Ahh, I wish that companies who manufactured PC components included better instructions for their consumers.  While you may have your microphone plugged in correctly into the right port on your PC, there may be a couple reasons why you are receiving feedback from it while trying to use it.  Lets try troubleshooting this problem with a couple solutions to fix your feedback problem.

The first part to check is the connection into your computer.  Make sure your microphone wire is securely fixed into the port in the back of your PC (or wherever your Mic In port is) and that it is in the right color; most computers today associate the color red with recording.  If it is even a tiny bit loose, you will hear some feedback for the lack of proper connection between the port and the wire.

Next, check the distance between your speakers and the microphone.  If your computer speakers are too close to the microphone, you can also receive feedback.  Experiment with moving your microphone at distance intervals to determine if your feedback reception is getting better or worse.

The last step is to try another microphone or the same microphone in a different computer.  Faulty hardware is always present regardless of how advanced our technology is!

]]> http://www.whatthetech.com/2009/11/10/how-to-stop-feedback-on-a-microphone/feed/ 0 http://www.whatthetech.com/2009/11/09/how-to-use-a-flash-drive-to-transfer-files/ http://www.whatthetech.com/2009/11/09/how-to-use-a-flash-drive-to-transfer-files/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:16:37 +0000 Hemal http://www.whatthetech.com/?p=1051 I want to transfer my documents and favorites from hard drive on desktop computer to my laptop.  I have a flash drive but don’t know how to use it.  I’m a klutz in cyberspace… so do you have any easy instructions for me to follow?  Many thanks in advance!!

A flash drive is a wonderful new tool that every computer user should understand.  It allows for an easy and fast transfer of files from one computer to the next.  In some cases, you can even take your flash drive straight from your computer with pictures and hook it up to an appropriate printer to print directly from the flash drive without a computer!

To transfer over some of your document and favorites from your hard drive of your desktop computer to your laptop, we will be using a flash drive like you mentioned.  Make sure you have both computers nearby, a clean flash drive and your computers powered on.

The first step to do is to plug in your flash drive into an available USB port on your desktop computer.  Give it a minute for it to find the device and load what ever preloaded junk that might’ve been included with your USB key.  If it prompts you to restart your computer now that it has loaded the device properties, just ignore it.

Once your device has been loaded, open up My Computer and look for a new drive; probably something like the E: or F: drive that might have the brand name of your USB key.  Double click it to open up a blank new window which displays the contents on your flash drive.

Simply drag and drop all the documents you wish to transfer into your USB key window and wait for the progress bars to be complete and disappear.  If your documents are too large and you do not have enough space for your USB key, you will receive an error message that your storage unit is too full.  If so, just repeat this process in steps and transfer over a smaller number of files at a given time.

After your files have been transferred onto the USB Key, right click the device in My Computer and select Eject.  Wait for the device to disappear in the My Computer window before you eject it.  Plug the flash drive into a free USB port on your laptop and open up the device in My Computer.  Drag and drop from the contents window of your USB key onto your laptop hard drive wherever you desire and then remove the documents from the USB key by deleting the files in that content window.

If you have any more files you wish to transfer, just repeat the process above.  I suggest you make sure you have at least a 2-4 gig USB key; files are getting bigger now a days and you should have a bigger storage unit!

Unfortunately the sad truth is that new TV’s are not as cheap as they are advertised because of those hidden costs that come with them.  While a lot of these hidden costs are smaller items and accessories you buy (which can still add up to one larger sum), the other true kicker is the hidden costs that are reoccurring such as changes to your cable and electricity bill.

If you’re in the market for a new TV, there will be some added expenses you might want to checkout before making your big TV purchase.

1) Cables- Everyone always assumes that every cable you need to run your TV comes in the box, but where’s the capitalistic ideology in that?  Besides your power cable and maybe a coaxial cable to connect it to the wall jack, you’re on your own.  Most TV’s now a days connect to your cable box via HDMI to get the true high definition experience and those cables can get pricey.  All cables are not created equal so to get some of the higher end cables (especially if you are buying them in store) look to pay an average of $25-$75 depending on the size and manufacture of the cable.

2) Power Supply/Surge Protector- Just like your computer, your big electronic items should always be on power supplies/surge protectors.  While you could always go the cheap way out of spending a few bucks on some dinky item, remember that you always get what you pay for.  I recommend a solid surge protector just because one little zap without it and you are going back to that store to buy another TV.  Surge Protectors/Power Supplies can range from anywhere between $50-$A Lot.  I spent around $350 on my Monster Power which came with a lot of extra ports and some nice displays for the front screen.

3) TV Programming- The biggest expense increase people forget about is the extra increase in your cable bill!  While most HDTV owners in more populated areas can pick up a small variety of over the air (OTA) HD broadcasts, many of others will be forced to upgrade your TV packaging; whats the point of a nice new HDTV without the proper picture to watch it on.  Most companies will not require that you upgrade your package immediately, but without the picture to put on the screen, there is no point in buying the new hardware.  If you factor in the new programming costs, the monthly subscription to a new HD cable box, the DVR costs…look to run yourself an extra $20-50 a month depending on the package you subscribe to!

The point of the article is really not to scare you (even post Halloween), but just to make you more aware of some of the extra expenses that do come with buying a new TV.  I suggest before you make your purchase, you figure out the rest of the charges and costs that will come with it (especially with your cable provider) and take advantages of promotions and packages they could be offering.

Blackberries are the cell phones of the future and I hope you’re enjoying yours.  I have some great news regarding your question; not only is it very easy to setup an email account to forward to your Blackberry, it’s also free and quick!

Let’s try these step by step directions to get your phone setup and ready to receive your Yahoo! email.

Normally, to unlock your Yahoo! Mail to Yahoo! Mail Plus, you’d have to pay a yearly $19.99 fee to allow POP3 access.  The beauty of a Blackberry is the ability to have IMAP support for free (aside from the monthly cost your carrier charges you).

First, hit the Blackberry key located to the left of your trackball and navigate down to the Setup menu which is the icon with the green wheel on it.

Click that folder and select the middle icon that says Email Settings.

Choose the preference that says Yahoo! and click Add.  You’ll be prompted to enter in your user ID and password.  Make sure you do not add the “@yahoo” after your user ID.  It will take a couple seconds but after it will pop out an icon somewhere in your full menu that you can move to the home screen.  It normally takes around 20 minutes to receive your first new email but once you start receiving them on your phone, you can select to delete them on the handset AS WELL as in the mailbox online which is my personal favorite feature about these phones.

Enjoy!

With the release of Windows 7 just around the corner, its a perfect time to be buying the tools to get your old PC’s data onto the new machine.  Moving files through a network, USB key or even CD/DVD are all valid methods but are slow and tedious and can take up your entire day.

I’ve done some searching and found a great product from Belkin that allows you to transfer all your files seemlessly and faster then any method you’ve heard of before!  It’s been designed for the Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer utility and comes with software to help those users who may not be technically advanced.

The Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows 7 is a “quick, easy way to transfer your files, user accounts, and settings to get your new Windows 7 PC up and running.”

Not only will it transfer your files and data, it will send over any of your user preferences, settings, account controls, email files, messages and contacts.  This 8 foot cable is all you need to migrate your old computer to your new one in a matter of minutes.  For those of you tech’s out there, the transfer cable boasts a speed of 480Mbps and is made for both 32 and 64 bit.

The cable comes with software that has onscreen instructions for users who may need assistance in understanding what to transfer.  After your transfer is complete, you’ll be able to view a comprehensive report on the details of what has been transferred including settings and other account controls.

The cable is available a day after the release of Windows 7 (Oct. 23 for the release of the cable) and is set to retail at $39.99…a small price to pay for an easy migration of all your data without the headache or worry you missed something.

If you have an old USB key around and want to protect your laptop (or even desktop for that matter, I suggest you try the given program below and add a bit more physical security to your laptop. It’s perfect for protection in dorm rooms, offices or anywhere you’d like to beef up some security on your machines.

Don’t throw your old USB flash drive away. Instead, you can use an old flash drive as a laptop alarm to prevent your laptop from being stolen. Here is how:

1. Install free software on your laptop. www.lalarm.com/LaptopAlarm. (free for personal use)

2. Fasten a neck strap to your old USB flash drive.

3. Fasten the other end of the strap to a table.

4. Plug in the USB flash drive into a USB port of a laptop.

5. Lock the laptop by pressing the Windows logo key and L key together.

When a thief removes the laptop from the table, the USB flash drive will be disconnected from the laptop and then a loud siren sound will be emitted. (See photos: www.lalarm.com/arm2) In addition to sounding an alarm, the software sends an alert to your mobile phone. This tip is also useful if you worry about identity theft. The free software destroys data in case of laptop theft.

I have not tried this software, nor do I suggest trying it blindly on a laptop that has crucial information on it before you are 100% familiar with the software and understand its features and functionality.

If you have some luck and find it useful, let us know!

The best part of the internet is having all the free software in the world available at your finger tips.  The first part of getting your iPod connected after you reformat your computer would be to reinstall iTunes, but unfortunately, simply plugging in your iPod will not call the installation since there are no setup files built in on the iPod.

In order to get your iPod connected, we’ll download the most recent version of iTunes available and then get your device up and running.

The most recent version of iTunes available is iTunes 9.  Navigate to Apple iTunes and click on the free download for your version of Windows.  If you haven’t upgraded your operating system in the past year or bought a new PC in that time, I think it’s a safe bet to say your operating system is 32 bit.

Install iTunes and the newest version of Quicktime with it, allowing it to replace any of the files that it finds on your machine left over from any other install.

After your install is complete, click the desktop icon it creates and setup your preferences.  Once in your library or in the store, plug in your iPod and wait for it to connect.  You should be able to view your iPod and add in new music!

Caution:  If you have music on your iPod, it may want to update to the new library you just created (which is nothing since it is a blank library).  Do not allow it to copy to the library you have now unless you have all the songs added in before you plug in your iPod.  If you do not, right click on the iPod and select properties and look for “Manage Music Manually” so you can drag and drop songs onto your iPod rather it trying to mirror your library which is now different from your original.

Welcome to What the Tech!  Any questioned asked is rarely considered “stupid” and you’re question is far from it.  I actually like this question as it discusses the idea of any lost cables and wires that might’ve been separated from devices that are coupled with the computer.

In your situation, there usually is a power cable required for the modem.  A modem will pull power from the usual wall outlet just like any other device and I’ve yet to see one that uses power provided from the PC or any router (a device to split your internet connection via wires or wireless).

Let’s look at some pictures below and help you find a solution to get your modem back up and running.

First, lets make sure that this is the type of “circle” you are looking at:

(Olympus.net)

Usually, most cable/DSL modem’s will have a similar sized outlet for your power cord.  While your design may have a larger circle or one that might be a different color, it should be the same standard design.

If you did misplace the cord, there are a couple options I recommend for you.

1) Contact your service provider about sending you replacement equipment.  Misplaced cords usually means the device has been in storage which could be outdated anyway.  I would check with your Internet Service Provider to determine if their is new equipment out, or if your modem is still good to use.  If it is still used today, there is definitely replacement parts they can send you.

2) If you are waiting for replacement parts/equipment to be sent, try looking for other power cords around the house from other devices such as wireless (house) phones, answering machines, small computer speakers or other computer devices.  Many of these cords are the same in voltage and size as your modem.  I do highly express caution because it may not be the same voltage as your device and providing an improper amount of electricity could damage or hurt your modem.

I hope you’re able to find the replacement cord you need to power your modem!

You covered the first suggestion that I would have made with the MicroSD card slot.seems your phone is either razor thin or pretty outdated if it does not have one of those slots!

If you do not have a MicroSD card or are not sure if your phone has that feature, there are other options to send items to your phone from your computer.

Personally, I like to use Beam it Up Scotty.  Beam it Up Scotty is a fast, free and easy way to send pictures, videos, music, documents or any other file to your cell phone within seconds.

To use Beam it Up Scotty, upload your file with the “Browse” button.  Hit the “Upload File” button and it will begin the process.  It will compress your file to fit on your phone but anything after 5 minutes will be cut off (video and audio).

After the compression, it will prompt for your cell phone number and send you a SMS/text message with a download link to download the files to your phone!

Apple’s iPod sales have been on the decline as of recently, but there is speculation that they are in the mix of adding a new feature to boost revenue.  Apple added the shooting and editing of video on their prodigy iPhone leading some to wonder could they add this feature to the iPod itself?

Check out some of the details on this new feature with some pictures and my unique idea on how to improve it before it’s even released.

Wonder what the new camera iPod could look like?  I found a picture from AllthingsD on their Digital Daily site; still looks pretty sleek and attractive in my opinion.

There are many questions that circulate this speculation such as the cost increase, specs of the camera, potential increase in hard drive size.etc. but the one thing that lingers in my mind is the integration with some of Apple’s pioneer technology with this new camera.

The iPhone storage cloud was a unique storage element Apple brought to the mobile world.  Microsoft made its own version with MyPhone which came out this past month, but why not tie this into the iPod?  Imagine having the ability where you could point and shoot on your iPod, send wirelessly with built in connectivity and upload to your Facebook, MySpace, Email, or a “Friends” App that could attach well with this new feature.

Let me know you’re thoughts on it.  Help me get enough attention on this to catch Apple before they put it into production and see if they’d like to use my idea!

For those smart phone users out there, I’ve recently come across a new beta from Microsoft that is very useful tool to try.  Check out the beta release of My Phone and read further for an overview of its features.

My Phone is a similar program to what the Apple iPhone offers.  My Phone allows a user to sync their wireless device to an online storage cloud (200MB) to backup contacts, calendars, appointments, photos, videos, text messages, emails and much more wirelessly which can be utilized from a computer, another mobile device or a replacement device should yours break!

One use of the program that comes immediately in my mind is the use of the cell phone camera.  Take a picture and only view it on your cell phone?  Why not transfer it to a computer or an online web location to show your friends or post on your social networking page.  The program can be made to update and back up automatically.

As always, there’s rules and restrictions on its use and you need to make sure your phone has been updated with Windows Mobile 6 OS, but overall, it’s pretty free for use and seems very simple.

The program is free currently, and I suggest you sign up now and give it a try.  Let us know of your experience with it.

Pulling videos off YouTube can be a fantastic tool so long as the video poster has granted access to its rights or the video does not have copy written material.  I’ve posted a previous entry about pulling some Do-It-Yourself videos off YouTube here but never included information on how to through it on an iPod for the gym.

I found a site that I use personally to help me with this.  I love downloading videos on tips and tricks to watch while on the treadmill for the reasons you said above; it saves time and makes working out much more fun.

Locate the video you want to copy and then keep it on your clipboard (CTRL+C).  Open ConvertMyTube and paste the link in the open space for the URL.  If you’d like to change the format to an .mp3, .wav, .mov (MAC) or an .mp4 (iPod or iPhone) click on the circle that follows the end of the blank spot for the URL.  Select the designated format and click Convert and Download.

You can specify the download location during the download, and after add the file into iTunes to drag over to your iPod.  For other videos, as stated in the previous post,  the best universal video player I’ve found out there is VLC Media Player- which is free!  At the download page,  choose your operating system and install.  After the program is on your machine, you should be able to double click your downloaded YouTube video and start watching it.

I’ve become a fan of the Bluetooth pieces, quite frankly it helps prevent accidents and avoids pesky drivers who are paying more attention to their conversation rather then the road.not to mention names but the 18 year old teenage girl group.  While I’m sure you are more responsible with your calls, it is the law to use hands free devices such as the Jabra Bluetooth line.  I personally recommend the Jabra headset’s, I own a couple myself.

The reason your Bluetooth is not connecting to your device is because it is already linked to your wife’s phone.  Bluetooth devices usually do not allow to be hooked to more then one phone so we’ll have to reset it first and then hook it onto your phone.

Lets start by turning off your Bluetooth device.  After you are sure it’s off, hold the power button for around 20-30 seconds. Release the button and you should see the device start blinking.  On your cell phone, enable the Bluetooth and in your options, search for a new device.

The Jabra headset should appear in your device list now.  Click on it and the two devices should auto pair without a passcode.  If you are prompted for a passcode, try the default of 0000 or 1111.

You’re now connected and ready to use your cell phone in your car.  As always it is advised to avoid calling and driving, but I prefer a Bluetooth headset then using the build in Bluetooth on a car GPS because I prefer that everyone not have the privilege to listen to my personal calls

The iPod has become such a universal device where we cannot imagine life without it.  Personally, I remember forgetting my iPod before heading out the door and my workout was the worst experience I had at the gym.I had to listen to that Euro-tech gunk they blast over the speakers.  I had a friend come to me with the same problem you are describing.  He told me he hasn’t damaged it or remembered dropping it, as I asked him the typical questions, and he wasn’t sure why the iPod would just stop working like that with such a cynical face for customers.

I took some time to research the problem and found a solution that does work.  I advise all readers who are attempting this fix to be advised that it is not something normal, and please exercise this option with caution.  Always take your iPod into the Genius bar before trying this method but I’ve never been let down since I’ve started using it.

The iPod usually gives you this warning if the hard drive inside the music player has fallen out of alignment or just had a faulty connection.  The trick that I use just sets the hard drive back in its place and helps anything that might be coming loose inside.

The best way to do this is to drop it on a surface about 1 to 2 feet in the air.  The keyword is “drop” and not “slam.” Now I bet a ton of you just stopped to re-read the last couple sentences, and no, there was no typo.  By letting it fall down onto a padded surface, such as your mouse pad or a pad of paper, you’re letting it get a little force to bump everything back into place.  I do not recommend doing this on tile floors or brick fireplaces, but something padded or cushioned; a thicker carpet floor works great as well.

Try this a couple times before you shell out some more money to get a new hard drive, it should work and it’s fun!  My last caution is to advise that the trip back from the Apple store can be frustrating after finding out this news, so take a walk before you handle your electronics.

I have owned my fair share of PDA’s and smart phones. The first PDA I ever had was a Palm Tungsten TX. This was back in 2002 and I must say the thing was a beast…  I had an extra 32mb expansion card that I loaded up with games and lots of info. I used that thing like it was going out of style…  I ditched the PDA when I got my first smart phone, the Audiovox PPC-6601 for Sprint. It ran Windows Mobile 2003 and I had that thing tricked out like crazy. I purchased SPB Pocket Plus and that added some much needed features and once again I loaded it up with games and because this was also an Internet enabled phone I was able to use features like Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger on the phone which only further fueled my need for mobility. I used the Audiovox for a long time, almost 3 years to be exact. I still have the phone and it is still in working order but I had to put it in the box and trade it out for something newer, faster, and much better looking. My contract with Sprint was up and I was offered a deal where I could get a Palm Centro for only 50 bucks. The phone was a lot smaller than the Audiovox and it also had the ability to view Youtube videos and much more. So I decided to jump in and get a Centro, a shiny red one to be precise.

So here I am today with my shiny-ish red Palm Centro. It’s been beat up and has taken a bruising but it still runs awesome. I got this thing loaded up with even more games than before and having the ability to update Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and watch Youtube videos really puts this smart phone above the rest. I have dropped this phone so many times it should be in a million pieces but it is still holding on strong without glue or tape. This phone is by far my favorite phone I have ever had and that is why I am dedicating this post to my Centro. I love my Centro like I love my wife (sorry honey, didn’t expect you to find out like this). I know some opinions may differ. One person may think the Centro is junk another may say that the iPhone is the #1 smart phone on the market. But that is not what this post is about. This post is about how much I love my Palm Centro and how our relationship is coming closer to an inevitable end…

Like with all good things there must be an end. Recently I was offered another deal on the new Palm Pre, which I must say is looking to be an awesome smart phone. I know I shouldn’t say this but the Palm may be put back in the box for a while, right next to the Audiovox… just don’t tell my Centro…