Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with software and pc

How do I keep my new laptop new for as long as possible?

wet-raspberry — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:51:55 -0800

How do I keep my new laptop new for as long as possible? What tools and utilities should I run on to troubleshoot and minimize the risk of losing all my data yet again?

All I have though of so far is:
- scan for viruses using the antivirus software I have installed
- scan for viruses using another antivirus maker's free utility (something along the lines of Free Dr.Web)
- run Spybot Search and Destroy
- defragment

What am I missing?

CD manufacturer identification on the Mac?

ignignokt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:18:38 -0800

Is there a Mac equivalent to CDR Media Code Identifier. This could be run in Parallels, but I'm not sure it'll be able to get what it needs out of the DVD drive. And of course, it'd be nice to not have to run Parallels.

Does PC software exist that can compare the contents of 2 computer folders that each consist of tens of thousands of individual mp3 files, in order to find discrepancies between the two folders?

kristin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:41:32 -0800

I have two drives, and each folder has some overlapping music, some music that isn't in the other folder, and some corrupted files (due to fire damage), which is why I cannot just merge the two together and let the duplicates of one overwrite the other - I don't want to overwrite a 'good' song with a corrupted, unplayable version. I am looking for software that could map the contents of both folders and show me which files they have in common, which would then identify which they do not, and allow me to create a new, clean, folder of music that has no duplicates and no corrupted files.

Does this software exist? Or, is there a better way to do this? Because the thought of doing this manually is making me a little sick.

What do I need to look at when buying a new laptop?

reenum — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:28:05 -0800

I'm in the market for a new laptop. Should I get a PC or Mac? What specs are important for me to look at when making a decision? My Toshiba Satellite A65 seems to be on its last legs, so I think I'm getting a new laptop.

In researching, I've become confused as to which specs really matter when looking at a computer.

Here's what I would use it for:
- E-mail, IM, and Web
- Watching DVDs
- BitTorrent
- Word processing and spreadsheets
- Tracking my finances
- Some music creation (mostly breakbeats)

I've seen some places say that I need as much RAM as possible, others stress the importance of a large hard drive, yet others say I need the fastest processor.

Also, any recommendations as to brands that are more reliable than others?

Please help!

Alternatives to FlipShare for Managing Video on a PC

muckster — Tue, 05 May 2009 11:04:00 -0800

Can you recommend software for managing Flip videos on a PC? I recently got a Flip MinoHD, but a) the built-in software refuses to work on my system and b) it's a little too simple, anyway.

I'm looking for something that will let me import, file, play, and tag the clips from the camera. Picasa 3 looked promising, but somehow, playback of the H.264 files stutters (according to the forums, this is a widespread problem.) Tagging is important to me, so FlipShare wouldn't do even if it worked.

Is there anything similar to Picasa or Lightroom for short movies that will work with the H.264 files produced by the MinoHD? Thanks much.

Antiviral software for PC's?

tangyraspberry — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:31:43 -0800

Can someone suggest a robust, antiviral program for a pc's? Preferably free. Both my wife's and my pc has slowed up and we suspect a virus. Help!

Microsoft Word crashing shortly after start-up. Tried common solutions with no success - other ideas?

Pontius Pilate — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:47:02 -0800

Microsoft Word crashing shortly after start-up. Tried common solutions with no success - other ideas? A few days ago, my Microsoft Word 2003 started crashing. It starts up fine, and if I just leave it running and do nothing, it will not crash. However, when I start editing a document, it will typically crash from anywhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes into it. The crashing is not very consistent, but it seems like I can bring it about by: typing in basic symbols like parentheses, etc.; changing font to bold / italic; and using numbered lists. Doing those things does not consistently cause Word to crash, and sometimes it will crash seemingly at random.

Things I've tried so far (without success):

- Bypassing normal.dot at start-up
- Deleting add-ins
- Deleting Data registry key
- Running ScanDisk

I know that the best thing would be just to reinstall it, but, of course, I can't find my installation CD. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, all!

Help Me Protect My PC Please?

Lipstick Thespian — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:56:25 -0800

What Is The Best PC Anti-Virus Software? My subscription to Norton Anti-Virus Software is ending, and I read here on Metafilter in another thread that this may not be the best choice in PC virus protection.

They are going to auto-subscribe me for another year if I don't cancel, so would like the hive mind to recommend something better for me to use on my system.

I run an HP laptop with Vista Home Premium.

Easiest way to move files and programs?

JoanArkham — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:30:20 -0800

What is the easiest, most foolproof way to move files and programs from an old PC computer (XP) to a new one (presumably Vista, sigh). I've looked through the archives and nothing quite answers my question. I don't want to move the hard drive itself (or mess with hardware in any way) and I only have one monitor so I don't think I can hook the two computers together. Or am I missing something obvious?

The files I need to transfer are mostly music and photos. I also have outdated copies of Adobe CS (from back before they even called it that) and MS Office that I can't afford to upgrade...I am assuming they will still work with Vista, although I might be wrong. (Also, the need to keep old programs is why I'm sticking to PC, I have considered the Mac option!)

Am I so hopeless that I should just pay someone to do it? I used to be fairly handy with computers but my skillz are about 10 years out of date, I think.

Can a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop with High Definition Audio 2.0 sound card perform 16-bit recording ?

eebs — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:58:24 -0800

Can a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop with High Definition Audio 2.0 sound card perform 16-bit recording, which is supposed to be required for Dragon Naturally Speaking? The other sound card options are:

Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition (add $25)

ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card (add $80)

Thanks so much.

Looking for good web- or desktop-based RSS reader that can handle older posts

fsmontenegro — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:26:50 -0800

What options do I have for a good web- (preferred) or desktop(Windows)-based RSS reader that has good options for managing older posts within feeds? I've been using Google Reader as my primary reader for as long as I can remember, but I'm getting fed up with its behaviour around auto-archiving posts after 1 month and not being able to mark older posts as unread.

I subscribe to approximately 100 feeds, some that are chatty (dozens of posts a day) and some that are pretty quiet (1 post every 1-2 weeks or less).

Every now and then I find a new blog to follow and when I subscribe to it I'd like to easily read previous posts as well. Google Reader retrieves older posts, but doesn't let me mark them as unread.

Also, it has the very annoying feature of marking as read anything older than 1 month. This is fine for a chatty feed, but I don't like this behaviour for quieter feeds.

I looked into FeedDemon/NewsGator but it seems to also be limited in handling older posts.

Are there any options for a decent solution that is more flexible for older posts?

back that thang up.

violetk — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:14:53 -0800

recommendations for good system back-up software programs? asking for a friend's small business working on both mac and PC formats. can anyone recommend back up programs for mac and for PC that will backup the entire system, not just individual files? they are willing to pay for the programs.

Podcasts for Rio Carbon?

YoungAmerican — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:42:45 -0800

Is there software to automatically manage podcasts on my Rio Carbon Pearl? I'm looking for something that will function like iTunes for an iPod or Zune for a Zune -- keep only unplayed shows on my player, download new shows when I run the software, etc. Are there any iTunes alternatives which will handle this on my Rio Carbon? I'm running XP.

Help me with budget software!!

nataliecay — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:36:11 -0800

I need help finding a mac-friendly budgeting software to assist in getting my act together! (I've tried mvelopes and iBank!) More details inside... I'm having trouble finding a budgeting software that meets my needs. I use a mac at home and a pc at work and I have an iphone. (Home is where I will be doing the majority of the budgeting).

I have tried mvelopes before and I loved the accountability of having to move money if I overspent in one category, but it didn't work with Wells Fargo and did this weird double entry thing where I would have to delete entries once it went from pending to final.

I looked at iBank and loved the fact that it would be compatible with my iphone and the aesthetically pleasing interfaces, but when I went to set it up it wouldn't allow my to import anything from Wells Fargo or Bank of America. Some people said I had to call to get the financial institutions to grant access, but that seemed like a pain in the butt and kind of weird to me since no other program I've ever used had me do that.

A basic excel spreadsheet is out since I'm not handy with excel by any means.

I would love something that is internet based so I can access it from home/work.

Suggestions? Thank you in advance!!

client sees fuzzy pixels!

muscat — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:01:54 -0800

I can use document properties to make a pdf file open at 100% on my mac, but its all blown up and wonky in reader on PCs. Anyone know how to make 72dpi pdf files open with a 1-1 px ratio on a PC?

Best way to install software on a mac with a broken CD/DVD drive?

troybob — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:12:05 -0800

I need to install new software on an older Macbook with a broken CD/DVD drive; can I do this by putting the CD or DVD into a windows pc and sharing it; or can I put a disc image on a USB drive? I'm not where I can test it out right now, but this weekend I need to install Adobe Illustrator CS3 onto a Macbook with a broken CD/DVD drive. I won't have any other Macs available (to share the DVD over the network), but I will have a Windows PC around, on the same network as the laptop. Which of these will work?

A. Put the DVD (or CD--not sure which the program is on) into the PC and share the drive with the network, and run the install on the Mac via the network.

B. Create a disc image of the install CD or DVD and put it on a little USB drive; drag the image to the Mac desktop and install from there.

thanks!

Once I've Already Shot the Video, Can I Crop the Bottom Half of it and/or Zoom in On My Subject?

thewhynotgirl — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:26:57 -0800

How can I a) crop off the whole bottom half of a video, b) zoom in on my subject after I've already made the video, or c) hide the face of someone in the video? While I'm asking, how about taking a video made on a Canon (designed for stills, so their video actual size is small, which means it pixilates horribly when you put it on youtube) and making it stay actual size when placed on the web? I'm on a windows notebook and hoping any of this is even possible. Thanks! What's happened is that I've found myself in a position where I will be videoing and publishing daily, and I am no expert on video. That's fine, because I can learn.

But in the meantime, I will be starting with videos that are already made, and I need to get them good enough to publish. In some of the cases, I need to hide the identity of people or locations in the already-made videos (nothing nefarious, just don't have permission for the already made ones for the people/places), and in the canon stuff, just need to make them look decent. I'm sure my ignorance shows here, but I pick up quickly once I know what to do!

I cannot switch to mac or final cut pro at this time cuz those funds aren't in the budget for this not-for-profit thing, but any pointers on windows software/techiniques/common sense would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

A simple PC audio recording set up

ztdavis — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:24:05 -0800

Using a no-frills but decent PC, what (cheapish) sound card and what software should I buy for my father so he can record his guitar playing and singing as well as do basic mixing and editing? My dad has played guitar all of his life and has done a lot of recording to cassette tapes. I know he has decent microphones, etc, but I really think he would enjoy recording his music onto the PC so he can have greater-than-cassette quality and an easier way to put things to CD or e-mail mp3s.

I have no experience with recording sound, however, and don't even know where to begin discerning between good and bad sound cards.

Furthermore, my dad is in his 50s and he is pretty good with computers but certainly has never done any sound mixing or editing type stuff on a PC. What software is capable, but not overly complicated?

Looking to spend less than $100 on the card, and I don't even know what to plan for the software so I guess anything is game. ...(within reason).

Don't you be talkin to him

dnthomps — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 07:27:44 -0800

What is the PC equivalent to Mac's Little Snitch, preferably freeware, and not an all-out firewall? Pretty straight forward...

Please help with this simple MS Excel problem!!

writingjulie — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:04:24 -0800

MS Excel Problem: CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP? I am a very average PC user having unable to open spreadsheets. I borrowed a copy of MS Office Professional from a friend, but it did not install Excel properly. I no longer have access to those installation CDs. Whenever I try to open a spreadsheet, it prompts me for the CD's. So I bought Excel 97, installed it fine, but still when I try o open a spreadsheet it automatically tries to open it with the XP Professional version... How so I get around this to just use the Excel 97 version now on my computer??

Need to carry a toolbox for boxen

bartleby — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:34:17 -0800

Anyone recommend PC tuneup software, installable to a portable drive or USB stick? Something for tuneups/cleanups, kind of like System Mechanic Portable Toolkit used to do. There used to be a couple of products, that either ran like a LiveCD or could be installed on an external drive, which could scan a random PC's local hard drives, registry, memory, etc. and clean things up/diagnose problems.

I could really use some sort of portable tuneup kit like that, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for. Anyone use something like that? Made your own and can help me with a some recommendations of what to include?

I've never needed something like this for a Mac, so Windows suggestions only please.

Tracking out of hours printer usage.

tomble — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:31:27 -0800

I want to keep an eye on out of hours printer usage. I have someone who comes into work out of hours, and while I am fine with a bit of light printer use, browsing, use of the CD burner etc., I seem to be going through an awful lot of paper and toner. I suspect bulk printing is happening, and that's not okay.

I need to find a utility to keep track of how much is being printed, when it is being printed etc. I haven't had much luck with google. This utility should also be fairly invisible.

Freeware is good, but I'm not scared of paying for something like this as it will be useful in general tracking of consumables.

Thanks!

What software do I need to troubleshoot Grandma's PC?

desjardins — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:46:07 -0800

I'm going to visit my grandparents, who want me to look at their slow-running PC. What software should I bring with me? Here's what I know about the PC: It's a low-end Dell from 2003, running Windows XP, and they're complaining that it "moves slowly." They can't give me many further details, like how much RAM it has. They're on dial-up, but since they've never had cable/DSL with which to compare it, I don't think they're complaining about the Internet speed. I also know that they run Norton, and I've heard horror stories about those products grinding RAM to a halt. However, I can't imagine what else would be that memory-intensive. All they do with the PC is type emails and letters.

I'm bringing my 6 gb USB drive and my XP laptop. I'm no tech wizard, but I can feel my way around. I'd like to know what programs I should run to help diagnose their problem, and since they're on dial-up, I'd like to download them before my trip. Any additional insight would be appreciated.

Is there an audio PVR for PC?

phirleh — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:05:02 -0800

What would be a good software audio PVR to record an internet stream or line-in on a PC? I'm looking for a combo of Audio Hijack and Radio Shark to record audio broadcasts at specific times of the day.

Yes, you're correct. I don't trust him.

damnjezebel — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:13:13 -0800

I want to monitor activity on my computer, but I'm totally at a loss. Can you recommend any software? My brother's friends are occupying my laptop when I'm not around and I don't trust them. However, instead of just password protecting my laptop, the kitten in me is very curious. I want to know what those boys are doing on my laptop when there's several computers and laptops in the house.

My firefox "history" only records web pages, my yahoo only archives conversations - just those aren't good enough. Is there some sort of (DECENT) self-installed nonspammy spy"ware" out there that will track movements on a PC? I want to be able to see a record of everything that is done on this computer when I'm not on it. When the email is checked, when files are accessed, that sort.

I don't really care about blocking access to the laptop. If it's warranted, I can password protect the computer or just keep it in my room so others can't use it. I'm just curious about what's being looked at on my computer.