Computer Info – July 26, 2000
This Week’s Program
John is here from England this
week and his topic will be What is a PDF and do I need it??
He ask if we would add these
two web sites to the handout
Where to get the PDF Maker ----
http://www.five-d.com/about_pdf_creator.htm
Where to get the PDF Reader ----
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Windows Error Messages
"A fatal exception XX has occurred at 00457:000040Bi"
Fatal exceptions are nasty
processor errors that can bring the system to its knees. The XX represents
a specific processor error code, such as 00 for a divide by zero fault
or 13 for a General Protection Fault. Windows 98 is a little better about
recovering from fatal exception errors than other Windows operating systems,
but typically the only thing you can do when this error occurs is try to
save anything you can (usually impossible) and restart the
computer. Use the Start menu’s Shut Down command if possible. If that doesn’t
work, you may have to press CTRL-ALT-DELETE one or more times to get the
computer to respond. If all else fails, use the Power or Reset button on
the front of the computer.
"A file being copied is older than the file currently on your computer."
If this message appears
when you are installing some hardware or software, it means the application
or hardware device driver software is attempting to overwrite a file already
installed on your hard drive with an older version of that file. Always
click Yes to skip copying the file and keep the newer version. Usually
programs run better when you leave the newer version alone.
"Data Error Reading Drive C:" or "Error Reading Drive C:" or "Serious
Disk Error Writing Drive C:"
These are some of the scarier
hard drive errors: They usually mean horrible, expensive trouble. Some
times the errors being reported are repairable, and sometimes they mean
it’s time to buy a different hard drive, possibly losing everything on
your old one in the process. If Windows still runs and you can access it,
run ScanDisk. Click Start and choose Programs, then Accessories, then System
Tools, and click ScanDisk. Select your hard drive (C:) Select the Thorough
radio button and check the Automatically Fix Errors box before clicking
Start. This may fix the problem, but if not, you may be in serious trouble
that nothing short of a hard drive replacement will solve.
Much worse are the occasions
where the keyboard and mouse freeze for no apparent reason, and the system
just sits in a frozen state. There are no surefire ways to determine the
cause of these problems, especially because no telltale error message appears.
Just turn the computer off, wait a few seconds, restart it, and let ScanDisk
go to work. If the problem reappears, it may be time for a complete reinstallation
of Windows on a clean hard drive, coupled with fresh installations of your
hardware and software.
Windows ME
Windows 98 gets a makeover treatment
with the release this summer of Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows
Me (yes, it’s pronounced "me"). It is scheduled to be released on September
14th.
This version has both obvious
and not-so-obvious improvements. Among the latter is less dependence on
the underlying use of DOS (Microsoft’s original operating system), which
Windows has been built upon since version 1.0 in the late 1980s. This should
mean fewer crashes.
Without DOS holding it back,
Windows should start up faster. With some new computer systems, booting
with a clean install (meaning no other applications are launching at start-up
time) of Windows Me is supposed to take less than 30 seconds.
The new Media Player 7.0
is more than just for video playback: it’s now a full-fledged jukebox system
for audio and video. It will open or play almost any kind of multimedia
file you can imagine. Borrowing from competitors such as Sonique and Music
Match Jukebox, Media Player also is "skinable" for the first time. In other
words, the look can be highly customized, with users choosing from a variety
of "skins" and animated displays that gyrate when music or movies are playing.
Like its competitors, Media Player also has a built-in graphic equalizer
and special video controls to tweak color, brightness, hue and the like.
And, of course, Media Player is tightly linked with the Internet, providing
linkage to Web sites that make use of its many multimedia capabilities.
One of the new features
is Microsoft Movie Maker, an application that allows you to convert (with
optional adapter), store and edit home videos on your computer, as well
as create slide shows with digitized still photos. Without any additional
software, you can import a picture from a digital camera or scanner onto
your computer.
Microsoft is including support
for linking to the next generation of home appliances using the Universal
Plug and Play standard.
It will include features
like System Restore and System File Protection. It’s almost impossible
to accidentally mess up your system by deleting files the computer needs.
Windows Me will return your computer to its original settings. If you make
a mistake with your settings and want to return your computer to a time
and day when everything operated perfectly, simply activate System Restore.
When you restart your computer, it will operate as it did prior to any
problems.
Internet Explorer 5.5 will
be included.
Will you need Windows Me
when it comes out? If your current setup works for you, don’t spend the
$100. But if you’re thinking of getting a new system and it comes with
Me, don’t hesitate: you’ll likely enjoy the experience.
Security Vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook
Two independent researchers
have discovered a new way to include malicious code inside Microsoft Outlook
e-mail, making it much easier for a hacker to control another person's
computer, the software company said today (July, 2000).
"Clearly this is a serious
vulnerability," Scott Culp, Microsoft’s security program manager told ABCNEWS.com
in a telephone interview from company headquarters in Redmond, Wash. He
said the company will soon make available software that users can download
to fix the problem. Unlike other viruses, or "worms," the e-mail user isn’t
required to click on an attachment or read, preview or forward the e-mail
to activate the virus. Simply downloading one’s e-mail is enough to activate
the code.
Home users, running Microsoft’s
Outlook or Outlook Express e-mail programs, are at risk. Outlook Express
comes bundled with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser, which is the
most popular Internet browser in use.
Microsoft’s Culp said the
problem component is actually in Internet Explorer, and the company suggests
that users upgrade to Internet Explorer version 5.01 Service Pack 1, which
can be found free on Microsoft’s Web site. That version is not vulnerable
to this problem. Internet Explorer 5.5 is also safe for all users except
for people running the Windows 2000 operating system. Those users should
also get IE 5.01 SP1.
Web Site
Search and Get There Faster (Langenberg.Com)
http://www.langenberg.com/
The one stop information site for Florida’s government
http://www.myflorida.com
Links to useful sites for Seniors and their loved ones
http://www.friendly4seniors.com/
Shopping for craft supplies and project ideas
http://www.craftclick.com
Craft search engine
http://www.craftsearch.com