BenChase

AlecStarr: Please let me know where you got your information about that program. Particularly, how you know for sure the CIA uses it. I work for the department of defense and have about the highest security clearance you can get, and have never heard of that program. Oh yes...kudos on your CD-ROM alarm clock software. It works nicely. Everyone else: You might want to be aware that most good administrators will not allow users to install software, so if you're trying to install this to bypass firewalls or whatever, you will probably get stopped right at installation time. Something to keep in mind. Have a good day -Ben

I thought I'd give my two cents about Circuit City and telemarketers... I was in the Bellingham, Wa branch of Circuit city about a year ago. I was just browsing around, comparing prices on video cards, etc... There was an elderly couple that was in the main computer section talking to a salesperson about buying a PC. I walked over there to take a look at what they were charging for PCs, and laughed uncontrollably, when I remembered that I could build a system for FAR less. Anyway, the sales person was showing this old couple the best system that they had. I thought it was doubtful that the elderly couple actually needed that much PC, so I decided to stir up some $hit. Me - "Excuse me, but what exactly do you need a computer for? What sort of things do you want to do?" Old lady - "We just want a computer that will let us e-mail our grandson." ...at this point..the salesperson was looking nervous. Me - "If that is all you intend on doing, then you do not need this powerful of a computer! All you need is something like this..." (pointing to a nice little celeron system, about $1200 less than the P-III system) ...The sales person looked at me like I was the antichrist. Me - "Don't let anyone else tell you that you need anything more than this just for email, they are lying." The old couple thanked me and the sales person walked away, red-faced. Moral of the story: Do not get advice on what you are wanting to buy from a salesperson, they are most often too influenced by commission and perks. Get advice from an expert. - Ben

My experience with problems of this nature is that the simpliest solution is often the correct one. Here are the steps that I would follow: 1 - Run a Cleaning CD through the drive. 2 - Inspect the CD rom for damage (you never know). 3 - Contact the manufacturer. 4 - Replace the drive with a non generic one. Hope that this is of some help, I have worked crazy hardware issues for the last 4-5 years. - Ben