Hints Tips & Rants
by Dale Atchison
Tampa Bay Computer Society


What the Heck?!

I had a couple of call-backs last week:  computers that had worked perfectly when I left, but ceased working within the next day or so.  In both instances, I looked at the System Restore points and found that Microsoft had dumped an Automatic Update to the computer just hours before it started to misbehave.  Both times, I rolled the computer back to the day before the last automatic update, and everything started working as expected.

I know I don't know much about this stuff, but aren't the updates supposed to make our computers work better?  Isn't that the reason we give permission in advance for the updates to download and install?  I feel cheated somehow.  I thought Windows XP Service Pack 3 was the only automatic update I had to fear, but now it seems the Malicious Software Removal Tool has a flaw that breaks other Microsoft Products.  (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention:  the problem in both instances was another Microsoft program which stopped working properly after the update.)

So, once again, here's how to disable Automatic Updates, just enough so you get some control over what gets downloaded and installed:

Click on Start  »  Control Panel  »  double-click Automatic Updates;

Click the 'radio button' next to "Notify Me But Don't Automatically Download or Install Them;

Click OK.

Now, the next time Microsoft wants to inflict an update on the world of Windows, you'll see that cute annoying yellow shield in the System Tray.  Nothing will happen without your permission, and here's how to give or withhold that permission:

Click on the yellow Update shield in the System Tray;

Click on Custom.

You'll be shown a list of all the 'critical updates' available for download; all will have check marks in the check-boxes.  Remove the check marks next to Windows XP Service Pack 3, and from any entries that say something like "Malicious Software Removal Tool".  (IMHO, if you're running a good anti-virus program like avast! or AVG, you don't need Microsoft's monthly online scan.)

Click Download, or Next, or OK, however the highlighted button is labeled.  Windows will warn you that the un-checked items won't be downloaded; at this point, you should check the box that says "Don't Show Me These Updates Again".

When the items you accepted finish downloading, you'll get another alert.  Choose Express this time; you aleady know you want all the items that just downloaded.


AOL Pictures

The AOL Pictures online photo service is now closed.  Bet you already knew that if you were a member, and if you weren't a member, you don't need to know about it anyway.  Whatever.

The service has gone dark, but you can still view your pictures till June 30.  And you can continue to view them if you sign up for American Greetings® PhotoWorks® before June 30.  After that, if you haven't signed up at American Greetings, your pictures will disappear from both servers.  Sign up by clicking the huge icon below.


Order, We Must Have Order

I get a lot of questions concerning networks and/or printers that don't seem to work.  Most of the time, I can fix the problem via email, just by detailing the steps I'm gonna spell out for you now.  I've talked about this subject in this column before, but the continuing barrage of questions tells me I need to re-visit it now.

You see, the order in which you turn on your system components is very important.  Some parts of the system need to see certain other pieces already up and functioning when they are turned on, or they won't be able to see them at all later on.  Did I say that right?  Looking back at it, it doesn't even make much sense to me, and I already know what I meant to say; I'd be amazed if anyone else could make sense of it.

I'll just dive into it.  Most computers need to see a functioning printer when they start up, or the printer support programs won't get loaded at boot.  Likewise, networks need to come up in a particular order.  So, with everything turned off, start your system in this order:

Turn on your cable, DSL, or FIOS modem.  Wait at least a minute for all the self-tests to complete.

If there's a separate router, rather than one built into the modem, turn it on.  Wait at least a minute.

While the router is starting, or while the modem is starting if there's not a separate free-standing router, go ahead and turn on your printer(s).  Wait at last a minute, the same minute you're already waiting on the network components.

Turn on the video monitor, if it's not built in (as in a laptop).  No wait necessary for the monitor.

Finally, turn on the computer.  The printer is already running, so Windows will see it and load the appropriate drivers and programs to talk to it.  Similarly, the modem and router have already connected to the Internet, so Windows will automatically establish a connection.

Till next month...

DaLe aTchiSon



I send these guys a few dollars every month... sure wish you would join me.
And 100% of your labor charges go to this rescue, too.