ItsGeekToMe.co

Q: Love your column, I have learned much from your answers. This error message recently began popping up every time I boot up my Dell desktop with windows 7. “APSDaemon.EXE SYSTEM ERROR The program can’t start because MSVCR80.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem“. I believe this has something to do with ITunes or ICloud as I could not log on to my account. I did a web search and was brought to several sites that offer “simple” repairs to my problem. My question is: are these sites safe to use and should I use one of these sites for repair or is there another source? One site had the “Verified by VeriSign” logo so can I assume it is safe? Any help would be appreciated.

 – Kelly S.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

 A: Thanks for the kind words, Kelly.  I do so love hearing that my advice has helped people out.  Your question is closely related to one from a recent column (I.G.T.M. Issue #347, Mar 16, 2014).  In that column I talked about “the C++ Runtime Library” in general terms.  You’ve gotten more specific in naming MSVCR80.dll, however, that is one of several files that comprise Microsoft’s C Runtime Library.  The previous column also discussed how the issue at hand was related not just to iTunes, but to several Apple programs.  Your suspicion that the problem has something to do with iTunes is correct, since APSDaemon.exe is the service responsible for wireless syncing of your Apple device (apparently “APS” stands for “Apple Push Service”).

If you know how to start and stop system services, stopping this service from running will mask the problem.  You won’t get the error any more, but you won’t be able to do sync wirelessly anymore either.  A far better solution is to get the software properly installed.  This usually requires removal and reinstallation of all Apple software (see the previously mentioned column).

I would tend to stay away from the type of sites you mentioned, even one displaying a “Verified by VeriSign” logo.  That’s not to say that having VeriSign’s blessing is not a good thing, but all you’ve got is a logo graphic, which by itself does not prove anything.  I could swipe a picture of someone’s grandmother from their Facebook page and claim to be a long-lost relative, but that wouldn’t make it so.  There are a number of threads on the Apple website discussing this issue, including a couple of different methods of fixing it.  If you’d like to read up on them, you can start by visiting tinyurl.com/lvp42w9 and tinyurl.com/qblzabr.

Q: We have Windows 8 on our Dell desktop and have found it too complicated to work with. We are in our 70’s and not “geeks” to be sure. Someone told us about the app “Start 8” which makes the start menu more like Win 7. Can you share info on this program and if it might make Win 8 easier.  Also my Webmail is not too easy to work with, is there one better?

– Nan S.
Destin, Florida

 A: One of the things people hated the most about Windows 8 was the loss of the Start menu.  Personally I find that rather humorous, because ever since Windows 95 was released the Start menu was a point of ridicule for the anti-Windows crowd (i.e. – Why should you have to click something labeled “Start” to shut your computer down?)

On this point, Microsoft for once actually listened to the pleas of their users.  Although Start8 is a legitimate program, and it does look and operate remarkably like the old Start menu, Microsoft has since released Windows 8.1, a free upgrade for users of Win 8, which includes the good old Start menu, right back where it belongs.  You can begin the update process by visiting the Windows Store.  If you’re not ready yet, you can visit tinyurl.com/mv5mlyu and do some reading on the subject.

As for your webmail question, “better” is such a subjective word.  What’s better for me might be cumbersome and unusable to you.  I think what you’re lacking is a bit of practice, and perhaps a tutorial on your webmail’s interface. Try visiting tinyurl.com/lwzxgmf and tinyurl.com/lfh3pkn for further information, and keep on trying.  It will become more intuitive the more you use it.