Computer/Technical Help

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Originally posted by Krang quote: Originally posted by Grunger Kittie Version 1 I have a USB Modem for my laptop, it's suppoused to be a 56k but it only connects at 24k. Does anyone one know a way to fix this? Look under "Phone and Modem Options" on the control panel and see if there are any options there that you can change (sorry, I don't have a computer with a modem that I can test this out on). If not, it's probably a manufacturer-specific setting. What brand modem is it?

Also, if you're using dial up, most ISPs that still use dial up(Verizon, Bell South, AT&T, etc.)give you a program that loads pages faster. An acclerator, if I may. Sure the image quality takes a beating, but it's a pretty useful tool to have sometimes (I'm on dial up right now and using it as we speak). If you don't have one, you might want to contact your ISP for it.

I'd definately check in with what Krang said and snoop around in the Phone and Modem Options area. Click on the "modems" tab, select properties, and from there, probobly f*** around with the "modems" tab (yes, there's another one), and check out the group box (as it's called in VB) that says Maximum Port Speed. That right there might be your problem.

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Originally posted by Grunger Kittie Version 1 It's a Creative Modem Blaster V.92 DE5671. Im not really used to messing with modem settings (never had a problem before) so I'm not sure what to look for...

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Originally posted by Cerpin Taxt I'd definately check in with what Krang said and snoop around in the Phone and Modem Options area. Click on the "modems" tab, select properties, and from there, probobly f*** around with the "modems" tab (yes, there's another one), and check out the group box (as it's called in VB) that says Maximum Port Speed. That right there might be your problem.

Yes, try looking for something called "port speed" (or it might be called "baud rate" or something similar) and adjusting that if necessary. If it's set to 24K or so, try increasing it to 56K and see if it helps. Another place you could check is under the Device Manager (Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager). Find your modem on there, right click it, and pick "Properties". From there, look for a setting that will adjust the speed.

Hoookay. My desktop has been acting up lately and after trying several different things, I'm afraid that only one option remains - replace the motherboard.


My desktop will randomly reboot. It used to only reboot when I was using up a lot of system resources, but now it will randomly come out of hibernation and reboot itself. I recently installed DVD burner (which now constantly makes a hissing noise whenever the computer is about to reboot) and added another stick of RAM, and the problem only worsened (ie coming out of hibernation and rebooting, or randomly rebooting while I'm working in Word or something or even rebooting during a reboot...if that's even possible).

My brother thought that perhaps my old stick of RAM was bad (a memory test showed that there were no bad sectors on my RAM however) and suggested I take out the old stick and just use the new stick to see what happens. My computer actually started running faster and less jittery, but the reboot woes are still the same.

I guess I could mention that my newly installed Floppy Drive (which replaced the old one that was dead from the get go) can't read diskettes, either


Oh yeah, it's the motherboard, isn't it?


Help? Please tell me it's something easy to fix *wishful thinking*

Thank you


Latah
Token

Actually, you may be able to fix the problem by replacing the power supply. It sounds like the motherboard isn't getting enough power and is rebooting when that happens (especially since it happened more often when you added a DVD burner and RAM). Check the sticker on the power supply and see how many watts it outputs (for example, mine says 350W on it), and look for one that can output more. This isn't guaranteed to fix the problem since there could be other things that are causing it, but it sounds like the most likely case.

This is ticking me off here!!!!! When I turned this thing on, I got this win32 error. Then I find out that wen ever this thing goes to screen saver and the account screan goes up, I have an extra program running!

I went to the event viewer and I found this error. It appears to be the exsact same time I turned the computer on today....

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Date: 3/18/2005 Source: Application Error Type: Error Time: 1:43:06 PM Faulting application svchost.exe, version 0.0.0.0, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000000. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Then in the box below all that, it gave me some numbers and next to the numbers on each line said:

"Application Failure svchost.exe 0.0.0.0 in unknown 0.0.0.0 at offset 00000000"

Well it was broken up into 10 lines next to the numbers, I just put it like that. But, to me It seems that I have another svchost.exe problem...Is there a patch or something for this?

Man...and I thought I got rid of those blasted svchost problems when I got rid of my other computer...but noooooo they just keep haunting me !!!!

Oh and I checked the conectons to the monitor....nothings helping the blinking...I think it just made it worse....

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Originally posted by Green_Bird This is ticking me off here!!!!! When I turned this thing on, I got this win32 error. Then I find out that wen ever this thing goes to screen saver and the account screan goes up, I have an extra program running! I went to the event viewer and I found this error. It appears to be the exsact same time I turned the computer on today.... quote: Date: 3/18/2005 Source: Application Error Type: Error Time: 1:43:06 PM Faulting application svchost.exe, version 0.0.0.0, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000000. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

This seems to be a common problem with virus scanners. Make sure that your virus scanner is updated, and check to see if there are any patches available on the company's web site. If this is the same computer that had SP2 installed on it and these problems didn't occur before, it might be possible that the particuar version of the virus scanner that you're using is not compatible with SP2.

As for the monitor problem, it sounds like a defective monitor, since all other possibilities have been checked. You may need to have it repaired or replaced.

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Originally posted by Krang Actually, you may be able to fix the problem by replacing the power supply. It sounds like the motherboard isn't getting enough power and is rebooting when that happens (especially since it happened more often when you added a DVD burner and RAM). Check the sticker on the power supply and see how many watts it outputs (for example, mine says 350W on it), and look for one that can output more. This isn't guaranteed to fix the problem since there could be other things that are causing it, but it sounds like the most likely case.

Thanks for the suggestion! I actually forgot to mention that I recently replaced the power supply with a 500 watt (that was the very first thing I did...I've replaced so many parts on that machine lately that I've nearly lost track). I'm so lost as to what it could be...I'm about ready to just put the whole thing in my closet and start over again (easily frustrated, I am ) If you have any other ideas/suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated! Thank you much

For now, at least I have the trusty laptop!


Latah
Token

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Originally posted by Token Girl Thanks for the suggestion! I actually forgot to mention that I recently replaced the power supply with a 500 watt (that was the very first thing I did...I've replaced so many parts on that machine lately that I've nearly lost track). I'm so lost as to what it could be...I'm about ready to just put the whole thing in my closet and start over again (easily frustrated, I am ) If you have any other ideas/suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated! Thank you much

My next guess would be that it could be overheating. First, make sure that you have a CPU fan with a good heat sink. If you only have one case fan in the back of the case, try installing another in the front of the case as an intake fan.

If none of these apply, another suggestion would be to test for software conflicts. If you have a spare hard drive, try formatting it and installing a different OS on it. Then, install only basic software such as device drivers, antivirus program, web browser, etc. If the computer no longer reboots unexpectedly, the cause was a software conflict on the original hard drive. If it still happens, it's most likely a hardware conflict that is causing the problem.

Ok I have 2 questions.
1.) I Have a laptop. Is there anyway for me to actually hook up my gamecube or other systems to my computer so I can play them on the computer insted of having to have a TV.

2.) How do you get it so you have to type ctrl alt del before you can log in on winxp?

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Originally posted by SmothPocket Ok I have 2 questions. 1.) I Have a laptop. Is there anyway for me to actually hook up my gamecube or other systems to my computer so I can play them on the computer insted of having to have a TV.

Actually, it may be possible if you have a USB port. First, look for a USB TV receiver such as one of these or this. If the one you chose does not have AV jacks, you'll also need a RF adaptor for your GameCube. After that, just plug it in to your laptop and start the software included with the receiver, and you'll be able to play them using the laptop as a monitor.

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2.) How do you get it so you have to type ctrl alt del before you can log in on winxp?

First, go to User Accounts on the Control Panel. From there, click "Change the way users log on or off" and make sure "Use the Welcome screen" is not checked. After that, go to Administrative Tools on the Control Panel and click Local Security Policy. From there, go to Local Policies > Security Options, scroll down to "Interactive logon : do not require CRTL+ALT+DEL," and set it to Disabled. Now, CTRL+ALT+DEL will be required on the login screen.

The keyboard on this laptop is terrible. I'm holding the FN key because otherwise:

Everyth5ng c60es 64t 352e th5s f6r s60e reas6n.

HELP ME!!!

Try pressing numlock. On my laptop, numlock makes the right most letters into numbers.

ACT told me to turn it off and turn it back on again. Me, being too stubborn to do that, shouted at it and...it worked, miraculously. When all else fails, YEAH VERBAL ABUSE!

Ok. Get this.

After every 7 days, my computer (whose specs kick total ass) likes to freeze in the middle of loading the OS (like the little blue bar that shows that XP is loading, after about 4 times it goes by, and then it freezes). The only way to unfreeze it is to run the HP System Restore (not the Microsoft Windows XP System restore), which basically returns everything back to the way it was when I first turned on the computer, except it keeps all of my files that I had on the hard drive, including what was on the desktop. However, the HP system restore itself takes about an hour, and then I have to reload all the software (Office, Visual Studio.net, IM clients, Service Pack 2 and the rest of the critical updates, drivers and such for numerous hardware devices I have, including the graphics card, and much much more). If I'm not mistaking, I will probobly end up doing all of this tomorrow, since I did it last sunday when I came back from Florida. This has been going on since last October (possibly even earlier than that).

Is there any possible way I can fix this?

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Originally posted by Cerpin Taxt Ok. Get this. After every 7 days, my computer (whose specs kick total ass) likes to freeze in the middle of loading the OS (like the little blue bar that shows that XP is loading, after about 4 times it goes by, and then it freezes). The only way to unfreeze it is to run the HP System Restore (not the Microsoft Windows XP System restore), which basically returns everything back to the way it was when I first turned on the computer, except it keeps all of my files that I had on the hard drive, including what was on the desktop. However, the HP system restore itself takes about an hour, and then I have to reload all the software (Office, Visual Studio.net, IM clients, Service Pack 2 and the rest of the critical updates, drivers and such for numerous hardware devices I have, including the graphics card, and much much more). If I'm not mistaking, I will probobly end up doing all of this tomorrow, since I did it last sunday when I came back from Florida. This has been going on since last October (possibly even earlier than that). Is there any possible way I can fix this?

Did Windows XP come preinstalled on the hard drive, or is it somewhere on the restore disc (or on a separate disc)? Look on the restore disc for a folder called i386. If it's there, that's where XP is installed from, and instead of using the restore disc normally, you can try formatting the hard drive and installing XP by itself. That way, all the extra HP software that might not even be necessary won't be installed, and it will help narrow down the problem (assuming it's software-based) if not eliminate it completely.

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Originally posted by Krang quote: Originally posted by Cerpin Taxt Ok. Get this. After every 7 days, my computer (whose specs kick total ass) likes to freeze in the middle of loading the OS (like the little blue bar that shows that XP is loading, after about 4 times it goes by, and then it freezes). The only way to unfreeze it is to run the HP System Restore (not the Microsoft Windows XP System restore), which basically returns everything back to the way it was when I first turned on the computer, except it keeps all of my files that I had on the hard drive, including what was on the desktop. However, the HP system restore itself takes about an hour, and then I have to reload all the software (Office, Visual Studio.net, IM clients, Service Pack 2 and the rest of the critical updates, drivers and such for numerous hardware devices I have, including the graphics card, and much much more). If I'm not mistaking, I will probobly end up doing all of this tomorrow, since I did it last sunday when I came back from Florida. This has been going on since last October (possibly even earlier than that). Is there any possible way I can fix this? Did Windows XP come preinstalled on the hard drive, or is it somewhere on the restore disc (or on a separate disc)? Look on the restore disc for a folder called i386. If it's there, that's where XP is installed from, and instead of using the restore disc normally, you can try formatting the hard drive and installing XP by itself. That way, all the extra HP software that might not even be necessary won't be installed, and it will help narrow down the problem (assuming it's software-based) if not eliminate it completely.

It came preinstalled. There is no restore disk. I run System Restore via a partitioned hard drive.

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Originally posted by Cerpin Taxt It came preinstalled. There is no restore disk. I run System Restore via a partitioned hard drive.

Oh, that makes things a little more difficult then (sorry, I haven't had a store-bought computer in over 5 years, so last I heard, they were still using CDs for the system restore process). You'll probably need to buy new software: the easier but more expensive choice is to buy a new copy of Windows XP, and the less expensive but more complicated choice is to buy Partition Magic and copy the i386 files to a new FAT32 partition, and install XP from there.

Another possibility (if you haven't already tried this) is to do a system restore, then immediately afterward, uninstall any unnecessary HP software before installing new software.

One more thing to try is to go to Control Panel > User Accounts, then create a new account to use. You'll lose your settings, but if it's a problem with the user registry, it should be cleared up. Also, you can always copy things such as desktop icons from your old profile directory to your new one.

My virus scanner is up to date, but since I posted here last I have gotten the stupid thing 3 more times. The Event Viewer says the same thing it did before and I'm at a loss. This thing is also starting to effect my computer! Everything doesn't want to load right, it seems.

Not to menton...when I downloaded this iconmaker, nothing saved right, not to mention my curser dissapear so I was forsed to do a cold shut off, it came back on, nothing worked! When I clicked it, nothing came up, but it did alow me to delete the icon maker. So I ended up shuting down normaly after that, but when I tried to do that this thing came up saying that it was ending a program, this program was msmsgs.exe. I mean I looked and saw that it was for MSN messenger but I don't have it....

This pice of junk is dieing faster then I exspected >_< ...

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Originally posted by Green_Bird My virus scanner is up to date, but since I posted here last I have gotten the stupid thing 3 more times. The Event Viewer says the same thing it did before and I'm at a loss. This thing is also starting to effect my computer! Everything doesn't want to load right, it seems. Not to menton...when I downloaded this iconmaker, nothing saved right, not to mention my curser dissapear so I was forsed to do a cold shut off, it came back on, nothing worked! When I clicked it, nothing came up, but it did alow me to delete the icon maker. So I ended up shuting down normaly after that, but when I tried to do that this thing came up saying that it was ending a program, this program was msmsgs.exe. I mean I looked and saw that it was for MSN messenger but I don't have it.... This pice of junk is dieing faster then I exspected >_< ...

If none of these problems occurred before you installed SP2, I would recommend uninstalling it and going back to SP1, since it's possible that some of your software is not compatible with it. Go to Add or Remove Programs on the Control Panel, and uninstall Windows XP Service Pack 2 from there. SP2 is not entirely necessary as long as you keep up-to-date with the security patches on Windows Update.

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Originally posted by Krang If none of these problems occurred before you installed SP2, I would recommend uninstalling it and going back to SP1, since it's possible that some of your software is not compatible with it. Go to Add or Remove Programs on the Control Panel, and uninstall Windows XP Service Pack 2 from there. SP2 is not entirely necessary as long as you keep up-to-date with the security patches on Windows Update.

Um...When I take it out will it automatically go back to SP1? Because I really don't want to loose anything, and there is (once again) no way to back anything up.

And it seems that my icons are dissapearing. What would be causeing this now?



Then sometimes cutting and pasting something works and then it doesn't work...it's off and on and not like the last time I had a svchost problem with my other computer....