Calling all geeks: Now Including Tech-o-Wienies!

[LouisEly]

With the update to Firefox 49 I can no longer login to sbnation websites. I had saved sbnation as an exception for allowing cookies but it appears that got deleted. I have tried adding sbnation.com and have saved it, but still cannot login to those websites. I can login with IE, but not Firefox. Firefox is, and was before the update, set to allowing 3rd party cookies only from websites visited.

 

Either that, or someone has banned me because I said that Hornibrook has "sub-par" arm strength.

[logan82]

Try setting it to always instead.

[GAME05]

Can anyone recommend a good modem/router combo? My computer and Playstation are on a wired connection, but I use wi-fi internet radio at night.

 

I'm only guessing my current one got fried somehow because I'm only getting 1/10th the speeds I should be.

[logan82]

I would start by talking to your internet company. There may be problems with the line. If you want a modem recommendation you would have to specify if you have cable or DSL internet. You could also just have Ethernet ports to your wall which means you wouldn't need a modem, just a router.

[GAME05]

I have DSL, and a dedicated port for it. Or at least I think it's a dedicated Ethernet port because it goes directly to the box outside and it only has the one connection going to the modem/router. That means I only need a router? If it matters the one I got from CenturyLink is a Zyxel C100z.

 

The technicians have been to my place a bunch of times. I guess I'm a good distance from the junction box (or something) which hurts connection. I understand dropping out in storms, but dropping to 0.2 Megs every night is irksome. I've debated jumping up to the 20 Meg service from 8, but I have this feeling that I'll just be paying more and getting the exact same speeds.

[1992casey]

The model that comes up in a search is ZyXEL C1100Z Modem, which appears to include both a modem and WiFi. As Logan says, I think I'd start by calling your provider and seeing what they say. There might be a diagnostic procedure that the tech support person can run.

 

In the meantime, you can go to speedtest.net and see what kind of result you're getting. That may be useful to the techie.

[jerichoholicninja]

After 8 years I've finally decided to retire my MacBook. The trackpad barely works, half of the screen flickers, the internet loads so slowly it might as well be dial up, and I haven't gotten an update in about 3 years. Where will I find the lowest price on a new one? From Apple? Amazon? I don't even remember where I bought my current one.

[stalton]

I bought some cheap older surround sound speakers at a charity auction and when I got home noticed that it has a VGA (15 pin connection) That makes no sense to me considering I thought VGA was video only. It does say "to DVD" next to the port on the subwoofer. My TV doesn't have VGA nor HDMI. What am I missing? Both literally and figuratively.

[Baldkin]

I bought some cheap older surround sound speakers at a charity auction and when I got home noticed that it has a VGA (15 pin connection) That makes no sense to me considering I thought VGA was video only. It does say "to DVD" next to the port on the subwoofer. My TV doesn't have VGA nor HDMI. What am I missing? Both literally and figuratively.

 

Is it Phillips? I bet it's Phillips....

 

Some older (stupid) items were sold bundled with a DVD player, and to be cheap they would use a VGA 15-pin cable to go from the DVD player to the Subwoofer/speaker setup.

 

It's a pretty awful setup, as you're required then to run everything through the DVD player to get sound out of the sound system.

 

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/cpindex.pl?ctn=HTS3450/37&dct=QAC&faqview=1&refdisplay=AVS_HTS_031&refnr=0006801&scy=GB&slg=ENG

[stalton]

I bought some cheap older surround sound speakers at a charity auction and when I got home noticed that it has a VGA (15 pin connection) That makes no sense to me considering I thought VGA was video only. It does say "to DVD" next to the port on the subwoofer. My TV doesn't have VGA nor HDMI. What am I missing? Both literally and figuratively.

 

Is it Phillips? I bet it's Phillips....

 

Some older (stupid) items were sold bundled with a DVD player, and to be cheap they would use a VGA 15-pin cable to go from the DVD player to the Subwoofer/speaker setup.

 

It's a pretty awful setup, as you're required then to run everything through the DVD player to get sound out of the sound system.

 

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/cpindex.pl?ctn=HTS3450/37&dct=QAC&faqview=1&refdisplay=AVS_HTS_031&refnr=0006801&scy=GB&slg=ENG

 

You're absolutely spot on being a Phillips. I'll try hooking it through the DVD player and I'll see what happens.

[1992casey]

After 8 years I've finally decided to retire my MacBook. The trackpad barely works, half of the screen flickers, the internet loads so slowly it might as well be dial up, and I haven't gotten an update in about 3 years. Where will I find the lowest price on a new one? From Apple? Amazon? I don't even remember where I bought my current one.

Watch the articles on Appleinsider for deals. You can frequently save a couple hundred dollars (or more, depending on model), get free shipping, bypass sales tax, and get about $50 off on AppleCare.

 

If you scroll down, you can locate expired offers to get an idea of how they work and how good the deals have been. Then watch for new offers and take advantage when you think the time is right.

[CheezWizHed]

Anyone with recent experience on the new windows 2-in-1 laptop/tablets? I'm looking at Dell Inspiron 15 7000 vs HP Specter x360? But I'm concerned about how the hinges hold up.

[GAME05]

I stream sports and Netflix through my computer, and I am curious if it is possible for a television to get wifi or bluetooth and display whatever is on my computer remotely. I know I could probably do it with Netflix, but what about internet sites?

 

I'm curious because I'm thinking of turning an empty bedroom into a dedicated place to drink and smoke cigars, but I'm thinking I might get bored if there's no sports to watch. I do everything through the computer and don't have cable, and can't really run a line to that room.

[billymac]

[i stream sports and Netflix through my computer, and I am curious if it is possible for a television to get wifi or bluetooth and display whatever is on my computer remotely. I know I could probably do it with Netflix, but what about internet sites?

 

I'm curious because I'm thinking of turning an empty bedroom into a dedicated place to drink and smoke cigars, but I'm thinking I might get bored if there's no sports to watch. I do everything through the computer and don't have cable, and can't really run a line to that room.

 

Check this site out, HDMI cable from computer to tv is the easiest way of you have an hdmi port on your video card, but there are other options

https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.neweggbusiness.com/over-easy/5-ways-stream-pc-tv-digital-display/amp/?client=safari

[stalton]

I bought some cheap older surround sound speakers at a charity auction and when I got home noticed that it has a VGA (15 pin connection) That makes no sense to me considering I thought VGA was video only. It does say "to DVD" next to the port on the subwoofer. My TV doesn't have VGA nor HDMI. What am I missing? Both literally and figuratively.

 

Is it Phillips? I bet it's Phillips....

 

Some older (stupid) items were sold bundled with a DVD player, and to be cheap they would use a VGA 15-pin cable to go from the DVD player to the Subwoofer/speaker setup.

 

It's a pretty awful setup, as you're required then to run everything through the DVD player to get sound out of the sound system.

 

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/cpindex.pl?ctn=HTS3450/37&dct=QAC&faqview=1&refdisplay=AVS_HTS_031&refnr=0006801&scy=GB&slg=ENG

 

Well life made me wait until today to install this speakers. I picked up a VGA to HDMI adapter for my Phillips DVD player. I figured I'd try to play a DVD before I reroute everything through it. I have zilch coming out of all the new speakers and subwoofer. There's no power light on any of the speakers so I can't even tell if they are powered our not. Suggestions?

[GAME05]

Thanks, Billymac. After looking into it more, it appears there are Wireless HDMI transmitters and receivers, and my computer does have a second HDMI output. It would appear that as long as the signal goes about 30' through one wall, that I would just need a television with an HDMI input, and I'm sure those exist.

 

Now of course there's that issue of whether it would be of value to me enough to pay several hundred dollars for the transmitter and television.

[Invader3K]

that I would just need a television with an HDMI input, and I'm sure those exist.

 

Yep, you can find them here and there.

[Baldkin]

I stream sports and Netflix through my computer, and I am curious if it is possible for a television to get wifi or bluetooth and display whatever is on my computer remotely. I know I could probably do it with Netflix, but what about internet sites?

 

I'm curious because I'm thinking of turning an empty bedroom into a dedicated place to drink and smoke cigars, but I'm thinking I might get bored if there's no sports to watch. I do everything through the computer and don't have cable, and can't really run a line to that room.

 

You can Chromecast pretty much everything you'd view in a browser to your TV.

[rwa12]

Anyone with recent experience on the new windows 2-in-1 laptop/tablets? I'm looking at Dell Inspiron 15 7000 vs HP Specter x360? But I'm concerned about how the hinges hold up.

 

My wife bought an Asus one a few months ago. I can't say we use the tablet feature that often, but the hinges have had no issues as of yet. It's a nice machine.

[jerichoholicninja]

I'm thinking of getting wireless speakers for my office. Typically I listed to Pandora on my phone when I'm in there and that would be a lot easier than now when I have to take my phone somewhere out of the chords reach. I also have a record player I listen to sometimes and would like to play it through my new speakers. The record player has no wireless capabilities so can I make this work somehow?

[nate82]

I would think a receiver would be the best option. Bluetooth for Pandora and the wired for the record player.

 

Is this a home office?

[jerichoholicninja]

I would think a receiver would be the best option. Bluetooth for Pandora and the wired for the record player.

 

Is this a home office?

 

Yes.

[DHonks]

The wife doesn't like the Control4 thermostat we currently have, and wants me to look into a Nest. From reviews online, and given that we are both iOS users, it seems like we should go for the Ecobee3. It generally has better reviews, and is compatible with HomeKit. Does anyone have any experience with it?

[Invader3K]

The desktop PC I've had for about eight years finally went to pot, as the hard drive has completely failed. I have been using it exclusively for gaming, running an arcade cabinet (MAME) and also some Steam games (mostly Street Fighter IV and Pinball Arcade).

 

I want to get something new that can play modern newer games like Street Fighter V. It's so confusing though. Not really sure where to start or what to look for. No experience building a PC, so I think I'm probably more apt to go with something pre-built. Any ideas of what brands to look at, or what processors, etc?

[FVBrewerFan]

This is pretty reputable company for computers: