Whenever a discussion runs to about 50 replys, the text in my web browser (IE6) sort of layers on top of it's self making reading it very difficlut, Has anyone out there had this experiance/know how to remedy it?
Here are a few suggestions, more or less in order of importance, as to what could be going wrong.
1)Computer memory. Probably the most important. It looks as if your system could be running out of memory space. If you're using IE6, the chances are that it will be taking up about 19MB of memory (as it does on my PC), and Explorer can use up to about 22MB. If your PC runs out of physical memory, then it will page stuff onto the hard drive, using that as further memory storage space. Data storage and retrieval from the hard drive is two or three orders of magnitude slower than physical memory, so you can see where the problem starts to show when you've got acres of text to scroll through.
Although Microsoft say that Windows will "run" with quite small amounts of memory (32MB, say) the truth is that at that level of memory the "run" is a feeble crawl, because of the paging to the hard drive.
If you're using Windows 9* or Windows ME then I suggest you'll need 128MB of fast memory storage. But note that with Win 9*/ME if you go much above 128MB, say to 256MB or higher, then for some obscure technical reason the efficiency declines.
If you're using Windows NT, 2000 or XP, then there is virtually no limit to the amount of memory you can use, subject to the constraints of your motherboard. The more the merrier in fact. My XP runs happily on 512MB, and the motherboard could take 2GB if necessary.
2)CPU speed. Upgrading the CPU is not always the most cost effective way of beefing up your PC's performance. If you've got memory paging problems with large files then a faster CPU isn't the answer. Upgrading the CPU on older machines is problematical and not always possible. A faster CPU will run hotter and consume more power and these two factors can cause mysterious crashes if you overdo the upgrade. The really fast CPUs are useful only if you're into advanced game-play, heavy graphics work such as ray-tracing, editing video, or streaming video off the Net. For everything else I don't think you need anything faster than 500-1000MHz. Memory and decent hard drives are far more important.
3)operating system. If you're running IE6 then your OS should well be able to cope, subject to what I've said about memory above.
4)other computer activities running in the background. These will use up valuable memory resources. Are you running a game, word processor or spreadsheet at the same time? If you've got memory problems then don't. Screen savers, screen wall papers, lots of desktop icons, they also all use up resources, usually for no good reason. But I would regard security applications such as an anti-virus program or a firewall as essential, especialy if you're on-line permanently or for long periods.
5) If you're using a networked PC in work then there may not be much you can do about it on your own. Have a word with your IT manager.
Upgrading memory/CPU.
Unless you've done this before and know what you're doing, then don't do it yourself; get a professional to do it for you. Although these upgrades are easy enough if you know what you're doing (aren't they always?) you've got to know how to handle delicate and sensitive electronic components and about earthing yourself so as to prevent stray electrostatics from damaging the computer. You've also got to know what memory chips to get in order to match what you've got already - most important otherwise it won't work. If you're upgrading the CPU then all the above applies plus knowing about heat levels and power requirements - and you will probably need a further internal fan or other cooling arrangement.
I've tried to reproduce the problem myself on Windows IE6, Daffyd, but I can't. That leads me to believe that the problem is more likely to be on your end, rather than a fault with the site. Sorry
Still, I might have a think about some way to split really long discussions into a couple of pages but, at the same time, I don't want things to get too complicated.
Thanks, I'm running an AMD Athlon 1400, with 192MB RAM So there shooulden't be a problem, yet there is also I'm running win 98, I'll check configuration settings and close additional programs and try again
Same problem, try maximising window, turn off favourites etc.
to reduce effect. I managed to recreate the effect on a 46 post entry (The real tune), which was OK until I squeesed the window up. On a 73 post (So Let's Argue about Posting Tunes) I almost cleared it up by maximising window etc., but it was noticable that the start was over written by the end with the same, reverse effect at the end. I would suspect IE6 rendering is getting confused. On 15in monitor 1024 by 768 display. Using "Select All" then copying and pasting to text editor produced perfect copy.
Back again, you can very considerably reduce the over writing problem by selecting a smaller font size ( if your eyes can stand it). Menu - View - Text Size - Smaller (or even smallest).
Hope this is helpful
Nick
Technical Request,
Technical Request,
Whenever a discussion runs to about 50 replys, the text in my web browser (IE6) sort of layers on top of it's self making reading it very difficlut, Has anyone out there had this experiance/know how to remedy it?
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by Dafydd Monks
Re: Technical Request,
Dafydd,
I suffer from same problem and was going to raise it sometime - thanks for bringing it up; hopefully someone may be able to suggest something.
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by Bannerman
Re: Technical Request,
Here are a few suggestions, more or less in order of importance, as to what could be going wrong.
1)Computer memory. Probably the most important. It looks as if your system could be running out of memory space. If you're using IE6, the chances are that it will be taking up about 19MB of memory (as it does on my PC), and Explorer can use up to about 22MB. If your PC runs out of physical memory, then it will page stuff onto the hard drive, using that as further memory storage space. Data storage and retrieval from the hard drive is two or three orders of magnitude slower than physical memory, so you can see where the problem starts to show when you've got acres of text to scroll through.
Although Microsoft say that Windows will "run" with quite small amounts of memory (32MB, say) the truth is that at that level of memory the "run" is a feeble crawl, because of the paging to the hard drive.
If you're using Windows 9* or Windows ME then I suggest you'll need 128MB of fast memory storage. But note that with Win 9*/ME if you go much above 128MB, say to 256MB or higher, then for some obscure technical reason the efficiency declines.
If you're using Windows NT, 2000 or XP, then there is virtually no limit to the amount of memory you can use, subject to the constraints of your motherboard. The more the merrier in fact. My XP runs happily on 512MB, and the motherboard could take 2GB if necessary.
2)CPU speed. Upgrading the CPU is not always the most cost effective way of beefing up your PC's performance. If you've got memory paging problems with large files then a faster CPU isn't the answer. Upgrading the CPU on older machines is problematical and not always possible. A faster CPU will run hotter and consume more power and these two factors can cause mysterious crashes if you overdo the upgrade. The really fast CPUs are useful only if you're into advanced game-play, heavy graphics work such as ray-tracing, editing video, or streaming video off the Net. For everything else I don't think you need anything faster than 500-1000MHz. Memory and decent hard drives are far more important.
3)operating system. If you're running IE6 then your OS should well be able to cope, subject to what I've said about memory above.
4)other computer activities running in the background. These will use up valuable memory resources. Are you running a game, word processor or spreadsheet at the same time? If you've got memory problems then don't. Screen savers, screen wall papers, lots of desktop icons, they also all use up resources, usually for no good reason. But I would regard security applications such as an anti-virus program or a firewall as essential, especialy if you're on-line permanently or for long periods.
5) If you're using a networked PC in work then there may not be much you can do about it on your own. Have a word with your IT manager.
Upgrading memory/CPU.
Unless you've done this before and know what you're doing, then don't do it yourself; get a professional to do it for you. Although these upgrades are easy enough if you know what you're doing (aren't they always?) you've got to know how to handle delicate and sensitive electronic components and about earthing yourself so as to prevent stray electrostatics from damaging the computer. You've also got to know what memory chips to get in order to match what you've got already - most important otherwise it won't work. If you're upgrading the CPU then all the above applies plus knowing about heat levels and power requirements - and you will probably need a further internal fan or other cooling arrangement.
And finally, don't forget - RTFM!
trevor
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Technical Request,
That's all good advice from Trevor.
I've tried to reproduce the problem myself on Windows IE6, Daffyd, but I can't. That leads me to believe that the problem is more likely to be on your end, rather than a fault with the site. Sorry
Still, I might have a think about some way to split really long discussions into a couple of pages but, at the same time, I don't want things to get too complicated.
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Technical Request,
Thanks, I'm running an AMD Athlon 1400, with 192MB RAM So there shooulden't be a problem, yet there is also I'm running win 98, I'll check configuration settings and close additional programs and try again
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by Dafydd Monks
Re: Technical Request, Same problem , Try
Same problem, try maximising window, turn off favourites etc.
to reduce effect. I managed to recreate the effect on a 46 post entry (The real tune), which was OK until I squeesed the window up. On a 73 post (So Let's Argue about Posting Tunes) I almost cleared it up by maximising window etc., but it was noticable that the start was over written by the end with the same, reverse effect at the end. I would suspect IE6 rendering is getting confused. On 15in monitor 1024 by 768 display. Using "Select All" then copying and pasting to text editor produced perfect copy.
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by nickthefiddle
Re: Technical Request, Also try
Back again, you can very considerably reduce the over writing problem by selecting a smaller font size ( if your eyes can stand it). Menu - View - Text Size - Smaller (or even smallest).
Hope this is helpful
Nick
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by nickthefiddle
Re: Technical Request,
I solve the problem with interchanging browsers i.e Netscape instead of Explorer -works a treat.
Alan
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by Alanmmcgregor
Re: Technical Request,
Thanks guys:->
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by Dafydd Monks