# Have a Computer Question ? Read this first. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 6, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887 "2004-06-06T00:41:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2007, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/221 "2007-04-09T06:48:32Z")
I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I went to retrieve a Word document from the Recycle Bin that I deleted yesterday. My Recycle Bin has 0 objects in it! It is _not_ set to “remove files immediately when deleted”. What gives? I’m running Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2. This is new, and Not Good. I have created a few text documents on the desktop and deleted them and they are not showing up in the RB, even after ensuring that it’s set to keep files there. I want my Recycle Bin back. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/222 "2007-04-11T13:15:27Z")
Grisoft, the makers of AVG 7.5 Antivirus and AVG Antispyware, has released a new free tool to find and remove rootkits, a particularly nasty variety of spyware: > [@](#): > > Rootkits have become a severe threat in comparison to traditional malware because conventional antivirus often misses the hidden rootkit. They execute by embedding applications within the operating system, which is also an essential application to many necessary programs including antivirus protection, so it is important to correctly distinguish between malicious rootkits and legitimately hidden processes. GRISOFT conducted six months of open beta program testing to ensure AVG Anti-Rootkit is able to protect users and operating systems without the confusion and hassle of false alarms. > > Rootkits were originally used by hackers to cover their tracks after unauthorized access to computers. Today, these techniques have been redesigned in order to mask the presence of malicious software used to gather and exploit personal information such as credit card numbers and social security numbers creating a serious threat to users. [The AVG Rootkit Removal tool can be downloaded here.](http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390#avg-anti-rootkit-free) ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/223 "2007-04-12T01:52:22Z")
[QUOTE=Savannah] I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I went to retrieve a Word document from the Recycle Bin that I deleted yesterday. My Recycle Bin has 0 objects in it! It is _not_ set to “remove files immediately when deleted”. What gives? I’m running Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2. This is new, and Not Good. I have created a few text documents on the desktop and deleted them and they are not showing up in the RB, even after ensuring that it’s set to keep files there. I want my Recycle Bin back. [/QUOTE] Right Click and bring up your Recycle Bin settings, then increase the % for (Maximum size of recycle bin) and see if that helps. Also, toggle the Delete files immediately option, save it, and toggle it back and see if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![uglyduckling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e99b99/32.png) [@uglyduckling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglyduckling)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2007, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/224 "2007-04-18T09:25:29Z")
My computer still runs but it crashes if too much is going on. My question is how do I backup all my files on a cd before I send it in to get fixed. Is there an easy way instead of going file to file and putting them on the disk. I don’t believe I can find the disks that came with the computer for back up. thanks Maybe this isn’t the place to post it but please let me know before I lose everything thanks dopers ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/225 "2007-06-14T22:25:13Z")
Lavasoft, one of the leading spyware removal software publishers, has just released the latest version of its popular, free AdAware scanner/remover: [AdAware 2007](http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php). If you are having spyware issues, be sure to download this new free tool to blast the nasties on your PC. It is currently not available for Windows Vista, but that version will be released soon. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/226 "2007-06-15T05:44:20Z")
[QUOTE=uglyduckling] My computer still runs but it crashes if too much is going on. My question is how do I backup all my files on a cd before I send it in to get fixed. Is there an easy way instead of going file to file and putting them on the disk. I don’t believe I can find the disks that came with the computer for back up. thanks Maybe this isn’t the place to post it but please let me know before I lose everything thanks dopers [/QUOTE] _ **IF** _ it is installed then Microsoft Backup will take care of it for you but it is a bit of a hassle on first-run, simple after that. If you can remove your hard drive and install it in another computer you can then drag all the stuff you want to save onto the other computer’s hard drive. Or install a second drive in your computer and do the same. The hardware issues may make the last option unfeasible though. Possibly the first too. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/227 "2007-06-17T13:52:05Z")
Hi there, new to this forum. I’ve been reading all day and got some brilliant tips (i thought i knew everything there is to jump-starting a car and feeding cats). I’m an english language teacher in China, and using the computer provided by the school. I used the Belarc link you provided and it told me it has 1.80 gigahertz Intel Celeron, 8 kilobyte primary memory cache, 128 kilobyte secondary memory cache, hard drives - 10.47 GB (618 MB free) & 10.47 GB (4.20 GB free). So a mixed bag… The major problem is everything is in chinese with tiny pictures. I’ve managed to find a few clean-ups through trial and error without really messing it up. I had Rising Antivirus installed (again in chinese) and just got Spybot. The head of IT at the school and the lad that installed Rising didn’t have a clue how to make it all english. I can go to the black screen (run, cmd) where you go to change your ip address (i was blocked from all western sites by _ahem_) so it definitely supports english language. I asked Microsoft for help but got no reply. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/228 "2007-06-17T17:14:41Z")
This [Help Page](http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/reference/win2k/setup/changeUI.mspx) might answer your question. You do have to be logged in as computer administrator and have the languages downloaded and installed - English may not automatically be installed on a Chinese distribution. And a warm welcome to the SDMB, until someone official comes along to extend a proper welcome. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/229 "2007-06-17T19:03:14Z")
Thanks for the link and the welcome. Does anybody know the chinese for ‘control panel’, he he? I tried a search on the computer and it came up with nothing, although around a third of the words on the menus are english, with the rest being baffling chinese characters, eg ‘start’ (bottom left) is in english while ‘turn off’ (with red icon) above it is in chinese. Green and red easy peezy. I am definitely logged on as the administrator as i can either ‘lock’ (ocre coloured key) or switch to another user (two green coloured arrows) of which there is none. Some idiot proof directions to the control panel could be all in need? ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/230 "2007-06-17T19:28:34Z")
Hang on while I boot an XP machine and I’ll send a screenshot of the control panel ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/231 "2007-06-17T19:49:10Z")
[This](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v407/myglaren/Screen-1.jpg) is the control panel - I have separated the International Options icon. [This](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v407/myglaren/ControlPanel.jpg) is the link to the control panel - directly below “My Computer” on the Start menu. I hope you can make out the relevant details, the images look a bit rough on this computer for some reason, possibly 'cause I used paint then .jpg’d them. .png’s always seem to be cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2007, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/232 "2007-06-18T07:06:55Z")
Thanks Myglaren for those, they came out fine, very easy to spot. I found the ‘control panel’ icon on my start menu (i’d show you a screen shot if i could - very amusing the way it’s laid out) but my control panel is just numerous drop-down lists, each containing 20 - 40 options in chinese! I know the chinese symbol for english (useful when selecting options on dvds) but it wasn’t there, or my eyesight started to fail after the third list. But all is not lost as TIFC (this is … China) and software ‘offers’ are numerous. I’ve got the bit between my teeth now. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/233 "2007-06-30T19:01:21Z")
Does anybody know how to change the name of a printer as it appears in the menu of “choose this printer” options? I have a laser and a (newly added) color multifunction inkjet connected to the desktop, and shared over the home network with the laptop. The laser printer appears under the straightforward name “HP LaserJet 1200” in the laptop printer-selection menu, but the inkjet insists on something like (can’t cut and paste it) “///VM20071215/Canon MP830” – is there a way to just get that to show as “Canon MP 830”? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/234 "2007-06-30T19:23:16Z")
[QUOTE=Steve MB] Does anybody know how to change the name of a printer as it appears in the menu of “choose this printer” options? [/quote] Sure, assuming you have a Windows product. On the machine the printer is installed on, go to the control panel-\>printers, right-click on the one you want and rename. You might have to reboot any networked computers to get the new name to show up. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/235 "2007-07-03T18:15:06Z")
Having a strange HDD problem. I’ve had three internals that I’ve been alternating with an intern-external converter case. Suddenly, two of the three (each being much newer than the third) are giving me problems (the other works fine). When I plug the case into the PC (via USB), the PC makes the noise that occurs whenever a USB device is plugged in, but it doesn’t read the HD’s. This happens with, as I said, two fairly new hard drives, on two different brands of enclosures (just got one in today from Newegg just to see if it was an enclosure problem), as well as on two separate computers (desktop and a laptop). The strangest thing about it is that, if I have Windows Explorer open on “My Computer”, where all storage devices appear, the external drive (as mentioned) doesn’t get read by the PC, but as soon as I plug the USB cable out, the drive appears for about a second, then dissapears. ---
**Author:** ![Dottygumdrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Dottygumdrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dottygumdrop)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/236 "2007-07-04T04:27:47Z")
IANA Computer Expert, but I had a similar sort of problem last year with my flash disk. You may want to check what drive letter your PC is assigning to the drives, as mine assigned the same letter to the flash disk as was already assigned to a network drive, resulting in the flash disk not showing up on the My Computer screen. Apologies if this is too simplistic for you, but go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, then under the Storage option, click on Disk Management. You will be able to check the drive letters assigned by your PC. If there is a conflict, you can right-click on the drive in the bottom-right of the screen and select Change Drive Letter or Path. However, you may just wanna wait for someone with more expertise than me to come along and help, though! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/237 "2007-08-20T23:11:04Z")
I might have a virus, malware or adware. When I tried to log onto a site, my window shrunk, & an ad for a “browser cleaner” showed up. Needless to say, I didn’t install this. Any up-to-date info on a site to scan my computer for this crap? The sites listed in this Thread might be obsolete. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/238 "2007-08-21T02:45:58Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] I might have a virus, malware or adware. When I tried to log onto a site, my window shrunk, & an ad for a “browser cleaner” showed up. Needless to say, I didn’t install this. [/quote] Many sites have ads like that, even snopes and [download.com](http://download.com); otherwise trustworthy sites. What makes you think they are coming from inside your computer instead of the site code? (I can’t explain the window shrinking. “Honey, I shrunk the window!”) > [@](#): > > Any up-to-date info on a site to scan my computer for this crap? The sites listed in this Thread might be obsolete. Spybot and Adaware are still available, free. Be careful, tho – there are many similar names that are not the genuine article. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/239 "2007-08-21T05:27:53Z")
Which browser are you using? Firefox should usually block it automatically but Adblock should fix it - right click on the popup and select Adblock if you have it installed. I was getting a similar one from Ford on my Yahoo mail page that was particularly annoying - the browser was Epiphany - the Java tool killed that one. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887/240 "2007-08-22T00:40:13Z")
I just installed McAfee. S’cool, so far. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-computer-question-read-this-first/248887.md?page=13)