EzDevInfo.com

Is there a tool that can detect (and if possible, fix) glitches in MP3 files?

My collection contains some MP3s which have some glitches like:

• displaying the wrong duration on loading
• minor jumps
• suddenly ending despite the duration claims another minute remaining
• noise

I'm looking for a tool that can detect as many of these glitches as possible and fix those that can be fixed (obviously e.g. noise can not simply be eliminated in most cases).

How can I repair a broken AVI file?

I have an .avi file that is about 110mb. When I try to play it with VLC Media Player it says something like "This file is broken. Attempt to repair?" and after it does its thing it is still unable to play it.

Is there any other software out there that can possibly get whatever video it can out of it? Maybe one that specializes on that sort of thing? I'm not very hopeful because I figured if anything could be played out of it VLC would have managed to do it, but I figured I'd give it a shot anyways...

How can I fix/repair a corrupted PDF file?

Does anyone have any recommendation or procedures for repairing a corrupt PDF? When I open the file I get "There was an error opening this document. the file is damaged and cannot be repaired." There seems to be a myriad of tools out there but none that I could describe as reputable. Are there any opensource linux based solutions for this possibly?

How to fix corrupted filesystem (shows as RAW) in USB device?

I would like to ask if you know how to fix a corrupted USB? I've tried the diskpart command but it didn't work. The media is write protected.

Do you have any idea that is much better? I need to fix it because I have important files in my flash drive. I really need to retrieve it.

I saw that the file system is seen as RAW and is unaccessible. I tried error checking, but it requires you to format it. I tried data recovery software but all files come out corrupted. My USB is Imation 4GB. Any suggestions?

XP Pro repair CD - does Pro/Home disc matter?

I'm trying to repair an XP Pro install using the repair cd. The issue is a corrupted registry. Following the MS help center instructions, I made a batch file to replace the registry.

It's not working. Does the CD need to match the edition and service pack of Windows on the disc?

How can I tell (retroactively, with no Windows access) what edition/sp is installed?

Any other ideas/thoughts? I am considering an upgrade install to Windows 7...

Thanks!

How to change microswitches (left/right "mouse button") on Logitech G700?

I already have the new microswitches (left and right mousebutton). Seems like the original ones are for 10 Million clicks, my new ones are for 20 M - OMRON D2FC-F-7N(20M). That's just for whoever searches this in the future.

So the mouse is open - you can find an how-to on ifixit!

I took off all screws on the boards. The upper board that has the microswitches on it seems to be still connected with the lower board via the 14 soldering joints in #3 in this picture:

This is how it looks from underneath:

So I'm asking myself.. Do I just have to pull a bit harder? Or do I have to unsolder the 14 points?

Thanks!

Repair Ubuntu installation

I accidently uninstalled (apt-get purge) lots of important system stuff, including gnome dekstop and whatever-is-responsible-for-internet-connetion, among other things. Is there any way to repair it? Without complete reinstall?

I can access it via command line (terminal) more or less normally. move, copy files, etc., just no apt-get install due to no internet connection. So I guess repairing internet would be first priority... Any way to check why it doesnt work and what needs to be done?

I do have LiveCD I can boot from. So I can manually copy neccessary files from it, if any.

Thanks in advance for your help

Edit: after I boot from my LiveCD I can use internet, however, as soon as I chroot into real filesystem, I cannot use internet from there. Guess it's how expected to work...

Edit 2: how I fixed it: with the help of people here, I finally did it. I booted from liveCD, copied /etc/resolv.conf to real installation, chrooted there, apt-get install ubuntu-desktop. While installation failed due to many errors, files got downloaded into real installation nevertheless. So I rebooted machine from live cd into real ubuntu, and this time while I still had no internet, apt-get had ubuntu-desktop cached. So I installed ubuntu-desktop and rebooted with GUI this time. After some minor manual fixes (ifupdown managed) I got wireless working too, now it's only a matter of auto-updates etc., with synaptic. Phew.... thanks again everybody :) Special thanks to ~quack who didnt provide any "formal" answer I could formally accept, but was the most helpfull with comments :)

Live tools for hard disk check, repair and reformat

In the old days, I had a floppy with CHCKDSK and other tools for checking hard disk failures, repairing them and, if necessary, reformating them. I recently tried to reinstall XP on an old computer, but got errors related to the hard disk. The XP installation CD can't handle it, so I need something more powerful.

Anybody can advise on a set of live tools on a bootable CD-ROM for advanced disk management (checking, repairing, reformating in NTFS, partitioning,...) Especially the NTFS is bugging me.

I've checked this question, but the answer isn't what I'm looking for.

Dell u2311h Monitor gone bad, which capacitors do I replace?

I have 3 u2311h monitors in an eyefinity setup. For aesthetic purposes, I do not want to replace the faulty one with a newer u2312hm. The problem with the faulty one is as follows:

For the past few weeks, when I turn it on, it flashes the screen (ps3, windows 7, whatever is connected) for a few seconds then turns black. Turning it off and on a few times and if im lucky, it sticks and works properly. Recently however, it never stayed on and always went black. I have read online that its a sign of faulty capacitors.

I have opened the monitor and there are two pcbs. One for the main power connector and one for the vga, dvi, usb etc. I cant for the life of my identify any capacitors that look faulty based on "spot a faulty cap" guides on the internet. None of them look bloated :/

I am fairly proficient with a soldering iron so I am confident I can replace any parts of the board. Am I going along the right tracks here or is this problem nothing to do with the capacitors? Also if it is to do with the caps, which ones do I replace? Ones on the power board, or the other board? or both?

Thanks

Edit: I have replaced all the small caps but unfortunately the same problem was still there. I didnt replace the massive cap on the board as an oversight. I have just ordered a new replacement powerboard anyway so that should do the trick.

Can Windows 7 be repaired to run with new motherboard?

I have HP computer and it came with Windows Vista. It also had an option to upgrade to Windows 7 via upgrade disc. I have upgraded to Windows 7 via the special upgrade disc (It is special because it will only allow to install Windows 7 if Vista is already installed.

My motherboard recently died. I just replaced it and Windows 7 will not start up. It reboots and sometimes gives a blue screen of death. Very similar problem as described in this post: Unexpected replacement of motherboard now windows 7 won't boot. Windows will not boot into normal or safe mode. Start up repair from system repair disc does not fix the problem. However, "Can I run my win7 on another machine with different motherboard?" post on superuser describes that it should be possible to run Windows 7 on a new motherboard.

Is it hopeless to find a way to repair Windows 7 and I need to do a clean install? Is there a difference for repair options between OEM and retail versions of Windows 7? I remember doing this type of repair just fine in Windows XP days, so why am I unable to do so with Windows 7 - is it Microsoft or HP's fault? Should I stop buying HP computers or should I switch to Ubuntu?

Remove Possible Smoke Damage from a Desktop Computer

I had a fire in my house last week.

I have several home brew computers that look like they have not received any actual fire or water damage. I've heard that the acidic qualities of the smoke may also be an issue for the components of computers.

Before applying power and starting the for the first time, I am considering giving each machine a thorough cleaning by breaking them down to their components and cleaning them with denatured alcohol. I plan on dabbing each connection using foam swabs and then patting dry with pure white paper towel. I also plan on replacing the heat transfer paste between the CPUs and heat sink/fans. The primary goal is to avoid having to invest in a new computer at this time. The secondary goal is to retrieve data.

Does anyone have any better ideas or suggestions for long-term success?

What causes Mac OS X Permission errors?

This is out of interest rather then looking for a fix to a problem.

What actually causes permissions on Mac OS X Systems to become messed up? Its an easily fixed problem (i.e. there's a quick and easy fix via Disk Utility) but its something I'd encountered a few times doing support in a Mac-reseller store without actually understanding the causes.

I'd guess that part of it is due to some applications not playing nicely, but what else might be the source of this issue?

Holding down the power button on a PC while disconnected from power

Many times I would call tech support, and they would say turn off the laptop (take out the battery, hold down the power button, and try turning it back on. I have always wondered what purpose this serves. I recently read a article specifying for mac computers that this resets the SMC. Does doing this with a windows PC have the same effect? Is there a SMC inside all computers? What effect does this action have on non mac pcs? Is it the same for desktops?

Which Linux LiveCD is best in general use for fixing windows boxes?

Story:
At our University, the tech help desk is decidedly low-tech. Virus outbreaks are frequent and users, of course, haven't backed up. Recently I pulled out a Linux LiveCD (Mint 8 for the curious) in order to manually remove some virus executables. The other people working the desk were impressed. However I was just using a general purpose LiveCD. Since this comes up frequently, I've been thinking about having a general-issue LiveCD for any of our not-so-technically-inclined consultants to use.

Question:
For our not-so-technically-inclined help-desk workers, which relatively easy-to-use "Repair and Rescue" free-to-use Live CD would in your humble opinion work best for this problem?

We're looking specifically for:

• File Recovery
• Virus Detection/Removal
• Registry Repair
  

and of course

• relatively user friendly (GUI?)

How to troubleshoot a computer not booting up when powered on?

I can turn on my computer and sometimes it will boot up just fine. After a while of use, days or even a week, when I try to turn it on, it powers up, in that the fans spins up, the power indicator light at the front comes on (although orange, it is usually green), but it will not boot, the screen remains black and never comes on.

If I leave it for a couple days, and try it again, it comes back on, and the cycle starts over.

I have no parts for that computer that I can currently swap out to test. I have tried removing the RAM or using one stick to see if it would get any further in the process, but to no avail.

I suspect I may have a motherboard or power supply problem.

What could cause a situation like this and are there any solutions?

Edit: There is no beeping when it boots, the only thing that happens is the fans spin up and the power indicator comes on orange.