FAQ / Q&A
Q: I am looking for the new place where Coast Riders hang out (new Coast to Coast AM forum / board).
A: There are seemingly many forums that pop up only to dissaper. For up to date information Contact me. You can check out Yahoo Groups as well.
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Q: My wireless access point has two antennas. How do I connect a single external antenna?
A: WAPs have two antenna to improve reception due to bounced radio waves. Most WAPs have a setting within the configuration screen on whether to use two antennas or just a single external one. In this case, an external antenna is connected to just one of the antenna connectors that is specified in the configuration screen.
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Q: What should I do when I ship fragile items?
A: If you are using US Postal Service, request them not to use the automatic sorting machine. It will be done by hand instead and will reduce the chance of bumps and drops on the automatic machinery. If using UPS or FedEx, request a "Fragile" sticker.
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Q: What material should I use for shipping?
A: I recommend that every house have a good paper shredder (do not use one that stripes for shredding paper with confidential information). Also, you can shred non-confidential material like magazines, or use crumbled paper as shipping filler. Just keep in mind that either shredded or crumbled paper can move and slide in the package and expose the item inside to one of the sides of the package (any hits will not be then buffered by the paper). For electronic and likewise fragile materials, I recommend a combination of taped large bubbles sheet and crumbled paper, possibly fixed with tape so nothing slides within the package. Shells are marginally better than shredded or crumbled paper, but are much more expensive.
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Q: I have heard that PCI Express, and SATA are hot plug or plug and play, but how can I do this with Windows? If I connect a drive after logging in, why does in not show up? How can I remove a SATA or eSATA drive without first shutting down the computer?
A: This is yet one more area where Windows is ridiculous. As you have guessed, you will have to do all of this manually. If you have connected a SATA drive, and it is not detected, you will need to scan for hardware changes within the Device Manager. To disconnect without powering down, you will need to use a utility like HotSwap!. To do this manually instead, go to Device Manager, expand Disk Drives, right click on wanted disk, and select Remove/Disable. To detect a drive that you just connected, right click anywhere within the Device Manager and select "Scan for hardware changes".
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Q: Do I still need to separate my data from Windows partition (esp for Vista)?
A: Unless you really like loosing your data, you must. If you keep many files on your desktop or in your documents folder, but do not have an additional hard drive in your computer, you really have to create a separate partition and move all of your files there. When Windows crashes (and it will), reinstallation and recovery will be much easier. Firstly, you can reinstall Windows into the system partition without worrying to recover that system partition or lose data on overwriting. Secondly, when Windows crashes, there is less chance that any data loss will occur on the data partition. Of course, better methods are keeping a backup on a USB memory stick or an external hard drive, or moving all of your data away from the hard drive where Windows is to a separate hard drive (best solution).
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Q: My computer was running just fine yesterday. When I power it up today, BIOS says something like "Operating System Not Found".
A: Windows is very good at messing up the partition table and the like for any number of reasons. Power could have been turned off in standby mode, during Windows booting, etc, etc. That is exactly why you need to follow my advice in the previous FAQ about keeping your data separate from Windows partition. That way, you would not be worrying about your data right now. If the hard drive problem is not mechanical in nature, insert the Windows installation CD, enter repair mode (Administrator password is usually blank), and try commands such as chkdsk /p, fixmbr, fixboot, or the like. If this does not restore it, try connecting the hard drive to another computer and seeing if you can view the files. If not, then you will need to use special software or ask someone else. Unfortunately, there really is no single best free software package, and even more unfortunately, very many paid software that is worthless.
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Q: What backup strategies do you use?
A: I use several, but it never seems enough. I still manage to lose data. I will list some to give you a few ideas.
- Save a copy to one of the memory sticks that you have lying around
- Email it to yourself if it is small files or documents
- Copy files to another computer in the house over a network and vice versa.
- Copy a password protected file to your friend's computer
- Get an external 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive enclosure
- Do a text-only backup (software exists that saves just the filenames of all files. very useful if content can be reacquired/redownloaded as long as you recover the filenames)
- Among with a text-only backup, WinRAR is my best tool for backups. You can consolidate files, compress files, convert many files into a single archive file, synchronize backups, make password protected backups, etc, etc.
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Q: I have a large hard drive with data. Which is the best way to backup - RAID or full copy to another drive?
A: Neither. There are no magic backup solutions. And all backup solutions fail at some point or another. RAID is especially not as magical best solutions as people imagine. Full backup is large, and if manual, people tend to get lazy. The following method is a combination of all methods known to me:
- For all of your hard drives in the house/system get a single backup hard drive. It will not have to be the combined size of all the drives that it will backup, but will be some fraction of that. For example, I usually pack 2TB of data across hard drives into a 500GB backup hard drive.
- Never backup exact images of drives unless you have to (business databases, for example)
- If you followed my advice to separate data from your system partition, all you need to backup is the list of installed programs, program data like bookmarks, and files in your documents and desktop folders.
- When backing up content that can be reacquired/redownloaded (downloads, programs, music, etc), backup file names only.
- Create a COMPLETE text backup of all directories and files on all your hard drives so you will know what exactly you lost and where everything goes.
- WinRAR backup documents, small files, etc into a single file.
- Copy-backup important large files that cannot be redownloaded/reacquired.
- Set up automatic software to repeat this every week.
- Before making big change to files like an important text document, etc make it your habit to copy-backup into a "temporary backup" folder the previous version. I work with large text files a lot, and had to use the temporary backup more than often. Also, if it happens that you lose your data, and backup is somewhat old, the "temporary backup" versions of files are usually much fresher than the rest of the data (I still do not have automatic backup set up. I know, i know.)
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Q: I am looking for REPAIRnet manuals and help. Where can I get it?
A: Right here. REPAIRnet manual and help file.
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Q: I tried to install an 8800 PCI-Express video card (or similar), but when I power up the computer, the graphics card fan spins at maximum speed, and I get a black video screen (computer does not boot).
A: You will need to connect the PCI Express power connector to the video card. Or, your computer may be not compatible with that video card.
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Q: I have a problem with my PCI-E video card. I get a beeping sound, computer does not boot, I have a black/blank screen, or the fan is at the full blast and does not slow down
A: Check the PCI-E power supply connector to the video card. Or, your power supply cannot handle the required power (if you used a Molex to PCI-E power connector).
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Q: What is the difference between the DVD + and - formats?
A: Not much, however, the "+" specification is slightly superior to the "-" format for "R" discs (writeable discs). There is no "+" format for "RW" or "RAM" types of discs.
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Q: I get video artifacts on my laptop screen (bars, lines, discoloration, etc).
A: Check the video cable connector, especially if you have taken the laptop apart before. Try moving the cable around to see of those artifacts change or move around. If they do, then you found the source of the problem.
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Q: How do I remove old permanent marker markings from hard to remove surfaces (porous, plastic, old markings, etc)?
A: Use Goof-Off. Make sure that you spray outside (it smells very strongly). Let the spray on the marker soak for some time, wipe off, and repeat if you can still see the markings. This was the only method that worked for old marker on plastic boxes. No other method will take off old permanent marker.
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Q: How do I set up a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 to control music player forward/backward?
A: As is always the case, Microsoft gets everything not more than 90% right. The 4000 has plenty of different controls, but track control is not one of them. You might have tried to assign these controls to the useless Back/Forward buttons, only to find out that you cannot. Although a solution to assign track control to Back/Forward exists elsewhere on the Internets, a much easier solution is to assign track control to the buttons 1-5 on top. While the 4000 is a relatively good keyboard, the Back/Forward buttons are a nuisance, Zoom does not work, and there are no assigned buttons for track control.
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Q: How do I disable the stupid Back/Forward buttons on a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000? I keep hitting them constantly.
A: Try the driver software. If you disable it, but buttons reactivate after you restart the computer, try an updated version, reinstall it, or uninstall completely if you do not use the multimedia controls of the 4000.
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Q: My printer can no longer properly roll in paper from the paper tray into the printer. It clicks, stops, reports a jam even though paper has been partially rolled in, or other problems.
A: If you have a paper tray and an old printer, then the rubber rollers may be no longer able to contact the paper and roll it into the printer. If this is the problem, then the solution is easy. Place a rubber band over the rollers to increase their diameter. You can loop the band, it does not have to be smooth over the rollers.
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Q: I have too many file templates in Windows (right-click New menu). How do I remove them.
A: Use Tweak UI.
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Q: I am having someone make my website. What should I watch out for?
A: Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- graphics/flash. Do you want the website to be flash based or contain lots of flash content?
- search engine promotion, keywords. Is your site easily visible from a Google search?
- local/geographical searches and publication. For people to find your business besides from Internet searches.
- statistics. Will you be able to access the statistics yourself or will you receive regular reports on how well you are doing?
- upkeep. How often will upkeep be perform? How much will it cost? Is upkeep easily transferable to you or another website developer?
- additions, new content. Can you log in yourself to post new content or will it have to go thru your developer? How much will it cost?
- contact form, e-mail. Will this be delivered to your e-mail account?
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Q: I have spilled something on my keyboard. Now it does not work, repeats a character, some buttons do not work, etc
A: If it was something other than water, act quick. Take the keyboard apart. Take out the transparent plastic circuit. Clean it with alcohol thoroughly. If you spilled sugary liquid or coffee/chocolate, look for any stain spots. The traces on the circuit are conductive, and any stains between traces will have to be cleaned off. Blow off excess alcohol. Let dry for sufficient time. Put the keyboard together and test it. If it still does not work, you did not dry out all of the water, left stains between traces, or did not press align rubber contacts properly.
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Q: I am considering a job that involves either third shift or more than 45 minutes of driving each way. Any objections?
A: Of course. I would know more than a few things, with exactly one year of driving one hour each way to third shift. Results?
- Winter sliding on the highway, small hit on front corner, replaced headlight, bumper cover, engine mount bracket cracked.
- Stupid highway speeding ticket, not disputed due to laziness.
- Brake distance too short (pedestrian and two cars in front of me, I am driving a minivan which does not stop particularly fast). Results: radiator, hood, etc replaced, same bumper cover glued together.
- Fender bender pulling out of parking lot, car parked perpendicular to my location (minivans are long and have a large turning radius)
- Stupid rural road speeding ticket (trap), not disputed due to laziness.
- Fell asleep and sliding along wire railing (another minivan). Wheel suspension assembly replaced, minor body work, fender replaced.
- Several very close calls involving either driving in thick falling snow (New England), or falling asleep.
The point? Don't even think that this will not apply to you. I have also thought that I am a natural night person so why not work at night? I am also not a careless driver (besides some 85 mph tickets on the highway, none disputed due to laziness/stupidity). I also thought that I HAD TO go to work, no matter how much snow or if I did not have time to sleep at all that day. By the way, everything added together, I was exactly 11.5 hours out of home (9.5 hour shift + 2 hours of driving). I was laid off after a year. Great thanks to them for doing what I was unwilling to do myself. By the way, in case you did not know, no one will take care of you besides yourself. And you might also get someone else involved in a car accident (I have not).
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Q: Where is the A/C refill port on a 2001 Dodge Caravan (or similar), and how many cans of A/C coolant do I need?
A: The port is behind the radiator, and under the top water tube. You will need three or four cans.
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Q: What can I find out about my computer online relating to security?
A: As a few examples: Find out your IP port and address: whatismyipaddress.com, www.ip-adress.com; scan ports to test your firewall configuration: www.pcflank.com/scanner1.htm, www.securitymetrics.com/portscan.adp, http://www.auditmypc.com/port-scanner.asp; scan your computer for viruses: onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm, housecall65.trendmicro.com (works with Firefox), www.pandasecurity.com/activescan/index (requires registration).
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Q: Any cool TI-89 graphs that I can look at?
A: Sure!
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Q: Any free advice on time management?
A: All humans can realistically do only a limited number of tasks well (even if the tasks are just managing people). If you have serious problems with number of tasks that are in your head then the following advice is in order:
- Reduce number of tasks. Beg, lie, steal, delegate, procrastinate. But do not get the number of tasks get beyond the reasonable limit (one dozen is reasonable to keep a track of, one hundred is not)
- Eliminate "maybe" or "would like to" tasks. Some people really do want to accomplish certain tasks, but there is a problem if accomplishing those tasks (which requires time) will really be important to them and to others.
- And, if your mind really bothers you with those "would like to" tasks, there is a weapon you can use: write down and forget. Make a file named "maybe in the future" and write it down there. I have more than one file. Each is over 20 pages long. But at least I stopped losing my sleep over the contents of those files. If and when I can, it would be a good time to complete those tasks. For now, there are tasks with a higher priority.
- There, I have made you avoid buying a 200 page book which would cost you money and time to read it all.
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Q: What installation settings should I use with XAMPP? How do I use it?
A:
- Install in \program files, not c:\
- check enable services
- directory to place your website files: \htdocs
- move default files from htdocs (fe to \htdocs\old)
- http://localhost/index.php is the address of your server
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Q: Where can I have my computer fixed for low cost?
A: Right here! Low cost high value computer repair.
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Q: Where is the middle mouse button (as in games)?
A: Middle mouse button is the scroll wheel press. Not all mice obviously have this, and even fewer games that use do not explain anything.
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Q: What is the difference between a DVD-R and a DVD+R (DVD plus and minus)?
A: Technically, the +R format is slightly better, but it is only available as a non-rewriteable media (there is no DVD+RW or DVD+RAM format).
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Q: Why is UPS shipping so high for me?
A: You are not the only one. As the best tip I can give you, it pays to shop around. UPS IS NOT the cheapest shipping provider. For small packages, nothing beats USPS. For large packages, FedEx has free boxes, shipping is cheaper, and international shipping of large packages with FedEx is often cheaper. Also, online label printing is discounted compared to having the store take that information by hand. Remember to pack well.
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