Ask Leo!

What are some other popular tech newsletters?

2010-01-17T08:00:00-08:00

I recently asked the readers of the Ask Leo! newsletter this question:

What other tech, email newsletters do you subscribe to, or find valuable?

Here are the most popular responses, as mentioned by my readers.

Continue reading What are some other popular tech newsletters?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

How do I see what's happening on my machine's network connection?

2010-01-15T19:24:20-08:00

I have noticed that when I log on the Wireless Network Connection Status Window shows that the packets leaving my computer almost equal the packets entering the computer, even though I am not uploading any files. Is this an indication that a keystroke logger or similar malware is exporting files from my computer, also is there any way that I can monitor the actual data content that is leaving my machine?

•

The network is a busy place, even when you're doing nothing at all. It's not necessarily the sign of something bad, and not something most people even notice.

Depending on just how detailed - and geeky - you want to get, there are tools that will let you monitor what's happening to varying degrees - all free.

Continue reading How do I see what's happening on my machine's network connection?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

Will I need to install drivers after reinstalling Windows?

2010-01-15T10:18:24-08:00

I am running on Windows XP Pro and want to install Vista premium after wiping my hard drive. Will I need to install system drivers or will this be done when I install vista from disk?

•

Probably, but not necessarily.

I know, that's not very helpful, but the problem is that once again this is a question with a hundred different answers, or more.

It depends on your machine, the specific installation of Windows you're using, and your own needs and preferences.

I'll walk through the what, why and how of drivers you might need after a reinstall.

Continue reading Will I need to install drivers after reinstalling Windows?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

How do I keep MSN Messenger / Windows Live Messenger from starting up?

2010-01-14T14:17:39-08:00

I have Windows XP Pro. I do not utilize MSN Messenger for messaging, however every time that i start or restart my computer; MSN Messenger starts up. I understand that if I had a login for MSN Messenger I could disable it from starting. However, I do not have a login and don't want to setup on for this purpose.

•

At the risk of stating perhaps too strong an opinion, this falls into the category of really annoying stuff that Microsoft did with Messenger, and with other programs on your machine.

The good news is you don't need a login at all.

Here's a hint at the unexpected: I'll bet you're running Outlook Express.

Continue reading How do I keep MSN Messenger / Windows Live Messenger from starting up?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

How do I move an off-screen Window in Windows 7?

2010-01-13T18:39:15-08:00

My Windows Media Center suddenly popped up too high so can't get to controls to pull it down to close/max/minimize screen. Your answer about alt+space, m doesn't work with media center. Desperate to get it back under control!

•

You didn't indicate whether or not you were using Windows 7, but given that Windows Media Center is part of it, and it does indeed not pay attention to ALT+SPACE like it should, I'll show you "the other way".

The problem is that "the other way" changed from Windows XP to Windows 7, and many people that used to use it are also somewhat lost searching for it.

What's called the "System Menu" used to be accessible in a single click from the task bar. In Windows 7, there's an additional step.

Continue reading How do I move an off-screen Window in Windows 7?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

Hotmail says my password is incorrect, but I know it's right. What do I do?

2010-01-12T12:14:05-08:00

HI, MY PASSWORD HAS BEEN THE SAME FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND SUDDENLY I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS PASSWORD INCORRECT,WHAT THE HELL? AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS IT BLOCKED ALL ATTEMPTS AND THE QUESTION IT ASKS IS NOT WHAT I FILLED IN WHEN I SIGHNED UP.IT ASKS ME FOR MY FIRST DOGS NAME AND I KNOW THAT I DID NOT FILL THAT IN, I DO KNOW WHAT SECRET QUESTION I AM SUPPOSED TO BE ASKED. WHAT DO I DO OR DO I JUST GO TO G MAIL AS MOST OF MY FRIENDS DID WHEN HOTMAIL STARTED WITH THEIR NONSENSE?!?!?

•

I get this often enough that I want to use this question as an example and provide a summary article for the situation.

This has nothing to do with Hotmail's "nonsense" at all.

It's pretty clear what's happened here, so I'll point you to a number of my previous articles that all might apply in your situation.

Continue reading Hotmail says my password is incorrect, but I know it's right. What do I do?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

Does just looking at a file leave a trail?

2010-01-10T13:16:53-08:00

If I open and view, but do not ever save a file on my hard drive - in other words it is opened from and only stored on other media like CD or flash drive - can such a file be recovered, opened, viewed or otherwise identified?

•

Maybe.

This is another of those cases where it really, really, really depends on the characteristics of the file, the system, and the program used to view it.

More often than you might think the answer to at least some of the scenarios you raise is yes.

Continue reading Does just looking at a file leave a trail?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

What's the difference between AppData and Application Data folders? (And why have both?)

2010-01-10T11:26:02-08:00

I use Vista which I find far more difficult to navigate than the XP used formerly. For some reason all my files seem to have duplicated themselves and I cannot access them. For example I have two folders entitled application data and another app data. I can access one but when I try to access the other I am told that the folder is inaccessible and access is denied. Did I perhaps inadvertently initiate a share or something equally stupid?

•

Nope, nothing you did at all, stupid or otherwise.

This is part of some kind of redesign that Microsoft initiated in Windows Vista that folks just now upgrading to Windows 7 are encountering as well.

And I agree, it's confusing. I can take some guesses as to why they both exist, but first let's look at exactly what they are, and perhaps more importantly, what they are not.

Continue reading What's the difference between AppData and Application Data folders? (And why have both?)
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

Can hackers see data going to and from my computer?

2010-01-09T08:00:00-08:00

I've heard that instant messages through AOL/Yahoo/MSN can be read by hackers that "sniff" the messages leaving my network. Is this true?

•

Yes.

It's actually true for all the data that comes and goes on your internet connection: web pages, emails, instant messaging conversations and more.

Most of the time it simply doesn't matter. Honest.

On the other hand, there are definitely times and situations when you really do need to be careful.

Continue reading Can hackers see data going to and from my computer?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

Where does Outlook Express put my mail folders?

2010-01-08T14:00:44-08:00

Can you please tell me in what folder the Outlook Express e-mails are stored? I am using Windows XP SP3.

•

Sure. I'll tell you where the probably are, but then I'll also tell you how you can find out where they definitely are yourself.

I'll do that last part for Windows Mail in Windows Vista, and then again for Windows Live Mail.

Continue reading Where does Outlook Express put my mail folders?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.

How do I fix this problem uninstalling Microsoft Office 2010 (Beta)?

2010-01-07T17:54:11-08:00

I tried to install Microsoft Office 2010 (Beta), for some reason it failed, it said that it rolled out the installation, but I can see the software on my hard drive, when I try to remove it with uninstaller it denies the access to it. Also, when I start Word document by clicking on .doc document it gives me an error as follows: "Click-2-Run Application Manager: Click-2-Run configuration failure"

How can I fix this?

•

I don't know.

But the reason I'm addressing this question is that it's an important and cautionary tale. There's a reason things are called "Beta".

OK, I do have one simple answer that will indeed fix the problem, but since you're asking and not already doing it, you probably can't take the steps I'll recommend.

I have another answer that promises hope, but I'm guessing that's not available to you either.

And finally, I do have a few straws to grasp at, as well as a last resort.

Continue reading How do I fix this problem uninstalling Microsoft Office 2010 (Beta)?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Get the Ask Leo! Newsletter in your inbox every week.