I used to feel pretty confident with computers / IT in general (80s child). Now I need a boost to get back up to speed, especially digging around in the OS / filesystem. Recommend me a good book / website / hands-on project? [more inside]
posted by KMH on Aug 6, 2009 - 7 answers

I have an external usb drive running off my Windows 7 computer. It keeps switching back to Read-Only, so when I try to send files to it, it merely appends a file and adds a number to its name, instead of re-writing the entire file. I've tried to change it back, but it does not stay changed. The minute I refresh the page, the read-only status comes back! Is there some setting I'm missing? Is there something in Windows 7 that's causing this to happen?
posted by noir on Feb 11, 2009 - 2 answers

Windows Media Player 11 -- I (foolishly, it seems) allowed MS to update to the newer media player. I hardly ever use these bloated monsters, but sometimes, at night, I enjoyed one of the visualizations, and I've used it for years. In the latest and greatest media player from MS, it is not available. Where can I get the 'old' visualizations, and how/where to I install said visualizations so I can once again use the only thing I care about their media player? Alternately, can I install an older MS media player on this machine once this new one has its hooks into my puter, and how do I install an older media player, and where do I get it? I'd rather use the latest, as I'm sure it's more up to date against whatever hacks someone may come up with; that said, I want my dang visualization back.
posted by dancestoblue on Jul 30, 2008 - 4 answers

Is there a way that I can use Windows Media Player 11 as my podcast aggregator? I use Juice Receiver, but would like an all in one solution that will help sync up with my MP3 player.
posted by enriquem on Jul 6, 2007 - 1 answer

Help! Opening any text messages or emails displays a blank white screen on my Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) Windows Mobile 5 smartphone. [more inside]
posted by sprocket87 on Mar 14, 2007 - 4 answers

Riddle me this: there are two Windows XP computers (desktop and laptop) on the same Internet connection, behind the same router, connecting wirelessly to it. The laptop often (but not every time) takes a really long time (30 seconds+) to send email and connect to certain websites. The desktop never has this problem. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by frenetic on Feb 10, 2006 - 10 answers

Can I run Linux under Windows with no reboot, no installation, and 100 MB on a USB drive? [more inside]
posted by poorlydrawnplato on Jan 1, 2006 - 16 answers

In this thread, people mention a few times that the Windows disk defragger is horrible and can have negative long-term effects on hard drives. What suggestions do you guys have for a defragger to use instead? Preferably freeware...
posted by swank6 on Feb 10, 2005 - 14 answers