Quick [tech] Questions Thread

[Strazos]

I haven't found that to be true, but perhaps the video card I bought 2 years ago isn't modern enough.

[MisterNoisy]

I discovered it entirely by accident - I wasn't getting any video signal from the card with the DisplayPort/Micro-HDMI dongle to HDMI on the GTX460, so I swapped out for the DVI dongle just to fiddle in the BIOS and get Windows installed/working.  When everything was said and done, I had audio coming out with no other fiddling needed and Windows had picked up my A/V receiver (by model number!) as an audio device option in the control panel.

[apocrypha]

So, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is available now. Anyone installed it? If so any problems? 64-bit?

Wary of SP's, they've utterly b0rked PC's for me before now.

[Azazel]

Any other suggestions? I used to have the correct codecs etc, but with my old machine being vapourised, I have no idea what they were, and I'm wary of downloading shit from randomly googled sites. I'll check out VLC probably, but I'd really much prefer to just have all my videos play in Media Player.

I'm also looking for a good comics reader that won't require me to shit up my system with .net framework - I dislike needing to log onto my machine manually after when I turn it on.

Since switching to Win7 on my new machine, I've found that I can no longer view MKV files using Media Player, and stuff like MP4 doesn't work either. I've googled, but I'd rather get advice on which codec to download from here.

I had the same issue too so I switched back to VLC. I'm not really sure why I ever switched away in the first place, most likely laziness.

[Strazos]

Worth a shot: http://www.cccp-project.net/

[Lantyssa]

I used Media Player Classic, though I haven't installed it since I upgraded to Win 7.

[apocrypha]

I've been using VLC for years now, seems far better than WMP. It just works for everything. Also looks better with lower res source (eg DVDs) than WMP on a large screen, especially if you try out different post-processing options.

CDisplay is the standard comic reader AFAIK. Old, but still seems to work fine in Win 7.

[Yegolev]

So, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is available now. Anyone installed it? If so any problems? 64-bit?

Wary of SP's, they've utterly b0rked PC's for me before now.

I installed it and it's business as usual.  I haven't had any notable problems with W764 in the first place, though.

Circling back to my Sims 3 performance trouble in the wife's machine, I had sometimes suspected the hard disk (a WD 1TB Green) but wasn't able to pin anything on it.  It recently went toes up, though, with SMART giving a hard failure in the BIOS startup screen.  So either there needs to be some SMART logging in the Win7 error log, or I didn't know what I was looking for.  Knowing there was an electronics issue with the disk would have saved me a lot of grief.

On the good side, I installed W7 on the SSD that I had already put in there to hold TS3, and it's running fine now.  I do have to order a replacement storage disk, though, since the SSD is only ~100GB or something.

[Sheepherder]

I've had a nearly utterly fucked WD Black not throw up any SMART errors at all.

[apocrypha]

So, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is available now. Anyone installed it? If so any problems? 64-bit?

Wary of SP's, they've utterly b0rked PC's for me before now.

I installed it and it's business as usual.  I haven't had any notable problems with W764 in the first place, though.

Thanks Yeg.

[Yegolev]

I've had a nearly utterly fucked WD Black not throw up any SMART errors at all.

Honestly, I was surprised to see any.  First time for me, usually the drive letter just disappears on me.

[Hawkbit]

Audio Help Please!

Relevant info:

I had a pair of the $100 Bose 2.0 PC Speakers (I know, I know, everyone says they're shit), but they fit me perfectly and didn't keep the wife up at night.  They started making a bunch of weird noise, first thought it was the janky MB driver/codec or sound card, but after yanking the speakers off the PC and testing them on my iPhone, I was getting the same noise.  Okay, so new speaker time.  

First, I tried a pair of M Audio AV30s, but they sounded too much like a boom box and I couldn't get the sound to NOT be in the rest of the house when using them, so they went back.  

Next, I went and bought the newer model of the $100 Bose 2.0 speakers, but they're missing a whole section of sound in the middle that was in the old pair, so they went back.  

Now I have a set of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1.  They seem to be okay after futzing with them a bit, the subwoofer I can turn off when the family is asleep and they seem to put out fairly decent sound for the price.  I'd love to spend $500 for an receiver and bookshelf speakers, but money is tight right now.  


The problem, need advice:

Getting the sound right where I like it required using iTunes to tinker with the equalizer and adjust some things around on my music.  I've actually got my music sounding better now than when they were on the Bose, no surprise there.  But how in the hell can I adjust the *rest* of my computer.... there's no equalizer in Win7 64bit.  Right now games sound terrible.

I've gotten used to iTunes for my music storage and don't want to switch out, is there some program I can download that will offer a "whole system" equalizer?  Or am I limited because I'm using stock s/c off my mb?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT:  The biggest issue with both the Klipsch and the Bose second pair are that there's some mid-range that seems like it's missing.  For example, explosions in RIFT sound hollow, and using a pick in Minecraft sounds almost hollow too, or like it's happening far-off.  This is really frustrating.

[SnakeCharmer]

If you have the realtek onboard audio on your mobo, the sound manager has an EQ that you can tweak, or use generic settings (rock, pop, etc).  I've set mine on rock and just left it.  Other than that, you could pick up a new sound card and use the software that (likely) comes with that.

[Hawkbit]

Oh fuck it all.

Thanks, SnakeCharmer.  I failed to realize that when I did my Win7 upgrade last year that I never installed Realtek, so it was using stock Win7 drivers on audio.   

That said, after tinkering with the EQ on the Klipsch, I can't get them right either.  I'm seriously at a loss where to go now.  I don't need a powerhouse 2.0/2.1 system, just that it needs to sound good at a moderate volume.  It doesn't help that none of these dumbass stores have these hooked up, or if they are, they're playing the most sensitive piece of demo music that highlights all the good and none of the bad. 

Thanks again, any advice on 2.x systems, let me know. 

[Trippy]

Should've kept the AV30s and readjusted your ears to the way your music is supposed to sound like (I love my AV40s)

Which Bose did you have originally and which ones did you try to replace them with?

I still use my Bose MediaMate speakers as secondary speakers which were freakin expensive for computer speakers but have very good sound.

If you want 2.0 computers speakers and you don't want monitors have you listened to the Creative T40s?

[Hawkbit]

These are what I've had for a long time, they're perfect for my needs.  Sadly, they've got a short in them somewhere that is getting some weird digital static/interference noise:

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-MediaMate-multimedia-speakers-graphite/dp/B00008VGRC/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1298956898&sr=8-11

I tried to replace them with these:

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-multimedia-speaker-system/dp/B000HZDF8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298956898&sr=8-1

Something in the 2-8k range is hosed on the Bose Companion and the Klipsch.  It's likely because I'm so used to the MediaMates, but I have to figure something out.  My MediaMates on my desk sound almost exactly like my Sennheiser HD595s do on my head. 

My local Microcenter has a pair of AV40s, I'm considering returning the Klipsch tomorrow and snagging the AV40s.  Outside of that, I'm at a loss.  I can't find the Creative T40s anywhere to buy them local or hear them even. 

Next step after the AV40s?  A box home theatre system? LOL.  I don't know.

[Chimpy]

If you are looking at studio monitors (which it sounds like you are with the M-Audio), I highly recommend the Alesis M1Acitve 320 USB. I went to Guitar Center to buy AV30s but they had none in stock, and the Alesis were recommended by the guy at the store. They cost considerably less than AV30/40s and they sound nearly as good as my M-Audio BX-5s Studio Monitors (which are WAY overkill for computer speakers).

[Hawkbit]

I would LOVE to listen to them, but they're nowhere in town.  Amazon has a pair for $84.00 but it's through a dealer I don't know that charges a 18% restock fee if returned.  I've also heard that they're bass heavy, which I need to avoid as I don't want to keep the family up at night.

[Chimpy]

I would LOVE to listen to them, but they're nowhere in town.  Amazon has a pair for $84.00 but it's through a dealer I don't know that charges a 18% restock fee if returned.  I've also heard that they're bass heavy, which I need to avoid as I don't want to keep the family up at night.

The Bass is actually not super heavy if you turn the boost switch on the back to off. They are considerably more Bassy when that is turned on though, I think the only time I used it was when I was messing around and decided to listen to some house music with the bass way up.

[Sheepherder]

Are you certain the games sounding terrible is a speaker problem?

Specifically, are you certain that your sound card is outputting stereo sound, that you have the correct drivers, that the drivers are recent, and that audio enhancements that could fuck with your sound quality are turned off?

[Chimpy]

Also, have you tried a different output port and/or a different cord? A $5 cord could be your problem.

[Hawkbit]

I've triple checked everything in Sheepherder's post since yesterday.  The driver/codec was not installed properly, but I've got the recent driver installed now and while it offers the options I'm looking for, its not altering the speakers the way I want. 

The MediaMates still work, though intermittently.  They work normally about 80% of the time, then I get this weird interference/static "digital hopping" noise, almost like someone is tapping Morse code through them.  It lasts for 30 seconds, then goes off.  It might go away for a few hours, or a few seconds.  It also varies in volume, regardless of where the system AND speaker volume is set at.  Sometimes I can barely hear it, others I can hear it across the house.  It's really, really odd. 

It *could* be a short in a cord, maybe.  I might have to tinker with that.  I hate dicking around with intermittent problems, though.  So hard to troubleshoot. 

Anyways, I took the Klipschs back - regardless of audio issues I'm having I don't need a subwoofer and frankly, the wires were too thin for my liking.  My cats have been known to chew through thin wires, the bastards.

[Sky]

Why aren't you just using headphones at night and speakers when family aggro isn't an issue?

[Hawkbit]

I game mostly at night, for a few hours - more than an hour with headphones gives me a headache, though.  I'm weird.  Good question. 

[Hawkbit]

Okay, after setting up the AV40s, I think this is what I was looking for all along.  These are tight - I wish I could have had access to the Alesis for listening purposes, but this will be good, I think.  Going to let them warm for a few hours and see if I can get them to break in a bit.  The AV40's highs crush my Bose MediaMates, finally *something* good. 

[Trippy]

These are what I've had for a long time, they're perfect for my needs.  Sadly, they've got a short in them somewhere that is getting some weird digital static/interference noise:

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-MediaMate-multimedia-speakers-graphite/dp/B00008VGRC/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1298956898&sr=8-11

Those are what I have except in the original white color. They served me well as my primary computer speakers for a long time.

The MediaMates still work, though intermittently.  They work normally about 80% of the time, then I get this weird interference/static "digital hopping" noise, almost like someone is tapping Morse code through them.  It lasts for 30 seconds, then goes off.  It might go away for a few hours, or a few seconds.  It also varies in volume, regardless of where the system AND speaker volume is set at.  Sometimes I can barely hear it, others I can hear it across the house.  It's really, really odd. 

Do you have an iPhone that you leave turned on on your computer desk near the speakers? That'll cause that sort of static through some speakers.

I game mostly at night, for a few hours - more than an hour with headphones gives me a headache, though.  I'm weird.  Good question. 

Might want to checkout a HeadRoom headphone amp then:

http://www.headphone.com/learning-center/about-headroom-crossfeed.php

Okay, after setting up the AV40s, I think this is what I was looking for all along.  These are tight - I wish I could have had access to the Alesis for listening purposes, but this will be good, I think.  Going to let them warm for a few hours and see if I can get them to break in a bit.  The AV40's highs crush my Bose MediaMates, finally *something* good. 

MediaMates use a single midrange driver per speaker, which is presumably why you became accustomed to that "mid-range" sound, while the AV40s have the more traditional (for regular speakers) tweeter and woofer setup.

[Hawkbit]

Yeah, I do have both my iPhone and touch close to them.  I'll switch that around and see if it changes anything, thanks for the tip. 

The AV40s seem to have a volume dip situation with them.  They're only a few hours old, so I'll give them a few days to break in, but the volume level is wavering.  I'm making this entirely more complicated than it needs to be. 

[Trippy]

Yes, yes you are.

[Chimpy]

FYI: You won't get the cell phone distortion with the AV40s as they are magnetically shielded (unless the interference is hitting the wire between the computer and the speakers which is less likely but still possible).I am not familiar with the Bose ones you were using, but those could very possibly not be shielded.

[Trippy]

FYI: You won't get the cell phone distortion with the AV40s as they are magnetically shielded (unless the interference is hitting the wire between the computer and the speakers which is less likely but still possible).I am not familiar with the Bose ones you were using, but those could very possibly not be shielded.

The Bose are shielded though not to the same extent the AV40s are. The iPhone is just one noisy GSM phone I used to rest my old iPhone on an aluminum foil "sled" to cut down on that GSM noise.

[Hawkbit]

Son of a bitch!!!  The interference just popped up on the AV40s - and the iPhone was near the speakers when it happened.  Damn damn damn.  All this time... it was my phone.  It only took four pairs of speakers to get here...

Bose on the PC with phone nearby - interference.
Bose off the PC with phone nearby, used as source - interference.
AV40s on the PC with the phone nearby - interference. 

Just did an email push with the phone next to the speakers - interference, almost could hear the speakers talking there was so much.

Phone out of the room - nothing so far. 

---------

Thanks again, all for the info.  Now to decide if I want to keep my $150 upgrades!  :)

[Chimpy]

The Bose are shielded though not to the same extent the AV40s are. The iPhone is just one noisy GSM phone I used to rest my old iPhone on an aluminum foil "sled" to cut down on that GSM noise.

Pretty much all smart phones are bad about that kind of interference. The guys who carried a Blackberry at my old job would set the speaker in the cisco voip phones to start buzzing from about 10 feet away.

[Lantyssa]

You never noticed the speakers go crazy whenever you got a call?

[Hawkbit]

Who uses a phone for calls?

[SnakeCharmer]

Anyone have a Sidewinder X6 keyboard?  If so, couple questions:
Does it have any USB inputs? 
If no, could I use a couple male/female adapters to plug in a Logitech G13 on one side and my wireless mouse USB thing on the other?