Moderated by Frank Myers



  1. Is it possible to buy a new computer with XP rather than Vista?
      2. Answer:
    • Yes. They are available from small computer shops such as Computer Solutions in Colburne. You can also get XP with Netbooks. Charlie Le Ber explained that Vista is user friendly for first time users. Frank wants members to consider that when Windows 7 is available, you can upgrade directly from Vista but you cannot from XP. By "directly", Frank means that Windows 7 will keep all your settings, applications etc. that you have in Vista. If you are going to upgrade from XP you have to do a "clean" install, which means re-installing all your applications and making all new settings. If a member is buying a new computer, it may be prudent to have Vista installed for future considerations.

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  2. How is Vista with older software?
      3. Answer:
    • All your software may not work. You can invoke a compatibility feature, but some older printers and scanners may not work because there is no Vista driver available. On the Microsoft website they have Vista compatibility lists for software and some hardware. If you have a friend with Vista, perhaps you could try the peripherals that you want to keep for the new computer, on your friend's Vista computer before you purchase a new computer.

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  3. Can we put in a new motherboard and make it a new Vista computer?
      4. Answer:
    • It is not recommended. Charlie Le Ber explained that he upgraded an old computer and by the time he put in a new processor , more RAM, a better video card and the Vista operating system it cost as much as a new computer.

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  4. Every time the member tried to run Internet Explorer, it did not respond. She had to wait. She closed it and opened it again and it worked. Why?
      5. Answer:
    • There are various possibilities that can cause this situation. They range from memory to web connections. It is understood that a visit from our "Help" team may be scheduled.
    • A member suggested clicking in left hand corner, a little portion that is visible and it will sometimes work.
    • A member had the same problem but it cleared up when she upgraded her memory.
    • You can simultaneously press Control/Alt/Delete to display the Task Manager and then stop Internet Explorer so you can restart it.

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  5. As a member was surfing from one website to another, the computer froze for a moment. She then received the message: "out of memory at line 56". This caused a 1-2 minute delay; eventually it resolved itself. Why?
      6. Answer:
    • This error occurred because you were running an old version of the Adobe Flash plug-in.
    • The Adobe Flash plug-in is a small extension to your internet browser that allows you to use more features on the internet. This plug-in is a standard in the latest Microsoft Internet Explorer.
    • We recommend you upgrade your Adobe® Flash plug-in to the latest version at the Adobe web site. To download the latest Flash plug-in visit: www.adobe.com
    • You should also increase your virtual memory which should help with the freezing problem. To increase your virtual memory:
      1. Click the "start" button
      2. Click "settings"
      3. Click "control panel"
      4. Click "system"
      5. Click "advance"
      6. Click "performance"
      7. Click "advance"
      8. Click "virtual memory"
      9. Click "change" it
      10. Make it 1000 kb or higher. If it's not listed as Kb (Some are not) just double the number listed.
      11. Click "apply" then OK

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  6. XP had 'connection speed' information. Member can't find the equivalent on Vista
      7. Answer:
    • To locate connection speed in Vista:
      1. Click "Start"
      2. Click "Network"
      3. Click "Network and Sharing Center"
      4. Click "View Status"
    • Another member has AOL and the speed appears on the screen for an instant when the browser loads.

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  7. Do you recommend changing your password on a regular basis?
      8. Answer:
    • For banking, yes, every six months - that's why Roboform is a good choice.

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  8. What's Roboform?
      9. Answer:
    • It is one of the club's recommended software items that can be downloaded from the "Software" page; or installed from our Club's CD. A presentation was given January 9th 2007 and is available at: http://brightoncomputeclub.org/info409
    • In general, the "FREE" version asks for one password to load into a browser taskbar and then gives you 10 free permanent log-ins to websites that require User IDs and passwords. The purchased version is unlimited. Frank uses his on a USB memory stick that has all his confidential personal information. That method leaves nothing on your computer. You can purchase the USB version called "Roboform2Go" for around $20.00.

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  9. Can you tell if someone is phishing on your computer?
      10. Answer:
    • To fully understand the term "phishing", go to: Wikipedia.org Because this term is mainly associated with Email, you can tell it's phishing if you are skeptical about emails from an unsolicited source. The "phishers" are trying to have you give them personal/confidential information about yourself so that they can "scam" you. Be alert! Remember that your bank, your businesses, etc. will NOT ask you for confidential information in an email. If it is an offer that sounds TOO good to be true then 100% of the time - It is TOO good to be true!

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  10. A member said if you make a password mistake twice, trying to get into your bank account, your bank will ask for more information from you. If you can't supply it, they won't let you in.
      11. Answer:
    • If you use Roboform you are able to use sophisticated passwords and they work the first time. Frank explained that "key loggers" can keep track of your keystrokes to access your websites. With Roboform they can't get your key strokes. A member suggested using the screen keyboard which may be tedious, but key loggers can't access your strokes.

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  11. Member zipped a video and sent it to himself but couldn't open it. Why?
      12. Answer:
    • Videos don't condense very well. They are already condensed, so do not zip them. Your file maybe too large to send or receive.

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  12. Member mentioned a smile box. What's a smile box?
      13. Answer:
    • Smilebox is a service that connects you with family and friends using your photos and videos. It's free, easy to use. With Smilebox, you can create animated scrapbooks, photobooks, slideshows, postcards, and ecards for any occasion, and email them to anyone. You can personalize and email or blog any design for free. As with most services, such as this, there is a fee for the upgraded service.

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  13. Frank warned not to send really big files via e-mail
      14. Answer:
    • Some mailboxes have a restriction on how big a file can be. Also if your attachment is too big it could fill the recipient's mail box and then no more mail will be accepted there.

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  14. A member is using Picassa3 but he can't transfer videos from his camera for sending to friends and family. However, he can do pictures. He reinstalled Picassa2 which let him do the videos but it upgrades to 3 automatically. Any suggestions?
      15. Answer:
    • Maybe the camera needs an updated driver from the manufacturer. If this is not the case, Frank suggests that he stay with Picassa2 and not have Picassa3 on his computer. Picassa3 did not improve Picassa2 enough to worry about. Frank also reminded us to back up our pictures onto a DVD. As for sending videos from Picassa, perhaps he should burn them to a DVD and send that. (refer to #13 above).

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  15. A member has Google Mail (Gmail). His Gmail was keeping web visiting history back to 2006. He wanted to know how to prevent this.
      16. Answer:
    • To control web history:
      1. Go to Google Home
      2. Click "My Account"
      3. Click "Web History"
      4. Click "Restrict history to searches only"
      5. Click "Clear history"
      6. Select "All"
      7. Once history is cleared out, do not click on "Resume" or Gmail will keep tracking your browsing history.
    • It would be a good idea to repeat this procedure periodically to ensure that it stays set to this default.
    • Remember that Internet Explorer keeps a history too.
    • To keep the history clear:
      1. Click "Tools" in Internet Explorer
      2. Click "Internet Options"
      3. Under "Browsing history" put a check mark in the box - "Delete browsing history on exit"
      4. Click "Apply"

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  16. On Google mail, member types too fast for entry in the email
      17. Answer:
    • Frank pointed out that GMail is based on the web and the interaction between the computer keyboard and the Google web site is based on various factors with the main one being the speed/availability of the connection to your Internet Service Provider. One member uses Microsoft's Word and uses cut and paste to respond to her Emails. If you are a fast typist, then using Word (or any word processor) would be an excellent method of preparing Emails. You can send email directly from MS Word without having to cut and paste. Click on "File" then "Send To" and "Mail Recipient".

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