October 2007

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Norton 360  --top

Norton's 360 seems to be plagued with little quirks.  Recently we ran across yet another.  After doing some machine cleanup, we installed the customer's 360 and while the installation and activation went just fine, it would not obtain any updates.  After uninstalling, using the Symantec removal tool, checking the Symantec knowledgebase and other attempts, we contacted Symantec.  The final fix was something we never would have thought of and that is to remove all dialup and VPN connections.

Since this particular computer needed only a DSL connection, that fix worked fine.  However, this would not be a good solution for anyone needing both DSL and dialup connections.  Neither the Symantec support nor the Symantec knowledgebase had any information on an alternative fix.

One other quick note on Norton products...

If the icon is red, has an orange exclamation point or an X, do not ignore it.  Open the application, see what the problem is and correct it.  If Norton 360 is orange, it may just be complaining you have not done an online backup (see our Aug '07 newsletter).  If you do not want to use their online backup, go to the online backup settings and "disable" it.

Add-ons continued  --top

Last month we discussed add-ons and how to disable them.  One other note on this subject... You may also want to open the "Show" option and see what add-ons are being run without your permission and also see what ActiveX add-ons are loaded.  Again, look through those for unknown or suspicious add-ons and disable anything you are unsure of.

Internet Time

Having trouble getting any of the time servers to synchronize? Try: time.xmission.com

Thanks, Darryl

Repair or Replace?  --top

The industry continues to move forward, leaving the older operating systems behind.  As an example of this you will find little support for Windows 98 and ME, and almost no support for 95 including antivirus applications, software in general, USB devices and even basic printers.

Windows 95 and early releases of 98 do not support USB.  Computers built before 2001 may support USB but not USB version 2.0.  Since most USB devices today are version 2.0, finding peripherals and printers for older computers is increasingly difficult.  Be sure to know the operating system before purchasing any devices.

This brings us to the subject line, Repair or Replace...

If you are experiencing computer problems, you rely on the computer and it is more than 4 years old, consider replacing it!  But be aware, the industry is currently in a transition period with the operating system. 

Windows Vista is so new on the market, there are compatibility issues with older software and hardware.  Windows XP is the better choice if you need to load proprietary or older software, or you have older hardware.  You can still get Windows XP machines but not at any store.  Instead you will have to purchase directly from the manufacturer, e.g., Dell.com. 

Battery Hack --top

This video shows how to cut open a battery and end up with many smaller batteries. 

• The 9-volt battery contains six - 1.5-volt batteries that are slightly smaller than a normal AAA, but would probably work fine in an AAA device. 

• The A-23 battery (part number is important) contains many "button" batteries, which may fit watches, hearing aids, etc.  The A-23 disassembly produces eight - 1.5-volt button batteries.  Always check the voltage needs of the intended device.

P2P Sharing --top

Identity theft, yet another reason to avoid P2P sharing software!  Apparently LimeWire and Soulseek software security (or configuration) is so poor, it is possible for an unsuspecting user to share more than they bargained for...  The article.

Wave Power  --top

A nice follow-up from our last month rant about an EPA comment.  There are many sources of "alternative" power including tidal waves...  The article.

Network Connections  --top

Having problems connecting to the Internet?  If the problem seems to be that Windows will not obtain an IP address from your DSL modem or router and continually fails to "repair" the connection, try this:

• In the Control Panel go to Administrative Tools then Services.

• Look for and double click "Routing and Remote Services" and change the startup setting from Automatic to Disabled.  Click OK.

• Next right click Routing and Remote Services and Stop the service.

• Last from Start > Run, type cmd (then press Enter or click Go).

• At the command prompt, type netsh interface ip delete arpcache then press Enter.

• Try repairing the connection again.

• If you still have problems try:

  • netsh winsock reset catalog reboot the computer

  • Then netsh int ip reset reset.log reboot the computer again

  • Also try ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew

Windows Vista Twist

Even though you may be the only user and are an administrator, Windows Vista will not let you run certain operations such as netsh winsock reset.  

To get around this, create a command prompt icon on the Desktop then right click and "run as" an Administrator.  To create the icon, right click a blank area of the Desktop > New > Shortcut > cmd > Next > Finish.

Windows XP CD Burning  --top

In Windows XP you can quickly burn files to a CD-R disk by locating the desired files, right clicking and "Sending To" the CD drive.  Vista is similar but can also burn to CD-RW disks. 
Note: Roxio and other burning software may have taken the "send to" option away...

When you "send" a file to the CD for burning, Windows makes a copy of the file(s) in a special (but hard to find) folder labeled "CD Burning" under the user's local settings folders. 

Instead of right clicking and "sending to" you can simply drop files on a Desktop shortcut to that special folder.  Here is how:

Determine the username by opening a command window and looking at the prompt.  It will indicate the username, e.g., C:\Documents and Settings\username> 
To get a command prompt:  Start > Run > cmd followed by the Enter key.

Once you have determined the username, right click a blank area of the Desktop, click New then Shortcut and in the location field, type the full path to the CD burning folder, e.g.,
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning
Click Next then click Finish.

More Windows CD burning hints and ideas here.

Looking at New Computers?  --top

If you are looking at new computers, you will find many retailers offer inexpensive computer packages, but they are inexpensive for a reason! 

These packages likely contain a lot of memory but low end components such as the processor and video card.  Memory (ram) can help the performance of most machines, but it can only do so much.  If the processor or video card is overloaded with information, more ram will not help. 

These large-ram, low-processor machines are just fine for the typical business that crunches numbers, but those that want multimedia performance need more than just ram.  Be sure you get at least the midrange processor and video card.  This is especially true if the machine comes with Windows Vista.

Quick Links...  --top

Note:  You may spend an hour or two looking through these, so punch off the clock...
There are a lot of interesting and funny clips at http://www.flixxy.com/  Some of our favorites include:

• An interesting Flash presentation of the cars we drove (Thanks, Phyllis)

• Incredible singers like 11-year-old Bianca Ryan and the late Luciano Pavarotti

• 3-year-old impressionist painter

• Computer repair

• Portable computer

• Mozart+Bond

• Magic

• How small is Earth?  This will give you some idea...

• Hydrogen power is here, now?

If you like casino type games, try newbodog.com, which offers some "practice" games...

We will leave you with these

When I die, I want to die like my grandfather--who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.

Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: "Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar." --Drew Carey

"The problem with the designated driver program, it's not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house." --Jeff Foxworthy