Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2007 July 15

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July 15

Hidden Data Occupies My Disk

Hello there. Yesterday I was about to bakup all my files on one of my external HDDs. I first deleted all files it contained, so all the new files would fit. The strange thing was, While Explorer showed me it was empty, the numbers said 10GB was in use. The filesystem is NTFS and the HDD has been connected to around 2PCs and a mac.

To my question: How is this possible? Could my C: drive actually contain invisible used space?

213.64.150.116 02:16, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes. Its called "System Volume Information" user for System Restore. Also, did you forget to empty your recycle bin? Until you empty the recycle bin, size of the files in it are still counted. — Shinhan < talk > 06:03, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Dont worry about not being able to access and delete the System Volume Information folder. Windows will free up the space when free space in the volume falls below a critical space (and there is no temp files left to delete any more). You can manually delete the system restore data by running disk cleanup and in the advanced pane deleting restore points. Or the folder might be deleted if you run the deleting program under the credentials of the "SYSTEM" user account. If you had installed the Beta 1 of WinFS which came out, on clearing the folder you will lose all structured WinFS data. If you are using Windows Server 2k3 or Windows Vista, doing this will erase previous versions of all files which are under shadow backup using Volume Shadow Copy (sort of like a revision control system). --soum ^talk 06:10, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Note if administrator you should also be able to change who has access to the directory and give yourself access then delete it. I've done it before Nil Einne 20:59, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Connection between desktop and ADSL modem

I am having a desktop which has an ethernet card/port. I think it is inbuilt with the motherboard because it shows the name of the ethernet card/port as Intel(R) Pro/100 VE network connection. I think motherboard is also Intel. The problem is that the Ethernet often disconnects and re-establishes the connection 4-5 seconds after disconnecting. (First, I had ethertnet). Sometimes, the Ethernet connection reconnects only if system is restarted. I have the option of removing connection through ethernet and using USB, but USB is slow and has lagging in some websites. What I want to know is, can I connect both ethernet and USB to the computer at the same time? Will it damage or is it unhealthy? The modem is a UT starcom modem. One more important thing I want to know is that, which would be faster? a.Connecting both USB and ethernet or connecting only Ethernet? Which is better for watching youtube?

Could be a driver problem. Have you tried something like Knoppix to see if the ethernet port is bad or if it's the drivers? --L^augh! 10:09, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Can also be a cable problem. Have you tried sto strap the cable somewhere so it won't move? If it disconnects you can also go to the control panel, find the problematic connection, disable it and then re-enable it.That will save you from restarting. You cannot use both USBand Ethernet in an easy way so don't try it, besides since you have Ethernet why use USB? Ethernet is much faster and smoother when surfing. racergr 14:57, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

two antivirus

i put two anti virus on my comp.it always is hanging.why? 2.if u by mistake delete an uninstall file for a program how do u uninstall the program.

never use two antivirus at the same time, they will just conflict and identify each other as problems because of the way they work. As far as uninstalling goes, just sudo aptitute remove (program) and that should fix it --L^augh! 11:11, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Why can two anti-spyware programs work together on the same computer but not two anti-virus programs? --Kaypoh 11:40, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm nowhere near familiar enough with antivirus programs (Ah, linux. Let me count the... wait, topic. right.), but this article from a quick google search should be a pretty good explanation --L^augh! 12:54, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

What is your operating system? If you have Windows, go to your Control Panel from your Start menu or the My Computer icon on your desktop and double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Select the anti-virus product that you wish to remove and left click the button that says Remove. If you have a different operating system, I am uncertain. I hope that helps. --Mayfare 18:13, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

It is OK to have two antivirus programs, so long as you never run them both at the same time. However, many run all the time, so this is likely to be an issue. StuRat 01:52, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

It would help if you name which antivirus software you have installed. For example Norton Antivirus has a "Removal tool" that will remove it for you because their uninstall doesn't work so good.

To answer your first question, correct, you should not install two antivirus programs to run at the same time. They both try and protect your system files from eachother.

One option you have if you're really battling, is to try and do a system restore. To do this you need to be able to get into Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete - this will bring up the Task Manager. Click File -> Run... and type "msconfig". Then when MsConfig loads, click on the button "Launch System Restore..." and follow the instructions. But, by the sound of it you can't even make it into Windows. If that's the case you might have to consider more extreme measures such as reinstalling Windows, or doing a Windows Repair (the latter one is a bit advanced).

Please also mention what operating system you are running

Rfwoolf 02:05, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

I'd imagine there'd be a huge problem with two separate processes hooking hard drive read/write.. it would cause enormous performance problems for one. I can't even stand the fantastic inefficiency (and uselessness) of a single AV.. two would be horrible --froth^t 12:38, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Internet Explorer 7 Search Bar

Hello. In Internet Explorer 7, how can my search bar at the top-right corner automatically add search providers (in this case, Live Search) without my consent? Thanks in advance. --Mayfare 18:07, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Microsoft. --L^augh! 18:34, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, Bill Gates leaves computers open to all sorts of mischief (his own and that of others). Try running Ad-Aware and Spybot to remove this malware. Also, download a better browser, like Opera (browser). StuRat 01:47, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

help me

is there any way by which we can make calls when there is no network in the mobile or when sim isn't inserted in it ? (except the emergency calls )

Yes. Find a pay phone. --L^augh! 18:58, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

It is exactly the same as driving your car without any roads or fuel. -- Kainaw^(what?) 22:53, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

mail.com

has it stopped doing free email accounts? why?

I went to mail.com and right on the homepage was a button that said I could click it to sign up for a free mail account. -- Kainaw^(what?) 22:52, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

New tab

I'm interested in creating a new tab to appear along the top bar of tabs on every page. I know it has got something to do with CSS (formatting) and the JavaScript (to get it to appear on every page). If someone could help me out with this, it would be much appreciated. Kind regards, Sebi _[talk] 22:26, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

I am assuming you are creating your own web page. If so, you are asking about HTML templates. Unlike plain web design where every page is a stand-alone HTML file, a template-design is done by creating skeleton HTML in one (or many) file and somehow including the skeleton structure in all the other files. This could be done with Javascript. It could be done with Perl. It could be done with ASP. It could be done with PHP. It could be done with the Apache SSI module. That is just a few of the options (there are many many many more). So, to avoid wasting time, a proper answer can only be given with more information. What kind of web server are you using? Does it have a scripting engine (ASP, Perl, PHP, Ruby...)? Do you know/Are you will to learn scripting? As for CSS - that is used to make the tab look pretty. -- Kainaw^(what?) 22:49, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

I mean a new tab on Wikipedia, like the discussion, edit this page tabs, etc. I'm pretty sure it can be done because twinkle adds a few new tabs at the top aswell. Thanks for your help, though :) Sebi _[talk] 23:13, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Checkout WP:US/S. There are scripts for editing section 0 for example, those add a new tab between Edit this page and history, by viewing its source you will probably find out how to do it yourself. Or you might find that somebody has already done what you want to do :) — Shinhan < talk > 05:25, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

EIDE hard drive with IDE connectors

I have obtained a new motherboard for my computer. one thing i wish to do is stay with the current EIDE hard drive and EIDE DVD-ROM drive that i currently have. This new motherboard has 2 IDE connectors. With that in mind would i be able to use the above mentioned devices with these IDE connectors. This is a socket 775 motherboard.--logger 22:47, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Assuming it is a "new" motherboard, it supports EIDE. I've never heard anyone call the connectors on the motherboard "EDIE connectors". They are just IDE connectors. The "E" part is in the controller, allowing larger drives to be connected to the computer. -- Kainaw^(what?) 22:52, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Okay thanks kainaw i just wanted to make sure i did not waste my money on a new motherboard that would not support the devices i mentioned. My computer expertise is rather limited.--logger 23:10, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Music download service questions

For online services like itunes that allow people to download songs for either an individual price or a monthly subscription, do songs have to ever be re-purchased, or does subscription to the service have to be renewed in order for the songs to remain playable? I just bought an Insignia mp3 player, and in the user manual it said something about the player giving the user a warning if content is about to expire. Here is the text:

"If you are using a subscription music service, your player will play a short tone between tracks when your content is about to expire and a message appears on the screen telling you how many days are left before your content expires."--71.155.171.158 23:25, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

It sounds like you are renting the songs, not buying them, so yes, you would lose the legal right to play them after the rental period expires, just like with rental movies. StuRat 01:40, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Smallest digital camera that shoots RAW?

I'm looking for a pocket sized camera that can save images to the RAW format. Does such a thing exist? All RAW-capable cameras I've seen are rather large and impossible to fit into any jacket pocket or briefcase. --72.202.150.92 23:38, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Why do you need RAW in the first place? Most images are simply not worth the effort of converting it from RAW manually. --antilived^{T | C | G} 04:34, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Look at Raw Image Format, also an article by (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm) that explains just why RAW is merely another option. If, however, you are intent on using RAW processing the following cameras have RAW as a file format (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp) this is a search on DPReview set to show only those with format RAW that are 'compact'. It is only returning 10 results but there are more than 10 cameras that hit your criteria. This link (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp) shows you the 'ultra compact' cameras that shoot RAW of which there is only 1 (Leica D-Lux 3) - I think this is a re-branded Lumix camera (DMC-TZ2 & DMC-TZ3). Both use the same Leica lens. Remember shooting RAW is a very small portion of the value of a camera (as is megapixel count). I highly recommend dpreview as a place to look through when considering any camera purchase. ny156uk 17:35, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

The dpreview links do not work. --24.249.108.133 17:38, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Ok, well if you go to www.dpreview.com and then select the buying-guide and 'features search' you can set the criteria you require. About 2/3rds down the criteria is the 'uncompressed format' option, select 'RAW' and also select any other criteria you may like (for example I selected 'compact' in the first selection box format). ny156uk 17:49, 16 July 2007 (UTC)