Random Question Thread: Tech

[FailureMidgard]

No idea if anyone has a clue as to what's causing this, but it's starting to get on my nerves...

Occasionally Firefox will stop responding. The top will say (Not responding) in the titlebar and the cursor will turn into the windows blue doughnut thing that it does when it's processing. It remains locked for 1-2minutes max, after which it begins to function normally again. There's no rhyme or reason as to when it does it, it's not specific sites, etc. I've tried googling and tried the following:
-Allowing, then disabling Windows Firewall.
-Removing all plugins except NoScript and FireFTP.
-Defragmenting.

I'm currently running Firefox 7.0.1 on Windows 7 Home Premium w/ SP1.

Any help/advice would be appreciated. Sorry if I didn't include enough information, not entirely sure what all is relevant.

[hey]

How often does it happen? Did it start happening after upgrading firefox, or any other major changes on your computer? Have you tried reinstalling it? When it happens, is firefox using an unusually large amount of memory?

Also, it may or not help, but i highly recommend upgrading to firefox 10 (http://nightly.mozilla.org/), as it is quite a bit better.

[FailureMidgard]

How often does it happen?

Sometimes it'll be 1-2 hrs between occurrences, other times it will be 20-30minutes. It's happening quite frequently.

Did it start happening after upgrading firefox, or any other major changes on your computer?

Not that I'm aware of. I can't even place an exact date on when it started, but I haven't made any large changes to my computer at all recently.

Have you tried reinstalling it?

Yes, sorry, should have included that. Didn't fix it.

When it happens, is firefox using an unusually large amount of memory?

Can check to be sure next time it happens, but not as far as I know. If I just tab to a different program, it seems to run perfectly fine.

Also, it may or not help, but i highly recommend upgrading to firefox 10 (http://nightly.mozilla.org/), as it is quite a bit better.

May give it a shot, thanks. If it fixes this, it's worth it regardless of other possible improvements.

[avelle]

Something with the latest Firefox build pissed me off several weeks ago so I switched to nightly as well. It's worked so well ever since that I haven't bothered going back to the regular version.

[Caiyuo]

I tried the nightly and liked it with exception to genuinely having some extensions broken (not just compatibility versions) and that the plugin container completely shits its pants when browsing anything similar to the youtube thread where it has to load a lot of videos, prior to even playing anything. You could try the beta first in version 8 to see if it fixes your problem and then step up to nightly if it still lingers.

Also I'd recommend backing up your firefox profile prior to any of this on the chance that anything gets screwed up in that regard or if you end up needing to create a new one. I generally create a new, separate profile for betas/nightlys and just copy over the files that contain bookmarks, passwords, history, preferences and tabs.

[Caiyuo]

Anyone have an opinion on wireless headphones meant for use with TV? Preferably something that would support multiple sets. Not really an audiophile and kind of desperate since it's impossible for one or two to enjoy movies unless the entire house is empty

[FailureMidgard]

Well, switching to Nightly seems to have solved it...been about 5 hours now and it hasn't happened yet. Hopefully there's not compatibility issues with too many sites! At least it's functioning properly for now.

[Fereydoon]

So two questions, just finished putting together my new build, old crappy monitor is VGA, GPU only has DVI/Display Port/HDMI, I assume there's some type of converter, but quick searching has failed. Looking for one in Best Buy/Staples etc.

Case has two fans, but Mobo only seems to have one slot for fans, manual said so too, either, how would I plug in both, or which would be more beneficial? Back or Front?

Edit: would this work? http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...howFullReviews

[Jojimbo]

You can just get one of the $2 dvi -> vga adapters from amazon rather than pay $15

As for the fans, you can get leads that let you connect fans directly to the psu (assuming that the fans dont already have them), you just want fan -> molex adapter

[Fereydoon]

You can just get one of the $2 dvi -> vga adapters from amazon rather than pay $15

As for the fans, you can get leads that let you connect fans directly to the psu (assuming that the fans dont already have them), you just want fan -> molex adapter

Mostly don't want to wait for shipping after already having done so. xD The Radio Shack one would work though, right?

New issue, the headphone jack on my case creates a static/white noise combo when I plug headphones in, you can still hear sounds though, any idea what/how to fix? The jack on the mobo works fine.

[hey]

Mostly don't want to wait for shipping after already having done so. xD The Radio Shack one would work though, right?

Yes, though overnight shipping would probably be cheaper than paying that.

[MarkM.]

Figured this was a good place to post as opposed to making a thread. I took an A+ cert. practice test online, and made about a 50% on it. Thinking about trying to get my cert., up until last week worked for a software co. as a field installer (installed the computers) and then train people on our software. Making a career change where I will have a lot of down time so I was thinking about trying to study to get A+ cert first. Any suggestions on a study guide?

[TacoTaru]

Are there any decent video editing programs for window? In college I got used to Final Cut Pro, but unfortunately I don't have a Mac. Freeware would be preferred, but I don't expect much so I'm wondering if I'm going to have to try to torrent something.

[Kerberoz]

If you're going to torrent, just go all out and grab the CS5.5 Master Collection. Has everything you'll need for video/audio/image/document/web/presentation editing.

[Bilopdop]

I am planning on picking up a new graphics card, would Newegg be a good place to order it, or is there a better place?

The only stores I can think of nearby to buy one would be Best Buy or Frys. Would either of those be a good option?

[hey]

I am planning on picking up a new graphics card, would Newegg be a good place to order it, or is there a better place?

The only stores I can think of nearby to buy one would be Best Buy or Frys. Would either of those be a good option?

Yes, though you may want to check amazon as well.

No.

[Kerberoz]

Wait 2 weeks for Black Friday sales.

[Fereydoon]

So, launch XIV, highish settings, GPU seems to flare up to ~65--70 degrees, Celsius if that matters, and the fan seems to audibly zoom, closing it fixes it after a little bit. Is that temp too high/is that supposed to happen? >_>

Edit: Running misc other programs, Firefox, Skype, iTunes, a pdf viewer.

[Jojimbo]

65-70 celsius is fine for modern GPUs and the fan is increasing simply because the card is getting hotter, not that it is too hot.

[hey]

So, launch XIV, highish settings, GPU seems to flare up to ~65--70 degrees, Celsius if that matters, and the fan seems to audibly zoom, closing it fixes it after a little bit. Is that temp too high/is that supposed to happen? >_>

Edit: Running misc other programs, Firefox, Skype, iTunes, a pdf viewer.

That's normal. Don't worry about before at least 80+.