Articles in Category: Administration
Items related to Leo, Ask Leo! and overall website and related operations and administrivia.
Should I install another firewall if I can’t turn on the Windows firewall?
My real concern here is the fact that you can’t turn the Windows firewall
on. That’s bad!
How do I un-write-protect this USB thumb drive?
The fact that you’re trying to format the device tells me that it’s not a
file system permissions issue. Formatting should just work.
Is it worth getting a high-speed router or switch?
Your internet connection is controlled by your ISP and the devices that your
ISP provides, but there are some advantages from faster equipment.
Why does scripting not work in Firefox?
By and large, Firefox should run JavaScript just fine. We’ll check a few
settings that might be causing the problem.
Is there any chance that Hotmail will revert these broken “improvements” they’ve made?
Hotmail only moves forward! If you don’t like their service, there ARE alternatives!
How do I stop this auto play audio from playing after I delete the email message that had it?
A media player, such as Windows Media Player, is probably playing in the background. The trick is switching over to that program and shutting it down.
How do I load my floppy-based backups if I have no floppy drive?
A USB floppy drive is a simple answer to getting your data off old
disks.
Can I just give people remote access to my machine to view my vacation videos?
Opening your machine to the public is a path fraught with peril and
something to be avoided at almost any cost!
CHKDSK is stuck after 48 hours. Is this a problem?
A CRC error and CHKDSK failure are signs of a hard drive that is on its way
out. Recovery and replacement is the way to go.
Why is my audio choppy?
This could be anything from out-of-date drivers to an overloaded computer.
We’ll look at both.
Why does the name not match the email address on this email I just got?
More than likely, your friend’s email has been hacked. Spammers use this type of email cloaking to fool people into clicking on their links.
Why does legitimate anti-malware software interfere with my browsing?
Anti-malware software tries to insert itself between you and “possibly
malicious” links and webpages on the internet… it often does that less than
perfectly.
Why am I getting replies to emails I sent months ago?
When you suddenly start receiving suspicious emails from an old friend, the
first thing to think of is spam. Don’t click on anything!
I get a blue screen when setting up Windows XP. What do I do?
Problems installing XP’s service pack 3 could be coming from either hardware or software. Getting that machine cleaned up is the first step.
TeamViewer – Powerful Remote Access Software, Free for Personal Use
TeamViewer simplifies remote access over the internet and supports a wide range of devices. While somewhat pricey for commercial use, TeamViewer is free for personal use.
How do I remove this hijack of my search engine?
You will need to start taking the basic steps for removing malware from your
machine. Even if it wasn’t intended as malware, it is acting like it.
Can I install Office 2010 and keep Outlook 2007?
Trying to run two versions of Microsoft Office at the same time usually does not
work well. Better to pick one version and stick with it.
How do I get my two monitors to display at different maximum resolutions?
Windows is capable of displaying two monitors each at their recommended
resolution. Changing the monitor settings may do the trick.
If an automated backup might automatically backup malware, shouldn’t I backup manually when I know things are clean?
Backing up manually will not give you better options in recovering from
malware. In fact, it could easily be worse than an automated system.
How do I free up space on my recovery drive?
Recovery partitions are meant to only hold system recovery files. It
shouldn’t be written to and doesn’t need more space.
My ISP’s equipment is beeping and indicates a battery replacement is needed. What do I do?
Very often, when equipment is signaling for a battery change… it needs a
new battery!
How do I recover my contact list in Outlook?
Recovering data from an Outlook PST file may not be possible. A complete
backup would have saved an intact file for you.
How do Java and Javascript relate to each other?
Recent vulnerabilities and exploits relating to Java have people scrambling to turn it off. Unfortunately, because of another unfortunate choice of names, many are turning off the wrong thing.
My trip pictures vanished from my memory card. How can I recover them?
Even when traveling (or especially when traveling!), backing up is still
important. A backup strategy would have saved these vacation photos.
I can’t print from Excel. How do I fix this?
Is the printer at fault? Or the program? One way to troubleshoot is to try
printing to a virtual printer.
Why will opening one document sometimes open more than one?
It is common for applications to re-open all the files that were left open
the last time the program was closed. Sometimes, this can be a bit
disconcerting!
Why is typing in Yahoo! Mail so slow?
Typing in Yahoo! Mail could be slowed down by interference from your browser.
Hopefully, you can speed it up without upgrading the entire computer!
Can I run Windows XP on my new computer with Windows 7?
Virtual machines allow you to run multiple operating systems on one computer. There are several software packages that will help you get started.
What does it mean to “Like” something on Facebook?
Clicking the Facebook Like button can give you access to business specials. In return, that business can be seen by your friends and allows them to communicate with you.
How do I back up to a memory stick?
Memory sticks are not quite sufficient for regular backups, but you can find
step-by-step instructions to backup to any drive here on Ask Leo!
Why are there always programs that don’t respond when Windows is shutting down?
Shut down messages can happen for a number of reasons. The solution might be
as simple as waiting a minute.
Why does my program report “Disk Full” when saving a file to a disk with lots of room?
Error messages don’t always give enough clues as to what might be going on, but they often point the way to start digging for the answer.
How do I get rid of this social media sharing pop-up on a site?
Social media links that are programmed to float on top of the page are a design element and can’t be prevented with pop-up blocking.
Why do Thunderbird and Firefox hang on return from standby?
Standby can often be unstable, especially on older machines. There could be
a fix or you might want to change your power management methods!
Why do links sometimes show up as blue and sometimes brown when I’m typing them in email?
Links will show in different colors depending on whether or not you have
visited them before. It may not be under your control.
Why am I not getting some emails after my account has been hacked?
It’s a tough situation after an email account has been hacked. There may be some
further steps you can take to make sure you have total and exclusive control
over it.
How do I fix the screen when a game I play leaves it messed up on exit?
The game has changed the video mode. You may have to revert it manually or
check for support from the manufacturer.
How do I get data off of DVDs containing my photos that won’t read?
There are several options for recovering your data, but the big problem is
that these important photos were only in one place!
Why does defragging appear to lose disk space?
Defragging does not use up disk space; it only moves data around. That display you are looking at is at best an approximation of what’s going on.
How do I get YouTube videos embedded in email messages to work?
Online videos need to run from the YouTube website, so ultimately, clicking
over there is the easiest way to go!
Macrium Reflect’s Rescue Media doesn’t recognize my external hard drive, what do I do?
There are several ways to access your backed up data if your first restore
disc does not work.
Why did my YouTube conversion program just stop working?
YouTube officially discourages downloading of videos and puts significant
programming barriers in the way of doing so. Your downloads may be breaking on
purpose.
How do I encrypt the email stored on my machine?
Email can be encrypted in real-time by storing email data files in a
Truecrypt volume that must be mounted before using the email program.
Can malware on my machine cause it to contact illegal sites?
Once your machine is infected with malware, it isn’t your machine any more:
it belongs to the person who is controlling the malware… and they could be
doing anything.
How can I falsify my IP address?
There are several types of services available that can help hide an IP
address while you are on the internet; and also several potential problems
involved.
What do I need to get a wireless internet connection in my remote location?
A good internet connection is often difficult to find in a remote area. Your
cell phone company might have a solution for you.
Can I reinstall Windows XP after installing this non-genuine copy of Windows 7?
You can’t remove a Windows operating system, but it is possible (and good
practice) to reformat a hard drive and reinstall from scratch.
I can't login when I set my blocking on high, what do I do?
Cookies and spam blockers are unrelated settings on a computer. This leaves
me guessing what you may be talking about.
Do I need to run anti-malware software on my smartphone?
Sophisticated viruses for smart phones are certainly predicted for the
future. Do you need to worry about it yet?
What's the best way to clear my hard drive of everything but the operating system?
It’s impractical to try and erase everything on a hard drive except the
operating system. Fortunately, there is an better solution.
