Computer assistance, please

Post by **mtmynd** » January 7th, 2009, 12:16 pm

Whenever I run a video on my Dell the damn thing pauses... stutters with its visuals while the sound is no problem.

I have done various things to correct the problem and nothing I've done seems to work... defragged, updated flash, updates on everything I have that had updates, ran virus program, ran spyware prog, cleaned the 'everything' any prog will clean... anything left?

Any suggestions?

Post by **Doreen Peri** » January 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm

Sounds like a connection problem or a memory problem.

I did a quick search and found this
http://ask.metafilter.com/38852/Improve ... ube-Videos

If that doesn't help, try googling for similar advice.

Hope you can get them running more smoothly!

Post by **Lightning Rod** » January 7th, 2009, 1:02 pm

sometimes computers respond to tough love
like any mechanical device, maybe a good whack would help

or you could try the gentle approach, scented candles, soft words etc

and sometimes computers, being much like women, will respond to the confusion tactic, keep turning them off and then turning them on

I hope I have been some help

Post by **Doreen Peri** » January 7th, 2009, 2:27 pm

Lightning Rod wrote:tc
and sometimes computers, being much like women, will respond to the confusion tactic, keep turning them off and then turning them on

Computers are unlike women in this respect. Turning off the computer does sometimes help make it respond better when you turn it back on. But when you turn a woman off, you run a huge risk of not being able to turn her on again at all. So, turn the computer off and back on again, yes. But just keep the woman turned on.

lol

(you're a funny guy, Mr. Lightning.)

Post by **Lightning Rod** » January 7th, 2009, 2:31 pm

much like computers, women turn themselves on and off

Post by **Doreen Peri** » January 7th, 2009, 2:38 pm

I've never known a computer to do that. Hmmm... I thought you used a Mac.

Women, though... very true.

Post by **Lightning Rod** » January 7th, 2009, 3:09 pm

but I call my computer Apple Pie

she likes that

Post by **mtmynd** » January 7th, 2009, 4:14 pm

thx, doreen. i just might have a memory shortage, something i definitely can relate to in my waning years. whenever i try to recall an incident within my memory, the images shake along as if the speed of memory outruns the capability of my memory banks to digest the full moments that are being recalled.

...and thanks eLRod, you've been a wonderful assist.- slap my dell up side of the cpu then turn it on and turn it off using the persuasions of a most macho male in hopes the now female genderized dell will fall madly in love with its owner and never fail him in any way whatsoever. much like i did with my present wife.

Post by **Lightning Rod** » January 7th, 2009, 7:11 pm

no problem, cec
I usually charge for tech support
but in your case, it's a freebie

Post by **mtmynd** » January 7th, 2009, 7:34 pm

good man, CB... seeing as i'm on a fixed income... and it weren't fixed by me.

Post by **Lightning Rod** » January 7th, 2009, 7:36 pm

at least you have a fixed income
I have a nixed income

Post by **mtmynd** » January 7th, 2009, 8:42 pm

nixed, eh? worst kind. i've been nixed many a time but never without something to show for it, no matter how embarrassing.

which is pretty much what this post has come to - a nixed affair.

Post by **Doreen Peri** » January 7th, 2009, 9:00 pm

Cecil, I think memory upgrades are pretty inexpensive these days. But short of that, I liked the advice on the link I found where someone suggested letting the video stream in entirely first, prior to playing it. Try that. It definitely sounds like it should work.

Post by **one of those jerks** » January 8th, 2009, 7:36 am

If the computer is only three years old I think the hardware should be sufficient to run videos. But memory is cheap and easy to install. You would have to know if you have an available slot to put the memory in and also what type of memory your computer takes. DDR, DDR2 or whatever.

That service tag number you sent me was not correct. If you can locate the service tag number you can punch it in to the Dell support site and it will tell you what is inside your computer. If you right click on the My Computer icon and then click on Properties it will tell you what kind of CPU and how much memory you have.

My computer hangs on when playing a video sometimes but not all the time and I have a gigabyte of Ram.

If you send me the service tag number I will check it out and see what you have. Memory is like twenty five bucks a stick. But there is no point in buying memory till you know if you have an available slot.

It could also be an issue with the "driver" for you video card. You should be able to download the latest video driver from Dell. But again you will need the correct service tag number.

Have you tried pausing the video till it downloads completely?.

Also I thought you said the sound plays but the video stutters. That is very strange. I can't figure that. Maybe it is a video card problem.

Send me the service tag, not the number you sent. I think it is black label with white letters on the side or back panel of the computer. It should look something like this. 1C5X851

Post by **mtmynd** » January 8th, 2009, 1:43 pm

i did a dell automated pc tune up yesterday. the report gave me a service tag number that might be what is needed. (chk ur pm)

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Computer assistance, please

Computer assistance, please

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