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    Highlighting active application on dual monitor setup...

    I have set the active window to have a red outline and it works for my cmd windows. (I'm using Windows XP.) However it doesn't work with applications like Firefox and Vim.
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    Highlighting active application on dual monitor setup...

    Sorry this question obviously wasn't worded clearly: When I have applications up on each screen I sometimes lose track of which one is the active application. I am looking for a utility or configuration tip that would highlight or outline the active application. I'm thinking of...
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    Highlighting active application on dual monitor setup...

    Hi all, I am a recent dual-monitor setup convert (and loving it). The one annoyance is remembering which application is currently active when closing windows. Is there a utility that would outline or highlight the active application to make it obvious? Thanks, Mark.
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    Need Video Card Recommendation

    Ankorishaan: I'll certainly take you up on that advice. Someone locally is going to sell me a 6600GT for $85 so I'm going to take it. I can always upgrade later when the prices come down on the next gen cards. No HDR for me... but I'll live. Mark.
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    Need Video Card Recommendation

    potato28: I've read a bit about unlocking pipes on Nvidia cards but don't know a lot about it. Once unlocked, what will the performance of this 6800 card be like? It supports HDR, right? Mark.
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    Need Video Card Recommendation

    To throw a bit of a wrench in the works... my 4200 Ti is fanless (I'm using the following Zalman heatsink: ZM80A-HP) Noise is a concern to me. Looks like I will not be able to mount the heatsink on a 6600 or 6800 card. Which cards run cool and quiet? Thanks, Mark.
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    Need Video Card Recommendation

    Thanks for the advice. I was browsing Newegg and the only two AGP X850XT cards were over $300. There were PCI Express cards for around $200 but I can't budget a new MB. I am thinking that HDR is out of my price range, although the light effects are tempting. Mark.
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    Need Video Card Recommendation

    The other threads on this topic seem to devolve into ATI vs. Nvidia flame wars. I've used both ATI and Nvidia cards and am open to either. I haven't been following the technology and need specific advice for the best card given a limited budget (~$150). Thanks! Mark.
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    The best card for Oblivion?

    necro007: Should play fine. Check this article for benchmarks.
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    The best card for Oblivion?

    Hah, I posted my thread at almost exactly the same time as this one. I'm not looking for the Best card, because I'm budget constrained. However, I'll be following this thread as well. Mark.
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    Need Video Card Recommendation

    Hi All, I bought Oblivion and my old Nvidia 4200 Ti isn't cutting it any more. I need to stick in the under $200 range and would like to get away with closer to $150 if possible. System Specs: Pentium IV 2.8 GHz MSI 845 PE Max MB (SUPPORTS AGP 4X ONLY) 1 Gig of RAM I am interested...
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    How to convert LP collection in CD or DVD? How can I do it?

    1. Creative's line of soundcards are very good consumer level cards. If you were mostly concerned about sound quality and less concerned about the game/multimedia features of the Audigy card, you can do better for the same amount of money...
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    USB2 Questions

    Hi all, I require a USB2 PCI card and, if it exists, a rack mountable USB 2.0 hub. Most important is a very stable card that will work, without problems, with Windows 2000 SP4. I heard good things about cards with a NEC chipset. However, is there any difference between $10 cards with a...
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    Old comp overhaul / silence thread - need some advice

    I mentioned placement of the computer because people obsess about components when placement can make so much more of a difference in how loud the computer seems. Experiment. You'll notice that a computer placed on top of a desk will be much louder than one placed underneath a desk on a...
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    Proof that graphics don't make the game

    I've been playing Nethack for years and the ASCI graphics don't detract from the gameplay at all. Check out this smokin' screen shot: http://www.nethack.org/common/scrn3b.gif Mark.
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    Old comp overhaul / silence thread - need some advice

    I'm sure others on this forum will have more to say about specific components. I have a couple quick suggestions. For Zoo Tycoon and web design the latest graphic card isn't going to increase performance all that much. If she has a lot of large images open at a time, get her as much RAM as...
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    Humidity vs. Heat and system life/stability

    Unfortunately, to get to ouside air, I'd have to blast through some concrete and then dig through six feet of dirt. However, you've got me thinking. I may try ducting the air intake to the dryest corner of the basement. Thanks, Mark.
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    HELP!!! So my sound doesnt work on my PC anymore...

    I would go on down the audio chain and check each link. Is there a yellow exclaimation point next to the sound card in the System Manager? Is the volume turned up and not muted in the Windows "Play Control" window? Is the volume turned up and not muted in your software application? Try a...
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    Humidity vs. Heat and system life/stability

    Because the studio is below ground level it is usually a little bit cooler/warmer than the outside temperature. The coolest I've seen it is about 63 or 64 degrees (F). I haven't seen any condensation on the outside of the case but I'll keep an eye out for that.
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    My motherboard does not support USB 2.0. If I buy a USB 2.0 PCI card...

    I'm also looking at getting a USB 2.0 PCI card. Any recommendations for a rock solid card with very good driver support? Thanks, Mark.
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    Humidity vs. Heat and system life/stability

    Hi all, The studio computer is in a closet with a couple high velocity fans pulling cool air in and exhausting hot air out into what is basically a piece of the basement. Since I installed the two intake/exhaust fans the computer has been much cooler. Someone pointed out to me, however...
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    want to build a cabinet for my tower

    I agree with n0cmonkey. Buy some extension cables and put the computer in another room. I struggled for years with computer noise. I kept buying more and more expensive cooling hardware that was advertised as "silent". Here's the truth: if you want a fast computer it is going to...
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    Studio manager needs backup advice.

    I usually get name brand DVD-Rs for less than $1.50 each. DVD rot is often caused by improper storage of the medium. I agree that magnetic tape, in practice, is a more robust medium with much more storage. However, with high density DVDs on the horizon I think I'll wait it out. Mark.
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    Studio manager needs backup advice.

    Although $335 isn't too bad for a DLT drive, $35 a tape would start to add up. I prefer getting a spool of DVDs for $1 a disc or less. I have a couple Atlas 10K SCSI (160) drives and have been very happy with the speed. Any word on when HD-DVD or BD recordable drives will be available and...
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    Studio manager needs backup advice.

    Thanks Flying Penguin! That's exactly what I was looking for. I have bookmarked it. One question about the software. Does it install any memory resident programs or services that can't be disabled? I am always wary of programs that may interfere with the recording software. Thanks...
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    Studio manager needs backup advice.

    The advantages of a DVD backup is that the media and drives are cheap and I can hand the backups off to the client with some chance that they will be able to use the raw data if they want to remix in the future at a different facility. In reply to Harvey: Many studios operate this way...
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    Studio manager needs backup advice.

    Hi all, I run a small recording studio in MA. I try and do a backup after every session and it has become a real chore. A session's worth of recording can easily add up to 30 GB or more and the audio files are often spread out over a dozen different audio folders and interspersed with...