I have an annoying problem I can't figure out. I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop with Vista OS ... 2GB of RAM and I access the Internet using a Solomon EDGE modem.
Sometimes the desktop shortcut icons and the icons on my toolbar will not work. This happens sometimes when there is difficulty making a connection to the Internet and I need to retry - it connects but when I click on my Opera browser icon, nothing ... and no response from any shortcut icon. I have to open the start menu and open from there.
Sometimes this problem just occurs after an extended period of use.
I have to restart the computer to correct this problem and, if using the Internet, then reconnect. What do you think?
CRAIG KELLY
Huay Yai, Chon Buri
Database replies: Wanda Sloan replies: First, many notebooks are notorious for problems after they come out of hibernation. If this is what is happening, there is probably nothing at all you can do except reboot.
I gather from your note, however, that this also occurs after you have been thrashing the computer extensively with several different programs, getting some work done. If this is the general case, then you have probably just over-taxed the memory and CPU. To put it very simply, your applications and data have used up all the memory space, and the Satellite has simply "forgotten" everything about the icons. 2GB of RAM is generous, but these days the operating system and a couple of heavy-duty applications can eat it up faster than a freeloader at a wedding buffet table.
If you're going to be doing heavy work, consider turning off extras, particularly the Vista sidebar. Then clean your machine. For the standard Vista cleanup tool, click the Start orb, then All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then finally Disk Cleanup. Try something like Advanced WindowsCare Personal (http://www.iobit.com) to scrub a little cleaner. After cleaning, defragment the drive.
Also, check with Toshiba, probably through the Satellite's own menu, to make sure you have the latest tools to make the machine run at its best.
In the end, there is never a guarantee about this sort of thing. But I hope this helps.
A 'phantom' account
I've solved most of my XP problems on my own, but here's a fun one for you.
As you might recall, I've been plagued by slow XP boot time and loss of application display in the program folder. No problem - I'm working on these glitches.
However, here's one I need your help on. When I cold-start my machine, I get the XP screen - a delay, then the welcome log on screen. I enter my password, and the machine proceeds to load. After a long delay, and old background picture appears - stays on screen for about 30-seconds, and then the system moves to the logged-in desktop.
This unwanted picture is from a prior user account I deleted over six months ago - so I think the slow boot problem is the result of residual trash and detritus from these former accounts I've deleted. In fact, about four months ago I deleted an account called "The Phantom." After removing this account, I still found files on my C: drive with this name. I manually deleted them.
So now, in spite of my search of both the C: and D: drives of my machine, looking for *.jpg, *.jpeg and bitmap files, this mystery picture is still hidden from view. If I can find its location, maybe I can kill the offending file and Registry key.
Wanda, as you know, most of my computer woes are self-inflicted. Please see if you can bail me out of this one.
P.S. My applications still will not display in the programs folder, except for about four recently added programs.
DON 'COMPUTER DUMBO' ROSS
Database replies: Wanda Sloan replies: Normally, your Windows splash screen is in the C:\Windows folder and is called Boot.bmp. However, this is not written in stone by any means.
I could write at length on this, but it's easier to give you a link to an excellent article on controlling the startup splash screen. Let me know if you have any further problems after you use the Boot.ini file.
Go to http://www.jakeludington.com/windowsxp/20060219changexpbootscreen.html.
TOT blocks video
I noticed a lot of complaints about Internet connections and ISPs in recent weeks. I feel obliged to add to the pile, and who knows, maybe you even have a quick solution for me. If not, at least I can voice my contempt.
I noticed recently that I am unable to play most videos on the web site http://www.youtube.com at home. When I try to play the video, I get the message: "We're sorry, this video is no longer available." I then noticed that I could play the same videos on YouTube fine from other locations - at work or at the local Internet cafe. I suspect that my ISP, TOT, is in some way blocking most videos on the site and this is why I cannot access from home. Any ideas?
SHAWN
Database replies: Wanda Sloan replies: TOT is not allowing streaming of YouTube or any other video it can identify. Presumably it is saving bandwidth at the expense of its paying customers, but of course TOT will not respond to either complaints or questions, either, so who knows what dopey "reasoning" lies behind its ridiculous policy?
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