Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2011 March 7

= March 7 =

file transfer
I just bought a belkin ez transfer cable for windows 7. The old computer has windows xp. The files I was trying to extract were jpeg files. The files were transferd as csv files. How do I convert these files. What program do I need? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.47.149.197 (talk) 02:48, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Are you sure they are actually your jpg files? CSV or Comma-separated values files are something completely different and are not graphics files. You could try renaming the ending of one of them from .csv to .jpg and see if it results in an image when you click on it. Alternatively Irfanview would tell you if the file was a misnamed image file if you try to open it with Irfanview. 92.29.124.221 (talk) 12:05, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I can't think of a reason for a system-to-system transfer to be converting or renaming files like that. Are you sure that you got the right files?  Paul (Stansifer) 18:44, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Are you using Windows Easy Transfer? ---— Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 19:51, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

Archiving google cache
How do I archive Google cache sites

I tried using http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-oybmB1-5lEJ:www.4kidsentertainment.com/investors/faq/+%2253%22+%2223rd%22+%224Kids+Entertainment%22&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com with http://www.webcitation.org, but it doesn't seem to work WhisperToMe (talk) 08:48, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

Uninstall the ICQ toolbar from Firefox?
Hey,

When I installed ICQ I didn't realise it was going to completely mess up all my other program settings and randomly install lots of adware nobody needs...but enough ranting, I've been able to repair most of the damage and I've uninstalled ICQ. However, I cannot seem to be able to uninstall the ICQ toolbar from Firefox. The usual "Tools->Addons" method doesn't work, because the uninstall button is greyed out. There's also no way of uninstalling it via the Windows Control Panel. Any suggestions?

--87.78.51.188 (talk) 11:41, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Have you had a look at this? It doesn't always work, but it's worth a try. --Colapeninsula (talk) 14:57, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

Convert KMZ file to a file that will play on a regular media player
Hi, I've just been having a play around with Google Earth, and I've created a video-type file that shows the changes in an area by using the record function (after having read this ). I then emailed myself the file, which turned out to be a kmz file (?) - Is there an easy way to convert that file to one that might be playable on windows media player or in a browser or something (As in, on something that is not Google Earth)? Cheers (and apologies for my dearth of techy knowledge), Darigan (talk) 16:46, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Not really. KMZ is a compressed XML file in the Keyhole Markup Language.  Roughly speaking, the file contains nothing more than a "set of instructions" for Google Earth.  All of the visualization and geographic data is contained in Google Earth, not in the KMZ file.  A few other GIS software programs can import and interpret the KMZ file format (but again, they are providing the geographic visualization data on their own).  A general-purpose video player will not be able to meaningfully display the KMZ file.  Perhaps you want to export a video from Google Earth?  If so, you need to follow these instructions from Google, and purchase the "Pro Version" of their software.  Alternatively, consider using NASA's free Blue Marble data-set with the free NASA World Wind software - see these instructions to export video from World Wind.  (It's a bit clunky, but functional).  Nimur (talk) 19:04, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * An easier way than all of that would to run a program that would make a movie out of whatever is displayed on your monitor, and then run the KMZ file. I'm not sure for Windows what the appropriate software is — something in this category, perhaps? --Mr.98 (talk) 20:06, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Microsoft Expression Encoder will perform screen-capture and save to video. A no-cost version and an enhanced version (for fee) are both available from Microsoft.  Here is the link to the free version, Encoder 4.  Nimur (talk) 20:18, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks for that Nimur & MR.98, I'll chase up those links. Thanks for the explaination of the kmz file as well, it explains why I wasn't able to find a converter for it. I'll chase up those links for screen capture video. Given that the Google Earth 'video' was really just a collection of individual aerial/satellite photos (The video I recorded with Google Earth did seem to operate like a screen capture video software), I imagine that screen-shots could probably be used in a few different ways to create a video. Also, sorry I didn't reply back here earlier, had to get to lectures yesterday shortly after posting the question, and was deep into coursework thereafter. Cheers, Darigan (talk) 10:20, 8 March 2011 (UTC)

Problem mouting pen-drive in Linux
I get this message: Unable to mount the volume mount /dev/sdb1: can't read superblock 80.58.205.34 (talk) 16:53, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Try mounting /dev/sdb instead of /dev/sdb1. Some pen drives are formatted without a partition table, known as "superfloppy" mode. -- 78.43.60.13 (talk) 17:55, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Now, I get

sudo mount -t vfat /dev/sdc /media/disk-1 mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdc

Mount -t msdos ... yields the same frustrating result.

The amazing thing is that a couple of hours ago, this pen-drive was working. 80.58.205.34 (talk) 18:12, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Try mounting with, in the case the problem is the wrong filesystem. But by the error message you got, it might be that the drive itself is damaged, in which case mounting it could be impossible. Sorry.  J I P  &#124; Talk 19:11, 7 March 2011 (UTC)
 * What does

file -s /dev/sdc /dev/sdc1
 * report? most memory sticks are formated with a single partition occupying the entire stick. If so, you need to use /dev/sdc1 to access it.

fdisk -l /dev/sdc
 * will list the partitions on the stick, if it has been partitioned. CS Miller (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 21:41, 7 March 2011 (UTC).

Sending SMS from PC
I'm looking for recommendations for a program to send SMS from my computer - I can type much faster than I can text on my phone. At the moment I've been using Skype and it's been working pretty well for me and it's relatively inexpensive, but I was hoping there might be something cheaper.

In case it's important, I live in Australia and will be only messaging people within Australia...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, --58.175.32.11 (talk) 22:15, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Check with your wireless phone provider. In the US, Verizon Wireless offers the ability to send a text message or SMS by e-mail to any of its subscriber's phones. --Thomprod (talk) 22:59, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * If your phone is slightly smart and has bluetooth, data cable or infrared (possibly wifi but I'm not so sure of that one) to your computer you should be able to message from it via your computer although I'm not sure if that's the case when you phone is the variant where it seems a combination of the maker and provider dictate precisely what you can do with it and you are given little choice. Nil Einne (talk) 08:00, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm really seeking something more similar to Skype where Skype essentially acts as the carrier - with my mobile plane texting isn't particularly cheap (Skype is marginally cheaper) so really I'm trying to get something like Skype but even cheaper. Sorry if I wasn't clear. --58.175.32.11 (talk) 08:28, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I believe that Google Voice allows you to send text messages free. Paul (Stansifer) 15:15, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Unfortunately, that article says: "Google Voice does not officially support SMS to phone numbers outside of the United States. As of 1 June 2010 Google had purposely blocked International texts, with the intention of reintroducing the service once billing systems are in place".  Is there a free equivalent in Australia (for the OP) or in the UK (for me)?    D b f i r s   18:59, 8 March 2011 (UTC)

Excel (2003) Macro question
On my office computer -- in other words, I don't own the installation -- every time I start Excel, or open a .xls file, I get the warning mscoree.dll contains macros macros can contain viruses, etc. Note I've read KB316724, I understand what the message means, and I know how to turn it off.

What I WANT to do is look at those macros and see what they are. gets me an empty dialog box. Can someone who has actual macro-editing experience advise on what to do here? Thanks! DaHorsesMouth (talk) 22:21, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I believe the hotkey to launch the Visual Basic Editor environment is ALT-F11 on Windows machines. Otherwise, poke around in the Macros menu and you should be able to find something that says Visual Basic Editor. In there you can poke around and see what all of the macros loaded into the current workbook (including through your default template, which is where this one seems to be), and see their code, etc. --Mr.98 (talk) 02:25, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I have no Office-macro-editing experience, but I'm quite sure that mscoree.dll (which is a .NET component) contains no Excel macros. The impression I get from KB316724 is that when Excel says "contains macros" it really means "contains executable code". -- BenRG (talk) 02:28, 8 March 2011 (UTC)

Ah, I see. OK, thanks, gentlemen! DaHorsesMouth (talk) 03:22, 9 March 2011 (UTC)

W32 Blaster Worm
My laptop is infected with this worm, and as a result I cannot run any software or log onto the internet. I downloaded a couple of removal tools onto a flash drive using my desktop, but I cannot run them on the laptop. The error message reads, ".exe file is infected with W32 Blaster.worm. What do I do?  Hemoroid Agastordoff (talk) 22:50, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * These instructions from Symantec are useful. You will need this patch from Microsoft.  Follow the instructions from Symantec exactly.  Nimur (talk) 23:04, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * How do I install the patch when I can't run any program or access the internet for a download? Hemoroid Agastordoff (talk) 23:13, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Download the patch/removal tool using an uninfected system. Transfer the file to the infected system using a USB key, a CD-R, or any other convenient technique.  Boot Windows into Safe Mode (following the instructions I linked above), and run the clean-up tool.  Nimur (talk) 23:33, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * You could also plug the hard disk into an uninfected system, boot up the uninfected system, and run the anti-malware tools upon the infected hard disk. While doing so, of course, you should treat that infected disk like poison and don't run any executables or documents from it.  And be double-sure that after you plug it into the uninfected system, it's going to boot from the uninfected hard disk rather than your infected drive.  If you run out of all other options, Reference desk/Computing/Viruses discusses some other approaches.  Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:52, 7 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Given that the drive is, indeed, poison, is it even possible to be careful enough when plugging it into an uninfected system for repair? How likely would it be that the as-yet-uninfected version of Windows would "helpfully" run any autoexec files it happened to find on the infected disk, thus defeating the whole purpose (and spreading the infection...)? —Steve Summit (talk) 01:01, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Yeah, I wouldn't do it either, and I probably shouldn't have suggested it. You'll notice I seem to have completely adopted your "poison" metaphor.  Comet Tuttle (talk) 17:58, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * That's a rather strange message. W32.Blaster.Worm infects computers through the network (or the Internet), but does not infect individual files. What anti-malware software do you use? 125.163.226.248 (talk) 11:26, 8 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks, Nimur - I followed your instructions and my laptop is now working again. Hemoroid Agastordoff (talk) 19:37, 8 March 2011 (UTC)