Category Archives: advice requested

Computer problems solved decisively.

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Turned out that the motherboard was defective from the start. A much better one and a new processor are now in place. I have very good friends who helped a great deal in this predicament.

Posted in advice requested | Tagged , | Comments Off on Computer problems solved decisively.

The happy end of the computer saga

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Oleg Volk

My friend Arli just drove up all the way from Memphis with a higher-end motherboard and processor, fixing my computer. Just in case, we tossed in an extra fan for the disk array and another for the video card. Everything … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 1 Comment

Computer is NOT fixed.

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Oleg Volk

We thought it was a problem with heat. Internal diagnostics were not accurate, and the fan setup was suboptimal. It took five hours of my friend’s time to figure that out. Computer ran for 45 minutes without failure by the … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 10 Comments

Computer reboots immediately after starting Windows (problem is presisting)

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I just clumsily pulled the main power cord from the battery/UPS, turning off the PC while it ran. Now it boots into Windows 7, and a few seconds later reboots. The first time it did so, it displayed a message … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 18 Comments

USB card reader connection drops repeatedly.

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Oleg Volk

For some reason, all three of my CF card readers drop connection while I try to transfer files from them. They do it with all five cards, all six USB2 and both USB3 ports — but this was a very … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 11 Comments

WordPress posts no longer copying to Livejournal. Why?

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Does anyone know how to fix the break in the propagation of these blog posts to LJ?

Posted in advice requested | 2 Comments

Loaner video camera needed.

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Oleg Volk

If anyone in Nashville has a current prosumer video camera and would be willing to let me try it out, please let me know. I’d like to figure out if the ergonomic advantages of a dedicated video camera would be … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | Tagged | Comments Off on Loaner video camera needed.

Alternatives to QuickBooks?

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I am looking for a simple program capable of downloading and consolidating credit card and bank transactions, to do simple accounting, including preparing data for tax forms. Has anyone successfully used open-source (such as GNUCash 2) accounting programs for these … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 10 Comments

Good news on the computer front

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Today, a friend installed the new video card (gifted by another friend) and the replacement power supply. He discovered that the old card controller was accidentally nudged into overclocking while we tried to do the opposite the last time. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Direct X problem?

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Tried to run a video card benchmark, got this message: 3DMark 11 has found DirectX 11 system files, but your graphics adapter reports that it supports only Direct X 10_1. 3DMark 11 requires both DirectX 11 system files and DirectX 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 7 Comments

Computer issues, revisited. Suggestions welcome.

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Oleg Volk

The entire computer was built in late June, with all new components. Symptoms: * Random crashes/reboots, typically at idle * Blue Screen STO Error 0x00000124 [fixed by disabling Aero and GPU overclocking, possibly aided by BIOS update] * Random hard freezes, … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 19 Comments

Strange Networked Blogs messages.

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Just got a message asking to request blog ownership confirmation from friends. I recall that was done back when I first syndicated the blog, but why now? Any ideas?

Posted in advice requested | 3 Comments

Please recommend a gelato maker

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I am looking for a way to make high-quality Italian style gelato at home. Would one of the roughly $300 machines sold on Amazon work for the purpose?

Posted in advice requested, food | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Computer self-diagnosed after another crash

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Oleg Volk

(click on images for more detail) The power supply is new, was replaced in July.

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 10 Comments

Coming to Dusseldorf, Germany

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I will be visiting Dusseldorf again in mid-September. If you live there and would like to connect during my trip, please let me know. I’d like to see more of the city that the brief look I had around last … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, author | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Computer freezing up again.

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Once two days ago. Twice yesterday. Three times so far today. Has to be physically unplugged for a few seconds before it will turn back on. Does it while idle or while in use. Always the same symptoms: the image … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 37 Comments

Question for my writer friends.

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Would Killer Nashville writer conference be worth-while for a beginner fantary/sci-fi writer?

Posted in advice requested, book | 7 Comments

WTB: mid-size sedan in Nashville, TN

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Oleg Volk

A close friend wants to buy a mid-size sedan (preferably Honda or Toyota). Price range $5-6,000. What can be reasonably expected at that price? Does anyone know of specific recommended vehicles for sale.

Posted in advice requested | 8 Comments

Photo backdrops need. Where to get them?

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I am looking for several sheets, preferably 4ftx6ft: black acrylic galvanized metal dark, weathered wood or plywood I need to have them ASAP, no later than Wednesday evening. Not sure where to look for these items, my inquiry at the … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 13 Comments

More computer problems. (Update) FIXED.

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I had my computer re-built and upgraded — new motherboard, processor, case, fans…and it ran great for a little over a week. My house line got improved and I have a dedicated 20amp circuit just for the computer and the … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 24 Comments