Various questions

[Rick]

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

 

[Ian & Lorraine]

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

Yes. But please begin here: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Regards,
Ian.

 

[T.C.]

A USB port is where you'd plug in a USB component.
A Fireport is where you'd plug in a Firewire component. Firewire technology
allows for much faster data transfers. Where USB would be good for
keyboards, mice, and printers, Firewire would be better for multimedia
components which require a transfer of more data at faster speed.

 

[The unknown P]

You mean a firewall and in todays environment it is a
must. As for your blue haze go here and use the setup tool
from microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/customiz
e/cleartype/tuner/default.asp
Have fun.

 

[CS]

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

Fireport? I think you mean "Firewall". If so, it's very important
to have a firewall if you plan on accessing the internet. A firewall
will protect you from hackers, certain virus', and other nasties.

As for your other question: You may have to adjust your monitor
refresh rate and resolution. Check the video card help file or
manual.

 

[Rick]

You mean a firewall and in todays environment it is a
must. As for your blue haze go here and use the setup tool
from microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/customiz
e/cleartype/tuner/default.asp
Have fun.

Thank you! I will check it out.

Now if you want a tip, when using a very long web address, you can go to

http://tinyurl.com/create.php

Enter the url, make it tiny and paste the new tiny url here (or anywhere
else).

It helps immensely in getting to it fast!

Take care,

Rick

PS - I actually did go there, and made the changes.

But I wonder why XP has such weak display.

I've never had problems with Windows 98 in that regard.

 

[Rick]

Fireport? I think you mean "Firewall". If so, it's very important
to have a firewall if you plan on accessing the internet. A firewall
will protect you from hackers, certain virus', and other nasties.

As for your other question: You may have to adjust your monitor
refresh rate and resolution. Check the video card help file or
manual.

No I was meaning Fireport.

TC answered it.

Thanks anyway.

R.

 

[Rick]

Thank you for the reply.

I'm having problems with the new computer that I bought.

For example: the Outlook Express 6 does not save the password for the
incoming mail. So everytime that I open the program I have to enter the
password.

I called Medion and they told me it's a problem with the software company.
Meaning, Microsoft.

I mean, if a machine cannot run Microsoft programs properly, how good is it?

They told me to contact them. But it's a brand new computer and that's hard
to take.

So I thought about going for EMachines, however it does not have a Fireport.

This one is a Pentium 4 with a 2.5 GHz 400 bus (?) On board video "card" -
which might explain the horrible display of fonts.

The EMachine one would be a Athlon at 2.0 GHz and 333 bus (?) but has a
video card and sound card.

It's a little bit more expansive. But I am thinking about exchanging it.

Should I?

I went to the store today and they told me that this one (Medion) is better
because it's more potent.

But it's not even able to save a password for the mail!

Why is that?

Is it a problem with the machine or XP?

I can't believe that Microsof would make such a stupid mistake...

R.

A USB port is where you'd plug in a USB component.
A Fireport is where you'd plug in a Firewire component. Firewire technology
allows for much faster data transfers. Where USB would be good for
keyboards, mice, and printers, Firewire would be better for multimedia
components which require a transfer of more data at faster speed.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

 

[Rick]

Yes. But please begin here: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Regards,
Ian.

WHATEVER, pretentious ****!

I've got real help from better people than you.

...!.

 

[David Candy]

If you had typed in Help while online
outlook express password
You would recieve your answer.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

Thank you for the reply.

I'm having problems with the new computer that I bought.

For example: the Outlook Express 6 does not save the password for the
incoming mail. So everytime that I open the program I have to enter the
password.

I called Medion and they told me it's a problem with the software company.
Meaning, Microsoft.

I mean, if a machine cannot run Microsoft programs properly, how good is it?

They told me to contact them. But it's a brand new computer and that's hard
to take.

So I thought about going for EMachines, however it does not have a Fireport.

This one is a Pentium 4 with a 2.5 GHz 400 bus (?) On board video "card" -
which might explain the horrible display of fonts.

The EMachine one would be a Athlon at 2.0 GHz and 333 bus (?) but has a
video card and sound card.

It's a little bit more expansive. But I am thinking about exchanging it.

Should I?

I went to the store today and they told me that this one (Medion) is better
because it's more potent.

But it's not even able to save a password for the mail!

Why is that?

Is it a problem with the machine or XP?

I can't believe that Microsof would make such a stupid mistake...

R.

A USB port is where you'd plug in a USB component.
A Fireport is where you'd plug in a Firewire component. Firewire technology
allows for much faster data transfers. Where USB would be good for
keyboards, mice, and printers, Firewire would be better for multimedia
components which require a transfer of more data at faster speed.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

 

[Rick]

The answer that I was looking for is WHY the password is not being saved in
a *brand new* computer system.

Why would this happen is what I was actually looking for.

I've fixed myself the problem with a Google search in the groups section.

HOWEVER they do not say WHY this happens.

Just that happens with some computers.

Do you have any idea or are you just going to be a snobby preacher?

R.


If you had typed in Help while online
outlook express password
You would recieve your answer.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

Thank you for the reply.

I'm having problems with the new computer that I bought.

For example: the Outlook Express 6 does not save the password for the
incoming mail. So everytime that I open the program I have to enter the
password.

I called Medion and they told me it's a problem with the software company.
Meaning, Microsoft.

I mean, if a machine cannot run Microsoft programs properly, how good is it?

They told me to contact them. But it's a brand new computer and that's hard
to take.

So I thought about going for EMachines, however it does not have a Fireport.

This one is a Pentium 4 with a 2.5 GHz 400 bus (?) On board video "card" -
which might explain the horrible display of fonts.

The EMachine one would be a Athlon at 2.0 GHz and 333 bus (?) but has a
video card and sound card.

It's a little bit more expansive. But I am thinking about exchanging it.

Should I?

I went to the store today and they told me that this one (Medion) is better
because it's more potent.

But it's not even able to save a password for the mail!

Why is that?

Is it a problem with the machine or XP?

I can't believe that Microsof would make such a stupid mistake...

R.

A USB port is where you'd plug in a USB component.
A Fireport is where you'd plug in a Firewire component. Firewire technology
allows for much faster data transfers. Where USB would be good for
keyboards, mice, and printers, Firewire would be better for multimedia
components which require a transfer of more data at faster speed.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

 

[David Candy]

It's never happened to me. But I know that preinstalled windows gets corruption in this key cause they run a program for preinstalling that updates it. This prevents logging on as admin. Maybe something similar.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

The answer that I was looking for is WHY the password is not being saved in
a *brand new* computer system.

Why would this happen is what I was actually looking for.

I've fixed myself the problem with a Google search in the groups section.

HOWEVER they do not say WHY this happens.

Just that happens with some computers.

Do you have any idea or are you just going to be a snobby preacher?

R.


If you had typed in Help while online
outlook express password
You would recieve your answer.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

Thank you for the reply.

I'm having problems with the new computer that I bought.

For example: the Outlook Express 6 does not save the password for the
incoming mail. So everytime that I open the program I have to enter the
password.

I called Medion and they told me it's a problem with the software company.
Meaning, Microsoft.

I mean, if a machine cannot run Microsoft programs properly, how good is it?

They told me to contact them. But it's a brand new computer and that's hard
to take.

So I thought about going for EMachines, however it does not have a Fireport.

This one is a Pentium 4 with a 2.5 GHz 400 bus (?) On board video "card" -
which might explain the horrible display of fonts.

The EMachine one would be a Athlon at 2.0 GHz and 333 bus (?) but has a
video card and sound card.

It's a little bit more expansive. But I am thinking about exchanging it.

Should I?

I went to the store today and they told me that this one (Medion) is better
because it's more potent.

But it's not even able to save a password for the mail!

Why is that?

Is it a problem with the machine or XP?

I can't believe that Microsof would make such a stupid mistake...

R.

A USB port is where you'd plug in a USB component.
A Fireport is where you'd plug in a Firewire component. Firewire technology
allows for much faster data transfers. Where USB would be good for
keyboards, mice, and printers, Firewire would be better for multimedia
components which require a transfer of more data at faster speed.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have it in
their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

 

[T.C.]

I'm trying to understand what you mean by "weak display." Did you upgrade
to Windows XP from Windows 98? If you did, and you're having problems with
your Display Adapter, try going to the site of the maker and downloading and
installing the latest Windows XP compatible drivers for it. Also, perhaps
it may not be the display adapter, but the monitor. If the Windows XP CD
didn't have drivers for your make and model Monitor, and installed drivers
for a generic plug and play monitor, perhaps that's the reason for your
problems. Go to the maker's web site and see if there are Windows XP
compatible drivers for your monitor, and download and install them.

Another thing, many users new to Windows XP, might want to get rid of the
system intensive eye candy, and use the provided Windows 98 (classic
windows) Start menu look. Right click your taskbar, left click Properties,
select Classic Start Menu, click the Apply and OK buttons. Right click an
empty area on your desktop, left click Properties, when the Display
Properties window opens click the Appearance tab, click the Effects button,
click to REMOVE the checkmark to the left of: Use the following transition
effects for menus and tooltips. Click the OK button, and the APPLY and OK
buttons on the remaining window.

Open My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the Tools menu, click Folder
Options, on the General tab select the option: Use Windows Classic Folders,
then click the Apply and OK buttons. Doing the Above, Windows XP will look
and feel more like Windows 98, and you'll gain some system resources that
were wasted by that Fisher Price looking eye candy Start Menu.

 

[Rick]

"and use the provided Windows 98 (classic windows) Start menu look."

That's what I am using.

I don't like the new fancy stuff. Kind of childish.

Fisher Price indeed!

I will look for a Windows XP specific monitor driver..

Would buying a video card help?

Thanks for you kind help. It is really appreciated.

R.

I'm trying to understand what you mean by "weak display." Did you upgrade
to Windows XP from Windows 98? If you did, and you're having problems with
your Display Adapter, try going to the site of the maker and downloading and
installing the latest Windows XP compatible drivers for it. Also, perhaps
it may not be the display adapter, but the monitor. If the Windows XP CD
didn't have drivers for your make and model Monitor, and installed drivers
for a generic plug and play monitor, perhaps that's the reason for your
problems. Go to the maker's web site and see if there are Windows XP
compatible drivers for your monitor, and download and install them.

Another thing, many users new to Windows XP, might want to get rid of the
system intensive eye candy, and use the provided Windows 98 (classic
windows) Start menu look. Right click your taskbar, left click Properties,
select Classic Start Menu, click the Apply and OK buttons. Right click an
empty area on your desktop, left click Properties, when the Display
Properties window opens click the Appearance tab, click the Effects button,
click to REMOVE the checkmark to the left of: Use the following transition
effects for menus and tooltips. Click the OK button, and the APPLY and OK
buttons on the remaining window.

Open My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the Tools menu, click Folder
Options, on the General tab select the option: Use Windows Classic Folders,
then click the Apply and OK buttons. Doing the Above, Windows XP will look
and feel more like Windows 98, and you'll gain some system resources that
were wasted by that Fisher Price looking eye candy Start Menu.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

Thank you! I will check it out.

Now if you want a tip, when using a very long web address, you can go to

http://tinyurl.com/create.php

Enter the url, make it tiny and paste the new tiny url here (or anywhere
else).

It helps immensely in getting to it fast!

Take care,

Rick

PS - I actually did go there, and made the changes.

But I wonder why XP has such weak display.

I've never had problems with Windows 98 in that regard.

 

[Rick]

That's waaaaay, positively, better!

Thank you. (I've fixed the registry myself as stated before.)

Now it's working fine.

R.


It's never happened to me. But I know that preinstalled windows gets
corruption in this key cause they run a program for preinstalling that
updates it. This prevents logging on as admin. Maybe something similar.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

The answer that I was looking for is WHY the password is not being saved in
a *brand new* computer system.

Why would this happen is what I was actually looking for.

I've fixed myself the problem with a Google search in the groups section.

HOWEVER they do not say WHY this happens.

Just that happens with some computers.

Do you have any idea or are you just going to be a snobby preacher?

R.


If you had typed in Help while online
outlook express password
You would recieve your answer.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

Thank you for the reply.

I'm having problems with the new computer that I bought.

For example: the Outlook Express 6 does not save the password for the
incoming mail. So everytime that I open the program I have to enter the
password.

I called Medion and they told me it's a problem with the software company.
Meaning, Microsoft.

I mean, if a machine cannot run Microsoft programs properly, how good is it?

They told me to contact them. But it's a brand new computer and that's hard
to take.

So I thought about going for EMachines, however it does not have a Fireport.

This one is a Pentium 4 with a 2.5 GHz 400 bus (?) On board video "card" -
which might explain the horrible display of fonts.

The EMachine one would be a Athlon at 2.0 GHz and 333 bus (?) but has a
video card and sound card.

It's a little bit more expansive. But I am thinking about exchanging it.

Should I?

I went to the store today and they told me that this one (Medion) is better
because it's more potent.

But it's not even able to save a password for the mail!

Why is that?

Is it a problem with the machine or XP?

I can't believe that Microsof would make such a stupid mistake...

R.

A USB port is where you'd plug in a USB component.
A Fireport is where you'd plug in a Firewire component. Firewire technology
allows for much faster data transfers. Where USB would be good for
keyboards, mice, and printers, Firewire would be better for multimedia
components which require a transfer of more data at faster speed.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

What is a fireport exactly? And how important it is for one to have

it
in

their computer system?

And my computer is displaying web texts with very little focus. Bluish
tones.

Anyone can help me?

 

[T.C.]

It depends. If you have a reasonably decent display adapter (video card)
already, then it really won't make much difference (unless you're heavily
into multimedia and Gaming). An old Compaq that I installed Windows XP on,
has its original ATI 3D Rage card, and I don't have any speed problems even
with graphics intensive programs like Adobe Photoshop.

The one thing that really added speed to the system though, was replacing
the old hard drive with a new, much faster one. For about $100, it was like
a new system. That's how much of a difference the faster hard drive made.
BTW, it had much more space too. So, I partitioned it, with one partition
for Windows XP, and another for saving my data files (thousands of JPGs and
a few hundred mpg/rm/wmv). Defragging the partitions as needed is much
faster than defragging the whole drive. After about two years, both
partitions still have more than enough space left to last until the Longhorn
version of Windows is released in 2005, which from the betas looks like it
will need more RAM and a higher end display adapter to handle the more
intensive GUI of the OS itself.

Another thing, it's been my experience that system speed is effected by
Norton Antivirus and Norton Utilities software. The Norton name used to be
synonymous with quality, efficiency, and excellent support. But now it's
associated with hogging system resources, bugs, troublesome uninstalls, and
not being as effective protecting systems as it used to be. (Many of my
clients, who diligently use the Live Update, have had their systems infected
with viruses/worms that Norton didn't detect, while the AVG Antivirus that
is simple and doesn't hog system resources has kept my systems clean) The
Norton Antivirus software alone has redundant features, and some features
that aren't even necessary. It used to be a simple Antivirus utility that
didn't need much in the way of GUI. Now its GUI alone, which probably
impresses PC newbies, makes me wonder if anyone at Symantec ever heard the
saying "Less is more." Sorry about going on about Norton. It's just enough
to say that if speed is important to you, check out AVG Antivirus.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

"and use the provided Windows 98 (classic windows) Start menu look."

That's what I am using.

I don't like the new fancy stuff. Kind of childish.

Fisher Price indeed!

I will look for a Windows XP specific monitor driver..

Would buying a video card help?

Thanks for you kind help. It is really appreciated.

R.

I'm trying to understand what you mean by "weak display." Did you upgrade
to Windows XP from Windows 98? If you did, and you're having problems with
your Display Adapter, try going to the site of the maker and downloading and
installing the latest Windows XP compatible drivers for it. Also, perhaps
it may not be the display adapter, but the monitor. If the Windows XP CD
didn't have drivers for your make and model Monitor, and installed drivers
for a generic plug and play monitor, perhaps that's the reason for your
problems. Go to the maker's web site and see if there are Windows XP
compatible drivers for your monitor, and download and install them.

Another thing, many users new to Windows XP, might want to get rid of the
system intensive eye candy, and use the provided Windows 98 (classic
windows) Start menu look. Right click your taskbar, left click Properties,
select Classic Start Menu, click the Apply and OK buttons. Right click an
empty area on your desktop, left click Properties, when the Display
Properties window opens click the Appearance tab, click the Effects button,
click to REMOVE the checkmark to the left of: Use the following transition
effects for menus and tooltips. Click the OK button, and the APPLY and OK
buttons on the remaining window.

Open My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the Tools menu, click Folder
Options, on the General tab select the option: Use Windows Classic Folders,
then click the Apply and OK buttons. Doing the Above, Windows XP will look
and feel more like Windows 98, and you'll gain some system resources that
were wasted by that Fisher Price looking eye candy Start Menu.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

You mean a firewall and in todays environment it is a
must. As for your blue haze go here and use the setup tool
from microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/customiz
e/cleartype/tuner/default.asp
Have fun.

Thank you! I will check it out.

Now if you want a tip, when using a very long web address, you can go to

http://tinyurl.com/create.php

Enter the url, make it tiny and paste the new tiny url here (or anywhere
else).

It helps immensely in getting to it fast!

Take care,

Rick

PS - I actually did go there, and made the changes.

But I wonder why XP has such weak display.

I've never had problems with Windows 98 in that regard.

 

[Rick]

It depends. If you have a reasonably decent display adapter (video card)
already, then it really won't make much difference (unless you're heavily
into multimedia and Gaming). An old Compaq that I installed Windows XP on,
has its original ATI 3D Rage card, and I don't have any speed problems even
with graphics intensive programs like Adobe Photoshop.

The one thing that really added speed to the system though, was replacing
the old hard drive with a new, much faster one. For about $100, it was like
a new system. That's how much of a difference the faster hard drive made.
BTW, it had much more space too. So, I partitioned it, with one partition
for Windows XP, and another for saving my data files (thousands of JPGs and
a few hundred mpg/rm/wmv). Defragging the partitions as needed is much
faster than defragging the whole drive. After about two years, both
partitions still have more than enough space left to last until the Longhorn
version of Windows is released in 2005, which from the betas looks like it
will need more RAM and a higher end display adapter to handle the more
intensive GUI of the OS itself.

Another thing, it's been my experience that system speed is effected by
Norton Antivirus and Norton Utilities software. The Norton name used to be
synonymous with quality, efficiency, and excellent support. But now it's
associated with hogging system resources, bugs, troublesome uninstalls, and
not being as effective protecting systems as it used to be. (Many of my
clients, who diligently use the Live Update, have had their systems infected
with viruses/worms that Norton didn't detect, while the AVG Antivirus that
is simple and doesn't hog system resources has kept my systems clean) The
Norton Antivirus software alone has redundant features, and some features
that aren't even necessary. It used to be a simple Antivirus utility that
didn't need much in the way of GUI. Now its GUI alone, which probably
impresses PC newbies, makes me wonder if anyone at Symantec ever heard the
saying "Less is more." Sorry about going on about Norton. It's just enough
to say that if speed is important to you, check out AVG Antivirus.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

No. No problem at all. I had Norton Works 2000. And as soon as I installed
it in my newly formated Windows 98 system, it would slow things down
considerably... Now that you spoke about it, I will make sure I don't use it
at all. Thanks!

Now, I was thinking about the video card less for speed (which might help I
think) but more for the quality of display itself.

I know that the monitor is not the greatest at all. I bought it after my old
one burnt out, and didn't spend too much money at all (I'm "poor".) It's a
BenQ v772.

This are the specs of the new computer:

Mfr. Part Number:MD 1773
Available Expansion Slots --- 2 PCI, 1 AGP
CPU Speed --- 2.5GHz
Graphic Card --- Integrated Real 256 2D/3D Graphics
Hard Drive --- 80 GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
I/O Ports --- 5 USB 2.0, 2 IEEE 1394
Included Software --- Nero Burning ROM, MusicMatch Jukebox
Monitor Included? --- Monitor Not Included
Network Card --- 10/100 Ethernet
Optical Drives --- DVD & CD/RW Combo Drive
Other Control Devices --- Logitech PS/2 Mouse
Preloaded Operating System --- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
RAM --- 256 MB DDR PC2700 SDRAM (exp. to 1.0 GB)
Removable Storage --- No
Sound Card --- Integrated AC ' 97 Sound Card
Speakers --- No
System Bus --- 400 MHz

........................................................

So, as you can see, I don't think the video card is decent.

I am thinking about transfering all my VCR tapes to DVD (I will buy a
burner) and was thinking about getting a good card that could do it. Have
any recommendations?

I also intend to use the computer to do some post-processing for digital
photography.

The computer has a separate "restore" drive. I don't know how big it is. All
that I know is that the main hard drive has only 60 GB avaliable. Perhaps
the Windows XP is located in this separate harddrive??

What else should I be buying to make the system better? (Hard drive is not
much of a need. The computer is pretty fast! - at least compared to my 366
Celeron of before.. So I'm happy about it for now. Later I could add more
RAM.)

R.

 

[T.C.]

OK, now that you're mentioning VHS to DVD, yes, you'd probably want a card
that's also capable of video capture. Something like the least expensive
ATI All-In-Wonder Pro:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=482297

Be sure though that your BIOS either allows manually turning off the
integrated graphics, or if they're automatically disabled when you plug in a
new display adapter, or if they can be disabled at all. A client bought an
HP system that was advertised as fully upgradeable, but it turned out that
there wasn't any way to disable the integrated graphics. HP promised a BIOS
updated but wouldn't give a date, so the client returned the system.

Also, this card and others like it require at least 128 MB of RAM. But,
working with video files, you won't be satisfied with less than 256 MB. RAM
is cheap now, especially at online places like http://www.crucial.com
There you can find 128 MB of the same type of RAM you already have for
$25.99 (although if you're going to be doing video you might want to get at
least 256 MB or more).

According to the specs, it doesn't look like your system has a SEPARATE
restore drive. Only the one hard drive is mentioned. So, I would assume
that the one hard drive is partitioned, and has the recovery software on the
second partition. HP did that, and when people had trouble accessing the
recovery partition, they had to send their systems back to be "repaired,"
which meant sticking a new drive in, and the customer losing all data.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

No. No problem at all. I had Norton Works 2000. And as soon as I installed
it in my newly formated Windows 98 system, it would slow things down
considerably... Now that you spoke about it, I will make sure I don't use it
at all. Thanks!

Now, I was thinking about the video card less for speed (which might help I
think) but more for the quality of display itself.

I know that the monitor is not the greatest at all. I bought it after my old
one burnt out, and didn't spend too much money at all (I'm "poor".) It's a
BenQ v772.

This are the specs of the new computer:

Mfr. Part Number:MD 1773
Available Expansion Slots --- 2 PCI, 1 AGP
CPU Speed --- 2.5GHz
Graphic Card --- Integrated Real 256 2D/3D Graphics
Hard Drive --- 80 GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
I/O Ports --- 5 USB 2.0, 2 IEEE 1394
Included Software --- Nero Burning ROM, MusicMatch Jukebox
Monitor Included? --- Monitor Not Included
Network Card --- 10/100 Ethernet
Optical Drives --- DVD & CD/RW Combo Drive
Other Control Devices --- Logitech PS/2 Mouse
Preloaded Operating System --- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
RAM --- 256 MB DDR PC2700 SDRAM (exp. to 1.0 GB)
Removable Storage --- No
Sound Card --- Integrated AC ' 97 Sound Card
Speakers --- No
System Bus --- 400 MHz

.......................................................

So, as you can see, I don't think the video card is decent.

I am thinking about transfering all my VCR tapes to DVD (I will buy a
burner) and was thinking about getting a good card that could do it. Have
any recommendations?

I also intend to use the computer to do some post-processing for digital
photography.

The computer has a separate "restore" drive. I don't know how big it is. All
that I know is that the main hard drive has only 60 GB avaliable. Perhaps
the Windows XP is located in this separate harddrive??

What else should I be buying to make the system better? (Hard drive is not
much of a need. The computer is pretty fast! - at least compared to my 366
Celeron of before.. So I'm happy about it for now. Later I could add more
RAM.)

R.

It depends. If you have a reasonably decent display adapter (video card)
already, then it really won't make much difference (unless you're heavily
into multimedia and Gaming). An old Compaq that I installed Windows XP on,
has its original ATI 3D Rage card, and I don't have any speed problems even
with graphics intensive programs like Adobe Photoshop.

The one thing that really added speed to the system though, was replacing
the old hard drive with a new, much faster one. For about $100, it was like
a new system. That's how much of a difference the faster hard drive made.
BTW, it had much more space too. So, I partitioned it, with one partition
for Windows XP, and another for saving my data files (thousands of JPGs and
a few hundred mpg/rm/wmv). Defragging the partitions as needed is much
faster than defragging the whole drive. After about two years, both
partitions still have more than enough space left to last until the Longhorn
version of Windows is released in 2005, which from the betas looks like it
will need more RAM and a higher end display adapter to handle the more
intensive GUI of the OS itself.

Another thing, it's been my experience that system speed is effected by
Norton Antivirus and Norton Utilities software. The Norton name used to be
synonymous with quality, efficiency, and excellent support. But now it's
associated with hogging system resources, bugs, troublesome uninstalls, and
not being as effective protecting systems as it used to be. (Many of my
clients, who diligently use the Live Update, have had their systems infected
with viruses/worms that Norton didn't detect, while the AVG Antivirus that
is simple and doesn't hog system resources has kept my systems clean) The
Norton Antivirus software alone has redundant features, and some features
that aren't even necessary. It used to be a simple Antivirus utility that
didn't need much in the way of GUI. Now its GUI alone, which probably
impresses PC newbies, makes me wonder if anyone at Symantec ever heard the
saying "Less is more." Sorry about going on about Norton. It's just enough
to say that if speed is important to you, check out AVG Antivirus.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

 

[Steve Nielsen]

A guy I used to work with called XP "The Nintendo of Microsoft Operating
Systems". Ever since then I swear I can almost see Mario standing on
that hillside.

Steve

"and use the provided Windows 98 (classic windows) Start menu look."

That's what I am using.

I don't like the new fancy stuff. Kind of childish.

Fisher Price indeed!

I will look for a Windows XP specific monitor driver..

Would buying a video card help?

Thanks for you kind help. It is really appreciated.

R.

I'm trying to understand what you mean by "weak display." Did you upgrade
to Windows XP from Windows 98? If you did, and you're having problems
with

your Display Adapter, try going to the site of the maker and downloading
and

installing the latest Windows XP compatible drivers for it. Also, perhaps
it may not be the display adapter, but the monitor. If the Windows XP CD
didn't have drivers for your make and model Monitor, and installed drivers
for a generic plug and play monitor, perhaps that's the reason for your
problems. Go to the maker's web site and see if there are Windows XP
compatible drivers for your monitor, and download and install them.

Another thing, many users new to Windows XP, might want to get rid of the
system intensive eye candy, and use the provided Windows 98 (classic
windows) Start menu look. Right click your taskbar, left click
Properties,

select Classic Start Menu, click the Apply and OK buttons. Right click an
empty area on your desktop, left click Properties, when the Display
Properties window opens click the Appearance tab, click the Effects
button,

click to REMOVE the checkmark to the left of: Use the following transition
effects for menus and tooltips. Click the OK button, and the APPLY and OK
buttons on the remaining window.

Open My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the Tools menu, click Folder
Options, on the General tab select the option: Use Windows Classic
Folders,

then click the Apply and OK buttons. Doing the Above, Windows XP will
look

and feel more like Windows 98, and you'll gain some system resources that
were wasted by that Fisher Price looking eye candy Start Menu.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

You mean a firewall and in todays environment it is a
must. As for your blue haze go here and use the setup tool
from microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/customiz
e/cleartype/tuner/default.asp
Have fun.

Thank you! I will check it out.

Now if you want a tip, when using a very long web address, you can go to

http://tinyurl.com/create.php

Enter the url, make it tiny and paste the new tiny url here (or anywhere
else).

It helps immensely in getting to it fast!

Take care,

Rick

PS - I actually did go there, and made the changes.

But I wonder why XP has such weak display.

I've never had problems with Windows 98 in that regard.

 

[Rick]

Would this be good enough for photo editing or should I get a 128 mb one?

Would that still require more RAM?

I already have 224 (advertised as 256) in my computer according to the
Windows "system" information.

Wouldn't that be enough?

Regarding the second drive, you might be right. The booklet says that there
is a separate Recovery (D hard drive.

However on the computer itself they say this:
.............
"An image from the original system will be copied to C:\Local Disk.
Everything on the C:\Local Disk partition will be erased. This includes all
of your documents and settings.

If you delete the directory D:\Recovery or the files located in this
directory, Recovery from Hard Drive is no longer possible. In this case the
system will attempt to rebuild your system from the disc, if a valid
recovery media (an Application Support Disc with recovery files) is
available.

Any changes that have been made to the size of the hard drive partition will
affect the ability to restore your system. Do not change the partition
sizes. "
..............

Since the booklet seems to be a general booklet, the system itself might not
have the separate hard drive and others do.

However the CD/DVD drive is on the letter E: instead of D: as my last
computer.

OK, now that you're mentioning VHS to DVD, yes, you'd probably want a card
that's also capable of video capture. Something like the least expensive
ATI All-In-Wonder Pro:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=482297

Be sure though that your BIOS either allows manually turning off the
integrated graphics, or if they're automatically disabled when you plug in a
new display adapter, or if they can be disabled at all. A client bought an
HP system that was advertised as fully upgradeable, but it turned out that
there wasn't any way to disable the integrated graphics. HP promised a BIOS
updated but wouldn't give a date, so the client returned the system.

Also, this card and others like it require at least 128 MB of RAM. But,
working with video files, you won't be satisfied with less than 256 MB. RAM
is cheap now, especially at online places like http://www.crucial.com
There you can find 128 MB of the same type of RAM you already have for
$25.99 (although if you're going to be doing video you might want to get at
least 256 MB or more).

According to the specs, it doesn't look like your system has a SEPARATE
restore drive. Only the one hard drive is mentioned. So, I would assume
that the one hard drive is partitioned, and has the recovery software on the
second partition. HP did that, and when people had trouble accessing the
recovery partition, they had to send their systems back to be "repaired,"
which meant sticking a new drive in, and the customer losing all data.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

No. No problem at all. I had Norton Works 2000. And as soon as I installed
it in my newly formated Windows 98 system, it would slow things down
considerably... Now that you spoke about it, I will make sure I don't

use

it
at all. Thanks!

Now, I was thinking about the video card less for speed (which might

help

I
think) but more for the quality of display itself.

I know that the monitor is not the greatest at all. I bought it after my old
one burnt out, and didn't spend too much money at all (I'm "poor".) It's a
BenQ v772.

This are the specs of the new computer:

Mfr. Part Number:MD 1773
Available Expansion Slots --- 2 PCI, 1 AGP
CPU Speed --- 2.5GHz
Graphic Card --- Integrated Real 256 2D/3D Graphics
Hard Drive --- 80 GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
I/O Ports --- 5 USB 2.0, 2 IEEE 1394
Included Software --- Nero Burning ROM, MusicMatch Jukebox
Monitor Included? --- Monitor Not Included
Network Card --- 10/100 Ethernet
Optical Drives --- DVD & CD/RW Combo Drive
Other Control Devices --- Logitech PS/2 Mouse
Preloaded Operating System --- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
RAM --- 256 MB DDR PC2700 SDRAM (exp. to 1.0 GB)
Removable Storage --- No
Sound Card --- Integrated AC ' 97 Sound Card
Speakers --- No
System Bus --- 400 MHz

.......................................................

So, as you can see, I don't think the video card is decent.

I am thinking about transfering all my VCR tapes to DVD (I will buy a
burner) and was thinking about getting a good card that could do it. Have
any recommendations?

I also intend to use the computer to do some post-processing for digital
photography.

The computer has a separate "restore" drive. I don't know how big it is. All
that I know is that the main hard drive has only 60 GB avaliable. Perhaps
the Windows XP is located in this separate harddrive??

What else should I be buying to make the system better? (Hard drive is not
much of a need. The computer is pretty fast! - at least compared to my 366
Celeron of before.. So I'm happy about it for now. Later I could add more
RAM.)

R.

XP
on, was
like JPGs
and

like

it

will need more RAM and a higher end display adapter to handle the more
intensive GUI of the OS itself.

Another thing, it's been my experience that system speed is effected by
Norton Antivirus and Norton Utilities software. The Norton name used

to
be

synonymous with quality, efficiency, and excellent support. But now it's
associated with hogging system resources, bugs, troublesome

uninstalls,
and

not being as effective protecting systems as it used to be. (Many of my
clients, who diligently use the Live Update, have had their systems infected
with viruses/worms that Norton didn't detect, while the AVG Antivirus that
is simple and doesn't hog system resources has kept my systems clean) The
Norton Antivirus software alone has redundant features, and some features
that aren't even necessary. It used to be a simple Antivirus utility that
didn't need much in the way of GUI. Now its GUI alone, which probably
impresses PC newbies, makes me wonder if anyone at Symantec ever heard the
saying "Less is more." Sorry about going on about Norton. It's just enough
to say that if speed is important to you, check out AVG Antivirus.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email