Email of the Week – 024

QUESTION Name:  TERRY JAMESON From:   LARKSPUR CO. OS:      Windows XP ———————- RICK, I WOULD LOVE TO USE FIREFOX, BUT IT SHUTS DOWN CONSTANTLY. THE INFAMOUS BOX COMES UP AND STATES THAT IT HAS “ECOUNTERED A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO SHUT DOWN.” I HAVE TRIED TO UPDATE IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. ANSWER Normally, I don’t read or answer...

Email of the Week – 023

QUESTION Name:  Diana From:   Colorado OS:      Windows 7 ———————- I recently purchased a laptop and have a message saying there are 27 Windows update to download.  Is it essential to download all these? ANSWER As unbelievable as it sounds, yes, even on a new computer with a new operating system, Microsoft has already released almost 50 updates to thwart would-be hackers and fix...

Email of the Week – 022

QUESTION Name: Bill From: Wisconsin OS: Windows Vista ———————- I’ve been using Apple Safari browser for some time now because I don’t get any of the menacing ads that seem to plague IE and Firefox. How do you rate this browser since I never hear anything about it? ANSWER You are correct, I don’t talk about Safari (Apple’s web browsing program that just...

Email of the Week – 021

QUESTION Name:  Barb From:   Grand Junction,CO OS:      Windows Vista ———————- If I install Windows 7 and I find I do not like it, can I re-install Vista on my HP Laptop by using the recovery Disk, then I would have to set it all up again? Is it necessary to have Winows 7 professionaly installed, or is it as easy as the Beta version you installed? Thanks for all you do, you have...

Email of the Week – 020

QUESTION Name:  Marty From:   Houston, TX OS:      Windows XP ———————- Is there a difference between the AVG trial version and the AVG free that you refer to on your site?  Is it too late to get the free version or is it the same as the trial version? Thank you.   Is it compatible with WindowsXP – SP1 only?  I still need to restore computer to SP2 but want to be...

Email of the Week – 019

QUESTION Name:  Robert From:   Grand Junction OS:      Windows XP ———————- I listen to streaming audio on my computer but it is confined to one room. Is there anyway I can get the audio to my whole house system wirelessly ie transmitter hooked to computer output & reciver hooked to amplifier input with enough voltage to drive amplifier. ANSWER There a number of ways to listen...

Email of the Week – 018

QUESTION Name:  Steve From:   Tampa, FL OS:      Windows Vista ———————- The problem concerns getting the Windows Update system to work–it has not updated in nearly two months and I even downloaded Registry Mechanic (PC Tools) to fix it but that doesn’t work. I can send a screen capture but it is Error Code 80240016. Thanks very much. ANSWER Thanks for writing Steve....

Email of the Week – 016

QUESTION Name:  Cathy From:   Walworth, WI. OS:      Windows XP ———————- I use Firefox and lately whether I have one or twenty tabs open all of a sudden it crashes and I have to re-open and restore tabs.  This happens 3-4 times a night. I have CA Security and Spy Bot. Thank you, Cathy ANSWER Thanks for writing and great question. Two ways to troubleshoot your problem. First,...

Email of the Week – 014

QUESTION Name: Eve From: Cedaredfe OS: Windows XP ———————- I downloaded the Ccleaner and ended up with the Yahoo tool bar. How do I get rid of it. Thanks ANSWER Hello Eve. I will answer your question in a minute, but first, let me talk about prevention. As always, prevention is the best medicine. During the setup of CCleaner, there is an option to NOT install the Yahoo...

Email of the Week – 013

QUESTION Name:  Beth From:   Missouri OS:      Windows Vista ———————- Dear Rick, I have a new laptop using Vista Home Premium 64-bit. Advice on how to set it up? email, browser, virus/ad/spy programs, etc?  I am sure there are many people out there who want to know how to set up a new computer. Usage – I will be setting up a network with my desktop (windows XP).  I...

Email of the Week – 012

QUESTION Name:  Lorie From:   Grand Junction, Co OS:      Windows XP ———————- Internet explorer 7 – when I tried to get on it just kicked off and said it had a problem and needed to shut down. How would I reload explore 7 with out the internet. Lorie I am using my Mom’s computer right now. ANSWER Helo Lorie. I think you can get your Internet Explorer up and running...

Email of the Week – 011

photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik QUESTION Name:  Joanne From:   Portland, OR OS:      Windows XP ———————- On May 27 you talked talked about the # of processes that open at Start-up. Following your instructions I found I have 60 processes opening. I went in and unchecked several I didn’t need, however when I go back to normal start-up at closing,restarting my computer...

Email of the Week – 010

QUESTION Name:  Doris From:   Florida OS:      Windows XP ———————- Rick…I have a friend who has parkinson disease. Many of his nights are spent on the computer due to insomnia. His tremors are beginning to be a problem.  There’s programs out there that are voice activated, guess you command the computer and it recognizes your command or something of the kind. How...

Email of the Week – 009

QUESTION Name:  Patrick From:   gj OS:      Windows XP ———————- Solving email problems Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 | Email Tips | Rick Rick, the two email tips in this post could not be found.  Are they still applicable? ANSWER Thanks for writing and thanks for finding more dead links here at HelpMeRick.com. Some of the tips here date back to 1996, when I first started this site....

Email of the Week – 008

QUESTION Name:   Norman B. Buckallew From: Florien, La., OS: Windows XP ———————- I have office 2003 standard addition installed on my computer. When I try use programs such as powerpoint it asks for a key word to install or activate it. I have lost the keywords that came with my computer. I have tried Belarc and it dosn’t give me it keyword for powerpoint or office...