The General "Computer Issues" Thread

[defunctzombie]

Hard drive failure, most likely. Do you have a Windows CD that you can try booting up the computer with, just to rule out motherboard problems?

 

[HellCat]

Since the middle of the week my cable modem keeps cutting out for hours at a time, unable to connect. The modem itself is plugged into a strip which contains plugs for the computer itself, the monitor and usually either my digital TV box or PS3.
Usually when I lose connection or have a long term system issue, I'll plug one of those into the strip and entertain myself until the problem is sorted. It was whilst doing that that I noticed an oddity- putting a plug into the strip suddenly made the connection came back. I've roughly tested it and found it has solved the problem 3 seperate times now.

Obviously this leads me to suspect that there's some issue with the strip/electricity supply which inserting a plug bizarrely fixes. The only other thing I can think to mention is we recently had to have an electrician check the property and he changed a few things. I'm assuming getting a brand new strip will fix this oddity but can anyone more familiar confirm or even explain why this is likely happening? It almost sounds to me like the modem isn't getting enough electricity, if that makes sense.

 

[defunctzombie]

Did you try plugging the modem into another cable plug to rule out connection problems? My modem always did what you're describing at my old house and it turned out that the cable wire was the problem.

 

[HellCat]

A few Google/ISP support forum searches suggest this might be a problem with the modem's 'Downstream Received Power Level'. It's coming up on the modem configuration as roughly 4.8/5.1 dBmV.

Apparently I have to phone the ISP to get this corrected but does anyone learned know if this sounds like the problem/if that power level is normal?

 

[Beefy]

Downstream power level between -5 and +5 dBmV is recommended for DOCSIS. EuroDOCSIS should be similar.
Can you see the downstream SNR (signal to noise ratio)? It should be 33 dB or higher.
Upstream power levels should be between +35 to +52 dBmV.
If you can see the modem's logs it might help explain why it's not connecting.

 

[Hanshotfirst1138]

That accursed thing that keeps showing up in the search bars on various websites and saving searches when I don't want it to has returned. I can click the X to get rid of it, but it always seems to return. I've right-clicked the top, but it doesn't seem to be a toolbar of any kind.

 

[Beefy]

So a friend of mine installed Adobe Reader, but they forgot to unselect the box that also installs McAfee Security Scan Plus with it.
Now we're trying to get rid of it, but the bugger doesn't want to leave.

This is a laptop running Windows 7 Home 32-bit.
McAfee's website says to just use the Programs and Features control panel to uninstall it. Tried that and it said it could not find the uninstaller program and just removed it from the programs list, but all the program files are still there and the McAfee Security Scan Plus icon is still on the desktop.

In the past I would have to download a special uninstaller program from McAfee's website to get rid of their crap, but that program does not work on the McAfee Security Scan Plus product.

I tried to reinstall it then uninstall it again, but trying to use the uninstaller from the control panel or it's folder on the Start Menu still says it can't find the uninstaller file.

I thought I would ask here if anyone has any ideas before I just delete the McAfee folder out of the Program Files folder and go into the registry and delete every mention of McAfee.
(In case you can't tell, I really do not like McAfee.)

 

[defunctzombie]

I'd recommend using CCleaner to clear out the registry rather than doing it yourself. It can scan through and pick up obsolete entries.

 

[RockmanDash]

Hopefully somebody can help me with my little problem..

Basically I decided to start using Cartoonnetwork's online video system that they have on their website(for any new episodes that I missed for episode recaps). However, I keep getting a black screen and it refuses to show the episode at all on Firefox.

I tried using internet explore and it finally shows the ads/commercials, but it then proceeds to freeze after the ad and does not move onto the actual episode. I have my TV station information logged in so I'm rather confused on why it won't work.

..Any ideas..? I'm assuming it's a flash problem for some reason..

 

[MDawg]

So a friend of mine installed Adobe Reader, but they forgot to unselect the box that also installs McAfee Security Scan Plus with it.
Now we're trying to get rid of it, but the bugger doesn't want to leave.

Install the free version of Revo Uninstaller. That may be able to clear out the mess for you.

Hopefully somebody can help me with my little problem..

Basically I decided to start using Cartoonnetwork's online video system that they have on their website(for any new episodes that I missed for episode recaps). However, I keep getting a black screen and it refuses to show the episode at all on Firefox.

I tried using internet explore and it finally shows the ads/commercials, but it then proceeds to freeze after the ad and does not move onto the actual episode. I have my TV station information logged in so I'm rather confused on why it won't work.

..Any ideas..? I'm assuming it's a flash problem for some reason..

Are you using the current version of Flash? You may just need to install that.

First though, you can see about clearing out things by uninstalling Flash.

Then you can install it again. Just remember there are multiple versions of Flash. You'll need to install it once for Internet Explorer and then a second time for any non-IE browsers. Just go to the install page in whatever browser you need Flash for (except Chrome, it has Flash built-in).

The other possibility may be that you just need to delete your cookies and browser cache.

 

[RockmanDash]

Install the free version of Revo Uninstaller. That may be able to clear out the mess for you.



Are you using the current version of Flash? You may just need to install that.

First though, you can see about clearing out things by uninstalling Flash.

Then you can install it again. Just remember there are multiple versions of Flash. You'll need to install it once for Internet Explorer and then a second time for any non-IE browsers. Just go to the install page in whatever browser you need Flash for (except Chrome, it has Flash built-in).

The other possibility may be that you just need to delete your cookies and browser cache.

Still no luck after all of the above, though I was able to finally get the ads to show on Firefox this time.

EDIT: I've decided it would be best to take this topic to the CN forum since there are most likely more people familiar with the CN video system there.

 

[rkofan87]

my wifi is slow youtube vids even on 240p buffer forever whats wong?

 

[defunctzombie]

If you don't have five bars on your wifi, Youtube will use the smallest quality.

Try getting closer to the wifi router, you will get a better signal.

 

[defunctzombie]

No idea why this got closed, sorry about that. Continue discussion.

 

[rkofan87]

No idea why this got closed, sorry about that. Continue discussion.

its ok

 

[rkofan87]

If you don't have five bars on your wifi, Youtube will use the smallest quality.

Try getting closer to the wifi router, you will get a better signal.

i do have full bars a its still slow and i ran a speed test and i was in the lowest range any thing i can do?

 

[defunctzombie]

Is this for a cell phone or a computer?

 

[rkofan87]

Is this for a cell phone or a computer?

its a laptop and i have uverse

 

[defunctzombie]

Go to SpeedTest.net and tell me exactly what your speed is.

 

[rkofan87]

Go to SpeedTest.net and tell me exactly what your speed is.

ping 45ms download speed 3.73mbps upload speed 0.94mbps