Wil Wheaton, PC Airflow, Answers to Your Questions
Episode #2523
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Top Features
 Special guest co-host: Wil Wheaton Actor Wil Wheaton and Kevin Rose are in charge while Leo and Patrick are out of town. Besides co-hosting the show, Wheaton talks about his new book, "Dancing Barefoot." You can purchase the book online. |  Keep Your Computer Cool Yoshi takes a close look at how air flows through a computer and tells us how to use airflow to keep computers cool and increase performance. |
More From This Episode
Your hosts for the show are Kevin Rose and Wil Wheaton.
Outlook alternatives
Wil talks about a Robin Miller article that calls Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express users, "the computer equivalent of Typhoid Mary." Wil recommends Eudora as an alternative to Outlook.
Today's news
- Microsoft Reveals New Security Flaws
- Microsoft Cuts Windows Price to $40 in Thailand
- Phantom Game Console
Jessica's Web tip: Fair use
Fair use activists unite! If you feel it's your right to make backup copies of your DVDs, visit Protect Fair Use. You can learn more about your rights and their limits.
On This Day
In 1906, the first Victrola record player was manufactured. Its design was imitated by radios and TV sets well into the 1950s.
Digital Digs road show
TechTV's Digital Digs is hitting the highway. The Digital Digs road show gives you a first-hand look at digital gear for your home. Here's where you can see the Digital Digs road show and meet Leo and Patrick.
- Where: Maryland State Fair in Timonium
- When: August 23 and 24
- Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Meet Leo and Patrick from Noon to 3 p.m.
Tonight on 'Tech Live'
People have been flocking to Yosemite National Park ever since John Muir told everyone about the place. Then the bears there quickly figured out that city slickers left food all over the park. Now, technology is invading the park and helping to keep the bears away from the people. See how, tonight on "Tech Live."
Join our LAN party
Frag fellow fans (and staff members) in the only live, televised LAN party in the world. Our LAN party is held every Thursday, but you must register to participate.
Ben Affleck and Project Greenlight
Jessica sits down with the actor to talk about his involvement in Project Greenlight.
MaxTheater
We'll review the MaxTheater Bigscreen kit, which promises to turn any TV into a 150-inch big-screen TV for only $16.95.
Jessica's Web tip: Chat with us
If you want all the gossip I dish out in our chat room, you have to sign up first. Join chat now.
Come see the show in person
If you're going to be in the San Francisco Bay area and you'd like to join "The Screen Savers" live on the set, here's how you can request tickets.
Tune in Monday
Send us email
- Got something for the show notes? Email us.
- This page is updated throughout the live broadcast of the show at 7 p.m. Eastern.
- Looking for a past article? Find it in our archive, which keeps a list of articles up to a year old.
Answers to Live Calls
Xbox hard driveSam in Portland, Ore., upgraded his Xbox hard drive. He wants to use the old hard drive in his computer, but he can't unlock it. How can he fix this?
You need to download a utility to unlock the drive. You can find one at Xbox-Scene. After you unlock the drive, you can reformat it for your PC.
To upgrade the Xbox hard drive, you must install a mod chip. You can't simply replace the drive. Learn how to upgrade your Xbox hard drive.
New motherboard
Marty in Parma, Ohio, wants to get a new motherboard. Can he install the motherboard on his XP PC without having to reinstall any software?
All hardware needs software drivers to work with the operating system. If you install the motherboard and try to run the computer, there's a good chance your computer won't run, because the OS won't have the right drivers. You might be able to install the drivers from a CD beforehand.
Whenever you install a major new component, such as a motherboard or processor, you should back up your data, reformat your hard drive, and reinstall everything. It helps clear out any clutter and software you don't want anymore. It also makes the installation of new motherboards a lot easier.
Domain name registration
Devon in Camarillo, Calif., needs a place for domain registration.
Wil recommends DomainMonger, while Kevin thinks you should try RegisterFly.com. Both offer competitive pricing and ICANN accreditation.
You should use an ICANN-accredited service. This insures that your domain will still exist if the registration company goes out of business.
IP Monster
A viewer sent us an email asking how to find out when his dynamic IP address changes. Wil and Kevin recommend IP Monster. It's a freeware utility.
Knoppix
A viewer named hax0r 3leEt doesn't know Linux. Is there an easy way to install it?
There's no easy way to install Linux. Linux is more complicated than Windows, and it requires your attention and some technical savvy. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use it. Take the chance and learn something.
You can try Linux before doing a full installation by using Knoppix. Knoppix boots and runs from a CD, and it's free.
One last thing: If you don't know Linux, you can't call yourself "hax0r 3leEt." You're just a poser.
First computer
Ian is getting his first computer. Should he go with Windows or Linux?
If you just want to play games or edit videos or music, or if you don't want to tinker with the computer, get Windows. If you want to tinker with technology or learn how to be a network administrator, or if you're into other seriously geeky stuff, get Linux.
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FEATURES
|
Big Screen on a Small Budget
MaxTheater turns your puny TV into a 150-inch home projector for $16.95 (provided you have enough duct tape). |
|
Yoshi's Mods: PC Case Airflow
Learn how to make the most of the air flowing through your computer. |
