Saturday, February 18, 2006
Tech News
Yes, there’s an OS X worm, no it’s not particularly dangerous. Here’s Andrew Welch’s original posting about it. Lessons for Mac users:
- Don’t routinely run as administrator (the worm can’t run if you don’t)
- Don’t accept files over chat
- Don’t open attachments!
a;xc
.
a
:X
Note: There are debates on what the malware is. Andrew Welch suggest that the malware has the characteristics of a Trojan Horse
MacUpdate has posted a simple AppleScript to prevent the malware from installing. The Script was published by http://www.springboardsoftware.com/. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20759
11a-Noon
QPari in Palos Verdes - when is it safe to move to MacIntel?
If you want to use Apple’s pro programs they promise to be Intel compatible by March. I’d wait until they actually ship the “universal binary” versions, but it will be soon. If you use other companies’ pro apps, that might be more problematic. Adobe, for instance, says they won’t offer universal binary versions of Photoshop until 2007.
Q Larry Long Beach - VCR to DVD
- External video capture box like the Movie Box
- Internal video capture card like the
- Standalone VHS/DVD recorder
- DV Camcorder with “analog pass-through”
Chose the one that makes more sense for you. A capture box is easy to install (although I do recommend getting one with a Firewire or IEE-1394 interface not USB), a capture card is a good idea if you don’t mind cracking the case and plan to do a lot of video capture in future, the standalone DVD recorder isn’t as good for editing, but it will give you a pretty good DVD-VCR when you’re done. If you’re already in the market for a new camcorder choosing a DV Cam with analog passthrough will work very well, too.
Q Peggy in San Diego - router vs. firewall
She’s a new computer user who wants to use Photoshop and 3D modelling programs without spending the money. We recommended the GiMP for Windows instead of Photoshop but make sure to install the GIMPshop extensions to make it look more like Photoshop. Blender is a great free 3D design program.
Her SBC Yahoo DSL came with a router in the modem, she wants to turn off the software firewall and just use the router. That’s fine. The only thing a software firewall does that a router does not is check outbound traffic. If you’re careful not to get an infection, that’s unnecessary.
If you must have a software firewall, I recomend the free Kerio Personal Firewall
I use a router most of the time, but turn on ZApro every now and then to check for any wierd outgoing traffic.
Noon-1p
QRandy in Rancho Cucamonga - DVDs won’t play on my iMac
He runs a great Windows help site for beginners and new internet users: www.GrownupGeek.com.
Make sure you have autorun turned on: open the CD and DVD system preference pane. If your player can’t read DVDs, take it back.
According to Justin the 10.4.5 update addresses this issue. Jonathan suggests repair permissions.
QJim in Whittier - is 64-bit better
Not really. Unless you’re using specialized applications 32-bit computing is fine.
Q Mark in Yorkshire, England - PC card extender
Where else do people listen? Check our Frappr Map.
He has a fat ethernet PC card - so fat it blocks the second slot. Is there a way to use two cards in the slots? Something like a PC card extender?
Mark, Why not use a USB Ethernet adaptor? Yes, you’ll need to spend a few extra bucks… but then you can just use your USB2 PC Card. -James in Worcester MA
Thanks for the advice James. I’m upgrading my home network to Gigabit Ethernet. I’m guessing I wouldn’t get 1000Mbs from a USB Ethernet adapter though? - Mark
Checkout the Linksys/Cisco USB1000… It appears you can use gigabit over USB. :) -James in Worcester MA
USB 2.0 maximum theoretical speed is 480Mbit/sec, less than half of the maximum theoretical troughput of Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbit/sec). -TastesLikeLead
True, so the actual ethernet speed would depend on the USB maximum speed and the traffic on the USB bus… but I would bet it would still be pretty fast! - James in Worcester MA
Q Tim in Texas - DVDs into Powerpoint
This is a two stage process. First use Shrinkto5 to rip the DVD to your hard drive (you’ll need to install the DeCSS plug-in) then use Xilisoft Video Converter to convert to AVI for Powerpoint (I’d try the free download first to make sure it converts into a format you can use).
QBarry in Sierra Madre - computer to telephone interface
You need an inexpensive device called a “phone coupler” - you should be able to find one at Radio Shack. Read more about this at www.audiotheater.com/phone/phone.html.
1–2p
QFalco in Huntington Beach - laptop battery isn’t fully charging
It won’t charge past 45% unless the notebook is off. The battery is at least a couple of years old, so it’s likely it’s just beginning to wear out.
QLarry in Manhattan Beach - controlling Windows applications for kids
He doesn’t just want filtering - he wants to limit what programs the kids can use. He’s looked at:
I recommended Cyberpatrol. What are your recommendations?
QBrian in Agoura Hills - recommend PC Club?
a:I have built about a dozen computers with these guys, ordered a lot of parts from new egg. But I got the main guts from PC Club, and time I have had a problem, I take it to their support desk and they don’t even ask me for any paperwork, they just plug it in and get me right back out the door. The don’t stock much on the shelves, but if you need a dvd burner, they will have three choices of various price ranges, but all perfect quality. 10 out of 10 for them
I don’t have any experience with the stores - anyone have a review? If you do post it here, and you might want to put it on Yelp.com, too!
Q Brett in Huntington Beach - his old HP desktop turns off 3 secs after he turns it on
Hmmm. Not sure why!
Thermal shutdown can cause a problem like this. Check the fan on the processor’s heat sink to make sure it is running. Also it might be a good idea to reseat the heat sink on the processor. If these are not mated perfectly, heat won’t dissipate well and the machine can willl shut down.
QJim in Yorba Linda - BTX motherboards
He’s looking for a quieter computer. That was one of the marketing points behind BTX - I don’t think it’s really quieter. Gateway sells BTX computers and claims they’re quieter and cooler. Water-cooled computers are also quieter - but get a good case from a company like ThermalTake. You might look at a Shuttle PC - I use one in my studio and it’s pretty quiet. There’s a also a site dedicated to quieter computers: www.endpcnoise.com.
Chat Logs and Show Audio
Listener Comments
18 February 2006
Symantec calls it “worm” but most call it “Trojan Horse”. By definition it is “Trojan Horse” (edited)
As the mac becomes more popular or mainstream; more and more viruses will be created. Really a victim of its own success
the G5 quads will accomodate 16 GB of RAM, but of course its only a $10,300 upgrade for the ecc ($7100 on the non-ecc) but the tower itself starts at $3299, so it’s really about if you have the money…
Happy to hear you’re loving GIMP Peggy. Blender is great too, but be sure you have enough ram, its lighter weight than something commercial, but i keep getting so complicated that I run out ram space sometimes, also you might try “Inkscape” as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Guys please, take those questions into the chat room, this space is meant for comments in relation to what is being discussed on the show. Thank you for your future consideration…
on the DVD iMac playback! there was just a software update fixing that problem! use software update to 10.4.5!
I had to repair permissions on my iMac right out of the box to make the DVD work. So do a repair permissions in disk utility
DVD Fab devcypter…. dont forget on mac, mac the ripper, and handbrake, and handbreak goes right to avi, one step
12:47 by Justin in Fort Myers FL?
DVD Fab Decrypter (typo sorry)
For Mark in UK - how about using USB/PC card adapter instead?
Regarding the call about connecting a computer to a phone to play a message. Is there a reason why a modem wouldn’t work? Then you could use answering machine style software or something to play the message out over the modem?
Mark, Why not use a USB Ethernet adaptor? Yes, you’ll need to spend a few extra bucks… but then you can just use your USB2 PC Card.
Problems with charging and power management can be affected by the software on the PC. Perhaps checking for updated power management or battery miser software can help.
13:20 by Rod?.
ATTENTION LEO:
Shrinkto5 new Version 2.0 Now contains ADWARE called WhenU. Their site clearly states this, so they are not being sneaky about it.
For Falco, if the laptop won’t charge all the way when it’s running that often means the charger or AC adapter is too weak or it’s the wrong one.
About the DVD Ripping issue. There is a program called SlySoft called AnyDVD, that actually decrypts DVDs in real-time… meaning you can just drag files off as if it was not encryped. I use it in addition/conjunction to DVD Shrink because it works in some DVDs that DVD Shrink has trouble with.
Ripping referes to copying the video files off a DVD (or music files off a CD).
I have purchased a AMD64 computer from PC club.It works great, no problems and its local. They installed all the upgrades I wanted in less than an hour. (memory & DVD recorder)
I’ll never build my own again.
Can you rip a DVD by using DVD X-Copy?
13:44 by .
To the guy that asked about PC Club, I have found 3 or 4 stores and they have been around for a while, like about 10 years or so. Hope that helps
DVD X-Copy - Yes, the original versions of DVD X-Copy did rip DVD’s, but I think the later versions removed that ability and then they were shut down totally…
DVD Shrink is great and free…. so that is what I would suggest.
PC Club here in Santa Rosa is pretty good. I purchased an LCD monitor from them and it had dead pixels, return was easy! I recommend them.
Hi Leo, There was a caller that called in with a problem(forget the name. His computer would shut down after 3 seconds he said, one possibility is that in the BIOS, the setting for like say a failsafe for the CPU fan may be on, the fan may not be spinning up quick enuff now(or at all?)and not getting a signal to the MOBO that it is working. BIOS will probably have to be rest totally cuz it will shut down before you can get into it, some motherboards will reset if you totally turn power off, press and hold “INSERT” key, turn power and computer on, bios should go to a default state. Even if fan setting not the prob maybe it could clear something up if BIOS went screwy.
GOOD LUCK!!
I work for HP Canada, and I have some suggestions on this that might work:
1) try re-setting the BIOS:
a) Turn the system off and unplug it
b) With the unit unplugged, press and hold the power switch for a minimum of 45 seconds… this resets the BIOS defaults, and discharges the Motherboard’s Capacitors.
c) power up and re-try it.
2) There may be a faulty sensor on the CPU fan. If the Motherboard thinks the CPU fan isn’t turning, it may be shutting off to protect the CPU. Try another CPU fan/heatsink.
3) If you can get the system to stay on long enough, check for a BIOS update… we had one model about 1 1/2 −2 years ago where this was an issue and we out out an update that fixed this.
4) As Leo hypothesised, it may be someth ing shorting out. As a certified system builder for more than 13 years now, the best course of action is to minimize what’s conected inside and re-buind incrementally:
a) disconnect all drives at the motherboard
b) try re-seating the RAM
If it boots and stays on, re-introduce components _one_ at a time until the issue recurrs.
The CM Stacker 2 case supports both ATX and BTX power supplies
Put your Computer in a DEEPFREEZE its quieter and COOLER
Heh.
Jim should consider a laptop for sound recording. They are usually quiet.
The powermacs are quiet also
Dell is using BTX format cases & motherboards
For the HP that keeps shutting off, check the motherboard fo expanding or leaking capacitors. We had the same problem where I work and had to have about 7 boards replaced. This is with all manufacturers, even Apple had the problem.
The Apple update fixed the problem, thanks Leo (and listeners)!
Another suggestion for Brett in Huntington Beach with the older HP desktop that turns off after several seconds — perhaps the power button on the case is somehow getting stuck in the pushed on position, which would cause the pc to power off after about 4–5 seconds. He should at least check that it isn’t some kind of mechanical issue such as this with the power button, just to rule it out.. just a thought..
Another possibility for the HP computer shutting off quickly.. try and unplug ALL the add in cards and powering up. you SHOULD get several beeps because there is no display card, but it would have passed POST. If id DOES pass POST, one of the addin cards may be loading the data/address bus, drawing excessive power supply and “crowbaring” the power supply….. Just a thought.
PC Club has been around for a LONNNGGGG time. I live in Pomona, CA. and go to the computer fair at the fair grounds. Also used to go to the fair in Northridge (before the NRidge earthquake). The always have at least a 4X booth with several sales people running around. As always, (like Leo said), check the returns, warranty on the equipment that you purchase.
Laptops are quiet for the recording studio. HOWEVER some have a cooling fan that is controlled by temperature and either vary their speed OR cycle on and off. There is usually a setting where the fan parameters can be set, but there is a fan. Just be aware of this when considering a laptop for quiet applications!
Thanks for pointing out my validation errors, Jeff in Santa Ana.. As the validator points out, i’m not an expert in HTML! Luckily as far as i can tell, all my pages display just fine in IE, Firefox and Safari. At least now i’ll have something to do over the rainy weekend (HTML cleanup)..
about the PC Club, i live in Pomona so i use the Montclair store.
Great Store :)
http://grownUPgeek.com
it’s a website for beginners using Windows and the internet.. If you’re already good with windows, you may already know everything on the site!
For the person whose computer shuts off in 3 min. My wife had a somewhat similiar problem. Each time the printer was used the computer shut down. I changed computers and the same thing happened. We wife called the computer man. It was the UPS gone bad.
Controlling Applications for Kids - I used a U3 Memorex 1G Flash Drive. With the key installed load the application onto it. A ICON appears on Desktop but is not acctivated until the key is pluged in. This way you have a key to thier usage and its password protected. You control it 100%
20 February 2006
15:54 by jay.
PC Club is an okay place but be careful of the restocking fee. The price on the items are not outrageous cheap.
22 February 2006
23 February 2006
Leo,
Listening to a podcast from KFI #217, you had a caller asking about having slides scanned. I would recommend having callers use a pro lab to scan them.
When I was at The Sporting News in St. Louis, Mo., we used Allied Photo Color to scan photos. They charge $1/scan or something rediculously cheap. In terms of time savings, that’s so inexpensive.
Here’s a list of prices:
http://www.alliedphotocolor.com/index_scans.html
So why did you not put this comment in the ShowNotes for THAT show?
Same broadcast (217)… in reference to flickering monitor. Another thing that can cause flickering is electromagnetic interference.
Several years ago my wife and I lived in a duplex. I set up a computer along a wall in the duplex and had terrible flickering. On the other side of the wall was the utility box and the laundry room. I believe this caused the problem. As you know from high school physics, as electricity flows from one end of a wire to the other, it creates a magnetic field. A utility box would have amplified magnetism because all the flow of electricity is through that one point. As soon as we moved the computer to another part of the room, the problem went away. I still use this monitor and the problem has not occured since then.
AGAIN—why did you not put this comment in the ShowNotes for THAT show?
On Shrindto5 Leo says: “First use Shrinkto5 to rip the DVD to your hard drive (you’ll need to install the DeCSS plug-in)” Great idea, but the DeCSS plugin dll is nowhere to be found. Anyone find this?
25 February 2006
TELEPHONE RECORDER AND PLAYBACK SWITCH DEVICE
(Moved From Show 225 Coments)
Last week a caller was looking for a device that would allow them to push a prerecorded message onto other recording devices. Well the little device below will allow one to not only record a 2 way phone conversation but also play a prerecorded or audio output back via the phone.
TEC220 Phone Recorder Switch from Philmore Electronics
Note: While it is labeled with Play and Record switch settings
Telephone equipment will vary in some locations and the switch
may need to be reversed on the TEC 220 for recording or listening.
Test the installation immediately after connection to ensure proper
slide switch positon for you equipment and needs. In otherwords
Play might be Record and likewise Record might be Play.
I know I needed to do this for my situation but it works great.
TEC220 Recorded switch for telephone handset.
Plays back thru phone. 1/8 plug.
It is available at Fry’s Electronics and also online at Outpost.com
Item:1926543 $6.99
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/1926543?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
12 March 2006
For the caller that was looking for a device that would allow them to send a prerecorded message onto an OGM service : SYKPE it in! record/edit on pc. call verizon with message ready to play back. will sound great.
13 March 2006
I just built a new tower from pc club in victorville. It runs an asus A8N-E mobo, 1 gig patriot ram, amd 64 3200+ in a thermaltake server case. I originally built it with a gigabyte mobo. The first one died in 2 days. I took the tower to the store and the tech installed a new mobo. It died the next morning. I took it back to them and he said he just got a memo that a batch of mobos were bad from Gigabyte. He let me choose either another brand or try another one. He installed the Asus and its been running great for the last two months. The stores I have shopped in are Victorville, San Bernardino, Palmdale(tiny store), City of Industry(nice store) and Montclair. I have never had a bad experience that a salesperson couldn’t fix. I would say walk in the store in Thousand Oaks and in a few minutes you’ll know if its a well run store or not. Good Luck
15 March 2006
Regardinmg question: Brett in Huntington Beach - his old HP desktop turns off 3 secs after he turns it on.
This exact thing happened to me except it was on a home built PC that is only about a year old. It ended up being the fan on my heat sink for my processor had stopped working while it was standing up (it actually still worked when the case was on it’s side). Unfortunately by the time we realized that was the problem it had already done damage to my processor so it now doesn’t run as fast. He might want to check the speed on his processor and consider replacing it as well if it’s speed has been reduced, if that is in fact what is causing it to shut off.
I hope this is still helpful, I just listened to the podast.
16 March 2006
I know I am a little late on this, but I am the Net Admin at a high school and we use Surf Control’s Cyberpatrol.
You can limit some apps, and yes I think it will do everything that he needs it too.
There are a few weird things, like hardware that he might need to get and might want it on a dedicated machine depending on network traffic.
Hope this helps, I can elaborate if necessary.
For Jim in Yorba Linda,
he should really look into a Mac Mini, they are small and quiet and GarageBand is probably all the software he would ever need…
23 March 2006
For Brett in Hungtington Beach
I work for HP Canada, and I have some suggestions on this that might work:
1) try re-setting the BIOS:
a) Turn the system off and unplug it
b) With the unit unplugged, press and hold the power switch for a minimum of 45 seconds… this resets the BIOS defaults, and discharges the Motherboard’s Capacitors.
c) power up and re-try it.
2) There may be a faulty sensor on the CPU fan. If the Motherboard thinks the CPU fan isn’t turning, it may be shutting off to protect the CPU. Try another CPU fan/heatsink.
3) If you can get the system to stay on long enough, check for a BIOS update… we had one model about 1 1/2 −2 years ago where this was an issue and we out out an update that fixed this.
4) As Leo hypothesised, it may be someth ing shorting out. As a certified system builder for more than 13 years now, the best course of action is to minimize what’s conected inside and re-buind incrementally:
a) disconnect all drives at the motherboard
b) try re-seating the RAM
If it boots and stays on, re-introduce components _one_ at a time until the issue recurrs.
