Computers

[bilmore]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
. . . the laptop does not appear to recognize when it is plugged in. That is, if I go to control panel/settings/power, it only shows the battery, even when I wiggle the power cord, etc. So the laptop is always running on battery power, and the battery never gets charged.

Do you have access to a VOM? (volt-ohm meter.) Test the output of your cord end plug, and compare it to the rated output (which should be printed on the label on the power converter in the middle of your cord.) If it's more than a couple of volts low, it won't trigger the computer's input-power sensor. If that's the case, you need a new transformer/converter. (If you don't have a VOM - okay, most don't, I know - take the cord to a Radio Shack. They can test it for you in about seven seconds.)

(Wiggle the cord at both spots where it enters the transformer, also, and push both ends in tight to the converter.)

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Can you tell I'm highly dissatisfied with HP???

Compaq was so broke-dick it was infectious in the merger.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
This laptop is like the VW Jetta of computers.

Reliable, cheap and fun to drive? Excellent. Congrats on that purchase then.

(What the FUCK is wrong with a Volkswagen Jetta?)

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Compaq was so broke-dick it was infectious in the merger.

Cease and desist from stealing my lines

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
That is, if I go to control panel/settings/power, it only shows the battery, even when I wiggle the power cord, etc. So the laptop is always running on battery power, and the battery never gets charged.

Is the cord bad?

Chuck the whole thing and buy a powerbook and never look back.

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
Reliable, cheap and fun to drive? Excellent. Congrats on that purchase then.

(What the FUCK is wrong with a Volkswagen Jetta?)

Reliable? Hahahahahahahaha. I'll give you cheap and fun to drive.

(Although, I can't really complain ... I did end up getting reimbursed for all of the fucked-up repairs I had to pay for right after the warranty expired.)

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by bilmore
Do you have access to a VOM? (volt-ohm meter.) Test the output of your cord end plug, and compare it to the rated output (which should be printed on the label on the power converter in the middle of your cord.) If it's more than a couple of volts low, it won't trigger the computer's input-power sensor. If that's the case, you need a new transformer/converter. (If you don't have a VOM - okay, most don't, I know - take the cord to a Radio Shack. They can test it for you in about seven seconds.)

(Wiggle the cord at both spots where it enters the transformer, also, and push both ends in tight to the converter.)

I do that wiggling thing all day and all night, baby, and it don't do me no good.

Someday I will make it to Radio Shack. Maybe one of these days, after I get to Babies R Us to pick up that breast pump. I hope I have no need to post here to ask for repair tips on that sucker.

[bilmore]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
I do that wiggling thing all day and all night, baby, and it don't do me no good.

If you need a breast pump, well, it must have worked at least once . . .

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Cease and desist from stealing my lines

A good line is a good line, and imitation is the sincerest form of not flaming.

[pony_trekker]

I am thinking it may be time for me to get a computer for my middle-school aged boy. Since he is creative and likes to take photos and video, I am thinking an Apple might be best. The question is which one:

Imac $1299
Faster processor & larger hard drive
All-in-one package.
but
smaller screen
hard to fix or upgrade

mac mini $699
easier to upgrade or move around
smaller
already have extra keyboard and mouse
but
crappier processor
with monitor, costs about $989

ibook $999
can move around, maybe take to school.
maybe can drop, lose or get stolen.

The other option is I can get myself a new 15 inch powerbook and can give him my 12 inch powerbook.

Let me hear your thoughts.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
I am thinking it may be time for me to get a computer for my middle-school aged boy. Since he is creative and likes to take photos and video, I am thinking an Apple might be best. The question is which one:

Imac $1299
Faster processor & larger hard drive
All-in-one package.
but
smaller screen
hard to fix or upgrade

mac mini $699
easier to upgrade or move around
smaller
already have extra keyboard and mouse
but
crappier processor
with monitor, costs about $989

ibook $999
can move around, maybe take to school.
maybe can drop, lose or get stolen.

The other option is I can get myself a new 15 inch powerbook and can give him my 12 inch powerbook.

Let me hear your thoughts.

My daughter has the G4 iBook and she loves it. Of course, she got the G4 because Apple was unable to find a logic board for the G3 iBook we got her when she started high school. The fucking thing was literally in for repairs more often than it was at home and functional for two years.

It was like she owned a vintage Jag or Ferrari.

That, and an old iMac that regularly refused to turn off and needed to be have the hard drive reformatted and reloaded every three months or so have soured me on Apple products. But I know better than to get into that debate here.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by taxwonk
My daughter has the G4 iBook and she loves it. Of course, she got the G4 because Apple was unable to find a logic board for the G3 iBook we got her when she started high school. The fucking thing was literally in for repairs more often than it was at home and functional for two years.

It was like she owned a vintage Jag or Ferrari.

That, and an old iMac that regularly refused to turn off and needed to be have the hard drive reformatted and reloaded every three months or so have soured me on Apple products. But I know better than to get into that debate here.

1) Unless it has to be an xmas present, I would wait until Jan. Apple notoriously releases its new products after teh holidays. Rumor has it that it will release the new Intel-based iBooks then, and perhaps iMacs..

2) If the school wants kids bringing laptops, then consider that strongly. If not, then don't bother. You get more computer for hte money by going desktop. Of course, if your house is such that there's no room for him to use the desktop, ignore this advice.

3) I don't see how the mini is easier to upgrade, unless by that you mean upgrade the keyboard or mouse.

I would go imac myself. I think it's the best deal Apple has. The mini is for people who have the monitor etc. Unless he needs a laptop (see 2), I don't think the value is there.

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by Gattigap


Monster's cassette adapter is for shit because you can't play anything at a regular volume. Even with the iPod volume cranked up, you still have to turn up the radio volume such that most of what you're hearing is static.
Gattigap

This is good to know. I feared that it wasn't the adapter but rather something worse -- that there was something wrong with the stereo speakers in my new car and I was expecting some eye rolling if I mentioned it to the mechanics when I brought it in for service. Thanks for posting this.

[robustpuppy]

1. My recent laptop trouble resulted in the loss of my iTunes library -- but only on the laptop. All my music was backed up to my external drive. However, I can't figure out how to reconstruct the library in iTunes. The only thing I can figure out how to do is import each song one by one, and even though my library is not extensive, this is not really feasible. Does anyone have any experience with this and can you give me a quick tutorial?

2. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to transfer video from an old skool 8 mm video camera to my laptop for purposes of emailing short video files or burning the videos to DVD? What software would I need, and what cable? My video camera obviously has RCA cable thingies and an S Video thingie -- the multi pronged input for use with, if I recall correctly, an old style computer cable. But my laptop doesn't appear to have a corresonding connection -- are there cables out there with an S video end and a firewire end?

Sorry if these questions sound stupid but I just don't have the time to figure this out on my own, particularly when it comes to deciding which software to use.

And lest you think me ungrateful, I want to thank everyone for suggestions in response to my various recent posts about problems with my laptop and IPod. All things appear to be in working order now. One aspect to the laptop trouble was indeed due to the power input - it needed a new one. $100 fix, which is a shame as the problem started during the warranty period, but not a heartbreak. I also reloaded windows and only lost some emails, but had my other data in a backup. My Ipod troubles were resolved by finally downloading the new Itunes software, and the downloading trouble seems to have been the fault of the Apple website and not due to my firewall.

Not that you care. But now that I have a free minute I'm just running off at the keyboard.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
However, I can't figure out how to reconstruct the library in iTunes. The only thing I can figure out how to do is import each song one by one, and even though my library is not extensive, this is not really feasible.

Try doing "add to library" in the file menu. Then, select/highlight all the songs in the backup location. I think that should import them. If not that, do Import from the file menu. You should be able to select them all either way.

Then again, I haven't tried this, and it's on the Mac version so YMMV.