The Computer Problems thread!

[superluser]

Could this be some kind of driver issue or is the image recognition engine inside it failing somehow?

Hm.  Do you have gpm running under X?  I knew someone who had a vaguely similar problem, and he had gpm and X running simultaneously.

[Tapewolf]

Hm.  Do you have gpm running under X?  I knew someone who had a vaguely similar problem, and he had gpm and X running simultaneously.

No.  I used to do that, but I don't have GPM installed anymore.  The optics are clean, and I don't recall any updates that might have affected that subsystem.  I guess the real test is whether it does it in Windows as well, but it only happens a few times a day and I can't be bothered to stay in Windows long enough for it to manifest.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

I'm tempted to say "have you checked that gpm hasn't crept back in" but that'd be too obvious... :-/

Hmm.

[Tapewolf]

I'm tempted to say "have you checked that gpm hasn't crept back in" but that'd be too obvious... :-/

I did as soon as he mentioned it.  It isn't there.
This isn't a major problem, it's just that it hasn't been doing this until a couple of days ago.  If it gets worse, it's probably the mouse, which is about five years old.

[Aridas]

Huh. Someone's trying to put Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 onto Vista, but he says after he installs it, nothing happens when he tries to run it. This is all because he's trying to do something and apparently needs it to install XP because he doesn't know how to dual boot or something.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

Sounds like fun.

Was there a question involved, or were you just commenting? :-)

(not that I mind either way, I'm just curious if you're waiting for an answer :-)

[superluser]

Was there a question involved, or were you just commenting? :-)

Well, it's called the Computer Problems Thread, not the Computer Questions thread.

I think the question that he's looking for is the following: ``Why isn't Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 doing anything on Vista?''

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

I'm inclined to think so, too. I just don't like thinking for other people, so I try to engender thought in the other party, through sarcasm.

It doesn't always work, but hey, -I- have fun. :-) (kidding, ok)

[Aridas]

It's working NOW, but he's still going to end up needing to dual boot XP with his Vista.

[thegayhare]

well some how with out trying I managed to get my lap top to play dvds

*see a while back in this thread*

but my connectivity problems are still there  I even called the tech support for the router...  they were next to useless

*sighs*

any sugesstions at all?  currently I'm trying to use trial and error with the routers settings but I have no Idea what I'm doing

[xHaZxMaTx]

Okay, my friend IMed me with this problem:

He has a SATA master hard drive which he boots from and an IDE slave hard drive and he can't access certain files on the IDE drive. Specifically files under 'E:/Documents and Settings/Owner/My Documents'.

Hi 1m dRew (11:34:33 PM): ok, i've had this problem ever since i first put this computer together
Hi 1m dRew (11:34:40 PM): i have my master HD and slave HD
Hi 1m dRew (11:34:44 PM): and under my slave HD
Hi 1m dRew (11:34:48 PM): i have a folder called "owner"
Hi 1m dRew (11:34:52 PM): and i cant access it
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:03 PM): but thats where all my music/pictures/ everything i need are
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:35:07 PM): does the slave have an OS on it?
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:14 PM): i think so :-(
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:17 PM): i think thats the problem
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:35:17 PM): ...
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:21 PM): but idk what to remove
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:27 PM): do i need to remove the windows folder?
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:35:33 PM): nom don't do that
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:35:36 PM): no,*
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:49 PM): want me to screen shot what i have?
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:35:53 PM): ok, did you install Windows on it?
Hi 1m dRew (11:35:58 PM): well,
Hi 1m dRew (11:36:35 PM): windows WAS installed on it (its an IDE drive, and it used to be my primary HD before i got this computer a while ago) but then i installed windows on this current master HD
Hi 1m dRew (11:36:43 PM): so im assuming, windows is still on the old HD
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:36:48 PM): yeah, it is
Hi 1m dRew (11:36:49 PM): because i never took it off or anything
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:01 PM): but like, i can explore all the files
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:04 PM): i just cant access them
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:37:27 PM): ok, I think I may know what's wrong
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:33 PM): yay
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:37:40 PM): are both the drives sharing an IDE cable?
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:47 PM): uh
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:48 PM): lol
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:51 PM): i honestly have no idea
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:37:54 PM): >=/
Hi 1m dRew (11:37:59 PM): my new HD is a SATA
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:38:01 PM): then look in your case and look
Hi 1m dRew (11:38:03 PM): so i dont think they are
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:38:04 PM): oh
Hi 1m dRew (11:38:17 PM): i think i have the IDE connected to that HD and the CD drive
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:38:19 PM): I have no idea how SATAs work
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:39:23 PM): but you can still see if this works...
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:39:39 PM): set the jumper on the back of the IDE hard drive to 'Slave'
Hi 1m dRew (11:39:54 PM): it is already the slave drive
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:40:05 PM): yeah, but you have to set the jumpers
Hi 1m dRew (11:40:13 PM): isnt the jumper the little button thingys
Hi 1m dRew (11:40:18 PM): where the pins are
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:40:24 PM): buttons?
Hi 1m dRew (11:40:28 PM): well
Hi 1m dRew (11:40:29 PM): the pins
Hi 1m dRew (11:40:33 PM): on the back of the hd
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:40:36 PM): it's like a plug
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:40:39 PM): yeah
Hi 1m dRew (11:40:39 PM): yeah
Hi 1m dRew (11:41:04 PM): pretty sure thats set to slave already
Hi 1m dRew (11:41:14 PM): because i can transfer things just fine from the HD
Hi 1m dRew (11:41:19 PM): its just that one file
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:41:26 PM): ok, well, if it's the only hard drive on the cable, try setting it to 'Master without Slave'
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:41:36 PM): wait, what one file?
Hi 1m dRew (11:41:42 PM): the "owner" file
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:41:52 PM): Owner?
Hi 1m dRew (11:41:55 PM): yeah
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:42:00 PM): what's in it?
Hi 1m dRew (11:42:28 PM): here
Hi 1m dRew (11:42:31 PM): lemme take a screen shot
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:42:34 PM): good idea
Hi 1m dRew (11:42:36 PM): it'll help to explain
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:43:08 PM): btw, do you still come to school on Wednesdays?
Hi 1m dRew (11:43:14 PM): yes
Hi 1m dRew (11:43:25 PM): i just wasnt at lunch this past wednesday
Hi 1m dRew (11:43:29 PM): i was taking too many tests
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:43:35 PM): ah
Hi 1m dRew (11:45:41 PM): ok so here
Hi 1m dRew (11:45:44 PM): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/Slekcir/cvbfghdfgh.png
Hi 1m dRew (11:45:55 PM): in this one, im exploring the owners documents
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:47:01 PM): anyway, so it's 'Owner' instead of, say, 'Andrew'
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:47:06 PM): ok, that makes more sense
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:47:25 PM): you can't access files in that folder, but can you transfer them?
Hi 1m dRew (11:47:32 PM): correct
Hi 1m dRew (11:47:38 PM): hold on im sending more still
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:47:50 PM): that's weird
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:48:04 PM): what does it do when you try to open a file?
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:26 PM): so then look
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:29 PM): if i click certain files
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:31 PM): like my pictures
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:36 PM): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/Slekcir/vbcvcnfgn.png
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:42 PM): it access the file
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:45 PM): and i can get into it
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:49 PM): but then when i click other ones
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:54 PM): i get this error
Hi 1m dRew (11:48:55 PM): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/Slekcir/cvxbxcvbxcvb.png
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:49:28 PM): access is denied... =/
Hi 1m dRew (11:49:32 PM): yeah
Hi 1m dRew (11:49:32 PM): :-\
Hi 1m dRew (11:49:33 PM): its weird
Hi 1m dRew (11:49:36 PM): idk how to fix it
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:49:47 PM): how much stuff do you have in 'My Documents'?
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:49:53 PM): like, how many gigs?
Hi 1m dRew (11:49:53 PM): i dont even remember now
Hi 1m dRew (11:49:56 PM): um
Hi 1m dRew (11:50:09 PM): it says 0.99 :-P
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:50:14 PM): .99 gigs?
Hi 1m dRew (11:50:16 PM): yes
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:50:20 PM): ?
Hi 1m dRew (11:50:23 PM): yeah lol
Hi 1m dRew (11:50:24 PM): idk
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:50:39 PM): ok, here's what I'd do...
Hi 1m dRew (11:51:01 PM): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/Slekcir/cvxbxcvbxcvb2.png
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:51:05 PM): go to the boot menu when you first turn on your computer
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:51:13 PM): and select the IDE drive
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:51:20 PM): just see if you can still boot from it
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:51:26 PM): which you should be able to
Hi 1m dRew (11:51:29 PM): ok
Hi 1m dRew (11:51:36 PM): that'd be a good idea
Hi 1m dRew (11:51:50 PM): but,
Hi 1m dRew (11:52:02 PM): i'd have to run it in safe mode wouldnt i?
Hi 1m dRew (11:52:03 PM): or something
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:52:06 PM): no
Hi 1m dRew (11:52:13 PM): because i dont have ANY files on there except the windows folder and my docs
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:52:20 PM): you should be able to boot off of it like nothing's changed
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:52:29 PM): er...
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:52:41 PM): you didn't delte anything from your IDE drive, did you?
Hi 1m dRew (11:52:47 PM): well
Hi 1m dRew (11:52:53 PM): i deleted a lot of stuff from program files
Hi 1m dRew (11:53:01 PM): on that drive
Hi 1m dRew (11:53:04 PM): like intel drivers
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:53:07 PM): just right-click, delete?
Hi 1m dRew (11:53:09 PM): because im running AMD
Hi 1m dRew (11:53:18 PM): well, into recycle bin yes
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:53:22 PM): D=
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:55:11 PM): just see if you can boot from the IDE drive
Hi 1m dRew (11:55:21 PM): ok
Hi 1m dRew (11:55:23 PM): i doubt it
Hi 1m dRew (11:55:24 PM): but i can try
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:55:34 PM): if that doesn't work, just try transfering all the files you want from your IDE drive to the SATA drive, then reformat your IDE drive, and put them back
Hi 1m dRew (11:55:48 PM): but i want to see the files that i have on the IDE drive
Hi 1m dRew (11:55:51 PM): i dont want to remove them
Hi 1m dRew (11:55:52 PM): :-P
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:55:56 PM): only files from 'My Documents', though
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:56:01 PM): don't try transferring prgrams
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:10 PM): i dont need to transfer programs
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:17 PM): i just need to transfer pictures and music and videos
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:56:31 PM): ok, so put those on your SATA drive...
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:33 PM): i just need to gain access to the drive
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:35 PM): well
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:36 PM): i cant
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:40 PM): because i get access is denied
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:50 PM): thats the whole problem
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:56:54 PM): you said earlier that you could transfer files D=<
Hi 1m dRew (11:56:59 PM): SOME files
Hi 1m dRew (11:57:03 PM): from other accounts
Hi 1m dRew (11:57:05 PM): such as:
Hi 1m dRew (11:57:22 PM): Administrator, All Users, and Mom
Hi 1m dRew (11:57:26 PM): i can transfer from those
Hi 1m dRew (11:57:31 PM): but not the one entitled "owner"
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:57:51 PM): ok, just try booting from it
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:58:04 PM): I'll post this on some forums, see if anyone else can help
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:09 PM): ok
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:10 PM): goody
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:16 PM): do you think you'll get a response tonight?
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:58:24 PM): I really doubt it
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:58:30 PM): since I should be in bed already
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:33 PM): lol
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:35 PM): yeah
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:58:48 PM): because unlike you, I have to get up at 6:30 tomrrow morning at go to school
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:55 PM): :-P
Hi 1m dRew (11:58:56 PM): owned
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:04 PM): o btw,
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:06 PM): wait
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:59:14 PM): *waits*
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:29 PM): ok
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:38 PM): uh
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:39 PM): wait
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:42 PM): that wont matter i dont think
xXHaZxMaTXx (11:59:43 PM): ...
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:45 PM): well
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:51 PM): under the slave hard drive
Hi 1m dRew (11:59:54 PM): i have a drivers folder
Hi 1m dRew (12:00:01 AM): program files, and WINNT folder
Hi 1m dRew (12:05:21 AM): bottom line, all i really need to know is if anyone knows how to lift, or get rid of the whole access denied thing
Hi 1m dRew (12:05:50 AM): because when i click properties, all the files show up in the folder so i know the stuff is there. i just cant get to it
Hi 1m dRew (12:06:18 AM): its like trying to dig through solid cement with your finger nails knowing theres treasure below :-P
xXHaZxMaTXx (12:06:30 AM): lol
Hi 1m dRew (12:08:21 AM): im just thinking there has to be some way around it
Hi 1m dRew (12:08:32 AM): like you should be able to access the owners documents through a seperate folder
Hi 1m dRew (12:13:10 AM): also, idk if this matters but the slave HD that im trying to access this info from came from a gateway computer
xXHaZxMaTXx (12:14:31 AM): I don't think that would matter
Hi 1m dRew (12:15:02 AM): oh yeah
Hi 1m dRew (12:15:03 AM): also,
Hi 1m dRew (12:15:12 AM): sometimes i get an error besides just saying access is denied
xXHaZxMaTXx (12:15:18 AM): ?
Hi 1m dRew (12:15:41 AM): sometimes the error says: make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use
Hi 1m dRew (12:16:25 AM): so would changing the properties of the folder matter?
Hi 1m dRew (12:16:30 AM): like making it read-only or not
xXHaZxMaTXx (12:16:51 AM): I don't think so, but you could try
Hi 1m dRew (12:17:26 AM): yeah
Hi 1m dRew (12:17:28 AM): that didnt do anything
Hi 1m dRew (12:17:34 AM): and it went back and checked off read only

[Dakata]

There's somethin' wrong with mah Firefox.

It won't connect to the internet, I think. Like if I go to Google, the tab'll say "http://www.google.com" and the page'll be blank.

Help me fix it. I'll die if I keep using IE. (Yeah, I can do internet-stuff with IE, and not Firefox.)

I tried reinstalling it. I tried deleting add-ons and bookmarks and stuff -then- reinstalling. I tried just deleting bookmarks and add-ons...Nothing works! *Angsts*

[superluser]

There's somethin' wrong with mah Firefox.

OK.  First off, which version, and what OS?

[Dakata]

Latest version (2.0.0.1) and Windows XP.

Edit: Mmkay, now IE's being stupid. If I right click a link and open it in a new window, the page can't be displayed. And I still can't see anything if I try to go to a site. But if I open another IE window by clicking the icon on the desktop, it works fine.

Maybe my computer's stupid.

Edit #2: It's working now.

[Reese Tora]

Okay, my friend IMed me with this problem:

He has a SATA master hard drive which he boots from and an IDE slave hard drive and he can't access certain files on the IDE drive. Specifically files under 'E:/Documents and Settings/Owner/My Documents'.

refresh ate this once, hope it doesn't again.

you are having a problem because of NTFS, here's how you can fix this
(requires windows XP Professional, you can't do this in home edition!)

open any folder, go to tools>folder options

on the 'view' tab, go tot he bottom option in advanced options, and uncheck "use simple file sharing"

now go to the folder containing the 'owner' folder, and right click on 'owner'
choose properties, and go to the security tab (will not be visible is 'use simple file sharing' is turned on, simple file sharing cannot be turned off in home edition)

you will most likely see Administrators and Owner in the box under this tab

click 'add'

in the new window that pops up, click 'advanced' (it's at bottom left)
click 'find now'

search through the list that generates in the box at bottom, find YOUR user name, and select it.  click OK, click OK, select your user name, which should now be in the box with owner and administrator

in the lower box, check 'full control'

now click apply and/or OK

congratulations, you now have full access (while logged in as your user name) to the owner folder and all its contents.

if you're using home edition... you could try creating a user named 'owner' and logging in as that to move the files elsewhere, but I cannot garantee that you'll achieve anything other than frustration.

[xHaZxMaTx]

Hi 1m dRew: you see, i can not access the folders and see whats in the folders
Hi 1m dRew: but i cannot access the files in the folder
Hi 1m dRew: everything that the people are suggesting is working
Hi 1m dRew: its just giving me the error saying its still write-protected
xXHaZxMaTXx: hrmm...
Hi 1m dRew: and i cant preview any pictures
Hi 1m dRew: nor play any music
...
Hi 1m dRew: i can successfully open old word documents
Hi 1m dRew: but not music or video or picture

[Reese Tora]

If he can move or copy the files to a floppy disk or CD (which don't use NTFS) it should also strip any old permissions off of the files.  This may also work with a flash drive, but I'm not entierly familiar with the type of file system these drives use.

also, if he's the only suer on the computer, using the same directions as above, he can add 'everyone' to the list of users and give full control.  (note, this should make the files accessable to ANY user that successfully logs on to his computer, so is a security risk if others use your computer.)

if what I suggested doesn't fix his problem, then there's something else that's blocking his computer from reading the files properly, but the first chat transcript you posted, including the image of the error message, are very clear symptoms of a permissions problem in NTFS (the file system used by windows by default)

I was going to type this in the earlier message, but refresh ate my post adn I had to start over.

Basically, NTFS stores a list of users allowed to access a file (or denied access ) as part of the file information.  this information is independant of the operating system, so carried over to the new system.  Windows, by default, allows only the user who the 'my documents' is created for access the files (and administrator), and this is probably how the permissions are/were set up for that folder taht he can't access, becasue the folder is created for the user named 'owner'

These left over permissions are what cause the 'access denied' error, because your friend is 'not on the list' so windows denies access.

Another alternate he can use is to boot from a linux bootable CD (or floppy, or flash drive) and tell linux to move the files to a different folder.  Linux isn't designed to use windows's NTFS permissions, so it stomps all over them like a mean bully in an old lady's flower bed.
One problem with this is Microsoft is always making 'tweaks' to the NTFS system, so any changed file may appear corrupted to your windows instalation, even though the file is perfectly intact, if the version of linus isn't programed with the exact version of NTFS your computer uses.

[thegayhare]

okay I managed to track down a hard to find movie

unfortunatly it's in a obscure format which realy mucks up my computer

I can play it but it's frustrating

so I went looking for way to convert it

I found several files that will let me convert an MKV file to an AVI file but they all want 30 dollars

the free trials will only do 1-5 minutes or plaster huge banners all over the movie,  If anyone knows of an MKV to AVI or MPG or some other common files

[Kasarn]

Matroska (MKV) is a free container format. The video stream could be anything.

In any case, VLC should be able to read it fine.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

edit: oh, and Virtualdubmod should be able to convert it if you want it to... well, providing you have the codecs for the video stream.

[thegayhare]

thanks for the links

Unortunatly I've never been able to get virtuadub to workfor anything..  It loads the file up and crashes if I try to do anything...