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I installed the lclock program. I’m having trouble with the balloon tip, it doesn’t show up. I’ve tried reinstalling it, but it still doesn’t work. What can I do? Thanks.

What is the lclock program?

The lclock program is used to swap out the clock in Windows so that it has the appearance of a Windows Longhorn systray clock. The Windows Longhorn systray clock is the same as the Windows Vista clock.

What Are Some of the Features of the lclock program?

The lclock program is available in both 32 and 64 bit. One of the nicest features in this program is that users can simply click on the systray clock to have the calendar pop ups. The need to double click and go to “Date and Time Properties” does not exist with lclock. A lot more detail is available with this clock than with the original. Plus, the calendar features an easy-to-use alarm system. You get to select your colors, sizes, fonts, skins, and positions for individual elements of the lclock.

Troubleshooting Tips for lclock

If the lclock application is not working, uninstalling it and reinstalling it is generally a good idea. Make sure that lclock is compatible with your operating system.

Reinstallation of lclock

While most computer users would simply think that uninstalling and reinstalling the lclock application should resolve any issues, it is a bit more involved than that. Unfortunately, uninstalling an application does not always remove all traces of every file associated with the application.

If you are having problems with the balloon tooltip option or with some other facet of the lclock application, it is important to delete old ini files when you uninstall the application. You can easily recognize the lclock.ini files simply because they are shown as lclock.ini. However, it is important to back up your computer system before you attempt to remove the lclock.ini files since one wrong move and you could accidentally delete an ini file that you do need for another application.

How to Delete ini Files

Initialization or .ini files are located in the Windows directory. In fact, all of the .ini files on your computer will be grouped together in the directory. To access existing .ini files in your Windows registry, follow this set of instructions:

1. Click start.
2. Click run.
3. Type regedit in the open box.
4. Look for .ini files associated with lclock. As stated above, they should look like lclock.ini.
5. Right click on the file, select modify, and select delete.

What is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode is a special start up that uses a minimal number of programs or applications. It is designed to help troubleshoot problems with the functioning of the computer.

Using System Restore

Start with your computer turned off. Turn it on and allow it to go into Safe Mode. Log in as the administrator. If you don’t have the password, get it from whoever does. If you didn’t set a password, simply press enter. At this point, you should be able to see two choices: Safe Mode or System Restore. Select System Restore. Read the options so that you know what to click in order to get into System Restore. Unfortunately, doing this might lead you to lose some of the applications that you have previously installed on the computer.

What is System Restore?

System Restore is a nifty application that allows you to go back in time. Essentially, your computer often creates a back up of the system on a regular basis. The System Restore is used to bring your computer back to a time when it was working properly.

Remove Recent Programs or Drivers

If this problem began to occur after the installation of a new software application or drivers, consider removing them. You can then check to see if the problem still occurs and you can only get into Safe Mode. If no change is evident, then this is not the problem.

Will Safe Mode Prevent me from Accessing the Internet?

In order to access the Internet while is Safe Mode, you need to select Safe Mode with Networking. Since Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool, most programs and applications are not accessible to the user. Therefore, if you have not entered Safe Mode with Networking, most likely, you will not be able to access the Internet.

Maintaining the Computer

It’s always a wise idea to spend some time taking care of your computer. Think of it as a preventative measure against future problems. Periodically, you should run a registry cleaner, delete unwanted programs, clear the temporary caches, and toss any unneeded personal documents to free up space. In general, the less clutter you store in the computer, the fewer problems it will have.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista has a tendency to use a lot of computer resources. Therefore, even though it might appear as though it has loaded, it might still be doing so. One of the best ways to speed up Windows Vista and prevent it from freezing for too long is to follow the strategies listed.

Remove Unnecessary applications from Startup

The more programs that you have included in Startup, the longer it is going to take Windows Vista to fully load. The best steps you can take here is to remove any applications that aren’t absolutely necessary for Startup. Important programs such as your anti-spyware/anti-virus application should probably load up at Startup. Deselect certain applications from Startup by going to Start→ Type msconfig into the Search bar→ Click msconfig.exe icon→ Remove the checkmark that precedes the programs that you do not need at Startup.

Clean up the Computer Disk

Next, it’s time for some spring cleaning even if it isn’t spring. Use the disk cleanup utility tool or a registry cleaner application to put all of your computer files and processes back into the correct order. This will save your computer from hunting for necessary bits and pieces of information upon Startup. To use disk cleanup, follow this set of directions:

Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ Disk Cleanup. If you decide to purchase a registry cleaner application, I can recommend RegCure, which you can get at this link: RegCure.

Run an Anti-spyware/Anti-virus Application

Since undesirable programs can sometimes create problems with the performance of the computer, I am going to recommend that you run a good anti-spyware/anti-virus application on a regular basis. If you are anxious to use your computer right away when you boot up, consider running this application at the end of the day.

Desktop Icons and Photos

Remove any unnecessary desktop icons to help free up Vista’s loading time. Photos typically take up a lot of space, so if you have a lot of these stored on the desktop, you might want to consider moving them to a different location.

A Pure Startup

Whenever you start up your computer, exercise a bit of patience and wait until it is fully loaded before attempting to start any additional software. For example, if you attempt to open up your email account before your computer has had time to connect to the Internet, the email software might not function properly once you are connected to the Internet.

There are a few things that will cause the sound to suddenly vanish on your computer. I’m going to list them from easiest fix to relatively more difficult. One of these things is the likely culprit.

Check Your Speaker and Settings

The first thing you should do is check the connections to your speakers. Make sure everything is securely connected and that nothing is turned off. We used to have a kitten who would climb on our speakers and accidently push the power button - no kidding. You should also check your volume settings on the computer. There should be a sound icon at the bottom of your computer screen. Right click that and make sure the volume isn’t muted. If there is no icon, you can go to:

1. Start, then All Programs.
2. Click on Accessories then Entertainment and Volume Control. Make sure that the sound is up and that the mute option isn’t checked.

Driver Genius and Driver Detective

If your volume settings and speakers are all okay, you need to turn your attention to your sound card drivers. Driver Genius is a downloadable program that you can use to streamline management of the drivers in your computer. It will find the specific drivers by manufacturer for your computer.

A similar product is Driver Detective which uses Microsoft NET technology so that your system is secured. You need to be running either Windows Visa, XP Pro, 2003 server or 2000. You also need a 300mhz or higher processor, 22mb of disk space and 256 mb of RAM.

Sound Card Drivers

You can also find your sound driver manually, rather than use a program like Driver Detective. In order to download the right driver for your computer, you need to know what kind of soundcard was installed on your system. Follow these directions to locate the driver for your sound card:

1. Go to My Computer.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Click on Hardware.
4. Click on Device Manager. It will expand and you should be able to tell what type of sound card you have. Write the name down so that you can search for it on the web.

Download Updated Drivers

Now that you know the name of the driver, you need to find the website for the manufacturer. Most sites will have download buttons for their drivers that are easy to find. On most websites, you can just select the download and let your computer do the rest. If you are updating an existing driver, it may work better if you uninstall the driver that is on your computer in order to download a new one successfully. If that’s the case, follow the steps for finding your sound card, but right click on the driver and select Uninstall.

High Definition Devices

Computers that are running high-definition devices for their sound systems can use the Microsoft Bus Driver to optimize the performance:

Checking your settings or reinstalling your drivers should solve your sound problem. Let us know if you need more information or if you are getting additional errors.

ALB Files

There are quite a few different kinds of file types that use the .alb extension, so you might need to find out a little more information about your file before we can figure out how to open it. Before you can decide which program can open your file, you need to know what kind of file it is. There is a list of .alb file extensions here http://filext.com/file-extension/ALB so that you can research more about your file and figure out the appropriate program. You will need to narrow down which file type your .alb file is, and then you can download or install the corresponding program.

Likely ALB File Types

Since you sent yourself the file from your Samsung cell phone, it is probably safe to assume that it is either a photo, song or ringtone. You can start narrowing your search to these file types. Once you find out what kind of file it is, then you can install the program that you will need to open the file.

Tips

If you can’t find the program that created the file and that can open it on your computer, you can try something else. Another option for you is to try and convert the .alb files to another extension that you can open on your computer. For example, if the file is a photograph, you can change the extension from .alb to .jpeg and see if your computer will open the file that way. This process isn’t guaranteed to work, so create a backup copy of your file first just in case.

Some digital cameras and phones use photography software programs that use an .alb file extension. You can try to change the file extension by changing the format that you are opening it in. Sometimes files convert automatically when they are moved into different program formats. For example, in your case, if you try moving your .alb file from your desktop to your email client, as though you are attaching it in an email to yourself, it might automatically change into a format supported by your email client, most likely a .jpeg file. To do this, highlight and drag the file into the email window, and drop it in the program. With luck, this will change the file extension automatically, and you can then email the file to yourself and open it in its new form.

Is the qttask.exe program ok, or does it need to be removed? It seems to be constant on my computer. Please reply.

The qttask.exe file is associated with the Apple Quicktime program. The file name stands for Quick Time Tray Icon and, while it is part of the legitimate program, it is not required. According to users, this file is susceptible to infection, and can run various functions on the background of your computer. Quicktime uses this file to find updates from its website.

Rather than deleting the file from your computer, you can also remove it from the System Tray, so that it won’t start up automatically, but it can still perform its functions. To remove it from the System Tray:

1. First, open Quicktime, and click on Edit, then Preferences, and then Quicktime Preferences
2. In the Quicktime Settings box that opens, choose Update Check
3. Look to the bottom of your screen and find a box checked for Check for Updates Automatically. To prevent the qttask.exe file from opening automatically, remove the check from this box
4. Close Quicktime

Since the qttask.exe file is not required, you can also remove it from your computer altogether. Until you make the changes detailed above, the qttask.exe file will restart automatically every time you boot up your system, so you should make those changes first, and then you can remove it from your Programs list. Then, you will have to remove the value from the registry to delete it completely.

1. Click on the Start key, and then select Run
2. In the dialog box that opens, type regedit and then select OK
3. You will have to look through the list and find the key named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Apple Computer, Inc.\QuickTime\ActiveX
4. Then find the value under it called QTTaskRunFlags
5. Right click on the value to open its settings and find the value number and change it to 0
6. Next, find the key called HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
7. Find the value under it called qttask.exe and delete it.

You should be very careful when editing your computer’s registry. Before you begin, it is a good idea to set a Restore Point so that you can save your current settings in case something goes wrong. Be sure not to adjust any other keys or values, as you could remove vital information and need to reformat your system.