PCinfospace

I decided to write this article because I have run into many individuals and small businesses that ran into this particular problem. It even happened to me.

When you update from a previous version, you are asked if you want to keep duplicates if you are using a pst file for your backup. When you install Outlook 2007 it automatically brings in your old Outlook or Outlook Express messages and addresses. If you import the “old” pst file you may get the duplicates.

What about new installs?

I have seen the same effect (in some cases) in new installs also. I am just as confused why it does not always do it. After much research I do not see a real solution. It appears you can BUY a plug in to solve it. These programs appear to cost around $30.00. I feel it just is not worth doing that. In spite of the fact you have to work a little more by deleting the duplicate e-mails.

Are there other solutions?

Yes and no! You could try other e-mail clients such as Hotmail, gmail or Thunderbird. They are ok but mostly do not have the same functions as outlook.

If you have entered more than one email setup with the same pop server and SMTP you will get double messages. You need to eliminate one of the setups.

Here is what I found on one Blog:
1. You must have at least one rule set for the “Rules and Alerts” selection to show up.
2. Select “Rules and Alerts” from the tool menu.
3. Check under “Rule Description” if there are some that are then delete one of them.
4. After you delete the rules recreate them again.

I did try this. It does work (at least in my case).

You need to ask yourself what will work for you. I personally like Outlook because it has e-mail and scheduling all in the same place. You can prioritize and set rules for your messages also.

What I do not like about Outlook?

I wish it would have a better way of backing it up. Although they do provide a way to do it, I feel it is too deep in the file structure and the average person will not even think of backing it up. If it were a little more automatic I think it would be better. I think a scheme similar to QuickBooks would be good. At least it asks you if you want to. If you don’t back it up and your computer crashes you will lose all your contacts and messages.

Another suggestion:

If you have your contacts already put into your address book print them out (just in case). Just open the contact group you want, click on “file”, click on print and there you are. You will need to do this for each group you want to have printed. This will give you a paper copy.

Lets 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 and the more likely somebody may read about or buy what you have for sale.

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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I should define the word packet before I start.  A packet is a message that is sent over the network from one node (Computer) to another node. The packet includes the address of the node that sent the packet, the address of the node the packet is being sent to, and the data.

I feel that a person that uses networks or wants to understand how they work should at least read about this concept.

It is a “model” because it is a general theory.  Defined: O.S.I.  stands for Open System Interconnection Reference Model.  It is a description of layered communications and computer network protocol design.  A protocol is a language needed to communicate between one device or piece of hardware and another. It is normally integrated into the operating system of the computer.

The model divides the Network into seven layers. These layers are: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data-Link, and Physical Layers. Each layer provides service to the layer above it.

The seven layers are:
1. Physical – Controls the layout of cables and devices such as repeaters, hubs and Network Interface Cards.
2. Data Link – Provides  MAC (Media Access Control) addresses  to uniquely identify network nodes and a means for data to be sent over the physical layer in the form of packets. Bridges and switches are layer 2 devices.
3. Network – Handles routing network messages from one computer to another.
4. Transport – Concerns the transfer of information from one computer to another. The purpose is to have packets  transported reliably and without error. This is where you find the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).
5. Session – Establishes sessions between network applications. Session layers include:  Simplex,
Half-duplex and Full-duplex.
6. Presentation – Converts data so that systems that uses different data formats can exchange information. In other words, the presentation layer transforms data so that the application layer can understand it.
7. Application – Allows applications to request network services. This layer represents the programming interfaces programs such as Microsoft Office or QuickBooks  to request network services. Some Application Layer protocols include: DNS, FTP,SMTP ,SMB, NFS and Telnet.

The above information may or may not be easy to understand.  It is however, a general definition of what every bit and packet of information goes through.  It could serve as a means of troubleshooting.  If you understand which layer is causing the problem you may be able to zero in on why the network isn’t working.

The reason I am writing this article is because I ran into this myself.  The set includes three CDs and a book with the license sticker attached.

Here is what happened: I started by inserting Disk one into the DVD-RW drive.  I booted (started) the computer and let it load. I then followed the instruction as to weather to load the system, delete and format the hard drive etc.

If the disk will not load you may need to go into the setup screen to change the boot order.  The CD or DVD must be the first device to load for this to work.

After the hard drive is formatted the operating system continues to load. It will eventually ask for Disk number 2. Needless to say I inserted the disk and it continued to load.  Some time during the loading procedure of Disk 2 a screen comes up that says “Please insert a compact disc label Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 into your CD-ROM Drive (D:) and then click OK.”  I figured I was supposed to load the Update Disk which came with the disk set.  I inserted the disk but it said it couldn’t find iexplore and/or i386.  This may sound simple to certain people but at least I was lost.  After searching inside Disk 2 and the Update Disk I decided to cancel to files it was asking for and I let the rest of the system load.  The desktop eventually appeared.  However, there was no way to access the internet and Internet Explorer was nowhere to be found.

I decided to contact people I knew.  One person seemed to have the answer.  He told me the message saying  (to load XP Professional service pack 2) is misleading. You need to reinsert Disk number 1 (one).  I was thinking it couldn’t be that easy.  I decided totry again and reload the operating system.  This time when the message came up I inserted Disk 1.  I couldn’t believe it.  That was the answer.  It loaded great and everything worked.

What about the update disk?

That’s a good question.  I found out you can go to Start>Programs (Windows XP) and then pick Windows Update.  This will give you any and all updates that are available.

Warning! Be sure all your drivers are loaded and that you activate the product. If you don’t include drivers for Sound, Video, Network etc., those devices will not work.  Also, without the network driver you will not be able to access the internet.

If you don’t activate the product it will stop working after 30 days.

This article emphasizes the importance of understanding how operating systems need to be installed.  You may need to find a professional in your area to help you through the installation process if you can’t get it to work or don’t understand it.

Licenses
If you load or reload an operating system of any kind it MUST have a legal license from whichever company made it. If you attempt to use an illegal copy of the software you could be charged with fraud, pirating or other charges.

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Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology designed to connect devices to each other without the use of a cables or a wireless access point.  It is one way to create a network of computers.
Uses of this technology include but are not limited to:
§    Keyboards
§    Mice
§    Phones
§    PDAs
§    Cord free headsets
§    Global Positioning Systems

The list above keeps growing and the devices keep getting better and cheaper.

Here is some general information that may interest you.

§    This technology was turned into a standard known as 802.15 in 1998 by a consortium of companies.
§    Bluetooth operates at 2.4GHz.  This is the same frequency as some cell phones and WI-FI networks.  This has caused some interference problems.  This is the reason wireless phone started to be manufactured that were over 5GHz.
§    Bluetooth operates at 721Kbps which is slower than WI-FI. It is not designed to carry large amounts of data.  WI-FI is used for that purpose.
§    Because Bluetooth operates at low power it is ideal for cell phones, PDAs and other devices.
§    Bluetooth come in three classes.  Class I is one hundred Megawatts and its range is 300 feet, Class II is ten Megawatts, and has a range of 30 feet and Class III which is only one Megawatt and has a range of less than 30 feet.

How do you add Bluetooth to your computer?

Many computers (especially laptops) now come with this technology.  If not, you only need to purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter.  If your computer has Windows XP with Service Pack 2 operating system or above it should install automatically. If it doesn’t install by itself a driver disk may be included or you may be sent to a web site to download a drive.  It will attempt to connect to any Bluetooth device within range.  Prices vary and change rapidly.