The Vent and Rant Thread

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by Aurora W

The only problem I have is that sometimes - and this depends on the newsfeed, I think - I don't get a screenshot of the video at all, just a nice, white empty space (not even an icon).

It's slightly annoying. If I wasn't so lazy, I could go to my main computer and look the same website up and see the video in question.

I use Google Reader, and get that too on some feeds on the iPad. Sometimes it seems it's because it's a Flash-based, non-YouTube video, and sometimes it is actual YouTube, but...? If I'm curious enough to look, I go to the actual webpage-entry of the item, and can often watch them from there. If not, and I really want to see it, I "star" it, as my starred items I usually use for stuff I want to read later, or use, on my main computer, and I review them regularly.

Cheers,
Marc

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

iPad rules, OK ?

This cracked me up because of something that happened with my roommate. He has a G5. I'm mostly a Windows user. Neither of us buy into the Mac vs PC fight but we do pick on each other quite a bit when we get the chance.

Some time ago, he made a comment while I was uninstalling a program - "You have to do all that to delete a program? I just drag the app to the trash for most stuff."

Me: "That seems like an accident waiting to happen."

Fast forward a couple of years. Cursing and slamming and stomping from the next room. Soon, a frustrated face in my doorway. "My email is gone."

Me: "You mean your email is empty?"
J: "No, I mean the email program is gone. I think I deleted it and didn't notice before emptying the trash."
Me:"Your computer just lets you delete a program without a peep?"
J: "Grumble grumble cussing FIX IT grumble curse."
Stomp stomp stomp.

Naturally, he was using the email app that comes with the OS. After safely backing up his config and mailbox files, I found him a program that would extract it from the OS install cd so he could reinstall it. Once he was done, I restored his mailboxes and everything was fine. I turned around and looked at him and told him it was all fixed.

J: "Macs still rule."

[GeoffC]

you mean there is no "are you really sure?" warning

[GeoffC]

Some of you may remember I had to do a clean re-install of Win7 a short while ago.

I noticed this morning that I have 2 copies of "My Documents" in my User directory.

Wondering what was happening, and not wanting to do anything rash - I renamed one of them, and the name on the other changed simultaneously - reversing the process did the same thing. Both contain the same number of files and seems synchronised......

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening ?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Some of you may remember I had to do a clean re-install of Win7 a short while ago.

I noticed this morning that I have 2 copies of "My Documents" in my User directory.

Wondering what was happening, and not wanting to do anything rash - I renamed one of them, and the name on the other changed simultaneously - reversing the process did the same thing. Both contain the same number of files and seems synchronised......

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening ?

Echo?


Stitchawl

[GeoffC]

Echo - yes - but why ?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Some of you may remember I had to do a clean re-install of Win7 a short while ago.

I noticed this morning that I have 2 copies of "My Documents" in my User directory.

Wondering what was happening, and not wanting to do anything rash - I renamed one of them, and the name on the other changed simultaneously - reversing the process did the same thing. Both contain the same number of files and seems synchronised......

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening ?

It sounds like it might be directory damage: two entries pointing to the same thing. Run a disk checking program?

Or it's some Windows weirdness that I've not come across before.

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening ?

Yeah it's probably these files that are the problem.

Spoiler:

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It sounds like it might be directory damage: two entries pointing to the same thing. Run a disk checking program?

Or it's some Windows weirdness that I've not come across before.

Ah ! Maybe .... It also seems to vary according to how I look at the directory structure.

Directly via Computer >> User > User name > the structure is OK.

Don't understand enough to be able to work out how to sort it - but thanks - It hopefully will not cause me too much problem if I ignore it ....

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Don't understand enough to be able to work out how to sort it - but thanks - It hopefully will not cause me too much problem if I ignore it ....

It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.
It should be alright.



Stitchawl

[Wetdogeared]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Some of you may remember I had to do a clean re-install of Win7 a short while ago.

I noticed this morning that I have 2 copies of "My Documents" in my User directory.

Wondering what was happening, and not wanting to do anything rash - I renamed one of them, and the name on the other changed simultaneously - reversing the process did the same thing. Both contain the same number of files and seems synchronised......

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening ?

I believe this is normal.

Windows 7 creates another top level in their file structure, called libraries, where it can lump all associated file types. I think it's to make it easier to find stuff, but it can make it all seem more confusing.

[Rumpelteazer]

Just took my notebook to the computershop. I noticed this weekend it was getting too hot, I tried updating and a clean of the vents and fans which didn't help. I called Toshiba and they didn't know of any problems with my notebook and Windows 7.

The guy at the shop asked me if I had every taken the bottom of the notebook off to clean it, I didn't even know that was allowed, so it might just be stubborn dust or something more serious such as the heatsink.

It'll probably take 2-4 weeks to get it checked/repaired. Hopefully they can find the problem and repair it and hopefully it's covered by the (extended) warranty .

Seems like I have to find my portable dvd player if I want to watch a dvd in bed.

[Stitchawl]

It feels soooooo good.....

My continuing saga about buying a new jacket. Delivery Date Promised ... 4/29

For the past week I've been calling Customer Service every morning because I never received any shipping notice. Every morning they told me that 'yes, the jacket is available, but for some reason it hasn't shipped yet.' Three days ago they finally let me in on the fact that actually 'they' didn't have it available, it meant that their vendor said it was available but for some reason they didn't ship it. Two days ago I suggested that they contact the vendor and perhaps ask WHY the vendor didn't ship it...

This morning, when the Customer Service person suggested that perhaps they might contact the vendor and ask why the vendor hasn't shipped the jacket, all I could do was smile and say 'Gee, what a great idea.'

Then I got on the net, did a bit of searching, found another company that sells the same jacket (for $40 cheaper too!) I called them and asked if they had the jacket in stock, or just 'available.' The CS person asked me to hold, went out into the warehouse and found the jacket in the color and size I wanted, tucked it under his arm, took my billing and shipping information, passed that info AND the jacket to the shipping department people -- while I was on the line and could hear them all discussing it--- and heard the shipping woman say "I'll get that out this morning for him." The Customer Service fellow said my order was complete, and I even get a $10 bonus to be used for a future order. As of two hours ago my on-line order status shows 'shipped' and I have the tracking number.

And just a few minutes ago I got the original store on the line, Customer Service department, and canceled that original order. It felt soooooooooo good.

Ya know... If they had originally told me ' your order may or may not ship in three or four weeks if we can find the merchandise' I probably wouldn't have been so angry at the delay. I really hate getting the run-around by Customer Service.

Stitchawl

[GeoffC]

Can anyone recommend a good, reliable back-up program.

I've had enough problems with Win7/Vista, also Norton 360 and Arconis.

Seems to me logical that should only run when not in windows, otherwise some files will always be open .... .... but I'll take any suggestions - please ....

computers !!!!!.......

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Can anyone recommend a good, reliable back-up program.

I've had enough problems with Win7/Vista, also Norton 360 and Arconis.

Seems to me logical that should only run when not in windows, otherwise some files will always be open .... .... but I'll take any suggestions - please ....

computers !!!!!.......

I've used Macrium Reflect with good results. The free version does full partition images, the paid version allows incrementals. In both cases, the images are browsable to extract individual files from within the interface. It uses a "snapshot" type method where it uses a copy of system files that are in use at the time, if that makes sense. (The paid version may also do backups outside of Windows but I'm not sure.) It will allow you to create a bootcd to use if you need to restore an image.

It is also capable of doing either standard images (where only files are copied) or forensic images that make an exact partition copy.