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Solutions: Stay sane with a simple uncheck

Q.I have a HP machine with Windows XP and every time I wiggle the mouse when the machine is showing the screen saver or just being turned on I get this message: "This computer is in use and has been locked. Only your-22CA86054\Compac_owner or administrator can unlock this computer." Then, there are two open rectangular boxes, one labeled "user name" and the other "password." Below the boxes is an OK that can be clicked. There is no way to delete this screen that I have found. We do not know the password and have no idea how this screen came to be on the machine. When I click OK, the desktop and all the icons come up and this screen disappears and all is well.

By John Torro, Times Correspondent
Published December 10, 2007

Q.I have a HP machine with Windows XP and every time I wiggle the mouse when the machine is showing the screen saver or just being turned on I get this message: "This computer is in use and has been locked. Only your-22CA86054\Compac_owner or administrator can unlock this computer." Then, there are two open rectangular boxes, one labeled "user name" and the other "password." Below the boxes is an OK that can be clicked. There is no way to delete this screen that I have found. We do not know the password and have no idea how this screen came to be on the machine. When I click OK, the desktop and all the icons come up and this screen disappears and all is well.

A. Right-click any empty space on the desktop and choose Properties. Click the Screen Saver tab. Make sure the "On resume, password protect" option is not checked. If you're using Vista, right-click any empty space on the desktop and choose Personalize. Click Screen Saver. Make sure the "On resume, display logon screen" is not checked.

Q. This dialog box pops up every time I close a program in Windows XP SP2: "The instruction at '0x749860b0' referenced memory at '0x00000000.' The memory could not be 'read.' Click on OK to terminate the program." What information is it giving me? How do I solve the problem?

A. This could be almost anything, especially if it happens at the closing of all programs, not just specific ones like Internet Explorer. Start by making sure your PC is up-to-date on operating system updates. If this started after the installation of an application, try uninstalling that application and then do a System Restore to a point before the install if possible click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, click System Restore. In some cases this type of error can be caused by an Internet Explorer add-on. Within Internet Explorer click Tools, Manage Add-ons and then try deselecting the active add-ons one at a time, then restarting and seeing if the problem persists. Finally, I would try running the System File Checker (SFC). Click Start, Run, type CMD and click OK. Type SFC /scannow (make sure you leave a space between the SFC and /scannow).

Q. My monitor flashes intermittent colors while the computer is turned off or when the computer is supposed to go into the screen saver mode. No one I've talked to or tech support from the manufacturer has heard of this problem and they are unable to help with it. The computer otherwise runs normally.

A. Both of these occurrences are when the monitor is changing video modes - in other words, there is active communication taking place between the PC video adapter and monitor. Make sure the connection to the PC video adaptor is secure. If the video adaptor is a separate card (and not integrated in the motherboard), I would open the PC and reseat the video card.

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 December 7, 2007, 21:42:33]