kservice

Just wanted to get an idea of everybody else's thoughts on this but does anybody else think that the hardware and gaming industry is moving way too fast for the average gamer to keep up? I have been playing games of one sort or another for about many years (we are talking about the days of 'The Hobbit' on my ZX Specturm) and technology has always moved at a swift pace but things seem to have gone mad recently. Game designers seem to be striving to achieve as much realism as possible in their games, making use of the latest graphics and cpu architecture available, whilst I think this is a nobel goal if feel that the average gamer cannot keep up. I would consider myself an average gamer and there is no way I can afford a system with 2Gb of ram or a ?400 top of the range graphics card paired with a high end cpu. I think that whenever benchamrks are run or games are reviewed there should be a section dedicated on 'this is how it runs on an average system' as well as the normal 'this is how is performs on our top end testbed system'. Ranting over, let me know your thoughts.....kservice

You're right, the longer the cable, the longer it takes for the data to get there. The NICs use different chipsets, so that has a processing factor. The computers aren't identical, so there is that factor. The quality of the cables may even factor in some, the distance can factor in, EMI can factor in, etc. Depending on hardware configuration and the negotiation of each NIC, the best you could do is set both NICs to 100/full duplex in the NIC properties, then run the test. That will tell you the best possible performance you'll get from either NIC. Just because they're both 10/100 NICs doesn't mean they both operate at the same level.kservice

You are going to get many recommendations and mixed results. The main problem is that *spyware* is ill-defined. When you get your machine be sure to keep current with the Windows updates and then install one or two of the free programs. I use AdAware and Spybot. But with ZoneAlarm pro having spyware detection these other two rarely find anything.kservice

I've read back a few posts with interest and have noted most of the discussion on security is about anti-virus software. However although I have had problems with viruses in the past most problems on my computer (and many others, I suspect) are now caused by spyware that are not detected by anti-virus progs. I'm currently using an older version of windows but will soon be getting a new computer with windows xp. I've been experimenting on my current computer with a number of trial anti-spyware packages (there seem to be very many of them). These include: spybot (freeware) ad-aware (freeware) I've found that these freeware progs identify many of the more 'harmless' types of spyware (internet cookies) together with 1 or 2 of the more serious ones, but no more than that. Spyware doctor spy sweeper (by webroot) spyhunter true sword Of these I found that 'true sword' detected a good number (20 or so) of exe files that had been corrupted in some way by spyware (the exe files had either been copied to a different location and corrupted or were new exe files put on computer by malicious spyware). My question for discussion is therefore, what is the most effective anti-spyware program (or combination of programs)? My preference is one (or 2) that requires a single one-off payment in return for unlimited free updates (rather than one that requires regular subscriptions).andrescasta

I have two computers on the same router. My Comcast advertise a max of 6 mbps. On testing one of my computers I get 5.5 mbps. On my other computer I only get 4.6 mbps. I am using the on board NICs for both computers. I got these numbers based on several runs on several days. One motherboard is Asus P4T533-c with a built-in Intel pro-100 ve NIC. (5.5 mbps) The other motherboard is GA-8IHXP 3.0 with a built-in Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC. (4.6 mbps) Does anyone have any idea why one computer is faster than the other? I used nyc.speakeasy.net to test the computers. The faster computer is connected to a 50 ft cat 6 cable to the routher. If anything I would think the computer running with a 3 ft cable should be faster. Something has changed, but I don't have a clue to what. I am pretty sure the speeds us to be equal. Any ideas? Could upgrading the router flash cause a problem? Any software to fully test the NICs? Best regards, andrescasta

Though I'm not sure how disconnecting your son's computer from the LAN would be related to this, I think some people have had trouble related to their nforce4 chipset controlled network connection. You could try a secondary ethernet port, if you motherboard has one. You might also make sure that you have the latest nforce4 motherboard drives. Try running your system without nvidia active armor, if you are using your nforce4 network port and you have NAM installed. kservice

If you want to stay cheap then you can kiss scsi good-bye. Other than the small scsi drives, 36 gb and 73 gb, your looking at $300 plus. Even some 73 gb are 300 plus. More memory will make your computer run faster. Less the computer uses the swap file the better. The only thing a faster hard drive will do is lower your boot times by a couple seconds. Stay with what you got and look into upgradeing other components that will give you a better speed increase.kservice

I'm making some assumptions here since you didn't post your access-groups for the outside interface. But... You need to use a STATIC for the mail server. You tie the .8 address to the inside IP. You do still want it natted, otherwise the pix will just pass the private address out to the internet. The reason you are showing your IP as .12 is because of this: global (outside) 1 x.x.x.9-x.x.x.13 global (outside) 1 x.x.x.14 The first 5 people to connect out to the internet are getting 1 to 1 Nat. You happened to be one of them. After those 5 connections are done, everything else is PAT translated. There's no real reason to configure a pix like that. You can safell remove the "global (outside) 1 x.x.x.9-x.x.x.13" and let everything get PATted when browsing/whatever. Then define statics for inside servers (unless <shudder> you still have conduits, in which case you have to jack with conduits...) kservice

I've read many reviews about the Sony camcorder Hdrhc1 and it seems like it is great amature camcorder for HD and quality is unbeatable. I really want to purchase this camcorder but I'm afraid I will regret it. Does anyone have any comments on this camcorder or prefer something else? The street price i found from cnet was bout 1700 and Newegg has it for about 1600 with free shipping... Is that a good deal? http://www.newegg.com/Common/MessagePage.aspx?MsgCode=-1&ID=10 kservice

Remove the other hard drive and try installing with only the Raptor installed. Ensure that your BIOS is set to boot from the Raptor and not the IDE drive.

I got a Dell D600 Centrino and I want to sell it. I would like to get a new laptop but now I see AMD has a kick **bottom** Turion CPU and I would like to know how does it compare with the Intel Centrino. I like my current Centrino because it runs cooler compared to the P4 and does the job done. How does the AMD compare with the Intel Centrino for the low power heat? Also for games, would the Intel Centrino or AMD be my choice. kservice

Try disabling/lowering sound options, like 3D sound or something.kservice

set the port range in the torrent program to a different range on each computer. Say 10000 - 10020 on one and 11000 - 10020 on the other. Go into the router and setup these two port ranges to go to each specific computer. It would also help to set each computer to a static ip address so it wont ever change. I did this on my two computers and works great.kservice

What you need is a DVD authoring program. like WinDVD creator, or those that are included in the Roxio and Nero burning suite. You cannot just put the file on the DVD, you have to create a DVD and those apps will let you do just thatWith your burner, you had some software provided with?kservice

Have you tried different PCI slot or switch with another card (ie. your Audigy)?If this not solve the problem do this:Backup and reinstall.. the best fix. ;-)kservice

First tell me the specs of your system, then:Start it up in safe mode with the card in place.Or use Last Known Good Configuration mode and see if it'll load with the card in place. You did use the software to uninstall it right? You didn't try some rambo removal action.. right?kservice

I do think the major drawback would be the length... it's way too short and it ended too quickly for the story to make more sense. But we all know that when the story isn't finished there could be a sequel. The paranormal experiences were a lot more creepier than anything in doom3 or any game I've played for that matter. Doom3 relied too much on stuff popping out at you, so it wasn't really fright it was just shock. FEAR is more "in your head" type of fright that works really well IMO. The slowmo is quite cool in that it's really usefull, unlike max payne where it was just a "look what I can do" type of gimmick. You say you have access it all the time and hate using it always, so don't use it so much! You can't complain about the game for something YOU'RE doing. Nice challenge I think. I think boss battles would ruin the mood that FEAR was going for. They wanted you to feel like something was going on in the real world, and a boss battle would add too much of the cheesy arcade shooter feel. Plus, all games have bosses so kudos for something different. And going on to the story. Yes it's still unclear who you really are playing as, but that Paxton guy does say "We came from the same mother" so you at least get a hint. And the little girl, Alma, is the daughter of the one chick you were trying to save as she ran to find her dad. kservice

I can't say i disagree with his review. I've played about 7 hours of the game so far, and I have no idea how far I am. I feel like I haven't accomplished anything in the game so far and the only reason i'm playing it still is hoping that it will get better (i'll get better weapons, new level, etc.) I don't understand what all the hype is about how people say the weapons feel great and all that. In my opinion they feel like crap. One click and 3 shots come out? I feel like I have no control over my own weapons. Not to mention I don't get any real satisfaction out of killing the enemies. Every now and then nail gun will get a satisfying kill when you nail their face to a wall, but i mean you got to hit them like 4 times until it actually nails them to the wall/cieling/etc. I want them to get nailed on the first hit! It doesn't make sense for the 4th one to be the charm or whatever. The slowmo is kinda cool, but you almost have to activate slowmo in order to kill the guys, otherwise they're so accurate they'll just instantly take you down. I also don' like it how you can't sneak in the shadows and stuff. The bad guys can' see you from a mile away even if you're crouched in the shadows behind some boxes if your peeking around the corner. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of lean feature? if they can see you regardless, why lean? Anyway, i'll play the game to the end just to see if it gets better, but so far I enjoyed my half life 2 experience much more than fear. kservice

The Maxtor Atlas 15k II 36GB is quiet at idle, runs cool, and has seek noise sort of like a Hitachi 7200rpm ATA drive. Not inaudible, but not the metal-can-of-BBs-being-shaken noise of the old-school stuff, either. Anyway, no surprise that I like mine, it is nice in the same way that my dual-core X2 3800+ is nice... the headroom may not always make its presence felt, but the performance delta can be quite large in some situations that cater to its strengths. I'm not using a fancy controller, either, just a vanilla LSI Logic Ultra160 card on 32-bit PCI. Good luck making up your mind If you're a typical home user, it may or may not make you happy. But what you buy on eBay, you can turn around and sell on eBay if you don't like it. kservice

Hi everyone.um..where is TruForm? N-Patches? even software? anything?I was trying to use the "ati_npatch" command line in Half Life 1, but it didn't work! so i enabled TruForm through Ati Tray Tools since it is no longer present in the CCC.*even ATI's own Dolphin Demo does not work ><what registry tweak/hack/something can i use to enable N-Patches/TruForm.I don't care if it's actually software, as long as it works at all.Thank You.kservice

I thought i would start a post on FEAR, since i just bought it, and would like to see others opinion on the game. I like the game, think the graphics are pretty sick, and all the craziness inbetween is cool. I think the handling of game is kinda clumsy, but i guess this is in order to replicate "realism." Honestly, i think characters and map details look better in HL2. But FEAR's effects are real nice, except that when you shoot a gun the bullet coming out makes the gun look like a super soaker...I think the game gets a little lost in this. Consider, the game offers realism of particle richochet and sparks, dust, etc. Also, when shooting, the gun will lose a lot of aim and a player must compensate for this. And yet all i see are white lines coming out of my gun...kinda *happy*. Also, there is basically only one speed play in the game, a jog, i guess, cause i don't think anyone bobs up and down so much when walking. The lean options are real cool though, and all developers should consider this when making a FPS. If anyone knows of a/some review sites of graphic cards + FEAR, especially if they have a SLI review, PLEASE POST! kservice

Here's whats going on in more detail...I run a 3800+ x2 and 2x6800gts...as a back-up i have a 2500+ paired with a 9800 np. I also have a 9500 and a 9600pro sitting around on different machines. I gave the 9600pro to a buddy of mine, so he'd have a little more gaming power. Anyway, so he was wanting to know what it'd take to get to my level...i said about $1500...To get roughly the same playability i have. Anyway, so he came back asking what he could do to make his machine faster for Counter Strike...He's running a XP2000, 512x1 (and i threw in a couple of old 256 sticks too...so 1gb now), the 9600pro, and an old msi board of some via 266 flavour. I told him if he wanted to see a real improvement he's got bottlenecks right now at the fsb and the graphics card (not to mention the hd i gave him is crap...20gb prob 5400rpm...). Basically i built him a machine with some of my spare parts. He said he'd have to save up to get $230...So i'm not going to push the price on that. In fact i'm going to do whatever i can to bring that down. Anyway, so thats the low-down.kservice

AIW X800XT has been as low as $255 but is over $300 now. 6800GT hasn't been that low, X800XL AGP was down as low as $225 but is now higher. X800 pro to me seems like your best bet in that $200-230 price range right now (online USA)unless you go refurbished/used. The refurbished X800 pro AGP with 3 year warranty directly from ATI has been gone for a week or so, that was a good deal for $185 shipped.The 256MB X800GTO is a good AGP card for that money. Slower core than the pro, but higher memory. It's Better than a 6800 and has good potential of going well beyond stock speeds too. Getting down to the bottom, a 6600GT will definatley outclass your 9800 pro also.Best to worst if you can find one in your range:AIW X800XT6800GT/X800XLX800 pro/ X800GTO 256MB(faster clocked than 128MB versions)kservice

Hi there I'm in the search for a desktop replacement for some time now. I hope you could help me a bitI'm a web developer. SOmetimes I play games, but it's not too often. When I started my computing adventure, my CPU was AMD K6-2, accidentaly. But after 7 years I'm still with AMD, replacing the old system several times. Now, when I think about moving to a mobile device, I'm thinking about AMD too, because I like them. And I don't like Intel (same as Microsoft) anywayI won't travel with it too often.The primary role for this notebook is work. Actually I work most of my time. I play games ocassionally, so I think I don't need a cutting edge graphics, but I don't want a *BLEEP* graphics too. Now, I have ati 9500TYhis is the forum, when I first read about Sager. I see some stuff about upcoming Sager 9750 and it looks pretty interesting!I have around $2000 for the notebookSo, can you suggest anything?It's sad that there are not too many notebooks with AMD Turion....Guys in my company told me to never buy HP (they had a lot of troubles with them in the past)Oh, and my primary OS will be GNU/Linux. This time I will probably go with Ubuntu (now I'm working with Debian, but upgrade cycles are becoming annoying)Cheers! kservice

Recently, the pc games i been playing seem to be dulling out. Im looking for a game that stands out above the rest. For example, i have played Operation Flashpoint since 2001. OFP was a great game, but ive seen pretty much everything that game has to offer, except multiplayer aspects because ive been sentenced to dial up until i move somewhere civilized. I was just wondering if anybody has a game that they play, or have played at one time, that they thought or think was just the best damn game in the world. Ive had a little extra money recently and went into wal-mart and chanced at some games that looked interesting. All of them sucked, from sid meirers pirates to half-life 2. I guess these games didnt totally suck they just didnt appeal to me. FPSs with a non linear storyline campaign, no matter how long, and multiplayer dont cut it. Ill stop babbling. Any recommendations?i pretty much like all sorts of games (rpgs,fps,rts,sims,strat)I will recommend the game Mount & Blade. This one came up on some download site a couple weeks ago in my search for bigger and better games. Its currently in beta, but its a fun game worth the dl. The Full version can be purchased for $12. Thats a good deal because the full version will be more expensive, and that 12 dollar serial will work for the full ver.the website is http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/