Weston

Going on a business trip to New Orleans. Will be staying a few blocks south of the french quarter. This is my first time in New Orleans and will have very limited free time on this trip; so I hope to make the most of it.

Looking for suggestions on MUST-TRY foods, bars, restaurants, beers/drinks, music spots etc while in New Orleans. I will not have a car, so looking for suggestions within walking distance in or near the french quarter.

Ultimate goal is to at least check out some interesting craft beers, try some essential New Orleans cuisine, and hear some live jazz. All suggestions welcome!

Thanks in advance!!!

Looking to get my first credit card as I need to begin building credit. I am a senior in college and will be graduating this year debt free. I am aware of how credit cards work, and the danger associated with them (I used to work in credit card customer service). This has somewhat made me disinterested in the use of credit cards, and therefore I have no debt, but also no credit.

If it matters, I work part time and make $1200/month. My spending consists almost entirely of tuition, gas, and online shopping. I plan to only use the card for gas, and pay off the balance each month.

I am primarily interested in the rewards offered. Especially cash back on gas. Also interested in knowing what fine print to look out for. I have yet to begin shopping around, but figured I would start here. So what are the best credit card rewards out there now that I would be able to get?

I just bought a new Windows 8 equipped laptop yesterday. I have since been trying to get Windows to simply update. I came across problem after problem until finally, I was able to get the updates to download. The laptop then restarted and began configuring the updates.

Soon after, it froze on the screen saying "Failure to Configure Windows Updates".

Since then I have tried powering down and back up hoping it would finish configuring the updates or at least boot.

Lastly, I tried booting into safe mode by holding shift and mashing the f8 key. The result of this is that now it is frozen on a black screen that simply says "Please wait".

I do not know what to do at this point. I can NOT boot Windows in any way. I have been online all day searching for an answer and hoping to find one here. Please help me!

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428276/K550LA-M...

All these features for $499 seem like a steal to me. What do you think?

I am looking to purchase a new laptop and have to choose between Windows 7 or Windows 8. I have Windows 7 now and like it. I read online that people really hate Windows 8.

Considering the price is the same, which should I choose?

Also, does it cost anything to update Windows 8 to 8.1?

My HP (Windows 7, Intel i3, 4GB Ram, 500GB HDD) I bought new in 2010 has given up on me. This laptop has met all my needs for the exception of various hardware failures over the years. It will now no longer power on. Need a new laptop asap.

Looking for something with:

-15" screen

-Intel i3 or i5 (does clock speed matter?)

-at least 4GB RAM

-at least 500GB HDD

-Windows 7 preferrably (should I avoid Windows 8?)

Like most people, Id like to get a GREAT deal. I want the best laptop that I can afford. I use my laptop for everyday browsing, schoolwork, photo editing, recording, and light gaming. My budget is $500 MAX, would like to stay around $400 if possible. Even if you dont have a specific suggestion, please include anything you may find useful when buying a new laptop. Especially good places to shop, websites to check, etc.

A few mornings ago, I noticed that my car (Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.4L) was running very rough at idle. It felt like it was going to stall but never did. It ran fine once it got above 1000rpm. Within 20 minutes my engine light came on.

Later that day I took the car to Autozone to take advantage of their free code reading service. The code was a P0401 EGR Valve. I was informed to add some Lucas fuel system cleaner and if that didnt fix it, to remove the EGR valve and clean it.

Well, the Lucas fuel system cleaner made no difference so yesterday I removed and cleaned the EGR valve. It was quite filthy, I used carb cleaner and a pipe brush. Reinstalled it and started up the car. The engine light was no longer on, and the car ran a little better but was still spitting and sputtering.

I start the car today and let it run for about 10 minutes, it ran the same as it did yesterday. Once I tried to drive it away it now stalls almost immediately as soon as I let off the gas. It stalled 3 times just pulling in and out of the driveway.

I am really trying to avoid taking it to a shop, as I do not know of any good ones around here and I do not have a lot of money. I am a broke college student that needs to get to class in the morning. My thoughts right now are to try a tune-up, it has been about 1-2 years since I last did this.

To summarize: At idle, my car runs very rough and stalls; there is no engine light on.

Ive bought COD every year on release day since COD 4. This year, I wasn't feeling it. I always get COD 100% for the multiplayer. But I've read some bad things about this game. What do you think of this game's multiplayer overall? Feel free to compare it to previous COD games.

In your opinion, is this worth buying used for $40?

Also, does it require a code to play online as many games are doing now?

I know Im late in doing so but I am going to pre-order Grand Theft Auto 5 for PS3 today. Does it matter where I pre-order from or all the merchants offering the same benefits?

Not looking for sitcoms or reality shows. What are your 5 favorite TV dramas? Or name more if you cant decide. And explain why if you like.

Mine are:

#1 Breaking Bad

#2 Lost

#3 Heroes

#4 Walking Dead

#5 Greek

I like shows that play out like a 100-part movie with one big story instead of 100 episodic separate events. Shows that leave cliff hangers from episode to episode and from season to season. Shows that you cant stop watching once you've started. While my list is quite diverse, and a little weird; I love all these shows despite some of them having plot holes (lost) or abrupt canceled endings (heroes).

Anyway, what are your top 5?

Mine would have to be Inception. What is yours?

I am usually on the fence when it comes to this topic. Reading the book beforehand offers a lot of insight and detail that you would not get from the movie. However, I also feel that knowing the characters/plot/ending etc beforehand takes away from the cinematic experience.

The movie comes out next week and looks awesome. So should I read the book this week? Or should I watch the movie first?

I am quite behind the times as far as cell phones go; I am still using a flip phone and do not pay for any data plans. I would love to have a smart phone like everyone else I know but I am not at all interested in paying for a data plan. I am currently on an at&t family plan and have been for years. Have always bought the cheap at&t prepaid phones and just popped in my sim card.

Anyways...

I recently bought a Kindle Fire, and with those you have the option of Wifi or the 4G version. Are there phones with this option? Is there a smart phone out there that I do not have to use the data plan (3G/4G) with? Something that just uses Wifi when it is available?

I have a PS3 Slim. The Netflix streaming is absolutely fantastic. Easy to navigate, menu is organized and moves smoothly, and the video quality is top notch IMO. I couldnt be happier with my Netflix experience.

Christmas is coming up and I would like to get my parents setup with Netflix as they still rely on basic cable for their entertainment. Unfortunately a PS3 is out of my price range and would be overkill as they would not EVER be using it for gaming.

So what is the best Wifi-Capable Blu Ray Player for streaming Netflix? Is there anything out there comparible to the PS3? Im looking to spend around $100 maybe a little more. I'll likely buy it from Amazon.

Thanks

Just got Crysis 2 to play online as a break from Call of Duty MW3. I understand that an older game may have less players online therefore making matchmaking a bit slower. But I have had the game for 3 days and have tried repeatedly to get into ANY match with no success. I just get stuck on the screen where I am in a lobby by myself and it says at the top "WAITING FOR 5 MORE PLAYERS" and no matter how long I wait no players ever join.

Am I doing something wrong? Is anyone else having problems getting into a match in this game?

I have a 2009 C1 Hellraiser. The wiring guide on Schecter's website is only for 2010 or newer Hellraisers.

Could someone please provide a link to the wiring diagram of the older model?

To start off, I know very little about car audio. This is what I have...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DUlmmfblfRG/p_236MB21...

Got this cheap amp & subs a few years ago and now I am looking to upgrade. From reading the reviews on this set, I have come to understand that these subs are good, but the amp sucks. So, what I am asking, is what size/brand amp should I get to see the full potential from these subs? Should I be looking for another Mono amp or a two channel?

Any suggestions you may have are highly appreciated.

Thanks!

My car is a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.4 L GS. The AC compressor went out months ago and I am now considering getting a new one. It is extra annoying because the power steering belt runs off of the AC so I do not have power steering either.

My question is, how hard would this be to do myself? A local shop gave me a price of $1200 for parts and labor. To me, air conditioning while i drive is not worth over a thousand bucks. I have found the compressor on eBay for $194.99 (link below). Are their other components of the AC system that I will need to install? BTW I do understand that I WILL have to take it to a shop to be flushed/recharged.

Basically what I am asking is what is the least expensive to get this done. Like I said, for $1200 it is not worth having to me, but for half that Id certainly do it because I am tired of sweating and driving.

Any advice, tips, and knowledge you can share will be highly appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item...

Looking for a tablet that I can effectively use for drawing as I plan on going in to art school this fall. Would also like to use it as a reader. Watching shows/movies and playing games would be a plus as well. I know nothing about tablets. From what I have researched I have learned that Kindle Fire, and Nook are a joke. I prefer to stay away from iPad as I am strictly a PC user and Macs are foreign and strange to me. I have read mixed reviews on various other tablets including the HTC Flyer. What do you think about it?

Using it for drawing and as a reader is a MUST. Any other features will only be a plus.

Also keep in mind Im looking to spend as little as possible; as I am a broke college student.

Any suggestions/knowledge you can share are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance