Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 October 29

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October 29

Explorer task Answered

The "explorer" task on my computer in task manager always take 99 of CPU. I updated and did a full system scan with Norton anti-virus and found nothing. Can anyone help me? Here is my system (all i know about it):

Northwood P4 2.4A Msi sis 650 chipset Nvidia GF4 MX440 Seagate baca 4 80G 768Mb ddr333

OEM windows xp pro with SP2 Rockvee 21:41, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

That's a tough one... You could try stopping the process, then going to file>new task in task manager and starting explorer again, see if it still does it? Vespine 00:48, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for your reply...I tryed it, but it still goes to 99 shortly after I re-launch it.Rockvee 02:56, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Are you talking about IE? Anchoress 02:58, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

No, he's talking about the windows gui "explorer" task. Have you tried starting windows in "safe mode"? If it runs fine in safe mode try running 'msconfig' and see if you can see anything in there. How long have you had this issue? You could also try reverting to a system restore point before the problem started, if possible, to see if that helps. Vespine 05:19, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Oh, ok. I was curious because I usually have about a dozen IE windows open, and often one of them will suck about 80% of resources, and I've pinned it down to some glitch involving streaming advertisements. Anchoress 06:35, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Ah....system restore....I forgot that. I did a system restore under safe mode, and it worked! Thank you all. Rockvee 20:46, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Alternatives to .lnk shortcuts?

Are .lnk shortcuts the only way in Windows XP to put the same copy of a file in more than one folder hierarchy (e.g. ...\People by Year of Birth\1977\By Occupation\Writers\By Nationality\American\ and ...\People by Occupation\Writers\By Nationality\American\By Year of Birth\1977\), or are there other ways? Any that are cross-platform and portable? NeonMerlin 02:33, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

What file system are you using? Apparently NTFS supports hard links, but FAT32 doesn't. I've never used NTFS hard links though. Philbert^2.71828 02:35, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Actually, now that I think about it and read about it a bit more, FAT32 does use hard links but allows only one hard link per file, while NTFS allows more than one, which would allow you to put a file in more than one folder. Philbert^2.71828 02:39, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I use NTFS, and making multiple hard links through fsutil seems to work fine for me. But if I copy-and-paste two hard links of the same file into a different folder, the two new links will be to two separate copies. I need something that can be copied to a DVD±R and ideally also packed in a torrent. NeonMerlin 15:30, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Valid python statement

I know that this is a valid python computer language statement

if X > 5:
    Y = 9

But what about this? All on the same line

if X > 5: Y = 9

Ohanian 02:48, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Yes, all on one line is legal. The entry in the reference manual gives the syntax. --KSmrq^T 04:03, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

g-mail account ANSWERED

I'd like to get a g-mail address, but I've heard you have to be invited by someone who already has one. Can anybody help me? My email addy is my WP username @telus.net. Anchoress 02:48, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I've just sent one, check your inbox. -- Michael Billington (talk • contribs) 03:23, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Thanks to Michael and BradyB. I appreciate the quick responses, see you on gmail! Anchoress 05:03, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

text ⇒ avi

I need a program that accepts some text as input and outputs it scrolling at predetermined speed as an .avi file.

If there's no such program, maybe you could suggest some clever way to do it.

It must be scrolling and it must be .avi

Any ideas? 212.199.22.55 05:09, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Try VirtualDub? --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 05:16, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Well, it's for capturing video, isn't it? If I had the video in some form already, I wouldn't ask :) The problem is to take a text file and produce a scrolling .avi film.

Well, there's a scrolling marquee option, I believe. Then just make a blank screen for the movie, and you should get an avi of scrolling text. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 07:20, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Yes, it's under Video -> Filters --froth^{T C} 19:50, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

No, it is not there. I thought you were talking about some new feature, so I went and downloded the latest version of VirtualDub. No luck. Of course there's a subtitle filter you can get elsewhere, but it's strictly .ssa standard and no scrolling, I'm afraid. D'oh! 212.199.22.133 20:46, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Wow I could have sworn o_o --froth^{T C} 07:09, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Blender (software) (or any other free 3d modeling program), if you don't mind having to set up (at minimum) the text as a 3d object and animating it to slide by the camera.

There must be an easy answer to this

When looking at a page like List of Nunavut birds the syllabics show fine in Firefox but in in Maxthon or IE7 I just see the little boxes. If I copy and paste from Maxthon into MS Word to edit, then the syllabics show up fine. The strange thing is that it's just on my home computer, all of the work computers show everything fine in both browsers. How do I get the syllabics back? Originally posted at "Miscellaneous" by error. Thanks. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 05:38, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Someone may have broke something in an edit, go to the history page and check who has edited it and check an older version. TehKewl1 07:48, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Thanks but that's not it. All pages with syllabics, not just the birds, show the boxes. It's only on my home computer and only with an IE based browser. I'm now at work using Maxthon/IE and it shows fine. It's almost as if the browser is looking in the wrong directory for the fonts. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:25, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

see Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous#musical notation displayed in Wikepedia pages. User:Kjoonlee has answers a related question. Jon513 12:43, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the pointer it jogged my brain enough to be able to think it through. Although I haven't as yet been able to fix the problem I was able to recreate it on a computer at work. It's the installation of IE7 that causes it. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 14:28, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I believe the Canadian Syllabics are a relatively recent addition to Unicode. I wouldn't be surprised if older software, incorporating support for only an earlier version of Unicode, couldn't display them. —Steve Summit (talk) 15:13, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

It's the newer software that's the problem though. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 21:24, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Malfunctioning drive

I've added another internal hard drive to my computer. Recently, though, the drive has become entirely innaccessable. I can't open it. I often can't view it's properties, and even selecting the drive without opening it in my windows explorer browser causes the little hourglass to pop up and my computer to slow to a crawl for a minute or two. I tried to reinstall a program that I had already installed on that drive, and the program's setup file recognized the file on the non-functioning drive and asked (or rather mandated) that that version of the program be uninstalled before the new one be installed. So i said OK, uninstall the program on the crappy drive, but although the setup utility could apparently detect the old version of the program, it could not delete it. When i try to open the drive, i get "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error." What's going on? The drive crashed pretty suddenly. Any ideas? Sashafklein 06:10, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I understand you use msWindows. Does the drive apear on the device manager (I believe that's what it's called). Or is it even recognised by the BIOS? Does it appear on the list of drives displayed when you boot? DirkvdM 07:09, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Does it make a clickety clickety sound when it starts up? this is what my old 850mb Caviar series hard drive did when it finally gave up, if it did, and you had some important files on it, I would recommend taking it to a data recovery centre somewhere, or if not, check the physical connections and jumper settings. Hope this helps. TehKewl1 07:46, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps the drive cable wasn't plugged in all the way and came partially loose. Try unplugging the cable and plugging it back in again. StuRat 12:58, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I tried replugging the drive cable, and it doesn't do anything, though i'd thought it would. The drive does show up on the explorer manager, and although when the drive shut down, I lost some really important files, I managed, a day after the drive started screwing up (and yes, making really disconcerting clickity noises)to access the drive and remove the important files before it screwed up again, that time for good. Any ideas about how i might delete that file or tell my computer to ignore the drive? Sashafklein 17:40, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Take it out? --froth^{T C} 19:51, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I agree, that drive sounds ruined to me. Remove it entirely, and return it to the manufacturer or retailer, depending on their return policies and how long you've had it. StuRat 05:36, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

To save any data on it, you might want to try accessing it with Linux. It's always handy to have a backup OS (imagine the drive on which you have your OS crashing). And if you install two OS's it makes sense for them to be of two different kinds. That also helps against having a virus ruin both. And who knows, you might start to like Linux. DirkvdM 10:00, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

It sounds like a hardware problem on the disk drive to me, in which case another operating system isn't any more likely to be able to get it to work. StuRat 15:16, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

It has happened to me once that msWindows refused to even look at a drive because it had errors and Linux had no qualms about it at all (after which of course I quickly bakced up everything on that drive). And like I said, it can be very handy to have a second OS installed, so this would be a good moment to do that. DirkvdM 07:36, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Wireless with Halo server

Hiya, I need to run a Halo Dedicated Server from a room next door to the wifi router. Once I have an el-cheapo system I can shove a wifi card in and get everything up and running. My question is - would there be any significant increase in lag (from wired to wifi? I know wired is faster but would this noticeable affect performance for an internet game server? cheers, SMC 10:02, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Nope. You're not going to get a fast enough connection to your ISP to even approach maxing out the bandwidth on your wireless connection. Now if it was a LAN server that would be another story, but even then the game is designed to work over the internet so you wouldn't even notice the difference in the game (though you might technically be able to get better speed with a wired connection) --froth^{T C} 19:48, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Froth is right, you're limited by your connection to your ISP(through your modem) not the connection to your LAN(through the router). Even if we're talking gaming over the LAN, for the wired devices the throughput would be more, but not neccessarily the latency(i.e. lag); WiFi signals go at the speed of radio waves(i.e. the speed of light) compared to the speed of electricity (pretty close to the speed of light). As long as there isn't much intereference like a lot of access points around you or other 2.4 Ghz waves, the lag difference between the two would be negligible. —Mitaphane _talk 19:57, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

I believe the problem is bandwidth, not speed of a single bit --froth^{T C} 07:02, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

thanks :) SMC 04:56, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Internet Access

I live in a rural area where there aren't any broadband options available. We have dialup, and that's it. No dsl, cable, wimax, etc. For the last 3 years, I've been using direcway satellite broadband, but recently decided to cancel their service. Here's my question: are there any other broadband options available? I really don't want to get dialup or another satellite provider. For example, cingular has a service called media net-- is there anyway I can get an unlimited media net subscription and tie a cell phone into a router somehow? (I'm not talking about evdo, just regular slow cingular internet access).

I've been trying to figure something out for hours, and nothing was coming to mind. Thanks in advance!! 65.12.181.204 16:09, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Look into accessories you can get for your phone. My Sanyo phone has a USB cable and software that lets you use it as a modem. However, there are drawbacks to this method (as opposed to geting the dedicated wireless internet service from your cell provider) because you'll being using WAP, design for mobile devices, instead regular IP. —Mitaphane _talk 19:38, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

BIOS

how does one access, BIOS. I've been told to poke around bios as a possible way to change the lighting on my laptop. 70.108.144.2

It depends on your computer, but it's normally holding Delete or F8 when it's booting up, before it starts loading Windows (else F8 will give you the Windows menu). If it does not say because you have a logo displayed when it's first booting, hitting escape will usually go from the logo to the text, which might tell you what key you need to press to enter BIOS. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 18:38, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Mine's F1 to go to BIOS setup, but I can also access it from pushing a special button on my thinkpad. Pedantically, you use the Basic Input/Output System constantly while the computer is running --froth^{T C} 19:46, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Just in case Wirblewind's comment confused you - it's got nothing to do with msWindows, so read 'the Operating System' where he said 'Windows'. (Or 'the boot loader', really). DirkvdM 10:02, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Generally the brightness settings of the screens of laptops are controlled by drivers within the OS. However, some a have a 'battery power LCD dim' setting. If you provide the exact model of the laptop I can give you more specific instructions. Ronaldh 13:42, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

BitTorrent

You can download bittorrents without BitTorrent, right, for example, through Opera, or, also, you could download bittorents throught Shareaza, but in the end, you still need BitTorrent to open the files, right? Danke.100110100 18:47, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

You don't need the official BitTorrent client for anything. You typically download the whateveritis.torrent file with your web browser, and then open that with one of any number of BitTorrent clients (of which the official client is but one). That will directly download the mp3, mpg, avi, iso, or whatever file(s) the whateveritis.torrent file specifies. So you really need a browser, any old BitTorrent client, and something to display/print/burn/view the things you download. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 18:57, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

By the way I don't think Opera has bittorrent support (it can't act as a client, though of course it can download .torrent files) and you don't need a torrent client to open the downloaded files, it's just like if you had downloaded them via http or ftp --froth^{T C} 19:43, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Actually, they added a BitTorrent client to the browser in Opera 9. So yes, it does have support, and as far as I am aware, it's currently the only browser to have this built-in. --Pidgeot (t) (c) (e) 19:47, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

MP3 Player Help

Hi everybody I need your help. I own an mp3 player from Jwin and the buttons on top are stuck. They can be pushed down but inderneath the plastic button there is nothing to push it is stuck down? If anyone can help me plese let me know. I really need my Mp3 player!!

Thanks Chris

Unfortunately, without seeing how it works mechanically, the only thing I can suggest is getting a hold of the maker. If you're not intimidated, you could take it apart yourself, if it is possible, and see is what is making the button stick. This often voids the warantee so make sure you try the other options before resorting to this. —Mitaphane _talk 23:34, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

GMail

Lately I have had problems with my email service and I looked at google's Gmail. It looked very interesting but you have to be invited to use the email system. I really dont know anybody who has an account with them. Could someone please help?? My email is (removed).

Thank You Very Much

Done Theresa Knott | Taste the Korn 20:22, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

my email is (removed again)

I know - that's where I sent it to. Check your email. The invite should be there. I removed it from here to a) stop spam and b) prevent you getting multiple invites. Theresa Knott | Taste the Korn 20:37, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

OK thanks very much. I cant wait!!

bios

How do I reset bios to default settings ? Hhnnrr 21:37, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

That should be described in your motherboard user manual (it's different from model to model). But there is a (somewhat technical) section on the general principle at Nonvolatile BIOS memory#Resetting the CMOS settings. It might also be as simple as enterding the CMOS menu after power up (usualy by pressing the Delete or F10 key during shortly after turning on the power) and then finding a "load factory default settings" or simmilar option. --Sherool (talk) 21:54, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Converting .MOV files to another format

Hello. I asked a similar question a few weeks ago but about a different file format. My camera only takes .MOV video clips, which cannot be edited by Adobe Premier of Windows Movie Maker. Is it possible to convert these .MOV to editable files like .AVI or .MPEG or something? Any help is appreciated! Robinoke 22:34, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Try VirtualDub. :) —OneofThem^(talk)_(contribs) 22:42, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Wow, thanks for the speedy reply. It looks like Vituadub doesnt support .MOV files, which are the ones that only open in Quicktime, not Media Player. Any other ideas, or info on how to get Virtuadub to work? Robinoke 22:54, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

No need to worry any more. I found that Radtools can do the conversion for me. Thanks anyway. Robinoke 23:08, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Answered

computational neurosciences

See Wikipedia:Reference desk/Science#computational neurosciences.

See Psychology. Despite common misconceptions, the human brain isn't very similar to a computer. There are many different branches of psychology; it sounds like Cognitive neuroscience is what you're looking for. —Mitaphane _talk 23:40, 29 October 2006 (UTC)