Computer Help

[Soujiro]

Make sure you followed the directions carefully.

[Adam loves Hilary Duff]

Make sure you followed the directions carefully.

All it did was make it say on the start menu that my Internet is Internet Explorer.
But it still isn't my default browser.

[Alex]

What is your default browser then?

Try when you're in IE: Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs -> The bottom checkbox.

[Soujiro]

I pointed him to the same place but he says it doesn't work, even though it should.

[Adam loves Hilary Duff]

I pointed him to the same place but he says it doesn't work, even though it should.

Problem fixed.
Internet explorer now seems to be my default browser.

[Zero!]

Okay, this has been an on-going problem. We have Windows XP, and whenever my brother tries to switch to my name (or the other way around), it freezes. The screen that says "Applying your settings..." or whatever stays there even after the little log-in sound is done, and we have to reset the computer. This is only when we switch names, when me or him log off, it switches. What the heck is making it do that?!

[Soujiro]

Are you using "Fast User Switching"? If you are, try logging off compeltely instead. (Not shutting down, just logging off.)

[Adam loves Hilary Duff]

I need help finding a computer program.
See.... I'm gonna be a DJ at this one party and I want to cut a little bit out of this one song and play it every time we change to a new song.
What program makes it so I can cut a little bit out of a song?

[amarise]

Okay, I guess this is the place to post this....

I recently got a new computer. It has, among other things, Windows XP. Today I decided to install SimCity 3000. It installed properly, but every time I go to run it it says SimCity encountered an error, and has to shut down. I've never gotten past the first 'Maxis' graphic. My brother says that it's not XP compatible, and we've tried running it in Windows 98 compatability mode, but that hasn't worked. I was wondering, is that really the problem, and if so is there anything I can do to make the game work?

[Zero!]

Are you using "Fast User Switching"? If you are, try logging off compeltely instead. (Not shutting down, just logging off.)

But that closes my IM as well as any other programs I have open. I don't want to have to close everything just because my brother wants to check a few things.

[everconfused]

Thanks Tailseh! I installed a trial firewall that came with my computer yesterday and so far it is working wonders. The uploads have ceased, and I've got three months to get myself a full antivirus. I dont want to use the trial ones too much. Anyways thanks for the help. While I'm waiting to get an antivirus im gonna do some reading up on worms to try and find a bit more about them.

Another smaller problem though. My cookies and temporary internet files seem to be deleting everyday, that is, whenever I get on the internet I'm always logged out of neopets, ppt and other places. Is there a way to prolong the cookies and tmp files so that i can stay logged into neopets and other site?

Optimus, if you're still around - I just got to reading this very good topic!

Hmm, I've never heard of anything that auto-deletes cookies and temp files with the exception of maybe Norton Ghost (called something like that) - part of Norton security. Is your homepage changing? Asking in light of the fact you did have bad stuff on your computer. Is Norton the a/v you've got now? But even that shouldn't be doing that ... it should do it after you log out, not while you're on a site. Almost sounds like a timing out thing, which is too frustrating for me. Did you install SP2? that thing is pure evil! I installed it and uninstalled the next day, too many problems, too much not working.

You've got hijackthis ... that's a good thing - but I won't touch anything after scanning with that - I'm not that savvy. Get Spybot Search and Destroy - official site is: http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html Also definitely get spywareblaster. I think there's a link to them on the spybot site. I have CWShredder which saved my puter from a hijacker once (from flamingtext) and ad-aware is my "back up", along with McAfee a/v and I did d/l stinger which is a free stand alone (looks more specifically for certain virus/trojans, etc. - will get rid of mydoom, things like that) you can get from the McAfee site.

Personally, I do go to setting and delete cookies and temp after any site I visit as part of my safe surfing. Also have cookie handling set up a bit differently than some people I know. Go to your internet settings. Click Privacy, then Advanced. Put a checkmark next to Override Automatic Cookie Handling. First Party Cookies - select Accept. Third Party Cookies - select Block. Put a checkmark next to Always Allow Session Cookies.

You may be surprised at the number of privacy reports that appear in the lower right hand corner of your IE screen - and where some of them come from. Especially if you do get spywareblaster.

[shapu]

My girlfriend's laptop (a 2002 Gateway) has recently stopped working.

When powering up, the computer won't boot, and the machine switches to a black screen reading, "MAC address [some series of numbers]" with a spinning pipe. (You know.../..|..\..--../..|..\...), then pops up a message saying "Operating system not detected." Also, when attempting to run the BIO setup, the machine doesn't detect the hard drive.

On a side note, which may not be so much in the way of a side note, the battery no longer charges.

I'm thinking that maybe the power supply has failed, but I'm unsure. Any thoughts?

[everconfused]

My girlfriend's laptop (a 2002 Gateway) has recently stopped working.

When powering up, the computer won't boot, and the machine switches to a black screen reading, "MAC address [some series of numbers]" with a spinning pipe. (You know.../..|..\..--../..|..\...), then pops up a message saying "Operating system not detected." Also, when attempting to run the BIO setup, the machine doesn't detect the hard drive.

On a side note, which may not be so much in the way of a side note, the battery no longer charges.

I'm thinking that maybe the power supply has failed, but I'm unsure. Any thoughts?

Hmmm, well the battery charging could mean that it needs replacing - I know Nicads do after awhile stop charging...

As far as a black screen, no o/s detected and no hd detected? First of all it's a laptop, second it's a Gateway - I've had my own horrors with them. Sounds like it could be a couple of things: No o/s detected - some kind of uber worm or trojan or something's corrupted. It's the BIOS not finding the hd that has me thinking it's more than that - sounds to me like the hd fried. What you've described is pretty much what happened to my Gateway - hd died in under a year.

Laptops are, from what my computer tech told me, very hard to fix cause there's not alot of room to maneuver, also told me that hd and disk drives tend to fail because it it so small and things get hot - no way to add a fan in a laptop.

If the laptop's from '02 and it's worked this long, she'd done really well with it. I suggest taking it to a good computer tech to see if it's fixable. You do still have the OEM discs for the o/s, right? Or, it may just be time for a new laptop

[Dragonfire]

Okay, I guess this is the place to post this....

I recently got a new computer. It has, among other things, Windows XP. Today I decided to install SimCity 3000. It installed properly, but every time I go to run it it says SimCity encountered an error, and has to shut down. I've never gotten past the first 'Maxis' graphic. My brother says that it's not XP compatible, and we've tried running it in Windows 98 compatability mode, but that hasn't worked. I was wondering, is that really the problem, and if so is there anything I can do to make the game work?

SimCity 3000 is Windows XP compatible, because I've ran it fine on this computer hundreds of times. I don't know what it is, but it has nothing to do with the version of Windows.

[shapu]

Okay, I guess this is the place to post this....

I recently got a new computer. It has, among other things, Windows XP. Today I decided to install SimCity 3000. It installed properly, but every time I go to run it it says SimCity encountered an error, and has to shut down. I've never gotten past the first 'Maxis' graphic. My brother says that it's not XP compatible, and we've tried running it in Windows 98 compatability mode, but that hasn't worked. I was wondering, is that really the problem, and if so is there anything I can do to make the game work?

Uninstall and reinstall the game. That's a good start.

Then run in it a lower-level compatibility mode.

I've also had problems with SC3k before - double-check that the graphics settings are correct, as I seem to recall that that was a problem for me in the past. If they aren't, then change them through your display settings.