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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2006-05-18

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

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1) Your Opinions Wanted

Have you tried IE7 Yet? (See http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-05-04.htm#2  and http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx  )

If you have, I'd love to get your feedback: Please drop me a line with your likes, dislikes, and how you feel IE7 compares to other browsers you've tried.

Drop a note to me at this special mailbox:
ie7@langa.com

And please put "IE7" in the subject line, so I can properly find and filter your message.

Soon, we'll open an online discussion of the pros and cons of this new browser; and you're all invited to participate, whether or not you've yet tried IE7.

Thanks, and stay tuned!

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2) A Year's Worth Of Updates on Reyna

Remember Reyna, a teen girl who lives in Guatemala? Some time ago, she became one of the dozen kids supported on an ongoing basis--- each and every month--- through the LangaList Plus subscription fund.

Her introductory info is here: http://www.freetune.com/newsletters/2002/meet_reyna.htm; a large update is here: http://www.langa.com/kids/reyna_2005.htm.

With a dozen kids being supported by the Plus! subscriptions, I thought it would be easier to keep track of what's happening with each kid by focusing on one per month; gathering all the correspondence from the previous 12 months and presenting it all at once, rather than dribbling it out in the scattershot and irregular fashion in which the mail arrives.

What's this all about? Very simply this: Those of us with computers and Internet access are vastly better off than most of the world's population. Because of this, I decided that a portion of the LangaList Plus! subscription fees would be donated to registered/legitimate charities helping the underprivileged around the world. The contribution does not increase the cost of a Plus! subscription in any way; the donation is taken "off the top" of any profits. (This is described in the pages at http://langa.com/plus.htm )

Reyna is one of 12 kids sponsored on an ongoing basis (via an international relief agency) by the collective generosity of LangaList Plus! subscribers; Plus! subscribers also have collectively contributed to emergency earthquake relief efforts in India and to funds to assist those hurt in the Sept 11th terrorist attacks on the US. (To see all the donations so far, click to http://langa.com/plus2.htm#kids )

As the year goes on, and as more readers sign up for Plus! subscriptions, I hope we'll be able to sponsor more children and assist other charities around the world.

If you're already a LangaList Plus subscriber, thank you! You can feel good about giving back a little to those less fortunate, and opening a door to the future for a child in otherwise-desperate circumstances.

If you're not yet a Plus! subscriber check it out: With a Plus! subscription, you can not only help yourself make the most of your hardware, software and time online with expanded content and no advertising--- but you also can help those less fortunate (like Reyna) make the most of their very lives. Thanks for your help!

http://langa.com/plus.htm

or give a GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to the Plus edition:
http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm

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3) Update Takes Over

I have two computers connected to one monitor, mouse and keyboard with a KVM switch. At night I typically fall asleep to music playing in WinAMP and my times the player is on one computer and the music is on the other. Last night I awoke at 3:00 in the morning with the computer playing the music continually repeating a half second part of the song that disappeared when the computer with XP on it rebooted all by itself.
 
I thought that it was unusual that the computer would reboot all by itself. Made me think that maybe there had been a momentary glitch that caused it to reboot. But then when I woke up the next morning and brought a third computer, a laptop running XP, out of hibernation it soon presented a system dialog box saying that in 4 minutes and 32 seconds it would automatically reboot! The dialog box, if I remember right, seemed to indicate that the Windows Update service had mandated this reboot.... without my agreeing to it!!!
 
I am a database developer and sometimes work with very large data sets and sometimes can have processes that run for hours.... and now Microsoft has deemed it kosher to reboot my computer when they deem a security threat serious enough to reboot all our computers? If I hadn't seen this happen on two computers I might have thought that it was a hardware glitch or a momentary lack of power, which I have seen knock some computers out while not others. Did this really happen? Has Microsoft changed it's Window's Update service to allow automatic rebooting of our computers or am I incorrect of my analysis of the problem? BTW....I've only observed this on computers running XP, my computers running Windows 2000 didn't suffer this reboot.
 
Thanks for the great letter, I am a long time Plus subscriber. Keep up the good work. I hope that you can shed some light on what happened to me last night. For lack of light at 3:00 in the morning I also knocked over a glass of water and stood there in the glow of the monitor in my home office/bedroom in a puddle of water wondering "what the ......" all the while trying to get the song that endless repeated, "Wha, wha, wha, wha, wha...... " to stop it's annoying, inopportune wakeup alarm. ---Jesse

Some updates do require a reboot, in order to replace or change files that are in use when the PC is running. When you have Windows Update set to run in full-auto mode, it will reboot when needed after running the update (the default update time is usually 3AM local time); and as you saw, it then opens a little dialog that says "update rebooted this PC" so you'll have at least some clue as to why your system restarted.

If you're running critical stuff that might need a long, uninterrupted chunk of time, your best bet may be either to turn off auto updates completely and remember to run update manually every couple days; or at most to set Update to tell you when new updates are ready; but not to do anything with them until you give the all-clear.

This normally solves the kinds of problems you've run into, Jesse, but may cause other problems, such as interfering with Windows Defender, which seems to require that full Auto-Updating be enabled. Sigh.

Official MS site on using, configuring Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/wupd

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4) Chicken/Egg USB Issue

Dear Fred....I have a computer running 98SE that will only load in safe mode and has vertical lines on the screen.  I think the system is shot and would like to copy my many files to CD's on my external USB Iomega CD-RW and transfer them to my other computer.  The problem is that from safe mode I can't access the CD-RW.  What is the solution? Thanks, Neil H. Christia

Ouch! That's a classic chicken/egg conundrum, Chris: You need the OS to be running to access the USB devices; so backups made to or from an external USB device may not be of much use when you need it most--- when the OS isn't working.

The exact solution to your problem will depend on your exact setup, but I can hopefully point you in some directions that may get you what you need:

Check your system BIOS to see if it supports "boot from USB." The older your hardware, the less likely you are to find this, but it's still worth a look: http://www.google.com/search?q=enter+bios  If the option is there, you can try enabling it and then booting from the external USB drive. The fact that it's a USB CD complicates matters; if the "boot from USB" option is there but won't work with your CD, you might consider getting a cheap USB flash drive. For $10 or $20 you can get a small unit that will hold an OS such as Puppy Linux ( http://www.puppyos.com/ ), and boot from that. Once running, Puppy will let you use your CD drive, copy files, make backups, etc.

Slightly more complex, but perhaps more familiar, you also can get DOS or Win98 working on a bootable flash drive, and use the tools there to save your main files: See http://tinyurl.com/lajz2 and http://tinyurl.com/lp5wj

But if you can't get the external devices working directly, you can use a normal DOS boot floppy with USB drivers for DOS. There's usually some trial and error involved in finding drivers that work with each unique hardware setup but here's a running start: http://www.google.com/search?q=usb+from+dos  Once you have a working DOS boot disk with USB drivers, you then can use normal DOS copy tools to preserve your main files. If it turns out you also need DOS-level drivers for the CDR, they're available too: http://tinyurl.com/r8dca

There are less direct options, too: A no-format reinstall of Win98, for example ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-01-11.htm#2 ); or a dual boot setup with Windows or Linux temporarily installed on the hard drive; etc.

There'll be a way to solve your problem, but it's not gonna be pretty or simple. I promise not to turn this into another backup lecture <g>, but this is one of the reasons why I don't recommend using external drives for backups; any backup that depends on a specific, working configuration of hardware and software leaves you vulnerable in those cases when one or many things are hosed. An "image" backup is far more universal, and can be created from or restored to almost any PC, anywhere, anytime. http://langa.com/backups/backups.htm

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5) When Is A Script Error Not A Script Error?

Hi Fred, Concerning http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-05-15.htm#3 about script errors, it's possible to experience these error messages when using ad blocking software. To see if this is what's happening, it might be a good idea to disable any such software, clear the browser cache, and then reload the web site and see if this makes a difference.  I hope this helps as your newsletter and past input by other readers has certainly come to my rescue in the past. Plus Subscriber, Alan Friedman

Good point, Alan, I should have mentioned that. When the script error is a true, for-real-error in the coding of the page, then my previous comments pertain. But you're right: Script-blocking/disabling security tools can fool a browser into thinking there's a script problem, when the script may actually be fine; just blocked by the security tool.

Such tools would tend to work on all web pages so widespread script errors would be another possible indication of a script-blocker at work. On the other hand, script errors on just one or two sites would suggest an issue with the scripts themselves.

Nice clarification, Alan, thanks.

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6) Recommend This Newsletter And Win!

If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, maybe a friend would find it useful too! Just use the following link to recommend the LangaList--- your friend may find a new source of useful information and you just may win one of three FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the LangaList Plus! edition given each month. (If your name is drawn and you're already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be extended by a full year.)

Check out the details at http://langa.com/recommend.htm . Thanks for recommending the LangaList--- and good luck!

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7) "Servers" Not Just For Large Installations

Fred: re: building a terabyte server ( http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml;?articleID=183702383 )---  It should be pointed out though that this is the perfect opportunity for re-purposing an older PC (even a VERY old one), thus saving the cost of the case, power supply, motherboard, cpu and even the operating system;  the only real cost being the hard drives.

As for use in the home: these days, storing music, movies, home video and photographs eats up HD space like crazy.  better yet, the ability to stream or access content over a home Lan to PC's or even TVs and audio systems makes a home server more valuable.  Thanks for all of your efforts and the great newsletter. ---
Michael Zuckerman

Indeed, many people still think "office" when they hear "server," but a simple server can be an asset almost anywhere. Using an older PC as a file, print or internet access server is a *great* way to eke more life from older gear while delivering real benefits--- extra security,. speed, convenience...--- as well!

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8) Still Another Code-Load Success

After his site was listed in the "Load The Code" section, code-loader Courtney Harrington wrote:

Fred - I just wanted to thank you for putting my site ( http://www.amazingmultimedia.net ) in They Loaded the Code. More than 7,000 new visitors came through the door in a 3 day period. For small, boutique operations like ours, this is godsend to introduce ourselves to the world at large. We spent a lot of time on the site, putting in audio restoration information that we hope is helpful to people who want to do it themselves. There's a great feeling to look at the logs and see how many stuck around to read over the material we prepared. As a long-time Plus subscriber and fan of your work, our deepest appreciation for sharing your readers with those of us that Load the Code! Aloha from Hawaii, Courtney Harrington

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the thousands of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://langa.com/readersites.htm

Computer Help Forum
http://www.techjunkeez.com/forums/

AnchorageHD.TV
http://www.anchoragehd.tv/

Mount St Helens at night
http://www.luscombe-carter.com/

Frankoma Pottery
http://www.frankomareference.com

Computer Systems & Service
http://www.sbitnet.net/

humor du jour
http://humordujour.com/cms1/

A reference for the average computer user
http://egamma.org/default.aspx

Don Dougan   -   sculptor
http://dondougan.homestead.com

Gaming Inside
http://www.gaminginside.com/

showme software
http://www.showmepro.com/

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--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---

"Couldn't surf the net without you. Security, software, new items,
and a little bit of everything. Thanks Fred for a great Plus! newsletter
and informative work."---Roger Fairres

Thanks, Roger!

The LangaList Plus! Edition is ad-free, spam-proof,
and contains even more content--- tips, tricks, advice, downloads....---
than the Standard Edition you're now reading.

It's only around $1 a month!

http://langa.com/plus.htm

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9) More Reader Suggestions Re: Launchers & Toolbars

Program launchers and toolbars ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-05-15.htm#7 and http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-05-11.htm#4  ) must be a hotter topic than I realized--- we're still getting good mail on the subject:

Hi Fred,  I used to have tool bars stacked up to four levels deep with icons from the many programs recommended by you. And getting to be rather unwieldy to organised over the years. But with tabbed tool bars in the free Jet Tool Bar from http://www.cowonamerica.com/download/jettoolbar.html, the icons could be categorised neatly into one row of tabbed tool bars. Those of your readers who find the PowerPro program launcher too complex to setup would love this one. Regards,
john

Hi again, Fred, I want to let you know about a program that I would recommend as an easier alternative to the complexities of the Powerpro program launcher+.  It is called "Free Launch Bar" ( http://www.freelaunchbar.com/ ), and it enhances the Windows Quick Launch toolbar slightly.  It would be good for beginners and as a helper for more experienced PC users.  It offers a subset of their commercial product, "TrueLaunch Bar".  The most useful features are added context menu options when you click on the toolbar, including automated creation of submenus via "New" on the context menu, automated creation of shortcuts to items on the menu, and a program settings configuration option.  Everything else is mostly GUI esthetics. I have had problems with the Windows taskbar getting jumbled up (I also have the language bar going), but it seems better if I put the language bar in front of the Free Launch Bar toolbar.  I hope this is just a problem on my system. Best regards ---Steven Groginsky
 

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10, 11, 12,13, 14) Plus! Edition Only:

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains about 40% more content including:

• 64-Bit Dissention
    (for some, the time for 64-bits is now)
• Synchronizing Desktop and Laptop
    (can an old favorite stand the test of time?)
• Internet Explorer Just Won't Open
    (strange errors, possible fix)
• Trouble Automating Defrag
    (plus: ways to automate many maintenance tasks)
• Optional Links
    (just for Plus! subscribers)

The Plus! edition is only pennies per issue, and comes with a MONEY BACK
GUARANTEE from Fred. How can you lose? Check out the details:

Full Plus! Edition info: http://langa.com/plus.htm

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15) Just For Grins

Hello, Fred! Just thought I'd send the link below to you for the Just for Grins section of the newsletter. It's an example of just how most of our brains work. We start out seeing one thing but, upon further inspection, we wind up seeing another. The page is suitable for all ages in all countries of the world.

http://www.patmedia.net/marklevinson/cool/cool_illusion.html

---Bob de Violini

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(Give a gift subscription to the LangaList Plus edition!
Click <a href= " http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)

The LangaList is published about 72 times a year, or about 6 times a month. See you next issue, 2006-05-29!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

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This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 2006 Fred Langa / Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

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