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Personal Tech

Browser add-on may give an error

Q. I have a Gateway computer with Windows XP and SP2. I'm using Internet Explorer 6.0. Sometimes when closing out a program (usually IE), I get this message: "The instruction at '0x62304390' referenced memory at '0x62304390.' The memory could not be 'read.' Click on OK to terminate the program." (Sometimes it reads "instruction at '0x6230b361' "). I hit "OK" and the computer shuts off with no problems. Everything else works great. What does this message mean, and why do I get it?

By John Torro, Times Correspondent
Published November 19, 2007

Q. I have a Gateway computer with Windows XP and SP2. I'm using Internet Explorer 6.0. Sometimes when closing out a program usually IE, I get this message: "The instruction at '0x62304390' referenced memory at '0x62304390.' The memory could not be 'read.' Click on OK to terminate the program." (Sometimes it reads "instruction at '0x6230b361' "). I hit "OK" and the computer shuts off with no problems. Everything else works great. What does this message mean, and why do I get it?

A. This error can be indicative of a problem with an Internet Explorer add-on, such as a Google or Yahoo toolbar. Try removing any you have installed, one by one. Aside from the Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel, you will need to check the add-ons within Interenet Explorer by clicking Tools, Manage Add-ons, Enable or Disable Add-ons.

Q. I have an Acer Windows Vista computer and a Western Digital external hard drive, 250 GB. The external hard drive was assigned Drive J. It worked fine until I had a blue screen of death. I had to restore the system from a backup, but the external hard drive was no longer accessible in the drive listings. It is visible in Computer Management in the Control Panel, but there is no title given that drive. There is no access to it. It does not show in drive paths. It is obviously the external hard drive, listing as Disc 6 and showing 232 GB available. I've called both manufacturers, and each say the problem is in the other's product. How can I assign a drive letter to the drive and get it working again?

A. It would be interesting to see what the Disk Management tool tells us: Go to Control Panel, System & Maintenance, Administrative Tools and double-click on Computer Management (Microsoft did a "good job" hiding it). Click on Storage and then Disk Management. You will see all the devices recognized by your system on the right side of the screen. You can assign/change drive letters and format if needed.

Q. I have a collection of old 33/13 record albums that I would like to transfer to CDs. I have a Dell computer with Windows XP and a CD burner. How can I do this?

A. You'll need to connect your receiver/amp "audio out" connector to your computer sound card's "line in" connector. This will most likely be with an RCA to 1/8th-inch patch cable, which you can buy at any electronics store. You will need software on your PC that will record the input to disc. I recommend online research to help determine your specific needs. A good place to start is www.homerecording.com. There's a tutorial at http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc2/v19/vic19.htm. Depending on how many albums you want to transfer and how much money you're willing to spend, there are new gadgets that make this job easier. New USB turntables such as the ION USB Turntable come with hardware, software and cables that you need. They start at about $150. Do a Google search on "USB Turntable" to see the various brands.

Send questions to personaltech@sptimes.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions are answered only in this column.

[Last modified November 16, 2007, 21:51:12]