Dave Bytes

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!
October 21, 2004

A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!

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Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Get Rid of the XP Boot Logo

Don't want to see the XP logo during bootup? It's easy to get rid of. Just do the following:

Click Start, Run.

In the Run box, type msconfig.

Click the BOOT.INI tab.

Check the box labeled /NOGUIBOOT

Click OK.

Now the XP boot logo won't be displayed.

Dell Computer Adaptor Recall

Dell Inc. is recalling about 4.4 million AC adapters sold worldwide that are used with notebook personal computers because they can overheat and cause a fire and electrical shock, the company said Friday.

The recall affects about 2.9 million adapters in the United States, Dell said.

There were seven reports of the adapters overheating, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. No injuries were reported.

The adapters are used with some models of the company's Latitude, Precision and Inspiron notebook-style personal computers. The notebook computers have model numbers, either screened onto the surface of the computer or on a printed label on the bottom of the computer, listed on Dell's web site: www.delladapterprogram.com.

The recalled adapters have the words "DELL" and "P/N 9364U," "P/N 7832D" or "P/N 4983D" printed on the back.

The adapters, manufactured at Delta Electronics Inc. of Taipei, Taiwan, were sold with computers through Dell's web site and customer service center from September 1998 through February 2002. The adapters also were sold separately for about $30 to $70.

Consumers should not use the recalled adapters, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. U.S. consumers can contact Dell at 800-418-8590 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday, to see if their adapter is included in the recall, since not all listed on the web site are included.

Dell will send a free replacement adapter to consumers whose adapters are being recalled.

Here's A Virus Warning

from my friend "Doc" Dockery

A malicious JPG has reportedly emerged. If you were to come in contact with it (either via email or by visiting a website that has it on display) it executes a Trojan which opens a port on your system (if your system is unpatched). It can also crash Explorer on some systems. It has been dubbed the "JPEG of Death" by some. The first version is relatively innocuous, but the tools to build versions with different capabilities are already downloadable from the Internet. Prevention: Apply either the Windows XP Service Pack 2: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx or the MS04-028 update: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-028.mspx Also, update your antivirus software. So far the virus signature is easy to detect and the antivirus folk are ahead of the game - they already detect the first version. The virus will almost undoubtedly become trickier and more virulent within a short period of time. Here's a quote from a PC Magazine article: "While no worm currently exists that uses the JPEG vulnerability, security experts are saying it is only a matter of time. For worm authors, the vulnerability may be the holy grail of infection vectors, as it can be passed through e-mail, web sites, IM, or downloaded programs. Additionally, many, many kinds of applications (and OS versions) can view JPEGS, offering innumerable paths for the malicious files. A worm with this kind of infection power could make Blaster's epidemic pale in comparison." Here's the PC Mag article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1661942,00.asp

BITS

BYTES

Clicking on Dave will take you to the

"Bits & Bytes"

site where you can listen to the most recent broadcast

While Wandering The Web

Clicking below will take you to the easiest way to determine your computer's Internet Protocol (IP) Address

Here's A Windows XP SP2 Advisory

If you're upgrading to Windows XP SP2 and your CD burning software is Nero Express 6 or Nero InCD 4, be aware the Nero software will not run under SP2. You'll get an error message when you try to run the software.

This compatibility problem is solved since version Nero 6.3.1.20. After installing the free Update this message will not appear anymore.

Countdown to the next SPCUG General Meeting

SPCUG Volunteer Of The Month

Dave Winkleman

After earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Cincinnati and a MBA from Michigan State, Dave worked for such companies as Hoover Ball Bearing, Black & Decker, Xerox, and for 28 years at the Nordson Corporation. The various positions that held were Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Manager, Product Test Manager, Project Manager and Plant Manager. Dave retired in 2001 and moved from Avon Lake, Ohio to Sarasota. In June of 2003 he heard about SPCUG and because of a life long interest in computers, he became a member. Shortly afterward he was made aware of Roger Leer’s PC Refurbishing SIG, and asked Roger if he could sit in on one of his Saturday morning sessions. Dave liked the people and was infected by Roger’s passion for refurbishing PC’s for the express purpose of helping those individuals who could use a PC to improve their quality of life, but could not afford to purchase one. It has been very rewarding for Dave to be able to make donations to the Women’s Resource Center, Girls, Inc., The Suncoast Center of Independent Living, Coastal Behavioral Health Care and some individuals in need of a PC.
Volunteers like Dave are the heart and soul of the Sarasota PC User Group.

If you couldn't make it to the October SPCUG meeting you may be thinking that you missed out on the great savings offered by Sheri Paddock from Blue Squirrel. Well have no fear because Sheri is providing an order form that you can use if you are interested in purchasing any of the great products in the Blue Squirrel stable.

Clicking on the logo above will open the order form that you can print.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the form which is a free download at www.adobe.com

The "Bytes" Beg, Bargain & Barter Basement

Got something "computer related" to sell? Looking for that rare peripheral? If it's computer related you can submit a short classified ad for exposure in Dave "Bytes". Be sure to include your name and e-mail address in the ad. You can also include a picture of the item. Now some would suggest that there be a charge for this feature but alas, since my bookkeeping skills leave much to be desired I've determined that this will be a free service to all SPCUG members in good standing. "Bytes" is currently sent to almost 1500 homes in the area. Ad requests will be included as soon as possible. I assume absolutely no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of supplied info. All transactions are between consulting adults which leaves me entirely off the hook. Please let me know by clicking HERE when your merchandise is sold so that I can remove it from the listing. I will try to run each ad for a month.

Click Here To Submit Your Ad

From "Smart Computing" Magazine

Freebies May Still Come With A Price

Getting anything for free sounds great, right? And it certainly sounds appealing to grab software from the Internet at no charge. However, you should know about the dark side of free downloads, which includes spyware, adware, and viruses.

Spyware is software planted on your system (usually without your knowledge) that can monitor your activities and distribute that information to others, such as advertisers. For example, spyware can collect contact and demographic information or determine which software you use and share the information with hackers or advertisers. Spyware can also track which Web sites you visit. Additionally, spyware could capture your keystrokes to find out passwords, credit card numbers, and the contents of email messages.

Adware is the software that actually serves up advertisements on your system. The displayed ads are often based on information gathered by spyware about your viewing and Internet usage patterns. Advertising supports many “free” downloads; adware is the mechanism used to deliver the advertising to your computer.

A final concern when installing free downloadable software is the potential for viruses to piggyback on the software. Although the majority of downloadable programs are virus-free, it’s best to first save the program as a file on your computer and then scan it using your antivirus software. After you’ve determined that it’s virus-free, you can install it

Why not give the gift that keeps on giving all year round? I'm referring to a subscription to either Smart Computing, PC Today, CE Tips or CPU Magazines. If you are a current subscriber and order a gift subscription, the folks at Smart Computing will add 2 additional issues to your current subscription at no charge. And remember that even gift subscriptions will be credited to the SPCUG account so that we can accumulate free subscriptions to give away to our membership. If you aren't a subscriber you should be. These publications are geared towards the very same thing that caused you to join a PC User Group which is easy to read and understand computer information for folks at any level. If you already subscribe, be sure to use the appropriate SPCUG code when you renew !!!

To order call 1-800-733-3809 and be sure to give the following Code Numbers so that SPCUG gets proper credit.
Smart Computing (11607) CPU Magazine (272) PC Today (146) CE Tips (219)

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While Wandering The Web Pt. 2

Thousands of items on eBay are listed with misspelled descriptions.
These items often expire with no bids on them as no-one can find them.
Type in a keyword below and click the Generate button.
Then click the link and uncover those hidden gems...

From The "Bytes" Mailbag

Dave,
I have a new flat-panel monitor. The type on this monitor does not appear clear. However, the store insists that it is normal. Is this normally a problem with flat-panels?

Some people do have a problem when they view type on a flat-panel monitor. A process called anti-aliasing is used to smooth the edges of type. It doesn't work as well on flat-panels as on old-style CRT monitors.

Microsoft recognizes the problem, and includes in Windows XP a feature called ClearType. It can make the type on your flat-panel much more readable. The improvement may also be worthwhile on a CRT.

To access ClearType, press the Windows key and the letter "d" to go to the desktop. Right-click anywhere on an empty area of the desktop and click Properties. Select the Appearance tab and click Effects.
Check the box marked "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts." In the dropdown box, choose ClearType.

Next, ClearType has to be fine-tuned. You can do that on Microsoft's Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm

The site gives examples of type from which you must choose. Displays vary slightly among monitors, and selecting the type that looks best is an easy way to match ClearType to your monitor. To select the type, click the one that looks best to you.

People using Windows 98 and ME should be sure they have enabled the font-smoothing feature. To use it, right-click on the desktop and from the pop-up menu, select Properties. Click the Effects tab. Check the box next to "Smooth edges of screen fonts."

Here's The Latest Virus Information From

Trend Micro & Symantec

Here's A Special Offer From Firetrust

A Dave "Bytes"

Recommendation

Click here to read Sharon Rump's review of Mailwasher Pro

Pause For Thought

"The future will be better tomorrow"
--- Dan Quayle

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P.S. Don't forget to say "Hi" at the meeting!!

Sarasota Personal Computer User Group, Inc

Phone: 877-SPCUG-HI

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Last Updated
04/13/2007 06:53 AM

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