Personal computing discussed

Search found 31 matches

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by spitfire650
Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:11 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Restoring internet access during a zombie apocalypse?
Replies: 27
Views: 10372

Re: Restoring internet access during a zombie apocalypse?

The people in these walled cities are trying to get back the quality of life they had before the apocalypse at all costs, so I am thinking they're aiming at least for 2010 facebook. Wouldn't things like taking back the rest of the country trump getting Facebook back? It's hard to imagine a small nu...
by spitfire650
Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:03 am
Forum: Windows
Topic: Help fix system freeze problem (Windows Vista)
Replies: 7
Views: 2655

Re: Help fix system freeze problem (Windows Vista)

Weird stuff like that can get you. Last week I was looking at a system that wouldn't get past the POST screen - turned out once I unplugged the USB scanner attached to it, it booted up without issue. I was able to reconnect the scanner okay once it booted up, but it didn't actually work again until ...
by spitfire650
Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:10 am
Forum: Windows
Topic: Windows Print Server
Replies: 3
Views: 1589

Re: Windows Print Server

Doing drivers on a print server can certainly be a frustrating process. What you'll find for drivers depends on the manufacturer. Canon I know is good about offering a 64-bit Windows driver and a 32-bit Windows driver, so that makes things easy. Others will offer different drivers for every Windows ...
by spitfire650
Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:50 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Office Printers... Advice?
Replies: 12
Views: 3215

Re: Office Printers... Advice?

Honestly, any laser printer that costs $99 is probably cheaply made and will have a lot of bad reviews, it's basically a throw-away model at that price (and intended for light home use). If I were you I'd get one myself and test it out before selling it to anyone. You'd probably just be replacing ba...
by spitfire650
Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:51 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: TR Forums - Features
Replies: 14
Views: 1825

Re: TR Forums - Features

JAE is talking about message length, and Welch, you're talking about quote length. To add to the discussion, I've always enjoyed TR's somewhat simple look since I started browsing here back in 99 or so (can't remember exactly, but I built a Duron 650 / Asus A7V system based off of stuff I had read h...
by spitfire650
Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:24 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Accounting + Data Encryption
Replies: 14
Views: 3775

Re: Accounting + Data Encryption

I don't know a whole lot about encryption, but I don't feel like $100 a seat is that much, especially for a business requirement. I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly based on that; instead, just look for the best solution (based on needs) and sell it based on its merits. Offer a couple different soluti...
by spitfire650
Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:18 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Win 8 Preview - Unable to Authorize Key
Replies: 6
Views: 1692

Re: Win 8 Preview - Unable to Authorize Key

You should really submit feedback to Microsoft, they do listen. It's not a final product, so I wouldn't condemn it just yet.
by spitfire650
Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:51 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Linus gets upset at SUSE
Replies: 29
Views: 4674

Re: Linus gets upset at SUSE

Instead of finding a new distro, why doesn't he just change it to suit his needs? :P

(Partially kidding, but hey, this guy started it!)
by spitfire650
Thu Mar 01, 2012 7:52 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Internet shut down world wide?
Replies: 28
Views: 3331

Re: Internet shut down world wide?

Firestarter wrote:
The internet was originally designed to have no single point of failure, ergo you cannot simply pull the plug on the internet.


Not to derail, but this is a lot less true than it used to be, and could be pulled off. There are only a few companies running most of the infrastructure now.
by spitfire650
Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:44 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Wired speed falling behind?
Replies: 26
Views: 5744

Re: Wired speed falling behind?

Out of curiosity, what are you guys doing that 1Gb isn't "enough"? Large companies run all sorts of stuff over 1Gb networks (some even at 100Mb, still) and don't see issues.
by spitfire650
Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:49 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: My farewell to extreme PCs
Replies: 98
Views: 9643

Re: My farewell to extreme PCs

I really don't get the whole this is my last purchase post. Its not like when I bought a home entertainment center and declared I wouldn't be going to the theater anymore. How does buying tech facilitate you not buying tech? Its not like you bought a laptop and gave up desktops. I'm just confused b...
by spitfire650
Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:53 am
Forum: Motherboards, Chipsets, & RAM
Topic: laptops with 6gb
Replies: 12
Views: 2911

Re: laptops with 6gb

One could argue that it's a waste to ship a laptop with 6GB instead of 8GB. I mean, a portion of the users is going to swap that 2GB stick out, and what happens with it then? A significant fraction of that would end up thrown away (not even properly recycled). It's a very, very small crowd that wou...
by spitfire650
Tue Feb 07, 2012 12:44 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Access to 2 domains from one computer?
Replies: 12
Views: 6914

Re: Access to 2 domains from one computer?

Another vote for a VM.

I'm not aware of any way to have a workstation joined to two domains. If the other domain is trusted, you could access resources there, but that may or may not be possible depending on if there's a relationship and need between the companies for this.
by spitfire650
Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:56 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Quickbooks loads slower on local server
Replies: 6
Views: 2979

Re: Quickbooks loads slower on local server

Do you know if the switch and patch cables are okay? Testing throughput would be a good place to start.
by spitfire650
Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:53 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Accessing hard drive through ide cable?
Replies: 47
Views: 6026

Re: Accessing hard drive through ide cable?

geekgirrl wrote:
The drive is working and seems to have no issues.


How have you tested it to know it's fine?
by spitfire650
Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:58 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Is there anyone who can actually offer me some good help?
Replies: 35
Views: 4556

Re: Is there anyone who can actually offer me some good help

I ran through Memtest thrice on 8, and nothing happened much. Three times is nothing to me. Loop the whole suite for 12 hours at least. I would say 20+ full passes just to be sure. Be prepared to spend the time since you are trying to isolate fault(s). This. 12 hours at an absolute minimum to feel ...
by spitfire650
Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:21 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Can anyone HELP me?
Replies: 8
Views: 1570

Re: Can anyone HELP me?

I wouldn't rule out the PSU. Bad power can cause strange problems that don't seem to make sense.
by spitfire650
Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:56 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Office 2010 - "Not responding"
Replies: 5
Views: 3160

Re: Office 2010 - "Not responding"

Addons are a normal cause of this behavior. Repair installs often do wonders, as well.
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:08 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Great experience with Logitech Support
Replies: 13
Views: 3109

Re: Great experience with Logitech Support

A little off-track, but is the double-click problem pretty rampant? I've had been through 3 MX518s that have all succumbed to that, but each time they've been good about replacing it. Most currently they replaced it with a G400. I've always gone through the online support system, just explain that i...
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:02 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Upgrading hardware inside existing computer
Replies: 10
Views: 1825

Re: Upgrading hardware inside existing computer

As has been mentioned, Dell will likely have no interest in doing this for you. If they did, by chance, you'd probably spend a lot more than you want. They'd rather just sell you something new. If you're unhappy with the current line of Dell cases (I assume you check into others as well), you might ...
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:55 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Laptop maintanance
Replies: 3
Views: 1110

Re: Laptop maintanance

Replacement keyboards can usually be had for pretty cheap on Ebay, I've gotten a few that way. Make sure you can get some proper documentation on how to replace the keyboard if you do go this route. Trying to fix laptop keyboards can be pretty frustrating and often ends in failure, at least in my ow...
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:51 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Raid-1 or Raid-5 ? Hardware based or Software based ?
Replies: 12
Views: 2143

Re: Raid-1 or Raid-5 ? Hardware based or Software based ?

I'd recommend a RAID 1 as well, but the point on the hardware controllers being much better at rebuilding is valid. RAID 1 with a hardware RAID controller might be the way to go. I've spent some time rebuilding arrays on software controllers and it can be far from pleasant. Unless there's a particul...
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:41 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: First build, few questions
Replies: 7
Views: 2197

Re: First build, few questions

I wouldn't worry too much about waiting for Ivy Bridge - the new thing is usually just around the corner. Coming from a P4 system, anything you buy today is going to be a huge, huge step up, and a 2500K setup will last years.
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:29 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Raid-1 or Raid-5 ? Hardware based or Software based ?
Replies: 12
Views: 2143

Re: Raid-1 or Raid-5 ? Hardware based or Software based ?

I'm not 100% on a lot of it, but for your first question, the best thing to do in the event of a drive failure would be to call Dell and have them assist you with replacing the drive. They can help you make sure that you're replacing the correct one and taking the proper steps. I'd say RAID 1 should...
by spitfire650
Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:30 am
Forum: Windows
Topic: Win 7 Joining New Domain - DNS Error
Replies: 33
Views: 10298

Re: Win 7 Joining New Domain - DNS Error

You can totally do a migration from an old SBS to a new one. Any reason you didn't go with SBS 2011? When you install a new SBS in migration mode, it takes the FSMO roles (Schema master among them) and moves them to the new system. This is what triggers a licensing violation on the old SBS box. It d...
by spitfire650
Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:46 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Windows Server on Desktop Hardware?
Replies: 30
Views: 4688

Re: Windows Server on Desktop Hardware?

For Quickbooks, you don't actually need to install the full-blown software package on the server - there's a small app you can install from the CD that'll just share the directory with the database, and make sure multiple people can open it at the same time. And yeah, SBS 2011 Essentials is a good p...
by spitfire650
Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:36 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Win 7 Joining New Domain - DNS Error
Replies: 33
Views: 10298

Re: Win 7 Joining New Domain - DNS Error

Could you ping the server from the workstation, by name and/or IP? This should be one of the first things you did for troubleshooting, and it's broken, fix it. Are they using the SBS (and only the server) for DNS? The dual network card question is a good one, that can wreak havoc on a DC/DNS. Do DNS...
by spitfire650
Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:29 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Windows Server on Desktop Hardware?
Replies: 30
Views: 4688

Re: Windows Server on Desktop Hardware?

Not to mention that nobody is saying that he needs Xenons or 20 SSDs. He just needs enough to reasonably avoid outages. Dell and I'm sure the other OEMs offer reasonably priced, well engineered server solutions with good tech support for situations like this. I've seen firsthand where a company thou...
by spitfire650
Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:54 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Microsoft the has-been
Replies: 59
Views: 4570

Re: Microsoft the has-been

I may be wrong, but it's a business guy writing about how you can't really make money off of Microsoft anymore, which is probably true. I don't think he's arguing that they're going away anytime soon.

He really does sound like MS wronged him somehow, whether perceived or real.
by spitfire650
Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:02 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Win7 user profiles question
Replies: 4
Views: 1236

Re: Win7 user profiles question

It's generally a good idea to leave the administrator account alone, and create a different account for yourself. You can make your account a regular user, and give it administrator credentials when you need to do something administrative (this is a good practice) or just give your account admin rig...
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