My computer/laptop has stopped working! Learn how to handle such situations..

I’ve been using computers for years about 7 years, in these I’ve spent 1 year with Windows ME, 4 years with Windows XP, and have recently migrated to Linux (it’s been two years now)… In those long years, I have been through those situations where you really need to finish some work on the computer but it won’t work…Gosh.. those where truly depressing times…

OK. I admit it’s not a very long time -it’s not 30 years!- but through that I have faced many things, graphic card issues, missing system files, viruses wiping system or important files to hard disk crashing -due to over heat- and the CPU fan as well..

so I thought I want to share the knowledge I have gained in these years.. here are some tips:

notice I have put these instructions based on the scenario that you started your computer and it didn’t start..

1. don’t panic or get aggressive…

to do that you need to turn off the computer/laptop (yes .. turn off electricity).. WHY?

Because there are those people who will smash any thing in front of them in this situation, I heard about it with small gadgets -telephone, Mp3/4 players- but you don’t seriously want your LCD screen getting smashed! What about that poor mouse and keyboard, or even worse your system unit..

So my advice power off, or don’t… just leave the room and go cool off somewhere and then come back.. take enough time…

1. identify the problem.. IS it HARDWARE or SOFTWARE.. and try to do something about it..

1. a. start the computer again .. if it works it’s your lucky day!..

if it doesn’t I am sure you will find a nice ERROR message appearing… if so.. try to analyze it.. is it a hardware error or a software error..

1. most hardware errors will prevent the computer from even starting… I mean it is usually a black screen with a white writing.. but when it’s the graphic card, the computer won’t load that screen or will shut off when reaching the loading Windows/Linux screen…. and sorry that is not my line of expertise, but if you can handle it open the system unit but I prefer if you take it to a professional…

1. Now the easy most faced issue the software… you will be faced with one of two scenarios either the black screen with white writing of a missing system file or the computer working but to slow and then a message appears which makes it impossible to access anything in your desktop.. I think most will agree that the second has more hope, just wait until the cursed message appears and don’t ever press O.K.. just start the task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) and start explorer ( type explore.exe or you can click browse and right click on a folder and choose explore) either way move your files to a safe drive (D:/ or E:/ or an external) but it’s not recommended as it will allow copying the virus to the new partition or hard disk..

2. but you can google the message and find the solution .. which has always worked for me..

1. the second option I propose is using a Linux.. (Linux is virus-free until now)… if you need your files use UBUNTU, go live and with it’s partitioner you can put your files in a partition and format the rest…

But, I recently came across a problem using Windows Vista..where you can’t use this option but luckily I survived… SEE THIS!

“Windows Vista crashed!!… but my files!!” … learn what to do

The partitions cannot be edited.. and I had my files -which I really needed- in both partitions… and both where about ¾ full with important files.. and that when I realized I had to lose one of these partitions in order to access the computer…

you may think it’s a desperate situation but I found a solution, which I hadn’t even thought of … using an ISO (CD image I downloaded ages ago) it was System Rescue CD which you can download here…

after that burn it with a burning application (on another computer of course) and put it in the CD drive of the computer which needs rescuing.. restart and let it boot from CD.. start the terminal.. yes the horrible DOS like program (also called command prompt in Windows).. but relax… you have to face your fears

and save your files…

now you will need to make files to open the C:/ and D:/ so we type:

mkdir /mnt/win1

and

mkdir /mnt/win2

now we need to open the C:/ and D:/ and to that we type:

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/win1

and

mount /dev/sda2/ /mnt/win2

(if it doesn’t work try changing sda to hda depending on you hard drive, if this continue change mnt to media)

P.S. Keep the same letter case (no capitals)

now I suggest using firefox to check the directories (files) you created and see which one is C:/ and which is D:/ … do that by using file>open or Ctrl+o to open a browsing window, go to root and then mnt then win1 or win2 check which is C:/ and D:/

Assume I have my files in C:/Users/USER/ and I want to copy them to the D:/ and the C:/ is /mnt/win1 while the D:/ is /mnt/win2

this makes the files in /mnt/win1/Users/USER/ (notice it is case sensitive now) and I want to move them to /mnt/win2/…

Now get back to the terminal… and change the file you are working in to the directory /mnt/win1/Users/USER/ to do so type

cd /mnt/win1

cd /Users

cd /USER

OR type directly

cd /mnt/win1/Users/USER

now you may find this unnessory but you need to check if the files you need is in this directory so type:

ls

a list appears (in my case I found documents folder and desktop in this directory so I chose to copy the file USER to /mnt/win2

so let’s get back to the folder Users.. type

cd

then

cd /mnt/win1/Users/

Now the most important step.. COPYING..

cp -r /mnt/win1/Users/USER /mnt/win2

which copies the file USER from /mnt/win1/Users/ to /mnt/win2

and now wait until the process finish

Warning: this process may take a long time so wait until it finishes.. and this process doesn’t copy Arabic-named files (as I saw ) so I don’t think it will copy files with names other then English

after that I recommend you recheck that the files have been copied through typing:

cd /mnt/win2

ls

and see if USER is listed…

now type

kill all

or press

Ctrl+Alt+Backspaace

so the computer will shut down..

I recommend installing a Linux (like Linux Mint Or Ubuntu) and install a protection application like clamav or AVG to remove the virus in you files then format the computer to Windows after that if you wish to…

Want to download Anime or Dramas, Where do I start?

Want to download Anime or Dramas, Where do I start?

So after hearing me talk on and on about anime and dramas you got interested!.. I feel I’ve touched your life..
Now let me explain myself and my choices:
I have a lousy internet connection, download about 15 kb/sec in it’s utmost, of course we are paying for an internet connection that is 512kb/sec but we get a lousy 50kb/sec and sometimes 100kb during bandwidth limit, which lasts about four days tops, why you ask? we have three computers sharing that connection with the most “hungry for download users” >>Now you understand..

So here are my choices:

1. Direct download during bandwidth (do that if you have a good satisfying speed)

Tips you’ll need:
First, forget about downloading with IE (Internet Explore), Why you ask?
It’s unstable, can you imagine getting your download up to 95 and then BOOM! Nothing in the screen? GET Firefox, the fastest most reliable internet browser, I’ve tried others but nothing sticks but firefox .
It has Add-ons & themes go to the website and ADD THEM, I recommend “video download helper” for downloading videos from youtube or google video. ENJOY!
Plus, it gets updated regularly and works on Linux & Windows & Mac OS X and available in many languages.
Also some people may recommend using download helpers like Internet download manger, Download Accelerator plus and so on, go ahead if you want but listen, most download of anime and dramas –direct ones- are on upload sites which cannot allow you to use such software.
Also I’ll add some sites I recommend you to visit LATER

2. Peer-to-Peer downloads (indirect):

This one takes a longer time depending on the people who have the file (also called seeders –u see them marked as S-)
Now let me explain the process: you have an application (also called client) this client is like a messenger, it takes the name of the file and lets you download it from people who finished downloading it (seeders) and others who are downloading it like your self (Leechers) so in other words her is the process simplified:
1. Get your self a client (program) (install it): Windows users can use utorrent, Linux user ktorrent.
2. Go to a site to download torrent files: I recommend Mininova, Isohunt
Or you can visit trackers of subbing groups (I’ll add some sites LATER)
3. Open the .torrent file with the client (application) through double clicking on it or go to the client >File> Open
Now Why should you download through this?
It is because it is fast (depending on the seeders), you can find books interesting to read or programs to download, all you need to do is keep the program open as long as you could (and try to apply a limit to allow for internet browsing).
For me my ktorrent is running most of the time sometimes from morning till night, others to several days.
Remember this option is about Sharing your downloads so don’t download and delete or close the application (help others download please T-T)

3. This is the fun part, the one I like, find your self a friend and share your downloads

You can download A anime while your friend downloads B anime and then burn it and swap your download.
The FUN comes after when you DISCUSS the anime after you watch it…
And REMMEBER TO CHOOSE CAREFULLY.. Because there are always those superficial who will laugh at you >> and those as one said are not even friends
“A friend supports and encourages you and accepts you diversity”
And for any friends reading this… I will share my downloads with you unconditionally…

Ja Ne
Yume No Tsubasa

Review: Windows Guy Tries Open Suse 11

as i was surfing through i found this interesting article,

it’s always nice to read about people transferring to linux after ages spent with the horrible nightmare of Xp OR Vista.

for me i use OpenSuSe 11.0 >>soon to be 11.1 >> on my desktop PC, but i use Vista on my laptop, because i need to finish the universty work in a “Known Format” and i certainly don’t want the expression “WHAT’s THAT ?” when somebody sneaks a peak at my background -which drives me crazy-, and because I am a lazy person who needs to make “SUPER EXCELLENT” power points and videos in a very short time, i am faced by no option but to use the Horrible Vista.

Any How, let’s stop speaking of me and turn back to the topic, the review is fair, not overly criticizing and not overly glossy, it sure is a good start for those who want to get a sneak to the World Of Linux / OpenSuSe.

direct link to the article:

http://www.10minutetech.net/index.php/2008/09/04/windows-guy-tries-open-suse-11/