Ask A Geek

Q: I am downloading an ISO file with Flashget 1.9.6 on Vista Enterprise with Service Pack 1. Although Flashget shows a high download speed of 100-200 KB/s, the “Completed” column just shows a number that goes up and down between 8-24 MB. This has continued for a couple of days. Any suggestions? I tried asking the Flashget people at fg196@flashget.com, but my messages were rejected by their server.

Q: Before when I clicked on a movie link on a website it would open automatically in Windows Media Player. Now I get a prompt to run or save the file. What has changed and how can I change it back?

Q: Where do the movies I watch in Google Chrome get downloaded to? If they get saved to my computer is there any way I could extract it from that location and save it so I can watch them again later without having to download them?

A: Websites often stream audio and video so that users do not have to wait for the entire file to download before they can start watching or listening to it. The side effect is that the file is usually not actually stored on the computer at all. The computer just stores pieces of it in memory.

There are two methods that you can use to store the files on your computer. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I downloaded registry mechanic and was trying to save used space. At the same time there was a windows update going on and it would say stage 3 of 3 and continue to restart but wouldn’t finish update afterwards I had to system restore and now I can’t access my downloads from when I downloaded registry mechanic. What can I do to get access to registry mechanic again?

Q: Every time I hook my Dell c640 laptop running Windows XP Pro to the Internet it starts downloading something. I suspect it is a windows update. After 3 days and nearly 100 million bites later it is still downloading. The thing downloads incredibly slow despite being on a cable connection. Everything else I do on it is fast just not this download.

I don’t remember starting a windows update. Is there any way I can see what website IP the machine is connecting to while it downloads stuff in the background? Is there anyway to determine what file is being brought over?

Q: I was just on flickr photo sharing and I realized that after you save a photo, and you open it, it is blank as if they have covered the picture with a blank photo and that is what you have saved. I was wondering how you do this as I do not want my pictures stolen.

Q: I want to copy vod (video on demand) files onto my computer so I can watch them when out of network service area, not online. Is that possible?

Q: Where can I download oldie music that I can add to a home movie DVD?

Q: I cannot figure out how to burn my my downloaded movies to DVD. Can you please help?

A: I would suggest to move your movie files to your desktop so that they are readily accessible. Once they are on the desktop I would:

1. Double-click on the My Computer icon.
2. Double-click to select your DVD Drive.
3. When the DVD drive opens with your disk showing, drag the files to that window.
4. On the left panel of that window you should see an option that says “Burn this DVD.”

These steps should take care of the problem for you.