..::THE COMMUNITY TECH THREAD No. 96::.. : Othor Games

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:58 am

Ok, this only happens once in a while whenever I start up my computer. I hear some sort of rattling noise but it doesn't sound like it's coming from the hard drive. I think it may be either the psu or video card but I'm not too sure. Anyone else have an idea what's going on exactly?

» Tue May 17, 2011 10:40 am

Okay, I have an extra monitor laying around and I'm wondering what I would need to buy and/or do to have both of 'em hooked up.

I've googled the likes of "dual monitor setup" but none of the guides I've read helped me at all, mainly because I'm illiterate when it comes to all these hardware terms and such.

Any help?

Let me be a bit more thorough than Nami88:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vga-cable.jpg is a VGA cable, http://www.dimensionsguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/VGA-Port.jpg is a VGA port. (they are almost always blue colored, sometimes black)
http://www.cyberresearch.com/images/products/1250640696.600.jpg is HDMI cable, http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/photofiles/original/9276/12630HDMI_port.jpg is a HDMI port. (notice the unique bevel/notches, these can be many colors)
http://www.davediscovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dvi-cable.jpg is DVI cable, http://www.cable-trader.co.uk/images/finder/dvi-d_socket.jpg is a DVI port. (the port is usually white, the plug is often white, but is sometimes black or grey)

Not all computers have all of these ports.
Obviously if you're using your computer right now, one display port or some sort is being used, if you have another that's right next to the first one then you're good to go for mutiple monitors, if the extra port is in a different place, you won't necessarily be able to use it (for example, some motherboards have display capability that gets disabled when a standalone graphics card is added). If you have an extra port of any of the above, but it does not match the plug on your extra monitor, you simply need the correct adapter, these are cheap and easy to find online or at almost any electronics store.

» Tue May 17, 2011 10:33 am

Ok, this only happens once in a while whenever I start up my computer. I hear some sort of rattling noise but it doesn't sound like it's coming from the hard drive. I think it may be either the psu or video card but I'm not too sure. Anyone else have an idea what's going on exactly?

Check your fan(s) there might be dust or gunk in them

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:56 am

Ok, this only happens once in a while whenever I start up my computer. I hear some sort of rattling noise but it doesn't sound like it's coming from the hard drive. I think it may be either the psu or video card but I'm not too sure. Anyone else have an idea what's going on exactly?

Fans would be my first guess, if you're sure it's not the HD. Check to make sure there's nothing clogging them up, or that one of them hasn't gotten unseated somehow.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:08 pm

EDIT: I downloaded Dr.WebCure it and it managed to delete eradicate the virus from svchost.exe

Now my big issue is that sometimes when I leave the computer, an svchost.exe process starts up, running at 300,000 using all my cpu.

Do I still have this virus?

-Mike

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:47 pm

Okay so I have one VGA port and one DVI socket on my ATI 4350. Does that automatically mean I can't have two monitors?

Also, I apparently have some sort of built in GPU because I have two VGA ports in the back of my computer, but the other VGA port is separate from my 4350 that I installed after I bought the computer.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:32 pm

Okay so I have one VGA port and one DVI socket on my ATI 4350. Does that automatically mean I can't have two monitors?

Also, I apparently have some sort of built in GPU because I have two VGA ports in the back of my computer, but the other VGA port is separate from my 4350 that I installed after I bought the computer.

No, it just means that you can have one monitor hooked up via DVI, and one via VGA. You have an onboard graphics card with a VGA out, but that doesn't really help here.

» Tue May 17, 2011 8:42 am

You can also get DVI to VGA adapters and vice-versa. Usually a graphics card or monitor will come with adapters.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:36 pm

Is flash player a CPU hog or something? Whenever I play WoW with Youtube in the background, my FPS goes from 60 to 30, even if the video is paused.

I have a new i5 2500k so I dunno why this is happening.

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:52 am

I found a reinstall disk for Windows Vista in the basemant. It's for a Dell laptop, but does that actually matter? Just wondering if it is in any way possible to install that on my desktop to save me a bit of money.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:10 am

I found a reinstall disk for Windows Vista in the basemant. It's for a Dell laptop, but does that actually matter? Just wondering if it is in any way possible to install that on my desktop to save me a bit of money.

No for various reasons, but mainly:

1. It's BIOS-locked to Dell's BIOS

2. It's a violation of the license agreement, and therefor illegal

Edit: @Nami: Yes, Flash Player is a huge CPU hog. I'd make sure you are using the latest version, and if applicable, enable hardware acceleration.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:07 pm

So what's the difference between VGA and DVI anyways? And how do I know if my monitor will be even able to use or be compatible with DVI? :unsure:

Okay and another thing. Assuming I get this working, is adding another monitor gonna add any strain to my CPU or GPU or anything? Just curious...

Edit: Would buying http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23153;+-+6%27+DVI-to-VGA+Cable/8469267.p?id=1185267957652&skuId=8469267&st=dvi%20to%20vga&cp=1&lp=3 work? Product description says it connects a computers DVI output, which I have, to a monitor VGA input, which I have. Or am I just getting this all backwards? :lol:

And yes I know Best Buy svcks, but I only have a gift card to there for moneyz so it has to work.

» Tue May 17, 2011 8:23 am

Edit: @Nami: Yes, Flash Player is a huge CPU hog. I'd make sure you are using the latest version, and if applicable, enable hardware acceleration.

How do I enable hardware acceleration? I have the Firefox plugin, I don't even think it has a configuration program.

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:37 am

How do I enable hardware acceleration? I have the Firefox plugin, I don't even think it has a configuration program.

Go to any page that has flash on it, right-click it and select settings. Hardware acceleration is only an option if you are using 10.1 or later, so like I said, first make sure you are using the latest version of flash player

Adobe flash's hardware acceleration also doesn't play nice with older versions of catalyst drivers, so if you have an ATi card, you may need to update that too.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:26 pm

Go to any page that has flash on it, right-click it and select settings. Hardware acceleration is only an option if you are using 10.1 or later, so like I said, first make sure you are using the latest version of flash player

Adobe flash's hardware acceleration also doesn't play nice with older versions of catalyst drivers, so if you have an ATi card, you may need to update that too.

It's already enabled, and I have the latest version of flash and catalyst. I wish I knew why it slows my game down so much with a quad core processor. <_<

» Tue May 17, 2011 10:31 am

So what's the difference between VGA and DVI anyways? And how do I know if my monitor will be even able to use or be compatible with DVI? :unsure:

Okay and another thing. Assuming I get this working, is adding another monitor gonna add any strain to my CPU or GPU or anything? Just curious...

Edit: Would buying http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23153;+-+6%27+DVI-to-VGA+Cable/8469267.p?id=1185267957652&skuId=8469267&st=dvi%20to%20vga&cp=1&lp=3 work? Product description says it connects a computers DVI output, which I have, to a monitor VGA input, which I have. Or am I just getting this all backwards? :lol:

And yes I know Best Buy svcks, but I only have a gift card to there for moneyz so it has to work.

You just need one monitor plugged into each video output on your GPU. So if both monitors have VGA inputs, plug one via a VGA cable into the VGA port, and one into a DVI to VGA adapted, and then into the DVI slot. If one has DVI and the other VGA, you'd just plug each one into the video output made for it. That link isn't working for me, but I'm sure it's fine. But which output on your graphics card are you using for your current monitor? And which inputs does each monitor have?

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:09 pm

You just need one monitor plugged into each video output on your GPU. So if both monitors have VGA inputs, plug one via a VGA cable into the VGA port, and one into a DVI to VGA adapted, and then into the DVI slot. If one has DVI and the other VGA, you'd just plug each one into the video output made for it. That link isn't working for me, but I'm sure it's fine. But which output on your graphics card are you using for your current monitor? And which inputs does each monitor have?

Yeah I dunno why that link isn't working. Best Buy's site is weird. Both of my monitors have VGA cables and ports though, so I'd prolly buy that cord and plug it into my current monitor and the DVI port on my PC, then have the extra monitor plug into the VGA spot.

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:59 am

How do I pull up my hardware specs in Win7? I want to know my hardrive's speed.

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:21 am

How do I pull up my hardware specs in Win7? I want to know my hardrive's speed.

The easiest method, aside from actually opening the case and inspecting the label on the drive, is to go to your system information (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Info or just hold the Win Key and tap R and type "msinfo32") navigate to components and then to storage, your hard drive information will be under the "Disks" tab. From here just grab your model and do a Google search.

» Tue May 17, 2011 8:33 am

I use a Microsft Lifechat USB headset. I just installed the latest drivers for my RealTek HD Audio, and this seems to have stopped by headphones from working. I get no sound out of them unless I manually set them as my default audio device. I looked at the RealTek Panel but didnt see anything to do with USB headphones. Do the techies know if there is a way to get my headphones working again.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:33 am

Apparently there's a design flaw in the P67 chipset used in socket 1155 motherboards that is causing SATA performance to degrade or fail.

No P67 motherboards are being shipping (try adding one to your cart on Newegg). How can we expect it to be handled for the existing motherboards with this problem? Obviously they are going to fix the problem and revise the motherboards, but will existing owners get a replacement, or will we have to wait until something does go wrong to have it covered?

Here's an article: http://hothardware.com/News/Intel-Discovers-Flaw-In-Latest-Motherboard-Chipset-Halts-Production/

» Tue May 17, 2011 11:01 am

So I have a couple questions:

1) I know it's still very vague (and yes I've googled it

but there are too many different reports) since intel Sandy Bridge just came out but i was wondering if anyone knows confirmation about Ivy Bridge being released in Q4 2011 or if only in 2012 ?

2) I only have a desk at the corner of my room for my PC o I don't much space for a lot of speakers but if I needed it I could find some room for a 5.1 system and I want your opinion, which is better: to buy a cheap (60-80 euros) 5.1 system or a decent 2.1 (80-100 euros) system?

» Tue May 17, 2011 10:15 am

So I have a couple questions:

1) I know it's still very vague (and yes I've googled it

but there are too many different reports) since intel Sandy Bridge just came out but i was wondering if anyone knows confirmation about Ivy Bridge being released in Q4 2011 or if only in 2012 ?

There's no confirmation either way. I think 2012 is more likely.

» Tue May 17, 2011 10:14 am

There's no confirmation either way. I think 2012 is more likely.

Yeah how I feel as well but although I know extra time is always good I wish it would still come out in Q4 2011 so I could actually build my new rig basically at the same time as Skyrim comes out :drool: otherwise I'll just play at my current main gaming PC (which belongs to a relative so...it ain't very convenient) until Ivy Bridge and the 600 and 7000 GPUs come out...

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:37 pm

There's no confirmation either way. I think 2012 is more likely.

I would say late Q4 2011 at the latest as they already have the 22nm fab process finished and Ivy is only a die shrink.