Updating Windows could make bank Web site inaccessible
By Times Staff Writer
Published October 4, 2004
Q. I have not been able to access my bank's Web site, which I have been using consistently for two years. Without warning, I started receiving that old bugaboo, "The page cannot be displayed." Since (1) I changed no hardware or software on my computer and (2) I can access every other site, I am perplexed. I use Windows XP and a cable modem. I've read several Knowledge Base sites and checked my Security setting (medium), but can't come up with a solution. I also did a System Restore to try for an older setting.
A. Maybe the change is on the other side - the bank's Web site - or your PC automatically updated through Windows Update. Try this: Go to Tools, Internet Options, and then the Security tab. Click the Trusted sites icon and then the Sites button. Here add the HTTP address of your bank's Web site. If that's not successful and you have not already updated to Service Pack 2, then I recommend that you try this again after updating. That was what worked for me on a similar problem.
Updating drivers could solve USB port problem
Q. I have a new Dell desktop with six USB ports (2.0). When my PC sits idle for a while, I get a popup window with this message: HI-SPEED USB DEVICE PLUGGED INTO NON-HI-SPEED USB HUB. The message started after I had the AverMedia DVD EZMaker device connected so I could transfer VHS tapes to DVDs. The device and the VCR are always connected to the PC. What does this message mean when they're all USB 2.0 devices?
A. I would suspect one of the following possibilities. First, your motherboard drivers may need to be updated. Check the vendor's Web site for updated drivers. Second, all six of your PC's USB ports may not be 2.0. Double-check the documentation that came with your Dell. Third, if the Enhanced Host Controller Interface-compliant (EHCI-compliant) USB host controller appears in Device Manager with an exclamation, this is indicative of a known problem that can be fixed with Microsoft XP Service Pack (SP1a and/or SP2).
Service Pack 2 download takes several hours
Q. Unless I missed this in past Solutions, I would like to mention downloading Windows Service Pack 2 for dial-up computers. Unless there is a disk to download this, it will take 10 hours to download it if you decide to do this over the Internet. That's what it took me. I've heard it takes two hours with Road Runner.
A. Yes, the complete SP2 download for computers using dial-up access is not practical for a one-shot download. If you have Auto-Update turned on, the download should happen by itself in manageable pieces. To turn on Auto-Update highly recommended: Click Start, Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance. If the Performance and Maintenance category is not visible, click Switch to Category View. Click System, Automatic Updates and then select "Keep my computer up to date." Select "Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify." Another option is just to order the complete download on CD (it's free). Go to www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/
updates/sp2/cdorder/ to order the CD.Go ahead and install SP2
Q. I thought you had written not to install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. I would like to know if and how I should do it.
A. You may be referring to an item by Times personal technology editor Dave Gussow from July, which was to wait for the released version and not the beta. That's always a good idea for users looking to avoid unnecessary trouble. By all means, SP2 is highly recommended. If you have auto-update turned on it may already be installed. Otherwise go to the Windows Update site (www.windowsupdate.com) scan for updates and then select and install the update.
