Q. My computer won't start. It said it was not able to find the drive. I'm wondering if there is a way to boot from the Windows CD, but not for reformatting the hard drive, just to open up to my existing operating system?
A. This is usually not a good sign. It could be that your hard drive has crashed and is no longer functioning.
Depending upon the exact message you are receiving, there also is a chance that the boot sector code on the hard drive is damaged or missing. Sometimes a virus can cause this. Your computer's BIOS may have the option to boot from CD. The BIOS is the built-in configuration program for your motherboard. You can usually get to the BIOS by pressing either the DEL key or F2 key as your computer begins to boot. You'll usually see the message on how to do this flashed to the screen when you power it on.
Once inside the BIOS configuration, you'll need to look for an option that will allow you to change the boot disc sequence. The options are usually hard drive 0 and 1, CD and floppy. If that doesn't work, try booting from a floppy disc (you can create one for your version of Windows at www.bootdisk.com
If the hard drive is readable, do a chkdsk to see if there is any sector damage and whether it was fixed.
Reinstalling Windows will replace the boot sector and should get you back running.
If the drive turns out to be unreadable and cannot be formatted, there is not much you can do, and a new hard drive may be the only option.
Hijacked home page
Q. I use Windows Me and Internet Explorer. I must have opened something I shouldn't have because when I click on my Search button in my browser it is defaulting to a porn site search engine. How can I delete this? I have tried to reset it but nothing changes.
A. Your PC has been hijacked. Go to gmpservicesinc.com/articles/hijack.asp to read about how this is done and also to download a zip file that will allow you to lock your home page.
You also need to download a spyware remover. Download both Ad-Aware (www.lavasoft.de) and Spybot (www.safer-networking.org) Follow the links for the free versions. Click the Check for Updates button in each of these applications, then run them one at a time and have them fix any problems they find. Do this on a regular basis, possibly every day. And of course, make sure your antivirus program has up-to-date virus definitions.
Stanley Cup trouble
Q. How can I get the Stanley Cup wallpaper picture off my desktop? I have tried and tried, and nothing works. Even my son who sells computers can't get it off.
A. I assume that you tried the normal methods of right-clicking the desktop, choosing Properties, Desktop tab and selecting a different wallpaper. If that failed, try right-clicking the Desktop, click Properties, Desktop tab, Customize Desktop button, then the Web tab. If there are any Web pages clicked, unclick them, then click the Lock Desktop items option.
Installation error
Q. When installing a new program from a CD, I get the following message: "Setup has detected that MS DAO is in use. Programs using DAO must be exited before setup can continue." Please explain what DAO is and what programs I must exit.
A. Microsoft DAO, or Data Access Objects, is a Microsoft technology that applications use to talk to databases. Any of the Office products may be using it. Try closing all applications and, if all else fails, do a clean reboot.
The easiest way to do a clean reboot is to click Start and Run, type MSCFONFIG and hit Enter. On the General tab, unclick Load Startup Items, click OK and reboot.
After installing the program, reverse this procedure and reboot to turn the Startup items back on.
