[Printer into network]

Locations, are these 2 computers in the same room, or like totally seperate might help you in an easy solution hehe??

The simplest answer away from spending cash is.....There ae 2 types of USB Connectors, USB Types A and B. 1 as you noted is square (Type B), and the other Type A is the more commonly recognisable thin rectangular type we are all much more used to seeing .

Normally the Square Type B USB connector on the HP's should go into the back of the Printer, and the more standard Type A USB Conector goes into your normal USB Ports on your Comp.

If you are that much against "print sharing" to avoid running both PC's if you aren't present and want to save a frew bucks too, then simply install the Printer onto both PC's and Hot Dock the Printer onto each PC as required m8, if they are close enough to each other obviously !!

It's not the "Highest-tec" or wonderfully "Automated" way of doing it, but the end result would be the same, and all you'd need to do is switch the USB Lead over between Comps as you require it hehe !!

Not ideal but it's another option for you !

[what th---- how the-- what-!?@!?@!$":T421 yh0hj]

Major Maximum,

Hey m8, just out of interest, wot are the specs of ya system comprehensively m8?? List as much as poss and include any devices plugged in and on internaly and externally, and especially ya PSU Rating too!!

Could be another avenue to explore is all ultimately, but u still can't discount what peeps are saying above obviously, but u seem certain that you don't sem to be suffering from any kind of infection, so it's really just a suggestion of throwing up possibles on other scenarios for you that may be causing it. List some specs m8 !!

[Partitions]

If you are running WinXP you can Partition drives without 3rd party applications !!

Depending on your setup you can do it through the Administrative tools: Computer Management: Disk Management.

Right click on the Drive you wish to Partition and the option to do it may be active. If it is "Greyed Out" then you can just as easily do it from an MS-DOS Prompt and it's actually pretty simple to do !!

You can get a lot of futher info on it using Windows Help on Partitioning and all of the necessary comands are explained there and it takes literally 30 seconds to do !!!!

[Slow Computer]

Hey BM,

To view things like the Sys Logs etc you need to go to your Administrative Tools in XP m8.

Easiest way to direct you to that is via Control Panel, and you'll see the Administrative Tools applet in there !!

Open it up, and choose the + next to "Event Viewer", then 3 choices will drop down for you, "Application, System, and Security". Go through each one and there you can see how your system has been behaving, logging errors and other activities etc !!

Could help you troubleshoot for other possibles too !!

Good luck !!!

[IpDynamicLite]

IPDynamic Lite

IPDynamic Lite is the official portal for Invision Power Board created by Invision Power Services. This portal is included with the IPB download under the folder "ipdynamiclite". Please see the ipdl_readme.txt located in this folder for installation instructions.

Third Party Portals

Other then the official IPB portal, you may also use these:

IBF Xtreme

MyiBPortal

Invisiontools.com may be of use to you!! The forums there may answer your questions too, if not create an account and ask the peeps there who use it, a good knowledge of PHP will probably be required too though !!

Good luck !!!!

[Slow Computer]

Heya BlackM !

Sorry to hear of possible problems m8 .

As for the HDD whirring away merrily to itself, Win XP will do that when left idle, it kinda auto defrags by itself moving and cataloging files etc, kinda worrying at first especially if you are on like a DSL connection lol, cos u think someone is accessing your drives remotely or summat lol. But....It's normal for XP to do that if idle for periods of time though, so don't worry about that part !!

Otherwise, did you install any new applications, games or any new software recently, or more specifically to that weekend that you remember m8????

.....Or have you just plugged in some new hardware etc, or any other changes, however insignificant they may seem ultimately??? All examples "can" slow Boot ups depending on their function and all can slow your PC's performance too. Is Norton also set to AutoScan if your PC is idle at all too?? All little things that can take resources etc.

Also make good use of Win XP's Task Manager too m8 (the usual CTRL+ALT+Del), and look at the Processes Tab, you can see if any Application is hogging resources badly there etc too !! Are you Networked too lol???

Hope that gives you a few possibles to look at anyway, but good luck in finding it m8 if it is infact a problem !!

[Random re-booting]

Did you deal with it fully by ensuring you also removed it from your system Restore too, as it wondefully backs itself up in there too. If you didn;t also deal with it in there and you have used a restore feature, then you may have placed msblast right back where it was!!

Worth checking up on if you are not sure !!

[UK ADSL ISP]

Hehehe,

I used to use Plusnet years ago when they were known as Force9 for 56k and later ISDN, if they are even half as good now as they were then, then they will still be awesome !! Loads og goodies with their stuff to if you have the inclanation for all those sorta things or if you'll use them !!

I actually went with BT (euughh, spit, cough lol) for my dsl too, but I don't use the modem they supply and I haven't installed ANY of their Software AT ALL either (I like my PC to run how I like it too rofl).

I run the BT Service through the Router listed in my Specs, it's fast and extremely reliable (which even I was suprised at for BT admittedly lol)!! I haven't been disconnected once, and despite them not using Static IP's on the Home accounts at present (allegedly they are planning to assign Static IP's soon), I have retained the same IP for the last 3 months by making sure that 1 computer has remained connected whilst I rebooted another lol. They haven't complained about this at all and my computers are on 24/7 too with data always going in and out too, and lots of it an all hehe !! All in all, no complaints on the dsl front against BT here (yet) lol!!!

[Cooling Help]

Looks good Ruin and no doubt will do the job very well too, enjoy m8 !!

[Cooling Help]

Heyaz ruin,

I have the same CPU as you m8 (well, will have till Tuesday when I'm slappin an XP3200+ in instead lol). Anyway, although with the Stock HSF I never saw any worrying temps, I still changed it out to see if it could be improved ultimately lol !!

I went for a Coolermaster Aero 7+ and the XP2400 has never got above 38 since. It idles generaly at around 29-30C and under extremes of load maxes out at around 37-38C if I really hammer it using lots of Apps at once hehe , in general under medium load it sits at around 35C!! You can adjust the Fan speed with that HSF and I have the RPM's set to 2800rpm and I haven't had to keep messin with it either, I just leave it at 2800rpm now, (the max is 3500 if ya need it)!!

Obviously there's the other usual variables like the Case itself, Round Cables etc too can all help, and also the amount of Chassis fans and their configuration too blah blah lol (I have 7 Case fans here). All told tho the Aero 7+ has got on very well with the 2400 hehe. How well it works with the 3200 will soon be answered I guess lol !! Would recommend one to those tht like the look of them etc and who are interested in them !!

Ultimately though, 60C isn't actually that bad for the Athlon XP range, 75-80C would be bad as such, but still within limits even then lol. So it's nothing to panic about essentially .

Lots of choice for other HSF's out there for you though m8 hehe, hope you find one that ya like etc though and if ya do have any interest in the above, then results here show it's worked well "in my system" !!

Happy hunting and good luck m8!!

[Need Help Troubleshooting]

edit. NM lol!!!

[Networking Question]

Firefly,

In case ya waitin on an answer m8 lol.....Yes, having Client for Microsoft Networks installed is essential for Networking. Other than that, you don't actually have to un-install Windows logon as such, just make sure that the connections' properties are set to the Client for Microsoft Networks option, and not the Windows Logon" option from the Dropdown List. Sometimes installing it is enough though and it doesn't have to be selected, ie, either of them can be used and the Network can function succesfully:)!!! Why is down to the usual and many associated variables I guess lol!! Invariably tho it does HAVE to be set to the "Client for Microsoft Networks Option".

There may also need to be some settings changed for use of Proxy etc too, again it all depends on how the Network is operated etc, and more info on that will help the guys help you if ya can find it all out for em if y still having no joy .

Hope that gets you on ya way with that particular question tho, so you can start looking at other things IF required, ya never know tho, that might just do it !!!

Good luck !!!!

[YAY! finally a new comp!]

Hehehe,

Enjoy JTF, ya can't beat that feeling when you make a good upgrade and get a load of new bits can ya hehehe. That Sys will make a hell of a difference for you too !!!

Have fun m8!!!

[WTF is going on with my computer?!?!]

LOL.....

Sorry Phantom but had to chuckle @....

you may want to re-think having both of the programs UT mentions.

The firewall will use considerable resources, and software firewalls are kind of a pain. They require constant upkeep and configuration.

I did say fairly clearly that both were "Examples Amongst the Many", and ultimately, when you have ###### ALL protection at all, hey, wots a lil on ya Sys Resources over a 700 file Infection and the lack of ANY Port Protection wotsoever from a Firewall, allowing even a Hacker, Cracker or Script Kiddie with the most "Basic of Knowledge" access to your PC at will too rofl!!!!

Agreed, Software Firewalls also can be tricky for the uninitiated, but can become very powerful for those more accustomed to them and who know "how" to use them too. When the guy started off saying he didn't want to spend the slightest bit of cash on any Software, I couldn't quite picture him rushing out to buy a Hardware Firewall either so wasn't gonna even go there on to that subject as there would have been NO POINT LMAO. He wouldn't have been interested and has since even stated as much (which may be his undoing but obviouslythat's up to him if this lesson didn;t sink in lol).

He asked for kit for free ultimately and was forwarded examples to allow him to expand on and search for himself !!!! When you don't wanna spend any money you can't really be chosy about applications maybe having downsides of things like using a little more Sys Resource then stuff you may have paid $20 for lol!!!

Thanx for the laff tho heheheeheheehehehe, even though I get out plenty that one had me folding hehe !!

[Uninstall THPS3 ....]

No worries !!!!!

[WTF is going on with my computer?!?!]

Well, unless you have some form of Anti-Virus Software Installed then it's extremely hard to say that you have a Win32 infection ultimately m8, but yes it could be likely that you are infected as your freind has advised, you can't be certain though obviously!!!

There are some very good Freeware Anti-Virus Applications that will save that cash you have there for those other things lol, they may well be a little more attractive to you right now I'm guessing hehehe!!!

But, there may be one small hitch here, some of the Win32's are very clever and are coded to stop Anti-Virus Apps from working if installed or even to stop them from being installed to deal with an infection full stop !! So, ya might have to cross your fingers there!!

AVG Anti-Virus is a very popular Freeware AV App and is very effective as one example for you amongst others. Which you install as with a lot of Software is goingto be preference, but as you may not have ever used an AV App before you won't have any previous preferences to compare too lol. I don't use AVG personally, but I have a few freinds that do and they compliment it and say they would recommend it to others why not give it a go yourself. Essentially go get it, install it and see how you go with it, with luck it will install without any problems and if you are infected go on to remove your problem for you!!!

Otherwise you may need to get a "Stand Alone Cleaner" and have an "Online Scan" performed on your System. You can get an Online Scan performed Here if you really need it, and then if it does flag a Win32 or any other infection for you come back and tell us which one may be reported and someone can point you in the right direction to the get a Stand Alone Cleaner too if required!!!

Obviously once you are free of an infection if you do have one, then maintain the AVG Anti-Virus Software and Update it regularly and you'll at least have some Countermeasures for any future problems in that department too !!

Lastly and again, "IF" you are infected as said previously it is far more likely that you would have picked a Virus up by E-mail, (which in the future, AVG AV will scan Incoming Mails and either report on, or automatically remove any infected mails for you if you you leave it installed, and also scan your outgoing stuff too with no great effect on a 56k connection according to a couple of freinds I have who use it on 56k)!!

Otherwise, If it wasn't by E-mail, then it could possibly have been either by a Backdoor or even a Direct Attack. Although being on a Dynamic IP may give some small comfort, essentially that comfort zone is reducing by the day. Attackers Port Scan huge "Ranges of IP's" with speed and efficiency these days, and can latch on to you far more quickly than you may appreciate. Even though you are on that 56k and have your Dynamic IP, as little or even less than 10 minutes is often all it takes if you are completely unprotected and discovered, which at present with no Firewall isn't hard at all and then with no AV Software you are completely exposed and vulnerable.

You can solve the Firewall problem too for absolutely nothing you may be glad to hear lol !!! Obviously as above which is chosen is also a matter of preference but the same may apply as to the AV for you and there seems to often be mixed appraisals or slaggings for the various Freeware Firewalls availble too lol. So, all that can be done is to give tyou another example to start off with and you can always change and/or move on later. But it could easily be said that to be without a Firewall in the present climate is asking for trouble ultimately !!! Zone Alarm is one Firewall widely known in a Freeware form that gives good protection. Again I don't use it personaly but those that do often rate it, but at the end of the day it gives protection and that's what you need too !! Check that out too and see how you go with that also.

None of the Apps mentioned are huge and take up masses of space if that's a worry, but if they don't interest you then just use any Search Engine to search for Freeware AV Apps and Firewalls too so that IF you are infected, you will greatly reduce the chances of it happening again.

Hope that's of further use to you and you can make some headway with your problem and get ya games etc working again tho m8 !! Good luck with it and keep us posted and let us know how you get on and obviously if you need more help or advise then shout!!!!

[Uninstall THPS3 ....]

Heya Stalker,

First up obviously you need to open ya Registry Editor.......You can use the Run command from the Start menu and type regedit.exe to do that, or, use the Search option to "Find Files and Folders" using the Search String "regedit" and you can find the .exe that way too if you like. The latter may be handy if you like to have physical Shortcuts to important applications so that you don't have to keep using the Run Command later on too and have a Shortcut in a place of convenience etc, personal preference that one tho as ever lol !

Then, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL once you have opened your Regedit and you are in, BACK UP ya Registry immediately to a safe place just in case something goes horribly wrong to undo any undesired changes made. Then you can at least start to browse thru the various Registry Keys without having to hold your breath for the entire time and turning all shades of Purple if it will be your first time in there and using it heheh !!! Some ###### themselves at the thought of even mentioning editing the Registry lol!!

Then, the 2 places you may need to look will most likely be in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ,or, HKEY_CURRENT_USER in that order too, the former should be the one to do it for you, but sometimes there can be entries in the latter, or both.

Once in either......Go to the "Software" Sub Menu and open that, then scroll through the numerous Reg Directories under Software and look for something that remotely resembles "the name of the Game itself", or failing that, of "the name of the Games Producer" (i.e. EA Games etc) if the name of the game is not present. I don't have the game so apologies I can't give you specifics on what to look for fo that game!!!

Once you have found the Key(s) that you are happy that correspond to the Game or Producer in question, you then basically have 2 choices. Either double check that you have NO other Games by the same Producer of the game installed at all and Delete the Registry Directory containing the Registry Keys within, or, if you do have another game by the same Producer where sometimes they will install all games by that Producer into the same Registry Directory, then you can't just delete the whole Sub Dir and you may have to be careful or you may mess up another game by the same producer if present.......

.....Apologies if that last bit on multiple Games from a Producer sounds damn confusing.....(But, let's hope that it will be straightforward and you only have 1 game by the relevant Producer lol).....

I had to mention it though just to cover the eventuality "IN CASE" you do happen to have an occurence of it. As an example of it, if it does seem really garbled......I have several Rainbow 6 Games and also Ghost Recon and its addons etc installed on my System. In my Registry they are all grouped under the "Red Strom Entertainment" Registry Sub Directory, under "Software" in HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE. If I was to delete the "Red Storm Entertainment" Registry Dir as a whole to fix my Ghost Recon in the same manner you will need to be doing for example, then that would undoubtedly then ###### up all of the other Rainbow 6 games too. So, obviously under such circumstances you do have to then be a little careful as to what you do remove. Otherwise, removing the Dir or relevant Keys within will hopefully clear the Orphaned Entry and may solve your problem for you so you can succesfully install ya game.

If you experience any problems, then obviously if you have taken the precaution, you can always restore the Registry to the previous settings before you went in, and then have another go afterwards and so on etc until you do get it .

But in general, honestly, don't worry about going into your Registry Editor or swear that you'll never go in there like some do lol. Yes, it can cause serious problems to your System if you go in their like a Bull in a China Shop lol, damage will be done. But, go in with a level head and you'll soon feel a bit more comfortable being in there and be able to get on with your search etc , (a lot of people find being in the regedit a very nerve racking experience lol).

The master advise when using it is ultimately, if you are not sure what something is or what something does in anyway or form, then leave it be. But looking certainly does no harm at all and careful removal doesn't either.

You'll also be surprised at how much you can learn about your System by having a look through the Registry Editor too !!

Good luck anyway and hope the information is of use to you and you can sort your little problem with it. If you do decide that you really don't want to go messing about in there in the future too then Apps like Norton Utilities can be useful as they will find Orphaned Entries for you and help with their removal etc!!!

[WTF is going on with my computer?!?!]

......Also in continuation to Phantom's important "Must Have Information" post m8.....

.....When you say "you have detected a 'Win32 Virus' ".......Also post up exactly which "Win32 Virus" it is if you can, failing that what you think it is, or otherwise what it has been reported as if possible too.

There are literally dozens and dozens of Win32 Virus variants and some require specific processes for removal etc. Knowing which one you are possibly dealing with will enable anyone helping and advising you such as like Phantom etc to hopefully get the right Removal Tool or Process of manual Removal right for you on a first attempt too to save repeated further attempts to get at the little sucker!!!

Obviously you could have any 1 out of those Dozens of em, and some are more tricky to deal with than others and some have the different affects designed in blah blah blah lol!!!

It is possible that this Virus was packed in with a Mod, but unlikely. It does also bring home the fact that if you have Anti-Virus Software to use it though doesn't it lol, scan your Downloaded files from any source essentially with your Software before you do ANYTHING with it to be sure. If you also do not use a Firewall too however, then it is far more likely that you were either "Back Doored" and it was slipped in that way because of a possible lack of security there. Or, the other burning question would be, are you also as careful as possible with handling your E-mails too?? Many such virii get onto Users Systems very easily via E-mail too!!!

Help them to help you m8 essentially though, stay calm and hopefully it will all work out fine for you, and ultimately, good luck with getting rid of it !!!! And, if you don't have a fair Arsenal of Security Measures installed on your System then obviously this may highlight the need to consider getting some too !!

[Networking]

there is lots of info on "security"...so hopefully MS knows what they're talking about...

Hehehe.......Using the word "security" and "hopefully MS knows what they're taking about", could let all and sundry have access to ya PC if you rely on MS to get you through lol. The way that Windows operates in many area's isn't exactly "Secure" at all. Which is why we have to go to such great lengths these days to protect ourselves with 3rd Party Hardware and Software Firewalls and why those wishing real security opt for UNIX etc where possible and capable!!!

It could be said that MS are clueless on Security full stop, but they aren't completely, they simply often overlook security where ease of use to the End User may be more appropriate lol .

You could consider the best of both worlds if it helps you out though )!! There is a Linksys Router on the Market that you can use as a normal Wired Modem/Router (with NAT Firewall), that you can also slot a PCMCIA Card into to then allow Laptops etc Wireless capability too (think you have to buy the PCMCIA kit seperately though, but worth it if you want the flexibility and ultimately it could well resolve your present quandry too lol). That way obviously you can have peace of mind for your fixed Workstation PC's that may be in an always on mode, and only use Wireless when you are using a Laptop etc !!

Read about it here if ya interested .........Linksys Wired or Wireless Capable Router

P.S. There is also a more detailed information Document at the following link that isn't too garbled for those who don't like to get too technical, it may be of use to you in explaining what the above Router does and how it could be of use to you etc )!! Have a look anyway......

http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/support_fil...EFDSR41W-DS.pdf

[How to password protect?]

Don't think you can do this in WinXP on the fly like you used to be able to do in Win98 and ME for example.

If you went to the Properties of a folder there was an option to password the folder under the Sharing Tab, but it's seemingly been removed in WinXP with the addition of MS's wonderful "User Accounts" options lol!!

You may have no choice but to create a Guest Account if there is Data on your PC that you don't want other user's to be able to see etc if they are using your PC!!!!

[RSB Plugin Problem]

Has the Plug-in ever worked at all for saving any .RSB's for you with PSP??

I only ask because I could never get the Plug-in to work at all with any of the PSP's when it came to saving my work and altered RSB files, (and I know many others have had the same problem with PSP too, if you scan thru the posts in the Modding Section, you'll find a few raising issues with saving work using the various PSP's). You can often open and even alter the files with no problems at all, but come to save your work and it got very frustrating.

In the end I got hold of the recommended Adobe Photoshop which the Plug-in was essentially designed for and everything works with it, without the BS of having to save at multiples etc too and you'll find it far more "plain sailing" !!

[Download Speed]

You'd never get a 170 kbs download on a 512k connection as WK says FNG.

It does sounds far more like you are on a 1.5mbs (or 1536k) Download Connection TBH!!! Your upload maybe 512k, but otherwise that Download doesn't appear to be!!!

And yeh, 170kb downloads are very good essentially lol, certainly can't complain at that at all hehehe !!!!

Hope you haven't upset Kamikaze too much with your post on Download speeds either FNG, and that he may live up to his Nickname in exacting revenge upon you heheheheehehe

[Download Speed]

A V.92 56k Modem over a V.90 may also help you squeeze a little more out of your Dial-Up too, "maybe" get you another 1 to 1.5 k on to your Download speeds etc.

It may seem like a very trivial amount to those of us on DSL, Cable and even ISDN etc (1k is completely academic to us), but on 56k it isn't lol, every little helps remembering how frustrating 56k could be when I was on it years back.

If your modem isn't V92 then you could upgrade that if you can't get DSL in your area etc and you want just a little bit more juice for what you can get, providing your ISP supports V.92 as well !!

[Sharing info on the Zoom X4]

EDIT:

After the previous ongoing Zoom X4 woes.........

....I finally cracked today after spending 45 minutes on the Phone with Zoom's Tech Support and getting nowhere, and as it turns out, what I wanted to do with the Zoom couldn't be done "Full Stop" anyway such is its limitations. So, then after much finger pointing and desk banging, the Retailer in question took the Zoom X4 back and refunded me in full for misleading me about the Zoom's capabilities.

Edit info: - Also ask or watch for Routers that use a "Conexant" based Chipset if you are looking for a new Router, even from the very well known manufacturers. It is apparently a budget based chipset to make a range of Routers more affordable, but they can be tweaked a little if the manufacturer bothers to issue their own decent sets of Firmware accordingly and it's not just the Zoom Range that is affected, only an example as such, but it will still be limited if using this Chipset. Again, it's really what you use the Internet for from behind a Router with a NAT Firewall that will be the deciding factor, and if you want to do mor than just surf and download, then the Conexant Based Routers could limit you!!!

I then went to another local but more reputable PC Store and picked up and Eicon Diva 2440 A - RTR Router Modem that is far more configurable, and so it should be as it is a Coorporate Router and NAT Firewall lol. It should have been £300 but I even managed to pick that up for £85, bargain, and it is one sorted peice of kit too.

But, anyone with one or considering buying a Zoom X3, 4 or 5 and a similar problem of not being able to send files. The Zoom range are a great Modem/Router for "basic" stuff, but try to do anything even remotely higher level and ya stuffed, think carefully on what you want to use one for and don't get mislead on its capabilities like I was by the usual barrage of Salesmans Bullshyte (a salesman who's Boss is seriously unhappy with at present for flat out lying to make a sale), and if you feel you will need extra capabilities, don't get one or ya stuffed!!!

Anyway, plugged the Eicon Diva 2440 in, then 5 minutes of setting up and on everything straight away and sending files too, with the added bonus of a far more configurable and powerful Firewall and configurable everything else too !!!

Sorrrttted !!! At the end of the day this is just information to share with you guys as I'd hate for other to have to sit for days trying to work out a problem that essentially can't be solved like I had to lol, but at least having had to do it myself I can pre-warn you lot if you intend to look into buying a new Router in the near future!!! Remember, you often get what you pay for with this kind of Hardware more than others!!!!

[Just a whim.....]

Hehehe.....

Depending on WK's question if you just want it as a simple Gateway Server then you could do it for as little as £50 or $50 for an older PC, add in Network Cards if they need them and get a Crossover Patch Cable and away ya go !!

After that prices start to increase obviously lol!!