Calling All Geeks

How do I mount my new flatscreen HDTV on the wall? Can I permanently erase my name from the Web? How do I get "Big Pimpin'" as my ringtone for free?

All good questions. And all are answered by the brightest tech minds we know in PopSci's monthly "Ask a Geek" feature. Today we bring you a roundup of our favorites, but we know there's more. Do you have a different answer to one of the questions posed to our chorus of geeks? Or maybe a question of your own you'd like to see answered? Sound off in the comments below. —John Mahoney

UPDATE: The geeks answer! Commenter Ted asked about finding something to save audio streams from the Web the same way keepvid.com downloads videos. On the Mac side, there's Audio Hijack, an application that listens for audio generated by any application on your computer (your Web browser, Real Player, etc) and records it to an audio file which you can convert to the format of your choice within iTunes (just remember not to steal copyrighted material!). I've used Audio Hijack, and it's great. For Windows there is Total Recorder, which I haven't used personally but appears to have roughly the same functionality.

For everyone submitting specific computer problems they may be having, we know how frustrating these problems can be, but if it's specific to your computer we probably won't be of much help. Maybe give these other geeks a call?

Comments

[Ted R.Roberts]

In the tradition of downloading streaming videos (vidkeep.com), what about audio? Same site?

[Rohit]

I have an old windows 95 computer and as soon as you boot it, it shows the boot screen and suddenly it goes to command prompt

" C:\"

[Maggie]

My computer no longer recognizes my E or F drives. When I try to add hardware, it doesn't help. How do I get these back?

[John Mahoney]

Ted: excellent question about capturing audio streams from the Web as well as video. Check for a new post here on the blog for some relevant links in a few minutes.

Rohit and Maggie: We'd love to be able to help you with your specific computer problems as we know how frustrating those can be, but here we're looking for more general queries. Thanks!

[James Brown]

I often get undersized windows after clicking a link. How can I change this to a much preferred full-size window result? [XP system].---Jim

[Kyle]

Those little icons at the bottom of the computer next to the time? Yes, those. I have some programs that I can close and they will go there to get out of the way like bittorrents. Can I do that with other programs, like Itunes? And if so, how?

[Kyle]

Up tell now I have been using other peoples computers (id est: the schools, my mothers, and my grand mothers) and am going to get my own finnally. will I have to burn all the songs on Itunes to discs or is there an better way?

[Jeff]

Is there a way to get rid of those annoying "printer is out of ink" alerts? I use refilled cartridges and I'm sick of all the warnings.

[Justin]

I have some questions about spyware. Is there a program out there that will remove all of the spyware on a computer? Also, what's the best way to erase it for good? Because most times, after doing a scan and deleting, it still exists when I scan again later.

[Samuel]

Is there a way to make my external harddrive wireless?

[Sam]

How can I add distortion to a guitar amp that doesn't already have it, without buying something over 10 dollars?

[Brian Clemens]

What is the best laptop or tablet pc for use in college? (It kinda has to be indestructable, look good, and be at a reasonable price)

[Mystery]

Ahn Lab security is a great spyware/virus/ect.protection software. I is SOuth Korean, and go to their english web site to download some software. I works great and it is abuot 40 to 80 bucks.

[ryan taylor hull]

how do i connect a play station 2 to a computer?