Site related problems/issues/'how to do stuff'.

[Alana_]

I know there's other threads open in the wider Lit board relating to site issues or problems and even 'how do you do this that or the other' stuff, but I don't venture out of the srp forum, so I just thought we needed a little something here to ask questions ect on Lit related problems pertaining to the site.

Please genuine questions and answers only, and keep on topic.

***


My question this morning is, ......'Has anyone had problems loading the site.? For almost a week now, in particular the last three days, I've been finding it very difficult to open what ever pages I wanted in the srp forum..Really slow, and some times timing out. It's not the back up time for the site, as it happens now pretty much anytime I try to move from thread to thread at just about any time..It's not my computers, as I've tried on others, so it's either the site, or my own server being slow...it's just that it's only affecting Lit, no other sites I visit, some of whome are VBullitin sites like Lit.'

Just wondering. Thanks in advance.

 

[Britwitch]

Excellent thread idea!
applauds and presents bouquet to Alana
I rarely venture out of the SRP boards myself and am sure amongst us, someone will have the answer to our problems

My question this morning is, ......'Has anyone had problems loading the site.? For almost a week now, in particular the last three days, I've been finding it very difficult to open what ever pages I wanted in the srp forum..Really slow, and some times timing out. It's not the back up time for the site, as it happens now pretty much anytime I try to move from thread to thread at just about any time..It's not my computers, as I've tried on others, so it's either the site, or my own server being slow...it's just that it's only affecting Lit, no other sites I visit, some of whome are VBullitin sites like Lit.'

Just wondering. Thanks in advance.

Been having the same problem here...only having issues with Lit, everything else is running fine but Lit is taking forever to load at times (if at all!) ...over the last few days especially!!
Would love to know why this is happening

 

[Ahren]

This isn't the first time. There could be a lot of reasons. The site could be getting a lot of traffic, their servers or site settings could be poorly optimized (allowing people to have gigantic images in signatures is an example), or a routing issue (as in something is wrong along the route our connections use to reach their servers).

I doubt it's traffic. I'm sure this site is fairly popular but not popular enough to lag the whole forum (especially during the middle of the night for most of the US, where I'm sure the majority of posters are from.)

If everyone had problems getting to the site lately and not just certain people, then it's not the routing issue. It would be limited to certain areas of the world that use the problematic path. Since I don't know where everyone is and who had the problems and who didn't, I can't rule this out.

I would not be shocked if their server optimization just plain sucks, so my money is on that.

 

[Alana_]

Thank you Brit..I'm glad I'm not the only one that's noticed. Maybe a moderator will be around and see the thread and peep, and perhaps bring it to Adm's attention.


Ahren, thank you also..I'm in Europe, and it's happening now pretty much all day no matter when I'm dropping in. So I guess what you have said makes sense about the sites server. Thank you for posting also.

 

[yeishia]

Happening here to but is pretty consistent on and off

I am in Canada

 

[Nina327]

happened to me too for days..... yesterday I just wanted to pull my damned hair out over it!
today its working fine.. -shrugs- I'm just greatful its not just me! Comiseration is the key to... something...

forgot to say.. and I'm in FL...

 

[Alana_]

Quick question..I've not tried, but is Lit enabled to load sound files? Just short ones, ie a few seconds worth? As in record something and post it here? I just had an idea for a lounge thread, and I would need to know first.

Thanks to anyone that might be able to help.

 

[yeishia]

Yes it is

I posted a nice tango in one of my Dominance posts

 

[Alana_]

Not a link to youtube or similiar? An actual file..? That's wonderful Yeisha, thank you!

 

[Britwitch]

I've only ever linked to files hosted on other sites...like in my Voice Thread in the AmPics Darkroom...but don't know if uploading here is an option...would've thought it might be possible though as there are audio stories on the Lit site...

Just realised this post probably isn't very helpful...

 

[Mephistophelily]

No, I don't believe you can embed sounds; gotta do the linking.

 

[Alana_]

That's a pity. I'll have to rethink the thread, as I'm worthless with those online storage sites that I'd have to link to. Maybe on a braver day. But thank you for the replies.

 

[Alana_]

Some very useful tips that Ahren posted in connection to a problem I'd been having with virus or adwear I couldn't get rid of. Thought it was worth quoting to here also as it'll ge lost in the midst of the other thread.

Thank you for the help.

Always reboot first. 9 times out of 10 this solves most "issues." After you've done this or already have and it fails to change anything then read further.

You may want to check with your Internet provider if it's only slow Internet you're experiencing. There's a possibility they have an explanation. If this isn't the case, read further.

Did this just start happening randomly, or has it just been getting progressively slower? If it's your entire computer and the latter option, chances are it's time for you to defragment your hard drive (and not keep it filled to the very brim. Regularly delete things you know you do not need.) This only applies if your whole computer is slowed down, though. A bad stick of RAM could also cause a computer to drag if you start piling on a lot of tasks. Defragmenting fairly regularly is still recommended, even if you're not currently suffering slowdown.

You should also remove automatic startup items that you know are pointless. This can be done by typing msconfig into the start menu search bar (for Vista and 7). It would be the Run command for XP and earlier. Then click the Startup tab and look at the list. Probably best not to touch the ones you don't recognize, but something like Quicktime isn't something you need on startup. This is general advice, even when you're not having issues.

If it's just your browsing and isn't your ISP then Malware and Spyware are my guess. They're not always correctly detected by antivirus software. Sometimes you need to try multiple programs. There are a few good ones:

Ad-Aware
Malwarebytes
Spybot

I can confirm the validity of these programs. Though I believe Malwarebytes and Ad-Aware won't let you install both, so just choose one I suppose.

If your problems are not then solved, you might consider uninstalling programs you have recently acquired and seeing if it speeds up after removal.

If that fails, you may want to consider doing a system restore. Assuming you have it activated (it's usually on by default) and didn't overload your hard drive, you should have a few of these restore points. They'll revert your computer to an earlier date. You can just type system restore into the search bar and it should come up. If it's XP or earlier uh, I believe it's in the accessories and/or system tools folder. Choose one before you started having problems, obviously. You will lose anything you've done to the computer after that point. Though this is a good thing if you have acquired a malicious program.

If you're still painfully slow after that then it's possible a part is going bad or your hard drive is just too deeply infected. This is really a whole separate process and obviously I don't want to get into it unless that ends up being the case. I highly doubt that it is.

I wrote way too much for something that is probably a really simple problem.

 

[Alana_]

Not site related I know, more 'how to do'.

I've only recently began using memory sticks to save the kids pictures on, etc.. Anyway, the one I'm currently using is only 1GB. I'm assuming that's not got a huge capacity of saving space.
And yes, I'm not into computer lingo, so please bare with me, and be gentle.

What I'm asking is when the 'space' has been taken up with pictures, clips, etc, how will I know..Where can I check? Does this all make sense.?
I'm basically unsure how much space is left, and how I'll tell. I don't want to lose my kids moments because I cocked up.

Rolling eyes need not part with their clever quips, thank you.

 

[SoulWeaver]

Not site related I know, more 'how to do'.

I've only recently began using memory sticks to save the kids pictures on, etc.. Anyway, the one I'm currently using is only 1GB. I'm assuming that's not got a huge capacity of saving space.
And yes, I'm not into computer lingo, so please bare with me, and be gentle.

What I'm asking is when the 'space' has been taken up with pictures, clips, etc, how will I know..Where can I check? Does this all make sense.?
I'm basically unsure how much space is left, and how I'll tell. I don't want to lose my kids moments because I cocked up.

Rolling eyes need not part with their clever quips, thank you.

Hi Alana, 1gb is ok, gee my first stick was something like 128mb.
If you want to see how much "space" you have left, assuming you run windows, from explorer, right click on the stick drive when it's connenected to your pc.
Select properties from the drop down selection and it will show you how much space you have used and have left.

 

[Ahren]

Also typically if something gets low on space it'll warn you then refuse to save new data rather than just overwriting old data.

1GB should hold a fair amount of images, regardless. Unless they're all super high resolution...

 

[Alana_]

That's helped loads. I'm running windows on Chrome, but I don't think they're all that different, and I think I can tinker with that part. So thank you SW.

The pictures are just basic snaps Ahren, and a couple of very short mobile phone precious clips that I don't want to lose, so am getting off the computer.

Thank you very much for the help you two! . xx

 

[Alana_]

This is so lame, I'm embarassed.

On my laptop all is cool, so the problem is not related to it..My problem is with the family pc. I use Mozilla on it and its the latest Windows.

For the life of me, I can't find a ruddy spell check that works with Mozilla like the one on my lappy. As far as I know it's just one of those add on's you get with Mozilla, but I can't find it now.
When I use the pc I need two windows opened so I can use an online spell check, as my spelling is wretched. But it means scrolling and copying, pasting too and fro and sucks the life out of spead. On the lap top, if I spell incorrectly it highlights it when I right click at the end of a post, and I"ve my options for the correct spelling there too and I just click on what I need.
I NEED THIS. Its absolutely maddening. I've installed one or two spell checks, all rubbish, as they don't do anything.I mean NOTHING.

I need a spell checker that lets me know as I"m going along that my spelling is wrong, and gives me the correct version.

Please someone give me a bone.

 

[Alana_]

Got a pm with directions, and shamefully simple.

Thank you very much..

 

[trudee]

Need a little help from some of our more computer literate people please if possible, and forgive me if I sound very amateurish .

Recently a site I used to rp on closed ( sadly) and I managed to save most of my rp's...bar a couple. I managed to have the adm send me stored copies of one of my rps, but he's sent it to me in what I think is ''text'' form, and it's impossible to read it. I had had all my own plays simply saved via the printable versions so they look pretty much the same as they were on the site.

Does anyone know how to convert this file so it can be read easier? Baring in mind I'm no computer expert, so I would need very simple instructions. I have no clue where to even start. I'm on Vista if that matters. I really would appreciate the help if it's possible.

Thanks in advance.