Archived CalgaryPuck Computer Help Thread - Page 27 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

icarus · 10-10-2006, 08:15 PM

Question:

I have moved into a new place and am trying to get onto the wireless network here. My housemate is the only one using it and had it set up by a family member in IT who seemingly made it more complicated (secure?) than it needed to be.

Initially it wouldn't even ask me for a password when I tried to log on, but I seem to have fixed that. The problem I have is when I try to enter the password I get an error message saying something like "40-bit or 128-bit encryption requires key to be 5 or 13 ASCII characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters long".

I don't think I have ever used a network key that was 5 or 13 characters long and it has always worked just fine. And the password my housemate is using is 8 characters long (on her computer it is shown as "oooooooo"--you know, the little black dots so that no one can read your password? there are eight of them).

So why is it telling me to use 5 or 13 characters for the WEP key when it is actually 8?

Flash Walken · 10-11-2006, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icarus

Question:

I have moved into a new place and am trying to get onto the wireless network here. My housemate is the only one using it and had it set up by a family member in IT who seemingly made it more complicated (secure?) than it needed to be.

Initially it wouldn't even ask me for a password when I tried to log on, but I seem to have fixed that. The problem I have is when I try to enter the password I get an error message saying something like "40-bit or 128-bit encryption requires key to be 5 or 13 ASCII characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters long".

I don't think I have ever used a network key that was 5 or 13 characters long and it has always worked just fine. And the password my housemate is using is 8 characters long (on her computer it is shown as "oooooooo"--you know, the little black dots so that no one can read your password? there are eight of them).

So why is it telling me to use 5 or 13 characters for the WEP key when it is actually 8?

I had a hell of a time with that bull**** when I was setting up the wireless network here for 4 people. Check and make sure it's actually WEP, it might not be, but your stupid windows might not give you an option for anything else.

You have a laptop, so I'm going to suggest you disable the 'Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings' (wireless network connection > Properties > Wireless Networks) and use the software for your wireless card.

I can't really explain it better than that, because I don't know what I'm doing, but that's what seemed to work here.

MoneyGuy · 10-11-2006, 12:12 PM

My computer fan has died. Totally dead. It's an Axess computer, about 3-4 yrs old. I was planning to replace the PC anyway but am not quite ready and I know the fan is important so need to replace it. Is this a do-it-yourself job, even for a computer idiot? It doesn't look too hard - just a fw screws and replacing some wires (unless I'm missing something). Or do I need a pro? Advice please. Do places like Staples and Computersmart carry these or do they need to be ordered?

Oh,k yes, the fan is emitting a bad odour, sorta like me after a bean dinner. ;-) No, not that bad.

Bobblehead · 10-11-2006, 01:10 PM

Its an easy job - go for it yourself.

Flash Walken · 10-11-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

My computer fan has died. Totally dead. It's an Axess computer, about 3-4 yrs old. I was planning to replace the PC anyway but am not quite ready and I know the fan is important so need to replace it. Is this a do-it-yourself job, even for a computer idiot? It doesn't look too hard - just a fw screws and replacing some wires (unless I'm missing something). Or do I need a pro? Advice please. Do places like Staples and Computersmart carry these or do they need to be ordered?

Oh,k yes, the fan is emitting a bad odour, sorta like me after a bean dinner. ;-) No, not that bad.

you should be able to do it yourself no problem.

I'd turn your machine off though, wouldn't want anything else to crap out on you.

MoneyGuy · 10-11-2006, 01:25 PM

Where can I get a fan? Does a mega store like Compusmart sell these? I'll call them but maybe someone can let me know if you know who sells a fan for an Axess computer.

Flash Walken · 10-11-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Where can I get a fan? Does a mega store like Compusmart sell these? I'll call them but maybe someone can let me know if you know who sells a fan for an Axess computer.

are you talking about the processor fan, or just the tower fan?

Bobblehead · 10-11-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

are you talking about the processor fan, or just the tower fan?

or the Power supply fan?

MoneyGuy · 10-11-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

or the Power supply fan?

It was the power supply fan. It's now replaced. Did it today. Thanks for the advice. Now if I could get you guys to stop hating Edmonton so much.

icarus · 10-12-2006, 09:31 PM

Getting desperate now. Missed the Flames game today because I couldn't get connected. I can't afford to miss another game.

Tried everything Flash suggested to no avail.

My housemate and I went onto her broadband account's page and we changed the WEP key (10 digit hexadecimal). She could use the new key to log on, but when I try to use it it just says 'waiting for connection' and never ends up connecting.

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

cSpooge · 10-12-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icarus

Getting desperate now. Missed the Flames game today because I couldn't get connected. I can't afford to miss another game.

Tried everything Flash suggested to no avail.

My housemate and I went onto her broadband account's page and we changed the WEP key (10 digit hexadecimal). She could use the new key to log on, but when I try to use it it just says 'waiting for connection' and never ends up connecting.

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

have you tried to make the network unsecured, then try connecting to it? If you can then you know its something with the security if not you know its your hardware.

icarus · 10-14-2006, 07:21 AM

Problem solved.

It was because our connection was MAC enabled and my computer wasn't recognised. Didn't matter how much I fiddled with the password, my computer wouldn't have been allowed on. Disabled the MAC recognition and problem solved.

return to the red · 10-17-2006, 01:28 PM

Any PC Anywhere users out in CP land, I'm looking at purchasing it for a customer who isn't exactly computer literate. Is it easy to use from his stand point and where would a guy purchase for the best price?

Any knowledge on PC Anywhere is appreciated

Bobblehead · 10-17-2006, 01:35 PM

Do you require PC Anywhere?

I ask only because there are free alternatives.
Consider VNC. There are a number of different programs that use this protocol; Real VNC, Open VNC, Ultr@VNC - I've tried them all and they all work well. I actually use Ultr@VNC at work - right now I am looking at a monitor that itself has 4 VNC windows so I can monitor a bunch of production servers. I also walked my father through installing VNC on his computer (in Ont.) so I can support him from home.

return to the red · 10-17-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Do you require PC Anywhere?

I ask only because there are free alternatives.
Consider VNC. There are a number of different programs that use this protocol; Real VNC, Open VNC, Ultr@VNC - I've tried them all and they all work well. I actually use Ultr@VNC at work - right now I am looking at a monitor that itself has 4 VNC windows so I can monitor a bunch of production servers. I also walked my father through installing VNC on his computer (in Ont.) so I can support him from home.

Maybe I will explain the circumstances and you can tell me if I require PC Anywhere.

My client is a golf course installing central communications for their irrigation system, factory reps use PC Anywhere to troubleshoot when absolutely needed (so this is why I need PC anywhere) for him however, he wants to access the central if he has an emergency situation from his home computer.

calf · 10-20-2006, 07:20 PM

Quick question...not sure if it belongs in this thread or not, but figure the guys looking to help in here would know either way.

I just received this e-mail from paypal (service@paypal.com)

Quote:

Due to concerns, for the safety and integrity of your paypal
account we have issued this warning message.
It has come to our attention that your paypal account
has been inactive for some time, and your information
needs to be updated.If you could take 10 minutes of your
time to renew your paypal informations, you will not run
into future problems using our services.

Please update your records on or before Oct 25, 2006.
A failure to update your records may result on a suspension of your account.
Please follow the link below to login and renew your account
information
www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?=verification
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Management Department

It looked suspicious for a few reasons.
1) the link above is actually hyperlinked to something else (http://com-securepaypal.com/webscr/cgi_bin=verification)
2) I used paypal no more than a month ago to purchase tickets from a feller on this site. A MUCH longer time had passed since the last time I I used Pay Pal, and I never received an e-mail like this.

is this someone trying to get access to my account? I'm pretty hesitent to do anything about it...

Ironhorse · 10-20-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calf

I just received this e-mail from paypal (service@paypal.com)

is this someone trying to get access to my account? I'm pretty hesitent to do anything about it...

Looks like a fairly common phishing email, I've seen quite a few of them lately. They're just trying to get you to enter your account information.

The_Dude · 10-22-2006, 01:40 PM

Hi guys. I'm going to look at this thread more. I don't have a registered company or anything, but I build computers for people I know. I know a bit about them I'd say. Unless it's a great deal, I would NEVER buy a computer from Futureshop, Best Buy, etc. You save SO MUCH MONEY custome building it.

How your computer functions is basically a result of what you do on your computer. All I pretty much do is read internet sites and use AutoCad. It's usually recommended, but I don't have any anti-virus program installed. I don't have a firewall installed either.

I NEVER have any problems with my computer. I just use anti-spyware programs like Spysweeper and Adaware. I also reformat my computer every 3 months or so just to clean it out.

icarus · 10-23-2006, 08:03 PM

Question:

My Internet has slowed down for some reason. Last weekend when I used SlingPlayer it streamed on average at around 430 Kpbs and now it is streaming at about 55 Kbps (meaning it stops and starts and sounds and looks like crap). Also, webpages are slower loading and Youtube videos take a while to load. None of this was happening just a week ago.

Ideas?

Vulcan · 10-23-2006, 08:45 PM

Have you tried using an antivirus and such tools as Ad-Aware and Spybot. Using your system disk defragmenter is a good idea also.

If everything on your computer seems okay, call your internet provider as they could be having problems.