This is a static copy of In the Rose Garden, which existed as the center of the western Utena fandom for years. Enjoy. :)

#1 | Back to Top06-02-2010 04:23:21 PM

winksniper
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From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

A thread for the tech-savvy vIRGins to help the non tech-savvy.  emot-smile


Here's my problem:
My computer has to have a virus somewhere, because it's constantly freezing up and and that annoying blue screen comes up often.  This has never happened before since I've only had it since February.  I keep trying to do complete virus scans, but it always forces me to hard reset, and I can never get it done.  I've tried restoring the computer to previous states and even tried using safe-mode but neither worked because of freezing up.  And my laptop is on of those tiny ones without a disc drive so I can't use a CD to fix my problems.  This has been happening since yesterday.  Any help would be appreciated.  emot-smile

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#2 | Back to Top06-02-2010 09:02:21 PM

Yasha
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From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
Posts: 6031
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

See if you can download Malwarebytes and avast!. If you can download and install those, run a boot-time scan with avast! and then run Malwarebytes. 90% of viruses will be fixed after that.

If yours is in the 10%, I can give you more detailed information, but I will need screenshots and such so's I can see what's going on. And you might need to have your windows disc handy in case there's been damage to your OS.

<-- former Dell hardware/software troubleshooter


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#3 | Back to Top06-03-2010 01:55:35 PM

winksniper
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From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Yasha I think you might have just saved my life.  etc-love

I did the Boot-Run with avast! and it says there were no viruses found.  I already had malwarebytes but it's not working, so I could re-download it.  On the good side, I already had a virus scanner (Spyware Doctor) and it's saying there's no viruses too.  So I really don't know?  Maybe it's gone, who knows.  I guess we'll have to see if it keeps freezing.

Edit:
Fuck, spoke too soon.  The second after I posted this, the dreaded blue screen came up again.  Wtffffff

Last edited by winksniper (06-03-2010 02:01:25 PM)

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#4 | Back to Top06-03-2010 02:51:09 PM

Paradox
Winning Love By Daylight
From: Indianapolis, IN
Registered: 07-13-2007
Posts: 343

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

wink,

1)  It's hard to give good advice without knowing your operating system.  I know what I'd suggest you do for Windows XP, but I don't know jack about Windows Vista or 7 and even less about Macintosh.

2)  It may not be a virus or malware.  In most circumstances something like this is, but not 100% of the time.  It could be a corruption of a file somewhere in your OS or a piece of hardware that's starting to fail.  Mylene's system started freezing up and throwing blue screens on startup this spring.  Turns out the hard drive was starting to go out and we had to replace it and reinstall everything.  Fortunately, we caught it in time to retrieve critical data first.

Sermon Mode Edit: Regardless, sight unseen my first piece of advice: Think about what's on that computer that you absolutely could not replace.  If you haven't already done so, back it up right now.  It may be totally unnecessary, but why risk it?

Last edited by Paradox (06-03-2010 02:55:06 PM)

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#5 | Back to Top06-03-2010 04:59:40 PM

winksniper
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From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Paradox wrote:

wink,

1)  It's hard to give good advice without knowing your operating system.  I know what I'd suggest you do for Windows XP, but I don't know jack about Windows Vista or 7 and even less about Macintosh.

2)  It may not be a virus or malware.  In most circumstances something like this is, but not 100% of the time.  It could be a corruption of a file somewhere in your OS or a piece of hardware that's starting to fail.  Mylene's system started freezing up and throwing blue screens on startup this spring.  Turns out the hard drive was starting to go out and we had to replace it and reinstall everything.  Fortunately, we caught it in time to retrieve critical data first.

Sermon Mode Edit: Regardless, sight unseen my first piece of advice: Think about what's on that computer that you absolutely could not replace.  If you haven't already done so, back it up right now.  It may be totally unnecessary, but why risk it?

Ah, you make an excellent point.  My computer's a Compaq Mini CQ10 running on Windows XP.

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#6 | Back to Top06-03-2010 05:41:33 PM

Yasha
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From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
Posts: 6031
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Paradox wrote:

It could be a corruption of a file somewhere in your OS or a piece of hardware that's starting to fail.

TRUTH.

When you get a blue screen, there should be codes on it. I want you to write them down and then post them here.

The code should look like:
http://ohtori.nu/forumstuff/bsod_a.jpg

I need the stuff with the red arrows beside it.

Ugh, I'm so rusty at hardware BSOD, but I should be able to figure it out.

And, as Paradox said, BACK UP YOUR FILES.


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#7 | Back to Top06-03-2010 05:49:46 PM

PrettyPeopleWithSwords
Rose Smilee
Registered: 05-26-2010
Posts: 131

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Go Yasha! emot-dance

Considering that your virus checks all came up negative, I am going to agree with Paradox and say that it could be a hardware problem. You got it pretty recently so I bet it's still under warranty. I'd try calling up Compaq, they can probably walk you through some checks to see what's going on. It'll be a long painful phone call but if they can't find the problem they'll probably let you send it in for repair or replacement.

I'm also going to agree with Paradox and tell you to back up your stuff NOW. If you do, it doesn't really matter what happens to your machine since you'll have all the good stuff safe. You really have nothing to fear from even something as scary-sounding as an OS reinstall as long as your stuff is backed up. You basically don't lose anything except for the time it takes to reinstall your programs.

I REALLY don't understand why they keep throwing XP on netbooks. You can't normally boot XP from a USB device because of XP's stupid tendencies. If you really want control over your computer, I'd recommend getting a copy of Windows 7 for it. 7 allows you to create a USB bootable image that you can throw on a thumb drive so if something goes wrong, you can actually do something about it!

(I think you can also do this with Vista but I can't stand Vista and I've heard it's not that great on netbooks and laptops).

OK, sorry for nerd rant, I had a netbook for awhile so I feel your pain.

Last edited by PrettyPeopleWithSwords (06-03-2010 05:51:18 PM)

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#8 | Back to Top06-03-2010 06:05:11 PM

Yasha
Bitch Queen
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

You really have nothing to fear from even something as boring and totally easy as an OS reinstall as long as your stuff is backed up.

Fixed.

Pictorial walkthrough for OSRI:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

I used to do these five times a day at Dell, over the phone. Hell, wink, if you're in the states, I have a free North America calling plan and can walk you through it if that's what this needs. BSOD can be software-related, usually when Windows has a compatibility issue. I've seen that happen most often with drivers.

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

(I think you can also do this with Vista but I can't stand Vista and I've heard it's not that great on netbooks and laptops).

Vista SUUUUUUUUUUCKS.


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#9 | Back to Top06-03-2010 06:37:21 PM

winksniper
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From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Yasha wrote:

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

You really have nothing to fear from even something as boring and totally easy as an OS reinstall as long as your stuff is backed up.

Fixed.

Pictorial walkthrough for OSRI:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

I used to do these five times a day at Dell, over the phone. Hell, wink, if you're in the states, I have a free North America calling plan and can walk you through it if that's what this needs. BSOD can be software-related, usually when Windows has a compatibility issue. I've seen that happen most often with drivers.

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

(I think you can also do this with Vista but I can't stand Vista and I've heard it's not that great on netbooks and laptops).

Vista SUUUUUUUUUUCKS.

THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. etc-loveetc-loveetc-love

By the way, anyone know of any free way for me to back up my files?  I have Roxio installed on my computer but it requires a paid upgrade to back them up.  And while I was googling one, I got another blue screen.  Here's the codes:

(There was nothing in regards to the first arrow.)

STOP: 0x0000007E (0x0000005, 0xF30A5CC6, 0xF79D7C78, 0xF79D7974)

bcmwl5.sys - Address F30A5CC6 base at F308B000, DateStamp 4ad73ea7

Edit:  Got two more. 

STOP: 0x0000007C (0xC0000005, 0xF3088CC6, 0XF79C7C78, 0XF79C7974)

bcmwl5.sys - Address F3088CC6 base at F306E000, DateStamp 4ad73ea7

STOP: 0X0000007F (0X0000008, 0X80042000, 0X00000000, 0X00000000)

Last edited by winksniper (06-03-2010 07:26:46 PM)

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#10 | Back to Top06-03-2010 06:57:53 PM

Paradox
Winning Love By Daylight
From: Indianapolis, IN
Registered: 07-13-2007
Posts: 343

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

OK, a quick google on the file name and BSoD indicates that there may be a bad driver running around.

Here's the link I found on HP's site:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Te … =c00307152




Yasha wrote:

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

(I think you can also do this with Vista but I can't stand Vista and I've heard it's not that great on netbooks and laptops).

Vista SUUUUUUUUUUCKS.

Vista does NOT suck.  Who else but Microsoft can get a three year public beta for Windows 7 where people actually paid MONEY to spend YEARS gritting their teeth as MS worked through all the stupid bugs and poorly designed crap that was in there?

...

Okay, yeah, Vista sucks.  Our campus IT actually decided to skip the foul thing entirely.  We're moving straight to Win7 sometime next year, budgets willing.

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#11 | Back to Top06-03-2010 07:12:57 PM

KissFromARose
Thorn of Death
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: 09-29-2008
Posts: 507

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

my company uses XP only. when we created our product and used it on networks with xp machines... it performs flawlessly... throw 1 or 2 vista machines in there and it just all seems to fall apart.

Vista's networking memory system bull crap is a pain in my right butt cheek.... however, i havent had the pleasure of meeting 7.... and after ME, Vista, and Windows Mobile experiences.... i can say i am not looking forward to it.

"simpler" my ass.

at any rate...

I am an avast user myself... I also like trend micro's house call... it can be pretty helpful... although the stupid java thing doesnt work properly all the time.

Avast is the bomb... highly recomend.

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#12 | Back to Top06-03-2010 07:28:19 PM

winksniper
Qualified Duellist
From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Paradox wrote:

OK, a quick google on the file name and BSoD indicates that there may be a bad driver running around.

Here's the link I found on HP's site:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Te … =c00307152




Yasha wrote:

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

(I think you can also do this with Vista but I can't stand Vista and I've heard it's not that great on netbooks and laptops).

Vista SUUUUUUUUUUCKS.

Vista does NOT suck.  Who else but Microsoft can get a three year public beta for Windows 7 where people actually paid MONEY to spend YEARS gritting their teeth as MS worked through all the stupid bugs and poorly designed crap that was in there?

...

Okay, yeah, Vista sucks.  Our campus IT actually decided to skip the foul thing entirely.  We're moving straight to Win7 sometime next year, budgets willing.

THANK YOU FOR THE LINK etc-loveetc-loveetc-love

Let's hope that my computer allows me to install these (seeing as the error message appears half the time I try to download/install something)

Edit: Of course, just as I suspected, the fucker won't load. 
*slit slit*

Last edited by winksniper (06-03-2010 08:23:19 PM)

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#13 | Back to Top06-03-2010 10:24:48 PM

PrettyPeopleWithSwords
Rose Smilee
Registered: 05-26-2010
Posts: 131

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Yasha wrote:

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

You really have nothing to fear from even something as boring and totally easy as an OS reinstall as long as your stuff is backed up.

Fixed.

Well I know that but most people would seemingly rather waste hours upon hours trying to fight hordes of viruses or whatever rather than just do the simple thing. I don't mean wink of course,  more like people I witnessed at work who were too awesome to bring their install disks from home so we'd have to try to run antivirus on some virus-raped laptop that wouldn't even boot into Windows anymore. "Boo hoo my big report and all my photos are on there and I never back up anything!" Should've thought of that before you downloaded every filthy malware-infested game and toolbar on the Internet. emot-mad

<--University tech support for like 4 years so far


So yeah, like we are saying, OS reinstall isn't that bad! . . . Gonna be hard on a netbook though. Have you tried using the manufacturer's recovery stuff? I think most netbooks and laptops have recovery partitions buried away. I looked it up, apparently if you hit F10 (or F6, I forget) on boot you can get into the recovery mode (assuming it's there).

PS SAVE YOUR STUFF FIRST. I think you can do a "non-destructive" recovery but that still might fuck things up so just back stuff up to be safe.

Last edited by PrettyPeopleWithSwords (06-03-2010 10:27:05 PM)

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#14 | Back to Top06-04-2010 03:35:12 PM

Bluesky
Chpn Dlst
From: Your window
Registered: 10-25-2008
Posts: 1939
Website

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Just popping in to say that Windows Vista + low-end laptop makes me want to grow male genitalia for the sole purpose of smashing it with a pin hammer in impotent rage.


/人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\

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#15 | Back to Top06-04-2010 09:50:48 PM

PrettyPeopleWithSwords
Rose Smilee
Registered: 05-26-2010
Posts: 131

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Bluesky wrote:

Just popping in to say that Windows Vista + low-end laptop makes me want to grow male genitalia for the sole purpose of smashing it with a pin hammer in impotent rage.

Ah yes, 2006, Vista's release and the year where everyone won a free top-of-the-line laptop with a battery the size of a pizza box . . .


What happened to wink? Did one of our suggestions trash her computer for good? emot-gonk

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#16 | Back to Top06-04-2010 11:06:29 PM

haelsyx
Caretaker
From: sunlit state
Registered: 10-09-2009
Posts: 211
Website

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

I bought my laptop about 10 months ago and it had vista on it emot-frown. I upgraded to Windows 7 emot-dance.

Recently, the screen has begun to flicker every so often, not as in black-then light again, but the current screen will have a transparent copy overlaying it and going a little flicker-y before returning to normal at about 5 second intervals(I'm sorry my description is so vague). I found out it eventually  returns to normal. It randomly does this.

Someone told me it was my battery and someone else said it might be the screen reacting differently to windows 7...I'm going to send in my Vaio soon anyways because of a manufacturer fault with the mouse pad but I'm trying to figure out how to report the flickering screen since it only just started happening and maybe I have a wrong setting on anyways.


Also, dedicated Avast user for 4 years now etc-love it's saved me from so many accidents.


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Its an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be in San Francisco-Oscar Wilde.
Anyone get the feeling finding Utena is going to be a lot like where in the world is Carmen San Diego?

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#17 | Back to Top06-05-2010 01:54:28 AM

Yasha
Bitch Queen
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
Posts: 6031
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

winksniper wrote:

codes and stuffs and I don't know what all

I just spent four hours cleaning my mother's freezer. I have no brain for this right now and will be busy all day Saturday but on Sunday I can try to get some serious work done on this. PM me your phone number, in case I do need to call you.

Also, backing up files is easy if you have a burner. I just burn everything to dvd if I can't offload it onto a drive that OSRI won't touch.


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#18 | Back to Top06-05-2010 08:38:27 AM

winksniper
Qualified Duellist
From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

PrettyPeopleWithSwords wrote:

Bluesky wrote:

Just popping in to say that Windows Vista + low-end laptop makes me want to grow male genitalia for the sole purpose of smashing it with a pin hammer in impotent rage.

Ah yes, 2006, Vista's release and the year where everyone won a free top-of-the-line laptop with a battery the size of a pizza box . . .


What happened to wink? Did one of our suggestions trash her computer for good? emot-gonk

Haha, no, I'm still here.  Still trying to get this worked out.  I have a desktop that I'm using which is fortunate. 

As for backing up my files, I'm gonna try to connect both computers and transfer my files from one to the other, since my laptop has no disc drive.  emot-gonk  I guess we'll just have to wait and see?

Edit:
Above post = Not gonna fucking happen since now it won't even boot.

Last edited by winksniper (06-05-2010 01:46:43 PM)

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#19 | Back to Top06-06-2010 12:00:45 AM

PrettyPeopleWithSwords
Rose Smilee
Registered: 05-26-2010
Posts: 131

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

haelsyx wrote:

I bought my laptop about 10 months ago and it had vista on it emot-frown. I upgraded to Windows 7 emot-dance.

Recently, the screen has begun to flicker every so often, not as in black-then light again, but the current screen will have a transparent copy overlaying it and going a little flicker-y before returning to normal at about 5 second intervals(I'm sorry my description is so vague). I found out it eventually  returns to normal. It randomly does this.

Someone told me it was my battery and someone else said it might be the screen reacting differently to windows 7...I'm going to send in my Vaio soon anyways because of a manufacturer fault with the mouse pad but I'm trying to figure out how to report the flickering screen since it only just started happening and maybe I have a wrong setting on anyways.


Also, dedicated Avast user for 4 years now etc-love it's saved me from so many accidents.

I don't think that moving from Vista to 7 would do something like that. Are you doing something in particular every time it happens, like maybe opening up a certain program? You could try updating or reinstalling your video drivers I guess, but it kinda sounds like a loose connection or something. I'd call them and ask about it and see if they could work on it while it's in for the mouse problem.

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#20 | Back to Top06-08-2010 08:18:30 AM

winksniper
Qualified Duellist
From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

I talked to HP and they talked me through all the possible troubleshooting steps and they concluded it was a problem with my OS.
Goodbye music emot-gonk

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#21 | Back to Top06-08-2010 06:49:33 PM

Yasha
Bitch Queen
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
Posts: 6031
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Motherfucker, real life is a bitch. Sorry about the absence, I had stuff going on.

HP probably ran you through all the hardware steps I would have, but there's a way to repair your OS and keep most of your data. This pretty much just confirms to me that it's a driver issue.

Honestly, I'll have to call you to know what's going on.


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#22 | Back to Top06-08-2010 07:50:14 PM

winksniper
Qualified Duellist
From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Well, I sent you a PM with my # so you can call me now if you wanted to, I'll be awake for a while. emot-smile

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#23 | Back to Top06-08-2010 08:27:46 PM

Yasha
Bitch Queen
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
Posts: 6031
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Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Let me get my stuff in order, I'll call within the hour.


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#24 | Back to Top06-08-2010 08:29:28 PM

winksniper
Qualified Duellist
From: Under the Cherry Moon
Registered: 09-11-2009
Posts: 764

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

Alright.  emot-smile

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#25 | Back to Top06-08-2010 08:40:53 PM

Yasha
Bitch Queen
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Registered: 10-15-2006
Posts: 6031
Website

Re: The Troubleshooting Thread [for computers, etc]

You need to make sure you have your windows disc handy. It should allow us to do a repair install. The STOP codes you listed indicate either RAM failure or driver/OS fuckup, and if HP tech support says it's not hardware I'll trust them, for now. But right now what you're going to need is:

a pen and paper
your windows disc - find out whether it's straight up windows or an OEM (something HP gave you)
Any driver/program discs that came with your computer
Any installation codes you might have needed to install this stuff in the first place

Also, I'm going to ask you a bunch of stupid questions-- this is because I don't know how much you know about computers. Don't be offended or anything, I'm just making absolutely sure we both know what we're talking about. It's self-defense, I learned it at Dell emot-frown


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