IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I am unable to access Task Manager from the task bar in XP Pro, it is “greyed out”

Can you help please?

It sounds like you are logging in as a Limited User or your profile has restrictions added to it. The first thing to try is holding down the Control, Alt and Delete keys together to see if the Task Manager starts. If it does there is a problem with the shortcut.

The next thing to check is User privileges. Open the Control Panel, click Users and check that your profile has Administrative rights. If it doesn’t, you need to logon as an Administrator to run MSConfig.

If you have account limitations on your machine, it may be this has been set as part of an office installation. This is one reason why we recommend avoiding second hand computers. To overcome this, you will have to remove the restrictions and it may be easier to reinstall Windows.

Fiddling with these settings can be risky. We recommend calling a technician to look at it if you are not computer savvy.

We have a laptop with Windows XP loaded. We have forgetten the password to unlock it on startup.

We’ve covered this problem before and it’s relatively easy to fix if you are competent with computers, patient and have another machine available.

If you find the program difficult to use, then you should call in a computer tech.

Once you do get the problem fixed, it’s important to run the XP Password Reset Tool. Microsoft have instructions on how to do this, however you will need a floppy disk.

Nearly every time I try to copy & paste, I have to perform the action twice to get a result. It doesn’t matter whether I use the right-click method or go the long way around, I nearly always have to do it twice. I am running Windows XP SP 2. Can you help me please?

This problem could be due to a number of causes. The obvious one is you have a spyware infection. To check this, follow our previously posted instructions on removing a Trojan.

It is has been known for software installations to cause this problem so it’s worthwhile thinking about when this problem started and what software and hardware was installed around this time. Uninstall those programs or restore your computer to an earlier System Restore Point.

It is also possible some system files are damaged. This can be fixed by running the System File Checker.

If none of this works, you may need to get a computer tech in to look at the system.

I’ve received an email claiming to be from Bpay. Is it legitimate?

By inquiry about 11/8/2007 you or your family member had been made request of check verifivation.
According agreement and application form we send you a copy of the check for verification of the holder address.
We recommend to unpack the check, make on it corrections, put the signature and send it back!

This is a scam and you should not open the attachment on the email. The attachment is a Zip file that, when opened, tries to run a DOS command. While we don’t know what it is trying to do, it safe to assume this is what we call a Trojan horse.

Under no circumstances should you open this email’s attachments.

I have just updated to xpsp2 now my Microsoft updates won’t download

There’s a number of things that can be doing this. First, you need to check Automatic Updates are working.

Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Administrative tools and open the Services applet.

Make sure both Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Automatic Updates are set to Automatic and have started.

Then go to the Automatic Updates applet in the Control Panel and set updates to “Download Updates for me, but let me choose when to install them”.

This should allow your system to Automatically receive the updates over the next day or so.

You may also need to change your firewall settings to give BITS and the Automatic update services access to the Internet.

I have recently upgraded my computer to dual core e6550, 2 gb ram running Vista Business. I am having problems running USB devices. All goes fine untill I plug in my External HD. USB Printer fails to operate. If I add a Flash drive to the front USB the computer stalls.

It appears that not enough power/information can get through the installed USB\’s. What upgrade should I look for to solve this?

This is a classic overworked power supply problem. One of the problems with many computers is the power supply is designed for the bare minimum and adding any additional load causes these sort of problems.

We’d recommend upgrading your to a higher capacity power supply.

I am running XP and one of my programs when I try to pen it comes up with the Message 429: ActiveX component can’t create object. Can you tell me how to fix it

ActiveX is part of the Windows Scripting function. Many programs rely on Windows Scripting for basic functions. In your case the program relies it for printing.

Fixing ActiveX can be a nuisance, the first thing to do is download the latest Microsoft Data Access Components. A lot of database type programs require this to work properly. Reboot your computer after installing it.

The next step, should the first one fail, is to install the latest Windows Scripting Host. This will update all the scripting functions and is something we recommend if you’ve had a spyware infection.

We’d also recommend you complain to the software company about their program relying on these function. We’ve found MDAC and the Scripting Host to be somewhat unreliable and they tie the program, and it’s user, too deeply into the Windows operating system.

So if Windows goes wrong, such as with a serious spyware infection, the entire system goes down.

I am using Windows xp Home and I have only just started to get the following problem.
Opening A new window it appears behind existing open windows. I have to minimize all windows to see the new opened window
I have tried Microsoft article 256986 but this did not help.

The Microsoft Knowledge Base article to use is 886217.

This article describes how to change the registry settings. We do not recommend this for anyone except experienced technicians.

Fortunately a feature to fix this is included in TweakUI, part of the Microsoft Power Toys suite of tools. We’d recommend downloading and installing TweakUI.

To use it once you’ve installed it, click Start, go to All Programs, select Powertoys for Windows XP, and click Tweak UI.

Once Tweak UI opens, go down the list on the left hand side and click the “+” square next to General, and then click Focus.

Clear the Prevent applications from stealing focus check box, and then click OK.

TweakUI is a great tool, but it’s capable of great mischief. If you choose to explore all the features available, make sure you back up your system before playing with it.

I have a dial-up connection that often disconnects. It happens more frequently during business hours and evenings.

Using Internet Explorer repair tool seems to cure the problem for a while, but it always returns after visiting several sites.

It’s unlikely websites are causing your dial up settings to changed unless you are downloading some very devious malware.

A more likely culprit is your dial up networking settings are set to too short a time out. This means if the modem or computer doesn’t detect any activity for a certain amount of time, then it disconnects.

Microsoft have instructions on changing dial up networking settings on their website. You need to change the Idle time before hanging up setting.

On that page, Microsoft also mention you might be disconnected before the time is up by the server. It is quite possible your ISP is disconnecting due to higher traffic loads in the evening.

Another common problem we see is the email client might be set to disconnect after sending email. This can be changed in the email program by setting the connection to use the computer’s network connection rather than the email program trying to start or close the connection.

Generally we find for most users that dial up connections are now more expensive and troublesome that broadband. It might be worth moving over to broadband.

I have had some trouble with my computer, It seemed to be some type of virus, which has left me limted use of my computer. The CD ROM will not work, so I cannot reload my windows, when I try to open word, excel etc, it opens but windows installer come up saying installing excel feature,and asked me to insert xp disk,which I can\’t because CD Rom not working, I also have external drive but also not work now,Also have trouble with upgrades from Microsoft.

It doesn’t sound like a virus but a problem with the motherboard drivers. Drivers are the software that translates commands from Windows to the hardware. In this case it sounds like your USB and IDE drivers have a problem.

It’s always worthwhile checking for a virus. The Trend Micro Housecall is a good online tool.

If you find the housecall doesn’t work, then downloading and installing the Windows Scripting Host might resolve both this and your Windows Update problem.

There are two other Windows Update problems we’ve addressed previously and it may be worth checking these.

The “insert disk” message is an irritating problem that plagues Microsoft Office users. The simplest solution is to fix the CD problem so you can insert the installation disk to keep the system happy.

You might find the Local Installation Source Tool might help, but our experience is that easier to get the disk.

Overall, it sounds like you need a computer tech to have a look at your system as there are a number of things going wrong with your system.