When buying Ethernet cables, do I just buy the cheapest cable, Such as 150ft for $20? or should I be.more.concerned about quality?

Generally cheap ones are ok. The cheaper ones can be a bit stiff at times and the connectors can break. But all in all cheap usually isn't all that bad. Just buy from a reputable place and you should be fine.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:07:20 PM, on 8/5/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\brsvc01a.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\brss01a.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\lxdfserv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lxdfcoms.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\GWMDMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 6500 Series\lxdfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 6500 Series\lxdfamon.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Auto Update\RIMAutoUpdate.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools Lite\daemon.exe
C:\Program Files\MP4 Player\mp4Player.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe
C:\Program Files\Kerio\Personal Firewall\PFWADMIN.EXE
C:\Program Files\HJT\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNetwk.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:5643
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl Class - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IndexSearch] C:\Program Files\Scansoft\PaperPort\IndexSearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UnlockerAssistant] C:\Program Files\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GWMDMMSG] GWMDMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxdfmon.exe] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 6500 Series\lxdfmon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxdfamon] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 6500 Series\lxdfamon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark 6500 Series Fax Server] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 6500 Series\fm3032.exe" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BlackBerryAutoUpdate] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Auto Update\RIMAutoUpdate.exe /background
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ares] "C:\Program Files\Ares\Ares.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINNT\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools Lite] "C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools Lite\daemon.exe" -autorun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BitTorrent DNA] "C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AnVir Task Manager Free] "C:\Program Files\AnVir Task Manager Free\AnVir.exe" Minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AdobeUpdater] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Updater5\AdobeUpdater.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MP4 Player] "C:\Program Files\MP4 Player\mp4Player.exe" hmw
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ISUSPM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe" -scheduler
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Easy Dock] C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\RCA easyRip\EZDock.exe
O4 - Startup: RCA Detective.lnk = RCA Detective\RCADetective.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append Link Target to Existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\bonjour\mdnsnsp.dll
O16 - DPF: {1A1F56AA-3401-46F9-B277-D57F3421F821} (FunGamesLoader Object) - http://gsn.worldwinner.com/games/v47/share...GamesLoader.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/200305...meInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {511073AD-BE56-4D43-AE68-93390514385E} (TechToolsActivex.TechTools) - hcp://system/TechTools.CAB
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/...b?1138916993682
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat...b?1139065068156
O16 - DPF: {739E8D90-2F4C-43AD-A1B8-66C356FCEA35} (RunExeActiveX.RunExe) - hcp://system/RunExeActiveX.CAB
O16 - DPF: {8A94C905-FF9D-43B6-8708-F0F22D22B1CB} (Wwlaunch Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/shared/wwlaunch.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {B06CE1BC-5D9D-4676-BD28-1752DBF394E0} (Hangman Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v41/hangman/hangman.cab
O16 - DPF: {CF969D51-F764-4FBF-9E90-475248601C8A} (FamilyFeud Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v47/famil.../familyfeud.cab
O16 - DPF: {DAF7E6E6-D53A-439A-B28D-12271406B8A9} (RIM AxLoader) - http://mobileapps.blackberry.com/devicesoftware/AxLoader.cab
O16 - DPF: {E473A65C-8087-49A3-AFFD-C5BC4A10669B} (Quantum Streaming IE Player Class) - http://mvnet.xlontech.net/qm/fox/06101102/qsp2ie06101001.cab
O16 - DPF: {FAA26872-BB40-4AB2-8A6D-A49183581AAA} (TSBnwCam Control) - http://24.187.249.196/user/TSBnwCam.CAB
O18 - Protocol: ms-help - {314111C7-A502-11D2-BBCA-00C04F8EC294} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\hxds.dll
O18 - Filter hijack: text/xml - {807563E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE12\MSOXMLMF.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: dimsntfy - C:\WINNT\
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINNT\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
O23 - Service: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:\WINNT\System32\brsvc01a.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe" -service -config "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\jqs.conf (file missing)
O23 - Service: lxdfCATSCustConnectService - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\\lxdfserv.exe
O23 - Service: lxdf_device - - C:\WINNT\system32\lxdfcoms.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel® Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Kerio Personal Firewall (PersFw) - Kerio Technologies - C:\Program Files\Kerio\Personal Firewall\persfw.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 10 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 10\RoxioUPnPRenderer10.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUPnPRenderer9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 10 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 10\RoxioUpnpService10.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUpnpService9.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server 10 (RoxLiveShare10) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\10.0\SharedCOM\RoxLiveShare10.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server 9 (RoxLiveShare9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxLiveShare9.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB10 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\10.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB10.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 10 (RoxWatch10) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\10.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch10.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 9 (RoxWatch9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch9.exe
O23 - Service: SessionLauncher - Unknown owner - C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\DX9\SessionLauncher.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TVersityMediaServer - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\TVersity\Media Server\MediaServer.exe

Yes, I'm still using xp.

I'm having trouble getting iTunes to access the internet. I have never had this issue with iTunes before. Not that I do it frequently, it is ticking me off.

I thought it might have been my firewall (Kerio Personal), but i exited that and still no luck. I have pasted a HijackThis Log file below. Once the issue is resolved or whatever, I will edit this post so that no one has to look at the log anymore.

Keep meaning to ask this. For some reason I keep having to change the windows xp theme back to the classic style even though I didn't touch the settings. I'd say it lasts a few days but then it goes back to that ugly ass xp theme. Yes, I'm still using xp.

Not a huge problem but I'm using excel 2003 to make the schedule for my job, (the company program I'm supposed to use is a nightmare) always prints 3 pages of blank graphs before printing out what I actually want to print. As per the usual the help file is of no use, any suggestions?

Rick, I'm trying to upgrade the memory on my dad's laptop (a Toshiba Satellite L35 Series psl33u-03u02j). I checked some memory compatibility site and it spit out 3 size variants of the same specs:

200 Pin DDR-2 533MHz
(PC2-4200) SODIMM

I wanted to find something cheap on Newegg. (Ideally two 1GB sticks, but depending on cost it might be 512MB.) My question is which of the above specs do I need to match (if not all), or will it only accept the model that the site wants to sell me? Thanks, as always, for your help O guru of gigabytes.

I'm having trouble getting iTunes to access the internet. I have never had this issue with iTunes before. Not that I do it frequently, it is ticking me off.

I thought it might have been my firewall (Kerio Personal), but i exited that and still no luck. I have pasted a HijackThis Log file below. Once the issue is resolved or whatever, I will edit this post so that no one has to look at the log anymore.

I see a lot of nasty shit I wouldn't want on my HDD, but some of them are probably OK.

worldwinner.com shows up in a lot of HJT threads but has a green rating from WOT.
Not that I trust the Web of Trust. but hey.

A random googling of these

{1A1F56AA-3401-46F9-B277-D57F3421F821}
FunGamesLoader
http://gsn.worldwinner.com/games/v47/share...GamesLoader.cab

has a huge number of results with the words trojan, spyware and popup.

Run CCleaner and a registry cleaner to see if that cleans up some cached crap.

Get rid of all the shit that doesn't need to be running all the time.
for example, how many Roxio programs are running and how often do you use Roxio?

What's the best way to get rid of the stuff running in the background?

"Real Networks Scheduler which gets installed with RealOne Player .... the following excerpt from RealNetworks’ Privacy Policy: “Use of Invisible GIFs. Invisible GIFs (also known as "single pixel tags" or "action tags," or "web bugs") may be used to assist in delivering cookies on our site relating to third party advertising and research services. We use this technology to access your personally identifiable information in accordance with the other sections of this privacy policy, and to compile aggregate data. This technology is used in our email messages that are delivered by a third party advertising service. This technology transfers your e-mail address to us so that we can associate your personally identifiable information with the elements (such as links, advertisements or graphics) that you click on a RealNetworks web page. We also use this technology to compile aggregate statistics about our website. Additionally, third party advertisers and research services may share aggregated and anonymous site statistics with RealNetworks regarding the web traffic patterns of web browsers that visit certain RN sites, whether through the use of Invisible GIFs or otherwise.

Recommendation :
If reading about RNDAL did not put you off, then read on. RealPlayer Classic used to be one of the most needed pieces of software on a PC. Its successor, RealOne Player, is vying for the title of the most hated piece of software. For a start, on many PCs EVNTSVC/REALSCHED slows down boot-ups unacceptably, using up to 90% of CPU time at times. There have also been reports of EVNTSVC dropping advertising shortcuts onto the desktop during idle times. Next, if you try to disable EVNTSVC/REALSCHED on the Startups tab of The Ultimate Troubleshooter, RealOne Player checks to see if it has been deleted or disabled in the Registry and re-instates it as an enabled startup item! To be fair, there is a facility within RealOne Player to “only perform automatic services while RealOne Player is in use”. However, since RealOne Player is unfortunately needed to watch videos on many news sites, here is what we suggest you do and which works for us :

1) Terminate REALSCHED on the Tasks tab of The Ultimate Troubleshooter.
2) Switch over to the Startups tab.
3) Right-click on REALSCHED and choose Rename the file that this Startup points to.
RealOne works absolutely fine without this task running, and you can surf the web in the safe knowledge that you have successfully disabled REALSCHED !

Where can I download a DVD decoder for free so I can watch DVDs on my computer? Every time I try to play a DVD, I get the same message about it but their links take me to shit that costs about $20 and up.

Where can I download a DVD decoder for free so I can watch DVDs on my computer? Every time I try to play a DVD, I get the same message about it but their links take me to shit that costs about $20 and up.

Installed. This is what I get now:

Windows Media Player cannot play this DVD because there is a problem with digital copy protection between your DVD drive, decoder, and video card. Try installing an updated driver for your video card.

Still nothing. See, this is part of the problem though. I don't know how to start a DVD when it doesn't auto run when inserted.

I know that much of it but I never know which files actually start the DVD.

Personally I would stick with a Western Digital, but that's just me. Ask 10 people you'd probably get 10 different opinions. As far as Fantom, Cavalry and iomega, those companies just make the enclosures. The actual drive inside could be any manufacturer. At least with a WD drive, you know what you are getting on the inside. It may sound like a strange place to get a deal but, check dell.com for good prices on external drives. Usually after a coupon code(techbargains.com)

Define cheap? You basically want a pc2-4200 sodimm. Make sure it is sodimm though. That is the 200pin laptop memory. You dont want to confuse it with a 240pin desktop memory. Basically the 200 pin sodimm is the slot it goes into. The pc2-4200 (533MHz) is the speed of the RAM. If you are looking for 2 1GB sticks, something like this should work. It's $24 per stick. You could also check out www.crucial.com for a memory selector. I have never had a problem with crucial RAM.

Another question if you dont mind. Left my PC alone for a few hours the other day, came back and it was on but nothing was showing and it wasnt doing anything. Restarted it and it said it couldnt see the OS and it wasnt recognizing the main Hard Drive. Turned it on again later and it worked after startup repair, failed again later. All the same signs. Get it going again later and everything freezes after a random amount of time. Rinse/Repeat. Im assuming the Hard Drive is dying and i have one to replace it, but i want to see if i was missing anything obvious. Any help is appreciated.

This may be a weird question, but I tend to try and keep my PC as neat as I can, so I was wondering if there was a program to go through and delete empty/unused folders. I've looked around the net and have yet to find anything that does exactly that. Any ideas?

Not off the top of my head. I wouldn't trust a program to do that though. No telling what it could delete by mistake.

I suppose you're right with that thinking. It's just, I'm a bit OCD with keeping my PC organized and it bugs the hell out of me having orphaned folders from programs or items I've deleted over time. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to deal or take some time and do it myself, thanks for the quick response though.

I really don't understand why I can't fileshare between my Vista 32 desktop and Win 7 64 laptop. I follow all the instructions. I set up a workgroup on both computers with the devilishly clever name of WORKGROUP. I can see the folders I set up for share. But I can't go in 'em. Woe is me.