A 5.1 SWITCHEROO
Ever seen a device that can switch between
5.1 components?
I have 5.1-capable headphones with
an attached mic and 5.1-capable speak-
ers. I want to be able to easily switch
between the speakers and headphones, but
I currently have to physically disconnect
my speakers and then connect the head-
phones, which is very tedious. Logitech
speakers have a desktop controller/volume
control that accepts headphones, but it has
only a single input.
—Chris Ramirez
The Doc has never seen the type of
analog 5.1-channel switcher you’re
describing, but he suggests you take a
look at Turtle Beach’s Ear Force HPA2.
This headset delivers 5.1-channel sur-
round sound and has a boom-mounted
mic, but it also comes with a splitter
cable that enables you to plug in a set
of 5.1-channel speakers. You can switch
between the two outputs without having
to unplug any cables from your sound-
card. The Doctor realizes that’s not an
ideal solution, but he’s listened to both
the Turtle Beach phones and the Razer
HP-1s you’re using and much prefers
the Turtles.
DUAL CARD DOESN’T WORK
I recently bought a Dell XPS 710 with an
XFX GeForce 8600 GTS videocard. I am run-
ning dual Dell 2007WFP 20-inch monitors. I
want to install a second XFX GeForce 8600
GTS card, so I can run a third Dell 2007WFP,
maybe even four monitors. I haven’t had
any luck installing the second card.
When I bought the XPS 710, the sales-
person said Dell could spec the XPS 710,
with two videocards. If he was correct, the
two cards should work. Dell did have to
replace the motherboard last week for a dif-
ferent reason. When the technician changed
the board, she tried installing the second
card but was also
unsuccessful. Any
suggestions?
—Frank Fugate
Never content to leave well enough
alone, Dell customizes the XPS
710 with what it calls “Dell’s OEM
Implementation of Nvidia nForce 590
SLI.” If Dell’s tech-support staff can’t
get SLI to function on its own product,
you should explore returning the system
and getting your money back.TOUCHSMART, TOUCHSMART,
SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME
I bought an HP TouchSmart PC in March
2007 (my first mistake in this venture). I
have had keyboard issues since day one.
The keyboard is wireless and it works
intermittently. I look at the keyboard, not
the screen when I type, so when I look up,
half of my letters are missing and a third of
the others are duplicates. Other times the
keyboard works well.
After calling HP support, I was sent a
replacement keyboard. That did not resolve
the issue. So I called back and was sent
another. Same problem. I noticed that it
uses 2.4GHz for its comm signal. Since my
wireless router (Linksys WRT54g) is in close
proximity, could that be interfering? Should
I switch the router to a different channel?
The HP help desk wants me to reinstall
the operating system. I refuse to do that
because it took too much time to set up.
—Steve BroudyThe HP TouchSmart IQ770 has a built-
in Bluetooth transceiver for its mouse
and keyboard, but soon after HP began
shipping these machines, the com-
pany decided to augment it with a USB
Bluetooth dongle. If you didn’t receive a
dongle with your machine, contact HP and
ask them to send you one. After you’ve
paired it with your keyboard, you should
see a big improvement in keyboard perfor-
mance. The Doctor certainly did after he
added one to his TouchSmart. If you’re still
having trouble, the Doc prescribes moving
your router—it could be interfering with
the Bluetooth network.Ask the Doctor
Diagnosing and curing your PC problems
Spider Doctor. Spider Doctor. Does whatever a Spider Doctor does.
Can he swing, from a web? No he can’t, cause he’s the Doctor. Look
out! He is the Doctor. Solves your problems. If you send. An e-mail to
[email protected]. Running out! Of space for song....how 2 IMPROVING YOUR PC EXPERIENCE, ONE STEP AT A TIME