When you have a program that won't unstall, read through this page , install the program it links to and follow the directions.
This program removes all of the install information from the Windows registry. From this point you should reinstall the program and then unstall it the normal way.
I wrote a number of months ago about the need for a new web appliance. A web appliance is a device that only accesses the Internet. Web TV (now MSN TV) is the only device that sort of falls in this category. What I envision (and wish I had the knowledge to build) is a flat screen monitor with built-in speakers and a cordless bluetooth connection to talk to a mouse, keyboard, and a printer. It would also have a card reader to interact with a digital camera and a wireless and/or Ethernet port for high speed Internet access.
It would not have a hard drive or anyway to load applications. All programs and document storage would be online ala Google Docs and Gmail. The vast majority of clients I work with do only three or four things: Internet, email, games, and maybe some word processing and/or digital photography. All of this (and more) can be currently accomplished online thus circumventing the need for anything but an Internet connection. Also, this type of user would benefit greatly by not needing to worry about backup and where their documents are when they need them. It would take away the need for the user to learn and understand file management (which is sorely missing for most computer users).
Grisoft released an update to AVG Antivirus today that will make it work properly with Windows Vista. Grisoft does a good job of continually offering updates to fight the latest threats and correct any problems with compatibility that it finds. Current AVG users will get the updates automatically, but if you are new to AVG and Vista, then click on our link in the "Links and Resources" section at the top of any of our site pages.
A visitor asked about ZoneAlarm and Vista compatibility and after some research I found that many of the ZoneAlarm products are not fully ready for Vista yet. If you are a ZoneAlarm user, click on this link to reach ZoneAlarm's site and fill out their form that will give you notifications of updates as they become available.
The address bar in Internet Explorer (or any web browser) allows you to type in known web sites and visit them quickly. Sometimes you might want to clean out individual entries from the address bar or history, but this isn't possible in Internet Explorer unless you edit the registry. Watch the video below to learn how to perform this delicate Windows tweak. The video has a surprise ending to make this process a whole lot easier!
Here are the registry steps for Internet Explorer to delete an individual entry from the address bar:
Many years ago, I attended a Microsoft Access (database program) class and one tip stuck in my head, but I forgot the exact steps. The tip was a keyboard shortcut to copy the exact information from the previous record's field to the new record's field. For example, if you are entering a database of people from New Mexico, instead of having to type Albuquerque(the most common city in the database) every time you get to the "City" field, this keyboard shortcut could be invoked instead.
This tip evaded me for years, but today I finally found it and wanted to document it here for any Access users and myself. The shortcut is to push the Ctrl + ' (Control + Apostrophe) keys on the keyboard! Works great.
In the last two weeks, I have seen way too many computers with viruses and spyware. The computer industry just isn't doing their job as a whole stressing how important computer security is. So, I pose the question again: Do you know if your computer's security is adequate and up to date?
If you are a regular Castellini on Computers/HelpMeRick.com listener/visitor, I hope you know the answer. But it is a valid question to ask your friends and family.
This tip evaded me for many years, but now you can benefit from its use. The tip works in any versions of Windows including Windows Vista's Windows Mail.
When asked how to delete a message without opening it in Microsoft Outlook Express, I traditionally answered by directing the computer user to the View menu (See Tip #156). This works, but if you want to turn the Preview back on you have to go through the same number of steps.
Why would you want to delete emails without opening them? A couple of reasons include not wanting to open an email that advertises how to enlarge certain private parts or see an ad of Jolene's sorority web site and you may not want to open a potentially dangerous email that might have a virus.
I am installing Windows Vista on my laptop. Since the laptop is brand new and the hard drive is not partitioned, I am installing the OEM version of the program. So far, it has been a nightmare.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It is a full version of windows but it is sold at a better price because Windows limits their support since it is only for computer manufacturers.
I haven't even made it to the part where I open the package and insert the disk to install it. The back of the OEM package gives a few warnings. The one I am currently struggling with is: If the Individual software license is for a desktop operating system or application software it also must be preinstalled on the drive of the fully assembled computer system using the OEM Preinstallation kit (OPK).
I helped a client over the phone today who had a sound problem. She could hear the Windows startup and shut down sounds, but could not listen to a CD or any Internet audio/video. After confirming that the Window's sounds did work (by going to the Control Panel, then Sounds, Speeches, and Audio Devices), I had her insert a music CD. A few seconds later, Windows Media Player appeared and she said the picture was moving and the time line was also moving, but no sound. I had her double-click the little speaker by the clock and ensured that all volume levels were up and nothing was muted.
The only culprit left was the sound adjustment in Media Player itself. Like all media players, Windows Media Player has its own volume adjustment and mute setting. Turns out that Media Player itself was muted. The moral of the story? If system sounds are working through your speakers, but CD's or other audio content does not play; check the volume and mute settings in the plaer.
Today I ran across Barbaro's leg x-rays while reading the news.
Here's one of the images released by Barbaro's doctors. Is it any wonder that the poor horse was still in pain after surgery?
On a more computer related note. I have received three great items for review that I discovered at CES. I will be posting those reviews shortly.
The items are a Huey monitor calibrator, ProShow Gold slideshow software and an Emerson Karaoke microphone (It was a surprise).