shrimply

Hi, I'm trying to sort out the audio on the computer, I'd like a set-up where the speakers are plugged into the back but if you plug headphones into the front they override the speakers. The problem is that the computer has a unusual set-up, maybe it was common on older computers:confused: Basically in order to get the ports on the front to work you have to plug in the audio cable that runs through the computer and out the back. The computer has a sound card along with on board audio. Is there an easy and not to expensive way to achieve what I'd like.

Luckily I found an unofficial fix on the internet for the other problem. It was to to with the LLTD and the computer not mapping on the Vista network map.

Its OK, I ran the installer in compatibility mode for windows 2000 and it installed fine, glad there was a easy solution really.

Thanks, I've got bigger problems anyway, I think SP3 is to blame ( no I know i is) when trying to install the driver I get. "Install Hotfix First" Can't find anything on the net to help, tried downloading drivers from the manufactures website but same thing happens. It appears to me that SP3 causes a lot of problems, I was having other problems yesterday also caused by it.

Its one of these, Play.com (UK) : August DVBT201 USB Freeview HDTV Receiver : Computing - Free Delivery No its completely independent, as I said we get an exceptionally high reception, I get the full range of freeview channels using the supplied aerial, which is mounted just above my desk.

Yeah thats right, probably only any good if you live on top of a hill opposite a mast, but guess what we do. Its got its own little aerial that I use, but an adapter so you can plug it into a roof aerial if you want, but thats not really important.

Confusing yeah probably. I have a USB TV thing, which gives me digital TV on the computer. When I got it, it came with Software called Blaze TV, which I didn't like at all, it won't let me re-order the channel list etc. I've been using the "USB DVB-T receiver" successfully with the media centre on vista, but I'm looking for an alternative on the XP computer, LOL did that make any more sense.

Thanks Wolfey just seemed a bit of a wase of time when I'd posted a message about something so easy. So far I have managed to share the vista connection with XP and ubuntu and the XP connection with Vista. I can't however share the Ubuntu connection with vista but I can't find anything online which suggests it is in any way easy to do so i'll leave that one be.

Hi , I don't know if this is the right place I could of sworn there was a multimedia section but can't see one. Can any one suggest some good free TV viewing software, I have a cheap USB digital receiver, it came with blaze TV software which is rubbish and I've been using it happily with windows media centre on vista but looking for something for the XP computer, any suggestions? thanks

Its OK I'm there changed a registry entry and it seems to be working. What a pointless thread, sorry everyone.

I've managed to get the XP computer to connect through the laptops internet. The laptop won't connect through the computer though, which now I think about it is what I will need to do since the PC has two ethernet ports and the laptop only has one.

Thanks but I think I've been unclear. I'm going to explain the setup but may make everything more compicated. The Vista laptop connects wirelessly to the internet, and is doing so. Id like the XP computer to use the laptops internet connection. I have also bought a wireless adapter for the XP computer although its not brilliant and have tried connecting the laptop through it which also didn't work. SO I guess I'm doing something wrong. I know its sounds crazy when the both have a internet connection separately but I'm going off to uni in a week or so and won't have wireless there.

Hi, told you there'd be lots of questions. I think what I'm trying to do is possible but it doesn't seem to be a working, my vista laptop has wireless and I'd like the fixed up XP computer to share this internet connection. I have the laptop and computer attached with a crossover cable and I've told vista I want it to share it internet connection. The XP computer won't connect though. I've got a local connection and both computers are able to share files.

Thanks, I think its fine, The nvidea software seems quite happy to report that its a 4X bus which would suggest that there isn't going to be any problems.

Thanks, I've cleaned it the best I can and its still working, and I managed not to kill myself so its all good, as always thank you.

Yeah, I have done, but I reaslise Sophos isn't mentioned due to the fact that it isn't sold for home use, we are allowed to use it through my dads work and I think I'll also be able to use it through the university. As far as I'm concerned it does the job but was a bit put off by what I'd read online, particularly about how it isn't sutible for home use. I'll probably just go with avast, although I've never had any experiance with it people seem to think it does the job.

Thanks, how careful do I have to be when I'm cleaning the heat sink, I mean how much damage can I do. Still very nervous about doing anything inside a computer really. Same about the power supply, it looks filthy inside but there's no way even with the red nosle that I'll be able to clean inside it. I'm pretty sure dismantling it isn't wise.

Hi, I have a feeling this is a stupid question but I've got this old computer and wanted to give it a good clean. SO I bought a can of compressed air which I thought would remove all the dust etc, well it doesn't actually I feel quite ripped off I can't see how it would clean anything. So can you give me any tips on how to get the whole thing, particularly the fans clean.

Hi again, been looking for advice online but a lot of its is contradicting and probably out of date. I'm looking for anti-virus protection for the XP computer I've just got working, on my Laptop I run Sophos Antivirus which also offers Malware protection, Windows defender ( probably does nothing but it's there) and I also scan regularly with free Superantispyware and malware bytes. The issue is whether I stick with Sophos, which seems to do the job or install a free antivirus like avast. People say that sophos is a system hogger and that beacause its built for corperations its not good for home use. Although I haven't noticed either problem. Also reading about AVG people are saying it useless's but people like it because it doesn't interupt them ( ie doesn't catch viruses) and is simple to use. Both are reasons why I like Sophos, which worrys me a bit. I do occasionally get messages up saying its moved something to quarinteen or if I run something like PC wizard it warns me about it and I don't think there is anything there shouldn't be on my system. Thanks.

Just to let you know that I got the Graphics Card and it works. Obviously I don't know how well, hopefully its not doing any damage. But I put it in the computer and turned it on and XP has installed all the drivers. Now for the hard drive and RAM.

Thanks, ohh well guess I'll take my chances. It only cost £12, so its not too much of a loss. I mean as long as it works, I'm no gamer all I want is basic word processing and Internet access. I'll let you know, might be back to ask for help finding a compatible card.

Umm, no,lol. eek I ordered a 8x, which is what was in it. IT had one of these Nvidia Corp GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP 8x Which still kind of works I can make out a picture etc, and my dad's PC had the same card and it works fine in it so I thought that's what I needed,Ohh dear. I ordered this one MSI NVIDIA GF GX 5200 128MB Edit - this link here suggests it supports 4x, Newegg.com - MSI FX5200-TD128LF GeForce FX 5200 128MB 64-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards Will it not work?

Thanks will let you know how it goes. Should warn you there will probably be a lot more questions but I'm waiting until the new parts come before I do anything else. Pretty much all the onboard connections for instance don't seem to work, not sure if I need drivers or if they're broken and the old owner just bought PCI cards to replace what he needed. Anyway thanks a lot that's been a big help and hopefully one more thing I can get right.

Thanks very helpful, I've not got much to go on here, all I've got is the imformation that PCwizard could give me, but its not easy working on a screen that is so messed up. This is the Memory Information >> General Information DIMM1 (RAS 1, RAS 0) : 256 (Single Bank) DIMM2 : Empty >> Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM1) Manufacturer : Unspecified Part Number : 32MX64U-33B Serial Number : 02090925 Type : DDR-SDRAM PC-2700 (166 MHz) - [DDR-333] Size : 256 MB (1 rows, 4 banks) Module Buffered : No Module Registered : No Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No Width : 64-bit Error Correction Capability : No Max. Burst Length : 8 Refresh : Reduced (.5x)7.8 µs, Self Refresh Voltage : SSTL 2.5v Prefetch Buffer : 2-bit Manufacture : 2000 Supported Frequencies : 166 MHz CAS Latency (tCL) : 2.5 clocks @166 MHz RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 3 clocks @166 MHz RAS Precharge (tRP) : 3 clocks @166 MHz Cycle Time (tRAS) : 7 clocks @166 MHz >> Memory Controller Information Memory Controller : DIMM, SDRAM Number of connectors : 2 Max. Module Size : 1024 MB Max. Memory Size : 2048 MB Supported Speed : Unspecified Supported Voltages : 3.3v Error Detection Method : No Error Correction Capability : Unspecified Current/Supported Interleave : 1-way/1-way And this is the MotherBoard Info > Mainboard : MSI MS-6580 >> General Information Manufacturer : MICRO-STAR INC. (MSI) Product : MS-6580 Version : 20A Serial Number : 00000000 Support MP : Yes, 1 CPU(s) Version MPS : 1.4 >> Chassis Information Manufacturer : Uknown Chassis Manufacture Type : Desktop Version : Version 1.00 Serial Number : 123456890 Asset : 0123ABC >> Sensor Information Hardware Monitoring : Winbond W83627HF >> On-Board Device Information Embedded Controller : No >> Slots Information Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 3.3v, Shared Slot Opening >> External Connectors Serial 16550A Compatible : DB-9 male Parallel ECP/EPP : DB25 female Keyboard : PS/2 Mouse : PS/2 USB : Access Bus (USB) USB : Access Bus (USB) Network : Access Bus (USB) >> Internal Connectors COM Port LPT Port Keyboard Mouse Floppy : On Board Floppy Primary IDE : On Board IDE Secondary IDE : On Board IDE USB Port USB Port Ethernet : RJ-45 >> System Configuration Options Option #1 : System Management BIOS from Atlanta Option #2 : SMBIOS from AMI SO I think I'm right in saying the best I can get is the DDR333, but its going to safe me a bit of money only getting 1GB and hopefully that will speed it up although I know the Speed depends on a lot of other things too.

The whole Ram thing still completely confuses me, maybe you can help me understand. Basically I was given a computer, which I want to use for uni. I don't need anything special and it will probably be running Ubuntu and/or XP. Right now its falling to pieces, I've just ordered a new Graphics card and Hard drive, both basically as cheap as I could get. So just hoping they work. I know your probably thinking I'd be as cheap buying a new system but hopefully not. Its got 256mb of DDR 333 PC2700 at the moment and I'd like to upgrade that ideally to at least 1GB. As I said I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible, so would like to buy a 1GB module instead of 2 512MB ones, is this OK. Also is it OK to leave the 256MB in with a 1GB stick. I've read places that say you need to have equal Memory in each slot, but I don't know if that is just for certain types of RAM. Any help is welcome, I'm not going to order anything until the other parts arrive and I make sure everything is working.