Ask the Experts - September 2007
by John Polich

Q. (Email message) If a person is connected to the internet (verizon or suddenlink) and their computer is running but nether the browser or email program is running, are they subject to getting a virus or a being open to a hacker?  Likely times for this to occur is when they are using quicken, excel, or word and not needing the internet. The same question except if your email program is running in the background to check mail periodically.   Are you subject to hacker?  I told them they were subject to getting a virus in an email and they should tread with caution but was not sure of a hacker getting into their data. I assume the answer is yes if they have a browser running all the time?

A. Your assumption is partially correct. A hacker could invade the computer under these conditions. However using an effective firewall would prevent the invasion.
A virus needs neither a Web page nor email to contaminate the computer. An effective anti-virus software e.g. AVG would be good prophylaxis in this situation. There are other methods involved in viral contamination e.g. using a contaminated floppy or optical disk.

Q. This Q & A was dealt with by Bill Buppert (Sun City TX CC). The following is a quote from Bill:  Problem - after purchasing Windows Vista and "activating" and "validating" the product, you subsequently get a message that your software is "not genuine" and your machine goes into reduced functionality. When you attempt to "re-validate" the validation fails even though the product has been activated

A. Cause - Activation - Genuine Advantage (mechanism is corrupted) and Windows Vista must be re-activated

Solution -

1.         Boot Vista

2.         Click "Start"

3.         In the "Search Box" enter  "Slui 4" (no " ")

4.         Click the Slui 4 icon in the search results at the top,

5.         Ensure that United States appears as the nearest location and click "next"

6.         Dial the number that appears, ensure that "activation" window is accessible

7.         Follow the prompts and enter the new activation code provided

Conclusion-

1.         Now attempt to validate your product (Genuine Advantage),

2.         If the above fix works you will get a "product validated" flag

3.         Re-boot your machine and the "non genuine" message disappears
 

Other Thoughts

1.         This is aggravating, time consuming but it is necessary to resolve the problem

2.         The above fix resolved my issue but for others it has not resolved the issue

3.         If the above fix does not resolve the issue

a.         Re-enter "Slui 4" I the search box,

b.         Re-dial the number

c.         Wait for the prompt that permits you to talk to an operator

d.         Finally, if you have reason to believe that your software is not genuine (valid) do not use the above    process!

(Apparently Vista’s Validation problem as Bill cites above is being shared by many e.g. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=220).
 

Q. (Email question) When I click on a hyperlink in Outlook Express nothing happens. I use Firefox as my browser.

A. Since Firefox is currently your default browser, use Internet Explorer as your default until the problem is solved. Open Internet Explorer. You should get a display asking you if you would like to make it your default browser; check yes. You should also click Start; click All Program then click Set Program Access and Defaults. Click Custom; click the arrow button (right hand of screen) to reveal all available Web browser options; click Internet Explorer under Choose a default Web browser; click OK.

If the above does not help, there exists a possibility that you have a problem with registered file associations. Click on My Computer; click the Tools menu; click Folder Options; click the File Types tab; scroll and from the list, select URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocol; click the Advanced button; click Edit; note at Application used to perform action line should read "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"-nohome (with quote marks). If not, change it to read properly (copy and paste the proper line if you wish); click OK, OK.

Repeat the process as in above paragraph but when selecting File Type you should instead select the line URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocol with Privacy6.                                                                                     

Q (Email message). How can I make MS Works start automatically each time that Windows starts up? I have Windows XP.

A. To make any program start automatically when you start Windows is to insert a shortcut of its executable file in your Windows Startup folder. Find the MS Works executable file; copy it and paste in the Startup folder. To locate this folder, right click on the Start button; click Explore; click Programs (a subfolder of Start Menu); click on Startup (left pane) which opens it up. To find the MS Works executable file open Windows Explorer (depress Windows and E keys); click on the local (C:) drive; click on Programs Files; click on the MS Works folder; right click on msworks.exe; select Copy; bring up the Startup folder; right click and Paste the exe file there. 

If you are working on a document e.g. in a spreadsheet in MS Works and you want it to come up when you next turn on your computer, you can shut down in the Hibernate mode (Start> Turn Off Computer> hold down Shift key if in Standby mode and Hibernate will appear then click Turn Off). The boot up should boot up more quickly and to the document that you were last working on.

Q. (Email message) If DEEPFREEZE protects all the computers in the Cyber Lab from Virus etc then should I install DEEPFREEZE on my home computer?

A. (The questioner uses Windows XP) Deep Freeze is software developed by Faronics. It creates a "snapshot" of the hard drive when initially installed. Its purpose is to restore all the changes made on a hard drive to a desired state each time the computer reboots. It is used once a week on most of our own computer club computers e.g. classroom machines. It is compatible with all versions of Windows operating systems, recent versions of the Mac and selected version of the Linux. It is used primarily in group type settings e.g. education, government, libraries, computer clubs. There is even a specific version available for personal use. Practically speaking, it is recommended that you not use Deep Freeze for your home computer since is cumbersome and rather easy not to carry out scheduled tasks that are involved. You could lose data inadvertently. Using your antiviral program, anti-malware programs, installing Update, etc. should provide enough protection.   

Q. (Email message). How do I place a yellow highlight on a sentence or phrase in an e mail to be sent out?

A. (The questioner uses Outlook Express.) With Outlook Express opened to New Message option; select text that you want to color; click on the Format tool; select Font; use down arrow to select color e.g. yellow; OK

Another way to do so is to use MS Word or similar word processor to create the message then send it as email. You can use this method to format the message the way you desire including highlighting a sentence or phrase e.g. click Highlight down arrow on the Formatting toolbar and select yellow, select desired text to be highlighted then press Esc. After creating your formatted message, click on the File menu; click on Send To then click on Mail Recipient. This method provides the tools (including an available address book) to send a copy to a recipient you desire. 

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