Youngstown Computer Show notes for August 1, 2009

Segment 1

Adam apparently does not do the show opening anymore.

Joe D talks about an exploit for all iPhones. Through text messaging, an attacker can issue commands to launch remote commands. There is an update available that fixes this. Ian says that they also exploited Android and Windows Mobile.

For listeners, call in now to schedule work at Youngstown Computer and get $20 off.

Joe D saw the new Adam Sandler movie last night. All during the movie he was noticing all the people texting during the movie. He wants to complain about using technology in inappropriate situations.

Adam tells about using wifi while getting an oil change. Joe D wants to sell that to businesses everywhere.


Segment 2

Joe D talks about the cash for clunkers program, the computer systems were being overwhelmed. Joe D explains how this happens, essentially systems can only handle so many requests at a time.

Caller 1
Q: got an old DOS program, need to have a new computer but I need to run that old program
A: we can set up the emulation for it.

Even though you might feel the need to stay with an old program, you should try to get up to a supported program that runs on modern OS. The problem is migrating the data in the old program into a new one.

Ian explains 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit: it is essentially how much memory the CPU can access.

Windows XP support will expand up to 2014. Next year Windows 2000 will go out of support. They announced this over a year ago.


Segment 3

Caller 2
Q: dell mini tower is not turning on after a power outage. It was turned off at the time.
A: sounds like the power supply.

Question from the chat room: when I booted up, it is asking me to choose an operating system. I don't understand what is happening? What is the BIOS? No hard drives seem to be installed in the system. Ian tries to explain what BIOS does. This sounds like a hard drive crash, or the BIOS configuration data was messed up so that it forgot it had a hard drive installed.

A jury fined another downloader. Pirate Bay is also sued again.

Joe D complains about mechanical mice. He says if you call in with an old mouse, Joe D will give you a new one.


Segment 4

Caller 3
Q: wants to partition a hard drive to install a MAC operating system. so I can learn how to use final cut pro
A: Ian explains how to do a "hackintosh". First, you have to shrink your existing partition. Make sure you do have a backup.

Q from chatroom: how do I get windows 98 to do a defrag? It doesn't want to run. Run scandisk first, then that will usually let you run defrag next.

Caller 4
Q: I am using magic jack, and I have an cell internet connection card. is there anything to do to keep it running while on the road?
A: nothing really

Caller 5
Q: getting a Windows Activation popup in Vista. what does this mean?
A: You can activate over the phone. it sounds like your product key got marked as being illegitimate.

Caller 6
Q: want to download a flash video off of the web
A: it is tricky, it depends on the site. it is helpful if you can get the original source of the video (it is an internal company video). Otherwise search for flash video extractors.

Joe D talks about Google Wave. He sees potential, but doesn't see people switching over.