When I installed a USB card (and relevant drivers) on my computer the blue screen of death appeared. After rebooting a message appeared saying that Windows had recovered from a serious error. Can you help? (more…)

I decided to configure my computer to automatically start Outlook 2003 when Windows loads, by adding a shortcut to “Microsoft Office Outlook 2003” to my Startup Start Menu folder (C:Documents and SettingsJimStart MenuProgramsStartup). While Outlook does start when Windows loads, an error appears in Windows Defender saying “Auto Start Change Occured” for the file: C:WINDOWSInstaller{91110409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0150048383C9}outicon.exe . The additional information is (Publisher: Not available, Category: Not Yet Classified). If I select “Permit” and then “Apply Actions” the same error occurs next time I start Windows, even though the Windows Defender history shows the “Permit” action has “Succeeded”. Obviously this is quite annoying, especially because I have permitted the outicon.exe process. Can you explain why this occurs, what is outicon.exe and, since this is a Microsoft product, why does Windows Defender not know about this process? The computer is running Windows XP SP2 with Windows Defender 1.1.1593.0. (more…)

Mid last year I purchased a new computer with the following components: Intel P4 530 3.0 GHz, Kingmax 1 GB RAM, ASUS P5P800 Motherboard, 160 GB HDD, Radeon ATI 9550 256 MB Graphics Card, and LG DVD-RW. Early this year this system started to exhibit problems with random freezing and shutting down, making it almost impossible to use the computer. Reformatting and reinstalling Windows did not resolve the issue, so we determined the root cause was a hardware fault. After following up with the place of purchase, the motherboard and power supply were replaced. This temporarily fixed the issue, but it then started again a week later. Replacing the graphics card and CPU did not resolve the issue either. I will be returning the computer to the vendor to see if the problem can be identified and resolved. However, I am unwilling to spend more money on the computer unless there is a reasonable chance it can be fixed. Have you seen this problem before, and could you advise on the most common causes of this issue? I am not at all certain that the vendor will be able to come up with a fix and am worried that he will offer to start selling me components until the problem is fixed, if that is the case I may as well buy a new system and start over. Where do you recommend I purchase a new computer from - a no-name or a brand computer (e.g. Dell)? (more…)

The computer was working fine until I installed a new Lexmark print/scanner/copier machine. Now, the Logitech Web Cam connected to the computer will not work. Each time I try to use the camera, a message appears informing me that the camera is either unplugged or in use by another program. Upgrading and reinstalling the software does not fix the problem, nor does unplugging the Lexmark. Both devices run through a USB connection. (more…)

After attaching a Microsoft Intellimouse to a Swann USB Multihub the computer speakers stop functioning properly and emit a droning noise. However, the mouse and speakers work fine with the mouse connected to the PS/2 port (with adapter). A printer and joystick are connected via the hub with no problems. The computer is a Pentium 1.6 GHz running Windows Me. (more…)