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 Developed by Microsoft, ActiveX is designed for fluid interactivity and the ease of programming. While these can be great features for any application, they also set up the stage for a number of security issues with ActiveX controls. Microsoft Internet Explorer already has a few security issues. Add to that the security problems of ActiveX, and I see red flags waving everywhere.

In particular, ActiveX controls create an environment that is readily accessible to individuals who are interested in placing an assortment of spyware or malware on the unprotected computers of unsuspecting computer users. It is relatively easy for such individuals to take advantage of ActiveX control technology to do their dirty work. In fact, these controls have often been considered the root of many security issues.

A great deal of adware and spyware can readily be downloaded onto a computer using ActiveX controls. No protective settings are in place with ActiveX controls to prevent this from happening. Unlike Java applets, ActiveX controls rely on digital signatures, which simply state that the software is free of viruses and other forms of malware. The computer user is totally at risk of obtaining spyware, adware, and more on his computer unless he is fully capable of judging whether or not a code is safe.

ActiveX objects are distributed with valid certificates. Yet, even when a certificate is deemed to be valid, the scripts might have been tampered with in a way that places harmful applications on a computer.

Maliciously coded controls can be damaging in obvious ways, creating havoc with the functioning of the computer or they can be damaging in less obvious ways, secretly stealing the data that is entered on a computer and transmitting it to another individual. While this activity does no harm to an individual’s computer, it can create problems due to the theft of sensitive, personal information.

The most obvious example of the latter types of applications is spyware and adware programs. The majority of spyware programs utilize ActiveX objects in order to install themselves onto an individual’s computer system. They have certificates attached to them, giving them a semblance of credibility. Therefore, they are not immediately identifiable as a potential threat to the computer system.

Even if the spyware program prompts a security warning to the computer user, it is often accepted due to the vague nature of the warning. The scripts used in spyware are typically signed and present disclaimers that explain what they do, making them legal in a loose sense of the word. Additionally, should the spyware program sneak past this warning, it can complete an install without ever being noticed.

Nonetheless, spyware is not something that anyone would willingly install onto a computer. I know that personally, I want my personal information kept under wraps without the potential for other individuals to gain access to it. Having spyware on my computer is like posting your personal data on a bulletin board for some unscrupulous character to get a hold of and use against me.

This question came in this morning from a reader who is having trouble with AOL and AOL’s AIM 6.5 updates. I was immediately curious because my own computer has been nagging me to install Quicktime and iTune updates.

During my research, I was able to solve my own issue quite easily. Turns out that there’s an update frequency setting in Apple Software Update. However, the reader’s problem isn’t quite so simple as clicking an option box.

I downloaded and installed AIM 6.5 in search of an update frequency setting. No luck. So off I went to AIM support. Here’s what I found out. AOL software uses a feature called “Tools on Demand” or TOD. TOD faciliates automatic updates so users do not need to manually update their software. Apparently there are several reasons why the same updates appear time and time again including a bloated “artwork database” and a corrupt TOD folder.

When the artwork database is too large, performance suffers. You can clear this database by chaning the maximum amount of disk space settings down to the lowest value, exiting the software, and then resetting these settings back to a normal level.

In order to do this, launch AOL but don’t sign in. Next, go to Settings >Offline Storage (or Settings >Preferences> Font Text & Graphics for AOL 8.0 and below). Go to the Graphics setting and find the Maximum Disk Space to Use for Online Art section. Click the down arrow and set it to the lowest setting. Click Save and exit AOL. Relaunch AOL (don’t sign in) and reset this setting to no more than 60MBs for 9.0 and above and no more than 40MB for 8.0 and below. Click Save.

If the TOD folder is damaged, it may be trying to repair itself through constant updates. Obviously, this isn’t working. Try deleting the folder which will prompt AOL to rebuild it. Right-click the AOL icon in the Windows taskbar next to the clock. Choose AOL Software tab and click Open Data Folder (other versions WAOL tab> App Folder). Right-click the TOD folder and click Delete. Click Yes. Close all open windows and then restart AOL. You will need to allow AOL to download a variety of updates which may be time consuming.

If neither of these methods solves the problem, you may need to uninstall AOL and reinstall it to repair the damage. Removing a corrupt installation and reinstalling it with a fresh copy of the software will replace the damaged files with clean ones. It’s usually best to download the latest software from AOL rather than using the original installation disc because you’ll have the latest version. Plus, if the installation disc also has the flaw which is causing the error in the first place, reinstalling from the disc will reintroduce the same flaw.

If the computer won’t load windows and gives you the message “error loading system,” a few strategies for troubleshooting the problem are available. Fortunately, even though start up problems are frustrating, they are usually solved with a bit of patience and a touch of persistence. Take a deep breath and follow the steps outlined here to see if the problem is one that is easily fixed.

In some cases, Windows begins to load, encounters a problem, and stops loading when it ceases to respond during the start up process. The trick here is going to intervene before it gets to that point and displays the dreaded “error loading system” message.

Tip 1

The first strategy involves restarting the computer. As soon as the computer screen goes blank for the very first time, press the F8 key on the keyboard repeatedly until the Windows Advance Options menu appears on the screen. Don’t get frustrated if this doesn’t work the first time you attempt it. Simply try it again until you get the Windows Advance Options menu to appear on the screen.

At this point, you will use your cursor keys on the keyboard to select the “Last Known Good Configuration” phrase. The mouse won’t work at this stage, which is why you need to use the cursor keys. Select the enter key now. Windows should attempt to load. The Last Known Good Configuration refers to the most recent settings that worked on your computer. Hopefully, this works. If not, move on to the next tip.

Tip 2

Occasionally, whenever new hardware is installed, it creates a problem with Windows and it won’t load. If this is the case with your computer set up, shut down the computer. Now, you should disconnect the hardware and place it safely to the side. Now, attempt to restart the computer. If Windows loads, your next step is going to be to investigate how to troubleshoot the computer’s hardware so that you can reinstall it without creating a problem for your Windows operating system. If this tip is not related to your problem, move on to the next one.

Tip 3

First, restart the computer. Press the F8 key on the keyboard as soon as the computer screen goes blank for the very first time. Do this repeatedly until the Windows Advance Options menu appears on the screen. Remember that at this point, you need to use your cursor keys on the keyboard since the mouse won’t work.

Select the “Safe Mode” phrase and the enter key. Windows should attempt to load. The Safe Mode allows your computer to load Windows without loading other applications and hardware. If Windows loads, then you need to remove any recent upgrades or software applications that have recently been installed on the computer. If not, move on to the next tip.

Tip 4

If none of the above worked, reinstalling Windows might be necessary. This, however, will cause you to lose some of the computer’s settings, updates, programs, and data.

 For me, computers are somewhat like children- sometimes they do what you want them to do and sometimes they don’t. Unfortunately, it isn’t always as easy to get a computer to behave the way that you want as it is with a child. It’s not possible to bribe or cajole my computer into behaving. I can beg it to boot up, hibernate, or shut down, but no amount of pleading or begging to reward or threaten it with a good thorough overhaul is going to get it to perform.

Fortunately, troubleshooting computer problems and errors actually does work most of the time. Therefore, when my computer does not want to hibernate, I am going to try a few simple strategies to see if I can figure the issue out and resolve it. First, I am going to check to ensure that my computer’s hibernate mode is enabled. This is the most likely cause of a computer’s failure to hibernate.

In order to accomplish this task, I need to go to start, control panel, performance and maintenance, power options, and hibernate. On some older machines, I need to go to start, settings, control panel, power options, and hibernate. Once I am at the location that includes the information on my computer’s hibernate mode, I simply check to see that the checkbox that enables hibernation has been clicked.

If the box isn’t checked off, I can click it to place a checkmark in the box. This will enable the computer to hibernate from then on. However, after I place a checkmark in the box, I need to click on the word “apply” so that my changes are saved. Once I click on apply, I also need to click on the word “ok,” so that the changes take. Next, I want to click on the advanced tab so that I can select the parameters or guidelines for my computer’s hibernation mode.

These guidelines can include such options as allowing the computer to hibernate rather than shut down when I click on the power button or allowing the computer to hibernate when I click on the sleep button of my keyboard. I also need to remember to click on the word “apply” so that my changes are saved. Once I click apply, I also need to click on the word “ok,” so that the changes stick. On the other hand, if the computer is already enabled to hibernate but won’t do so, I might need to check for programs that might interfere with this including viruses and spyware.

In order to determine whether I want to enable my computer to hibernate, I need to understand what it means. When my computer hibernates, it stores the existing data that is in its memory onto my hard disk. Then, when I take my computer out of hibernation, it can return to its previous state with everything in place, just the way that I left it. One of the greatest benefits of setting my computer up to hibernate is that it minimizes the potential for the loss of data. Additionally, battery failure can create major problems for my computer including the loss of my data or corruption of my applications. Setting my computer up to hibernate when the battery power is low prevents that. Plus, hibernation allows me to conserve battery power since it uses less than a fully operational computer mode.

 When the computer is working properly, everything is fine. But what happens when the computer doesn’t function properly? Worse yet, what happens when my computer won’t even boot up? Is the problem with my computer’s operating system? Or is the problem with my computer’s hardware?

Troubleshooting and referring to my owner’s manual are going to be my two best friends with this scenario. Problems booting up can be caused by a number of situations including a bad video card or a bad CPU card. If I am met with a series of blips and beeps when I power up my computer, I am in luck because I can use those beeps to help me determine what the problem is.

Typically, the computer will create a series of beeps when it is experiencing difficulty booting up. I can check my computer’s manual and locate the troubleshooting section for problems with booting up. In particular, I can refer to the list of beep codes to identify my series of beeps and the potential problem. For custom-built computers, the motherboard’s manual should be checked to locate the troubleshooting section for problems with booting up.

Beep codes can indicate a problem with the computer’s memory. Quite often, this is the problem with computers that don’t want to boot up. If that is the case, I need to check to see that the memory is seated properly and securely. In fact, if I have recently replaced or added memory to my computer system and now it refuses to boot up, I might want to check to ensure that I have installed the proper memory. If the memory has not been replaced recently, then I need to clean the pins on the memory’s modules as well as the sockets for each pin.

In the event that my computer system has more than one memory module, I am going to try to identify any bad modules. If I do locate a bad memory module, I will need to replace it with a new one. To identify a bad module, I can use the process of elimination. I can remove all but one module, attempt to boot the system, and follow this strategy until each one has been checked out. Once I locate the module that is causing the failure to boot up, I can simply remove it from the computer.

Of course, other circumstances can exist behind my computer’s failure to boot up. In fact, one year, my computer wouldn’t boot up because the power button had broken and wouldn’t work. Since I had a lifetime warranty on that part, the manufacturer of my computer sent me a replacement part and I fixed it within minutes.

Additionally, my computer can display an error message when it attempts to boot up. If this happens, I can refer to the error message as well as to my manufacturer’s manual to locate the reason behind the problem. Persistence in trying to identify the problem and troubleshooting the situation are the best methods for handling the repair.

 How can I fix the problems that my computer is experiencing if they are stemming from the fact that it doesn’t recognize the memory that I have just installed? Do I want to attempt to fix such problems on my own or should I hire a skilled computer technician? Well, I have the knowledge to try and resolve these issues on my own, so I am going to do a little troubleshooting and see what I come up with.

Fortunately, diagnosing and resolving why my computer isn’t recognizing the memory that I have just installed shouldn’t be too difficult. Any troubleshooting I do should be accomplished while my computer system has been turned off.

Since the installation is recent, I need to check for the most likely source of the problem- whether or not I have seated the memory properly. This would be a quick fix if this turns out to be the reason why my computer isn’t recognizing the memory. All I need to do is to make sure that the memory module is seated properly and securely in the proper slot. It should not be loose or askew.

Next, if I still need to troubleshoot the problem, I should to check whether I have installed the correct type of memory. Incompatible memory could be the cause of my memory problems. Memory is available in a number of different types and specifications that depend on the specific computer that I have. This includes desktops and laptops.

I should check my computer system’s requirements and double check that I have purchased the correct type of memory. If somehow I installed the wrong type of memory, I will need to replace it and start over with the correct type of memory.

Next, I need to check my computer’s requirements for the maximum amount of memory that I can install. Since it is possible to install too much memory, I need to ensure that I have not done so because this can lead to incompatibility issues. If this is what I have done, I simply need to remove the extra memory.

If none of the above scenarios seem to be creating the issue, I need to see if cleaning the modules will help. Both the pins and the sockets can be cleaned with a bit of rubbing alcohol applied with a clean cotton swab. It’s important not to leave any residue on the memory module.

Alternatively, I can move around the order of the memory modules in an attempt to resolve the issue. It might also help to make sure that I have installed the memory in the sockets with the lowest numbering.