Computer problems and/or advice 2013

[Steve Garvie]

Most external drives are plug and play. I use them to store digital images. However, if you plan to store uncompressed digital video in real time you would be better with a hard drive with a "fast connection" such as FireWire, USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt (Apple). Of course you need to ensure that your computer has the appropriate port and ability to handle such inputs.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Alan and Steve. I ordered one with the hard drive pre installed

[Graeme]

if you are installing normal drives make sure they are formatted to NTFS and not FAT32

For internet security I use either KIS or KIS Pure - Kasperskey

If you are installing and installing programs a lot use - 'Your uninstaller' - this will also let you disable lots of things in start up that you don't needed like adobe reader etc.  It also clears up lots of issues caused by poor software like Norton

I run 'registry repair wizard' once a month to clear up all the other rubbish that accumulates

Cpuid CPU-Z is always installed so you can see what is fitted to your machine and see how its running - particularly if you are adding memory

Acronis - is used to create an image when the machine is installed with all its software and just after it has been cleaned - also backups are taken if I have installed a lot of software

[Alan_b]

Digital recorders I have seen use a proprietary disk format (not one used by Windows computers i.e. neither NTFS nor FAT32).  Therefore if you want to transfer the contents to a computer you need a translation program in order to read the disk.

[TC]

Not a computer problem but I could not find where to post this.

I resized a bunch of pictures to post in my Bargany Gardens posting using the SRGC resizer.  When I uploaded a batch I got a message saying they were too large and had exceeded the 200 kb per picture.  On checking, I found that 2 pictures were oversized although conforming to the 640 x 428.  One was 377 Kb and the other was 280Kb.  The rest varied between 88/136 Kb
What has happened here.  The resizing is outwith my control.

[Roma]

I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager and find some of my pictures are too large at 640 by 428.  If I check the original file size it is bigger than usual.  They are generally pictures with lots of small detail like masses of small flowers or lots of gravel or small stones.  No help to you I know but this is what I have observed.  As I am doing them individually I crop before resizing if this will not lose too much of the picture.

[Palustris]

You need to also reduce the File size as well as the image size. Not sure about the programs mentioned but in Photoshop (and its other forms) you can lower the File size when you go to Save As. There is an option to reduce the quality which has the effect of reducing the file size.

[johnralphcarpenter]

I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager and find some of my pictures are too large at 640 by 428.  If I check the original file size it is bigger than usual.  They are generally pictures with lots of small detail like masses of small flowers or lots of gravel or small stones.  No help to you I know but this is what I have observed.  As I am doing them individually I crop before resizing if this will not lose too much of the picture.

In MS Picture Manager I click on Picture then Compress Picture then select WebPage and click on OK. Then save as. This reduces the file size within the limit.

[TC]

I used to use photoshop but this SRGC resizer was supposed to simplify the operation.  Using the resizer you drag the picture file into the application and it is supposed to reduce the picture size and bring the file size below 200Kb.  For two of my pictures it reduced the size but the file size exceeded the 200 Kb. limit for posting.

[Anthony Darby]

My computer is getting so slow. Even typing this there is a lag and last week I was getting multiple letters when I only typed one. How do I fix these problems?

[Alan_b]

Change the battery in the keyboard (if it is wireless).  If that does not work, try using another keyboard.

Otherwise you may have a rogue process that is occupying too much of your computers processing power (CPU) so preventing anything else from getting much of a look-in.  But I don't think that would account for the multiple letters, just the delay. 

[Anthony Darby]

A new problem had suddenly appeared. The Forum, and other sites, are now "decorated" with little green three quarter circles with an arrow that link to adds that pop up unannounced. This adware virus has not been picked up by my Malwarebytes soft ware. How do I get rid of it?

[Alan_b]

Which web browser are you using, Anthony?

Edit:  And have a look at this page which appears to describe your problem http://malwaretips.com/blogs/interyield-virus-removal/ .  I cannot vouch for the removal instructions given.

[Graeme]

if your machine is running slow try 'registry repair wizard' to clean your machine up - also have a look at what is in startup - you don't need any of the adobe rubbish, etc. - when you need those applications it then loads what you need

also if you put applications on and take them off make sure you use a proper uninstaller - something like 'your uninstaller' not just the one that comes with the package which never actually remove everything (particularly if you have ever had any norton product on your machine)

also look at your browser - if you are using ie - think about getting firefox if you are using a desktop or laptop - it has lots of nice addon's
if you are using a smaller device try chrome

[Anthony Darby]

Which web browser are you using, Anthony?

Edit:  And have a look at this page which appears to describe your problem http://malwaretips.com/blogs/interyield-virus-removal/ .  I cannot vouch for the removal instructions given.

Thanks Alan. Took me the best part of three times through the procedure to remove it.