Computer/Technical Help

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Originally posted by Krang quote: Originally posted by DominusofDeath I installed the CD crap but when I did I couldnt get the scrool wheel to work. One more idea to try: First, uninstall all previous mouse drivers. Then, go to the official site of the manufacturer, download the latest drivers for the mouse, and install them. Hopefully this will work, but if not, I would recommend exchanging it for a different mouse.

I did that just now. The scroll worked. And all was well. And then bam. I'll just take it back.

I have an old laptop hard drive that was ripped out of my mom's now-deceased Apple iBook. I am under the assumption that it might contain some old pictures from my photography days, so I attempted to boot it up in my external hard drive reader. When I went to insert it into the reader, I noticed that one of the prongs was bent. I attempted to bend it back into place, but it snapped off and my screw driver ended up bending several other prongs; the drive would not fit in the reader as a result.

Are there any other means of salvaging the data on the drive? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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Originally posted by Avenir I have an old laptop hard drive that was ripped out of my mom's now-deceased Apple iBook. I am under the assumption that it might contain some old pictures from my photography days, so I attempted to boot it up in my external hard drive reader. When I went to insert it into the reader, I noticed that one of the prongs was bent. I attempted to bend it back into place, but it snapped off and my screw driver ended up bending several other prongs; the drive would not fit in the reader as a result. Are there any other means of salvaging the data on the drive? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, unless you know someone with a good knowledge of electronics who could replace the pins, you will probably need to have it taken to a professional data recovery service.

Ok, I just ran SpyBot S&D (have "TeaTimer installed with it as well), on my mother's user profile, and it found a "DSO Expoilt" (she uses MSN Explorer, she's more familar with it), and the info said that there was no patch. I removed it, and then, figuring I should try to see what I could patch up I opened up IE and went to microsoft.com.

I then downloaded and installed Update for Internet Explorer 6 for XP Service Pack 2 (KB888240)
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After doing so, I ran HijackThis, and proceeded to open up Firefox, to go to the bookmark for the HijackThis Log File Analyzer.

But, when I went to my bookmarks, everything beyond my "stuff" folder was gone (including a folder around the bottom of the bookmarks outsite the folders on the top)!!

Everything inside those folders is intact, but the rest of my unorginized bookmarks is gone.......

I'd really like to be able to get them back, since I had a ton of sites that I don't remember the url's to.





Oh! And if that wasn't bad enough, I keep getting "TargetNet" cookies, it doesn't matter how many times I delete all my cookies, it keeps coming back:





That "PSGuard.msmsgs" is a new one, and it sounds real nasty to me.

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Originally posted by R.Smith But, when I went to my bookmarks, everything beyond my "stuff" folder was gone (including a folder around the bottom of the bookmarks outsite the folders on the top)!! Everything inside those folders is intact, but the rest of my unorginized bookmarks is gone....... I'd really like to be able to get them back, since I had a ton of sites that I don't remember the url's to.

There are a couple things to try. First, try going to Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks and see if you can find them in there. If not, go to C:\Documents and Settings\(your profile name)\Application Data\Mozilla Firefox\Profiles, and look for your profile folder (it might be a couple directories down from there). In it, find bookmarks.html and open it with a text editor. If your bookmarks are still there, save them and add them to Firefox again. If not, sorry, but I don't know of any other way to recover them (unless you have backups).

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Oh! And if that wasn't bad enough, I keep getting "TargetNet" cookies, it doesn't matter how many times I delete all my cookies, it keeps coming back:

Spybot might have trouble deleting Firefox cookies. Instead, go to your cookie manager (under Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies > View Cookies) and delete them from there.

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Originally posted by Krang There are a couple things to try. First, try going to Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks and see if you can find them in there. If not, go to C:\Documents and Settings\(your profile name)\Application Data\Mozilla Firefox\Profiles, and look for your profile folder (it might be a couple directories down from there). In it, find bookmarks.html and open it with a text editor. If your bookmarks are still there, save them and add them to Firefox again. If not, sorry, but I don't know of any other way to recover them (unless you have backups).

Ok, I have bookmarks.html and bookmarks-1.html. The first is larger then the second, and I think it would have what I lost, but I'm not sure. Can I just make a copy of both, and then remove one and see if it works? Will that do anything?

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Spybot might have trouble deleting Firefox cookies. Instead, go to your cookie manager (under Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies > View Cookies) and delete them from there.

Yup, that's what I'm doing, seems that those entries are just new ones. -_-;

at The Elder Geek, there is a meathod that can be used to change the name of the Start Menu to anything you wish. i can find a specific link to that page if neccesary.

i've done it, and it works, but at the same time it affects all user names on the computer.

is there a way to change the word/s that appear for the Start Menu button, but only have it affect one user name?

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Originally posted by R.Smith Ok, I have bookmarks.html and bookmarks-1.html. The first is larger then the second, and I think it would have what I lost, but I'm not sure. Can I just make a copy of both, and then remove one and see if it works? Will that do anything?

Removing bookmarks-1.html will most likely have no effect, and removing bookmarks.html will remove all bookmarks. You could try backing up both files, then removing bookmarks.html and renaming bookmarks-1.html to bookmarks.html to see if it has any effect. But my earlier suggestion was to try looking at those files with a plain text editor (such as Notepad) and using the search function (Edit > Find) to see if you can find your missing bookmarks.

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Yup, that's what I'm doing, seems that those entries are just new ones. -_-;

In that case, you're probably getting those cookies from a site that you regularly visit (not from here, though). Try checking your cookies before and after you visit certain sites and see when they appear.

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Originally posted by NVWC2006 at The Elder Geek, there is a meathod that can be used to change the name of the Start Menu to anything you wish. i can find a specific link to that page if neccesary. i've done it, and it works, but at the same time it affects all user names on the computer. is there a way to change the word/s that appear for the Start Menu button, but only have it affect one user name?

That trick involves resource hacking, and by doing that, you're modifying the executable file itself. Unfortunately, this means that it will affect all users, since everyone on the same computer uses the same system files.

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Originally posted by Krang Removing bookmarks-1.html will most likely have no effect, and removing bookmarks.html will remove all bookmarks. You could try backing up both files, then removing bookmarks.html and renaming bookmarks-1.html to bookmarks.html to see if it has any effect. But my earlier suggestion was to try looking at those files with a plain text editor (such as Notepad) and using the search function (Edit > Find) to see if you can find your missing bookmarks. In that case, you're probably getting those cookies from a site that you regularly visit (not from here, though). Try checking your cookies before and after you visit certain sites and see when they appear.

Yeah, I looked at both with Notepad, lots of "gobley gook", and I honestly wasn't able to tell if either or had the 'lost' bookmarks. So I'll make backups of both, and do what you said, hopefully that will work.

I'll try that, I'm not really sure which site it could be, but these days I only go to a few sites, so that sorta narrows it down....... sorta.



*update*

Well darn this sucks, niether 'bookmarks-1' or 'bookmarks' had the lost bookmarks.

I still wonder what in the world did happen to them, and why.

Sorry about the "double" post, but this is something completly different, and not a problem!


How would I go about connecting my computer to my TV/Stereo System?

I want to be able to watch some stuff from either my computer, or soon my DVD Drive.

I found this page that sells a lot of connector stuff, but I don't know what's best and if I need anything more.


http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/PC-TV_video.html

I do have a video capture card (don't remember the specs.), but I don't know if it works both ways, and besides I want to hook this up to the Stereo, for full enjoyment. (not gonna mention my TV is 20+yrs old, but it still works )

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Originally posted by R.Smith Sorry about the "double" post, but this is something completly different, and not a problem! How would I go about connecting my computer to my TV/Stereo System? I want to be able to watch some stuff from either my computer, or soon my DVD Drive. I found this page that sells a lot of connector stuff, but I don't know what's best and if I need anything more. http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/PC-TV_video.html I do have a video capture card (don't remember the specs.), but I don't know if it works both ways, and besides I want to hook this up to the Stereo, for full enjoyment. (not gonna mention my TV is 20+yrs old, but it still works )

First, check if your video card (the one you plug your monitor into, not the capture card) has support for Video Out built in. Some video cards with Video Out have an S-Video port on them (such as my Radeon 8500), and some require an adapter. If your video card has one of these, you can use a standard S-Video cable to plug it directly into your TV (you may need another adapter if your TV does not have an S-Video port).

If not, the adapters listed on the link in your post should work (look under "PC to TV"). This one would probably be the best since it only requires a composite cable (which you may already have).

For sound, you would need another adapter. Depending on your stereo, something like this should work (part number 180-3.5S/RCAX2).

I recently purchased Tenebril Spycatcher 2006 (new version - Version 4.0) and I couldn't believe what it found on my computer. 14 traces of spyware programs secretly on my hard drive including password sniffing software secretly monitoring my keystrokes, tracking cookies monitoring where I surf, 1 trace in my Windows Registry of spyware. It was frightening to see my computer infected with this stuff.

I've been wondering why my computer was so sluggish recently. Now that I have it out of my computer...I'm resting easier. But I can't rest easy knowing this stuff has been on my computer for God knows for how long?! And to think I've been visiting banking sites, etc. Luckily for me...I keep an eagle eye on all my accounts so I'll know if there's something suspicious.

Don't rely on one antivirus tool to save your skin. I've been using Norton Antivirus 2005 Internet Security...but it didn't track spyware. I've upgraded to the so called AntiSpyware version...and it did NOT detect what Tenebril Spyware 2006 found. I'm really iimpressed with Tenebril Spycatcher 2006. I can now swear by this product as potentially saving my skin from hackers doing nasty things to my financial and mental well being.

So don't walk...run to your local computer store and ask for Tenebril Spycatcher 2006. If they don't have it...I seriously recommend either going to another store and getting it from there or...demanding you get this latest copy from them. You simply HAVE to install this product on your computer. Best thing about it...if you're using Windows XP...you don't have to reboot your computer after installing this product for it to work right away. One tip though...don't let the software install the downloadable installer when you get the CD. Browse using the Run command in Windows XP and use the full install option listed in the dialog box. This will install the full copy onto your computer. After it's fully installed...unlock your copy by entering the serial code that comes on the CD jacket sleeve on the back. Good luck...and you'll be shocked at what it finds.

I think I should point you in the direction of the
Computer/Technical Help thread.


In the first post, it has a list of ad/spyware removal programs that are free.

Also, I think this should be merged into that thread.

[Edit: Thanks, threads merged. --Krang]

Here are a compilation of small things together.

1) My mom bought a laptop recently. I thought she'd only want it to type and stuff so we got a cheapo Compaq. It has like 2 USB plugs on it and like nothing else.. Now she wants to watch DVD movies w/it on tv because we don't have a DVD player. It doesn't have S-Video out, so I thought there might be a product that you can install and hook to your USB drive that could attach to your TV as S-Video or another video..thing.

Does that exist?

2) If you wanted to transfer files directly from one computer to another, what would you so? I assume you use the Briefcase program on both and hook them together (seriel? LAN?) or just take advantage of the Network we currently don't have.

3) ...why the hell are Computer > Printer USB cables so freakin expensive?

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Originally posted by NVWC2006 Here are a compilation of small things together. 1) My mom bought a laptop recently. I thought she'd only want it to type and stuff so we got a cheapo Compaq. It has like 2 USB plugs on it and like nothing else.. Now she wants to watch DVD movies w/it on tv because we don't have a DVD player. It doesn't have S-Video out, so I thought there might be a product that you can install and hook to your USB drive that could attach to your TV as S-Video or another video..thing. Does that exist?

Unfortunately, the only one I could find is this, but it's for Macs only. One more thing you could try is checking for a port that looks like this, and if the laptop has one, you can use the adapter that I recommended to R.Smith above.

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2) If you wanted to transfer files directly from one computer to another, what would you so? I assume you use the Briefcase program on both and hook them together (seriel? LAN?) or just take advantage of the Network we currently don't have.

If both computers have network cards, the easiest way is to buy an RJ-45 crossover cable. You may need to reconfigure the network settings on each computer, but afterward they should recognize each other. Once that is done, have one of the computers share a folder with write access (be sure to unshare this folder before connecting the computer back to the internet!), and you can use that folder to transfer files back and forth.

If the computers don't have network cards, you may need to look into other methods such as serial or parallel cable connections.

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3) ...why the hell are Computer > Printer USB cables so freakin expensive?

Most stores only carry the most expensive cables. Try looking online or at a store dedicated to selling computers.

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Originally posted by Krang quote: Originally posted by NVWC2006 Here are a compilation of small things together. 1) My mom bought a laptop recently. I thought she'd only want it to type and stuff so we got a cheapo Compaq. It has like 2 USB plugs on it and like nothing else.. Now she wants to watch DVD movies w/it on tv because we don't have a DVD player. It doesn't have S-Video out, so I thought there might be a product that you can install and hook to your USB drive that could attach to your TV as S-Video or another video..thing. Does that exist? Unfortunately, the only one I could find is this, but it's for Macs only. One more thing you could try is checking for a port that looks like this, and if the laptop has one, you can use the adapter that I recommended to R.Smith above..

Yeah... i just realized that yesterday... I didn't examine the plug, just took a quick glance, and I thought it was a seriel port. But now I see it can be used (they the VGA to connect to TVs at school all the time). Thanks for the help w/the networking stuff too.

got question! i got the lastest version of AIM ! any i keep geting annoy movie flash ads in the messenger! is their any way to get rid of the ads in aim?

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Originally posted by Negotiator_Roger_Smith got question! i got the lastest version of AIM ! any i keep geting annoy movie flash ads in the messenger! is their any way to get rid of the ads in aim?

Try this (be sure to make a backup of aim.odl before making any changes). I don't have a copy of AIM available to test this, so if it doesn't work, let me know and I'll look for another solution.

Recently Windows Media Player has been giving me the virtual finger. When I rip a CD using it, it doesn't fetch the CD info (track titles, etc.) from the internet automatically. And when I click "Get Album Info", it says "Please Connect to the Internet". Whaaa? I'm on a broadband connection, so I'm always connected. I switched over from dial-up to broadband recently, so this might have something to do with it, but I did change my connection speed under options to DSL (although... I'm really not sure how that would change anything. Shouldn't it just detect the connection?). And as I can expect from any Microsoft product, the Help section completely blows and doesn't help me at all with this. I'd really like to fix this, because as a result of this Audioscrobbler can't detect songs I've recently ripped (and it doesn't make uploading them to my PSP any easier, either). Any help is appreciated.

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Originally posted by Volt Recently Windows Media Player has been giving me the virtual finger. When I rip a CD using it, it doesn't fetch the CD info (track titles, etc.) from the internet automatically. And when I click "Get Album Info", it says "Please Connect to the Internet". Whaaa? I'm on a broadband connection, so I'm always connected. I switched over from dial-up to broadband recently, so this might have something to do with it, but I did change my connection speed under options to DSL (although... I'm really not sure how that would change anything. Shouldn't it just detect the connection?). And as I can expect from any Microsoft product, the Help section completely blows and doesn't help me at all with this. I'd really like to fix this, because as a result of this Audioscrobbler can't detect songs I've recently ripped (and it doesn't make uploading them to my PSP any easier, either). Any help is appreciated.

Even if you don't use Internet Explorer as your browser, try looking at its connection options under Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections. I'm pretty sure that WMP uses the same internet settings as IE, so if IE is still configured to use your old dialup connection, WMP will try to use it as well.