Computers and high tech gizmos.

[Gliondrach]

Does anyone know if the glue used in computers and other electronic things is derived from animals? I know that there is a vegan glue called Weldbond but it is unlikely to be used by manufacturers.

[Bowwowmeow]

I think they use solder for the electronic components, and screws for the actual manufacture of the case, but I don't know for sure.

[Gliondrach]

Someone mentioned glue in computers. I suppose there might be casein in the plastic.

[Rainbow]

But isn't the majority of the average computer case made from thin sheets of moulded painted metal, allowing quicker heat loss, with only its front section made from plastic.

Here's hoping the paints are vegan, let's face it not many are!

[Gliondrach]

Quite true. I even tapped my computer machine-thing to make sure. Then I looked at the television monitor bit and the typewriter part. Plastic. What's wrong with wood?

[Blueshark]

I think, with those sort of things it would be synthetic, however it is difficult to tell, since there is no legal requirement for an 'ingredients' list.

Nothing wrong with wood though, but that metal stuff is good to.

[Tiggerwoos]

I have a cat called Gizmo. She's not very hi-tech though. Sorry, bad joke!

[Fauxmage]

:D

[veggiesosage]

I think I've sucessfully upgraded the RAM in my pooter. Looking good so far.

[Gliondrach]

He's not a Derby Ram, is he? They can be dangerous when cross.


Is this just a case of plugging a new one in or does it involve doing something else?

[veggiesosage]

On the face of it thats pretty much what it was about Gliondrach. However there are issues such as static frying the memory card I'd just bought and I had the perhaps irrational conviction that I was going to fry myself, especially as I have been conflicting advice about whether to leave the mains lead in or not.

In the end left the mains lead in (to help prevent static) and followed the instructions and didn't touch anything else and it sems to have worked so I'm pleased as punch that it was easier than I thought it would be.

[Gliondrach]

Does anyone know of a good free pdf compiler that I can use to make pdf files? One that will allow me to do whatever I like with the files?

I've seen two but they won't download. Another one placed too many restrictions on what the files can be used for.

[my3labs]

I only have the full version of Acrobat. I'm no help, Martin. sorry.

[1vegan]

Does anyone know of a good free pdf compiler that I can use to make pdf files? One that will allow me to do whatever I like with the files?

I've seen two but they won't download. Another one placed too many restrictions on what the files can be used for.

Depends on what you want?

I know there are "virtual pdf printers" that will turn what ever document into a pdf flie.
You could make documents in your wordprocessor and then sent them to that "printer", which will make in into a pdf file that will be on your drive somewhere.

Which two did you already try?

[Gliondrach]

I don't recall what they were. I eventually managed to download the instructions to use them but discovered that one was only a form filler and the other had some restriction. I have now found one at ebookcomplier.com. It cost's £29.99 plus VAT. I've just glanced at it but it seems quite good. I will download the free version to try it and, if I like it, I will pay for it. I also saw some other 'shareware' e-book compiler for which they ask a donation of about that same price.

[veggiesosage]

zPDF creator was suggested on another forum I go on. You can get it from here

http://wiki.wsu.edu/wsuwiki/CE6/powerpoint

[Gliondrach]

Thanks, Veggie. I'll have a good look at it later.

That other one I mentioned is not for pdf after all. It is for exe. files. Or was it X-Files?

[Gliondrach]

Damned blasted AOL. They've lost my favourites/bookmarks again. They did it in February, too. Since then I have added dozens and dozens of favourite places. I should have learnt from then and copied and pasted all the web addresses into a folder. But sometimes the addresses don't work. They only work when they are clicked on - not if they are copied and pasted into a browser. I have lost some very important things I need for various research projects. I will have to start searching again. There's no point in changing to another ISP - they are all useless. Better the devil I know....

I contacted their live help last time. The first person gave me detailed instructions. I followed them offline. I reached a point where I couldn't follow them any further as nothing on the screen corresponded to the instructions. I contacted another person. More, different, detailed instructions. I couldn't follow them, either. They didn't correspond to real life. I used a keyword search and found some printed instructions. They didn't work. I've just tried to follow them again - I copied and pasted them all into a notepad file in case I needed them again. They were just as useless this time. I will try to contact some person or other when they open again in the morning. Not that it will do much good.

[1vegan]

You save your bookmarks with your provider?

Mine are saved on my puter, that way I won't loose them afaik.

[Gliondrach]

With aol they are saved on their system. An earlier version of aol used to keep the favourites on your own computer.

I contacted their online help. I was given instructions. I had to sign off the internet - and the live help - to follow them. They didn't work. I 'phoned their tech support. I was given instructions. They were different to anything I'd been told before. The woman talking to me seemed very efficient. I had to sign off the internet and turn off the computer after we had finished. I fully expected to get my favourites back. The woman said goodbye. I turned my computer back on. No favourites. I 'phoned again. A man gave me instructions. I kept him on the 'phone until I had finished. Still no favourites. He then said that the favourites are stored on my computer and that aol can do nothing to get them back. He said he could help me to uninstall and then reinstall aol. I told him I wouldn't bother. Later, after checking, I found that the favourites are not stored on my computer. Aol does store them. The company is useless. I have never had any help from them. There is no point in trying to contact them again. I have wasted time and money on 'phone calls.

I now have a message that appears every time I turn off the computer telling me that the download I have requested is being installed and turning off the computer before it is finished can damage the aol software. Damn that company's hide!!!!!

I really want to hit someone. Or smash something.

[Bowwowmeow]

That's awful! Can you copy and paste the URLs into a search engine, rather than your browser? The ones that don't work in your browser might work in a search engine.

I've never had that happen to me. I use Earthlink, and I've had them for four years, after I got tired of A-hole. I'm pretty satisfied with them.

[Gliondrach]

I suppose I could try. Pasting them into IE instead of gargoyle, yaboo or Good Search. The ones that usually don't work are those that have addresses that are two or three lines long. Sometimes, such as with newspaper or journal articles that are a few years old, the only way to get them is with the clickable link.

I know that things like tiny url can reduce the size of long web addresses but I don't like subscribing to things and it might not work properly.

[thevegantwins]

I'll tell you a crappy provider story to help alleviate some of your stress, Martin. My vegan coworker, who is a board member of NJARA, is the email person for the agency. She sends out about 20-30 email alerts daily with anything from information, adoption alerts, political action etc.. She also regularly gets her email suspended from Comcast, her internet provider because they classify her as a spammer even though she only sends alerts to the same people and has repeatedly told them and provided them documentation that she has a legitimate reason for sending so many emails. She has tried other internet providers and they are all the same though some are worse since they wouldn't reinstate her email even after she explained the situation. At least Comcast reinstates her email after she calls and complains.

[Gliondrach]

We never had this trouble before the internet.

[Bowwowmeow]

True.

[Oracl]

:s:igh:

[1vegan]

I wonder if when gliondrach would use firefox, if the links are locally stored?

[Gliondrach]

I don't know. They are definitely stored on aol because I can't get access to them until I am online. I can click on them on the aol start up screen but they don't work until I sign on.

They have a facility for exporting them to a friend, or to IE or to store them on your own computer, but, when I tried storing them on my own computer they were stored as an acrobat adobe file and acrobat couldn't open the file because, it said, the file wasn't supported.

[Gliondrach]

I had that Favorites trouble on one of my usernames. We can have up to 7. No trouble with my main username. But I don't seem to be getting e-mails to it now. I usually receive three or four a day. Nearly all spam. But there's been nothing for two days. I am going to send myself an e-mail from a hotma il address.

[Oracl]

I am going to send myself an e-mail
That's nice, you are your own best friend. :friends:

[Gliondrach]

I sometimes send myself spam.

[Oracl]

Doesn't that drive you crazy when you do that? :crazy 2:

[Gliondrach]

I never open them because I know what they are.

[Oracl]

You are so clever, Gliondrach! :uhuh:

[Gliondrach]

For the last two days, whenever I copy a page and save it to My Documents it doesn't fit the page when I view it. I have to scroll along to the right to read the end of a line and then scroll back to the left to read the beginning of the next line. The page on the website has lots of space to the left and right of the text but not when I save it. Take this forum, for example. The text appears in the middle of the screen. But if I save this page it would fill the screen and be more spread out in the document I saved it to. I have done a system restore but the problem persists. I haven't done anything unusual in the last few days. When I say I haven't done anything unusual, I mean in computer terms. I did do a bit of yodeling out of the window a few nights ago but that shouldn't have affected my computer.

[Gliondrach]

It must have been some gremlin on that forum. The page before was copied at the right size and now that it has gone onto a new page, that has copied to the right size, too. I knew it wasn't my fault.

[Gliondrach]

I received this in an e-mail:

Do not open any type of E-Cards! You know the type of Greeting
Cards like Hallmark, etc. The hackers have finally ruined this for everyone
by
creating one of the worst virus's to date.

>>WORST VIRUS EVER --- CNN ANNOUNCED
>>
>>PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST!!
>>
>>A new virus has just been discovered that has be en classified by
>>Microsoft as the most destructive ever. This virus was discovered
>>yesterday afternoon by McAfee . This virus simply destroys Sector Zero
>>from the hard disk, where vital information for its functioning are
>>stored.
>>This virus acts in the following manner:
>>It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the
>>title:
>>"A Card for You".
>>
>>As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the computer freezes so
>>that the ! user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+ del keys or the reset
>>button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, thus permanently
>>destroying the hard disk. Yesterday in just a few hours this virus caused
>>panic in New York , according to news broadcast by CNN.
>>This alert was received by an employee of Microsoft itself.
>>So don't open any mails with subject: "A Virtual Card for You." As soon
>>as you get the mail, delete it !! Even if you know the sender !!!
>>Please pass this mail to all of your friends.
>>Forward this to everyone in your address book. I'm sure most people, like
>>myself, would rather receive this notice 25 times than not at all.

[thevegantwins]

Thanks, G. That would be a nightmare if the hard drive was lost.

[1vegan]

I received this in an e-mail:

Do not open any type of E-Cards! You know the type of Greeting
Cards like Hallmark, etc. The hackers have finally ruined this for everyone


It's seems it's not true.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003863403_ptmrsh01.html

[Gliondrach]

I hope it's not true. I've recently had something attack my computer. I think it came when I watched a video on utube. Or it might have been from a video on another forum I visit. Some advertising logos kept appearing on my desktop. I deleted them but they came back the next time I switched my computer on. I ran Spybot. It found them. I deleted them through Spybot but they came back. I ran Spybot again. This time it finally deleted them. I tried Adaware. It found something and deleted it. Then, when having a look at the MajorGeeks site, I saw someone asking a question about Windows Defender. I used to have it and was impressed because the first time I downloaded it, a couple of years ago, it found something that Adaware hadn't. I uninstalled Defender last year for some reason. I decided to reinstall it. I ran it and it found something and deleted it. These things are all free and very good. I also have Mcafee which is good but it didn't find those other things. Probably because they weren't viruses.

Most of them can be found at MajorGeeks. They also have many things to download. Many are free. Things such as Admin Tools, Firewalls, Driver Utilities, Games and Games Tweaks, Input Devices, Office Tools, System Info, Process Management, Internet Tools, Data Recovery, Diagnostics, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Graphics, Multimedia.

And a forum where you can ask for help with computer problems.

[dreamer]

It's not totally true, but there are some viruses that you can get that way:
http://www.scambusters.org/ecardscams.html
http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp

[Enchantress]

I sometimes send myself spam.

Martin, vegans aren't supposed to have anything to do with tinned luncheon meats :rollingpin:.

[Gliondrach]

It's been in the cupboard for 30 years. It cost two groats.

[Gliondrach]

I need to install a more recent version of a browser. I currently use IE. I thought I had IE7 or possibly IE8. I tried to visit a particular site but received a message saying that my browser is out of date. I remembered the recommendation by 1Vegan to get mozilla. I had a look at it. It seems too complicated to download. It also said that I need to click on it whenever I want to use the internet. At present, I just start up a ol and go from there. I don't need to click on Internet Explorer, even though that is the browser I use.

So I thought about getting the latest version of IE. I started downloading it but was told to back up my important files. What files? If they mean anything I have saved it will take hours. I have hundreds of files saved in My Documents. I also have hundreds of My Favourites spread over 5 usernames. I have been slowly saving them - in case stupid a ol loses them again - but most are still unsaved. I can't risk losing important information so I will just stick with the browser version I have.

[1vegan]

firefox should be easy to download, and you can set it as your standard browser.

If it's set as standard browser, than it will start up whenever you're using the net (afaik)

I myself got a "no drive attached to fasttrack controller" message on my home puter today, seems it can be a sign of a dying hard drive, I think I'll ask the techies at work tomorrow.

[Gliondrach]

Firefox is Mozilla, isn't it? I will have another look at it. But if it involves too much work I won't attempt it. And I really can't afford to lose any important files.

[veggiesosage]

Back up your files is a standard warning all software developers give when you're downloading or installing new software. As in so many things, the risk of anything going wrong is extremely low but not impossible and including the warning helps ensure the developer isn't sued.

[Gliondrach]

Right.

I've discovered that I might not need to do anything like that. I seem to already have what I need. I was going to pay for something that I probably don't need. But might do later. But then again, I might not.

[my3labs]

Does anyone know how to embed a video on Facebook?

[Bowwowmeow]

No, I don't have a Facebook account. :no:

[Gliondrach]

This looks like an excellent FREE resource for anyone who wants to create logos and graphics for the web. Retouching photographs as well.

In the menu at the bottom of the page is a link to the tutorials. They have beginner, intermediate, expert, etc.

gimp.org/

[veggiesosage]

Yeah, Gimp is pretty highly regarded. Some people find it a bit tricky to use though, especially if they're more used to photoshop, so someone has released Gimpshop which has the same functionality but has an interface more like PS.

Paint.net is another really good free photo editing programme, quite simple but its got everything you need. If you want to take photos in RAW format there's an extremely capable but rather complex RAW converter available called RawTherapee.

This site has a veritable treasure trove of free software, mostly photo related but the odd bit of web authoring software too (nVu). I've also tried the noise reduction software 'Noiseware' and it seems pretty impressive.

.photo-freeware.net/topdownloads.php

[Gliondrach]

I've heard of Nvu. Thanks for reminding me. I'll have a look later. I'm more interested in being able to create logos or graphicy things.

[Gliondrach]

My Favourites, which disappeared months ago have come back. And the Favourites that I replaced them with have disappeared. Stupid a ol. Luckily, I now record My Favourites in My Documents. But I lost a few that I hadn't recorded in time.

[Gliondrach]

I saw a report on the Yoggie Gatekeeper Pico, which is a mini computer that you plug into your computer as an external security device. It handles all the anti-virus jobs and receives all the updates for the security, so your computer doesn't slow down when they are being installed. It separates your computer from the network. The network can only see this little gizmo, apparently. It is supposed to hide you from hackers.

[Oracl]

It looks interesting. :agree: I found a price of $119.99 USD on one site. :rubchin:

[Gliondrach]

£50, according to The Gadget Show on Channel 5 yesterday.

[Gliondrach]

I quite often get runtime errors when I load a page from websites. Today, I started getting them when I loaded the ya hoo page to use their search facility. A message would flash on the screen. I would have to click on it. It would go away. But come back. I'd click on it - on the no debugging button - again. It would go away again. But, as soon as I put the cursor in the search box it would come back. I remember reading months ago that you have to unclick the box in internet options for 'Disable Script Debugging'. I checked at the time and saw no tick there, so didn't do anything. I have just seen on Major Geeks that you should actually put a tick in it. I put one in the one for internet explorer. It made no difference. So I unclicked it and put on in the one marked 'other'. This did the trick and there are no more runtime errors on yah oo. I don't know if it will sort out the problems with other sites. If it doesn't, I will try putting a tick in the internet explorer box.

[Gliondrach]

I think I need to install Fire fox. I have the latest version of IE but on another site I visit, I can lose the connection. The support team there gave me some instructions for IE, which involved allowing their cookies. I still lose the connection. They say they recommend Fire fox. I am going to have in install it.

As I said, I have IE as the browser but I never use it directly to search for anything. My service provider is A OL. They have their own search facility but I don't use that, either. I click on the AO L logo on my desktop to get on to the internet - there is no other way because they provide the connection. Once on, I use either ya hoo or Good Search to search for anything. When I install Firebox, will I still be able to search using yahboo and good search?

Will I lose IE after installing Firesox? Will Firfox take over my computer and install all sorts of toolbars and strange things?

[Gliondrach]

Where were your favourites before they disappeared? With AO L, the favourites are stored by them.

Did your favourites come back when you uninstalled Firbox?

[Pob]

Firefox is an alternative to internet explorer. When you install it, you are asked if you want to import bookmarks/favourites from internet explorer. They will still be left in internet explorer.

You will also be asked if you want to make firefox the default internet browser. All that happens is that whichever is the default will be the one that opens if you click on a hyperlink in another program.

Firefox and internet explorer can happily coexist. You can even run them both at the same time, and even look at the same sites, etc.

Most techie people choose Firefox because it is generally more secure. It's generally less likely that you will get hacked, or have unwanted software forced onto your pc if you use Firefox. It is very customisable and has a handy add-on that automatically blocks 99% of all adverts - many of which are highly irritating, and can slow your pc down, or worse, compromise your security.

It's no more difficult to use Firefox than Internet Explorer, it's just a little different in places.


Pidgin is an alternative MSN Messenger and lots of other chat programs (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, etc). Run pidgin and you can use the one program to use all the different chat networks. Plus it's less bloated than the others, and isn't full of adverts. It's not as simple to configure, and it doesn't support video chatting, but it has some other useful features.

[Gliondrach]

Thanks, Pob.

If I don't choose it as the default browser, does that mean when i click on a link - such as those in this forum - IE will be used?

Also, if I still use yah oo to do searches, will Fire fox or IE be used? Will it still be IE if I leave that as the default - even though I am entereing the site URL or the words I'm searching for into the yah oo search box?

[Pob]

If you click a link on a website it will open in the same browser that was displaying the website.

When you say you use yahoo, I presume you mean you open the yahoo search website in internet explorer and use that to search. You can do the same in firefox, too.

Give it a try, as long as you don't tell it to be the default browser, nothing will change. Try visiting these forums using it. You never know, though, you might like it better. It's generally quicker than Internet Explorer, too.

If you use yahoo messenger or msn messenger you can always ask me on that if you get any problems. :thumbsup:

[Gliondrach]

If you click a link on a website it will open in the same browser that was displaying the website.

When you say you use yahoo, I presume you mean you open the yahoo search website in internet explorer and use that to search. You can do the same in firefox, too.

Give it a try, as long as you don't tell it to be the default browser, nothing will change. Try visiting these forums using it. You never know, though, you might like it better. It's generally quicker than Internet Explorer, too.

If you use yahoo messenger or msn messenger you can always ask me on that if you get any problems. :thumbsup:


When I use yaho, it is after using the AO.L icon on the desk top to get on the internet. In the browser bar at the top of their page I type in yhahoo. Then click on the first result for yaho that comes up. Then, in their search box, I type in what I'm looking for. Is all this happening through IE, or is it happening through AOL, do you know?

[Pob]

Not sure to be honest.

If you're using broadband I don't think you have to use the AOL stuff at all. I know with dial-up internet you had to start the AOL software to connect, but I don't think you do with broadband.

You should be able to just open up Internet Explorer or Firefox and away you go.

[Gliondrach]

I'll try tomorrow to start with IE. Not enough time to do it now. My computer takes ages before I can get on the internet again after logging off.

[Gliondrach]

I've installed firetox. I see that I have to search on it using goggle. I don't like using them. I suppose I could always type any search engine into the search box and then use them. The naked vegan screen takes up more room on my computer screen and seems different in some other way. I can't put my finger on it. Well, I can put my finger on the screen as it is only two feet away, but I can't quite grasp what the difference is.

I haven't made it my default browser. I haven't imported anything from I E.

I might just use it to go to the website that I originally wanted it for. Unless it makes no difference when I get there.

[Gliondrach]

No, it's best not to touch the screen. Mine is covered in marmalade, porridge and toast crumbs.

[Pob]

In the little google search box you can click on the G on the left and select a different search engine. Yahoo is in there.

If you highlight a word on a webpage, then click with your other mouse button there is a menu option to search for that word, using whatever search engine is in the search engine box. I use that all the time.

Just comparing the two browsers on TNV at the moment...

Seems that Firepox has a little extra space between paragraphs or something on the main page.

[Gliondrach]

I'll try that, thanks.

[Bunny]

I love Firetox. Deeply and unconditionally. I am not friends with I E at all. I think it smells.

[1vegan]

In my opinion, firefox is superior to IE, certainly when it comes to add-ons like adblock etc.

[Gliondrach]

For what purpose - personal or work? Pob should be able to suggest something as he is a computer-type.

How about a computer maintenance course?

[veggiesosage]

If its general usage I'd go for this. Well recognised qualification

http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=nav.5829

It seems you can do hame based one from here

http://www.ecdluk.co.uk/

[Gliondrach]

But it has 'driving' in the title. Tabs gets lost when she goes driving.

[Gliondrach]

Three doors away from the house you want can have embarrassing conseqences - like those teenies who raided the wrong house last year.

[Oracl]

:D

[Gliondrach]

:book:

[Oracl]

That sounds very weird! :confused:

[Gliondrach]

Good work! Here's a pat on the head: :rollingpin:

[Gliondrach]

Sorry, no idea. I usually try a system restore when something strange happens.

[Gliondrach]

Have you ever opened it?

[Gliondrach]

Just seen these on a couple of websites:

I have tried sticking a pin head into the little hole
> above the cd drawer button on my computer, but it still
> wont open.
>
> When I press the cd-rom button to open the drawer, it
> sounds like it's trying to do something, and the green
> light flashes about 8-9 times really fast.
>
> How can I open the cd-rom drawer? Am I doing something
> wrong with the pin head? sometimes it catches on
> something, but it doesnt open the drawer, and sometimes
> it pushes further and seems to just be in an empty space.
-------------------

Use something a little stronger, such as a straighten out paperclip.
-----------------

Try rebooting and keep tapping the eject button during startup.
It works on scsi drives


=========================

Stuck Laptop CD drawer! Help! I've borrowed a laptop from work and now the CD / disc draw won't open!

--------
Just unfold a paperclip - there's a little paper-clip-wire-sized hole on the drive door.

Poke that sucker open.

----------
It's to the lower right of the CD-door button, if this is an accurate pic here
-----------

success!

Best post ever!!!

[Oracl]

Yeah, I've switched to Google Chrome for now. Just getting used to it. :brainfog:

[1vegan]

Yeah, I've switched to Google Chrome for now. Just getting used to it. :brainfog:

tsk tsk tsk :disbelief:

You're better of with Firefox.

[Gliondrach]

I am with aol. When I log on to the internet, it is through aol. I have IE7 and firefox on my computer but I don't use them to get on to the internet. Or is IE some sort of default that is used by aol? I don't think it is because a year or more ago I tried to view the godaddy site. It told me I was using an old browser and I couldn't view their site, even though I had the latest IE7. After getting firefox, and using that to go to the godaddy site, I had no trouble getting in. Then I decided to try by using IE and also managed to get into the godad site. So, when I had been trying unsuccessfully it must have been because I was using aol and not IE. Which leads me to think I am not using IE as a default. I hope this makes sense.

[Gliondrach]

I opened firefox today and clicked on the button to set it as my default browser. I am using it now to view this site. But, when I minimise the site so I can look for another site, I am left with the aol window. I would have to click on the firefox symbol to use it to search for another site. I don't need to do that with aol - the search engine I'm using is there for immediate use.

[Oracl]

But, when I minimise the site so I can look for another site, I am left with the aol window.
What about using tabs for new sites? I usually have 3 or 4 tabs open at once. Firefox has tabs doesn't it? :confused:

[Bunny]

Firefox has lots of tabs Ctrl + T opens one. *is in love with Firefox*

[Gliondrach]

Seems a bit complicated to me, having to open tabs.

[Oracl]

Fuzzy can probably explain the process to you. ;) :fuzzy:

[Gliondrach]

Fuzzy can probably explain the process to you. ;) :fuzzy:

I'll ask him.


I received a recommedation from msn a few weeks ago to download service pack 3. I started to do so. Then it said something about my firewall and anti-virus. I think it said I had to uninstall them or switch them off to complete the process. So I cancelled the process. I now have an icon at the bottom of the screen that flashes a message that 'updates are ready' nearly every time I switch the computer on. It is the service pace 3 thing. I can't get rid of it. It's not in the install/uninstall wotsit.

Also, stupid macafee - my anti-virus and firewall - keeps telling me that my computer is not protected. It tells me to click on it to solve the problem. I click on it and it tells me that my computer is protected. Stupid macafee. It is due for renewal in February but I will probably cancel. Kapersky looks good and has had good reports. Not sure if they do a firewall, though. Macafee takes two hours to do a scan and the computer is more or less unusuable whilst it's doing it. Stupid macafee.

[1vegan]

What about using tabs for new sites? I usually have 3 or 4 tabs open at once. Firefox has tabs doesn't it? :confused:

*cough* Firefox was the first to have the tab-browsing feature.
And it's not unusual for me to have more then 10 websites open in tabs.

[Oracl]

And it's not unusual for me to have more then 10 websites open in tabs.
Show off!! :p :D

[1vegan]

Show off!! :p :D

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z230/2vegan/xx/naamloos2.jpg

[Oracl]

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z230/2vegan/xx/naamloos2.jpg
Now you've gone too far!! :dizzy: :D

[neil]

*cough* Firefox was the first to have the tab-browsing feature.
And it's not unusual for me to have more then 10 websites open in tabs.

Actually Firefox was not the first to have tab browsing. Opera was the first of the better known web browsers to use this feature.

I use Safari mainly because it is faster but have Camino which is Mozilla (like FX) but rarely use it.

[Pob]

You can click on the message and choose custom install there is a way to say don't install this update an don't ask again somewhere in there, assuming it's a bona fide version of the service pack.

Kapersky might be worth a look, I've not tried it. I use PC Tools Free version: http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/ I like it, but it doesn't update on it's own, it tells you to click things. Only a minor irritant, though. I think there is enough choice of free anti-viruses to not pay for one.

As for Firefox tabs it pissed me off when they changed a setting so that javascript launched windows don't open in tabs as default. You have to change an about:config setting.

I'll ask him.


I received a recommedation from msn a few weeks ago to download service pack 3. I started to do so. Then it said something about my firewall and anti-virus. I think it said I had to uninstall them or switch them off to complete the process. So I cancelled the process. I now have an icon at the bottom of the screen that flashes a message that 'updates are ready' nearly every time I switch the computer on. It is the service pace 3 thing. I can't get rid of it. It's not in the install/uninstall wotsit.

Also, stupid macafee - my anti-virus and firewall - keeps telling me that my computer is not protected. It tells me to click on it to solve the problem. I click on it and it tells me that my computer is protected. Stupid macafee. It is due for renewal in February but I will probably cancel. Kapersky looks good and has had good reports. Not sure if they do a firewall, though. Macafee takes two hours to do a scan and the computer is more or less unusuable whilst it's doing it. Stupid macafee.

[Gliondrach]

I did that. Inside the box that came up when I chose Custom Install was:
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - December 2008 (KB890830) I unticked the box next to it and then 'ok'. And then I clicked on 'don't show the message again'. The little yellow shield at the bottom of the screen disappeared but came back again. I'll have to wait to see if the message comes back when I next start the computer.

[Pob]

Malicious software removal tool is ok to install.

I wonder if all that happened is that the service pack switched on automatic updates.

It's worth having them on usually as it's important to keep your PC as up to date as possible these days.

[Gliondrach]

When I did start the installation, a few weeks ago, it said something about my firewall and anti-spyware. I don't recall what now but I didn't like the sound of it. I think it asked me to switch them off or uninstall them or said they weren't compatible with something. And then I've since learnt that service pack 3 - which is what it is - can cause problems.

[Gliondrach]

I downloaded the free version of Advanced Windows Care a couple of days ago. It immediately found some nasty things hiding in my computer. It took about 30 seconds to scan for viruses/spyware and found 8 suspect things. Macaffe obviously didn't stop them. I will get rid of macaffee in the next couple of days and download a free version of Avast as my anti-virus and a free firewall. Both through majorgeeks. My computer is running much better now. Not so slow. More responsive when I click on things.

Advanced WindowsCare v2 Personal is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes an one-click approach to help protect, repair and optimize your computer. It provides an all-in-one and super convenient solution for PC maintenance and protection. This fantastic program is available free of charge. Compared with its nearest competitor, Advanced WindowsCare 2 Personal provides the more essential and practical formula for Windows.

- 100% Freebie
- Removing Spyware and Adware
- Preventing Security Threats
- Privacy Protection
- Fixing Registry Errors
- Temporary Files Cleanup
- Startup Cleanup
- Repairing Windows
- Speeding up System
majorgeeks.com/Advanced_WindowsCare_v2_Personal_d4991.html

Their pick of the free downloads is here:
majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20

[Stormy]

To protect my laptops I use AVG and Zone Alarm ...both free downloads and I LIKE FREE ...an there is no glue in them Gliondrach :D

For Zone Alarm which is a firewall - click on the basic button...

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

For AVG for anti virus protection...

http://free.avg.com/

You can buy the more advanced packages but I have used both of the free downloads for years and they work really well for me and I am in internet junkie :D

By the way I had to laff at the bit in the thread where you send yourself SPAM Gliondrach - soooo funny :rofl:

[Gliondrach]

By the way I had to laff at the bit in the thread where you send yourself SPAM Gliondrach - soooo funny :rofl:

I'm still trying to work out how to send myself anonymous 'phone calls. I make enough to other people and want to hear what they sound like.


I read somewhere that avg isn't updated very often. Avast is. And it sounds very pirate-ty. And zonealarm is good but I like the way majorgeeks describe the PC Tools one.

[Gliondrach]

An interesting site that can help with computer problems due to viruses, adware, etc.:

virusvault.co.uk/fusionbb/fusionbb.php?

[Gliondrach]

I've been using Avast for anti-virus and PC Tools firewall. And I have also been using Advanced Windows Care version 2 personal for a few weeks. I found all three at majorgeeks.com and they are free. The anti-virus and firewall are better than the macafee one I used to pay for. And my computer now starts more easily. This is what major geeks say about Advanced Windows Care:

Advanced WindowsCare v2 Personal is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes an one-click approach to help protect, repair and optimize your computer. It provides an all-in-one and super convenient solution for PC maintenance and protection. This fantastic program is available free of charge. Compared with its nearest competitor, Advanced WindowsCare 2 Personal provides the more essential and practical formula for Windows.

- 100% Freebie
- Removing Spyware and Adware
- Preventing Security Threats
- Privacy Protection
- Fixing Registry Errors
- Temporary Files Cleanup
- Startup Cleanup
- Repairing Windows
- Speeding up System

[thevegantwins]

That's pricey, tails. I think we pay $30 (15 pounds) per year for McAfee but my husband really thinks it is worth it. I can't even think of one time in 11 years of us having a virus.

[Gliondrach]

There is a period after buying it that you can ask for a refund. Ask them. They charged me £39.99 in January to renew my subscription - a month earlier than it was due. If the refund is not on my next credit card bill there will be trouble.

It used to take two hours to do a virus scan and, yes, it freezes the computer when installing updates. It often took over 20 minutes to install them. It even took 5 minutes just to find them.

[alisont]

My new netbook came with a free 90 day trial of McAfee - a friend of a friend who fixes everyone at works computers came round to sort our internet connection I had majorly messed up:rolleyes: and he removed the McAfee and has put free AVG on which he personally said was good and his fave.

Main pc has norton on - does an hours scan each Monday and really slows our computer down.

I might remove norton when subscription expires? Not sure Its our family computer, need some protection on it but not sure If Nortons the best option.

Am amazed how quick the new netbook is - Im determined not to clog it up with as many photos/albums/websites as Ive done with the main pc:no:

Trouble is Im too worried about security/safety to take it out to use in the pub/on a train!

[Gliondrach]

I still like avast. It sends new things to improve the security about twice a day. They only take about 10 seconds to install. I'm not going to pay for these services again. I might send them a donation as I have done with spybot and something else.

If you definitely want to pay for something, Kaspersky is supposed to do a scan without slowing the computer. Or so I've read.

And the pc tools firewall tells me every time something tries to get through. And blocks it.

[Gliondrach]

Instead of buying CDs to store things on, I have bought some DVDs CDs only store up to 700 MB. DVDs store up to 4.7 GB. That's more storage capacity than my computer's hard drive.

[Gliondrach]

The damned, blasted DVDs don't work in my computer. It has a DVD drive but I can't record anything on them. :grumble:

I can record things on CDs. It plays DVDs.

[Fauxmage]

Yes I had the same trouble, and I was sure I had a DVD burning capability, so I bought some blank DVDs to store photos on. Couldn't use them. Fortunately I have a combo VCR and DVD player/burner, so the DVDs won't go to waste.

[Gliondrach]

Can you play pre-recorded DVDs on your computer?

[Fauxmage]

Yes.

[Gliondrach]

I want to put all the files I have saved over the years on discs. Three copies of everything. A different disc for each subject. But some names have to be changed and it would take ages. I will do it. I've already started and have about 100 saved to disc. But I have 5,786 files, 623 MB to save to discs. I'll have to look at each title and change many of them. So this evening I just saved the whole lot to a disc.

These were in My Documents. I also have hundreds of files on the Desktop and I've saved these to a disc as well. There were 373 of them, 78 MB.

It would be a catastophe if I lost all this information. It has taken me years to collect it and it's come in very handy on occasion. I'll make a further two copies of each soon. And then I'll have to start saving three copies of each in their own subject categories.

[Fauxmage]

Ugh what a chore! Could you take your computer in and have a technician put it all on an external drive of some sort?

[Gliondrach]

I don't like paying for things if I don't have to. At least, now they are on a disc, but not in separate categories, they are secure and can't be lost.

[Fauxmage]

I was thinking it might end up being cheaper in the long run.

[Gliondrach]

The titles still need to be edited, though. I'll do a few each day.

[Bowwowmeow]

Does anyone else use Firefox, and if so, has it been crashing like mad on you lately? It's been crashing on me every 15 minutes or so, and sometimes it just freezes my computer and I have to shut down, which is a major pain in the butt. :wigglebutt: :hbang:

[One Cool Vegan]

Does anyone else use Firefox, and if so, has it been crashing like mad on you lately? It's been crashing on me every 15 minutes or so, and sometimes it just freezes my computer and I have to shut down, which is a major pain in the butt. :wigglebutt: :hbang:

Ever since I upgraded to Firefox 3.5 it's been acting kind of "buggy" as are the more recent updates. I'm just waiting for them to come out with an update that fixes the instability. In the meantime, although I still use Firefox from time to time, I mainly use Google Chrome now.

[Gliondrach]

I was going to watch The Virtual Revolution on BBC2 last night but I listened to a play about near death experiences on Radio 3 instead. I only saw the last few minutes of the telly programme. They were talking about security of your information on the internet. For years I've been arguing with people who say that we shouldn't worry about identity cards, cctv cameras and the increase in police state powers that our governments are bringing in. They say that if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. I usually say that Jews had nothing to hide in 1932 but did have once Hitler came to power in 1933, and I say that if there had been computer databases in those days, it would have been easier for the nazis to round up more Jews. A woman on that programme said that Holland had such a database before the war, but not a computer one. It was a list of the religions that Dutch people belonged to so they could get the proper burial for their religious beliefs. It was done for good reasons. When the nazis invaded, they had a list of all the Jewish people.

Another thing I often say is that everything we do on computers and the internet is recorded. So, never do anything you wouldn't want other people to know about. The snoopers are out there.

[nagev]

Does anyone here have a netbook?

I'm considering one instead of a laptop as a replacement computer. I'm debating between a laptop and a netbook. Just wondering if anyone else has any opinions on the matter.

[Gliondrach]

As I mentioned in another thread, my brother bought me a notebook. I haven't connected to the internet with it because it needs a router. The keyboard is on the small side but I will probably get used to it. I think I would rather have a lap top.

I will also plug a mouse into it because its easier to use than the mouse pad thing on the notebook. I might even plug a keyboard into it if I can.

[nagev]

Was it a netbook or notebook? Netbooks are the tiny ones with around a 10" screen, weigh around 3 lbs (typically less), are really small and portable, but really not as powerful as a laptop. (Although those are English measurements, metric would be about 25.4" and 1.3 kg or less respectively) The central processor and a few other things are really basic too on a netbook.

Notebooks and laptops are the larger versions and more powerful.

Thanks for responding! :)

[Gliondrach]

The screen is 8.03" by 11.22" and it weighs 3.31lbs.

[Bowwowmeow]

I'll respond negatively as I don't have a netbook. :p

[nagev]

:)

I'm torn. I was going to get a laptop, but after thinking about what I really do and looking at netbooks and laptops, a netbook would be just fine for me. Plus I could carry it around with me much more easily, which is a big plus.

My last laptop was a small one, 12.1" screen, but it was about 4 and a half pounds. Which in a backback is a lot of weight. To me.

I guess I'll just mull it over. :)

[Gliondrach]

'Tab napping' - a new online scam

What is tab napping?

Tab napping is essentially a new kind of phishing scam. Until now phishing has involved sending hoax emails in an attempt to steal your usernames, passwords and bank details. Often the sender will claim to be from your bank and will ask you to verify your bank details by clicking on a link contained in the email.

The link actually directs you to a fake website which looks just like your bank's own website. Once you have typed in your login details they can be accessed by the criminals who set the fake site up.

But we’re beginning to wise up to phishing attacks like this, and many of us know we should be very wary of clicking URLs even if they appear to be in a legitimate email.

With awareness of phishing on the up, making it more difficult for scammers to succeed, tab napping could be the scam to watch out for next.

How does tab napping work?

Tab napping is more sophisticated than the phishing scams we’ve seen so far, and it no longer relies on persuading you to click on a dodgy link. Instead it targets internet users who open lots of tabs on their browser at the same time (for example, by pressing CTRL + T).

How does it work? By replacing an inactive browser tab with a fake page set up specifically to obtain your personal data - without you even realising it has happened.

Believe it or not, fraudsters can actually detect when a tab has been left inactive for a while, and spy on your browser history to find out which websites you regularly visit, and therefore which pages to fake.

So don't assume that after you have opened a new tab and visited a web page, that web page will stay the same even if you don’t return to it for a time while you use other windows and tabs. Malicious code can replace the web page you opened with a fake version which looks virtually identical to the legitimate page you originally visited.

How might tab napping work in practice?

Imagine you open the login page for your online bank account, but then you open a new tab to visit another website for a few minutes, leaving the first tab unattended. When you return to your bank’s site the login page looks exactly how you left it. What you haven’t realised is that a fake page has taken its place, so when you type in your username and password, you have inadvertently given the fraudster easy access to your account.

Even if you have already logged into your bank account before opening another tab, when you return you might find you’re being asked to login again. This may not necessarily rouse any suspicion since you might simply assume your bank has logged you out because you left your account inactive for too long. You probably won’t even think twice before logging in for a second time. But this time round you have accidently inputted your security details into a fraudster’s fake page which have been sent back to their server.

Once you have done so, you can then be easily redirected to your bank’s genuine website since you never actually logged out in the first place, giving you the impression that all is well.

How can you protect yourself against tab napping?

This is pretty scary stuff but thankfully tab napping should be relatively easy to avoid. Here are five simple ways you can prevent yourself from falling victim:

Make sure you always check the URL in the browser address page is correct before you enter any login details. A fake tabbed page will have a different URL to the website you think you’re using.
Always check the URL has a secure https:// address even if you don’t have tabs open on the browser.
If the URL looks suspicious in any way, close the tab and reopen it by entering the correct URL again.
Avoid leaving tabs open which require you to type in secure login details. Don't open any tabs while doing online banking - open new windows instead (CTL + N).
Finally, take a look at Online banking: How to stay safe to find out other ways to protect yourself from online scams.

From the ya hoo site.

[Gliondrach]

Can anyone recommend a free you tube downloader thing. The one I used to use no longer works. Its replacement doesn't work. Two others I've installed in the last few weeks haven't worked. The latest one doesn't even appear in the Add/Remove wotsit so I can't remove it.

[nagev]

What browser do you use?

I use Firefox, I've used "Easy YouTube Video Downloader 3.4":
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10137/

If you don't use Firefox, I don't know. :)

[Gliondrach]

Thanks.

I don't know what browser I use. It used to be IE but I installed firebox and elected for it to be the default browser. But to use it I have to click the icon wotsit on my desktop and open it. Normally, though, I don't do that. I use AOL and, when the internet starts up, I use their search box to go to the search engine I want to use. I don't search with AOL, I just use them to search for a search engine. I use goodsearch, yah oo and goo gle. When I save a document as a web page complete, it always saves with the firefox symbol.

I will give that link a try. If it doesn't work, I will blame you. :agree:

[nagev]

Well, it's a Firefox add-on, so you'd have to use Firefox. :)

I've used the add-on and it's worked for me, but I'll accept the blame, I'm used to being blamed for other people's problems. :)

[Gliondrach]

Well you are blameless this time. It worked. Thanks. The first time I downloaded it I didn't click on the firefox icon first. I received a message telling me that Windows couldn't open it. So I deleted what I had downloaded, opened firefox and tried again. It worked.

[nagev]

Woot! :)

[nagev]

So does anyone have a fingerprint reader on their computer?

I ended up purchasing a laptop to replace my desktop awhile ago. It came with a finger print reader. It has a 'lite' verson of software that only allows me to use the fingerprint to log onto the computer (which I don't do, I just have it set to boot right up to the desktop). I have been wondering about using this fingerprint reader with some kind of software to store my online passwords. I don't use the Firefox browser to store passwords and somehow hope that the fingerprint reader will be more secure, and I also really dislike having to type passwords all the time.

So anyways, my question is, does anyone have experience with any fingerprint software for online password usage?

[Gliondrach]

No. I'm quite happy to type in passwords.

[nagev]

Hmm. I guess that's a resounding 'no' from The Saucy Vegan. :)

[Gliondrach]

I have been using PC Tools firewall for many months. After installing a newer version a few months ago it started giving trouble. It wouldn't start sometimes and I had to restart the computer before it would start. Then I started seeing lots of pop up messages that said Avast - my anti-virus software - had blocked an Exploit attempt. I saw on the internet that that meant the firewall was letting things through that the anti-virus then had to block. There could be 5 or 6 of these pop ups an hour sometimes.

I finally got round to installing another firewall yesterday. This was Online Armor. It kept asking if I wanted to allow certain things to run. I didn't know what they were so I allowed them but didn't tick the box which meant it would remember my answer. That way, it would have to ask again.

I looked up the things that were running and found that most of them were safe. There were some for which there was no information so I allowed them but didn't click the box to remember my decision.

It seemed to be doing a good job but it sometimes froze the computer. In exasperation, after waiting many minutes for something to happen, I would have to restart the computer.

I deleted it from the Add/Remove list before going on the internet. I couldn't get on the internet because it had frozen the computer again. I went on the internet without a firewall. Tried to download Zone Alarm but the screen just went white. I tried this twice. Then I found an old magazine with a disc that had a version of zone alarm on it. I installed it. But I couldn't see an icon for it anywhere. And it wasn't in the Add/Remove list. Went back on the internet and managed to install zone alarm from their website. I needed to restart the computer to finish the installation. When it started again the screen went blue and a message said there was an error.

The message said that if it happened again after restarting I should: 'disable or remove newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. Restart the computer, press F8 to select advanced start up options then select safe mode.'

I think I've only used safe mode once before. Had no idea how to disable the BIOS. I restarted the computer but wasn't quick enough to press F8. Blue screen again with same message. Restarted again and pressed F8. I just selected safe mode and then went to the Add/Remove and got rid of zone alarm. Restarted yet again. Everything seemed all right. But did a system restore to three days ago.

I had removed PC Tools firewall before installing Online Armor. But it appeared again in the system tray. How, if it had been removed? I was going to reinstall it so this saved me from going on the internet again without a firewall. I had started the Windows firewall but didn't know if it would work. About 60 pop ups, one after the other, came up asking if I would allow various things from aol, avast, pc tools and one or two other things to run. This must have been because a message said that some of its components were missing (yes, I deleted the whole thing - or so I thought) so it must have been trying to recover or reinstall them.

Strangely, there have been no messages telling me that an exploit attempt has been made. Perhaps the firewall is doing its job now.

All these firewalls are free and I suppose I shouldn't complain. But what if I'd paid for them? I would have had the same problems.

I've spent more than 4 hours today trying to sort this all out.

The computer is running very slowly now but that might be due to having an anti-virus programme checking things. It's been going for ages but is only just over a quarter of the way through.

[Bowwowmeow]

I've no clue what my firewall is, or even where to look, or how to get a new one. I never seem to get viruses though. Firewalls are supposed to do more than that though aren't they? Stopping hackers and such? I am totally clueless.

I did start using Avast after I saw you mention it though Gliondrach. Though I haven't been attacked by a virus since 2004, when I started with Earthlink as my ISP. Not through emails anyway, as they have very good security. I wouldn't know what to do if I did get a virus now.

[Gliondrach]

I'm not bothered about viruses in e-mails. The e-mail providers usually check them and say they are virus free. I am worried about viruses from web sites and hackers.

There should be an Avast icon in your system tray at the bottom of the screen - near the clock - or in your start menu, if you didn't choose to not have it when you installed Avast. You should be getting 'updates' from Avast 2 or 3 times a day. It tells you when they do it.

There have only been 3 exploit attempt messages since yesterday. The firewall must be doing a better job now. I still get a few pop ups from PC Tools asking me to allow certain things - usually to do with connectivity. This might go on for a few more days until everything is installed.

You can get free things, including firewalls, from major geeks. At the top right of the main page they have a link to recommended free things. It's called 'top freewar picks'. That's where I got PC Tools. You can get anti-virus things, file recovery things, things for photographs and games and things I don't even know what they are for.

Here's the list of their free things:

Have one tool to tweak, repair or enhance my pc
Scan & protect my computer for malware
Remove specific or stubborn malware
Protect my computer from viruses
Check for rootkits
Block spam or make better use of my email
Protect my computer with a firewall
Monitor or run diagnostics to find a problem
Test the memory in my PC
Free up hard drive space
Clean my registry
Better defragment my hard drive
Find a better browser
Find out what is inside my computer
Recover deleted files or photos
Backup data including CD's or DVD's
Find tools to manage or play my multimedia collection
Edit or organize my photos
Find tools to improve office productivity

[nagev]

Back when I was more of a geek and a system admin for a Physics department I used a few different firewalls and anti-virus programs.

Now, I'm not sure what I would do with a virus (I got one many years ago, before I even became an admin. I think it was in the late 1990s...). I'm currently using AVG and the windows Firewall. I had Zone Alarm and liked it until one install started giving me all sorts of problems. I wasn't sure the problem so I went to using the windows firewall. I also have a firewall on my router, so maybe that helps too. I've never had a hacker on my machine, that I know of.

While working as a System Admin, I had a few problems, hackers gaining access to computers, virus problems, stuff like that. Usually because the people there would turn off all sorts of programs or connect a computer without telling me that had no firewall or anti-virus. Or they'd just leave computers on all day. I'm glad I don't do that anymore.

When my computer gets slowed down to the point it's bothering me, I typically do a reinstall. It takes a good day it seems like, because of all the installing of programs and updates, but it's worth it. To me. :)

[Gliondrach]

I once had some computer infection. I asked on a forum about it. They told me to download Hijack This, run it and post the results there. I did so and someone told me what to do. It worked.

[Gliondrach]

I uninstalled PC Tools firewall a few days ago. It was giving trouble. I forget exaxtly what it was doing but it was annoying me. I tried to reason with it, I shouted at it and I tried to bribe it, but it still gave trouble. So I went to the Add/Remove wotsit on the Control Panel and clicked on it to remove it. Then a message came up saying it couldn't connect to the internet. That would be because I wasn't on the internet at the time. It couldn't complete the process, it said. So I went on the internet. I forget what happened when I did the Add/Remove process again. But the firewall showed up in the system tray the next time I started the computer. I also received a message when I started up which said:

'Some of the firewall initialisation files have been tampered with by an external source. These files have been restored to provide maximum security for your system. You are advised to run an Anti-Spyware product to make sure your system is clean from malware.'

And then it shows the file:
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWAA

When I tried again to Uninstall the blighter, I received this message:

Error
Messages file "C:\Program Files \PC Tools Firewall Plus \unins000.msg'' is missing. Please correct the problem or obtain a new copy of the program.

I didn't want to obtain a new copy to get rid of that copy in case it caused more trouble. By chance, I discovered something I hadn't noticed before on the Control Panel - Software Explorer. On that I found PC Tools firewall on the Startup and Currently Running programmes.

I was going to ask on the PC Tools forum but decided to have a look on Major Geeks because they seem to have some knowledgeable people on their forum. Someone mentioned a facility on CCleaner for getting rid of stubborn programmes. I had never looked at that part of CCleaner before. It's in the Tools section. But it couldn't get rid of PC Tools. Nor could it get rid of of two other programmes on the Add/Remove that I have been unable to remove.

In another thread, someone mentioned Revo Uninstaller. Major Geeks has a link to a free copy. I downloaded it. I tried it on the other two programmes that I couldn't remove. It removed them. It created a restore point before doing so. And sent them to the recycle bin. Then I tried it on PC Tools. It worked! A message said some of the components won't be removed until I next start the computer. The icon is still in the system tray but it has gone from Add/Remove. So have the icons for the other two programmes.

I'll report on things when I next start the computer. I expect the icon to disappear from the system tray. I don't know if the message that comes on when I start the computer will disappear because that seems to refer to the first version of PC Tools I downloaded more than a year ago. We'll see.

[Gliondrach]

Yes, that message at start up has gone and so has the icon at the bottom of the screen. :rock:

[Gliondrach]

As I've mentioned before, I have acquired a new notebook computer. It runs on windows 7 and I can't use my modem to connect it to the internet. I contacted aol and they said windows 7 doesn't use modems - only routers.

I don't want a wireless router. I have found one that seems good, does it look like a good gizmo? Any help will be appreciated.

Netgear DG834 (DG834UK) Wired Firewall Router

Here are the specifications for it:

The DG834 ADSL router distributes MP3s, digital movies and photos to all computers in your home with fast Ethernet (10/100) switched LAN ports capable of speeds up to 200 Mbps. Say goodbye to slow dial-up connectivity, the DG834 provides always-on connectivity to the Internet – sharing speeds up to 140 times faster than an analogue modem. This wired modem router includes a built-in True Firewall for secure Internet communication: Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Denial of Service (DoS) features protect your home network from unwanted intruders. VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through permits secure access to your office or corporate network and content filtering lets you control access to inappropriate web sites and limit usage by time of day.

Main Features
4-products-in-1: Modem, Router, Firewall & 4 port switch
Always-on Internet sharing – 140 times faster than dial-up
Safe connection to business network with VPN pass-through
Easy step by step set-up with NETGEAR’s Smart Wizard


Router Type - ADSL

Security - Firewall: Stateful Packet Inspection, Intrusion logging and Reporting, Denial of Service protection. VPN Functionality: NAT traversal (VPN pass-through) for IPSec, PPTP and L2TP VPNs. Mode of Operation: Network Address Translation (NAT), static routing IP Address Assignment: Static IP address assignment, internal DHCP server on LAN, DHCP client on WAN.

Protocols Supported - Static and Dynamic Routing with TCP/IP, VPN passthrough (IPSec, L2TP, PPTP), NAT, UDP, RIP, PPP, PPPoA, Classic IP, DNS, DHCP (client and server)

Operating Systems Supported - Microsoft Windows 98 (SP2), Me, 2000, XP, Vista and other operating systems running a TCP/IP network

IT DOESN'T MENTION WINDOWS 7, THOUGH. BUT WINDOWS 7 IS JUST A NEWER VERSION OF VISTA.

[Gliondrach]

The local computery shop here sells it for nearly 50 quid. So I looked on Amazon UK. They have new ones from £32, with £1.40 postage. And a reviewer mentions Windows 7:
------------

I recently bought a new desk top PC and because it came with Windows 7 I needed a new modem. I first tried a Linksis unit but I couldn't get my computer to reconise it ( in fairness perhaps if I had persevered I might
have got somewhere) I had got to the point where is was going to throw the whole lot through the window when
I purchase this netgear DG834 modem, at first I thought here we go again but ringing their help line
soon sorted me out. I cannot praise them highly enough, the lady was extreme helpful, very patient and talked
me through the setup step by step - job done. The unit itself does exactly what it is suposed to do ie. connects
me to my IPS everytime. I have had this 3 months now and am very happy with it and would recommend this to
anyone.

[nagev]

As I've mentioned before, I have acquired a new notebook computer. It runs on windows 7 and I can't use my modem to connect it to the internet. I contacted aol and they said windows 7 doesn't use modems - only routers.

I don't want a wireless router. I have found one that seems good, does it look like a good gizmo? Any help will be appreciated.


By 'modem' do you mean your current computer has dialup modem? Or do you have broadband internet (like DSL or cable)?

Most computers shouldn't have a problem connecting to a router right out of the box. I think there are sometimes some issues though with settings, but that's usually rare. The router would then connect to the broadband modem (dsl or cable), but in the one you're looking at, it sounds like it has ADSL capability, but you'd just need to verify with your service provider that it would work.

[Gliondrach]

Yes, it's DSL. I'll get in touch with aol to ask them.

[nagev]

How does your current dsl modem connect to your computer? If it's just an ethernet cable, it shouldn't be a problem with your new computer. I guess they usually recommend having a router with firewall protection, but it's not necessary, just an added level of protection. Whoever you talked to before might have been confused about the modem thing and thought the discussion was about dialup modem? I don't know though.

[Gliondrach]

A wire goes from a filter which is plugged into the 'phone socket to the modem. Then another wire goes from the modem to the computer. The modem is a BT Voyager USB ADSL modem. It was supplied by aol when I went on broadband after having been on dialup.

I thought I read somewhere that you can just plug the ethernet cable from the 'phone line, via the filter thing, directly into the computer. But I've just looked at that website again and it is talking about cable modems - for those who have a cable connection rather than a 'phone connection.

When I first acquired the new computer I tried to plug it in with the modem set up. But it wouldn't work. I sent an e-mail to aol. Someone wrote back telling me about windows 7 not having a modem connection and said I'd need a router. She gave me a list of wireless ones they can supply - at extra cost. I want a wired one.

[nagev]

Huh, it must be something with the way AOL set you up. I can connect my computer directly to my broadband modem, however I have a router in line so I have multiple ports to use for more than one computer.

You at least need the modem to connect your computer to. I'm not sure why there's a filter on there between the phone line and your dsl modem (unless things are different in the UK?). My understanding is that dsl filters are required for analog devices. All the other devices like your phone, etc require a dsl filter between them and the phone line, but the dsl modem should not have a filter (then the dsl wouldn't work).

Sorry I'm not much help.

[Gliondrach]

The filter/splitter is so the 'phone and the internet can be used at the same time.

Does your computer have windows 7? That's the problem - Micro Soft made it so it can't work with a modem the way earlier versions could - according to aol.

[nagev]

Yes, my new computer has Windows 7 on it. I have a cable modem though, not DSL.

[Gliondrach]

Yes, I was reading an article called 'How to Use a Cable Modem as a Wired Router,' and thought I would be able to do that. Until I realised it was about cable connections, not telephone ones.

[Fauxmage]

I guess I am going to have to overhaul this computer sooner than later. Today it has automatically shut itself down while I was in the middle of something three times, with no warning. It's very frustrating. I also have adware I can't seem to get rid of, that opens new windows with advertising I am not interested in, and can find no way to stop.

I know that physically it is due for an internal dusting, but virus checking, defragmenting, and other regular maintenance are not improving its performance like they used to. I hope its not time for a new one. I won't be able to get a new one til the boat sells, even if I do get a job.

[Gliondrach]

Have you tried Adaware and Spybot?

Have a look at majorgeeks, on the right of their page they have a link to all the free software on the site. It's called Top Freeware Picks.

[Fauxmage]

Ok thanks.

[Bowwowmeow]

Well my computer was working just fine last night, after I cleaned out the inside and removed quite a lot of dust and animal hair, but thius morning it completely lost power. I will buy a new power cord for it first, in case that is the problem, but if it isn't, I guess i will have to have it looked at. :(

Meanwhile, I am on my laptop, forced to use Internet Explorer. i last used this laptop to access the web when my brother had my computer for over a month, adding RAM to it, and repairing the accidental damage he did to the motherboard, and I had no trouble usinf Firefox, and no trouble using Outlook Express to receive my Earthlink email.

But now Outlook Express won't download my email. Fortunately I also use Gmail, and have the mail that comes to my Eaarthlink address forwarded to Gmail as well, so I am not missing messages.

But I keep getting this erro when I try to use Firefox:

The proxy server is refusing connections


Firefox is configured to use a proxy server that is refusing connections.

* Check the proxy settings to make sure that they are correct.
* Contact your network administrator to make sure the proxy server is
working.


I have no clue why I am getting this message now. I never got it before, and I have no clue where to check proxy settings, as I have no idea that there even is a proxy. I have certainly never set this laptop up with a proxy server. And i sure as hell don't have a network administrator. I did try downloading the latest version of Firefox, but if it is configued to some proxy server, I donb't know how to unconfigure it.

It would be nice to be able to use this laptop for accessing the Internet, but I can't tolerate Internet Explorer. Any advice on what is going on? I could be stuck using this darn laptiop for quite a while, and I am feeling totally lost.

[Gliondrach]

No idea. But I have trouble with firefox. It takes ages to load and then often freezes the computer for minutes at a time.

I believe people can use some of the aol services without subscribing to it. Not sure what they are, though.

I think the administrator is only for machines that are on a network. Or perhaps not. But you will be the administrator, I think.

[Bowwowmeow]

Yeah that's me. Some network administrator. :p

I am stuck on this laptop for the nonce. My motherboard is shot. My brother is going to see if he can find me a new one, so that I won't have to buy a whole new computer. The people I took it to said it would cost me almost as much as a new computer, but my brother says the motherboard, if he can find one, is under $100, and he won't charge me to put it in. I'd like to try to get it going, and get the stuff off of it, and when the boat sells, buy a new desktop.

[Bowwowmeow]

Hmm, well, it's a mystery to me, but after I installed Google Chrome, to try that instead of IE, Firefox has started to work.

Google Chrome seems nice, but I really do love the ad blocker on Firefox.

Still can't figure out my email problem though.

[nagev]

Well, I'm glad your Firefox issue is resolved. To get to the settings about proxy and whatnot, 'Tools->Options->Network (tab)' then under 'Connection' there is a 'Settings' button. I'm not sure how your whole system is set up, but that is where to go for that information.

It might have something to do with how you connected to your last ISP with that computer. You could try uninstalling Outlook Express, or you could install Mozilla Thunderbird. I use that to download emails. http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/

[Bowwowmeow]

Thank you nagev, I'll give that a try.

[nagev]

Oh, by the way, I meant uninstall Outlook Express and reinstalling it or to install Mozilla. You'll probably want to back up any emails first though. :)

[Gliondrach]

This new computer machine has Windows 7 and the Notepad that comes with it doesn't work properly. The words just go on and on without a new line forming. To read anything I've written I have to scroll along the line. Does anyone know how to make it behave? If not, I will install one of the free alternatives to Notepad.

At least Wordpad works properly. I could use that to write documents but I've always used Notepad as my first choice.

I also notice that the version of microsoft Office is only a trial version and needs to be paid for. Damned daylight robbery! If I need a word processor I will install Open Office. It has some impressive functions and is free. For example, you can write something and then turn it into a PDF. That would save me getting a new PDF generator. But it is about 150 megabytes.

I've just installed CCleaner - which is also free - and have copied and saved the programmes that run when the computer starts. CCleaner has a handy function to show what is running and a one-click wotsit to save the information. Now, when I install other progammes and software, I will be able to keep track of what is needed at startup. My previous computer had all sorts of things running at startup and I had no idea what they were or if they came from things I had installed or if they were vital parts of the computer.

This must be a new version of CCleaner because it has an alarming function I don't recall being on the version I had - something to clean a drive. It could completely clean the hard drive if you clicked on it and chose the hard drive. But you can use it to clean other drives.

I've always just used CCleaner as a quick way to clear cookies, browsing history and temporary internet folders. And to clean the registery.

[nagev]

For Notepad if you want Word Wrap on (so it doesn't all just stay on a line until you hit the 'Enter' key, in Notepad, go to 'Format' then to click on 'Word Wrap'. I check will appear and then the text will wrap instead of being on one line.

:)

[Gliondrach]

Thanks. It works. :)

[Gliondrach]

After doing a system restore yesterday I can no longer copy and paste anything I've written in Notepad or Wordpad to a forum. Nor can I copy and paste anything from the internet to my computer.

If I try to copy what I have just written above, the right menu doesn't appear so I can't choose 'copy'. If I copy something from what I've written, the right menu doesn't appear to let me choose 'paste' to paste it here.

I don't want to do another system restore unless I have to. Even that might not work. Anyone have any ideas?

[Gliondrach]

I wondered if the above problem could have been caused by the restart interfering with IE8. I had installed it a few minutes earlier. I had IE7 before that. The restart must have uninstalled version 8 because the version on the Add/Remove function is version 7. I have just gone to the microsoft site to try to get version 8 again but nothing happens when I click on 'download'. I tried gettng on the internet by clicking on the IE explorer icon on my desktop but it seems to be opening the page before the page disappears again.

[Gliondrach]

And when I click on 'internet options' in the control panel, nothing happens.

[Gliondrach]

And Firefox won't open.

[Gliondrach]

I undid the system restore that was done on Saturday. I can now get on the internet with both Firefox and IE. Both were very slow. I clicked on one and then the other. Nothing happened for a while and then Firefox started up. About 30 seconds later, a box appeared which was part of the IE8 installation. That might have been slowing things down. I remember now that IE8 gave trouble when I tried to install it on Sunday. I think it seemed to install - which took about 20 minutes - but some message appeared which said the latest update hadn't been installed and would be when I restarted my computer. I restarted it. Some message came up which asked me to do something. I think that was to choose or allow some addons. I couldn't see what to do. Not sure now what I did next. I think I just carried on with what I planned to do on the internet. Just now, when the IE8 thing came on I cancelled it. I had just closed Firefox. IE also went off when I clicked the IE8 box to go off. I then clicked on IE again to try to get on the internet . It eventually worked but took about a minute. I am on the internet now with it.

I am typing this in Notepad. I managed to copy and paste something from this forum to Notepad a few mintues ago - when I came here on Firefox. I will now see if I can copy and paste this to the forum.

YES!!! :rock: :beanie: