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Is there a risk to clicking "OK" dialogue box ?

I checked the Chrome extensions and only have Google Docs. The list of installed programs didn't show anything suspect. Thanks for the tips.
- RPatrick
- Post #3
- Jan 4, 2015
- Forum: Security
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Is there a risk to clicking "OK" dialogue box ?

I was reading a message board using Chrome. Out of nowhere a full browser screen appears. It was the one about Adobe Flash player needing to be updated. It is interesting to note that in fine print at the bottom, the page did say it represents 3rd party software and is not affiliated with...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Jan 4, 2015
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Security
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Quality gaming microphones

In my experience, the quality of the mic input circuitry on the sound card is much more important than the mic you are using. Onboard mic inputs are definitely a prime suspect for causing poor mic performance. If you want a good mic setup, your best bet is to either get a decent sound card...
- RPatrick
- Post #27
- Dec 18, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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Does the canned computer cleaner leave an odor ?

Thanks for the comment. Now that you mention it, it does look very new and shiny inside so I'll bet some type of chemical cleaner may have been used. I'm going back by the shop tomorrow so I'll ask them about it.
- RPatrick
- Post #3
- Nov 23, 2009
- Forum: Computer Building
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Does the canned computer cleaner leave an odor ?

I just bought an old used Dell 400sc box for a friend's kids computer. I noticed that the computer had a very strong "new electronics metallic" type of smell. I know the shop I bought it from blows out the dust before they sell these old units. Any chance this smell is from the cleaner ...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Nov 23, 2009
- Replies: 2
- Forum: Computer Building
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Pacific Fighters vs Combat Flight Simulator 2

Aside from graphical quality, what are the main differences between these 2 simulators ? Is one more fun than the other ? Is one easier to fly and learn ? Enjoyable gameplay is what I am after. Opinions appreciated.
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Apr 9, 2009
- Replies: 8
- Forum: PC Games
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Does a game with 1000 or more hours of gameplay exist????

The X series of space simulation games can easily last that long. It all depends on how you choose to play. The newest X game is X3: Terran Conflict.
- RPatrick
- Post #3
- Mar 18, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
R
Which one of this two?

If you are going to play with a small group of family members or close friends, Left 4 Dead is great. It is much harder to enjoy with random people though. In the later case, TF2 would be better.
- RPatrick
- Post #6
- Mar 18, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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Headset

If you want a quality headset for quite a bit less, try the Sennheiser PC161 model. They are out of stock where I bought mine, but "buy" has them brand new on ebay for $62 shipped.
- RPatrick
- Post #4
- Mar 4, 2009
- Forum: Headsets and Headphones
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Performance difference between similar cards with different memory speeds

I'm looking at Nvidia 7600GS AGP cards for an older computer. Would there be a significant performance difference between these two cards ? 400 Mhz Core 400 Mhz Ramdac 500 Mhz DDR 400 Mhz Core 400 Mhz Ramdac 800 Mhz DDR2 I know sometimes memory configurations are more about...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Feb 25, 2009
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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Why is Left 4 Dead so popular?

Single player is great for learning the maps, learning how to avoid causing friendly fire, learing to use the items, etc. I wish a lot more people would at least become competent playing alone before jumping into multiplayer. I really enjoy the single player mode myself. I'd say the great...
- RPatrick
- Post #11
- Feb 25, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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Is my brand new Earthwatts 430w dead?

Zap - Thank you for the clarification on what my $20 ps tester can do. Also, I completely understand what you are saying regarding failure rates. It is just so frustrating to essentially build a system twice (when you don't have the spare time to do it) due to a company selling you a brand...
- RPatrick
- Post #7
- Feb 19, 2009
- Forum: Power Supplies
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Is my brand new Earthwatts 430w dead?

I just suffered through a similar ordeal with an Antec 430 Earthwatts. I was trying to quickly build a budget machine for a friend's cousin (you know the deal !), I was using all new parts and ran into system crashes during windows installation. My short and sweet project suddenly turned...
- RPatrick
- Post #4
- Feb 18, 2009
- Forum: Power Supplies
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L4D

I think it is worth every bit of $50. Many aspects of the game are just incredible. - The different ways things explode or die - The voice acting - The physics - Top notch sound effects - Finely tuned, great looking and sounding weapons - Replayability - Smooth running network code...
- RPatrick
- Post #7
- Feb 11, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 with XP SP3

I'm making a budget gaming pc based on an AMD X2 5000 running XP SP3. It seems there is a lot of confusing information out there regarding exactly what extra software needs to be installed with this CPU. I'm going to disable Cool & Quiet if that matters. I'm thinking XP with Service...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Feb 10, 2009
- Replies: 1
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
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Which GTX 280 brand is superior?

I don't disagree with buying a card based on a superior warranty. Thats a safe option. On the flip side, if I bought 4 video cards over time from the same company that all went bad, I'd have doubts about the quality of their products. Most of the time I am building systems for friends and...
- RPatrick
- Post #13
- Feb 10, 2009
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU Optimizer / Driver

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to skip installing any type of optimizer or CPU driver and count on XP SP3 to handle it. There does not seem to be much discussion on the web regarding this issue, so I assume it is really not a big deal.
- RPatrick
- Post #4
- Feb 6, 2009
- Forum: Computer Building
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AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU Optimizer / Driver

I'm going to start a build tonight based on an AMD X2 5000 CPU. I've found conflicting information regarding the installation of CPU drivers and the Dual Core Optimizer. After reading quite a bit my guess is that with Windows XP SP3, I will not need to install the Dual Core Optimizer, and if...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Feb 6, 2009
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Computer Building
R
Left 4 Dead problems

One of us does have a friends list with over 100 people on it. That very well could be it, though I've heard of other people having this issue too. I still think that is hosed though. There are so many situation where allowing friends of friends to join in creates problems. It seems...
- RPatrick
- Post #16
- Feb 4, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
R
Left 4 Dead problems

Thanks for the comments and generosity. I'll certainly keep that in mind. For the good of all, I hope the lobby issues have worked their way up to being a priority for the next patch.
- RPatrick
- Post #10
- Feb 3, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
R
Need headset for gaming

I'd say the Sennheiser 161s that Videogames101 linked would be just what you're after. I just got a pair and they seem really nice for the money. I got mine here : PC 161
- RPatrick
- Post #7
- Feb 2, 2009
- Forum: Computer Building
R
Left 4 Dead problems

Hello, When I create a friends only game hosted on my pc, after the game starts unknown people from the internet begin to join, they replace any bots that are in the game. Doesn't seem right but it happens every time.
- RPatrick
- Post #4
- Feb 2, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
R
Left 4 Dead problems

A few friends and I recently picked up L4D. I think the gameplay is awesome, but I am shocked to find some major issues with doing just what the game boasts, playing coop with friends. We like to play privately. I've got a fast cable connection and a fast PC, so the plan was to have a...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Feb 2, 2009
- Replies: 17
- Forum: PC Games
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Microphone for gaming

The idea of a quality boom type microphone designed to attach to typical headphones sounds like a product that should be made by someone. It is hard to believe it is not out there somewhere.
- RPatrick
- Post #16
- Jan 10, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
R
Microphone for gaming

Seems to me this type of mic would be omni-directional (picking up sounds from all directions). My brother and I are playing coop and really want to just use voice activation rather than push to talk. Does voice activation work well with these clip on mics ? Seems any noise in the room would...
- RPatrick
- Post #14
- Jan 9, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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HL2 Synergy players!

In my game with one friend hosted on my PC, there was no significant lag. As far as the ammo goes, that is a problem when you are playing with people who are just doing their own thing. I recommend playing with good friends who want to play together. Whoever picks up the ammo and health...
- RPatrick
- Post #14
- Jan 5, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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HL2 Synergy players!

Installing Synergy has no effect on your regular single player installation of Half Life 2. It does share resources with the original install, but does not change how it plays. If you've got an average cable internet connection, I've heard you can host up to 3 or 4 players without bandwith...
- RPatrick
- Post #12
- Jan 5, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
R
HL2 Synergy players!

After several hours of HL2 coop campaign gameplay, I can report that the steam supported Synergy software is excellent ! It is very simple to setup a listen server for playing with a friend or two. The only tricky part I see is figuring out which particular map to load for starting out on...
- RPatrick
- Post #9
- Jan 5, 2009
- Forum: PC Games
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HL2 Synergy players!

How is Synergy working now ? Does it run well, any problems with lag ? Would this be a good way for a couple of friends to play Half Life 2 for the first time ?
- RPatrick
- Post #8
- Dec 14, 2008
- Forum: PC Games
R
Purchasing a system for a friend.

I would check on Craiglist. If you are looking for a PC just for surfing, you can surely find one with windows XP that is fully internet capable for less than $200, probably much less.
- RPatrick
- Post #2
- Dec 3, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
R
P5Q- Pro SATA HDD connectors

If nothing else, you could view the user's manual which is available for download on the Asus website.
- RPatrick
- Post #2
- Dec 2, 2008
- Forum: Motherboards
R
any new Mechwarrior-type games?

It is quite a bit different from Homeworld, but if you are looking for an epic universe simulation (think Elite style), check out X3: Terran Conflict or X3: Reunion (Fully patched by now) by Egosoft. Egosoft
- RPatrick
- Post #14
- Nov 24, 2008
- Forum: PC Games
R
any new Mechwarrior-type games?

There were only a select few games that motivated me enough to build an old windows 98 system dedicated just to running them. Mechwarrior was at the top of the list. I even invested in all the CH Products stuff (Throttle, Stick, Pedals, everything). There is nothing else like it, and I am...
- RPatrick
- Post #13
- Nov 24, 2008
- Forum: PC Games
R
Finding a 500 watt ps with high quality electronics ?

To update my situation, I decided to go with the PC Power and Cooling 610 W silencer. I was a little concerned about going with a 600 watt unit, becuase my idle load will be around only 130w and the maximum load will probably only be about 230 watts. The reviews proved that even at those low...
- RPatrick
- Post #8
- Nov 21, 2008
- Forum: Power Supplies
R
Finding a 500 watt ps with high quality electronics ?

The questionable source remark was what I took from reading this quote from the Silencer 500W review on Anandtech. . I was kind of surprised to see that comment in a PCP&C review, becuase I've always heard they used the highest quality parts internally. Maybe that comment by the reviewer is...
- RPatrick
- Post #7
- Nov 21, 2008
- Forum: Power Supplies
R
Finding a 500 watt ps with high quality electronics ?

Someone posted a photo of the internals which proved the capacitors were from some of the questionable sources, not the quality ones that were in the Seasonic version. I do not mean to say that there is anything for sure wrong with the Delta unit or the PCP&C unit, they are probably just...
- RPatrick
- Post #5
- Nov 20, 2008
- Forum: Power Supplies
R
Finding a 500 watt ps with high quality electronics ?

I am assembling a system that will be a basic Core 2 Duo / 9800GT setup. I'd like to use a 500 or so watt power supply constructed from high quality parts. I don't mind spending the extra bucks, the problem is finding such a part. The search has been frustrating. After reading a couple of...
- RPatrick
- Thread
- Nov 20, 2008
- Replies: 11
- Forum: Power Supplies
R
Do you guys ever think that trying to get those last few Mhz

As others have said, if it is your hobby that is great. I know I enjoy reading about it !
- RPatrick
- Post #16
- Nov 20, 2008
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
R
Do you guys ever think that trying to get those last few Mhz

Back in the 90's I can remember playing F15 Strike Eagle on a 66 Mhz machine and I think I was getting about 4 or 5 frames per second. Back then I would have agreed that speeding up a PC would have been well worth the effort and cost. Today, I just can't see a real need to overclock. Any...
- RPatrick
- Post #15
- Nov 20, 2008
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
R
ASUS 9800 GT cards are selling like hot cakes !

Thanks for the replies. I should have mentioned I wanted the base GT model. I prefer not to overclock any of my parts because I keep my systems for a long time. I also believe the ASUS Glaciator fansink is the quietest cooling solution on the Asus cards, which I like. It so happens I've...
- RPatrick
- Post #9
- Nov 14, 2008
- Forum: Graphics Cards

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