In Home Computer Repair Blog http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble By The Computer Guy Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:10:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Avast update fails, tray icon has red X on it http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=271 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=271#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:55:56 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=271 Avast-Antivirus
Problem: Avast update fails and the Avast tray icon has red X on it. If you see this condition, your antivirus is not working, you should immediately call The Computer Guy for service. Do not delay because now you do not have active antivirus protection. Further use in this condition could allow virus infection. If your Avast tray icon does not have the red X on it then your computer does not have this problem, all is fine.

Probable causes are:

  • A virus definition update got stuck and avast needs repair.
  • A virus infected your computer and disabled Avast.
  • Hard drive errors have caused Avast to fail, the hard drive could be failing, immediate attention is required to prevent possible further data loss.

avast-needs-repair

avast-normal-condition

The solution could range from simple to complicated.

One incident that is known to have occurred:
A virus definition update on 01/25/2012 got stuck causing avast to need repair. This did not effect all computers, but I have seen a few of these incidents. If your Avast tray icon does not have the red X on it then your computer does not have this problem, all is fine.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=271 0 Flash Player 10.3.183.10 Security Update http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=122 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=122#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:37:58 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=122 flash player

Critical vulnerabilities have been identified in Adobe Flash Player 10.3.183.7 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris, and Adobe Flash Player 10.3.186.6 and earlier versions for Android. These vulnerabilities could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.

There are reports that one of these vulnerabilities (CVE-2011-2444) is being exploited in the wild in active targeted attacks designed to trick the user into clicking on a malicious link delivered in an email message. This universal cross-site scripting issue could be used to take actions on a user’s behalf on any website or webmail provider if the user visits a malicious website.

Adobe recommends users of Adobe Flash Player 10.3.183.7 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris update to Adobe Flash Player 10.3.183.10. Users of Adobe Flash Player for Android 10.3.186.6 and earlier versions should update to Adobe Flash Player for Android 10.3.186.7.

Users running browsers other than Chrome should download the patched version of Flash Player from Adobe’s site.

More info at PC World

If you ignore this update, your computer is left vulnerable to hackers that silently try to attack your computer to take control of it or steal money from you.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=122 0 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.51.1.1800 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=119 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=119#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:37:57 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=119 malwarebytesMalwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.51.1.1800 program update was released July 25, 2011. MBAM users need to click the MBAM icon and select Update Check for updates. The new program will install and then ask you to restart the computer.Heres a list of the most important changes:* Fixed minor updating issues.* Fixed issue with trials expiring too early.* Fixed GUI language bugs.* Fixed issue where Ignore List was not honored by the Protection Module.* Fixed issue where limited users were prompted to update an outdated database.Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, (MBAM)Whether you know it or not your computer is always at risk of becoming infected with viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and malware that are constantly evolving and becoming harder to detect and remove. Only the most sophisticated anti-malware techniques can detect and remove these malicious programs from your computer.Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start.The MBAM real time protection module comes with the Pro version. The Pro version is what we recommend, not just the free version.  The Computer Guy is an officially registered sales partner for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. You can purchase the key from Mike. Mike is trained to properly install and configure MBAM for you. This does not replace Anti-Virus, it complements it. Mike installs Avast! Free Anti-Virus and configures both to work together properly.Make an appointment.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=119 0 Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0.26 (32-bit) Security Update http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=117 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=117#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:37:57 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=117 JavaA new version of Java software was released today.  This release contains fixes for security vulnerabilities, it is advised that you update as soon as possible. Click here to download Java Software.Java is free software that helps you view and interact with web content. Many sites require it. Make sure you keep it updated to the latest version. Also make sure to remove older versions of Java.Whats new in this version:Olson Data 2011g:- Java SE 6u26 contains Olson time zone data version 2011g.Bug Fixes:- This release contains fixes for security vulnerabilities.Other Bug Fix:- regression: cannot run filemaker application due to java.lang.ClassCircularityError

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=117 0 Flash Player 10.3.181.23 Security Update http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=116 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=116#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:37:57 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=116 flash playerFlash Player has a cross-site scripting bug vulnerability that attackers are using to break into Gmail accounts. Adobe updated the Windows, Mac OS X and Linux versions of Flash Player Sunday . Users running browsers other than Chrome should download the patched version of Flash Player from Adobes site.More info at Computerworld If you ignore this update, your computer is left vulnerable to web sites that silently try to attack your computer to ultimately try to steal money from you.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=116 0 iTunes 10.2.2 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=115 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=115#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:37:57 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=115 itunesiTunes 10.2.2 program update was released April 19, 2011. iTunes users can update the program by opening it, then click Help Check for Updates.Heres a list of most important changes:- Addresses an issue where iTunes may become unresponsive when syncing an iPad.- Resolves an issue which may cause syncing photos with iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to take longer than necessary.- Fixes a problem where video previews on the iTunes Store may skip while playing.- Addresses other issues that improve stability and performance.iTunes is a digital media player application, used for playing and organizing digital music and video files. The application is also an interface to manage the contents on Apples iPod and iPhone lines, as well as the iPad.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=115 0 Avast! Free Antivirus 6.0.1091 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=114 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=114#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:37:57 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=114 Avast-AntivirusAvast! Free Antivirus 6.0.1091 program update was released April 19, 2011. Avast users need to right click the Avast icon in the system tray and select Update Program. The new program will install and then ask you to restart the computer.Heres a list of most important changes:- solved a compatibility problem with ZoneAlarm (WinXP)- added WebRep Chrome extension- improved installation of the WebRep plugins (especially Firefox)- various fixes and improvements in the avast sandbox- setup programs now smaller by ~20%- Community features and the Welcome screen can now be turned on/off directly from program settings- solved a compatibility problem with Outpost firewall- solved a bug related to the AutoSandbox offer (WinXP)- gadget can now be removed by simply closing it- solved a compatibility problem with GameGuard and sXe- SafeZone improvements- improved sandbox logging- SafeZone is now a standalone setup package (can be installed/uninstalled separately)- improvements in password processing- improvements in the program uninstaller- solved a memory leak in the avast gadget- fixes in the File System Shield transient cache- various stability/compatibility improvementsDownload Avast! Free Antivirus.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=114 0 Avast! Free Antivirus – How to Register/Re-register http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=123 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=123#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:37:59 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=123 Avast-AntivirusAvast! Free Antivirus requires annual registration.  Even the free version must be registered because Avast wants to be able to determine how many active users they have. This allows them to maintain enough update servers for all the users they have. There are two scenarios where Avast Free needs to be registered:1) You have just installed Avast Free.2) After 1 year you receive a message from Avast Free to re-register.On-line registration is very simple and its the preferred method for all users of avast Free Antivirus 6.x installed on a computer with standard Internet connectivity. To perform on-line registration follow these steps:Right-click the avast! system tray icon and select Registration information from the menu,avast-register1or double-click the avast! Free Antivirus desktop icon to open the avast! user interface, then in the left pane click the MAINTENANCE tab and from the unfolded submenu select Registration.avast-register2The YOUR REGISTRATION screen will appear, where you should click Register now to open the registration form.avast-register3In the meantime, a dialog box offering an upgrade to avast! Internet Security may popup. To continue using avast! Free Antivirus and open the registration form, just click the Register button under displayed product comparison table.avast-register4Once the registration form appears, enter all the required data (marked with an asterisk *) into the text fields, and when its finished, click Register for free license to submit your registration.avast-register5After your registration is complete, an information dialog box will be displayed. Just click OK.avast-register6Then your registration status will change to REGISTERED and the expiration date will be updated on the YOUR REGISTRATION screen.avast-register7avast! Free Antivirus 6.x can now continue to be used for 12 months and you will continue to receive automatic updates to both the program and your virus definitions. At the end of that time, it will be necessary simply to register for a new free license.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=123 0 Avast! Free Antivirus 6.0.1203 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=120 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=120#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:37:58 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=120 Avast-AntivirusAvast! Free Antivirus 6.0.1203 program update was released July 05, 2011. Avast users need to right click the Avast icon in the system tray and select Update Program. The new program will install and then ask you to restart the computer.Heres a list of the most important changes:- Improved compatibility with Windows Vista SP0/SP1 (activation issues)- Attempt to solve the Windows Media Player using a red skin problem- Firewall: solved the compatibility problem with uTorrent- Improved load time of WebRep IE plugin- Fixed a bug in Google Chrome WebRep plugin causing excessive CPU usage- Improvements in the silent installer- Improved the CommunityIQ sample submission process- Improved detection/removal of the most stubborn rootkits (TDL family)- Various stability and compatibility improvements in the sandbox module- Added new CreditAlert feature (US customers only)- Added Thai and Serbian language packsDownload Avast! Free Antivirus.

]]> http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?feed=rss2&p=120 0 How to Disable the Laptop Touchpad in Windows 7 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=57 http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=57#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:54:38 +0000 mbruneau http://www.compu-guy.com/techno-babble/?p=57 In this tutorial I will show you how to disable the laptop touchpad in Windows 7. The touchpad, or laptop mouse, is a great tool when you need to need to work on the laptop and there isnt much space available, but a lot of laptop users like to use an external mouse because its more efficient and comfortable to use for long periods of time. One of the problems of the touchpad is that when a person uses the keyboard their palm may accidentitally touch the touchpad and cause typing errors and other unwanted effects. To disable the touchpad is easy and varies from laptop to laptop but this tutorial will show you a method that will work on every laptop. Lets begin this simple step by step tutorial.

Steps:
1. Click the Start button.
2. Now press the Control Panel button.
3. Once the Control Panel screens appears, click the green Hardware and Sound link.
4. Under the Devices and Printers section press the Mouse link.
5. On the mouse properties screen select the Hardware tab. Now highlight the touchpad mouse which is the PS/2 Compatible Mouse and press the Properties button.
6. Now click the Change Settings button at the bottom of the mouse properties screen. When the new mouse properties screen apears select the Drivers tab and then press the Disable button. Windows will now warm you about disabling this device; just click the Yes button.7. When you return to the mouse properties screen press the OK button. You will now be asked to restart your laptop for the settings to take effect. Press the Yes button and let Windows 7 restart. Upon login into Windows again your touchpad will be disabled.
Tips:- If your laptop has a Synaptics touchpad then you can disable it by going to the Synaptics tab under the mouse properties.- Some laptops have a button or function key to disable the touchpad. Make sure to use this method first before following this tutorial.

Thats it! Its really that simple. We hope the tutorial How to Disable the Touchpad on a Laptop in Windows 7 has helped you with your Computer Repair issue.

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