Ep. 16: What to do with your old iPhone

I have -- good welcome news CNET data rescue. Our weekly show where we try to solve your tech problems. Solve the fear and uncertainty of the doubt that plagues us -- when we're dealing with no problems I -- -- in and I'm just loans and where attempt Cisco taking your calls you have a tech question for us and your watching -- live at noon Pacific time. Action in fifteen. -- an 888900. To 638 that's 88900. C aim ET on your old fashioned push button phone. No question is too basic because -- -- has to answer a faster. But try try -- its and that's your tech questions. Today before we get into your questions were going to be. Dealing with the topic of what do you do with your old iPhone or iPod. Do we put a couple of the query out on this and got some interesting results back and I wasn't expecting. Obviously a lot of people are upgrading its funny -- San Francisco which granted not the real world. Everywhere you -- term fiscal people are using iphones. What surprises me is that the number of people is -- using iphones or using iPhone ports -- as opposed to threes -- three g.s in the different. The number of people who -- upgraded a perfectly good phone to an iPhone for here in -- Cisco is amazing. It's it's -- like that anywhere I just got back from New England India -- and no one and it now now it's -- and humans before so I don't whine fleet you know. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah well there. That's the question it -- What do you do with those old iPhone three -- he's giving these people -- -- that's a good idea send them to doing -- -- -- -- there's there iPhone drought. So everybody has these old -- everybody. In San Francisco New York people have these old iphones. And that what -- do with them so my initial reaction to this. Is give your kid. Let the service -- You can even I guess pickets and card and it's a Wi-Fi device in internal Wi-Fi -- just duplicate the play games like a world he would love it I I don't really want total screen time. But that's that's one option. Another one that like satellite is the use it as as the media controller muscles and a but again and get rechargeable all the time in its use -- charging in the dock it was yeah. You got some. Yes that's the one and one of things I do is -- in the kitchen yet and may be you know she'll that was on her case but then you know how to just beer -- machine -- tenor and then he never have to worry about losing it. It's small enough to you know fit or you can somehow mounted. With velcro -- -- -- under which. Do -- with iPad I guess we yeah that's not for idea that I -- you have an iPad it's you know it's clearly better than having squint but if you -- if you you know. It's inspiring oil gets on your old phone you're not gonna care that -- iPad in the -- good point good point. You can also add an eight and Apple AV cable or if you if it's an older phone. And turn it into a Netflix or Hulu or basically video player -- enter key here -- AV receiver. There's -- -- -- comments if you are if you are so inclined to jailbreak via you can actually get pure video out from that devising pure video so if you get the actually the cable which I believe is VGA cable and you have to you to composite. -- -- -- We have to get it from certain apps that won't just it won't show you the screen and what you're seeing an iPhone like me like Steve Jobs shows us what he's doing -- -- -- if you can get that through etc. I believe it's on C -- I'm not sure it costs money. But hey that's you know it's a -- would actually get any kind of content on anything lap. And I guess if it's an old phone without a contract out of service anywhere you might as well -- -- experiment yeah. Michael from Chicago respond to this issue saying -- my wife and -- take your to your oath on vacation we both upgraded. To the iPhone for from the three G and I re purpose both the -- three g.s into learning devices -- sun. I restored both -- -- them up of education apps and games my son's music photos of family and a few Sesame Street videos. You already knows how to unlock swipe make phone calls and phone calls. Open and close apps etc. this is a two year old readable author after learning an open doors that reflect that. I also -- sure to put the phone in airplane mode -- is not constantly searching for a signal. Now when he starts to get restless on the airplane and -- relentlessly kicked the back of the seat in front of them I have a simple distraction that he absolutely loves. As a tool for use on special occasions it's a win win win for me meet my wife my son and the -- ladies that in the seat in front of them. If he -- a little something for the -- with bonus I have to say. I was just on vacation and my adorable and precocious four year old son. -- and near meltdown in an airport right as we're about to board the plane. And I gave -- my iPad with cards on it and it should write up I felt like it completely -- but the 21 century -- -- mean and I felt that but. Or does it work so haven't -- always standing by for him would be great. So it's worth noting if you are gonna give it through younger one and you don't and that's the counter accidentally and -- spend money which is you know really hard to you can via password right you -- -- penalties or restrictions in place with and a restrictions panel. Of the settings so it will be on my iTunes account and you'll be able to Biden and you can keep them from. Opening certain things -- keep him from doing things like YouTube are doing restrict Google searches. Okay. It's very helpful point. Do we have to go home security angle oh -- -- where news is there's actually there's a couple iPhone apps when I checked out back in October 2009 called IP camera and actually lets you set your camera and adults take a picture every couple seconds I what camera IP camera -- now now -- -- Today juvenile and -- the please. -- to take a picture every couple seconds and archive it and I'm not sure if they've added some degree conceiving cabinet but motion triggers or anything -- you know. -- and this'll phones and around. And -- little thing to take pictures on people that's the it on a definite -- just before actually the security -- -- -- -- against -- them. No no I mean it would work it will yeah if it it's -- a -- critical into the dock. So they can't steal it cameras in the back so I mean if you wanted to put it Ohio -- bookshelf it would look. Very conspicuous think it -- him here now the three we'll pay you know Annette September. Something to do -- year old that's right. Jeff protest and say and this is a very good idea. See if your local women's shelter can use them powers accepts them and get them out to women who are hiding or creating a stalker. They don't need to have an active plan just be able to hold -- -- to charge. Any phone with the chart can still call 911 even if it does not have an active man. That's a good thing to do that makes you feel bad for turn pocket on the data the out what's a little late for that I think is LO whatever it is of the treaties prices. Basically. Plummeted the -- before came out for a while it was about a hundred bucks -- much lower now. Twitter responders that if your kids away to anyone crashes and you're totally frustrated with Apple meant by the biggest -- -- -- and office space it. Enjoyable suggestion. Somebody suggested. The our joint project if -- you for your iPhone two G three year touch and bring it to an old device in new life. This will have some wacky fun with Hitler if things turn you down adjusting it on it -- very well on an -- -- if so what it's fun. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Jailbreak and unlock and resell it and use as a remote or music for the iPod. So -- to -- things to do with your old phone. Now I'm kind of glad I didn't -- I have all these things like if a pile of junk -- it's not junk. There's still some brief brief -- test before we get into your questions. I have this interesting experience when I was staying at a relatives cabin in Colorado. They they didn't have Internet to the cabin they were basically leaching off with permission mind you. Powerful Richmond neighbor's Wi-Fi and they were up the -- little bit as very -- it was a really on the fringes of the Wi-Fi. And I had with me and I'm not a fan boy but I can happen to have with me my iPhone for my iPad mark my own art and and my MacBook. And I was trying to get on the Wi-Fi and there's only one place in the house where you get a signal and here's what I found. The -- Got a great signal. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And I have a case with the cost of holding -- just in putting down on you know on the table the iPad could not get a signal to -- its life. Clinton needed terrible reception is from I -- -- I had no idea the iPad that's -- that Wi-Fi radio antenna in it anyway little grotesque there. Let's see who HDR photos -- first let's talk red laser. Another -- mobile thing they need six dollars each I -- like for free application which is now for you it's it was a -- audit. And when to best buy isn't the only electronics store and Boston. Nearby other. And I found I was buying it headphones -- and is twelve dollars which I was like you know that's that's ridiculous press for -- And so I went online -- best buy store when I scanned it. It was like six bucks cheaper and so wanted to that the tolerance and it -- -- cheaper on your website is in the store and monitoring up or and the like sorry about that. So in the same store -- That Daniel like that he happens all the time you read Lazard best buy Irina says best buy -- -- -- you've got the online price. In the bricks and mortar yet but and that's what it on Gandy and it's available for in store to -- to have they had an offer that I have bought -- online and picked up at that store and paid that prize. Good for you -- killing options that really can get -- the you know always -- stuff that you're invited brick and mortar stores with these and things happened I I'm going to do that -- -- -- interest in a little -- now is it. It was made by occidental -- and people do that 360 and or IMAP now -- cool thing with a view of moving -- -- and in each day while the app. So -- speaking of photography yes. Well I was also on vacation updated to OS or one -- -- platform which is just coming up for everybody today but yes you got to do the depth review I did it's insane sampling error and today. And what has is feature called HDR which is high dynamic range photos and and I took about a hundred shots when I was on vacation. And the results are fantastic. So why it's amid the best uses for this or when you're outside in this are really bright light. So if normally in the shop where -- where you -- -- -- -- -- white swatch of sky and everything's really blown mountain you actually get blues in -- in the grass to and a couple of these pictures to have some graphs and and normally looks with the dark. And then with its HDR on it it kind of evens it out. So here's an example sorry for podcast listeners but here you can't even see this guy in the first shot. That's like -- -- can -- pretty clearly and same thing with -- that stuff that's underneath. A sign I was very excited to -- -- H the art and so it does the stitching all him. For you well there was -- yankees are overlaps are -- closure soon there there are some fragments -- ads for them on at the lot of noise which is a bad thing the new camera sensors buried you know lean on noise -- -- actually haven't added to your shots and -- -- -- there's another good example. But the problem and you can't see in this photo of the if you really zooming close you'll see that. Around things like trees and moving objects you get a lot of these grainy artifacts for -- it's kind of taken. Three exposures that once and upland and again I entries move that the problem entries the in the okay so -- you know there's a -- -- -- taken something outside it works pretty well but it. -- inside it's very very useless. And it's all right let's thanks for the tip like and we had tried it out a phone -- let's move -- questions again if you have one for us you -- call us listening live 1888900. To 638. Will go to the phones in just the second -- someone take this put corn from Steve Ely says. I have a TV system and home. That I have my multi dvd player Nintendo Wii PS2 and a laptop cable all being routed to an RCA the -- white yellow cables. Switch -- switch allows me to use my Wii laptop who PS2 and have the audio come out of the dvd stereo system. And video -- -- of the TV with prevents you from having to buy a receiver or -- another remote the next. Over time of -- watching scene that shows talk about video and sound quality wanted to know I'm missing out on graphics and if I should think about getting better cables. I've never been a data needs the mind blowing graphics or sound or crave realistic quality of video games just wanted to be TV do enjoy what I watch and play. I'm a -- when it comes the component. By cables that -- -- -- and don't know much about them what they can do for me the questions are what is better cable from a system set up. For my Wii is RCA good enough if not RCA's there's -- -- I can get and to my TV is 42 inches and people -- 720. And does have HDMI ports -- what do I do. -- so the quick answer here judgment both have to take on this first of all composite video. Which is -- three cable set up which is two cables for audio left right and one for video is V worst video. You can do -- it's doing. Frequency modulation. And tuning to channel three composite video is very poor when compared to S video. Which is the next step up which is an intermediate step that sucks a lot less. The best video you're going to get is component. Which is three video cables -- -- for audio or HDMI. On a 42 inch set. You will not be able to tell the difference in video between component and HDMI and but HDMI is easier to run this just one cable. Right. And also it yum scanners argument during a Wii and remember we year tops of -- 480. Which is not quite high definition right. And so if you're buying an HD MH you -- converter forward it is largely a waste because you you know. It just costs extra money -- from the you don't need if you're not gonna get extra resolution Gretzky in my. So having used. Use that there are some differences on the bomb from forty -- forty. We have a video here that will link in the show notes the connection is -- the differences particularly with fast action you don't get as -- the jagged lines because it's not it's progressive it's not interlaced in the frames. So. You know if you wanna buy a thirty dollar component cable Gulfport but -- -- -- -- much of a difference if you're not using it all the time -- Anyway so in a nutshell. Avoid composite but if that's series that's my advice and -- -- -- -- your PT if you're buying both -- yet. We have a call from Henry. It the button here. -- -- we do for you. They a -- in the yet chat comments 20 yeah pretty useful -- Got a question is basically -- -- I'm wireless routers insecurity you basically a one of the -- -- too -- to do web encryption and WP a 20 what I do is arm. -- filter. -- and rotor by its Mac address. I'm assuming that that it is good enough I'm aware of Mac address spoofing -- -- Do I really need to worry that you know -- -- -- -- outside my house would have. -- somebody using yes -- be able to crack. Like anything or do they really need when they need to know they added some might Blu-ray player -- -- -- anyways I'm just wondering if it were. Well I would definitely go over in. For encryption over filtering any day as you say. Mac addresses can be spoofed and all -- -- have to do is figure out which of your couple of devices. Get the Mac address for one of them which they could probably get over the air you're not encrypting. WPA. Or yet WPA encryption is is the way to go the other thing of course you wanna do. Hide your SS ID again that's not gonna stop and it they really determined hacker but it does. Help things that little bit there. The reason I -- also interest things about that a buddy's house just two nights ago. And you know wrote the so I think hey what's your Wi-Fi password he says oh tell me a Mac address as I gotta put -- -- -- Mac filtering. -- like not forget it -- any -- upstairs go to their you know log onto the route or put in a Mac address I find Mac address filtering while it's not. Bad security it's not encryption it's it's hiding it's not actually. And scripting so I would go for I would make the operating -- for -- the encryption. I guess that might be bit of an issue if you've got. Devices like Blu-ray players yeah I don't know maybe can set up on your route or add guests -- zone. Or something and patch things through yeah you know what I can see regarding this would be pain in the neck for some devices to get them to do encryption. I'm thinking the world -- -- -- -- devices. I got to -- broadcast as if it wasn't a society is that the case or do today. Like somebody could basically use -- serials or -- or whatever. To find the Mac yet. Yes -- exactly that's why encryption is a better bet than just hiding. It. -- -- -- -- -- -- Thank you oh what's the workings of tricky if it's fun I love and in the -- the network -- -- -- We have a question here am. Is not an opening this a cable in question. John Davis as we have a new -- we have new custom build desks at a workplace and -- the design oversight loops. They didn't come with computer cable Gromit or any way to neatly -- cables so we can drill our own but we are also considering going wireless with keyboards and mice. Do you have any recommendations for a good set that will work well in close proximity to each other we will meet three sets is our better or Bluetooth. Well. I guess if you gotta go wireless on keyboards and mice might as well I consider wireless to be a superfluous and overrated feature on a device that has basically three with the -- from the what do plugs into -- doesn't move them much. Also you get better performance until recently you get noticeably better performance if you're gaming on a wired -- a wireless mouse. Agree I mean I'd rather have wires all over the place and -- wired and that -- you know not workable solution you know they can drill they should drill. -- -- -- -- -- But you've used a bunch of but you gotta go Bluetooth there are -- but he yet today it's a debate that's been gone for awhile and that the key benefit of Bluetooth over -- is that if your computer arias plea to any you don't need to use some sort special dongle. Which is always nice except the big difference -- RF over Bluetooth is that. It's usually need specifically for that device and it has faster -- -- time it's easier repair and and so maybe you get better response from -- like -- -- really needs some sort of very particular very fast response time so. You know wanna honestly either of them can channel -- or they -- channel -- you don't have to worry about them you know -- welcome -- suddenly typing over for years one of your colleagues here you know Sony -- Thursday -- else's actions. That problem is supposed to have been -- -- -- that's that's basic stuff so we have a couple -- conditions for you that there is -- of the Logitech cordless desktop wave. Pro which is currently at CNET editor's choice for wireless mouse and keyboard combos. On the testy swanky -- trying one of wired Microsoft's wireless desktop options there's the 3007000. Which are pretty you know well rated and they work with XP windows it's all that stuff. Ultimately -- I don't know I don't know if -- violence kids versus getting you know very particularly -- do you like it very particular amounts yet when you violence catchers that Apple. Yeah and the -- never have the top and stuff in there them. And implements -- going to -- now would you mix Logitech and Microsoft. Down he went on anything if you have a desktop -- some of -- of -- that the unit we need to worry about it on the key thing I wouldn't -- -- -- for -- if either one of those are all those things the proprietary software -- -- running at the same time. In order work I mean that's just you know on -- -- an -- my computer. There just make -- -- you work work and that's just -- recent and almost that some sort of special features. We. Have -- call here from Andrew who has a question about podcasting technology case and pay attention Andrew what we do for you. Hey -- done well this thanks. Yeah I wanted to do a podcast. Like preparing -- -- mean my roommate and that you -- -- -- -- here and you know you -- that in order to -- And the problem is I -- he seems to only again one you know channel at the time. And -- they're USB ports you know it was smart it's -- kind of a little cheap mixer in there do -- -- -- -- together. Series of ways we used to use rip -- -- To record. -- -- -- -- He's ripping it back don't go that -- -- -- you don't mind appears of these kind of like I've kept it not. Actions are. -- -- -- -- -- well as far as audacity is concerned -- Audacity is capable of recording multiple channels of audio I think the difference here though from what it sounds like -- you have your multiple channels are coming from two different USB ports. And that might actually be a problem because I know that streaming audio or even video multiple video inputs -- USB. Through different USB ports can be difficult so I would imagine. You know possibly the same limitations extend to audio as well but audacity as a software is capable of doing multiple. Templates if you have -- an audio card that has multiple. Input sources -- like -- aren't or whatever are you wedded to you having a USB input today I realize that makes things -- lot -- but it certainly. Down and I'll look at it alone but yeah yeah -- -- might. You know I mean oh trying to see here -- the mixer -- -- input but I haven't. -- yeah I USB is an input I mean it's not -- I'm not saying that they're not out there I haven't -- a lot of experience with them and I would imagine it. The the availability of that that's not that's somewhat limited compared to something he might get for something analogue based. -- there are seen 58 send Kaiser -- and instruments. See here that the that. No -- sure S and 58 is -- top of the line but very inexpensive. Very standard. Microphone analog -- -- it's -- -- And I mean I have a couple -- at home you're gonna find these in any recording studio. And there -- like maybe eighty or ninety bucks so they don't break the wallet but the really good herbal. Microphones all purpose microphones so I would recommend getting personally I recommend getting something like that. And maybe some sort of entry level. Analog mixer. And what you can do -- as you can then plug the analog mixer into your computer via USB if you have like a USB mixers you can take all these. Analog microphone sources. -- the conduit into your computer to record via something like audacity. Would be USB is pastor. So. And an audio actually makes a couple of really -- units I don't know the names of -- up my head but -- -- is pretty solid and on top of that. If -- -- in further M audio automatically. Allows you to use it with higher end audio software like pro tools so check it out. I just read on the -- audacity forums that multiple US in my current cannot be used to submit to -- problems there is that that's when Islam it is yes windows manages the in the US the input and it only has the only -- -- -- of one audio input at the time and audacity can't get through that. That's -- -- ago I guess to a mixing it down through board or using a multiple input port thing yeah I mean you don't. Multiple input audio cards really aren't that expensive either M audio has be -- a series that'll take in. I think it's got a breakout box with foreign ports for outputs and it's a couple hundred dollars. But that I know because I have one at home works -- audacity to take multiple inputs -- you can make. Atlanta men out a new card will take multiple inputs. -- -- It'll take multiple analog -- so I guess I'm talking more on the analog -- if you have the US being. Not -- and you are dead set on mixing those in some sort of a mixer announcing that that is impossible I'm sure it's possible I just don't really know whole -- -- that aspect of things we're. -- you know a thing about these it's in the -- -- -- cheaper they're very good. Nothing specifically I have seen -- -- those kits and it's kind of like what we're talking about earlier only answer talk about with the keyboards in the -- mechanic it's that you get. A lot of times those kits that you -- for sale -- like musicians friend or whatever. Like they're not necessarily always the best pairings they're kind of they're kind of matching them up -- you bring you know to make it really appealing buy a low cost. And you know so I wouldn't necessarily recommend always going with that but you know do some searches on Google you'll find that some reviews for the specific -- you -- -- -- -- from there. -- we're gonna do I have to say -- analogous we have an answer possibly for reforms that so thanks for the call Andrew and it's they -- -- -- we might have more -- here. Zach you're on with us. What he got for the podcaster guy out over there Andrew thanks -- I was gonna touch on what Jason was -- Speaking of -- audio. I actually have a module that I use -- had it for a few years now the M audio makes. It's it's part of their fast -- series -- have the fast track quo and I've found it to work really well it's got a couple of microphone input political arm put. Also got a couple of quarter engine puts it it works really well for that sort of thing so you know like you were saying Jason manager you know not -- -- on the USB microphones. -- The M audio fast tracked problem you know might be something you wanna look into and -- -- used electorate that's about 45 years. I'd absolutely love -- have never had an issue with that. And it's one of the devices that are bomb audacity and other audio recording utilities will support with multiple -- at one time. -- looks like it's 250 dollars so it's not too expensive. Exactly -- you -- you it was fun to use one between a 10050. Zack thanks so much for the call Andrew look that up out. See nick in Tennessee said mild Linksys and York he 600 and more networking questions. Just bit the dust and trying to find a good replacement what are your thoughts on the best available dual band Gigabit routers available. Dual band wireless and Gigabit wire connections are must then use -- network storage is the plus but not necessary. Well this is real quick note here I have a several like it's 23 year old -- PIR 655. Which I liked very much it's still available for sale and I found it online for 65 dollars my thinking is. Its end of life that their new fancy ones coming along. 65 dollars so for dual band and -- -- -- who can't go wrong. -- recommended WRT 610 and which I -- will be step up a new one there which the 150 dollars on Amazon. But I -- the DIR six but by the 65 dollars understand accumulate 33 of those in an -- I get one for every room. With a we got a call via email from it's got in Texas. It's just the beginning of the semester ecology says all my teachers handed out -- class -- -- busses are still -- I guess. Some just give up hard copies and some did that as well as make digital copies available. Here's the problem. We want to keep digital copies of all the still buy but we happy we only have some in digital. We don't have a scanner so we thought we might just take pictures of the mall with a digital camera. But then when we would have lots of then we would have lots of image files -- be harder to look for what we wanted is there a way to take image files and make them into PDFs. By -- -- -- I've settled on using Evernote with the pictures and word documents but my roommate doesn't use Evernote and he'd like to have a different solution. Keep the great work first of all. You're not doing your job as an ever -- booster. If your -- is not yet using ever know because as we know Evernote does while not. Image to text version will let you search within text which is -- different way and it's a great. Though way to store image files. So I would -- with Evernote Joshua but you. Collective solution by -- scanner. -- or that yet -- unit here in college your library should have Iraqi apartment should have some sort of equipment on hand. And actually did my real advice with the ability or professions say it is 2010. I know you're typing this stuff into word anyway. Just like to give it a file like a Mexican and each bathroom answers -- school and he never actually talked them right. Another solution is a program called pre is no. This is available for both Macs and iphones have Europe PC -- -- about a plot here but if you and I found it's ten dollars. And it lets you take pictures paper. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Referred for other little features like -- splitting in China -- it's nuts and the apps -- -- program for ten dollars. -- and eighty in this perspective corrections if you take a picture like this. And it's not flat on you can actually change it I have have professors with -- that perspective on things about useful. Wanna aren't -- very. Yet actually the advice to just buy a scanner it seems to make sense although with today's cameras. Basically that's a Portman scanner -- use that to record white -- all the time and even if scanning at the picture up and do them like that that's very cool. With -- one more. This is from rich the recruiter I haven't yet another networking question. -- an entry level DSL. Modem -- for home network for the last few months I've noticed the lights for all the active land ports are constantly flashing like a Vegas casino. Is there a way to monitor network traffic to see anything nefarious was going on and someone hacked my network. Are one of my computers as a zombie are make -- talking on my van with. I'm a technical guy but I don't know of any software that provides this information in a way that will help me analyze using not much more common sense. This is a really interest in question. All routers keep locked files you can enable the routers it to keep -- file and that unfortunately. Is the only place you'll be able to see what your route or in your home network is really doing. You may have to enable that. In order to know what's using your band with you have to know which machine's on there -- which in order to be set for the log files and a and status page. On your -- web console should give you the matching up. There's no way to tell what's going on your entire network from any particular end point. Because of the way home routers have become switches and they're directing traffic only to one place -- the other you're not actually on any. And point and your ethernet network seen what's happening on the rest of the network. At the moment. Don't pay too much -- the flashing lights that if it doesn't tell you much they're -- calibrated or anything they're blinking could mean anything could mean. Very very low -- with minor updates that could be Skype pinging could be anything like the -- -- let you turn them on and off. I want I would like it's such an -- knowing I had a Netgear one of his like that it I think -- -- and -- it there was has -- cluster blue lights and if -- -- leave on Atlantic routes -- spaceship. Now a couple other things to check check with your -- to see him much and with you're using I think that's the best place to go. If you one -- your computers as a zombie or bot or something nefarious going on you can look at your traffic used to compare month over month. I used Comcast for example and now has a report of how much -- amusing which is nice now have caps so it -- know how much were using. Another option is to switch your domain look -- server your DNS server from your default -- to open the and that's. This alternate DNS which is the service that directs your you know Google -- to the IP address of Google itself. Will keep good lots of all the web addresses that your machines are looking up and and it gives you with -- in -- by look into. How your computer's on this on your local network or using in the way. So try that out. I think that oh we've come we want to comments here when comment from last -- Break all rights I was listening to the -- borrow steal ups that'll surprised he didn't mention this is the solution for the dying hard drive needs to be -- A completely free solution that works is to burn and not the CD or backtracked or any other Linux live CD and use the DD command to clone from one device to the other. It's free. It's not complicated and it doesn't require the use of with the computer the oh it's just runs off of the CD on your existing machine. And -- is probably too late for helping. And I can't. -- that are. Anyway that the united -- idea. I don't usual original enix is my first option for helping people with nine failing heart that's that's a good idea -- and it's all done locally you don't have to connect machines together when he if -- thanks a lot -- that -- Next time unsuited to the rescue I don't know we're gonna do with that be fascinating and you can always send us your questions. Send them to rescue at cnet.com. Or drop me. Go to cnet.com slash rescue -- field show notes -- comments. Don't forget follow us on Twitter I'm Rafe. And -- -- Josh and.