microsoft

Continuing on with our Feature Article on Registry Mechanic, here are some top Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows Registry, courtesy of WinGuides.com: Q: Do I really need to fix registry problems? A: In short, yes. If you don't fix ... registry problems when they arise or try and prevent them from even happening at all, then you may soon find yourself faced with sudden crashes, system stalls, or a severe degradation in operating speed. Working to fix registry issues and prevent system crashes should be a top priority whether you use your computer for business or pleasure, and you'll ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader 'Tom' asks: " Somewhere, someone told me about a website that allowed users to download a windows 98 Second Edition full CD that included all the critical updates. I also heard that you needed to use the original CD key to use ... this install. Do you happen to know if this is true, and if so, what is the web site? " My response: As far as I understand, it would be illegal to distribute any Microsoft product that is normally for sale (I.E.: the Windows Operating System itself -- Service Packs , on the other hand, are free). On that note, I happened to stumble across ... (view more)

Can OEM software be sold at ridiculously cheap prices? That was the question which Infopackets Reader Pete N. pondered last week: " Dear Dennis, My email box has been bombarded lately -- as I'm sure most of your readers have -- with solicitations ... for OEM Software (sans the box and manual) available at ridiculously cheap prices. The deal is very tempting, but can you tell me the pros and cons of buying and using this stuff? I find it hard to believe that the only difference [when purchasing OEM software] is that you don't get the manuals and boxes. Can you explain? " After composing ... (view more)

Recall -- Infopackets Reader Marie 'ChameleonsGirl' asked if it was possible to use the same copy of Windows XP that came with her new computer and install it onto her second computer. My response was that Microsoft has designed Windows XP so that ... it can only be activated on 1 computer (per copy). This is a form of copy protection and is aimed at stopping software piracy, and works something like this: You buy Windows XP on CD (or it comes with your computer) and includes a registration number. The Windows XP activation program looks at each hardware component inside your computer, gathers ... (view more)

Die-hard Infopackets Reader Colette C. writes: " Dear Dennis, I love your newsletter! It's very informative and gives us 'technologically challenged' folk a chance to understand what the heck is going on in the world of computers. Speaking of 'What ... the heck is going on?'... Occasionally, an error message appears in Internet Explorer when I try to print out something. It reads: 'Internet Explorer Script Error: An error has occurred in the script on this page. Error: Access is denied. Line: 93 Char: 1, Error: Access denied: 0, URL: res://C:\WINDOWS \ SYSTEM \ SHDOCLC.DLL / preview.dlg. Do ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Pam S. writes: " Dear Dennis, I love your newsletter and it has helped me very much! One problem I've been having with my computer is the inability to run Java Scripts over the web. When my computer tries to initiate Java, a ... Window appears and tells me that it is missing shortcuts and cannot continue to run. I was told by a friend that I will have to reformat and possibly change operating systems ... I found that Windows 2000 was too difficult to use, so at this point, I reformatted and installed Windows XP Pro. Will I have to reformat again? " My response: As I ... (view more)

This feature article is just a quick note to let you know that Microsoft has released 4 critical updates and 1 "important" update on October 15, 2003. Each critical exploit can allow a hacker to execute arbitrary code and gain access to your PC. ... Affected machines are those which are running Windows ME, NT, 2000, XP and 2003 Server (source: MS Bulletins MS03-041~44: October 15, 2003). Yikes! If you haven't already downloaded the patches via Windows Automatic Update or the Windows Update Web site, you can visit the Microsoft web site to learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/security/ ... (view more)

I received some alarming email from my Internet Service Provider (ISP) today and thought I would pass along the word. There has been a major security threat issued for all users of Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, XP and Server 2003 (RE: Knowledge Base ... Article #824146). All of those who are affected need to download a patch immediately in order to resolve this breach. In short, "A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to remotely compromise a computer running Microsoft Windows and gain complete control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing an ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Stephen K. writes: " Dear Dennis, I’m running Outlook 2002 on a Windows XP-Home OS. Recently I cancelled one of my recurring appointments (a Weekly Meeting), and deleted it from my Outlook Calendar. Unfortunately, the same  ...reminder continues to show up on my Outlook Daily Reminder List. When I try to postpone or delete if from this list, I get the following messages: Error Message 1: 'Cannot turn off the reminder. You may be reminded again. The message you specified cannot be found.' Clicking OK, the only option, leads to the next error message. Error Message 2: 'There ...<a href="/news/9204/ms-outlook-reminder-stuck-loop" class="more-link">view more