COMPUTER PROs SIG NOTES
Date of
meeting:
SIG leader:
Harry Elver
Location:
El Parador Restaurant
LINKSYS
BROADBAND ROUTER
Peter
returned a Linksys "WRT54G" that he borrowed from Jon Greibel. Jon
stated that this router is available for sale. For details on this device, see
or
http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/lbc/WRT54G
If anyone
is interested in purchasing this classic device, please contact Jon at JDGriebel@aol.com
MICROSOFT
UPDATES SOMETIMES COLLIDE WITH "AVG ANTI-VIRUS"
Jon stated
that when "Microsoft Updates" (or "Windows Updates") and
"AVG Anti-Virus" updates are running at the same times, they
sometimes clash and result in a reboot of Windows. These clashes/reboots are
inconvenient for the computer user but they never result in harm to the Windows
operating system or to the "AVG.." software
application.
MICROSOFT
EXTENDS "XP DOWNGRADE" SALES TO 2020
Harry Elver
stated that Microsoft has extended the sales of "Windows XP
downgrades" to 2020. To purchase a copy of "Windows XP", you
have to buy a OEM copy of "Windows 7
Professional" or "Windows 7 Ultimate".
See
and
http://blogs.computerworld.com/16519/why_did_windows_xp_rise_from_the_grave_to_help_windows_7_sales
and
ESATA
PROBLEMS
Jon stated
that he often has to re-boot before a Windows computer recognizes an eSATA
external hard drive that he has physically attached to it. Francis stated that
he has resolved this problem by installing an "Expresscard", PCI, or
PCI eSATA adapter and using it for "hot plugging" eSATA external hard
drives to Windows computers. Apparently standalone eSATA adapters are
"smarter" than eSATA adapters that are integrated into the
motherboards of computers.
"SAGE"
SOFTWARE ISSUES
Harry
stated that many older versions of Safe Software still will only run on Windows
XP, not on "Windows Vista" or "Windows 7".
According
to Sage Software's Website at
http://www.sagenorthamerica.com
many of
their products now run on "Windows Vista" but apparently the specific
products and versions that are in use by many clients are not capable of
running in versions of Windows above "Windows XP".
AT&T
WIRELESS INTERNET WOES
AT&T
has replaced it's "unlimited" wireless
Internet plan with one that limits customers with 2 Gigabytes per month.
Customers who exceed this monthly bandwidth allotment will have extra charges.
See
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=30854
and
APPLE
iPHONE ISSUES
Some
attendees stated an interest in watching the press conference at
This press
conference can be viewed at
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/100716iab73asc/event/index.html
and
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/07/16/apple.iphone4/index.html?iref=allsearch
"ADOBE
ACROBAT READER" PROBLEMS
Jon Griebel
stated that if starting "Adobe Acrobat Reader" causes your screen
resolution to change to 640 x 480:
Locate the
AcroRD32.exe file inside "Program Files" etc
Use your
RIGHT mouse button to perform a click on this file.
Click on
"Properties" on the popup context menu.
Click on
the "Compatibility" tab of the "AcroRD32.exe Properties"
dialog box.
Remove the
checkmark from "Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution".
Click on
the "Apply" button.
ELECTRONICS
RECYCLING
Mary Lou
stated that there will be free electronics recycling at the
See
http://www.uofabookstores.com/cyberjunk/
or
http://lqp.arizona.edu/node/2773
Other
attendees stated that they regularly recycle electronics at
World Care
Hours:
Phone:
520-514-1588
See
HARD DRIVE
WARRANTEES
Jon Griebel stated that he gets a replacement hard drive
shipped from
He also
stated that he gets a replacement hard drive shipped from Western Digital
Corporation in about 6 weeks when he sends a hard drive to them for warranty
replacement.
Various
attendees stated that the replacements that are sent out by all hard drive
companies are refurbished ones and not brand new ones. Harry stated that he
would never put a refurbished hard drive into a clients' computer.
"
Paul stated
that he recommends
The Battery Factory
(520)
882-8598
Cross
Streets: Between
See the
customer reviews at
http://local.yahoo.com/info-20110238-the-battery-factory-tucson?tab=reviews#reviews
"BIG ASS FAN CO."
Peter
stated that he recommends the ceiling fans made by the "Big Ass Fan
Co."
See
"VMWARE
PLAYER 3" COMPARED TO ORACLE "VIRTUALBOX 3"
In addition
to free Oracle "VirtualBox 3" (http://www.virtualbox.org), you can use VMware's free "VMware Player
3" (http://www.vmware.com/products/player/)
to host Linux, DOS, and Windows operating systems as "virtual
machines" inside Windows.
Both Oracle
"VirtualBox 3" and VMware's
"VMware Player 3" let you create/install
virtual machines, which are also known as "guest operating systems"
Past versions of "VMware Player" did not have
this capability.
Peter
stated that "VMware Player 3" gives you more reliable control over
USB-attached devices than "VirtualBox 3".
Peter
stated that when Oracle "VirtualBox 3" is
used as the host application for virtual machines, the virtual USB connections
of virtual machine guest operating systems are not reliable. Francis stated
that both he and Dennis have also experienced this problem. Francis stated that
is he re-inserts physical USB connections a second or third time, then Windows
and Linux virtual machines in "VirtualBox
3" eventually starts communicating with the corresponding USB-connected
devices.
Francis
stated that the drawback of "VMware Player
3" is that Oracle "VirtualBox" allows
you to create "virtual hard drives" on demand while "VMware Player.." does not. In Oracle "VirtualBox.." you can create
a new "virtual hard drive" at any time using the "Virtual Media
Manager" applet. In "VMware.." you are allowed to create a single virtual hard
drive at the time that you create a new virtual machine/operating system.
Francis
also stated that with "VMware Player 3", you
can do traditional Windows peer-to-peer networking) to share files and printers
between virtual machines whle this is not possible
with Oracle "VirtualBox 3".)
Francis
also stated that with "VMware Player 3", he
is able to do file and printer sharing between a virtual machine and the host
operating system. He also stated that he has also been able to do so with
"VirtualBox 3", but it is not as reliable
or consistent as these capabilities in "VMware
Player 3".
Some
additional comparisons between "VMware Player.." and Oracle "VirtualBox"
can be found at
http://www.sysprobs.com/virtualbox-316-vmware-player-3-desktop-virtualization-software
and
http://www.techairlines.com/2010/01/08/virtualbox-3-1-2-vs-vmware-player-3-0-first-class-flyer/