The UnOfficial Mo-Fo Advice Column for 2016

[Captain Steel]

It seems like there's a fairly close-knit & reasonable group of intelligent people here.
So bring your problems & worries here and we (the collective "we") will attempt to provide solutions and advice.

[MovieGal]

Sexy did you hijack Captain Steel's id?

[MovieGal]

My advice to you is - don't kill me. Or anybody.

I dont find this funny....

[Swan]

What can I do with all this kryptonite?

[MovieGal]

What can I do with all this kryptonite?

lol you dont want to hear my response to that... it was funny.... but I still wont post it...

[MovieGal]

My advice to you -- and this is far more important than the last advice -- is get a sense of humor!

my advice to you.. stop harassing..

[Captain Steel]

Have I done it again? ... And created a thread for which there are about a dozen similar ones already on the site?

Here's my problem - I keep creating new threads and then find out there are a bunch of similar ones already on the site that just haven't been bumped lately. Is there a way to search the site for keywords or something like that so I don't keep making the same mistakes (and can the answers include profound wisdom that I can apply to all areas of my life where I keep making the same mistakes)?

Thanks!

[Gatsby]

If this is the unofficial MoFo advice thread, how can I trust the advice posted here?

[MovieGal]

My advice to you is -- REMEMBER THIS -- I've been a member here since God was born -- I HAVE CREATED A THREAD FOR EVERYTHING ALREADY!

The reason so many of my current threads are strange is because I've now gone into the Outer Limits of ideas.

And because of going to the Outer Limits

he now looks like

http://ib1.huluim.com/video/14806516?region=US&size=600x400

[Captain Steel]

If this is the unofficial MoFo advice thread, how can I trust the advice posted here?

An important life lesson - you can't trust advice anywhere, no matter the source.
Advice is just an opinion - some are more educated or based on experience than others.
Good advice & bad advice are the same thing depending on how they are applied.

Here's a very long, but very great song that explains it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDAmdLCvTHo

[Citizen Rules]

Ahh...don't worry Captain, if there's a plethora of movie reboots, I guess it won't kill us to have thread reboots too.:p

[Captain Steel]

My advice to you is -- REMEMBER THIS -- I've been a member here since God was born -- I HAVE CREATED A THREAD FOR EVERYTHING ALREADY!

The reason so many of my current threads are strange is because I've now gone into the Outer Limits of ideas.

Are you the guy who first said "there is nothing new [original] under the sun" before Shakespeare said it? Or are you the guy who wrote it in the book of Ecclesiastes? Or did you say it before that? :p

[Captain Steel]

Ahh...don't worry Captain, if there's a plethora of movie reboots, I guess it won't kill us to have thread reboots too.:p

Yeah! And how many of those other threads had Allan Sherman songs on them? :D

[Yoda]

Have I done it again? ... And created a thread for which there are about a dozen similar ones already on the site?
Well, maybe. "Support" doesn't always require "Advice."

Here's my problem - I keep creating new threads and then find out there are a bunch of similar ones already on the site that just haven't been bumped lately. Is there a way to search the site for keywords or something like that so I don't keep making the same mistakes (and can the answers include profound wisdom that I can apply to all areas of my life where I keep making the same mistakes)?

Thanks!
Yes! In the header, next to your little avatar (to the left of User CP, New Posts, etc.) is a magnifying glass icon. Click it to bring up a search box.

You can also do an advanced search (http://www.movieforums.com/community/search.php). However, it be a little wonky. I might have to re-index it.

Failing that, search for something on Google and append "site:movieforums.com" to the end to restrict your search to that domain.

[Captain Steel]

Thanks Yoda! I never realized that little magnifying glass was a search icon and thanks for the additional tips.
And thanks to all others who PM'd me with similar advice.

My next question is automobile related - I was told I need new "wheel hub bearings" - my front wheels have been making a tinny noise that speeds up & slows down with the rotation of the wheels. That was about 6 months ago and I'm wondering if anyone knows how long you can ride on noisy wheel hub bearings before it becomes dangerous?

Also, the mechanic said I'd need a new converter (I'm assuming he meant a catalytic converter). The car has trouble gaining speed on hills & is slow on "pick up." So I'm wondering how long I can put that off. Each of these jobs runs about a grand, so I have to decide which to have done first.

[gbgoodies]

My next question is automobile related - I was told I need new "wheel hub bearings" - my front wheels have been making a tinny noise that speeds up & slows down with the rotation of the wheels. That was about 6 months ago and I'm wondering if anyone knows how long you can ride on noisy wheel hub bearings before it becomes dangerous?

Hubby said that the bearings can seize up at any point, or they can explode. He said it's a safety issue, and you should get this fixed ASAP. Also, if you push this too far, you might have to change the spindles or the axles.


Also, the mechanic said I'd need a new converter (I'm assuming he meant a catalytic converter). The car has trouble gaining speed on hills & is slow on "pick up." So I'm wondering how long I can put that off. Each of these jobs runs about a grand, so I have to decide which to have done first.

He said when the car no longer runs, that means that the catalytic converter is totally clogged up.

[Captain Steel]

Hubby said that the bearings can seize up at any point, or they can explode. He said it's a safety issue, and you should get this fixed ASAP. Also, if you push this too far, you might have to change the spindles or the axles.




He said when the car no longer runs, that means that the catalytic converter is totally clogged up.

Wow! Thanks, gbg! And please express my gratitude to Hubby!
I'm going to call & schedule an appointment tomorrow. (I know they have to order the parts first.) Once that's done I'll have a new converter installed.

P.S. This thread is turning out better than I thought! :)

[Pindrop]

What do I do if I can't handle the truth?

[gbgoodies]

Wow! Thanks, gbg! And please express my gratitude to Hubby!
I'm going to call & schedule an appointment tomorrow. (I know they have to order the parts first.) Once that's done I'll have a new converter installed.

P.S. This thread is turning out better than I thought! :)


Hubby also said that $1000 sounds about right for the catalytic converter, but it sounds high for two axle bearings. What kind of car is it?

[Citizen Rules]

Captain, there should be a check engine light that comes on when the catalytic converter fails. Has that light come on?

[Captain Steel]

To gbg - the estimate for the hub bearings was about $900. They said I should replace both front ones, so $450 each. (I read that they'll usually try to sell you two sets of bearings when all you really need is one, but then a friend told me that if you replace something on one side of your wheels, you should always do the same on the other - he knows a little about cars.)
It's a 2002 Ford Escape, btw. But the engine was completely replaced in 2006.

To Rules - no check engine light as yet. But, the last time I had it in, it was because the check engine light was on - they said it was an electrical problem & said they had to replace wires. It was then that they diagnosed the wheel hub bearings and said that it would need a new converter soon because the mechanic that test drove it felt it didn't have sufficient power. I've noticed that also, more recently.

[Citizen Rules]

the last time I had it in, it was because the check engine light was on - they said it was an electrical problem & said they had to replace wires. It was then that they diagnosed the wheel hub bearings and said that it would need a new converter soon because the mechanic that test drove it felt it didn't have sufficient power. I've noticed that also, more recently. OK...that sounds fishy...you took it in for a check engine light and all that other stuff was bad too?

I hate it when mechanics find extra stuff wrong. Seriously I'd get a second opinion on the bearing noise. Les Schwab will most likely look at it for free. Just don't tell them another mechanic said there's a problem, instead just say you hear this noise coming from the front. Then see if they confirm the first diagnosis.

I'm almost positive that a partially clogged catheltic converter will generate a check engine warning light.

[gbgoodies]

To gbg - the estimate for the hub bearings was about $900. They said I should replace both front ones, so $450 each. (I read that they'll usually try to sell you two sets of bearings when all you really need is one, but then a friend told me that if you replace something on one side of your wheels, you should always do the same on the other - he knows a little about cars.)
It's a 2002 Ford Escape, btw. But the engine was completely replaced in 2006.

Hubby said that it's not true that you have to fix both sides. He said if both sides are making noise, then you should fix both sides, otherwise you only have to fix the side that's making noise.

He also said that the price still sounds high, even for both sides. He said that he looked it up, and it's about $100 for the parts, and it shouldn't be more than 2 hours labor, so even at $100 an hour, it should only be about $300 for the job (one side), and that would be high. However he said that you might also need an alignment, but that would be another $75. (Depending on the way the spindle bolts up, it might knock the alignment out.)


To Rules - no check engine light as yet. But, the last time I had it in, it was because the check engine light was on - they said it was an electrical problem & said they had to replace wires. It was then that they diagnosed the wheel hub bearings and said that it would need a new converter soon because the mechanic that test drove it felt it didn't have sufficient power. I've noticed that also, more recently.

Hubby said that the catalytic converter might not throw a check engine light, until it's running really bad, because of the age of the car.

Also, Hubby said that if the Check Engine light comes on and starts flashing, you need to park the car immediately. It means that the exhaust is getting dangerously high temperatures and can cause a fire. (But he said that he's only seen that once.)

[Captain Steel]

Yikes! I hope I can get it in before any of that happens!
But wow! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the advice - I really wasn't expecting any answers on these issues!
It has given me a heightened sense of urgency - I hate calling the service place on New Year's Eve, but it sounds like I should not put this off any longer.
Thanks you guys! And please give Hubby a big kiss & hug from me tomorrow night!

[gbgoodies]

Yikes! I hope I can get it in before any of that happens!
But wow! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the advice - I really wasn't expecting any answers on these issues!
It has given me a heightened sense of urgency - I hate calling the service place on New Year's Eve, but it sounds like I should not put this off any longer.
Thanks you guys! And please give Hubby a big kiss & hug from me tomorrow night!


He said "You're very welcome". :)

[Captain Steel]

What is the best temp to set your thermostat for the winter to keep your pipes from freezing when your not home (and to save of expending excess fuel)?

[christine]

What is the best temp to set your thermostat for the winter to keep your pipes from freezing when your not home (and to save of expending excess fuel)?
doesn't that depend on whereabouts you live and the mean temperatures of your winters?

[matt72582]

What is the best temp to set your thermostat for the winter to keep your pipes from freezing when your not home (and to save of expending excess fuel)?

I'm out of town for almost 2 weeks. I put it at 60 F, but I also turned the water off.

[Captain Steel]

doesn't that depend on whereabouts you live and the mean temperatures of your winters?

Mmmm... not really. I think it most depends on the freezing temperature of water.
Obviously, if you live somewhere where it never gets near freezing it's not a concern.
But anywhere it reaches freezing then it is a concern.

It may be dependent to an extent on the length of time temps remain far below freezing, but again, what I'm looking for is a minimum standard at which to set a thermostat to maintain a temp that's high enough to keep pipes from freezing in any cold temps, but which will not expend excess fuel when no one's in the house.

Now, one person once asked me, "Why not just set the temp at 33 degrees Fahrenheit?" (which is 1 degree above freezing). The answer is you don't want your water pipes to ever get near freezing. And since they are often enclosed behind walls or on outer walls of a dwelling, then they may be far from heat sources and nowhere near as warm as the interior temperature or that read by your thermostat. So you've got to set it much higher than temps just above freezing.

Additionally, I found my thermostat doesn't go below 42 degrees - so if the heat is set to "on" for the winter it won't go below that point.

[matt72582]

Mmmm... not really. I think it most depends on the freezing temperature of water.
Obviously, if you live somewhere where it never gets near freezing it's not a concern.
But anywhere it reaches freezing then it is a concern.

It may be dependent to an extent on the length of time temps remain far below freezing, but again, what I'm looking for is a minimum standard at which to set a thermostat to maintain a temp that's high enough to keep pipes from freezing in any cold temps, but which will not expend excess fuel when no one's in the house.

Now, one person once asked me, "Why not just set the temp at 33 degrees Fahrenheit?" (which is 1 degree above freezing). The answer is you don't want your water pipes to ever get near freezing. And since they are often enclosed behind walls or on outer walls of a dwelling, then they may be far from heat sources and nowhere near as warm as the interior temperature or that read by your thermostat. So you've got to set it much higher than temps just above freezing.

Additionally, I found my thermostat doesn't go below 42 degrees - so if the heat is set to "on" for the winter it won't go below that point.

Another idea is to program your thermostat?

[Captain Steel]

Another idea is to program your thermostat?

Yes! I have a programmable thermostat.

That's why I'm asking what is the best temp to program it so that when I'm not home it will be high enough that my pipes won't freeze, but will also be low enough that it will not waste any excess energy (since there's no one there to keep warm) while still keeping my pipes from freezing.

I was using 57 degrees F last year, this year I'm trying 56 degrees, but I'm wondering "how low can you go" and still be safe?

I'm also using a system to save energy where I keep the thermostat at a minimum and turn it up manually if I get cold, but then with the next time-change it will go back down to the minimum (like, say I go out and forget to turn it down, it will go back down automatically.)

I keep it at 59 at night for sleeping (from about 12:00 am to 7:00 am), then have it set to go up to about 69 for a few hours in the morning to make it comfortable enough for showering & getting dressed. But for the rest of the day I have it programmed to be at a safe minimum (when I'll usually be out).

I'm simply trying to find what the most efficient & cost effective setting would be while making sure pipes don't freeze.

[Captain Steel]

This thread started with the idea of GIVING advice, but since then I've RECEIVED more advice in my one weak area... technology.

My most recent dilemma is this: I have Windows Vista on my computer and every time I turn on the Internet I get a message saying that Windows Vista will no longer be supported by Google Chrome starting in April (and, from what I hear, if you try to use it after that your computer will be infected with so many Trojan viruses that it will explode within a week).

Now I've done some research, but I'm getting so many mixed messages that I don't know what to do... everything from I have to buy a completely new computer to just switching over to Firefox as my regular OS, and I'll be able to carry on for another year.

I'll save the story of how I ended up with a Vista computer for later, in the meantime, any advice / suggestions?

[Citizen Rules]

Switch to Firefox...that's what I have.

[Captain Steel]

Switch to Firefox...that's what I have.

Thanks Rules. Do you ever have any problems using YouTube with Firefox... such as for leaving or viewing comments for videos (if you engage in such activity).

I only ask because a while back I used Internet Explorer, and YouTube stopped working properly on Explorer - then I found out YouTube was now somehow tied to Google Chrome (for instance, if someone replied to one of your comments, you'd be notified when you opened Google Chrome). I had to switch to Google Chrome in order to use YouTube.

[Citizen Rules]

No problem with Firefox when watching a video or using it's controls. I can see the comments, arrange them by Top Comments or Newer First. I don't have a YouTube account but when I click to leave a comment it ask me to sign in. So I would say yes, Firefox works well with You Tube.

[Captain Steel]

Thanks Rules. That's the direction I'll be heading (for now).
I realize (from what I've read) that I'll have to dump Vista soon (whether that means buying a new computer or not, I don't know).
But if anyone else has any further information about Microsoft no longer supporting Vista (and what to do about it) I'd like to hear it.

I bought my current computer in 2009 (seems like yesterday) at Best Buy.
(What happened to my former computer is yet another complicated story!)
I remember asking the salesman for a computer with the latest Windows version. All he would sell me was Vista. I said I didn't want that, I wanted a Windows version with a number on the end. That's when the guy said that Vista was all they had. (Huh? Seriously?)
My guess is that they knew Vista would soon be obsolete, so a manager probably told the salespeople to sell all the computers that had Vista on them. (Agree? Disagree?)

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks Rules. That's the direction I'll be heading (for now).
I realize (from what I've read) that I'll have to dump Vista soon (whether that means buying a new computer or not, I don't know).
But if anyone else has any further information about Microsoft no longer supporting Vista (and what to do about it) I'd like to hear it.

I bought my current computer in 2009 (seems like yesterday) at Best Buy.
(What happened to my former computer is yet another complicated story!)
I remember asking the salesman for a computer with the latest Windows version. All he would sell me was Vista. I said I didn't want that, I wanted a Windows version with a number on the end. That's when the guy said that Vista was all they had. (Huh? Seriously?)
My guess is that they knew Vista would soon be obsolete, so a manager probably told the salespeople to sell all the computers that had Vista on them. (Agree? Disagree?)

Captain, I checked Microsoft's web site and they list the Extended Support date for Vista as April 11, 2017. After that date you will no longer receive critical updates for security issues or bugs. You could still use your computer after that time but it becomes somewhat more vulnerable to the bad stuff on the web.

If you're computer isn't under powered (outdated) you should be able to install another Operating System that you would buy, but if you're not tech savvy it can be a bit tricky. It might be easier and almost as cheap just to buy a new computer.

I remember buying a new computer for the very first time back in 2001 from Dell. I was told to get as powerful of a computer as I could afford, so that it wouldn't get outdated soon. Ha! it was outdated almost before UPS delivered it. It came with Windows ME (Millennium edition) and it froze up on a daily basis. I thought that was just normal for a computer!

I spent a LOT of time and effort updating almost every part inside that computer to keep it going, but finally I got rid of it last year. I paid a lot of money for it and ended up giving it to the Goodwill.

[Captain Steel]

Captain, I checked Microsoft's web site and they list the Extended Support date for Vista as April 11, 2017. After that date you will no longer receive critical updates for security issues or bugs. You could still use your computer after that time but it becomes somewhat more vulnerable to the bad stuff on the web.

If you're computer isn't under powered (outdated) you should be able to install another Operating System that you would buy, but if you're not tech savvy it can be a bit tricky. It might be easier and almost as cheap just to buy a new computer.

I remember buying a new computer for the very first time back in 2001 from Dell. I was told to get as powerful of a computer as I could afford, so that it wouldn't get outdated soon. Ha! it was outdated almost before UPS delivered it. It came with Windows ME (Millennium edition) and it froze up on a daily basis. I thought that was just normal for a computer!

I spent a LOT of time and effort updating almost every part inside that computer to keep it going, but finally I got rid of it last year. I paid a lot of money for it and ended up giving it to the Goodwill.


Thank you, Rules!

I don't know if the info is updated, but I get a message whenever I turn on Google Chrome telling me that Windows XP and Vista will no longer be supported "soon."
When I first went to research about when support would expire, the original date I saw was for April 2016, and the warning message began appearing early this year. I just had to edit this post because I see you said "Extended Support date," so I guess it is an extension from the info I got earlier. Thanks for the good news! (I hope it's true and I've got another year!)

Sad thing is, I just got my computer working nearly perfectly for the first time ever. It's been working great since the last cable repair where the repairman told me all the previous repairmen didn't use the correct equipment (he said he didn't know what they were thinking when he saw the way they wired things in the house and out at the junction box) and it was no wonder I couldn't go a day without interrupted Internet.

That's beat about your computer. So much of it seems to be planned obsolescence.

One post I read somewhere regarding Microsoft discontinuing support for certain systems said there was no reason for it other than that it would force a few million people with older systems to go out and buy new computers. This person claimed it's just a money-grab.

My current computer is also a Dell, purchased in 2009.
But yes, I read the same thing you said: that if your computer is more than a few years old it would be a much more feasible investment to just go buy a new one than to try to load a new Operating System onto an older one (because the new system may not be too compatible with the older hardware and the whole thing will just be completely obsolete within a short period of time anyway.)

[Citizen Rules]

I get a message whenever I turn on Google Chrome telling me that Windows XP and Vista will no longer be supported "soon." I believe that message means Google Chrome won't be security updated for Vista or XP in the near future, as opposed to Vista support is ending soon. At least that's how I take it to mean.


When I first went to research about when support would expire, the original date I saw was for April 2016, and the warning message began appearing early this year, (maybe they've extended it?)I don't know if they extended the support period? I did go to the Microsoft website and it says April 11, 2017. But they very well might have extended it. My last computer has Windows XP and security updates from Microsoft was to expire years ago, but they kept extended the date. Finally support did end for XP on April 8th, 2014.

Microsoft and every blogger on the net claimed April 9th, 2014 would be hacker heaven and all the millions of XP machines would be at risk. So I bought a new (well actually used) computer for myself. Funny think the big hacker event that was suppose to spell Domesday for every computer running XP never happened.

So I don't think your doomed after Vista support ends, but it would be a good time to look for a deal on a new computer.

[gbgoodies]

I believe that message means Google Chrome won't be security updated for Vista or XP in the near future, as opposed to Vista support is ending soon. At least that's how I take it to mean.

I don't know if they extended the support period? I did go to the Microsoft website and it says April 11, 2017. But they very well might have extended it. My last computer has Windows XP and security updates from Microsoft was to expire years ago, but they kept extended the date. Finally support did end for XP on April 8th, 2014.

Microsoft and every blogger on the net claimed April 9th, 2014 would be hacker heaven and all the millions of XP machines would be at risk. So I bought a new (well actually used) computer for myself. Funny think the big hacker event that was suppose to spell Domesday for every computer running XP never happened.

So I don't think your doomed after Vista support ends, but it would be a good time to look for a deal on a new computer.


I'm still running an XP system, and I haven't had any problems with it since MS ended support for XP. It's not my main system, but I use it at least five days a week, and it still works.

[Citizen Rules]

Oh, I believe you! It was internet hype that XP would be infected with all sorts of nasties after MS support ended. It got a lot of people to buy new computers. My parents bought a new computer and I bought a new used computer.

[Captain Steel]

Thank you. I don't really know the difference between "support" and "security" (I figured the latter was included in the former). I actually pay for Norton Security (because I don't know anything about the free security you can get, and because my former computer got a virus so bad that it couldn't be repaired, and even replacing the hard drive didn't help). So I don't know if that would be any additional help if there's no Microsoft security for Vista.

But either way, thanks for the hopeful outlook!!!

[gbgoodies]

Oh, I believe you! It was internet hype that XP would be infected with all sorts of nasties after MS support ended. It got a lot of people to buy new computers. My parents bought a new computer and I bought a new used computer.


A lot of small businesses were/are running XP systems, and some of them use proprietary software that won't run on the newer operating systems. It left them with no choice but to continue using XP until they figured out a way to convert software that was never designed to be upgraded.

[Citizen Rules]

MS support would be in the form of security patches (fixes) sent automatically to Vista, to keep it safe...so MS claims. Norton Security will probably work for awhile after Vista support ends, but eventually software like Google Chrome and Norton will no longer support Vista because it's been outdated by MS.

[gbgoodies]

Thank you. I don't really know the difference between "support" and "security" (I figured the latter was included in the former). I actually pay for Norton Security (because I don't know anything about the free security you can get, and because my former computer got a virus so bad that it couldn't be repaired, and even replacing the hard drive didn't help). So I don't know if that would be any additional help if there's no Microsoft security for Vista.

But either way, thanks for the hopeful outlook!!!


Think of "support" as troubleshooting, or fixing bugs. "Security" is more about protecting your system from viruses and hackers.

[Citizen Rules]

There's a registry hack that is easy to do and will allow XP users to get security updates from MS until 2019. I thought about doing this to my parents old computer just for fun, but their machine is so slow it hardly seems worth it.

Article Link (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2310301/windows-xp-registry-hack-keeps-the-security-updates-rolling.html)

[Captain Steel]

Rules, are you like a "computer guy"?
Careful how you answer... if you say yes, I may never stop bugging you with questions. ;)

But seriously, my only friend who was an actual computer guy by profession passed away a few years ago. He was the only person I knew who I could go to with tech questions, and my warranty to utilize the "Geek Squad" for free expired a long time ago.

[Citizen Rules]

Rules, are you like a "computer guy"? Careful how you answer... if you say yes, I may never stop bugging you with questions. ;)

But seriously, my only friend who was an actual computer guy by profession passed away a few years ago. He was the only person I knew who I could go to with tech questions, and my warranty to utilize the "Geek Squad" for free expired a long time ago.

:) I wish I was a computer geek, but I'm always happy to help if I can.

Truth is, I have little money and I'm very frugal, so I was forced to learn how to fix my last computer when the harddrive went out. Then as the computer got older and slower, I learned it was easy to replace the ram memory and other internal components to keep it up to speed. I bought the components off ebay for dirt cheap. I did the software and registry tweaks to try and make it faster. But I only have a basic knowledge and have to find 'how to' articles to learn how to do things. But hey if you have a question just ask?

[gbgoodies]

There's a registry hack that is easy to do and will allow XP users to get security updates from MS until 2019. I thought about doing this to my parents old computer just for fun, but their machine is so slow it hardly seems worth it.

Article Link (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2310301/windows-xp-registry-hack-keeps-the-security-updates-rolling.html)


Thanks for the link, but I'd prefer not to play around in the registry unless it becomes necessary. I'm not having any problems with the system, and it just sounds like something that could cause more problems than it's worth.

[Citizen Rules]

I just put that out there for food for thought. True, if you don't do the registry changes right, you would have to reinstall the operating system.

My thought is: how many holes did XP really have? I mean MS is still sending out security patches to some machines, you would thought XP would have plugged those security holes in the OS by now:rolleyes:

[Captain Steel]

I'm wondering if this is a coincidence - in the same month that Google Chrome said they'd stop "supporting" Windows XP & Vista, my computer (with Vista Home Premium) began to malfunction to the point now where it's barely operational?

Anyone else have similar situations?

The weird thing is some of the errors seem very selective if the root problem is a deteriorating hard disk.
For instance, it cannot complete a Norton anti-virus scan before it crashes (or performing a scan causes it to crash?).
After a crash I have to unplug the computer for a few hours before it will restart (otherwise I get a "boot device not found" message on a DOS screen or just a black screen, etc.) When it does boot up, it only stays on for for 5 to 15 minutes before it crashes completely and has to either be turned off at the power button or unplugged.

Oh well. The obvious issue for a new computer is money, but the less obvious issue is time. Due to family medical issues I don't have time to go shop.

Any suggestions on what to look for (when I can look) are welcome.

[Citizen Rules]

Captain, I once had a computer that did the same thing yours is doing now. I tried all sorts of fixes but after awhile the hard drive failed. Which made me lose all data/photos that were stored on it. So back up your important files before it crashes for good. I recently bought a certified used computer from an ebay seller and works great. Though most likely buying a new computer is the easier and safer way to go. I'd be happy to chat about it. Have you checked the major online retailers for special deals. Computers have come way down in price and you should be able to get one for a fair price. I'll check this thread tomorrow.

[Captain Steel]

Hi Rules. This is a stupid story, but last night while trying to post here, the computer crashed again right after I'd finished typing something out which I was then unable to post, I got so frustrated that I grabbed the computer and shook it and slammed it down (what the heck, it's already broken, right?)

I turned it off then turned it right back on (now every time I've done this it gives me an error message & black screen), but for the first time it rebooted immediately after crashing and seemed to work better than it ever had!

While it was working well last night I ran a virus scan, the computer turned off normally afterwards & started normally this morning (first time in about a month). It's actually been on for an hour without crashing!

Now, I don't expect that to last since there's obviously something wrong with the hard drive, but it's just funny. And it's not the first time I "got rough" with it. Last week in a fit of rage I punched it a couple times, but that didn't seem to do anything! ;)

[Citizen Rules]

That's a funny story! Now I'll have to call you Captain Fonzy;) If your computer is currently still working (and you haven't kicked, punched or cursed it in the last hour:eek:)...you might try running a Check Disk (also called chkdsk). Probably won't help though.

You said you were in the market for a new computer, what generally were you looking for?

[Captain Steel]

I keep getting these junk mail ads for online casinos with free sign up bonuses ("sign up now and get $25.00 free to play with").
Now, I have no intention of participating, but it's made me think... how does anyone know if this is not rigged?
I mean, it's all electronic, so it could be programmed to never let you win (or, more likely, programmed to let you win small amounts so you'll keep playing and ultimately lose more.)

Black Jack at a casino, for instance, has a human dealer. It could be rigged, but would they go to the trouble of hiring a bunch of slight of hand experts who can memorize a rigged deck and cheat multiple players at a table simultaneously? Probably not, especially when they'd have to account for multiple dealers & tables, shift changes, employee breaks, etc. But Black Jack on a computer could be programmed so that the deck is altered constantly while in play - which can't be done openly with a physical deck - to make sure you don't win.

[Captain Steel]

This thread started out with the intention of giving advice, but it turned into getting advice - so I'm gonna use it for that again...

My mom's got a simple flip phone, it takes photos. She wants to send photos to someone else's phone via messaging and I figured out how to do it, but after each try it just says "Failed to send." I tested her texting, and that works, but photos won't send. I checked the phone's info or data capacity and it was something in the thousands of KB (I think - it might have been in the tens of thousands) and then checked the photos which are only in the hundreds of KB's (so it doesn't seem to be a problem of the photos being too big data-wise).

Anyone have a clue why the phone won't send photos when it's supposed to have the capacity to do that?

[ynwtf]

While her data plan may have enough bandwidth, her connection at any given time may not be strong enough to send the image. Check her signal strength. The 4- or 5- vertical bar icon up top somewhere. There should be a letter/number designation too, like G, 2G, 4G from lowest to strongest respectively.

Even if she has higher 4G coverage (or whatever her service provider has) an image still may not send if only one or two bars are lit.

Walk around to find the best signal then try again. I have to leave home for about a mile before I get good enough signal.

She might be able to use her home wifi if the phone supports it.

If the phone supports apps she could install something that's a little better than the generic default text tool on the phone.

Without knowing the make and model its a guess what could be available if anything though.

Captain Steel