OK, this is weird. (Computer stuff)

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Wed May 30, 2007 5:56 am

So I have a Mac and I'm running an outdated version of the OS because I don't have $130 lying around to upgrade and honestly, I see no real reason to. However, up until an hour ago, I was strongly considering it.

See, for the last few weeks my screen has been scrambling and freezing and after cleaning out the cooling system and the heatsinks, reinstalling all my programs, updating my graphics card's programs, installing more RAM, and doing everything else I could think of that may be causing the issue it kept on happening. Finally I just started booting up in Safe Mode since that was the only thing that solved the issue.

Anyways, I got a new OS update tonight so I installed it and now my computer works fine. Its been about two hours of me doing everything imaginable to try to get it to scramble and freeze and its working great.

So could it have been a bad file in my OS that was causing the issue?

Post by **Fiye** » Wed May 30, 2007 12:59 pm

Were you running OS9 or an earlier version of OSX?

Post by **Sugami** » Wed May 30, 2007 4:07 pm

I can tell you what you've done wrong from the start... you got a mac

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:54 pm

Sugami wrote:I can tell you what you've done wrong from the start... you got a mac

Sugami: /slap. I loathe Windows.

Yes, I am running an earlier version of OS X. 10.3.9 and the freezing and scrambling still happens, just not as frequently and mainly when running a video in QuickTime or a program that uses QuickTime; like iTunes so the issue now lies with QT.

Post by **Shirai** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:30 pm

@ Sugami
If it wasn't for the games, I'd be running Linux full time myself.

@ Keavy,
Could be a minor bug in the software before you got the update.
Even mac software isn't 100% bugfree.

If the problems return though try bringing it to a mac specialist.
If the problem does return later on it does sound like a CPU problem or memory leak/problem to me.

btw. pretty sig.

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:40 pm

Shirai wrote:@ Sugami
If it wasn't for the games, I'd be running Linux full time myself.

@ Keavy,
Could be a minor bug in the software before you got the update.
Even mac software isn't 100% bugfree.

If the problems return though try bringing it to a mac specialist.
If the problem does return later on it does sound like a CPU problem or memory leak/problem to me.

btw. pretty sig.

Thank you for the sig complement.

From what I have read on the Apple forums its a known issue that started with the last Security update of 2006 and they are working on it.

Almost all QT videos online are also offered in WMV format and as for iTunes, I only use it when I want to change songs on my iPod or when a new Podcast comes out and I can do that in Safe Mode.

Post by **Shirai** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:19 pm

Ah software bug, those things happen to every OS.

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Thu May 31, 2007 8:09 am

Shirai wrote:Ah software bug, those things happen to every OS.

Yeah, they fixed the OS 10.3.9 bug but now its in QT so everyone's affected.

As far as I know its only Mac users who are affected. I am glad, though. Apple's sharing the glitch love. I'm tired of getting all the glitches just because I choose not to upgrade my OS.

Post by **Sugami** » Thu May 31, 2007 12:52 pm

I thought most games could run on Linux, can't you get some sort of emulator or something? *shrug*

If it wasn't for having to learn Linux I'd be using it

Okuza · Post by **Okuza** » Thu May 31, 2007 9:15 pm

The problem with running games on other than real Windows is DirectX. A lot of games use it and the emulation for it on non-Windows OS's lags far behind the real thing. If the games you like happen to use OpenGL instead of DirectX, you're in luck and likely won't have any problems at all on non-Windows.

DirectX is the problem. Without the support all the game companies are giving Microsoft by coding for it and not for OpenGL, Windows would not be the defacto "must-have" OS for playing games.

Kahvi · Post by **Kahvi** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:34 am

Okuza wrote:DirectX is the problem. Without the support all the game companies are giving Microsoft by coding for it and not for OpenGL, Windows would not be the defacto "must-have" OS for playing games.

Ya.. it will drive ppl to playing consoles only for games...

oh wait...

Post by **Sugami** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:52 am

I think the fact that consoles have overtaken PCs in terms of graphics and stuff makes them more desirable, even though they're not as powerful as your average PC they make better use of the hardware.

Okuza · Post by **Okuza** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:33 pm

That's the next big market war, Sugami.

PC's have reached the point where people are starting to use them as "entertainment centers". Attach a nice big HDTV to your PC and you can use it for DVD's. Nice sound card and you can use it for music instead of a stereo. It's not truly there yet. It still needs far too much work from the buyer to put together a viable PC-driven solution compared to buying classic dvd-machine, tv, stereo, etc..

But, I think it will happen. In five years, you'll see a PC that can easily do everything that can be done by all the separate parts folks buy now, INCLUDING console game play that is at least as good as the actual console. IMHO, it would be really smart for console folks to start making cards & SW for PCs that support running console titles on a PC. If they don't do it themselves, someone else will do it and then they'll loose out.

If they ignore that niche long enough, a PC will have enough power to run emulation in SW that outperforms the real consoles. My bet is that 10-20 years from now, consoles will not exist. Instead you'll see all-in-one devices that cover general computing as well as entertainment.

Post by **Alya Mizar (Tsybil)** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:10 am

Its a lot closer than that Okuza.

Search for MIT + Oxygen. There was an article in Scientific American on it a few years ago.

OK, did it myself.

The MIT page. http://oxygen.csail.mit.edu/

A thumbnail of the article>

http://www.sciamdigital.com/index.cfm?f ... 9CC61ED6E4

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 6:27 am

Okuza wrote:That's the next big market war, Sugami.

PC's have reached the point where people are starting to use them as "entertainment centers". Attach a nice big HDTV to your PC and you can use it for DVD's. Nice sound card and you can use it for music instead of a stereo. It's not truly there yet. It still needs far too much work from the buyer to put together a viable PC-driven solution compared to buying classic dvd-machine, tv, stereo, etc..

But, I think it will happen. In five years, you'll see a PC that can easily do everything that can be done by all the separate parts folks buy now, INCLUDING console game play that is at least as good as the actual console. IMHO, it would be really smart for console folks to start making cards & SW for PCs that support running console titles on a PC. If they don't do it themselves, someone else will do it and then they'll loose out.

If they ignore that niche long enough, a PC will have enough power to run emulation in SW that outperforms the real consoles. My bet is that 10-20 years from now, consoles will not exist. Instead you'll see all-in-one devices that cover general computing as well as entertainment.

What you're describing is kinda what Steve Jobs was going for with Apple TV. Funny thing is for a few hundred more you can get a Mac Mini which is essentially an Apple TV that also happens to be a computer.

I can see the world becoming more PC-Centric as time goes on. As for consoles dying out, I don't see that coming. There still will be consoles, but they'll be there for the niche audiences.

Post by **Sugami** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:04 pm

I already use my PC to play DVDs

in fact I was using my PC before my XBox then XBox 360 came along but they're unable to play Region 1 unlike my PC

Okuza · Post by **Okuza** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:53 pm

In the future, computation will be human-centered. It will be freely available everywhere, like batteries and power sockets, or oxygen in the air we breathe.

LOL. Whoever wrote their preamble is naive as hell. The part where it goes on to say "virtual reality is even worse" is pretty damn funny. Building a better user interface is a laudable goal, but those folks have rose colored glasses thicker than coke bottles. Nothing is free. Air wouldn't be free if there was a reasonable way to tax breathing.

I think they might be right about the "devices everywhere" and no need to carry your own about, but that is definitely NOT a good thing. It might even be a reason to flee the country (if possible -- could be too late by the time this happens). Just think about what this world would be like if you had ubiquitous law enforcement. Every law enforced to the letter all the time. Automated surveillance and enforcement by computer. That's only the tip of the iceberg, too.

Whoever wrote that has obviously never even talked to a politician.

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:30 am

Sugami wrote:I already use my PC to play DVDs in fact I was using my PC before my XBox then XBox 360 came along but they're unable to play Region 1 unlike my PC

I've watched a few DVD's on my computer. Main problems I have are: The screen is too small, my computer chair is uncomfortable (Its an old broken one I "borrowed" from that TV station I worked at through college) and I have yet to find a way to hotkey commands like "Main Menu" and "Pause."

Besides, I have a very nice DVD player I paid $150 for back in 2002 when my first PS2, which was also my DVD player from 2000-2002 died and when I watch a movie on my computer I feel like I'm wasting money.

Also, how do you watch Region 1 DVD's on your PC? My friend has some really funny DVD's from an Australian comedy show and I can't get them to work.

Post by **Sugami** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:51 am

My TV is just as big as my monitor so doesn't make any difference to me. I can always turn my monitor a bit and watch DVDs on my bed if I wanted

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:35 am

Sugami wrote:My TV is just as big as my monitor so doesn't make any difference to me. I can always turn my monitor a bit and watch DVDs on my bed if I wanted

So you either have a freaking humongous monitor or a really small TV?

Post by **Sugami** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:19 am

The latter. Bought a small £80 TV in the first week I was at university (as well as a Dreamcast) and 6 years on it still works so not a bad purchase.

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:02 pm

Sugami wrote:The latter. Bought a small £80 TV in the first week I was at university (as well as a Dreamcast) and 6 years on it still works so not a bad purchase.

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 17" screen on my Mac and a 19" TV I use for games and movies. I rarely watch TV but my roommate is the opposite of me and we get our internet cheaper for having TV service.

Post by **Sugami** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:51 am

Well you can't really use your Mac for games, *badum chshh!*

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 5:08 pm

Sugami wrote:Well you can't really use your Mac for games, *badum chshh!*

Well, I can play Blizzard games and I have a fine selection on my emulator.

Then again, my 360 and PS2 satisfy my need for gaming goodness. The Mac's just there so I can talk to people like you on teh interwebs.

Kahvi · Post by **Kahvi** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:24 pm

I found a game that works on the mac once on the inter-tubes.
I think it was called Cave Story or Doukutsu Monogatari or something

Post by **Sugami** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:31 am

I heard WoW is available on Mac but the expansions aren't

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:30 pm

Sugami wrote:I heard WoW is available on Mac but the expansions aren't

I heard most of the WoW hard-core fanbase is already bored with the expansion and has left and has no plans of returning until the next expansion is released.

Damn glad FFXI doesn't have that problem.

ScarlettPheonix · Post by **ScarlettPheonix** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:17 pm

My brother is a living example of that, Keavy.

He was really into the whole WoW thing, PvP server, mulitple characters levelled to max (Alliance and Horde), into raids big time, incredibly excited about the expansion, etc.

Well, he gets the expansion and not even 6 weeks later retires all his characters because he "was tired of WoW."

I suggested that he pick up a copy of FFXI to try since he was looking for something different. His reply to my suggestion was "Nah, I'll just reroll onto a role-playing server. WoW devs are just insane- your devs are completely evil."

Post by **Shirai** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:09 pm

Keavy wrote: I heard most of the WoW hard-core fanbase is already bored with the expansion and has left and has no plans of returning until the next expansion is released.

Damn glad FFXI doesn't have that problem.

>.>;;

Ahem, I'm bored to death with ffxi atm...
I only log in when my friends do Limbus and when I go do Dynamis...
Otherwise ToAU has completely ruined my fun in this game, the storyline is boring, the battles are way too easy, the exp areas have taken out teamwork completely (the principle this game was built upon) because mobs die by just looking at them...
Getting a job to 75 isn't an accomplishment anymore, hell the most of the newer 75's don't even know how to make a frigging skillchain caring only for their leet damage they do while not considering they're completely useless dead or weakened...freaking retards
Some jobs have become isolated because they didn't fit into the "TP Burn standard" (YES BLMs have been banned to manaburn parties only are you happy now?)(WHM? too weak we'll cram a brd and rdm together) (lolthf/drg/drk/pld/smn/blm/pup/bst/etc.)

I have hope for Wings of the goddess but until that is released I think I wouldn't be scraping up enough motivation to continue playing until that.

[/rant]

Keavy · Post by **Keavy** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:55 am

Shirai wrote:
Keavy wrote: I heard most of the WoW hard-core fanbase is already bored with the expansion and has left and has no plans of returning until the next expansion is released.

Damn glad FFXI doesn't have that problem.
>.>;;

Ahem, I'm bored to death with ffxi atm...
I only log in when my friends do Limbus and when I go do Dynamis...
Otherwise ToAU has completely ruined my fun in this game, the storyline is boring, the battles are way too easy, the exp areas have taken out teamwork completely (the principle this game was built upon) because mobs die by just looking at them...
Getting a job to 75 isn't an accomplishment anymore, hell the most of the newer 75's don't even know how to make a frigging skillchain caring only for their leet damage they do while not considering they're completely useless dead or weakened...freaking retards
Some jobs have become isolated because they didn't fit into the "TP Burn standard" (YES BLMs have been banned to manaburn parties only are you happy now?)(WHM? too weak we'll cram a brd and rdm together) (lolthf/drg/drk/pld/smn/blm/pup/bst/etc.)

I have hope for Wings of the goddess but until that is released I think I wouldn't be scraping up enough motivation to continue playing until that.

[/rant]

Well, what I meant was is when you do get bored with the Endgame and expansions you can level another job. WoW Players have to make a whole new character to start a new job.

Also, did you get bored of RoZ, CoP, or ToAU two months after their releases? I'm just saying FFXI gives more bang for the buck.