Update settings to avoid firewall, scanner messages
By Times Staff Writer
Published November 8, 2004
Q. I downloaded Service Pack 2 but have a couple of problems. First, when I turn on the computer, I get a little bubble saying I don't have a firewall. I have McAfee firewall and indications are that it is doing its job. Second, my Lexmark scanner/printer/combination doesn't scan anymore. It doesn't show up on the computer. I'm not sure this just started after the download, but it used to work. The error message says to check the cable. I'm sure the cable isn't the problem, since printing is okay.
A. For your first problem, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel. Open Windows XP Security Center. If the built-in Windows firewall is not on, which would be the proper setting since you are using a different firewall, you should see a Recommendation button under the Firewall area. Click this button. This will display the Recommendation dialogue window. At the bottom there should be an option you can check that tells Windows XP that you have another firewall enabled and that you do not want to be alerted in the future. For your scanner, I would first check to see that all drivers are up to date. That also includes drivers for your motherboard and BIOS. Maybe something in the update is preventing the scanner status from registering. You also can try removing and reinstalling the device through Device Manager (right-click My Computer, Properties, Hardware, Device Manager button) and go through the installation procedures that are outlined in the scanner documentation.
FDISK program will restore hard drive capability
Q. How do you format a hard drive that previously had a compression software on it and get back the entire hard drive storage capability? I cannot get at that portion of the drive that had the compression software.
A. You will need to run FDISK and delete and re-add the partitions on this drive. Most boot disks from the Windows 9x/Me systems will contain the FDISK program. An easy way to create one is to go to www.bootdisk.com and download it. Boot to this disk and run FDISK. Follow the directions for deleting and then adding a DOS partition.
With SP2 installed, no need for BugOff
Q. While browsing through Web sites mentioned in Readers' Favorite Fix-it Sites (Sept. 27), I came across mention of a software program called BugOff. It was implied that everyone should have this on their PC. Can you comment on this program?
A. This free download is meant to prevent various browser hijack exploits. It does not remove existing problems, but prevents new attacks. By disabling these Internet Explorer exploits, some of your other browser actions may be affected. I think the latest Microsoft Service Pack 2 security updates address these exploits. If you are using Windows XP SP2, I would recommend not using the BugOff program.
Hourglass means boot-up activity incomplete
Q.When booting up, the hourglass attached to the cursor arrow keeps coming on and off. I get it to go off by going to Start, Run (the cursor appears in the open box), click Browse and the desktop comes up in Look in Files - Files of Type appears in Programs - Close Browse Box and Run Box appears with no cursor flashing. Close Run and the problem goes away. Any clue to get this problem to go away?
A. The hourglass is just different programs controlling the cursor while initializing. It should change to the pointer when completely done. It sounds as if you have quite a bit of activity going on at boot-up. I recommend that you run MSCONFIG (Start, Run, type MSCONFIG) and check your Startup and Services tabs and check what applications are running on startup of your system. There have been numerous columns in the Personal Tech online archives that talk about this process in more detail.
