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WinXP hangs on Shut Down, what do I do?

More Win startup/shutdown resources: Windows Support Center .b.h.
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 30, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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SCSI - What kinds? Do I need it?

Unless you're mr. moneybags, you will forget FC. Check the price difference between FC and standard host adapters and drives on Pricewatch. It really depends on how many drives you want to have operating at the same time. The fastest drive out there now (Seagate 15k) can barely peak at 60MB/sec...
- zepper00
- Post #21
- Aug 30, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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I'm hearing radio through my speakers... unwillingly!

It would be best if you could figure out where the signal is being picked up--the wire from sound card to amplifier, wire from amilifier to speaker(s), power cord to speakers, the amplifier itself, sound card, etc. To block RFI from wires, you use ferrite cores which you can get from...
- zepper00
- Post #9
- Aug 30, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Redundant Power Supply question

That little device looks pretty neat, but I wonder if it is really supporting the requirements of the second PSU. I believe that most high power switching PSU require a minimum load on each of the high-amp voltages ( usually 1A). I don't see room on there for a 3.3 ohm 5-watt resistor for the...
- zepper00
- Post #8
- Aug 29, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Is my hard drive salvageable?

There is a program called SpinRite that can really save the bacon, but it's not cheap. Gibson Research Good luck. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Voodoo Banshee won't install on my Compaq

Ditto, KGB Man. However, if it is one of those that is "supposed to" be able to detect an add-on video card and disable the on-board video automatically, you have my sympathy... .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gigabyte 8IGX goes to sleep and can't wake up...

Ooooh, I've fallen and can't get up! Sorry, I couldn't resist. Sleep/hibernate etc. modes in Win are iffy at best. Go to mobo mfr's, MS, Windows Support Center web sites and see if they have any info for you. Often it's a conflict between Power Management settings in your BIOS and either ACPI...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Help Restoring BIOS Colors

It has been a long time since I've seen a BIOS where you could enable/disable/change colors for the bios display. I would go thru all the screens of settings looking for something that might apply (like having primary video card set to PCI rather than AGP, etc.). If you don't see anything, just...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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parralell cdrw

Depends on how old your drive is. Early ones were SCSI with a parallel to SCSI converter. Most recent ones are IDE with converter. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #4
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Boot sequence problem under Win2k

Just an educated guess, but try changing PC Anywhere's modem init string so that it starts with the modem's attention string, usually +++ followed by a pause, usually several commas, followed by the modem's reset string, followed by PC A's normal init string. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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I'm hearing radio through my speakers... unwillingly!

There are several ways that things can pick up radio signals but usually it just comes across as noise. If it is actually distinguishable as music then it becomes a bit more difficult. First I would unplug the speakers from the computer and then turn them on. Do you still hear the music? If...
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Redundant Power Supply question

Hi vetteguy, I did a quick search on Pricewatch(redundant 400w) and came up with a Supermicro 400w redundant for about $170. I don't know what its connectors look like, but the size looks right. I also searched on (500w redundant) and came up with a Compaq unit for < $300.--probably...
- zepper00
- Post #6
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Sometimes I get just vertical lines when I boot..

Tech support topic... .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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SCSI - What kinds? Do I need it?

I stand by my defs of SCSI types. I did point out that Wide versions double the listed (narrow) rates. The designations have been so jumbled that just about anyone can claim anything. My bad on the SCA connector. Going from memory and all I remembered clearly was the outside of the connector...
- zepper00
- Post #13
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Power Supply Question

Not necessarily due to low power PSU, but poor contact between PSU connector and pin in mobo socket or poor solder joint of pin either of which causes a high-resistance and concentrated heating. I have had that happen before. I used a good pipe cleaner (Dr. Grabow or equiv.) and contact...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Doesn't anyone know anything about Apogee?

The Apogee just hit the market so few will have much experience with it--so a lot of what you hear will be baseless blather. Chaintech is a member of the PC Cheaps group which doesn't have a great rep. But I have heard nothing but good about the boards they built around the SiS 7x5 chipset...
- zepper00
- Post #5
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Hot Power Supply

If the PSU is mounted at the upper rear of the case, make sure it is not mounted upside down. There should be no vents on the side of the PSU that is the UP side. All of the vent slots should be on the bottom, sides or rear (toward the drive bays) of the PSU. And, of course, make sure the PSU...
- zepper00
- Post #4
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Opinoins, Best AMD Mobo for Over-Clocking "EVERYTHING" (CPU,AGP,DIMM)

From all that I have seen, it is between Abit and Epox for the OC crown. Soltek is VIAs anointed mobo mfr. I'm not sure if VIA actually bought Soltec, but there is some sort of incestuous arrangement there. The only gaming type system I have ever configured for a customer used an Abit board...
- zepper00
- Post #5
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Motherboards
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Antec Tru Power 430

The spec for 12v lines is +/-10% or 10.8-13.2v. So you're just fine. Also mobo measurement may be inaccurate. Check with a good DVM (digital volt meter) to be sure. .bh..
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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2nd PSU

amdskip, Per first message: He already has what he considers an underpowered ATX PSU in his system and has some old AT PSUs lying around and apparently doesn't want to lay out more money. tRaptor, IOW is BBS (bulletin board system=what there was before Internet forums/user groups) shorthand...
- zepper00
- Post #6
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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SCSI - What kinds? Do I need it?

SCSI is a separate bus that is attached to a host system via a Host Adapter. Once the host sets a process in motion, the SCSI devices can "talk amongst themselves" and complete a task or tasks (que) without further reference to the host system--something not as yet possible with IDE. This extra...
- zepper00
- Post #11
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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2nd PSU

bumpity
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 28, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Call waiting modem question...

Call waiting modem actually works like a Hotcall box built into a modem. But if the modem I already had was working fine, I'd probably go with the Hotcall box instead as you probably couldn't get anything out of your used modem anyway and the box would be more flexible in abilities. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #5
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Com/Serial/Parallel port problem, need help

Make sure that the ports are activated and at the proper addresses/IRQs in the BIOS. Then make sure they are present and listed as operational in the Device Manager. If both BIOS and DM look OK and they still don't work, remove them from device manager, shutdown, reboot and let them be...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Anyone have an opinion on compgeeks geek kits namely the multimedia kits?

Unless your budget is really strapped, I would be looking at the Artec 16xDVD at GoogleGear ($38. w/free 2d shipping) and use the CMI 6-channel sound card at Computer Geeks. I can't make a case for buying any CD-ROM-only drives anymore. IAC, never heard of that brand of CD-ROM drives. Aureal...
- zepper00
- Post #5
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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80Gig drive on a BX Abit BM6

You could also get an add-on controller. You get support for large drives and ATA 100 or 133 as well (which, of course, you can't get from just a BIOS update). You can disable one of the on-board channels so that you won't need any more IRQs. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #6
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Rounded ATA cables

I believe 18" is the specified length for all IDE cables since 16MB/sec. But a lot of 24" cables are out there and seem to work. My suggestion is to always make your drive cables as short as possible. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #12
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
What do you guys think of this site that explains the basics of semiconductor manufacturing?

Pretty nifty... For those who like technical info unusually presented, try this: Seven of Nine Lectures on OSPF .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #25
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
Call waiting modem question...

Yes you do need to subscribe to the call waiting service and in some areas you will want the "enhanced call waiting" service which allows you to turn off call waiting if you don't want the interruption. You may also want to get Caller ID so you can tell whether you really want to pick up the...
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
I keep losing my rear channel on my C-Media audio !!!

Perhaps a cold solder joint somewhere in the cmedia signal path. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
2nd PSU

It is pretty simple, the only problem being if you want to mount the second PSU inside your current case--that would probably require some cutting for proper cooling and AC power access. I would just plug all of the drives into your AT PSU and turn it on a few seconds before turning on the main...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
Need a CDRW Pro to HELP!!! Acer 4x4x6 not recognized!!!

Yes, be sure to check that USB ports are enabled in the BIOS and installed and working per Device Manager--try a mouse or kbd as their basic functions should work w/o special drivers. I can't recall if there are separate files that have to be installed on Win 98 for USB to work or if that was...
- zepper00
- Post #6
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
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Old School Prob here~VXPro~Cyrix 200~98install

Some boards have virus blocker or "boot sector protection" in the BIOS which will prevent formatting a drive with a system or installing an OS because those procedures exhibit the virus-like behavior of writing to the boot area. Just disable this function in the BIOS and things should work fine...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
system show less memory than installed

You didn't mention what kind/age of system you have. If it's an older one, you might need a BIOS update to recognize types of RAM that were not commonly avaiable when your mobo was first designed. Also, make sure both of your memory modules are plugged into the right sockets (SIMM 0/1/2 etc.)...
- zepper00
- Post #3
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
Problem with letter to drive in win98

As the others mentioned, Partition Magic is the easiest way to re-configure your drive(s) but first be sure to back up any data you can't afford to lose. PM is a great uitil package, but even it can have a brain fart, or a power glitch could happen. Better safe than sorry! Here is how drive...
- zepper00
- Post #4
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
what's a bad +5v line?

The spec for voltages are: 3.3v +/- 5% +/- 5v (4.75-5.25) +/- 5% so you're running on the border here. Check with a good voltmeter to be sure. +/- 12v 10% Power Good +/-10% Though tighter spec is always better. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #5
- Aug 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
OfficeMax -> 50 pk. Imation CD-R $1.99 after IR and MIR

Duplicate thread!. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 26, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
Z
Shutdown = OK, Restart = LOCKUP

Try this: Start > Run > msconfig click on General tab > click on Advanced button > check "Disable Fast Shutdown" > click on OK. Also there is a patch for hard drives with large buffers to help prevent Shutdown-time problems. Check on MS web site for it. .bh. p.s. There is a very good web site...
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 26, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
Z
Hot? IBM Rapid Access Pro Kbd - $10. (no MIR) at OM

To beergeek, According to the descr, the 106 USB uses the same "rubber dome" key mechanisms as the RAK. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #15
- Aug 26, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
Z
Need a new power supply? Edit: Bad RAM?

A Sparkle, AOpen or PC Power & Cooling 350 watt PSU should do the trick. .bh.
- zepper00
- Post #2
- Aug 26, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building

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