BOOT CAMP 302 (25/11/03)

TOP TEN TRAUMAS, Part 1

The thousands of emails and letters sent to the Faqs! Facts! Fax! column each year provides us with a unique insight into the state of the nation's PCs - or at least those belonging to Connected readers - and this year, as in previous years we've compiled a list of your top ten gripes and grumbles.

The influence of Windows XP has been clear to see and for the first time, we've noticed a sizeable drop in the number of complaints concerning crashes, lockups, strange error messages, and start up and shutdown problems. Computers really do seem to be getting more reliable, but they're no less annoying. Far and away the biggest bugbear for many users are the convolutions of the Internet and email, and in particular the twin scourges of Spam and viruses. So without further ado here's the first batch of annoyances.

1. Messenger pop-up spam (Windows XP only)

The relentless tide of email Spam flooding the Internet is bad enough but Spammers are now busily exploiting a loophole in Windows XP, which allows 'pop-up' adverts to appear on users desktops. They are generated by the Messenger service, a facility for sending administrative messages across PC networks.

The trouble is it is enabled by default in XP (please switch it off Bill, on XP Home at least…) and many home users find themselves on the receiving end of a stream of unsolicited garbage. Fortunately the Messenger Service can be switched off, simply go to Run on the Start menu and type 'services.msc', without the quotes, and click OK. In the right pane scroll down to and double-click Messenger then the General tab and under Service Status click Stop. In the Startup Type drop-down menu select Disable then Apply and OK.

2. Unrequested dial-up connections

New in at number two are repeated and unauthorised attempts by your PCs to connect to the Internet. There are a number of possible reasons for this erratic behaviour, some of them perfectly innocent.

Windows and many recent applications have an automatic update utility, however, it is far more likely that the PC in question has been spiked by Spyware, Adware or a Trojan from an infected web site, email or file download. These are programs that surreptitiously collect data from the PC (from information about web sites visited to personal data files, passwords etc.) and then use the Internet to send it back to 'base'.

In Windows 98 onwards you can usually disable automatic program updates by going to Run on the Start menu and typing 'msconfig' (without the quotes), select the Startup tab and deselect any 'services' or 'auto update' entries. To disinfect your PC download and run a freeware cleaner utility like AdAware, which you will find at: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

3. Outlook Express: blocked attachments

Another new entry. A lot of readers have complained that Outlook Express has started displaying a message that says 'OE removed access to the following unsafe attachment'. This usually means you (or your PC) has recently installed an update or Service Pack.

Since most viruses and worms are spread by people opening email attachments, without first checking that they are safe, Microsoft has decided to switch the feature off. It's easy enough to switch it back on again, go to the OE's Tools menu, select the Security tab and uncheck the item 'Do not allow attachments...etc.'.

4. Virus hoaxes

This year we have received an extraordinary number of emails warning us about a virus called 'jdbmgr.exe' which could be infecting our PCs. The email usually has detailed information on how find it – look for a Teddy Bear icon' - and removal instructions.

This is a hoax, and jdbmgr.exe is a Windows system file, fortunately not an especially important one, but it should still be left alone. However, the point is you should never delete files on your PC on the strength of a message from a friend or colleague, no matter how well meaning or urgent it might sound. Always check and the easiest way to ascertain the purpose or legitimacy of a file is to type the name into Google's search field.

The jdbmgr hoax is still doing the rounds but even more worrying is the recent spate of fake Microsoft Security Updates, which usually does contain a nasty little email worm. The message looks very convincing but you should know that Microsoft updates can only be downloaded from the MS web site and the company has never, and never will send out unsolicited software updates by email.

5. Deleting Google's search history

We've had a lot of Google users writing in asking how to delete details of previous searches, which appear when a new term or keyword is types into the Search window. In fact this has nothing to do with Google (or any other search engine for that matter), it's a facility in Internet Explorer, called AutoComplete.

You can selectively remove personal, private or embarrassing entries by right-clicking on them and selecting Delete, or better still, switch off AutoComplete by going to Internet Options on the Tools menu, select the Content tab and click the AutoComplete button, uncheck the options and click the Clear Forms button. If you have installed the Google Toolbar you should click on the Google logo then select Clear Search History form the drop-down menu.

Next week: Top ten gripes, part two

Jargon filter

Services
Programs operating in the background, usually installed by an application and loaded at boot up, which regularly access a network or the internet.

Service Pack (SP)
A bundle of updates and patches for an application of operating system, intended to fix bugs, glitches and security problems.

Trojan
Hidden program that allows an external "client" PC to access files stored on the hard disc drive when it is connected to the internet or a network.

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Top tip

If your PC is misbehaving then here's a way to teach it a lesson. Desktop Shooter turns your mouse into a powerful weapon. Blow holes in the desktop or an unruly application with a 12-bore or strafe it with a machine gun, complete with accompanying sound effects.

When you've finished, click the Menu icon and the Exit button and everything returns to normal. The program is freeware, it works on all versions of Windows, the file is only 600kb and it can be downloaded from: http://www.onefog.com/freeware/desktopshooter.shtml