URLs from 12/19/06

iPod won't turn on

How to edit, backup, and restore the Registry

Restore an iPod to factory settings - will wipe out all contents of iPod

System Restore not working
--Microsoft article
--Techguy.org forum

Nintendo Wii Controller Damage
--Wiidamage.com
--Digitaldisplacement.com
--Kotaku.com

McAfee spam filter causes problems with email (2 callers with identical problem)
--During the show the guys found references to message boards that recommended turning off the McAfee spam filter and filter through your email program.
--Listener Steven of Dublin, IN writes: "I have used anti-spam tools (other than McAfee) and may have seen the behavior your callers reported. Some of these tools pickup the mail from the server, remove spam and then behave as a POP server where my mail client can pickup the filtered mail. In the cases I have seen, the instructions on using the tool said to enter the mail server in the tool and configure my mail program to retrieve mail from 127.0.0.1." We have not independently verified this advice.
*UPDATE* from Steven 1/3/07: Check the following:
--Spampal.us
--Keir.net
--Techsoup.org

URLs from 12/12/06

Kyocera Wireless router for cell phones

Microsoft's Zune Mp3 player
--The "Pink" Zune -- special edition, randomly distributed to 100 purchasers

What are the different version of Vista that will be available?

CPU Fan Error message at startup
--Whirlpool.net forum
--Techspot.com

Can I switch ISPs and keep my email address?

OS X Driver for HP Deskjet 855C Printer

URLs from 12/5/06

Switching from PC to Mac: how to
--Switch 101 (Apple site)
--ProQuest

Removing old version of Norton Utilities

AVG Virus protection

Motorola Wireless headphones

Pioneer Powerline speaker system (run speakers through electrical wiring)

psap.dll Startup error

Olympus 720sw digital camera

Parallels - Lets you run windows on Intel Mac

URLs from 11/28/06

MP3 Players:
--iPOD Shuffle
--Nike/iPod Information

iPod/MP3 Wireless headphones

Pioneer MT-01 home entertainment system

Olympus 720W digital camera

News:
--Chumby (hard to describe, it's a clock radio that uses wireless internet connections to fetch stuff from the web-- music, chat, photos, messages. Not yet available.)
--Airlines and Apple iPod Team up

Mac OS DMG Security Flaw

Comparing LCD to Plasma

How to find out information on a Macintosh Powerbook G4

Places to buy a used Macintosh
--Tips on buying a used Mac

Deleting cookies in Internet Explorer 7:

To delete a single cookie
--In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
--On the General tab, in the Browsing history section, click Settings, and then click View files.
--Cookies will have the prefix Cookie: and usually contain the name of the website that saved it.
--Select the cookie you want to delete, and then, on the File menu, click Delete.

To delete all cookies
--In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
--On the General tab, under Browsing history, click Delete.
--In the Delete Browsing History dialog box, click Delete cookies.
--When you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete cookies, click OK.
--Click Close, and then click OK.

Notes
--Some websites store your member name, password, or other information about you in a cookie. If you delete that cookie, you might need to re-enter your personal information the next time you visit the site.

URLs from 11/21/06

Information about Zune, Microsoft's new Mp3 player

Installing 10.4 on a Macintosh that does not have a DVD drive
--OS X 10.4 CDS available on the right side.
--Start your computer in target disk mode then install from another computer that has a DVD drive
--Using Target disk mode
--DVD drive for a Macintosh G4 Tower

How to fix hard drives with bad blocks

Macintosh firmware updates

Broadband speed comparison

URLs from 11/14/06

Resetting a BIOS password

Kaspersky Antivirus 6 review from CNET

Problem with Virtual Truck message at every restart

• In some circumstances (believed to be associated with previous failed installations that did not run to normal completion), on every restart, Windows asks for:
• Insert CDRom.
• Please insert your CDRom with the Virtual Truck program. Looking for file: E:\INSTALLS\TERAETH\VTRUCK.EXE
  
  
• The name of the file requested may differ in detail. Even after inserting the CD-ROM, the PC continues to make the same request on every restart. To repair this situation under Windows 98/ME:
• * Click Start, click Run.
• * Enter msconfig and click OK.
• * Click tab Win.ini to bring it to the front.
• * Click the [+] sign beside [windows] to expand this item.
• * If you see an entry run= involving \vtagent\reboot.exe, then uncheck it.
• * Click OK to exit the System Configuration Utility.

URLs from 11/7/06

Duplicate messages when downloading email from Outlook Express
--Mail Box Index is probably damaged; see
--Microsoft article
--Vicman.net

Macerena -- possible OS X Virus

Black Friday newspaper ads

Securely erase a hard drive
--mireth.com
--search VersionTracker

Test Trap spyware changed my desktop background
--It may be Active Desktop

URLs from 11/7/06

Duplicate messages when downloading email from Outlook Express
--Mail Box Index is probably damaged; see
--Microsoft article
--Vicman.net

Macerena -- possible OS X Virus

Black Friday newspaper ads

Securely erase a hard drive
--mireth.com
--search VersionTracker

Test Trap spyware changed my desktop background
--It may be Active Desktop

URLs from 10/31/06

Happy Halloween! Not too many issues today, but here are a couple:

126 Gig Hard drive problem

Keeping hackers out of your computer

URLs from 10/24/06

Recycling news: Dell Computers is hosting a free recycling event on November 4th from 9am to 3pm. It will be at their facility off I-75 near Cincinnati. Initial reports suggested that all brands of computing equipment would be accepted, but the Dell web site appears to indicate otherwise. We are attempting to confirm the status. No electronic gear. 9701 Windish Rd, West Chester (use the Union Centre exit from I-75; Google 'dell computer west chester oh' for a map).

Quad Boot Macintosh with 4 operating systems

New release of Firefox Web Browser

Changing the default application in Macintosh OS X

External hard drive adapters:
--byteccusa.com
--wiebetech.com
--cwol.com
--informit.com
--wikihow.com

How to remove Norton Antivirus Suite

Reverse lookup (to find out if an IP address has a DNS name)
--psacake.com
--arin.net

Norton 2007 not compatible with Spybot -- solution

URLs from 10/17/06

Bryan Powell's website recommendations
--daringfireball.net
--www.internet-nexus.com

Tutorial for C++

Playing VCDs on DVD players
--www.videohelp.com/vcd
--answers.yahoo.com/

Free Midi Software

Backup Software

Web site we use:
--Annoyances Windows
--Versiontracker
--Daring fireball
--Edmonds
--Macbytes

Game Design
--http://www.amazon.com/Macromedia-Flash-Game-Design-Demystified/dp/0201770210
--http://3d-game-design.internaldrive.com/
--http://www.digitalmediaacademy.org/courses/game-design-training.html
--http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html
--http://www.bunchball.com/devnet/resources.html
--http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~amitp/gameprog.html
--http://www.deitel.com/computergames/gameprogramming/
--http://dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Game_Design/Resources/
--http://www.gdse.com/
--http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/C-and-Cpp/Games-and-Entertainment/1
--http://triplebuffer.devmaster.net/links.php

URLs from 10/10/06

Use Symantec Ghost to create an image of your entire hard drive -- useful for backups

Noisy hard drive

Getting files from Windows 98 machine using a flash drive

Fixing a Windows modem problem -- modem does not appear to be working

Add a firewall by using a hardware router for a broadband connection

White square suddenly appearing in upper left corner of desktop

How can I find out what are all of the processes I see in my task manager?
--Google.com
--Liutilities.com

Internet explorer 7 has just been released as a critical update

URLs from 10/3/06

Security Update for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB925486)
--A security issue has been identified in the way Vector Markup Language (VML) is handled that could allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Microsoft Windows and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft.

More on restoring clogged Canon print cartridges -- listener Lee in Clayton disagreed with some of last week's info and gave several tips:

• Remove the ink tanks from the print head.
• Removed the print heads.
• Take a paper towel and fold it over to 4 thickness and soak it with tap water.
• Place the towel on a surface such as a dinner plate.
• Set the print head on the towel with the copper jets against the towel.
• Let it sit overnight.
• Air dry. Whatever, never never never ever rub anything over the jets on the print head.
• Reinstall and run the head cleaning several times until you get printing.
  

Lee comments that because Canon uses very tiny droplets of ink, 3rd-party cartridges can cause problems. Consider using only Canon cartridges (neither Lee nor we get any funds from Canon).

Sources for freeware or shareware
--IUseThis.com (Mac)
--VersionTracker.com (Mac, PC, Linux, Palm)
--download.com (Mac)

Macintosh tutorials for new users

Syncronizing (SYNC) Folders for the Mac
--via VersionTracker.com
--QuickSync

Resetting an iPod

Converting Cassettes to CDs- How to

URLs from 9/26/06

New Microsoft IE vulnerability could get early patch
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5377802.stm

Windows 98 won't Shut Down properly
--From PC World
--From Microsoft.com
--More from Microsoft.com

Apple Airport Security Update

A British take on Silicon Valley: In Search of the Valley

Clean Clogged Canon inkjet
--We don't know if this method works and so cannot endorse it. An emailer today also suggested soaking the print cartridge head overnight in a solution of half-ammonia, half water. The easiest and probably safest solution is just to buy a new print cartridge.

Use Audacity software to digitize Lps (or cassettes).
--Don't forget you need a pre-amp to boost turntable signals.
--See also our blog item from 8/29/06.
--For Mac users, a caller also reports that GarageBand can do the job.

Clamav account in Mac OS X
--This is generated as part of an anti-virus software for the Mac called Clam AntiVirus (which we have not reviewed). We presume someone installed it on purpose on your machine. If you want to remove it, check their web site.

Great list of Windows "Run" Commands

Windows users, don't forget about the Run option in the start menu. You can also pull up the "run" command box by pressing the Windows Key + "R." From here you can initiate a lot of useful coommands. For a complete list, click here.

URLs from 9/19/06

Trojan/Linkoptimizer removal; also:
--anandtech.com
--castlecops.com
--Stinger

Is Apple's iTV a good idea? One negative view

Office 2007 info for the Mac

Anti-Spyware Guide

Windows 98 reboots instead of shutting down
--microsft.com
--5starsupport.com

URLs from 9/12/06

How secure is eBay bidder information?
--We talked with a caller who was contacted by a seller after he had changed his eBay email and password. We concluded that his eBay profile probably did not suppress his email address, and it should be updated. Anyone with concerns about security and phishing (phony offers, usually emails, that try to capture sensitive financial information) should look at antiphishing.org

Recovering files from damaged hard drives:
Recovery only Programs:
--FileSalvage (Mac)
--Data Rescue (Mac)
--Virtual labs (Mac & PC) -- a recovery program, pay as you go
--Data Rescue (PC)

Hard drive Recovery Utilities

Beginners Guide to hard disk recovery

Hard disk data recovery myths

Getting the Volume control back in the task bar

URLs from 9/5/06

What End Users Hate About IT Professionals

Epson software for Intel Macs

Slow wireless, but wired connection is fine
--Use war driving software to see if there's a channel conflict from another wireless node in your neighborhood

Sources for used Mac Laptops
--macofalltrades.com
--dvwarehouse.com
--Ebay

AirLink 101/Macintosh wireless problems:
--First turn off security, and test ethernet connection directly to make sure it is working. When trying wireless check Network in System preferences to see if you are getting a valid IP address. More . . .

Spam Filtering programs for the Macintosh

Epson all in one intel Mac Support
--Check for updated drivers

URLs from 8/29/06

Sharing files between Windows 98 & XP computers on the same network

How to start Windows in safe mode

A caller wanted to know why her roommate could log her PC into a network, but she couldn't log in with her Mac. One answer is to use the PC password preceded by the $ sign -- this lets the Mac know the password is a hexadecimal number.
--What are hexidecimal numbers?

Recording LPs to CDs
--Here's a tutorial
--Digitizing LPs or Records
--a turntable that you can plug into your sound card

Mac backup software: SuperDuper

War driving software lets you find local wireless networks

Now it's Apple's Turn- Huge Battery Recall for Apple Notebooks

In a relative sense, this is probably on a larger scale then Dell's, with 1.8 million batteries eligible for replacement. As with the Dell recall, the batteries were manufactured by Sony. Sony has stated this will be the last major recall of batteries they produced.

Follow this link to see if your previous G4 or iBook G4 battery is eligible

Apple's statement reads:

Apple has determined that certain lithium-ion batteries containing cells manufactured by Sony Corporation of Japan pose a safety risk that may result in overheating under rare circumstances.

The affected batteries were sold worldwide from October 2003 through August 2006 for use with the following notebook computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4.

Apple is voluntarily recalling the affected batteries and has initiated a worldwide exchange program to provide eligible customers with a new replacement battery, free of charge. This program is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities.

URLs from August 22, 2006

Crucial Mac software: College Edition: One person's opinion

Laptop Security programs that help you track & protect your laptop
--LaptopSecuritySolutions
--Absolute.com
--Trackion.com
--ComputerSecurity.com

Bandwidth Speed Test

Secure erase your hard drive
--Windows
--Mac

Restoring a hard drive:
--We recommend Norton Ghost

URLs from 8/15/06

Dell Battery Recall Program -- see also our separate entry

University of Michigan Consumer Satisfaction Survey
--Apple & Dell improve their ratings

Importing booksmarks from Explorer into Safari:
--activate the Debug Men, then use the import from the Debug Menu

Best type of cable for cable modem

Syncing the Apple Address Book with your cell phone:
--Check Apple's web site to see if your phone works with iSync
--Set up your phone with iSync
--If your phone is not supported try OnSync

Get rid of the 2 sec. gap between tracks on audio CDs burned from Nero
--This may work for Windows MediaPlayer, our original question

Massive Dell Battery Recall

Remember the exploding Dell computer form a while back? Dell has now issued a recall of 4 million laptop batteries, affecting some Inspiron, Latitude and Precision mobile workstations and XPS units shipped between April 2004 and July 18, 2006. This is by some reports the largest battery recall in history. Before the Mac users gloat, the batteries were manufactured by Sony.


To see if you qualify for a replacement, click here.

URLs from 8/8/06

Changing drive letter assignments:
--Windows 2000
--Windows XP and 2000 - Last resort

Getting rid of virus pop ups with Stinger

Microsoft's Content Advisor:
--Turn it off!
--How to remove it if you forgot the password

Joining Airport base stations:
--#1
--#2

Emily in Greensfork and Chris asked about various items -- ribbon cords and power cords. We did not mention this on the air but you can check MicroCenter, either the store at Mosteller and I-275 in Cincinnati or online.

URLs from 8/1/06

Power Mac fan won't turn off

iMac G5 repair extension program

URLs from 7/25/06

Windows Media components for Mac Quicktime

URLs from 7/18/06

Troubleshooting Windows XP Shutdown issues

Mac OS X: Viruses and Security

Here is an interesting post on Macs and Viruses from Symantec's site. The most salient point I want people to get:

"Simply put, at the time of writing this article, there are no file-infecting viruses that can infect Mac OS X."

That's a pretty amazing track record considering OS X was initially released in March of 2001. We often debate on the show about the state of Mac virus and malware threats. In my not so humble opinion, the only reason to have antivirus software at this time on a Mac OS X machine is to prevent spreading them to Windows users (and even then, it would have to be done manually by the user!).

URLs from 7/11/06

Invalid System Disk error help
---more help

Stand-alone installer of Windows XP Service Pack 2

Error Loading Operating System Message When You Restart Your Computer During Setup

PC Anywhere preventing Welcome Screen in Windows XP

Even Microsoft loves the new Macs ;)

Listeners may remember me saying the only computer to buy for a new student is an Intel based Mac because it can run Windows and the Mac OS. This picture show even Microsoft agrees with me. :)



This picture is a demo of Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 running on a Macbook Prop. Now THAT'S a ringing endorsement. More info can be found here.

Everyone, please have a safe and happy Independence Day!

URLs from 6/27/06

Windows 16 bit subsystem error: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

Java download: Click Here

French iTunes update

Adding markers to MP3- Search for "adding markers tp MP3" on Google or Go to go to www.versiontracker.com and search for "mp3 editor"

PageOverCommit error with Windows 3.1- This error only occurs when you have over 256 Meg of RAM. It is related to virtual memory and swap file space. Below are some sites that talk about the problem:

• http://kb.iu.edu/data/abqq.html
• http://kb.iu.edu/data/abpe.html
  
• http://www.windowswarrior.com/winsys.htm
• http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MMER-3XRMZG
• http://miataru.computing.net/windows31/wwwboard/forum/11742.html
  

MPC laptop screen backlight intermittent- Check your warranty as it's probably a loose cable- MPC Support

New variant of beagle virus

USB flash drive not being read on Mac with 10.2.8
--Try reformatting the flash drive on a windows computer
--Newer versions of the OS solved some compatibilities

Windows XP performance on a Macintosh using Parallels Workstation

Try Office 2007 on the web, without installing it on your machine

Microsoft has made available a web based "test drive" of Office 2007. It is radically different in terms of interface, so if you use it you may want to check it out this way- no fuss, no muss, no installation of beta software!

You can check it out here.

URLs from 6/20/06

How much performance gain is there having matching memory modules on a MacBook Pro?
--Look below the charts about 3/4 down the page.

Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close

Ebay Acquires Skype (last fall)
--http://www.skype.com/

Moqvo is a provider of RSS based social media technology.

Stumble Upon: Helps you find web sites

iMac power LED colors

Keeping favorites from AOL

XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive, Total-Rebuild Option

This is a great article from Techweb that describes how to rebuild, repair, or refresh an existing XP installation without destroying anything. Oddly, Microsoft has kept this somewhat under wraps. It is a wonderful complement to our earlier post about fixing XP in eight easy steps.

The article can be found at this link. I recommmend printing this out and keeping it for future use (use the "Print This Story" option at the bottom).

URLs from 6/13/06

Safari Debug make Mac Safari act like Windows Internet Explorer

Limewire - Is it safe? Is it legal?
--Other possible sites:
--Pandora - Neat music web site
--Myspace.com
--Download.com

Windows Vista System Requirements

We discussed this on the show to day and I was too low on the processor requirements. I mentioned the bare minimum requirements. Here are the main specs you need to it to run Windows Vista capably:

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.


• 1 GB of system memory.


• A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero (direct X 9 capable)


• 128 MB of graphics memory.


• 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.


• DVD-ROM Drive.


• Audio output capability.


• Internet access capability.

Here are the bare minimum requirements:

• A modern processor (at least 800MHz).


• 512 MB of system memory.


• A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

There is more information at this link.

Windows Vista Beta now open to the public

Microsoft has made the beta version of Windows Vista available to the general public. You can find information by clicking here for the 32-bit version. If you want the 64 bit version, click here.


Please make sure you back up your data before installing! It's a BETA for a reason!

URLs from 6/6/06

Parallels Desktop for Macs - allows you to run Windows on your intel based Mac
--UPDATE: the final price is $79.99, but $39.99 if you pre order.

Apple II introduced June 5, 2006

Bandwidth speed test

People stuck in glass elevator in the new New York Apple store

Turning off Java Script in Windows Internet Explorer:
From the menu, choose: Tools -> Options -> Advanced then uncheck the debugging option

Repairing windows XP with 8 commands

Macromedia Breeze: on behalf of a listener, we'd like to hear from anyone with experience working with this software in a University setting.

QT: an alternative to Apple's Quicktime for Windows

Apple offering free iPod Nano to students with the purchase of a new Mac

If you purchase a new Mac and a 2 gig iPod Nano, you can get a $179.00 rebate (the cost of a 2 gig Nano from the Apple Education Store). Other iPods are eligible too, but the maximum value of the rebate is $179.00 According to the rebate form, faculty members and staff are eligible too!

More information can be found here.

URLs from 5/30/06

Corrected URL: Repairing Windows XP with just 8 commands

Windows Vista/Office 2007 Beta signup

Missing hal.dll file help:
--from Microsoft
--from PCSupport
--from Computerhope.com
--from 5starsupport.com
--from compphix.com

OTAP Website is now back up!

VLC Player for multimedia

Windows Defender anti-spyware

Dayton Microcomputer Assocation Linux SIG InstallFest this weekend

Where to buy or inspect Mac products:
--Mac Depot in Kettering
--Weingarten Gallery in Fairborn
--Kenwood Apple Store
--Easton Town Center
--also CompUsa and MicroCenter have some Apple products, though sales staff deal more often with PCs

Snakes on a Plane

URLs from 5/23/06

Dell Laptop Backlight/Screen repair:
--fonerbooks.com
--laptops.home
--daileyint.com

Slow downloading of emails in Windows 98:
--bandwidth speed test
--check system requirements with what you have

Getting rid of old computers:
--donate to schools
--Goodwill
--Otap community recycling programs
--Butler County programs

Removing Norton

New Apple Store

New Apple Laptop

URLs from 5/16/06

Disabling Search indexing in Windows -- choose #41

Microsoft Office Service Pack 2

iPod Battery level indicator

New Lithium iPod Battery packs

Aurora removal tool

Stinger Virus removal

Switching to Linux:
Linux users group at Dayton Microcomputer Association
Reasons to switch to Linux:
--ReallyLinux.com
--TuxMagazine.com
--Oreillynet.com

ISASS Virus removal:
--This is such a complicated topic that we hve prepared a separate post on it.

ISASS Virus Removal/LSASS.EXE

A caller on 5/16/06 described a Windows problem which may (or may not) be the ISASS virus, a/k/a or related to the Sasser worm. He kept getting a 'file missing' message.

Note that there is a real, needed Windows program spelled "lsass.exe". The first letter of the genuine program is a lowercase 'L'.

The virus uses an uppercase 'i' and is written "Isass.exe". The confusion is undoubtedly deliberate on the part of the virus writers.

So we're not certain if the caller has the virus, or is actually missing a used resource.

See the other comments below. Here is Guy Moore's analysis:

Tips on this virus

Another source

Also after removing the Sasser worm users need to do Windows updates. There was a Windows patch that protected computers from this problem.

Using Stinger to remove viruses on Windows based computers:

1. Download the Stinger removal tool using another computer

2. Put Stinger on a floppy then write protect the floppy.

3. Boot in safe mode and choosing the DOS option which I hope will boot OK.

4. Switch to drive A: by typing:
a:
then hit the return/enter key

5. Run Stinger by typing:
stng260
and hitting the return/enter key
Note: In this case "stng260" is the name of the Stinger application. This name may change so look to see what its name is when you download it.

6. Let it scan and clean up the problems

7. Remove the floppy

8. Re-boot hopefully it will boot properly

9. Check for Windows updates right away. Some of these things have had security updates that protect you from them.

Also -- here is a message sent too late for inclusion in the show, from Shawn M.:

"For the lass.exe missing file. I would use the XP installation disc and use the "Repair" windows option. This should reinstall the corrupt or missing file, without losing current files on the HD, , , Great ShoW!!!!"

Finally, we heard from the original caller, Mike O., who had the 'file missing' message:

"I found what I was doing wrong when I could not create the 6 XP boot disks. I now have the 6 disks. My error was that I thought the download from windows would create the disks. That was wrong. A program is downloaded which when executed creates the 6 disks. Got the answer via my son who is kinda a nerd, and he asked me a simple question. (What are you trying to load -- the download program or the program output?) God Bless the American school system."

URLs from 5/9/06

Email Quota exceeded on Road Runner account

LCD Monitor reviews for a Macintosh
--23-inch
--30-inch

Spyware: "theguardservices hijacked my default web page":
--Afterdawn.com
--Spywareinfo.com
--Castlecops.com

Reset Open Firmware in Mac OS X:

1. Start up into Open Firmware by pressing and holding the Command-Option-O-F key combination during startup.

2. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram

3. Press Return.

4. When prompted for your password, enter it and press the Return key.

5. It responds OK.

6. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all

7. Press Return.

Use PC Hell for problem

Removing learned words from the Microsoft Word dictionary:
--In recent versions of Word buttons there's a Modify... button when you click on the Custom.dic in Tools | Options | Spelling and Grammar | Custom Dictionaries.

URLs from 5/2/06

iTunes pricing resolved it will stay 99 cents

Napster.com is free again with a web based player

Bogus virus article- It was a trojan and was not in the wild (carried by lots of sources)

Hijacked web page

Choosing a wireless card

Setting up a wireless home network
PCmag.com
PCstats.com
Microsoft.com

Mac OS X Apple Mail deleting mail from server:
--Go to the "Mail" menu and choose "Preferences"
--Click on the "Accounts" icon and click on your

Deleting words from a custom dictionary in Microsoft Word for Windows:
You can go the official route: Tools > Options > Spelling & Grammar > Custom
Dictionaries > Modify.
Highligh and delete the words you want to remove

URLs from 4/25/06

setting up Disk Defragmenting in the background

Older Mac OS 10.3 cds
megamacs.com
macsales.com

URLs from 4/18/06

Using MSCONFIG

DVD Shelf Life

Merlin network setup

Electronics Entertainment Exposition - EEE or E3

URLs from 4/11/06

AOL Email problems
Try the unified inbox check box or increasing the number of messages per page
AOl email general help pages

Transparent desktops

Macintosh file sharing

ABC Video- need flash 7 or higher!

Will there be an iTod in your kids' future?

URLs from 3/28/06

RDRAM for a Dell laptop:
--You will probably have to update the BIOS on your dell before the memory will work.
Places to get RDRAM:
--memorysuppliers.com
--ramjet.com

URLs from 3/21/06

Music Match Jukebox
Problem with cdl.dll and Musicmatch Jukebox 7

Backup Registry

Possible Replacement for Cardfile
http://www.azzcardfile.com/
http://www.azzcardfile.com/cardfile/cardfile.html

Macintosh G5 out of Sync error
Try the following things to fix the problem
1. Turn off computer
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately hold down the following key combination:
Command-Option-P-R (reset parameter memory--PRAM)
4. Keep holding down the keys until the computer restarts at-least 4 times

First try booting in safe mode and setting the video settings
How you Start Up in Safe Mode:

1. Turn off Computer
2. Press the power button.
3. Just after you hear the startup tone (NOT BEFORE), press and hold the down the shift key.
4. Release the shift key when you see the start up screen with the gray background with the Apple logo and the progress indicator.
5. During the startup, you will see "Safe Boot" on the Mac OS X startup screen.
6. Now try to change the video settings

If that does not work try resetting the Open Firmware
1. Turn off the computer
2. Hold down command-option-o-f while pressing the power button
3. Keep holding the keys down until you see a text screen
4. type the following:
reset-nvram
Press Return
reset-all
Press Return. The computer will reboot after this command

URLs from 3/14/06

Pictures from Guy Moore's Habitat for Humanity trip to New Orleans

Habitat web site where you can volunteer

A security breach at CitiBank has compromised PIN numbers for debit card users. It has been called "The worst hack ever".

Sources for Mac memory modules:

• www.crucial.com
• www.ramjet.com
• www.memory2go.com
  

Last Friday McAfee realeased an update to its anti-virus software which had the effect of disabling or removing Microsoft Excel. The problem has since been fixed. Here is more information from Miami University's IT department:

• On Friday, March 10, McAfee released definition file 4715 for VirusScan (versions 8.0i and 7). This definition file incorrectly identified the W95/CTX virus in valid files, including .exe files. On the same day, McAfee released definition file 4716 to correct the error.
  
  McAfee has published a complete list of files that are incorrectly identified by definition file 4715 on the following web page.
  
  This page also lists the most common files incorrectly identified, which include
  
  • Microsoft Excel (excel.exe)
  • Google Toolbar Installer (gbt2k1033.exe)
  • Windows XP File (userid.exe)
  • Adobe update manager (adobeupdatemanager.exe)
  
  If VirusScan is configured to quarantine infected files, you can restore files from the quarantine folder. If VirusScan is configured to delete infected files, you can use the Windows XP System Restore or restore the files from backup. You of course can also reinstall any application that may have been impacted.
  
  IT Services is still recommending that VirusScan be configured to delete infected files. Quarantining allows an infected file to be stored on the computer hard drive. To delete a quarantined file, you must first disable On-Access scan - disabling VirusScan has never been a good idea, especially when you are working with infected files.
  
  If you are using ePO to manage VirusScan on your Windows machines, you may want to run the DAT/Definition Deployment Summary. This report lists machines based on definition file. Currently there are 84 managed computers with the 4715 definition file.
  

Here is more: How to fix quarantine files in virusscan

McAfee Excel.exe, Graph.exe and AdobeUpdateManager.exe

Apple comments or recent Macintosh security concerns

Beginners guide to copying Windows XP to a new hard drive

Refreshing Windows XP Ip address

URLs from 3/7/06

"Double click starts a search" fix in Windows XP

Error 1606 fix -- but exercise CAUTION when working in the registry!
--MORE

Removing Norton when Add-Remove does not work

Norton removal tool
--Look further down the page for:
To download and run Rnav2003.exe
Open the link and download and run it to remove all the Norton pieces on
your computer

URLs from 2/28/06

Microsoft anti-spyware is now called Windows Defender

Macintosh browser vulnerability found
Safari Vulnerability found: - Executing code in zip files that are downloaded
--according to sources at Earlham college, this "Zero Day" vulnerability may affect only the Safari browser and not others. Here's Earlham's resource.
--Background: Macintosh OS X- Virus-Worms-Security:
--There is not much Apple could do to stop the worm from causing damage on a Mac because most worms do not exploit holes in an operating system, but rather "exploit bugs in people's brains by relying on humans to do something dumb and install viruses."
--Old Virus that never really got into the wild-Proof of concept
Renepo or Opener worm - Not in the wild- Needed root access- Root is disabled by default
--OSX/Leap-A or OSX/Oompa-A- Instant messaging iChat/AIM - sends file called "latestpics.tgz" to Buddies in your chat list; see securemac.com and symantec.com
---OSX.Inqtana.A - Proof of concept- The worm spreads to computers using three OBEX Push requests

Sophos Virus Protection - Update could delete Microsoft Office 2004 and Adobe Acrobat Reader

How to setup Windows XP file sharing

MacStumbler

How to make an Image of a Macintosh hard disk

Imaging and backing up a Macintosh - Use Carbon Copy Cloner

URLs from 2/14/06

Neo Office for OS X

Bandwidth Speed Tests: Bandwidthplace.com and InternetFrog.com

War Driving Tools

Java not working with www.Pogo.com: Solution 1 and Solution 2

Use GraphicConverter to open or convert Freehand documents

Windows Task Manager information

Windows Process Information: Solution 1 and Solution 2

URLs from 2/7/06

How to setup Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection

How to setup Windows file sharing

How to add a second hard drive

Remote desktop using linksys router:

• You need to go into the linksys router and configure it to port forward the following ports to your computer at home: TCP Ports 5900, 3283, and 5988
• Ports used by Apple products
• How to setup Port Forwarding on a Linksys Router
  --In the service port fields enter 5900, 3283, and 5988 each in its own field.
  --In each the IP address fields to the right of the service port fields that you used put in the IP address for the computer you want to control
  
  

URLs from 1/31/06

Many questions about basic video editing in Windows XP this week:

• PC Magazine review
• Two callers recommended Pinnacle Studio
• Check recommendations at VersionTracker and VideoGuys
  
• A writer recommended Adobe Premiere Elements (smaller cousin of Premiere Pro)
• Windows XP SP2 has a free basic movie editor, MovieMaker
  
• Recommended: a very big, fast hard drive; at least 1 gig of memory; FireWire on your camera and PC
  

URLs from 1/24/06

Problems copying video DVD: listing of software that will copy DVDs

A reported LSASS error is probably the "sasser" virus (worm).
The LSASS application is a legitimate part of Windows
Description of the sasser worm
Sasser worm removal tools: Stinger; Symantec
WMUB's information about viruses and spyware

Windows 2000 will not shutdown it restarts instead

Playing Windows video files on the Macintosh:
Flip for Mac replaces Windows Media Player for the Macintosh

Mplayer

VLC Player

URLs from 1/17/06

New Apple Laptop with Intel processor

New iMac with Intel processor

Troubleshooting Windows XP Wireless Networking Problems

Microsoft stops developing Windows Media Player for the Mac. See alternative below.

Alternative for Windows Media Player for the Mac (Flip for Mac). Plays windows media files in Quicktime.

Floppy not working in Windows XP.
Try booting from a floppy to make sure that the disk drive is still working.

HPOSM Fatal Error: solution 1; solution 2
-- Also, try reinstalling drivers for any HP products that you have

URLs from 1/10/06

CNet's commentary on the new federal law against 'annoying' anonymous email

Microsoft's patch on its newly-identified security vulnerability

Flash and animated adds on web sites

Scenes from San Francisco's MacWorld convention

Zoo Tycoon and Empire of the Ages cursor problems

Finding drivers for old S3 video card

WMF Graphics Vulnerability Windows 2000, XP & 2003 Server

URLs from 1/3/06

UPDATE: Microsoft has released a patch for its recently announced security vulnerabilty. Find it here.

A 'severe' security flaw was discovered in Microsoft's Windows in late December, 2005.

Problems opening an AVI file in Windows -- from Bryan Powell
Another approach -- from Guy Moore

Mac running slow working with audio files; another source