Articles in Category: ask-leo.com
These are articles that have been migrated from the old “ask-leo.com” site but have NOT yet been cleaned up or otherwise updated. They’re here primarily as a reference. We’ll be updating the more important and popular ones over time.
Does everything I do on the internet download, or just when I save a file?
What constitutes a download depends on why you are trying to define it. Are
you concerned with the files that end up on your computer or with the
bandwidth being used?
Can World of Warcraft be installed and run on a tablet?
The user interface in World of Warcraft is highly configured for Windows and
a PC environment. The display and tools may be difficult to convert to tablet
format.
Can you help me find an Ubuntu partition in Windows 7?
If a Ubuntu partition can’t be accessed by Windows, it may be in a different
format. I’ll show you how to access that partition and see if it is configured so
Windows can use it.
Will I lose internet access in July?
When a major malware infection was discovered last year, a temporary solution was created on the internet. On July 9th, 2012, it’s scheduled to go away.
Can a virus be transferred into our system, or our router, from our granddaughter’s smart phone?
For a virus to infect a smart phone, it would have to be written specifically for
that smart phone and poses little danger to your network system. But what kind of protection do you need for (and from) her laptop?
How do I safely get security software onto my newly reinstalled machine?
How do you safely install virus protection – when you don’t yet have
virus protection? A firewall is very good security. That plus one other practice should keep you safe.
Are computers crashing everywhere because of something from Russia?
It’s no surprise to hear about malware coming from overseas… This is nothing new and certainly nothing newsworthy. As always, good internet safety is the cure for this
sort of rumor.
Does repartitioning and reformatting a hard drive clean it?
Reformatting does not completely erase all traces of files from a hard drive
but, so far, no viruses are known to be able to recover from a reformat.
Repartitioning does something all together different.
Can I leave my TV hooked up to my PC through HDMI all the time?
Leaving your TV hooked up all the time is unlikely to pose a danger to
your equipment as long as you consider a few issues.
How do I use recovery disks on an empty hard drive?
Recovery disks, once you boot from them, are designed to restore your machine to factory-new condition. Whether they can depends on their assumptions.
How do I block unwanted emails in Thunderbird?
Blocking senders is an ineffective way to deal with spam, but Thunderbird includes the ability, along with an adaptive junk mail filter.
Do we still need that same old Recycle Bin?
Recycle Bin is still a very handy service on Windows computers. It is used
very often to recover from a quick mistake, and is integral to the way we use
our computers.
How do I cancel all Google services except for Gmail?
When you sign up for any Google service, you’re creating a Google account,
which will be available across all of Google’s services. Canceling everything
except Gmail might be tricky.
Webinar #11 – Mastering Your Own Domain
In this full-length webinar I demonstrate the process of finding and buying a domain, and setting up hosting, email and Wordpress.
Will the new iPad3 have Adobe Flash?
Adobe Flash is a popular program for many websites, but it’s slowly being
replaced by HTML5, so features are becoming available on devices that do not use Flash. Here’s what I expect Apple to do.
Why do my files get locked?
Files can get locked for several reasons, but the most common by far is simply that some other program is currently accessing them.
Why am I getting a message at start-up that my computer is checking the file system?
Checking the file system means that Windows is not shutting down correctly.
I look at the proper ways to shut down a computer and how to avoid this
error.
Can I delete Microsoft Office updates to free up disk space?
Deleting updates and folders might be okay if you do a backup beforehand,
just to be sure. There are better ways to free up disk space that will be less
problematic.
Can you help me archive Ask Leo! answers on my computer for future reference?
Using a PDF printer on your computer can help you organize online pages and
articles. I look at establishing your own organizational scheme and
permissions.
Why do I get a shut-down error message on Outlook when I am not running Outlook?
Sometimes, programs are running in the background and we don’t know it. I
explore how to find what’s running and ways to keep those programs from starting up in
the first place.
How do I get my computer back to like-new without reformatting?
Reformatting a computer is still the best way to get it back to like-new condition,
but there are a few useful habits and software choices that can help keep a
system clean.
Why do hackers hack and spammers spam?
Malware and viruses have changed over the years. Today’s rash of botnets and
viruses have different reasons and goals for hacking than they did decades ago.
Somebody knows my IP address and is sending bad emails. Can you help me close my account?
Email is not sent to an IP address, it is sent to an email address. I
explore how to close a Yahoo account, and why that is unlikely to help in the
long run.
Can an email be picked up from a non-existing email address?
Email addresses are tied to domain names. It’s possible that the domain
name has a catch-all. I explore what that means.
How do I block trojans and the man sending them to me?
Repeatedly getting trojans or any form of malware simply shouldn’t happen. To resolve this, we need to drop back to basic security principles.
Can I keep my old Windows XP and ignore this Microsoft Deployment Toolkit notification?
If your Windows XP machine is running without problems, you can probably
keep it for some time – just beware of notifications telling you to upgrade.
How can I recover deleted pictures from my digital camera if it doesn't show as a drive?
If the camera does not present itself as a drive, it will be difficult to
recover data. I look at a few options.
How do I run Windows Update on my Ubuntu computer?
Ubuntu is not just for nerds; it operates somewhat like Windows and can be
used by anyone, but it won’t run Windows Update.
Can I use my 25" desktop monitor on my laptop?
Most laptops come with a video port that allows you to easily connect an
external monitor. A few settings may be required.
What's the difference between system restore discs and system repair discs?
Manufacturers don’t like to ship full Window’s installation media, so many
of them offer a way for you to make your own restore or repair disc. But these
restore discs might not be as useful as you think.
Aren’t Incremental Backups Just as Important as a System Backup?
The different terms used for backups can sometimes make the process seem more
difficult than it is. I clarify some backup terminology and help sort it out.
Why does my laptop suddenly shut down while playing games?
Games are processor heavy and could be generating a lot of heat. This is the
first thing to look at with sudden shut-downs.
Does storing documents on my computer's desktop slow it down?
Your desktop is really just another directory in your computer. It’s more a
matter of organization than speed.
Why can't I log into Hotmail even though I remember my password?
Typically, if someone has attempted to log into your account numerous times,
Hotmail might lock your account. So how do you regain access?
Why can't I make changes to my host file when I am the administrator on this computer?
The host file is a good tool to use to block IP addresses to keep your
computer safe from porn and more. You must have administrative privileges to
make changes. I’ll show how to set those privileges.
Why do I get an error that my computer is protected by a password authentication system?
This looks like a BIOS password, which is going to be difficult to get past.
The big question is: how did that happen?
How do I make a small photo larger?
It’s not at all uncommon to come across a photo on the web and want to make it larger. It’s possible, but the results can be blurry, at best.
How do I make my cursor larger so I can see it?
Cursor size is not determined by the kind of computer that you buy; it is set by
your monitor and the software in your computer. It can easily be adjusted.
How do I recover my lost password on my Windows XP computer?
It’s simple to recover an XP password using an available utility, but the
security ramifications of this need to be explored.
Why have libraries stopped offering ebooks for Kindle?
At the time of this writing, we are in an early acceptance phase for ebooks,
such as Kindle. Libraries are caught in this change, but there may be positive
ways forward.
How can I run old XP programs on a Windows 7 machine?
An XP program may be run in a virtual machine on a Windows 7 computer, if it
is set up correctly.
Can you disguise an IP address?
IP addresses are fundamental to the way that the internet works. Spammers use botnets to send from hijacked machines and thus from their IP addresses.
How do I manage a large number of client workstations?
Managing the configuration of a large number of computers can be daunting. There are solutions for management but it’s not something I’m familiar with.
How did my friend's phone number get posted on a porn site?
It’s not unheard of for kids or not-such-good-friends to post someone’s
number as a prank or perhaps it was just a mistake: but what can you do?
Can my ISP help me prove I didn't post comments to a forum after I was hacked?
Getting an ISP to help in tracking internet activity is difficult, as
internet providers adhere to strict privacy guidelines. There may be other
options.
Do all wireless routers require a cable connection to a modem for internet service?
Do you have to have wires to get the internet? Or more commonly: can you
just get the internet from the air? With new services, it may be possible.
How do I get a Hotmail or MSN email for another country?
If you are not in the country specified by the email address ending (such as
.com, .co.uk, etc), you will likely be locked into the ending specified for
your country.
My friend says I have a virus in my Hotmail email, what should I do?
When a Hotmail account shows a virus, it’s a good sign that your account has
been hacked. You’ll need to change all of your security information to regain
control.
Is there a way to move an .exe file from an old drive?
Your operating system typically requires more than just an .exe file to
run a program; it needs to be installed correctly. Installing programs
correctly may also provide necessary updates.
Will someone provide security updates for Windows XP after Microsoft stops supporting it?
Windows XP, at the time of this writing, has a large install base, but no
one has stepped up to support this market as it is getting smaller. Should you
keep using it?
