This web site sponsored by AJ CyberGuide

Geek Speak
First, here is my disclaimer. I'm an not an expert. I am just a regular user who is not 
afraid to look for the answers and try different solutions when my computer runs amok.

I built a new computer recently. About a week into the process of installing Windows ME and all of my software, I started to experience a "Windows Shutdown Problem." It appeared to start when I downloaded a Windows update that can not be uninstalled -- so that was not an option unless I wanted to do a clean install of Windows. (BTW, installing an update that I didn't really need was dumb, but that's another story.) In my case, my computer would appear to shutdown by going to a blank screen, but would not power off automatically as my computer is supposed to. I had to manually hold the power button in for 4 seconds to do what is called a "soft off" (the only way to fully turn my machine off is to turn off the power supply and unplug it). When I would try to restart the computer, Windows would report a shutdown error and go through a scandisk routine. This was an unacceptable turn of events. So I decided to search for answer. Using the Google search engine (http://www.Google.com) I searched on "Windows Shutdown Problems". This was too broad and I tried "Windows ME Shutdown Problems."

In trying to solve the problem, I made registry changes, updated drivers and even flashed the BIOS with an updated version -- all to no avail. I eventually solved the problem by moving my network card to a new slot. Since I had determined that when I disabled network virtual device driver vnetsup.vxd on startup using msconfig my machine shutdown properly, I decided to move the card and see if my computer would be happier with it in a different pci slot. It was. All has been fine since I moved that card. In troubleshooting a Windows shutdown problem, you may need to do something entirely different than I did. Here is my general advice for troubleshooting these kinds of problems:

1. Try the least invasive, easiest to undo solution first. In this case it was to check the Windows exit wave file.

2. Keep notes on what you do so that you can go back and undo it if you have to. Undo any change that you do not need. However, you will usually want to keep updated drivers. Be sure to keep copies of your old drivers in case you need to go back to them.

3. Make only one change at a time, and check the result. Do not check it too narrowly -- one change may affect other things besides that problem you were trying to solve.

4. Be patient. Sometimes we are lucky and find a quick fix, but these sorts of problems are often elusive. It may take several weeks. If you computer is not completely broken, take your time and live with it in the meantime. If you are afraid that you may lose data due to the problem, make daily backups (make immediate backups -- I use a CDRW for that, if your file is very important).

5. Keep those notes. Weeks later if you find that you have introduced a new problem in trying to solve an old problem, your notes will help you to resolve it.

6. Be patient. Remember, you are smarter than your computer. Many thanks to Jim Eshelman for the best Windows Shutdown Troubleshooting information on the Web at http://www.aumha.org

Gail Allinson 
gail@gailla.com
June 10, 2001

Guest speaker:

Steve Gibson and Jim Eshelman

This weekend we will have Steve Gibson from GRC.com and Jim Eshelman from www.aumha.org/ Talking about information & views on the DDoS attack problem, that is hitting the Internet. We will be discussing what we can do to help stop these script kiddies from getting into your computer and using it to bring someone's web site down.  

Recommended web site:

It is Jim Eshelman’s web site
www.aumha.org/elist.htm

WindowsME DOS Bootdisk
http://www.ajcyberguide.com/makeboot.html

How to make a shortcut to run Defrag
http://www.alaskajoe.com/links/shortcut4defrag.htm

The Hunger Site

At first glance, The Hunger Site might look like one of those sick Internet jokes that you see. Something along the lines of sending email to fictitious ill children. But this isn't the case -- The Hunger Site is for real. Every time you click the "Donate Free Food" button, the site sponsors donate money to supply one cup of food to a hungry person. This is for real -- the hungry victims really do get the food. As you might imagine, many people would click the button hundreds of times a day to help supply more food. Please avoid this temptation -- each person (URL) is allowed only one click per day. More clicks don't count. Click here to access The Hunger Site.

http://www.thehungersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites

AlaskaJoe's Tips  

Windows Tip: Delete Files without Using the Recycle Bin

Stop messing around with the Recycle Bin. You can instantly delete files with a simple key combination.

By Roman Loyola

If you think about it, you actually have to do a lot of work to delete a file. First, you have to send it to the Recycle Bin, either by dragging it there, or by right-clicking on a file and selecting Delete. Then if you want to get rid of the file once and for all, you have to go and empty the Recycle Bin.

If you know you want to get rid of a file permanently, and you don't want to hassle with emptying the Recycle Bin, there is a simple key combination you can use. When you use this key combination, the file doesn't sit in the Recycle Bin; it goes away completely.

Web Tip: Full Screen View
Free yourself of that dull, gray toolbar.

By Chris Kraus

Tired of viewing webpages with an Internet Explorer border of toolbars and shades of gray? If you're like me, and want to see the full webpage, use this trick. Press the F11 Key in Internet Explorer and view your browser window with a full screen. Press F11 to return to the normal IE browser window.

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/story/0,23008,3008688,00.html

Web Tip: Tab Through Forms
By Chris Kraus

Have you ever filled out a form online? Usually, you start by entering your first name in one box. Move your cursor to the second box to enter your last name. This continues through the entire form. If you use your mouse to navigate online forms, try something faster.

Use your Tab key to move from box to box to fill out an online form quickly. If you need to move backwards through the form, use Tab + Shift.

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,23008,3003431,00.html

Web Tip: Bookmarks Out of Control?
By Jerry Day

It happens to everyone. You've been surfing the Web for an hour or so, and all of a sudden, you realize you've created a huge list of bookmarks (or favorites). Unfortunately, it's almost as time-consuming to scan through your list as it is to just type in the site addresses. Here's how you can put your bookmarks in order.

Internet Explorer 5 and up:

On the Favorites menu, click on Organize Favorites.
Click on the Create Folder button.
Type a name and press Enter.
Repeat the steps above as necessary.
Drag the shortcuts in the list to the appropriate folders.

Netscape Navigator 4 and up:

On the Communicator menu, go to Bookmarks, then Edit Bookmarks.
Go to File, then New Folder.
Name the folder and click OK.
Repeat the steps above as necessary.
Drag any bookmark on your list into the folders you've created.

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,23008,2145933,00.html

Web Tip: Back Up Your Bookmarks and Favorites
By Jerry Day

Here's a problem that comes up a lot. You're surfing the Net at home and find a cool website. Now you're at work and want to check it out. Wouldn't it be nice to have that site available on your work PC?

Good news! Internet Explorer's favorites and Netscape's bookmarks are easily portable.

You can save your bookmark file, put in on a floppy, and take it with you.

Internet Explorer

Choose File, import and export.  
The export wizard will pop up.
Click next and choose export favorites.
Click through two more times and you'll see two options.
Choose export to a file or address.
Choose where you want to save it and click next again.
You've now created a file called bookmark.htm that you can take with you anywhere.

Netscape

It's even easier. Under the communicator menu, choose bookmarks.
Then choose edit bookmarks.
Now click the file menu and choose save as.
Choose where you want to keep it and you're done.

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