the Help Desk Blog

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

URLs from 7/31/07

Syntax for CheckDisk in Windows 98
--Click START and select RUN
Type in CMD and press ENTER
In the Command Line Window, type in chkdsk /f

Care and cleaning of CDs and DVDs.
Our correspondent Liz in beautiful Savannah, who listens via our podcast, mentions two PDF resources:
--Council of Library and Information Resources
--National Institute of Standards and Technology

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

URLs from 7/24/07

Booting Window XP using a "Clean" boot for Uninstalling programs

iPhone Exploit may allow attackers to take control
--News.com
--Securityevaluators.com

BluEye -- an iPod hack

Q: Can I do wireless printing using a Linksys router & Lexmark printer?
--You could buy a new access point/router (some have USB ports designed for printers)
--Or connect the printer to an existing computer that's always on (the cheapest solution)
--See Pcstats.com article
--Search for Wireless print server

Using restore point to take Windows XP back to an earlier state

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

URLs from 7/17/07

Vinyl record sales are up 13%
Internet Explorer in Windows opens in too small a size

Setting up a home wireless network with 2 Mac laptops, USB Hard drive, printer
--Tip # 1
--Tip #2

Slow internet speed with Windows 2000 broadband
--We suggested that extra memory might help. Here's a bandwidth speed test.

Word processing compatible with Microsoft Office (esp. Word)
--We suggested the free open-source Open Office

Kevin from Eaton has a Windows 98 machine that won't boot properly. Bryan suggested a review of CHKDSK (Check Disk) procedures.

--Here's Wayne's guide:

--First, a word of caution: some of this may possibly change or impair your system. If you're not comfortable with this, don't do it.

--Try starting in Safe Mode (tap F8 key repeatedly during Startup)

--You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the orginal setup CD-Rom.

Select R at the first screen to start repair.

--Boot from Windows XP Install CD-Rom
Press R for Recovery Console
Select the number for the OS (in my case 1. C:\WINDOWS)
This should result in a prompt C:\WINDOWS
At the C: prompt type:

chkdsk C: /p/r

Then reboot and see if it’s fixed.

--If that does not help then go through the steps above.
At the C: prompt type:

Fixboot C:

Then reboot and see if it’s fixed.

--If that does not help then go through the steps above.
At the C: prompt type:

fixmbr

A warning will display stating the mbr is not standard or corrupt (or words to that effect). At "Do you wish to continue?" type Y for yes.
The new mbr should then be successfully written to the hard disk.
Type "exit" (no quotes) at the prompt. The system will reboot and all SHOULD be well.

A word of warning care should be execised if you multiboot into different OS's as this may prevent the system accessing a custom boot loader, but for single operating systems it should be fine. It works 100% of the time for me.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

URLS from 7/10/07

Sun Computer’s Java download page

When surge protectors fail . . .

100,000 iPhones!
iPhones around the world contest

Pure Networks - Network Magic (partitioning software)

Wireless Router Review

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

URLs from 7/3/07

Free SpyLocked (spyware) removal tool

Sent messages not in the Sent folder in Outlook Express

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

URLs from 6/26/07

Using ReadyBoost to speed up Windows Vista

Should I use AdAware (spyware removal tool) with Windows Vista? (John in Hamilton)
--No, the web site indicates it will not run, even though the current version is called AdAware 2007. Spybot will run under Vista, and Windows Defender is built into it.

I have multiple partitions on my primary hard drive. Do I have to reformat to make it one again or to make one partition bigger since I am running out of room on my XP partition? (Ron in Middletown)
--No, you do NOT need to reformat. Use Partition Magic, $30-$55 at Amazon.com. Here's more information.

I was given an Apple laptop. I have an old PC at home and want to transfer files. Am I at risk of a virus? (Julie in Darrtown)
--Basically, no. Here's more information. Years ago there were some macro viruses that infected the macros (automated tasks) in Microsoft Word and Excel. Since you indicated you won't use these, you can rest at ease.

I accidentally erased my C drive. My Windows XP upgrade disk will not let me install it again. (Joe in Clayton)
--The Installer is probably looking for the original boot disk. Since your computer came with Windows ME pre-installed, try to find any ME or even a 98 Install disk. Once the XP installer sees an original licensed copy, it should go ahead. Here's information on a clean install of Windows XP.

My daughter wants Vista for her MacBook (to be run under Boot Camp). Should I wait for an upgrade? (Tom in New Castle)
--No. No new versions of Vista are due out anytime soon. We recommend Home Premium, but since she will be entering college, have her check out deals through the school's book store.
--Mary from Oxford had a followup comment: Check with her college tech department. They may make you buy a specific Mac or PC. Prices are much cheaper for software on campuses for students, so do check first.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

URLS from 6/19/07

Spybot anti-spyware -- Latest version

AT&T Tech Support Phone Number

Hard drives jumper viewer

iPhone Longer Battery life Announced

Apple World Wide Developers Conference - iPhone developer kit

MacBook Pro Power Adapter Problems

MacBook Pro Battery Recall

Apple PowerBook Battery recall
--Info.apple.com
--general information from Apple

Listener Linda commented that her HP Pavilion seemed to take up a lot of disk space for the HP Recovery utilities. Here's a comment from listener Steven in Dublin, IN:

You are correct that the Compaq/HP systems come with a partition for system recovery. This partition contains everything needed to restore the PC to effectively the state it was when it left the factory.

The reason I say effectively is that when I recovered a Compaq from this partition I noticed some minor changes to the system (e.g. reassignment of drive letters to SD and other memory drives, different shortcuts on the desktop, etc.) The BIOS has an option when booting to restore from this partition.

One suggestion I have for owners of these systems is to run the supplied utility to backup the recovery partition to CD-ROM. While this probably is a violation of the copyright, I used the supplied CD-ROM software to make a copy of these discs because the recovery backup utility sets a flag to prevent it being run a second time.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

URLs from 6/12/07

Getting HP printer error ". . . or you are connected to a VPN"

Apple World Wide Developers Conference news

Beta test for Safari 3 (Windows & Mac)

Safari for Windows security bug

Set Windows to "Never dial a connection"

Adjusting volume in Windows XP

Windows XP freezes or locks up (2 callers)
--Techspot.com
--Aarp.org (yes!)
--Theglobeandmail.com
--Forums.cnet.com

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

URLs from 6/5/07

Windows XP won't shut down; appears to hang up when exiting Adobe Acrobat.
--Try this fix
--or Askmehelpdesk.com

Is it a mistake to install more than 4 GB of memory for XP, as a caller claimed a friend told him?
--Not that we can determine. There is a 4-GB limit, sort of, but even that is not the whole story.
MGAs (Major Geek Alerts) here:
--There are some technical considerations that may have led the friend to this erroneous conclusion. Read about them here.
--More on this topic from the Microsoft Developer Network.
--Codinghorror.com
--Zdnet.com
--Chris.pirillo.com

Apple's iPhone to debut June 29th
--Macpolls.com
--Macenstein.com
--Apple.com

Microsoft's Tabletop Computer

Is the Mac really less vulnerable to attacks than Windows?

I have an iMac and need to connect an older Windows based laptop
--Get virus protecction and spyware protection for the PC
--Wireless card for laptop recommended
--You could use the iMac System Preferences for sharing, internet, airport
--But better than using your iMac would be buying a wireless router. It will also provide a hardware firewall.

Is a 'wireless card' the same as a 'wireless modem'?
No, in the sense that the card itself is not a direct connection to a phone. But neither is a cable modem. The debate rages on.
--Tech-faq.com
--Wikipedia 'wireless modem'
--Wikipedia. 'modem'

My desktop is covered with icons and I can't find a thing!
--To view them as a list on Windows XP:
--Navigate to "My Computer, C:, Documents & Settings, YOUR ACCOUNT NAME, Desktop"
--You can view this as a list.
--To view them as a list on a Macintosh with OS X:
--Open a Finder window, then click on the Desktop icon on the left side of the window.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

URLs from 5/29/07

Phishing alert: watch out for schemes to get your money. We've discussed these before, but they're still around. Numerous false emails exist with supposed links to banks, eBay, PayPal, etc. Clicking on the links take you to an authentic-looking site whose real purpose is to steal your confidential information. More info:
--from Firefox
--from the U. S. government

A Place Between: find a place to get coffee (default) between any two locations

Windows Update crashes/SVC Host

Apple One to One Training (Macintosh)

MacBook Pro Memory

Cheap Windows for PC (Windows XP)
--Softwareoutlet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?
--Amazon.com

Finding Gas Prices on your computer (double click the map to zoom in)

Task Manager Missing Tabs (Windows XP)

Programs showing up twice in my taskbar(Windows XP)
--Solution 1
--Solution 2

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

URLs from 5/22/07

Richard's Seagate FreeAgent Drive is showing up in Windows XP. Click here for Seagate's page for troubleshooting this issue.

Windows Mobile 6- only available via T Mobile as of today.
The T Mobile Wing, featuring Windows Mobile 6.

Manual Java 6 download

iPhone gets FCC approval

iPhone wins National Design Awards

Quicktime Vulnerability

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

URLs from 5/15/07

iPod for little ones

Real estate web site designs
--Blitzdevelopment.com
--Garryegan.com

Godaddy web hosting
http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp

Recovering lost Word files

URLS from 5/15/07

Microsoft Office Live Free Business Website Hosting: To find out more, click this link.

Here is the Microsoft PR:

With Microsoft Office Live, you can create a professional online presence without the expense of buying a server, setting up a complicated infrastructure, and hiring technical staff to maintain it. Microsoft Office Live is a hosted service – all you need is a computer and an Internet connection.

Real estate web site designs:
http://www.blitzdevelopment.com/
http://www.garryegan.com/realtor-web-development.php

Godaddy Web Hosting

Recover An Unsaved Document When Word Crashes

Recovering Lost Word Files

Ron from Vermilion loves My Function Keys which allows you to map keys to input specific text inputs. Click here for information.

iPod for little ones

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

URLs from 5/8/07

Getting old software to run in XP

Link to Virtual PC 2007 (FREE):
--This can enable legacy systems to run as a virtual machine on newer ones
--Another link

Apple's new 'Get a Mac' ad

Connecting a Macintosh to a Windows 2003 server
--Server settings
--Connecting SMB
--SMB defined

PCH.dll Process error on startup
--Look up on this web site to find about what this DLL does

Security Protection for Windows Vista Ultimate 64
--Trendmicro.com
--Start64.com

Windows says wireless is not connected when it really is:
--Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Right click for properties on your connection -> Uncheck the 'Show icon in notification area when connected'
--neowin.net

RoboForm Password Management