Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with computers

Here a Drive, there a Drive...

TeachTheDead — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:35:08 -0800

What to do with a spare laptop hard drive...please help At my last job, our company gave away a bunch of laptops since they were older and I love mine still (after a year, the laptop is a Panasonic Toughbook and is a few years older).
I was given 2 removable Hard drive with it.
On one I have Vista and I use it every day, the other I installed Unbuntu and I dont see the point...knowing how to use it won't get me a job or even let me do any thing "cool".
So I have a spare Hard Drive, what can I do with it? I have been pondering this question for several months and I still can't pin it down.

Since the computer is older its just not prime for games, and furthermore, I dont play too many as it is....
Any ideas friends?

If it looks and quacks like a CS Degree, then is it a genuine enough CS Degree???

JoeXIII007 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:15:25 -0800

Does it really matter where you get the Computer Science degree from? I am currently going to Washtenaw Community College to (of course) save money while getting the all important education. Currently majoring in Math and Science with a concentration in Computer Science.

At the moment I have pretty much put my future plans on going to the University of Michigan just a little further westward (which, if you have not heard, is a pretty reputable University other than being part of the Big Ten, as far as I have known).

MUCH closer (I live just barely east of downtown Ypsilanti, MI) to home is Eastern Michigan University. Going there would undeniably save money on not only tuition and supplies but also gas using the car. For either university, I would be commuting to them.

Now I make the following realizations no matter what the decision:
- The CS biz changes practically daily, so I know I will have to constantly learn new stuff.
- As far as I know, computer scientists are in high demand (at least according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The education I get at college lays a foundation more than anything (doing a pretty deep google search confirmed this) and anything in industry will have to be picked up along the way.
- Having noted that, I already know people without CS degrees already in the industry (particularly with .NET).

Therefore, it really comes down to the money, quality of college education and risk with sacrificing either, and thus why I ask MeFi: does it really matter where I get the CS degree from??? I have done a lot of research into this decision and I am more than anything looking for the final factor (which I cannot seem to grasp) that will set the decision in stone.

Trivia: Currently 19 years old, holding a 3.97 GPA (only shy of a 4 thanks to an A- for some reason), and have put myself through two semesters (Fall 07/Winter 08) of 18 credit hour loads (for a total of 36 in the college career).

Phantom files?

dozo — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:43:11 -0800

Windows Server 2003 - Best way to see what files (and their locations) disk quotas are counting against a user? I am running a 30 user 2003 domain using roaming profiles and 2GB disk quotas with XP Pro. All are working well except one user.

For some reason quota entries claim that she has 4GB used in her profile, but I cannot find what the quotas are talking about. Her profile is around 200MB, same on the server. I've searched through the server to find these files (music files from a year ago when the profiles was first started - all were erased from server and station) but I haven't found anything.

My question... What's the best way to list the files quotas are seeing?

There may be something obvious here I'm missing, but I'm a Linux man working with 2003 and nothing I can find online mentions how to list the files attributed to a user in quotas.

Can you fix the Internet I broke?

Airhen — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:29:28 -0800

My computer is showing that I'm connected to the Internet, but it's not actually connecting. My usual trouble shooting tricks aren't working, so does anyone have any ideas? I'm sorry if this has been answered before. I don't seem to have specific enough terms to search here or on Google.

The Interwebs were working fine, and then I restarted because I was prompted to for an update. I have a PC (an HP laptop) running XP. The laptop is about four years old. It shows that I'm connected (wirelessly) to my signal, but I can't get to any Web sites, use instant messenger, etc.

I've tried: repairing my connection (that seemed to happen as usual, but with no results), restarting, restarting and repairing again, turning off the wireless router and turning it back on, connecting to another signal, turning off my computer's wireless card (do we still call it that in 2008?) and turning it on again, restarting and repairing again, just for good measure.

One of those usually works, but not this time.

Any other ideas?

How to get Word 2007 to generate the date?

nickhb — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:09:56 -0800

How do I make Microsoft Word 2007 include the date a document was created within the document itself? I will be attending college in the fall, and in order to save time, I want to make Microsoft Word 2007 include my name and the date in a header in every document. I already have achieved something similar by altering the normal template to include my name and a dynamically updating date. Here is the problem: If the date does not dynamically update, every document contains the date that the original template was modified. If it does update, the documents contain the date of the day they were last opened. I want to make the documents generate the date they were created, and then make that date stay the same in the document forever. Any ideas?

Your victories and woes as a unix/linux sysadmin

Myles — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:36:17 -0800

What were your greatest victories and punishing woes as a unix/linux system administrator? I've been learning both unix and linux recently from a desire to use Solaris on a home server, and then the whole system administration thing hit me. So, I wanted to throw this one out there for the real world sysadmins out there: For those who are or were Unix or Linux system administrators, whether for a small company or large enterprise, what were some of the unique challenges or obstacles you encountered while working on the job? Not limited to just technical challenges, but it can be anything.

I am looking for a simple timeclock/timecard replacement software.

Davaal — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:42:01 -0800

I'm a tech for a school district. One of my high schools was hit by lightning. The computer that my faculty uses to clock in every day (a windows 95 machine) died. I need a replacement ASAP. I don't know if weather had anything to do with the machine going down or not. I do know that the HD clicks grinds when powered up and it isn't being recognized in BIOS. I've built them a new PC and was ready to install the software for them, but no one knows what software they were running. I've contacted our helpdesk, software procurement, etc. The software is so old that no one remembers what it was. I seem to recall it was some sort of Microsoft Access DB called Logman. Googling hasn't provided any answers. I've decided to download some free software and hack it to my needs. I found phptimeclock and timetrex. Timetrex requires me to import users from the command line :-/, which is not something I can explain to our database specialist. PHPtimesheet is simple, but there are features I need which I don't have the time to code myself - i have other schools to get ready and the start of the year is approaching.

I need it to be a simple login because my users are not tech-savvy. 1-click logins are great. I also need the ability to clock everyone out at one time. This is the important feature phptimeclock is missing.

Any suggestions? PM me if you have a solution that you don't want to release to general pub.

Java update crashes IE7

JtJ — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:21:12 -0800

Just installed latest Java RE 6 update 5 and IE7 crashes on opening. Have restored system and cancelled Java updates (for now) but....anyone else had this problem? Did you find a fix? I'm running Vista Ultimate on a Dell Inspiron 530 about 9 months old. Grateful for any thoughts....

Do I have to get a new computer to get an iPhone?

mccxxiii — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:23:43 -0800

Is there some kind of adapter I can get that will let me plug a USB 2.0 item into a Firewire slot on a Mac Powerbook G4? I have a Powerbook G4 with a Firewire 400 plug-hole and only a USB 1.0 plug-hole, and I want to get a new iPhone. The new iPhone requires USB 2.0.

Is there something I can get that will turn my Firewire 400 into a USB 2.0, or at least let me plug one thing into another? I don't care if the speed is degraded just a bit. (I understand that USB 2.0 goes to 480, where my Firewire only goes to 400.)

Or could I somehow take out the USB 1.0 innards and replace them with a USB 2.0 card? Would that be crazy expensive?

There's so much life left in this PB, and I've got plenty of RAM and an upgraded hard drive. I don't want to get a whole new computer just to get an iPhone.

On the other hand, I really want an iPhone ...

Buy Asus 901 EEE PC in London?

bollockovnikov — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:46:10 -0800

EEE PC Filter: Where can I buy one of the new Asus 901 EEE PCs, in London? Preferably today. I can go to central London, near Tottenham Court Road maybe? But I live in North East London.

Any ideas? Cheers

Computer class activities?

prefrontal — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:25:14 -0800

Activities for weeklong 7th grade computer class? I am teaching a computer/technology class for inner city middle school students in a few weeks and need some new ideas. The goal for this class isn't to give the students a large amount of new skills, but rather to acquaint them with the power of computers and give them a new level of comfort with technology. I have about 90 minutes a day with each group of kids. I have some activities planned on GIS with Google Earth, a session with Photoshop, and a session on audio/music with GarageBand. What other activities can the Hive recommend to round out the week?

How do I guttenberg my digital?

history is a weapon — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:00:08 -0800

[video/printing filter]I want to take video from Final Cut Pro, export them, and then print them on a grid on paper. I know how to do the first part, but am confused about the printing. How do I do it? So I can export an image sequence from Final Cut Pro and get a sequentially numbered set of image files in a folder. How do I take said folder and print them so the pictures are at full resolution (640x480), but not just a single picture per page, but as many of them as can fit (with maybe a small border) on a piece of paper and have the slides be sequential? I have use of an epson stylus photo 1400 if this is helpful to the answer. I basically want to print up 1,440 frames on less than 1,440 pieces of paper.

Computer science? yea or nay?

frettchen — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:21:24 -0800

Should I major in computer science? If yes, what career options are available? I have always loved computers, and considered studying computer science in college. I first tinkered around with Linux when I was 14, loved working on the command line, and created websites with html and php. However, I abandoned that goal as I wanted to do things that make a difference in people's lives and work with people, not mainly by myself in front of a computer. I also haven't been that great in math, and that might hinder me from exceeding in a computing field.

I started my undergraduate studies with the goal of majoring in psychology, and I have been satisfied with my studies so far as I am fascinated by it. But there is always this nagging doubt in the back of mind - that I should do what I really love. I don't really see a future of a career in psychology, I don't think I am cut out to be a psychologist. I would rather do research, but then biological bases are a great impact on human behavior as well and I wouldn't be fully able to understand it (I really dislike chem, and I'm not too big of a fan of bio either). And I do not want to be just another psych major.

So, now I have finished my first year of studies, and I am thinking that I should study computer science as well. I will take my first class in the fall, and if I like it I'll try to minor or major in it (additionally with psych as minor or major).

But - what careers are available to computer science majors besides database administrators and obviously being a programmer? I'm female by the way, if that is relevant.

No Web Surfing Has Given me the Shakes and Dry Heaves

davidstandaford — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:02:40 -0800

Any advice on coming to terms with not being able to surf the internet or keep up with the news for the next year? For a variety of reasons (mostly extreme lack of time and intermittent internet access) I've realized that I'm going to have to give up using websites and blogs to keep up with current events, technology, politics, and culture.

So far, I've used my limited time on a computer to do my best to get through a few of my favorite sites in my RSS reader, but I think it will be better to just go cold turkey and I'm having a hard time convincing myself to do this.

I used to enjoy being well-informed on a variety of topics and it's frightening for me to think I won't know what's going on with the Presidential election/the iphone 3g/the latest kottke links/etc.

Any advice on how to cope with this and to convince myself not to use my scant/valuable computer time checking news/blogs?

I'm not looking for a technological fix via a firefox extension or something like that because I'm using a variety of computers. I haven't deleted my bloglines RSS account, but I guess that is the first/best step to take, but anything in the reader is also available online so it's more about convincing myself not to want to check the sites.

Overall though, I'm just looking for a way to deal with the mental anguish (exaggeration) of being almost completely uninformed for the next year.

P.S. It's not that I have no intellectual stimulation... I'm doing a year long academic program that has brought about these circumstances, so I'm trying to convince myself that learning all this other useful/important stuff can take the place of how I used to spend my time reading stuff online.

Thanks for the help!

Why is my camera not a camera?

EmpressCallipygos — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:39 -0800

I have an Olympus digital camera. On my old computer I could plug it in via a USB port and transfer images from the camera to the computer, using the Olympus software. But I got a new computer last summer -- and neither my computer nor the Olympus software recognizes it AS a camera. Instead, they think it's a flash drive. Is there a way to correct this? I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Olympus software, and updating it with the Olympus site. Unlike other questions I've seen that are similar, I AM able to get things off the camera -- I just have to treat it as a flash drive to do so. But it is mildly annoying and requires one extra step; so if there's a way to fix this, fine, but I'm not bereft of photos so I can put up with the current status quo if need be.

Stats on the computers -- the old one was a Gateway running Windows ME, purchased in 2000. New one is a Dell Vostro running Windows XP, purchased last year.

monitor vs projector

dozo — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:22:07 -0800

I'm thinking of replacing/supplementing my PC monitor with a projector, but I've never really used or shopped for one. Is it worth it, or should I just go for a couple of the biggest monitors I can afford? I've long dreamed of a leaving my monitor behind and using a projector for gaming and video on my XP/Linux pc. The quality I'm looking for mostly is resolution... at least 1080. Recently I've found what seems to be a reasonably priced projector here.

Thing is, it says resolution=800x600 native, 1600x1200 resized, able to put out 1080p. On Newegg, however, it just mentions 800x600. Having had no experience with projectors, I'm fuzzy on whether they behave like monitors. Can you just change resolution with good results like a CRT, or do they have only one resolution they're good at like a LCD? Will the picture be true 1600x1200 or some crappy technical trickery for "virtual" 16x12 (or something)? Is there something that goes along with high resolution, like shorter lamp life or reduced brightness?

In addition, has anyone set up a projector for their main display? Is this advisable? Are there any things I might need to be aware of, like room size, darkness level, eye strain? I know I'm looking for a high lumen count and over 2000:1 contrast, but is there anything else in particular I need to watch out for?

How do I install XP without a CD-ROM?

keeblerte6 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:19:51 -0800

Major computer issue: I have recently bought an ASUS EEE PC with Linux. I need to put XP on it but I have no CD-ROM drive. I do have three USB ports and wireless capabilities, however. How do I get XP on my computer? I am currently traveling and have no way to return home and install XP. I am totally devoid of computer savvy people and I need XP to install some programs so that I can work from the road. Any suggestions?

Shipping computers across the Canada & U.S.A. border

danwalker — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:05:58 -0800

I'm in Canada, and I need to send some computers to our office in the U.S.A. (Vermont, to be more specific). Will the hardware be inspected by customs or other security as it crosses the border? A colleague is certain that we can't ship a computer across the border without it being seized and inspected by border security. I've never heard of this, outside of a laptop being carried by an actual person going through customs.

A quick Google turns up lots of info on duties and cross-border shopping, but not much about actually shipping a box of computer equipment into the States. Does a policy/practice/rule about cracking open every box to inspect the computer hardware inside exist? If so, can you tell me anything about it?

You have been disconnected.

synecdoche — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:17:09 -0800

We're having some problems with our wireless network, and I can't figure out what the problem is. We're using a D-Link DI-524 Router, with the most up-to-date firmware, and are both running Macbooks, both with up-to-date versions of OSX.5. One of these (mine) was also having trouble with another router (an Inexq), too, but I don't want to go back to that anyway as it has little in the way of security.

On the D-Link, we have WPA2 security enabled on the router, SSID is being broadcast. Currently the channel is set to Auto Select, but I've also tried selecting one manually, as far away from all the other channels I can pick up with iStumbler as I can, and the problem persists. I've also tried setting the router to Mix Mode and to G-only. No difference.

The basic problem is that the connection gets cut quite frequently. Usually, the little Airport monitor won't register any disconnection; it still says full-strength. However, no websites are accessible, and accessing the router's configuration utility through the web browser (ie by going to the router's IP address) doesn't do much either. At this point, the connection can usually be restored by turning Airport off and turning it back on again. However, a few minutes later, another disconnection.

There doesn't seem to be, that I've noticed, any specific factor that is influencing when the disconnections occur. It happens running on battery and when the laptops are plugged in.

I'm starting to think that maybe I need to just get a new router, but before I do, I want to make sure I've tried everything.

(I've seen this and this, but nothing seems to help, and they are for an older version of OSX anyway.

Could the fact that iTunes skipping be a sign that I need a new hard drive?

phr4gmonk3y — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:22:50 -0800

I just got my Macbook back from the Apple Store today after they replaced the logic board on the unit. I've noticed that every song I play in iTunes seems to skip. Finding this odd, I opened up the Activity Monitor and looked at disk usage. It seems like whenever a read to the disk is made, iTunes seems to begin skipping. Furthermore, I have the same problem after trying to play mp3's via mpg123. I'm worried that the skipping could be a sign my hard drive might be failing. I recently installed a brand new 250 GB hard drive from Newegg about a month and a half ago, so I'm somewhat skeptical. Is it a reasonable concern?

\windows\system32\config\system HELP PLEASE

Jackie_Treehorn — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:36:03 -0800

I've really got myself a bad computer problem. At startup I get the error that the following is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system. More details after the link... I've really got myself a bad computer problem. At startup I get the error that the following is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system.

The system prompts you insert your installation disk and enter the repair menu to repair it. When I do this the install cd can not even see my SATA hard drive let alone fix anything on it!

Since I could not get anything to work I just reformatted my computer and installed a fresh copy of Windows XP with SP2 on a different SATA drive. It has all of the recent updates applied.

Whew – problem solved and I have a nice fresh system. Yeah! WAIT! THE PROBLEM IS BACK!! WHAT THE HELL??!!

So now I am stuck once again with the same exact error. I can not find any good information on the internet on how to fix this problem so I need some real help here.

Thanks!

How do I get a new laptop fast?

Nothing — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:29:04 -0800

I am an American living in overseas, and do not have access to computer stores. In addition, shipping here is prohibitively expensive (shipping a laptop via DHL's lowest cost option would be just over $500, and no retailer I have found ships here directly anyway.). I will be in Canada (Toronto) for two days, starting tomorrow, and need a new Thinkpad. Is this possible? I had no warning on this trip, and obviously cannot wait two+ weeks for delivery as the Lenovo website states. This is to replace a dell that could not take the harsh conditions. Hoping a thinkpad will fare better, but I need to get it here.

Computer hardware review sites?

ErWenn — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:25:56 -0800

Is there a website that tests computer hardware like Tom's Hardware does, but publishes comprehensive comparison artilces more regularly? I'm looking to do some serious upgrades to my system, but I've been out of the loop for awhile, so I need good information that compares the latest CPUs, video cards, etc. Tom's Hardware does excellent tests, but it's pretty rare (maybe once a year, at the most) that they'll do a comprehensive comparison of the various options that are available, taking into account performance, cost, etc. That makes it hard for me to use the site without reading through tons of articles. I'm looking for a site that publishes comparison articles for computer components regularly (maybe four times a year?). CNET's not terrible for full systems, laptops, PDAs, etc., but there's not much info on individual components.

Which of these computer components is faulty?

Who_Am_I — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:37:41 -0800

I bought a new motherboard and a new video card, and now my computer beeps and won't boot to Windows. Which one is to blame? I've just combined this motherboard and this video card to build myself a new computer. When I power on I get one long beep and then three short beeps, which is code for "No video card or bad video RAM" according to BiosCentral (no beep codes in the mobo manual, thanks Asus). Ok so bad video card right? Except that after about 30 seconds the monitor does come on and it attempts to boot: POST screens come up, I can get into the BIOS, etc. If I let it continue to boot I get the "Safe Mode, Boot Normally, ..." screen, and then it bluescreens no matter which I choose. Also I was able to fully boot into an Ultimate Boot CD which contained a Windows environment. If the video card were actually bad, I wouldn't be able to do any of this right?

All this makes me think faulty motherboard. I flashed the BIOS to the newest version, and changed the setting for "default video device" from PCI to PCIe, neither of which made any difference. I don't have any spare compatible components to test anything separately, and the board has no onboard video. I'm pretty handy with computers, but this is my first time working with stuff like PCIe. Is there something obvious I'm missing? I bought through Newegg so I assume I'll be able to RMA anything I need to.

Of course I want to *%^& well stay connected!

heffalump — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:53:05 -0800

HALP PLZ! I'm a wireless girl on a MacBook. I'm staying at a friend's house and have hooked my computer up to her DSL connection. An annoying Internet Connect dialogue box keeps poping up saying: "This is your reminder that your connection is still active. Do you wish to remain connected?" so I have to click "Stay connected" every fifteen minutes. It's a kind of slow torture that's driving me crazy and I can't turn it off. I've Googled this problem already and have ended up on a few Mac forums - all of which have given me the following advice:

Do the following:

1) Go to System Preferences
2) Open Network, click "Show"
3) Under Modem (Internal or otherwise) select the PPP Tab.
4) In the PPP Window there will be a button PPP Options
5) When you click that, you will get a list of checkboxes, one of which is
"Prompt every X minutes to maintain connection".

Uncheck. Presto!

That's great except when I click "Show" there is no option for modem, internal or otherwise and no PPP window and therefore no PPP Options.

What do I do? I'm going to lose it any minute now.