Help: computer problem

03 Nov 01 - 10:10 AM (#585319)
Subject: computer problem
From: kendall

Suddenly, without warning, I am unable to open any links. I click on the blue clicky, the dotted outline appears, then it just lays there. Any ideas?

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03 Nov 01 - 10:35 AM (#585331)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Max

reboot

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03 Nov 01 - 10:44 AM (#585337)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Jeri

Another idea - maybe your computers eaten to many threads and it's time for a virtual purge. You may want to clear your cache.

Since you have clicky problems:

CLEARING YOUR BROWSER CACHE
In MSIE (Microsoft Internet Explorer):

• On the "tools" menu at the top of your browser, select "Internet Options."
• On the general tab, you will see a button that says "clear history" - click it.
• Still on "tools/Internet Options/general," click on the "delete files" button
• Then click on the "OK" button on the bottom of the grey box, and your browser should be clear of all old files. That should solve most problems.

In Netscape:

• Go to the "edit" menu on the top of your browser and select "preferences." In the box that opens, make sure you go first to the "Navigator" category, and then click the "clear history" button.
• Then go to the "Advanced" category, still in the same box, and click on the little "plus" sign before the word "advanced." the word "cache" will appear below "Advanced" - click on "cache."
• Click on the "clear memory cache" and then on the "clear disk cache" buttons.
• then click on the "OK" button on the bottom of the grey box, and your browser should be clear of all old files. That should solve most problems.

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03 Nov 01 - 02:11 PM (#585437)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Thanks for the tips so far, all I get is "This program is not responding etc.

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03 Nov 01 - 02:14 PM (#585438)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Clinton Hammond

ya... sounds very famillair... just shut it down, and restart it... you might need to ctrl-alt-del to really close it down totally...

you'll be fine...

;-)

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03 Nov 01 - 02:29 PM (#585443)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Amergin

try going to the control panel and then add/remove programs...and double click on microsoft interne explorer...and select the repair option...something in it may have gotten corrupted...or do a search for temporary internet files...and just empty all of those out...

though if you use nitscrape...try creating a new profile...

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03 Nov 01 - 03:11 PM (#585455)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Thanks, I'll try anything once, except, maybe incest or Morris Dancing...

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03 Nov 01 - 11:49 PM (#585564)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,andi

if all those don't work, you may have to reinstall notepad. This is a common problem and it is usually fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling notepad from the windows disk. ( if you don't have that check for the Cab file by going to find , files or folders, and do a search for *cab) andi

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04 Nov 01 - 01:22 AM (#585581)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Amos

Geezis, Kendall, whyncha just get a machine that works for you instead of making you work for it? Mebbe an IMac or one of them new G3s would keep you humming with much less down time. You know darn well mass consensus is almost a sure sign of mediocre compromise, now don'cha??

A

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04 Nov 01 - 08:25 AM (#585665)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

But, Amos, it was running just fine, then, suddenly, it developed a problem. Come to think of it, that's what they said about the Titanic.

OK, andi, I'll have a go at that.Thanks.

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04 Nov 01 - 08:35 AM (#585675)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Gareth

Kendall - only 1514 souls were lost when the RMS "TITANIC" went down.

Personally I always clean out the internet and temp file cr*p at least once a week - it may give me the minor hassel of resetting cookies - but it keeps it running smooth.

Gareth

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04 Nov 01 - 08:36 AM (#585676)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

there are scores of files with the cab prefix, how do I know which is which?

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04 Nov 01 - 08:49 AM (#585681)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Why do I need notepad anyway?

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04 Nov 01 - 10:48 AM (#585722)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Bill D

I had almost the identical problem a couple days ago, but all it seemed to be was that I had some sort of memory problem....I cleared caches, re-booted and it went away.

Now, there ARE Windows "temp" files and such that get very large and, I think, become part of the memory problem...ordinarily, anything in C:\windows\temp can be deleted, thus clearing space, if nothing else.

Still, as Max so eloquently said, re-booting generally clears these situations.

Do you have any helper application...like Norton Utilities?...and do you de-frag semi-regularly?

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04 Nov 01 - 10:50 AM (#585723)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,andi

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04 Nov 01 - 11:00 AM (#585726)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,andi

You need note pad because with out it the links won't work. If you have 100's of cab files you are looking for the windows ones. Which operating system are you using? If you have win 95 do a search for win98.cab. If you have win98 use, win98.cab. win95 has 35 cab files plus precopy one and precopy two and win 98 has about 70 plus precopy one and precopy two. if you have those you're set. andi

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04 Nov 01 - 11:06 AM (#585729)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Jeri

Kendall, Notepad - probably 'C:\Windows\Notepad.exe' - is a program used to read text files, and is one of the more useful programs I have. It's what normally opens all the 'readme' files that come with programs, it's what I use to 'View\Source' in MSIE so I can steal people's HTML. Don't screw with the .cab files unless you want to risk messing Windows up more than it is. Come to think of it, reinstalling Windows may be a last resort. (Well, reformatting your hard drive would be a last resort, but that's awful drastic.)

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04 Nov 01 - 11:22 AM (#585732)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,andi

Jeri,

He is merely check ing to see if he has them . then going to windows set up to uninstall and reinstall notepad. THe notepad.exe will merely run note pad, if it is not working correctly, ie not displaying links running it would not help. I do computer tech support for a living and would not asked anyone whose computer expertise I was not sure about to either mess with cabs or reinstall windows. but making sure you have the tools before you start a repair is the responsible thing to do. The notepad file can be uninstallled and reinstalled from windows set up ( found in the tabs accross the top of the add/remove programs section of controll panel). you go to the accessories section ( double clicking on the word accessories and take the check mark out of notepad click ok and yes if you get the littledialogue box saying are you sure, the apply then yes when asked to to restart. you will restart back in to controll panel. if you are not alredy there go back to accessories and put the check mark back into notepad and click ok and restart . If that does not fix it take it to a professional. andi ps, Jerri sorry for any confusion I caused you. I wa merely trying not to get ahead of the game before I found out if we had the tools to fix this. I would prefer to find out first rather than have him uninstall note pad and then find out we can't reinstall.

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04 Nov 01 - 11:35 AM (#585735)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Jeri

OK - I couldn't figure out what Notepad had to do with it, but I think I understand now. Sort of. I'm easily confused anyway, and had visions of disaster...

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04 Nov 01 - 11:54 AM (#585739)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,[e-mail]

I have just installed Windows 2000 professional and when I am using the Digital Tradition program Off-line I cannot hear tunes. It is OK when on the site live. Any ideas?

Alan

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04 Nov 01 - 12:18 PM (#585749)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Peter K (Fionn)

No big deal about Cab files - they're just copies of the operating system files. Not like registry files, for instance.

My guess is that all this advice (since, and apart from, Max's) is way over the top, and all will be well for Kendall, once the programme (in this case the browser) has been cloesd and restarted.

But where memory is getting used up in an unusual way, as in Bill D's post, or Windows itself is slowing down, or anything odd starts happening to the desktop, it is good housekeeping to suspect a viral infection. There are one or two around which are very prevalent, but fortunately not too destructive, that can get into some versions of Internet Explorer without you needing even to open the file that brings it in. This known weakness can be plugged by downloading a free file from Microsoft.

For more on this, try separate Google searches for "wscript" and "help.vbs".

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04 Nov 01 - 01:54 PM (#585790)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,andi

Alan,

Can you hear the tunes when you are online and can you hear tunes played from othr formats? andi

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04 Nov 01 - 04:14 PM (#585859)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I'm totally confused now. I'm just bearly computer literate, and all this gobbledegook is like Greek to me!

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04 Nov 01 - 04:22 PM (#585862)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Jon Freeman

Kendall, lets start at the beginning and see if we can work it out.

If you close your PC down and re-start it and then open Internet Explorer (Is that your browser?) and click on a link, does it work? If it does work, does the problem come back after a while?

Jon

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04 Nov 01 - 06:49 PM (#585913)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I do have IE. I can use all the links in mudcat, but, none of the links sent to me via e mail. I just ran de frag offline for two hours, and, it never got above 3%. At that point, it went back to 0. Maybe the problem is in Outlook express? Afriend once told me that I should delete the programs at the bottom of the screen before running scan disc or defrag.

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04 Nov 01 - 07:29 PM (#585928)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Ed

Can someone please explain what Andi has says regarding Notepad having some sort of effect on web browsers.

It sounds utterly absurd to me

Ed

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04 Nov 01 - 07:55 PM (#585936)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Ed.

In fact, I'll say with some certainty that 'Andi' is playing with us all.

Notepad my arse...

Kendall,

You could have made things clearer!

Everyone's been thinking that you had a problem with your browser rather than your Email client.

One thing's certain. It has nothing to do with Notepad.

Ignore everything Andi said

Ed

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04 Nov 01 - 08:13 PM (#585945)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Possibility 1: It was stated that the Links in mudcat open, but the links "somebody emailed me" won't open. It is entirely possible that the links are not good, or they are to sites that operate intermittently. Another possibility is that the email program does not have "links enabled." Try typing them into the IE header, or copy (CTL-C) and paste (CTL-V) them there and see if they work.

A known fault in IE, particularly with Win95/Win98, is that occasionally if you work offline, when you reconnect - or "unclick" the work offline setting, the registry entry does not update. Suggest look under "File" at the top of the IE window and make sure that there is not a check mark in front of it. If there is, there is a Mickey$oft fix, but I'd have to look it up.

When you navigate around the net, lots of sites put an obscene amount of stuff on your machine. The default setting for Win95/Win98 is use something like 60K max disk space for temp files. If you run out of space to flop trash in, the web stops working right. ALL of these files should be on the C:\ drive, in the Windows directory, Temporary Internet Files. Delete everything not obviously connected with a frequently used site. Files there should be *.cfm, and *.gif or *.jpg.

You can go to START - PROGRAM FILES - ACCESSORIES - SYSTEM TOOLS - DISK CLEANUP, to use the Win automated "get rid of crap" utility, although it does a fairly incomplete job.

In Internet Explorer, TOOLS - INTERNET OPTIONS, on the General tab, you can clear "Temporary Internet Files" and clear "History." This can often get rid of a lot of junk.

*.cab files (cabinet files) are the Mickey$oft special compressed files that contain installation information. Usually, but not always, Windows installation copies some of these to your C: drive. This makes them available to the Control Panel Add/Remove Software utility if you need file repair or minor changes to the Windows installation. (Note: Windows usually can't find them if you need them, but that's what they're there for.) There is generally no need to mess with them, but keep your installation CD handy.

It is my understanding that the downloadable DIGITRAD is a DOS program. Working offline in DOS or in a DOS window, you do not have access to the Windows sound sytem setup - unless you have configured DOS to make it available. When you're online, you are usually working in Windows, so different resources are available.

Guest, Ed - I don't find a need for Notepad to open links, although it's remotely possible that Windows uses it. It's a good program, and you should leave it alone. I think the mention was due to reading the original query as pertaining to opening the source code window perhaps?

Pause for reflection. Comments?

John

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04 Nov 01 - 08:14 PM (#585946)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I dont know what is causing it! How could I make it clearer?

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04 Nov 01 - 08:22 PM (#585952)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Ed

John,

I love notepad, and use it probably more than any other program.

However, I'd put good money on the fact that it has nothing to do with Kendall's difficulties, and that 'Andi' is talking shit

Ed

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04 Nov 01 - 08:25 PM (#585954)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


PS: re defrag.

It's a good idea to close all files when you run defrag.

Defrag has to look at what's on your drive in order to decide what to do to it. It stores the "state" of the drive, to use while it's working. If anything on the drive changes, it has to start over.

ANY program that's open can "ding" the drive, and even the most minor change causes a restart.

If the drive is "disorderly" defrag itself may need to write a scratch pad on the drive - and this is a change, so it has to start over.

Usually - depending on drive size - nothing actually gets changed until defrag gets to somewhere around 8 to 12 percent. That's when it finishes "analysing" and actually starts moving stuff around. Screen savers are a particular nuisance, especially if set to come on after a short time. A defrag on a 20MB disk can be expected to take up to 3 or 4 hours, depending on machine speed.

Defrag will also refuse to function if the free (unused) space on the drive is less than about 10 percent, since it needs that much room to sort the files. Defrag picks up any file that's out of order and writes it to the "end" of the disk. Then it goes to the end of the disk to pick clusters up in order and write them back where they "should" be - in order.

John

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04 Nov 01 - 08:34 PM (#585955)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


I sense frustration. Believe me - we all know the feeling.

Have you tried to clear windows temp files?

If not, click the start button at the bottom of the screen, run up the strip to "Program Files."

When the menu pops out, run up that menu to "Accessories."

When the next menu pops out, go to "Sytem Tools."

On the next menu click "Disk Cleanup."

It should come up with the C: drive selected, click ok. When it comes back, click okay again and let it "delete files."

Come back when done.

John

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04 Nov 01 - 08:58 PM (#585964)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I've dumped all temp files, and I just ran disc cleanup.

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04 Nov 01 - 09:11 PM (#585970)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Kendall:

Step 2:

At the top of the IE window you should see "Tools."

Click it, and select "Internet Options."

It should open a menu with the "General" tab on top.

The top section would be where you could change your home page. Don't worry about it for now - but I use mudcat.

The second section should be "Temporary Internet Files" and there will be a "Delete Files" and a "Settings" button.

Click the "Delete Files." (This won't remove your cookie.)
When it asks "are you sure" say Yes.

Then in the third section - "History," click the "Clear History" button, and when it argues with you tell it "yes- delete."

This should do a pretty thorough job of getting rid of trash in your temp files.

When you have finished this, "OK" to close the window, and I would suggest you reboot.

Click the "Start" button and select "Shut Down" at the bottom of the menu. You can choose "Restart" on the next menu, but I would recommend you choose "Shut Down."

When the machine shuts down, give it a good minute or two for the drives to coast down and for residuals in the ram to settle. Then turn back on, hook back up and come back.

John

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04 Nov 01 - 09:13 PM (#585971)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Jeri

I thought Andi suggested the Notepad stuff so Kendall could edit things down the road - .ini files, for example.

It sounds like the only program you're having problems with is Outlook...possibly with a .dll file Outlook uses. I don't have Outlook, so I can't really help with this. To those of you who do, would re-installing it cause him any problems?

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04 Nov 01 - 09:14 PM (#585972)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Jon Freeman

kendall, can I try a recap and see if I have this right.

1. You have no problems with links using Internet Explorer.

2. You can not open any links via Outlook Express.

If I have that right, what happens if you try to open a link in Outlook Express. Does IE open and freeze, does nothing happen, any error messages or what does happen?

Just a wild thought - probably miles out - I don't suppose you have downloaded and subsequently got rid of another browser?

Jon

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04 Nov 01 - 09:49 PM (#585984)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Amergin

What version of Outlook express do you have?

it is possible that your account has become corrupted some how...

Also, you might try going to tools accounts and removing your mail account...and then just rebuilding it...but first make sure you have the right settings...those can be gotten from the servers tab of your mail properties....

what you might also want to try is to go to file and identities...try creating a new identity to see if it works in there....

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04 Nov 01 - 11:20 PM (#586001)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


I just lost my connection to shorty - switched to ragtime.

It's getting late at Kendall's location, so he may not want to come back tonight. - or may be having trouble getting back on.

I'm concerned about his problem running defrag. It may indicate marginal free space on the drive. Windows, in earlier versions required "contiguous" free space for temp files. It's not as much of a problem with Win95 and Win98, but if the drive is badly fragmented, temp swapping can be impaired.

I would suggest looking at total file space and total free space on the drive, to get an estimate of how "crippled" the machine may be.

Start - Programs - MSDOS Prompt.

Should see C:\Windows >_

Type "cd\" (omit quotes) and hit enter

Type "dir *.*/s" and hit enter

Record total files(s) ????? bytes and ???? bytes free from the last two lines after it runs its course. i.e. what are the ????
Type "exit" to close the window.

I would suggest that he post a url for one of the links that doesn't work, so that someone else can try to connect to it, to see if it's just a bad url.

Outlook/Outlook Express can be set to show "plain text" and if he's gotten it turned on that way, what he sees in his email may not actually be a link.

There is some significance to whether he is running Outlook, or Outlook Express, and which version.

I'll try to check in periodically for a while, but may be away from the machine intermittently.

John

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05 Nov 01 - 01:02 AM (#586038)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Bill D

Kendall, it is not clear why this is happening, but for now it might be easiest to just copy that address FROM your mail and paste it into your browser window and hit 'enter'...perhaps there is some setting in the mail program that has gotten set wrong

(I have a setting in my newsreader program, Agent, that REQUIRES you to specify what you want done when you click an address (URL)....there are advanced settings in Outlook Express that 'might' have something to do with it not working, though, if you have not changed any, it's hard to see why.

(we're assuming this DID work before and just quit working)

sure is fun, huh?? *grin*

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05 Nov 01 - 03:13 AM (#586050)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas

Bill D

We confirmed that Kendall did a good cleanup on temp trash - Disk Cleanup and IE temps & history files.

Last hit, I asked him to reboot, and he hasn't been back. I believe shorty was down, at least briefly, since I lost the connection; and he may have had trouble getting back, if that's the one he was using. It was about 11 pm, his time, so he may have decided to take a break.

I'm still concerned about his complaint re: not being able to defrag. Could indicate he's got a messed up disk.

I agree we need to be sure that he is trying to use a good link. Maybe see if someone else can connect to what he's tring to link to.

Outlook, and Outlook Express can be set to not link, although help files that I've found don't really tell you how to do it.

John

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05 Nov 01 - 10:32 AM (#586081)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I ran defrag all night. it did nothing. Could someone give me an e mail address? I'll send the message and link just as I got it.

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05 Nov 01 - 10:53 AM (#586085)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

John, there must be something wrong with the command you gave me. I keep gettin, BAD COMMAND

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05 Nov 01 - 11:02 AM (#586088)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I checked my available space, it looks like a pie with a small piece removed. The small piece is what is used, the rest if free.

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05 Nov 01 - 11:17 AM (#586092)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Sorch

Kendall, when you try to de frag, are you exiting ALL programs on the lower left? You have to exit everything, and set your monitor to NO background/wallpaper and NO screen saver. Sounds to me like it is about time for you to call a local and have someone come out to the house.....how far is Jeri from you?

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05 Nov 01 - 01:02 PM (#586116)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

This is the first time anyone has suggested this. I'll try it.

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05 Nov 01 - 01:18 PM (#586119)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Sorch

Aw, shit. I must be dyslexic this morning....I meant the lower RIGHT icons.....where ICQ, sound, etc. are. The shortcuts on the left don't matter. Those would be your home page, e mail, etc.

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05 Nov 01 - 01:24 PM (#586120)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Oye ve! no wonder it didn't work!

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05 Nov 01 - 01:28 PM (#586122)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Well, it doesn't work on the right side either! I right click on the icons, and, delete does not come up. My patience is wearing real thin!

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05 Nov 01 - 01:42 PM (#586125)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Sorch

OK. Sometimes the icons stay there.....ICQ will turn red when it is not running. Sometimes the option you need will be Exit, or Close Start Center. Real Audio and Real Juke offer Close Start Center. I assume you do know how to remove your wallpaper and screen saver? Those are in My Computer/control panel. My monitor has a little icon on the right that looks like a monitor. If I rt click on it, it asks if I want to change display properties. Do that and then:

You should have a choice of tabs at the top marked Background, Screen Saver.....etc. Choose None for both of those........then try your de frag.

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05 Nov 01 - 02:01 PM (#586137)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Kendall

Your 05-Nov-01 - 10:53 AM said you getting a "BAD COMMAND" but it's not clear which thing your trying to do when it happens. Was this in the DOS window, perhaps?

If you let Defrag run overnight, it may have just stopped itself and "guv up." As mentioned above, whenever anything writes something to the drive, Defrag has to start over. If it restarts twelve times, it will stop and display a message "Defrag has restarted 12 times, do you wish to continue" or something like that. If you don't respond withing some ?? period of time, it just shuts itself off.

I have never had to close things on the "Start" bar at the bottom of the screen - that is the things that load automatically when you boot up - in order to run Defrag. On the other hand, I don't recognize any of the things Sorcha is describing. Have you compared what programs you both have installed to make sure your talking about the same things?

If you're getting some results with Sorcha, by all means stick with it.

I'll watch for a while.

John

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05 Nov 01 - 02:10 PM (#586142)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Yes I have the same as Sorcha. I dumped all the icons in the lower right, started defrag, it went to 2% and started over. Just like it has. I've tried everything except throwing it out the window. That's next!

John, I got that message in dos when I ran the command you gave me.In any case, I know I have more than enough space, so, thats not it. I ran defrag all night, but this am, it was still working and getting nowhere. It did not quit, but it still kept starting over at 3%. As Foghorn Leghorn says "It's choppin' but there's no chips flyin'"

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05 Nov 01 - 02:45 PM (#586152)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

ok, I'll try one more thing. If it works, I'll take you yo dinner.

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05 Nov 01 - 02:59 PM (#586155)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Kendall

Guest, Jeri has the right idea if you really have to close everything.

I just started defrag on my C: drive, with WinExplorer, Win98 Help, IE5, and a Microsoft Word doc all open, and it ran well into the 20% range before I stopped it.

You should be up to 3% or so in less than a minute, or maybe 2. Something is writing to your drive at least that often.

Are you on a "permanent" net connection?

I noted Real Audio in the discussion above. Have you had it installed for at least a few weeks before the problem started? Microsoft has had a warning about earlier versions, and it did totally trash my system when I tried to install it. The newest version (a month ago) caused me enough problems that I took it off. If it's worked for you for a while, don't worry about it - but if it's new, it might be suspect.

I found one file in the Mickey$oft Knowledge Base relating to "failure to open IE from email hyperlink," and it did implicate a conflict between IE and the "audio" system. Unfortunately - it applies only to Mac IE.

But then, defrag isn't the real problem - the fact that it doesn't work does indicate a system problem, and the reason for coming back to it is that we hope it's a "fix one - fix all" situation. Probably wishful thinking.

John

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05 Nov 01 - 03:07 PM (#586160)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST,Jeri

I doubt defrag will fix his MSOutlook/clickie problem, but it won't hurt.

As to Outlook, I think either a setting got changed, Outlook is messed up by another program, or is just plain messed up.

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05 Nov 01 - 03:12 PM (#586165)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Kendall

Two emails received. Clickies from both emails work, and the one you described on the site worked fine for me.

The one at whatchersweb is quite appropriate.

In fact, so good - it's HERE.

John

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05 Nov 01 - 03:31 PM (#586171)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


For those watching

Kendall has forwarded two emails to me, with links in question.

Links in both emails worked in my Outlook Express.

Kendall also mentioned a link on one of the sites that didn't work for him. That link worked for me, after the link in the email connected me to the site, so the problem apparently is not confined to Outlook - it's also there in IE (?).

John

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05 Nov 01 - 04:55 PM (#586193)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Amergin

I still say try removing and rebuilding the email account...if that does not work...set up a new identity...

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05 Nov 01 - 05:27 PM (#586217)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Bill D

Jeri is right about defrag utilities...but there is a neat solution...the defrag from Windows ME is available as a standalone download

go here

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05 Nov 01 - 05:57 PM (#586244)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

It worked! I was able to run the defrag through to the end, and, some of the previously troublesome links now work. Thanks everyone for you efforts.

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05 Nov 01 - 06:02 PM (#586249)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Sorcha

WHOOPEEE!!! Now, do it every week. Clean out temp files, cookies, empty re cycle bin, close ALL programs INCLUDING screen saver and background, run scan disc and then de frag. After de fragging, re boot. Aftr the re boot, re set screen savers, etc.

I do it every Sunday morning......but I usually do cookies at least once a day.

All the net searches I do get me LOTS of cookies---I have been know to build up over 1,000 in one day doing searches.

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05 Nov 01 - 06:49 PM (#586286)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Kendall

I'm AMAZED!

Good job.

Right now I think I'd go have a tall brown one.

For future reference - when you've relaxed a little - Windows includes a utility called Task Scheculer. It should be one of those little icons at the lower right of the screen after you reboot.

Go to Start - Help, click the Search tab, and type in "Scheduled Tasks." When you click on the "List Topics" button, it should bring up all you need to set things up so that Defrag runs automatically, on a schedule - while you sleep (provided the machine is turned on). Mine runs at 1 am on the first day of each month.

John

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05 Nov 01 - 07:02 PM (#586294)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: MMario

For routine maintainence I would also recommend finding one of the registry cleaning programs - I use both RegClean and EasyCleaner (they seem to use slightly different methedologies -- sometimes one will find stuff the other doesn't) - and run them every few days to remove invalid links in your registry.

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05 Nov 01 - 07:58 PM (#586330)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Sorcha

Bloody damn task scheduler has never worked for me. I do all the Stuff it says to do, and find out that my computer has NOT been defragged.........BTW, I call it "fragging"---intentional "friendly fire".....like shooting the asshole LT in the back during a fire fight.

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05 Nov 01 - 08:12 PM (#586335)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I'll give it a try anyway. Thanks.

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05 Nov 01 - 08:34 PM (#586342)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

John, I just downloaded that defrag program. Thanks for the help.

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05 Nov 01 - 08:37 PM (#586345)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Mario, where do I find this easyclean or regclean?

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05 Nov 01 - 08:50 PM (#586357)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I found them with google, but, they both give serious warnings about losing good stuff in the registry. I dont dare go in there, there's monsters in there.

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05 Nov 01 - 09:05 PM (#586358)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Mary in Kentucky

When you clean out the temp files, can you just delete everything in that folder?

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05 Nov 01 - 09:20 PM (#586371)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Sorcha

Yes. It will delete your Mudcat cookie, but you can re set it. Drag and highlight, then click Delete.

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06 Nov 01 - 11:21 AM (#586737)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

ok, I stuck my neck out and downloaded Regclean.

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06 Nov 01 - 01:49 PM (#586863)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: JohnInKansas


Sorcha

The task scheduler won't run if the computer's not turned on when the schedule comes up. Different versions of Win vary, but if the machine is off, or if you are using it, it won't generally wait for the next opportunity. It will wait for the next scheduled time. Maybe that's why it hasn't worked for you.

I interrupt mine so often that it works more like an alarm clock than an "assistant." When it tries to run, I abort, and then when I'm done I've been reminded to do (manually) what was scheduled.

It's an imperfect world.

REGCLEAN:

I found that I have an old copy of RegClean that I downloaded from Microsoft about 3 years ago. It was produced by some of their people who apparently had some time on their hands - but was, at that time - unsupported by Microsoft.

I've checked the uSoft web, and it's no longer available directly.

It is/was included in the "Project 98 Resource Kit," so that would be one place to go ($$$). It was supplied there as a "developers' tool." It has proliferated on the web, so there are a couple of places where you can download it.

I downloaded it on recommendation of a PC mfr's support techie - for a specific problem. I've never used it much since, because it's never found anything to clean.

It should make a backup, so you can "restore" things if something goes wrong. The problem is that a registry "restore" adds the old stuff back, but won't necessarily delete "new keys" that may have been added. Registry restore, too frequently used, is one thing that can make it useful to have something like regclean?

It can be a useful utility, but not one that I would run regularly, "just in case it might help," like disk cleanup, scandisk, and defrag.

Incidentally, it is a good idea to run scandisk regularly, preferably just before running defrag, since any lost file clusters or bad disk clusters will be corrected by scandisk so that they don't interfere with defrag.

John

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06 Nov 01 - 06:38 PM (#587038)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: Bill D

for my money,or lack of it, the best reg cleaner is RegCleaner, by Jouni Vuorio ...free, and GOOD!

and, Sorcha...why not try one of the programs that limit cookies to ONLY the ones that you want? Wow, does that save a lot of hassle.

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07 Nov 01 - 07:25 PM (#587866)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

Well folks, it's back. Cant open e mail links.

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07 Nov 01 - 07:32 PM (#587868)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST

Please, Kendall

Get someone local, who can actully see the machine, to take a look.

It's probably a couple of clicks problem, but as this thread has shown, remote help (unless you have XP) is virtually impossible

If I lived next door to you, I could sort it - find someone near

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07 Nov 01 - 08:22 PM (#587898)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

You're right.

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08 Nov 01 - 09:12 AM (#588173)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: kendall

I contacted my computer guru, he lives 25 miles away, and he says I should find out what program they are using, maybe I dont have that program. Does that make sense?

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09 Nov 01 - 04:56 AM (#588841)
Subject: RE: Help: computer problem
From: GUEST

"what program they are using, maybe I dont have that program"???

No, it makes no sense at all

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