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

New Windows security hole called 'extremely critical'

UPDATE: microsoft has released a patch for the vulnerability described below. Find it here.


URGENT: December 31, 2005: a 'severe' security flaw has recently been discovered in Microsoft's Windows operating system. Microsoft has not yet released a patch. According to the Washington Post,

"A previously unknown flaw in Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system is leaving computer users vulnerable to spyware, viruses and other programs that could overtake their machines and has sent the company scrambling to come up with a fix.

"Microsoft said in a statement yesterday that it is investigating the vulnerability and plans to issue a software patch to fix the problem. The company could not say how soon that patch would be available."

Find out more in this Washington Post article from December 30, 2005, and a similar article in PC World.

URLs from 12/27/05

Here is a link for a tutorial to install the Sony Cybershot driver (to allow mounting of camera on desktop):
Also, to check to see if the machine has not been assigned a drive letter, do the following:
1. Right click "My Computer."
2. Select "Manage."
3. Click on "Drive Management."
4. Look in the local drive list and see if it is showing up and has a drive letter. If it is showing up but has no letter assigned to it, right click it and select "assign drive letter."

Uninstalling Norton 2004

Problems importing CDs into iTunes

Worst computer related ideas of 2005:
New security ID law
CNet's Top 10 Worst Ideas
PC Magazine's 10 Worst Products
And let's not forget Sony's disastrous CD encryption scheme

Aspi corrupt in Windows XP

Earthlink SMTP Server #1
Earthlink SMTP Server #2

URLs from 12/20/05

Happy Holidays from the Help Desk!

Quicktime to fix the Mac OS 9 Classic Mode Quicktime:
If the computer will boot in OS 9 and has a broadband connection. I would boot into OS 9 and run the software update control panel. If that does not work I would try downloading Quicktime from this URL.

If this does not work send us an email: helpradio-AT-wmub.org -- Guy Moore

Mac OS X 10.3.9, the following message comes up when booting

"The volume for 'Serial Port Monitor' cannot be found"

The Serial Port Monitor is part of the Palm desktop in Classic mode. Probably is coming from Classic mode that is starting when booting. Try turning classic off using classic System Preference and make it so that it does not start when you boot. If that makes the problem go away when you boot then we know it is coming from classic mode. If you are not using the Palm software I would just remove it. Here is the URL for removing the Palm software.

Finding help via user groups

Users groups are great to help you with your computer. Here are some in WMUB's listening area:

1. Cincinnati PC users
2. Dayton MicroComputer Association
3. AppleSiders

URLs from 12/13/05

Christmas Lights display in Mason (now inactive)

BandwidthSpeedTest and InternetFrog.com speed test

Firewall information for OS X

Users groups are great to help you with your computer. Here are some in our area:

1. Cincinnati PC users
2. Dayton MicroComputer Association
3. AppleSiders

Spyware error message concerning DSO Exploit (from Bryan Powell):

What is DSO Exploit?
If you use Spybot Search and Destroy or another spyware removal tool, it may find an item called DSO Exploit. This exploit is a bug in Internet Explorer that under certain circumstances would allow untrusted software to run on the computer. In other words, its a hole in Internet Explorer that hackers could use to gain access to your system.

However, if you are running the latest version of Internet Explorer and have all your Windows Updates installed, the bug has been patched and is not a threat to your computer system. Even though Spybot may still show it as a threat.

How do I Remove DSO Exploit?

If you have the latest Internet Explorer version and all your Windows Updates, you can safely ignore the DSO Exploit as a potential problem when Spybot Search and Destroy or other spyware removal tools discover it. However if you would rather fix the exploit so it does not show up again, follow these steps to edit your Windows Registry. Please be careful however, incorrect changes to the Windows Registry can cause Windows to not boot.

1) Make a note of the location of the exploit shown in Spybot, something similar to:

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1614895754-73586283-725345543-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0\1004!=W=3

2) Click on Start, Run, and type REGEDIT and Press Enter to open the Windows Registry Editor

3) Find the location of the exploit above in the registry by clicking on the pluses(+) next to each title

4) After opening the Zones section and clicking on '0' look to the right window, under 'name' is the key '1004' and the type is REG_SZ simply right click and delete this REG_SZ value.Then right click and create new>DWORD Value, name it 1004, then right click on that and goto modify, give it the Hex Value of 3, Click ok.

If there is only a DWORD Value for the key (in this case 1004), then double click on the key and change the HEX value to 3 and click Ok.

5) Close the Registry Editor and Reboot your computer

6) The DSO Exploit should now be removed and it should no longer appear in the Spybot Search and Destroy log as a problem.

URLs from 12/6/05

Dapsol dialer

Review of eight different anti-spyware products

Computer certification glossary

Grape iMac (and finding out how it is configured)

Memory for Old Grape iMac

Installing RAM in old Grape iMac- select which speed model you have

Anthony.zip -- Virus Mass mailing worm - w32.beagle.cq

URLs from 11/29/05

Apple Broadband Tuner

Testing your network speed

Programs that allow you to securely delet files and securely erase the hard drive
--Listeener Steven from Dublin, IN had this followup: "There is a free program called "Darik's Boot and Nuke" available from sourceforge.net. I am not an expert but have been told this is very good. . . it is available in versions that boot from either floppy or CD-ROM. One problem with this type of program is that a doing a complete erase takes a long time. Normally this is not an issue unless there is a need to get rid of the PC immediately."

Used Macintoshes for sale

Used Mac prices

'Gifts for Geeks and Others' + URLs from 11/22/05

Bryan Powell's suggestions for holiday gifts:
X-Box 360
Moto Razr V3i (RAZR with iTunes software)

Wayne Stone's suggestions:
1) TiVo video recorder for your TV or cable
2) Upgrade your TiVo with a much bigger hard drive; they even tell you how to find your model -- pretty cool
3) Build your own PC! -- or a gift certificate
4) CNet's holiday gift site is a favorite

Cleve Callison's suggestions:
1) Mini flash memory drives by Cruzer and other makers
2) Recommend Canon cameras, Pixma series printers, and camcorders for quality & value
3) iSkin protective coverings for the iPod line (also other manufacturers)
4) Multi-format (memory stick, Compact Flash, etc.) USB card reader for under $10
5) Westinghouse digital big screen (DVI interface only) for around $229 (recommended by MacWorld). Note Bryan Powell's suggestion to buy a DVI monitor even if your computer has the older VGA output; you can buy a VGA-to-DVI converter, and your monitor will still work when and if you upgrade your computer.
6) iTrip LCD FM converter for iPod -- broadcast iPod tunes to your car radio
7) EyeTV EZ USB 2.0 TV receiver -- convert cable TV signals to your Mac
8) Stocking stuffer: can of compressed air to keep keyboards clean
8) QX5 Computer Microscope -- USB interface to your computer to view and control images ($80, recommended by MacWorld)

From Guy Moore:

Finding the right memory:
http://www.ramjet.com/
http://www.techworks.com/
http://www.crucial.com/

Recording your cassettes and LPs:
http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec060803.html
MAC - http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,116507,00.asp
Windows - http://www.cyberwalker.net/columns/feb02/150202.html

DVD Regional Coding

Countries that use PAL

Geek Gifts
Portable XM Satellite Radio
Sandisk Cruzer USB Flash Drive

Lots of stuff at the following URLS:
http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0,3971,720064,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,4148,11182,00.asp
http://www.computergear.com/
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Dec/fea20041217028321.htm

Question about how to play European (French) DVDs on an American computer or DVD player: region-free software DVD player for your computer, or hardware-based for your TV

Recommended by John from Cincinnati: SIMA CT-200 converts NTSC to PAL and vice versa for video and DVD incompatibilities between North American and European standards.

Herbert from Oxford says: Most of Europe used PAL, but France has a different standard called SECAM. One way to play European DVDs is to buy a region free DVD players. You can find some them on the internet in the $20-$200 range. Those units also have PAL/SECAM to NTSC converters built in, so you can play the DVDs on a regular American TV.

World's smallest XP computer

WMUB podcasts

WMUB is now podcasting! The Help Desk podcast as well as podcasts of our other talk shows are now available, generally within 24 hours of first airing. For more information, visit our Podcasting page.

You could click on the Help Desk XML link -- however, not all browsers display XML properly.

If you have a podcast aggregator (Apple's iTunes, for one, is free for Windows and Mac -- you need 4.9 or above), copy and paste the following link in the podcast address field: http://www.wmub.org/rss/HelpDesk.xml

We'd like your comments as we roll this out, so go to our Feedback page.

URLs from 11/15/05

(Windows) What are the processes that are running on my computer

Words to the Teddy Bear Picnic song

Setting the default media player in FireFox

Upgrading Blue & white G3 to OS X?
One solution
Another solution

Backweb server problem: Download Stinger and use it to clean out your virus

URLs from 11/8/05

Pumpkin computer

Butler Rural Electric Internet service

WildBlue through Butler Rural Electric

Shellcon

Component Level mother board repair

Password Generation Technique

Protecting your self from identity theft:

NPR

FTC

Identity Theft Org

Printer Spooler not working

URLs from 11/1/05

1) Photos of a pumpkin computer

2) Outlook Express can't save attachments

3) Outlook 2000 Error- "the message interface has returned an unknown error"

4) Can't delete outlook email

URLs from 10/25/05

Backup and restore Outlook Express Mail

Outlook Express Backup and Restore link 2

Phone inteference with wireless access point

Wireless in Dayton #1

Wireless in Dayton #2

irq driver is nt less or equal

URLs from 10/18/05

IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL Stop Error in Windows:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/ or

http://www.techspot.com/

RealPlayer: you can get the free version from Download.com

URLs from 10/11/05

What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R?

Can't get into safe mode when I boot; how can I get into safe mode?

Backup Software reviews


NEW! Visit WMUB's Podcasting page for information on downloading our daily talk shows.

URLs from 9/27/05

Problem with IE visual c++ runtime library error:
Try uninstalling Google Toolbar

URLs from 9/20/05

Powerbook G4 will not sleep:
Reset NVRAM

Resetting PMU (Power Management Unit)
(this varies depending on the model)

Mac OS Hints powerbook sleeping problem

Windows XP shut down problems

URLs from 9/6/05

Linksys router keeps disconnecting -- answer 175

Disk repair utilities comparison


Hard drive clock

PC speed test

The InternetFrog PC speed test will give you a graphical snapshot of your computer's upload and download speeds.

URLs from 8/30/05

InternetFrog PC speed test

Elite Toolbar -- this is Spyware. See Symantec's article

Two more Elite Toolbar removal tools: Peeniewallie and from Softpedia.com

Spyware update

SPYWARE UPDATE 8/26/05: Some users have posted their recommendations in the form of comments to our Sypware article. While some or all of these may be perfectly fine, the Help Desk gang (the Dukes of URL) has NOT reviewed these products and cannot certify them as acceptable. Some insidious spyware actually masquerades as anti-spyware tools. Frankly, the language on some of the web pages recommended by our commentators below is a little suspect, especially when they are trying to sell you software. Caveal emptor ("let the buyer beware"). We stand by our recommendations to use AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Microsoft's anti-spyware tool (now called Windows Defender) and urge caution on anything else. See the full article elsewhere in this blog.

URLs from 8/23/05

Egdaccess_1058.dll is, it seems, part of a spyware program called ShopAtHomeSelect Adware
How to remove ShopAtHomeSelect Adware

Preparing an hard drive so that you can give it away without your data being recovered:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/38075
http://www.versiontracker.com/php/search.php?str=secure+erase&plt%5B%5D=windows&mode=basic&action=search
http://dban.sourceforge.net/
CounterSpy - Erases files to DOD standards

How to build your own computer:
http://www.pcmech.com/build.htm
http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20020904/
http://www.mysuperpc.com/
http://www.basichardware.com/building_your_own.html
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,116993,00.asp

Pretty neat Google stuff

You may not want Google to know your cell number, but if that doesn't bother you, here are some Google text message tricks:

Send a text message to 46645 (that's GOOGL). In the body type (for example)

pizza 12345

where 12345 is your ZIP code. Google will call you back with information about 3 or 4 pizza places in your ZIP.

You could also type

lastname 12345

where 'lastname' is one you're trying to find. Google will call you back with a directory listing for that name.

Google maps. Close in on a segment you want (say your street) at 1 inch = 2000 feet, and click the HYBRID button in the upper right. You'll see a street map, with names, over the satellite image. Can you find your house?

URLs from 8/16/05

Recent Windows update

Resetting a Palm Pilot

hpcmpmgr.exe will not end when the computer is shutting down. This is part of the Hewlett Packard Multimedia software

Recovering/Fixing damaged Macintosh disks:

Disk Warrior from Alsoft
Tech Tool from MicroMat
Data Rescue from Prosoft
VirtualLab from BinaryBiz

Running OS X maintenance tasks:
MacJanitor

URLs from 8/9/05

Outlook data gone after sync with PDA

Computerfest Sept 10 & 11

URLs from 8/2/05

Runtime Error Codes

Ghost buttons/windows showing up in Windows 98 Task bar

MPR.DLL patch/fix

URLs from 7/26/05

Sync Entourage to Palm

Multi Boot MacTel

Konfabulator

Norton says
"An encrypted email connection has been detected. Please see help for more information on how to send encrypted mail."

At boot time, the system is reporting the wrong processor speed

URLs from 7/19/05

Bendable screens on the way?

The Dayton Microcomputer Association Linux Users Group meets at 7 pm the 3rd Thursday each month at Wright State University.

The Firefox extension GreaseMonkey may present a serious security vulnerability for both PCs and Macs. This is a fairly detailed technical argument that will not apply to everyone, but for now the Help Desk recommends de-activating GreaseMonkey if you have it installed.

URLs from 6/28/05

Troubleshooting Mac OSX Tiger (10.4)

URLs from 6/21/05

Printing a Windows Exporer folder list

We had two URLs submitted by Dave Lundy:
http://snurl.com/fq7l and
http://snurl.com/fq7o

Bryan Powell sends along another solution:

"Windows Alt Prt Scr

"Now, for those who have read this far, we are going to share another neat little feature of the Windows Print Screen Key. Pressing these keys...

"Alt + Print Screen

"...will take a screenshot of the currently selected window, not the entire screen like the normal screenshot function. This allows you to target that specific window that you have open and nothing else. No more cropping those screenshots to grab the content you were after!"


Mary C. recommends a freeware program to print window contents in a Mac

Troubleshooting your mac

Don Moeller recommends this site.

File System Check: This can be done in two ways. If you can do method 1, then that is preferred over method 2 below. Do a File System Check and permissions repair by one of these two methods below.

1. Boot up to your full OS X Install CD 1. To do this, restart the machine with the Mac OS X Install CD in the CD drive, holding down the "C" key until you see the OS coming up on screen. You will come to an Install Dialog window. From the Installer menu, select Disk Utility. Next, click the First Aid tab. Select your hard drive boot partition whose file system you wish to check, click on the First Aid tab, and click the "Repair Disk Permissions" button. Repairing permissions may take a couple of minutes as it restores "permissions" of Mac OS X system files and Apple-installed software to their default configuration. When it completes, click the "Repair Disk" button.

2. Open Disk Utility, located in /Applications/Utilities. Select your boot partition, click on the First Aid tab. Click the "Repair Disk Permissions" button. Next, to run fsck, restart the computer holding command-S at startup (where command is the Apple logo key on your Apple keyboard), then at the prompt typing fsck -y and hitting the Return key. Continue to run fsck -y until no errors are found. If your hard drive is journalled, you will need to run fsck -yf. (Attempting to run fsck -y on a journaled drive will result in a message reminding you of this.) Repeat running of fsck till you are getting no errors, type shutdown -r now and hit the Return key to reboot your Mac OS.

URLs from 5/17/05

No script Engine for VBS

Uninstall Dragonspeaking

W32/Sober.q@MM virus info

Java Script Disabled

Morse code VS SMS

Switching from Mac to PC

KVM to hook Mac Mini & PC to shared Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse

Dayton Hamvention

Moving database files from Access on windows to Filemaker on Macintosh OS X

Firefox vulnerability

A potentially serious vulnerability has been discovered in Mozilla's Firefox browser. Mozilla has released the following
Firefox security vulnerability workaround

URLs from 5/3/05

What is?


Easy Photo EZP icon problem

URLs from 4/26/05

NT loader error

URLs from 3/15/05

Version Tracker is a source for all sorts of software.

Defective Hotmail password:
Forgotpass@hotmail.com can sometimes help with recovering lost Hotmail passwords. You'll need to send from another account since it is the email that has the defect.

URLs from 3/8/05

Listener Mort had a problem with attachments in Outlook Express. Here is a possible fix. It sounds as if Mort may have a virus or have some as attachments, so we recommend looking at our comments about Stinger on our Viruses page.

Upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Warning: long post.

Here, in its entirety, is Patrick Douglas Crispen's advice of March 6, 2005, concerning upgrading Windows XP to Service Pack 2. Patrick is one of the co-gurus of the invaluable Internet Tourbus.

Here's his advice:


From: crispen [AT] NETSQUIRREL.COM
Subject: Tourbus - 6 Mar 05 - Safely upgrade to Windows XP SP2
Date: March 6, 2005 3:25:42 PM EST
To: TOURBUS [AT] LISTSERV.AOL.COM
Reply-To: TOURBUS-Request [AT] LISTSERV.AOL.COM

---------------------------------------------------------------------- TOURBUS Volume 10, Number 53 -- 06 Mar 2005 Tourbus Home - http://www.TOURBUS.com Tourbus Forums - http://forums.TOURBUS.com [ For best results view this with a monospace font like Courier. ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's Tourbus Topics: How to safely upgrade to Windows XP SP2

Howdy, y'all, and greetings once again from deep behind the orange curtain in beautiful Irvine, California, which should be refrigerated after being opened.

TOURBUS is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors. Please take a moment to visit today's sponsors and thank them for keeping our little bus of Internet happiness on the road.

+------------------ CAN YOU PASS THIS MONEY TEST? -------------------+
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+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

The deadline for upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2 is *rapidly* approaching. So, I thought it would be a good idea to take another look at how to safely make the upgrade so that you computer doesn't fall down and go "BOOM!"

By the way, an abbreviated, HTML-ified version of today's post is available at

http://www.netsquirrel.com/articles/xpsp2.html

and you are more than welcome to forward either that link or today's Tourbus post to whomever you think it may help.

On with the show...

----------------------------------------------------------------
How to safely upgrade to Windows XP SP2
Audience: Every XP user who hasn't yet upgraded to Window XP SP2
----------------------------------------------------------------

If you have Windows XP Home or Professional Editions, I have a favor to ask of you. In XP, go to Start > Run. Type in the word

winver

and then press the enter key on your keyboard. This opens something called "About Windows" that tells you exactly what version of Windows you are running. For example, on my desktop, my "About Windows" screen shows the following:

Microsoft (R) Windows
Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp2... : Service Pack 1)
Copyright (C) 1981-2001 Microsoft Corporation

I want you to pay particular attention to the end of the second line of text on your "About Windows" screen. If you see the words "Service Pack 2," stop reading. Your version of Windows has already been updated to Windows XP Service Pack 2 [SP2]. There is nothing else you need to do...except, possibly, running Windows Update [in Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Windows Update] just to make sure your computer isn't missing any critical updates released over the past couple of weeks.

+-----------------------* * * ZipBackup * * *----------------------+
As a Tourbus reader, you know you need to be careful about viruses and other nasties, but being careful is not enough! ZipBackup's Wizard makes backing up to CDs or DVDs a snap for beginners and ZipBackup is a powerful tool for experts. Download ZipBackup and try it for free. You won't want to use a computer without it. Get 25% off the ZipBackup regular price at http://www.zipbackup.com/partners/tourbus
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

However, if the second line of text on your "About Windows" screen *DOESN'T* end with the exact words "Service Pack 2," your life just got a little more complicated.

When Windows XP SP2 was released last August, a lot of respected tech gurus [and some not-so-respected tech guru wannabees like myself] strongly recommended NOT upgrading for a while. In fact, I wrote a Tourbus post last August showing you how to download and install a free Windows XP SP2 blocker program to prevent Microsoft from automatically installing SP onto your computer.

Well, that blocker expires on Tuesday, April 12th. After that date, you're getting Service Pack 2 whether you like it or not. If you have Windows Update set to automatically check for and install any critical updates, Microsoft will automatically install XP SP2 onto your computer sometime after April 12th. And even if you don't use Windows Update's auto ‘call home and download' feature, after April 12th Windows Update will stop working until you download XP SP2. [Updates will still be available, but Microsoft won't let you get them until you first download and install Service Pack 2.] April 12th is pretty much the drop-dead date for Windows XP Service Pack 2 deployment.

And, honestly, that's not a bad thing. While I've yet to upgrade my desktop, my laptop has been running Windows XP SP2 since November with nary a problem. And I'm not alone. Millions of people have safely made the jump to SP2. And XP SP2's built-in security features are so beneficial that there's honestly no legitimate reason for you NOT to upgrade to Service Pack 2.

Reread that last sentence: There's honestly no legitimate reason for you NOT to upgrade to Service Pack 2. Your XP computer NEEDS this upgrade. The real question is whether you want Microsoft to install it for you or if you want to install it yourself. Well, the next six words are the most important six words in this entire post:

***YOU WANT TO INSTALL IT YOURSELF!***

There are 12 things you need to do in order to ensure that your computer's upgrade goes as smoothly as possible. The only way you can guarantee that all 12 of these steps are followed, in order, is if you do it yourself. And that's why I sending you this post a full month before Microsoft starts automatically pushing XP Service Pack 2 to your computer.

------------------------------------------------------
1. Get a copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2 on a CD-ROM
------------------------------------------------------

Trust me on this one, folks: XP SP2 is so large that you don't want to try to download it over even the fastest Internet connection. Besides, when your computer crashes sometime in the future and you have to reinstall Windows, having XP SP2 on CD-ROM will speed your recovery process.

How can you get XP SP2 on CD-ROM? Well, chances are one of your friends or co-workers already has a spare XP SP2 upgrade CD lying around. All you need to do is ask to borrow it. If that doesn't work, go to the computer section of your nearest big box retailer and ask for a free copy. Microsoft shipped massive amounts of free XP SP2 CD-ROMs to Circuit City, Best Buy, Office Depot, and places like that. Again, all you have to do is ask.

If you still can't find a copy of XP SP2 or, even worse, if your local tech store tries to sell it to you [something that happened to at least one Best Buy customer in Chicago late last year], hop on over to

http://tinyurl.com/6g675

This page lets you order the XP SP2 CD-ROM directly from Microsoft. Free.

------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Once you have the XP SP2 CD-ROM, scan your computer for viruses
------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal experience shows that unwanted stuff on your computer like viruses or spyware [see step 3] can wreck havoc on ANY software installation, especially a major operating system upgrade. And while you may think your current antivirus software is doing a good job of scanning your computer for and protecting your computer from viruses, over 60% of broadband users aren't running the latest version of their antivirus program. [Source: http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/security? c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs]

So, just to be extra safe, before you even THINK about putting that XP SP2 CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive, let's have Symantec scan your PC for viruses online. Open Internet Explorer and go to

http://www.symantec.com/cgi-bin/securitycheck.cgi.

[Unfortunately, Symantec's free online virus checker only works in Internet Explorer.] When the page loads, click on the orange Go button. This opens a pop-up window. Click on the red Start button under Virus Detection to start the virus scan. You'll be asked if you want to install and run three small plug-ins. Click Yes all three times.

The scan will take a while, but it is well worth the wait. If Symantec says your virus status is safe, continue on to step three. But, if Symantec finds a problem, expect to spend a lot of time at

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html

downloading the appropriate removal tools.

---------------------------------------------------
3. Scan your computer for spyware and other malware
---------------------------------------------------

Spyware seems to be the number one cause of problems when upgrading to XP SP2. So, in addition to scanning your computer for viruses, you also need to scan it for spyware. But you need to make sure you are using the latest version of your antispyware program when you do this.

How? Well, in Spybot Search & Destroy, go to Help > About. There you'll see the version number. The latest version of Spybot is 1.3. If you have an older version, head on over to

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

and download the latest version.

If you have AdAware, look in the bottom right corner of the AdAware screen. If you don't see "AdAware SE Personal, Build 1.05," you don't have the latest version and you'll need to download a new copy at

http://tinyurl.com/5kgsl

Once you have the latest version of your antispyware program, check for updates and then scan your computer. If you find any spyware, nuke it.

--------------------------------
4. Update your software firewall
--------------------------------

If you are running a software firewall like ZoneAlarm or Sygate Personal Firewall, you may need to update your software firewall so that it will fully work with Windows XP SP2. This usually involves downloading a simple patch that you can get from your software firewall's manufacturer's website.

-----------------------------------------------------------
5. Get the latest PC manufacturer updates for your computer
-----------------------------------------------------------

If you have a name-brand computer, check the manufacturer's web site and download any software or driver updates they recommend. For example, Dell recommends that its users update their BIOS before upgrading to XP SP2.

For a list of the XP SP2 upgrade sites for most of the major PC manufacturers, check out

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

If you can't find your computer manufacturer's web site, call the company or store that sold you your computer and ask them if they know of any issues with upgrading your make and model of computer to XP SP2. By waiting to install XP SP2 until today, you've given the folks in tech support enough time to figure out what computers upgrade well and what computers have issues.

Sloth pays.

-------------------------------------------
6. Backup any files you cannot live without
-------------------------------------------

If media and blog reports are any indication, you should be able to upgrade to XP SP2 without any major problems. But sometimes things go awry. That's life.

Just to be extra safe, make sure to copy ALL of the important stuff on your computer to a CD-ROM, DVD, thumb drive, external hard drive, or whatever. You can never have too many backups.

In particular, make sure to backup your:

- Bank records and other financial information - Digital photographs - Software you purchased and downloaded from the Internet - Software you didn't purchase but still download - Your illegal MP3s and legal iTunes files - Personal projects and other "My Documents" stuff - Your e-mail address book and calendar - Your enemies list - Your browser's bookmarks or favorites list

Again, you'll probably not need this backup. But you can never be too safe.

------------------------------
7. Make a system restore point
------------------------------

Yeah, I know. The XP SP2 installer does this for you automatically. Do it by hand just in case.

- Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.

- Choose Create a restore point.

- Click Next.

- In the Restore Point Description box, type something long and descriptive [like "6 March 2005 – Before I installed XP SP2"]

- Click Create.

- Once the restore point has been created, click Close.

----------
8. Restart
----------

No, I don't mean go back to step one. I mean restart your computer. It's usually a good idea to flush the decks, so to speak, before you install any major program or operating system upgrade on your computer.

Wait at least five minutes after you restart your computer before you proceed. That just gives all of those icons down in your task bar plenty of time to load and call home for updates.

You might also want to disable your antivirus program, but that's completely up to you. [I accidentally installed XP SP2 without first turning off my antivirus and nothing bad happ&%$()**NO CARRIER**]

--------------------
9. Find a local guru
--------------------

Step nine is probably the hardest step of them all.

If you follow steps one through eight, step nine is probably completely unnecessary. But, sometimes bad things happen to good people. And sometimes, although not often, XP SP2 installations go horribly awry. If that happens, you're going to want to talk to someone who can help you un-kludge your computer.

You are always welcome to send me email asking for assistance, but I have to warn you that I get so much email that it is almost impossible for me to keep up. I wish I was kidding, but it's now March 6, 2005, and I am currently working on answering the emails sent to me during the week of February 7th...FOUR weeks ago! If your computer goes kersplat during the XP SP2 installation process, you're probably going to want to speak to someone who can help you fix your computer in minutes not weeks. Hence my recommendation that you find a local guru who can help you if anything goes awry.

Again, if you follow steps one through eight, finding a local guru is probably completely unnecessary. But, as I have said throughout today's post, you can never be too safe.

------------------
10. Install XP SP2
------------------

You've prepped your system. You found a local guru who can help you if things go wrong. Now it's time to install XP SP2. Pop the CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive and follow the on-screen prompts.

That's it.

No, really. That's it. Pretty anticlimactic, isn't it?

Once the upgrade is done, you'll be asked to restart your computer.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Windows XP Service Pack 2.

----------------------
11. Run Windows Update
----------------------

After you have successfully installed XP SP2, immediately run Windows Update. There have been more than a few critical updates released since your XP SP2 disc was pressed, and you need to download those updates to ensure your computer is fully protected from the internet nasties.

----------------
12. Tweak XP SP2
----------------

Finally, after you've installed XP SP2 and run Windows Update, point your favorite web browser to

http://support.microsoft.com/xpsp2installed

This page contains dozens of handouts and videos covering topics such as configuring Internet Explorer's new pop-up blocker, using the new Windows Security Center, and so on. Plan on spending a little time here getting acquainted with the new security features in XP SP2.

----------------------
Troubleshooting XP SP2
----------------------

What if the XP SP2 installation doesn't go so smoothly on your computer? As I hinted at earlier, that's what the local guru is for.

But, if you want to try to fix things yourself, check out

http://support.microsoft.com/xpsp2getinstall

This page has links to some of the more popular Microsoft Knowledge Base articles to help you diagnose and fix the most common XP SP2 setup and installation issues. If that doesn't help, try a Google search. Chances are you aren't the first person to have this problem.

And, if push comes to shove, you can always uninstall XP SP2 and roll back your system to that restore point you created back in step seven. You can find the instructions on how to do this at

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875355

I hope this helps! That's it for today. Have a safe and happy week, and we'll talk again soon.

=====================[ Tourbus Rider Information ]=================== The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238 Copyright 1995-2005, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved

Tourbus News Service - http://tourbus.com/news.html The Best of Everything - http://tourbus.com/best.html

Subscribe, Signoff, Archives, Free Stuff and More at the Tourbus Website - http://www.TOURBUS.com ==================================================================== .~~~. )) (\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen /o o \/ .~ {o_, \ { crispen [AT] netsquirrel.com / , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/ `~ -' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K _( ( )_.' ---..{____} Warning: squirrels.

Outlook/Express problems

Updates to our post of 3/1/05 concerning Outlook and Outlook Express:

From Bryan Powell: "May help with corrupted to do items database- this is a useful list of apps and add-ins for Outlook."

Listener Chad L. suggests the following (we have not verified this approach):

"I heard the lady toward the end of the show talking about her email problem.

I would suggest that she create a new outlook profile and then import all of her data from the first profile, this will give her a clean slate and should fix her problems. If you don’t know how to do this please feel free to give her my email address

Spyware

Spyware is different from viruses, worms and Trojan horses. You must protect your PC against both.

UPDATE 8/26/05: Some users have posted their recommendations in the form of comments below. While some or all of these may be perfectly fine, the Help Desk gang (the Dukes of URL) has NOT reviewed these products and cannot certify them as acceptable. Some insidious spyware actually masquerades as anti-spyware tools. Frankly, the language on some of the web pages recommended by our commentators below is a little suspect. Caveal emptor ("let the buyer beware"). We stand by our recommendations to use AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Microsoft's anti-spyware tool (now called Windows Defender) and urge caution on anything else.

Spyware is software that either takes control of your screen and presents you with unwanted pop-up ads, or more sinisterly, spies on your computer activity without your knowledge. At this point, it appears to be a problem only for PCs, but there is no guarantee that Macs will not be affected in the future.

To combat spyware:

--We recommend 3 programs. Each appears to catch different problems, and there is no difficulty with running all 3:

(1) Spybot Search and Destroy (find in download.com).

(2) Ad-Aware by Lavasoft

(3) Microsoft's AntiSpyware, now in beta

For all 3 programs:

--Run in Safe Mode (at startup, repeatedly press the F8 key until it asks if you want to boot into Safe Mode).

--Use the most current version

--Run regular updates of definitions -- daily is not too often, sad to say.

--Windows XP users should find that installing Service Pack 2 may help.

--Consider using a browser other than Internet Explorer, which is a frequent conduit for malicious software. We recommend Mozilla's FireFox browser as an alternative.

Viruses, worms and Trojan horses

EVERYONE who owns a PC should realize the serious danger you and your machine are in from viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spyware. Some of these are mere annoyances to your computer. Others cost a great penalty in terms of productive time and aggravation. And some can even cause grievous harm to your computer and those of anyone in your address book, and to your personal financial and/or medical records.

Viruses, worms and Trojan horses are different from spyware. You need to protect your PC against both.

To combat viruses, worms and Trojan horses:

--Purchase a new (2005) edition of virus protection software from Norton/Symantec or McAfee. We also recommend the useful Stinger, which will attack certain specific viruses but is not a general protection program like McAfee or Symantec.

For all programs:

--Run in Safe Mode (at startup, repeatedly press the F8 key until it asks if you want to boot into Safe Mode).

--Use the most current version

--Run regular updates of definitions -- daily is not too often, sad to say.

--Windows XP users should find that installing Service Pack 2 may help.

--Consider using a browser other than Internet Explorer, which is a frequent conduit for malicious software. We recommend Mozilla's FireFox browser as an alternative.

URLs from 3/1/05

Reporting spam via SpamCop

Help for legacy operating systems -- such as Windows 95 and 98

URLS for Outlook express "can't open folder problem": #1 and # 2.

UPDATE: See also this post about Outlook.

To find out what various processes do on your computer: #1 and #2.

Crashing cell phone when changing tasks (rebuilding index in Outlook 2002)

Recovering corrupt Outlook Express files

ftosub.exe Information. This was a file a listener's spyware catcher had flagged. It seems to be a file needed by a genealogy program.