FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  507 04/04/06)

Q. For some time I have been having problems getting into Windows. The computer starts normally but when the Windows screen comes up it just hangs. I then use the reset button and then I eventually get a screen saying there was a problem on start-up and then I am given a series of options. After a while the machine starts and if I am lucky everything is normal, otherwise it just does it again.

I have tried the option ‘Start with last good configuration’ without success. Resetting eventually gets me up and running and I keep the computer on all day! This morning I tried a number of times and finally held the start button down and closed down. On restarting it automatically started in Safe Mode and showed a message that on the last boot pp the system hung for an improper CPU speed. Then the message told me to ensure that the CPU speed conforms to the specification of my CPU. Sorry for this rambling account but I hope it makes sense. At 76 years old I am not very technically minded!!

Leonard Pritchard

A. The improper CPU speed error message is a good clue and this points to it being a hardware problem. There are several possibilities, the commonest cause of this type of error message is overheating, though I think we can discount that in your case since the PC isn’t on long enough and it eventually does boot up and you can leave it on all day.

The next most likely culprit is the video adaptor, particularly if it has recently been replaced or upgraded. Even if it is the original then it is still worth removing and reseating the adaptor card as dirty contacts can also cause this error message.

Last but not least is the PC’s BIOS program, which may need refreshing and this is where it gets a wee bit tricky. You need to refer to the motherboard manual and this will point you to a small ‘jumper’ that you need to move in order to ‘clear’ the CMOS memory. Essentially you are resetting the motherboard to its default condition. At the next boot up the motherboard will have to reacquaint itself with your hardware (disc drives, memory and so on), you’ll also have to reset the BIOS clock but all this is explained in the manual. If you don’t feel competent to do it yourself then your local friendly PC engineer should be able to oblige for a modest fee. 

Q. Using Windows XP SP2, prior to installing new software or updating, or running defrag, I create a Restore Point. Periodically, I run Disk Cleanup and remove the old Restore Points. Recently, whenever I do this, the RPs are not removed. I can find no information relating to this problem. Any Suggestions?

Terry Woods, via email

A. It’s not something I’ve come across before either. It may be that that one or more RPs is corrupt and clogging up the works, in which case the thing to do is delete the lot and start again. You can do that by going to System Properties (Winkey + Break or System in Control Panel), select the System Restore tab and check ‘Turn off System Restore. Exit Windows and reboot. Now go back to System Properties, switch System Restore back on and manually set two new RPs then try Disk Cleanup again.

Q. I am having problems downloading updates for various programs (including the excellent CCleaner which I installed at your suggestion months ago).

I get offered an update and after following the links I click on "download now".  Within seconds, and with no on-screen activity, the word "Done" appears at the bottom left of my screen. The screen goes blank, except for - in the top left corner - a very tiny square containing a circle, a square and a triangle.  Despite the word "Done", my program is not updated, so presumably the download has not taken place.

Not being particularly computer literate, I am baffled and extremely frustrated. Can you advise? 

Ian Fox, via email

A. I’m not aware of any setting in Windows that could cause this sort of behaviour on different programs. The circle, square, triangle icon you describe is known as a ‘placeholder’ and it indicates that multimedia content in Internet Explorer may have been switched off. I can’t see this making a difference but with so little else to go on it has to be worth investigating, To switch it back on go to Tools > Internet Options and click the Advanced tab, scroll down the list to Multimedia and make sure 'Show Pictures' is checked.

The only thing outside Windows that could have an effect on downloads is your Firewall. If you are using one (and you should be…) try temporarily switching it off or disabling it and see if that makes a difference. Otherwise I’m stumped and all suggestions are welcome.

Q. Almost every time I run Spybot it advises that a cookie from Avenue A, Inc has been placed on my system. Every time this Cookie appears I select it in Spybot and click 'Fix selected problems' and, under Firefox Options > Cookies > View Cookies, remove said cookie. Also, under Firefox Options > Cookies > Exceptions I've blocked the site.  However, the cookie always seems to return.  Although I rarely use Internet Explorer I've also added the site to the 'Blocked' list. Any ideas on how to stop this?

Philip Gibson, Tsivaras, Crete,

A. Avenue A is not malicious or a threat, though it is a ‘tracking’ cookie with tells the originator if you have previously visited any of its advertising sites, though the information it contains does not reveal anything about you or your PC. Spybot should zap it but only if it is kept up to date and it should be in ‘Silent Running’ mode so it doesn’t keep bothering you.

There have been reports that Spybot’s signature file database can become corrupted. Try uninstalling the program then reloading a fresh copy. Finally, if it is still bothering you try Microsoft Defender (formerly Microsoft AntiSpyware), which appears to be quite good at eliminating this particular nuisance.

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© R. Maybury 2006, 1403