This month's newsletter will give you some strange (maybe startling) information and a couple of hints on password problems.
Easter Eggs
Have you heard of computer software "Easter Eggs"? Whether you have or not, here is a link to explore. Easter Eggs Do you think Easter Eggs are good clean fun, dangerous baggage, or just a waste of time. Please leave us your comments on in the guest book.
CDROMs
Most of us use compact disks quite often. There are several different "formats" for these disks, but they all store data in a similar manner. Each disk stores data in pits on a thin layer just beneath the label surface. The information is retrieved by shining a highly focused laser onto this layer and reading the resulting variations. Anything that affects the way the laser functions can cause troubles with reading a CD. Let me give a few examples. We all know fingerprints and scratches can cause problems on the shiny side of the disk. This obviously would blur the laser's focus. CD cleaning kits work quite well. Even a soft cloth will work. NEVER clean a CD by moving the cloth in a circular motion. The data on the disk is stored in concentric circles. Slight radial (from center to outside) scratches have little effect on the information, since correction information is usually encoded with the data. If a portion of a concentric track is destroyed, however, the data correction information may also be lost and the CD will skip or error. Polishing kits will help resolve this problem. Another, seldom mentioned problem comes from the TOP (label) side of the CD. As I mentioned previously, the data is stored EXTREMELY close to the label surface. Dents, scratches, etc. on this surface may not be visible at all, yet can destroy the pits that contain the information. Be VERY careful when writing on a CD. I use a Sharpie marker with good results. If a CD is damaged on the label side, it is rarely repairable. Coloring the top of the CD with a blue marker will sometimes make it usable again. Music CDs, data/software CDs, and even Playstation games all have these same limitations. Playstation games, even though they are black, still are transparent to the laser. They can even be viewed in most computer CDROM drives. (You cannot play the game, though, since the software is designed for a different operating system and processor.)
Password trouble hints...
Microsoft Networking keeps most user password information stored in the Windows folder in *.pwl files. If you forget your Windows password, or it doesn't work, just delete the file with your user name and the pwl extension. (Use Start-Find-File and search for *.pwl.) For other password problems, go to the Windows control panel and double click on the Password icon. You can change both Windows and Novell passwords from there.
SPECIAL
!!! A NEW parallel port IOMEGA
ZIP100 drive. This is THE standard 100 megabyte capacity drive and
is perfect for moving those large files or saving those graphics.
Normally costing at least $99.95, I am selling one unit to the first client
to email me at MRingCNE@aol.com wanting it for only $69.95 (plus tax).
Our processor fan deal is still on... D & M Electronics, Inc. will sell you a replacement ball bearing (the best one, NOT sleeve bearings) Pentium Processor fan. (for a typical Pentium chip) for only $4.95 if you mention this newsletter. This is a $10.00 savings over Radio Shack's $14.95. This offer is good as long as supplies last and does not include installation. (We have several dozen in stock.)
That's it for this month... if you have a topic you would like me to discuss, just email me!
Until next time... Happy Computing !
Past Newsletters
To get more information or to FAX us: call 1-315-583-5513 or send e-mail
to us at mringcne@aol.com.