Archived CalgaryPuck Computer Help Thread

[wooohooo]

Oh wow, thanks alot for the help and information!!!
I'll for surely head over to futureshop and bestbuy today to take a look.

[Buzzard]

I cant watch any TSN video content on new pc with vista. When i try, i'm prompted to download "firefox 1.5 activex plugin", but when i do that i get an error window saying "npmozax.dll failed error code-202" Can someone help me here?

thanks

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I cant watch any TSN video content on new pc with vista. When i try, i'm prompted to download "firefox 1.5 activex plugin", but when i do that i get an error window saying "npmozax.dll failed error code-202" Can someone help me here?

thanks

Sounds like you are trying to view the video through firefox on vista. If that is the case, the problem is that TSN video needs the Windows Media in order to play. Try using IE to view the videos. It seems that FF doesn't have a WM plug-in for the latest version of FF.
I have run into this a few times.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Sounds like you are trying to view the video through firefox on vista. If that is the case, the problem is that TSN video needs the Windows Media in order to play. Try using IE to view the videos. It seems that FF doesn't have a WM plug-in for the latest version of FF.
I have run into this a few times.

There is supposedly a new WMP Plugin from Microsoft, but I couldn't get it to work. I know why (A few components aren't being installed) but didn't have a chance to figure out a work-around.

[LockedOut]

I'm also having trouble getting video on TSN's website. I get audio OK but along with a black screen. This has happened since I reinstalled XP. It was fine before. Everything else works (ie. Sportsnet, youtube, CBC, etc).

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by LockedOut

I'm also having trouble getting video on TSN's website. I get audio OK but along with a black screen. This has happened since I reinstalled XP. It was fine before. Everything else works (ie. Sportsnet, youtube, CBC, etc).

sounds like a video codec problem... dunno which one they use but google should be able to tell you.

[LockedOut]

Originally Posted by cSpooge

sounds like a video codec problem... dunno which one they use but google should be able to tell you.

The weird thing is as I mentioned every other site that I could think of works, no problems. I don't understand what TSN is using that others aren't. I've tried many different codecs and versions.

[alltherage]

Plug the green cord into the green slot on the back of your PC.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by The President

What?

Plug your speakers in.

[Hack&Lube]

Hey guys, got an emergency. I need to goto Montreal Saturday for one month of the Quebec government bursary french program...and then maybe one more month hanging around in Ontario and I think I need a laptop for that time. I'm stuck betwee two options for an HP laptop. It's either the DV6235 or the DV9205 which are the same price at Futureshop as refurbished models for $799.

The specs are nearly identical except that one is power by an Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T5200 1.6GHz and uses Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 and the other one has an AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-50 powered by an Nvidia GeForce Go 6150.

The Intel one is lighter and has a 15.7" WXGA screen compared to a 17" screen on the AMD one with WXGA+ High-Def. BrightView Widescreen. Both are the same price. I'm assuming the Centrino would be a faster processor with better battery-life overall while the AMD one will be almost as fast but with less battery life. I won't be moving it around much, mostly in a dorm. What is High-Def. Brightview widescreen compared to just normal WXGA? Which laptop would you guys choose? I do game very much on my current home PC and would do it occasionally with a laptop but doesn't the GeForce Go 6150 suck? What would be it's desktop equivalent? I need advice on this within 2 days. Thanks!

========
CHOICE #1
========

Processor Type Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T5200
Screen Size 15.4"
RAM (Preloaded / Maximum) 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive 120GB 5400RPM
Optical Drives 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer With LightScribe
Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Average Battery Life Dependant On Usage
Product Weight 2.79 kg
Audio Type Altec Lansing
Battery Type 6-Cell Lithium-Ion
Cache 2MB L2
Fax/Modem 56K V.92
I/O Ports 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x TV-Out, 1 x VGA
Included In Box Headphones, Remote
Network Card 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN
Other Software Not Provided By Manufacturer
PC Card Slots 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot
Pointing Device Touchpad
Preloaded Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Speed 1.6GHz
Product Dimensions 25.70(W) x 4.00(H) x 35.69(D) cm
Removable Storage None
Screen Type WXGA
Speakers Not Provided By Manufacturer
System Bus 533MHz
Warranty 90 Days Limited Hardware

========
CHOICE #2
========

Processor Type AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-50
Screen Size 17.0"
RAM (Preloaded / Maximum) 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard Drive 120GB SATA (5400RPM) Hard Drive
Optical Drives LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW w/ DL
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 (UMA),Up To 288MB
Average Battery Life Not Provided By Manufacturer
Product Weight 3.54 kg
Audio Type Altec Lansing
Battery Type 8-Cell Lithium-Ion
Cache 256KB+256KB L2
Fax/Modem High Speed 56K Modem
I/O Ports See The Features Section
Included In Box AC Adapter, Battery, Remote, Earbuds
Network Card Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN
Other Software Not Provided By Manufacturer
PC Card Slots 1 ExpressCard/54 Supports ExpressCard/34
Pointing Device Touch Pad With On/Off & Vertical Scroll
Preloaded Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Speed 1.6GHz
Product Dimensions 29.59(W) x 3.99(H) x 38.51(D) cm
Removable Storage 5-In-1 Integrated Digital Media Reader
Screen Type WXGA+ High-Def. BrightView Widescreen
Speakers Built-In Stereo Speakers
System Bus Up To 1600MHz At AC/DC Mode 35 Watt
Warranty 90 Day Limited Hardware


....


Or should I just not buy a laptop at all? Mail my desktop computer to myself (it's a Shuttle) and carry my LCD monitor in my luggage? Heck, I could probably stuff the Shuttle into my luggage but a recent experience in Europe shows that lugging luggage around a city from the airport to a hotel...where you don't have a car and you are too cheap for taxis is a very very very bad idea.

[Bobblehead]

WXGA is 1280x800
WXGA+ is 1440x900

Brightview is a marketing term, probably referring to the contrast ratios. The Hi-Def is a meaningless term, LCDs are, by their nature, progressive.
The general rule of thumb is to stay away from AMD in notebooks. The C2D is better at saving power. 17" are big, heavy, and use a lot of power. If it is just going to be used as a desktop replacement, not be moved around and stay plugged in, that may not be an issue.

If the 17" was WSXGA+ I may have considered that, but other than the extra screen real estate (which, I have heard, are wider than your seats on a plane) and bigger battery (which is needed to power the bigger screen) I think almost everything else favours the smaller machine - portability, processor, power. Personally I'd go with the 15.4"

[Antithesis]

I have a really obscure (well maybe not but it might be) problem for you guys that really has nothing to do with a broken computer or anything:

Does anyone know of an internet cafe' type place or well really anywhere that still has ... drumroll please ... Zip Drives installed? Yeah, I told you. Anyway, when I was in University the preferred media of choice for a course I took was Zip disks ... so I bought one because all the labs had Zip Drives installed ... I graduate, go back to visit, and poof, Zip Drives are gone. I'm curious about what exactly is on this disk that I have, so I'd like to check it out.

All this being said, this really is more a matter of curiousity than anything that is super mission-critical. I'm not really willing to spend the $$$ to buy one from eBay or anything like that ...

Thanks in advance!

[Maritime Q-Scout]

so I just bought a wireless keyboard and mouse. I was tired of having cords all over my desk, and my inability to move with them.

However the mouse will only work upto 8-10 inches from the transmitter. The keyboard will go upto 6 feet or so. I already exchanged my first mouse because of this problem, but it continues with the new one.

Ideas? Suggestions?

[Ayrahb]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I have a really obscure (well maybe not but it might be) problem for you guys that really has nothing to do with a broken computer or anything:

Does anyone know of an internet cafe' type place or well really anywhere that still has ... drumroll please ... Zip Drives installed? Yeah, I told you. Anyway, when I was in University the preferred media of choice for a course I took was Zip disks ... so I bought one because all the labs had Zip Drives installed ... I graduate, go back to visit, and poof, Zip Drives are gone. I'm curious about what exactly is on this disk that I have, so I'd like to check it out.

Check Kinko's, they used to have computers with ZIP drives.

[Torture]

Edit: Nevermind...found a solution on a blog somewhere...if anybody else is having this problem delete all your podcasts... o_O So Wierd!

Usually I'm the one helping with problems in these sorts of things...but I've come accross something that I can't figure out how to fix, and google doesn't seem to have the answer as far as I can see.

Whenever I open up iTunes I get the message "The iTunes Library File cannot be saved. An unknown error occured (-50)." and that message just keeps popping up...over and over.

Anybody else had this problem before, or have any ideas how to fix it? I tried reinstalling, and I tried downgrading to an older version. I think the problem started when I updated iTunes to version 7.3. Oh, and I'm on a PC btw.

[newts]

NM...fixed

[RougeUnderoos]

I need to go back and find something I dumped like 10 minutes ago. How do I do a "system restore"?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I need to go back and find something I dumped like 10 minutes ago. How do I do a "system restore"?

mine's in, start-all programs- accessories-system tools

I also have written down
1. turn on computer
2.hold ctrl
3.press F11 repeatedly

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

so I just bought a wireless keyboard and mouse. I was tired of having cords all over my desk, and my inability to move with them.

However the mouse will only work upto 8-10 inches from the transmitter. The keyboard will go upto 6 feet or so. I already exchanged my first mouse because of this problem, but it continues with the new one.

Ideas? Suggestions?

I try to stay away from wireless if I can.

I had the money to compare once upon a time...and wired works a LOT better.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

so I just bought a wireless keyboard and mouse. I was tired of having cords all over my desk, and my inability to move with them.

However the mouse will only work upto 8-10 inches from the transmitter. The keyboard will go upto 6 feet or so. I already exchanged my first mouse because of this problem, but it continues with the new one.

Ideas? Suggestions?

What kind did you buy? I bought some generic piece of garbage wireless desktop and it just kept dropping the connection even within a couple of feet of the transmitter. I took it back and got a Logitech MX5000 wireless desktop and it works perfectly up to about 20 feet on a charged battery.