Personal computing discussed

Search found 113 matches

by xgsound
Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:08 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Do/did you reapply thermal paste in laptops/notebooks?
Replies: 22
Views: 10792

Re: Do/did you reapply thermal paste in laptops/notebooks?

I've done this numerous times for many relatives. Check youtube for the appropriate videos when possible looking for unique assembly problems. I add a copper pad when I see a thermal pad: 15 for $8 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E5SMY0W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I oft...
by xgsound
Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:20 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: My 30 y/o fridge is clicking
Replies: 24
Views: 2696

Re: My 30 y/o fridge is clicking

I also have a Samsung french door, freezer below, no water in the door from 2008. No functional problems with it at all and I don't even change the ice filter. It can be noisy sometimes, but the only real problem was getting the big one into the house. Several relatives got one mostly because they'r...
by xgsound
Fri May 24, 2019 7:57 am
Forum: Motherboards, Chipsets, & RAM
Topic: Weren't bad caps only an early 2000s phenomenon?
Replies: 38
Views: 12830

Re: Weren't bad caps only an early 2000s phenomenon?

Sister sites for caps and advice: forum https://www.badcaps.net/forum/index.php caps store http://www.badcaps.net/store/create_account.php They used to recap boards also, but that was several years ago. I fixed 2 boards for local relatives a few years ago with their caps. My repaired post: https://w...
by xgsound
Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:21 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Restored Win 7 from backup, now lost localized folder names
Replies: 9
Views: 3458

Re: Restored Win 7 from backup, now lost localized folder names

Yan: Sorry it didn't work, but I thought it would be worth a try. I keep a copy with my other fix-it utilities.
by xgsound
Sat Feb 16, 2019 9:02 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Restored Win 7 from backup, now lost localized folder names
Replies: 9
Views: 3458

Re: Restored Win 7 from backup, now lost localized folder names

I once had an extra My Pictures system folder in WIN7 and Windows Repair from Tweaking . com fixed that. It makes a lot of settings revert to default. It's free, just don't click on the first big green download button for a ""PC health"" program. https://www.tweaking.com/content/...
by xgsound
Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:06 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Disk Cloning software recommendation
Replies: 34
Views: 8148

Re: Disk Cloning software recommendation

Currently I use either free Aomei product; Partition assistant to partition and clone, and Backupper. https://www.disk-partition.com/free-partition-manager.html or https://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html It reboots to a linux program to complete complex tasks. Over the years Macrium...
by xgsound
Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:47 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Can't Initilize New 4TB SSD
Replies: 16
Views: 4836

Re: Can't Initilize New 4TB SSD

"uninstall driver in Device Manager but no dice." I assume you have a form of windows. First, does that version of windows support over 2TB of disk space AND does your MB support it? Check bit size of the OS (32 bit - 64 bit) also. I use Aomei Partition Manager (a free program at https://w...
by xgsound
Sat Jan 26, 2019 10:10 pm
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Emulate Android Phone on a Pc?
Replies: 5
Views: 6630

Re: Emulate Android Phone on a Pc?

Another vote for Bluestacks. I use it to run some security camera apps for the Wyzw cams because they're dirt ($26 and $38) cheap. Wyze cam for setup, edits, and single view; tinycam for up to 4 live camera views. https://www.bluestacks.com/ cams: $38 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGR98VQ/ref...
by xgsound
Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:30 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Old camera connection - how to connect? What's missing?
Replies: 73
Views: 8298

Re: Old camera connection - how to connect? What's missing?

[quote="soulas85"][quote="Glorious"][quote="soulas85"]Yeah, that part i have figured out my self, that's why I ordered DVR with BNC video In.[/quote] Why though? That doesn't power anything. If it turns out that these cameras are broken, unusable, or ill-suited for your...
by xgsound
Mon Jul 30, 2018 1:39 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Old camera connection - how to connect? What's missing?
Replies: 73
Views: 8298

Re: Old camera connection - how to connect? What's missing?

Before you do anything check the resolution of the cameras. If less than 1080P, replacement complete systems (without display) are $500 or less at Sam's club and Costco. For much more info review https://ipcamtalk.com/ and http://www.cctvforum.com/index.php?sid=640cd42627c258640fc94bc6fcf7b97c . The...
by xgsound
Sun Jul 29, 2018 3:08 pm
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Parental Monitoring
Replies: 16
Views: 6354

Re: Parental Monitoring

Not to be a jerk, but a possible solution is to get her and him off of your plan.
That way she will have a very direct interest in monitoring his usage and she will not have to check with you to make any changes she feels is appropriate.
by xgsound
Sun Jul 22, 2018 12:47 am
Forum: Linux, Unix, and Assorted Madness
Topic: WOW! Computer for Seniors
Replies: 41
Views: 39885

Re: WOW! Computer for Seniors

According to their specs on the bottom of page 2 of the FAQs the specs are: Processor Intel Celeron Quad Core Processor Memory 2 GB RAM Hard Drive 32 GB SSD Flash Drive (Additional Cloud Storage Available) For over $1,000 and all proprietary that's about 4 times too much. They have phones with bette...
by xgsound
Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:01 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Need advice regarding backup boot media
Replies: 2
Views: 1651

Re: Need advice regarding backup boot media

May I suggest cloning before the updates and recloning to the same SSD after the updates. Just in case.

I support several people in the family and the idea of a clone has saved a lot of aggravation for me twice now.
Pittsburgh, huh - lookout for floods and landslides.
by xgsound
Wed May 23, 2018 4:20 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Car accident, what is insurance's responsibility?
Replies: 34
Views: 5846

Re: Car accident, what is insurance's responsibility?

Check out Amazon for the mirror before any one gets excited. This is a heated motorized mirror for a Sonata - $36. E-Z replacement https://www.amazon.com/Hyundai-Unpainted-Adjusting-Non-Folding-Replacement/dp/B076DLK7WF/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1527109978&sr=8-2&keywords=2009+sonata+driver...
by xgsound
Mon Apr 23, 2018 10:48 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: IP security camera recommedations?
Replies: 14
Views: 10787

Re: IP security camera recommedations?

The BNC connector is for analog video usually over a (1 power, 1 signal) dual cable as opposed to RJ45 which is digital. The 240 FPS is total max capability for all cameras at the DVR. 8 Cameras X 30 FPS = 240 FPS. Less FPS gives more time on the same size HDD. Actually anything down to 15 FPS is ve...
by xgsound
Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:36 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: IP security camera recommedations?
Replies: 14
Views: 10787

Re: IP security camera recommedations?

https://www.ipcamtalk.com/ (fendermann is very knowledgeable) is a great camera forum for more info. Insist on minimum 1080P. I happened to check these out for a friend on March 26th. They are stand alone recording systems that need wired internet for remote. Internet can be tricky to set up. Here i...
by xgsound
Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:13 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Game Stuttering With FPS Drops After Windows 10 Creators Update
Replies: 22
Views: 13268

Re: Game Stuttering With FPS Drops After Windows 10 Creators Update

My experience in win 10 home (week of March 15, 2018) is that the updates will reinstall at the first opportunity the other, non-functional driver regardless of the settings changes and hacks I could find during that week. In my case a family laptop went way too dim to see or use upon update and reb...
by xgsound
Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:19 am
Forum: Graphics
Topic: Please help laptop LCD monitor goes crazy
Replies: 4
Views: 2222

Re: Please help laptop LCD monitor goes crazy

Dismantle videos on youtube may show your exact laptop. It appeared that the external monitor was having problems too in the second video. If it was, reapply compound to the heatsink (sometimes the video chip is included) and clean out the fan exit (caked on dust is common) in case it is overheating...
by xgsound
Sun Feb 25, 2018 10:19 pm
Forum: Gaming
Topic: Legal DOS Games
Replies: 8
Views: 3241

Re: Legal DOS Games

Don't forget to check out https://www.scummvm.org/ for software to run many old Lucas Arts and Sierra games on current hardware.
by xgsound
Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Dual Fax
Replies: 28
Views: 6821

Re: Dual Fax

As I understand it, a fax can have the weight of law because it can be verified, whereas an email is way too readily spoofed.

While people may agree to accept an email, legal matters have strict requirements for court purposes.
by xgsound
Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:00 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: It's worked like that for years...
Replies: 32
Views: 7988

Re: It's worked like that for years...

Isn't it wonderful when they call you because they don't know what's wrong, and then they try to tell you how to fix it. For half the people it's human nature. Here is the sign at many auto mechanic shops. Labor $40.00 an hour Labor if you watch $60.00 an hour Labor if you help $100.00 an hour and n...
by xgsound
Thu Nov 09, 2017 1:51 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Home A/C Air Handler
Replies: 29
Views: 6466

Re: Home A/C Air Handler

Capacitors and 32Vac transformers are subject to failure from power problems/ damage at any time.
by xgsound
Wed Nov 08, 2017 5:51 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Other folks falling asleep when talking computers.
Replies: 31
Views: 2870

Re: Other folks falling asleep when talking computers.

A great way to teach is create interest. Here is a tool I successfully used to teach many otherwise uninterested people many rudiments of computers. Back when "Printshop Deluxe" version 10 was around, i found than people were interested enough in making custom (their name on it) cards, cus...
by xgsound
Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:33 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: My first Notebook, how to care for it.
Replies: 65
Views: 15899

Re: My first Notebook, how to care for it.

For backups, clones, or new SSDs and any 2.5 inch SATA device the HDD caddy works at full SATA speed. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005G4RZNU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=techreport09-20 $15 That's even better that usb3. Most new laptops even allow "safe to remove...
by xgsound
Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:19 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: My first Notebook, how to care for it.
Replies: 65
Views: 15899

Re: My first Notebook, how to care for it.

Three items to help: 1. Always put laptop on hard, flat surface for cooling, never on a soft (bed) surface that blocks vents. Heat kills HDDs and CPUs. 2. purchase a HDD SATA caddy (<$15) to temporarily install in the (one screw usually releases DVD) DVD slot. example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...
by xgsound
Tue May 30, 2017 12:36 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: How long before your last build started to fail?
Replies: 76
Views: 9312

Re: How long before your last build started to fail?

From back in 2006 this MSI K9N6PGM-F started with an Athlon 64 and ended up with an X2 5400 and it still works. I keep it around because Print Shop Deluxe (easy and fun) still works on the win7 32 bit install and it comes in handy sometimes. It even has IDE and SATA ports so I can troubleshoot peopl...
by xgsound
Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:33 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: New electric range options?
Replies: 27
Views: 6091

Re: New electric range options?

My local Lowe's has thirty one 30" models starting at $399 retail. See your Lowe's and Home Depot too. Can't hurt to look in person at local sales.
My boy always asks about their sale items first and often gets a great surprise ! H

Jim
by xgsound
Sat Mar 25, 2017 7:21 pm
Forum: Processors
Topic: A link that will send PC enthusiasts back to 1999...
Replies: 23
Views: 5775

Re: A link that will send PC enthusiasts back to 1999...

The old program I enjoyed the most was Wingroov (a software midi synth) along with a player that showed colored lines for each simultaneous note. Great with guitar pieces and wavering notes.
This was from Win 3.1 to XP.

Jim
by xgsound
Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:39 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: AntiVirus suggestions
Replies: 95
Views: 30671

Re: AntiVirus suggestions

So the popups are for Bitdefender. This doesn't help you at all, but I never got any popup from Bitdefender so I am at a loss. I'm very surprised. I have been using free Bitdefender for several years and install it on all (~ 15) the relatives computers I repair. I register about 5 per email address ...
by xgsound
Thu Mar 02, 2017 1:35 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: AntiVirus suggestions
Replies: 95
Views: 30671

Re: AntiVirus suggestions

I have found that pop ups and other ads are often not stopped by any A/V. An ad blocker in the browser is more effective for those types of Malware. Since ads are a common vector for Malware, a ad blocker can be very important. Lately I use ublock origin which can be toggled, but pick your own. Jim
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