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I used to print cards from Create & Print but lately I have not been able to. A small window pops up saying there is a printer error but the printer is working just fine. Please help.

Create & Print and Internet Explorer 8

To begin, several users report problems printing from Create & Print on Windows Vista after installing Internet Explorer 8 and, according to American Greetings - as of June 2, 2009 - Create & Print is not supported by IE8 and the company suggests that users uninstall the IE program. If this is your configuration as well, a quick downgrade to Internet Explorer 7 will allow you to print from your program again without any trouble.

Before doing so, try using Create & Print in Internet 8’s Compatibility View. This new feature, which is found under Internet Explorer’s Tools menu, allows users to view incompatible websites as if they were using a different browser.  

Uninstall IE8 and Reinstall IE7

If you want to uninstall IE 8 and reinstall IE 7, here are some steps:

*** first, if you are running Windows XP, and you installed IE8 before XP Service Pack 3, then you need to first uninstall Service Pack 3, then IE8***

In Vista:

1. Close and quit all your open programs
2. Click the Start button, then Control Panel
3. Under Programs, choose Uninstall a Program
4. Under the Tasks screen, choose View Installed Updates
5. Find and click twice on Windows Internet Explorer 8
6. Choose Yes from the Uninstall an Update page
7. Follow the on-screen directions, then restart your computer

In XP:

1. Close and quit all your open programs
2. Click the Start button, then Control Panel
3. Choose Add or Remove Programs
4. Find the listing for Windows Internet Explorer 8 and choose Remove
5. Follow the on-screen instructions, then restart your computer

Now you can use this link to re-install Internet Explorer 7 and continue to use Create & Print.

If that sounds like a lot of work, Microsoft offers a “Fix it for Me” tool that will revert IE8 back to IE7 in its Help and Support section.

Wait for Compatible Technologies

Since downgrading software is obviously not the optimal solution, there are other options. You can choose to wait and use IE8 until American Greetings and Blue Mountain issue updates to make Create & Print compatible with IE8, or you can try to get past the problem. One way to do this is to install another browser, such as Firefox. There are mixed results reported about the compatibility, but it might be worth a try. Otherwise, you might just have to wait for technologies to catch up with each other. Good luck!

I am not able to sign into any of my accounts online, help?

Clear your Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and Cache

The first thing that comes to mind is that you might need to clear your Temporary Internet Files and cache. Every time that you visit a website your computer stores data so that it can reload recently visited pages more quickly. Usually this is a good thing, and saves a lot of loading time. However, if there is a power or Internet connection interruption while the computer is loading some online data, it can interfere with the storage of the page and make it impossible for the page to load in the future. If this is the case, then you can probably still access some websites, but not get very far on others. Removing your offline content will delete any stored user names and passwords that you have asked Windows to remember for you, so make sure that there is nothing irreplaceable before you continue.

1. First, quit Internet Explorer and close any active Windows Explorer screens
2. Click the Start button, and then choose Control Panel
3. Click twice on Internet Options
4. Choose the General tab and then, under Temporary Internet Files, choose Delete
5. When a Delete Files box opens, click to choose your options and Delete All Offline Content
6. Click OK, then OK again and give the process time to complete
7. Reboot your computer, then reopen IE and see if you can sign into your accounts

Check your Firewall, Antivirus or ISP Settings

If this doesn’t work, you might have a powerful antivirus program interfering with your logins. For example, BitDefender is known to intrude and make Internet use difficult. If you are using a firewall or antivirus, and especially if you have only recently installed it, you can troubleshoot the problem with the program settings or delete the program and get something a little less intense. If you think that your ISP settings are interfering with your account access, you can also get in touch with your service provider and have a tech there take you through the steps to verify your connection and access. Good luck!

Java can’t unzip, core files error 25099. In Task Manager under process, jqs.exe is not listed. Now what?

Java errors often take on a life of their own as they avoid removal. However, persistence will pay off. Here are a few more tips to help you get out of this situation. Read through all of them as a variation exists.

What is Error 25099?

Java Error 25099 indicates that the installation process has failed for this application. It leads to a problem unzipping core files that are needed to complete the installation. This error is a bit tricky to resolve at times, but it needs to be resolved in order to install Java. The installation starts and then hiccups and hangs there preventing you from getting the full product. Let’s see if the following tips help. It seems as though a Java process is running and is unable to either continue or stop and this is creating the problem. The ‘jqs’ in jqs.exe stands for “Java Quick Starter.”

Solving Error 25099 with Task Manager Does Not Work with “Java Quick Starter”

The biggest problem using the Task Manager to resolve this error occurs when the jqs.exe process is not listed. When this happens, you aren’t able to stop the process in order to uninstall the partial or old Java application. You will need to access and utilize the Windows Command Prompt utility to remove the jqs.exe process.

Resolving Error 25099: Windows Command Prompt

The following steps will stop the jqs.exe process:

1. Navigate to “Start” and click.
2. Select “Run.”
3. An open box appears. Type in the following command ‘cmd’ to generate the Command Prompt Window. Just type the letters.
4. In the open box, type the following exactly: net stop “Java Quick Starter”  
5. Press “Enter.”
6. If you have been successful, then you will see the following message: “The Java Quick Starter service was stopped successfully.” It will probably appear beneath the words: “C:\Documents and Settings\user>net stop “Java Quick Starter.”
7. Once you have completed this scenario, you can visit the Java website and download the latest version.

Solving Error 25099 with Task Manager: Java Update

Sometimes, it is the Java Update that is actually causing the error 25099 to occur. This process fails to stop and continues to run, leading to the problem with unzipping core files. Open the Task Manager by pressing the following keys all at once: CRTL, ALT, and DEL. Look at the top of the “Task Manager” box and click on “Processes.” Since it might be the update for Java that is creating the problem and generating error 25099, you need to look for jusched.exe. Select it and choose the option to end task.

I don’t know how to install an ActiveX control to play a game. How do I do this?

ActiveX Controls

Your Internet browser is capable of displaying all kinds of interactive content ranging from online banking and spreadsheets to media players and computer games - if it has the right add-ons and ActiveX controls installed. Among the more common ActiveX controls that you may have encountered are stock tickers, toolbars, and animations.

Like any program that you find on the Internet, ActiveX controls can be dangerous so only install ActiveX controls from reputable and trusted Web sites. For example, if you are setting up online banking using instructions provided to you by your bank teller and you are at the official bank Web site, then you can be relatively assured that the ActiveX control is safe. On the other hand, if a random popup add tells you to install an ActiveX control in order to get a free virus scanner, don’t do it.

Installing ActiveX Controls

First, you must have permission to install ActiveX controls. If your account is not set up with these permissions, you’ll need to sign in as the system administrator or ask another user with the appropriate privileges for help.

When a Web site requires an ActiveX control, your Internet browser may or may not show you what you need in order to install it. Assuming you’re signed in with administrative rights, go into Internet Explorer and click on Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level. From there, scroll down to the ActiveX Controls section. Look for “Download signed ActiveX controls” and make sure that it is set to Prompt.

Now, you should receive a prompt in the form of a thin yellow bar that runs across the top section of your Web browser. This prompt identifies the publisher of the ActiveX control (like Adobe or Sun Microsystems) and asks you to click on the bar if you want to run the control. Clicking on the bar then allows the download to take place and you will see a series of typical installation prompts.

Disabling ActiveX Controls

Should you later want to disable an ActiveX control, go back into Internet Explorer’s Tools menu and click Manage Add-ons. Find the ActiveX control in the list, highlight it, and click Disable.

My Internet browser is not working. It keeps saying, “Internet closed due to data execution prevention.” I follow the onscreen instructions on how to turn it off, but it hasn’t worked. How can I get my Internet browser back?

You have to love computer error messages. The Internet has been closed? And what exactly is “data execution protection” anyway? Let’s dig into this mysterious message and see if we can convince the Internet to remain open for business.

Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

According to Microsoft, Data Execution Prevention is a collection of hardware and software technologies designed to keep malicious code from running by performing additional memory checks. These technologies are described in greater detail in Microsoft’s Knowledge Base article # 875352 and Data Execution Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions.

Data Execution Prevention blocks a certain type of security threats such as virus that try running malicious code. When the code is executed, Data Execution Prevention creates an “exception” and Windows exception handling processes take over, thus preventing the code from running. In other words, when DEP detects malicious code, it closes down the program where the code originates.

What’s Triggering the Data Execution Prevention Error?

Not all software is compatible with Data Execution Prevention errors. However, since Data Execution Prevention has been around since Windows XP, most applications have since added DEP support.

For users who receive DEP errors consistently with a single program (other than your Web browser) and you trust the software, first try updating the program. The software developer may have since updated the software to be compatible with DEP. If that doesn’t work, you can create an exception in your computer’s DEP settings by going to My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Data Execution Prevention. Select “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select” and then enter the programs that you want DEP turned off for.  

Data Execution Prevention and Internet Explorer

Because your message occurs in Internet Explorer, it sounds like a malware is attempting to execute code when you either open Internet Explorer or visit a specific Web page. Many users have reported DEP errors after upgrading to Internet Explorer 8. The first thing to try is an update. Use Windows Update to update your operating system and your Internet Explorer. Microsoft could very well have solved the problem and issued a fix that hasn’t yet been applied to your system.

Run Internet Explorer with No Add-ons

Go into Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and find Internet Explorer No Add-ons. Click that and Internet Explorer will load with just its bare necessities - no Java, no media players, no Flash, no third party toolbars, or other goodies. Does the message appear? Probably not which would indicate that one of the add-ons is the culprit.

Whether or not you suspect an add-on as the malicious program, you’ll want to update your antivirus/antimalware software and then run a full system scan. There’s obviously something on your computer that is trying to run malicious code. If you do not have a reputable antivirus product such as McAfee, Norton, ParetoLogic, or Trend Micro, invest in one. Look for one with active or real-time protection. More importantly, only go with a reliable product from a reputable developer because there are far too many fake antivirus programs out there. If you need recommendations, view our list of antivirus reviews.

An updated operating system and browser coupled with a complete malware scan should solve the problem. You can turn off DEP in Windows Explorer as a last resort, but let’s not go there. Data Execution Prevention is blocking something and while turning DEP off would stop the messages, the malicious code would run and that’s not good. Plus, in the future, other malware could do the same thing.

I need my computer to stop annoying me and asking me every time whether or not I want ActiveX controls and plug-ins to run. Literally it comes up every second! Please help!

Active X Controls

Yikes, that is annoying! Your browser is a plain Jane program without ActiveX controls and plug-ins. Without these added goodies, you wouldn’t be able to view PDFs, watch videos, listen to music, participate in Web discussions, upload documents, sign into Windows Live, and more. Many come with Windows while others must be installed or added on which is why you may also hear the term “add-ons” when discussing ActiveX controls and plug-ins.

ActiveX Warnings

ActiveX and plug-ins have been exploited in the past which is why Web browsers come with specific security settings to protect against harmful ones. It sounds to me as if your browser’s security settings are set to warn you each time an ActiveX or plug-in needs to perform a certain task, which could be quite often depending on the current Web sites you are using and tasks that you need to perform.

Common ActiveX and Plug-in Settings

I’m not sure which Web browser you’re using, so we’ll work with Internet Explorer 8.0 as an example. The steps are similar for earlier versions. Open Internet Explorer and go to the Tools menu. Choose Internet Options. Click the Internet globe icon to highlight it and then click Custom Level.

Under Settings, scroll to the ActiveX and Plug-ins section. Here you will find the following options which I will number for later explanation:

1. Allow previously unused ActiveX controls to run without prompt
2. Allow scriptlets
3. Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls
4. Binary and script behaviors
5. Display video and animation on a webpage that does not use an external media player
6. Download signed ActiveX controls
7. Download unsigned ActiveX controls
8. Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting
9. Only allow approved domains to use ActiveX without prompt
10. Run ActiveX controls and Plug-ins
11. Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting

As you can see, there are almost a dozen options for how your computer should handle ActiveX controls and plug-ins. Each of these categories has options along the lines of enable, disable, or prompt. Some, such as #1, #2, #7, and #8, should be disabled. Others such as #6 are generally safe to enable. If in doubt, select “prompt” and make your decision on a case-by-case basis.

Since your computer is warning you constantly, I suspect that #3 (Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls) is set to enable. This means that every time an ActiveX control is called up, you’ll see a little message and a prompt. Try changing this to disable, and the bulk of the messages should go away. I would also make sure that #10 is set to enable rather than prompt.