IT Queries: Computer problems answered

Many important files are hidden in Windows XP and Vista. The reason for this is to protect critical system files from being accidentally deleted.

Unfortunately many data files such as address books are also tucked away in hidden folders, which means it can be difficult to find them.

To view these hidden files and folders, there’s a few settings to change in Windows. We recommend only doing this when you need to, such as when you are looking for Outlook Express data files or Windows Address Books. When you are finished, you should turn the settings back on.

Windows XP

Open My Computer, select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.

In the Folder Options windows select the View tab. Click the Show hidden files and folders button and below that take the tick off the Hide protected operating system files box.

A box may appear explaining what you are doing and asking if you are happy with this, click Yes.

Click the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.

Now your computer is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows Vista

Click on the Start button and select the Control Panel, click on the Appearance and Personalization link and click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.

In the Hidden files and folders section select the button labeled Show hidden files and folders and remove the tick  from Hide extensions for known file types below this, remove the tick from Hide protected operating system files.

Click the Apply button and then the OK button and Windows Vista is configured to show all hidden files.

Remember that it’s best practice not to be able to see these files as this reduces the risk of accidentally damaging or deleting important system components, so once you’ve found the hidden or system files turn the hide setting back on again.

I have a lenovo laptop running Windows XP that shows a blue screen when it is turned on. The message reads “STOP: c000021a {Fatal System Error} The windows Logon process system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0×00000000 (0×00000000 0×00000000). The system has been shut down.”

many thanks for your help.

Windows is trying to do something like rename or update a file on starting and failing. Microsoft explain the process here. As result the computer won’t start.

This isn’t simple to fix and we wouldn’t recommend Microsoft’s solution. Instead we would use a Knoppix or BartPE disk to repair the problem which may involve moving system files from a repair directory back to their correct location.

Using recovery disks such as Bart or Knoppix is not something we would recommend to inexperienced users. If you aren’t sure about any of this you should call a computer tech to do this for you.

It’s also possible your hard drive is damaged and you should get your computer tech to check this and make sure your important data is backed up.

I have Vista on a computer in one state and XP on a computer in another state.  I have a large email list with many group lists.  I can export/import the address book from XP in Vista.  But when I return I cannot export/import the list from Vista to XP.  It will not allow the group lists, which I need.

Over 2000 email addresses and about 25 group lists, frequently changing.  I am in my 70\’s and send out daily messages to retirees as a volunteer.  How can I get the group lists from Vista Windows Mail to XP’s Outlook Express.

With Vista, Microsoft introduced a new address book that isn’t compatible with the older Windows Address Book (WAB) used by XP and earlier versions of Windows. 

Like many things in Vista, the new Windows Contacts added complexity without adding any worthwhile new features.

Unfortunately, we can’t find a solution to transferring groups from Vista back to a Windows Address Book. The best we can suggest is using another email program such as Mozilla Thunderbird or a third party contact manager such as the free Open Contacts.

Given you have so many contacts to manage, it may be worthwhile talking to your ISP or web host to see if they include a list management service, some will do this for free while other will charge a nominal fee for it. Either way, you may find this simplifies your life and saves you a lot of time.

I would like to know how to remove lime wire completely from my computer I’ve removed it with add/remove but the icon on the low right corner of the screen is still there and can be activated, when I try to delete it it says it is not able to be deleted.

Uninstalling Limewire can be a problem and the newer versions don’t use the Add/Remove programs applet. The simplest way is to run the built in uninstaller that comes with the program.

To access this click Start then Programs, Limewire  and select Uninstall.

The uninstall wizard will then take you through the process.

Once you’re finished, check your computer for viruses as Limewire users seem to be prone to picking up malware.

If you are still stuck, you may want to contact a computer tech to help you remove the program and clean up your system.

When we access the start menu, click on icon for Media player it comes up on the task bar but no window, it would appear to be hidden behind what ever screen is open at the time.

What’s happened is the media player has been accidentally dragged off the screen. The quick way to fix it is to right-click the task bar icon and  select Maximize.

If you want to fix the problem permanently and select Move, then use the arrow keys to move the program back onto the screen.

I am using Vista Home Premium SE and I have the message below popping up on start up, how can I fix it ? Andy

(Error!  Please run this program from the Administrator account so it can set up your license. Once the license is set up, you can run it from any account.)

This problem is due to Windows permissions. A program you installed wants to change a setting that Vista is blocking.

To fix this you’ll have to login as an Administrator or turn off User Access Control.

Once you’ve set the program up, log back in as a normal user or turn User Access Control back on as they are both important in protecting your Windows Vista system from virus and other malware.

I am attempting to home network by ethernet cable my two desktop PCs – one running Vista and the other, XP.

The Vista PC has an existing broadband internet connection and a new DLink modem/router, both operational. The driver for the modem is installed only on the Vista PC.

I clicked through various prompts on both PCs to set up a network, and each PC now displays the twin computers icon at the right hand side of the taskbar. But when I view the network, neither PC shows an icon of the other. They are invisible to one another.

I haven’t acquired any internal or external NICs because I thought that an ethernet port is a NIC – perhaps I’m wrong? I’ve read the relevant section in PCs For Dummies, but obviously I have overlooked something essential.

I hope you can advise me.

Kind regards, Elizabeth.

Hi Elizabeth.

You’re absolutely right about the Ethernet port being an NIC, or Network Interface Card, all new computers come with them so you don’t need to buy another.

There’s a number of differences in the way XP and Vista handle networks and this can cause problems. 

The most common one is Vista’s use of the Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) protocol which allows Vista computers to find each other on a network but isn’t part of Windows XP. 

If you want to get XP machines talking to Vista, the simplest way is to download and install the XP LLTD software from Microsoft.

Should this not work, Microsoft have futher troubleshooting tips, but you may need to call on the services of a computer tech to help you with what can be a complex and obscure problem.

I have tried to install Microsoft XP Service Pack 3 at least 4 times.  

Each time towards the end of the process, a box comes up with the words “Access is Denied”, then it says it was only partially installed and I have to go through the process of of uninstalling it.  

I have turned off my firewall and other security, but it still has not helped.  What could be the problem?

The problem seems to be some security permissions in your registry. The registry is where Windows keeps a record of all its settings.

Microsoft have a knowledge base article on fixing this problem, but it isn’t simple. It’s best not to play with the Windows registry unless you really know what you are doing.

If you don’t have any experience in working on computers, particularly with things like .bat files and registry editing, then it’s probably best you get a computer tech to help you.

I’ve read I should use a different browser to Internet Explorer because of its security problems. Which one should I use?

Internet Explorer is the web browser built into Windows. Because of the way Microsoft have set it up, it is particularly prone to security problems.

To make things worse Internet Explorer is a fundamental part of Windows so any problem with IE becomes a problem for your entire system.

So regardless of the current security scare it’s a good idea to use an alternative to Internet Explorer and there are plenty of options.

Mozilla Firefox

The most popular alternative browser is Mozilla Firefox. You can download a free a copy from the Mozilla website.

Opera

One of the longest established alternative browsers, Opera tends to be the cutting edge browser, while it’s not for everyone it’s fast, stable and is also a free download.

Google Chrome

A new alternative is Google’s web browser. It’s fast but it does do things a bit differently from the others. You can get this free from Google’s website.

Apple Safari

If you use a Mac then the Safari browser is included with your system. Windows users can download a free version from Apple.

All of these alternatives are perfectly good for general web browsing. It’s best to try each and use the one you find works best for you.

Unfortunately you can’t completely get rid of Internet Explorer. Not only is it a integral part of Windows, but some web sites won’t work properly on anything else, so reserve IE for those sites that require it and use an alternative for the rest of the web.

Running Windows XP and usual Windows e-mail and internet programs.

Problem is the dial-up window keeps appearing un invited and it takes 3 attempts to cancel it. Even then it will soon re-appear. I have only one ISP entered into the dial up system.

The problem is the computer has been set to connect to the Internet via a dial up networking connection everytime it needs something from the network.

To fix this, you need to change the Internet connection settings. Click Start, Control Panel and go to Internet Options.

In the Internet Settings box, click on the Connections tab and change the radio button to Never dial a connection.

Click Okay and the connection will go away.

Keep in mind this will mean you will have to manually connect every time you want to go onto the Internet through dial up networking.