Can you help? I’ve got XP Professional on my PC, and every now and then it decides it’s going to dial the internet. No particular reason, no applications calling for it, just now and then. If media player is running it interupts that, or otherwise just throws up a screen saying no dialtone (I don’t have it permanently connected to the net). Can I stop it from dialling without asking me?
It’s a pain in the ass sometimes. I only want it to dial if I’m asking it to connect to the net or send a fax. It’s driving me mad.
Neil Langley Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Hi Neil:
Yes, you do have a program that is requesting to dial out, you are just unaware of it.
First, go into your Control Panel, double-click on the Internet Options icon and click the Connections tab and tell it to never dial.
Secondly, read this article I wrote about Spyware and follow the steps to locate and remove all of it from your system, which is undoubtedly infected.
https://www.https://www.murdok.org/Murdok-22-20030610RemovingSpyware.html
This should fix ya up!
Carey
Dear Carey,
First off, your website has helped me in so many ways but now I have a problem I can’t find and I am still coming to you. Anyway, I recently got a Windows 95 computer and I got it upgraded to a 98, but the disk drive doesn’t work and now I purchased a used disk drive and I’m not sure if it works or not but I keep getting the following message when I turn my computer on:
Detecting HDD Secondary Master…None
Primary Master hard disk fail
What does this mean? Is the hard disk drive not working? Please write me back ASAP because there is a limited time only until I can bring it back for refund.
Thank You
-Missy Lewis
P.S. the PC that I purchased was a Advantage and the used hard disk drive is a Creative, if that means anything.
Hi Missy.
Hard drive installations can be tricky for novice PC users. Not only must you set its jumpers’ correctly, but the cabling has to be just right and you will need a specific boot disk with OS, Partitioning and formatting software. Then the drive needs to be configured using those tools, assuming your old computer can see the new hard drive. You see, if your computer was built before a 80GB drive ever existed, then chances are, it cannot recognize an 80GB hard drive. I am using 80GB as an example. There are numerous variables based on how old the PC is and what size hard drive you purchased.
Once you’ve completed all that, then you will need to install the operating system and then you will need to locate the drivers for the video card, sound card, modem, motherboard chipset and any other hardware you have.
Not only that, the hard drive is one of the most fragile components in the system. A slight drop of only 2 inches can cause complete failure.
For these reasons and others, I recommend this type of install be left to a professional.
Thanks for writing!
Carey
Hi Carey-
Ever since I installed Publisher a couple of months ago my computer keeps locking up, followed by the whole screen pixilating and programs having to try to “save” my in-process documents. I re-boot, run the diagnostics, send the reports and all it ever tells me is that it is some device driver, but it isn’t specific. It happens when I’m in other MS programs in addition to Publisher, by the way. Any comments and advice?
Many thanks!
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
It sounds as if you are having background programs or video drivers conflict with the software. You can try disabling any unnecessary programs from starting up using the MSCONFIG utility. You do this by clicking Start, click Run, type msconfig and click OK. Click the StartUp tab and disable any programs you don’t need.
Find out who makes your video card, visit their website and download and install the latest driver for whatever version of Windows you are using.
Hope this helps,
Carey
Hi again-
Actually, even more infuriating than the freezing/pixilating issue I just e-mailed you is how I cannot get MS messenger turned off. I THINK I’ve followed every direction findable – even removing the proper file folder but nothing stops it. I swear, this is the cockroach of programming – it will not die! Please help!
Thanks,
Nancy
Nancy:
Use this utility to get rid of Messenger:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_messenger_remove.htm
Carey
Carey Holzman owns and operates Discount Computer Repair (602-527-9723) in Phoenix, Arizona, where he offers repairs, upgrades, custom built PCs and network wiring at highly competitive pricing. His networking tips have appeared in David Strom’s book, The Home Networking Survival Guide (McGraw/Hill), and his own book on PC maintenance is currently available at local book stores, amazon.com or directly through him. His free informative web site can be found at http://www.careyholzman.com. Donate $30 to help maintain his site and you’ll get a free autographed copy of his book. Carey can be reached directly at carey@careyholzman.com.
Ask Carey a Question! Free Windows help is just a click away.
