Genealogy Chat

hi judy the message seems to appear if i leave the p.c. unattended, and the screen saver comes on, am out all day & night to day baby sitting and making curtains, so will look again in the morining, many thanks for your help and advise would you like to move in with us,you make it understandable marcie x

Marcie: There are several reasons you may be having problems. Below are a few of the possible causes 1. Have you done a thorough Disk Scan and Defragged as of late? (Disk scan does not have to be done if you have Windows XP.) If not and you need instructions to do, let me know and I send you the step by step instructions. 2. The Windows operating system (Windows 98/me/2000/XP) did it come with the computer or did someone who had the disks install Windows for you? I ask this because the Express Service package is one update that your computer won't be able to download and install on your computer if the disk used isn't a registered version. It's not a big issue. If you haven't done so already, go back to the Microsoft site and see if you can download the rest of the available updates. 3. Is your computer, when left unatteded for any length of time, set to go into "sleep" mode until you come back and move the mouse? This can cause the download to be unable to complete. 4. Do you have a screen saver that comes on when the computer is left unattended? This can cause the download to be unable to complete. Below are settings that if you haven't already done you should....it may help with the download problem, it may not, but it still should be done as it will benefit you in the long run in other areas. More than likely you have trouble with accessing quite a few sites.....particularly getting the message "website can't be found" among a few other error messages. Try the following and it should solve your problem. 1. Go to START. 2. Click on CONTROL PANEL. 3. Click on INTERNET OPTIONS. 4. Change NUMBER OF DAYS TO KEEP IN HISTORY to “0” and click APPLY 5. A box appears with tabs labeled across the top. Click on ADVANCED. 6. Scroll down to the sub-heading SECURITY. 7. Make sure the following has check marks next to it: Use USE SSL 2.0, USE SSL 3.0 and USE TLS 1.0. 8. Also make sure you check off EMPTY TEMPORARY INTERNET FILE WHEN BROWSER IS CLOSED. More than likely USE TLS 1.0 is not checked of and it should be. This will give you the error messages, as well as a few others, that will prevent you from viewing web sites and the error you are getting. Make sure you empty your cookies cache as well as temporary internet files once in a while, too, as this slows down your computer. Let me know how you make out.....Judy

Marie: Yes, even if you have automatic updates set up on your XP, you still need to visit the site on occasion. Automatic updates only notifies you of CRITICAL UPDATES, which usually have to do with security vulnerability.....the updates that Microsoft deems worthy of immediate attention. The rest of the updates you have to fetch yourself. Judy

Just an addition to Judy's excellent advice about getting updates on a new computer. Whenever you install any new program on to your computer the first thing you should do is go to the manufacturer's site and get all the updates from them. This is essential if the program connects to the internet (as most do) because problems (bugs) are being found and resolved all the time. All this software maintenance can be a bit of a pain (especially on dial-up) but not doing it will cause you more grief in the long run. Bob

Thanks for that Judy Will follow your instructions in the morning when the effects of the bottle of wine I've just drunk wear off! Jeanette

hi help please, followed judys instructions, downloaded service pk1 express, had been going ok for a couple of hours, when i kept getting messages in red saying server failed, it then said to go to problems page to find how to do this without running the net, could,nt find info, have sent a message to microsoft, but have wasted 3 hours, what should i be doing please marcie xx

Kim....you're having problems with Norton, why? Norton the Anti-Virus or Norton Firewall?

HAVE BACKED UP My files now and down loaded 42 updates?! my computer has survived this time , but I still need to sort out norton, otherwise its not on!...... KIM

Greetings all! Thank you for the kind words! Jeanette, yes, ME needs these updates, too. All computers need to update from this site. The day one brings home a computer, it's already a dinosaur and needs to be updated. The Microsoft site fixes glitches and bugs that Microsoft was unaware of at the time they put out a particular Windows operating system. It also updates security issues that have occured as hackers seem to get around any security blocks that get in their way and it updates your computer to the newest technology out on the internet to keep you running smoothly! Judy

I completely agree Geoff. I've started my own file "Computer maintenance and tips". Even if something doesn't seem to apply to me at that particular time, I print it out and put it in my file. It's proved to be very useful, and is full of Judy's (and others) step-by-step instructions, which are so-o-o easily understood! I started doing this after I couldn't find a thread I'd seen previously with a particular piece of advice!

Geoff i have copied and pasted most of Judy's comments and put them into word so i can refer to them as and when needed, She's a star!!! Shelli

Thanks Judy in the States... Couldn,t have put it better myself. I should point out the most important ones are as stated:- CRITICAL UPDATES & SERVICE PACKS. Computer Novices it is well worth your while to keep trackof Judy's messages as they very often give tips on how to maintain your computer etc. In fact I think she should have a board just for this purpose. Take note GC! Gf x

Judy thanks once again to your clear and concise instructions, i folloewed your instructions and found 17 needed. i don't think i've done this since the conputer was brought Shelli

Sorry I'm a bit thick when it comes to these sort of things. I use ME. Do I also need these updates? Jeanette

Microsoft Windows Updates Microsoft Windows Update site is a necessary routine maintenance job. The site has downloads that will correct a lot of the bugs in the various Windows operating systems. The downloads need to be done to update and protect your computer and keep it running smoothly. (You need to be connected to the internet in order to do) 1. Click on START, 2. Click on CONTROL PANEL. 3. Click on WINDOWS UPDATES. 4. Your computer will be directed to the Windows Update Site. Click on SCAN NOW. 5. The site will then scan your computer and then list, in three categories, the updates your computer needs. A. Critical Updates – Download all of these B. Recommended Updates – You’ll download most of these. Read through what each download is. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the lingo. If you understand a few words of it….say, it mentions XP needs it, download it. I can think of only one or two off hand you don’t want. The one download mentions that if an error occurs on your computer, your error will be reported automatically to the Microsoft site…..that recommended update is a pain in the butt and not worth the annoying pop ups you’ll get. Skip that download. Another one you may not want has to do with various languages…..Chinese, Japanese; you can skip that one too. One very good one is a download that will advise you that there are new critical updates….if you download this one, you won’t have to remember to go back to the site as often to check for new updates. A pop up from the bottom right hand corner of your screen will advise you. C. Drivers – Download all of these. The site will allow you to download many of the needed downloads a few at a time. There are a few, though, that need to be done one at a time. The site will advise you of that when you attempt to start downloading. After the downloads are completed they will automatically install themselves. Your computer will need to be restarted after each successful installation. Keep going back to the site until you have all the downloads completed. Check back at the site once a month or so to check for new updates. The Critical updates you’ll be advised of via pop up as I mentioned above.

hi marcie maybe the easiest way to update is to click on START then another box will open click on HELP an SUPPORT then choose UPDATE it should be a case of clicking from there - its quite user freindly - if you do this while ur online will be quicker hope that helps teresa

hi geoff sorry to be so thick, but which one do i download, there seem to be hundreds,scary really marcie x

Thanks Geoff Downloading as we speak .... Marilyn

Just type in Microsoft Security Updates in the search bar it will find it for you. Read info before downloading anything Gf.

i have just had a msg saying new updates for windows i did install them will that be enough from someone who knows very little about computers!!!!!!!