Random Questions

[Crokey]

Also, what would the specs be on a ideal rig for DOS gaming?

I want it to be able to run at least the first system shock while still being slow enough for even older games.

I'm going to save myself a huge amount of time here, I'll just post the minimum Specs for Windows 98, since by this time DOS was effectively out of date and the minimum specs were about that for high end DOS Games.

 

 

Before Purchasing Windows 98

 

System Requirements

Before purchasing Windows 98, customers should make sure that their computer meets the minimum hardware requirements for running Windows 98. The minimum requirements include:

486DX 66 MHz or better processor (Pentium recommended)

16 megabytes (MB) of memory (24 MB recommended)

120 MB minimum of free hard-disk space (Note that typical installation requires approximately 195 MB of free hard-disk space, but may range between 120 MB to 295 MB, depending

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive

Display adapter and monitor that support VGA or higher resolution

Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.

 

But to add to that I would also add on a Sound Blaster 16 Pro

[poopskin]

Actually, wouldn't a Roland MT-32 be better?

[Crokey]

Actually, wouldn't a Roland MT-32 be better?

It's your call, but Sound Blasters were generally more universal.

[poopskin]

Huh.

MT32 has the advantage of making my ears come

Adlib/soundblaster is more commonplace.

Suppose i should go with the MT32, after all, i intend to install a lot of sierra/lucasarts adventure games.

[Ronnyboy]

Quick, idiot question.

 

How can I change my default browser back to FireFox3?

[Superfly.]

 

Quick, idiot question.

 

How can I change my default browser back to FireFox3?

In Firefox -> Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> 'General' Tab -> 'System Defaults' Section -> Check Now.

[Ronnyboy]

Quick, idiot question.

 

How can I change my default browser back to FireFox3?

In Firefox -> Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> 'General' Tab -> 'System Defaults' Section -> Check Now.

Thanks man, I had it set to Safari, but I am enjoying FireFox more.

[poopskin]

sometimes, when my computer goes into sleep mode i can't wake it up and have to reboot it...why is this happening?

[Girish]

sometimes, when my computer goes into sleep mode i can't wake it up and have to reboot it...why is this happening?

Control Panel > Power Options. Check what power scheme you have and whether you have turned on system standby.

[gtamodder]

Each time I plug something into the USB Sockets on the front of my PC, my PC reboots. It just started today. The ones on the back, work fine, but I need to use the ones on the front for some other things.

 

What could have made this happen? Everything looks fine inside, and I'm sure the USB sockets on the front are fine.

[Rebel]

So I've come to install XP SP2, on this PC being as it has SP1 right now. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that I have nothing to back up files with/nor will I have any in the future. So if I do install this update, will it get rid of everything on the hard drive? Or am I safe enough to install it now and have all the files I had before I installed SP2.

[Girish]

So I've come to install XP SP2, on this PC being as it has SP1 right now. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that I have nothing to back up files with/nor will I have any in the future. So if I do install this update, will it get rid of everything on the hard drive? Or am I safe enough to install it now and have all the files I had before I installed SP2.

Your files are safe. It'll just upgrade your Windows folder. The rest of the folders (Documents and Settings, Program Files, etc.) will remain as they are.

[Rebel]

So I've come to install XP SP2, on this PC being as it has SP1 right now. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that I have nothing to back up files with/nor will I have any in the future. So if I do install this update, will it get rid of everything on the hard drive? Or am I safe enough to install it now and have all the files I had before I installed SP2.

Your files are safe. It'll just upgrade your Windows folder. The rest of the folders (Documents and Settings, Program Files, etc.) will remain as they are.

Cheers Girish, saved me a lot of hassle, and well hopefully it should let my Ipod Touch work now.

[Attorney General]

OK, so I'm browsing a topic a minute ago and I go to scroll up using the scroll wheel on my mouse. Immediately, everything in the window shrinks(text, smilies, avatars, etc.) I scroll back down and it enlarges. I click a spot on the page and a small blue box appears, I click a user;s name and a different blue box appears around it. Then I X out the window and open a new one only to find that everything is smaller now(text, images, etc.). It seems that GTAF is the only site that's been affected. Can anyone tell me what the hell I did? I'd appreciate it.

 

If it's relevant, I use firefox and my operating system is Vista. Thanks!!

[Crokey]

I know if you hold down Control and use the mouse wheel it will shrink/enlarge, but it seems strange that it's just GTAF it's affecting. Try clearing your cookies for this site and then log back in and see if it's still happening.

[Attorney General]

I know if you hold down Control and use the mouse wheel it will shrink/enlarge, but it seems strange that it's just GTAF it's affecting. Try clearing your cookies for this site and then log back in and see if it's still happening.

I must have had control pushed down. I held it again, one roll up and I'm good to go.

 

Thanks a lot, man! I appreciate your help.

[Archaon, Lord of End Times]

Got a problem needs solving. My PC has become very slow operating lately. It's not infected with spyware cause I perform regular scans. It's been saying that my virtual memory is low, which I believe is the cause of it's slow speed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Democrab]

Got a problem needs solving. My PC has become very slow operating lately. It's not infected with spyware cause I perform regular scans. It's been saying that my virtual memory is low, which I believe is the cause of it's slow speed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Need more RAM or extra Page File (Are you on XP or Vista? I can't remember how to get there in XP, just search "Increase Page File" and you'll find something)

[Crokey]

Got a problem needs solving. My PC has become very slow operating lately. It's not infected with spyware cause I perform regular scans. It's been saying that my virtual memory is low, which I believe is the cause of it's slow speed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

When was the last time you ran a defrag, as you could do with probably running one. but it also seems like you pagefile is a little fragmented, so you could do with obtaining a copy of Perfectdisk 2008 as this will defrag your pagefile as well as doing a much better job that your basic Microsoft Defrag.

 

Also check that you pagefile is set to about 1.5x your physical RAM, Right Click My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance/Settings > Advance Tab and then see what it's set to there.

[Slamman]

Normally I skip this, but to avoid a new thead... This laptop I'm on is dependant upon the Network locater of Windows itself, even with the Wifi PC Card driver installed. It locates the Networks it finds and I click the connect prompt box... It goes to work with the back and forth graphics bar...I switch to my open browser then and I can surf. However, it never fully opens or connects to the signal and I think there is something hampering it... it works fine on my other laptops! This is a C610 model Dell Latitude, the Wifi card is Linksys.

 

If I upload to YouTube or there is upgrades they get cut off and most often you are starting over again! It's a major headache

[poopskin]

Holy crap.

the my documents folder is responsible for about 60 gigs of stuff on my hard drive. i know it's not the main downloads folder that's the problem, that's only responsible for about 10 gigs.

[Crokey]

Holy crap.

the my documents folder is responsible for about 60 gigs of stuff on my hard drive. i know it's not the main downloads folder that's the problem, that's only responsible for about 10 gigs.

...and what's the question or is it a random statement. Just delete a load of stuff or get an external (or internal if it's a desktop) Hard Drive and dump your stuff that you don't use onto that. Or back it up to CD/DVD/Blu-Ray* (*whatever device you have)

 

@Slamman: Is it an 802.1a,b+g card or an 802.1a,b card if it's the non-g version then it's not a hi-speed device, it could be that there is other interference from other devices inside the laptop (that's unfixable) but what you could do is a cheap alternative and get a small sheet of metal (or baking foil wrapped neatly over card, shiny side out) and bend it around your wireless receiver in a 'u' pattern with the 'mouth' of it facing in the general direction of your laptop or area where your laptop(s) will be. It does sound very kooky but it does work.

[Pat]

I've got an MSN related question.

 

Recently, every time I've tried to send a handwritten message, it's told me "To use Handwriting, you may need to update or install software. For details on enabling or hiding the Handwriting feature, click Help." So, I clicked Help, and downloaded the files that it told me to install. I installed them, restarted MSN, and tried to send a handwritten message. I was greeted by the same window.

 

So... what am I supposed to do?

[poopskin]

Know what i don't get? i know that CDs and DVDs are slowly being phazed out in favor of MP3 players and HD-DVD Blu-ray, but i'm slightly unsettled by this for some reason. it may be that i have more blank CDs that i know what to do with, it may be that i'm used to them...Heck, buying 100 Blank CDs/DVDs and a CD player with headphones is cheaper then a iPod...Does anyone know why?

 

Also, i really wish MP3s were tangible...Can't accidentally delete a CD.

Edited September 22, 2008 by poopskin

[Jay]

Any recommendations for a replacement for ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite that just had it's trial period end?

 

idk if I had a paid version before, but before I downloaded this upgrade it never prompted me to buy it. Now I'm using an old version (6.5 or something) and now that is giving me a trial version.

[Crokey]

I'd recommend using Comodo Free Firewall for your firewall obviously, it's fairly easy to set up and you don't get many requests from it, although it doesn't have a Program Scanner to scan for Internet Enabled programs, but after a couple of days normal use those messages almost disappear, plus it doesn't crash a lot like Zone Alarm does. And it's actually a better firewall that 95% of the paid ones.

 

Then use either AVG, Avast or Avira for your Virus needs, I did use AVG for a while but it's been crap since they did version 8.0 so I've switched to Avira (thanks to Guybrush for the pointer), it's a harmless little program that doesn't crash and sits there nicely, Avast can be be very slow on scans.

[Kimd41]

Do you guys think the HD3870 is any good? I just found that I can get one from my loccal city's shop for 70 € . I heard they're a little less powerfull than 8800GT's but handle most games. I think it's a good deal, what do you guys think? Also, will my 400w PSU be enough for it?

 

 

EDIT: It's full name is "SVGA PCIE 512MB ATI GIGABYTE HD3870 GDDR3"

Edited September 24, 2008 by Kimd41

[matthew1g]

Don't know about the PSU, I think it's a bit too low for both cards... the 3870 is an okay card.. but if you can find a cheap 4850, then get that since it's better than both cards you mentioned.

 

 

I have a small question.. Are there any applications one would recommend for small time ( home ) account keeping, i could use on my pc?

 

 

I could use excel, but opening accounts on that is a big pain in the arse.. even if I want to edit something or add some entries to an account.. it would mess up the whole layout.I need something that has the layout ready for me to use, and only requires me to enter the type of account and data in it.

 

 

thanks

Edited September 26, 2008 by matthew1g

[Girish]

@matthew1g: Have you tried this online account keeper: *https://www.expensr.com/

 

Then there's also Quicken, but it's not free.

[matthew1g]

Thanks for the recommendations.. tried that online website..got all my accounts set with values and everything..

 

is it normal for the thing to take ages to load after the first usage? (it's been loading for the past 5 minutes now!)