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Ask Computer Jim - 3rd March 2007
The new website is now up and running, with tip & tricks, our blog, downloads, useful links and more.
There are a few new features that we’re trying out, one of them being Show Notes. The Show Notes section is where you can find details on all past shows. Details on all of the callers for each show, the questions and answers, and any useful information such as web links and guides will all be posted there. So if you missed any information during the show you now have a second chance. You can also leave comments at the bottom of each show notes post - so if you have any useful information to add that could help a caller then feel free to leave a comment!
Another new feature to the site is the Podcast and audio player. At the end of each show notes post there is an audio player, just hit the play button and you can listen to a past show right in your browser. The shows are also now offered as a Podcast, to subscribe to out Podcast put the following link into your Podcasting software: The Ask Computer Jim Podcast. If you don’t know what a Podcast is then don’t worry, we’ll have a guide on what Podcasting is and how to use it on this site soon.
Call #1 - Terry
Terry has a few comments on the new website. He says he has tested the site using Mac OS, Linux and Windows and is happy with it’s performance on these platforms. He has also directed some of his friends to our Security Downloads page so they could download software such as Avast Antivirus. Terry says security software should do three things: It should work properly, have a clean uninstaller, and also start when the computer starts to keep you protected.
Jim’s web designer is working from Taiwan, which shows how small the internet is making the world. So long as you have an internet connection you can stay in touch with people all over the world.
Call #2 - David
Go Dophins! David’s still angry at Marino leaving the Dolphins and misses the good old days. One of David’s clients is using a Wireless G card that takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours to connect to a wireless network at public places like a library. More often than not, WiFi connection problems in Windows XP are caused by the Zero Configuration service. This article explains what Zero Configuration is and how to disable it. If you are still having difficulties contact me. In the meantime David had his client move over to Sprint’s Wireless Data Plan and says it’s very fast.
David uses Open Office and says that if you have trouble viewing a document then download the free Microsoft Viewer software. Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 allows you to view, print and copy Word documents, even if you don’t have Word installed. Versions are also available for Excel and PowerPoint.
Call #3 - Vince
Vince wants to know if people are having the same issues as him with Adobe Reader.
His Internet Explorer plugin stopped working so he decided to upgrade to Reader 8.0, but the installer cannot remove the already installed version 7.0.8. The error code he receives is 1714, which appears to be very common. The following is a solution offered by users on Adobe’s forums:
- Download Windows Installer Cleanup
- Close all windows, then run Windows Installer Cleanup program
- Highlight Adobe Reader in the list (ONLY ADOBE), and click the remove button
- Now try to reinstall Adobe Reader 8
Although, Vince said he had already tried this solution and it did not work for him. Instead, he opted to use the free, lightweight PDF reader Foxit. If anyone has experience dealing with this problem please leave a comment below.
Call #4 - John
John’s experiencing slow downs and lock-ups on his 3 year old Dell computer - is the easiest way to clean things up to format and reinstall the operating system?
Sometimes is it better to go for the format and reinstall over spending time trying to debug a problem, especially on a system that has not had a fresh Windows install for a few years. Jim’s seven steps you should take when formatting your hard drive are:
- Backup all of your data
- Ensure that your backed up files work correctly
- Ensure you have the install CDs for all of your programs
- Download all of the drivers for your hardware and motherboard
- Reformat and install Windows [instructions to Follow]
- Run Windows update and reinstall your drivers
- Reinstall your Anti-Virus/Security and Spyware software
A more complete guide will follow later this week, keep checking the Tips and Tricks section for more information.
We offer services for formatting and reinstalling operating systems by either in-house or by bringing your computer in to our offices.
Contact us for more information.
Call #5 - Anthony
Anthony’s having a lot of trouble with installing software for his DVD burner, his computer speakers not working and more - too much to answer on the air! He’s contacting us for email support.
Call #6 - Brandon
Brandon’s question is regarding CCleaner, a system optimization tool that is available from our downloads section. He asks if it’s necessary to perform a registry backup when prompted. Although it’s not a bad idea to do a registry backup, it’s only in rare cases that there’d be a problem and you’d have to restore a backup - but, sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Call #7 - Judy
Judy was referred to the show by her friend Gerry and she’s stumped with her computer at the moment. After Judy’s husband was having difficulty with his email he decided to by-pass the network router and plug straight into the modem - this knocked Judy’s and any other computers off the network.
A network is controlled by a device called a router. The router allows multiple computers to connect to a single DSL or Cable internet connection. When Judy’s husband removed the router and connected his computer directly to the modem he effectively disconnected any other computers from the network. This would sometimes be desirable for debugging possible router issues but if you wish to use multiple computers on your internet connection you need to use a router. For instructions on setting up your router visit your router manufacturer’s website where you’ll be able to download the manual for your model.
Call #8 - Gene
Gene moved to Windows Vista Ultimate from Windows XP Media Center and requires some information. He likes Vista so far, but had some issues upgrading from Outlook 2000 to Outlook 2007. When importing his mail files into the new version of Outlook he was having trouble due to Outlook adding an extra directory onto the location of the files. He resolved this by creating the extra directory that Outlook was expecting and moving his files into there, and then trying the import. Microsoft has a series of articles on Planning for Installing and upgrading Outlook 2007.
Call #9 - Paul
Paul recently moved to Comcast and now has difficulty connecting to the internet that he thinks is related to his security software. Paul is running McAfee, nine times out of ten connection issues are related to security software. Turning off your security software and then trying your connection will help narrow down the problem. If it turns out to be your security software you can then make the necessary adjustments. Paul, if you are still having issues after disabling your security software contact me so we can find a solution.
Call #10 - David
David is running Norton Anti-Virus and after renewing his license he is having difficulty installing the new version - he says it shows as installed but does not run. After contacting Symantec they sent him the software on CD and attempted to resolve this issue over the phone by uninstalling and reinstalling the software - this attempt was unsuccessful and now David is looking for an alternative for Norton.
My advice is to remove Norton and go with a more light weight solution. There are some very good free Anti-Virus software packages available such as AVG and Avast which you can download from the Security Downloads section.
Call #11 - Gary from Buffalo, NY
Gary bought a new LCD monitor and has a question about setting up resolution and refresh rate. LCD monitors have a default, ideal setting, for refresh and resolution. If you are seeing more than one option for refresh it is likely that you do not have the proper display driver installed and are using the generic Windows driver. Check on the CD that came with your monitor, or on the manufacturers web site for the correct driver.
Call #12 - Jerry
Jerry is having a problem with Add & Remove programs in Windows XP Home Edition. He is seeing large areas of white space in the list of installed programs. This problem has been noted on various web sites and all of these sites point to one solution. Download and install X-Setup. When you launch X-Setup click on the big button that says ‘classic’ and then follow the steps from this forum thread (12th post down) which are:
On the left side of X-Setup, go to X-Setup Pro Plug-ins -> System -> Software Installation -> Add or Remove Programs List Editor. You will now see a list of the installed programs in the windows to the right. Now, back in Windows, open Add & Remove programs and find the programs that are before and after the blank space, then find the same two applications in the X-Setup list of programs - if there is a program listed between them, then this is the culprit that is causing the issue. You can click the delete button to remove it from the list.
If you have anything to add, or can help a caller with their problems, then please leave a message below. I’ll update this page as more solutions arise.
