Oh, and thanks for the adivce. I don't think I'll go too nuts trying to reformat too many times. I don't think there's any truly sensitive information on there that wouldn't be out of date, but I do want to wipe it once, at least.

Equivalent maybe, but they would never be marketed as alkalines, because they aren't alkalines. It's a different chemistry.

Well that was easy. I booted the computer up, and it's saying that no hard disk is installed. Either my brother ripped it out when I asked him if he wanted it a few years ago, or sitting in my closet for four years has killed it.

While we're on the subject of rechargeable batteries. I have two sets of Duracell NiMH AA batteries. One set I bought with the charger, and one I bought later. The later set always gets hot when I charge them. The original set does not. I can't see any difference in the batteries other than the change in the packaging design. Should I worry?

It seems a popular ad network was compromised yesterday, so those using IE may want to run a quick virus scan today.

eta - more detail

Saturday, my internet connection at home went kerpluey, and I'm hoping someone here can provide some advice. I'm using Linux (Fedora), and my guru/advisor recently left town (the nerve!).

The sitch:

I tried to connect to the internet. The computer dialed and connected normally. Immediately upon connecting (before doing anything silly like pulling up a page), it hung up and re-dialed. This appears to be an endless loop until I cancel. I have no idea what could be the problem. I used it just fine Friday night. Any ideas?

I tried to connect to the internet. The computer dialed and connected normally. Immediately upon connecting (before doing anything silly like pulling up a page), it hung up and re-dialed. This appears to be an endless loop until I cancel. I have no idea what could be the problem. I used it just fine Friday night. Any ideas?

There are guids online on how to debug a linux ppp connnection to an ISP. I had to mess with this once, but that was a while ago so I don't remember much.

Perhaps your ISP just changed something in the way their login works? Sadly, most ISPs don't care if Linux users have problems connecting, so you'll have to debug the problem on your own.

Is there a generic programming term for getting a form (or anything on the screen) to redraw itself before the program goes ahead with whatever it does next?

I can't seem to find anything that'll do this in C# so I'm looking for some other terms I can look up on the help system.

Actually, I want C# to redraw something before Javascript goes ahead and does something, so it might be Javascript's fault (although I did get this to work using Java and Javascript). I've found very little online about using Javascript to call C# functions....

Libkitty, do you know where to change the dialing string?

Sometimes line noise can be introduced during the changing of seasons. I'd call my local phone company and have them check the line.

Until then, try changing the dialing string to add "S10=150" this is talling the modem to fid out any line noise or loss of carrier for up to 15 seconds.

I always figure that's worth a shot.

Oh, something else: Do you have voicemail through the phone company? If so, if you have a new message does the dial tone sound funny for a second to let you know? If so, make sure you get all your voicemail first. You can also put a two-second pause in the modem dialing string to get around the problem.

eta: Nevermind - I forgot that the modem is actually connecting for a while....