suezzle

My old laptop died, for all intents and purposes. But I'm aware that the data on the hard drive is intact. Hence, I need to extract it to my current laptop.

Will the 'Sabrent 2.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool-free External Hard Drive Enclosure' work, to extract data from an Acer Aspire V3-551-8469 ???

Links:

To make it short...

Washing machine - which is actually upstairs in my house - overflowed...

Had casually-dirty clothes in it, water, detergent was poured in but never mixed and ran with it (settings were set, water started filling, but sensor never auto-turned off the water to flip on the tumbling cycle).

Water over-flowed for approximately 15 minutes.

I have a drain in the middle of the floor in the laundry room....but because it's not really indented much into the ground, not all the water immediately poured right to it...rather a good half-inch gathered across the entire floor of the laundry room before anything made it into the drain...

Ok, so we stopped the machine, cleaned up all the water in that room with towels, mop, whatnot...

But then down in the first floor, water started dropping down through 2 of the light fixtures. One was disabled (unsure if it was the CFL bulb that got fried, or the wiring itself).

And the ceiling shows damp spots in 4 locations. That are actually 2 different rooms apart from each other in the upstairs, although no sign of the wetness actually shows in the one room (so perhaps it's under the tiled floor?)...

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Is mold remediation necessary? Treatment of any kind?

Or since it's just otherwise clean water with casual-worn clothes in the mix (and detergent), and since I got to it within an hour or so..... would it be OK to let it just dry out on it's own?

Would mold remediation require the ripping apart of the floors/carpet???

Any ideas/suggestions????

THANKS A TON!!!

I've recently had a mole removed by a doctor.

It took him all of...eh, I'd say, 4 or 5 minutes (MAX) to walk in the room, have me position the area in the ready position and hold it there, numb it out with some ....I dunno, numbing stuff from a needle.... then scoop away at it with whatever sharp tool thingy he used, until he was done and put a bandage over it and told me I was good to go.

Well, now me and my health care provider are getting billed for it as "SURGERY".

A tiny little informal 5 minute interaction.

To the tune of $173 for the health care provider, and a [lousy] $150 deductible to me.

$323 for 5 minutes, and a tiny squirt of numbing stuff. oh, and a fancy bio-hazard clear-plastic little canister to put the mole-chunk in afterward.

This was just a normal-sized mole. We're not talkin' some big-bertha quarter-sized clump sticking off of my jugular, here. This thing was no bigger than an average pea.

The doctor spent 5 minutes or so with me.

Is a short little procedure like this usually billed in this manner?!?!?!?

$323 for him to trip clip off a little mole?????? Classified and billed as "Surgery"??????

Is this fair? Legal?

It is only after my car has sat idle for more than a couple hours.

Everything starts up fine, car moves forward (or backward fine), but when I go to make those first couple turns down the streets in my subdivision, the steering wheel wants to fight me a bit -still turns, but just resists me a bit, almost seemingly in a pulsating manner.

Sometimes it squeals a bit, too, as I turn the wheels for those first few times.

After the first 2 or 3 full good turns, it seems to be just fine again. I could drive for 3 more hours if I felt like it, and I'd get no problems.

I know the easy diagnosis would be to say "Oh, it's your power steering fluid".... but could it be anything else??

And if it is steering fluid, is it likely low, burnt, empty? ...

I don't know... let me know your thoughts. The more possibilities, the better.

****POSSIBLY IMPORTANT****

It's a 2005 Dodge Stratus. I've had it for about 7 months, now.

This issue started about a month ago, as the weather got colder (Not sure if there's a correlation, or just coincidence).

The car was purchased with a salvaged title...so I know that throws the whole 'who knows' curve ball factor into the equation, too. But let's try to work with what I listed above and hope we can get some sort of idea...

~~Please only answer if you have a pretty good felling about your guess. If you know only just as much as me (just enough to make stupid off-the-wall guesses with really no good logical explanation for your reasoning, please refrain from commenting. Thanks.

****THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!****

Ok, here's the laptops I'm considering buying:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?...

or maybe these:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat1350...

Now, I know what RAM is, and Harddrive, and Megahertz...and I have a somewhat more-than average awareness of what some of those things do.

But I'm not sure how to compare some of those detailed specifics... like which graphics card is the best. Or, other than just 4GB>2GB...which TYPE of RAM is best...(SoDimm vs. SDRAM, DDR2???...Then there's the whole thing about 'pins' or whatever...)

And I won't even get into graphics cards, and I'm not quite sure how Hard drive RPMs factor into the equation either. And I'm curious about which of these has faster/farther wifi capabilities, too..)

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Basically, I'm an average guy looking for a good laptop to handle SOME AVERAGE gaming (not intense graphics and whatnot), some AVERAGE multimedia usage (occasionaly tampering with photos/videos on photoshop, watching a few movies here and there, and SOME PRETTY DECENT MULTI-TASKING CAPABILITIES (Word, IE, IM program, music-listening, downloading, anti-virus, potentially all at once).

========

Which of those laptops is best for that? And WHYYYYY? (reference some of those things listed above that I'm not familiar with, if they are factors for your decision).

And if you can suggest a better laptop (for a $500-600ish price) please do so...and explain WHYYYY.

Thanks!

Ok, I am in the market for a new laptop.

I want to spend under $600, but still want quality.

I'm not a super big gamer, but would like reasonable performance for a decent game every so often. Nothing crazy intense in graphics and processor-draining specs or anything; I'm not gonna be hosting LAN parties or anything. Just something that can handle an average multiplayer game with average graphics and stuff, if needed.

I'm not majoring in digital art media or anything, so I don't need top-of-the line quality in that field, but again, I will be dabbling with a few things here and there; maybe try cutting and piecing together a few video snippits, or using photoshop to touch up or edit some photos a little bit on an amateur level.

*** However, I DO often run multiple programs at once. IE, Word, Music-downloading software, IM program, online game, and probably some music too (on top of my anti-virus and antispyware).

Maybe not all of these at once, but potentially so.

Battery life is a concern of mine...I don't want something that I'm going to have to plug into the wall every hour - that would annoy the hell out of me.

Sound quality and crystal-clear screen quality are definately a bonus, but aren't a mega-huge priority for me.

Oh, and I HATE Windows Vista...loved XP. But if it means decreased performance otherwise (which unfortunately almost always does mean that nowadays, since they stopped production of XP a while ago), I'll put up with Vista.

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So far, I've searched around a bit, and I swear - the online deals on laptops just don't seem to be what they used to. But here's what I found so far.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat1350...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?...

Of those 4, which one/s appear to be the best value, for what I'm looking for?

AND IF YOU CAN SUGGEST BETTER CHOICES FOR WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR, IN THE PRICE RANGE I'M LOOKING FOR, PLEASE DO!

If you simply reply to this post with a link to a random laptop-selling website, with no direction or suggestions or explanations other than a short little plug for that site...I will hunt you down and beat you with a stick. I want honest advice from the experts.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, in advance.

It's my last day at work.

I have control of a PA system. There's no one at this place except for co-workers.

I've worked here for 2 years. Wanna go off on a decent note.

What's a good song / soundbyte to play?

(links appreciated)

Ok, I'm using Turbo Tax's online filing system. It seems very accurate and seems to have a lot of double-checking safety procedures in place to make sure you don't falsely report anything.

BUT, I'm concerned that I may be doing something that is auditable in the future. I'm not trying to double-dip or get any money I'm not supposed to...I've simply answered the questions when asked (expecting for Turbo Tax to jump up and tell me 'Sorry you're not eligible' like it did on a couple previous things).

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When I was filing my federal taxes, It stopped me before I put any information about tuition expenses in, telling me I'm ineligable because I'm being claimed as a dependent by my parents - which is true.

But moving on to my state returns, it asked if I have paid tuition costs for anyone. I answered yes (for myself, and put my information in for it, including costs).

It let me continue.

It asked if I paid the full amount. I answered yes (admittedly I lived at my parents' house, and much of my food costs...again - I admit I'm a dependent. But I DID pay my full tuition and book expenses myself, so I reported it as such, as the question asked).

Well it let me continue, and ended up adding $40 more to my state return.

Even though my parents will be claiming me as a dependent, and will likely be putting in the same amount of tuition on their own taxes (even though I paid for it myself, the way their tax forms are setup, I don't think asks that specifically since it's assumed as I'm their dependent- they'll claim that much as costs to themselves).

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Ok, so... Is what I did alright? I know my parents will likely be claiming that amount on their own taxes, for me as a dependent, but I just answered the questions as asked by Turbo Tax, expecting to get shot down like I did for federal taxes.

Turbo Tax allowed me to continue, thus adding $40 or so to my tax return.

Could I/my parents get in trouble?

I need to replace a 'multi-function switch' (turn signal level) that is attacked to the core of my steering column on my 1998 Chrysler Concorde.

To get to it, I need to take the steering wheel off.

I've been told that it can be a pretty difficult task, and I have limited-to-no experience on car work. (Anyone giving the stupid usual "You could, but just be smart and take it to a dealer - it's not worth it to risk it yourself" answer will be voted thumbs down multiple times--I'm doing this myself, and that's that).

I am wondering if my vehicle's airbags may accidentally deploy, even after I've disconnected my vehicle's car battery. Like I said, I need to take the steering wheel off, so it could be a tricky situation. But I've been told by one mechanic that there's virtually no way airbags can deploy without the vehicle's battery being attached.

Is this true?

I have a 1998 Chrysler Concord LXI. Wondering if this part (from a 1998 Concorde LX... Same year and model, different trim) would be compatible?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...

Ok, I've had this messenger program for a couple of weeks. And in the last few days, somehow some feature has been turned on so that whenever the letters "yes", "yeah", "great", and "brb" appear together within a message I am typing in their messenger program, it converts them into little smiley things.

First off, it's flat out annoying.

2ndly, Just because I type "YES", doesn't mean it's a happy "yes". If someone just asked me "Did your cousin die today?" and I type "yes", I don't want a happy bouncing smiley face to accompany the word "yes".

3rd - Very often, these words will be within other words (YESterday, GREATful, etc...).

---

I NEED these to be stopped!

How do I cancel this annoying feature? I've looked all over, in their tools and stuff. I have no idea how it got turned on in the first place.

Please help. Thanks.

I'm making a table of contents in microsoft word.

I need the titles on the left side to be lined up perfectly, as well as the corresponding page numbers on the right side to be lined up perfectly.

How do I do this?

Ok, my family juuust bought a new digital TV, 42", brilliant color, blah blah blah. Looks great. And yes, it has a digital tuner.

Ok, now... we don't have cable TV. Or Satelite TV. ... Just REGULAR, NON-PAY, absolutely free TV (Yes, there are a few dozen people such as myself still on this earth). Basically, we use the antenna on our rooftop for reception.

We also don't have that an HDTV digital converter box... But I thought that built-in digital tuner would take care of that.

***

Problem being...

Often times - and seemingly in correlation with bad weather - Our TV's picture and sound will "skip" around, much like that of a CD player in your car when you hit a large pothole or something. It flickers and gets choppy.

I don't understand?!? Our previous TV was 100% absolutely FINE with reception. Not ONE flicker or anything.

So is it normal for the new HDTV to come in like this?? Would a converter box fix it? (remember, we already have a built-in tuner on the TV).

I own a Pirhana E-force, GTI (electronic/auto).

I was told that although gun cleaner is recommended to clean paintball guns, it's really not completely neccessary. I was told that a simple household degreaser will work.....BUT THERE WERE CERTAIN criteria I needed to make sure it had (which I forgot, sadly). All I can remember was that the degreaser should not have "solvents". . . . However, I have not seen anything directly labelled as "solvents" on any degreaser can I've looked at. What possible ingrediants would be considered "solvents"? I was told that certain household degreasers could eat away at the O-rings of the equipment.....as long as the degreaser says it's safe on METAL annnd RUBBER/PLASTC...should I be OK then?

Also, which household lubricants (specific namebrand/s please) COULD I use to clean my paintball gun? I was told NOT to use WD-40 (don't know why though).

Please be specific and informative. I'm on a tight budget, and need to know what will work.

THNX

I'm sure this is a VERY techincal question, so please only answer if you're quite certain of what you speak.

***

Here's the situation:

My friend and I have a GREAT idea for a website...something we think that could potentially compare to ebay if done properly. Doubt me as you may, I can't give specifics away for the following reason:

It's a brilliant idea, yet the concept is VERY simple. And unfortunately, although the CONCEPT is simple...the programming is a bit out of our grasp. Nothing outrageous for someone who specializes in that field, but definately for us.

So we'll have to hire a programmer.

**

QUESTION: Is there a legal way to make a contract in which the PROSPECTIVE contractor (hasn't taken the job yet) agrees not to work on a project similar in concept to what you will present to him, before you actually present it to him? This is to be done so that he won't decline our offer, then go replicate our idea on his own and create our site for himself.

THANKS!

I've been told that Concorde and Niagra grapes (most commonly sold in my area) are not good for making wine-making.....yet somehow they're pretty good for making juice from (heck, even check with the powerhouse 'Welch's grape juice' company about that)...

How can they be good for juice, but not for wine?

I've been told that they are naturally a little more bitter than other grapes, and have a more "earthy" taste.....but then, wouldn't they not be ideal for juice, either??? And I might be mistaken, but I could swear that when a company says "100% grape juice - no sugar added" on the label, it means that the only darn ingredients are grapejuice and possibly water (as confirmed again, by the back of the label)....

Ok, so even if you explain how they're good for juice, but not generally for wine---- Do you know a good way to MAKE them good for wine? I like SWEET wines. Any advice, or methods to use?

Also, how are "Thompson" grapes different than Niagra? Look the same to me...

Yes, this is for a project.

But I've done my research, and still have a few questions I can't quite put my finger on (I'm a dude who cares nothing about fashion, and doesn't really have foot problems...)

1. What/who would you say is Birkenstock's Target Market? I'm assuming it's rather wealthy people more concerned with comfort than price...but I'm unsure of age, gender,socio-class status, etc, or other classifications

2. What are some competitors of Birkenstock? Basically, other footwear companies that focus on comfort, and/or quality sandals...

3. What type of competitive structure would you say Birkenstock is in? (not sure what this question asks, so feel free to answer how you see fit.) I think it's asking how Birkenstock has to market itself to get consumer attention and gain marketshare over other similar companies. But also maybe refers to distribution and/or other factors.

*Please be as thorough as possible in answers!

THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING!!! BIG THANKS!

I've seen about 5 different types of grapes at different garden stores. Some say they're good for jelly/juice/wine, some don't say anything. Some look exactly like supposedly different types of grapes, but have different names.

I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on my dillema here. I'm trying to decide what kind of grapes to grow (MICHIGAN CLIMATE).

Not sure if I want to do red wine or white wine yet, so recommendations of each color grape is fine, as long as it's growable in Michigan, and good for wine-making.

A few names I for sure recall reading were "Mars", "Niagra", and "Concorde"... but there were a few others, too. Please let me know which are good for wine-making, and grow-able in Michigan.

Also...for whichever grapes you describe, if you could let me know how much sunlight and water they're supposed to recieve while grown, I'd be super appreciative.

THANK YOU ALL! YOU ROCK!

I'm getting interested in video-editing and I'm looking for a great program to use (Nothing hardcore, for a professional high-paying job, but nothing low budget, either). My friend uses the "Vegas Movie Maker" program (I think it's called), and it has a lot nice features, and layout. But that costs money...like, $200.

Does anyone know of a good, full-featured, intuative (easy to self-teach) video-editing program? ...Remember - FREE.

**DO NOOOOOT Suggest Windows Movie Maker - It sucks.

I want to be able edit not only the types of effects, but the length and duration of them, different volumes at different times throughout a single clip, have multiple videos/audios at once, condense or expand the length of clips without "cutting" them (basically, slow-mo or fast-forward), etc etc...

Thanks!!!

I'm looking for a program that has features as powerful as photoshop (or comparable to it, at least).

****BUT****

I haaaate photoshop's complexity!!! I can't figure out crap. It's very non-intuative. You really have to take a class on it or spend hoooours figuring out everything.

So, I'm basically looking for MS paint on steroids. I looove MS paint's eeeeasy to use and figure-out layout and tools.

I'm looking for something like MS PAINT, but with these features on it, without over-complicating things and requiring hours of my time to read tutorials on how to use the basic features...

* Cloning

* Healing (spot-fixing blemishes on faces, etc..)

*color-changing (for example - changing all shades of red, into shades of blue)

* Chromo-whatever (the "green-screen" effect)

* Blur/smudge/sharpen/etc

* Magic wand (selecting the background, if the background is primarily one color.

*OTHERS

REMEMBER..I need a FREE program. And Remember... NOTHING OVER-COMPLICATED!

Thanks