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.

7/2010 Question:
What is the best way to share files between my computer and my mobile device? Also, is there a way to keep the files synchronized once they have been edited on either device?

Answer:
Today's mobile devices have an extraordinary array of features and application offerings. The best solution for you that I am aware of is an application called Dropbox. I use it on my desktop computer and on my Android phone. Currently, there are Dropbox versions available for Windows, Mac and Linux computers as well as iPhone, Android phones and the iPad. A Blackberry version of Dropbox is currently being developed.

Dropbox offers 2GB of file storage for free with more storage available for a monthly fee. Some of The features that you get with your dropbox account include:

• Sync your files online and across your computers automatically
• File Sharing which allows several people to collaborate on a set of files
• Online automatic backup of your files
• Web Access of your files from any computer or mobile device
• Security & Privacy as all files stored on Dropbox servers are encrypted
• Free Dropbox application for your computer, iPhone, iPad, and Android phones

Using Dropbox is very easy, very secure and very FREE for the 2GB account. The features listed above are only a brief overview of what this service offers. Visit the Dropbox web site to learn more.

6/2010 Question:
I am confused by the Libraries feature in Windows 7. What does it do and how does it work?

Answer:
Windows 7 Libraries are a simple way to organize your files and folders. A Library provides a central place to manage files that are located in multiple locations throughout your computer. An example might be that you are working on a project that includes some photos, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and a couple of songs. You can create a library that contains all of these files in one location for more convenient access when you want to work on the project.

There are 4 Libraries that are created by default in Windows 7 - Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos. Libraries are accessible from the navigation pane in Windows Explorer at any time. To create a new Library, click the Libraries link in the Windows Explorer navigation pane, click the New Library button and give it a name. Open your new Library and you will be prompted to add files and folders to it.

Another way to add content to an existing Library is to right-click on a file or folder, select Include in library from the context menu, then choose the your Library from the list. Keep in mind that when you add a file or folder to a library, you are not actually moving it from it's current location, you are simply adding it to an organizational container.

4/2010 Question:
I have recently purchased a Windows 7 laptop. There are 2 things about Windows 7 that I have not been able to figure out. When opening Windows Explorer or Computer, I miss the Windows XP menu bar (File, Edit, View, Tools, Help). Is there a way to have the menu bar in Windows 7? My second question also has to do with the Computer window. My laptop has a built-in card reader but it's drive letter does not appear in the Computer window. Why is that the case?

Answer:
The menu bar for Windows Explorer and Computer is indeed available in Windows 7. Simply press the ALT key to display the menu bar. If you want the menu bar to always be displayed by default, open Control Panel, choose Folder Options and click the View tab. In the Advanced Settings Files and Folders section click the Always show menus box and click OK. The menu bar will now appear in all windows that support this function.

By default, Windows 7 will show your card reader's drive letter in the Computer window when a memory card has been inserted. To show your car reader's drive letter at all times, go back to Control Panel/Folder Options and click the View tab. In the Advanced Settings Files and Folders section click the Show drive letters box and click OK.

3/2010 Question:
What happened to the quick launch toolbar in Windows 7? I can't figure out how to enable it.

Answer:
The Windows 7 quick launch toolbar is still available, but it's location is hidden. Before you can enable the quick launch toolbar, you must enable "show hidden files" in the control panel/folder options/view tab.

You can enable it by right clicking the taskbar and selecting Toolbar/New toolbar. You must then navigate to and select the C:\ Users \ your_user_name \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Quick Launch folder to add the toolbar.

An alternative to using the quick launch toolbar that offers more flexibility is to create a folder anywhere on your computer that you like and then create or copy shortcuts for the programs that you want into that folder. Then, simply right click the taskbar and select Toolbar/New toolbar and point it the new folder that you created.

After your new toolbar has been added, right click the taskbar and uncheck "Lock the Taskbar" to move or expand the toolbar to the desired location on the taskbar. After doing so, you can re-lock the taskbar. You can also control whether the toolbar displays a title and icon text by right clicking the new toolbar and checking or unchecking those options.

2/2010 Question:
I have a laptop that I use with my office network and at home. I need to be able to access files and folders from my office network when I am out of the office. Currently, I e-mail the files to myself if I need to use them when I am not connected to my office network. Is there a better way to make my files available when I am out of the office?

Answer:
Recent versions of Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) include a feature called offline files that allows you to synchronize files and folders that are stored on your office network or server to your computer's hard drive. When files and folders are configured as offline files, they are copied to your computer's hard drive and are available when you are not connected to your office network. When you make changes to offline files, the files can be automatically synchronized the next time you connect to the office network folder.

There are a couple of caveats to be aware of relating to offline files. You need to be sure that your computer's hard drive has enough free space for the files and folders it currently contains as well as the offline content that you want to synchronize. Additionally, not all versions of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 have the offline files feature. Only XP Professional, and the Business, Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 support offline files.

The links below explain how to configure offline files for the different versions of Windows:
Windows XP offline files
Windows Vista offline files
Windows 7 offline files

1/2010 Question:
I am interested in an online backup solution for my home computer as well as for my small business. What are the best options currently available?

Answer:
Two of the most popular and best reviewed online backup solutions today are Mozy and Carbonite. Both companies offer unlimited storage, online file recovery, data encryption security, automatic and scheduled backups and affordable pricing. Mozy offers a solution for both home users and for business workstation and server backup requirements.

One significant distinction between the 2 services is that Carbonite cannot backup NAS drives or external hard drives that are not always connected and powered up. The Mozy service does not have that limitation. A brief feature description of both services appears below.

Carbonite - $54.95/year:

• Unlimited Backup Capacity
• Completely Automatic
• Secure and Encrypted
• Easy File Recovery

Mozy Home - $4.95/mo:

• Open/locked file support: Mozy will back up your documents whether they're open or closed.
• 128-bit SSL encryption: The same technology used by banks secures your data during the backup process.
• 448-bit Blowfish encryption: Secures your files while in storage, providing peace of mind that your private data is safe from hackers.
• Automatic: Schedule the times to back up and MozyHome does the rest.
• New and changed file detection: MozyHome finds and saves the smallest changes.
• Backs up Outlook files: Disaster-proof email protection.
• Block-level incremental backup: After the initial backup, MozyHome only backs up files that have been added or changed, making subsequent backups lightning fast.

Mozy Pro (business):

• Version (snapshot) support: Restore file versions up to 30 days in the past.
• SQL, Exchange, and network drive support: Mozy backs up common business applications running on Windows servers.
• Windows and Mac support: MozyPro supports Windows (2000, XP, 2003, and Vista, including servers) and Mac OS X (10.4 and 10.5, desktop and server) operating systems.
• Open and locked file support: MozyPro backs up all open and locked files, including Outlook PST file
• Desktop Licenses: $3.95 + $0.50/GB per month
• Server Licenses: $6.95 + $0.50/GB per month

12/2009 Question:
I am going to buy Windows 7 for one of my existing computers. Do I have to buy the Full retail version or can I buy the cheaper Upgrade version?

Answer:
Depending on the Windows 7 version you buy, there is a $70 - $100 difference in price between the Full and Upgrade versions of the software. It has been confirmed that the Upgrade versions of Windows 7 will install and validate successfully regardless of the Windows version you currently have installed on your PC, or even if Windows is not installed at all.

In his November 12 article, Woody Leonhard of Windows Secrets writes:
"If you have a version of Windows running on your PC, start Windows, insert the Windows 7 upgrade DVD, and follow the on-screen instructions. (All of the usual caveats about first backing up your data apply, of course.) If you wish, you can reformat your hard drive at the beginning of the installation process. This wipes out all the old data stored on the drive.

In my testing, as long as I started the Win7 installation from within Windows, the upgrade key passed validation. It didn't matter, in my test runs, whether the PC's previous version of Windows had ever been validated as "genuine" or not.

If you don't have Windows running — for example, if you're installing the OS on a new hard drive — boot from the Win7 upgrade DVD and follow the on-screen instructions. Chances are good that Windows 7 will validate immediately, even if there was no copy of Windows on the drive beforehand. If it does not, Microsoft recommends that you call the company to validate your copy of Win7 over the phone. In my experience, phone validation works quickly and easily. The people answering the phone bend over backwards to get Win7 validated."

In view of this information, if you are going to purchase a version of Windows 7, there appears to be no reason to purchase the Full version over the cheaper Upgrade version.

11/2009 Question:
My computer is a few years old but still runs very well. My problem is that I am running out of hard drive space due to all of the photos and music that I have accumulated. I don't have time to re-build the computer from scratch using a new, larger hard drive. What is my best option?

Answer:
New hard drives are very inexpensive these days. A 1TB (1000 Gigabytes) drive can be purchased for about $100.00 from Newegg.com or other online retailers. I have the ability to "clone" the old hard drive to a new, larger capacity drive without having to re-build a computer from scratch. The cloning process can usually be completed in an hour or so compared to a complete re-build process which requires re-installing and configuring Windows, all programs, printer software and restoring all of your data. By comparison, the re-build process can take many hours to complete.

An added benefit to this approach is that after the cloning process is completed, the old hard drive can be formatted and used as a backup drive mounted in an external USB drive enclosure for portable data storage or as a second drive in the computer.

10/2009 Question:
I understand that Windows 7 is going to be released by Microsoft later this month. I am using Windows Vista and Windows XP on my computers, is it worth upgrading to Windows 7?

Answer:
Windows 7 releases to the public on 10/22/09 and appears to be the best operating system that Microsoft has released since Windows XP. It is essentially a slimmed down version of Vista that runs faster, boots faster, shuts down faster and uses fewer system resources than Vista. This means that it will run better on computers that have slower processors and less RAM compared to Vista.

Most of the Vista annoyances have been addressed and corrected, such as the intrusive User Account Control (UAC) feature and slow performance when using the Aero interface. Windows 7 supports a new feature called XP Mode which provides better support for legacy software that would not run in Windows Vista. XP Mode will be made available as a free download for users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions only. It will not be available for Windows 7 Starter and Home Premium versions.

After reading hundreds of Windows 7 reviews during and after beta testing, I have yet to see any substantive negatives about this new operating system. It has been pretty much universally praised and reviewed. As with any operating system upgrade, it is wise to confirm if your existing hardware and software will run on the new OS. Microsoft offers a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor download that will identify hardware and software compatibility issues for your computer.

Regarding upgrading existing XP or Vista computers to Windows 7, I offer the following advice. The upgrade process from XP requires a clean install of Windows 7. In other words, you will need to backup your data, install Windows 7 (replacing your XP installation), re-install all of your software and restore your data to complete the process. Windows Vista can be upgraded in-place without having to re-install all of your programs. However, backing up your data first is still a great idea.

As a rule, I would not consider upgrading an XP computer to Windows 7 due to the cost and time required for the clean install and program re-installation. Additionally, on Vista computers, I would consider waiting a few months to upgrade for Microsoft to iron out any remaining "New Release" issues. On new computer purchases, Windows 7 would be a great choice. For more information on Windows 7 features and versions, visit the Windows 7 web site.

09/2009 Question:
I need to be able to access my office computer when I am out of the office. Is there a free or low cost service that allows me to do this?

Answer:
There are a couple of options to consider depending on the remote access features that you need. LogMeIn Free will allow you to connect remotely to your office computer and run programs, print to your office printer or collect email as though you were at the office. However, this free version does not support file transfers between computers. LogMeIn Pro supports drag-&-drop file transfers and remote-to-local printing. The Pro version sells for $12.20 per month or $69.95 per year.

Another affordable paid remote access service is GoToMyPc. This service cost's $19.95 per month or $179.40 per year. GoToMyPC is highly rated and is a very popular remote access solution. Both LogMeIn and GoToMyPC offer free trials for download. Both services (paid versions only) also support remote connection using mobile devices that are web enabled.

08/2009 Question:
I'm concerned about online security. I have a Gmail account and other online accounts that are password protected. What steps can I take to protect my online accounts and data and reduce the possibility that hackers can gain access to my information?

Answer:
This is a very important concern for everybody that has online accounts and data. People with web based email accounts need to make sure that password lists, bank account and credit card numbers, social security numbers and other sensitive personal information is not being stored somewhere in their Gmail, Yahoo or Windows Live email accounts. These accounts are subject to being hacked and sensitive information accessed.

Also, it is important to have a strong password for all online accounts and web sites to make it more difficult for individuals or hacker bots to guess. A recently discovered and corrected flaw with Gmail accounts called session riding allowed anyone with a Gmail account to guess another Gmail user's password 100 times every two hours, or 1,200 times per day. Using strong passwords can help to reduce to possibility that your online accounts will be hacked.

The components of a strong password are length, randomness, and the use of different types of characters. Random passwords use upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. The more characters your passwords have makes them harder to guess. Microsoft has a Password Checker site that allows you to enter a password and have it's strength rated. You might be surprised to learn that your super secret passwords might not be so secure at all.

07/2009 Question:
I just added a second hard drive to my computer and I am concerned that my computer is running too hot. How can I monitor the internal temperatures of my system components?

Answer:
The ability to monitor the operating temperatures of hard drives and video cards is important. Above average temperatures can shorten the life span of hard drives and GPU's (graphics processing units). HWmonitor is a free application that can report the operating temperature of these devices as well as other system components depending on the age of your computer. It is compatible with all versions of Windows.

06/2009 Question:
What have you heard about a recent Microsoft update that created a vulnerability in the Firefox web browser? Is this something I should be concerned about?

Answer:
If you use Firefox, I would definitely read this information. Microsoft recently released a Windows update that added a Microsoft .Net Framework Assistant 1.0 extension to Firefox that could expose it to .Net security issues in Windows XP and Vista. Microsoft wrote the extension in such a way that its Uninstall button was grayed out and unusable in Firefox. This extension implements a technology called ClickOnce. It allows .NET apps to be downloaded and executed within browsers other than Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, this technology can also allow hacked Web sites to infect PCs. However, the steps below will allow you to uninstall or disable the Microsoft Assistant 1.0 extension in Firefox if it has been installed.

Check whether the Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.0 is installed. In Firefox, pull down the Tools menu and select Add-ons. In the Add-ons dialog box, click Extensions. If you don't see .NET Framework Assistant 1.0, the extension is not installed and you are done.

If you do find the extension, I recommend that you remove it to reduce your vulnerability to possible security flaws. Choose one of the 2 options shown below.

Install the Microsoft fix option - Installing this update enables Firefox's Uninstall button for the extension. To install the official update, visit Microsoft's download page and download the x86.exe file (32 bit version of Windows) or the x64.exe file (64 bit version of Windows). Once the update is installed, launch Firefox, go back to Tools/Add-ons/Extensions and click the Microsoft .Net Framework Assistant entry. You will see that the extension will be updated once Firefox is restarted. Click the restart Firefox button. Once Firefox has restarted, go back to Tools/Add-ons/Extensions, click the Microsoft .Net Framework Assistant 1.0 entry, then click the Uninstall button and allow Firefox to restart.

Disable the extension option - Using the Add-ons dialog box to disable the extension prevents it from running and protects Firefox from potential security flaws. You might disable the extension instead of uninstalling it if your company insists that you use Firefox to run a .NET app, but you don't wish to be vulnerable when visiting random Web sites. To disable Microsoft .Net Framework Assistant 1.0 (or any Firefox extension), pull down Firefox's Tools menu, select Add-ons and click Extensions. In the dialog box that appears, select the unwanted extension and click the Disable button. Close the dialog box.

05/2009 Question:
I am having problems playing various video files and DVD's on my computer. I keep getting error messages about missing codecs and the files will not play. What program do you recommend that can resolve my problem?

Answer:
My favorite program for playing all types of audio and video files is VLC Media Player. This program is Open Source and is completely free. It can play virtually every type of audio and video file format regardless if a media codec is installed. The program is fast, uses very few system resources and has an amazing number of configuration options. It can play DVD movies and even has the ability to act as a network streaming media server.

The program can be downloaded from the VideoLan Web Site and is available for Windows and Mac OS X. If this program doesn't solve your audio and video playback problems, nothing else will.

04/2009 Question:
How serious is the Conficker worm that is scheduled to activate on April Fools Day 2009?

Answer:
Conficker (also known as Conflicker) is a computer worm that surfaced in October 2008 and targets the Microsoft Windows operating system. Computers infected with the Conficker worm will start scanning the Internet for it's destructive instructions on 4/1/09. Most Windows users don't have computers infected with Conficker. The majority of the affected machines are in China, Russia, India, Brazil, and Argentina where many people use pirated Windows copies.

Microsoft released the KB958644 security update in October of 2008 which patched the vulnerability in Windows that allowed for a Conficker infection. If this update was installed on your computer you should not be at risk from the Conficker worm. If it is not installed, you should download the KB958644 Update and install it immediately.

Here is how to verify that the KB958644 Update is installed on your computer. For Windows XP users, open Control Panel and then open Add or Remove Programs. Click the Show Updates box and verify if KB958644 is on the installed updates list. For Windows Vista users, open Control Panel and then open Programs and Features. Click the View Installed Updates link and verify if KB958644 is on the installed updates list.

Additionally, if you are unsure if you are infected or are at risk of a Conficker infection, you can download and run the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool which will detect and remove the infection. Also, third party virus scanners should detect the worm.

03/2009 Question:
I am tired of spending so much money for an office productivity suite for all of my computers. Is there a good alternative to Microsoft Office?

Answer:
Yes, there is an alternative to Microsoft Office that is a very comprehensive office productivity suite. It is called OpenOffice.org 3.0.1 and it is TOTALLY FREE! It includes six basic components: Writer (a word processor and HTML editor), Calc (a spreadsheet application), Draw (a graphics editor), Impress (a presentations program), Math (an equation editor), and Base (a database application). It does not include an Outlook equivalent for e-mail. However, Mozilla Thunderbird and Windows Live Mail are both good free alternatives.

It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux and has virtually the same user interface as Office 2003 and therefore is very familiar to everyone. It can open all of the Office file types (including Office 2007 files) and does a great job of preserving Office document formatting. It even includes the ability to export documents in .PDF format. Documents can be saved in their native file type (.doc, .xls etc.).

The recently released version 3.0.1 includes a grammar and spell checker for Writer and is faster and more flexible that previous versions.

02/2009 Question:
My LCD monitor has a red pixel in the middle of the screen that is driving me nuts. Is there any way to repair it?

Answer:
If the pixel is red, green, blue, or any combination of the three (including yellow, teal, purple or white), it is likely a stuck pixel and may possibly be fixed. A stuck pixel is a bright dot of color on a screen which emits color when it is not supposed to do so. If however it is a dead pixel, a defective pixel that remains unlit on an LCD screen, it cannot be fixed. Dead pixels are always black and are most noticeable on a white background.

There are 3 ways to repair a stuck pixel, the software method, the pressure method and the tapping method. The pressure method and the tapping method should be done with care as these approaches can possible lead to additional stuck pixels if not done carefully.

Software Method
Try running a free pixel fixing software such as JScreenfix. JScreenFix is an online Java application that can repair stuck pixels on LCD screens. If the software method fails, try one of the 2 options below.

Pressure Method

• Turn off your monitor.
• Use a damp washcloth so you don't scratch your screen. Use a household pen, pencil, screwdriver or some other sort of instrument with a focused, but relatively dull, point. A very good tool would be a PDA stylus.
• Fold the washcloth to make sure you don't accidentally puncture it and scratch the screen. Apply pressure through the folded washcloth with the instrument to exactly where the stuck pixel is located. Try to not put pressure anywhere else, as this may create more stuck pixels.
• While applying pressure, turn on your monitor. Remove pressure and the stuck pixel should be gone.

Tapping Method

• Turn on the computer and monitor and display a black image, which will show the stuck pixel very clearly against the background.
• Find a pen with a rounded end. A Sharpie marker with the cap on should be fine for this.
• Use the rounded end of the pen to gently tap where the stuck pixel is - not too hard to start with, just enough to see a quick white glow under the point of contact. If you didn't see a white glow, then you didn't tap hard enough, so use just slightly more pressure this time.
• Start tapping gently. Increase the pressure on the taps gradually for 5-10 taps until the pixel rights itself.
• Display a white image (an empty text document is good for this) to verify that you haven't accidentally caused more damage than you fixed.

Please remember to use the pressure and tapping methods carefully so you don't create more stuck pixels in the process.

01/2009 Question:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a 64-bit Windows operating system?

Answer:
The features that make 64-bit Windows operating systems desirable are:

• The primary advantage of a 64-bit Windows operating system is that the data path is twice as big as a 32-bit operating system (OS) which allows twice as much data to flow or move providing faster performance while using larger amounts of RAM. This can be beneficial for 64-bit applications that are very resource intensive such as video editing, image editing and CAD applications working with very large files.
• A 64-bit Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise, or Vista Ultimate version will support up to 128GB of RAM compared to a 4GB limit on 32-bit XP and Vista. In order for a 64-bit version of Windows to be of value to you, you will also need a 64-bit compatible processor and 64-bit versions of the software that you plan to run. Without all three, you would be wasting your time.

To really make things run fast on a 64-bit system, you would want to install large amounts of RAM, 8GB or more, assuming that your software programs can address this additional memory.

The considerations that make a 64-bit OS inadvisable for ordinary users are:

• If you are considering an upgrade to a 64-bit OS for your existing computer, your CPU, motherboard, graphics adapter and other system components and peripherals may not support a 64-bit OS or have 64-bit drivers available.
• There are compatibility issues with old 16-bit Windows programs. This means ancient Windows 3.x software will not run.
• There are various application compatibility problems. This has improved considerably as of now, but there's still no blanket guarantee that a given piece of software, especially an older piece of software will run, even in 32-bit Vista.
• No compatibility with existing 32-bit drivers. Everything on your computer will need a new driver. 64-bit Windows XP is the same, and there aren't many 64-bit computers on which Vista won't at least install.

There are few reasons for normal users to get 64-bit Windows. It would not be any faster for 32-bit software, and unless you already know of some piece of 64-bit software that you really want to run, there would be no real benefit.

12/2008 Question:
My friend's computer was infected by the Mebroot rootkit. He had to format his hard drive and reinstall Windows to get rid of it. Is there a way to detect and remove Mebroot without having to do what he did?

Answer:
Mebroot is a rootkit, malware that takes control of your computer for a variety of purposes, none of which are good. Mebroot infects the master boot record (MBR), the first sector of a computer’s hard drive that the computer looks to before loading the operating system. Since it loads before anything else, Mebroot is nearly invisible to virus scanners and other security software and can be extremely difficult to remove. Your computer could be infected with Mebroot and you might never know about it.

F-Secure, a security software company provides a free rootkit scanner download that can detect and remove Mebroot and other rootkit variants in some cases. In other cases, the only solution is indeed to format the hard drive and reinstall Windows and all of your programs. The F-Secure utility is called Blacklight and a help page for using it can be found HERE. I suggest reading the help page completely before running the Blacklight scanner which can be downloaded HERE.

11/2008 Question:
I am having a problem with Windows Update on my Windows XP computer after installing service pack 3. It is able to download updates, but each update fails when being installed. This is the case when multiple updates or just a single update is selected. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer:
There are many possible reasons and Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that discuss why Windows Update can have problems downloading or installing updates. The most common reasons include a corrupted update catalog folder, an unregistered update service .dll file and problems with the Windows Update Agent.

Here is a LINK to a Microsoft Knowledge Base article that discusses in detail specific steps to take when Windows Update misbehaves after installing XP service pack 3 or doing a repair install of Windows XP. My own experience is that the easiest solution tends to be a simple download and re-install of the Windows Update Agent.

The Windows Update Agent download link for the 32 bit version of Windows is HERE and for the 64 bit version of Windows is HERE. Both Windows Update Agent download links above are good for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.

Odds are very high that you, like most people are running a 32 bit version of Windows. Here is a LINK that explains how to know for sure. I suggest saving the download to your desktop and then running the installation file. Re-boot your computer after the installation and see if you problem is resolved.

10/2008 Question:
Since CompUSA closed, I am having a hard time finding a computer store that has a good selection of products, software and upgrades. Where do you shop?

Answer:
I was a frequent shopper at CompUSA also. However since CompUSA closed, there is something of a void for good retail options. Best Buy, Office Depot and Circuit City appear to have recently reduced their inventory on computer components to a dramatic degree. Currently, Staples and Microcenter seem to offer the best selection of the retail stores in the Denver Metro area.

However, unless I need to make an immediate purchase, I do all of my shopping at Newegg.com. My experience has been that no retail store or web site offers better pricing and selection of products than Newegg. An added benefit of shopping at Newegg is that there are product reviews from previous buyers available on almost all of the products they sell that can help you to choose the right product.

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.