Q. When I double click the Internet Explorer icon, it opens to "Search Everything," which is a semiporn site. I go to Favorites and click MSN.com and get my desired home page. I then go to Tools and Options and click "Use Current", but it does not change the default. I've even tried Tools/Options/Advanced/Restore defaults. Nothing happens, even when I reboot. I had other people using my e-mail recently, and I think this may be the cause.
A. Your PC has been hijacked. Go to gmpservicesinc.com/articles/hijack.asp to read about how this is done and to download zip files that will allow you to lock (and unlock) your home page in the future.
Also, you need to download a spyware remover (I like Spybot), install it, check for and install any recent updates, then run it and have it fix any problems it finds. Delete the icon you were using to start Internet Explorer, which was pointing to the porn site. Create a new shortcut: Right-click on the Desktop, select New, Shortcut. Type in C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE or just browse to that file and select it. Click Next, name the shortcut, then click Finish.
Spybot needs Windows update
Q. I downloaded Spybot, but when I try to use it I get a message that file WS2_32.dll cannot be found. I use Windows 95, AOL version 7. How can I install this file?
A. You probably need the Windows 95 WinSock2 update. Go to www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Windows Socket 2 Update link. WinSock is part of the Windows TCP-IP communications layer and this update is only for Windows 95 PCs.
Update blocking pictures
Q. There are some e-mails I receive that I know are supposed to have a picture or clip art. When I open the e-mail, I get only a little white box and little red x in it where the picture or art is supposed to be. Other e-mail comes through okay. Is there something I can do to correct that?
A. This behavior is the result of one of the Internet Explorer service packs. It is a new setting that gets turned on by default in Outlook Express. It is meant as a security precaution since many viruses are distributed as attachments within e-mails.
If you are sure you want to open an attachment, you can toggle it on or off as needed. The option is labeled: "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." You'll find it on the Outlook Express menu bar, Tools, Options, Security tab.
While this Outlook Express change was part of the XP service pack, it is in the latest versions of Outlook Express for any of the Windows versions.
USB problem
Q. On startup, I get an invalid page fault that says "Stimon caused an Invalid Page Fault in kernel32.dll." What does it mean? How can I eliminate it?
A. Stimon is the Still Image Monitor and is part of Windows. The problems you are having can happen if a USB device, such as a scanner or Web cam, is connected to the PC and one of these has happened: The imaging device installation is corrupted, the device has been uninstalled but the entry for Stimon remains in the Windows registry, or the Stimon.exe file is damaged.
Try this: Shut down the PC and unplug all USB devices. Reboot the computer to a command prompt (you can use a Startup disc or hold the Ctrl key as you reboot and choose that option).
Type: CD\Windows\System (press ENTER).
Then type: Rename Stimon.exe Stimon.old (press ENTER).
