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If using Vista or Windows 7, the existing firewall isn't bad when used in conjunction with Sphinx. This isn't a firewall in itself but it adds an easy way of creating simple rules for inbound/outbound data. In other words, you'll be alerted if anything tries to phone home or connect to the...

Microsoft Security Essentials seems to be getting some good reviews. Another one worth consideration maybe. http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

I think security suites are starting to offer a sandboxed browsing feature too. Kaspersky 2010 does and I read that the upcoming Avast 5 security suite will. As far as I know though, Sandboxie is the only one where programs can be run (or installed and run) in a sandbox. Also, there's the...

A program that can make AV and other security programs secondary layers of defence is Sandboxie. Here is a list of features: * Sandboxie keeps browsing sessions in an isolated area called a sandbox. * If any drive-by malware is encountered, it cannot get out to infect the system. * Any...

It sounds a bit like some local help could be what's needed. Do you know anyone who is reliably good with computers? Being there with the computer can be better and two heads are better than one sometimes.

Just for information or as an opinion since advice on the cure has been given. It can be important to remove all traces of one AV program (or firewall) before installing another. Maybe it was a Norton trial that was installed? This would probably have worked OK if the computer had been clean...

Since the general opinion is that no harm comes from switching off at he mains, then maybe it all boils down to how you feel about leaving any item powered up or on stand-by that isn't being actively used. We all know about the debate regarding that. Some people prefer to turn everything off at...

You're right. It's the router switch on that prefers to wait for the modem to settle. The computer is turned on just after the router but only because the switches are operated one after the other. It would still work if done the other way around but as said, just an automatic procedure these days.

I can only say what I've been doing for years with no ill-effects. They are switched off at the mains. The router isn't run using the wireless capability (hard wired via the ports on the back to both computers) but the following might still apply. The set-up is fussy about the order of how...

Take a look at this: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order.aspx

I know that the recommended zip programs will open .rar files but will any of them create them? I think they could only be created by Winrar because of patents/licensing reasons. Not sure if that's still the case. I actually paid for Winrar many years ago. That payment did entitle me to all...

I've installed the RC-1 version on a spare hard disk partition. It seems to work very well on my rather old computer that doesn't have very good specifications by today's standards. I will be quite happy to upgrade to it when it's time to get a new computer (keeping XP until then). As I read...

No experience of the problem personally but perhaps you could follow up on the fact that the power settings aren't working, rather than researching reasons for the screensaver not cutting in. If you use the search term 'power settings xp not working', some results come up that could be worth...

I don't think ieSpell is designed to underline the misspelt words as they are typed but it should check what's written as a whole once started by one of the methods mentioned on the ieSpell site. Worth seeing if it works as described: Three ways to start the spell check; via the right click...

A couple of options. One is to add ieSpell for IE8: http://www.ieaddons.com/en/details/Time_Savers/ieSpell/ The other is to install IE7 Pro, which not only adds a spell checker but other functions too: http://www.ie7pro.com/

I don't think it would be anything to do with other processes. Does the screen still go blank after a certain number of minutes and is the screensaver set to kick in a number of minutes before that happens? For example, screensaver starts after 5 minutes and power down (or monitor off) after...

What operating system is it? Did it happen for no reason, or was it after installing software/hardware?

It's generally reckoned best to disable autorun/autoplay and use 'My Computer' to access disks and USB sticks. Autorun/autoplay is a convenient feature but it can pose a security risk. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/28/microsoft_windows_retires_autorun/ Edit: Link changed. A bit of a...

Google sketchup (free version) might do. A bit of a learning curve involved though. Here's a page with a video to watch: http://sketchup.google.com/product/gsu.html

It might be a damaged bookmarks file (called 'places.sqlite'). If so, the cure is to close Firefox and delete this and a couple of other files. Firefox will build new ones the next time it is started. Firefox keeps a number of back-up copies the bookmarks under the .json file extension in a...