Please note that unless I wish, my way of reading emails in MS OUTLOOK 2007
does not read the subject and from fields, I mistakenly responded to ashwani
jassal's mail. I regret for my previous mail.
PC performance
Is my PC running as well as it should?
The Windows Experience Index gives a rating of a PC's overall performance.
Vista
users should note that the ceiling here is six. For Windows 7, Microsoft
made
the sky the limit for how highly a machine could be graded.
Anything from 4.5 upwards is more than adequate, but if you think one
element in
particular is holding back your PC, this will tell you whether you're right.
It
scores machines based on the lowest individual subscore, making it easy to
tell
whether more RAM, a faster processor or better graphics card are required.
For non-Vista or Windows 7 users, the best advice for getting more from the
machine you've got is to cram in as much RAM as the machine will take and
the OS
can access, archive to an external drive anything that doesn't need to be
stored
locally and turn off any startup apps and services.
If your Windows XP or Me PC is feeling the strain, a thorough cleanse and a
defrag, plus a reduction in the number of programs installed will all help.
To check on suitable upgrades, go to crucial.com and use the free Belarc
Advisor
utility to take an inventory of the hardware you're running and to get a
list of
compatible upgrades.
Stubborn files
Why won't Windows allow me to delete a certain file?
Windows is being unnecessarily protective. If Windows won't delete a file or
folder, it's usually because an application or process is accessing it. If
you
were to delete the item while it's 'in use' (even if you're not using it
directly), a program or Windows itself could crash.
Nine times out of 10, the best way to deal with a file or folder that won't
go
willingly is to reboot your PC. Then, before you run any programs, try
deleting
that file again. It should go quietly.
Software won't shift
I installed a program and now I can't get rid of it.
Software isn't always as keen to uninstall as it is to get its claws into
your
PC. This is particularly true of malware, but some programs are simply badly
written. The Uninstall Programs option in Control Panel can be used if the
software's own uninstaller doesn't completely remove it. System Restore is
another way to remove recent additions.
Beeping computer
I hear beeps when I turn on my PC. What do they mean?
Those beeps come from the Bios (the motherboard's software interface). Beep
codes vary from Bios to Bios; in general, a single beep means all is well.
If
you hear anything else, check your system manual for beep codes. Failing
that,
an online search from a PC that isn't beeping cryptically should help.
Most listings are divided by Bios maker (AMI, Award and the like). To learn
who
made yours, check your manual, call the seller of the PC, or carefully
unscrew
the case and look inside (if it's a desktop). Most Bios chips have the
manufacturer's name printed on top.
Missing Recycle Bin
My Recycle Bin has disappeared. How do I get it back?
Was the Recycle Bin ever there? Some new computers come with the feature
disabled (and most users never bother to look for it until they need to
recover
an accidentally deleted file).
Sometimes the Bin does get deleted by accident, or a third-party program or
Windows glitch turns the feature off. However, it's usually easy to recover.
Windows Vista and 7 users can click Start, type 'desktop icons', then click
'Show or hide common icons on the desktop'. Tick the box next to Recycle
Bin,
then click Ok.
If that doesn't do the trick (or if you're an XP user), Microsoft offers a
Fix-it troubleshooter at tinyurl.com/2vmuo3. If it doesn't automatically
load
the utility, scroll down and click the 'Fix this problem' link. Click Run
now
when the Fix-it box appears.
Download destination
Where did my downloaded files go? I can't find them.
Downloads are easy enough to initiate, but often less easy to locate once
they've landed on your desktop. Where they download to is partly down to the
web
browser and partly determined by the PC.
Internet Explorer will ask where you want to save every file before
downloading
it. Chrome and Firefox, however, make the choice for you by default, which
leaves a lot of us scratching our heads after a download is complete.
It's easy to make either browser a little more co-operative, though. In
Firefox,
click Tools, Options, then select the General tab. Note the Downloads
section,
where you have the option of choosing where all downloads should go by
default.
Some people prefer to save files to the desktop rather than the default
Downloads folder.
Enable 'Always ask me where to save files', then click Ok. Now, every time
you
download something, Firefox will let you choose where to save it.
In Chrome, click the spanner icon at the top right. Choose Options, then
select
the 'Under the hood' tab. Scroll down to Downloads and select the box next
to
'Ask where to save each file before downloading'. As with Firefox, you can
also
change the default folder.
Note that if you don't note the names of the files you're downloading, you
may
not know how to find the right item, even if you succeed in navigating to
the
right folder. Sort files by date, from newest to oldest. The top file is
your
most recent download.
Browser toolbars
Where do all these browser toolbars come from, and how do I get rid of them?
One day your web browser is humming along, and the next it's saddled with a
host
of toolbars you didn't ask for and don't want. Spyware is one possible
culprit.
If you suddenly see a toolbar called 'Super Internet Search' or something
equally fishy, it probably arrived via a drive-by download or some other
infection. Scan the PC with a good anti-malware tool and don't use the
toolbar.
Another possible culprit: you. Many freeware, shareware and even commercial
apps
try to slip in a toolbar during installation, and you might click past the
setup
screen that lets you opt out. For example, when you install a Java update,
you'll also get the Yahoo Toolbar unless you clear the box telling Yahoo you
want it.
Suspect message
An alert message in the Taskbar wants me to visit virusprotect.com. I
haven't
installed Virus Protect and have other security software on my PC. Should I
ignore it?
You're right to be suspicious. This is a Trojan and is not safe to click on.
In
fact, it indicates your PC has some form of infection. Virus Protect is just
one
of many sites set up to fool people into downloading malware under the
pretence
of protecting your PC. Follow the advice at tinyurl.com/5vjL4uu, where we
explain how to remove another nasty fake antivirus program.
You should then run a full disk scan and ensure you have a real internet
security suite or antivirus program installed. See our brand-new "Top 5
Internet
Security Suite" and "Top 5 Antivirus" charts.
Legitimate software
I tried to download a program you recommended, but my security software
flagged
it as suspicious. Is it dodgy?
Software and sites are ranked according to their reputation. Sometimes,
there
isn't enough information out there to make a judgement call and a security
program will err on the side of caution.
However, in the case of anything we recommend, we carry out rigorous scans
and check for any known
issues against a database of malware.
To check a particular program, type in its name at Web of Trust (WOT,
mywot.org)
or use McAfee's Threat Database (vil.nai.com).
Safe surfing
How can I tell whether an unknown website is safe to visit?
Again, we'd start with WOT (mywot.com), a free web browser plug-in that's
available for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. This clever
tool
vets search results before you click them, using a traffic-light rating
system
(red, yellow, green) to indicate which links you should avoid, which require
caution, and which are safe.
WOT includes crowd-sourced ratings, meaning that a site's reputation is
based on
other users' experiences with it, not on some potentially outdated
definition
file. (You can add your ratings, too.)
Keep in mind, however, that while WOT works well with webmail services such
as
Gmail and Yahoo, it won't help you with messages received in Outlook,
Windows
Live Mail and other desktop clients. For this type of support, you should
use
your local security software.
Security check
Microsoft called to say my copy of Windows 7 was insecure and that I need to
buy
a new one. Is it a scam?
There has been a spate of recent reports of similar phone calls purporting
to be
from Microsoft. Unless you acted on this phone call and accepted the offer
of
assistance, the chances are your PC is fine. It's a telephone scam, and it
wasn't Microsoft that called you.
The people behind this scam may or may not take your bank details, but they
will
almost certainly direct you to a website to download the so-called 'full'
version of Windows.
Instead of being a Microsoft website, it's a fake one that exists to
download
drive-by installers on to your PC and then capture your passwords, bank
details
and so on. We've had several conversations with readers who have been
targeted
in this manner.
Report the call to the Citizens Advice Bureau, trading standards, the police
-
and the PC Advisor forums (pcadvisor.co.uk/forums).
USB security
Our office IT guy won't let me plug an unsecured USB memory stick into my
PC.
How can I secure it?
Great question. You can secure your USB stick with a password, but make sure
it's a good one. (The name of your pet does not make for a good password.)
TrueCrypt (free; truecrypt.org) lets you save all your files into a
container
accessible only with an unlock code.
Since USB memory sticks do pose a big threat - many offices now ban them for
this precise reason - a better approach to saving documents you need to take
to
and fro is to send them to yourself using Dropbox (dropbox.com), or to save
files to a personal webspace in the form of a free online archive.
Wireless security upgrade
I already have a wireless router, but would like to secure it using WEP. Do
I
need to change my whole network?
If your router can be upgraded to Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) from WPA,
this
will be the easiest option. Check at the manufacturers' website for a
firmware
or driver upgrade. Download and install this according to the instructions
given. It's worth upgrading the firmware in any case to improve stability
and
performance.
If no such upgrade is available - or your router is too old to support
either
WPA2 or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) - a new router is a good idea. You
should
need only the one router (provided that it's a modem router with built-in
networking). Compatible devices on your network will access the web via the
newly upgraded router. For an in-depth explanation, see tinyurl.com/ychuctt.
Digital photos
DCIM folder
When I copy photos from my camera to a PC, it puts them in a folder called
DCIM.
How can I stop this happening?
Aeons ago, DCIM (short for Digital Camera IMages) became the default
directory
structure for digital cameras and the standard has stuck. Its purpose is to
keep
everything organised. When you put a memory card into a camera, the camera
immediately looks for a DCIM folder. If it doesn't find such a folder, it
creates one.
Likewise, some image editors look specifically for DCIM folders on any media
inserted into the PC. This saves time scanning said media.
Mysterious Thumbs.db
The folder where I keep my digital images contains a file called Thumbs.db.
What
is it and can I safely delete it?
Thumbs.db is a collection of thumbnail images for photos, documents, web
pages
and so on, for a particular folder. It saves Windows from having to render
the
thumbnails individually each time you open the folder. You can delete
Thumbs.db,
but there's no benefit for doing so.
If you'd prefer to get rid of it, run Windows Explorer and click Tools,
Folder
Options. Select the View tab, and scroll down to 'Hidden files and folders'.
Clear the box next to 'Show hidden files and folders', then click Ok.
Thumbs.db
will still be there, but you won't see it.
Photo organiser
I have photos in lots of different places, and need an easy way to keep
track of
them all. I don't want to risk losing any.
Buy an external hard drive and get into the habit of storing them all on
that.
If you wish, designate one location on one laptop or PC for another copy. To
sniff out what's stored where, use Picasa (picasa.google.com) and let it
index
what's stored on your hard drive.
It's great for uncovering half-forgotten photos, PDFs (which it sees as
image
files) and videos. It will even tell you what files are stored in more than
place, indicating multiple copies of a file.
To work out which are duplicates and can safely be deleted, use Auslogics'
Duplicate File Finder (tinyurl.com/6zppxu4).
Missing images
I took dozens of photos on my travels, but some refuse to copy across from
the
camera or the media card to the PC.
There are a couple of scenarios that could cause this. First, might you have
accidentally switched the camera into video-recording mode? Sometimes video
clips don't import to what Windows sees as an images folder. Try installing
the
software that came with the camera in order to better manage the importing
process.
Windows generally does a good job of recognising when a device you plug in
contains images, but that doesn't necessary include videos. Its file
management
capabilities also leave plenty to be desired.
Next, browse through the folder containing the photos in large thumbnail
view.
Windows may have imported the video clips - it just might not be immediately
apparent.
If there are gaps in the numerical sequence of images, this indicates
something
has been assigned those file numbers. Launch a video viewer and browse to
the
folder again and see whether the clips appear. Alternatively, try entering
the
file name in the Start menu Search bar.
If you still can't find the missing images or photos, insert the SD Card
back in
the camera and see whether the files can be played there. You might have a
corrupt file. This can happen if you remove or insert the memory card with
the
camera switched on.
Note, too, that if you received a warning that the card could not be read
and
clicked Ok to format it, this will have erased the information on it.
Restore deleted photos
I accidentally deleted some photos. Can I get them back?
If, as described in the preceding answer, the photos were on a card that you
have since formatted, it will be tricky. If you haven't used the memory card
since and the files have not yet been overwritten, you may have some success
with Recuva (free; recuva.com).
If Recuva can't do the job, lots of alternative programs are available.
CardRecovery.com lets you first check for free that your missing images are
still on the card, but then you have to pay for the software to work its
magic.
Printing
Cancel a print job
My printer won't print and Windows won't allow me to cancel or delete print
jobs. What's going on?
This issue is all too familiar, not least because it's been around for the
past
10 years or so. You send a document to the printer but nothing happens, yet
it's
there in black and white when you open the Print queue dialog box.
Cancelling or
deleting the print job is the obvious first step but, all too often, further
attempts at getting the document to print are equally abortive.
Sometimes you can clear the printer cache my restarting the printer, but
there's
no fail-safe fix. Try updating the printer driver or switching to a
different
USB cable. If none of the above works, download and run the Stalled Printer
Repair app (tinyurl.com/8pjgyr) and stop stuck print jobs from clogging up
the
queue.
Next, take a look at the Document Properties and check for unusual
formatting.
In the Print Preview dialog box, look for paper sizes other than standard
A4. A
common issue is that the driver defaults to US paper sizes or selects Custom
as
the paper type.
If a document doesn't fit within the expected margins or the paper
dimensions
aren't those that the printer is expecting, you may get a pop up message
informing you that this is an issue. Often, there's no apparent warning and
no
resulting printout.
Video vagaries
Why does a video play on my desktop but not my laptop?
Videos are encoded in assorted formats; if your laptop doesn't have the
decoder
for a format, you can't watch the video. Codecs cost money, which is why
only a
limited number are supported in Windows Media Player, for example, and why
products such as Archos portable media players expect you to pay extra to
unlock
certain formats.
One option is to install a program that will convert the video you want to
watch
to a different format. If you have a program such as Roxio Creator or the
free
Handbrake utility (tinyurl.com/2suLuk), you'll be able to output the video
in a
format that your laptop - or indeed your smartphone or PlayStation Portable
-
can handle. Also see the K-Lite Codec Pack at tinyurl.com/d8bzh.
Export video
I downloaded a programme from iTunes, but I can't get it to play on anything
except the PC on which I downloaded it.
Digital rights management (DRM) is at play here. It's an anti-piracy measure
that allows you to store and play media you've bought, but only on the
iPods,
iPads and so on registered to your iTunes account.
However, you can play content stored on one device on another using a newly
introduced Apple feature known as Home Sharing. For more on the topic of
copying
and sharing iTunes content between devices, see tinyurl.com/py6pzc.
For more on playing and copying between other media players - or getting
iTunes
content to play on non-Apple devices, see our "How to: Windows" workshop.
QuickTime slows me down
QuickTime is on my PC, but I didn't install it. Must I keep it?
Apple QuickTime displays photos and videos, plays music and performs various
other multimedia tricks. Although the software is available as a separate
product, it comes bundled with iTunes and that's how it ends up on most
users'
systems.
If you're an iPod, iPad, or iPhone owner, you need iTunes and, ergo,
QuickTime.
The same is true if you like to watch movie trailers and other videos in
your
browser, as many embedded videos are encoded in a QuickTime-compatible
format.
So unless you have a specific reason for deleting it, leave QuickTime alone.
Office file compatibility
I have Microsoft Word, so why can't I open .docx files?
With the introduction of Office 2007, Microsoft abandoned the age-old .doc
format in favour of the newer .docx (also known as the Office Open XML
format).
If you're still using Word 2003 or an earlier version of the program, you
won't
be able to open .docx files without a little assistance.
Likewise, the venerable .xls spreadsheet format gave way to .xlsx, and
PowerPoint .ppt files became .pptx files. Anyone using Office 2007 or 2010
is
generating these kinds of files, which older versions of the Office
applications
can't read.
To get around the problem, install the 'Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack
for
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats' (tinyurl.com/26y3Lxd).
Designed
for use with Office 2000, XP and 2003, the add-on lets you open, edit and
save
the newer file formats, seamlessly converting the files on the fly and in
the
background.
Ensure that your copy of Office is equipped with all of the latest updates
from
Microsoft before you install the compatibility pack.
Stubborn programs
Why do some programs leave files and folders behind even after I've
uninstalled
them?
It's not uncommon to find leftover files, folders and even Start menu
entries
after you uninstall a program. A lot of uninstallers do a poor job of
cleaning
up after themselves. The solution is to use a brute-force uninstaller, a
utility
that removes not only the application but all the pieces it leaves behind.
The free IObit Advanced Uninstaller (tinyurl.com/2u6wpx9) is one such tool.
It
vacuums up files, stray Registry entries and more.
Update aggro
Why do Adobe and Java update so frequently?
Hackers can exploit Adobe's Reader (which opens PDF files) and Oracle's Java
(a
platform that runs various programs and web apps) to wreak havoc. Some
Reader
and Java updates will improve the software's performance or stability, but
most
are made to plug security holes - so you should definitely install updates.
Consider ditching Adobe Reader for an alternative; try Foxit Reader
(tinyurl.com/cjsb84), Nitro PDF (nitropdf.com) or Nuance PDF Reader (
nuance.co.uk).
You're pretty much stuck with Java; take note, however, that the sneaky Java
updater will try to slip the Yahoo Toolbar on to your PC.
Windows Update issues
Available updates
I keep getting a message telling me Windows Updates are available. What
should I
do?
Windows Updates are used by Microsoft to keep your PC up to date, and to fix
any
issues that arise during the lifetime of your computer. The vast majority
deal
with security.
Microsoft routinely patches holes, adds malware definitions to its Defender
and
Security Essentials tools, bolsters Office security, and so on. The
occasional
Windows hotfix may also address serious issues such as random system
lockups.
Importantly, you have some control over how and when Windows Updates are
installed. We generally advise that you set up your computer to install
updates
automatically or, if you're a sufficiently tech-savvy user, following
consultation with you.
To alter your settings, go to the Start, All Programs menu and choose
Windows
Update.
If you don't want Windows to nag you about available updates, click Start,
type
Windows Update, and press <Enter>. (In Windows XP, head to the Control Panel
and
seek out Windows Update.)
Next, click the Change Settings option, and choose Install updates
automatically. Click Ok to finish the process. Now, the only time you'll
hear
from Windows Update is when it requires a reboot.
Unnecessary reboot
My PC restarted following 'important updates'. Why?
Some days, your PC will do this even if it isn't scheduled to do so.
Usually, an
important patch has been installed. Consult the Windows Update history to
find
out what.
Safe unplugging
Does it matter whether I 'Safely Remove' devices?
Yes. If you pop a memory card out of its reader or pull an external drive
out of
its USB port while Windows is reading or writing data, you could end up with
corrupted files, unreadable media, or both. But it's not always easy to tell
when Windows or an application is working behind the scenes.
The 'Safely remove hardware' icon resides in the System Tray, which you may
have
to expand by clicking the arrow. Click the icon, then choose your device.
Wait
for the 'Safe to remove hardware' message, then unplug.
If you don't see the icon, or if you're not sure which menu listing
corresponds
to your card or drive, double-click Computer and find the icon for the
device.
Right-click it, then choose Eject.
Sticky Keys
Windows is asking me if I want to enable Sticky Keys. What are they, and how
should I use them?
If you've ever pressed the Shift key five times in a row, intentionally or
accidentally, you've no doubt encountered the Sticky Keys feature. It makes
certain keyboard functions easier to access.
Suppose you want to launch Windows Explorer via the keyboard shortcut.
Normally
that means holding down the Windows key and tapping E. The same goes for
functions such as Copy (Ctrl, C), Undo (Ctrl, Z) and even capital letters
(Shift, letter).
With Sticky Keys enabled, however, you don't have to press two keys
simultaneously. Instead, you can press Alt, Ctrl, Shift or Windows, release
it,
and then press the other key you want to use.
Email attachments
Why can't I send a file attachment through email?
The file is probably too large. Most mail servers (both incoming and
outgoing)
restrict attachment sizes to a maximum of 10MB, and sometimes even less than
that. Gmail and Yahoo are among the exceptions, but even they limit things
to
25MB and 20MB respectively.
If you're trying to send someone a video file, a large batch of photos, or
anything else that exceeds the limit, the email won't go through.
Fortunately, lots of free services let you work around these restrictions.
For
example, YouSendIt (yousendit.com) lets you send files as large as 100MB via
a
web interface, a desktop utility or even an Outlook plug-in.
Another option is SugarSync (sugarsync.com), which offers 5GB of free online
storage and makes sharing big files easy. We also like WeTransfer
(wetransfer.com), a dead-simple browser-based tool for sharing files in
sizes up
to 2GB.
DAT files
What are the .DAT files I sometimes receive in email messages, and how do I
open
them?
In most cases the .dat attachment originates in Microsoft Outlook, which
produces outgoing messages using a slightly modified version of the Rich
Text
Format (RTF). This action helps to preserve fonts, formatting and the like,
but
it often causes problems for the recipient.
If your email program does not support this particular blend of RTF, you'll
end
up with a .dat attachment and no easy way to open it.
You have a couple of options. First, you can ask the sender to turn off
Outlook's RTF setting in favour of plain-text email and then resend the
message.
Second, you can try opening the attachment in Notepad.
You may see a lot of garbled-looking code in there; but if you comb through
it,
you should be able to find the core text.
Finally, try WMDecode (tinyurl.com/3kf4s), a free utility that will scan the
file for attachments and save the items along with their original filenames.
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