Chairman’s Notes
Sorry, the first meeting after an enforced summer break and
it is the AGM. We should be able get it
over very quickly and finish with something interesting.
We may have a prospective new member with us on Wednesday.
Dell System Crash
Shortly after turning on the PC it crashed with the blue
screen message STOP 0x000000ED, just prior to the crash the text message
“Loading PBR for descriptor 2…. Done” was shown. Dell systems have 3 PBRs (Primary Boot
Records), 1 is a Dell utility partition, 2 the OS and 3 the restore partition.
The recommended solution for this problem was to run chkdsk
/r via the Recovery Console, which is a bit of problem with an unbootable
system as Dell do not provide system disks.
The only solution is to hunt down a WinXP SP2 disk and boot with that.
Chkdsk /r solved the problem in time, the alternative proposed solution of
using fixmbr sounded too risky to even attempt as it frequently leaves systems
dead.
Network
A simple way to connect two XP (and I believe for other
operating systems) PCs as a network is to use a network crossover cable in the
network ports of the PCs, no router or hub needed. If you get messages about limited or no
connectivity you can eliminate network settings as the problem by running the
network connections dialogue. Go to
Start Run and type ncpa.cpl in the edit box.
When the dialogue opens right click the Local Area Connections entry and
click properties. Look for Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) select it and click Properties, click on “Use the following
IP address” button and enter 192.168.0.1 and Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0. Repeat on the other PC but us 192.168.0.2 and
the same Subnet Mask. This should ensure
the PCs talk together but if plam anything more complicated use the Network
Connection Setup Wizard. 192.168.x.x. is a set of IP addresses reserved for
local networks rather than the web, if you type this into a browser it does not
look beyond your modem/router it looks at your internal network. Network servers automatically assign PCs IP
addresses in this range.
AVG free
“Cannot launch AVG internet update” error may be a firewall
error try www.pcpro.co.uk/links/136qa1
for some info also try the AVG free forum at http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/
if the answer is not there you can try a post.
In the mean time you are unprotected by not having the latest antivirus
files, do a manual update from the Grisoft site of from www.pcpro.co.uk/links/136qa2
there are two files Priority Updates, the virus database and Recommended
Updates which also includes program updates.
Note to where you download the files, check that your PC time and date
are correct, and then open the AVG Control Centre and double click the Update
Manager and deselect ‘do not ask for the update source’ the run the update
browsing for the downloaded files when requested. Sometimes AVG does not realise it has updated
and you get the message reboot your system.
To correct this delete the wait4sd file, see www.pcpro.co.uk/links/136qa3
for further info.
Email images
Do you have spaces with little black squares with red
crosses in? These are blocked
images. You can unblock the images in
your email client.
Outlook: go to Tools | Options | Security | Download
Pictures | Change automatic settings.
Outlook Express: Tools | Options | Security | Download
Images
Thunderbird: Tools | Options | Privacy | Block download
images from remote server.
Images are blocked to prevent tracking from spam, only
unblock images if you know they are safe.
Rather than globally unblock images view them only from known
sources. Outlook and Thunderbird, and
probably Outlook Express, have message bar to allow you to do this. It is probably better to view all messages in
plain text, safe from nasties, before selecting to view in HTML to see the message
in its full glory. I have occasionally
seen emails containing only pictures, no plain text, the text was actually show
as a picture.
Spyware Doctor
Quicken currently has a problem with Spyware Doctor
preventing you entering your password.
Turn off Spyware Doctor, enter password, then turn it back on. Try different anti-spyware of contact Quicken
and PC Tools and encourage them to sort out the problem.
USB
There is a growing problem with USB devices not releasing
drive letters when they are removed even if you use the function to safely
remove devices. Plug your pen drive in
and it may install as drive F:, remove it and plug it in again, it is now drive
G: with drive F: still there. This will
continue until you reboot the PC. It
does appear to be a problem with third party software failing to release drive
letters. You can use msconfig to disable
items of software in turn but disable the wrong thing and you may be in trouble
having destabilised your system.
PC Myths Exposed
Downloading pirate movies from the net can land you in serious
trouble – True – Downloading of copyright material is theft and therefore
illegal, as much so as copying a DVD.
Large fines have been imposed.
Building your own PC is cheaper than buying one – False – It
is nearly always more expensive to build than to buy unless you are using parts
from your old PC to cut costs (this is really upgrading). Manufacturers can source components at far
less than we have to pay so for the same machine they will always be cheaper. If you want to use specific components not available
on a bought machine or just want the satisfaction of building one yourself, go
ahead.
All you need to stay safe is a good anti-virus program –
False – A good anti-virus program is a necessity but you also need a firewall
and anti-spyware. Some adsl modems
include a hardware firewall and Windows XP has half a firewall (protection
against incoming nasties but not preventing your data going out). Spyware installs itself on your machine and
sends out data on your internet activities.
Make sure Windows XP is upgraded to Service Pack 2 and Microsoft provide
free their Windows Anti-spyware now known as Windows Defender. This together with AdAware www.lavasoftusa.com
and Spybot www.safer-networking.org run regularly will provide a good
measure of protection.
Magnets will corrupt your data – True – Floppy disks are
particularly vulnerable although not used as much as previously, as are backup
tapes and hard drives. Keep them away
from magnets and speakers (proper computer speakers are shielded against
magnetic effects. CDs and DVDs store data optically and are immune, but beware
of scratches.
Hackers can destroy the data on your hard disk – True –
Hackers certainly can destroy data on your disk but they are far more likely to
steal it, things like bank account details.
A hackers life is made far more difficult by firewalls, antivirus
packages and turning your PC off when not in use.
Calendar 2006
Club night Wednesday
Sept 13th 2006
AGM and Backup
Oct 11th
2006 to be decided
MCC Committee 2005 - 2006
Contact/Chairman Robert Huggett 01628 623712
RobertVHuggett@aol.com
Treasurer
Dave Grant
Hints & Tips: Alan Everett aeverett@btinternet.com
Web-site Jim Borg-Cardona jimbcuk@aol.com
Editor All
contributions to this Newsletter should be sent to: Robert Huggett, 5 The
Points, Maidenhead. SL6 3AE
Tel: 01628 623712 Email: RobertVHuggett@aol.com
(All contributions to be
received 2 weeks before the next meeting to ensure inclusion)
Contributions may be
sent on:3.5’ PC disk in almost any format, E-mail attachment, or hardcopy.
Please Note: Selected items from this Newsletter may also be
published in MCC’s pages on the Internet.
Internet Home Page: http://website.lineone.net/~mcchome
The club meets on the
second Wednesday of each month at the offices of Zinsser Analytic,
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