Messages

1

Tech / Wifi

« on: January 22, 2011, 06:43:23 PM »

QUOTE(Paddy @ Jan 22 2011, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are an awful lot of options out there and if you can go and have a look at the 17" and 18" offerings at Walmart, it will help. The screen is going to be one of your major considerations - make sure that it's good from a wide variety of angles (some are not!) and that you're happy with it before you buy. I don't know what Pittsburgh State has in the way of display models, or whether you'd be able to purchase there, but that might be another option besides Walmart. Their online options far exceed anything at Walmart.

That is what I was trying to say about Walmart. The largest that they have are 17" and they don't have any Toshiba laptops. I never thought of the college and it is Pittsburg University (not Pittsburgh State). PittsburgH is in Pennsylvania.What is the difference between the i3 330M and the i3 370M when it comes to processors and how much money difference?I wanted to make sure that it was understood that if I would get a wife router, I know that I would have to leave my old computer hardwired to the internet the way it is now. Would that work?

2

Tech / Wifi

« on: January 22, 2011, 08:49:01 AM »

QUOTE(Paddy @ Jan 21 2011, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

. I know most LCDs don't look too good at resolutions other than the native one. Also make sure you're ok with the glossy screen on those Toshibas - the reflections can be a real nuisance.

What sort of monitor are you using right now and what is the resolution?

Unfortunately, it will be pretty much impossible to find a recent Intel Mac laptop in the same price range as the Toshiba - even with a 15" screen instead of the 17". That is definitely a problem, if you want portability. Keep in mind that the Toshiba 18.4" isn't really a "laptop" but more of a desktop portable. (It's considerably heftier than a 17" MBP, at almost 9 pounds, and 1.6" thick)

I am going to try to send you the links of the two that I am looking at right now although it may be a few months before I can purchase a new computer. the first one is on eBay and is a new one. I think that this place normally sell display models but I can't understand that they only offer a 30 Day TEKKTITAN; Extended SquareTrade Available warranty. The link is http://cgi.ebay.com/TOSHIBA-SATELLITE-P505...=item27b6cf83b2.
The second place is http://www.sportstravelsavings.com/members...HarvestAmerica/. I hope that you can go to these sites as the second one is a membership site.

I told you last night what monitor I was using and what resolution it is set at. The monitor that I am using now is a LCD monitor. As I told you in my post last night the only computers that I can look at are the ones that Walmart handles.

I am not worried about complete portability, just something that I could take out into the front room to show things to my wife who doe not get around very good. It is either get a large PC laptop or nothing at all.

3

Tech / Wifi

« on: January 21, 2011, 09:32:44 PM »

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jan 21 2011, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

run an ethernet cable from the cable modem to a router so the laptop could run wireless

That's the normal way it's done, as far as I know. "Router" in this case I assume to mean a WiFi router, not just an Ethernet one. :dnkw:However, unless you really need to be mobile with a computer, a straight Ethernet network will be much faster and many times more secure.Have you considered a refurbished Apple laptop?Do you use the Universal Access prefs?Have you considered simply getting a large monitor (needn't be an Apple brand) and a new(er) mini? Especially if you already have another keyboard around.The mini will be about three times as fast as your DA. Of course, most new Windows laptops would be also. But are you ready to spend the money/time/effort not only with AV software but with the new Windows OS? Not to mention file compatibility issues. I'm sure you think I'm just an Apple shill, but I really wouldn't want to start on a new OS at this point in my life. YMMV. And I don't work for Apple, anyway. :rotfl:Hopefully, you'll get some Windows specific advice soon. Wishing you the best in your searching no matter what you decide.

The idea for a laptop was to be a little mobile as there are some things that I would like to be able to bake the computer out into the other room to show some things to my wife as she is not very mobile.I just got looked at the refurbished Mac laptops and a 17" at the Mac store would be over $1600.00 and I can get a PC equal in specifications for $1000.00 or less. I am talking about one with at least 4 GB of ram and 2 GHz Intel processor. I know that there is a magnification built into Universal Access Preferences but I don't like it. I get by setting my resolution to 1024 by 728. I am presently using a 19" Princeton monitor.

QUOTE(Paddy @ Jan 21 2011, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Macdoug, whichever option you choose re: platform, the SIZE of the monitor won't necessarily make it more readable. You need to consider the resolution. With laptops - in fact all LCDs - there is a "native" resolution which works best. On some of the larger laptops, the resolution is quite high - which means that the pixels are quite small and the type can be hard to read - even for those who aren't legally blind.Do try the Toshiba at resolutions other than the native 1680X945 (if that's the one you're looking at) to see if it is acceptable. I know most LCDs don't look too good at resolutions other than the native one. Also make sure you're ok with the glossy screen on those Toshibas - the reflections can be a real nuisance.Is this the one you're considering? http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/P500I'm not sure if Macs have better accessibility options or not - have you looked at this? http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/vision.htmlWindows info here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/a...y/opsblind.mspx (seem to be a lot of customization options)What sort of monitor are you using right now and what is the resolution?Unfortunately, it will be pretty much impossible to find a recent Intel Mac laptop in the same price range as the Toshiba - even with a 15" screen instead of the 17". That is definitely a problem, if you want portability. Keep in mind that the Toshiba 18.4" isn't really a "laptop" but more of a desktop portable. (It's considerably heftier than a 17" MBP, at almost 9 pounds, and 1.6" thick)

I will reply more to your post tomorrow when I have more time. One thing that I will reply to now is that I have no place to go look at computers except the ones that Wal-Mart handles. I am presently using a 19" Princeton monitor set at 1024 by 768 resolution.

4

Tech / Wifi

« on: January 21, 2011, 01:04:11 PM »

I am using a nearly 16 year old Mac running OS 10.4.11. I want a laptop with a large screen as I am legally blind. I can't afford a Mac and they only come as large as 17", I believe. I have found a Toshiba that is 18.4" in my price range. I am presently hooked up to the internet via cable. I would like to make the apartment where I live wifi with the two computers, esp. the laptop, if possible. I was wondering if I could run an ethernet cable from the cable modem to a router so the laptop could run wireless? Also how close do you have to be to a motel or to a Starbucks to piggy back off of their wireless network?

5

2007 / Printer problems

« on: August 17, 2007, 07:26:14 PM »

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 17 2007, 05:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is selected in the "Printer:" button/pull down list?
Can you give us an image of the Print dialog?

It is working now; at lest for one print job. After the computer was shut down for awhile I restarted it, repaired the permissions, and restarted the computer, and it worked. Thank anyway. If I have any more trouble, I will let you know.

6

2007 / Printer problems

« on: August 17, 2007, 10:26:13 AM »

Maybe on of the techsurvivors can help me solve my problem. I replaced both ink cartridges in ,my HP PSC 1350 with HP ink cartridges yesterday. I printed something yesterday. I went to print today and when the print dialogue box comes down and I click print it will not print. It asks me where I want to save what I want to print as a .pdf. What is going on? I have tried unplugging the printer and plugging it back in.

[is]

7

2007 / DVC campact camcorder, digital camera, pc cam, and mp3 player?

« on: August 04, 2007, 05:13:45 PM »

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 4 2007, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, there is a company by that name <Since 1995, DVC has specialized in designing and manufacturing high-performance digital imaging solutions for scientific and industrial applications...>. But "DVC" seems to be a fairly generic abreviation for Digital Video Camcorder. It appears in many different brand camcorder 'names'. I'd suggest searching one of the good camera review sites...

If I was just out to buy a camcorder, that would be the smart thing to do. It is just with a coupon that I have this would only run me $49.95 plus I suppose shipping plus there is supposed to be $400.00 worh of software with it which I am afraid is PeeCee.

8

2007 / DVC campact camcorder, digital camera, pc cam, and mp3 player?

« on: August 04, 2007, 01:54:49 PM »

Has anybody ever heard of the brand " DVC " when it comes to camcorders and digital camers? Good brand? Is it compatible with a Mac?

9

2007 / USB 2 Microphone and Headset

« on: June 23, 2007, 06:26:40 PM »

What I was really wondering if anybody has had experience with a USB 2 Microphone and Headset? The webcam that I bought is supposed to work with iChat and I want to use it with Skype but I need a microphone at least. The webcam has a built in mic but the male end is for a PeeCee and will not plugin to the Mac mini plug. it is the size of the speaker outlet.

10

2007 / USB 2 Microphone and Headset

« on: June 22, 2007, 09:19:08 AM »

I recently bought a webcam that has a built in microphone, but the connector is for a PC. I either need to get an adaptor so I can plug it into the Mac mini jack or get a microphone for a Mac. I have been leaning toward a USB 2 microphone and headset. I was wondering if anybody has had any experience with such and what they would recommend?

11

2007 / E-Cammm

« on: April 15, 2007, 05:18:40 PM »

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with E-Cammm and how it worked with iChat, and if so what they thought of it? I have had one person tell me his guess is that I probably couldn't do any better than E-Cammm, short of an iSight itself. it can be found at http://www.ecamm.com/mac/imagewebcam/. I am trying to find something a little less expensive that $300+.

12

2007 / McCally IceCam USB webcam

« on: April 09, 2007, 05:59:11 PM »

I am looking at a McCally IceCam USB webcam that claims it is compatible with iChat. Although upon further investigatin I found that I would still have to get a microphone and some third party software.
The item in question is found here:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=180103993459

What do you think of it?

13

2007 / iSight camera and Skype

« on: March 31, 2007, 07:45:49 PM »

QUOTE(RHPConsult @ Mar 31 2007, 06:56 PM) [snapback]123482[/snapback]

There are regular warnings here about buying things on eBay that . . .

1. very, very expensive
2. come from purveyors lacking a high percentage of satisfied buyers
3. are puchased at a great distance from your residence

All that being said, IF you were able to get a very good bid accepted, and you didn't mind losing the $$ if the deal went sour, then why not?

The iSight cameras (I've bought 3 "externals" for G4 laptops and an iMac since they first came out) have been faultless, with images that are just dandy. I have friends/clients with cameras from the comptetion that do not measure-up.

If your sound is less than desirable, wouldn't that be the mic not the iSight?

The mic that I am using is builtin to the iSight camera. I talked to another friend that is on a PeeCee that had a camera and the picture and sound that I received was choppy.

14

2007 / iSight camera and Skype

« on: March 31, 2007, 05:51:58 PM »

I have been using a friends iSight camera to try out Skype. Everything seems to work fine except the sound is a little bit choppy. That is either because I have a 667 Mhz G4, and Skype says the minimum is 800 Mhz or the slowest (least expensive) internet cable offered by Cox. Anybody have any idea?

Secondly what is the general concensus of buying a used iSight camera or webcam off of eBay?

[no]

15

2006 / CD or CD-ROM will not mount

« on: October 21, 2006, 04:57:27 PM »

QUOTE(airbusdriver @ Oct 21 2006, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most disks will be warm after being in the drive for a while, they are just warm devices.

A CD/DVD cleaning disk will never 'mount'. It is simply a device with a few fibers on it that will eventually come into contact with the lens that 'sees' the reflected light from the laser. If that lens has dust on it, it may not be getting enough light to understand what the reflected codes are and you have trouble using the DC/DVD. Running it a few minutes will either clean the lens or it won't make any difference, because that's not the problem.

Of course, CDs/DVDs can become scratched and covered with oils from fingers. That kind of contamination will also make it hard for the machine to 'see' what's on the disk. Make sure they are as clean and scratch free as possible.

When you insert a CD/DVD, the drive goes to a special place on the disk to first read what is on it and where. If that particular track is not usable, the disk will usually never mount. And there's not much you can do about it. ( BTW, these drives are not too smart, they will usually sit there and spin forever when they can find that special track. That's the main reason the cleaning disk never mounts, but that characteristic is used to help clean the lens, in this case. )

If you have no disks that mount, the problem is obviously the drive. Most are not easily repaired and it is usually much cheaper to simply replace it ( often with a faster mechanism ).

When I posted before with the problem with the MacAddict disk, I was asked if the OS X install disk would mount which it did. I did not know that the "Cleaning Disk" would not mount so I will try a disk now. I don't know how long it took,  but the DVD that I tried yesterday finally mounted so maybe it did need cleaning.