Creepy Tech Story: Motherboard dies in conjuction with the death of its owner. (and where can I get that program for my hard drives?)
Email from Mitch in IA: More on fighting malware Spyware Guard 2008 malwarebytes vs spybot s&d
Dell projector frozen picture fix BSOD after updating Verizon Internet Security Suite BSOD connecting to the internet The limitations of Media Center and the beauty of vlc
Email from FubarJonny: Shares information on Zion 500x Power Supplies
Live call from Eric: Dell tech support story
Live call from Ben: Advertise services on the back of grocery store receipts
Selectively cloning the Recovery Partition using Acronis True Image and making it bootable.
Thumbs down: CoolPower power supplies
Malwarebytes killed the WinAntivirus 2009. No other utility required for removal.
Power adapter repair Radio Shack and Adaptaplug for free!
Malware alert Spyware Guard 2008 -- Malwarebytes won't run on an infected system? Just copy the .exe file and rename it. -- Thumbs down: Verizon Security Suite
Get the specs on my new ePC $279 -- Atom processor - Intel's smallest chip -- 1G RAM - (upgradeable) -- solid state hard drive (slow write speed)
Next Podnutz will be with data recovery expert Scott Moulton Vista Media Center rocks! Selling my Apple TV
Voice mail from Door To Door Geek: Linux distros and their immense driver support Displaying your email as an image to control spam
Solution: Missing music in iTunes How to find your default iTunes Music folder My Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/ Re-add this folder in iTunes File/Add Folder
Cloning a 160GB HD to 320GB HD AcronisV10 with Vista laptops Can be tricky. There is another step required for success. Still unable to use the Recovery Partition. More on this later.
Tip: Read solutions from Experts Exchange for free. -- Just scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page They always have good answers.
Reinstalling Windows XP via OEM disk: If Windows is loading for the first time -- and you do not see the default desktop image and the blue bar at the bottom is gray like Win 2000 and Internet Explorer is a globe that says internet This means that Windows did not load properly. Do NOT keep this installation. Start over.
Vista Media Center issue requires Windows Reinstall? "Media Center has stopped working" and crashes. This occurs consistantly upon trying to play a video/dvd with any other 3rd party program as well. Crashes.
Sticky keys on a laptop. Tried cleaning with electrical cleaner. Might be beyond repair.
Tip: Save your old P4 478 retention brackets! These sometimes break so it is handy to have extras. Symptom: Computer will overheat and shut down.
Looks like Recover MyFiles worked on a quick formatted hard drive.
Email from Saddle: Macbook issues and Saddle knows nothing about Macs -- Wifi only good short range (a few feet) -- One key on the keyboard does not work -- There is a hair inside the display
Email from William: Check out gladinet.com This application allows you to use the free 25GB from Windows Live Sky Drive as a network drive. (Works with other online storage services as well)
Email from Ray: How do you spell nLite? Looking for it but I think I am not spelling it correctly.
The mystery of setting up Wireless Routers and the advice of not using the wireless router's software.
........................................................... CitizenX (Barbra) responds: I will always link to the sites/utilities/repair tips that Steve mentions. Sometimes I will check the chat log and pull links/solutions from there even if Steve does not mention them on the show.
Please utilize the google search bar if you are looking for something specific, and yes, correct spelling is important.
I apologize for my hiatus. I can assure you (the fans) 3 things: 1. It was due to circumstances beyond my control 2. I will do my best to get caught up. 3. I take my responsibility for these show notes very seriously.
Experiment: Grounding static electricity before working on electronics
Unsuccessful cloning of a 160GB drive to a 320 GB drive Proportional vs As-Is Acronis
Finding hidden user account files after a Windows install Recover My Files Dell Dimension 4550 opening on a hinge Like the DeLorean car doors (Why Dell?? Why???) Taking the opening from a 45 degree angle to 90 degrees can stretch IDE cables beyond capacity.
Define freezing: The mouse moves= software issues The mouse does not move = hardwarwe error Freezing after idle? Check the power saver options in the bios .. restore defaults. Hooking up your modem 101: It is either usb or ethernet. Preferred is ethernet NOT BOTH. (good times!) Voicemail from Timster in Savannah, GA: Positive ebay testimonial featuring dvdsuper999 Buying parts from ebay? Watch ebay ratings!! Pay attention to feedback! Email from Kins not Kens: Tested! Sandboxie Works!! Sandboxie runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer. Email from Mike: 3 Free Undelete programs (recommeded by Kim Komando) Recuva Undelete-plus Restoration
Live call from Door2DoorGeek: Learning about the system volume information folder "Pure gold ! " Spinrite convo ensues
Windows 98 machine in 2008 Error message indicating reinstall required. Installed 98 again but considering XP
BTW user: How do you break a fan blade? Vista home Premium Media Center was also crashing Goole search reveals a fix for Media Center
Looking for a good undelete file utility The Utimate boot CD failed me.
Tip: Sometimes it makes more sense to replace the MB and the processor rather than accommodate the current processor on a machine that needs a motherboard replacement.
Voice mail from Nebben (Ben) BartPE does use memory .. but not enought to be concerned PayPal payments and credit card fraud
Email from Jason: Word 2007 error message "Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable" Try system restore?
Email from Mark: What do you charge for repairs at your shop?
Live call from Tim: As a tech I give 90 day warranty on hardware No warranty on virus removal. What's your take?
Also- Unlocking a locked bios: Are we liable if the PC is stolen?
Live call from Andrew: Cannot remove weird shield sitting in the system tray. No name and clicking the shield takes you to a website .. that will not load.
Live call from Ben Help for Timster Help for Anderew Use Google news to get information on new virus that Google has not yet indexed.
Swamped in the shop 2 weeks before Christmas Possibly due to college kids coming home. -- Raised the price to $120 laptop power jack repairs -- Selling Norton 2009 (AV only) like crazy
Tip: Monitor gives "display mode not supported" Boot into Safe Mode (F8) and change the resolution under display properties. Reboot.
iMac G5 with checker board pattern on display. Bad graphics adapter / display card (integrated on logic board)
eMachines Desktop with "broken power button" I will test both the power supply and the mother board right in front of the customer for these jobs -- To ensure them that I am not trying to rip them off.
Tip: Files I back up before reinstalling Windows Documents Folder/Favorites/Desktop for every user If they use Outlook you also have to back up Documents and Settings/User/Local Settings/ Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook Express.... Outlook default folder is a .PST file
Malwarebytes has been cleaning like a champ for me. No other cleaners needed. I always update it before running. It has replaced SuperAntiSpyware as my cleaner of choice.
MSI Wind at MicroCenter for $299. Might purchase and sell at the shop for $399.
Tip: Solution for computers that freeze at POST: Unplug the power cord from the back of the machine Hold power button for 10 seconds Plug back in.. good to go! (Steve offers extra steps)
Dell Optiplex GX270 and Dimension 4600 SFF -- motherboard pops out on a tray -- one screw to remove the MB -- these MB are known to have leaky capacitors
Update your malware programs on clean machines! If the computer is infected it will not let you update.
Installing processors - Don't Force It! Socket 478 processor or Socket AMD 939 processor -- lots of pins -- they should just fall into place -- never force them with your finger (oil) -- never use a conductor (toothpick will do) -- should be no wobble at all. Flush.
Tip for computer techs: Have a floppy drive on hand. You may be surprised to find how often you have to convert floppy files to CD.
Data Doctors recovered the Iraq hard drive! Dell Inspiron 6000 back from Iraq was in the shop "Looks like it has been through a war" Lots of spills and sand in the computer. The hard drive was toasted. Recommended he ship the hard drive to the Data Doctors for recovery. It had lots of movies and pictures on it from the war. $1500 and a few months later -- ALL DATA RECOVERED! Mentioned: Podnutz #11- Interview: Ken Colburn from Data Doctors
The dangers of a KVM Switch: Beware! The computer you think you are looking at may not be the computer you ARE looking at!
Email from Juan Will Log Me In allow you to boot into Safe Mode and keep control of it? Log Me In Rescue (Not Free) will allow you to boot into Safe Mode and reconnect once the boot is complete. You cannot do this using Free even if With Networking chosen.
Buy a good laptop with a busted screen for parts! Repaired a Sony Vaio via ebay laptop purchase. Please watch for as-is warnings! But purchase whole computers instead of parts This can be cheaper and you will have parts .. for future jobs
Using the Ultimate Boot CD to trouble shoot. Does it use ram?
Reinstalling Windows with alternative copy: Windows Registry Recovery (window title) "One of the files containing the systems registry data had to be recovered by use of a log or alternative copy. The recovery was successful." Looking for suggestions... I ran: System Restore sfc /scannow CCleaner TrueFix (?) Windows repair serves up a BSOD pci.sys
Tech Tip: The joys of an ide/sata to usb cable -- Have a working DVD drive on hand for repairs just in case your customers computer either lacks one OR has one that is no longer functioning.
Fighting Spyware Tip: Sometimes you will get an infected machine that will not allow you to update your cleaning tools. There IS a trick. Rename the installer and copy the exe file and rename that too. Good to go. (Love learning about these tricks, Steve!)
Found: Bad IDE port on a motherboard
Story: Assisting my local pawn shop with machines MicroCenter Rocks!
Excuse the burnout -- I had to chill. If you want to help me: Keep sending me emails and voice mails! Egg me on, if you will.
Email from Josh: Tips on Remote access via MSN Live Messenger Remote Assistance help posted for his clients. (CX loves everything about this RA page!!)
Email from Mark: Tips on marketing repair work during econimic downturn
Email from Andrew: I need to be able to process credit cards! Help! Steve gives PayPal advice using BuyNow.
Sound problems with a Gateway Integrated sound on the MB Customer bought sound cards x2. No go.
Customer's attempt at malware cleanup caused the removal of vital Windows files. Windows Media Center reinstall required... And he brought it to us. We utilized the built in recovery partition on the hard drive. Is it F10? Or is it F11? At any rate.. his salvation was embedded on his HD. Destructive vs Non Destructive recovery (that is the question) .. And the day is saved!
FYI: The system recovery had both Norton AND McAfee installed. Madness! I smell a reason to run pcdecrapifier
Apple G4 iBook: "Very not fun to open" ~ Steve Cherubino ..and he cannot find his splooger tool / black stick *sigh* (The gushing of the beauty under the case ensues)
Tip: BartPE boots up 100x faster than the Ultimate boot CD Listen to the drive if you want to troubleshoot the HD
(Rant) You, you really got me going .. angry: [No tolerance for stupidity] Bliss Computers and the story surrounding a screen purchase. ebay user name: expresslcdscreens [ ? ]
Tip: Molex connectors will connect improperly. This will (obvs) fry the drive. Consider this your warning.
Hammer-Down mode in ustream chat: Ban first. Ask questions later. Any questions? Thank you to all of my ops!
Email from Bob: PCI / Post Cards Power on self-test cards for PCI motherboards .. cards you put in a PCI slot to test the mother board. Displays exact bad component!
Lap Top repair videos are still in process!! FYI: If you want to become a reseller of these videos I will be selling them through Click Bank
Warning: Laptop ribbon cables and how to remove safely. Do not bend/fold the ribbon more than 90 degrees or you risk of breaking the connection inside the cable.
If it jingles.. do NOT power on. Jingling and obscure piece of metal & black plastic falls out I have NO IDEA what these went to until I called the customer. No sound when using the headphone jack.. ahh.
A call for help: "Limited" Windows profiles do not show up in safe mode How can we make them appear without making them administrators?
Obscure issue regarding USB mice and keyboards (when the tech uses ps2 connectors) after reinstalling Windows and Windows cannot find the right driver. Tip: How to use the keyboard as a mouse. Yes you can. You need to load the drivers for the peripherals via device manager.
HP Mini-Note laptop running XP Full-size keyboard and feels solid.. more metal less plastic
Email from Bobby: DVD not closed properly/recovery Try Nero 9 Rescue Agent (no qualifying link)
Email from Josh: Great Tech Debate #2 printer feedback.
Email from Geraldo: Ray had questions about recovery console and he offers Ray a link explaining this technology w/ screenshots via about.com
Voice Mail from Ben: Inspiron 5100 runs hot due to the P4 chip He cleans out the dust in his weekly Dell Inspiron fan monitor
Voice Mail from Scott: He loves that Steve keeps it real on his show but comments that because Steve is offering a "teaching" podcast he MUST document steps taken in solving an issue. Also mentions: the Windows Recovery Console is equivalent to the Ultimate Boot Cd
Increase your productivity with keyboard shortcuts! What does the Windows Key do? Located on your keyboard left of the spacebar Bottom row with the Windows logo.
This combo opens a new Explorer Window. Probably one of the hottest Windows keyboard shortcuts. This one gets a lot of hoorahs!
17" iMac G5 with iSight camera AppleCare expired to-the-date she had a graphics issue Apple would not cover her. The iSight makes opening the laptop harder than just the three screws mentioned in prev podcasts. New logic board required to fix the issue.
Norton 2009 AV (not the suite) shop news: Reselling Norton 2009 at the shop LIKE CRAZY! The bulkiness has been fixed in the 2009 release and it runs unnoticeable in Vista, in XP it is still okay.
Old School camera with Old School technology His digital camera connected via a serial port (not usb .. old technology) Windows 2000 on P3 Dell and would not recognize the camera Solution: Fixed via device manager COM port
Socket 775 motherboards and getting the 775 processor to work (incompatibility issues)
Cook vs Steve and chatty customers Dad acknowledges them, Steve just wants to get back to work.
Toshiba laptop 3-4 yrs old and kid wants to run 3d games by over clocking both video and processor and computer is dying. Corrupted drivers / video card? Perhaps...
Dell Inspiron 1100 needs dusting and virus cleanse! Check to see if the fans are spinning after dusting I have slightly changed my cleanup routine View and BOOKMARK my cleanup routine.
Voice Mail from Nebben: For the guy with network problems with ip router/modem issues
Email from Tom: What device is required to run a laptop harddrive externally? USB to IDE/SATA connector. You will only be able to see the files. Cannot boot Windows.
Email from Steve: YouTube laptop video powerjack repair in fast mode with HerbieHancock as a backdrop (sweet!) See the oncall258dotcom video
Email from Ray: Problems installing World of Warcraft (WoW) System locks up at different intervals If CPU overheats will it just freeze or shutdown? Sounds like a video issue. Troubleshoot video and also check requirements for WoW make sure the machine can physically run it. Also Questions about recovery console - how to use A few mentioned dos prompts to enter at the command chkdsk /r sfc /scannow bootcfg fixboot
Email from Mitch in Iowa: Is using a customer's XP disk to run recovery (not install Windows) kosher? Make a copy of it. No. Nothing wrong with using it though.
Email from Neil: Mac OS on a Windows machine without VM Ware? Yes! Try OSX86
You can call Live to podnutzdaily on Mondays and Wednesdays
Live Call from Gomem (Mike): Mac OSX on Windows CAN be done on but do not plan on getting updates.
Boxy+AppleTV = bliss (but no video podcast playlist)
Avast antivirus is free but renewing and keeping it free is tricky. The two blue balls that appear in your task bar after installing Avast can be merged! Now we are selling Norton 2006 If they do not want to buy it, they get AVG
Important DVD recording not finalized Is there any hope to get the data? DVD Decrypter did not work ISO Buster did not work either Send me your tips! Looking for solutions to recover data from a DVD that has NOT been finalized.
The [Defense] Shield 2009? Possibly malware
Dell Laptop keeps shutting off after a few seconds: This PC is radiating a bad burning plastic smell. Something is getting fried inside and is shutting off power adapters. Physically troubleshot the issue (details in the audio) with no solution.
Laptop that hit a hardwood floor no longer has power: First thing I always do is blow out the dust On laptops I DO NOT use the leaf blower. Canned air. Or the wet/dry vac on blow and then suck to get out dust clumps. Powered on immediately after cleaning. Ran it for hours. Good to go.
Turning off Windows Defender: Either use msconfig OR under the WD options if you scroll allll the way down to the bottom of options.
Please note: My Laptop repair videos are on schedule to be released before Christmas. And THANK YOU for the donations!
Email from Dan: Is there a diference between a usb 1.1 and 2.0 cable? How do you tell the difference?
Email from Christopher: Started his own business when Comp USA closed in his town and found a cool screwdriver at walmart for under $3 Questions regarding wireless connection issues with the router.
Email from Andrew: He resells Trend Micro no password is required for uninstall (gives solution if password is prompted) ..and he loves spinrite (okay then) Try HandyBackup for your backup software. Steve counters with Click Here to See Chat Log.
I'm Baaack! Worked on some projects Podnutz is all drupal based & easy to update.
HP dv6000 laptop with gmail issues: When typing in gmail the system would hang and not be able to keep up with the customer's typing. The problem was found in the interface bewteen gmail and Internet Explorer. Missing characters is a *linky* thing. Listen to learn more about the solution.
That damned Sony Viao laptop: Listen to hear the whole story and get up-to-date with the current Best trenches tech you will hear/learn from
FYI: The ebay seller mentioned: xyverx .. could not be verified by show-noter, kudos or not. Ernesto rawks for sending the side board N/C
Another Sony Viao laptop: No video. Not even on an external monitor. Checking indicator lights .. no HD activity. After thorough troubleshooting.. another bad motherboard. An ebay search for his motherboard lead me to the availability to purchase HIS laptop .. exact match but with a bad screen. His screen was good... See where I am going with this? Always looking for the best deal. Cheaper than a Buy It Now MB for Viao on ebay and I can part off the rest like Steve D'Amico
Shop announcement & hold your hats: I am now selling the new sleek Norton 2009 antivirus (AV only) It protects better than AVG when you have clueless users Listen further to hear my excuse ....
Tip to fix "jumpy video": Update the video driver
This saved me: I just utilized an optionl on Dial-A-Fix that I never used before via the tools button. Permissions issues? Repair permission issues via dial-a-fix
If you run just ONE choose malwarebytes Super AntiSpyware vs. MalWareBytes Malwarebytes seems to clean a bit harder by relieving your system of the detrimental programs that effect productivity but in quite honesty, both of these programs compliment one another because if one don't catch it, the other will.
In the chat kins mentions ThreatFire for free AV. Thanks, kins!
Wanna call live? New format allows live calls on Monday & Wednesday. Mark your Skype calendars!
Help me with this! Looking for a good chroma key green screen program that works with Windows.
Email from Andrew: Acquiring Windows Key on a bad hard drive when the sticker is missing Where does Windows store the key so I can fish it out?
Email from Jason: Leaf blower vs Air compressor FYI: Carey Holzman re-does the leaf blower video with a before/after this time
