Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 December 17

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Computing desk
< December 16 << Nov | December | Jan >> December 18 >
Welcome to the Wikipedia Computing Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.


Contents


[edit] December 17

[edit] free movies?

I have a friend that gets free movies from the interweb. He has some kind of program that downloads them and he gets them for FREE. How does this work? And where do the movies come from (Sometimes he gets them before they are in theaters)? I really want to get free movies like him, so could someone tell me the name of this program? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 216.152.180.75 (talk) 00:59, 17 December 2006 (UTC).

Take a look at File sharing, but keep in mind that downloading copyrighted material may be illegal in your jurisdiction. -83.129.24.169 01:55, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Basically he gets the films from other people who have them. Note that if you both live in Alaska (As your IP address suggests), doing this is almost always Federally illegal. 68.39.174.238 22:30, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
There are many mechanisms and technologies for file transfer, though I'm not advocating piracy. BitTorrent and P2P are quite popular ways to obtain pirated copies, though there are others. Splintercellguy 07:37, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
For some legally downloadable movies, check out archive.org. --JustinHagstrom 16:09, 24 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Official nomenclature for DC power connectors?

Here's the background: I've got a device that runs off of AC rectifyed DC that is's supposed to get via a power supply, which I've lost. I know the required voltage/current that will be drawn and have the female connector (On the device). Given these, is there a sort of descriptive nomenclature for these types of connectors? If there is, can I find out what mine is from these 3 things? My idea is to find out what the most generic description is, and then use that to look for a new cable.

Thanx. 68.39.174.238 01:02, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

You might find both the converter and connector at RadioShack. Their connectors are described by outer diameter and inner diameter, perhaps with central pin, and you'll also need to know if the "tip" is should be positive or negative. Some connectors are EIAJ connectors, a special case of the more general DC connectors. Good luck! --KSmrqT 07:47, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
"It is recognised to many consumers by the "yellow tip" (a yellow plastic insulator) at the end of the jack." — O yes that is it, thanx! 68.39.174.238 22:31, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More trouble

OK, now I've got other problems: According to the specs of all the EIAJ specs, the max current these things will draw is 2A, but the thing I've got says it needs 3A! However, when I look at the specs of it on a reputable site, it says 1.5A! Also, given my location, anyone know a place to get one of these? 68.39.174.238 23:41, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Given what location? You didnt say where you live... Shinhan 22:49, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] AC adapters?

I'm planning on going to a trip to Malayasia and Hong Kong in February. I have a Dell Inspiron 1150. Would I need to buy a new AC adapter? My dad's friend says no, but my dad still thinks I should buy another AC adapter because the one I have now might not work in Asia; different voltages and stuff. ― Sturr ★彡 Refill/lol 03:23, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Well, that depends on where you are now. Where are you?

I'm in Los Angeles, California. ― Sturr ★彡 Refill/lol 04:38, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

According to Image:Map of the world coloured by voltage and frequency.png, you'll definitely need a new one (Assuming the one in LA is the Federal standard). 68.39.174.238 06:13, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Maybe. First check the back of your AC adapter, there should be a label there with lots of numbers and symbols. Look for a line which says something like "Input", it will tell you what voltage/frequency your laptop adapter can accept. If you adapter can accept 240V 50Hz (in which case it will probably say something like 100-240V 50-60Hz, many laptop AC adapters are designed to work anywhere) then you can use it in Hong Kong and Malaysia, since they use 240V 50Hz mains electricity. If it only accepts 110V 60Hz (the US standard), then you need to get yourself a new adapter for use in Asia. In the first case, you still need a plug adapter (since the US and Asia use different-sized electricity plugs), but those you can get at any electrical store, or at the airport. — QuantumEleven 11:36, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Laptop ac adapters are built to handle different voltages; they know that many people use them for international travel. You can verify this by finding the "input voltage" section on the little card attached to the adapter. My very old Inspiron certainly does, and I don't think I've ever seen a laptop adapter that doesn't. Naturally you'll need to buy a travel adapter to adapt to the different kind of plug - List of countries with mains power plugs, voltages and frequencies says both places use a British type BS 1363 plug. If you'll be there a while then go into a local electrical/computer store (of which KL and HK are full) and get a locally-plugged laptop power cable (that ends in the three-lobe cloverleaf which most laptop vendors, including Dell, use); you don't need a new adapter, just the cable. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 11:43, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Networking

This is a crude diagram of how my home network would be set up. http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8742/mynetworkgx8.png -- would this network be okay? I'm not sure about devices plugged into the 1st switch accessing files from devices on the 2nd switch and vice verca, and how the 2nd switch will assign IPs. The three Xboxes will need to access the shared folders from the first PC. Is there any major problem with this setup? Thanks.

It is okay. Except you should not need to use any crossover cables. Make sure that if your switches do not automatically detect uplink, that you plug the cable between them into the "uplink" port on the "5 port switch". Switches work at the data link layer of the OSI and do not deal with "IPs". --Spoon! 04:32, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
As far as I know, all the connections except the ones between the switch and router should use normal ("Straight through") cables (Basically, what User:Spoon! said above). 68.39.174.238 06:11, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Transfer an archived web site to my own web pages

There is a web archive which hosts web sites which have been discontinued for one reason or another.

I am interested in acquiring certain archived web pages for an historic web site in my own web pages.

Is it possible to change the http of the archived item to my own http page?

Hope my question is not too involved and hope you are able to help.

Thanks.

Mannie De Saxe —Preceding unsigned comment added by Josken (talk • contribs) 05:42, 17 December 2006

You're going to have to more specific. What does it mean to "change the http of the archived item to my own http page"? I don't really understand what you are trying to do. Do you want to just save a page, and then put it on your site? --Spoon! 05:50, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
For most websites, you can copy their HTML and images straight from the IA's WbM. There's really no technical impediment, however you should be careful about HOW you use these webpages as the copyrights will definately still be owned by other people. 68.39.174.238 06:09, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Perhaps you're thinking of Internet Archive (website) which stores copies of the whole web. As long as you didn't forbid it in robots.txt, and as long as the Internet Archive web crawler visited your site, you should be on it.
As 68.39.174.238 said, you should be able to get the HTML source, images, etc, from there (they do add a bit of javascript at the bottom of web pages, and change the links to images, but it's easy to change those things) --h2g2bob 08:54, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] rapidshare

i just downloaded a movie frm rapidshare but the problem is that it keeps on asking for a password , any idea what the rapid share password is?? thanxMi2n15 08:58, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

I would assume you needed to sign up and chose a username and password at the time. It should be that password. StuRat 13:18, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
If you already downloaded the movie, then the file itself is password protected. There's nothing we can do to help you then, unless you give us more info. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 13:26, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

i downloaded it and there was a message asking e for a passwordMi2n15 15:45, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Did you download something that ends with the letters ".zip" or ".rar" ? Frequently people will share compressed files and password protect them, for various reasons. If the file name is something like "The.Great.Train.Robbery.by.Thomas.Edison.[www.piratical.tld].rar", try entering the website address as the password. 68.39.174.238 22:35, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
If it's a .zip file you're in luck. ZIP files have very poor password protection "thingamabob's" er... routines? Anyway, you can use Ultimate Zip Cracker to run through the file and it will find it quite quickly. With .rar it's much harder. Password cracking is SLOW, you'd want a multi-threaded CPU running several copies of a RAR cracking tool (use Google), and you'd probably need a couple of months if you need to do an exhaustive (i.e. not a dictionary-based or some-other-restrictive- criterion) search. On the other hand, if it is a popular enough file someone out there would have cracked it already. Search for the filename on Google with the word "password" and it should come up. Zunaid©Please rate me at Editor Review! 09:39, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] AXEL.DAV

When I start my system, a Compaq presario, I get two pop up boxes saying that Windows cannot open this program and asking whether I want to go on the web to find the program it was written in. Does anybody know what AXEL.DAV is? How do I remove it? I've gone to all programs and the control panel add/remove programs to try to delete it and its still there. I ran a full system scan with Norton and removed 9 adware/spyware programs but this AXEL.DAV is still there when I reboot. Can anyone help? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.230.102.166 (talk) 14:26, 17 December 2006 (UTC).

If you Google "AXEL.DAV" you'll find about 300 pages describing what it is and how to remove it. It is a virus, not spyware. That being said: Are you sure that Norton's virus definitions are up to date? If you have any doubts, download AVG instead and make sure it auto-updates. You should also try booting in Safe Mode and then run the virus scan. --24.147.86.187 15:40, 17 December 2006 (UTC)


how do I get to safe mode with XP? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.230.102.166 (talk) 19:01, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Repeatedly press "F8" as the system boots up. You'll get to a screen with a menu and a load of options, one of which will be "Safe mode". Select that and press enter. 68.39.174.238 22:37, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] SQL in Biomedical Databases

What are the main features, advantages and benefits of the database querying tool Standard Query Language or SQL? In what sorts of setting is it most often used? What are its advantages over other database querying tools??? Please give examples of how SQL may be used in retrieving information from, for example, a database of symptoms of, and approved medicines for, acute malaria. →15:10, 17 December 2006 (UTC)15:10, 17 December 2006 (UTC)15:10, 17 December 2006 (UTC)~

Take a look at SQL, come back if you have more questions. Also, it is Structured Query Language, not Standard. It is usually used in relational databases; it is a very simple and powerful way to do complicated queries from multiple tables. You're going to have to figure out how it works with your own biomedical databases. --24.147.86.187 15:43, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Regarding the example:
Select *
From
symptoms a, approved_medicines b, icd10 c
Where
c.description='acute malaria'
and a.icd10_code=c.icd10_code
and b.icd10_code=c.icd10_code
Explanation... get the ICD10 code for malaria from the ICD10 table, and join this result to the symptoms and approved_medicines tables, and display all (*) results. Sandman30s 09:31, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Wireless Security Overrated?

If the router I'm connected to wirelessly has open access, does that mean people can access files on my computer? If the biggest risk is that someone can access the internet, I don't really care (I've never seen anyone elses MAC address in the router set up interface anyway). --Username132 (talk) 16:03, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

People could only do that IF you have shared folders/directorys on your computer. Note however that if you have Windows 2000 or XP, Windows automatically shares every hard disk in the system for administrative reasons (IE. Someone would need to know your "Administrator" account password). If they crack your password (Or guess it if it's really poor), then they can do all sorts of mischief with your machine. Note however that if someone was to use your Internet connection, your IP would be the one showing up in server logs, so if they did something like flood the world with SPAM, you'd be in alot of trouble. All that said, if you live in say, a forest, where there's noone around for miles and noone can loiter nearby, you're probably safe. Just the same, I have to suggest setting up some form of security. 68.39.174.238 22:44, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
If someone gains access to your network, they could cause quite a bit of mischief. It would be a very good idea to secure your network, even with the weaker WEP. Splintercellguy 07:34, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
Another thing to worry about is that anyone able to log into your unencrypted router with the intent of snooping may potentially also be able to easily view all of the information you send or receive across the internet. Of course, some extremely private things, such as purchases and passwords, are automatically encrypted by the software, but still. --64.0.112.35 14:45, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
Basically, if you're router/accesspoint support WPA (1 or 2) and you can get your operating system to, protection is unbelievably easy: Set the "PSK" on the router, connect with your computer, enter the key, and that should be it. Granted, as above, if your circumstances are such that you know you'll be safe without it... 68.39.174.238 07:30, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Can I UnRAID My Drives, Keeping The System (Smaller) Partition Intact?

I have a RAID 0 array consisting of two 160 GB SATA drives. The array is then split into two partitions, 200 GB and whatever is left. I want to turn the array into two separate drives (so I can user OpenSuse which wont run on my system with SATA drives until I disable RAID and enable legacy PATA mode). Can I do this without reinstalling Windows? --Username132 (talk) 16:43, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Not without other software tools (I'm pretty sure), and even then I'm not sure. You could probably adjust the 200 partition down to 160 and have a rough equivalence between the two disks and partitions, however since the data from partition 1 and likely sprayed across both disks, de-RAIDing them would likely totally ruin both partitions. Note: If someone who knows more about this has advice, I suggest you go with him since my experience with RAID is almost all theory. 68.39.174.238 22:53, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
You'll need a temporary place to copy your data to while you remove the RAID. I'm not aware of any software that preserves data while removing striping. Droud 03:10, 19 December 2006 (UTC)
Problem with that is, if they want to save their system partition, the copy would also have to copy the boot sector/data or else the system wouldn't boot on the return. 68.39.174.238 07:31, 19 December 2006 (UTC)
Boot sectors are standard, easily fixed, and copied by most partition backup software. Don't worry about boot sectors too much, Username132. This does bring up a good point in that you need to use partition backup and copying software (like Norton Ghost, there are many good options however) to effectively do this. Droud 02:07, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] formatting flash drive

i have a 512 MB pen drive(flash drive) which by mistake i formatted and selected file system NTFS now this pen drive is not being detected ,its showing fyle system RAW.Now i can not revert back the file system. how to revert back pl help me? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 219.64.74.74 (talk) 17:07, 17 December 2006 (UTC).

Is it not possible to format it back to FAT32 in the same way that you formatted it to NTFS? I take it you're not concerned with the files that were on there? If you are the say so and await further advise. --Username132 (talk) 18:57, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
No, for some stupid reason Windows Explorer doesn't let you do anything to a file system if it doesn't recognise it. However, you might succeed if you open up "Computer Management" in "Administrative Tools" and use the Logical Volumes management thing (I can't remember what it's called). If that fails, your other option is to connect it to your computer while running some form of GNU/Linux. Open a Terminal and type mkfs.fat32 /dev/sda. Note that it might not be the exact command... --wj32 talk | contribs 03:17, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

Ha, so you have done this too! Try: Start>Setting>Control panel>Administrative tools>Computer management>Disk management> (here you select the USB drive, then the "action" tab) >All tasks>Format (select type of format. Hope this helps. --Seejyb 09:14, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] laptop login password

Can somebody please let me know how I can get into my laptop. I have lost my windows login password and I am stuck.--Mosherl 18:02, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor --131.215.155.151 21:56, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] CompactFlash to SD Cards and other Transfers

Is there a way to transfer some images or pictures from a CompactFlash memory card to a SD Card? Also, how can I get music on a SD Card? I'm having trouble trying to find the right equipment online. -MF14

As far as I know, you can copy them directly, however you will need a device that can read both a CF and a SD cards. Same with music (Assuming it's like an MP3 file). 68.39.174.238 22:48, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Using a computer: USB multicard readers are reasonably cheap, and the different slot on the reader appear to your computer like different drives. So it is a matter of copy and paste. --Seejyb 23:11, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Alright, thanx. That's helpful. -MF14

[edit] Corrupted .avi

A friend of mine created a little video using FRAPS. It went well, but he was a little negligent and didn't create a backup. When he tried to compress the file from .avi into .mpg it became corrupted. He sent it to me to try to fix it but I really don't have any ideas either. What are my options? This is relatively high priority footage. 64.251.182.80 19:34, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Easiest would be to see if the original AVI remains sitting around somewhere. Also, how exactly did it corrupt? What sort of error messages do you get upon playing it. 68.39.174.238 22:49, 17 December 2006 (UTC)
Sometimes converters create a temporary file and work on that, then create the output, delete the temporary file, and then delete the original file (very naughty!). Your best bet would be to undelete the temp or original file with something like Handy Recovery. Sandman30s 14:44, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
Try running the file in VLC media player which you can download for free. It is very good and has played corrupted files where other players have failed. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Cmcmillan (talk • contribs) 19:11, 28 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Rebooting in safe mode

Does anybody know how to reboot in safe mode running windows xp home? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Odell38 (talk • contribs) 21:17, 17 December 2006 (UTC).

Safe Mode in Microsoft Windows is accessed by repeatedly pressing the "F8" key as the operating system boots. When a boot menu appears, select Safe Mode. –mysid☎ 21:38, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Playing a sound and flash in C# 2005

Hello all, I have 2 questions: 1- How can i make a flash of extension swf open in a new form? 2- How can i associate a certain sound file of extension wav to play on a certain button click?(considering that i can move the whole program to a different pc, so i dont want to write the sound file path relative to the pc ) Thx in advance Yasmeen —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 196.218.0.89 (talk) 21:30, 17 December 2006 (UTC).