Doc's own Windows 7 & Networking Thread

So, an interesting day today. Started out with plans to get the damn cat's stitches out after it's spaying last week. Should've had the doc remove it's two-cent head instead, but that's a subject for another rant. At least the stupid fucker won't breed now. . .

Anyway, also had to take Mom to the doctors for test results/script refills. Not a VERY busy day, but I had plans. However, instead of the previously advertised events, Mom's other doctor decided she needed more bloodwork, and ordered it for today, but didn't tell us about it. Whoops! We find out at the last minute, and leave the living rebuttal to Darwin's theories at home, presumably to play another round of, "Look! A string! Wonder what'll come out if I pull on it?"

Mom and I go off to attend her surprise bloodletting, and then her regularly-scheduled visit with her other doctor. We meet up with my sister afterwards and go to dinner, then she comes home with us and unpacks her stuff, because her asshole husband is having the mother-of-all-mid-life-crisis, AGAIN, and has basically decided he wants to spend the rest of his pre-cancerously-bald-headed snaggle-toothed 20-second-wait-to-respond-to-a-simple-damn-question life alone, except of course for whatever weeping gash he may pick up at the bowling alley, and has gone about implementing his clever plan by thoroughly burning his bridges with my sister and their adult children. So, Sis has moved in.

Interesting way to start my Windows & networking thread, no? Remember, this is a thread about Windows and networking(Thanks, Arlo 😉 ).

So, networking. Sis has a laptop, and has grown accustomed to the really modern miracle of teh Interwebz. As the duly elected Tech-dictator-for-life in these here parts, it is now incumbent upon me to, in the local vernacular, "Git 'er done." I have a wired Linksys (I think) router around here somewhere from about 5 years back, but Sis is a mobile sort and may have a sudden homework attack at any spot in the house, so I'm thinking we need to get a wireless router. I will be soliciting opinions and recommendations for same. You guys know what I do on the web - game, surf, stream Youtube, and DL stuff. She does her email, surfs the web, and sends her homework in via the 'Tubez, so my usage is the more demanding of the two of us. Cover my needs, and Sis should be good to go.

Windows. Been wanting to step up from XP to Win7, so now would seem to be the time to do so. My previous attempts to network Win98 machines with XP machines leaves me leery of hooking up my XP machine with her Win7 machine. Might be fine. Might not have the same issues I did 6 years ago, but what the hell. It's time to move on anyway, so might as well do it now.

So there you have it. Wireless router recommendation, Win7 install/setup questions, and then the networking stuff. Recommend away, and let the festivities begin! We'll cross the other bridges as we get to them.

Interesting post.... Especially liked the Arlo dig..... (Thanks Alice!)

Now what is the question again?

Atomm wrote:Interesting post.... Especially liked the Arlo dig..... (Thanks Alice!)

Now what is the question again?

Alice's Restaurant - Arlo rambles thru a bunch of seemingly unrelated stuff, then reminds us that, "this is a song about Alice." Coincidentally, that is the part you need to reference to answer your question.

Doc needs to know if his hillbilly wireless network will work better with a WOK or a Pringles Cantenna?

I just had to Doc....
Vey funny lead in BTW. +1


Me personally - I would think the decor is more suited for concrete block desk support - to each his own I guess though.

Isn't your sisters son an IT guy? 😛

I will help you set this up the best way man. We will do it over the phone, it is a pain to type it all.
First step is getting the router. You will stay wired and DMZed on your host and we will set up a WPA or better WPA2 encrypted connection for your sister. The router and your sisters network card in her laptop will have to support it.

Everyone knows the Pringles Can beats the Wok.....

Paladin wrote:Isn't your sisters son an IT guy? 😛

I will help you set this up the best way man. We will do it over the phone, it is a pain to type it all.
First step is getting the router. You will stay wired and DMZed on your host and we will set up a WPA or better WPA2 encrypted connection for your sister. The router and your sisters network card in her laptop will have to support it.

Thanks, everyone, for the router recommendations. Linksys G wireless router it is.


Yup, nephew is an IT guy. As it turns out, he should be over tomorrow to set it up. I may ask you guys some questions after the fact, as he isn't always available. I didn't expect him to be doing this at all. Thanks for volunteering to help, Paladin. I expect your role in this isn't over yet 😀


I still have to cross that Win7 bridge sometime in the next week or so.

DocJon wrote:Thanks, everyone, for the router recommendations. Linksys G wireless router it is.


Yup, nephew is an IT guy. As it turns out, he should be over tomorrow to set it up. I may ask you guys some questions after the fact, as he isn't always available. I didn't expect him to be doing this at all. Thanks for volunteering to help, Paladin. I expect your roll in this isn't over yet 😀


I still have to cross that Win7 bridge sometime in the next week or so.

If you are going with just a 'G' router and don't want to worry about anything that is as good as any, I would have suggested the WRT54GL 'amazon' mainly due to the custom firmware "DD-WRT" you can add to it which opens up a world of hurt if you care to. Like making your sister pay for her allotted wireless time, family fun... the GL model does take a little bit more in the setup department but you have a lot more options in the end, to include the speedboost. But only if you are willing to tinker with settings.

I've got that Model Silent.... Never needed to mess with it..... I think my tinkering days are numbered.....

Atomm wrote:I've got that Model Silent.... Never needed to mess with it..... I think my tinkering days are numbered.....

I bought it just too mess with it. turned it into a wireless bridge so I could connect my consoles/media server to a wireless point on the other side of my house with a stable connection. On top of that I now have a network cable that just spouts up from behind my couch in case someone doesn't have a great network card in their laptop or just can't get a signal.

There are a lot of advantages to the custom firmware, but only if you are having problems or weak signals.. or wanting to setup payfor logins.. or wireless bridges for a fraction of the cost.

OK, router is up and running, thanks to Paladin's phone-battery-draining session on the phone with me Saturday. Paladin also took the time to make sure it was a secure connection, so that's covered.

Thanks Pal!

DDO works for me, the 'Net works for Sis.

I'm wired into the router, and Sis is using the wireless connection. One Net problem remains: She can't log into her bank account. This happens at both my machine, and at her machine.

This is her banking site:
http://www.myfmbank.com/

This is the error message we get when logging in (User ID on left side of screen):

Ideas?

With my great powers of reasoning I have come to the conclusion that you cannot as of now connect to that website.

Silent Cold wrote:With my great powers of reasoning I have come to the conclusion that you cannot as of now connect to that website.

Well, that's certainly possible. Did YOU try? Type in some gibberish in the User ID box on the left hand side on the link I provided, and see if it gives YOU a proper "User ID not found" error, or that error box. I have no means of logging in without my brand-new-I-don't-know-what-the-fuck-I'm-doing network being involved.

It's been a BITcrazy the past few days, and I can't personally assure my sister that the problem isn't on our end if I don't at least get someone to verify it, since I just did a bunch of shit to my computer not knowing exactly what it does.

DocJon wrote:Well, that's certainly possible. Did YOU try? Type in some gibberish in the User ID box on the left hand side on the link I provided, and see if it gives YOU a proper "User ID not found" error, or that error box. I have no means of logging in without my brand-new-I-don't-know-what-the-fuck-I'm-doing network being involved.

It's been a BITcrazy the past few days, and I can't personally assure my sister that the problem isn't on our end if I don't at least get someone to verify it, since I just did a bunch of shit to my computer not knowing exactly what it does.

Actually.. whatever id that I did put in there [546464].. seems to have been a real id and it took me to an enter password page.

Make sure you don't have any script blockers running perhaps? [I am running noscript and allowed the websites temporarily -one for the main page and one for the not found page]

Now to test a random password.. muahaahaaha

Silent Cold wrote:Actually.. whatever id that I did put in there [546464].. seems to have been a real id and it took me to an enter password page.

Make sure you don't have any script blockers running perhaps? [I am running noscript and allowed the websites temporarily -one for the main page and one for the not found page]

Now to test a random password.. muahaahaaha

No script blockers. I tried IE and Firefox(Noscript and Adblocker Plus turned off) on my machine, and Sis just used straight IE as it installed with Vista.

EDITED TO ADD:
(Professor Farnsworth)
Good news, everybody!
(/Professor Farnsworth)

It works for me. Probably was an outage. Just unfortunate that it was timed with my wireless network setup, and that she didn't have time to try the bank under it before it went down. My computer history is rife with unfortunate coincidences - like when my new Win95 machine's HD went bad IMMEDIATELY following uninstalling a game. Thought the uninstall had screwed something up(it was my first Windows machine).

And now, a Win7 question.

I have an old Soundblaster Live! 5.1 that's from, I dunno, like 2002-2003? Never upgraded. Worked just fine for me lo these many years, and why buy something new when old works fine?

Anyway, now I'm going to be upgrading to Win7 (64-bit).

(U.E. McGill)
I suppose it'd be the acme of foolishness to ask if this old POS sound card needs replaced
(/U.E. McGill)

I didn't go looking for drivers yet. I suppose I'll do some Googling, but I think I already know the answer to this.

EDIT: The Googles

http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/314...patibility.html

Might I suggest this http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibi...x?type=Hardware

You know, I've never run that.

Doc, here are some troubleshooting techniques that have served me well.

Do an NSLookup on the IP of the domain you are having trouble with. It's a bit tricky with this problem because you redirect to a different domain. You may have to to view source to try to find this info.

Do a traceroute to the IP. Look for drop outs. Keep in mind, that sometimes trace's end due to Firewalls and not because of problems.

Go to CMD and telnet to the domain on the appropriate port. 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS. If traceroute makes it, but Telnet does not work, then that means the server is up, but the web service is not working. FYI, it's telnet IP Port.

Atomm wrote:You know, I've never run that.

Doc, here are some troubleshooting techniques that have served me well.

Do an NSLookup on the IP of the domain you are having trouble with. It's a bit tricky with this problem because you redirect to a different domain. You may have to to view source to try to find this info.

Do a traceroute to the IP. Look for drop outs. Keep in mind, that sometimes trace's end due to Firewalls and not because of problems.

Go to CMD and telnet to the domain on the appropriate port. 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS. If traceroute makes it, but Telnet does not work, then that means the server is up, but the web service is not working. FYI, it's telnet IP Port.

Too tired, can't brain, have teh dumb. Thanks though, I'll reread this tomorrow.

Windows 7: 32-bit or 64-bit?

Bear in mind I rode the XP horse from 2003 until now, so what I get, I'm sticking with. I don't buy pre-builts, so my next upgrade won't provide a new OS.

My OS from now to 2015: 32-bit or 64-bit?

Do you have 64bit hardware?
i.e. what Proc?

GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3G LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128084

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115031

Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2K2/2GR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820134488

GeForce 7950 GT
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_7950.html

We talked about it via Email but wanted to talk a bit about it here for others.

I think the future of computing is indeed 64 bit. Apple and Linux is moving towards that more and more. My new system has the i7 processor and has 8GB RAM. It already has 64 bit W7 Home Premium on it so I am sticking with it. If it didn't I would have put 64bit on anyway.
In the past I never recommended 64. It was hit and miss under Vista. With W7 out, I have more confidence in 64 bit now. I am changing into a 64bit fan boy. 🙂

The two main things 64 bit offers is the ability to utilize more memory and data. More memory is always nice but you can still get by on <4GB right now. More data can translate into better graphics for gaming and applications that are designed for 64 bit will run much better under it.

With that said I have been thinking more and more and I am unsure I would go out of my way recommending 64 bit right now for the average user. You can always update to a 64 bit version later on, though it will be a fresh install again.

Then again a lot of PC's and laptops are shipping with 64 bit versions now, as mine did. I think the manufactures will be heading toward 64 bit drivers/versions of software much faster than they did before due to W7.

I don't think it is not as bad as it is made out to be. Sure you have to run a lot of programs in 32 bit mode anyway but that is all automatic and so far, for me at least, working fine. There is no FireFox or Flash 64 bit versions so you have to use 32 bit. To be honest I don't understand a major deal with this. My FF is running fine. All my games and programs are running fine and so far I have not had any major problems related to 64bit. It is early days for me though and I have not installed my scanner or printer yet. 🙂

As a general rule, 32-bit versions of software will work on a 64-bit system.
it is going to be the peripherals and devices that will cause the problems. Not only because of the 64 bit but W7 itself. That I will just deal with as I go. We always have to deal with this as we upgrade.

This is really a hit and miss issue and you are going to see advocates on both sides of the discussion.

I personally think software and hardware will be supported under 64 bit more and more. I believe this is the direction we are heading but we are not there 100% yet of curse. Early adopter syndrome.

As I say at work, this is what happens when you live on the bleeding edge of technology!

So to sum up, I think if you can have patience and deal with the headaches, go 64 and live on the edge, I am. It will be more future proof. If it bothers you, go 32.

I think you might be being a touch dramatic here. 64bit was a bit flaky with XP and was bleeding edge in about 2003. Its now 2009, the processors that have been standard mainstream since 2006 are 64bit. Of course servers have been at 64 bit for quite a while. I agree it'll bring a lot to the table and people should be moving that way. Windows Vista and even more so, Windows 7 make that a rather easy process.

But no need to be quite so dramatic though, I first supported 64 bit in 2001, Built and supported a server that was 64 bit since about 2004. and have run 64bit on my home machine since late 2007ish.

Though you are correct, not many developers have leveraged the 64bit's abilities yet though.

Bubbaspanky wrote:I think you might be being a touch dramatic here. ...

But no need to be quite so dramatic though, I first supported 64 bit in 2001, Built and supported a server that was 64 bit since about 2004. and have run 64bit on my home machine since late 2007ish.

Is this about MY post? I was in no way being dramatic, I did a fair, well thought out post. So 😛

I went with 32 bit for the simple fact that I expect to have less problems overall. As Bubba said, a lot of developers are not actually developing for 64 Bit. At work, we've already ran into several programs that will not run under a 64 bit platform. Although, 64 Bit professional allows you to use XP Compatibility mode and that is one way to get around the 64 bit limitation. If you go 64 Bit, I would dare say you must go with Professional over Home for the XP Compatibility mode.

I like the idea of 64 bit's ability to use more than 4GB of memory. Since I only have 2GB, it didn't matter. So, went with 32 bit....

And I'm still having driver issues.... go figure... :-)

Bubbaspanky wrote:I think you might be being a touch dramatic here. 64bit was a bit flaky with XP and was bleeding edge in about 2003. Its now 2009, the processors that have been standard mainstream since 2006 are 64bit. Of course servers have been at 64 bit for quite a while. I agree it'll bring a lot to the table and people should be moving that way. Windows Vista and even more so, Windows 7 make that a rather easy process.

But no need to be quite so dramatic though, I first supported 64 bit in 2001, Built and supported a server that was 64 bit since about 2004. and have run 64bit on my home machine since late 2007ish.

Though you are correct, not many developers have leveraged the 64bit's abilities yet though.

I guess the drama comes into play with the "bleeding edge" stuff, but I thought it looked like Paladin took his time with this one, instead of his usual hurried effort that sometimes required explanation after the fact.

I was already leaning HEAVILY towards 64-bit. I just wanted an opportunity for 32-bit rebuttal. As long as I can play movies/youtube vids, DL stuff, surf the net, use Photoshop and play any game I want, I'll have what I want.

Atomm, what programs won't run? Specialized production stuff, or retail stuff?

Yea, Cisco VPN Client has to be installed as Windows XP Compatibility mode in 64 bit.

My boss installs all sorts of crap. He's the one having the problem.

I considered 64 bit, but I really just didn't want to run into any issues down the road.....

DocJon wrote:I guess the drama comes into play with the "bleeding edge" stuff, but I thought it looked like Paladin took his time with this one, instead of his usual hurried effort that sometimes required explanation after the fact.

Well Bubba seems to have an urge to post something negative about anything I post so nothing new here. 🙂

Dude. You have your opinions and I have mine.

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