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When I try to upload pictures to either eBay or Facebook, my web page freezes and says it is not responding. I have cleared my cache but it still doesn’t work. Any ideas?

Screen Freezes when Uploading Photos

Two things come to mind about your photo uploading error: connection speed and file size. I remember having a similar issue with eBay. I had dial-up Internet access and a brand new digital camera. I carefully selected several great pictures and clicked on the upload button. It took forever for anything to happen. I went out to lunch with the family, expecting the photos to be fully loaded by the time I returned. No such luck. Hours of fiddling later and I discovered that my photos were far too large for the site. Since I had dial-up Internet access at the time, it took forever for the upload to get to the point where any sort of error message appeared.

eBay’s File Size Limits

I checked eBay’s file size limits and found out that they have three photo uploaders that you can use: basic, standard, and enhanced. The basic and standard uploaders can only handle photos of 4 MB or less while the enhanced uploader can handle up to 8MB. You might try changing to the enhanced uploader or reducing the file size of your photos accordingly. In addition, eBay only handles the following photo types:

• JPEG
• BMP
• TIFF
• GIF
• PNG

Facebook’s Photo Uploader

If you’re having similar problems with Facebook, try removing the Facebook uploader in your browser and try again. First, go to Internet Explorer> Tools > Manage Add-ons > Enable or Disable Add-ons. Find Downloaded ActiveX Controls and then delete Facebook Photo Uploader. Next, try uploading photos to Facebook once again, which should prompt you to install a new Active X control. Hopefully, the new ActiveX control will be fresh and fully functional.

Connections Speeds

No matter where you’re uploading photos, servers do have preset timeouts. If you have a slow connections speed, it’s in your best interest to upload a single, small file at a time. Uploading dozens of huge photos at once is sure to trigger timeout errors.

Other Photo Uploading Issues

Sometimes photo upload errors are related to one of your photos. Perhaps it’s an invalid photo type or the wrong dimensions for the site. Whatever the reason, the uploader may freeze with a particular file. Try uploading an alternate file to see if that works. If so, something about your original file is conflicting with the server.

Another consideration has to do with file size. Mega pixel cameras make stunning images with huge file sizes. These large files are terrific when you want to print or crop the image and enjoy the crispness of high resolution. However, the Web is not capable of displaying these images in all of their glory. Resize your file to a lower resolution and it will still look lovely on computer screens without the long upload times.  

Troubleshooting Webcam Crashes in Chat Rooms

About the Creative NX Webcam

Unfortunately, the Creative NX webcam is no longer in production and Creative has stopped offering updates or support for the device. As a result, it is possible that your camera is out of date and might not sync compatibly with newer software programs such as those used in the chat rooms you wish to visit.

Update your Webcam Drivers

There are still some driver updates available on the Creative website for the NX webcam, so you can make sure that you have the latest possible software, but they were issued in 2006. You should also update your Microsoft software at http://www.windowsupdate.com/ and your Direct X drivers.

Chat Rooms, Webcams and Adobe Flash Player

Since your webcam works on other sites it is safe to assume that the problem is not the webcam itself, but likely a compatibility issue between the camera and the site. While you have the latest version of Adobe Flash, it is common for a flawed Flash code to interfere with browsers in flash-based chat rooms. To test this possibility, remove your Flash Player and reinstall. Flash Player is notorious for failing or improperly installing when there are remnants of earlier versions remaining. First things first, completely remove all your Flash Player versions. Adobe requires users to download and run their own uninstaller to get rid of old or unwanted installations, which you can download and run here. Make sure to quit Flash Player and close any open windows before you run the uninstaller because it can’t remove any files that are in use. Once you have removed Flash Player, reboot your computer and then download and install the latest version of Flash Player.

Chat Rooms, Webcams and Java

Depending on the chat rooms that you are attempting to use the problem might be Java related, not Flash. If the chat room that you are visiting uses Java technology, then you will need to update or install Java as well. In case you have installed earlier versions of Java, you can follow the instructions that are given above to remove your Flash Player applications, but instead select and Remove Java. After you remove the Java installation, you should also run Windows Installer Cleanup tool to make sure that there are no left over bits of program hanging around to cause problems. Once you have cleaned your system of old programs, download and install the latest Java edition, version 6.11, available here.

Connecting to MSN Messenger with a Webcam

Check your Webcam Installation and Drivers

Since you just bought a new camera, the first thing to do is check the installation. It is possible that there was a connection or power interruption during installation that is interfering with your webcam performance. You might want to remove the device and delete the software in Windows Add/Remove, then reinstall the software. You can delete the software by opening the Start Menu, then Settings, then Control Panel. Choose Add/Remove and then find the camera software in the list and choose Remove/Uninstall. Once you have removed the software, check the webcam’s user manual and follow the specific instructions to load the device. While your camera is new, you should also check the manufacturer’s website for any driver updates that your computer might be missing. While you are updating, it is a good idea to visit WindowsUpdate to get the latest Microsoft software for your system.

Reinstall MSN Messenger

In case there is a problem with your version of MSN Messenger:

• Select the MSN Messenger icon and click Exit to close the program
• Open the Start Menu by clicking the Start button
• Choose Settings, then Control Panel
• Click twice on Add/Remove Programs
• Find the MSN Messenger listing and choose Remove/Uninstall

MSN Messenger and Video Conversations

Once you have confirmed your webcam installation you can troubleshoot MSN Messenger’s video settings. To begin, there are a few limitations to Messenger that you should be aware of. For one thing, you can only have one person in a webcam conversation at a time, but you can have several separate conversations simultaneously. Also, your webcam might be limited by either your or another user’s firewall. If you think this could be affecting your connection, you should enable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Lastly, if you are using a dial up Internet connection you will need to update your connection in order to use voice and video features on MSN.

Configure MSN Messenger Video Settings

To configure your MSN Messenger video settings, first check that your media devices such as webcams and microphones are turned on.

1. Click the MSN Messenger icon to launch the program and then log on to your account.
2. Select Tools, then Audio/Video Tuning Wizard, and then Next to open the wizard.
3. Find the listing called Camera and make sure that the correct device is selected, click Next.

Loading iTunes onto an iPod

Sync your iPod with your New Computer

When you plug an iPod into a computer for the first time you will have to sync the two units so that they can communicate and transfer data. There are a few settings that need to be checked that might be interfering with the upload. To sync you iPod:

• Connect the iPod to the computer - iTunes should open automatically
• On the left side of the iTunes window your iPod will show under Devices
• When your iPod appears click on it to select
• Select the Summary tab

At this point you can choose to automatically update your iPod, which will load all the songs in your iTunes library onto your iPod, but this option will remove any songs on your iPod that aren’t in your iTunes library. With automatic update you can also choose to load only selected playlists, not your whole library. Or, you can choose to manually load your iPod and choose the specific songs that you want, but you will have to drag and drop all the songs individually.

Automatically Load your iPod

To automatically load your iPod with your whole library:

• Check that the option to Manually Manage Music is not chosen
• To load all songs, choose Sync Music, then All Songs and Playlists
• Or, to load only some music, choose Selected Playlists, then chose the playlists that you want to load

Manually Load your iPod

To manually load your iPod:

• Check that the option to Manually Manage Music is selected
• Click the Music tab under Library, then drag the songs and playlists that you want on your iPod to the iPod listing under Devices. You will see a green + sign when you have properly dragged the items over the icon, then release to dump them into the iPod

Troubleshooting iTunes

For some users adjusting the Manual Music option is sufficient to get around the issue, but if you are still having trouble loading your music, the problem might be with iTunes. The first thing to check is that you have the latest release of iTunes and that the iPod is updated, which is likely the case if you have a new computer. There are some media formats that iPods are not able to play, check here for a list of file types that are compatible with iPods.

Authorize your New Computer on your iTunes Account

There are also some restrictions associated with iTunes that limit the number of devices that can load and play purchased media files. If you bought your iTunes on your old computer, you might first need to de-authorize the old computer and authorize the new one to activate it on your iTunes account. If you click twice on one of the media files that won’t load, you can enter your account name and password, which will authorize the transfer. If you want to de-authorize the old computer completely and replace your new computer on your iTunes account there are instructions from Apple available here.

Most likely, when you did the uninstall, pieces of iTunes were left in the registry and then corrupted the new install. This is pretty common with iTunes, although installing Quicktime was a really good place to start. To do a complete uninstall, run Windows Uninstaller Cleanup Utility and then reinstall. As you know, uninstalling iTunes won’t erase your music - that is stored by default in your My Music folder. Before you do any of this, make sure you are using the newest version of your operating system - for Windows that would be Service Pack 3.

Uninstall iTunes

1. Close iTunes if you can get it open (if not, then never mind).
2. Go to Control Panel, then Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select iTunes and then choose Remove. Do not restart the computer when you are prompted to do so.
4. Look for any other iPod update applications or any other iTunes pieces and delete them as well.
5. Restart the computer. Go to Local Disk (C), or wherever you store your programs.
6. Open Program Files and see if there is an iTunes folder. If you see one, delete it, if not then it was already deleted by using the above steps.
7. Do the same thing with other iPod folders you see.
8. Go to the Recycle Bin and empty that too.

Run Windows Uninstaller Cleanup Utility

Sometimes, even though you have uninstalled a program, pieces of it have been left behind on the computer. Running the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility will get rid of these pieces so that you can do a clean install of iTunes.

Download New iTunes

Now that you have completely deleted all traces of iTunes, go to the iTunes 8 download and download the latest version on your computer. It should run well now as a new download.

If, after running through these steps, you are still having a problem with the iTunes installation, let us know the exact error message you are getting and we should be able to help you further.

Ive Windows Vista and recently downloaded the iTunes program for my iPod. It was installed successfully, but once I put a CD in the disk drive, it will not read it. The drive does not exist. When I uninstalled iTunes, my disk drive worked. Any suggestions?

Run CD Diagnostics for iTunes

Since your computer is having difficulty reading the CD in the disk drive, you might want to run CD Diagnostics. This utility will check your audio CD and optical drive and generate results and possible troubleshooting ideas for you.

Simply open your iTunes on your computer. Select “Run CD Diagnostics” from the Help menu. Place your CD in the drive and click on “OK.” In a few moments, you’ll see some results pop up in a new dialog box and hopefully, some troubleshooting tips will be there as well.

File Association Change for CD

In some cases, downloading iTunes will change the file associations on the computer. If this happens, then your computer won’t recognize the CD. This might be the case here. If you want to change the program that opens the CD, follow the directions listed here (for Windows Vista operating system):

• Open the “Control Panel.”
• Select “Programs.”
• Select “Make a file type always open in a specific program.”
• Wait for the list to generate.
• In order to change the default program that opens a specific file type, click on the file extension and select “Change Program.”

Uninstall iTunes and Reinstall iTunes

In case you had a faulty installation of iTunes, you should uninstall it and then reinstall it.

Update the Firmware

Occasionally, it is necessary to update the firmware (internal software) for the CD drive. To do so, check the website for the manufacturer of your computer first and then check the website for the manufacturer of the drive. Install any available updates using caution.

Repair iTunes Installation if Necessary

If you installed any CD burning software on your computer after you installed iTunes, then you need to repair your iTunes software. CD burning software includes Audible, Napster, and a variety of online music store software. Follow these steps to repair your iTunes installation:

• Close iTunes.
• Click “Start.”
• Select “Control Panel.”
• Select “Uninstall a Program” from beneath the heading “Programs” of you might need to click on “Programs and Features.”
• Select “iTunes.”
• Select “Repair.”
• Select “Repair” a second time.