Archive

Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category

Forcing Excel 2007 To Use Multiple Windows

April 17th, 2009 No comments

Excel 2007 by default opens multiple documents in the same window.  I absolutely hate that behavior, and maybe you do to.  Here is how to fix it:

Go to

My Computer
Tools
Folder Options
File Types
Choose XLSX
Go to Advanced

Uncheck “browse in same window” in advanced window.

Highlight Open

Edit

Make sure in the Action box it says &Open

Copy one of the following and paste into “application used to perform action” (Check whether current path has OFFICE11 or OFFICE12 then copy and paste one of the following:

“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE” “%1″

“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12\EXCEL.EXE” “%1″

Check the box next to use DDE

Remove anything that is in DDE Message box and DDE Application Not Running box.

Make sure the application box says: EXCEL

And in the Topic box it says: System

Thanks to Jonathan for the fix.

Stopping The “Beep” When Using The Volume Control In Windows

February 17th, 2009 No comments

One of my top 5 most annoying things ever is the “beep” that occurs in windows xp when moving the volume control on a non factory windows installation.

Here is how to fix it:

The steps are;
1. Right-click on My Computer
2. Click properties
3. On the Hardware tab, click on [Device Manager]
4. On the “View” menu, select “Show hidden devices”
5. Under “Non-Plug and Play Drivers”, right-click “Beep”
6. Click “Disable”
7. Answer [Yes] when asked if you really want to disable it
8. Answer [No] when asked if you want to reboot
9. Right-click “Beep” again.
10. Click “Properties”
11. Click [Stop]
12. On the “Driver” tab, set the Startup type to Disabled
13. Click [OK]
14. Answer [No] when asked if you want to reboot

Thanks to annoyances.org for the fix.

Dell Vostro 1700 XP Audio Driver Will Not Install

February 17th, 2009 No comments

I received an error when trying to install the Dell sugggested audio driver for XP on my Vostro 1700. Instead I installed the audio driver for the Inspiron 1500 from the Dell site and was up and running right away.

Thanks to howtofixcomputers.com for the fix.

Dell Vostro 1700 1390 WLAN XP Driver Will Not Install

February 17th, 2009 No comments

I was unable to install a XP wireless driver on my Dell Vostro 1700.  The 1700 is using a dell (actually its a broadcom rebranded) 1390 WLAN mini pci wireless card.  Instead of using the driver on the dell support site under the service tag for your device, use this driver on the dell site.

Thanks to this link at the dell forums for this fix.

Replacing the input shaft bearing in a Honda Civic and Civic Del Sol Transmissions

January 11th, 2009 No comments

Identifying:

Transmission makes grinding noises at lower rpms in gear and chattering noises at idle in neutral with the clutch out (engaged).  Chattering/grinding noises in neutral and in gear go away as soon as the clutch is pressed in (disengaged).  High rpm whining may be present also in gear with the clutch out.  The transmission will need to be removed, opened, and the input shaft bearing replaced.

If the noise occurs when the clutch is disengaged (in) but not engaged (out), then the problem is most likely your throwout bearing.   Throwout bearing replacement requires the transmission to be removed, but the transmission itself will not need repair.

Tools needed
10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 32 mm sockets
Impact gun (may be needed to remove axle nut)
Breaker bar (removing axle nut)
Ball joint separator
Pry bar (removing axles, transmission)
Hammer
Screwdrivers
Needle nose pliers
Punch or awl (removing shift linkage pin)
Helms Manual (92-95 Civic shop service), a definite must!
Haynes Manual (preferred, but not required)
Transmission jack (you can try doing it by hand, but I wouldn’t recommend it)
Jack, jack stands
3 Jaw Bearing puller (cheap at harbor freight.  Not required, but preferred)

Parts needed
Clutch kit, or at the very least, a clutch alignment tool
Bearing grease
Silicone gasket maker
2 new axle nuts
Input shaft bearing
Input shaft oil seal

The helms manual is an absolute must, available here.  If you don’t want to pay the crazy price, download it online, its available in lots of places.  The haynes manual is also helpful, as our online sources reference at the end of this article.

A few tips before you begin:

  • Organize bolts/small parts in ziploc bags and label them!  Do NOT skip this part!
  • Buy a clutch kit, your taking off the transmission already, you don’t want to take it off again to replace a clutch.
  • Take the flywheel off and get it turned if you put in a new clutch.
  • Do yourself a favor, get 4 jack stands and jack the car as high as possible on all four corners, it will be worth it.
  • If you have an intermediate driveshaft, you do not need to remove it from the rest of the driveshaft.  Just remove the entire axle.
  • When you are attempting to spread the snap ring to separate the transmission housings, pry apart the housings carefully.  This will make it much easier to separate the housings.
  • Make sure you align the interlock guide bolt with the groove under the shift arm when you reassemble, its easy to forget this part.

To remove the transmission and to fix the transmission, follow the helms manual and this simple walkthrough, pulled directly from http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=596873

Primary Sources:

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=596873
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=811691
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2048165
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1740097
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/14/1f/96/0900823d80141f96/repairInfoPages.htm
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/14/21/21/0900823d80142121/repairInfoPages.htm

Additional sources:

http://honda-tech.com/
http://www.solsociety.com
http://www.superhonda.com
http://www.hondacivicforum.com
http://www.civicforums.com/
http://www.jdmcivic.com