Tech guys will answer your tech questions in this thread!

[cheezus]

C'mon guys. Since we're so well loved, let's give some love back. Bonus points for good tech trivia questions and answers.

[Steven_S]

1. How can I upgrade a USB 1 port to USB 2?

I have a Compaq laptop that could use a faster port. Is it just a matter of drivers?

[Salviati]

2. Nope, if you want to add usb2 ports to your laptop...

you'll need to buy a usb2 pcmcia card like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815124011

[Steven_S]

8. Thanks, guys....

No reason to put it off any longer. :)

[cheezus]

14. oh wow, that's a lot cheaper than I though it'd be

just make sure the laptop HAS pcmcia (tho the only laptop I can think of offhand that does is the iBook :) )

[cheezus]

3. You'll need a card

It's not just drivers, unfortunately. But with an empty PCI slot, a screwdriver, $20 for a card, and the willingness to open up your computer to install it, you can have usb2.0. (Seriously, adding a PCI card is FAR easier than changing the oil on your car).

EDIT: oops. you have a laptop. That makes things harder. A PC card (aka, PCMCIA card) would do it, but that'd be expensive.

[miss_kitty]

4. why doesn't my computer go into standby after the elapsed time

I have set? (xp sp1, HID disabled) Another sympton, the music does not play when I bring it out of standby (not complaining though) And sometimes it stalls coming out of standby (rarely, so far) and I have to power down and reboot. And why does my Firefox start up in processes, but not applications sometimes (1.0.4, pipelining)?

:wtf:

Thankyou

[cheezus]

5. preliminary answer, then a question

Windows sucks.

What type of power management is it, APM, or ACPI?

[DS1]

7. There it is

Windows sucks.

Windows doesn't suck. At best, your argument boils down to Microsnot making everything too easy, thus opening the doors for hackers.

Windows also supports one fuckload more devices than Macs. That right there is why Windows is tasked with a hell of a lot more work than OS X

[cheezus]

10. I was talking specifically about power management,

where windows sucks because, well, it's been made hard not too. There isn't cohesion with the hardware vendors that ensures that the specs are implemented in a compatible manner. In order to close the doors on hackers, they make it HARDER, not easier, for third party software to interact with the hardware. This makes a big difference if the hardware is made by a third party.

In fact, I'm not quite sure how it is that you boiled down my argument, since I didn't even make one. I was just offering my opinion on the effectiveness of windows without any argument behind it at all.

I never brought up Macs, but you sure seem eager to defend Microsoft against them. I, on the other hand, prefer to use whatever tool is best for the job. For some things that's Free and open source software, for some things that's the Mac, and for many others that's Windows. But in this instance, Windows doesn't do the best job. This is mostly because, as you pointed out that "windows also supports one fuckload more devices than Macs". Power management works beautifully on Macs, as you would expect from a company that has full access to a intentionally limited set of hardware AND software.

[miss_kitty]

26. How do I find out

and yes, I KNOW Windows sucks. I love my computer a Profile 4 by Gateway, and Gateway sucks as well.

And additional bit of info-my inverter board has been replaced 2x. Last time was last month, I think (Profile 4s suck-It's like being in love with a handsome man who is a total bastard) After my inverter board was changed, the standby shit worked perfectly-for about 3-4 days (It had been acting up before the inverter board was replaced).
I had loss of video 3 days after I got the new inverter board and about a week after that. :(

[miss_kitty]

27. Looks like ACPI

In system devices I have some stuff that says 'ACPI Fixed Feature Button' and 'ACPI Power Button'

[DS1]

6. What operating system are you using?

To answer why Firefox isn't showing up in applications is likely because the 'applications' window is a piece of crap.

What is your elapsed time setting?

Why would you want music to play when you bring your laptop out of standby mode?

Is your laptop hot when you touch it? I know that I'm doing some police work which involves a laptop and a logitech cam and the laptop is hidden in a place where airflow is a problem, and it's having some problems with heat.

[miss_kitty]

28. I posted that XP SP1. I know well enough to include OS type in queries :)

and i wasn't complaining about the music not being there-I nearly jam knitting needles into my ears when I realise I haven't muted the volume and I am going to have to listen to M$'s version of 'Warm Welcome." I brought it up because it is SUPPOSED to play coming out of standby, and it doesn't, which may point to a specific problem.

And it's not a laptop. Nor is it a tower. It is a profile 4



Flat screen with hard drive stuck on the back. known issue-shitty inverter board.

When it doesn't show up in 'applications' it is running (at about 16,340 K), but not accessable. When it IS accessable-that is, I can get to the internet, it runs around 27,000 K

[miss_kitty]

29. PS My elasped time setting HAS been

10 mins for screen to go dark (no fancy ass sceern saver) and 15 mins for standby. When I came back from walking the dog tonight I changed it to 5 and 10.

[MuseRider]

9. How about an easy question?

I am a computer idiot. I have had this very same problem before and somehow fixed it but now I can't. Dell computer, Firefox running. I upgraded my Firefox and now none of my DU smilies bounce or clap or peek or run away and it is bumming me out. I set to receive cookies and that did not help. I logged out then back in and that did not help. I did not change my ZoneAlarm firewall but kind of suspect that might have something to do with it. Can you help me please kind techie?

[cheezus]

12. not SO easy

I think I have a diagnosis, but I'm not positive on how to cure it. It sounds like there's something that keeps animated gifs from continuing to loop (outside of DU smilies, looping gifs are pretty annyoing). As far as how to cure this, I'm not sure. I'll do some googling and get back to you. (#1 lesson in "fixing your computer": Google is your friend :) )

[MuseRider]

15. Thank you kind techie!

Google is usually my friend but when it comes to computer tech stuff you could shove it up my nose and I still would not get it. The other graphics are working and blinking it is just the smilies apparently.

[Floogeldy]

11. Cookie/memory question.

I delete my cookies/offline content fairly regularly because, well, I hate most of the little fuckers.

However, I notice that, even after deleting them, I can go to a website that I have visited and links there upon which I have clicked are a different color, indicating that I have clicked on them in the past. How does the website know that?

Where is this information that I have clicked on a link stored on my computer?

Just curious.

Thanks,

Floog

[cheezus]

13. the WEBSITE doesn't know that, your BROWSER does

clear your history, i bet the links go back to blue

[Deja Q]

16. Fill Firefly interface with my sockets?

:rofl:

[cheezus]

19. not unless your set your flux capactior to turbo

then you can tweak the timings on your GWBRAM to fit your gigadongle.

nice to get one of those highly technical questions.

[Deja Q]

24. On the plus side, at least I don't need to shell out for a converter!

:rofl:

[Misunderestimator]

17. My laptop makes a funny noise when I....

pour liquid onto the keyboard... Should I stop doing that?

:D

[cheezus]

21. yes. but seriously, if you ever DO spill liquid in your laptop

turn it off and remove the battery immediately

you can clean with clean (distelled is best) water. just make sure it's GOOD AND DRY before starting it again (let it sit for days)

pray.

:)

[Misunderestimator]

22. Yes, you're right.... and remove the keys too...

and any PCMCIA cards... :)

(I managed to escape with just one casualty... my left shift key)

[lpbk2713]

31. BIOS battery included.

If it boots up it will have system defaults and wrong time & date but no biggie.

[Lisa]

18. Are the Wallstreet G3 Powerbook Series I and II compatible?

That is, if I have a plug-in CD or floppy drive, battery, or zip drive from one, can I use it in the other?

Because I just bought a used one on eBay, and I still have all the bits and pieces from the one that died. The thing is, I don't know how to tell the Series I and II apart.

[cheezus]

20. I'm leaning 90% yes

The accessories should work with either, and a quick google didn't yield anything to the contrary, it's very unlikely you'd f anything up if it didn't work, and even if you did that machine isn't worth much

go for it. :)

[Lisa]

30. thanks!

What I might do is get 2 of them (since they can be bought used for $100 or less if you don't mind not getting an AC cord, floppy drive module, etc.) and just swap the bits and pieces back and forth. So if one of them gets damaged or goes missing at work, it won't be a show-stopper.

[Up2Late]

23. What should I do to fix this, I'm having trouble getting my Roxio...

"Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 (Platimum)" to recongnize my CD and DVD writers. Note: The basic version came with the DVD writer.


This is the Log after a failed install: :evilfrown:

****************************************************************
Starting Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 on 8-11-2005 at 17:04:13
OS = Windows XP
OS Language = English
Installation Language = ENGLISH
USER NAME = Xxxxxxxxxxx
Installation Directory =
Installation Source =
Package Version = INSTALL.INI

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INSTALLATION STEPS & ERRORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

upper filter before ECDC 6 Installation is pwd_2k
Lower filter before ECDC 6 Installation is ASAPIW2K|Cdr4_xp|PFC
upper filter after ECDC 6 Installation is Cdralw2k|pwd_2k
Lower filter after ECDC 6 Installation is ASAPIW2K|PFC|Cdr4_xp
End of Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 Installation on 8-11-2005 at 17:12:17

!!!!!!!!!!!! END OF INSTALLATION STEPS & ERRORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

****************************************************************


This was the Original "Good" Install::bounce:

****************************************************************
Starting Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 on 10-13-2004 at 21:49:38
OS = Windows XP
OS Language = English
Installation Language = ENGLISH
USER NAME = Xxxxxxxxx
Installation Directory =
Installation Source = F:\Roxio\ECDC6.1\
Package Version =

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INSTALLATION STEPS & ERRORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

upper filter before ECDC 6 Basic Installation is GEARAspiWDM
Lower filter before ECDC 6 Basic Installation is a String
VLP Commandline = FULL
D2DSTATUS is getting Installed
SNSTATUS is getting Installed
APPSSTATUS is getting Installed
D2DSTATUS is getting Installed
SNSTATUS is getting Installed
LCSTATUS is getting Installed
PJSSTATUS is getting Installed
PMSTATUS is getting Installed
RPSTATUS is getting Installed
in DVD turn of VCD
APPSSTATUS is getting Installed
D2DSTATUS is getting Installed
SNSTATUS is getting Installed
LCSTATUS is getting Installed
PJSSTATUS is getting Installed
PMSTATUS is getting Installed
RPSTATUS is getting Installed
cannot open key HKLM in D2DUtility.dll \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PacketCDupper filter after ECDC Basic 6 Installation is GEARAspiWDM|Cdralw2k|pwd_2k
Lower filter after ECDC Basic 6 Installation is Cdr4_xp
End of Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 Installation on 10-13-2004 at 21:53:07

!!!!!!!!!!!! END OF INSTALLATION STEPS & ERRORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

****************************************************************

[mikebl]

25. windows start-up

At start-up, A window appears with Dashboard on top and the message in the window says

Error: cannot create anymore threads.

What are threads and what is this all about.

PS; as I was writing this post the same window appeared and that has never happened before