or toothpaste trick? If you're going to copy them anyways... Last resort? Worked for my MK3.

[_-playero-_]

I've been having random BSOD for some days know, but usually I'm not using my computer when they happen, I am sleeping, or somewhere else.

 

Is there anyway to see a log or something that can help me see what is causing the problem? I didn't see last BSOD cause my sister was using the comptuer, but the one before that said the problem was cause because of ext2xx.sys, which is used to read and write ex2/3 linux partitions.

 

 

[GTA fan]

Hey guys, been a while since i posted here. i was just wonderin if anyone could help me. i have two disk drives on my pc, a cd rom drive and a cd writer drive. a while ago my cd rom drive stopped working, it still showed up in my computer but if i put in a disk and tried to open it it said please insert a disk. it didnt bother me that much cause i cud still use the cd writer drive to load my disks. but now just all of a sudden when i go to my computer none of the disk drives show up and if i put in a disk nothing happens. i nevber done anything to the drives. if anyone could help me with this i would greatly appreciate it.

[Loman]

Check in "control panel>system>hardware>device manager" to see if they appear under "DVD/CD-Rom drives", if they do, right-click them and make sure they are "enabled". If that is not the issue, make sure your drivers are installed/updated (go to the manufacturer of the CD-ROMs website, they should have them). Also, make sure everything is connected tightly on the drives, inside your PC. You can get a new CD-ROM for next-to-nothing, nowadays, and DVD-burners can be bought for $50-100, if all else fails get a new one

 

Also, regarding my own problem that I posted about in this topic: it turns out that my crashes when gaming were caused by my CPU overheating. I replaced the crappy thermal paste that came with the CPU with some that is 10% silver and now there have been no crashes at all. The bad part is: I already sent the new power supply back. The one I'm using is "[email protected]", and it seems to be doing fine with my graphics card. I'm still getting a new one, though, I'm thinking about This One, but it doesn't say it's "SATA ready". I don't own a SATA hard drive, but I am thinking of getting one. How much better are they when compared to standard IDE HDDs? Also, are there adapters or anything that would allow that PSU to work with SATA?

[GTA fan]

Check in "control panel>system>hardware>device manager" to see if they appear under "DVD/CD-Rom drives", if they do, right-click them and make sure they are "enabled". If that is not the issue, make sure your drivers are installed/updated (go to the manufacturer of the CD-ROMs website, they should have them). Also, make sure everything is connected tightly on the drives, inside your PC. You can get a new CD-ROM for next-to-nothing, nowadays, and DVD-burners can be bought for $50-100, if all else fails get a new one

 

Thanks for your reply. whenever i go into device manager all the drives are there but they have a yellow exclamation mark beside them, what does this mean? i clicked update drivers but it said ait couldnt find any that is better than the software that i have.

[San Andreas Nut]

dunno where else to put this, anyone here have this phone?

 

 

 

whats the sound quality like, I heard its not too good. easy to hear ringtones? good MP3 playback?

 

 

[GTA3Freak-2001]

I am having the most stupidest problem, I can't get Windows XP to start in safe mode, you press F8 before Windows loads right? Problem is F8 sends me to the boot menu, is there some other F-key that works as a safe mode inducer?

 

I've been able to before but only when there's been a problem with Windows complaining about not shuttting down properly.

[Seddo]

@GTAFreak, i'm not the best with computers but try this link it might help you.

 

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

[GTA3Freak-2001]

@GTAFreak, i'm not the best with computers but try this link it might help you.

 

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

Yep ok I got it to come up with the safe mode screen but now my keyboard won't work in that screen so I can't choose safe mode. I guess its because my Logitech G15 keyboard heavily relies on drivers but then how come it works in the BIOS and even to let me press F8 in the first place?