Nerd/Boffin Technical corner. Page 18

When my hard drive failed, I was happy that everything was backed up on my external hard drive. But now I want to actually get stuff off it, things don't work quickly enough. It takes a while to even get to when the videos I want are stored, then when I try to copy and paste them, I get a 'calculating the time required to copy the files' message, which just keeps on calculating. Maybe if I waited long enough, hours perhaps, it will tell me how long it will take to copy, and that will be days? I must be doing something stupidly wrong.

I can get small files out, I tried that on a WAV file. But my videos are probably a few Gigs-worth.

Any suggestions?

Quote: Nogget @ November 12 2010, 9:59 AM GMT

When my hard drive failed, I was happy that everything was backed up on my external hard drive. But now I want to actually get stuff off it, things don't work quickly enough. It takes a while to even get to when the videos I want are stored, then when I try to copy and paste them, I get a 'calculating the time required to copy the files' message, which just keeps on calculating. Maybe if I waited long enough, hours perhaps, it will tell me how long it will take to copy, and that will be days? I must be doing something stupidly wrong.

I can get small files out, I tried that on a WAV file. But my videos are probably a few Gigs-worth.

Any suggestions?

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Ayroeu Using USB 2? are there any other USB devices plugged in at the same time?

Quote: Gavin @ November 12 2010, 10:01 AM GMT

Ayroeu Using USB 2? are there any other USB devices plugged in at the same time?

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Please excuse my ignorance; I'm using the USB ports at the back of the PC, two of them at once (the hard drive has two USB leads coming from it). There is an extra single port at the front under a sliding cover, might that be quicker? No other USB things plugged in apart from keyboard and mouse.

Actually, the thing has just started doing something; it says 21 minutes remaining, although it started off saying 11 minuted just now. Maybe it actually will work, within the space of hours rather than days.

EDIT now it says it will take 3 hours....

Quote: Nogget @ November 12 2010, 9:59 AM GMT

When my hard drive failed, I was happy that everything was backed up on my external hard drive. But now I want to actually get stuff off it, things don't work quickly enough. It takes a while to even get to when the videos I want are stored, then when I try to copy and paste them, I get a 'calculating the time required to copy the files' message, which just keeps on calculating. Maybe if I waited long enough, hours perhaps, it will tell me how long it will take to copy, and that will be days? I must be doing something stupidly wrong.

I can get small files out, I tried that on a WAV file. But my videos are probably a few Gigs-worth.

Any suggestions?

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I bet you are using Vista, it is well known for taking ages to copy big files.

My suggestion: Either use a Linux Live Boot CD (I suggest Ubuntu) or try your external disk on a different computer with XP or Win 7.

Quote: Nogget @ November 12 2010, 10:16 AM GMT

Please excuse my ignorance; I'm using the USB ports at the back of the PC, two of them at once (the hard drive has two USB leads coming from it). There is an extra single port at the front under a sliding cover, might that be quicker? No other USB things plugged in apart from keyboard and mouse.

Actually, the thing has just started doing something; it says 21 minutes remaining, although it started off saying 11 minuted just now. Maybe it actually will work, within the space of hours rather than days.

EDIT now it says it will take 3 hours....

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Don't interrupt while it is going, but next time try the two USB plugs transposed. One of the plugs will be signal plus power and the other will be just for taking some extra power from the computer.

Quote: billwill @ November 12 2010, 9:59 PM GMT

Don't interrupt while it is going, but next time try the two USB plugs transposed.

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What do you mean by 'transposed'? They're both plugged into the back; do you mean swap them around?
It eventually worked, taking about an hour for 20Gb, but I've a suspicion that there are more videos, from a particular time period, lurking in there if only I knew how to search for them. I've been searching the copy of the old C drive on my back-up, under 'Users' -' then '(the name I used)'-'Pictures'....and that's where the bulk of them are. None under 'videos'.

Thanks for your help.

>do you mean swap them around?

Yes.

Of the two rear sockets on the computer, it might be that the other USB socket is a quick one, so that would be the one to get the signal from.

My main PC loses internet connectivity whilst the other two computers never do. They are all connected to the internet with Homeplugs. Unplugging/plugging in again doesn't seem to help. What might be happening?

Quote: Nogget @ November 25 2010, 11:55 AM GMT

My main PC loses internet connectivity whilst the other two computers never do. They are all connected to the internet with Homeplugs. Unplugging/plugging in again doesn't seem to help. What might be happening?

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The most likely thing is that the homeplug signal is rather weak on that part of your mains circuits. I.E the other homeplugs have difficulty sending to and receiving from it.

Swap the homeplug over with the one of the other homeplugs to detect if it is a problem with a particular homeplug.

The home-plug signals can have difficulty communicating from one ring-main to a different ring-main depending on how your electricity distribution box is wired. Commonly there might be one ring-main for each floor of a house, so if the troublesome computer is on a different floor than your broadband router, then that is a likely cause.

Also always try to ensure that the homeplug is plugged directly into a wall socket and not in a socket on the end of a shared flexible extension lead.

Quote: billwill @ November 25 2010, 9:00 PM GMT

Also always try to ensure that the homeplug is plugged directly into a wall socket and not in a socket on the end of a shared flexible extension lead.

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Thanks, that's exactly how the naughty homeplug is plugged in.
Anyway, I'll need wi-fi after Xmas when the kids get laptops, so the homeplugs may become obsolete. Or not?

Quote: Nogget @ November 25 2010, 9:17 PM GMT

Thanks, that's exactly how the naughty homeplug is plugged in.
Anyway, I'll need wi-fi after Xmas when the kids get laptops, so the homeplugs may become obsolete. Or not?

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They are still very useful to place a Wireless Access Point (WAP), nearer to where the laptops will be used. Only needed if you have thick walls in your house or the room is a long way away from your router.

You can get a combined homeplug and WAP.

Getting butt loads of hiss on a USB Mic.. any brain bods out there can offer some advice how to fix it pleasssse

I can only suggest you turn the recording volume down, but you've probably already tried that.

Quote: Leevil @ November 30 2010, 1:59 PM GMT

I can only suggest you turn the recording volume down, but you've probably already tried that.

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Yeh Might give a go reducing the gain

Hi, apologies in avance for a stupid question, my only excuse is I'm a stupid person.

Yesterday I stared getting dialogue boxes popping up warning me that someone was trying to transfer my persoal data via internet. In order to prevent it I had to register my version of 'Antimalware Doctor'.

I've had the computer for almost 5years and don't recall ever seing 'Antimalware Doctor' before. And some of the boxes contain poor grammar.

Is this a legtimate programme? Am I being paranoid?

My Norton 360 doesn't seem to think there's a problem but the machine is running slow.

I'm a computer dullard so even the most basic piece of advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.

It's a virus.

"Antimalware Doctor is one of many viruses that disguise themselves as legitimate antivirus programs. Antimalware Doctor performs a fake and unsolicited scan of your computer and notifies you that your computer is infected. Antimalware Doctor then attempts to procure your financial information under the guise of removing the infection. In addition, Antimalware Doctor may slow your computer, change your Internet settings, create desktop shortcuts and flood your computer with popup advertisements."

Guide to remove it:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6067077_remove-antimalware-doctor-virus.html