Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2008 February 6

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Computing desk
< February 5 << Jan | February | Mar >> February 7 >
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] February 6

[edit] getting out of Picture mode -- Vista

I clicked on Pictures, and ever since Vista insists on displaying ALL my folders in Picture mode. How do I make it display ordinary folders, with file names, dates, sizes, etc., instead of all that stuff that only pertains to pictures? (Yes, there is Windows "help," but TMI.) Many thanks in advance. --Halcatalyst (talk) 01:30, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Ending your question with doxtl;dr won't get it answered anywhere.. anyway as I recall the fix is obscure and involves deleting some cache file and some registry keys and disabling the folder autodetection, forcing every folder to All Items (unless you make exceptions specifically for the folders you want). I always have a hard time finding the fix after reformatting and a cursory look didn't turn anything up, try googling --:D\=< (talk) 04:06, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
Ye gods, I'm not going to descend into the bowels of the machine. Anybody got higher level ideas? --Halcatalyst (talk) 05:20, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
In Windows Explorer click "View" on the tool bar and choose the display style you want, Icons, Tiles, Details, etc. Now click "Organize" on the tool bar and select "Folder and Search Options," click the "View" tab, select "Apply to Folders." Click "Apply" and "OK." Alternatively, you can click "Reset Folders" on the "View" tab to restore default folder views. —Wayward Talk 09:03, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
No, that definitely doesn't work at all. For most people that option does absolutely nothing except flip the bit saying the box is checked :D\=< (talk) 14:03, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
So, is there no (realistic) way out of this annoying situation? --Halcatalyst (talk) 21:33, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Firefox bug?

I noticed an interesting behavior in Firefox today. Clicking on a button (not a link) works fine the first time, however if you go back to the page, the page has to be reloaded. For example, a search on google: I enter some terms to search, click "google search." Once I'm on the results page, if I go back to the google front page, and enter new terms, the "google search" button does nothing (likewise the "I'm feeling lucky" button is useless). Reload the page and everything works again.

This is of course, not limited to google. The Wikipedia search does the same (in fact, every button I have tried thus far). Any ideas what might be the issue? Thanks, --TeaDrinker (talk) 04:21, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I can't reproduce this. What platform and version of Firefox are you on? — Matt Eason (Talk • Contribs) 15:24, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
No, this actually occurs, but I have always assumed I can change some option to stop it. The problem is that when you go back to a page and press the same button (or any button for that matter), it simply does not respond. To solve the problem, just refresh/ reload the page ,and every thing is fine. This problem occurs mainly with WP when viewed under Firefox, and an OS of XP and possibly Vista but I am not sure. I have never experienced this problem before with IE, so I am guessing there is something wrong with Firefox parameters. Cheers! Λua∫Wise (Operibus anteire) 15:57, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
The problem seems to occur only on Windows XP (haven't tried Vista). My home computer (OSX) does not have the same trouble. I know that refreshing works, although it is a bit of a pain. --TeaDrinker (talk) 16:51, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
I don't doubt that it occurs, but I really can't reproduce it. XP SP2, Firefox 2.0.0.11 (en-GB), with and without extensions. Does this happen if you start Firefox in safe mode to disable all extensions? It's in the start menu in the same group as Firefox - it'll be labelled 'Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)' — Matt Eason (Talk • Contribs) 17:21, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
Rather unsual because I have XP SP2, Firefox 2.0.0.11 as well. You do not need to do anything to reproduce it, simply open Firefox and go to a certain page ,e.g. trying editing this converstion, press save and then go back and try and see if "save" actually works the second time, although I'd prefer you do that in the sandbox cause if you have no problems, this will involve sending postdata which will create duplicate entries. The problem is quite annoying but not at all serious, but I repeat: Very Annoying!. Cheers! Λua∫Wise (Operibus anteire) 19:05, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
I did try safe mode, which did not replicate the bug. After some experimentation with add ons, I found the real player add on to be at fault. When it is on, the bug crops up. Thanks for the help! --TeaDrinker (talk) 22:08, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
No problem. Looks like RealPlayer and another of their add-ons cause quite a few bugs in Firefox. — Matt Eason (Talk • Contribs) 00:17, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] MacOS fonts to .ttf

Looking for a free utility for MacOS to translate some of my bazillions of fonts to .ttf format so Povray can use them. (Years ago I did a few with Fontographer, but that was when I had a computer that could run Fontographer.) —Tamfang (talk) 10:26, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I've never used it, but apparently fondu does this. --24.147.69.31 (talk) 17:13, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
Thanks, that's useful. Something that actually converts PS fonts, say, to TT would be even usefuller, but I guess I'm not about to find that for free! —Tamfang (talk) 05:36, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
Usefuller?? ugh. --24.249.108.133 (talk) 17:10, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
No sensayuma! —Tamfang (talk) 06:53, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Running a game in a Virtual Machine?

I have never used a virtual machine before, but I wish to play an old game called Interstate 76 and while it SORT OF runs under XP I lack sound, and was wondering if (seeing as the game has very low system requirements) I would be able to emulate a 3d accelerated machine under VMWare or whatever the Microsoft thing is. My machine is an AMD X2 4400+, with 2GB DDR400 memory, and an ATI x1950 Pro 512MB. What would be the best way of doing this? I have an old Windows 98 SE disk, and a bunch of free drive space but no idea which bit of software to use or if it is possible to emulate (is that how the machines work) a Direct3d card. Will I need drivers for my hardware but for Windows 98? TheGreatZorko (talk) 12:41, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm sure it depends on the virtualizer you use, but in many cases, no, you don't need 98 drivers to run on your host hardware, as the guest OS is not actually accessing your hardware directly. The virtualizer will access your host hardware through normal calls to it and provide its own virtual drivers for the guest operation system. So when it thinks it is sending a sound to your speakers, it is actually sending the sound to your host OS's sound system (which can send it to the speaker or ignore it or whatever you want it to do). Either Parallels Workstation or VMware Workstation should be able to do what you want. I've used Parallels mostly myself (though emulating XP on OS X) and easily get 3D, DirectX games of that vintage to run (Deus Ex, Unreal Tournament, even a stuttering Half-Life 2!). --24.147.69.31 (talk) 16:56, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] How to RUN a program in Windows

I killed some Windows file associations. Mostly those useless right-click functions such as "Open with Stupid App" or "Send to Boring App". However, I killed open by Explorer or its equivalent by mistake. Now whenever I click an .exe file, it does not execute the program. I am with my already opened programs.

How do I solve this problem without reinstall the Windows? -- Toytoy (talk) 13:17, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Hold down shift when you right-click and you'll get the elusive "Open with..." option that lets you choose any program. It also has a checkbox for remembering what you chose. -- kainaw™ 13:18, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
No, I cannot see it. I can open and execute .msi (setup program). Maybe I can get a Windows check program and install it and then let it run after installation. -- Toytoy (talk) 13:32, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I can create a new file extension, such as .fvhjgvjghv . I then double click it and I can select a program to open it. Now I can run just about every program.

Can you recommend a Windows utility that can repair bad file association? -- Toytoy (talk) 13:39, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Do an in-place upgrade if you're using XP :D\=< (talk) 14:02, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
I might be wrong but I seem to recall some sort of file association repair being part of Tweak UI? You might give that a try. --24.147.69.31 (talk) 16:59, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I tried:

  1. Open a folder and select Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
  2. All buttons are disabled (colored gray)

I ran Norton Windows Doctor, it fails to find this type of error. Incorrect .exe file association can't be a problem, can it? -- Toytoy (talk) 19:21, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Finally, I restored the system. Now it's OK and I am the happiest man on Planet Earth. Long Live Bill Gates! Thank you for your wonderful computer system. -- Toytoy (talk) 20:13, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] DirectX 10

Hello, Does anyone know of a safe (preferably tested) method of running DirectX 10 under XP. Yes, I know it is only for Vista, but there seems to be sort of a hacked version that would change its restrictive parameters to allow XP OS's to run DirectX 10 (rather it is the opposite, DirectX to run on XP). Well, I am particularly interested in Direct3D which seems to have improved greatly from its DirectX 9c. Ideas anyone? :) Λua∫Wise (Operibus anteire) 16:06, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I've yet to hear of a way to use DirectX 10 in XP, but I would love to find out, too. Useight (talk) 16:07, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
Ways exist, but it's easier to just find a version of the game that's been hacked to work with DX9 :D\=< (talk) 17:06, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
As far as I can tell, no, they don't. Not as of yet, at least. You can convince some games to enable their extra 'DX10-only' features when rendering in DX9, but that seems to be the extent of it. Care to share your 'ways'? -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 22:30, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
It isn't actually possible. There was a studio that was supposedly creating a way of doing it called Falling Leaf studios, and they required donation money to test the software. Now they have closed the project after releasing one single version that doesn't really work well at all. It should be noted that there is a difference between running Direct X 10 under XP and running Vista exclusive games (none of which require direct x 10) under XP, which is possible but probably not legal. The reference to "DX10 only" is probably to do with Crysis' Very High settings. Yes, it is possible to enable them under XP but they are only aproximations of DX10 effects used when demoing the game, and don't look as nice as actual directX 10, once the 1.1 patch has been applied TheGreatZorko (talk) 08:57, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
Don't see what would be illegal there. EULA-voiding, sure, but good luck prosecuting anyone for a EULA violation in court. Just expanding a bit: the reason that those games are XP-playable with some effort is that they just use Vista's version of DX9, 9.0L. And that 'Falling Leaf Studios' thing was an obvious scam, I can't understand how some people actually donated money to it. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 00:41, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] windoz media player won't start and stop ripping, right?

Just checking to see if there is something I missed; I have a bunch of live recordings made on audio CDs, where there are like ten songs on each track, I'd like to transfer them to one song per track, (preferably something lossless like WMA). But I can't just let media player start ripping a track, then hit stop, can I? Need to rip the whole track and then need some kind of editing software just to break it into songs? <sarcasm>Gee, this is way more nifty than those old fashioned tape recorders with their start and stop buttons.</sarcasm> thanks. Gzuckier (talk) 19:18, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I'd try ripping the whole CD as one track (in as high a quality as possible, preferably a lossless codec although this will require seperate software) then splitting it into individual tracks using Audacity, a piece of free audio editing software. TheGreatZorko (talk) 08:53, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Sharing contacts in Outlook

I work for a helpdesk and I have several associates needing to share the same contact address book. One Associate updates and the two others need to access it. I know how to import/export but it seems to do that with ALL of their contacts and not just the one distribution list they need.

What i was thinking is having them save all the contacts in a shared folder on our network. It looks like it saves via a .rtf extension. However, I can not get this to work correctly. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks, Kyle —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.75.245.130 (talk) 20:36, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Add a contacts Public Folder in Outlook; if you don't know how to do it, ask your friendly Exchange administrator for help —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.92.130.188 (talk) 02:59, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] rope!

Video games with realistic rope in them post The Hobbit (2003 video game) and ico. 'next-gen' examples especially please. I assume there are some, thanks in advance. (to myself - why don't all games have rope in them?).87.102.74.24 (talk) 20:46, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Most realistic rope? Garry's Mod :D\=< (talk) 21:29, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
Garry's Mod rope isn't realistic at all. It clips through everything including world geometry - which it gets stuck in. Sure it pulls fine, but if I lay it over a box it just falls through. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 16:01, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
Rope doesn't get stuck in world geometry, nor does it clip through it (the ground at least). But it clips through objects on purpose so it doesn't get stuck on anything- it's supposed to be a physics constraint :D\=< (talk) 14:44, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
Yes, rope is a wonderful thing, isn't it? But what exactly is your question on the subject of rope in video games? Do you want us to catalog all video games after 2003 that have ropes in them? Or do you want to know how they did it? — Kjammer  ⌂ 22:44, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
I was looking for examples of better simulations of rope than the examples I gave - also in terms of the use of rope in gameplay - eg how about rope ladders, rope bridges etc..77.86.9.181 (talk) 17:29, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
Anything that does something else with 'rope' other than (as the poster below points out) adding more links to the rope structure.77.86.9.181 (talk) 17:43, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

I can't name any specific new games with better rope than Prince of Persia: Sands of Time as there isn't really much you can improve over it other than increasing the "resolution" of the joints in the rope. You might be interested to look at cloth physics, which are made by linking a large amount of "rope" together. There is a free game with fairly impressive cloth physics (if your PC can handle it) called CellFactor. TheGreatZorko (talk) 08:49, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

mmh maybe cloth physics could be used to make trampolines. Point taken about number or joints in the rope. Actually I haven't seen any games with flexible- rope in since about 2003. Conspiracy perhaps!77.86.9.181 (talk) 17:33, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
Yes, Rope Simulation Technologies are being hidden and supressed by the governments of the world. Goodness knows what the terrorists can do with such technology. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 20:19, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
I thought so thanks.
Resolved.

[edit] making a computer work

i just found a computer on the street (in a computer magazine) and i like the design a lot but it's not to scale. how can i make it to scale (kinko's?) and where would i take it to find the parts that are missing, like case, monitor, hard-drive, ram, motherboard, etc, etc.

Thanky ou! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.122.72.147 (talk) 22:58, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Did you find a picture of a computer and you want to know where to buy it? Can we see the picture? —BradV 00:44, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Videos not playing fullscreen?

How can I get videos to play fullscreen on my computer. All that comes up is a black screen when I click the full screen button. I can get fullscreen with DivX videos but not youtube. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.148.85.137 (talk) 23:01, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm afraid this isn't enough information for us to help you. Perhaps we will be able to help if you tell us which operating system and browser you are using. —BradV 00:48, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
Do you have 2 displays connected? Look in you video card options e.g. Catalyst for ATI cards, and look for an option to swap display mapping. Once you find it, use it. I had a similar experience and that worked for me. 161.222.160.8 (talk) 21:19, 7 February 2008 (UTC)