PCinfospace

Let’s first say, that it is not the typical spider that you have in your home.  It does not have legs and it is not an insect.

There may be numerous definitions to this term.   However,  when it comes to the Internet it sort of is a creepy crawly thing.  It is a software program that crawls or works it way through the internet and scans web pages and stores information about each page.  These programs are automated and are normally called “Bots” for a reason.  They can be programmed to do whatever the programmer tells them to do.  As an example: they can be programmed to look for specific files, video, or even images.  They can even look for contact information if they are programmed to do so.

The Good Thing

If you have a web page the spider will crawl the page.  This information can be stored so that search engines can find the site easier.  If your site has the right criteria,  it will appear closer to the top of the search page.  The closer it is to the top, the more likely somebody will click on it to read and buy what you have to sell. 

The Bad Part

Unfortunately,  spammers and scammers take advantage of this technology.  They write spiders (known as bots) to gather your personal data.  This data can be used against you by either spamming (unwanted e-mails or web sites) you or by sending you spyware that will continue to gather information about you.  This information can become identity theft if used for illegal means.

What Should You Do?

The main thing to do is keep your computer protected by having high-quality Anti-virus and spyware programs.  DO NOT take a chance.  The evil-doers of this world are highly aggressive and literally don’t care how they hurt you.  Also, do not go to porn or other high risk sites.  These sites only need to be opened to spread these unwanted threats to your computer.

Removal of Spyware and Malware

When it comes to computer repair, numerous spyware and Malware programs have been raising havoc for most people that have Internet access.  If a spyware or Malware program is suspected, special software is used to remove the threat.  This makes it even more important to have updated Anti-virus and spyware programs.  If spyware or Malware does get through, it is sometimes necessary to totally reformat the hard drive.  If this is necessary some personal information and vital programs can be lost.

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Many people are going to the multi-function machines that can print, scan, copy and even FAX.  However, it still could happen that you can’t do the scan function for some reason.

I will start with the independent scanners.  That is to say scanners that are separate from other devices.

1. Be sure it is powered on.  Maybe the plug or power supply has been turned off.
2. If the unit is plugged into electric power,  you now need to be sure the USB cable is “really” securely attached to both the printer and computer.  (older models use a parallel cable) DO NOT assume anything.  Maybe somebody tripped on it or it just got unplugged for whatever reason.
3. If everything looks good,  you now need to look at error messages.  Is there an error that shows up when you try to scan?  If so look it up in the book, CD, or on the Internet.
4. Is the scan unit moving?  If not it may be mechanically bad.
5. If all this checks out PLEASE reinstall the software.  However, you need to uninstall it first. Some companies have the uninstall utility on the installation CD.
6. If you have uninstalled the software, you now need to reinstall it.
7. Restart the computer so it sees the new installation.
8. Test the unit.
9. If it does not scan, you should contact the Manufacturer.  Nobody likes to do that but if you want to resolve the problem you may have to.
10. If you feel more comfortable, find a technician in your area that can help you.
11. One last thought! You can try scanning from the computer using the utility that came with the scanner.  If this works, you found the way you MUST do it.

What about multi-function machines?

• Follow the same steps shown above.  If you can’t scan with a multi-function machine you probably can’t do anything else either.  The difference is that it is possible for paper to get jammed if you are trying to copy something.  It may be out of paper also.  They are a little more complex to operate.  Some have numerous buttons and indicators.  They usually have a small screen that shows the current mode and any errors that may occur.

You can scan using the software that comes with these units.  In fact you can let the picture or copy of printed page come to your computer.  You can then edit it.  If it is a picture you can crop it or change it with the software that came with the unit or you can use any photo editing software. After that you can print it, e-mail or fax it.

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You just came to work and you need to send an urgent FAX to your boss and co-workers.  You put the document in as usual, dial the number, and OOPS!  It gives you an error message (normally it prints it out).  Now what?  

The first thing to do is try at least one more time.  The big thing is that if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.  Don’t spend all day on this.  Try to troubleshoot the problem, or have somebody else that knows what’s going on do it.  Some companies have a department that can handle the problem. DO NOT just throw the machine away and buy a new one.  You may find out you still have the problem.  It also may upset somebody when they find out you just wasted their time and money.

Here are some steps that should work.

1. Be sure that the phone line is physically attached to the fax machine and that it isn’t damaged in any way.  Maybe the phone line was run over by a vacuum cleaner.  This is no joke.  It happens.
2. Unplug the machine and move it to a phone jack that you know is good. 
3. If you can send a FAX you know there is another problem.
4. Find a good phone other than the FAX machine.  You still need to verify if the phone line itself is bad.
5. If the phone is either noisy or does not work you know the line is bad.
6. If you are getting a dial tone and can make a call your machine still may be bad.
7. In any case call your phone provider.  This could be AT&T, Verizon or any number of other companies.
8. Once you have the company on the line have them run a test on the line.  This can be done remotely and doesn’t cost anything. Most companies can help you with the troubleshooting also.
9. They most likely will get you a trouble ticket and send somebody to your location or tell you the next step to take.

What if all this fails?

You will need to find a phone installation expert in your area that can help you resolve the problem.

The main thing to learn here is do not assume your FAX machine is bad.  Have it checked out to be sure.  You can take it to the store you bought it from also.  Some stores can test your machine at little or no charge.

How does this relate to computer repair?

It doesn’t.  Yet every office that does any amount of communication has a FAX machine.  You will most likely have a document that you created on your computer faxed to some other location.  There are software programs that will help you fax a digital document.

Why use a FAX machine to start with?

SECURITY!  There!  That says it all.  It is still the most secure way to send documents.  A computer is subject to hackers or spyware that can intercept your very valuable documents.  Also,  if your computer goes down it is one way you can still send a document if need be.

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No! No! No! Never!  Give it time and don’t get nervous.  It will still be there  months and years from the day it was released.  I feel you need to wait until the first service pack to even consider it.  Read information and keep your eyes and ears open.  Try it out on someone else’s computer.

You hear so much about protocols.  To the average person this may seem like French or at least a language you don’t understand.

I will attempt to simplify it here.  It is a language or process that uses certain rules. It is the kind of language needed to communicate between one device and another, one computer or another or even one network and another. It is the process need to accomplish a specific task. EXAMPLE: The phone rings, you pick up the receiver (with a cell phone you maybe just flip open the cover). You normally say hello and the conversation begins. If the person doesn’t answer you know there is a problem and you use a certain process to solve it.

In networks very stringent rules must be followed for things to work. A network card must know how to talk to other network cards in order to pass on information. Operating system must know how to talk to networks cards etc.

Some examples of protocols are TCP/IP,FTP,IPX/SPX along with many others.

If you plan to work with networks at all you must understand what a protocol is and which ones work together. For example: if you want to send large amounts of data to or from a server you may want to know what FTP is. This stands for File Transfer Protocol and is widely used to move files to and from servers and of other data transfer points.

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