Computer/Technical Help

So I plug in my PSP to my computer via the USB cable, and it tells me I could get faster transfer speeds if I had a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. I don't, but how would I go about getting one (preferably not too pricey, but still works well)?

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Originally posted by R.Smith So I plug in my PSP to my computer via the USB cable, and it tells me I could get faster transfer speeds if I had a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. I don't, but how would I go about getting one (preferably not too pricey, but still works well)?

Unless you're planning on upgrading your motherboard soon, the best way is probably to buy something like this.

Cool, thanks for the link Krang!

haha the bottom doesn't have anything real specific on it... "USB HUB FOR PC, MAC & NOTEBOOK USE FOR MAC & Windows 2000/98/ME/XP CE FCC MADE IN CHINA"

i'd get more information out of it if i cracked the thing open, i bet

other things going on, i've got my HP laptop, it's freakin awesome. problems i've noticed, tho:

Using Trillian messes up the webcam drivers. maybe for using a x86 program and trying to access x64 drivers? Whatever the reason, if I run trillian, it will not be able to use my webcam and other software that does won't operate correctly, unless i either reinstall the drivers, or run one of those programs w/the webcam before and during trillian's startup.

other driver problems.. i don't have x64 drivers for my usb bluetooth dongle, and HP's x64 bluetooth software can't detect it. also don't have x64 drivers from Motorola for my cell phone. the solution to this would be a dual boot w/32 bit XP and using my old drivers.

to complete a dual boot, from i've read (http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp), in some way i'll have to be able to restore the MBR to it's current form, so do you know of any software i can burn to cd that will save the MBR to an external usb HD and be able to restore it later? the dual boot procedure involves installing xp, which would override the current mbr. after that, i restore it, and Vista can detect XP and add it as a bootable OS, but i'd have to restore the MBR first

(if HP had sent me an OS dvd instead of recovery ones, then maybe i could do that more easily but they be stupid, lol, i may try calling them to get the stuff out of them).

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Originally posted by NVWC2006 haha the bottom doesn't have anything real specific on it... "USB HUB FOR PC, MAC & NOTEBOOK USE FOR MAC & Windows 2000/98/ME/XP CE FCC MADE IN CHINA"

If it doesn't specifically mention "2.0" or "enhanced," it's safe to assume that it is a 1.1 hub.

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Using Trillian messes up the webcam drivers. maybe for using a x86 program and trying to access x64 drivers? Whatever the reason, if I run trillian, it will not be able to use my webcam and other software that does won't operate correctly, unless i either reinstall the drivers, or run one of those programs w/the webcam before and during trillian's startup.

Yeah, that sounds like the most likely reason. It should be resolved if an x64 version of Trillian is released.

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to complete a dual boot, from i've read (http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp), in some way i'll have to be able to restore the MBR to it's current form, so do you know of any software i can burn to cd that will save the MBR to an external usb HD and be able to restore it later? the dual boot procedure involves installing xp, which would override the current mbr. after that, i restore it, and Vista can detect XP and add it as a bootable OS, but i'd have to restore the MBR first

You could download DiskSave.exe from here and put it on a DOS boot disk. Then, boot from the disk and run DiskSave, and it will give you the option to save the MBR. After installing XP, you can run it again to restore the saved MBR.

Anyone have any experience with Ubuntu? I was thinking of using a virtual partition on my HDD to install it, just to see what's up with it, but my experience with Red Hat tells me that it will be a very involved set up to get it up and running how I want.

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Originally posted by The Dungeon Master Anyone have any experience with Ubuntu? I was thinking of using a virtual partition on my HDD to install it, just to see what's up with it, but my experience with Red Hat tells me that it will be a very involved set up to get it up and running how I want.

ITS A TRAP

Don't do it.

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Originally posted by Krang You could download DiskSave.exe from here and put it on a DOS boot disk. Then, boot from the disk and run DiskSave, and it will give you the option to save the MBR. After installing XP, you can run it again to restore the saved MBR.

Problem there is that this laptop doesn't have a floppy drive. I would have to burn the MS-DOS boot disk and DiskSave to a CD, and at that point I don't know if DOS would be able to detect a USB hard drive or not.

Under the assumption that it can save to a USB Hard drive, I then assume that, since it will copy the whole MBR that it's copy the partition tables, thus I should create and format an NTFS partition BEFORE copying the MBR so when I restore it, I don't erase the partition table indicating i have another partition?

ah, the partitioning would work well if GParted would work right on this laptop lol

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Originally posted by Mr. D quote: Originally posted by The Dungeon Master Anyone have any experience with Ubuntu? I was thinking of using a virtual partition on my HDD to install it, just to see what's up with it, but my experience with Red Hat tells me that it will be a very involved set up to get it up and running how I want. ITS A TRAP Don't do it.

I was messing around with Kubuntu a few months ago. there are a few pages here of me talking with others about the various troubles i got into . use a Virtual Machine if you can. i know now those are always the safest bets when you're trying things with different OSes for the first time.

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Originally posted by NVWC2006 Problem there is that this laptop doesn't have a floppy drive. I would have to burn the MS-DOS boot disk and DiskSave to a CD, and at that point I don't know if DOS would be able to detect a USB hard drive or not.

In that case, it would probably be best to get a USB floppy drive. Windows can't back up or restore the MBR, so you'll need another OS to do that (DOS is usually the easiest due to its availability). Another option is to use a Linux live CD and commands such as these, although I haven't tried that, so I don't know how well it works.

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Under the assumption that it can save to a USB Hard drive, I then assume that, since it will copy the whole MBR that it's copy the partition tables, thus I should create and format an NTFS partition BEFORE copying the MBR so when I restore it, I don't erase the partition table indicating i have another partition?

Yes, that sounds like the best way to do it.

The previously mentioned issue was solved using an external hard drive, a LiveCD of Slaxware, and new tools for XP and Vista that allow easy configuration of the new boot loader. That's all fine and dandy.

I've seen some things in the past few months and have had some ideas of software I'd like to develop or work on kinda sorta. It's all based around DOS. Up to this point, I've been modifying a Windows 98 boot disk, as that seemed easiest, using Notepad and UltraISO, which allows the saving of ISO files as well as the BIF boot file for the ISO.

So far, it's to an extent, successfully ran in a Virtual Machine, but that doesn't say much. The problem is drivers. In the virtual machine, running MOUSE.COM allows it to detect a mouse, and I suspect that this is because the VM provides a PS/2 mouse. But if I run it on my laptop, it does not work. I have a touchpad and a USB mouse.

Other drivers I have been trying DUSE, which is supposed to allow the use of USB storage devices (it failed in both VirtualPC and on the laptop), loading device=himem.sys in the DOS config.sys file (no clue if that works or not), running OHCI.exe (works in actual real life situation, at least, running it made my external spin up) and UHCI.exe, which seemed to do nothing.

At this point I've just been putting everything I'm running into autoexec.bat and hoping it works. I might achieve better results if I ran each on my own individually, I know, but still.

After trying all those drivers, if I load a program, neither the mouse nor the keyboard work. The cursor does not appear on the screen, and hitting keys on the keyboard does not even make CAPS lock or anything else turn on.

Once I have my drivers working, I'm thinking of adding on a number of DOS recovery programs and some kind of menu program to boot into each easily on top of that. Maybe a DOS boot disk other than Windows 98 would be easier? Or a different free editing tool?

code: 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: autoexec: path=a:\;x:\ mscdex.exe /d:bootdisk /l:x /m:16 /v duse.exe OHCI.exe UHCI.exe mouse.com config.sys: device=himem.sys /testmem:off device=oakcdrom.sys /d:bootdisk lastdrive=z

Anyone know how to decompile a 'Macromedia Projector' exe file? I've been googling for an hour trying various things but no luck.

-edit-

Was able to do it with swfscanner.

I have a problem. Windows Explorer is completely messed up. Whenever I start my computer or try to start Windows Explorer, it pauses, starts up then goes away again. Basically, I have no start bar or desktop. I can still run programs but it is quite difficult. Can anybody help? I've been doing virus scans but they aren't picking up anything.

-Edit- Something weird. I have no viruses or adware or spyware that my system can pick up. I tried to run Windows Explorer in a varity of ways, all of them having the same result of a temporary desktop and start bar etc. and then dissappearing. I'm using windows XP as well so everything is current.

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Originally posted by NVWC2006 So far, it's to an extent, successfully ran in a Virtual Machine, but that doesn't say much. The problem is drivers. In the virtual machine, running MOUSE.COM allows it to detect a mouse, and I suspect that this is because the VM provides a PS/2 mouse. But if I run it on my laptop, it does not work. I have a touchpad and a USB mouse.

The ability to use a USB mouse in DOS depends on your BIOS. If there is a BIOS setting for "legacy support," "legacy emulation," or something similar, enable it, and you should be able to use your mouse with just mouse.com. I'm not familiar with any software or drivers that can accomplish the same thing as the BIOS setting, but I would imagine that they would be somewhat limited.

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Once I have my drivers working, I'm thinking of adding on a number of DOS recovery programs and some kind of menu program to boot into each easily on top of that. Maybe a DOS boot disk other than Windows 98 would be easier? Or a different free editing tool?

The version of DOS that comes with Windows 98 is the most up-to-date and probably the best one, so I would recommend sticking with that. You could probably use batch files for the menu.

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Originally posted by The Question I have a problem. Windows Explorer is completely messed up. Whenever I start my computer or try to start Windows Explorer, it pauses, starts up then goes away again. Basically, I have no start bar or desktop. I can still run programs but it is quite difficult. Can anybody help? I've been doing virus scans but they aren't picking up anything. -Edit- Something weird. I have no viruses or adware or spyware that my system can pick up. I tried to run Windows Explorer in a varity of ways, all of them having the same result of a temporary desktop and start bar etc. and then dissappearing. I'm using windows XP as well so everything is current.

If it's not a virus or spyware problem, your Windows installation is probably corrupt. I would recommend reinstalling or at least running a repair installation.

What would be a good laptop that has Vista on it, and a powerful graphics card..... for $1,000 or so?

Um... does anybody know any good security or anti-virus programs I could download for my coumpter or something like that?

My version of McAfee got corrupted last week and since then, I can't even use the Internet without it slowing down, closing out itself, pop-ups and other annoying things like that. Can anybody possibly help me with that?
Peace.

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Originally posted by R.Smith What would be a good laptop that has Vista on it, and a powerful graphics card..... for $1,000 or so?

I got myself an HP Pavilion. depending on the model you may be able to find a cross between the graphics card and the less than $1000 range. I personally wanted more RAM and more power and Vista Ultimate so i paid much more, but I know there are lower alternatives.

If you sacrifice RAM, i'm sure Dell will also have some cheaper Inspirons.

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Originally posted by Nine XXVI Um... does anybody know any good security or anti-virus programs I could download for my coumpter or something like that? My version of McAfee got corrupted last week and since then, I can't even use the Internet without it slowing down, closing out itself, pop-ups and other annoying things like that. Can anybody possibly help me with that? Peace.

What I and a number of people here appear to do is to not use any one program but a mixture of individual programs to protect security. the very first page of this topic mentions Ad-Aware SE and Spybot - Search and Destroy, which are very good against spyware. I use those along with Windows Defender for spyware security. I then use avast! for Antivirus, free for home use, and ZoneAlarm Firewall, also free for home use. Both of those have commercial versions. I also know of Kaspersky which i believe to be good as well. they are like $50 the first year but chop money off every subsequent year you stick with them.

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Originally posted by NVWC2006 quote: Originally posted by Nine XXVI Um... does anybody know any good security or anti-virus programs I could download for my coumpter or something like that? My version of McAfee got corrupted last week and since then, I can't even use the Internet without it slowing down, closing out itself, pop-ups and other annoying things like that. Can anybody possibly help me with that? Peace. What I and a number of people here appear to do is to not use any one program but a mixture of individual programs to protect security. the very first page of this topic mentions Ad-Aware SE and Spybot - Search and Destroy, which are very good against spyware. I use those along with Windows Defender for spyware security. I then use avast! for Antivirus, free for home use, and ZoneAlarm Firewall, also free for home use. Both of those have commercial versions. I also know of Kaspersky which i believe to be good as well. they are like $50 the first year but chop money off every subsequent year you stick with them.

Along with this and some help from Dungeon Master, I got some of the programs you recommended and a lot of my corrupted files were deleted. Thanks, I appreciate it.

Also, I got this virus (I forget the name of it) but it can't be deleted without an anti-virus system that deletes in real-time... or something like that. Would you happen to know anything about that by any chance (sorry, its terribly vague but yeah. I'll probably go back and find out exactly what's what but at the moment, that's all I got)?
Peace.

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Originally posted by Nine XXVI quote: Originally posted by NVWC2006 quote: Originally posted by Nine XXVI Um... does anybody know any good security or anti-virus programs I could download for my coumpter or something like that? My version of McAfee got corrupted last week and since then, I can't even use the Internet without it slowing down, closing out itself, pop-ups and other annoying things like that. Can anybody possibly help me with that? Peace. What I and a number of people here appear to do is to not use any one program but a mixture of individual programs to protect security. the very first page of this topic mentions Ad-Aware SE and Spybot - Search and Destroy, which are very good against spyware. I use those along with Windows Defender for spyware security. I then use avast! for Antivirus, free for home use, and ZoneAlarm Firewall, also free for home use. Both of those have commercial versions. I also know of Kaspersky which i believe to be good as well. they are like $50 the first year but chop money off every subsequent year you stick with them. Along with this and some help from Dungeon Master, I got some of the programs you recommended and a lot of my corrupted files were deleted. Thanks, I appreciate it. Also, I got this virus (I forget the name of it) but it can't be deleted without an anti-virus system that deletes in real-time... or something like that. Would you happen to know anything about that by any chance (sorry, its terribly vague but yeah. I'll probably go back and find out exactly what's what but at the moment, that's all I got)? Peace.

you said you have McAfee? it should do that if it were running correctly. what you'll want to do if you can is to get it running once those corrupted files are taken care of (it will either just start working, or you may have to uninstall and reinstall). run the spyware and virus scans from Safe Mode to possibly eliminate the chance of it running in the background at that time. if at that point it doesn't work, you're possibly looking at some bad times ahead, but let's not think pessimistically until you've gotten that far if it happens so.

Does anyone know the best way to clean a DVD?

Because this is the second used copy of Mercenaries I've gotten and it doesn't work.

I keep getting these errors;

The first one is when I'm using Firefox and everytime I click on a link that warning pops up. And the second I get when right off the bat, I log into my account on Windows XP.

Can anyone tell me anything about them and/or how to get rid of them by any chance?
Peace.

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