Computer questions

***Steven*** · #1 12-29-2003, 01:04 PM

This is where if you have a computer question, you can ask it here.

Those questions include...

Spyware/Viruses/Trojans/etc.
Password protecting ZIP files
computer care
Differences between Operating Systems
Your computer exploding
Using it with PDAs
PDAs (Palm, PocketPC)
File management
Programs (Not RCT/RCT2, No Limits, etc.... that can go into SpeedZone)

Mind you, none of us (staff or members) can be a tech support service, and if serious enough, we recommend you have it looked at by a professional nearby. There may be multiple causes where it needs a professional to further diagnose the problem and fix it. If your computer is under warranty, and it seems like you are having hardware issues, contact your computer's tech support service.

Coastr Crazy 72 · #2 01-04-2004, 05:16 PM

My sister is having a problem with her computer. Whenever she starts up the Windows XP user welcome screen. the mouse is stuck at the center of the screen. I have had this problem before on computers in the past and the solution was to keep restarting it (holding down the power button) and then after a few tires it would work. We have done it many times and I've even replaced the mouse but it won't move. Does anyone have any suggestions? All and any help would be greatly appreciated.

***Steven*** · #3 01-04-2004, 05:22 PM

It could very well be bad mouse drivers. My advice would be to unplug the mouse (when the computer is off), boot up, remove the mouse drivers, then shut down, hook the mouse back up, then boot up and hopefully let it detect itself. Otherwise, run the new hardware wizard.

If it fails, you might either have something (virus?) preventing its usage, you might have an IRQ conflict (if it's PS/2), or you might have a bad mouse port (again, if it's PS/2).

Coastr Crazy 72 · #4 01-04-2004, 05:25 PM

That is a possibility. I will try that. My only doubts -

This is a Dell computer hooked up to a simple Dell Mouse (with scroller). I mean it would be kind of stupid of them to install bad mouse drivers for their own mouse. I'll try it though, and thank you.

Skye · #5 01-04-2004, 06:09 PM

If you need help with mice, i'm a self-taught expert, because i have had so many problems with mice (mostly with getting windows to realise a usb mouse exists and deleting the ps/2). So far everything works!

A myth btw is that you can't have two mice installed (and working) at once. you can - i've tried it. (still only 1 pointer though)

Win xp is a strange problem, because windows should warn you on start-up that it can't find a mouse. If there isn't drivers win should know about it.

Could be a faulty connection. Is it USB, PS/2 or serial?

I think IRQ conflicts are unlikely because they have got that sorted for win xp. It's a problem for 95/98 but xp seems to manage them ok.

Coastr Crazy 72 · #6 01-04-2004, 06:31 PM

Umm i'm not sure. It is purple color coded in a special mouse slot. I'm pretty advanced when it comes to computer but this is a little weird for me.

**Kyle L** · #7 01-04-2004, 06:50 PM

It's PS/2 then. It could be faulty drivers, but typically mice don't require heavy drivers like other devices. I'm kinda stumped.

Coastr Crazy 72 · #8 01-04-2004, 06:54 PM

My only thought right now is to run it in safe mode but I can't imagine how that could help fix it.

Eliminated reasons:

1. bad mouse
2. bad hardware
3. virus

Possibilities:

1. bad drivers

Well from what we have discussed it seems that "bad driver" is the only possibility at the moment. If someone could give me some instructions on how to fix these drivers or get new ones, without using the mouse then maybe it will be fixed?

SFFT_Freak · #9 01-04-2004, 07:11 PM

I also had a problem with the microsoft mice that come with dell.. (Standart Wheel Microsoft Mouse.. cheapest.. usually is distributed with about everything) Actually all of them in that one particular line. They'll die out eventually.. My last one would double click out of no where (I tried everything.. drivers.. settings.. support.) and nothing would fix it.. went out... bought a new mouse.. wala.. problem solved. Till this date I'm in good shape. So if you got some extra cash.. treat yourself to a new mouse.

**Kyle L** · #10 01-05-2004, 02:08 PM

Also, if you do get a new mouse, I would suggest getting a USB mouse in case the PS/2 port blew out. But I don't think that's the case.

Have you worked out anything yet?

Coastr Crazy 72 · #11 01-05-2004, 03:56 PM

No, havn't worked out anythinng yet. I have to get go get another mouse whenever I have time. Thanks for all your help guys, I appreciate it.

I have another question though, I want to get a good video card but I don't want to pay too much. Right now I am using an GeForce4 64mb and I am currently looking at the Radeaon (sp?) 9600 128mb. I think it is only about $150 or something. If I can get a better card then that for under 200 then can someone please point me in the right direction. I'd appreciate any help given, thanks.

**Andrew Polcyn** · #12 01-05-2004, 04:03 PM

I was able to stay under 200 with my 128mb video card. Its a GeForce 4 4800 TI.

I'm in th emarket for a new monitor. The one that I have is a Gateway EV700 17" (16" or so viewable). I am looking for an affordable LCD 17" monitor (under $400) and I heard that prices for these may be dropping near the end of February. If there are any to get or stay away from I would like some assistance as well.

**Kyle L** · #13 01-05-2004, 04:03 PM

Depends. What kind of Geforece are you running? If it's a TI I would still use it. But, I'm figuring you're buying this card to get better gaming performance. The real trick lies in upgrading multiple ciritcal parts. I know your RAM is nice, but I think your CPU could use a boost. If you use the same Mobo (Socket A Im guesing) Then you could easily get it upgraded from a 1800XP to a 3200XP. That's what I would do. But as for video cards.

Don't limit choices to ATi or nVidia, they both use the same technology and both perform games at the same rate. So don't leave nVidia out. In fact, nVidia releases more drivers than ATi does. (Drivers utalize hardware, the more updated they are, the more utalization you get). The 9600 is nice, but it isn't that big of a leap fron your Geforce. Plus, once you buy a new graphics chip, a company will release a new one. It's annoying!

Anyways, You can get a GeForce FX 5600 or around there for a nice price. And what kinda of gaming do you do? Actually, you can go ahead and IM me. lemonheaterKL. I can give you a few pointers.

Coastr Crazy 72 · #14 01-05-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Polcyn

I was able to stay under 200 with my 128mb video card. Its a GeForce 4 4800 TI.

I'm in th emarket for a new monitor. The one that I have is a Gateway EV700 17" (16" or so viewable). I am looking for an affordable LCD 17" monitor (under $400) and I heard that prices for these may be dropping near the end of February. If there are any to get or stay away from I would like some assistance as well.

I've got the perfect set of monitors for you. Hold on and let me find them and I'll edit them into the post.

Ok here are the best 17" LCD monitors
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,109704,00.asp

Here is the best 15" LCD monitor-
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,109198,00.asp

I have done a lot of research on the 15" monitors and that one is the best there is for a great affordable price. I also had the same exact gateway monitor, except it was a 19". Going from a big screen to a smaller screen like this, is not a big deal at all. I now own a Sony 15" monitor but I don't recommend it. Those Gateway monitors are surprisingly very very good and the next best monitor would be the NEC I showed you.

Coastr Crazy 72 · #15 01-09-2004, 06:52 PM

Sorry for double posting but I just called up the person who made my computer. He explained to me that I actually do have an AMD 2400+ but my BIOS were never resent or something. He didn't actually explain to me how to fix this so I am asking if anyone knows how to do this? Could someone explain?