Computer Help and Support Thread

[General]

Just a thread to help all of you un-1337 people. Post useful little utilities, if you wish. Ask any questions you might have.

Best browser out there: Mozilla (www.mozilla.org)

A good music editing tool: Audacity (audacity.sourceforge.net/)

Music converter (makes tracks smaller, great for MP3s)- dbpower Amp Converter (www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm)

A very, VERY useful utility called Hijackthis. Better than Spybot/anything else. Just run the sucker, post the log you get here, and I'll tell you which to leave and which to remove. Now, DO NOT CLICK FIX until I go through your log and see which is necessary for your PC to run. This detects everything. Once again, if you download it here, scan your PC, and post your log here. It's free, and it works.

[riverdunesrat]

General, what is a browser once and for all?

[Element]

You probably use Internet Explorer(IE), it is just what you use in which to view the internet. Mozilla Firefox is a great free alternative, and considered by many better then IE.

[General]

A browser-app you use to browse the Internet. Not necessarily your internet provider. Case and point: I have Optimum Online, but my browser is Mozilla. Mozilla, Internet Explorer, MSN, etc. are browsers.

[Taylor]

MSN is a browser???

[General]

Yup. I had it for a while. It sucked, but was still better than AOL.

[Taylor]

Yup. I had it for a while. It sucked, but was still better than AOL.

Ahhh - you're talking about the MSN-based IE browser, many dial-ups go with this and yes, it sucks. My father-in-law was in town this weekend and whenever he tried to visit a site through cable it tried to dial out.

And I wouldn't reccomend anyone deleting or "fixing" anything out of a hi-jack this query unless they know without a doubt what they're doing...Especially those that are "un1337"

[riverdunesrat]

A browser-app you use to browse the Internet. Not necessarily your internet provider. Case and point: I have Optimum Online, but my browser is Mozilla. Mozilla, Internet Explorer, MSN, etc. are browsers.

I guess I have IE. How do I get another browser and why would I want to? Is the IE the same as Outlook or are they hooked together?

Also what is a un-1337? Is that computer literate speak to reference to those of us who are not computer literate? Should I be offended? jk. Just call Bill Burns your company's computer guy (Jimmy Fallon on SNL) LOLOLOL.

[Taylor]

I guess I have IE. How do I get another browser and why would I want to? Is the IE the same as Outlook or are they hooked together?

Also what is a un-1337? Is that computer literate speak to reference to those of us who are not computer literate? Should I be offended? jk. Just call Bill Burns your company's computer guy (Jimmy Fallon on SNL) LOLOLOL.

un-1337 is stupid script-kiddie talk, referencing those that are not computer-literate. Never did understand the logic behind this.

To download Firefox, http://www.mozilla.org - Another alternative is Opera, http://www.opera.com. Opera is more IE based so you may be more comfortable with this over FF, just up to you.

Outlook is an e-mail account, IE is your browser that's built-in with Windows. 2 very different programs......

[ghettochild]

heres some help/tweaks from a forum i visit, rage.

Here are some basic suggestions (feel free to add to them) that will allow some of the tech guys on the board to better assist you in a timely manner.

1) Always be specific about the nature and frequency of the problem. For example – “It takes forever for my computer to boot” is not all too helpful, and will lead to several questions; however, “My computer boots normally, but as soon as it shows the desktop it hangs for an exceptionally long amount of time” is very helpful, as it helps define when the problem is occurring, and under what circumstances.

2) If dealing with any internal hardware or software, please be specific and include:

- Operating System
- Brand and Model of Hardware
- How recently (if ever) was the last successful time running/using software/hardware
- What was the last thing (if applicable) you did before the program/hardware was successfully used
- The method of connection (IDE, SCSI, etc.)
- Computer Specs


3) If dealing with any peripheral hardware (mouse, keyboard, scanner, modem, router, etc.), again please be specific and include:

- Operating System
- Make, Model, and Class of the hardware (i.e. LinkSys EtherFast Cable / DSL Router Model# BEFSR41)
- Version of drivers/firmware (if known)
- Method of peripheral connection (LAN, USB, Serial, Firewire, etc.)
- Computers Specs **EDIT: Please post your current Computer Specs in the Perpetual Hardware Thread**

4) If dealing with network issues, (i.e. Inet or LAN) include the information from #3 regarding peripherals if there is a router, modem, or other involved. Also, be specific about what the problem seems to be. Can you ping internal IPs? Can you ping anything? Can you view each others’ files? Can you join a TCP/IP-based LAN game but not IPX? …And so on and so forth. There are some excellent tech wizards that post here, so I’m sure with this information any of them will be able to assist you in the quickest means possible.

cHi

--Support and Product Information--


Motherboard Manufacturers Site:

Abit: http://www.abit-usa.com/
Albatron: http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/it/mb/pro_list.asp
[A]Open: http://usa.aopen.com/products/mb/
ASRock America: http://www.asrockamerica.com/
Asus: http://usa.asus.com/index.htm
AZZA: http://www.azza.com.tw/Layout.asp?Page=products
Biostar: http://www.biostar-usa.com/
Chaintech: http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/
DFI: http://www.dfi.com.tw/index_us_noflash.jsp
ECS: http://www.ecsusa.com/
Epox: http://web.epox.com/html/default.asp
FIC: http://www.fic.com.tw/product/motherboard/
Gigabyte: http://tw.giga-byte.com/
Intel: http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/inde...desktop&#boards
Iwill: http://www.iwillusa.com/home/home.asp
MSI: http://www.msi.com.tw/
PC Chips: http://www.pcchipsusa.com/
Shuttle: http://www.shuttle.com/index7.html
Soyo: http://www.soyousa.com/products/
Supermicro: http://www.supermicro.com/Product_page/product-m.htm
Tyan: http://www.tyan.com/


CPU Manufacturers:

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): http://www.amd.com/us-en/
Intel: http://www.intel.com/


Sound Card Manufacturers:

[A]Open: http://usa.aopen.com/products/sound/
Chaintech: http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product...SNo=16&SPSNo=28
Creative Labs: http://www.soundblaster.com/ OR http://www.creaf.com/welcome.asp
Gainward: http://www.gainward.com/c.html
Guillemot/Hercules: http://us.hercules.com/products/index.php3?t=2
Philips: http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c...C_SOUNDCARDS_SU
SIIG: http://www.siig.com/productList.asp?category=Sound
Turtle Beach: http://www.tbeach.com/site/


Videocard Manufacturers:




Hard Drive Manufacturers:

Archos: http://www.archos.com/products/fam_hard_di...3b2k3yoyb3kyjf4
BUSlink: http://www.buslink.com/index.cgi?view_full..._cat=harddrives
Fujitsu: http://www.fcpa.com/products/hard-drives/
Hitachi/IBM: http://www.hgst.com/portal/site/hgst/
Maxtor: http://www.maxtor.com/en/index.htm
Samsung: http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDr...Drive/index.htm
Seagate: http://www.seagate.com/products/discselect/
Toshiba: http://sdd.toshiba.com/cda/main.aspx?Path=...000659c000003b7
Western Digital: http://www.wdc.com/en/index.asp?Language=en


Optical Drive Manufacturers:




Power Supply Manufacturers:




Various Accessory Manufacturers:




Misc. Driver Links:

ATI
Nvidia (including graphics and motherboard drivers)
Intel (including chipset, modem, LAN, etc. drivers)
Creative Labs (including sound card, modems, graphics cards, etc. drivers)
VIA (including chipset, audio, LAN, etc. drivers)

[ghettochild]

--Suggested Tweaks and Fixes--
(Use at your own risk)

Windows XP Services (ripped from Maximum PC - Nov. 2003)

How to view & edit Windows Services:
Start > Run > services.msc [Enter]

To turn a service off, double click it and choose “Stop”. Then from the pull down menu choose “Disabled” (or “Manual” if you prefer for some of these). Then click “Apply” and the service is turned off.

Required Services (if you turn these off, you might **** yourself):
• COM+
• Cryptographic Services
• Event Log
• Plug and Play
• Remote Procedure Call
• Task Scheduler
• Windows Audio
• Windows Management Instrumentation
• Workstation

Useful Services (pick and choose at your discretion):

• Application Layer Gateway: Essential if you are using Windows Internet Connection Sharing or the Internet Connection Firewall. Useless if you are not.

• Automatic Updates: If you let Windows check for critical updates and install them, you’ll need this running. If you do them manually, turn it off (just remember to check for them periodically).

• Background Intelligent Transfer: If you disabled automatic updates, disable this one too.

• DHCP Client: Obtains IP addresses from local networks and Internet connections. If you set yours statically you might be okay to disable this, but if you are experiencing issues, enable it.

• Help and Support: You can disable it, but if you hit F1 or open a Microsoft Help window, you’ll enable it again.

• HID Input Service: If you use USB mouse w/o drivers or have a keyboard with special buttons, leave this one alone.

• Logical Disk Manager & Logical Disk Manager Service: Leave these be if you want to ever open Disk Management.

• MS Software Shadow Copy Provider/Volume Shadow Copy: If you use an automated or even manual backup program, you better leave this one be. If you don’t, then you can turn it off.

• System Restore: Turn this off, and you don’t have system restore running anymore.

• Telephony: If you are on Dialup service, you NEED this. If you have cable or DSL, try setting this to “Manual” as you might still need it later.

• Webclient: This allows you to browse “Network Places” on the Internet. However, this can slow down local file browsing so you can disable it, just know that if you might need it later if issues occur while file searching on the Internet.

• Windows Image Acquisition: If you have a scanner or digital camera or a card reader, you will need this service, if not, you can disable it or set it to manual (so it’s used if needed).

• Windows Installer: This service handles programs that install using .MSI files (like Nero). You will likely need it occasionally, so set it to Manual.

• Wireless Zero Configuration Properties: If you use a wireless LAN card of any type you will need this. If you do not, feel free to disable it.


Nonessential Services (most of these can be turned off, and for some, it’s a damn good idea):

• Clipbook: Lets you view the contents of the clipboard, store them, or share them with others on you LAN (Start > Run > clipboard.exe [Enter] ). If you’ve lived without it this long and see no use in it, turn it off.

• Computer Browser: Keeps track of other computer systems on your LAN (especially those that use Win9x kernel). If you have a stand-alone computer, this is safe to turn off.

• Error Reporting: Never want to see that “Send Microsoft this Error” message again? Turn this off.

• Indexing: Speeds up Windows and Office searches, but uses more resources than it’s worth. So go ahead and turn it off.

• IPSEC: If you telecommute to work or connect to a network remotely using VPN, then IPSEC is useful. Otherwise, turn it off.

• Messenger: Not Windows or MSN Messenger. This is the internal messaging service between clients over networks and is also the reason some people get popup messages in Windows that you have to click “Okay” in order to get rid of. Turn this craptacular thing off.

• Remote Registry Service: Want the only people to modify your registry to be you and others using your computer and not some jerk-off that hacked your IP? Turn this craptacular service off too.

• TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: If you use NetBIOS over TCP/IP, leave this alone. Otherwise, turn it off. If you experience network issues, try turning this back on.

• Telnet: Allows remote users to log on to your computer and run programs. Turn this craptacular service off too (unless you need it for some reason).

• Uninterruptible Power Supply: Leave on if you use a laptop or actually have a UPS. Otherwise, turn it off.

• Windows Time: Unless you want Windows to use a service and RAM just to keep your clock up to date, turn this off.

Windows XP Beginning Tweaks (ripped from Maximum PC – Dec. 2003)

IMPROVE YOUR BOOT SPEED
Application needed: BootVis

BootVis will analyze your boot up process and check for slow responding drivers, applications, and OS components. If your PC is booting up slowly, run this application. Go to Trace > Optimize. If you want to see how much faster your computer boots after the optimization, go to Trace > Next Boot +Driver Delays. BootVis restarts your computer and monitors the ways each TSR loads, then optimizes their positions on your hard drive.

VISUALLY SWITCH TASKS WITH ALT+TAB
Application needed: Taskswitch

Instead of the old way of only showing you an icon of the application that you want to switch to, this shows you a preview pane of the application so you know which one you are switching to. Trust me, it’s cool!

QUICKLY RUN COMMAND-LINE APPS
Application needed: none

If you right click on your taskbar and choose Toolbars > Address you will create an address bar that you can drag to any spot on your taskbar (unlock it first of course). Then you can type in any normal thing you would type in the run command like “cmd.exe” which launches the 32bit Command Prompt or “winword.exe” which launches Word.

OPTIMIZE HARD DRIVES AT WILL
Application needed: none

XP places the most commonly used applications and files on the faster sections of your hard drive; but the thing is, it only does this every three days. So, to force it to do it when you want type this (exactly) in the run command: Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll, ProcessIdleTasks
You’ll see some hard drive activity as things are moved to quicker areas of your drive.

DEALING WITH EXPLORER CRASHES
Applications needed: none

If a Windows Explorer window keeps crashing and taking the OS with it, do this: My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View > (check mark) “Launch folder windows in a separate process” then reboot. Now if Explorer crashes on you, you can get your taskbar back by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del > File > New Task > (type) explorer.exe and you will launch a fresh version of the shell.

GET RID OF THE DUMMY SEARCH
Application needed: none

Hate that ****ing dog and the fruity looking search pane? Like the old Windows98/2000 search better? Put the dog to sleep by doing this: Start > Run > regedit Scroll through: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\CabinetState. Create a new String Value called “Use Search Asst” and set the value to “no”. Bye-bye doggy!

SAVE SOME HARD DRIVE SPACE
Application needed: none

System Restore by default reserves 12% of your hard drive space; the Recycle Bin reserves 10%! If you have a small hard drive, no big deal. But if you have a 120GB drive, that’s 12GB for the Recycle Bin and 14.4GB for System Restore!!
For the Recycle Bin, right-click on it and choose: Properties > Global > Maximum size of Recycle Bin (slider). Move the slider to whatever hard drive space you are willing to give it based on the size of your drive.
For System Restore, right-click: My Computer > Properties > System Restore > Settings. Adjust the “Disk space use:” slider to the space you want it to use (unless you live on the edge and turn this feature off completely).

[ghettochild]

sdf

Windows XP Advanced Tweaks (ripped from Maximum–Feb. 2004)

+ = Low Risk (easy tweak)
++ = Medium Risk (slightly advanced tweaking, doing this improperly might cause issues)
+++ = High Risk (advanced tweak, editing the Registry involved – follow exactly as stated)

Recommended Applications:
• TweakUI (from Microsoft)
• TweakXP v3 ($35 if you purchase)

FORCE ALPHABETIC SORTING OF THE PROGRAM MENU
+++

Sorting alphabetically in your programs menu is nice, but XP forgets this (usually every time you add a new application). This tweak will force it to always remember to sort alphabetically.
• Start > Run > (type) regedit
• Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder
• With the MenuOrder folder highlighted select: Edit > Permissions > Advanced
• Clear the checkbox called: “Inherit From Parent” then click “Copy” in the box that appears.
• Click: Apply > OK
• In the “Permissions for MenuOrder” box, clear the “Full Control” for your own account and any security groups you are a member of (this means your Administrator account as well). Then click: OK

GROUP YOUR TASKBAR MORE EFFECTIVELY
+++

Windows automatically groups applications together when the taskbar fills up, but this will allow you to group the items whenever you want.
• Start > Run > (type) regedit
• Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\Advanced
• With the “Advanced” menu highlighted select: Edit > New > DWORD Value
• Name the value: TaskbarGroupSize then hit enter twice.
• Type the number of Windows that you want to appear before XP starts grouping them together (they can be anything 2 and above); then click “OK”.

MAKE YOUR START MENU EASIER TO NAV
+

Got a lot of applications on the left side of your Start Menu? Now you can add a separator wherever you want to make it easier to navigate.
• Right-click on your Desktop and make a new shortcut.
• Select any target for the shortcut (it doesn’t matter).
• To give the shortcut a name, erase any text in the Name field and hold down the ALT key while punching in 0160 on your number pad which will give the shortcut an empty field for the name; then click: “OK”
• Right-click the new shortcut and remove the target. Then, click: Change Icon and select a blank icon.
• Drag and drop it into the desired “Start” button and then move it to where you want the separator located.

GID RID OF EBOOKS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FOLDERS FOREVER
+

Well, you deleted “My Music” and “My Pictures” and “My ______” and they come back eventually. This will delete them and keep them from ever coming back.
• Start > Run > (type): Regsvr32 /u mydocs.dll and then hit [Enter]
• Go to My Documents and delete whatever “My ______” you want; they are gone!

HIDE THE RECYCLE BIN FROM YOUR DESKTOP
+++

Want the Recycle Bin gone from your desktop so it looks completely clean? Do this:
• Start > Run > (type) regedit
• Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
• With the “NewStartPanel” menu highlighted select: Edit > New > DWORD Value and name it EXACTLY this (with the brackets): {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
• Click Enter twice and modify the value to: 1 (to put the Recycle Bin back on your desktop change it to: 0)

HIDE SYSTEM TRAY ICONS
+++

If you want to make it look like you have no applications running in the background do this:
• Start > Run > (type) regedit
• Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explorer
• With the “Explorer” menu highlighted select: Edit > New > DWORD Value
• Name it: NoTrayItemsDisplay and hit [Enter] twice.
• Assign a hex value of: 1
• Click “OK”
• Close Regedit, reboot and they should be gone.

REMOVE IMAGE PREVIEW
++

Don’t like Image Preview (hiding your pr0n)? Nuke it.
• Start > Run > (type) regedit
• Find this key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\Image\She llEx\ContextMenuHandlers\ShellImagePreview
• Right-click “ShellImagePreview” and select “Delete” and click Yes to the “Are you sure you want to delete this value”.

MONITOR YOUR CPU USAGE AT ALL TIMES
++

Track your CPU usage by using the monitor from the Task Manager in your System Tray (will not work if you used the “Hide System Tray Icons” tweak).
• Go to: Windows\System32 and locate “Taskmgr.exe”.
• Right-click it and select: Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)
• Right-click the shortcut and select: Properties
• Under the Run command select “Minimized” then click “OK”
• Rename the shortcut “CPU Meter” or something similar and then CTRL+X (cut) it from your desktop.
• Right-click the “Start” button and select “Explore All Users” then navigate to the: Programs > Startup folder and hit CTRL+V (paste) while in the Startup folder.
• Now open Task Manager and go to “Options” and make sure you have a checkmark next to “Minimize on Use” and “Hide when Minimized”.
• Log off or reboot and you should see it pop up in the system tray.

SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER FASTER
+

Don’t like clicking everything just to Shutdown or Restart your computer? Do this:
• Right-click your desktop and select: New > Shortcut
• For Shutdown type this in the location line: shutdown –s –t 0
• For Restart type this in the location line: shutdown –r –t 0
• Name it and click “OK”.
• You can then right-click it and select “Properties” and choose a different icon for it. Drag it to your Quick Launch toolbar or leave it on your desktop.

Stop those pop up messages

start > run > services.msc

Scroll down to the messenger, right click go to properties. stop the service then change the startup type to manual.

A drive not working/working properly/recognized? make sure the IDE cables are not backwards.

XP quick bw fix for the 20% reserved

To remove the 20% buffer on XP ....

1) To do this, goto run, then type gpedit.msc
2) Then click administrative templates under computer configuration, then network, then QoS packet scheduler.
3) Now double click on limit reservable bandwidth which will open up a window. Click enabled, and set the value to 0% in the box. Click apply and it's set. Not sure if you have to then restart to get the effect. You can check if you've got any increase by using Sandra. Many users have noticed an increase.

Win XP Mouse Acceleration Commands for Half-Life (kills desktop mouse accel in half-life)
1. go to: Control panel>>Mouse>>Pointer Options tab
Deselect "enhance pointer precision" if using winxp mouse drv.

2. Put these commands in the target line of your Half-Life Shortcut;
-noforcemparms
-noforcemaccel
-noforcemspd

If you have any more questions, read this http://users.bigpond.net.au/seskii/csfaq.txt

The right way to removing that annoying msn from your pc.

The best way to get rid of all the stuff including MSN Explorer (don't get rid of that if you are using MSN internet service thought) is to go to C:\WINDOWS\inf and find the file "sysoc.inf". In that file you will find a lot of things with the word "hide" in it. Remove the word "hide" and replace it with "" (nothing, no space no quote thingies).
After that, go to add/remove programs, click on Add/Remove Windows Components and you'll see a lot of new things to uninstall, MSN Messanger is one of them (it might be called Windows Messanger, I don't remember) that way you don't get a strange error message when you restart after doing the RunDLL32 remove thing. Here is an example.

This is what the MSN messanger thing looks like...
Code:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

Change it to this...
Code:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7

If you want to just stop msn from poping up when using outlook express or outlook, go to start/run type this command in the space provided : RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Have fun...

[ghettochild]

dsg

Problems with CD Key and Steam?
Q, had same prob... easy fix thou =]


go to your start menu and click on run

And type regedit

Next you will see 5 folders on the left

look for hlkey_local_machine

now choose the folder called software

look for the file named valve

it should open up a folder named steam

next, it will say default, installpath , rate

delete the install path

next, exit out of steam and re log in it will ask you for your cd key (if doesent ask for it keep opening and exiting until it does)

then put in your cd key twice.

(WHEN I SAY TWICE PUT IN UR CD KEY TWICE IN A ROW DO NOT SPACE IT JUST TYPE IT IN TWICE and than hit ok and it should work. )

Unknown programs that load on startup? Find out what they are and what they do here!

http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Uncheck.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages...tartup_full.php

For the 2nd one, search the main list for the name of the unknown program. If its in the list, select the letter above where the program was found. Search for it again in the chart and it will explain it to you.

Mouse Fix for STEAM
With steam released, half-life and its mods have started to take up a lot more memory – which causes your mouse to lock up or turn off. This is not Valves fault as many believe, but actually its your power management turning off your mouse. Also this has been happening to people in previous versions, and most have reformatted in an attempt to fix the problem. Would have been a lot better if they had just asked me. There are two solutions to this problem.

The first and best solution is to disable your computers ability to turn off your mouse:
USE: Right click on my computer, select properties, click on the hardware tab, click on device manager, expand USB Controllers, select properties on "USB Root Hub", select power management and disable it.
Screenshot: http://www.sogamed.com/clubfiles/499/mouse-freeze.jpg

The second solution is to increase the process priority for your mouse drivers (if you use any).
Screenshot (intellipoint): http://www.sogamed.com/clubfiles/499/point32.jpg

Acceleration
You probably know about this. But just in case:
Best way:
1) Download and extract the mouse fix ( ftp://ftp.thecpl.com/mouse_fix.zip ) then run the .reg file that is extracted. YOU MUST EXTRACT, otherwise it wont work.

This was taken from the steam forums:


lets say in my case. i have an nvidia card and i am running xp.
so i go to
D:\WINDOWS\system32 and find nvoglnt.dll
thus
D:\WINDOWS\system32\nvoglnt.dll
i copy this file and paste it into
D:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\simon_s_s@hotmail.com\counte r-strike\gldrv\
so it is
D:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\simon_s_s@hotmail.com\counte r-strike\gldrv\nvoglnt.dll
in
D:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\simon_s_s@hotmail.com\counte r-strike\gldrv
i find
drvmap.txt
so i open it and edit the existing lines
Default Default
gldrv/3dfxgl.dll 3Dfx Mini Driver
i do not have a vodoo card so i change these lines to
Default Default
gldrv/nvoglnt.dll OpenGL Driver
i save and close.

for anyone else you would be looking for any of these dlls
nvoglnt.dll (nvidia card)
atioglxx.dll (ati card)
opengl32.dll (for the rest)

then you copy your own dll and paste it into
Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\mail@mail.com\counter-strike\gldrv
and then edit your drvmap.txt in that dir by changing
Default Default
gldrv/3dfxgl.dll 3Dfx Mini Driver
into
Default Default
gldrv/nvoglnt.dll OpenGL Driver
or
Default Default
gldrv/atioglxx.dll OpenGL Driver
or
Default Default
gldrv/opengl.dll OpenGL Driver
depending on which card u have - the key is listed above


Some people have did this and gained performance, others have and it made no difference. For a long time I got ghey opengl errors, now I don't get them anymore.

Clear Pagefile during Shutdown
1. Start the Registry Editor by clicking Start, Run, and type "regedit" (without quotes).

2. Go to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager\Memory Management

3. On the right, locate the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value. Right-click the value, select modify, and change the data value of the registry key to 1.

If the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value doesn't exist, add it. Right-click the right side of your specified key and add it as a DWORD value. Then change the data value to 1.

4. Restart for your changes to take effect.
Note: Your shutdown time may slightly increase.

How to use DeadAIM 4.1 with AIM 5.5 +removing ad's
First off, download AOL Instant Messenger 5.5 here. Setup your controls and shit. If you want to disable the "AIM Today" window, goto:
My AIM > Edit Options > Edit Preferences
Click "Sign On/Off" on the left panel
Uncheck "Show AIM.com Today window at sign on"

To disable the stock ticker (the thing on the very bottom thats pretty useless), click "Stock Ticker" on the left panel and uncheck "Show stock ticker in buddy list window"

Sign off of AIM completely.

Now that you have half of AIM 5.5 configured, download DeadAIM 4.1 here. Install it.

Make sure you don't run AIM 5.5 before you do this next step!

Download this DeadAIM 4.1 crack here. Put this in your C:\Program Files\AIM and then double click it. Apply the crack and you should get a confirmation. What this does is stops JDennis from sending you that screen to keep putting in the serial/email addy.

Last step. Download this file and stick it in your C:\Program Files\AIM and overwrite the original file. This takes away the very top ad.

Now go ahead and run AIM 5.5! It works completely with DeadAIM (chat logs, even the new AIM 5.5 games!).

Have funz0r

Repairing Windows XP or 2000 Installations

• Make sure your Windows XP or 2000 CD is in your CD or DVD drive and hit the reset button.

• Make sure you are set to boot from CD before your hard drive. You can do this by entering your BIOS and looking for a section or topic called “Boot” or “Boot Device Priority”. Make sure your CD or DVD drive is listed before your OS drive and if it is not, alter it so that it is. Then, save changes and exit your BIOS.

• A message will be displayed after your BIOS screen disappears that says, “Press any key to boot from CD …..”. You have 5 seconds to press any key, so be quick to press “any key” (if you do not know where the “any key” is, box your computer up and never touch it again… you need more help than I am willing to provide).

• Now you should see the usual screen you saw when you first loaded the OS – blue with the device drivers being loaded. NOTE: If your OS hard drive is located on a SCSI Device (PCI slot Hard Drive Controller Card) or RAID Controller (PCI slot or Motherboard RAID Controller Card) you MUST press “F6” and have your Floppy disk ready that contains the drivers for the device that your OS hard drive is attached to and then insert it when it asks for it – then follow the prompts; once the driver is loaded, continue the CD startup process.

• Now, instead of pressing “Enter” to install XP or 2000, press “R” to Repair the installation.

• Wait a few seconds while it boots to the recovery console. Press “1” for your installation of Windows. NOTE: You will need your Administrator password if you have one set (as you should – XP Home installations typically do not as it does not ask for one on install – Good Game Micro$oft!) and will need to enter it now. If you enter the wrong password three times, your computer will automatically reboot and you will need to start this process over again – passwords ARE case sensitive.

• Once you are at the “C:\WINDOWS” prompt type (without the quotes and note the spaces): “chkdsk c: /r” NOTE: Your drive letter might differ from that stated above. For example it might say: “D:\WINDOWS” in which case you will want to type: “chkdsk d: /r”

• Once it has completed, it will tell you whether it found errors that it fixed, found no errors, or found errors and fixed some or could not fix any. It will NOT tell you what was fixed or what was not fixed, only the action that occurred.

• Once that is done, type (without quotes): “exit” and your computer will reboot.

• For more information on the Repair Console go here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...8&Product=winxp

Enabling 800DPI on MX500 w/o Mouseware
OKAY...here's how you do it...
first uninstall MX current drivers....then plug in your MX mouse..
the default drivers should auto install....go to ur control panel-open ur mouse menu
click on install driver....put ur logitech driver cd...note...just install the driver...not the crappy mouseware...
once ur done with that...click on "start" tab...click on "run"...
type "regedit"
go to this
"hkey_current_user\Control Panel\mouse"
-delete the string "mouseSenisitivity"
set "mousespeed" to "0"
set "mousethreshold1" to "0"
set "mousethreshold2" to "0"

then go to hkey_local_machine\system\currentControlSet\servic es\lmouflt2\parameters\opticalmouse11\0000

set "acceleration" to "off"
set "mousespeedx" to "200"
set "mousespeedy" to "200"
set "resolution" to "8"

there you go....it will now function in 800 dpi...you should notice a big difference now...make sure you set mouse filter off.

***DISCLAIMER: While I moderate this area to ensure that the above tweaks and suggestions are accurate, I do not have the time to test every single one of these for validity. You, the user, must understand that it is your responsibility to varify the accuracy of what is posted and that I and the others that have posted recommended tweaks and suggestions are NOT accountable for any damage that might occur to your software, hardware or data. Also, no one here is liable if the instructions are not followed exactly as posted. The user must assume his/her own responsiblilty in this regard. Likewise, no one here will be permitted to intentionally post or list information that would result in damaging a person's software, hardware or data. Intentionally listing wrongful information will result in disciplinary action on behalf of the Administrative and Moderative staff of this forum; up to & including permanent banning and removal of your forum account(s).***

[riverdunesrat]

TMI


General help.....I don't think this is what you had in mind.......

[General]

Heh, Ghettochild just made this a whole helluvea lot easier. Yeah this leet (1337, l33t, 133t, etc.) is very, very lame. I just had to use it though.