Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 November 6

= November 6 =

Lost Router Password
The router being used in the place where I'm staying was left by a previous tenant but the password has been changed so I can't reconfigure it. I know I could always buy a new one, but I'm cheap - is there any way I can get around it? This is the interface I need to deal with >. I think the router is this one >. --Username132 (talk) 00:02, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * According to the manufacturers website you can reset it to the factory default. I don't know exactly how to do it, though it'll certainly be in the manual which Trust's website might have. More than likely though there'll be a button on the back which you'll need to press (Perhaps hold) in order to reset it. --Kiltman67 00:19, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Gee, you're right; it was in the manual the whole time. I would never have thought it possible to so easily reset the password - it seems kinda to defeat the object. Anyway, thanks! :) --Username132 (talk) 00:50, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * The primary purpose for password protecting the settings of the router is to prevent people hacking into your wireless network. Not only do you need physical access to the router to reset it, doing so will disconnect it and erase all the settings required to reconnect. Vespine 02:25, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * It sounds like a tamper-evident system, where tampering isn't prevented, just made obvious, like with medications. StuRat 02:28, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

musicians death
I was listening to a show this morning in Flordia. A jazz musician died. I forget his name but I was very inpressed with his piano playing. The JD said that the smallest amount of time between notes was named after him, using his last name. A collector had several of his recordings and just put out a CD of his. I am on vacation so it would be wonderful if you could email me with the info. (email removed).


 * Sign your post and don't print your email here. Sorry that you're on holidays but you still need to observe the rules. Don't really see how this has anything to do with computing either. Vespine 02:20, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

sleep versus shut down
I've heard many times that putting your computer to sleep is more energy efficient than shutting it down. I like the idea of saving energy, but I'm not sure if this is just an urban legend. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes, but I have an intel imac. G.bargsnaffle 02:38, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * I don't have numbers for you, but it depends on the length of time the computer will be off/asleep before you use it again. I helped with a research project on this when I was in college several years ago, and I think it works out so that unless you'll be away from the computer for just a few minutes, it's best to shut down the computer.  Anything on the order of hours, it's definitely best to shut down.  If it was a MacBook you had, you could actually figure out the threshold length of time by unplugging the computer, booting up and shutting down a few times to figure out how much energy (measured by battery depletion) those processes use, and then putting the computer to sleep for a while to see how much power that uses.  Now that I'm thinking about this, I may give it a try with my 2-year-old iBook.  If I get around to it I'll post the results here; I bet the threshold time would be in the same ballpark for any recent computer.  --Allen 04:14, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Though this is true in terms of energy consumption, there is something to be said for the extra wear and tear of the system - again, this is more hearsay that actual evidence. DudeBri 19:16, 6 November 2006 (UTC)DudeBri

Thanks a lot guys G.bargsnaffle 22:12, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * If you put a computer in sleep mode, wouldn't you be using a small amount of energy? Shut down or hibernate IMO. Splintercellguy 04:43, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

TI-BASIC Game
I have been programming on my TI-84 Plus Silver Edition calculator for a couple of weeks now, and I I find it very interesting, if not fun. I am currently working on a game that mimics the Halo 2 level Outskirts. I just can't get the "gun" to work, and I haven't even gotten to fighting an enemy yet, it just won't display anywhere but B+1, if anyone has experience programming on their calculator (if not, anybody who knows normal old Basic will pick it up). Included is the program I have so far. As you can see, towards the botom where the getKeys for the "gun" controls are, they are exactly the same minus their needed differences. The only one that works is the right shoot and I can't find why. Probably somebody will read the program and see the problem right away.

ClrHome

0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 [0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0] [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0] [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,1,1,1] [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,0] [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0] [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0] [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]]→[J]

Output(1,1,"  <  !          *  * !           <    \_       √  * √   \    /-  > ^  >  \__/   * ^ *    >< π*  π  √ > *     < √    ^   <  *  π"

3→A:12→B While 1 getKey→K Output(A,B,"θ"

If K=24 and B>1 Then If [J](A,B-1)=0 Then Output(A,B," " B-1→B End End

If K=25 and A>1 Then If [J](A-1,B)=0 Then Output(A,B," " A-1→A End End

If K=26 and B<16 Then If [J](A,B+1)=0 Then Output(A,B," " B+1→B End End

If K=34 and A<8 Then If [J](A+1,B)=0 Then Output(A,B," " A+1→A End End

If K=84 and B≤15 Output(A,B+1,"." For(X,1,100 End If B≤15 Output(A,B+1," " End

If K=82 and B≥2 Output(A,B-1,"." For(X,1,100 End If B≥2 Output(A,B-1," "

End

If K=73 and A≥2 Output(A-1,B,"." For(X,1,100 End If A≥2 Output(A-1,B," " End

If K=93 and A≤15 Output(A+1,B,"." For(X,1,100 End If A≤15 Output(A+1,B," " End

End End End

Sorry for the program taking up so much room on the desk. schyler 03:50, 6 November 2006 (UTC) P.S. All the semicolos are in the program already, there isn't any need to type them, so that isn't the problem. If they are typed for each line it reads as two semicolons. I'm also not really sure why the red 0's and 1's appear to the right of my post either. schyler 03:57, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Not sure exactly what you're trying to do here, but your code is really awful. Try this more streamlined code for movement and try to adapt that to your problem; you might inadvertently fix it. At any given time X and Y hold the position that's moved around with the arrow keys:

ClrHome 2->X:2->Y Repeat 0 Repeat Ans getKey->K End X-(K=24 and X>2)+(K=26 and X<15)->X Y-(K=25 and Y>2)+(K=34 and Y<8)->Y End

Notice that the boolean expressions evaluate to 1 or 0, either changing a coordinate by one or none at all, which is usually what you want in a movement loop. This can be easily adapted to move more than 1 if necessary. Also getKey is confined in a tiny loop, making it much more responsive than your version. I noticed you were testing some values from your level map.. that could be put right before the final End, or even right in the coordinate expressions, depending on what you're trying to do --⁪froth T C  05:13, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * It goes the same for me: I don't really understand YOUR code. As I am a novice, I'm not really going for speed of the program, just for it to work. I plugged your code into my calculator, but it doesn't even do anything, even after a couple of failed attempts of adding and subtracting commands. Could it be my OS is outdated or vice versa? schyler 14:23, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Froth's code isn't meant to do anything: as is obvious from reading it, it merely loops forever, getting a non-zero key value and then adjusting X and Y. You still have to add code that does whatever you want to do with those values.  See also the TI-BASIC article, which contains some more relevant example code.  --Tardis 17:43, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * I think there's an unbalanced ] on the last data line. Why does the first data line end with two ]s where the rest end with one?  Neon    Merlin   17:12, 7 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Ah good catch. Yeah schyler, the format for a -say- four by three matrix is x,x,x,x][x,x,x,x][x,x,x,x . You have an extra ] at the end of your first line. --⁪froth T C  18:33, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Flaky Wireless Network/Internet Connection
Downstairs is a wireless router that connects to the internet and provides wireless internet to my computer upstairs. After a variable duration of a minute to a few hours, although the network connection is maintained. the internet connection stops (MSN signs out, no pages load etc). I can't notice a pattern to determine cause but I do notice that my signal strength constantly varies between one and five bars - it's not still even a second. How do I know which way to align my ariel/transmitter/receiver? --Username132 (talk) 12:49, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Forgive my presumption, but the biggest problem with wireless gear is improper implementation. If your PC sees multiple wireless routers with the same SSID, it may hop between them if it thinks the relative signal strength will be better on the opposite one.  This happens easily since people rarely change the default from their device.  Only match SSIDs for wireless APs that are on the same Layer 2 network.  If you are interested in learning more about the radios in your area, the wonderful program NetStumbler is very helpful, albeit sometimes difficult to get working.  --Jmeden2000 16:48, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * My computer detects two networks - one called Netgear (neighbouring household) and one named 'default' which is ours. As it happens, when I tried changing the SSID (to the house number) and saving, I was reduced to 'limited or no connectivity' which I had to resolve by resetting the router (which put the SSID back to default). --Username132 (talk) 17:19, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Okay, nevermind - I've changed the SSID to the address and so far so good. I'll let you know if I disconnect again. --Username132 (talk) 17:23, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * After changing the SSID, I still get disconnection from the internet and I also note that 'view available wireless networks' does not yeild any additional networks called 'default'. Further, while disconnected from the internet, I am still able to enter the router configuration utility via my browser. There is another computer downstairs owned by the family who's house I'm staying in, which isn't very well looked after and is connected to the router via a cable. Username132 (talk) 17:55, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * When MSN does a troubleshoot, during the downtime, it always turns up the same issue; screenshot --Username132 (talk) 10:53, 7 November 2006 (UTC)


 * I would suggest choosing a SSID of something besides 'default', and enabling WEP and/or a MAC access control list. Also, remove any connection preferences for other networks in the setup on your PC, to avoid confusing windows.  --Jmeden2000 19:24, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Bizarre behaviour of my keyboard
There is one key on my keyboard that behaves oddly - the single/double quotation mark key. When I press it in a text window, nothing appears. I only get the quotation mark if I press the space bar directly after pressing the key. This doesn't happen with any other key. Any ideas? --Richardrj talkemail 15:15, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * It sounds to me like it's waiting for a certain second character, which will then tell the keyboard to send a special character. When you hit space (or any other key that isn't the one it's looking for), it knows this isn't the sequence to send the special character, so sends the normal characters, instead. StuRat 17:10, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * It helps to know that they are called dead keys :-) Weregerbil 18:32, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * What program, Richard? If it's MSWord, it may have to do with the SmartQuote AutoCorrect (changing from ASCII quotes). Anchoress 17:30, 6 November 2006 (UTC)
 * It happens in all programs where I'm entering text. So it must be a hardware idiosyncrasy, not a software thing.  --Richardrj talkemail 06:29, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

procrastinating and catch-up mouse pointer
Whenever do a select all on the results posted to file search window and try to access the edit menu to select the copy command by right clicking or by clicking on the dropdown edit menu the mouse pointer starts to lag and then shoots ahead. Any remedy? 71.100.6.152 15:48, 6 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Sounds like a minor memory problem. I'd say either innocuous, i.e.; your memory or video card are being taxed, or your cache is inadequate; or promematic, i.e.; you have a virus or worm that's sucking system resources. My computer does that when I select content on web pages while my antivirus is running its daily scan. In my case it's just due to backed up instructions that the computer is trying to fulfill. Also, sometimes when you select large blocks of content by clicking and dragging, the video card is working extra hard to catch up with the action, and it can lag in refreshing the mouse movement. Anchoress 17:16, 6 November 2006 (UTC)


 * In the Folder View option menu, you can specify how menus like that appear. Your options are "Appear," "Fade," and "Slide." Appear is the least processor intensive - i would try that.

DudeBri 19:19, 6 November 2006 (UTC)DudeBri

PowerPoint Templates
How could I create a template for Powerpoint from a picture or background of my own choosing? For example a picture from the web?


 * This should at least get you started (I have Powerpoint 2002):
 * Open a new file
 * Insert -> Picture -> From file
 * Choose your file
 * right click on the picture and choose Order -> Send to Back
 * format other elements as you desire
 * when saving, for "Save as type:" choose "Design Template"
 * Mishatx 03:00, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

Converting Movie Files to GIFs
What free software can I use to convert movie files into GIFs? I also have Imageready and Animation Shop 3. Can I use any of these? Christopher x


 * MPlayer, apart from being the IMO greatest movie player in existance, can also do what you request. It is free and available for all major operating systems, and the syntax for coverting a movie would be something like this (modify as you see fit):   --Pekaje 21:41, 6 November 2006 (UTC)]


 * How does one edit the syntax?


 * I believe they are talking about starting it by typing that in on the command line. On a Windows 98 machine, you get to the command line with Start + Programs + MS-DOS Prompt.  Then you would need to change to the drive and directory where you've installed Mplayer.  Type "D:" to switch to the D drive and something like "cd \WINDOWS\PROGRAMS\MPlayer" to change the directory.  Then type in the command they gave you.  StuRat 05:35, 7 November 2006 (UTC)


 * GIF Construction Set will also do this. You can download a free evaluation copy. . --Auximines 23:24, 7 November 2006 (UTC)


 * ImageReady should work for certain formats (basic QuickTime and uncompressed AVI at least). There's an Import option under the File tab.

WMP Playlists Doubled
For the second time now, all the playlists in my windows media player have doubled. While the orignal continues to function, each duplicate is a dud, producing;


 * Windows Media Player cannot play the file. If the file is on another computer, verify that you are connected to the network. If you typed a path, verify that it is correct. If the problem persists, the server might not be available.

error message when clicked on. I've searched in vain for a solution - has anyone heard of this problem before? --Username132 (talk) 23:59, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

what is the time limit for 200mb download
59.161.73.22 00:01, 7 November 2006 (UTC)kkgupta


 * You're going to have to give more information than that if you mean how fast does it take to download 200MB. How fast is the transfer speed? —Mitaphane talk 00:15, 7 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Do you mean 200 MB (megabytes) or 200 Mb (megabits)? It differs by a factor of 8. But if you mean 200 megabytes, then that's 1,600 megabits, or 1,600 * 1024 * 1024 = 1,677,721,600 bits. With a 56Kbps modem (56 kilobits per second, or 7 kilobytes), that'd be 1,677,721,600 / 56,000 = 29959 seconds or 8.322 hours. I'm not doing all combinations for you but you should be able to use that to figure out the rest from what I gave you. --Wirbelwind ヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 00:25, 7 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Also note that it takes 2.5 minutes for a 56K modem to download 1 meg.