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Q. The Web site address bar disappeared. Can this be restored? I use Windows XP Home.
A. On the Internet Explorer menu bar, click View, Toolbars. Make sure Address Bar has a check next to it.
If it already is checked and you still don't see the Address Bar, make sure the Lock the Toolbars option is turned off (you'll see it in the same place, a few options beneath Address Bar). With the Lock Toolbars off, you will be able to grab the edges of the toolbar with your mouse to expand them, perhaps uncovering the address toolbar.
Once you restore the Address Bar, turn on the Lock Toolbars feature to prevent inadvertent resizing of the toolbars.
Forgetfulness may be low battery
Q. On startup I get a message saying "CMOS Checksum error - defaults loaded." It tells me to press F1 to continue and Del to enter setup. Each time this happens I have to correct the date and time. If I turn off the computer and boot it a few hours later, the time and date still will be correct. The next morning when I start the computer, I again get the message and have to correct the time and date. What is the problem? I use Windows Me.
A. It is possible that your CMOS battery needs replacing. If you have the original documentation that came with your system, you can find more information on how to change it. If you don't have the documentation, that information most likely can be found online.
Most motherboards will identify themselves on screen as the PC is powering on. You may be able to use this information to track to the support Web site and view online documentation. In most cases this is an inexpensive replacement and can be done easily by a local PC repair shop if you are not comfortable opening and replacing components in your PC.
Halting a startup error
Q. Every once in a while, usually during startup, I receive the following message: "The IPHLPAPI file cannot start. Check the file to determine the problem." I click OK and my computer works without a problem. What is this file and should I take any action or live with it? I use Windows Me.
A. Try this:
1. Run the System File Checker (Run: sfc.exe).
2. Select the option: Extract one file from installation disc.
3. Extract the IPHLPAPI.DLL from the Windows Me installation disc and place it in Windows/System folder.
4. Reboot.
If the error still occurs, remove Internet Connection Sharing, or ICS, and reinstall it.
To remove ICS, click Start, Settings, click Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, then click the Windows Setup tab. Click Internet Tools, Details. Click to clear the ICS check box, and click OK. Then reboot.
Shutdown shortcut, part II
Q. You wrote about a shutdown shortcut last week. I have Windows Me. When I followed the exact wording in the location box, I get the following message when clicking the icon: "Error in user.exe Missing Entry: exitwindows." I tried three ways and got the icon. But when I double-clicked it, nothing happened. Where did I go wrong?
A. You didn't do anything wrong. It looks as if a period found its way onto the end of the line in the answer. For Windows 9X/Me, type:
C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe, exitwindows
For Windows XP users, type:
SHUTDOWN -s- t 01