Official Computer Questions Thread

[65fastback2+2]

I decided I liked the police officer thread and thought Id start this one...If you have computer problems/questions I'll do my best to answer...

[xxxxMach1]

I will as well, I am A+ certified and know lots more than that test says

[torchredmach]

Ok, I'll start...

Why do I get a funny noise that sounds like an air bubble going through my computer's water pump? Is it time to change the antifreeze?

[65fastback2+2]

Originally Posted by torchredmach

Ok, I'll start...

Why do I get a funny noise that sounds like an air bubble going through my computer's water pump? Is it time to change the antifreeze?

you are fully welcome to put anti-freeze in your computers watercooling system...however, it hampers the heat transfer quality....water-wetter works awesome in a water cooled system...





and yes, i know you were "only joking"

[torchredmach]

Originally Posted by 65fastback2+2

you are fully welcome to put anti-freeze in your computers watercooling system...however, it hampers the heat transfer quality....water-wetter works awesome in a water cooled system...





and yes, i know you were "only joking"

I've just got whatever comes from Koolance, it's 50% antifreeze of some sort, and 50% water, premixed. It's been in there for over a year now and it says you are supposed to change it once a year (dont know why). But about once a day I hear a big air bubble go through the system? Never happened before the last few weeks.

[[DSG]Mach03]

Originally Posted by torchredmach

Ok, I'll start...

Why do I get a funny noise that sounds like an air bubble going through my computer's water pump? Is it time to change the antifreeze?

From another site:

The coolant recipe is very important, because it has the effect to either maintain a good performance over time, or completely destroy your system. If for example you would be using plain tap water in a water cooling loop, the entire cooling surface of both waterblock and radiator will be covered in oxidation within a week, greatly hindering performance. Tap water will also cause mineral deposits inside the pump overtime, as well as letting fungus and algae grow inside the components. For optimal results, distilled water should be used, which means that it consists purely of H2O. You should then add a minimal quantity of coolant additive, such as RedLine Water Wetter which is sold right here, on directron.com. 2 ounces in a water cooling loop should keep the system free of any unwanted formations for at least 6 months, after which every component should be cleaned with alcohol, and refilled with a new batch of water/additive.

[CANXLR8]

When answering tech support calls...and the question "Are you using Word?" is answered with "Yes. Words and numbers." Is it appropriate to inform the caller that they are a dumb@$$ or is it better to go with the accidental disconnect?

[StangIT]

I work for Netstreams as a Tech... http://www.netstreams.com

you would not believe how many times I have to ask these douches that call me, if they're devices are plugged in, or connected to the switch or turned on...

And i completely agree with you CANXLR8... Stupidy SHOULD hurt...

[torchredmach]

Originally Posted by [DSG]Mach03

For optimal results, distilled water should be used, which means that it consists purely of H2O. You should then add a minimal quantity of coolant additive, such as RedLine Water Wetter which is sold right here, on directron.com. 2 ounces in a water cooling loop should keep the system free of any unwanted formations for at least 6 months, after which every component should be cleaned with alcohol, and refilled with a new batch of water/additive.

Yea I used premixed coolant which was 50% coolant and 50% distilled water or something, it's been fine for over a year, but I hope I dont have to have "every component cleaned with alcohol" cause I don't want to take the heatsink off the CPU...

[[DSG]Mach03]

Originally Posted by torchredmach

Yea I used premixed coolant which was 50% coolant and 50% distilled water or something, it's been fine for over a year, but I hope I dont have to have "every component cleaned with alcohol" cause I don't want to take the heatsink off the CPU...

I dont run Water Cooling, But from what it sounds like, Fungus and different types of "objects" grow on the components. If left in the system, it could lead to failures down the road.

But it might just be over the top to clean everything with alchohol.

[2k4mach]

Originally Posted by xxxxMach1

I will as well, I am A+ certified and know lots more than that test says

lol did you hear A+ redid there test to make it more challenging now.
I gotta study for my security+ next week

[Black Mach 1]

Originally Posted by 2k4mach

lol did you hear A+ redid there test to make it more challenging now.
I gotta study for my security+ next week

The A+ exam will change in 2007 to reflect the new Microsoft operating system and other various items.

[gvervoren]

Here is my question. How can I make my screen show up maximized size when I open an attachment. Right now when I open an attachment, it is just a little square about 6" wide and 4" tall. I always have to hit the "maximize" button in the top right corner. Is there a setting somewhere where it will do this automatically?

[65fastback2+2]

Originally Posted by gvervoren

Here is my question. How can I make my screen show up maximized size when I open an attachment. Right now when I open an attachment, it is just a little square about 6" wide and 4" tall. I always have to hit the "maximize" button in the top right corner. Is there a setting somewhere where it will do this automatically?

i dont think windows has a setting...you can use this freeware though

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/iemax.html

[G]

Anybody seen a hot deal on a good notebook recently. I don't want to build, no time for that.

I want to spend $800 ish and it needs to handle office work, tuning software, and travel well.

[G]

What about something like the one below???? Anything I need to stay away from? My last notebook was a Toshiba and it only lasted about 14 months.


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

[65fastback2+2]

Originally Posted by geoffav

What about something like the one below???? Anything I need to stay away from? My last notebook was a Toshiba and it only lasted about 14 months.


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

umm....toshiba is really good...you're not gonna get better from any other brand, they are all made from the same inside parts. if your last one only lasted 14 months, then extended warranty is a must (Best Buy's now also cover Physical damage!)

thats not a bad laptop though...i would upgrade to 2gb on any vista machine though...just runs alot smoother

[04VAMach1]

Originally Posted by geoffav

What about something like the one below???? Anything I need to stay away from? My last notebook was a Toshiba and it only lasted about 14 months.


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

Before you buy a new computer, make sure that the software that you want to use will run on Vista. I don't know for certain, but you may have trouble with the tuning software that you want to run. Personally, I'll stay away from Vista until Service Pack 1 comes out. I have had trouble with it running some of my software and hiccups with some of my hardware.

Dell will still build a PC with Win XP Pro. They often run specials and sell PCs in the price range that you are looking for. I don't care for their customer support anymore, but they still build a good computer.

[gvervoren]

Originally Posted by 65fastback2+2

i dont think windows has a setting...you can use this freeware though

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/iemax.html

That worked! Thanks!!!!!

[65fastback2+2]

Originally Posted by gvervoren

That worked! Thanks!!!!!

np.

[Shaker1]

Originally Posted by gvervoren

Here is my question. How can I make my screen show up maximized size when I open an attachment. Right now when I open an attachment, it is just a little square about 6" wide and 4" tall. I always have to hit the "maximize" button in the top right corner. Is there a setting somewhere where it will do this automatically?

You shouldn't require any special utilities for this.

Resize it manually, to the size you want it to be, then hold down shift and click the X to close the window. then the next time it'll open maximized.

[MattN03]

I am trying to install a LG DVD burner (model GSA-H55L) into my Dell 8200 desktop (approx. 5 yrs old). I've made the physical swap and plugged the new DVD burner in just like the old CD-ROM was installed. I can't get the PC to recognize the new DVD burner however. What do I need to do to make the burner & PC talk? I'm running XP Home if it matters.

[65fastback2+2]

Originally Posted by MattN03

I am trying to install a LG DVD burner (model GSA-H55L) into my Dell 8200 desktop (approx. 5 yrs old). I've made the physical swap and plugged the new DVD burner in just like the old CD-ROM was installed. I can't get the PC to recognize the new DVD burner however. What do I need to do to make the burner & PC talk? I'm running XP Home if it matters.

Several things could matter:

1) Which ide channel are all the hard drives and optical drives on?
2) Which port in the ide cable are the drives connected to?
3) What are the jumpers set to on each of the drives?
4) Does it recognize it as a cd-rom or cd burner only and just not the dvd burner?

[MattN03]

Originally Posted by 65fastback2+2

Several things could matter:

1) Which ide channel are all the hard drives and optical drives on?
2) Which port in the ide cable are the drives connected to?
3) What are the jumpers set to on each of the drives?
4) Does it recognize it as a cd-rom or cd burner only and just not the dvd burner?

I'm not sure how to determine answers 1-3. I simply swapped all plugs from the old CD-ROM to the DVD-ROM just as they were. #4-does not recognize it at all. The Best Buy guy said it would be "just plug & play" lol

[MachGirl04]

Hey guys. I want to make some photoshows or slideshows with pics & music. I can't seem to find any programs that will let me add MY own mp3's and then post them on a website, like this one. I guess it's a copyright issue. I'm not out to break the law here! We all know that music & videos are passed around like crazy. They will only let you use their own canned music and I have some ideas and I want my own stuff. Does anyone know a way around it or know of a site I can use to get the program or host it or something? Everything I've tried so far lets you use your own music BUT you can't post it in a forum afterwards, because of the music.

I made one, a first attempt, with Windows movie maker. Then couldn't get a site to host it on. I'm pretty new at it. Any help is appreciated.