Frequenty Asked Questions
Q: Why can I not connect to the Internet after installing Norton Internet Security?
A: The Norton Personal Firewall probably needs to be configured to permit access to certain programs. In the NIS window, click on Personal Firewall. Click on "Configure" on the bottom right of the window. From there, search for any programs in the list that say "block" and set them to "permit" if you know they are safe.
Q: Why is it that when I try to use the Internet, it goes nowhere or to a strange page?
A: Most likely, your HOSTS file is corrupted. Someone may have edited it and made it so that when trying to use the Internet, it never leaves that same computer. This can be fixed by deleting the bad entries in your HOSTS file. Navigate to \%SYSTEM ROOT%\drivers\etc and find the file called "HOSTS". Open this file in Notepad. The last entry is usually " 127.0.0.1 localhost". Delete any entries after this entry.
Q: How can I open a file without an extension or with an extension I am not familiar with?
A: Right click on the file from Windows Explorer and choose "Open With" if available or choose "Open". If you have a choice, choose "Select Program from a list". Scroll down and select "Notepad". Make sure the box is NOT checked for "Always use this program to open this type of file." Click OK.
Q: Why does my default home page get set to some strange search page?
A: Your computer was most-likely hijacked. Run Spybot Search & Destroy. Also, run HijackThis. HijackThis will tell you exactly what you have in the registry as your home page. Once your scans are complete, reset your home page and install Tea Timer (it comes with Spybot). It will tell you when your home page is being changed, and might even let you prevent it.
Q: I have a virus protection program installed, but it does not detect any viruses when I know I have at least one. Why is that and how can I fix it?
A: A virus disabled your virus protection program when searching for that specific virus. To get around this, use one of the online virus scans such as one mentioned on the links page. Once you finish scanning, delete any and all instances of the file(s) that is(are) infected. Run a search on your machine for the file name that appears in the results of the online scan. Follow any removal instructions provided. Some places might even have removal tools.
Q: My computer with Windows 98 will not boot. How can I fix it?
A: Insert your Windows 98 Emergency Boot Disk and restart your computer. Insert your Windows 98 CD-ROM and run setup. If you have an option to repair, use it. For more information or to get a boot disk, email me.
Q: My computer is very slow. How can I fix it?
A: First, run Task Manager. You can do this by using the key combination of Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click on the Processes tab and look at the bottom for CPU usage and memory usage. If these percentages are high, you have at least one process using much of the processor and memory. End that process. If there are no unusual processes listed, buy and install more RAM.
Q: How do I know what all the processes are that are running?
A: I recommend using Google to search for the file name such as lsass.exe and finding out what various websites say. A good site to check is LIUtilities.
Q: How can I put together a computer?
A: I made a step-by-step tutorial that can be read.


NOTE:
This information is the best interpretation available from this site. There may be inaccurate information or better ways of doing things. Please keep this in mind when reading through this page. If you have any questions, please email me or consult your computer vendor or manufacturer. You alone are responsible for anything that happens to your computer whether good or bad. Mike, Mike's Technical Service, mts7.com and any and all other links are not responsible for anything that happens to your computer. This page provides a personal opinion that works well. Please use your own judgment.


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