IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I forgot my password to my computer and I have no way of accessing it so now I do not know how to log on is there anyway to unlock my computer?

There are a couple of programs that will reset your password, Peter Nordhal’s NT Password reset and The Emergency Boot CD. Both of these work by creating a Linux boot disk that can access and reset the relevant Windows settings.

They are difficult tools to use though and not recommended for inexperienced users. We’d recommend you call an experienced computer technician to do this for you.

Also keep in mind if you have an encrypted files you’ll almost certainly be unable to open them so be very careful before using these tools.

I have a Dell with Windows XP. Family photos and music downloads have loaded the computer. Would putting the photos and music on an external hard drive free up the computer to run faster?

For sure. One of the causes for slowing computers is a full hard drive and one of the reasons for a full hard drive are a mass of photos, videos and music.

You should keep in mind that external drives do fail so you still need to back the data up. So get a second external hard drive or continue burning those valuable pictures to DVD.

Just downloaded firefox from the net (English version) on my new HP computer as an alternative to Internet Explorer and my new Trend Micro Professional scan identified an infected file after the download:

Firefox%20Setup%203.5.5[1]exe

May be a problem with the link to download or the free download may be infected?

There’s recently been a spate of false positives being detected in the Firefox download with AVG users reporting similar problems.

While it’s likely to be a false alarm, you should assume the worst by deleting the quarantined files, updating Trend Micro and scanning your computer just to be sure.

The next step is to go to the official Mozilla site and download Firefox from there.

If Trend Micro still reports the download as infected, then Trend is detecting a false positive. You’ll have to tell Trend the file is safe and then install Firefox. If Trend won’t let you do that, then you should disable Trend while you download and install Firefox, just take care not to do anything on the net, such as check emails while Trend is disabled.

I downloaded what i thought was a trojan blocker the name of the program is cyber security and now its reporting a number of virus now i can’t access some pages. I have tried add/remove and system restore and its still on my pc. What can i do?

Unfortunately you’ve been conned into downloading some malware. These sort of scams are unfortunately more common than they should be.

The best remover for this is Malware Bytes and we go through the process of fixing this problem in our Removing a Trojan page.

Be warned though that these Trojans often block the spyware remover sites so you may have to download the programs to another computer, transfer them to a USB stick and install them that way.

If it all sounds too complex, and it often is, then you should call your local computer tech.

I bought a Mac because I was fed up with my kids infecting the family computer. Now I’m reading Macs may be more vulnerable because virus writers attack popular computer systems. Is this true and should I get an anti virus for my Mac?

The short answer is “no”. The “big target” story is peddled by people who either have no understanding of computer security or have an interest in selling anti virus software.

In reality the bad guys go for the easy targets and in the world of computer security there’s no easier target than Windows.

In a recent Security Intelligence Report, Microsoft pointed out the first version of Windows XP was by far the most susceptible to viruses. This was due to lousy security (the built in firewall was disabled in XPs early versions) and countless security bugs.

But the main reason for Windows being the malware writers’ favourite operating system is Microsoft’s decision to let Windows users run as Administrators with full control over changing system settings and install software.

Most other operating systems, including Apple OSX, insist users run in without the ability to change system settings.

This fundamental flaw leaves most Windows users wide open to malware infections. Virus and spyware writers just have to get access to the machine and simply visiting a website offering free games, pornography or music lyrics is enough to get many systems infected.

While it is important to take security seriously on all operating systems, including Linux and OS X, by making sure you update security patches and keep your system behind a firewall, Windows has the biggest problems.

Don’t be panicked by ignorant or dishonest advice.

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.

We have just received an AVG pop-up informing us that as from 1 December 2009 this will be superseded by AVG 9, which we will have to pay for, approx $50 for one year. With the prices/costs of everything increasing, as aged pensioners we cannot afford this. Do you have an alternative suggestion?

You’ll find there is a free AVG 9, the link is just hidden away in the small print where it asks you to upgrade for $50.

The direct link to the AVG Free homepage is a http://free.avg.com/au-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition and you can download it from there.

Keep in mind $50 for the full AVG protection suite and $35 for the anti virus is good value compared to some of the better known security patches so the full priced program is not a bad deal.

My external Hard Drive( Western Digital) 160 GB has failed. The indicator light does not light up when connected to my PC or Laptop. Is it the cable , if not , how to retrieve the data inside ?

It sounds like the power supply has failed on the drive. If that is the case, then it’s simply a matter of opening the external drive’s case, taking out the hard drive and putting it in a computer or another external case.

Your local computer shop or technician should be able to do this for under a $100.

Keep in mind all hard drives fail, so backing up external drives is still important.

If I view a particular website does the website or by any means does it get downloaded to my machine.eg is i am visiting youtube or yahoo, do the videos get downloaded to my machine?

In general yes, it’s called caching and the ideas is by storing data on the computer, the web browser or media player can show the site or play the clip faster.

Sometimes you’ll find the clip plays faster than your Internet connection can store the information and so you’ll see a message telling you the clip is being buffered.

Sometimes browsers and media players don’t clean up after themselves and the caches become too big which can slow your computer and clog your hard drive. This is why it’s good to regularly clean up your computer.

I’m using Word 2003 which won’t open docx files. Could either tell me how to fix, or point me to answer somewhere.

Docx files are Word documents created in the newer Office 2007 system. To read them you’ll have to download and install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack as we describe in our I can’t read Office 2007 documents post.

Once you’ve installed the compatibility pack you’ll be able to read Word and Excel 2007 files.