Resources

CD Compatibility

Whether or not your CDs will play on a variety of CD players depends mainly on the manner in which you are burning the CDs. If you are using the wrong method to burn CDs that you want to use on a variety of CD players, then the CDs will not play when you insert them.

Burning CDs to Play on Multiple CD Players

If you follow the tips provided here, you should be able to play your CDs on more than just your computer. To generate the best results, use a CD-R. Although you can use a blank CD-RW disc as well, the CD-R disc provides better compatibility with a variety of CD players including versions for cars, homes, and portable CD players. Additionally, you need to burn the CDs in a particular way in order to create CDs that are compatible with multiple CD players.

CDs, Computers, and CD Players

Computers are designed to read a variety of discs including both data and audio discs. However, if you burn a “data CD” on your computer, your CD player will not be able to read it unless it is also designed to read both audio discs and data discs. Therefore, when you prepare to burn a CD, you need to make sure that you set up your CD recorder or burner to burn an “audio CD” so that you can play it on CD players in addition to the computer. If you are using “Windows Media Player 11″ to burn your CDs, this option is located beneath the “burn tab.” Once you create a burned CD using the selection for “audio CD,” then you should be able to play it on any standard CD player including those designed for home theaters, cars, and portable use.

Note: most newer CD players are CD-R compatible and will recognize your properly burned CDs and various music file formats. However, if you have an older CD player that does not support these CD-R and music formats, you may not have much luck.

Additional Tips for Burning CDs

For the best playback results, close all other applications on the computer. Performing any tasks on the computer while burning might affect the quality of the burned CD. For a better quality CD, purchase quality CD-Rs.

Changing Font Size in AIM

About AIM

Changing your font size in AIM is really easy, and might vary only according to which version you are running. The latest version - 6.8 - was released in October 2008. In addition to instant messaging and webcam video chatting, the most recent release of AIM allows increased user control over the appearance and format of your buddy list. AIM - America Online Instant Messenger - is an extremely popular instant messaging computer program that was first released by AOL in 1997. AIM is available for use on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux based computer systems. AIM boasts holding 52% of the American instant messaging market.

How To Change Font Size

Once you are in the instant messaging window of AIM, and at the point where you type your message to send to a contact, you can easily adjust the font size. Right underneath the text box for messages, there is a row of buttons. The first tab will say the name of the font, for example Arial. If you click on the down-facing arrow beside the font name, a drop down menu will open, which lists all the available fonts. You can click to select the font you want. Next, is the numerical size of the font, for example 10. Using the drop down menu beside the number you can choose a larger font.

To change the font size used in your buddy list and other displays, you can open the AIM settings tab. On the top of your IM window, select Edit. From the Edit menu, select Settings, and then select Style.

Override Settings and Trillian

AIM 6.8 doesn’t provide an option to override the font size of your contacts, which means that you will receive instant messages in whatever size your contact writes them. For this reason, you might consider communicating with your friends and requesting that they increase their font size as well. There is a companion program to AIM, called Trillian that allows users to override and control the font size of incoming messages. If you continue to have a problem with AIM, you might consider using Trillian. Trillian supports AIM as well as MSM Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, and IRC.

AIM 6.8 System Requirements

The system requirements to run AIM on your laptop or desktop computer include the Windows operating system, version 2000 or newer. There are other releases of AIM available for both Mac and Linux operating systems. You also need to use Internet Explorer 6.0 or newer as your Internet browser. For memory, you need at least 128 MB of RAM and 512 MB on your hard drive. AIM also requires Macromedia Flash for graphics and both microphone and speaker capabilities if using the webcam video function. AIM also recommends using a Broadband Internet connection for uninterrupted video chatting.

Troubleshooting Sound Issues: Multiple Applications

Since only one application can access your audio device at a time, make sure that you close out any other application that might attempt to access your audio device.

Troubleshooting Online Sound Issues: Software

In most instances, special software is needed in order to see and hear online movies such as Adobe Flash Player, RealPlayer, or another application. Have you installed one of these applications?

Troubleshooting Sound Issues: Upgrade your Adobe Flash Player

If you are using an old version of Adobe Flash Player, it’s time to upgrade it to a current version. Make sure that you also obtain any updates to your operating system at the same time.

Troubleshooting Sound Issues: Windows Vista

For computer users with Windows Vista, the installation of Adobe Flash tends to be problematic. In some cases, it does not install completely. Follow the directions on the Adobe website (Uninstall Adobe) to uninstall the application. Then, follow the directions on the website to reinstall it Adobe Flash Player.

Troubleshooting Sound Issues: Faulty Software

Even if you have installed this application, it is possible that the software has a “known” glitch. Apparently, sometimes during the installation or upgrade of Adobe Flash, the “wavemapper driver” is removed during the installation, resulting in a lack of sound while watching movies. You can check for this key in the registry and replace it if it is missing.

Troubleshooting Sound Issues: Earlier Versions of Adobe Flash

As a last resort, you can uninstall your version of Adobe Flash and install an earlier version. From what I have read, problems with Adobe and audio for online movies are related to version 9 of this application.

Replacing the “Wavemapper Driver”

Please note that these directions involve modifying the Windows Registry and therefore, you should back up your registry files in case you make a mistake. Make sure that you have a “restore point” to revert back to in case you need it. This option should be

To replace the wavemapper driver, follow these directions:

1)      Click “Start.”

2)      Click “Run.”

3)      Type “regedit.”

4)      Press “Enter.”

5)      Navigate to the following:                                                                                     My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32

6)      Right click, click “New,” select “string value,” enter “wavemapper,” press “enter,” type “msacm32.drv” and press “enter.”

This is one of those questions that is going to involve a little trial and error. It would help if we had a little more information - what type of printer you are using and what browser are you using? Without that information, let’s try a few things:

Do the Proper Updates

The first thing to try is to update everything that might need updating. This includes the printer driver and the operating system. Simply go to the website of the printer manufacturer and find any updates that might be available for your brand. Updating the operating system will work the same way. Sometimes simply running an update will solve this problem.

Another thing to try is to use a different browser. If you are using Internet Explorer, try using Mozilla and see if you can print online from there. You may also want to try uninstalling and then reinstalling your browser rather than updating it.

Change to Spool Format

For many Lexmark printers, changing to spool format solves this problem - you can give it a try for other printers too.

1. Go to Start and then Control Panel. Click on Printers and Other Hardware.
2. Choose Printers and Faxes.
3. Right click on the printer in question and choose Properties.
4. Check in the Advanced Tab (it might also be in the General tab) for the Print Processor button.
5. Click that button and select NT EMF 1.008.

Reset the Printer in Firefox

If you are having this problem in Firefox, you can reset the printer.

1. In the location bar, type in about:config.
2. You will see a list of preferences. Find print.print_printer.
3. Right click on that and press Reset.
4. Restart Firefox and see if you can print.

If you are having other Firefox printing problems, there is a great informational rundown on this website for troubleshooting Firefox printer problems. You look for the symptoms that you are having and this site will give you some options for fixing it.

Hopefully, one of these solutions will get your printing problems fixed. If not, write back with some specific information such as the systems you are using and the exact problem and we should be able to help you further.

Before you Begin

If your computer is functional, take the time now to gather information about the programs currently installed as well as backup your data files. Burn your data to CD, transfer it to removable USB sticks, or use an online backup option such as BeinSync.

If you do not have installation CDs for your programs, look up the original product or license keys and print them out so that you can later re-download the programs and “re-activate” them with your license information. If you’ve added hardware to your system, backup your hardware drivers. Driver Genius provides a handy way to backup and restore your device drivers.

Use the Dell Recovery CD

If your computer came with a recovery CD, that would be the easiest route possible to wipe the hard drive clean, reinstall the operating system, and reinstall the basic programs that originally shipped with your computer.

Your computer may have come with this CD or it may have a partition on the hard drive where an image file is located. It all depends on when the computer was shipped. Dell offers detailed instructions on how to create your own recovery CD from the partition here.

Use Dell PC Restore

If your computer shipped between December 17, 2004 and July 15, 2005, it should have a utility called Dell PC Restore on it. If so, you can use this option to restore your computer to its original condition. Dell provides detailed instructions here.

Reformatting Your Hard Drive Manually

If you have a Windows installation disc rather than a recovery CD, you will need to reformat your computer manually. Our Tech Jock, Kate Dubensky, details how to do so in this post here.

Reinstalling Programs and Other Necessities

After reformatting the disk and reinstalling Windows - no matter which route you end up taking - you will then need to reinstall programs and data files. Before you begin, take the time right now to install a good security software product and update the Windows operating system. Install the security software first as it will be needed to product your computer from viruses and spyware during the Windows Update process.

Why update Windows? Remember, when restoring the operating system to factory settings, you are restoring all of the old vulnerabilities and security holes that have since been addressed by Microsoft. Go to Windows Update and update your operating system as soon as you have a good defense system in place. This will take time as you may have several years’ worth of updates to download and apply.

Next, gather all of the essential program CDs that you need such as your word processor, money management software, and so forth. You will need to reinstall these one at a time from disc. Once installed, use the Help or Update options to update the software. If you had previously downloaded programs, you will need to re-download them and then enter your product or license keys. Refer to your earlier documentation.

As you reinstall programs, start with the essentials and use your judgment as to whether or not a program is worth installing. Many of us install programs and use them just once. If you rarely use a program, postpone the installation until you really need it. This will keep your computer from being overwhelmed with programs you don’t actually use.

Restore your Data

Finally, move your data back onto your computer. If for some terrible reason, your data didn’t survive the computer crash, you can use a good data recovery tool, ParetoLogic Data Recovery, even after a reformatting to retrieve your data files.

What is VISS?

VISS stands for Verizon Internet Security Suite, a software application. VISS is designed to protect the computer on which it is installed from spyware, viruses, hackers, and other types of malware.

What Features Does VISS Include?

• VISS includes a number of useful tools. It includes an anti-virus feature to protect your computer from worms and viruses.
• It includes an anti-spyware scanner to find and delete tracking software.
• It has a firewall to safeguard your computer from unauthorized attempts to use it.
• It features a content filtering function known as “Parental Control” to limit your child’s access to the Internet.
• VISS offers an ad blocker and pop up blocker.
• It has a form filler feature that allows you to maintain three individual profiles for the easy completion of forms.
• VISS includes a Privacy Manager that checks for identifying information and monitors its release from your computer.
• VISS can be used on a single computer or a network package for as many as 3 computers is also available.
• Automatic updates are made approximately every three hours. This is done to maintain the highest level of security for VISS users.

Technical Support for VISS

Since you are an existing VISS owner, you can contact VISS support at 800-567-6789. If your subscription is still current, you should either receive a refund or get Verizon’s technical support to correct your VISS.

VISS Online for Existing Verizon Customers

To order VISS online, you can visit this link: VISS.

Online Web Page for VISS

In order to access the home page for VISS, simply visit this link: Verizon Repair.