Windows Q&A Tip of the Month

PC Answer Man assumes no responsibility or liability for 3rd party software or programs discussed on this page.

09/2008 Question:
I need a good way to record and edit audio and sound files. What do you suggest?

Answer:
The program that I use is called Audacity. Audacity is award winning, free Open Source software that records sound and audio from a variety of sources, allows you to import and export audio to various formats and provides full featured editing. It includes the ability to apply various effects and filters to enhance quality. This is a must have application for audio recording and editing and it's FREE!!!

08/2008 Question:
How can I determine if my Vista computer is healthy or if I have some issues that need to be resolved?

Answer:
Windows Vista includes a new reporting tool called the System Health Report. This tool provides comprehensive information on basic system checks including operating system, hard drives, security services, system services and hardware devices and drivers. Additionally, the tool will provide information on software and hardware configuration and CPU, network, disk and memory utilization.

To access the tool, navigate to Control Panel/Performance Information and Tools/Advanced Tools/Generate a system health report.

07/2008 Question:
What system restore and recovery options do I have with Windows Vista?

Answer:
Windows Vista does not offer the "Repair Install" option that was available with Windows XP. Vista does include a similar System Restore option to that of Windows XP. It allows you to restore your computer to an earlier state to resolve problems caused by a program installation or system setting change. System Restore can be used either from a "normal" boot or from Safe Mode if the function has failed from a "normal" boot.

However, if your Vista computer will not boot, you will need to use the Vista Recovery Environment by booting the computer from your provided Vista DVD. The Vista Recovery Environment offers various options that are explained below.

To access the Vista Recovery Environment, follow these steps:

1. Turn on the PC and immediately insert the Windows Vista DVD into the DVD drive.
2. A Black screen will appear with the words "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", press any key to continue.
3. After a few minutes the Microsoft copyright window will appear followed by the Language and Keyboard options screen. Make sure that the English/US choices are selected and click Next.
4. On the screen that follows, click on the "Repair Your Computer" option.
5. The System recovery options will now search for your Windows Vista installation. Once your Vista installation has been located, highlight it and then click the Next button.

You are now presented with these Recovery Tool options:

• Startup Repair - This automatically fixes problems that are preventing Vista from booting.
• System Restore - This will restore Vista to an earlier point in time. This is the same System Restore tool that is available when Vista boots correctly.
• Windows Complete PC Restore - This will completely restore your entire PC including programs, system settings and files from a back up that you have previously created (available in Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions only). Only use this option if you have created a full system backup.
• Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool - This checks your computer's memory hardware for errors.
• Command Prompt - This opens a Command Window and provides for advanced command line functions.

Click on the Option you require and follow the onscreen prompts.

06/2008 Question:
What is the latest Windows XP availability status from Dell on new computer orders?

Answer:
Dell will continue to offer Windows XP on most models sold by their Home and Home Office and Small and Medium Business sales divisions on new orders placed by June 18, 2008. After June 18th, Windows XP will be available as a "Downgrade Rights Option" on a few selected Home and Home Office models and most Small and Medium Business models purchased with Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate only.

Here is information from Dell's web site explaining the "Downgrade Rights Option" and how it works.

Is there any way to get Windows XP after June 30th?
Customers may continue to get Windows XP Professional by exercising Downgrade Rights that come with Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate licenses. Dell has the ability to exercise “Windows Vista downgrade rights” on your behalf in the factory if your business is still reliant upon Windows XP and you’d prefer to have Windows XP Professional preinstalled on your PCs.

So, what are Windows Vista “Downgrade Rights”?
Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate have what Microsoft calls “Downgrade Rights.” Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows XP Professional. Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time (cannot run both operating systems simultaneously unless an additional license is purchased). For customers who decide to exercise Downgrade Rights on their own, however, please note that Dell will only support the factory-installed operating system. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium do not have this option, as they are not capable of downgrading to Windows XP.

What does it mean for Dell to exercise “Downgrade Rights” for me? Where can I find this option?
When you are configuring your system online or through the help of one of our sales experts, you will have the opportunity to select which operating system you would like on your PC. When selecting your operating system, you will see an option called “Genuine Windows® Vista Business BONUS” and “Genuine Windows® Vista Ultimate BONUS.” With these options, you may purchase the licensed rights to Windows Vista but have Dell factory install Windows XP Professional. You will also receive a backup media disc for Windows XP Professional as well as the media for Windows Vista so you can upgrade when you’re ready. Furthermore, with these options Dell will provide technical support for the factory-installed Windows XP Professional image and your licensed version of Windows Vista.

Can I downgrade on my own?
Yes, you can as long as you have your own Windows XP Professional media (i.e. from a prior purchase). However, Dell’s standard policy is to provide technical support on the operating system that comes pre-installed on your PC. Dell does not encourage you to change your operating system on your own as this can be a complicated process.

So, if I choose to have Dell downgrade for me, does that mean I can only get technical support on Windows XP Professional since that is what will be pre-installed?
No, with this option Dell will provide technical support on both Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate (depending on which version you choose).

I don’t need Windows XP Professional, but I still want Windows XP Home Edition. Is there any way for me to get this from Dell?
No, Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP MCE both End-of-Life (EOL) on June 30, 2008 and do not have the capability to transition to Windows Vista (i.e. these licenses do not include Downgrade Rights provisions). Microsoft created that capability only with Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium are unable to downgrade to Windows XP.

What do I do when I’m ready to upgrade my computer to Windows Vista?
You will use the Windows Vista DVD provided to you to install Windows Vista on your computer. If you upgrade and then realize you’re not quite ready for Windows Vista yet, you also have the freedom to go back to Windows XP Professional using the Windows XP Professional CD provided with the downgrade service.

05/2008 Question:
I have a laptop that I travel with frequently. If it is stolen, is there a way to secure my private data or track where the laptop is located?

Answer:
There is a free service called LaptopLock that can help protect your data and help you in the recovery process if your laptop is stolen. After registering your laptop with LaptopLock, downloading and installing the LaptopLock agent (compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista), the service can do one of the following:

• Delete files (secure data wiping now available)
• Encrypt files
• Show a message to the user
• Execute a program
• Play a sound
• Make your files Visible or hidden to the user

If your laptop is stolen, you can login to your LaptopLock account and mark the computer status as stolen. Once the computer connects to the internet, the LaptopLock agent software will execute the actions that you have configured. If after a while LaptopLock has been unable to connect to the internet, it can be configured to ask the user to verify their identity by asking for a password. This option is set during installation and depends on how visible you want LaptopLock's presence to be.

Here is a FAQ link that answers questions about the LaptopLock program and service.

04/2008 Question:
I want to buy some new toys with my tax refund, what is the best web site for online discount coupon codes?

Answer:
There are many web sites that publish current discount codes for a variety of manufacturers and products. Computers, computer peripherals and accessories, TV's and electronic gadgets are just a few of the product categories that frequently have discount codes available. Big discounts can be had by those that take the time to do a little research.

My favorite online discount coupon code web sites are Cheap Stingy Bargains and TechBargains. Cheap Stingy Bargains has coupon codes for literally any product under the sun, while TechBargains concentrates on tech products and electronics.

03/2008 Question:
I am having a problem installing my new antivirus software. I uninstalled Norton Internet Security using the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs. However, my new antivirus program indicates that Norton is still installed and must be removed before the new installation can proceed. How can I completely get rid of Norton Internet Security?

Answer:
This has been an ongoing problem for users of Norton/Symantec and McAfee (to a lesser degree) antivirus and security suites. Fortunately, both companies provide removal tools for their products that are designed to be used if the Add/Remove Programs fails to completely remove the software.

Symantec also warns that if you have Act! or Winfax (or other Symantec programs) installed, using the removal tool will likely require that they be reinstalled. Additionally, Symantec suggests that the Act! and Winfax databases be backed up before using the removal tool.

In all cases, it is wise to read any and all available instructions for the removal tools before using them. The web site for Symantec removal tools can be found HERE. The web site for McAfee's removal tool can be found HERE.

In some cases, even the Norton removal tool may not completely remove all files and registry entries. Under these circumstances, there is another option that requires editing the registry and manually removing the files and registry entries. If you are not comfortable editing the registry, you should not consider this option. If you do use this option, please backup the registry before proceeding. The link describing this procedure is HERE.

02/2008 Question:
I understand that Windows XP will no longer be available in a few months. When is the deadline and is there anything that I can do?

Answer:
In all of it's wisdom, Microsoft will end the sale and licensing of Windows XP on June 30, 2008, forcing users to shift to Windows Vista. Additionally, this will apply to computer makers like Dell. Dell has continued to offer XP computers thru their Small Business and Home and Home Office Sales divisions and should continue to do so until the June 30 deadline.

Windows Vista has not been met with open arms by the computing public, especially business users. The primary reasons for this lack of enthusiastic acceptance are the lack of support for many legacy peripherals and software programs. There are simply way too many printers, scanners and other commonly used components that are not Vista compatible. Also, many mainstream business applications require costly upgrades or replacement in order to run on Vista. Another reason for Vista resistance is due to the fact that Vista requires more RAM and faster processors to run at a comparable speed compared to XP. All of this translates to a higher cost of operation and requires that we switch from an operating system that is very mature, stable and that supports the programs and peripherals that we already own.

However, there might be some hope that Microsoft can be pressured to extend the XP licensing deadline. There is a Help Save XP Petition that is sponsored by Info World. The names of those who complete the petition will be forwarded to Microsoft indicating support for keeping XP available indefinitely. The petition is located HERE. Hopefully, Microsoft will relent and revise or remove the deadline all together. Take note that if Microsoft does not change the deadline, we will have until the end of June to order XP equipped computers from Dell or other companies that continue to sell XP machines. If you order a XP computer, be sure to get the XP reinstallation CD with your order in case XP has to be reinstalled on the computer.

01/2008 Question:
I recently installed a program on my Vista Home Premium computer that has made my system unstable and uninstalling the program did not solve my problem. However, when using Vista's System Restore, I am getting an error message that says "System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer’s system files and settings were not changed." Is there a solution for this problem that will allow me to successfully restore my computer to an earlier state?

Answer:
If you are unable to restore your Vista computer to an earlier restore point, the solution is to run System Restore from Safe Mode. To boot into Safe Mode, simply tap the F8 key at 1 second intervals as the computer is starting up. You can then choose Safe Mode from the advanced boot menu options. Once you have booted into Safe Mode, go to Control Panel/Backup and Restore Center and click on the "Use System Restore to fix problems and undo changes to Windows" option and follow the prompts. System Restore should then successfully restore your computer to the earlier restore point that you chose.

12/2007 Question:
I have lost the hard drive in my computer and it will not boot. I do not have a recent backup of my data but do not want to spend the money to use an expensive data recovery service to get my files back. Do I have any other options?

Answer:
There are a variety of reasons why a hard drive can stop working. It can also be a matter of boot sector corruption or another cause that that is not related to hardware failure. Frequently, these types of problems can be corrected without data loss. However, if the reason is due to hardware failure such as the drive's controller circuit board or the drive motor, there are a few "last resort" options that may restore the drive's function for long enough to retrieve your data. These "last resort" methods should only be considered when all other options have been exhausted.

The first of these methods is to take the hard drive out of your computer and place it a ziploc bag to help minimize condensation. Put the drive in a freezer for several hours. Then, working as quickly as possible, take the drive out, remove the bag, and reconnect it to the computer. If the drive spins up and seems to be working, copy your data from the drive as quickly as possible. Copy your most critical data first followed by the less important files as the drive will most likely fail again as it warms up.

The second and third options involve delivering a shock to the drive in the hope that a stuck drive component will "break free" and allow the drive to function again for a while. This can be done by hitting the side of the drive with a rubber hammer or by dropping the drive from a short height. These options are obviously less desirable than the freezing method due to the fact that additional physical damage can be done to the drive. I would consider these options as a "desperate last resort" when there is nothing else to loose.

11/2007 Question:
Is there an easy way to determine if my computer is up to date with the latest security patches for Windows and the other programs that I have installed?

Answer:
Programs that have security flaws are very common and can pose a threat to your computer and your network. Software companies issue security patches regularly to fix these flaws. It is difficult to know which programs need updating and Windows Update only addresses updates for Windows itself. There is a web site called the Secunia Software Inspector that will inspect your operating system and software for insecure versions and missing security updates. The scan requires that your version of Java is current. If the scan will not run on your computer, you can update your version of Java for Windows Vista, XP and 2000 by clicking here. The scan will run from Internet Explorer or from Firefox or Opera web browsers.

The Secunia Software Inspector will confirm that your internet browsers, internet browser plugins, instant messaging clients, email clients, media players, and your operating system are all up to date with the most recent security patches. The scan completes in less than a minute and you will be shown a report that identifies which applications need to be updated and where the updates can be obtained. This is a fantastic free service that everyone should use.

10/2007 Question:
What's the best free web based email option available? I am confused between Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo mail. Which do you recommend?

Answer:
I am a big fan of Gmail. You get 2.5Gb of storage capacity for your email. You can attach files to your emails of up to 20Mb in size. You can chat with your Gmail contacts. Gmail allows you to collect your email using your own email client such as Outlook or Outlook Express. It also allows you to configure email forwarding of your Gmail email to another email address. You can access your Gmail account from any computer with an internet connection.

Gmail offers too many features to include them all in this newsletter. Previously, you could only get a Gmail account if you were invited by an existing Gmail user. Now, Gmail is available to everyone. You can sign up for a free Gmail account at http://mail.google.com/mail/signup.

09/2007 Question:
I am currently backing up all of my data files to an external USB drive. How do I back up my email as well?

Answer:
The answer depends on which email application that you are using and does not apply if you have a Microsoft Exchange server. I will explain the procedure for Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express and Windows Mail. In all cases, the trick is to identify the location (path) of the folder that contains your email files. Your email program should not be running when you perform the backup.

Microsoft Outlook stores your email, calendar, contacts and all other Outlook data in a .pst file. The easiest way to determine the location of your .pst file(s) is to right-click the Outlook Today icon in Outlook, select the Advanced button and look at the path to your Outlook .pst folder. A common example of the path might be "C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.pst". I suggest that you should backup the entire Outlook folder as it may contain other .pst files that you have created.

Microsoft Outlook Express stores your email in .dbx file format. There is a separate .dbx file for each email folder that you see in Outlook Express (Inbox, Outbox, Contacts etc.). To determine the path to your Outlook Express folder, open Outlook Express and click the Tools menu/Options. Click the Maintenance tab and then click the Store Folder button. You will be presented with a Store Location window displaying the path to the folder containing the database files. A common example of the path might be "C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\Application Data\Identities\(xxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxx-xxx)\Microsoft\Outlook Express". I suggest that you should backup the entire Outlook Express folder.

Windows Mail is the Outlook Express replacement for Windows Vista. The process for backing up your email folder is basically the same as the 2 examples above in that you need to identify the path to your email folder. From Windows Mail click the Tools/Options menu and click the advanced tab. Click the Maintenance button and then the Store folder button. You will be presented with a Store Location window displaying the path to the folder containing the database files. A common example of the path might be "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail". I suggest that you should backup the entire Windows Mail folder.

In all 3 examples above, once you display the path to your mail folder, simply select the path, right click it and choose Copy. You can then right click your Desktop, click New and choose shortcut. Right-Click in the Create Shortcut box and choose paste and complete the Create Shortcut wizard to create a shortcut on your desktop for your mail folder. This will make it simple to return to your email files for future backups.

08/2007 Question:
Now that I know how much RAM memory is needed to upgrade my computer based on your tip last month, how do I figure out what memory to buy?

Answer:
In order to upgrade your computer's memory, you need to identify a few things before making a purchase. You need to know what type of memory your computer uses, the maximum amount of memory that your computer supports, whether your computer requires you to add memory in matched pairs and finally, how many memory slots your computer has and how many are available (not in use).

The price for memory has dropped dramatically in recent years. If your computer has only 2 memory slots, and requires you to add memory in matched pairs, it may be best to replace your existing memory altogether with new memory modules.

The easiest way to determine all of these things is to run the Crucial System Scanner. Crucial sells RAM memory at competitive prices for all computer brands and models. The Crucial System Scanner will answer all of the questions that you need to know and will automatically present you with compatible options for your computer. You can access the Crucial System Scanner at www.crucial.com. Simply click the "Scan my System Button" and give permission for the scanner to install.

07/2007 Question:
How much RAM memory should my computer have? Does it depend on the version of Windows that I have?

Answer:
Here are some guidelines to follow to help determine how much RAM you need.

Here are a few examples where having just 512 MB system memory in your computer is enough.

• If you mainly use your computer for e-mail and web surfing.
• If you only use one application at a time.
• If you are running Windows 98 or Windows 2000.

For Windows XP, 1 GB of system memory will most likely be enough for the average user.

• You can run multiple applications at the same time.
• You won't have to shut down non-critical applications when you want to play a game.
• If you go from 512 MB to 1 GB, there is a noticeable difference all the time. Starting up Excel while running an Internet browser and your e-mail client will go so much faster, and switching between the applications is a breeze.

Still there are situations where more than 1 GB is desirable.

• If you have any version of Windows Vista other than Vista Home Basic (2 GB recommended).
• If you are a professional user, you might need more than 1 GB for really RAM hungry graphics applications like Photoshop or CAD design software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
• If you intend to do heavy multitasking, especially if you have more than one CPU or CPU core.

A memory upgrade can make a noticeable difference in your computer's performance without breaking the bank. If you are buying any new computer with Windows Vista, except Vista Home Basic, I suggest that you get 2 GB of RAM. It will make the Vista Aero interface perform like it was intended.

06/2007 Question:
I need a recommendation for a web site that lists the best free software in a variety of categories. Do you have a suggestion?

Answer:
I am a real believer in things that good and FREE! There are many excellent free software programs (freeware) available that frequently are as good as retail equivalents. I recently discovered a web site that lists the best freeware software in many basic categories. The site is called The 46 Best-Ever Freeware Utilities. I have reviewed and agree with many of the selections discussed on this site.

Please experiment with any of these programs at your own risk. PC Answer Man assumes no responsibility or liability for 3rd party software or programs. This information is intended solely as a helpful service to my clients.

05/2007 Question:
All new computers are now being sold with Windows Vista. I want to wait until Vista is more mature before making the switch. Is anyone still selling new computers with Windows XP?

Answer:
At the insistence of Small Business, the Dell Business division has continued to offer Windows XP on new computers (desktops and notebooks) since the release of Windows Vista. For Home and Home Office users, Dell recently yielded to consumer pressure and began to offer Windows XP again on the Dimension series desktops and Inspiron notebooks sold thru the Home and Home Office division.

These computers are a bit harder to find on the Dell web site. To locate the Home and Home Office division models with Windows XP, go to the Dell web site. Hover over the "Desktops" link or the "Notebooks" link and click Home and Home Office. On the right side of the page that opens there is a "More Details" link beneath "Still looking for Windows XP?". The models are listed at the bottom of the page that opens that can be configured with either XP Pro or XP Home as you like.

04/2007 Question:
What is the difference between a Windows XP clean install and a repair install and when should either be done?

Answer:
Backup all of your important data before considering any of the options below!!! The information below is not meant to be a "how to" set of instructions, but merely an explanation of options.

A clean install of Windows XP will replace your current Windows installation. You will loose all of the programs, settings and the data files that were installed or created since the computer was turned on for the first time. This option might be the best choice if your Windows installation is damaged to the point where it cannot be repaired, perhaps by viruses or spyware. The clean install can also be a good choice if you want to completely "clean house" and start with a totally clean slate. Be aware that you will need a copy of your computer's current hardware device drivers, software program installation CD's (including your XP cd and product key) and a current backup of all of your data files.

The repair install option will replace the Windows system files on your hard drive with the files from your XP CD. It will leave your applications, data files and settings intact, but Windows updates and service packs will need to be reapplied. This option would be a good choice if your Windows installation has been corrupted to the point where it will not boot. A repair install will replace system files altered by viruses and malware, but will not remove the virus or spyware problems like a clean install will. The repair install process will also ask you for your XP product key in order to complete.

Please be aware that many computers today come with restore cd's or a restore partition on the hard drive that is used to return your computer to day 1 condition. This solution will get your computer back up and running again, but you will loose all of the data and programs that you have installed in the process. Like the clean install option above, be sure to backup your data before using this option.

If your computer will not boot in order to backup your important data, it is possible that the files can be copied from the hard drive before trying one of the options above. Please contact me for more information.

03/2007 Question:
Spam is driving me crazy. Is there an effective spam filter for Outlook that is free?

Answer:
I have been evaluating a free Outlook spam filter that works very well. It is called SpamBayes. SpamBayes is an open source project tool used to segregate unwanted mail (spam) from the mail you want. The program will train itself to learn what is spam and what is not spam, or you can manually train the program by showing it a folder containing spam e-mails. SpamBayes continues the learning process as you use Outlook.

SpamBayes creates a toolbar and 2 new Outlook folders, Junk Suspects and Junk E-mail. Incoming e-mails that are recognized as spam are placed in the Junk E-mail folder. Incoming e-mails that are recognized as probable spam are placed in the Junk Suspects folder. E-mails that go to the Junk Suspects folder can be "deleted as spam" and will be moved to the Junk E-mail folder or "recovered from spam" and will be moved back to your inbox. The program continues to learn based on your indication of what is and is not spam. SpamBayes never deletes your e-mail. It simply moves suspect emails to the appropriate Junk E-mail or Junk Suspects folder and lets you decide what to do from there.

SpamBayes is compatible with Outlook 2000 and above. It is not compatible with Outlook Express. It can also be installed on computers using Outlook that connect to an Exchange Server. As a precaution, before installing SpamBayes you should backup your Outlook .pst file (not required for Exchange clients). Visit the SpamBayes FAQ site for more information on the program. SpamBayes can be downloaded from their web site.

02/2007 Question:
Now that Windows Vista has been released, should I upgrade my computer?

Answer:
There are several factors to consider before making the upgrade jump to Windows Vista. In my mind, the first consideration is stability and reliability. Historically, Microsoft's new Windows releases undergo some growing pains initially. Windows XP and Windows 2000 are both very mature and stable operating systems. I would suggest waiting until the first Vista service pack is released before upgrading XP or Windows 2000 to Vista, especially if stability and reliability are critical to you.

Another consideration is Vista's hardware and software compatibility for your computer. Microsoft has provided a tool called the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor that will test your computer for hardware and software compatibility. When running the tool on my primary system (Dell Dimension 8400 P4 3.2GHZ processor, 2GB ram and 128MB video card), the tool found that my Microtek scanner, antivirus program, DVD burning program, HP photo printer, backup program, disk defragger and video card driver would either be incompatible or would need to be updated or replaced. Your results may vary depending on your hardware and software configuration, but running the Vista Upgrade advisor should definitely be done prior to purchasing the software. Waiting a while before making the Vista upgrade leap will also give software and hardware manufacturers more time to prepare drivers and updates for programs and peripherals that are not currently compatible with Vista.

Realistic hardware requirements to run Vista's new Aero interface include a fast, current generation Pentium 4 or Dual Core processor, 1GB of ram (2GB is better), a compatible (with Vista compatible drivers) video card with 128MB of video ram, a DVD-rom drive and an Internet connection.

If you purchase a new computer with Vista preinstalled, hardware and software compatibility will be less of an issue. The Vista Upgrade Advisor will indicate if the programs and peripherals that you already own that will need to be installed on the new Vista computer are compatible, if they are already installed or connected to your current computer. However, make sure that the version of Vista that comes with your new PC is the right version for your needs. For more information on Windows Vista, visit their web site to learn about the different Vista versions, features and hardware requirements.

01/2007 Question:
Is there a good online file storage or backup option that is free?

Answer:
Yes, there are 2 free online file storage options that get consistently good reviews, Mozy and Xdrive. Both sites feature SSL encryption for data security.

Mozy provides a free 2GB file storage/backup account that includes automatic, continuous backups and allows you to access those files from any computer with an internet connection. The free Mozy account is for personal use only. They also offer MozyPro for business users which offers additional features and is a fee based account.

Xdrive's free online storage/backup account provides 5GB of storage space. Like Mozy, Xdrive also provides an automatic scheduled backup feature and allows you to access those files from any computer with an internet connection. Xdrive requires an AOL screen name, which can be created for free or an existing AIM account to use the free Xdrive service.

12/2006 Question:
Do you recommend downloading Internet Explorer 7 from Windows Update? Is there a compatibility issue with QuickBooks?

Answer:
Yes I do recommend IE7, unless you are using any version of QuickBooks earlier than 2007. The recently released versions of QuickBooks 2007 and Enterprise 7 are compatible with IE7. Intuit has released patches for QuickBooks 2006 and Enterprise 6.0 to make them compatible with IE7. Patches for QuickBooks 2005 and Enterprise 5.0 are supposed to be available sometime this month.

If you are currently using QuickBooks 2004 or Enterprise 4.0 or earlier, Intuit says these versions are not compatible with IE7 and to stay with Internet Explorer 6, unless of course you want to upgrade to the current version of QuickBooks. Intuit also suggests that if you have installed the IE7 update and have a QuickBooks version that is not compatible with IE7, that you should uninstall the IE7 update and return to IE6.

Intuit has a web site with all of this information and links to the patches reference above at their IE7 Resource Center.

PC Answer Man has provided onsite services in the Denver and Boulder Metro Area since 2002.

CompTIA A+ and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOUS) Certified.