Compunerd 007's blog

Some Common PC Error Messages, Their Meaning, and Where to Get Online PC Support

PC errors may pop up when least expected, they may cause the entire PC to abruptly shut down, and they might inadvertently mess up your data to the point where it cannot be deciphered - one reason you should have offsite backups. Even though glitches can't always be avoided, it is vital to keep in mind that computer error messages may often be remedied. The key is to learn what PC errors are, learn what they mean when they show up, and understand how to minimize their happening at all. Advice is available by means of online PC support.

Basically, personal computer error messages may be caused by several items that may or may not be related to the way the PC is utilized. They are generated when there is a conflict between instructions. Remember that personal computers essentially operate from a string of commands, and this is normally a smooth routine. But in case one command clashes with a different instruction - or in case one instruction asks for a process or data that isn't accessible, the PC produces responses that are not usable: that's an error. The most feared error is the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) which pops up on your screen whenever something has gone terribly wrong.

A good example of this sort of error is if novices attempt to use a program that is not applicable for their computer. Almost all software packages include a description of system requirements that dictates what a PC should possess in order for the software package to work correctly. To cut down on errors of this sort, always verify that your PC possesses the required parts. A project management program that you're considering could require a specific operating system, like Windows 7 for instance. And even though this software package might install just fine on a Windows XP PC, it might produce a multitude of errors once it's launched.

Insufficient memory may generate errors as well. That's why programs usually include minimum RAM needs. A program which requires 14 megabytes of RAM will cause errors on a computer which only has 4 megabytes of memory free - assuming it runs at all. The same goes for hard disk space, display color range and resolution. In such situations, issues appear the moment that a software application attempts to access the items (devices, RAM, hard disk space, monitor resolution, etc.) that it cannot find.

Since many software packages share the same dynamic link library files, glitches can also appear when these shared DLLs are not updated. For example, let's say that Program A is already installed on a personal computer and it is running just fine. Next consider that the computer user downloads and sets up Program B. Program B needs a dynamic link library file which Program A installed much earlier, however, when Program B starts up, glitches appear. Those glitches are the result of Program B attempting to use an outdated common DLL which was included with Program A. In order to remedy that problem, the user must find on the Internet a newer version of the shared DLL (which speaking mildly - isn't the easiest thing to find or set up).

At times, glitches pop up when a PC doesn't possess the right drivers or when the drivers which are on the computer are the incorrect version. Both glitches in these instances can be resolved by updating the system on a frequent schedule. Microsoft has a section on its servers that can automatically update a PC online, and it does this at no cost in an effort to reduce errors like this. Always try to keep your computer up to date so that in case a program shares a DLL, it will share the same dynamic link library file which has been brought up to date on hundreds of thousands of personal computers like yours.

This article doesn't even begin to address the whole gamut of computer error messages - but more information regarding ways to get help with a personal computer problem (including personal computer errors) can be read in my article about "Computer Help" no matter what the issue is. You may also find online PC support to help resolve these error messages.

Best regards,

Bob Hosken

"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"

Dr. Robert Hosken, the author, has more than 30 years of career work in IT with PCs. Starting in his teenage years he has built and operated a number of profitable firms and non-profit entities. Download his free e-Book "How To Maintain Your Computer" and learn the most effective techniques to utilize your PC at Online PC Support, or see his Offsite Backups page, or write him at Robert@CompuNerds.Net - thank you!

Computer Usage by Elderly and Online PC Support Relieves the Feeling of Isolation

An increasing number of elderly are catching the personal computer bug and diving into the online world. The active baby boomers have matured and become active seniors looking to move out and explore the world surrounding them. The WWW and computers together have burst open the doors to various avenues of entertainment and excitement for these seniors.

No longer are these people resigned to only playing shuffleboard or cards with their local friends for their entertainment. Now with the aid of PCs and the Internet they can play such games and find online PC support over the Internet with folks from all over the world. While learning how to use a PC is still one of the biggest challenges to many in the older generation, when most of them figure out how to use a computer, they cannot believe that they were ever worried about it at all.

Many elderly people have voiced apprehension when they start learning how to use a personal computer and make contact with friends over the Internet. They are quite proud when they not only find out how to use a personal computer, but are able to even send emails and use other personal computer applications with no outside help at all.

Although some in the older generation might have had a little experience with PCs in their previous employment, most are finding out the basics of personal computer use for the first time. It is really an ordeal at first for many of these folks who find it all a bit overwhelming. This feeling quickly passes, though, as they learn the fundamentals very easily and begin to see some results after only a few class sessions.

Computer use among {seniors|elderly people|those in the older generation} has shown to be very beneficial to them in several aspects. It helps them to be involved in life once more. Although using a personal computer isn't equivalent to a workout for the body, using a PC is a very stimulating method for them to exercise their most important muscle - their brain. By staying intelectually active, many seniors discover that they are not lonely any longer and there's much more they can accomplish with the aid of a personal computer.

Not only are they able to use personal computer programs to assist them to work with some hobbies they might have, but in addition the WWW can assist them to stay in contact with others who share in the same interest. Keeping in contact with relatives and acquaintances by way of email is an additional great way to help elderly people to be connected to the lives of others and the world around them. By staying in close contact, they find more purpose in their old age.

Some in the older generation even become competent enough with their PC use that they are able to take on part time jobs doing basic data entry for companies. They can also assist in instructing others in the older generation about the benefits of learning to use a personal computer and the wonderful world of the WWW. Quite a few in the older generation may have only heard about the seemingly endless websites out there that have so much info which they are able to easily access.

For many seniors it's like switching on a light that shows them what they have been missing all their lives. They become passionate about their search for knowledge with personal computers and the Internet. The feeling of loneliness is lifted immediately as soon as they send and receive their initial email messages with someone they know. Whether the person is across the world or just across the street, the thrill is the same. Soon they learn how to feel part of the world once more and can take part in more conversations as their grasp of PCs and the Internet grows.

Having the ability to get in touch again with old friends who they haven't talked to for ages is quite a huge accomplishment for these seniors. They also are able to encourage each other to learn more while they experience together some of the same things while learning more about computers and the Internet. This is when online PC support is of great benefit. Also, many seniors with hearing problems find it a lot simpler to email somebody, or use Skype, Facebook or MySpace to connect, rather than attempting to talk to the friend on the phone.

Seniors who are grandparents find that the Internet is a tremendous way to stay a part of their grandkids' lives. By exchanging emails and talking about everyday events, the family becomes closer and stays closer as well. By using the WWW, many in the older generation have discovered friends with shared interests. Whether these interests are past-times or health concerns they share, the fun of being able to message someone and let them chat back to you nearly instantly is really fun for those seniors.

Yours truly,

Bob Hosken
"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"

Dr. Robert Hosken, the author, has accumulated more than 30 years of professional experience in software development. Starting in his teenage years he has built and run several companies and non-profit entities. Download his free e-Book "How To Maintain Your Computer" and see the most effective techniques to work with your PC at Online PC Support, or see his Offsite Backups page, or email him at Robert@CompuNerds.Net - thank you!

Where and How to Find Some PC Assistance - Online PC Support

Well, there's no denying it - no matter how new or how well-maintained our PCs are, we all meet up with PC issues sometime or other. The bright side is that we don't have to tackle them alone. There are all sorts of helps available to walk us through computer issues, but it might require a little ingenuity in knowing how to locate them. This article will show you how to locate online PC support.

1. Vendor websites. When you're experiencing an issue with a software application or with a hardware part, look up the website of the software's or hardware's company. Most (if not all) vendors reserve a section of cyberspace and use it to support the products that they provide. Microsoft's help desk is a good example.

2. Remember help files. It's funny, but people often don't remember that every personal computer itself and every program installed on a personal computer comes with its own help file. Even the operating system of a personal computer has a help file, and it really ought to be the first place to look for solutions. Help files are designed not only to guide in how to use a PC, they're also written to fix difficulties. Inside a help file, look for a section called, "Troubleshooting" (or something similar) when you need to resolve an issue. This section is reserved for solving problems specific to the software or hardware that you're using.

3. Fan sites. Fan sites perhaps is not a good term for this resource, but one can find websites that are set up for supporting the users of a particular software program or piece of hardware. We call them "fan sites" since the maintainers of such websites have no affiliation with the manufacturers which they support! Call them however you want, but their free help is invaluable and without it, we would not have some of the wonderful workarounds and top-notch problem resolution resources which we possess today.

4. Usenet newsgroups. An often underutilized resource on the Internet, Usenet newsgroups include scores and scores of discussion groups focused on some of the most popular PC systems, operating systems, device suppliers, and various software programs. At times, the employees of these vendors take part, but usually, the help in these groups is user-to-user, and this is just as valuable since you are working with a bunch of experienced folks.

5. Help Lines. Another resource for help which we mustn't forget are the help systems of different manufacturers. You can access these systems by dialing the phone number associated with the product that you are experiencing difficulties with. Calling might be free (1-800 or 1-877 numbers), or they may cost a small fee (1-900).

6. Computer support groups or computer clubs are another option for help. These are groups that meet in libraries, computer stores, or similar local areas, and they talk about all kinds of issues dealing with a particular product. Even if you may not be experiencing a related PC or software problem, support groups are exciting to take part in, because they may help you make contacts for other interests such as work or teaching possibilities.

7. Also, you might even find a helping hand from the salespeople at a nearby personal computer store. We don't suggest that you make this your first pit stop if you experience a problem, but we don't think that you ought to ignore this alternative altogether either. PC salespersons are employed for a reason - and that is their knowledge. Often these kind people are able to help you to solve an issue over thetelephone and keep you from having to buy an expensive solution.

From this you can tell that help is easy to find - you simply have to know where to hunt for it. Most of the people within these resources are extremely friendly and willing to spend time to step you through an issue at little to no expense. From online discussion groups, to the help files on your own PC, to online PC support, assistance is often just a phone call away.

Best regards,

Robert Hosken
"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"

Dr. Robert Hosken, the author, has over 30 years of career work in software development. Beginning in his teens he has set up and headed many businesses and non-profit organizations. Download his free e-Book "How To Maintain Your Computer" and find out the most efficient methods to use your PC at Online PC Support, see his Offsite Backups page, or write him at Robert@CompuNerds.Net - thanks!

Dealing With the Loss of Files - Data Backup and Recovery

Loss of data is something which could well be very devastating.  Whether it is a company with vital files and information, or an individual with irreplaceable pictures and movies, loss of files can be an extremely traumatic and stressful situation.  If you've never experienced hard drive burn-out or losing data before, you'll find out that it will in fact be a disaster where you find yourself wondering what you must do. Your first choice beforehand is offsite backups, because in the event of an "act of God" or human causes any onsite backups could also be destroyed.

Regardless of what happens, you should not stress out or permit the situation to conquer you.  Even though PCs are wonderful devices to use, and hard drives usually function quite satisfactorily for storage, they are both mechanical, and are bound to crash after some period of time.  It doesn't matter how sophisticated hard drives get, they will never become able to totally avoid crashes or wearing out.

In many instances, your disk may be recovered, which is certainly tremendous news. When your hard disk first crashes or you notice that a portion of your data is missing, you should take it to a nearby specialist immediately.  The expert will be able to evaluate your hard disk, find out and then tell you what the issue is. The inspection procedure might take anywhere from a day to a few weeks, so you need to always be prepared for whatever might happen.

Once the hard disk has been inspected, the specialist will inform you of the alternatives that exist and go over pricing with you. At this time, you may determine whether you should buy a new hard disk and restore your information from a backup, or accept the specialist's proposal. Bear in mind that his proposal could be very costly, although at this point it might very probably be the only alternative available for recovering your data... if you don't perform backups.

The smartest way to avoid information restoration completely is to perform a backup of your information and continue backing up regularly.  Companies and individuals who do their work on personal computers should always backup things at least daily. In this way, if your hard drive decides to burn out or you accidentally delete some of your information, you'll have the backup files safe and sound. So when you take your hard disk to a expert to be restored, you'll have the files to continue working. Also, at this juncture you can decide whether or not you want to have the hard disk recovered, or just scrap it and buy a new drive - because you'll have all your information backed up and ready to use.

In the event of data loss or hard drive failure, you must always remain cool and know that there are options out there to assist you to recover your files. If you've been backing up your information, you won't have to worry near as much. From having the foresight to perform offsite backups of your information beforehand, to using information recovery specialists - you'll have the options you need to retain your peace of mind and recover your lost information.

Yours truly,

Bob Hosken
"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"

The author, Dr. Robert Hosken, has accumulated over 30 years of professional experience with computers. Ever since his teenage years he has started and operated many profitable firms and charitable organizations. Download his free e-Book "How To Maintain Your Computer" and see the most up-to-date ways to backup your irreplaceable files at offsite backups, see his homepage, or contact him at Robert@CompuNerds.Net - thanks!

Low-Cost and Quick Programs - Introducing You to Shareware

Walk into any software dealer these days and you will find what appears to be row after row of programs for sale. Probably enticing purchases, however, you may encounter a few problems with purchasing programs off the shelf. Off-the shelf programs - otherwise known as "commercial programs" - may be more costly, incompatible and out of date when compared to what is available over the Internet. 

Happily, there's an alternative to commercial programs, and although it is not new, it's one of the most under-utilized opportunities in the software business. We're thinking of shareware - programs that you are able to try before buying.  And you can receive it over the Internet, similar to accessing online PC support.

Shareware has a long history and had been rather popular during the time where BBSes - bulletin board systems - ruled over the online computer industry. It has not gone anywhere, but the competition withcommercial software is tough - so tough that it appears to get moved to the sidelines among new computer users. This is sad, because shareware has quite a few plusses over commercial programs.

One of the plusses is its price. On average, shareware is generally much less expensive than commercial programs. But don't misunderstand the cost. With shareware, cheap does not mean poor-quality, and there are plenty of examples that show shareware often outshines the quality of commercial programs many times. How much economy are we looking at? You can purchase an excellent word processing, spreadsheet or database program, or a system maintenance program anywhere from only $20 to just under a hundred. This is almost unimaginable in stores like Best Buy, Circuit City or compUSA, but the programs available in this price range compete with even MS Office.

One other plus that shareware has in comparison with commercial programs is its compatibility. We are not implying that shareware is compatible with all OSes. What we are saying is that because we can try out shareware before you buy it, we are able to determine first whether the software is completely suitable for our computers. In other words, we can discover whether the program works like we want it to, and should anyone attempt to do the same with commercial programs, they will experience a huge disappointment. Commercial software policy doesn't even allow for returns, let alone using a friend's programs to experiment with them.

 

The final plus which shareware possesses in comparison with commercial programs (but certainly not the least) is its being up-to-date. Plain and simple, shareware comes out far ahead when you want to keep up-to-date with the most recent release of a certain program. Certainly, computer stores do their best to maintain their inventory up-to-date, but when you are able to download the latest edition 5.7062 of a shareware program as opposed to buying a commercial 3.0 version from a nearby computer shop, there's simply no comparison.

This us to our next topic. Just where does one get shareware? Shareware can be found just about everywhere on the Web and it is really difficult not to locate it. The most popular places to find shareware is at thousands of download libraries, however, the businesses (and even independent programmers) behind shareware are increasingly offering shareware from their proprietary websites. A simple search on Google or Bing for a given kind of software will give all sorts of answers that direct you to items that you can try out before you buy.

Keep in mind, however, that since shareware is not commercial software, you might not experience a full features of the program in the manner you could if you had bought the software in a store. Shareware may or may not be limited - meaning that some functions might not be accessible to you unless the program is purchased. These limits are often small and don't interfere with how its paid-for version operates. They're really incorporated simply as a way to prompt payment. Keep in mind that shareware is not free. You must not attempt to use shareware like a commercial software package without purchasing it.

About the only point that is comparable between shareware and commercial software is the manner in which they can be purchased. With a credit card, you can be the next licensee of a new program in just a few minutes. Even without a credit card, you may actually receive online PC support, yes, over the WWW!

Yours truly,

Bob Hosken

"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"

Dr. Robert Hosken, the author, has accumulated over 30 years of career experience with computers. Beginning in his teens he has set up and headed many companies and charitable entities. You can get his free e-Book "How To Maintain Your Computer" and learn the most effective methods to utilize your PC at online PC support, see his homepage, or write him at Robert@CompuNerds.Net - see you there!

Beginner's Desktop Terms - Understanding What You Are Dealing With Is Helpful For the Tech Support Person

Getting help with your PC's programs should be easier if you know the right terminology to say. One of the biggest problems that new personal computer users run into with a tech support person is not knowing how to correctly describe the problem that they are experiencing. And it's not fair to expect a technician to automatically understand what a "thingy" or "whatcha-ma-call-it" is. With the right words, the tech support person may even provide you online PC support.

The appearance of your personal computer screen is called the "GUI" (sounds like "gooey") that means "graphical user interface" The list below describes the correct names for common components of the computer screen appearance so that if you experience difficulty, you can effectively define the issue that you are experiencing, which lets a computer specialist readily resolve it.

User interface - this is the entire visual design of  programs. It may consist of pop-ups, boxes, terms, icons, and buttons. When you are experiencing insufficient memory, as an example, you might see a black rectangle across the user interface of your software.

Title bar - means is the very top part of a program that might show its own name, or it might describe the contents from another portion of the interface. If a program is incorrectly coded, you may see a wrong description in this part of its interface.

Menu bar - this portion of a program displays menu items and menu options. Some of the most common items on a menu bar provide access to File options, Open options, Save commands, and Close options. An example of an error in this portion of the interface might be if an option was missing or grayed out (lighter shaded).

Toolbar - this portion across the top of a program displays little icons which indicate tools. If you click an icon it will open a tool or process a command that might also be on a program's menu bar. Problems in this part of an interface are uncommon, however, if you find that you are clicking an icon over and over with no results, you can properly describe the problem by referring to the particular icon on the toolbar.

Minimize, Maximize, and Exit buttons - these 3 buttons are located on the right-most upper part of a program's interface, and these allow you to minimize a program's screen, maximize it or restore it to its previous size, or totally shut down the program.

Scroll bar - this convenient item allows users to scroll data up and down the personal computer screen.

Status bar - this part of a program is found on the bottom-most part of its interface, and it usually shows short messages which tell the progress of a task. If programmed incorrectly, an application might show the wrong message in this place.

Input box - an input box is usually a small rectangle which allow the user to enter information into a simple text box in a program, webpage or browser window. If you discover that you aren't able to enter data into one of these, you can more effectively resolve the problem with a technician by referring to it as an input box, rather than a "spot," a "white rectangle," or a "place to write something in."

Context menu - like a menu bar, the context menu shows when the user right-clicks on an item. It shows commands like what you see on the File menu or Help menu.

Button - this helpful item runs a command when a user clicks it with a mouse. Problems happen when the text on a button is grayed out or if it does not appear to be pressed into the interface when clicked.

Check box - the check box is a tiny box that allows a user to select several choices among many. When clicked, a little "x" displays inside a box.

Radio Button - a radio button is like the check box, but allows a user to select only one choice among many. Issues with radio buttons and check boxes happen when a user selects one choice, but the interface reacts as though the user selected many choices (or none at all).

When you describe a problem to a computer specialist, be sure to indicate whether the problem takes place with a check box or a radio box. Computer novices mistakenly interchange the names of both of these controls. So master the correct terminology, then the computer specialist can actually provide you online PC support, yes, even over the Internet!

Best regards,

Bob Hosken
"Dr. Bob the CompuNerd"

The author, Dr. Robert Hosken, has over 30 years of professional work in IT. Ever since his teenage years he has set up and headed many companies and charitable organizations. You can get his free e-Book "How To Maintain Your Computer" and see the most effective methods to utilize your PC at online PC support, or contact him at Robert@CompuNerds.Net - thanks!