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I cannot open PDF files. I reinstalled Adobe and receive a message stating that it cannot download due to running in Safe Mode or improperly installed Windows. How do I check these problems?

Adobe Reader Troubleshooting

First, let’s make sure that your computer is NOT in Safe Mode and that no earlier versions of Adobe Reader are installed. Start by rebooting your computer. It should boot up into Normal mode if you shut it down properly and then power it back up. Any error messages upon startup? Any other indications that Windows is improperly installed other than the Adobe message?

If your computer starts normally and isn’t generating any errors, then go into Add and Remove Programs and remove any instances of Adobe Reader. While you can have several versions of Adobe Reader on your computer at once, they can conflict with each other, so it’s smart to remove the old ones.

Cleanup the Failed Installation

Since you’re having trouble with the installation, it’s also possible that your computer has leftover remnants of the failed installation. Use the Microsoft Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the installation files before trying a clean install.

Once all versions of Adobe Reader have been removed, download the latest version of Reader to your computer and save it to your desktop. Since you’ve been having problems with the installation, do not install just yet.

Start Computer in “Simplified” Mode

Starting your computer in “Simplified” mode is different than starting it in Safe Mode. Adobe recommends doing this when users encounter installation problems. Go to Start > Run and type in msconfig. Click the Startup Tab and click Disable All. Next, go to the Services tab and choose “Hide all Microsoft Services.” Once those are hidden, choose “Disable All.” Click OK to confirm your choices and reboot your computer.

This will reboot your computer with just its bare bones services running. Now, install Adobe Reader. Once installed, go back into msconfig and go to the General tab. Choose “Normal Startup,” click OK, and reboot your computer.

Hopefully, this will do the trick and Adobe Reader will work properly for you.

I want to delete a folder that I somehow made two of the same.

Preparing to Delete Folders

It’s relatively easy to delete folders. Be aware that deleting folders also deletes the contents, including sub-folders, of the folders being deleted. Before you begin, make sure that you are logged on as the administrator or as the user who created the folder. Otherwise, you may not have permission to delete it. In addition, if a file within the folder is in use, you may not be able to delete the folder so close all programs.

In fact, it’s best to completely shut down your computer and reboot it before you begin. This ensures that all users are fully logged off. If any programs are set to automatically start when Windows starts, close those. The less interference you have, the less likely you’ll encounter a “file in use” error.

Deleting Folders

Right-click the Start button and choose Explore. Navigate to the folder that you want to delete. Confirm that it is the correct folder of the two that you had earlier created. Right-click the folder and choose Delete. Windows will prompt you to confirm that you want to send the folder to the Recycle Bin. Click Yes.

If the folder is exceptionally large, such as if it is filled with video or music files, you may be prompted by Windows that the folder is too large to send to the Recycle Bin. Before you click OK, take this opportunity to check the folder one last time to be sure that there’s nothing of value inside. Otherwise, the folder will be gone for good (though data recovery products may be able to recover it later).

Restoring a Deleted Folder

What if you accidentally delete the wrong folder? This happens more often than you’d believe. We receive questions all the time that start off with, “I accidentally deleted the wrong folder. . .” If the folder was sent to the Recycle Bin and the Recycle Bin hasn’t been emptied since then, all you need to do is open it, find the folder, right-click it, and chose Restore. This restores the folder and all of its contents to its previous location.

If the folder is no longer safely waiting for you in the Recycle Bin, a good data recovery product may be able to recover it. Hopefully you will never need such a product.

I have been able to listen to audio on my PC while online. Now I have NO sounds at all other than the Windows Media Player. It plays normally. I get NO sounds at all from the Internet or Windows Sounds. I have checked the sound card and all sound files. Everything is running normally. What now?

Since Windows Media Player works, it sounds as though the sound card itself is working just fine so let’s look at a few other possibilities.

Windows Sound Schemes

The Windows sounds like the chimes and beeps that we hear as we go about our computing business are most likely related to the Windows Sound Schemes settings on your computer. If this setting has been changed to “no sounds,” then you won’t hear the chirps and chimes of various events. This is easy to change. Go to Control Panel > Sound. Click on the Sounds tab. Check the Sound Settings list. Is it set to No Sounds? If so, change it to Windows Default.

Speaker Settings

While you’re in the Control Panel’s Sound center, click the Playback tab and highlight your speakers. Are the speakers enabled? Now click Levels. Are the levels not muted? Click the Advanced tab and click Test. Can you hear any sounds? Go back to the General tab and click Properties next to the Controller Information. Does the status indicate that the device is working properly?

Windows Mixer

Have you checked the Windows Mixer? When you double-click the sound icon in the System Tray, a single volume control slider bar appears. However, if you click the Mixer link, a set of volume controls with multiple slider bars appears. Is the volume bar for Internet Explorer set to mute or set exceptionally low? If so, that could be the problem. Adjust the volume and see if that works.

Internet Explorer and Add-ons

Since you mentioned that sound works with Windows Media Player, but not when you listening to audio online, let’s look at the Web browser. Web browsers need add-ons such as QuickTime or RealPlayer in order to process the audio found online. If these have been disabled or removed or if you are using Internet Explorer in “no add-ons” mode, then the sound on various websites won’t play. First, make sure that you are in the standard version of Internet Explorer, not Internet Explorer No Add-ons.

Next, go to Tools > Manage Add-ons. Click “All Add-ons” in the Show drop down box. Scroll through the list and look for sound-related add-ons such as QuickTime, iTunes, RealPlayer, and so on. Re-enable any that are disabled and see if this solves the problem. Because many of these are ActiveX controls, if your browser’s security settings are too high, it could be blocking them from running. If you’ve recently changed your browser’s security settings and think this could be part of the problem, try a lower setting as an experiment. Here’s some information about ActiveX settings in Internet Explorer that may be helpful.

Hopefully one of these solutions will be the one that works for you.

Whenever I go into my email and click on a document to open I get a popup that says, “The command cannot be performed because a dialog box is open”. What is a dialog box? And how can I bypass this? I need help?!

Command Cannot be Performed Dialog Box Open Error Message

This is an error message related to Microsoft Word - part of the Office Suite - versions 2003 and 2007. When you click twice to open a document and this message appears, it means that there is a Word document template in your Start Up folder with a macro link that opens a dialog box. If that didn’t make sense, what this message means is that there is a file in your Start Up folder that is interfering with your ability to open documents. While this explanation may sound complicated, the remedy is straightforward.

About Dialog Boxes

A dialog box is the name used to refer to the small text or option boxes that appear on your computer when you are communicating with a program. For example, if you are using Word and click the open icon and a small screen appears on the desktop with a selection of files to open, this is called an Open dialog box. As in, a box in which you dialog with your computer programs. You usually have to click Close, OK or Cancel or Apply to exit a dialog box.

Open the File Directly

If you know the document that the message is referring to, you can open it directly, using the Word program the way you would open any file. Open Word, click either the Microsoft Office button or the File menu, depending on your version, then choose Open. From the Open box, choose the file that you want to open and click Open. Once opened, you can either delete the link, delete the file, or make sure the link is disabled and the dialog box closed.

Remove the File from the Start Up Folder

Since it’s unlikely that you know the file that is causing the problem, you can try to get around it by removing the template from the Start Up folder. If you don’t know what these templates are, you can follow these same instructions and open the files to view them before deleting. The file with the problem contains a link that opens a dialog box. Follow these instructions.

1. Close and quit Word
2. Click Start, then Programs, then Accessories, and then Windows Explorer
3. Look for a folder called either
   1.  
      1. C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP
      2. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12\STARTUP
      3. Or, in Vista: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP
4. Click twice on the Start Up folder to open it
5. On the right side of the Windows Explorer pane, click to chose the template to remove, then Delete.

I have an ACER laptop, and spilled something on it. Now, it will not run or work properly. Is it cost effective to repaired it and can it be repaired?

Computers and Spills

The easy answer here is going to be “maybe.” In all honesty though, whether or not you can have the laptop repaired is going to depend on several things. For starters, this list includes: how long has it been since the spill occurred, how much did you spill on it, and where did the spill actually go inside the laptop?

You can attempt to repair the laptop yourself to save money. I recently spilled liquid on a thirteen-year old keyboard and repaired it myself despite my husband’s howls of, “It only costs twenty bucks to replace the thing!” Obviously, I have become quite attached to my keyboard and still am. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, shop around for a good price. I’d suggest taking the middle range of prices rather than the lower.

Computer Damage Due to Spills

Whenever someone has spilled something on a computer, there is usually some type of repercussion. The following are the types of damage that can occur when you’ve spilled something on computer:

• Short circuit from liquid or from dried liquid residue
• Damage to electronic components due to short circuit
• Corrosion (occurs with acidic drinks)

Laptop Repair after Computer Spill

If you attempt to repair the laptop on your own, make sure that the warranty is over. If it isn’t, then you should send it in for repair. As far as whether it is cost effective, call ahead and get a quote in order to determine how much it will be. Additionally, if you try to repair the laptop, you are on your own as far as any additional damages.

• The first step is to disconnect the laptop from its power source, taking all safety precautions to avoid electrocution. For example, if the laptop is powered on and sitting in a puddle of soda, do not take any chances. Turn off the home’s power before going near it.
• Once safely disconnected from its power source, wipe up any external spills. Also disconnect the battery and any peripherals that you have attached to the laptop.
• Now turn it over to drain as much of liquid as possible. The best position is to open the laptop so that the lid is perpendicular to the keyboard. Place the keyboard section face down on the table with the lid hanging over. Use absorbent materials to soak up the liquid.
• Once you believe most of the liquid has drained out, allow the laptop to dry for at least eight hours.
• The next step is one that you have to decide for yourself based on your knowledge of what and how much you spilled. Either you can try to use the laptop as is or you can opt to try the internal laptop clean up after a spill.

Internal Laptop Repair after Computer Spill

Once you are ready to clean the internal area of the laptop, gather your supplies: screwdriver, some cotton swabs, distilled water, unscented rubbing alcohol, WD-40, and rags for cleanup.

• Make sure the laptop is disconnected from the power and ground yourself before you begin working. Remove the keyboard with the screwdriver. Check your computer’s manual for the location of its screws.
• Dip the cotton swabs into the distilled water to remove any remaining residue from the laptop spill. You can also try unscented rubbing alcohol.
• If you notice signs of corrosion due to the spill, dampen a cotton swab with WD-40 and clean the area carefully. There are varying viewpoints on this, so you might want to try distilled water or rubbing alcohol first.
• Use a clean cotton swab to dry the area you have worked on.
• Check the internal area of the laptop out as thoroughly as possible to check for additional signs of damage. Make sure you have sufficient light to see.
• Allow everything to dry before putting it back together.

My laptop has frozen.

Okay, the good news here is that you should be able to get your laptop unfrozen with a few simple strategies. Read through the following suggestions.

Troubleshooting Frozen Computer: Use Last Good Configuration

Since booting up in Safe Mode uses the least amount of resources, drivers, and applications, let’s see if you can boot up using the following directions:

1. Turn on the power button to the laptop and immediately and continually begin to press the “F8″ key on the keyboard until you hear the laptop booting up. (You might need to press the “F2″, “F12,” or “F10″ key depending on the make and model of your laptop.)
2. Once you get into Safe Mode, select the following to boot the computer “Last Known Good Configuration.” This should allow your computer to revert to a condition when it did not freeze.

Troubleshooting Frozen Computer: Installation Disk

If you have the installation disk for your laptop handy, you can use it to boot up. Simply follow these directions:

1. Turn the power to the laptop on. Immediately insert the disk.
2. Immediately press the “ESC” key on the keyboard and the “F1″ key once the “Check System” phrase appears on the screen. This allows you to boot from the disk rather than the hard drive.
3. This should generate a menu choice for you. Select “Repair the Operating System.” You should hear activity as the computer boots up properly. All of your data should also be saved through this option.

Troubleshooting Frozen Computer: Additional Strategies

If you still have a stuck computer, try each of the following strategies to see if you can get it working:

1. Reseat the memory - If it is possible that the memory has been jostled loose, carefully reseat it.
2. Clean - It is possible that the laptop is overheating due to dust build up. Use a can of compressed air to clean around the fan.

If you get the laptop working but have concerns that all isn’t quite right, try these strategies:

1. Scan for Spyware/Virus - Since it is possible that your computer is infected with spyware or a virus, use a reliable, up-to-date anti-spyware/anti-virus scanner to check. If you don’t have such an application, I can recommend that you try Anti-Virus PLUS.
2. Update Drivers - If you haven’t checked in a while to see if you need to update your drivers, you should do so now.