Resources

Recent computer updates followed by problems could mean that something not so nice found its way onto your system. Sometimes malware code hangs out in programs that seem benign - or even helpful, like virus scans - but wreak havoc once they get on your computer. There are also spyware and adware programs that are bundled into toolbars, screen savers and other simple downloads.

One of these problem downloads that is known to cause similar problems is a toolbar called Neopets. If you have recently downloaded any application of unknown or suspicious origin, or this toolbar in particular, you should use Windows Add/Remove and uninstall it. To make sure that there is nothing harmful on your system you need to run a full system virus scan, but first make sure you have the latest virus definitions. Go to the website of the company that developed your antivirus software and look for any updates. Once you know your security software is up to date, run the scan and deal with any problems until it comes back clean.

If your Internet provider didn’t see any connections problems on their end, there are now some things that you can double check on yours. Even though it might seem simple, resetting your computer connections can solve a lot of problems by resolving any conflicts between your Internet connection and network or your computer. First, turn off your computer and then unplug all its connections to other devices, like modems and routers. Also unplug the computer, modem and routers from their power sources. Give the system a minute to rest (ten minutes is often recommended for complete resets on routers and modems), and then reconnect the devices to the computer and the power sources. Boot up your computer and see if you can get online now. If this doesn’t work, try plugging your computer into the modem directly bypassing any routers or other hardware. Another option is to borrow a laptop or other computer from a friend and try hooking it up to your modem to see if it works. If it does, the problem is your computer. At this point, if none of these options help, you could try getting more specific technical advice from www.filetonic.com/support.

One of the problems many home users encounter with their equipment, such as routers, is that it’s hard to know who to call. And when you do call someone, since so many parties are involved, you’re often told to call someone else. For example, Linksys may tell you to call your cable or DSL provider who will tell you to call Linksys. This actually happened to me with Linksys, Time Warner, and Vonage. Vonage was the one who solved my problem (and it ended up being a Time Warner code that I had to enter).

According to the Bell Support Pages, only a few routers are supported by Bell - and the Linksys WRT54G is not one of them. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all routers not on their list won’t work with their service; it means that they aren’t currently supported and that the Bell technical support team is not equipped or able to help you out. Your router may or may not work with their system and you’re unlikely to get much help from their support team in trying.

First, has the router previously worked with Bell or is it a new problem? Is it a new router? Assuming it is a new router, you may need to set it up with the ISP provider’s specific DNS settings. Linksys routers have a setup utility that you access via Internet Explorer. Typically, you will enter the router’s IP address into Internet Explorer’s address bar followed by the user name and password of the router. For example, my personal Linksys WRTP54G router’s IP address defaults to 198.168.15.1 with a default username and password combination of “admin” and “admin.” I’ve since changed those credentials for security. Check your Linksys user manual for specifics as the different models may have different defaults.

Once inside the router’s setup utility, you can enter the DNS information into it. You will need to obtain these DNS settings from Bell. For example, if your ISP requires a host name or domain name, you will need to enter what they tell you to enter into these fields.

Bell (Ontario) also requires that various settings on your computer are set to “obtain IP address automatically” including those found in your network adapter, modem, and network connections. Bell provides specific instructions for these settings on this web page (for Ontario users - users in other provinces should first select their location before searching for specific ISP settings).

Depending on the Bell cable or DSL modem that you are using, you may be able to adjust its settings. For example, some users have Bell 2Wire modems and the Linksys WRT54G. They have been able to go into the modem’s settings, disable both wireless and DHCP, connect the modem to the router, set up PPPOE on the router, and then connect successfully. To me, this sounds like quite a bit of technical work for a non-technical user who simply wants to be able to connect to the Internet with their existing equipment - and it’s not a proven fix.

I’d try finding out your ISP’s required DNS information (if any) and manually entering it into the Linksys router. I’d also double check the various “obtain IP address automatically” settings. If you make changes, write them down so that if a change doesn’t positively affect your connection you can revert back to the original settings. While I know you probably don’t want to invest in a new router, it may worth considering one of Bells supported ones.

Support numbers for Bell Internet are:

Canada 1-800-773-2121

Ontario and anywhere in North America 1-800-668-6878

Quebec 1-800-641-2311

Linksys Support:

1-800-546-5797

As you know, but many of our other readers may not, RCP Over HTTP/HTTPS is a protocol for allowing Outlook clients to connect to Microsoft Exchange Server over HTTP/HTTPS. RPC stands for Remote Procedure Call. While this protocol solves a variety of previous problems for Outlook users, it’s not always perfect.

Microsoft acknowledges that a known problem occurs with the 2003 versions of Outlook and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 using RPC over HTTP. This problem involves Outlook crashing, hanging, or performing slowly. There are two causes to this problem. One or both of them could be contributing to the symptoms that you are experiencing.

The first cause involves the Bypass Proxy Server for Local Addresses settings in Internet Explorer’s Internet Options. Check to see if this setting is checked (open Internet Explorer >Tools>Internet Options > Connections> LAN Settings). If so, remove the checkmark and try again.

The second cause is most noticeable over slow networks and involves a backup of remote RPC calls. For example, if one RPC is in process and not yet complete and Outlook Express issues another local RPC call, the system may hang.

If this describes the setup and symptoms of your client’s configuration, then it’s time to update. Microsoft issued a hotfix for this problem over a year ago. If the client hasn’t updated Windows in some time, or if they skipped this particular hotfix for some reason, then you may be able to solve the problem by downloading the appropriate hotfix or Windows XP Service Pack. This Microsoft Knowledgebase Article has the download details.

Another thing you might check is the Server Connection Timeout setting found inside the Microsoft Exchange Server dialog box’s General tab. (Right click Microsoft Exchange Server and choose Properties). What is the Server Connection Timeout setting in seconds? Consider increasing this time limit. A longer timeout might not solve the crashing but it might give Outlook a chance to connect over a slow network connection.

MicrosoftExchange.org has numerous articles covering configuring Microsoft Exchange and Outlook including an extremely comprehensive one about RPC over HTTP.

Although you don’t say for sure, I’m assuming you’re getting a message like: “Local Area Connection: A network cable is unplugged.” I’m not going to insult you by asking that you double check your connections and the ports they are in. Do you have any other computers that can access the Internet in your house? You are basically trying to decide whether this is a cable problem, a router or modem problem or an ISP problem. This is a fairly common computer error that has several possible causes and cures:

1. It could be that your router just needs to be rebooted. Unplug the router, let it sit for a few minutes and then plug it back in. If it still isn’t working, try unplugging the modem and the router and then plugging them back in. This will reset the router and in a lot of cases will solve the unplugged cable problem.
2. Reset the router back to the factory settings. For most routers, there is a reset switch on the back of the unit. You will need to insert a straightened paper clip in the tiny hole marked “reset”. Hold it down for ten to fifteen seconds and then remove it. The unit should reboot on its own and when the lights have started blinking it should be ready. If you have changed the password, that will be lost and you will have to do it again. You can also connect the computer directly to the modem to see if you can get access that way.
3. If it’s not the router, there is a chance it is a cable problem. If this is a new connection, make sure that you have the right type of cable. Using a crossover cable rather than a straight connection can give you errors. If it’s an easy cable to replace, get a different cable and see if it works.
4. You could have a problem with your network card, particularly if there has been a storm or a power outage in your area recently. Uninstall and reinstall your network card if you suspect that the problem might be here. If that doesn’t work, replacing the network card is a pretty cheap and easy thing to try.
5. Using the Device Manager, change the link speed to “100Mbps Full Duplex” or “10 Mbps Full Duplex” instead of “Auto Detect”.
6. Switch your Web Client to manual. Go to Start, then Control Panel. Click on Administrative Tools, then Services then click on WebClient. Click Stop and then right click to switch to manual.

Because so many things can cause this problem, you are going to have to do some trial and error troubleshooting. If none of these solutions solves the problem, you may want to contact a remote support technician/expert at www.filetonic.com/support.

 How frustrating it is when problems occur with our computers, even more so when we cannot connect to the Internet. When Internet Explorer does not work, several reasons can lie behind the problem. It might not be instantaneous, but it is usually possible to locate the reason behind the trouble. Finding the cause will lead to a solution and a working Internet Explorer again. Follow the strategies here until you get to one that fixes the problem for you.

If you are referring to blocked websites, then you need to change the security level setting for your browsing activity. You will need to lower the browsing security level in order to allow certain websites from being blocked. However, you should realize that this also puts your computer at risk for suspicious websites that might attempt to install some type of malware such as spyware, a virus, or adware.

To lower the security level, complete the following strategy as described. Complete the following path: Click Start→ Click to open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Click Internet. Beneath the security level, you should see a slider. Move this to a lower setting. If the slider is not visible, then you need to click on the default level button and move the slider to the moderate or lower level. The other option you have is to keep the setting at high and to add the websites that you are trying to visit to your trusted websites.

Now, if you meant that Internet Explorer itself seems to be blocked form working, you can troubleshoot with the following strategies. If the above option worked for your problem, you can simply ignore these.

Since specific spyware can disable your Internet Explorer, the first step is to run an anti-spyware application. If you already have such a program, try running it to see if solves the issue. If you don’t have one or would like to try something different, consider getting XoftSpySE from ParetoLogic XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware. This application effectively removes a wide variety of malware. You can also try Spybot, another anti-spyware application.

If you can get the Internet Explorer window to open but cannot connect to the Internet, try resetting its settings. Follow these directions that will reset it back to its default settings. This strategy does not remove your favorites, so no worries on that end. First, close all running programs before you begin.

Complete the following path: Click Start→ Click to open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Advanced→ Click Reset→ Click Reset again→ Click Close→ Click ok. Close Internet Explorer and reopen it so that the changes take effect. If this hasn’t worked, it is time to move on.

If your version of Internet Explorer still is not working, disable add ons to see if perhaps there is a compatibility issue. To do this, right click on the Internet Explorer icon and click “start without add ons”. You can also accomplish this by following this path: Complete the following path: Click Start→ Click All Programs→ Click Accessories→ Click System Tools→ Click Internet Explorer (no add ons). If this works and Internet Explorer works, go to the Add on Manager and disable all add ons. You will still be able to turn each add on back on as you need them. This way, if you turn one on and Internet Explorer stops working, you will know which add on created the problem.

Finally, it’s possible that your employer or someone else (such as a parent of teenagers) has restricted certain classes of Web sites or Internet access in general.

How to Setup a Local Area Network in your Home or Office

A local area network (LAN) is used to connect computers or devices to each other and to the Internet. It is usually used for computers that are located near each other in the same building. While it is not difficult to set up a network, it takes a little preparation.

• First, decide whether you want a wired network or a wireless network. In the past, most homes have had wired networks, but new technology has made wireless access easy and affordable. Ethernet networks use special cables to transfer information between computers and devices. HPNA networks use the existing telephone lines in your home or office to send information between computers. If you want to use the Internet from your laptop while you are lounging in your backyard hammock, opt for a wireless network.

You need to get some hardware in order to set up the network:

•  Your computers will be connected using Network Interface Cards (NICs) that can either be plugged into the USB port on the computer or in an available Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion slot that is installed in the computer itself.
• You will need a hub or a switch that will connect the computers to an Ethernet network. A switch is faster than a hub for accessing information.
• A router or an access point will connect your network to the Internet and allow you to share one connection for several computers. You will need a wireless router or access point for wireless networking.
• You will need a modem to connect to the Internet, either over telephone lines or cables.
• Cables are needed if you are setting up an Ethernet or dial up network to connect the devices and to the Internet. If you are going wireless, you will need a wireless network adapter, but you will not need cables.
• Install the hardware. You don’t have to have an Internet connection to set up a network, but most people want to use their network to access the Internet.

If you want Internet connection, you can get two types from your Internet Service Provider (ISP):

• Dial up, which is accessed through a standard phone line. It is slower, but is less expensive.
• Broadband, which is either cable or a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

After you have set up your internet service, Windows has easy access to a Connect to the Internet wizard which is on the Control Panel.

• Connect the cables and plug them into the jacks, depending on whether you are using a dial-up, Ethernet or wireless system.
• Turn on all of the computers, printers and other devices you want on your network. If you are running Ethernet or dial-up, your devices should be networked and ready to use.
• If you are networking wirelessly, you can run the Set Up Wizard in Windows on the computer that is attached to the router. Click on Start, then Control Panel, then Network and Internet. Click on the Network & Sharing Center. On the left, click on Set Up a Connection or Network then Click on Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point. The wizard should walk you through the rest of the set up.
• If you want to share files and printers between computers, you need to be sure that your network location is set to Private. You also need to be sure that file sharing, printer sharing and network discovery are turned on.