Sunday, September 10, 2006
Tech News
The iPod is supposedly losing the stream. The real question is what Steve Jobs is going to announce on Tuesday. This will probably drive people back to the Apple in order to purchase new iPods, and this cycle repeats itself.
If you’re a Second Life, check your email. A hacker got into the Second Life database and have gotten hundreds of thousands of users’ personal information. The Second Life administrators have changed everyone’s password.
11a-Noon
Q Eric from Missouri - TiVo Desktop keeps losing wireless connection
What’s probably the problem is that the connection is not as sustained as a wired connection. The easiest thing to do would be to get a USB to ethernet dongle for TiVo.
Q Todd from Pullman, Washington - Cleancache not working
The application requires the .Net framework. You want to go into Windows Update and go into the extra updates and download .net 2.0.
Q Pam from Pennsylvania - After machine rebooted, getting an error (Windows 64-bit)
She even gets an error when she tries to do a repair from the Windows XP. It is a driver issue, and the error is saying that the kernel won’t load. I don’t even know if you get any real advantage with 64-bit Windows. I think the trouble that Windows 64-bit causes is not worth whatever benefits you get. I think it is time for a reformat reinstall of Windows, there may be more problems than meets the eye. Other than that, it seems like it’s a hardware issue. If you try to do a bootlog bootup in Windows. From the log files, look at where it is failing.
Noon-1p
Q Jimmy from Azuza - Computer is starting up slowly
This is not due to a cluttered registry. I don’t think you should mess with your registry. If you can back up your data, back it up and reinstall Windows on your computer. When you do that, remove and uninstall any extra software. You want to start with an absolutely clean install. Also, you want to have the firewall enabled; make sure to get Service Pack 2. Also, install Firefox and use that instead of using Internet Explorer. Finally, try out Windows OneCare for a one-stop solution for firewall.
Q Carlos from Burbank - Child protection software
I’ve recommended the hardware solution the iBoss. However, there is CyberPatrol and CyberSitter.
Q Jim - Looking for the latest and greatest camcorder
Sony’s got some really nice HD camcorders. Look at the Sony HDR-HC3. However, look at camcorderinfo.com for several reviews. Also check out Frank’s thoughts on various high definition camcorders.
Q Mark - Application to record streaming media
People use SDP to record the radio show. Another one to try is Replay Radio.
Q Mike from Glendale - XP not showing a new USB drive (that is connected)
It sounds like for some reason it is not mounting. It seems like a driver malfunction. You may want to try removing all the drivers and rebooting. You can also do a google search for generic USB drivers.
1–2p
Q Nancy from Murietta - 2 Computers not seeing each other on the network
It may be the Windows firewall. Try disabling any of the security software on your computers and eventually turning it back on. Also, try pinging the two computers. Look at practicallynetworked.com that will guide you through the troubleshooting.
Q Michael from Florida - Email and Youtube not working
I think the Earthlink representatives misguided you. Go into your security settings and make sure Youtube is in your “trusted” sites. Then go and restore the defaults. If flash is not working, your Javascript is turned off. I urge everybody to use Firefox or Opera. Norton Internet Security may be blocking the Javascript, or you can disable the firewall. If you have a router, there’s no need for a software firewall. You’ve got over-aggressive security software.
Q William from Eagle Rock - Looking for a cheap basic Windows computer
If you go into the store, look at HP or eMachines. If you want something to last the next four years, you’ll have to look into a higher-end machine. You want him to get some decent speakers, a higher end video card, larger hard drive, DVD reader/CD writer. Software is also a large part of the cost. I think a 19″ LCD screen is recommended. You’re paying the difference between the $800 computer to do basic jobs and $1500 computer to do decent gaming.
Q George from San Diego - Computer won’t turn on
His computer was rebooting constantly and now it won’t turn on. The computer may have just died overall. Take it into the shop or just buy a new computer.
Chat Logs and Show Audio
10 September 2006
The iPod is too expensive for it to ever be feasable for me. I’d bascially use it as a really expensive USB drive with a headphone jack. =-P
[/my 2 cents]
Hey Leo, we love your opening monolog BUT isn’t 25 minutes into the show a bit long? They’re getting longer & longer. Still love the show!!
the ipods great at what it does but when will people realy have the time to watch 2 or 3 hour movies; other than deadbeats
Big Shark following kayaker
thank the Lord! our best bud leo turned on the comments. tried the chat logs while comments were OFF for weeks; but they are tough reading for normal folks. iPods are sool in Japan still. that country is the barameter of cool, bot the Brits, those twits!
I have a third gen. & 5th video- 60 G. Hate idea of movie dwnlds; but will get the new one for Christmas. phooey to observer…
11:47 by anonymous.
Before Leo recommends Adobe Premiere Elements again to a caller I would like to suggest that he ask the caller if they have a CPU with SSE2 support. Premiere Elements requires SSE2. I bet many still have a Pentium 4 (pre-D cores) or older AMD CPUs that do not have SSE2 support. Ulead has some products that do not require SSE2 and get better reviews than Premiere Elements.
When it comes to running windows. The Apple hardware is awesome. It is so blazing fast and relative to what is out there on the market Apple is actually the cheapest when you look at it spec for spec. Now with Apple introducing the iMac duel core 2 for 999 who can beat it? And the fact it is the only machine that can run every OS. Run the one app you need in Windows and run everything else in the Mac for a stable, secure machine.
And LA IT’s comment is probably why Leo turns OFF comments in the first place. -_-
Pam should reset the BIOS when Boot CD’s will not load and run properly. I have had this happen several times.
Back Up Show Streams Urls Needed.
I use the have a list of KFI 640AM back up stream Urls for their live stream when it’s not working due to heavy traffic etc.
If anyone knows some active back up streams for KFI 640 AM please post them
Thanks
Marty←WITechGuy
janet is right on. this it fellow uses aliases but posts the same drivel. Those websites exist for folks to post for help with unique one of a kind problems. he collects calls for help & posts as criticisms. ignore him & he’ll go away.
12:12 by GBS?.
PAM
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ONCE.
IDOWNLOADED THE XP 6 DISK BOOT/SETUP FILE THAT MAKES 6 FLOPPIES.
STARTED XP SET UP FROM THE DISK AND FIX THE PROBLEM THERE.
I DON’T KNOW IF IT WILL WORK FOR YOU BUT IT’S WORTH A TRY.
GOOD LUCK
GBS
HB, CA.
LA IT relax! All hardware manufactures have issues that they have to resolve and Leo doesn’t hide the facts if you ever listen to the show he clearly states these issues. I know from experience when I do have a problem with an iPod or Mac product Apple in fact addresses it so quickly it is as if it wasn’t an issue. I had an iPod fail on me. I filled out the repair request online. The next day I got the box to ship it back to Apple they fixed it and on the third day I got it back. What do you want? That sounds dam good to me.
12:39 by anonymous.
PAM
Down load a windows 98 boot disk in a floppy version from bootdisk.com which is free. then
format your hard drive with that disk
Good Luck
Gary
And let me guess, if anyone goes through this later and deleates your spam, that’s censorship, right?
Worse than a fool is a fool who cannot keep his mouth shut. -_-
Sony DCR-SR100 Hi-Def camcorder
7.5 hours on a 30GB internal hard drive.
$999 - USB2 and FULL analog & YC I/O
www.sonystyle.com
I want more news, I don’t care as much about other peoples problems unless they relate to me. In response to “LA IT” you claim to have secret suppressed knowledge, I don’t think so, there isn’t very much of that in the age of the internet. How long did it take you to write your spiel? My conclusion is you must be either ill, or a former disgruntled employee. BTW I am a PC user who learned his lesson about buying an overpriced (compared to the PC) computer in niche market when I bought an Amiga computer.
Help! I have a emachine t2200 (yeah I know)Sometimes when I touch it I get a little shock. This can happen even if it is off and unplugged. Today I unplugged a usb cable from it, to use it elsewhere. I must have touched the metal tip of the cable, and it shocked me. Pc has original specs, except, I replaced original power supply, after it failed. And I installed an Nvidia pci video card. I also am using a pci usb2 card, as it only came with usb1. This is not static electricity. Where is it coming from if pc is unplugged? How can I fix it?
I need a link for the STP open source recorder
TO LA IT: When you get your own show we will give it a try. Until then we are lstening and responding to Leo.
Thanks, Norman Moore (a loyal listener)
Coorection to model #-
Corr model #-Sony HDR-SR1 Hi-Def camcorder $1499 5.1 record mic 30GB internal Hard Drive USB & Analog I/O
For Mike’s problem:
He could try sfc/scannow in the run box on the start menu to make sure there aren’t any corrupt winxp system files.
If it is a drive that is made a dynamic drive you may have to import the drive. In this case you would right click in disk managment and choose import.
Sounds like the USB drive guy is not dismounting the drive before pull it. Have see that affect seeing the drive again when connect again on some computers.
Re: Mike in Glendale: I always experience a problem with connecting a USB drive in XP. Not in 98 or 2000. Interested in other’s comments and solutions.
I am getting tired of the Leo bashing too. Leo is paid to give his opinion, and give out tech info. So you can’t knock him for telling it like he sees it. It is clear he believes the Mac OS, is more reliable and more secure, than Windows, especially online. I have never heard him claim their hardware is better, than a pc. I believe he is very fair and objective. To accuse him of being a shill for Apple is ridiculos. He shows his integrety constantly. Whenever he reccomends something in which he is a sponsor, he always gives a disclaimer. That does not sound like a liar or company shill to me.
To Eugene from San Diego: You may have a grounding problem. You can buy a plug analyzer from Home Depot or other places that plugs into any outlet and tells you the status by three LEDS that light or not. There is a key on it to tell you waht they mean.
13:16 by anonymous.
I had wonderful problem free internet connection with DSLExtreme however when I followed
their policy of giving them 30 days before ending my contract then they got screwed up.
Thirty days I called and they said I had to log onto the website for an official end of
contract notification. I did that. On the day my service was to end, they cut off
my service. I thought that was that.
A month later I got my bank statement and there I saw that a little over a week when I
‘officially’ cancelled my contract, I was charged $99 for the DSL modem and on the day
my contract had ended, they charged me the monthly $17 service as if I did not cancel.
I called them and was talking to a supervisior and explained what happened. He looked
at my contract and tells me that they noticed the ‘error’ for the $99 modem charge and
that I will be credited the $99 (3 weeks later). I had returned the modem a week later
after my contract was said to expire. He told me the reason for this mistake is most
users call on the day their contract ends so their ‘system’ automatically charges from
that call.
This pissed me off and I let him know it and he tells me if I don’t want this to happen
to anyone else that I had to go to the website and make a complaint with the billing
department. That he, a supervisior, could not do anything for me.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of outlandish behavior from DSLExtreme??!
Had that problem with a software firewall of not seeing or seeing files but cant do anything.
13:21 by Adam.
I am looking for a way to extend my wireless. 1. Is there away to extend the signal without touching the router? I also travel a lot and would like to take it with me so I can boost my signal when I am at a hotel or if there is a hot spot near by. 2. If there is a way to extend, will the extender be compatible with any router?
re: jimmy with the slow boot problem…also try windows washer, maybe even before reinstalling windows. i tried a free 30 day trial & got hooked! it cleaned up a ton of junk off my pc with a fair amount of control on my part, & will even clean up the slack space on your puter. granted, i didnt use it til after i had to reinstall windows, but still… my boot time is still much faster now, months after the reinstall.
13:32 by DTK?.
I find most of these comments to be very helpful. I’ve listened to Leo for a good long time now and get a lot from his show. It’s unfortunate that some individuals have to come along and ruin it. It’s like the person who shows up at a party and gets attention by picking fights with everyone else. Here’s a suggestion, Go somewhere where you can be productive. Why hang out somewhere where the subject matter makes you so obviously unhappy?
Wow, Am I glad the comments are turned back on!
Quote, “People use STP to record the radio show.”
…..what is STP?
o Eugene from San Diego: You may have a grounding problem. This is what nmoore6676 was suggesting you use for checking out wiring issues.
http://tinyurl.com/fyvyn
oh and complete chat logs would be nice.
the last 1 1/2 hours is always chopped off.
For Mike in Glendale: Leo should have asked you which PC model you have. I bet it’s a Dell. I have the same problem occasionly with my USB drives not
being recognized on my Dell. I’ve heard it’s possibly an under powered power supply on certain
Dell models. Try up-grading your power supply if
re-loaded drivers don’t help.
LA IT …You told me as much about your “secret suppressed knowledge” when you gave your spiel that must have taken you all night to write. If not you would have posted something like… “Leo, I disagree with your support of the apple, and here is my documentation in the form of a web link(s). www.whatever.com”. This would have taken 1 or 2 sentences to write, instead we have your spiel that has zero credibility.
For the USB drives problem… use the Windows key+pause-break key, (fastest way) to get to the “System Properties” window, click “Hardware” tab, then click on “Device Manager” . At the very bottom expand the “Universal Serial Bus controllers”. Start at the top of that list, right-click and select “Uninstall”, click on “OK” to the warning. Do the same for all items in that list, then restart the computer. These drivers are for “physical” hardware, so… when you reboot the computer Windows should/(always has for me) automatically re-install them.
If you want to check the status of the items or try to update the driver (NOTE: - updating drivers is not usually helpful if you already perform “Windows Updates” because this step uses “Windows Update” to check for drivers.) double-click an item and on the next window there are tabs of information and tools to use…
13:48 by DTK?.
Hi All,
I’ve been a PC user for around 18 years now but I’m very tempted to go out and buy a 24″ iMac. I’ve built my last few computers and I’m a little bit afraid that I’ll miss messing with the innards of the PC. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Re: DSL extreme
This is my experiece with DSLExtreme
I called to setup an account and everything
went smoothly and was told when I should expect to
be connected. I got the modem a few days before my service was said to start. The morning the
connection was supposed to start, i called around
10:30am, and he told me to wait til 5pm and then
call back if it’s not up and running. I waited
til 4pm nothing. I called back and told them it
was not up and the response I got was “we still
have 8 hours to hook it up”. My response to that
was “so at 11:59pm my service will start?” He
said no and checked my account. Fifteen minutes
later he tells me it’s running. The reason it
wasn’t running was due to the fact, they had not
completed the ‘form’. Now that is annoying.
Connection service is great but getting them to
finish what they started isn’t.
13:50 by anonymous.
Copy & Paste is back, (LA IT?)
13:57 by anonymous.
DSL Extreme is at the mercy of the phone co’s. Had SBC slam my account twice in the last month where it had to be rebuilt.
Leo didn’t mention that Emachines computers have been owned by Gateway for some time now…
I’ve had no connection problem Dsl Extreme. Very
odd that SBC would do that to your account when
everyone knows it’s SBcs wire the dsl is using.
I would think it would look badly on SBC’s side.
William from Eagle Rock, I wouldn’t get a new computer for a college freshman. He’ll just lose it or trade it for drugs or sex. Go to Goodwill and get one for $20-$30 to start.
14:23 by anonymous.
Thanks for bringing the comments back Leo! Let’s hope you can keep them on.
14:44 by anonymous.
LEO was talking about using a windows utility to shut down programs and processes. Well, they will not shut down protected processes, but I know one that will from Sysinternals, Process Explorer, or as I like to call it, Process Killer.
William from Eagle Rock, I wouldn’t get a new computer for a college freshman. He¡¯ll just lose it or trade it for drugs or sex. Go to Goodwill and get one for $20-$30 to start
cause he wants a PC. Now if he was was more artsy like us,you would buy him a Mac Pro. Maybe you should buy a Mac Pro anyway. When all the guys in art/drama departments see the new Mac, they will be all over him and he won’t have time to play silly computer games.
Mike from Glendale: If you already have Drive Letters assigned to Networked Drives, XP will try to assign those same letters to the USB Drive. If that is the case, in Disk Manager right click on the block that represents the USB drive and assign it to another letter (like Z:). After that, it will reinstall as drive Z: correctly.
What’s the ca recycling fee they are charging when you buy a new monitor? How do they configure the amount. I bought a 200.00 monitor at Fry and they chged 8.00, no mention of it before I paid.
17:22 by anonymous.
I wonder if you can post after the show???
17:23 by anonymous.
I wonder if you can post after the show???
17:32 by anonymous.
I don’t know how many folks will read the chat log later, after the show airs. Heres a situation. I have this Toshiba notebook that I bought in Sept 2001, Labor Day weekend. Had Windows ME on it. Since this OS no longer supported, listening to Leo’s show found out about Linux and Ubuntu 6.06. The built in Network manager only does WEP not WPA settings. Bought Netgear router, Netgear adapter PCI card as well as the PCMCIA card for this laptop. Well if anyone else has encountered this prob, hope they will phone to Leo and I hear it or hope I will resolve it. Maybe the Linux World website, Linus Reality podcast etc
Eugene - if the shock is like a spark when you touch it and occurs once and then goes away, not repeating, then it is most likely static electricity. If it is more of a constant tingle then you could be getting shocked by AC power. But that would not occur if EVERYTHING including the monitor and printer were unplugged. Which does it feel like And is everything unplugged?
17:38 by anonymous.
I hear all this stuff about blogging. Is this similar to a blog. What exactly is a blog. There are blogs, logs, pods IRCs, chats, it all is puzzling
17:41 by anonymous.
I have so much to learn and I have enjoyed listening to Leo Laporte’s shows and have even listened to the Security Now podcast which I find scary but all that we do is risky.
Thanks for everyone trying to help me with my shocking problem:
To SparkielInParadise
It is definitly not static electricity. It is a constant tingle. But it is very low level. Not enough to kill someone or anything. It can occur even if everything is unplugged. I am using a cheap surge protector, but that is conected to an extention cord coming from my kitchen.
Two people suggested it may be an a/c grounding problem. A possibly related problem is that I can never just restart the pc, (for example after installing a program). If I try to restart the pc just hangs and will never turn off. I can turn in off the normal way. If I try to turn it back on, immediatly, sometimes it will not boot, and I get a beep (similar to bad ram beep but not). The work around is to unplug it for 5–10 minutes, replug, and it boots fine.
So maybe it is the bad ground, charging the case. And it needs a few minutes to loose the charge. I will check this out.
To anonymous and Charlene,
I am a customer service rep for SBC (now the new AT&T). I can assure you that that AT&T would never slam someone’s dsl account from DSL Extreme. They are a very good company and a good customer of ours.
Even if we wanted to do that, it would be imposible. When someone wants to migrate from another ISP to us, we have to send them to a third party verifier, to record their confirmation, that they agreed to change ISP. This is just like the verification process for changing long distance to us.
It is more likely, that there was a problem with the dsl connection in the central office. This of course, would be unintentional. We all know that sometimes technology fails us. Their is nothing sinister going on.
Believe me, if the CPUC thought we were slaming dsl accounts they would investigate and if true we would be fined big time. I can assure you, it is not true.
Yahoo/dsl won’t require you to return the modem at the end of the contract—they say in their ad. I always read the after show comments. Just like you are reading this. Leo—like all your on-air work, and best 2u.
18 September 2006
I second vidiot’s response on the USB drive. I had the same thing happen to me this morning. Reassigning the drive letter fixed it.
