SPAUG Newsletter January 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notes from the Prez - How to UnScrew Windows XP
by Jim Dinkey
- Establish need and make backup as possible:
- *.WAB (Address Book)
- *.DBX (OE e-mail)
- IE Favorites
- User files
- Anything unique to the old computer (such as fonts that you want on the new one).
- Check BIOS level against current standard. Update only if necessary.
- Copy old Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to new HDD.
- Install new HDD as Master and old HDD as Slave.
- Format and verify entire set of HDD.
- Install XP onto the drive 0 HDD.
- Without going out onto the net, accomplish the following:
- Install all you have of Microsoft (MS) patches from CDs.
- Install Anti-Virus (AV) from CD. Trend Micro - one month trial? AVG?
- Install Zone Alarm from CD if not Trend Micro AV.
- Install AdAware from CD and set timer.
- Install SpyBot from CD and set timer.
- Copy for availability the following raw loads from pre-made CD: (*=install immediately)
- 2xExplorer
- AdAware *
- Adobe Reader
- BelArc
- WinPoet
- ECleaner
- FireFox *
- Gibson Research Tools *
- MailWasher *
- OutlookExpressQuickBackup
- Popup Stopper (PanicWare) *
- RegClean
- RegVac
- SpaceMonger
- SpyBot *
- ThunderBird *
- ZoneAlarm
- After installing the items with (*), update all and immediately disconnect the RJ-45 plug.
- Install as many of the * updates as possible.
- Import e-mail, Address Book, and Favorites.
- Transition all of these to FireFox and ThunderBird for security.
- Allow new computer to go onto the net.
- Install Acronis and backup your hours of work onto another HDD.
- Install and run non(* )programs as needed.
- Install programs such as Office or Open Office as desired.
[ TOP ]
General Meeting Notes
by Stan Hutchings
Administrivia
- Kudos to Richard Sweet, our publicist, who figured out how to get an announcement for our meeting in the Mercury News, which resulted in several guests this month.
- Other guests came as a result of the Newsletter posting, the Saturday Clinic, the golf course. There were about 7 or 8 guests.
- SPAUG currently has 107 members.
CrossTalk/Random Access
- The technical notes sent out by Jim are greatly appreciated.
- Should the Microsoft firewall and ZoneAlarm be running at the same time?
Yes, ZA is compatible with Microsoft, and can be used instead of the MS firewall. ZA controls outgoing traffic, which MS does not, and this gives greater protection against zombies' attacks from your computer. Jim recommends Trend Micro's firewall, malware/spyware remover and virus checker. For a while, Amazon.com has a rebate that will give you Trend Micro for free. Trend Micro will shut down the Microsoft firewall, so you don't have to worry about doing anything.
In response to a member's question, Jim said he likes Trend Micro better than Symantec and McAfee antivirus products because it works as well (or better), is cheaper, doesn't consume much resources, and doesn't require as much attention. Jim has an expanded response here. [N.B. - PC World reviews agree, see the February 2005 issue, page 50, Internet Security Suites Face Off; it works seamlessly with WinXP SP2.]
- Using the AOL update does not like firewalls running. How can you find out what firewalls are running, so you can turn them off?
You can look in Processes to see what is running (use Ctrl-Alt-Del to access Task Manager, then click the Processes tab). One of the first things to do when any problem occurs is go to the MMC Event Viewer. (Right click My computer and choose Manage open the System Tools and then Event Viewer) Look at both your System and Application logs - they usually will go back for a week or sometimes much more. Try to determine if anything abnormal is going on, especially the Errors, around the time you started having problems. There are many other sources of information about your computer here; look through the folders for suspicious entries. Also check System Information - Software Environment - Running Tasks or the Task Manager's processes to see if one of these is a resource hog, or an unknown and possibly malevolent process (if you don't recognize a name, google it). The Loaded Modules folder will give you the name and manufacturer, and lots more information, about the DLLs that are running. From DOS, IPCONFIG will tell you what IP addresses you have, which is useful for investigating network or Internet connection problems; but won't give information on firewalls.
- SBC/Comcast DSL seems to want to control your use of browsers. Only their proprietary browser seems to work, not IE and Firefox.
There has been advice given not to load the extra junk SBC and Comcast want to push on you. Here is another reason to install just the DSL, and skip the other stuff. One member called their tech support to remove it after installation, and was successful in getting it off his computer. Another member has two icons, one is DSL and one is SBC-Yahoo. Using DSL allows IE and Firefox to run; SBC-Yahoo runs the proprietary browser. Some special Yahoo sites can only be accessed by their browser, but generally the DSL is fine, no problems.
- A member tried to turn off his computer, and got an error message "application failed to initialize because the Windows station was shutting down", then watched as the icons disappeared slowly one by one and had to finally use the power button to shut it off.
Apparently a program was just trying to start as the computer was shutting down. There may be something else going on: it is time for a check for virus, spybot, and registry entries. There is a virus that shuts down computers at random intervals.
- At Amazon.com for $40 Windows XP Inside-Out, includes SP2, so is quite current. It has lots of useful information, including how to backup the Outlook Express database, which can then be transferred to another computer. Outlook stores output where you tell it, so is not so hard to find and back up as Outlook Express. You can get it for $30 at Amazon.com.
- Microsoft has issued patches for January. If you aren't on automatic update, do it manually. And while you're at the Microsoft site, update Office, too. Office is not automatically updated, you have to do it manually, and there are some important updates.
- After cleaning up and deleting Outlook Express email, the space used actually increased; I would have expected a sizeable decrease. Also, my Recycle Bin disappeared.
It's possible the Bin was hidden somewhere, and right-click the screen and choose Arrange Icons - by Name or Automatic will return it to view. If that doesn't work, right-click the screen and choose Properties. On the Effects tab, there are choices for icons. Click the Recycle Bin icon and then Default Icon (or Change Icon, and set it to something else). Use Tweak UI to restore the Recycle Bin. You may need to fix the registry. Remember to empty your Outlook Express Deleted Items folder. It's a good idea to empty it automatically on program exit. Also, the files may have been compacted or archived, and it may take a manual compact or archive to clean them up. One thing to try is to right click the screen, and arrange the icons one way and then another.
- My screen icons were rearranged, how did that happen?
Safe mode will resort your icons. If not Safe Mode, there may be a virus or spyware or other problem. You might try renaming the icons to start with 01, 02, 03 and so on, so if they do get disarrayed, you can use the Windows Arrange Icons - By Name command to re-array them.
- A hardware router is recommended even if you have only one computer connected to a DSL or Cable modem. Hank Skawinski sells a router for about $30, and will help you set it up if necessary. But it's pretty easy to setup if you just follow the instructions.
- There is a possible SP2 "bug". After installing SP2, if you have an internal removable drive, turn it on or pull it partially out so it's not connected while off. This is for internal "shoe" drives, not the USB external drives.
Presentation
Thomas N. Tworek Photographer and Teacher was our speaker once again; this time he discussed photographic capture of the perfect image, workflow pertaining to Digital photography, image editing, and some Adobe® Photoshop® techniques pertaining to RAW files. He showed how to use the capabilities of Photoshop® to change a great photo into a work of art. If you missed the presentation, check
You can visit his website here.
For 25 years as a nature photographer, Thomas N. Tworek used many techniques and processes, both in black and white and color, to achieve the spectacular. Then, about ten years ago, he started working in digital photography. His website bio provides more detail about his journey learning to achieve digitally the effects he had previously created in his lab. At our January 12 meeting, we'll get to see and hear more about what he has learned and how we might improve the results of our own digital photography.
[ TOP ]
Planning Meeting Notes
by Stan Hutchings
- The meeting was held at Bev Altman's house; attendees: Jim Dinkey, Dick Delp, John Sleeman, Bev Altman, John Buck and Stan Hutchings. The attendees enjoyed the refreshments served.
- Review of topic vs. attendance
interesting topics result in better attendance. We'll try to schedule speakers with good draw.
- WebSIG activities and schedules - next Tuesday 7:30 at Stan's
Linux interest - Dick Delp presentation - scheduled for February; John Sleeman will present in March. They will be demos of interesting and useful applications.
- Individual reports and suggestions
- Finances - We're in good shape. Spent $350 for a replacement projector bulb, Bev handed in $285 meeting proceeds.
- Status of SPAUG CD - burn more, or wait and take orders? We have 5 left, just enough for the next 5 presenters. Probably best to take orders, and burn on demand.
- Future speakers & pre-meeting dinner location -
Feb - Asaf Degani/Taming HAL (Crowne Plaza Cabaña)
Mar - Jotspot/Wiki (Cibo)
Apr - Smart Computing magazine (where?)
May - John Buck will ask Gary Sasaki to report on the recent CES (supercomputing will be postponed) (where?
Jun - Nancy Blachman/Google (where?)
Jul - SBC or supercomputing (where?)
Aug - tbd (where?)
- extra projector bulb was purchased
- Clinic activities and changes
John Buck was very pleased with the clinic support and help after his old computer died. He is up and running with a new, modern computer, and got a lot of assistance from Jim and Bruce Benz.
- Input of found material for Richard Sweet and Publicity - Richard was in an accident on the way to the meeting; he is OK, and will talk to Jim later. Jim gave 5 pages of contacts to Richard, obtained from Nancy Helming. Although it dates from 1995, much should still be current, or at least give some guidance.
- Other items that came before the Committee
the door prizes ordered from CNet arrived, Bev will handle their distribution at the meetings.
Perhaps future door prizes could be inexpensive applications, like Paint Shop Pro - John Buck can obtain for about $50. We can get a non-profit discount from www.techsoup.org/stock, big name software nearly free. Another possibility is USB drives, 256 MB drives can be found for $15 at Buy.com or similar.
Should we do more cooperative deals with Silicon Valley Computer Society (SVCS)? We have a link to their site on our Other Web Sites - PC User Groups web page. We could put a link on our Table of Contents page, below or above DISIG. The DISIG is a joint venture. Perhaps more joint presentations would be good? More cross-reference?
A few words of advice: OEQB is a great program for backing up MS Outlook Express. With it you can back up, or transfer to another computer, the email messages and address you've accumulated. Upgrade to Acrobat 7, it fixes some security problems with earlier versions.
[ TOP ]
Which anti-virus to buy and how to use it
by Jim Dinkey
The discussion of what anti-virus to buy and how to use it and which one does the best job is still with us. We finally have gotten over the argument whether to have anti-virus at all.
The URLs below demonstrate that the "big boys" are attempting to cause you to upgrade to a “full protection suite”, no matter what the name, and the cost is settling in around $70 for either Norton and McAfee.
Frankly, I think there is a better way to go: Trend Micro PcCillin Internet Security at $50 initial charge. So far, here are some characteristics that I like:
- It is cheaper in initial purchase.
- It upgrades itself several times a day, or at least attempts to.
- It doesn't bother me with administration.
- It seems to come out ahead in the evaluations.
- It is a “set and forget” product.
- It replaces ZoneAlarm (or equivalent).
Here is an article on the costing of the two largest sellers
If cost is a consideration, here are some low- or no-cost environments.
And also, here are some low cost (or free) Firewalls
But my admonition is that you had better know what you are doing to merely save a buck. I value my time and I am very willing to spend $50 for the Trend Micro product rather than have to spend my time cleaning up the mess.
The Trend Micro folks are here. If you DO go there, be sure to download the HouseCall and run it as a routine check for things that the others might have missed. This is a one-shot in that you can get infected seconds after it has cleared your computer. HouseCall is NOT a permanent fix. Don't confuse the one-shot HouseCall with the regular PcCillin product. I use HouseCall when a computer comes into the Clinic on Saturdays and we suspect an infection that the others have missed. Because it is loaded each time and the whole operation is memory resident, the viruses cannot disable its search mechanisms.
And finally, there is Grisoft's new free antivirus application AVG 7, about which I have no personal experience, but has been rated fairly well. But still it gets me back into administration.
[ TOP ]
USB 1.1 or USB 2?
by Bruce Benz
If you're thinking about connecting an external USB 2.0 drive (HD, DVD or CD) to your PC, you'll want a USB 2.0 port rather than the slower USB 1.1 port. How to tell which you have? For all those folks that have Win2K, WinXP Home, WinXP Pro, it is quick to right click on my computer -> scroll down to "manage" --> then open "device manager" and it will list all of the devices on your computer.
If the USB 2.0 driver is installed, you will see it listed as USB 2 enhanced controller & USB 2 root hub device.
Even if you do have USB 2.0 hardware, you will not actually have USB 2 if the driver is not installed. USB 2.0 is still new enough that the device databases for Windows does not recognize the hardware and only installs the USB 1.1 drivers - which all USB chipsets support as legacy hardware. This driver will be located on your Motherboard CD. You won't get the benefit of the high USB 2.0 I/O unless your computer has a USB 2.0 port and the USB 2.0 driver is installed. If your computer hardware is not USB 2.0, you can upgrade by installing a USB 2.0 board available online or at local computer shops; some come with “FireWire” inputs, too. You might also consider a new motherboard with a faster CPU, more memory, and USB 2.0 and FireWire already installed; this is expensive, but if your computer is more than 3 or 4 years old, will give significantly better performance.
If you don't feel confident performing the upgrade, check with Jim Dinkey, and schedule a session at his Saturday Clinic.
[ TOP ]
(Un-)Grouping Taskbar Buttons
by John Buck
At our WebSIG meeting, the topic of Windows XP display of open applications in the taskbar (that collection of buttons usually at the bottom of the screen that shows active applications). Earlier versions of Windows added a new button for every application and every instance of an application, so if you had three documents open in Word, you'd have three separate buttons to click on to switch to a Word document. Windows XP added the option to "Group similar taskbar buttons". Often it is turned on (checked), so instead of separate buttons, there is one button for Word with three documents that pop up above it. Some people like this, some don't. Fortunately, you get to decide which you get. Here's how:
1. Right-click on an empty taskbar area.
2. Select properties.
3. In the Taskbar Appearance area, make "Group ..." choice.
This screen was captured in XnView. Arrow and text were added in Photofiltre (both of which are on the Late 2004 club CD). While you're there, check out some of the other options - some people like to auto-hide the taskbar, some don't like it disappearing.
[ TOP ]
