Old Laptop New Hoster

[Anita]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

How much memory does it have and what is the processor speed? These could be causing your drop-outs if there is not enough memory. Have you tried defragmenting your C: drive? That could help as the less fragmentation the faster the loading of programs and files.
The larger files mean less compression, so actually the larger size is better as long as you have enough hard drive space for them. I don't think there is anything wrong in the files themselves causing the drop-outs. It would have to be either the sound card or the amount of memory and processor speed. You could check and see (when you are looking for the battery) if they have any driver updates for that laptop.
For volume control if you are talking about the speaker icon in the task bar that is missing, then go to the Control Panel\Sounds and Audio Devices. In that window there is a check box for "Place Volume Control in Task Bar." If it is checked uncheck it hit the Apply button then check it again and hit the Apply again and that should put it back.

Dale...
I will try the Sounds and Audio Devices... for the Volume control... And My brother and I both think also that it is about the Memory... I have plenty of space on my hard drive now.. left.. Hard drive is either working or not.. LOL. so it is working.. for now.. The sound Card.. I'm not sure how to check that... I read somewhere that someone bought a USB sound card .... I did not know there was such a thing.... Is there a test for the sound card? I'm going to go ahead and get more memory.. so if it is bad.. or not.. I will have more.. I can only get up to one gig.. I have half of that now.. so that should help..

Thanks again,
Anita

[Anita]

Originally Posted by Anita

Dale...
I will try the Sounds and Audio Devices... for the Volume control... And My brother and I both think also that it is about the Memory... I have plenty of space on my hard drive now.. left.. Hard drive is either working or not.. LOL. so it is working.. for now.. The sound Card.. I'm not sure how to check that... I read somewhere that someone bought a USB sound card .... I did not know there was such a thing.... Is there a test for the sound card? I'm going to go ahead and get more memory.. so if it is bad.. or not.. I will have more.. I can only get up to one gig.. I have half of that now.. so that should help..

Thanks again,
Anita

I also have another question.. If you were to buy another computer... Just to run... Hoster in ... what computer would it be?

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Anita

Dale...
I will try the Sounds and Audio Devices... for the Volume control... And My brother and I both think also that it is about the Memory... I have plenty of space on my hard drive now.. left.. Hard drive is either working or not.. LOL. so it is working.. for now.. The sound Card.. I'm not sure how to check that... I read somewhere that someone bought a USB sound card .... I did not know there was such a thing.... Is there a test for the sound card? I'm going to go ahead and get more memory.. so if it is bad.. or not.. I will have more.. I can only get up to one gig.. I have half of that now.. so that should help..

Thanks again,
Anita

Go to the Prostar website and click on Support, then click on Driver Download and choose the model laptop you have. That will list the drivers available.
You should be able to order your memory directly from them too. Laptop memory cards are not the same as desktop memory, so it is best to order directly from them.
A lot of people don't realize that you need to keep the C: drive between 50% - 75% for the computer to operate at optimal speed.

Originally Posted by Anita

I also have another question.. If you were to buy another computer... Just to run... Hoster in ... what computer would it be?

I really can't recommend a laptop as I won't use one and I build my own micro desktop computers (I use Shuttle type of cases for size). I know that most I hear about on here are Dells and HPs. When you are looking make sure the video is capable of dual/extended desktop so the lyrics display will show on a secondary TV/monitor. Memory should be a minimum of 1 GB. I would highly recommend pushing for them to give you XP rather than Vista. There have been too many problems with Vista and MTU has basically washed their hands of it until Microsoft gets all the bugs out of it.

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

(I use Shuttle type of cases for size)

Dale,
Like you I do not use a laptop. I'm looking into building a small portible back-up computer this year. What Shuttle case model so you use?

Thanks

Jim

[bobcox- with the Lord]

Dell inspiron 9300 with nvidia 6800 go video card, $500.00 on ebay.
best video card i have seen anywhere.

indigo pcmia sound card, stay away from soundblaster.
They do cause problems with windows. Bob

[Anita]

Originally Posted by bobcox

Dell inspiron 9300 with nvidia 6800 go video card, $500.00 on ebay.
best video card i have seen anywhere.

indigo pcmia sound card, stay away from soundblaster.
They do cause problems with windows. Bob

Bob:
I found a couple of HP laptops wondering if you think they would work
15.4. WXGA Notebook Intel Centrino T5550
1.83 GHZ Core 2 duo Processor
4GB Memory 250GB hard drive
lightscribe DVD /R/RW webcam... don't need the web cam..
Vista..-which I would switch over to XP
model #dv6839cl


The other is HP 17" WXGA notebook amd turion TL-62
2.10GHz Dual core Processor
4GB memory 250GB hard drive
lightscribe DVD/RW webcam
Vista..
MOdel Dv9827cl

Let me know what you think..
Thanks, Anita

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by madjim

Dale,
Like you I do not use a laptop. I'm looking into building a small portible back-up computer this year. What Shuttle case model so you use?

Thanks

Jim

I use one from Ultra Products (http://www.ultraproducts.com) called Micro Fly that is in the small cube size the same as the Shuttle but much cheaper. I get them from Altex (http://altex.com) here in Texas. They have a handle on the front and clear sides so you can add lighted fans and light strips to jazz it up.

[madjim- with the Lord]

Thanks Dale!

Jim

[muzicman144]

Originally Posted by madjim

Dale,
Like you I do not use a laptop. I'm looking into building a small portible back-up computer this year. What Shuttle case model so you use?

Thanks

Jim

Jim, I bought a used Shuttle XPC SN51G, 1.8 GHZ, 1024 Memory, nvivia video card w/RCA-S-video out, 200GB Hard Drive, Soundblaster Sound Card, immaculant condition, for $118.99. Added another 200gb hard drive. It is fast and clean, now I use my laptop for a backup. Although they mostly go for about $200-300. $300 wil get you a nice little Shuttle. Go the Shuttle Webpage for info on build one to your own specifications.
muzicman

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

Jim, I bought a used Shuttle XPC SN51G, 1.8 GHZ, 1024 Memory, nvivia video card w/RCA-S-video out, 200GB Hard Drive, Soundblaster Sound Card, immaculant condition, for $118.99. Added another 200gb hard drive. It is fast and clean, now I use my laptop for a backup. Although they mostly go for about $200-300. $300 wil get you a nice little Shuttle. Go the Shuttle Webpage for info on build one to your own specifications.
muzicman

Will do, thanks!

Jim

[Anita]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Go to the Prostar website and click on Support, then click on Driver Download and choose the model laptop you have. That will list the drivers available.
You should be able to order your memory directly from them too. Laptop memory cards are not the same as desktop memory, so it is best to order directly from them.
A lot of people don't realize that you need to keep the C: drive between 50% - 75% for the computer to operate at optimal speed.

I really can't recommend a laptop as I won't use one and I build my own micro desktop computers (I use Shuttle type of cases for size). I know that most I hear about on here are Dells and HPs. When you are looking make sure the video is capable of dual/extended desktop so the lyrics display will show on a secondary TV/monitor. Memory should be a minimum of 1 GB. I would highly recommend pushing for them to give you XP rather than Vista. There have been too many problems with Vista and MTU has basically washed their hands of it until Microsoft gets all the bugs out of it.

You have been the most helpful person ever on here.. Thanks so much for the advice... Most all of my files are on my C drive.. Maybe I should switch to the D drive.. or expand... maybe I could just use them on an external.. Also... My ram is only 512... So that is another thing... That is what I thought about the memory also.. I might try with moving my files.. I have not put all of my files in yet even.. LOL.. But it is a good point.. Because it seemed to get worse as I was putting in all my KMA files..

Thanks again.. Hope you are having a great day..
Anita

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by Anita

I read somewhere that someone bought a USB sound card .... I did not know there was such a thing....

Thanks again,
Anita

Sound blaster makes a couple. The newer ones only have optical out or an 1/8th inch jack, the older ones have RCA outs. About the size of 2 decks of cards side by side. I caught a sale direct from SB on the older ones and bought 3 for $50 shipped. I don't use the disk (just throw it in a drawer) XP recognized and setup in about 30sec. Nice clean sound. It is USB powered which eliminates any potential hum from the venue's bad wiring or neon transformers.

I also have used a small USB that looks about the size of a thumb drive(no name china brand). Not quite as clean, but better than the headphone jack.

I use them on desktop and backup laptop.