Calling All TT Computer Geeks

“ping my smtp server? hmm... not sure...wait...
yupp....worked without a problem.

call who? My internet service or my hosting company?

hosts keep telling me it's not their problem...and even after switching to a different host I still not working...so I guess it isn't their fault.”

“The e-mail doesn't want to leave. It wants to stay where it is at for some odd reason. It probably has seperation anxiety.”

“you mean the nelly song I send you was scared of you?”

“It totally worked!! I just sent the whole folder to a new folder in my docs. THANK YOU”

“Gem, where is your mail kept? Is it your host that stores your e-mail or is it your ISP?

You can check Outlook to see what is working and what is not.

In Outlook:
Tools
E-mail Accounts...
View or change existing e-mail accounts
Click Next button
Highlight e-mail account you want to check
Select Change... button
Click Test Account Settings... button

The results should give you some clues.”

“skiracer, it's my host who keeps my mail. yeah...I did the outlook test already. i forgot what it said...
wait...

it logged into the server, but wasn't able to send a test message.ohh...
okay..the spefified server was found but there was no response from the server. please verify that the port and SSL information is correct.

find outgoing mail server: unable to connect to the outgoing mail server. bla...bla...bla...same crap...”

“There is probably just something checked that shouldn't be or something that isn't checked that should be.

Does your outgoing server require authentication?

Have you got the ports set correctly?

Does the server require an SSL-secured connection?”

“i figured it out [at least I think so]...bellsouth blocks port 25. I have no problems sending email via bellsouth...so that really sucks now.

I knew nothing good could come out of it after they partnered up with aol. I was trying to avoid aol for years...and now this.

skiracer...i don't abou tth ssl connection. never did...why should it now? because I bought a secure certificate for my domain maybe? could that be?

by ports are on 110 and 25. I think its 110...but that would be the incoming mail anyway...and that works.

yupp...look at this crap:
Solution:
In order to send e-mail using an e-mail provider other than Bellsouth.net (Ex. Yahoo Premium Mail Service, AOL Main, MSN Premium Service, etc…) when Port 25 filtering has been enabled, you will need to set-up your e-mail client (Ex. Outlook Express, Outlook, Netscape Mail) to send outgoing e-mail through the mail.bellsouth.net SMTP server address.

i hate them!!
last edited: 12/29/05 6:37:46 PM”

“Gemini, you did figure out the problem. A lot of ISP's are doing that. I guess they are a)trying to force you to use their email services and b)it can potentially cut down on spam going through their network. However, it makes life very difficult for people who work from home and need to send and receive email with their company email system.

I will not use an ISP that filters on port 25. Fortunately, I have several options in my area.”

“My work computer seems to have made duplicate user accounts. One with the regular user name and one with the user name with a dot and the computer name on it. The problem is I can no longer access the regular user account and there are files in “my documents” that I need without logging on as the computer administrator. Any ideas on what happened and how I can fix it? I’m running windows XP pro.”

“Ya got me.

This should probably go in the "Hey skiracer!" thread, lol...”

“Do I win a prize for stumping the Great Bitpusher?”

“Somebody from IT created the new user account? It shouldn't have done that on it's own. Did you install some kind of software (including updates) before this happened?”

“username = local address
user.host = remote address , see IT department”

“I am the IT department. My office only has 3 people.”

“Got me, too.”

“We've seen this at the shop a few times, but can't recall how I repaired it, so I'll ask about it monday - if you still have the problem then.”

“a quick fix for the meantime.. you can log in as adminstrator, copy or move the files in the original "My Documents" to the new account's "My Documents" so you can access them.
last edited: 1/13/06 6:04:12 PM”

“Create a new account. Log into it, then log out and then log into the administrator account. Copy the original profile into the new account using the instructions here: copy user profile.
You can then delete the 'bad' account(s) and use the new one, or re-create your original user name account and do the copy profile again to that one.
This doesn't address why it happened in the first place, but it should fix things.”

“I'm running a wireless set-up at home. Somedays my connection is just plain bad so I connect to one of the many neighboring connections. I often have 6 or more unprotected networks I can log onto here. Silly neighbors.

My question is... If I'm logged onto my neighbor's connection are website/P2P networks reading my neighbors IP address or mine?

If some "agency" comes looking for me, will they be directed to the wonderful family a block away?”

“As far as I know, your IP address should register you seperately from the happy family down the road. I also believe that your PC puts out an ISP address, which is unique to your machine.

However, I could be wrong.”

“what are you worried about, Rockman????????? Please go to the Confession thread.”

“What I wonder is how well protected YOU are when you are on the silly neighbors network.”

“If you are connecting to your neighbor's wireless router, then that router's IP address will be the one the P2P sees.
The router has one public IP address for its connection to the Internet.
The router receives the information from your computer, sends it out using its public IP address. Any packets coming to your computer are sent to the router's public IP address. The router then sends it to your computer's private IP address. All of the computers using that single connection to the Internet effectively share the same public IP address.
There are possible exceptions, but this is almost always how home networks work.”

“muchas gracias, cindy lu!”

“Work bought me a laptop with wireless. We remodeled the downstairs and moved our desktop down there. Since I got the laptop, I bought a wireless router. Laptop works great, no problems. Now I want to connect the desktop to our internet connection via wireless. Bought a USB plug-in adapter from CompUSA - wouldn't work. In fact, the config utility wouldn't even work. Returned it, no problem. Went to BestBuy, talked to Geek Squad dude. He says because I have Windows 98 (NOT 98SE), nothing will work.

I can't believe that. All these wireless adapters are, whether it's a USB plug-in or a card you install into the back of your computer, is just an antenna, right? The computer worked fine with a hard-wired connection. Isn't this the same thing, only the "antenna" gets the signal, then connects to the computer with little wires 'n' stuff? What the heck does that have to do with the operating system? All I want to do is be able to read email and do a little web surfing - nothing fancy. I find it hard to believe that I can't buy anything that will work without buying a new operating system or a whole new computer.

Is this really true? Isn't there anything I can buy to work with Windows 98?”

“One minute has passed and no answers yet. Very disappointing....”

“Dude...upgrade.”

“It's the weekend dude, if you want a response wait until monday when everyone's back at work. ;)

Aside from that I've never heard of that either.”

“I don't think Windows 98 supports USB 2.0 (probably just 1.1). If the USB adapter you bought is 2.0 only, it will not work with Windows 98.

Maybe it's time for a new desktop computer? Or if you just can't part with beloved, perhaps it time to bring it up to Windows XP Home, for which an upgrade can be bought for under $100 (if you look it up on Froogle (http://froogle.google.com), you might be able to find it for significantly less...

The other option is to get yourself a PCI wireless adapter (which will fit in the slots of your computer), pending they still support Windows 98.”

“Dude...upgrade.

Um, if I was willing to do that, there wouldn't be much point in my post, right? :-)

It's the weekend dude, if you want a response wait until monday when everyone's back at work. ;)

You mean my fellow TTers aren't standing by every minute 24/7 just waiting to solve my computer problems?! What kind of place is this?!

I don't think Windows 98 supports USB 2.0 (probably just 1.1). If the USB adapter you bought is 2.0 only, it will not work with Windows 98.

Possible, but why wouldn't the config software even work? Plus, when I plugged it in, a message immediately popped up "New Hardware Recognized!" or whatever it says.


Maybe it's time for a new desktop computer? Or if you just can't part with beloved,...

Isn't that kind of silly? Buy a whole new computer just to get email and internet access when the one I have works just fine if it's a wire stuck in the back? Not a question of a "beloved" computer - heck, I'd love a new one - but it's part the principle of the thing, and part $$$.

...perhaps it time to bring it up to Windows XP Home, for which an upgrade can be bought for under $100 (if you look it up on Froogle (http://froogle.google.com), you might be able to find it for significantly less...

Here we go, back to the upgrade suggestion - see above..... :-)
last edited: 3/25/06 3:27:13 PM”

“I charge extra on the weekends for this kind of info...unfortunately, Windows 98 doesn't have the software built in to support wireless networking. I am not aware of any wireless products that will work with Win98 just becuase of the way that networking is set up in that operating system. What are the possibilities of moving your wireless router near the desktop computer so that you could hardwire it into the router?”

“That is Plan B, wvmtnmatt. I don't really want to do that, since we just remodeled the area where the computer now sits WITHOUT RUNNING WIRES THROUGH THE WALLS THAT WE COULD HAVE IF WE'D KNOWN THE WIRELESS OPTION WOULDN'T WORK. But there may be a way to do it that doesn't look too crappy.”

“We use one of these http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=346 at work for a car diagnostic unit that can't use a wireless adapter. You can plug your W98 ethernet into it, no drivers required, transparent to the computer using it. Works great. A nice portable wireless router, too. There might be other similar devices that aren't as spendy.”

“BM - You should be able to use this one:

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/MA101.php

You'll probably need to buy it online. Try Froogle.
last edited: 3/25/06 4:37:02 PM”

“also 98se is an easy upgrade that should upgrade without affecting other files.
ask your geek friends around work they may have a copy. If not email me I might have one.”

“What year is this?

Time to upgrade to XP. If work got you the laptop see if they'll upgrade it for you.
last edited: 3/25/06 5:56:46 PM”

“Do you have any available PCI slots on the computer? Maybe you can pick up a PCI wireless adapter. That will work with Windows 98.

Actually, if you're absolutely looking to spend the least amount of money possible on this, your best bet is to either run an Ethernet cable down to your desktop PC from the router (I mean, after all it is a fixed desktop that doesn't really get moved, right?), or just move your cable modem and router downstairs by the desktop computer. The wireless signal should still be strong enough upstairs to still be able to do email and surf the Internet. This might take a bit more work on your part, but will be much easier on the ol' wallet.
last edited: 3/25/06 6:17:48 PM”

“Probably not in his laptop PhantomSoul. The Netgear device I listed will allow you to connect to USB 1.1 and use Win98. It is known to work with that configuration on laptops.
last edited: 3/25/06 6:18:18 PM”

“if the Boulder man don't want to upgrade, then the don't want to upgrade. Prolly imcompatible hardware?

There used to be a stupid "wireless" connection you could do with your computer. I think you plugged it into the outlets. I can't remember anymore. I know I had one, but it never worked.

oh, i got a video camera question...but i'll ask lata...”

“What Phantom said.
Have my desktop (in basement) hardwired to the wireless gateway. Laptop works two floors up. Supposedly has a range of 300-400 feet.

Waiting for when it warms up, should be able to use it on the deck.”

“Hey folks, seriously, thanks. I think there are some good ideas here - I'll check them out in detail later.

Right now, I'm delirious after just finishing watching the Charles Bronson/Lee Marvin/Carl Weathers/Angie Dickinson film, Death Hunt. It was recommended as a must-see by a work buddy when I told him I was heading up to the Yukon. Man, that is an awesome film!! I'm, like, speechless!”

“all this free advice is indirectly costing me money. shhh. i'd be like ya chipped a tooth and all your dentist friends could tell ya how ta fix your tooth without you havin' to pay the dentist any money ;)”

“Ha! OK, I'll be glad to give out free traffic engineering advice - ask away!!”

“How do I crack the traffic light controller at the major intersection near my house so that it gives me more than 3 seconds to get through the intersection?”

“Which model controller?

Ha! J/K. I don't actually know that much, other than the things do malfunction now and then. If you think it should be giving you more, call the city/town/county engineering department and find out. I once did a study and found out the main cause of the traffic problem was that the signal was broken - everybody had just assumed it was working right!”

“Ha! I know the answer to that question already:

"We do not wish at this time to reprogram the timing of lights at intersections along the Parkway, since this would entail reprogramming all of them."


In other words, "We want to sit around and do nothing on your dime."

The intersection is slated to be replaced with an overpass in the next 5 years, so getting them to actually do any work is damn near impossible.”

“I have no sound on my computer. I've always had audio and all of a sudden, over the weekend, it was gone. I tried to play a video and got this message: "... there is no audio hardware available on your computer..." And, when I went into my control panel under Audio, the Sound Playback Devices reads: No Playback Device.

What gives?? Any ideas??”

“Reseat your audio card unless some family member has removed it.”

“Can you play sound from another source (say a CD)?”