Ask A Geek http://www.askageek.com Where Geeks Answer Your Computer and Tech Questions! Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:57:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Web Browser Downloading Images Very Slowly http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/18/web-browser-downloading-images-very-slowly/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/18/web-browser-downloading-images-very-slowly/#comments Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:57:26 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=487 Q: The images on web pages are loading very slow. At bottom of the Microsoft IE web browser screen is says “Downloading Images” but it seems to take forever.

A: Many times the slowness can be because of the setup of the servers running the website you are trying to access but it sounds as though this is happening on multiple websites which would tend to point towards your own computer. It could depend on what type of connection you have. If you are using dial up then the websites are going to take considerably more time than a cable or DSL connection. Also if you tend to be trying to access these during peak usage times that can also cause slowness. I would try the following to resolve the problem:

1. Delete the temporary internet files.

2. Delete your cookies.

3. Run a spyware program, such as Spybot or AdAware.

4. Run an anti-virus software, such as AVG.

5. Run a anti-hijack software, such as HiJackThis.

Hopefully following one or more of these suggestions will help you.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/18/web-browser-downloading-images-very-slowly/feed/ Trojan And Virus Found On Flash Drive http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/17/trojan-and-virus-found-on-flash-drive/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/17/trojan-and-virus-found-on-flash-drive/#comments Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:32:58 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=489 Q: I had plugged my flash drive into my computer but I cannot view any folders and the content inside those folders. I had a worm and trojan on the flash and I used an antivirus to clean it but I’m not sure if that’s the reason why I cannot access the folders. I had checked the memory on the flash and it confirms that the folders are there but i just can’t view it. Please help.

A: More than likely the virus that infected your flash drive created a new autorun.inf file. Antivirus software will kill the virus but they do not typically delete the autorun file because the file itself is not a virus. Make sure that the antivirus program found your computer and flash drive virus free before you perform these steps.

The steps below should assist you in deleting the autorun.inf file to fix your problem. Because the autorun.inf file is protected by Windows Operating system you will first have to unhide the file.

1. Open My Computer.

2. Select Tools > Folder Options.

3. Select the View tab.

4. Make sure that the Show hidden files and folder radio button is selected.

5. Uncheck the check box by Hide protected operating system files (recommended).

6. Click Ok.

7. Click Yes to the error message and you will be back at My Computer.

8. Right click on the drive icon from My Computer that you want to remove the autorun.inf file from.

9. Select Open.

10. Select the Browse button and choose to open it with the Explorer.exe file and click Ok.

11. The drive should now be displayed in Windows Explorer and you can delete the autorun.inf file and restart your computer and you should have access to your flash drive.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/17/trojan-and-virus-found-on-flash-drive/feed/ Free Vs Paid Computer Security Software http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/16/free-vs-paid-computer-security-software/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/16/free-vs-paid-computer-security-software/#comments Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:49:52 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=488 Q: I need to install security software on my Dell 2400 Dimension computer running Windows XP. I am wondering if it is better to free security software or security software that costs money? I am trying to speed up my computer, delete viruses, fix errors, and stop popups. My problem is I believe I find more junk popups when I install “Free Software” so what do you suggest?

A: All the security and protection software that I use is free software and I do not have any trouble with popups. The reason that you are getting the popups and such is more than likely because of the spyware on your computer. Let me give you some selections of free programs that you should download and use. Once you start using them you should no longer have issues with popups.

The first program I would try is called Adaware. They have a free version available so just download and install the program. I would recommend running two full scans in a row just to make sure it catches everything and then delete everything that it catches.

The second free program is an anti-virus program called PC Tools. Download and install this and run a full scan of your entire computer and delete any viruses that it finds.

As far as speed I would recommend the following:

1. Run the scandisk/disk cleanup on your computer.

2. Run a system defragmentation utility on your computer.

Once you have done all of the above you should notice a huge difference.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/16/free-vs-paid-computer-security-software/feed/ Transferring Data From A Zip Drive http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/14/transferring-data-from-a-zip-drive/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/14/transferring-data-from-a-zip-drive/#comments Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:04:21 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=486 Q: I have a zip drive disc that I want to get information off of and transfer it to a hard drive or flash drive. I don’t own a zip drive. How can I get this info off without having to buy a zip drive?

A: Unfortunately you are not going to be able to get the information off that drive without a zip drive to open the disk. The only suggestion would be to check your local library or a computer lab at your local community college that you could access but otherwise you will need to purchase a zip drive to transfer that. Without being able to insert the disk to get the data you won’t be able to transfer it. You will have to have equipment to read the disk.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/14/transferring-data-from-a-zip-drive/feed/ Transfer A Picture From Your Computer To A Camera http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/10/transfering-a-picture-from-your-computer-to-a-camera/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/10/transfering-a-picture-from-your-computer-to-a-camera/#comments Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:38:30 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=482 Q: I have a Kodak EasyShare C613 digital camera and am wondering if I can transfer a picture from my computer to my camera?

A: You can do this. If you connect your camera to your PC and then double click My Computer and then double click on the camera drive that is showing. If you open the camera you should then be able to drag and drop your picture onto your camera.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/10/transfering-a-picture-from-your-computer-to-a-camera/feed/ How To Dispose Of Old Electronics http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/09/how-to-dispose-of-old-electronics/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/09/how-to-dispose-of-old-electronics/#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:55:56 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=491 Q: How should I dispose of old electronics? Is there someplace that recycles old computers and parts? (ex. RAM cards, CD-ROM drives, motherboards, keyboards, etc.)

A: I do not know where you are located but you probably want to contact your local recycling centers; you can find them in the yellow pages. We have a recycling company in a town close to us that recycles all electronics (printer, computers, computer parts, stereo equipment, etc). They do charge a fee but their fees are setup per visit so we wait until we have multiple items and then drop them off.

Also for smaller electronics like your MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, and even ink cartridges, the USPS has announced free recycling though the mail. Currently the program is only a beta program with about 1,500 locations taking part but this might still help some people with the smaller items.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/09/how-to-dispose-of-old-electronics/feed/ Tighten A Loose Dell Laptop Screen http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/08/tighten-a-loose-dell-laptop-screen/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/08/tighten-a-loose-dell-laptop-screen/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:46:41 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=484 Q: I have a Dell Latitude laptop that is a couple of years old. When I open the lid any further than 90 degrees, gravity takes over and it falls flat backwards. Is there anything I can do to tighten it up?

A: You should have a gray bar above the keyboard on the laptop that has two little slats. If you use a screwdriver and carefully pry that open you should see a couple screws on each side. If you tighten these screws then it should fix your screen from flopping. Once you tighten them the gray section you removed should pop back into place.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/08/tighten-a-loose-dell-laptop-screen/feed/ WiFi Card Not Working http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/07/wifi-card-not-working/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/07/wifi-card-not-working/#comments Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:23:17 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=480 Q: I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 with vista premium and my WiFi card isn’t working. When I try to refresh my available networks it doesn’t refresh it does nothing so I cannot connect to my home network please help!!

A: If you Press the Alt button while you double click on the Computer icon on your desktop you should have a window appear that has a link for the device manager. Click on the device manager and select your Network Adapter by double clicking your device.

Make sure that under the General tab that the device status shows it is working properly.

Next select the Driver tab and choose Update driver or visit the manufacturer of the card to see if there is a more current driver.

If a new driver does not help then I would suggest trying to delete the device and reinstall and see if that helps. If it does not we need the following information:

Who is the card manufacturer?

What driver version do you have? (This is all available through the Driver tab in the steps above.)

Has this card ever worked or is it new?

Does it show that it is properly working in the device manager?

Do you receive any error messages?

Did you uninstall and reinstall the device?

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/07/wifi-card-not-working/feed/ Virus Problems And System Restore To Factory Defaults http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/03/virus-problems-and-system-restore-to-factory-defaults/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/03/virus-problems-and-system-restore-to-factory-defaults/#comments Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:24:42 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/?p=483 Q: I received an IM from yahoo and when i got ‘buzzed’ a virus took over and pretty much messed up my laptop. It disables the task manager when I try to end any tasks and it does not let me go into Symantec, the system32 folder, and I cannot open Mozilla Firefox. It also disrupts file download when I am downloading anti-virus softwares.

I am thinking of restoring the whole system, but [as dumb as it sounds] I do not know what they mean by restore to factory condition. Does this mean, the condition where I first purchase the computer? Along with the OS, and softwares restored?

Please help. I will be forever grateful.

A: I would recommend trying an online scan, perhaps Trend Micro HouseCall and see if you can remove the virus. I have found that sometimes a new program can eliminate a problem that another could not.

As far as restoring your computer, if you choose to use the restoration CD that will restore to the factory defaults, meaning it will be exactly as it was when you first brought the computer home, therefore your data will be gone, all programs you installed will be gone, and the virus would be gone so you can start over from scratch.

]]> http://www.askageek.com/2008/04/03/virus-problems-and-system-restore-to-factory-defaults/feed/ Adding RAM To An Acer Aspire Computer http://www.askageek.com/2008/03/29/adding-ram-to-an-acer-aspire-computer/ http://www.askageek.com/2008/03/29/adding-ram-to-an-acer-aspire-computer/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:28:30 +0000 Angela http://www.askageek.com/2008/03/29/adding-ram-to-an-acer-aspire-computer/ Q: I have an Acer Aspire T160 with 512 MB RAM currently made up of 2 256 MB modules. I was planning on adding just 1 GB RAM and I am wondering if that is okay.

A: For some computers you do need to add modules in pairs but for your computer you do not. However, adding two modules versus 1 module will increase your performance but it is not necessary. The affect on the performance of the machine also depends on what types of programs you are running. Since you have the one module all ready I would install it and see if it performs as you would like and if not you can consider buying another.

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