ItsGeekToMe.co

Q: Upon startup on my 2003 Dell-WindowsXP, a pop-up states, “Security Product could not start. Tech details saved in start up log files.”  I click OK and another box asks the question, “do I want to repair the installation?”  I click on repair and it stalls on MSInstaller.  So I end the unresponsive program.  I […]

Q: The icon “Get Open Office” recently appeared on my desktop.  I have win XP that came in a Gateway hardware box but my version has the Works Spreadsheet and Word Processor.  I do not have excel.  A friend sent me an excel attachment.  A window appeared saying that I could not open this attachment […]

Q: I have started getting an error message while using Word.  It shows up as Microsoft visual c++ runtime library and states Runtime error “Program: C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Office\office10\winword.exe – Abnormal program termination.”  I called Dell and got an Indian who did not know the difference between Word and WordPerfect.  I then removed Word and reinstalled it.  […]

Q: Last month, my son, while trying to fix a minor computer gliche, clicked on PC Recovery, rather than System Restore.  This effectively reset my computer back to factory settings and ultimately wiped out all of my emails.  I have spoken to Cox, HP, and Microsoft reps, all of whom tell me the data is […]

Q: Help!  I need a Geek!  When I’m using Internet Explorer, I can hardly tell the difference between the colors of links, and links I’ve already visited.  How do I change the colors to make them stand out more? – Spouse Peripheral Bluewater Bay, FL A: For those of you unlearned in the Geek-speak I […]

Q: When using Windows XP I frequently (but not always) get a Windows Live sign in window when I try to open Internet Explorer.  When I sign in using a password I get a screen hawking Hotmail or I get a screen indicating the page is not available.  I have deleted everything named Windows Live […]

Note: There was no column this week Last week, the paper “forgot” to publish it, so last week’s column was published this week. – Geek

Q: I’ve been using an old e-mail program and since I have Outlook I thought I should make use of it.  So Last week-end I got my Microsoft Outlook 2007 up and running.  When setting up my contacts list, I tried to put a phone number in, and a dialogue box comes up prompting me […]

In last week’s issue, I answered Bill B’s question about Windows Picture and Fax Viewer showing seemingly random images from old browser sessions when he opens a picture attached to an e-mail message.  I ran short of room before I could explain how to locate the temporary directory that Windows uses to cache these files. […]

Q: I hope you can help me, or point me in the right direction as MS won’t provide any free assistance.  I’m running Windows XP Home Media.  When I boot up I get the message: “Windows cannot load the users profile but has logged you on with the default profile.  Detail: Insufficient system resources exist […]