[aarhus2004]

Hello WinME Users,

Coming soon ( )...

The (your!) power supply.
A painful saga of assumptions made when something appears to be a problem. A cautionary tale involving a computer... and a guy and
Two viruses - damnit.
Plus:
Recovery Discs for WinME.

and here now: No new Java Update - yet!!

Cheers.

Ben.

[ekim68]

Hey Ben. I recently loaded a machine with ME and was pretty annoyed with the opening logo screen. I went to your post #17 and corrected it. Pretty cool now...Thanks again.

[aarhus2004]

That's a happy post, Mike, which happened to find me in the registry here:

(See GIF attached)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\SC2D... or whatever you have\Software\Microsoft\OutlookExpress\5.0

and find, listed in the right-hand pane, 'NoSplash'

If you have the splash screen when you open Outlook Express it will show a value thus:
0000000 (0)

If you would like to rid yourself of the Splash Screen

Right-click on 'NoSplash' and change the 0 to a 1

IF you are unwilling to mess with the registry and would like no splash screen this post suggests the how-to. See the gif attached there.

Cheers.

Ben.

[ekim68]

Thanks again Ben....I used to know that one... But still trying to get that fourth brain cell working again....

But, I ran into something recently involving ME's search for .inf files when installing drivers.

I'll go into depth if you like.....

[aarhus2004]

Originally Posted by ekim68

I ran into something recently involving ME's search for .inf files when installing drivers.

I'll go into depth if you like.....

Don't hesitate, Mike, please.

Questions I have for you.

Do you have any idea what caused the failure of your power-supply units?

and

Since I have no experience with format and install (except on this locally-made system using an OEM CD) would you help with my post-to-come on using recovery CDs and/or...?
I googled the matter - hard, and achieved nada

Thanks, Mike.

Ben.

[ekim68]

Originally Posted by aarhus2004

Don't hesitate, Mike, please.

Questions I have for you.

Do you have any idea what caused the failure of your power-supply units?

and

Since I have no experience with format and install (except on this locally-made system using an OEM CD) would you help with my post-to-come on using recovery CDs and/or...?
I googled the matter - hard, and achieved nada

Thanks, Mike.

Ben.

Well, the cause of a power supply failure can vary...Spikes, heat, humidity...And, age...
And, recovery disks are normally pretty good...But, if you get or build your own system, then make a copy, probably on a CD, of all the audio, video, modem, ethernet, etc. drivers, that are connected to your system...And, I will help if I can...

[aarhus2004]

Originally Posted by ekim68

Well, the cause of a power supply failure can vary...Spikes, heat, humidity...And, age...

Hello Mike,

From this I understand you didn't know what caused the failure. Do you ever clean the fan in the PS of your own or other computers? And would you agree that we shouldn't stint on the purchase of a surge protector?

And, recovery disks are normally pretty good...But, if you get or build your own system, then make a copy, probably on a CD, of all the audio, video, modem, ethernet, etc. drivers, that are connected to your system...And, I will help if I can...

Is it true that, depending on the manufacturer of a computer, what is offered in the way of what is needed to do an format/install varies? On a Dell for instance (with WinME) it appears that more than one disc (CD) is given for this purpose. What about the other major manufacturers? What do they offer? And perhaps it would be helpful if you said something about your own approach to format/install WinME on your own computer in this regard.

But, I ran into something recently involving ME's search for .inf files when installing drivers.

I'll go into depth if you like.....

Looking forward to it, Mike, thanks.

Ben.

[ekim68]

Actually Ben, I pretty much knew what happened to the power supplies. And, part of any procedure on repairs includes cleaning all fans and checking connections...They get hot so heat dissipation is a clear problem.. As and aside, I used to pull them apart and replace fans quite often, and even replace components like capacitors and resisters and such, but nowadays it's cheaper to replace the ps. And, as another aside, I always recommend a ps of at least 450 watts, unless it's one of the little oem things, then it's time for bobby pins and baling wire...

The surge suppressor is always included on an install....(Always start at the source.)

As far as the recovery CD's go. I've dealt with lots of different systems and they all have their own way of doing things, such as including os's on one cd, drivers on another, and applications on another....And, sometimes they're all on one. I guess that's what makes them different...

I'll be back for the other info....Got my granddaughter on instant message right now.

[aarhus2004]

Hello WinME Users,

The (your!) power supply.
A painful saga of assumptions made when something appears to be a problem. A cautionary tale involving a computer... and a guy and
Two viruses - damnit.

The Power Supply Unit.

Most of us can do little with this so-important unit but that little is well worth doing. We can routinely access it, remove it, dismantle it and clean the fan. I cannot recommend the use of compressed air for several reasons. It can probably do more harm than good to delicate electronics and fan-bearings. I suggest a sturdy artist's paint brush (a wooden Popsicle or ice cream stick is useful too for scraping), and a vacuum cleaner for removing the debris from the work-site (watch out for those small screws!).

Taking it out of the box is simple. Making the disconnections is not a problem. In fact the whole job would only occupy 30mins. especially after this first time.

I have a tell-tail hanging over this fan's aperture and I occasionally look at the pattern of its movement.

******
My Saga of Assumptions.

This was on a recent day when suddenly I was unable to help myself. The first was 'I have a virus'. The second was 'my mouse is working since it is lit-up, the pointer moves and the right-click and scroll-wheel works'. I am a keyboard incompetent but fast became partially less so as I tried what I knew to restore the function of my computer. I ended up doing a format/restore during which, when asked to click OK, nothing happened! The light went on (in my mind) the mouse is faulty. And so it turned out to be. One earlier routine exploration for dirt (and curiosity) had weakened one of the plastic hold-together clips and it had, eventually, snapped. The left click became none functional. This is an MS Intellipoint optical scroll-wheel mouse. There was not a scrap of dirt inside it (after 7 years). I fixed it thankfully with ShoeGoo II. Leave it well alone (advice to myself primarily).

Two Viruses. (Very soon after the above!)

How did I find them? In spite of my disregard for security soft and free wares I do occasionally use Panda Online Scan. It found and disinfected them. Where were they from? Steve Gibson's Leak Test, which I have been in the habit of using (again occasionally). I always fail this test by the way. At one-time the test was done remotely - no longer. We download it now. A very small application this LeakTest.exe but Panda is offended by it - seems. The two entries placed on the system are not viruses.

Hopefully coming-up soon something like "Is your router really routing". I am still exploring mine which wasn't (but it was reassuringly busy!!).

Cheers.

Ben.

[Stoner]

Hi Ben

On cleaning out the power supply, with the computer unplugged of course, I've taken a fine bladed screwdriver and inserted it into the fan housing only enough to stop the blade from turning while I blew out the unit with compressed air from a heavy duty garage air compressor with an inline air dryer.
Been doing this for a little over 7 years with out any failures other than 2 PSUs that were in computers already over 7-8 years old.
I leave the PSU in place while I clean it out.

I think the hazard is in not using dry compressed air and leaving a film of moisture that causes corrosion in the electrical connections.

Anyway, there are many that disagree with the above method, but it works for me


Good thread......keep it going

[aarhus2004]

Originally Posted by Stoner

Hi Ben

On cleaning out the power supply, with the computer unplugged of course, I've taken a fine bladed screwdriver and inserted it into the fan housing only enough to stop the blade from turning while I blew out the unit with compressed air from a heavy duty garage air compressor with an inline air dryer.
Been doing this for a little over 7 years with out any failures other than 2 PSUs that were in computers already over 7-8 years old.
I leave the PSU in place while I clean it out.

I think the hazard is in not using dry compressed air and leaving a film of moisture that causes corrosion in the electrical connections.

Anyway, there are many that disagree with the above method, but it works for me


Good thread......keep it going

Thanks for that post, Jack.The 'cat' which is WinMe may be skinned in many ways but as long as it is skinned it can be preserved. All this disagreement we find merely serves to emphasise that routine 'taking care of' is practiced by some who believe it worthwhile.

In this neck of the woods we now have high temperatures and I have mounted a swivelling computer fan by a small 'window' inches from my computer and placed trays (the bottom half-inch of milk cartons) of water behind it as a primitive cooling system. My computer gets the cool air and my hand enjoys it. It may be of limited effect but it sure pleases me!

***********

And as for the router question I mentioned here(scroll way down) I think it resolved. I now believe it safe to say that the setting/config of a (working) router do not include any which render it useless and working. See this thread here.

Cheers.

Ben.

[ekim68]

Ben, as an aside, were you really a seafarer? Probably some good stories...

[aarhus2004]

Yes, Mike, I was and it shaped me. Or should that be mis-shaped? Some good stories? In my head, yes, but they need the art of a storyteller which I am not and which you are. "Walking Away" 'speaks' to me - particularly that one.

Ben.

[aarhus2004]

Hello WinME Users,

I would like to recommend the use of the HOSTS file from the MVPs here.

I am reminded of it having just got the monthly e-mail advisory they send out on request.

The attached GIF is a sampling of the blocked. It is a long long list as you can see by the scroll. I have two items unblocked because they interfere with the Yahoo Geocities Page Builder. Easily done by the preface #

Cheers.

Ben.

P.S. NO new Java updates to 12. See here.

Speaking of keeping out the unwanteds see a second GIF. He stands 6' 5" on his hinds and weighs 125kg. Here

[ekim68]

Originally Posted by aarhus2004

Yes, Mike, I was and it shaped me. Or should that be mis-shaped? Some good stories? In my head, yes, but they need the art of a storyteller which I am not and which you are. "Walking Away" 'speaks' to me - particularly that one.

Ben.

Ben, I spent some time at sea and I have a few stories that get better with time. Mind if I pm you? Maybe later, got to run..