Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by altuser

[Need advice] Personal info possibly compromised.

altuser — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:36:25 +0800

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, so my apologies if I got it wrong and I hope the mods would move it to the right section.

Problem:
Earlier today I received two phone calls from unknown mobile numbers. When I answered, both people asked me if I had called them (i.e. they received a missed call from my number). One was a guy who didn't talk much, the other was apparently a woman working as a doctor in a hospital and said she called back because it she thought it might be something urgent (seeing as she works as a doctor). She even told me my name came up on her screen as if my number is in her contact list. The first guy said his phone only showed my number, no name.

So it seems that either my number and possibly my personal info is compromised or someone is spoofing their calls using my number, but it's even more concerning when they are also using my name. But what was really interesting is this started after my credit validity expired today (I'm using the old celcom xpax prepaid plan thingy, subscribed from decades ago), so I couldn't even have made those calls to them! Not sure if there is a correlation or it's just a coincidence.

My question:
What can/should I do in this situation? I would like to reach out to the proper authorities to have this investigated, as I don't want to be implicated in any kind of scam or shady stuff, but I'm a bit confused as what my options are.

Alternative to Wacom ExpressKey Remote?

altuser — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 19:11:33 +0800

I just bought a Cintiq Pro 16, which lacks the touch ring that I've grown used to while using the older Intuous series and Mobilestudio Pro. While it still does have express keys I somehow feel the need for yet more easily accessibly shortcut keys, and if possible I'd like to have something to substitute the absent touch ring.

Wacom offers the ExpressKey Remote but I feel the price is way too high for what is just an extension for some extra butons and a touch ring.

I looked up XP Pen's AC19 Remote Express Keys, but I'm not a big fan of the fact that it's wireless and requires batteries. Plus, it's butt ugly (though I could've forgiven it for that if it weren't wireless).

Also took a gander at some gaming keypads, but overall I'm not sure what would work best for photoshop/CSP/etc...most of them lack dials/knobs which I would really like to have.

Does anyone have any experience with remote express keys/programmable keypads that's great for creative arts and can you recommend something that isn't as expensive as the Wacom ExpressKey Remote?

Attempted connection to sites while PC is idle

altuser — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:36:15 +0800

Hello folks.

Every now and then, I'd get notification from Avast that it has safely blocked an attempt to connect to suspicious sites. This has been happening for several months now and while no connection attempt has been successful and no apparent damage has been inflicted I wanted to find the cause of these attempts and put a stop to it. I have a tendency to leave my PC on for hours or even days so it spends a lot of time idling. One thing I've noticed is the time stamp of the notification is always during the time when my PC is idle. Since these attempts are happening while I'm not using the PC I suspect that it has been infected with malware.

However, a manual full scan using Avast yields no results. I downloaded Malwarebytes, set Avast to passive mode and tried scanning with MB; still nothing. With MB uninstalled, I reactivated Avast and the notifications still occasionally appear while my PC is idle. There doesn't seem to be any specific pattern to when the attempt is made other than it only happens while my PC is idle.

I find it odd that Avast keeps blocking these attempts but can't seem to pinpoint its source. I'm tempted to disable Avast and just leave it to Windows Defender to see if any connection attempts still occur and if they would ever get through and cause my browser to open them (Avast reports these sites to be scam/phishing sites).

So here I am, looking for advice on what I can do to resolve it.

Note: I can spend less time idling by shutting down the PC when I'm not using it, but if my PC is indeed infected with malware it will still be there, so that's not really a solution.

Replacement cable for Sennheiser Game Zero

altuser — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 08:30:56 +0800

I'm not sure if I'm just too rough with my stuff or I keep buying low quality stuff, but my cable tends to break after only 1-2 years of use. Does anyone have any recommendations for a replacement that will last for many years? I'm not too bothered about whether it gives the best sound (I'm on the "cables have very limited impact on sound quality" camp), I just want it to last a lifetime. Similarly, I'm not too bothered about price because in the long run an expensive but long lasting cable will be cheaper than buying replacement cables every 1-2 years. Any help or advice will be much appreciated.

Speckled LED monitor screen

altuser — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 19:46:52 +0800

I've a problem with my 7 year old Samsung SA300/350 LED monitor. It's hard to describe so perhaps the attached image will explain it better than I can.
I'm not sure what this isssue is actually called, so I'm hoping someone can identify the problem for me.

Overall view:
[attachmentid=10615609]

Close-up view:
[attachmentid=10615615]

It seems like the artifacts are just below the protective screen instead of a problem with the actual display element (or whatever it's called). So whatever it is, it's probably physical.
The problem started sometime early this year. At first it was just a small, almost unnoticeable patch near the bottom of the screen. Now it covers a large part of the central area and makes it difficult to see images behind it.
Fortunately, the monitor is my secondary unit I use on the side to display extra windows while I'm working, so it's not a big deal...yet.

My questions,
1. What is this type of problem called?
2. Can it be fixed?
3. If it's fixable, where can I get it fixed and how much would it cost? Or am I better off buying a new monitor?

I appreciate any help I can get on this.

Mixing RAMs

altuser — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 17:02:55 +0800

Okay, I tried researching this on my own but I'm getting conflicting info and my head started spinning. I'm just not computer savvy enough.

Instead, this is what I'll do; I'll list what my motherboard and what RAMs I have, and hope that someone can give me a definitive answer. If you need any other info, just let me know and I'll try to provide them if I can. Hopefully I'm posting in the right forum, if not I apologize if I made a mistake.

Motherboard: ASUS Z170 ProGaming
RAM (currently installed in A1/B1): G.Skill Aegis DDR4 Memory / 16GB (16GB x1) 3000Mhz (CL16) [2 sticks]
RAM (spare sticks): GSkill RipjawsV Black 2x8GB DDR4 2800mhz (CL16)

The question: If I stick my Ripjaws 2x8GB into slots A2/B2, will there be any issues? Specifically, with stability. Will there even be any actual improvement?

I use my PC for graphics work, one particular program, Rebelle 3, is a memory hog (much, much more than Photoshop which I've never had issues with). I'm tempted to just stick those RAM in and not have the program constantly warning me of low memory and crashing every once in a while when I try to open a 100MB file. I don't use my PC for gaming much these days, and even if I do, it's almost never anything that needs high performance.

Thank you in advance.

Hosting for portfolio site?

altuser — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 08:21:34 +0800

As per title, can anyone recommend a good hosting service for a portfolio site?

Several years ago, I had a site hosted on Justhost. I pulled the plug on it a year after the low introductory monthly rate ended. I can't remember exactly what the regular monthly rate was, but I think it must've been over 10 USD. I figured I could look around for a cheaper hosting service, but never actually followed up on it.

After the site went down I noticed a substantial drop in the number of incoming job enquiries...trickled down to almost none, really. I do have a deviantart account where I have some of my works showcased but I feel I need something more professional looking to attract clients. However, it's been many years, things have changed and once again I'm clueless about the available hosting options. So I'd like to ask for some recommendations and opinions from those around here who has a portfolio site of their own and more experience with regards to choosing a hosting service.

I'm also looking for a local (PJ/SJ/KL area) webdesigner to help me with rebuilding my site (paid of course), so if you know anyone you can recommend please drop me their contacts.

Wacom demo units?

altuser — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 10:31:13 +0800

I've been using an Intuous 5 for several years now. Before that I had an Intuous 3 (which I have been trying to sell off unsuccessfuly). At the moment, I'm thinking of getting a Cintiq...but I don't want to commit until I can at least try my hand on it. I'm particularly interested in the difference in the colour display of Cintiq and Cintiq Pro. Merely reading specs and reviews just don't cut it for me, I need to experience it myself.

Wacom doesn't seem to operate any retail outlets of their own in Malaysia, and all the retailers I've found that sells Wacom products don't seem to have any demo units. Does anyone know any shops that have demo units, especially for Cintiq, Cintiq Pro and perhaps even MobileStudio Pro? Or perhaps someone is aware of an event that may be held soon that Wacom might be attending and have a booth that might have demo units?

I appreciate any info I can get.

[WTS] Wacom Intuous 3 (6x8), RM 90

altuser — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 10:12:22 +0800

Item(s):Wacom Intuous 3 6x8 (A5)

Package includes:Tablet, stylus, a few spare nibs, original installation CD+bundled software CD

Price: RM90

Warranty: N/A

Dealing method: Self-pick up in Kelana Jaya, cash only

Location: Kelana Jaya

Contact method/details: Send PM
---

Item(s) conditions: Fair, tablet surface slightly scratched, everything still works fine. Bring own laptop if you wish to test.

Picture:
Package - https://drive.google.com/open?id=129WIAvNfw...bpjWbd5Vga08nYf
Contents - https://drive.google.com/open?id=128SFrQC-S...dZ3-BEL_Z_aNQm_
Close up of scratched surface - https://drive.google.com/open?id=123EuODgKe...1DOUgGrUZAuzyci

Reason for sale: No longer needed