Site visitor Nick Pelto wrote me after finding one of the many articles on my web site (most of the newsletter articles become individual articles on the web site).

Nick had the same problem that Delmer Tergarden had after installing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Fortunately, Nick found and has shared the fix he found…

Hey there. I recently (finally) got around to upgrading to XP SP3, and I had the problem with my CD and DVD drives described in this post — http://www.terryscomputertips.com/computers/windows-xp-service-pack-3-woes.php. I could find almost no resources about this problem on the ‘net at all, so I thought I’d tip you off to a potential fix — I was able to get both my drives working again by removing the UpperFilters and LowerFilters entries in the registry, as described on this page:

Continue reading Lost CD and DVD Drives — Windows XP SP3

This week’s online newsletter includes:

*   IExplorer.EXE Application Error
When closing Internet Explorer results in an error message, the fix turned out to be easy…

*   The Lighter Side of Technology
This week’s computer technology cartoon at Terry’s Computer Tips…

*   Solving Runtime Errors and Debug Errors
Another reader writes about trying to solve program crash messages…

*   Why Uninstall Acronis True Image Home?
This caught my interest — there had to be more to the story…

*   Saving an Animated GIF File, part 2
A reader offers another way to save an animated GIF file…

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:
*   free weekly Terry’s Computer Tips email newsletter
*   weekly on-line Terry’s Computer Tips newsletter

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Tired of old antivirus software that slows your PC to a crawl? Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Only $29.95 for one computer Multi-computer discounts, too… Unlimited Home Site License only $49.95

subscriber Fred (who preferred to remain somewhat anonymous) wrote me to tell me that he’d been bitten by a malware problem — and it was one that I’d warned about in my July 13, 2008, online newsletter.

Fred wrote:

Cable/DSL Router
Just a quick note about this.

I have used a Linksys Router for some years with great satisfaction, however, through complacency or wahatever, I did not change the default password etc on it. One day I was surprised to find that my firewall (Zone Alarm Pro had stopped a high level attempt at access.

When I checked my modem I found that the password had been changed!

I immediately wiped my modem data and installed a new high level password. There have been no subsequent access attempts.

So I advise everyone now to change their modem passwords and not to leave it with just the default one

regards
Fred

I wrote back to Fred to say:

Continue reading The Router Password Was Changed

This week’s online newsletter includes:

*   Web Site Not Showing Up Right
In which I answer a question for a computer user who visits a web site that doesn’t display correctly…

*   The Lighter Side of Technology
This week’s computer technology cartoon at Terry’s Computer Tips…

*   HowTo Turn On JavaScript in Opera
A HowTo on controlling JavaScript, including the options I use for JavaScript, in Opera…

*   Computer Crashes and Reinstall Windows
Someone else has the "joys" of reinstalling Windows, and decides to prepare to do things differently the next time…

*   Changing Column Headings in Outlook Express
A subscriber needs help with Outlook Express…

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:
*   free weekly Terry’s Computer Tips email newsletter
*   weekly on-line Terry’s Computer Tips newsletter

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Tired of old antivirus software that slows your PC to a crawl? Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Only $29.95 for one computer Multi-computer discounts, too… Unlimited Home Site License only $49.95

Reader Peter wrote me about his cable Internet access:

Well, I finally made the jump to cable broadband (after some very good help from all you people). Everything works great, and I’ll never go back to dial-up. I do have one question, though.

After I turn off the computer for the night, should I also turn off the power to the modem and to the router? I’ve had them for almost a week now and haven’t turned them off. On the same note, should they be turned off if I’m gone for an extended period of time, say a weekend or a whole week?

Thank you.

Peter

I wrote back to Peter to tell him that I don’t ever turn my router off — even if I go on vacation. However, I’ll usually turn my computers off then.

When you turn off your cable modem…

Continue reading Disconnecting Your Cable Internet Access

This week’s online newsletter includes:

*   Excel Auto-Fill Not Working Properly
A subscriber has trouble because Excel isn’t working like it used to…

*   The Lighter Side of Technology
The weekly computer/technology cartoon at Terry’s Computer Tips

*   Google ScreenSaver Loses Image Locations
A nice feature of the Google ScreenSaver was lost — and the reader gets it back…

*   Home-made Multi-Monitor Laptop Desk
More followup on using multiple monitors at the same time (once you try it, you won’t want to go back to one), as a reader shows how he modified his laptop table to handle two monitors..

*   A Look at Windows’ "Set Program Access and Defaults"
Sometimes those Windows features that we look at once and then ignore, get better and more functionality…

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:
*   free weekly Terry’s Computer Tips email newsletter
*   weekly on-line Terry’s Computer Tips newsletter

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Tired of old antivirus software that makes your PC slow down to a crawl? Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Multi-computer discounts Unlimited Home Site License available, too.