Category: Geeks r Us
I have several problems with my computer that are only worsening with time and if I don't get these resolve soon, I think I'll snap! That, or buy that adapter for my IBM Thinkpad 310 and then send it off to have DOS put on it, even if it does cost a bit.
Anyway, I'm running an IBM Thinkpad X32 with Windows XP Pro. It has special software called Think Vantage that's completely inaccessible. Every time the computer goes into standby (when I close the lid) it also locks. It takes forever to start up again and then I have to unlock it. It also takes a long time when I start it up in general. The log-on screen, Windows and NVDA all start relatively quickly but then I have to wait while other programs are loaded. I want to reconfigure my start-up files so that only the ones needed for XP and my custom ones start, but there are things that I don't know in the start-up list and I don't want to accidentally disable an important driver and then be unable to use my machine. Yet I know that alot of this must be bloatware and specific things from IBM. I'd like to stop the Thinkvantage but am not sure if that's where some of these important drivers are located. Can anyone please help me figured this out?
The second problem is alot more pressing and is what is really causing all the tention. This computer has a 2ghz processor, which is fine for me, and 512mb of ram, which I intend on changing to the maximum 2gb as soon as I can afford to buy the ram and have someone install it. It's also running AVG. But even with all of that, I've never really had problems with it's responsiveness until a few weeks ago and today it's been worse than ever. It seems to be freezing up or slowing down or something whenever I use Firefox. I'll be in the middle of trying to look something up on Google and it'll just stop talking and responding. I know that it's doing something, because I hear the hard disk, but I can't get speech out of it. This has lasted between a minute and several minutes. It's gotten so bad that I've hit the power button to turn it off so that I could get it to start acting normally again. But when I don't do this, it eventually does start working, only to start acting up an hour or two later. It's also worth noting that during these times, trying to edit an e-mail from within the edit box in GMail is practically impossible. I can usually return to Notepad but sometimes even that is delayed. At first, I thought that it was updating a program, but how many updates does it need? If it's Firefox, then I want it to stop because I'm already starting to have problems with it. Now it's not showing me my history! I'll write more on that in another thread. If it's Windows itself that's causing my computer to slow down, how do I get it to stop doing this?
The third problem may or may not be related to my computer. I've had my fair share of problems when it comes to Youtube, particularly involvoing my own account. But I've usually been able to play videos correctly. One day, I came across a video on another site with a bunch of imbedded buttons and whatever on it. I was only able to play it after fiddling around with the buttons and trying a few of them. Since then, whenever I go to watch a video on Youtube, the volume has been horrible! I could barely hear it, even with everything set to 100%. I'm not sure if I need to change the volume from within the webpage or what but it's just not working. All my mp3s play correctly and Youtube even works on Klango! Can anyone tell me what's going on with any of this? I'd really appreciate it!
Oh, I forgot to add this, and maybe it's part of my Youtube problem, though that started before this one. For over a week now, every time I come on The Zone, I've been getting a message telling me that I need to install certain plugins for the page to work properly and the usual sounds don't play. I've gone to the "click here to download plugin" link that appears before the quick notes and also to the top of the page with the alert and the "install missing plugins?" button. The first does nothing and when I try the second, I get a message saying that Apple Quicktime can't be found. Has anyone else had this problem?
download and install quicktime itse'f from apple's site, or find the quicktime alternative player to solve your audio problem. i had that at first, not an issue anymore
At least one will go away. Thanks. Any clue as to what this other stuff is?
My laptop sometimes goes silent or stutters. I don't think this'll work, but you could try repeatedly pressing control to stop the speech. Probably won't work.
Unfortunately, I think that you're right because there's no speech to stop. It just stops on it's own and doesn't start no matter what I do, short of restarting the machine, until it's ready and that could take a few minutes.
Generally the software that you're talking about may come with your laptop but it isn't necessary.
If it were me, I'd simply uninstall it. XP doesn't need it, and it will probably free up a lot of system resources.
How long has it been since you defragmented the hard drive?
Start | Programs (or All Programs) | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup
Then after Disk Cleanup do Disk Defragmenter.
We used to say Disk Cleanup, then Scandisk then Disk Defragmenter but modern hard disks rarely need to be scanned that often.
File fragmentation can be a real problem.
True enough. Is that virus program updated as well? You could have one.
ok for start up, go to the run dialog box and type in msconfig and press enter. Then ctrl + Tab over to the start up tab, and then tab down to the list of check boxes. uncheck anything you don't want starting with windows from this list. If its an essential driver or something that needs to start then windows will put it back in but those things usually aren't in there. once done tab over to ok and press enter on it .. it will ask if you want to restart you don't have to. but the next time you restart it will tell you windwos in running selective startup mode. just select the don't show me this again option and press ok.Now certain programs like AIM may have a start program when windows start option in their and will put it self back instart up when its run so for programs like that you will have to uncheck that box in options then take it out of windows start up the way i explained above. As for the firefox issue, google does seem to make screen lag for a second when you first load the page, but tahts about it. if its presistant like you say, well then hopefully its a matter of too much crap building up in memory and killing all the running stuff from your start ups will help rememdy this problem. Also if you have a ton of stuff running when this happens you may want to kill some of them.
I've done a massive clean-up and deletion of many of the files on my machine, a disk clean-up and a defrag and all of that has really helped. However, I'll list the strange/unknown programs that I found bothin MSConfig and in Unclean, an Ad/Remove Programs alternative, so that I can learn whether I need them or not. Still, I am comforted by the fact that Windows won't let me delete truly important things. Some of these may not be spelled correctly.
From MSConfig
*Tp4 Serve
*Scheduler Proxy
*TPHKMGR
*Ac Tray
*Acl Icon
*PWRMGTR
*EZ Edge MN Ap
*TPK Map Ap
SMAX4PNP (I know Sound Max is a sound driver so this could be related.)
*SMAX4 (see above)
*TP4X
*EZidg Tray
*ReaderSL
*Adobe ARM (I'm sure I don't need that one but what is it?)
*CTFMON
*MSNMSGR (is this my Windows Live Messenger that I set to sign in as soon as Windows starts? If so, I don't want to disable it.)
*MSNSGS (If this is for my Hotmail messages, I don't need it, since I never use that e-mail.)
*Digital Line Detect (I think this one's important but not sure.)
From Unclean
Adobe Air (this came with Adobe Reader. What is it and is it accessible?
Freedom Scientific FS Reader (I know this isn't needed but what does it read?)
Microsoft Base Smart Card Crypto Graphic Service Provider Package
Microsoft Compression Client Pack 1.0 for Windows XP
Microsoft User Mode Driver Framework Feature Pack 1.0
Microsoft Visual C++ (several slightly different entries. I know this is a language but do I need this program?)
MSXML 6 Service Pack
Open A-L
Sentinal System Driver Installer 7.5.0 (This one looks important.)
ThinkPad Configuration
Thinkpad Keyboard Customiser Utility
ThinkPad Power Management Driver
ThinkPad Power Manager
Thinkpad Presentation Director
Thinkvantage Access Connections (Is this for my wireless card? I can't afford to lose that.)
ThinkPad Trackpoint Driver (Is this for the thing in the middle of the keyboard that acts like a mouse?)
Trackpoint Accessibility Features
Windows Imaging Component
Windows Live Essentials
Windows Live Sign-In Assistant
Windows Live Upload Tool
The thing with the Thinkpad software is that while I know that I can get rid of certain things like the Full Screen Magnifier and possibly other things on the list that you guys clear as unnecessary, I want to keep the Integrated 56k modem driver for myself and should probably keep the Trackpoint stuff incase someone sighted should ever need to use my computer and the Easy Eject Utility incase the mood ever strikes me to use the docking station or perhaps, it can be used with something else. All of this is supposed to be managed from the ThinkPad Configuration tool or whatever it is but it's completely inaccessible! I'm not even sure if I can delete some of that and have the uninstallation be accessible.
Do you still have the driver disc that came with the Thinkpad. Sounds to me like a lot of what's starting up on its own is Thinkpad stuff, so if you uninstalled it, your resources would be freed, and if you ever needed it again, you could put it back.
Must of that list isn't causing you any issues so leave it alone. Adobe Air is a visual program, and no good to you, but again doesn't hurt to just leave be. I have sighted people use my computer, so I leave it alone. Makes it pretty. Lol. Now remember all the things that you have successfully removed are probably still in the programs. Start, mycomputer, the disc, in your case probably C drive then program files. Delet all that remains of the files of the programs you have deleted. That helps. If you have cleaned up and all then you'll be good to go. If not your machine has other ghost and would require on sight help.
To Jesse: I bought the ThinkPad from EBay and no disk came with it. I'm not even sure if one ever did, since there is no cd rom drive on the machine and there's a recovery partition in it. However, I'm sure the drivers can be found online. I'd just need to put them on a disk. Bu then, I'd need to get an external cd rom drive to use incase of any problems.
To forereel: The only time a sighted person might need to use my machine is to trouble shoot for me if I lose speech or if my boyfriend wants to watch a game, send an e-mail or bid for something on EBay, and that's only if his spair laptop that he leaves here isn't working. So I really don't need the visual stuff. If all of that doesn't work, then it's time to reformat! *smile*
ok, firstly, as far as antivirus and spy ware goes, i would use microsoft security essentials i know it's a strange way to start a reply but, i am thinking that there's potential viruses and spyware which isn't being picked up that could also slow your machine down hope this helps, james
I agree. But she has to clean it up. You don't have to have the disc to reformat XP, but again you'll need some eyes. You can find the instructions on Microsofts website for doing this. Lastly when doing the disc clean up. Click it on make sure all the boxes are checked, then do control tab and move to the next section. You'll find remove windows componets, programs, or at the bottom restore points you don't need . I'd leave everything alone except the restore points. Remove them, or say you do, say okay then it ask if will have another okay, then it ask are you sure, so say you are. That does a better clean up job.If you don't care about the Adobe Air then remove it no problem. The reader reads books from Freedom S and other providers of daisy books, so you can remove that it if bothers you, but it doesn't slow you down at all.
Thanks for the explanations. I just used fantastic program called Clean Up! (that's how it's written) that's totally free, very customisable and and completely accessible. Hats off to the author! I've had it for ages and used it on other mchines, but for some strange reason, didn't use it on here until tonight. Even after all of my deleting etc. it still managed to free up 2.9gb of space! And now my computer runs much faster. But I still want to get it to stop going into standby when the first battery alarm goes off. I understand for critical but this is the one before that and it gets on my nerves! It does this even if I immediately plug the laptop in after hearing the warning. Then, it locks the machine so that I have to unlock it, all of which takes time. So annoying!
that can all be adjusted in the sleep or hibernate settings which i think are somewhere under the power settings in control pannel.
I have no idea how I missed d the check boxes next to the alarm settings but I finally got everything straightened out. Now, it simply gives a warning sound when the battery reaches 5% and only goes into standby at 2%. I like it this way. I also managed to fiddle around with the Power Manager from IBM that came with the machine so now it doesn't ask me for a password and automatically resumes after coming out of standby instead of being locked. Now if only I could prevent the keys from sticking, my laptop would be perfect!
Did you clean the keys with that compressed air and some water? Smile.
No. I haven't been able to get some, since I haven't been out lately. I've also heard thatit's a bit dangerous. Apparently, it has some kind of chemical in it. But apparently, there really is such a thing as plain compressed air. The thing is that I on't know where to get it or if it would work.
You can use a vacuum cleaner to dejunk the keyboard, but it has to be pretty small-don't know much about this.
You can even use a small vacuum cleaner to dejunk the keyboard.
Yes a small vac, or any vac with a hose. Now how can compressed air be dangerous? You are not eating it? But any rate it can be found at hardware stores, probably walmart, Best Buy. Try that damp cloth, but make sure it's damp. Press the keys down and wipe between them. Find a cloth that is thin so you can feel better, like a piece of sheet.
I got my ideas on compressed-air here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_duster
"If the can is held upside down, then its contents are expelled as a liquid. This liquid evaporates very quickly at standard temperature and pressure, chilling anything in contact with it. This process can produce very cold temperatures, easily sufficient to cause frostbite."
"Since gas dusters are one of the many inhalants that can be easily abused, many manufacturers have added a bittering agent to deter people from inhaling the product. Because of the generic name "canned air", some people mistakenly believe that the can only contains normal air or contains a less harmful substance such as nitrous oxide. However, the gases actually used are denser than air, and inhaling can lead to paralysis, serious injury, or death. Recently, in the United States and Canada stores have begun to ask for ID to verify if the customer is 18 years or older".
"Though not extremely flammable in gaseous form, many dusters use a fluorocarbon which can burn under some conditions, and warn of this on the packaging. When inverted to spray liquid, the boiling fluorocarbon aerosol is easily ignitable, producing a very large blast of flame and extremely toxic hydrogen fluoride as a combustion product.
Use of dusters can produce large clouds of dust, which may directly affect the lungs."
So I might see if I can get a portable compressed air canister and a bicycle pump with which to fill it, since I'd then just be using regular air. I just need to make sure that there's no water vapour in the can. Another great alternative is an electric dust blower (or electric duster). I just checked and there are several out there. Some are specifically designed for computers! Now I just need to find a cheap one.
As for compressed air coming out in a liquid, that's why you spray it first outside of the computer to make sure it's coming out as air. The liquid will most certainly damage your computer otherwise. Not to change the subject, but is there an easy way for a totally blind person to dust out a desktop computer? The fans on this thing sound awful, and I don't want it to get to the point where it was last time where it was overheating and shutting off on me. I asked my dad to help me last time, but would rather do it myself if I can figure out a way to know when all the dust is out. Obviously you can't feel around in there to make sure. Also keep in mind I've never really opened up a computer so I'm not familiar with what parts you can touch and what parts you can't.
If your computer is completely unplugged you can touch it all inside. You just have to do it gently so you don't disconect anything. I'd use a narow nozzled vac a small one, or again that compressed air, then wipe gently the dust that falls to the bottom. That article is okay, but it's just not going to happen. I mean number one you'll not be smoking, you'll not spray it in your face, because you'll feel the nozzle so you know how the air is coming out. You are over 18, so understand that you shouldn't eat the stuff, and you and not stupid, so will not be using it in an unsafe manner, just spraying the keys on your computer right? You're not going to put your face down on the keys right? *sigh* I could post an article about how unsafe walking up and down stairs is, but you do it all the time. Lol
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I agree about that article, it's not the company's fault that people are stupid enough to huff their product. I'm sure that wasn't their intention for creating it, so thinking it's bad because someone else is ruining it for everybody else is just stupid in my opinion.