tip from an expert

[chamcham]

   this item can be very informative to we lesser mortals, who only use this tool for intertainment!!                                                                                                                                                          I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Eric, the 11 year old
> next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come
> over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
>
> As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?"
> He replied, "It was an ID ten T error".
> I didn't want to appear stupid, but had to ask, "What's that..just in case
> I need to fix it again".
> Eric grinned.... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"
> "No" I replied, getting rather annoyed.
> "Write it down" he said "....you'll figure it out".
>
> So I wrote down:
>
> ID10T
>
> I used to like Eric, the little bastard  
>

[warm]

PEBCAK error

Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard.

[Step]

I have that problem from time to time........

[chamcham]

Another wee problem I have at the moment-after "bootup" I have a shortcut to my CDdrive, if I leave my computer on for a long period it becomes disconnected,and is not in "my computer".I then "system Restore" to the day before or last restore point it and it's back working. If I close without it it's not there next bootup?--I use XP, is there a "bootup problem"? and how can I fix it? any help would be gladly received!!!!!!!!

[hughf]

Another wee problem I have at the moment-after "bootup" I have a shortcut to my CDdrive, if I leave my computer on for a long period it becomes disconnected,and is not in "my computer".I then "system Restore" to the day before or last restore point it and it's back working. If I close without it it's not there next bootup?--I use XP, is there a "bootup problem"? and how can I fix it? any help would be gladly received!!!!!!!!

Can't say I've seen this sort of thing recently. Last time I came across it, the problem was a faulty device which was shutting down after a while in operation. Having said that, I have a note of the problem and will do some research. I'll get back to you, but maybe someone else will get back to you first.

Regards,

hughf

[hughf]

Another wee problem I have at the moment-after "bootup" I have a shortcut to my CDdrive, if I leave my computer on for a long period it becomes disconnected,and is not in "my computer".I then "system Restore" to the day before or last restore point it and it's back working. If I close without it it's not there next bootup?--I use XP, is there a "bootup problem"? and how can I fix it? any help would be gladly received!!!!!!!!

Can't say I've seen this sort of thing recently. Last time I came across it, the problem was a faulty device which was shutting down after a while in operation. Having said that, I have a note of the problem and will do some research. I'll get back to you, but maybe someone else will get back to you first.

Regards,

hughf

Hi,

May have found the problem sooner than I expected.

From Microsoft Support:

This problem is caused by two Windows registry entries that have become corrupted. To fix the problem, you have to use Registry Editor to delete the corrupted Registry entries. To use this method, you must be logged on to Windows as an administrator. If you need help verifying that you are an administrator, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin)

I would suggest that you go to the link and follow the instructions. If you're not familiar with how to edit the registry, then ask someone to do the job for you. Please back-up the registry before you do anything else with the machine.

Regards,

hughf

[chamcham]

Thanks Hughf! I will try as you suggested,same fault this morning,I back- dated to yesterday and it's there. I will try to do the "administrator" , but not sure of which register entry to delete, I'll do as you suggested but will be cautous and seek help! 

[hughf]

Thanks Hughf! I will try as you suggested,same fault this morning,I back- dated to yesterday and it's there. I will try to do the "administrator" , but not sure of which register entry to delete, I'll do as you suggested but will be cautous and seek help! 

Hi,

The reference to 'Administrator' refers not simply to an account of that login ID but to the status of the login ID presently in use. In the case of windows most people by default are operating at administrator level without perhaps realising this to be the case.

If you check your current account status in the 'users' section of the control panel, you can make changes there if necessary.

Regards,

hughf

[chamcham]

Hughf, thanks for your help with this, I did try as you suggested and them hesitated, it dawned on me that - when I installed the DVD recorder, I had a CD recorder in the tower when I bought it,I used the "Slave" connection and then "add hardware" and all work well for a while,the reason I hesitated was, will I lose the lot? or if I proceed, can I remove the CD player/recorder , then "add hardware" to have the DVDrecorder player by its self?I believe the DVD player does play CD's at the moment.?

[hughf]

Hughf, thanks for your help with this, I did try as you suggested and them hesitated, it dawned on me that - when I installed the DVD recorder, I had a CD recorder in the tower when I bought it,I used the "Slave" connection and then "add hardware" and all work well for a while,the reason I hesitated was, will I lose the lot? or if I proceed, can I remove the CD player/recorder , then "add hardware" to have the DVDrecorder player by its self?I believe the DVD player does play CD's at the moment.?

What you will lose, if anything will be determined by whatever the corrupted entries refer to and control.

I suspect that when theses entries are deleted and the system restarted, the operating system will automatically detect the devices and offer to install them. If you then proceed with the process, the devices should be back up and running but this time the entries in the registry will be good.

All I can suggest is that you try the method outlined. You are unlikely to be any worse off than you are at the moment.

Regards,

hughf

[chamcham]

Hughf thanks again, I have been plagued by slow startup and the DVD player/recorder problem, I had a bloke last year look at the PC and he added "Avasti"virus guard, when it ask me to purchase an upgrade, in exasperation 2days ago I deleted Avasti and low and behold  my DVD now starts every time I boot up!and the PC is a good bit faster! mabye I had too many "Virus guards???

[hughf]

Hughf thanks again, I have been plagued by slow startup and the DVD player/recorder problem, I had a bloke last year look at the PC and he added "Avasti"virus guard, when it ask me to purchase an upgrade, in exasperation 2days ago I deleted Avasti and low and behold  my DVD now starts every time I boot up!and the PC is a good bit faster! mabye I had too many "Virus guards???

Hi,
I wish you had mentioned Avast AV earlier. I installed it for a client who wanted to try it as an alternative to AVG which has served me and a n umber of others well for several years.
I am led to believe it does a very good job but ties into the data streams so tightly that it becomes highly processor intensive to the extent that it will slow even a powerful system quite significantly.
When I removed it and reinstalled AVG, my experience was similar to your own.
Delighted that the problem has at least been identified and apparently remedied.

Regards,

hughf

[Euan]

I heard a tech guy call Avast "Agast"..that was enough for me to give it a wide berth.
I have a subscription for Norton Security, and have done so for some years,i find their service A1.
As an example, i needed to know if i could also install Norton on my laptop a few weeks ago,so i brought up the symantec web site, asked for an online chat, and bingo within a minute i'm chatting to a techie. He tells me my subscription is for three computers, asks me if i would like him to install norton, he then requests permission to access my laptop,(stressing that it's secure and safe), then proceeds to install the program.
When he finished asked if there was anything else he could help with then says goodbye.
Great service...

[hughf]

I heard a tech guy call Avast "Agast"..that was enough for me to give it a wide berth.
I have a subscription for Norton Security, and have done so for some years,i find their service A1.
As an example, i needed to know if i could also install Norton on my laptop a few weeks ago,so i brought up the symantec web site, asked for an online chat, and bingo within a minute i'm chatting to a techie. He tells me my subscription is for three computers, asks me if i would like him to install norton, he then requests permission to access my laptop,(stressing that it's secure and safe), then proceeds to install the program.
When he finished asked if there was anything else he could help with then says goodbye.
Great service...

Hi Euan,

Delighted that you were pleased with the service. Unfortunately my clients tell me of varying levels of service and competence of those on the other end of the phone. I've lost count of the n umber of times I've been called to go and sort the problems the company Mr. or indeed Miss (don't let's be sexist here) fixit has caused.

I remain very suspicious of their capabilities at 1st line support level and would never let anyone have remote access to any machine I use.

Regards,

hughf

[warm]