Error indicates Webcam software may be out of date
By JOHN TORRO
Published April 12, 2004
Q. I installed a Veo Webcam on my computer, which runs Windows XP. It has a software program called Veo Digital Studio. When I click to open this program, a message pops up that says "Veo Digital Studio.Exe-Entry Point not found. The procedure entry point WNetEnumCachedPasswords could not be located in the dynamic link library MPR.dll." The Webcam works fine but not the Veo Digital Studio program. What can I do to fix this?
A. It's Microsoft Windows library file MPR.DLL, which stands for Multiple Provider Route. One of the undocumented functions of this library is WNetEnumCachedPasswords, which returns passwords. It is as dangerous as it sounds in the wrong hands, such as virus writers, and Microsoft long ago patched this library to no longer return this information.
I'm assuming that the software for your Veo Webcam was not designed for Windows XP and you are seeing the error message because it cannot find WNetEnumCachedPasswords. Check Veo's Web site and see if it has updated software.
Finding a lost cursor
Q. I gave my old laptop to a friend who uses it just for e-mail. She is elderly and has a problem with losing the cursor. Another friend told me there is a keystroke that will center the cursor on the screen. Is this true? If so, what is it?
A. On some systems there is an option in the mouse controls (Control Panel, Mouse). On the Pointers tab, there may be an option similar to: Show position of cursor when the Control key is pressed. If this is present, click to select it, then the Ctrl key can be used to home in on the mouse pointer.
If this option is not available, you can try selecting a different mouse style (same place, Control Panel, Mouse, Pointers). Try changing the style to some of the Large or Inverse types. This may make it easier to find.
Saving your files
Q. I have Windows XP Professional loaded on my Toshiba Satellite 1800-203S. About two months ago, the screen began to flicker. I made adjustments according to my handbook, but without any results. Toshiba suggested that I may have a driver problem.
Meantime, I began seeing messages on my screen informing me that my computer has a virus. I have dealt with Windowsupdate.com, McAfee and Symantec.
This computer has taken over and has a mind of its own. I no longer see the virus messages that were popping on my screen. But when I log in the usual way, the computer will not allow me to go further. A screen with a logon message appears with this message: "The system cannot log you on due to the following error: The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted. Please try again or consult your system administrator."
Also, if the only alternative is to start over and erase my hard drive, how can I save my e-mail messages when I cannot change the preferences on my computer?
A. Try booting into Safe Mode (press the F8 key while booting). Then log in as the System Administrator (set up when you installed XP). From there you should be able to check out your normal account.
It sounds as if something has been corrupted or clobbered on your system. At least you should be able to copy your e-mail files. Open Outlook Express and click Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store folder to see the path to the folder storing your messages. All the files in this folder comprise your e-mails.
I also would try to run the repair option (reboot with your XP CD and choose that option). It will then make sure that there are valid copies of the associated OS files on your hard drive.
