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The last few weeks when I try to view my Youtube or play one of my online games the screen will freeze. The music or sound continues. If I move my mouse, the picture continues again and then will freeze at a random time again until I move the mouse. If I keep moving the mouse on the screen, no stops. I have reinstalled Flash Player in case it was that and it is still happening. I am truthfully at a loss. Maybe one of the last updates? Any ideas? I have Adobe Flash Player, Windows 7, and my laptop is a new Qosmio (10 months), and everything is updated.

Flash Won't Work Unless Mouse Moves
In researching this problem, it appears that you're not alone. It also appears that opinions and possible solutions are all over the place. For example, some believe that this is an ISP problem related to bandwidth restriction and "traffic shaping." Other users have overcome the problem by disabling and re-enabling the Flash plugin. With these two theories in mind, we can try a couple of different things.

Since switching ISPs is more drastic than fiddling with browser plugins, let's start with your Web browser. Flash Player isn't a standalone piece of software; it's a Web browser add-on / plugin. When you download it, it integrates with your Web browser and allows you to watch Flash content directly within webpages.

Try Using the Chrome Web Browser
Flash is a separate download for most Web browsers but it comes integrated with the Chrome Web browser. If you haven't tried Chrome, you might want to try it. Its Flash-related files and DLLs are stored in different folders than your traditionally downloaded Flash Player files for Internet Explorer. If Flash works fine in Chrome but not in Internet Explorer, that will tell us that the problem isn't the ISP but rather an issue with the local installation of Flash Player. From there, you can decide whether to stick with Chrome or try to fix the Internet Explorer Flash issue.

Disable and Re-enable the Flash Plugin
If you're currently using Internet Explorer and want to fix Flash, you can disable and re-enable Flash by going to the Gear icon > Manage Add-ons and clicking the disable/enable buttons. Perhaps this will refresh Flash, though it's doubtful (but worth a try). The more likely solution will involve a complete uninstall followed by a clean install of the latest version of Flash Player.

Clean Flash Player Installation
Adobe provides specific steps for doing a clean install at: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/clean-install-flash-player.html.

In general, Adobe recommends:
• Downloading the Flash uninstaller
• Exiting all browsers and programs that run Flash Player
• Running the uninstaller (and deleting specific files)
• Verifying that FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl, FlashPlayerApp.exe, and FlashPlayerInstaller.exe have been deleted from the C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ folder (64-bit computers) C:\Window\system32\ folder (32-bit computers)
• Downloading and installing the latest version of Flash Player

Trying an Alternative ISP
Since your computer is a laptop, you might want to try connecting to a different ISP to rule out issues with your Internet Service Provider. Try a few different free Wi-Fi spots in your community and see if you can play Flash videos when connected to a different network. Your public library or local coffee houses are two to try.

I own a Panasonic DVD-Recorder, which has a Hitachi Sata 400gb 7200rpm inside. Is it possible to upgrade this HDD to a 1.5tb or 2tb without losing the contents on the original hard drive.

DVD-Recorder vs DVR

Off the bat, I'm a little confused about whether you have a DVD-Recorder or a DVR - Digital Video Recorder - as similar as their names are, they are actually very different machines. While both allow you to record video, the DVD-Recorder uses disks and can be easily used to transfer internal data to removable DVD disks. If this is the kind of machine you have, you  can use disks to store all of your saved data and then simply upload the disks to transfer the video data to your new hard drive after it is installed. In this case, you want to be careful that you use DVDs that are enabled to both write and read to down and upload the data.

On the other hand, if you have a DVR machine, things are a little more complicated. The hard drive of your DVR stores all the saved data, the same way that your computer hard drive stores the information you save there. Replacing the hard drive will remove the saved data, but it is possible to copy the DVR hard drive data first so that it will all be on your new hard drive upgrade.

Transfering DVR hard drive data to a computer

Since the DVR is designed to record TV shows and other copyright material for later viewing, it is not equiped with USB ports or disk drives with which to easily make copies of the data. In order to transfer the content of your DVR hard drive to a new hard drive, can use a USB hard drive interface cable, available at most computer retail stores, but you will need to transfer the data to a computer in order to enter commands. However, to connect and transfer, you will need to remove the DVR outer casing and connect directly to the drive. Removing the casing will likely void your warranty, so proceed carefully. You will then have to connect the drive to a computer and use a cloning program to transfer your data to your computer. If you were already planning to have computer technicians replace your hard drive, it is plausible that they can perform the transfer for you while swapping the drives.

If you want to go ahead and attempt to clone your DVR hard drive to a computer, then you can write again with the details of your computer system, and the name of the cloning program you are going to use, like Clonezilla, and we can keep going from there. Good luck!

After cleaning up some junk in the registry, I can no longer see videos on Internet sites that use Adobe Flash Player 10. I can't download it either. I have tried everything, running out of options. Can you help?

Registry Cleaning Mishaps

Unfortunately with registry cleaning, sometimes important files get swept away with the junk. If you used a registry cleaning utility such as RegCure, check the program to see if it has an "undo" or restore option. For example, RegCure backs up the registry prior to each registry cleaning session. When the cleaning leads to a mishap such as a malfunctioning program or plugin, you can undo the registry cleaning and restore your registry to its earlier state.

Windows System Restore

Okay, so let's suppose that you didn't use a registry cleaning utility or that the one you used doesn't offer a backup and restore feature. You may still be able to restore your registry to its prior state by using Windows System Restore. This will only work if your computer has a restore point from before the cleaning, but not too far back in time (otherwise you'll have to reinstall a bunch of updates, software, and hardware from that time forward). Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. System Restore will open. You may need to read the screen and click the Next button until you get to the screen that allows you to choose a restore point. These will be listed in chronological order and will included a brief description detailing the reason for the creation of the restore point. Pick a date before the registry cleaning and then follow the prompts to restore your system.

Remove and Reinstall Adobe Flash Player

If neither of the above options works, try removing your current version of Flash Player as it could be interfering with your ability to download and install it again. You'll need a special uninstaller available from Adobe in order to do this. Read the instructions and download the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller here. It's important to close everything before running the uninstaller. Reboot your computer after and navigate to the "About Adobe Flash Player" page which will confirm whether or not the uninstall completed successfully. From there, go to the Adobe Flash Player Download page and try downloading and installing the latest version.

I have a RCA ‘LYRA'. I guess it's one of the earlier models and I am trying to get my songs/play lists off of the device to put into a file or onto iTunes. Upon startup, I get a "device internal temp is too cold/hot" which it's truly not either of the two. IF it manages to get to the main menu, I've attempted to connect a number of USB cords to the device and although it then goes into the "connecting" mode, it's never recognized by any of the computers. The LYRA freezes on and won't reset or restart and I've had to take the backing off and remove the 4GB Hitachi Microdrive. Is there any way to salvage the device to get the files off, or am I simply screwed?

RCA LYRA players are noted to have an ongoing array of performance issues including freezing, issues with keys, repeating tracks, audio problems, and issues with batteries. Try the following troubleshooting suggestions to see if you can resolve the issue you are having long enough to allow you to transfer your song files.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Soft Reset

A soft reset often resolves problematic issues without causing you to lose most of your settings. Hold down the "On/Off/Stop" button on the player for a full 15 seconds.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Charge Fully/Install Fresh Battery

One of the most notorious issues with the LYRA is problems with the batteries. Quite often, they don't hold their charge. Charge your player for a minimum of three hours to guarantee that it has enough power to perform for you. If your batteries are severely depleted, it is possible that the LYRA will not work properly even if you have it plugged into an alternative power source.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Reset the Player

If your RCA LYRA is not working properly, you can try resetting the player with these directions. Take the batteries out of the player. Hold down at least one of the buttons for at least 15 seconds to fully drain the LYRA's microprocessor. This will reset the player. Next, install new batteries inside the player. It's important to install fresh batteries since the ones you are using might not have enough charge left in them to allow you to proceed with your task.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Reseat the Compact Flash Card

It is important that the Compact Flash card is seated properly within the player. Carefully remove the card and replace it in the player.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Release Keys that May Be Stuck

Since the keys on the RCA LYRA tend to stick, it is important to ensure that the "pause" key is not stuck. Press the "M" key to allow the player to go to "play" mode.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Check Computer Resources

Take the time to clean up your computer before trying this task of transferring music files from the LYRA to iTunes. Remove unwanted files, empty the recycle bin, and scan for viruses and spyware.

Troubleshooting LYRA: Start Fresh

Update the drivers on the LYRA before attempting to transfer music files from the LYRA to iTunes again. Boot up the computer fresh and keep all unnecessary applications closed while you attempt to make your transfer.

How do I download just some of the pictures from my memory card to my computer (some of them have all ready been put on computer and I don't want to duplicate them)? I know how to download the entire memory card but not just say, the last dozen pictures.

Copying Pictures from a Memory Card

Often when you insert a memory card into your computer's memory card reader, a popup screen appears prompting you to choose from several options. Depending on past settings or the software your camera came with, your computer may automatically load software or prompt you with specific commands. Regardless, here's an easy way to pick and choose the photos to download to your computer: Use Windows Explorer.

Using Windows Explorer to Copy Pictures from a Memory Card

If your computer prompts you with a small window asking you what you want to do after you insert your memory card, choose the "Open folder to view files" option. This will open Windows Explorer which will then display the files on the card. If it doesn't, open Windows Explorer manually by going to the Start button and right-clicking it. Choose "Open Windows Explorer" or "Explore" (this depends on your operating system).

Once Windows Explorer is open, you'll need to navigate to the memory card. Just as your hard drive is labeled with a driver letter (usually C), so too will your memory card. It will likely be listed as D, E, or F depending on how many other drives are installed. It may also display a short description such as "portable storage device" or "Memory Stick." Once you find the card, click it and you should see a list of folders. You may need to peek in several of these folders before you find the one containing the photos. For example, if you have a Sony camera, the photos will likely be located in a subfolder named 101MSDCF which is located in the DCIM folder.

Press the Control key and click on the individual photos that you want to copy and then drag and drop the photos into your My Pictures or Pictures folder on your hard drive. Alternately, you can select the photos and then right-click. This brings up a menu with several choices. Choose Copy. From there, open the destination folder and right-click a blank area. Choose Paste.    

Today when I tried to play a CD on my computer nothing happened. Can you help me please?

A few different culprits could be interfering with your CD's failure to play including a damaged disc, a missing file association, or a muted sound card setting. Let's take a quick look at each and hope that your problem is easy to solve.

Damaged CD Disc

First, let's consider the possibility that the disc could be damaged or blank. Does the CD play properly in a CD player or a different computer? Has the CD played fine in your current computer in the past? Do other CDs play in your current computer? If the problem is intermittent with some CDs playing but others not, then the computer is likely fine and the disc damaged or blank.

Music File Associations

However, if you insert a CD into your computer and nothing happens at all - including no media playing launching - then a missing file association could be the problem. Typically when a CD is inserted into the CD player, the computer recognizes that the disc contains music files and then launches your default media player automatically. If the default program for music files has been changed or removed altogether, then your computer won't know which program to load in order to play the CD.

To fix this in Windows, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > AutoPlay. Make sure that there's a checkmark in the "Use AutoPlay for all media and devices" box, and find the Audio CD entry. Choose "Play Audio CD using Windows Media (or your desired player if listed). Click Save.

Sound Card Settings

Another common cause involves muted sound. If a media player launches and the software appears to be working (but no sound comes through the speakers), check to see if the volume has been muted. Go to the lower right corner of your taskbar and click the icon that looks like a speaker. You should see a sliding bar that you can slide up and down. If the bar is all the way down, you won't hear anything from your speakers.

Another issue involves a missing sound card driver. Sometimes after updating Windows and other hardware, the sound card driver disappears. Go to Control Panel > Device Manager and see if the icon for your sound card shows an error indicator. If so, open that item, click the Driver tab, and click the Update Driver button. After updating the driver, reboot your computer.

Hopefully the problem is minor and easily fixed by re-enabling AutoPlay, adjusting the volume, or reinstalling the driver.