Brighton Computer Club

Questions and Answers
Dated: 8th December 2008

Moderated by Frank Myers

Preamble

Frank showed members the new website with Member’s Only access using User ID and a password. The Q&A could be on the Information page or in the Member’s Only section. The members chose to have the Questions and Answers on the Information page.

If you chose to save the User ID and Password, running CCleaner will not affect the save. If you save the User ID and Password the next time you want to go there on your computer you only need to click OK.

Frank mentioned that due to 45 continual years in the computer field, and the wish to get away from computers, this will be his last year as Webmaster and other tasks for our Club, such as maintaining/creating the Software CDs, and acting as host for Questions and Answers at the meetings.

Frank asked for a member or two, to volunteer to be his assistant(s). He will train them how to be a Webmaster. If no one comes forward, the club will either have to pay a professional to maintain our Website and Club CDs or lose them both. Volunteers please EMail: or

Member can’t do a defrag. Windows Defrag says it needs more room on the hard drive. What can the member do?

Answer:

Use AShampoo Magical Defrag 2. Costs about $15.00, a one time charge.
It works while your computer is not busy. http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/1/product_2_0144__.htm
You may get it cheaper as AShampoo often has offers.
Be careful when you check out your purchase.
Ensure what you asked for is what you are paying for. If not, go back and see if there are check marks you did not see.
Click Here for the Defrag Presentation

Can AShampoo Magical Defrag defrag a running program?

Answer:

No, it only works when the computer is not doing anything.
When a program is running it suspends defragging.
Defragging will only defrag your hard drive, it does not defrag programs
Go to the presentation referenced in the previous question for an explanation on defragging.

A member has AShampoo Magical Defrag, does he need to use Microsoft's Windows Defrag also?

Answer:

No! It does a complete continuous defrag.

What is PayPal and How does it work?

Answer:

You use PayPal to pay for internet purchases.
To find PayPal, just enter "PayPal" into Google.
When you are on the Paypal site, review the videos and "Pay Online" and "Sell Online" explanations, and then decide whether or not to "Sign Up"
If you click on "Sign Up": Make sure the connector says "https://www.paypal.com"
The above s in the connector ensures it is a secure site.
They will need your credit card info.
Do as I do and use a credit card with a $500 maximum limit. If you don't have one, get one and ensure with the provider (bank) that the limit will never change.
Almost every merchant web site in the world uses PayPal, owned by E-Bay.
Pay Pal will always send you an email with your purchase approval.
Keep your Login ID and password in a safe place - I use Roboform

Can you use one license for AShampoo on more than one computer?

Answer:

You should have one copy for each computer.

Do you like all products from AShampoo?

Answer:

No, Although AShampoo has good ones, I use a different Registry Cleaner and Uninstaller.
They have an excellent CD/DVD burner called AShampoo Burning Studio 8 for $50 or Burning Studio 7 for $40.
I really like the quality of their software.
Another reason I like AShampoo is that once you buy a product from them they always offer you discounted updates and discounted offers on all their other products.
Also, they allow you to test fully working programs for a month before you are obligated to purchase.
And before you ask - No! I do NOT receive any compensation from AShampoo.

If I have a faulty card in my desktop computer, should I replace it myself?

Answer:

If the service charge is more than the cost of the card, yes, if you are comforable doing that.

I have trouble with high speed wireless from Xplornet. How can I tell if it is my Ethernet card?

Answer:

Have a friend bring their notebook to your home and try connecting with your friend's computer.
It may be your Service Provider's (Xplornet) problem.
If it doesn't work on your friend's computer, then you will probably need a new card.

I put a CD in and try to play it with Microsoft's Media Player. I get a blue screen. What's wrong?

Answer:

You could have a bad DLL file in Microsoft Media Player or a missing codec.
Click Here to download Microsoft Media Player 11

Can I download and install Windows XP Service Pack 3(SP3)?

Answer:

If you do not have an AMD processor chip, then if should be safe to download and install XP Service Pack 3 - IF you follow our recommended procedure to stop all running programs and non-Microsoft services.

Here is Charlie LeBer's procedure to stop "running" programs in XP and Vista.

Click on "Start". Click on "Run" and enter "msconfig" and click on "OK".
Now click on "Startup" tab and note the programs that are checked.
Now click "Disable All" and "Apply".
Click on "Services" tab.
Click on "Hide All Microsoft Services" and then on "Disable All".
Click "Apply" and "Close".
When System Configuration box is displayed, click "Restart".
When System Configuration Utility Window is displayed, click in the "Don’t show this message" box
Click "OK".
Install the program that asked you to stop all running programs. In this instance: "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
After the program is installed and you have re-started your computer:
Click on "Start". Click on "Run" and enter "msconfig" and click on "OK".
Click "Startup" tab and click in the boxes you had noted in #2 above.
Click "Apply".
Click on "Services" tab. Click "Enable All".
Click "Apply" and "Close".
When System Configuration box is displayed, click "Restart".

A member gave us his experience with SP3

Answer:

Member has an Hewlitt Packard (HP) PC with an AMD chip and wanted SP3 because it was a prerequisite for an iPod program. He called HP and for $39.95 and 4 hours on the telephone, had them install the fix for "HPs with an AMD chip".

What does SP3 do to your PC if you have an HP with AMD chip?

Answer:

You get continuous rebooting or a blue screen when you go into "Sleep" Mode.

How do I find out if I have an AMD chip?

Answer:

On "My Computer", click the right mouse button, then click on "Properties".
Click on the "General" tab look for Intel or AMD under the "Computer" heading.
If Intel, you are okay to install SP3 if you follow the instructions in #10 above.

When I am not using my computer I see my wireless router flashing. What is happening?

Answer:

Someone is using your wireless router from outside your dwelling.
You should ensure you have a password and encryption for your wireless connection.

I get “Critical Stop” when moving text and images from a remote central processor to my PC. What's happening?

Answer:

It appears that it is the main frame central processor’s problem.
It is corrupting your PC's processing registers
Contact the source company that your are connected to and discuss your situation with their technical staff.
The next time you see the Microsoft message to send the error report, just click "Send"
It could also be a Windows situation that is causing he problem.

I have the "AVAST AntiVirus" system and I keep getting messages that I don’t want. How do I correct this?

Answer:

Look in "Tools" or "Options", there may be a way to turn them off.
For example: This area in "AVG" is found under "Tools" and "Advanced Settings"

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