Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2017 February 26

= February 26 =

Remote Desktop over Ethernet Cable
I have a computer running Windows Vista, and one running Mac OS Yosemite. I want to use Remote Desktop to connect to the Windows computer from the Mac. The Windows computer has no need to access the Internet, so I'd like to just connect the two computers with an Ethernet cable, but I'm not sure how to go about setting up the connection (I seem to remember that there used to be a way to set up a Point-to-Point connection, but Windows isn't offering me that option now.) Google has lots of advice on setting up file sharing, but I need this to work with Remote Desktop. OldTimeNESter (talk) 00:16, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
 * You just connect the two computers and use manual configuration to set up the network connection (i.e., assign IP addresses). If the Vista computer is older there's a small chance you'll need a crossover cable or adapter in case its Ethernet adapter doesn't support autonegotiation (most manufactured after the early 2000s do). But are you going to also disconnect the Mac from the Internet, or does it have multiple Ethernet ports? Otherwise you'll need an Ethernet switch, and then you just plug everything into the switch and you have yourself a LAN. --47.138.163.230 (talk) 05:53, 26 February 2017 (UTC)


 * Note that the last option, using an Ethernet switch, will not isolate the Windows computer from the internet. Jahoe (talk) 13:04, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
 * Start SYSDM.CPL, enable remote access and add users You want to grand remote access which are not administrators to allow logging in by RDP connection. The Windows computer should now listen on IP port 3389. On the other computer, start MSTSC.EXE or simlar RDP client software and connect to the Windows computer's name or IP address. -- Hans Haase (有问题吗) 20:23, 1 March 2017 (UTC)


 * OP here. I got it to work by creating a new Ethernet connection on my Macintosh and assigning it a static IP. The only hiccup was that in order to login to the Windows machine, I had to use the account's original login name: I had renamed it, but apparently the User directory keeps the original name (I couldn't figure out why my one-digit password wouldn't authenticate). For the record, the Macintosh can access the Internet through wifi, but I don't want the Windows machine to access anything other than the Macintosh. Thanks for your help. OldTimeNESter (talk) 23:43, 2 March 2017 (UTC)


 * Be aware that in your setup the Windows machine can access the internet if the MAC is configured as a router. Most likely it isn't by default, but you may want to verify your settings. Jahoe (talk) 12:34, 3 March 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks, I'll do that. Did you mean "MAC" as in "Macintosh", or as in MAC address (my guess is the former, but I wanted to check)? OldTimeNESter (talk) 14:29, 3 March 2017 (UTC)


 * I meant Macintosh, guess I shouldn't have capitalized it. Sorry. :) Jahoe (talk) 14:55, 3 March 2017 (UTC)

Personally disabling Wikipedia's custom media player
Is there a way of blocking the TimedTextHandler script from loading? I don't like its custom media player at all. It's been five years since its introduction, and I'm fed up with looking at its terrible interface. —suzukaze (t・c) 05:06, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
 * Guess your question would make a better chance to get answered on the help desk. They have experts on the many Wikipedia settings. Jahoe (talk) 22:21, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you, I'll try that. —suzukaze (t・c) 08:11, 27 February 2017 (UTC)

ICANN
What are the effects of ICANN shifting to international control? Benjamin (talk) 10:05, 26 February 2017 (UTC)


 * Please do not ask the same question on more than one desk. The discussion is already underway at the Humanities desk. Matt Deres (talk) 19:28, 26 February 2017 (UTC)


 * Sorry, I wasn't sure which was more appropriate. Benjamin (talk) 02:23, 27 February 2017 (UTC)

GEFS issues
Since around 2015/16 GEFS-Online in Firefox on my laptop horribly slows down to unplayable level, both the animation and controls (back in the Google Earth era it was playable). Does it now consume more resources? Running Win 7, AMD Athlon II P320 dual core 2.10 GHz, RAM 2 GB, graphic card AMD ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250. Thanks. Brandmeistertalk  15:21, 26 February 2017 (UTC)


 * That's not much RAM, so it may be running low on memory and go to paging space, which does slow things down horribly. As to why it worked before, perhaps something is running in background now that takes up more memory.  Some type of malware is a possibility.  I suggest you monitor memory while running the app, to see if this is the problem.  If so, then you can figure out what the memory hog is, using the Task Manager. StuRat (talk) 17:58, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
 * It uses a different API now. This is probably the cause. Ruslik_ Zero 19:57, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
 * Now seems playable in Google Chrome, but with disabled quality shadows, rendering and multiplayer. Brandmeistertalk  20:13, 26 February 2017 (UTC)