The "Quick Questions That Don't Deserve A Thread"...Thread. v5 - Hardware & Software

[QUOTE=huntingrifle;47344793][URL="http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Hunter-AP/saved/rgBhP6"]My build[/URL] won't really need extensive cooling, it was more so to know if there are better alternative, even if they're wacky and really weird like the videos I referenced, and also that my question was partially hypothetical.[/QUOTE] Yeah especially with maxwell cards you should be fine.

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;47326549]VLC supports it out of the box.[/QUOTE]I tried that, it won't stream for some reason.

I've got an 8 gig USB flash drive that is write protected for some reason. I don't remember ever enabling it, and I can't format it or anything. I tried everything listed in[URL="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-fix-write-protection-errors-on-a-usb-stick/"]this[/URL] guide but it didn't work. Do you have any suggestions? I've backed up the files twice, so I'm game for something extreme as long as it retains full functionality.

So diskpart didn't work? Also some flash controllers will turn read-only when it senses it's close to failing so you can get the information off.

I've heard that SSD's have problems with operating systems. I'm on Windows 8.1, will I have any problems if I install one and use it for my OS and a few Steam games?

[QUOTE=Agoat;47350793]I've heard that SSD's have problems with operating systems. I'm on Windows 8.1, will I have any problems if I install one and use it for my OS and a few Steam games?[/QUOTE] Where did you hear that? The standard advice is to use an SSD for your OS drive if you can possibly afford it. There might have been some problems with old OSes when SSDs first hit the scene, but 8.1 is perfectly fine.

[QUOTE=Levelog;47350773]So diskpart didn't work? Also some flash controllers will turn read-only when it senses it's close to failing so you can get the information off.[/QUOTE] Diskpart wouldn't find it at all. That might be the case, though I didn't use it too much. Is there a way to diagnose that?

[QUOTE=cpt.armadillo;47350860]Diskpart wouldn't find it at all. That might be the case, though I didn't use it too much. Is there a way to diagnose that?[/QUOTE] If diskpart wouldn't find it with a "list disk" then there is probably something wrong with it. Do you know how it's formatted?

[QUOTE=Levelog;47350933]If diskpart wouldn't find it with a "list disk" then there is probably something wrong with it. Do you know how it's formatted?[/QUOTE] Straight up FAT32 and default allocation size. Should we take this to PM or a new thread?

[QUOTE=cpt.armadillo;47350971]Straight up FAT32 and default allocation size. Should we take this to PM or a new thread?[/QUOTE] Nah, I'm not entirely sure how much further I can go, I don't mess with flash drives often. Probably best for others to be able to see and input.

[QUOTE=gman003-main;47350835]Where did you hear that? The standard advice is to use an SSD for your OS drive if you can possibly afford it. There might have been some problems with old OSes when SSDs first hit the scene, but 8.1 is perfectly fine.[/QUOTE] I don't remember where I heard it, but it was probably talking about the older OSes you mentioned. SSD is next on my list of upgrades!

I was unsure if this is the right section for my question as most of the content here seems computer oriented, but I hope some of you might be able to help me; my roommate just picked up this nice 50'' samsung TV for $60, the only issue being these lines: [URL]http://i.imgur.com/U46VXQN.jpg[/URL] Vertical lines come and go usually with bright colors or reds. It's a Samsung un46b7000wfxza. He said he has taken it apart pretty good and resecured all clips and ribbons. He said he thinks it is the 'tcon board' but I dont know what that is. Might any of you know how to fix this? So I just discovered I posted the wrong link, I want to keep it there because that was so funny to me; here is the one I meant to provide: [url]http://i.imgur.com/mvfvIKm.jpg[/url]

[QUOTE=cpt.armadillo;47350709]I've got an 8 gig USB flash drive that is write protected for some reason. I don't remember ever enabling it, and I can't format it or anything. I tried everything listed in[URL="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-fix-write-protection-errors-on-a-usb-stick/"]this[/URL] guide but it didn't work. Do you have any suggestions? I've backed up the files twice, so I'm game for something extreme as long as it retains full functionality.[/QUOTE] What model is it?

I recently picked up a few cheap computers off Ebay. First computer is an old iMac G3, it's specs: [QUOTE] iMac DV Special Edition (Summer 2000) Mac OS 9.0.4 500MHz Power PC 750 CPU 30 GB HDD 512 MB RAM ATI Rage 128 Pro 8 MB VRAM [/QUOTE] It's been many years since I've really done anything with a iMac, so whats some neat games/programs for it? So far I've already got Quake I & II, Doom I & II, Duke3D, and System Shock on it. Feel free to PM me any recommendations. The other computer I bought was a IBM ThinkPad T43. I've been having problems with it's battery. When I first got it would not hold a charge, but it seemingly charged its battery full a few days back. Unfortunately, I let it die and it hasn't been able to hold a charge since. I'm pretty sure it's not the battery that originally came with the system, and it might of been opened up at some point due to some chipping on the back of it. Do I need to replace the battery, or is there something else wrong with it that I can fix?

Why don't they design SSDs so they go into read only mode instead of outright failing? It seems stupid that they don't.

[QUOTE=RoboChimp;47353831]Why don't they design SSDs so they go into read only mode instead of outright failing? It seems stupid that they don't.[/QUOTE] Some drives are meant to.

not sure where this go but, my fraps keeps giving me choppy videos everytime i finished recording, any ideas?

[QUOTE=Spectre1406;47354306]not sure where this go but, my fraps keeps giving me choppy videos everytime i finished recording, any ideas?[/QUOTE] are you recording to the same drive you're playing the game from?

[QUOTE=Ripvayne;47352841]I was unsure if this is the right section for my question as most of the content here seems computer oriented, but I hope some of you might be able to help me; my roommate just picked up this nice 50'' samsung TV for $60, the only issue being these lines: [url]http://i.imgur.com/U46VXQN.jpg[/url] Vertical lines come and go usually with bright colors or reds. It's a Samsung un46b7000wfxza. He said he has taken it apart pretty good and resecured all clips and ribbons. He said he thinks it is the 'tcon board' but I dont know what that is. Might any of you know how to fix this?[/QUOTE] I think the problem is you have shoes on the TV. The T-con board basically controls the LCD. But yeah, usually those lines are the sign of a bad board.

[QUOTE=Sini;47353206]What model is it?[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://sale.images.woot.com/Dane-Elec_8GB_Capless_USB_DriveyxlStandard.jpg[/IMG] This one but in orange and a yellowish color.

[QUOTE=cpt.armadillo;47357614][IMG]http://sale.images.woot.com/Dane-Elec_8GB_Capless_USB_DriveyxlStandard.jpg[/IMG] This one but in orange and a yellowish color.[/QUOTE] Its firmware is busted for some reason. That manufacturer doesn't appear to have specific tools for fixing it so try this instead: [url]http://www.pny.com.tw/index.php?cls=2&mode=download[/url] (Ufix-II) If it's USB3 then try first entry from here: [url]http://us.apacer.com/support/download/result/3,8,0[/url] -This one helped me to fix Kingston USB3 drive.

[QUOTE=Sini;47357760]Its firmware is busted for some reason. That manufacturer doesn't appear to have specific tools for fixing it so try this instead: [url]http://www.pny.com.tw/index.php?cls=2&mode=download[/url] (Ufix-II) If it's USB3 then try first entry from here: [url]http://us.apacer.com/support/download/result/3,8,0[/url] -This one helped me to fix Kingston USB3 drive.[/QUOTE] I'll try the PNY tool, as the other second one didn't work when I tried it before. is it really only for USB3.0?

[QUOTE=LordCrypto;47354474]are you recording to the same drive you're playing the game from?[/QUOTE] No, separate. Recording's smooth, but the playback isn't.

I have another question, this time about a problem on my laptop. I started it up as usual, did some work and watched some videos. I went to play TitanFall, but the game was graphically broken as soon as I entered a match. I choose to play Warframe instead, but the frame rate was awful, being at <30 compared to reaching around 120 normally. Thinking it was a bug in Warframe (a common occurrence) or TitanFall, I went on CoD: Advanced Warfare. The problem was, the main menu itself was lagging and didn't want to cooperate. I attempted to change my graphics setting with Nvidia Inspector, but it told me that "You need a GPU with Driver version 257 or newer". I tried checking for a problem on the Nvidia GeForce program, but it said I did not have an Nvidia GPU. I checked the display drivers in the Control Panel, and instead of my GTX 660M, the name was "Basic Display Adapter", with the error "The Driver did not load properly. Please update or re-install this driver for it to work properly". I restarted m computer and everything is fine, but I'm wondering if I should be concerned. It's the first time it's happened, but I'd rather know if I should do anything before the GPU could completely stop working.

How worried should I be about a single code 116 BSOD? It happened during a game of Killing Floor earlier today. I played for a few hours after reverting my CPU OC and updating the drivers, and so far nothing bad has happened. No artifacts or other adverse effects.

[QUOTE=zombini;47358432]How worried should I be about a single code 116 BSOD? It happened during a game of Killing Floor earlier today. I played for a few hours after reverting my CPU OC and updating the drivers, and so far nothing bad has happened. No artifacts or other adverse effects.[/QUOTE] It's usually related to video drivers and whatnot Your OC may have affected it negatively

[QUOTE=huntingrifle;47358323]I have another question, this time about a problem on my laptop. I started it up as usual, did some work and watched some videos. I went to play TitanFall, but the game was graphically broken as soon as I entered a match. I choose to play Warframe instead, but the frame rate was awful, being at <30 compared to reaching around 120 normally. Thinking it was a bug in Warframe (a common occurrence) or TitanFall, I went on CoD: Advanced Warfare. The problem was, the main menu itself was lagging and didn't want to cooperate. I attempted to change my graphics setting with Nvidia Inspector, but it told me that "You need a GPU with Driver version 257 or newer". I tried checking for a problem on the Nvidia GeForce program, but it said I did not have an Nvidia GPU. I checked the display drivers in the Control Panel, and instead of my GTX 660M, the name was "Basic Display Adapter", with the error "The Driver did not load properly. Please update or re-install this driver for it to work properly". I restarted m computer and everything is fine, but I'm wondering if I should be concerned. It's the first time it's happened, but I'd rather know if I should do anything before the GPU could completely stop working.[/QUOTE] reinstall graphics drivers and see if the problem ever comes back

Turns out there was an update for mine, installed it and everything. It works, but I'm still unsure if the issue could come back.

[QUOTE=cpt.armadillo;47358130]I'll try the PNY tool, as the other second one didn't work when I tried it before. is it really only for USB3.0?[/QUOTE] Yeah, USB version matters.

So, somebody is offering me a IBM eServer X225 or X235, which seems to have interesting specs on the first look. It has two Intel Xeon 3.06 GHz CPUs, 4 GB of RAM and 2x80 GB SCSI 320 drives, for 20 bucks. Is it worth it to buy this server? I could run a few game servers on it, as my main server only has 1 GB of RAM, and i'd be more expensive off to buy a new batch of DDR2. Another question, is SCSI 320 balls slow compared to SATA 2? I've never used SCSI before so I'm not sure.