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Edited by Dynamic Dave on 31/12/2008 at 20:01
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If anyone's still interested I took rtj70's advice and had a look at the Disk Management - the missing 5GB was down to FAT32. Thanks
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I have a folder of digital photo images none which cannot be opened with PhotoShop or MS Picture Manager although many others can. All I get is a tiny square with a red cross in it. Can anyone suggest why please? Has Adobe got anything to do with it?
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Open up Photoshop then drag one of the files into the Window. Does it open. Or you could just do file/open and locate it.
Sounds like the file association is messed up to me. Easily fixed if this is the case.
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Open Photoshop and click on the "Edit" menu. Then click on the "File Association" and make sure that the JPEG box is ticked. If not then tick it then close and reopen Photoshop and you should then be able to open your JPEGs
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If you use windows explorer to navigate to the troublesome files, and select the 'thumbnail' option in the 'view' options, do these JPGs display as thumbnails, or just the square with cross in it?
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Have you right click on file in question and "open with" and selecting Paintshop/ or Ms Paint?
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Sorry posters, I should have said Paintshop Pro 7, not Photo Shop. Opening any of the files in Paintshop gives a "This is not a valid JPEG.JFIF file". I don't know what JFIF is and, anyway, Properties show it is a JPG file and they worked before. Paintshop does not bseem to give access to an Association control.
Microsoft Office Picture Manager just gives the small box with the red cross, as does the Windows Explorer approach. Paint gives "Cannot read this file".
Happy Christmas.
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If it works OK on other files, I'd say the files have got corrupted. Do you have a backup? If you look at the file sizes (in Windows Explorer) are they a reasonable size (i.e. more than 10k)
Try copying the files to somewhere else. If you have a problem doing that, then it's possible that a disk check will cure it. If the copy works OK and you still can't open them, I'd say that confirms file corruption...
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The same problem exists with the backup (on memory stick) and a new copy (on CD). The files average about 1Mb, whole folder 69.5 MB. There appears to be no Check Disk facility, which I would expect to find under Accessories/System Tools. I guess you are right and corruption is the answer. Cheers anyway.
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JFIF = JPEG File Interchange Format, normally just JPEG
Check the file extension - may be necessary to change to plain JPEG
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yes just try renaming one to 1.jpg and see what happens.
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Sorry, maybe misled you a bit on check disk - but that doesn't sound like the issue anyway. (For future ref, check disk - called error checking - can be found when you right click against a disk in My Computer, click Properties then it's on the Tools tab).
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A further thought - try to open one of the files in Notepad or a similar text editor - they take a minute or so to load up. It should say JFIF followed by EXIF in the first two or three blocks; if not, they're probably corrupt.
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type
at the command prompt's a lot quicker. Might also beep at you a couple of times!
The html has caused this to not show correctly. What mfarrow is saying, is open a command prompt (run, type in cmd then press enter) then navigate to the directory containing the files. Then type the word type, followed by a filename, including the extension, then press enter
However, I tried this and can't see what to look for...
smokie [/i]
Edited by smokie on 26/12/2008 at 23:42
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Iwas trying to install software and managed to switch the thing off using the on/off button by accident as I was reaching round the back for something.
Now it just spins the CD endlessly and won't boot up properly.
What's the MAC version of ctrl/alt/del or similar?
Thanks
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DVD/CD drive should have a small hole to use a paperclip to force the ejecting of the disk. Not had a slot loading DVD drive but I'd be surprised if there isn't an override.
... have you tried holding the mouse button down on reboot/startup to force it to eject?
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no paperclip hole on the mac as it's a slot drive.
From memory you need to hold down the eject button while switching on until the disk comes out.
Hth
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I knew it was a slot drive on current/recent Macs which is why I was unsure. I think holding the mouse button down (after the sound during reboot is played?) ejects CDs.
A quick google found lots of other options to eject disks - including typing eject disk before full Mac OS has loaded.
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Thanks to both - the holding down the eject key during boot up worked. After minutes of waiting while it tried to install Leopard it decided I don't have enough RAM. A warning at the start might have been the intelligent thing but I gave up on Mac designers displaying the remotest shred of inteligence a long time ago......
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DVD/CD drive should have a small hole to use a paperclip to force the ejecting of the disk.
So that's what the hole is for!
Thanks rtj70.
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You may well have had a metal tool included with the optical drive for that very purpose, although a paperclip is just as effective.
Make sure the system is not switched on when you use the paperclip (for obvious reasons).
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Having a major revamp of the combined dining room/PC room/hi-fi room. Probably having the PC and hi-fi on one desk/unit with a PC line input to the hi-fi. Wondering about trying to combine TV and PC monitor for space saving.
Current monitor is a HP 19" flat screen with gloss finish and a cracking picture for all uses particularly images. We happen to have a 20" Sony Bravia LCD TV that has a PC monitor input that I had to use for combined PC/TV use in the summer and it was rubbish for the PC.
Obviously this is mainly a TV with monitor facility... I wonder if any of the monitors with TV tuner I've seen listed at PC World would make a better job?
David
Edited by M.M on 27/12/2008 at 23:08
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The Sony Bravia should work fine if you set the PC resolution to it's native resolution. Probably 1366x768.
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The last posting in this link should help alongside rtj70's comment:
tinyurl.com/9hqnlx
plus
forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=279685
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Thanks guys. The monitor on my PC seems to be connected with with a standard lead to a blue plug that goes in the monitor. Where do I get a DVI output from the PC tower? Also will I need to go into some TV menu to select resolution or is it selected from the PC?
Certainly my problem sounds like the one on the link where the picture is blurred/fuzzy and not filling the screen.
David
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My laptop via docking station has DVI output but can connect to the LCD using the VGA cable using native resolution via the normal TV... you just need to select the correct resolution. You don't need HDMI/DVI/etc
You can force Windows to use the resolution you tell it via Display Properties etc. Exact instruction depends on your OS/graphics card/etc.
Edit. If your LCD is 1080P then you will need DVi/HDMI for that.
Edited by rtj70 on 28/12/2008 at 00:06
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Just looked at the back of the HP tower and the video output to monitor is a DVI socket on the PC with a grey adaptor to a standard blue plug lead that goes to the HP monitor (or TV when trying it). I also have HDMI and TV sockets on the PC.
I have connected the Sony TV and can't find anything in the menu at all to set anything for PC use.
Looking in the PC menu (Vista) and going to adjust display properties the max res is 1280x768. There is no greater option on the "virtual slider".
I do have a HDMI lead and could try that from PC to TV??
Graphics card is a NVIDIA Geforce 8500GT.
David
Edited by M.M on 28/12/2008 at 00:19
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>>...to adjust display properties the max res is 1280x768.>>
Even my humble ATi 9550 graphics card can exceed that by a very considerable margin (unless you have on-board graphics)...:-)
If you right click on an empty area of the Desktop>Properties>Settings tab>click Advanced button>Adapter tab>click on List All Modes, you will be able to find out exactly what combinations of Refresh/Resolution/Colour modes your graphics card will support.
Highlighting the appropriate combination and clicking it will Enable that setting - ensure that Windows doesn't need Rebooting for the configuration to be Saved.
It would probably be a good idea to update the graphics drivers and software to the latest version.
Edited by Stuartli on 28/12/2008 at 10:25
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If you right click on an empty area of the Desktop>Properties>Settings tab>click Advanced button>Adapter tab>click on List All Modes
I think Vista brings up different "dialog" boxes. At least it does on my PC.
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>>I think Vista brings up different "dialog" boxes. At least it does on my PC.>>
Although Vista is listed as the OS in the thread, I've assumed XP out of habit - not very familiar with Vista...:-(
My own LCD 26in TV has a myriad of connections, including PC, and a standard VGA cable is used, along with standard 3.5mm jack plug audio leads if sound is required. There are various screen adjustments available in monitor form.
However, I've never used it as a monitor (I have a 21in CRT monitor), as it is the main living room TV and some 30ft from my desktop system, but the youngest offspring has used every large screen TV he's owned as a main set/monitor by wirelessing his server's output to the TV.
Display quality is excellent, including text.
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untick the little box that says "only display maximum monitor modes"
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The spec of my card is a max res of 2048 x 1536 / 85 Hz ... it's just that when connected to the Sony TV the options seem to max out at 1280x768... even with that box ticked which only extends the refresh rate.
The connectivity spec is 1 x DVI-I (dual link) - 29 pin combined DVI , 1 x HDTV output , 1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
I'll have to get one of those cables to use the TV HDMI input and perhaps the PC will then detect the upgraded connection to expand the resolution range offered??
David
Edited by M.M on 28/12/2008 at 11:15
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Does your Sony Bravia TV have the limitation of this Toshiba by any chance?
forums.cnet.com/5208-7590_102-0.html?forumID=67&th...3
Peripherals: Using HD tv's as Monitors
""NOTE: DO NOT CONNECT A PC USING THE HDMI PORT. Always use the TV's PCI IN (VGA) port to connect a pc.
- The HDMI port is not designed to support input from a PC.
- Only TV models that include a PC IN (VGA) port are suitable for a connection to a PC.""
Note in that thread that the poster at no.14 & 15 solved his Sony problem by downloading new graphics drivers.
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I think I'll have to look for the TV instruction book before going any further.... hate resorting to that :-)
David
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2hrs to find the instructions then all became clear. Using the TV's PC monitor connection resolution is capped at 1280x768... it advises the DVI to HDMI lead for the full 1360x768 resolution and a correct display.
Off to PC World in the morning.
Thanks for giving me the clues.
David
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PC World will not be the cheapest place to get this. Where do you live region wise. Someone might be able to advise. e.g. I would go to my local supplier (who have a web business) - Microdirect in Manchester (no connection but used them since 1996).
Do you need the full 1366x768 vs. 1280x768? The TV will probably put a black line at the top and bottom to "compensate".
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I run Defender alongside AVG and Spybot. Occasionally AVG and/or Spybot pick up something they are not happy with and leave me to decide what to do with the said item. Defender, however, has never uttered a peep in the 2 years it has been on the PC, updated and running. Is it a waste of time just occupying hard drive space and memory?
Has Defender ever burst into action for you guys?
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Many anti-virus packages don't like sharing the job with others. Mine (Bullguard) advised me to turn off Defender, so I did.
So far so good....
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Has Defender ever burst into action for you guys?
Good question - no. I used to run AVG and now run Avast, and IIRC they have both issued the odd warning.
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I also use Avast! which, as many are aware, updates itself automatically.
About once a month or so I'll get the visual and aural screeching that a Trojan is hidden in an e-mail and the means to immediately Delete it; often a second or third arrives and each is handled with the same efficiency.
That's about it. Avast! does its work quietly in the background and you can't ask any more, especially as its freeware...:-)
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I also use Avast! which as many are aware updates itself automatically.
But what about Defender?
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>> I also use Avast! which as many are aware updates itself automatically. But what about Defender?
yes it updates, and only warns you if its failed to update, Same with scans it only tells you if it fails a scan.
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>> But what about Defender? yes it updates and only warns you if its failed to update Same with scans it only tells you if it fails a scan.
Sorry - I was hoping Stuartli could tell us whether he uses Defender alongside Avast, and whether it has ever issued any warnings, as per the OP's original question.
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I use Defender (since it was called something else, years ago) and I've never ever seen an alert. Maybe it runs in Silent mode.
I thought Stuart was a Comodo user? Followed advice here a few weeks back and tried that, didn't like it - too much interaction required (including a prompt to accept a new file creation every time I sent something to print!)
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I am running free Comodo AV+firewall on one PC and have set it to low alert levels, but also have set it according to this advice:
www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/
"2008-11-30: We have received a suggestion from Comodo Security Solutions, Inc., the vendor of Comodo Internet Security, on how to improve the configuration of their product in order to pass more tests. The suggested change included switching Comodo Internet Security configuration to "COMODO - Proactive Security", which can be done via the product's tray icon. Since our rules say that the tests are performed aginst the highest usable security configuration, we retested Comodo Internet Security 3.5.55810.432 and corrected its results. Its new score is 90%, which is much better score than previously published incorrect value of 84%. We apologize to Comodo and all our visitors for this mistake. "
test results here:
www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/resul...p
advice on setup here:
forums.comodo.com/comodo_internet_security_cis_fir.../
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>> >> But what about Defender? >> >> yes it updates and only warns you if its failed to update Same with scans >> it only tells you if it fails a scan. Sorry - I was hoping Stuartli could tell us whether he uses Defender alongside Avast and whether it has ever issued any warnings as per the OP's original question.
ALL i use is Avast and Defender, and as I said its only squeeked when its failed to update or had a problem scanning (the icon warns you)
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But what about Defender?
Microsoft is to offer a new free AV package named "Morro" in mid-2009.
"?Morro? will be available as a stand-alone download and offer malware protection for the Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. When used in conjunction with the ongoing security and privacy enhancements of Windows and Internet Explorer, this new solution will offer consumers a robust, no-cost security solution to help protect against the majority of online threats."
www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/nov08/11-18...x
www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/19/ms_drops_onecare/
news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-10102154-57.html
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We've accumulated a few DAT home videos taken using our basic Panasonic GS11EB DV camcorder, and would like to transfer them to DVD. I considered the simple method of buying a cheap DVD recorder for about £50 and plugging in the AV output from the camera, but instead have just splashed out £8 on a firewire card and cable to transfer via the PC.
I'm assuming using the PC is a bit more complicated, in that you've got to get the digital video off the camera then convert it into DVD format for burning. However it does give me the option of some basic editing (eg. topping and tailing) using Movie Maker or other free (Windows XP) software.
Does this sound like a sensible solution?
Cheers
F
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Focus, that is what I do. You will be surprised how much space DV video takes ;-) It's not compressed at all so does not lose quality though. Depending on the speed of your PC, converting to MPEG2 format for use on a DVD (Movie Maker will do this for you) takes quite a lot of time and runs the PC flat out.
But I would not go down the transfer straight to DVD route.
If you have a lot of tapes to convert/transfer it will take quite a while - it does it at normal DV speed as in... it play the tape and the digital signal is transferred to the PC via Firewire.
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Focus that is what I do.
Thanks for that. I probably won't keep the videos on the PC after burning them to DVD, so hopefully space shouldn't be an issue (250Gb disk, about half free although could get a lot more if can persuade stepson to clean up his files :-)
I understand why straight AV copy to DVD takes time, but doesn't the conversion from DV to DVD format take some time as well? I've only got a single core Celeron 356 (3.33GHz IIRC).
F
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"I've only got a single core Celeron 356 (3.33GHz IIRC)."
You'll have a long wait to create DVD files to burn. The process is:
1. Transfer DV to PC in non-compress format (probably using the DVD software - I have several I can use for video)
2. Import/use the DV movie
3. Edit the video
4. Create chapters etc
5. Create DVD menus etc
6. Burn DVD to hard disk
7. Write the DVD VOB files etc to a DVD - you could do at step 6 directly but better to write to the hard disk first.
I hope the PC has plenty of memory too. The overall process depending on length of video could take many many hours..
Rob
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I hope the PC has plenty of memory too.
Just the 1Gb (none taken by the graphics card). Might up the memory to 2Gb, but would have to junk the 2x512s in the 2 slots at the moment.
Sounds like it might take a while then, but I'm looking forward to playing with a new gadget :-)
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Transfer the video (MS free software is fine) but something cheap like Adobe Premiere Elements is quite good ;-)
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Transfer to PC in progress now. Not quite as easy as I hoped it might be...
1. Initially plugged new firewire card (£8) into the one free PCI slot out of 2 on motherboard but nothing happened when PC switched on. Took LAN card out of other slot and tried firewire card in there - device found. Great - can transfer DAT or have internet access, but not both at same time :-(
2. Started Movie Maker, turned on camera, tried to capture from DV - no device detected error. Device manager shows 1394 device enabled and working properly. Tried different switch on order but no joy. Googled 'Panasonic GS11EB firewire' (on laptop) and found forum threads indicating some sort of Windows XP (/Panasonic) issue. Ok - so...
3. Tried Ubuntu, whose equivalent of Movie Maker appears to be Kino, but not installed. Replaced firewire card with LAN card, installed Kino (easy), put back firewire card, but got error message about 1394 driver, fixed after another Google and a non-obvious terminal command (FYI chmod 777 /dev/raw1394).
At least it's working, although I thought one of the advantages of firewire capture instead of AV recording was increased transfer speed. But it's just capturing in real time ie. 45 mins for a 45 minute tape, and that's before any conversion to DVD format. Does it depend on the camera, or software, or is it just a firewire limitation?
Also, I'm capturing as raw DV, although there were other options for DV AVI types 1 and 2, with Kino help stating that type 2 is more compatible with other applications. Are DV AVI files smaller?
Cheers
F
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"At least it's working, although I thought one of the advantages of firewire capture instead of AV recording was increased transfer speed. But it's just capturing in real time"
Firewire is a fast transfer interface. Camera likely to be using the original firewire spec so 400Mbit/s. The transfer limitation will be how the cameras work - to read all the data off the tape it has to run at normal speed, i.e. play the tape.
The transferred file will be a raw DV file wrapped up in an AVI file. It is uncompressed so I would think the different file types are pretty much the same.
If you think 45 minutes to transfer the video is a long time... wait until you try converting to MPEG2 at full resolution without losing quality.
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The transfer limitation will be how the cameras work
Thanks for the info.
If you think 45 minutes to transfer the video is a long time... wait until you try converting to MPEG2 at full resolution without losing quality.
Well... that's my next problem. Turns out that to export into MPEG Kino needs something called mjpeg-tools, which doesn't appear to be included in Ubuntu and is non-trivial to install (download is an rpm, and the rpm utility isn't include in Ubuntu - you are supposed to use something called 'alien', which I haven't followed up yet).
Next time I kick son off PC I'll see if I can find something else for converting the raw DV files into MPPEGs.
One more option - wife's new laptop has Vista and might have a firewire port, but she usually won't let me anywhere near it in case I 'mess it up' :-)
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Now you've got the file(s) on Ubuntu just make sure they are accessible to Windows and book back into that and use Movie Maker?
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Now you've got the file(s) on Ubuntu just make sure they are accessible to Windows and book back into that and use Movie Maker?
Better than that - just got transfer working in Windows. Firewire interface was being monopolised by the network controller, so disabling the 1394 connection in Network Connections solved the problem. Movie Maker is capturing a DAT as I write this.
Still got the issue of not having internet access and firewire at the same time. Need to persuade SWMBO that we need a new motherboard (and try to slip in a new CPU/HD/graphics card without her noticing)...
Edited by Focus {P} on 31/12/2008 at 18:45
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I wonder if any of you chaps have come across this one .... a couple of months ago, I bought a new HP Deskjet 6940 printer, installed the appropriate software and connected it to my wireless router. My pc is wired directly to the router anyway, but we thought that the 'wireless' facility could be used by Mrs W and her laptop.
The good news is that the printer seems to work fine BUT the problem is that, since installing the printer software, opening MS Office applications has been slowed down to the extent that it can take a minute or so. We've also noticed that when shutting down the computer, we sometimes have to wait for a couple of programmes (I believe associated with the printer) to shut down.
My plan is to uninstall the 'wireless' software and connect via usb but, before I try that, I wonder if anyone has come across the problem or has any suggestions for the best way forward. BTW, the computer is a pc running on Windows xp sp3, and the Office suite is 'Office 2000'.
Many thanks.
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Do the same problems occur on both the wired and wireless connection? Only I can't really think of a logical reason why that would make a difference. If the printer is a network printer (i.e. joined to your router rather than directly to a PC) it is much more likely to be the software you installed at the PC than whether the printer is connected wirelessly or not.
Haven't seen this exact problem, but I had other annoyances with HP software which came with a 6310 printer. The software is very bloated, because it includes all kinds of stuff other than just printer drivers - from memory, there are management tools, a photoshop-like piece of software, and a few other bits. My worst problem was a persistent "Server busy" pop-up message.
I managed to find a driver-only package on the HP web site, so de-installed the full package and put that on instead. Been fine ever since. The driver-only package was buried away and not easy to find though.
Try the HP drivers at the top of this page tinyurl.com/7d33rb . None of the Updates look relevant but you never know... I see they had my Server Busy issue with these drivers too!
NB Tinyurl doesn't seem to work - {It was the full stop at the end preventing it from working - DD}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 29/12/2008 at 13:28
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Many thanks for your reply, Smokie.
The slowdown in opening Office files occurs both on my wife's laptop which is a 'wireless' connection to the Netgear router, and on my desktop which is wired to the router. The printer is wired to the router, i.e. it isn't literally 'wireless'.
I have a reply from the HP helpdesk, but the help it offers doesn't appear to be arranged logically and almost seems to have been generated by a computer that isn't quite in tune with the English language. I would rather play safe and simply use usb rather than the wireless facility. Any printing from the laptop could always be e-mailed to my computer as an attachment.
When you installed the software from the HP website for your 6310, was that for a wireless or usb connection, please?
I suspect that software problems with HP printers are not entirely unknown as I had read a comment on a supplier's website in which the purchaser had experienced difficulties with a HP6980 - which included a helluva pallava in trying to uninstall software.
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The printer is wired to the router i.e. it isn't literally 'wireless'.
...I would rather play safe and simply use usb rather than the wireless facility.
So the printer has an in-built print server with a built in RJ-45 ethernet port, correct?
Maybe a 'proper' print server (i.e. separate box) would be better? If not, 'installing' another printer as default, and setting it to print to file, would stop Office applications looking for the default every time they load.
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Mine is like yours - wired to the router. When I add it to a computer (manually, through Control Panel)), I do so as a local printer on a TCP/IP port, not a network printer. I have wired and wireless computers sharing it successfully.
I think you're confusing yourself with the wireless stuff - especially as the problems occur with both your wired PC and your wife's wireless. It *could* be a problem when the printer is on the network rather than locally attached (by USB).
"When you installed the software from the HP website for your 6310, was that for a wireless or usb connection, please?" - The software I installed (and that you will install) is drivers and other stuff for the printer. I doubt you were asked during the installation anything about how your computer is attached to the network. You may have been asked how the printer is physically attached to your computer - which is network, as opposed to USB. But really, the problem is more likely to be with your drivers than anything to do with the connections.
If I was you, I really would try un-installing the HP software and going with the drivers in my earlier post.
Regarding MFarrow's suggestions, both are quite OK, but both should be unnecessary. I'm sure the BackRoom can help you get this going without too much difficulty... :-)
Edited by rtj70 on 29/12/2008 at 12:46
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UPDATE: This link - forums13.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer...4 - suggests you can set the 6940 up as a Deskjet 990c, which should be in the list of available printers in XP.
So, as a bit of a test, on the laptop un-install all the HP drivers. Then go through the Add Printer wizard in Control Panel, and when you get to the Ports selection say it is from a TCP/IP port (I have a feeling it will find your printer then, if not then you will need to know the IP address of it and type it in). When you get to the printer selection screen, choose HP, Deskjet 990c. Then test it...
Edited by smokie on 29/12/2008 at 12:43
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Many thanks for all this ..... I'll digest it all and let you know how I get on.
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Might not tell you much, but out of interest I would run the Windows Task Manager
support.microsoft.com/kb/323527
Select the Processes tab and click on the CPU column twice to list the processes in descending CPU usage order. Is there anything using a lot of CPU other than the idle process during that minute while the application is starting up?
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IMO the software which comes with HP combination printer/scanner products is awful.
Not only is it hugely bloated, with loads of unwanted and space using "features", installs intrusive automatic updates, (unless you say "no"), but it is the most flaky & temperamental program I have ever had the misfortune to install!
When my HP collapses I will be changing for this reason, if no other.
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We uninstalled the printer and all the other bits that seem to have gone on at the same time. Without this lot on, the Office files opened fine - proving (?) that the problem lay with the HP printer software. I re-installed what I believe is just the printer driver and my desktop seems to opening the Office files OK now.
I guess we now have to embark on a similar operation on my wife's laptop. I need a cup of tea first, though!
Thanks again to everyone for your assistance.
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The sequel ...... When it came to my wife's laptop, I didn't remove everything - just the 4 or 5 other programmes that had been deposited there by the HP supplied disc. I simply left what I took to be the printer driver ..... and things worked fine again - Office files could be opened quickly! In fact, both computers seem a tad faster overall.
In the first place, it would have been so much more helpful if HP support had simply advised me to get rid of their extraneous rubbish instead of sending me 3 pages of techno-confusio.
Cheers, and a Happy New Year. Waino
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I?m currently working overseas and was fortunate that rotation brought me home for Christmas. However, while at home I have been unable to access the internet on my laptop via the home wireless network; I can connect ok with reasonable sometimes with limited connectivity. I have always connected without problems before and not aware of any changes to either system.
At serviced accommodation overseas can connect via the WIFI system and at home able to connect via mobile broadband, purely for research I was also able to bring Google up using a neighbours unsecured network but get limited contact for RSS and yahoo messenger but not WWW connecting direct to the router main family computer works fine. I suspect an IP address conflict but don?t know where to start does any body have any suggestions both PC and are on vista.
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Hope you don't mind me asking, but have you checked that the aerial on the router hasn't got knocked or moved? Has happened to me before.
Have you tried changing the Wifi channel? IIRC it's usually set to 11 by default, so if someone else has started using wifi nearby you might get better results if you change channels.
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Something else to check - what signal strength are you getting? That is, has it changed from what it used to be when all was ok? Might help to indicate whether hardware or software.
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I get good signal strength, depending where I am in the house. NormallyI come hope and connect automatically. Ive tried rebooting the router anumber of times, Step daughter can connect wirlessly using her IPODTouch. I've tried removing and replacing the router ariel, network status shows local for IPv4 and limited for IPv6.
The main computer is connected via cable to the router and plugging the cable into the laptop doesnt clear the problem so I don't think it is a router issue. Will try changing the channel.
Edited by A9er on 30/12/2008 at 12:30
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The main computer is connected via cable to the router and plugging the cable into the laptop doesnt clear the problem so I don't think it is a router issue.
Agreed...
Will try changing the channel.
...so probably won't help, but won't hurt to try it. I'd be stuck as well by now.
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The main computer is connected via cable to the router and plugging the cable into the laptop doesnt clear the problem so I don't think it is a router issue
Check that you have the latest Vista drivers for your router & wireless receiver.
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Is the laptop running XP or Vista?
I can only describe checking some things with steps on XP because I have avoided Vista. For XP, try going to Control Panel -> Network Settings. Then right click on the Wireless network interface and select show Wireless Networks. Do you see your access point at all.
If it does appear can you click on Connect? You might just need to reenter your security key.
If it does not appear maybe you hide the SSID of your network (good practice) and your laptop no longer has details of it. You might need to unhide it whilst you connect up again.
As a temporary measure you could remove security from your wireless network to see if you can connect then.
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Is the laptop running XP or Vista?
He said Vista in his OP.
Vista has some problems with legacy hardware but usually solved with latest drivers.
www.chicagotech.net/vista/vistaconnection.htm
or search google: vista network connection problems
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A9er,
Remove all security from the wireless and try to connect.
Vista does normally complain about incorrect settings if it detects your settings and the router are different.
What type of router is it?
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jbif I quickly rescanned the email before posting... missed the last sentence.
If his laptop works on WiFi at work then it is not likely drivers. And he connect to a neighbours router too.
As two of us have said, try turning off security on the wireless router and connecting then. It's a case of troubleshooting where the problems is.
The OP has not got back on whether he even sees his wireless access point yet.
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He needs to remove the connection from windows networking, take out the hardware from device mangler (yes it still live in vista if you hunt for it) and redo the wireless hw and connection from scratch.
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I have already tried taking all security off, living in a relativly isolated position we have few neigbours so only use basic WEP. I can see the network and get a connection with a data transfer rate but cant load web pages using IE7, Firefox or Chrome plugging the network cable directly into the laptop means that one of the default icons showing currency rates shows but no web pages can be viewed. Thanks for your input so far.
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And he connect to a neighbours router too.
Perhaps his neighbour & work have routers of a different make which do not give problems with Vista?
If OP googles using his make of router, it may help find his solution, eg.:
vista belkin router connection problems
vista linksys router connection problems
vista netgear router connection problems
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The router is Netgear, the neibours appears to be a BT so may be a homehub together with the other wireless network I can see. Since Ive bought the new laptop in Feb? Ive allways been able to connect at home with no issues incluing my most recent R&R at the start of November. Nobody is admiting to have made any changes since my last trip home and are mostly technophobes.
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as i said above - remove it all from windows and re-install.
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The router is Netgear,
which one?
and what laptop and PC are you using?
Here are other people suffering same symptoms as you [last page linked]:
tinyurl.com/7btzeh
"Web Browser Connectivity Problem (Vista, IE 7; Mozilla)"
forums.techguy.org/web-email/780490-new-browsers-u...l
Edited by jbif on 30/12/2008 at 16:44
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Also, have you been through the router settings just to make sure everything looks sensible eg. firewall settings? Have you tried (briefly) turning off any firewall/anti-spam you might have running on the laptop?
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And sorry if you've already posted something that rules this out but could it be an ISP issue? Loose connection between phone socket and router? (Just trying to cover all possibilities.)
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A9,
'scuse me chipping in with my two penn'th and a sobo. I used to have a Netgear router. You've not restricted wireless access to defined MAC addresses have you?
JH
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JH - good point. I work in IT and I caught myself out on that when I had to get a new works laptop. It connected and then dropped out.
Does the connection via a wired connection work, i.e. avoiding wifi?
Open a command prompt (cmd.exe) and run:
ipconfig
And if it has an address try:
ipconfig /release
followed by:
ipconfig /renew
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I concur with the firewall problems.
Have you, since your last visit home, installed a new firewall?
Can you ping?
To do this, go to Start and then type "cmd" into the search and hit enter.
When the command prompt opens type in "ping www.bbc.co.uk".
Does this bring about "reply" or "timed out"?
If you get a reply (should be four of them), then the connection is fine and probably a firewall/virus stopping your connection.
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Would be handy if I could send the occasional fax from the laptop.
Most of the services I found via Google seem to be subscription-based, involving monthly payments, page credit bundles and the like.
Is there a service aimed at someone who might only want to send a short fax now and again?
I don't mind paying, say up to a £1 sheet, but I don't want to get tied into contracts.
Thanks.
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Does your laptop have a modem... if yes it could be the cost of the call. Computers can send faxes if you have software to do so.
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Does your laptop have a modem...
Not sure, there are a couple of telephone-type sockets in the back of it.
Connected to the internet via the wireless box supplied by Sky when I signed up for their broadband service.
Presumably, I could plug the laptop directly into the phone socket.
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One socket is an Ethernet port and the other a phone type socket. So yes with software you could send (and receive) faxes.
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Thanks, so it's either that, or pay for one of the online services.
They sound quite good, actually - your own number and so on - but a bit over-specced for my needs.
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I still have a free incoming fax number from years ago. I have also sent faxes via a Skype plugin. But using the work laptop with a modem is easier/cheaper.
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sent faxes via a Skype plugin>>
Ah, Skype, wouldn't have thought of that.
Turns out the fax sending software is already installed on my version and I can use Skype credit to pay per fax.
That will be the Skype credit I put on a year ago and have never used. :)
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If you have a dialup fax/modem in your laptop you can send faxes using Windows Fax Console (in XP) after using Windows Components to install and configure it. See:
tinyurl.com/24csp
for guidance.
Windows has always had an excellent built-in fax utility, the best probably being Windows Messaging in the late 1990s, which was based on Outlook Express's layout, thus making it very easy to use.
Edited by Stuartli on 31/12/2008 at 10:43
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Stuartli,
Thanks for that.
My laptop runs Vista home premium and as far as I can gather, only Vista ultimate, business and enterprise have a fax console.
Another example of the great leap sideways that is Vista?
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it has nothing to do with vista and more to do with the fact that fax is a dying communication system.
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