Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2013 August 30

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August 30

Can I plug and unplug smartphone for power too many times?

I like to keep my phone partially charged, meaning I only tend to charge it for short periods of time. I've read that this should keep the battery the healthiest, but it also means I am always plugging and unplugging it from the micro-USB cable. 67.243.4.94 (talk) 04:11, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Well, you will eventually wear out the plug. If you only need to replace the wall wart, that's not so bad, but the connector in the phone could also break. I doubt if that's designed to be serviceable, so at that point you would either need a new phone, or perhaps you could replace the batteries with charged ones, and charge the dead ones outside the device, then repeat. If you have an extra phone, that might be one way to do this. I had an IBM ThinkPad which had this problem, and it was a real pain to deal with. StuRat (talk) 05:29, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Get a regular USB cable and an USB-MicroUSB converter, don't unplug that except if the USB side is worn out. Works like a charm with all microUSB devices. - ¡Ouch! (^{hurt me} / _{more pain}) 11:03, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

(I read the question as being about the phone end (MicroUSB), not about the USB end, though both can suffer from wear.) The only solution to the problem at the MicroUSB socket in the phone is to take care when plugging and unplugging, and avoid any side pressure. With care, the socket should last as long as the phone. Dbfirs 11:17, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

As USB#Durability notes, a microUSB receptacle is rated at at least 10,000 insert/remove cycles. That's the minimum which all compliant ports should meet, which means in practice most will manage several times that. Mobile phone recycling says the US average person changes their phone every 24 months (but the source it cites says every 18 months). So at the every least, to even approach the minimum threshold where you might wear out the receptacle, you'd have to be making more than 13 insert and remove cycles per day, every day. I really think people worry far too much about preserving their battery condition - the phone has a smart charger already. Batteries are cheap, and your time is expensive. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 14:23, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

As Finlay points out, you probably don't have to worry about wearing out your plugs (at least on the phone end) before you end up replacing them anyway. As for keeping the usb port on your PC in good shape, as I've said before, you can - (if it's not a laptop) - buy a cheap usb hub and keep it plugged in at all times; therefore, all the wear goes on the hub's plugins and not the one that's actually connected to your PC. When the hub finally wears out, it can be cheaply replaced and the port on your PC would be relatively undamaged. In theory it could work for a laptop that doesn't travel around much but having the hub dangling off the side could be kind of awkward; though I guess that depends on the design of the hub you're using. Edit: Just realized that's pretty much what One.Ouch.Zero suggested above, but in my case you'd get a hub so you'd have multiple plugins to wear out before it would need to be replaced. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 16:44, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Well, yes a hub can work. But keep in mind that USB 2.0 hubs are only designed to supply 500mA of power, which means recharging will probably be pretty slow. I believe most modern phones support up to 1A charging which USB 2.0 compatible hubs cannot provide. Built-in USB ports can provide 1A power, provided they are designed to do so (like Apple products). USB 3.0 hubs can provide up to 900mA of power per port, but I don't know of any phone that uses USB 3.0 to charge. --208.185.21.102 (talk) 17:08, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Windows saves to itunes folder for no reason

Hi all, for saving images (indeed any file) from the internet, I have set the default folder (in Firefox > Options) to C:\My Home\Pictures. For some reason, Windows keeps defaulting to iTunes. What's going on? IBE (talk) 07:47, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Defaulting to iTunes when you try to open them, you mean? That'll be a file extension association thing; see "Set your default programs" or similar in the Control Panel, or use Open With off the right-click menu and set as default. - Jarry1250 ^{[Vacation needed]} 13:25, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Oh, I thought that IBE meant that the save folder for iTunes was being reset (perhaps by the iTunes website?). Dbfirs 16:12, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Ok, legit misunderstandings. I mean eg. you open Firefox and go to the WP home page and try to save the "Picture of the day" to your hard drive. You have set your prefs in ff, that you want images to save to your Pictures folder. But it just brings up a "Save" dialog, with the iTunes folder open. Not the end of the world, but my computer has been really p...ing me off lately, and this is one of many irritants. IBE (talk) 19:50, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Not exactly what you want but this addon apparently makes saving files (images etc.) more convenient... I haven't used it though. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 01:24, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

I think that FF opens the last folder where you have saved the last image. If you save another image to another folder the next time FF will open this folder. Rabah201130 (talk) 14:06, 3 September 2013 (UTC)

web development

when i am applying for a trainee at a bewsite then it doesn't on my profile if i am applying again then with same technology or diff technology then it is showing previuos one what i have appled earliear — Preceding unsigned comment added by 49.205.31.79 (talk) 08:17, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

I'm afraid it's not clear what you are asking. Can you try to phrase it more clearly? If necessary, ask in your native language and we'll do our best to translate it for you. Rojomoke (talk) 13:46, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

WP:DBTN
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
What? 190.60.93.218 (talk) 12:52, 30 August 2013 (UTC) Not helpful. Rojomoke (talk) 13:46, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

My guess is that this means the website isn't storing the OP's updated data, eg. if you change your preferences for your Wikipedia username, then it reverts to the old data. If this is so, you will have to contact that website. Provide us a link if you can. IBE (talk) 19:46, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

How computer hardware works

I'm planning on buying a desktop. I'm curious as to how the motherboard, processor (CPU, right?), memory (RAM, right?), graphics card, normal hard drive, and SSD drive (am I missing anything?) work together generally but also specifically in relation to gaming. For example, I remember reading that the processor doesn't need to be the most-up-to-date, rather the graphics card is much more important and I've no idea how useful an SSD drive is. I'm also wondering about the minimum specs that I'll need to play current games (also games that will be released in the next few years) on max graphics. For instance, some computers have 16 GB of RAM, but I only see recommended RAM of games to be 4 GB, so would I just be wasting money getting 16? Thanks, Ulub (talk) 10:47, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

For learning about the different components I would reccomend taking a look at the articles we have for each of them. In this case - motherboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card, hard drive, solid-state drive. As for the RAM I'm no expert on gaming computers but I know it's never a bad thing to have "too much" RAM. Especially it's good to get a higher-than-you'd-think-you'd-need amount of RAM if you're looking into laptops, because they are a lot harder to modify one you get it... adding new components such as more RAM can be a pain. However you're getting a desktop, which is a lot easier to service; so you don't really have to worry about that. But if you know you'll want to play the most cutting-edge games on the max settings, it would probably be a better idea to get the most amount of RAM from the get-go if you're just going to end up upgrading later anyway. Also, if most of the games you are interested in have a 4GB reccomended RAM, then maybe instead of going for 16GB maybe get 8GB instead; just a suggestion. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 17:03, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for the reply. RAM seems the easiest to upgrade, as I can, for example, just add a 4 GB disc to my current 4 GB desktop, rather than replacing my 4 GB disc with an 8 GB one (right?). Is it right that I can't add-to my motherboard, CPU, and graphics card but I need to completely replace them when I want an upgrade? With the hard drive, I know I can add to it, but is there usually room for that in the tower or would another hard drive need to be externally connected? Thanks, Ulub (talk) 23:45, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Years ago when I was doing frequent hardware upgrades, I seldom doubled disks because balancing the file trees among the multiple volumes confused me. Instead I replaced the HD and trickled down the old one to someone else. However, if you can organize such things more easily, no problem for you. But you started out asking about RAM, not disks. For RAM, adding chips makes no trouble if the motherboard has enough RAM slots. For the CPU, prying it out and replacing it is pretty easy, but I never took much interest in apps that needed a faster CPU chip. I replaced the motherboard a few times. Big hassle but sometimes I needed it. Jim.henderson (talk) 00:17, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Sticks of RAM

First, a note about terminology. RAM is not made in discs. People generally refer to "sticks" of RAM because they're stick shaped, i.e. long and slender. See the image to the right.

As far as RAM goes, yes you can often just put in another stick to go from say 4GB to 8GB. But you have to have an open slot to plug it into. Think of a toaster. If you have a two slot toaster and you only have one piece of bread in it, you can put in another. If both slots are already taken, you'll have to pull one slice out to put a bigger slice in.

You are correct about the CPU/motherboard and graphics card. In order to upgrade, you'd need to replace, not add to.

As for hard drives, yes, if you have a second bay then you can add another drive. Again, like the toaster, you'll need a bay to keep the second hard drive in. This depends on the case that you get but most cases can accommodate more than one hard drive. Dismas|^(talk) 00:34, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Again, thanks for your answers. As a (should be) final question, what specs/specific components (including whether or not to get an SSD) would you recommend to play current games on max graphics? If possible, where online should I buy these components (I'm told that buying the stuff and putting it together is cheaper than buying the computer already built)? Ulub (talk) 01:21, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Also, what monitor? Asking what keyboard seems silly, but any recommendation is appreciated. Thanks, Ulub (talk) 01:51, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

It's unlikely anyone can provide that useful answer because you've given too little information to help. For example, we have no idea where you live. I could recommend you use [1] to get an idea of prices and what's available locally, but it's of little use to you if you don't live in NZ. Similarly, a 4 GPU dual hexacore Xeon or Core i7 (LGA 2011) will reduce the chance you will ever have to reduce the settings in current games, even with 3 monitor Eyefinity setup, and if you're Bill Gates I have no problem recommending such a setup but I'm guessing you're not and spending US$10k or so for your computer is not on the cards but it's better if I don't have to guess. Nil Einne (talk) 08:51, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

I should have thought of that! I live in the UK. I'm not really sure on how much to spend. I've looked at some options and I imagine I can get the components required to play games on the best graphics. Not the best components though, just what's required to do the job. Ulub (talk) 14:12, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

I should also be more specific. I'm after a case that can hold at least a 500 GB hard drive with at least one more compartment for another to add later (ie, I'm after at least 500 GB starting out). If an SSD is necessary, then room for that as well and what one to get. I'm not sure about how many RAM slots, as I don't know how much RAM I need now for max graphics (Yellow1996 recommended 8 GB) and how many slots that RAM would take up (some sticks come in different amounts and I'd like to upgrade later too). Thanks, Ulub (talk) 21:55, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Also, if finding out where to buy these things is too much, then just what they are (like what specific monitor/brand of RAM) is much appreciated. Ulub (talk) 21:58, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Hard drives are all the same physical size. So a 500GB drive will fit in the same size slot as a 1TB drive. I just priced a 1TB SSD the other day and they wanted somewhere around $600 for it. So, for me, SSD is still prohibitively expensive. I can't remember the last time I saw a system with only one RAM slot. 2 or 4 is the standard number. And whether you get a 2GB or 4GB stick, they'll be the same physical size as well. I don't know if they have a UK site but New Egg is a popular online choice for computer parts. Dismas|^(talk) 10:43, 1 September 2013 (UTC)

Ah, okay. New Egg doesn't ship to the UK. Shame too, as I compared the prices of a 2x8 GB RAM chip and Egg was like 30% cheaper to Amazon. I'll try a different forum on what specific components to order, though I feel a lot more comfortable evaluating things now. Thanks all, Ulub (talk) 22:52, 2 September 2013 (UTC)

Accused vs Culprit

Moved to Wikipedia:Reference desk/Language#Accused_vs_Culprit. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 05:42, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Another question about iPod batteries

Hello again... :) My aunt finally bought a battery for my but I can't remove the old one. Is it the rectangular box that is at the top of the iPod? Miss Bono ^[zootalk] 16:41, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Hey Miss Bono, I can't quite recall which model of iPod you had (Nano, Touch, etc.) So I'm going to assume it's a touch - and the battery is right at the back... you'll have to pry the back of the casing off. It would be a lot easier if I could link to a picture-tutorial for you but I know you can't go to those sites. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 16:53, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

No, it isn't a touch. This is my iPod File:IPod_U2.jpeg, Yellow. I removed the back of the casing off and I can see the hard drive and a small little box that looks like a battery, but it is stick to the top of the ipod, specifically to the hold mechanism. Miss Bono ^[zootalk] 17:08, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Oh, okay; thanks for the clarification. :) The battery is stuck there with adhesive material, so you'll have to use some sort of tool to get it unstuck. The page I found reccomends using a spudger to do this. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 17:23, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

oh thanks so much Yellow... :D Miss Bono ^[zootalk] 17:27, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

No problem. Always happy to help! :) --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 17:37, 30 August 2013 (UTC)