IT Queries: Computer problems answered

Where the deleted matter goes after deleting a file? i know it goes in the recycle bin but even after deleting from there where does that file goes. is there any software incorporated in the system which receives the file or whatever the reason is please clear the doubts.

When you empty the recycle bin on a Windows computer the files don’t actually go anywhere. Instead Windows adds a character, usually shown as the “$” sign, to the beginning of the file’s name. This marks it as unreadable to the computer.

Because the computer doesn’t see those files it thinks the space on the hard drive is empty and eventually the files are overwritten by newer information.

The problem is that leaves a period where they can be recovered. A good tool for doing this is the Restoration program which we’ve discussed previously in our Recovering Deleted Files post.

If you are concerned about fully removing deleted files, then you’ll need a “shredder” program such as Eraser which we looked at in our Clearing Out a Computer post.

Eraser is a very powerful tool which will clean up deleted files but be careful because if you click the wrong button, you may wipe the entire computer.

My computer is about five years old and is running Windows XP. While it’s working okay, I’m finding it a bit slow.

I’d like to buy a new system but the reviews of Microsoft Vista were so were bad I decided not to until the new version of Windows came out.

Now Windows 7 is out, should I buy a new system or is it worthwhile waiting?

There’s no doubt it was worth waiting for Windows 7 as it’s far more polished and faster than Microsoft Vista.

Having said that, it is probably worthwhile holding off for a few weeks before taking the plunge to Windows 7 for four main reasons;

1. There will be bugs
   Every operating system has some hiccups and while Windows 7 is probably the most tested program ever, there will still be the odd problem. Let the early adopters tear out their hair while sorting out the issues.
2. The earlier adopter premium
   Early adopters are a key profit centre for the tech industry. If you want the latest mobile phone, computer or operating system you will pay dearly for the privilege to be the first on your street. Wait a few weeks and you’ll find prices will drop.
3. Christmas sales
   Windows 7′s release date is deliberate. By having it on the shelves by the end of October, it means the latest systems are available for the Christmas sales rush. Expect to see some good deals in the run up to Christmas.
4. Price wars
   It’s been a pretty torrid 12 months for PC manufacturers as the Global Financial Crisis has hit computer sales hard. To make things worse, Acer, Dell and HP are all in a race for market share. So you can expect some good prices on new systems as the big boys fight it out.

For these four reasons, it might be worthwhile waiting a month before buying a new system. While Windows 7 is a lot better than Vista, it’s not worth spending top dollar on just to be the first on the street.

So take it easy and shop around for some good deals.

I have a Dodo mobile wireless broadband modem HUAWEI #E160E, and a Compaq presario C700 (C774TU) laptop.

The modem did work at first, but then I was doing Vista updates and the computer shutdown to re-start while the modem was still running along with a program that shows the processor and ram usage/speeds (displays on the right hand side of the screen).

The computer never restarted and I had to manually shut it down and re-start in safe mode. There is a partition to back up the necessary start up files, but I thought they would update automatically, apparently not. Now the modem won’t work and I don’t have a previous copy to revert back to and re-load.

The computer works fine when I uninstall the modem software, but if I try to re-install it, it will  ”hang” and won’t complete the installation. The processor goes wild at 100% and just stays there. I have to manually shut it down and start in safe mode to un-install the modem. I have tried to update drivers but that won’t work.

I notice that if I plug the modem in that it becomes listed a a “drive” or storage drive in devise manager, not as a modem (as im my desktop I now have it plugged into). What have I done?

The problem lies with your system not recognising the modem correctly and that’s probably messing up the installation routine.

Forcing the drivers to install is the first thing to try. Make sure the drivers are extracted or copied to a folder on your hard drive and then attempt the following.

Plug the modem in, let the system detect it as a “drive”, right click the drive in Device Manager and delete. Then run the modem installation program.

The second thing to try is to again delete the “drive” in Device Manager and then force a redetection by clicking Action and then Scan for hardware changes. When the system detects the device, choose the Install from a disk or specific location option and point the wizard to where you’ve saved the modem drivers.

Finally, if the system insists on detecting the modem as a “drive” then in Device Manager, right-click on the drive, choose Update driver and select the Install from a disk or specific location once again. Follow the wizard and that should resolve the problem.

Once you’ve done these, you may have to run the installation program again for the other associated wireless Internet software to work.

Many of my file and folder icons (Windows Vista) now have “an icon on the icon.” Most of these are either a double blue arrow, like >>, or a gray rounded square with a white slash mark. Other “designs” have come and gone. One, as I remember, was a red electrocardiogram-like design. What are these and how do I get rid of them? Thanks for your help.

The simplest solution is to download the free Winbubbles programs which gives you a whole range of customisation options as well a quick and easy fix for this problem.

You can download Winbubbles from the Unlockforus website and they have the instructions for resetting icons using the program described on their blog.

Before using the program, it’s best to backup your system just in case something unlucky happens. If you find the program works for you, consider making a donation to the developer.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium I am trying to tidy up my PC before passing it on to a friend. I am unable to clear certain websites I have visited. I am using Internet Options, Delete Browser History etc and it is leaving certain visited sites in the history.  Can you help please.

The simplest thing is to create a new user account then delete yours.

We have the instructions on creating a new account in our Creating a New User post.

So create a new user profile for your friend, back up anything important from your old profile, log on in the Administrator profile and delete your user profile.

With your profile deleted, all your old settings and history will have been wiped.

As you recommended in your checking a disk for errors column, I ran Check Disk and it said I have “Bad Clusters”.

What does this mean?

Basically your hard drive is dying. Bad blocks mean there is damage to the surface of the disks and its a matter of time before your system stops working.

The first thing you must do is backup your data. Make sure everything valuable is off your computer.

When you’re happy everything important has been saved, get the computer to your local computer shop. They’ll be able to tell you whether the computer is worth repairing or if the costs are better spent on a new system.

Windows explorer crashes on start up with Win XP Pro SP3 also crashes Dr Watson then PC freezes – restart usually same except PC doesn’t freeze. All ok with safe mode then crashes on normal reboot.

The problem is something problematic is loading when the computer starts normally.

While in Safe Mode, uninstall any old software you don’t use and clean up your hard drive using Disk Manager by clicking Start, Programs, System Tools and Disk Manager.

Once disk manager scans your drive, tick all the boxes and allow it to run.

When that’s finished check your disk for errors, this will require a reboot.

If serious errors are found on the disk, or the problem still persists, it may be necessary to access to drive from an emergency disk to repair any virus or remove data from a dying drive. This is best done by a technician.

I connected a usb hard drive to my dish dvr, and it reformatted it. I connected the drive to my computer, and the disk manager (the only way I could find the drive on the computer) says it is partitioned into 4 partitions, all of which are “unknown partitions”.

I want to be able for the dvr and my computer to read, swap, and play the videos on the hard drive.

I called Dish and they said they reformat into fat32, but again, my computer (XP Pro) doesn’t recognize it. Help???

The problem is the hard drive isn’t partitioned in a way your computer or DVR understands.

To fix this, plug the hard drive into your computer. Wait until the Removable Device icon appears or a message saying a new device has been installed.

From the desktop right click on My Computer and select Manage

In the Management Console go down the left hand side list and select Disk Management.

The right hand side of the Management Console will now split into two. The top half shows the formatted partitions such as the C: and D: drives. While the bottom half shows the actual disks.

In the bottom half scroll down until you find the new disk. It will show the disk split into four partitions with each marked as “unknown”.

Right click each of the unknown partitions and select Delete Partitionand follow the wizard.

After deleting all four of the unknown partitions you can start create a new partition by right clicking the drive and selecting Create Partition

Windows will start a Partition Wizard. Of the options you receive, you should choose to create a Primary partition and select the largest size possible.

At the end of the wizard you’ll be asked to format the drive. You need to do this and select Fat 32 in the File Type box when asked.

Keep in mind FAT32 has a number of limitations including being limited to 2Gb files which can create problems for backups and saving DVD sized files.

The Windows Scripting Host is an important part of all Windows versions later than the first version of Windows 95. It automates various functions and it’s critical to operation of various Windows features like Automatic Updates.

It does have some problems however and using it to infect Windows computers through “drive by downloads” has been a favourite trick of virus and spyware writers in recent years.

While it does create security problems for Windows users, it is an essential part of the system so you need the latest updates for it.

Microsoft have a number of updates for Windows Scripting;

• Windows XP and Server 2003 users should download Version 5.7
• Windows 2000, 98 and ME users should use Version 5.6.
• Vista users should use Windows PowerShell

It’s best to download and install the appropriate package and then run the Windows Update program.

I’ve set the Microsoft Office Journal function to record documents I’ve opened in word, excel etc.

It works fine for documents on the local computer c: drive, but since I upgraded to Office 2007 , it doesn’t record documents opened from network drives. 

With the release of Vista and the built in Windows Search, Microsoft decided to disable the Office Journaling function for networked documents, the idea being Vista would handle the issue.

While Microsoft Office journaling hasn’t been popular with users as it tends to slow machines down, the few people that do use it were deeply unhappy with Microsoft’s decision.

As a consequence, Microsoft have released a patch for this which can be requested from their knowledge base article, Description of the 2007 Office system hotfix package (Mso.msp): August 26, 2008.

Microsoft hotfixes are funny beasts, you have to submit a request for it and then you’ll be sent a link by email to the download address. When you recieve that, download the hotfix, install it and the network journaling will be back after a reboot.

Remember to back up your Outlook data  files before running this update as it can affect your system.