Tech Tip: How to emulate a different version of Internet Explorer in Internet Explorer 11

Description: If you head to a website that requires a lower version of Internet Explorer you can emulate that version so the website works correctly.

1. When in Internet Explorer, press the F12 key on your keyboard. This will bring up the developer screen.
   
   
   
2. Click the Maximize button in the upper right hand corner of the window, this will put the developer screen into a window.
   
   
   
   
3. Once in windowed mode, click on the icon with the Computer and Phone.
   
   
   
   
4. Now you click the arrow on the User Agent String to change the Internet Explorer version.
   
   
   
   
5. Now select the Internet Explorer version that you want and then refresh the webpage.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to download, install, and run SUPERAntiSpyware

Description: Are you concerned about possible spyware, adware, malware, or similar problems on your computer? Does your computer seem to run very slow? SUPERAntiSpyware is a utility that may help you to diagnose and repair these types of problems.

These days there can be a new virus or infection created every three seconds, and computer users need to be ready for the next attack that could be made on their systems. Along with routine Windows maintenance addressing concerns such as cleaning up temporary files or repairing registry errors, running multiple scans from AntiVirus and AntiMalware programs can help to take care of these problems. There is a program called SUPERAntiSpyware that scans your computer for infections, temporary files, registry errors and things like that in just one scan, and then makes recommendations for corrections to the system that it can make.

1. To download the program, you can go directly to the program's website http://www.superantispyware.com - be sure to understand any terms and conditions of the program.
   
2. Go ahead and download the installer, saving it to a location on your computer where you will be able to find it easily, and then run the installer as shown in the picture.
   
   
   
3. Once finished, open the program and the user will be greeted with a home screen as shown here.
   
   
   
   
4. Just click "Scan your Computer" to get a full scan under way and let the program work for you.
   
   
   
   
5. Once finished, the scans will provide a result pop up as shown below. Click the continue button to delete the threats.
   
   
   
   
6. Once the deletion process has completed, click the Finished button.
   
   
   
   
7. The program will then ask you to reboot or reboot later, it is best to save and close all programs then reboot your computer for the changes to go into effect.
   
   *In this and similar situations, it is important for the end user to understand that they are obtaining utility programs such as this one from known reputable sources. If you are unsure of the source being reputable, it can be possible for rogue programs to present themselves as solutions when, in fact, they are actually "problems in disguise" that will make things worse instead of better.
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to download and install VLC Player

Description: Having issues with certain types of video files not being able to play in your default media player? Try VLC! It has multiple codec's pre-installed that can help play these files.

1. To download VLC Media Player, click here.
   
2. Go ahead and run the downloaded file to start the installation process.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Continue to click Next through the prompts as shown below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click Install to start the installation process.
   
   
   
   
5. Click Finish to finalize the install and launch the program.
   
   
   
   
6. VLC Player is now installed, go ahead and test your video!
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

To watch the video on How to download and install VLC Player, click here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to download and run Chameleon by Malwarebytes

** THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED **

Malwarebytes Chameleon is a tool that was developed in order to get Malwarebytes Anti-Malware running when blocked by an active infection on a user's system.

It accomplishes this in several ways, but in order to run, Chameleon itself must be able to run in spite of the infection as well.  That's where the filenames come in and is the reason you'll find files like 'svchost.exe', 'winlogon.exe' and 'iexplore.exe' among others within the Chameleon folder.  Those are actually just renamed copies of the main Chameleon executable, mbam-chameleon.exe.  The reason that we do this is because infections, particularly rogue/fake antivirus programs, will often block processes from launching simply based on their file or process names, or they will only allow certain 'whitelisted' processes to run.  These whitelisted processes are often a user's internet browser (hence the use of names like 'firefox.exe' and 'iexplore.exe') or critical system processes (hence 'svchost.exe', 'winlogon.exe' and 'rundll32.exe').

There are several methods for launching Chameleon itself, depending on the situation that the user is dealing with.  Malwarebytes provides a help file called 'chameleon.chm' which is accessible via the START menu under All Programs\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Tools\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Chameleon.lnk'.  This is the best and simplest way to use Chameleon as all the user has to do is open the help file and follow the instructions.

Unfortunately, launching the help file is not always possible, so Malwarebytes does provide other methods to get Chameleon running.
 
If Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is already installed but the Chameleon help file will not open, the user may attempt to launch the Chameleon executables manually by browsing to their Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program folder under 'Chameleon' and double-clicking on the executables located there one by one until they find one which is able to launch which will be indicated by a command prompt window providing instructions on what to do next to run Chameleon.

Once Chameleon is up and running, it will attempt to update Malwarebytes Anti--Malware's database, kill all malicious processes running in memory, and then initiate a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.  Upon completion of the scan, the user may remove the infections from their system, rebooting if required, and their system should be running normally again, free of infection.

If Windows Explorer is not running, the same method can be used to launch the help file or executables by using Windows Task Manager and simply browsing to the location of the files and trying to open them one by one that way.

Now, if Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not already installed, Chameleon can get it installed for the user.  Malwarebytes has provided Chameleon as a separate download available here on their website: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/chameleon

All the user needs to do is download that file, extract it to a new folder in a convenient location such as their desktop, and then attempt to use the included help file (Chameleon.chm) to run Chameleon.  If the help file will not open, then the user should proceed with the same method applied above by double-clicking on each of the provided Chameleon executables one by one until they find one that opens.

Upon opening, the user should follow the onscreen instructions and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for the user and then will proceed to run through the same process as described above (updating the database, killing malicious processes and performing a scan).

*All information provided by Samuel E. Lindsey of Malwarebytes Corporation

Tech Tip of the Day: How to connect to a network printer using Windows 7

Windows 7 can "discover" printers and other computers that are on the same network.

Method 1: Using Network discovery to find and install a printer resource available on the network.

1. Click Start and then click Devices and Printers
   
   
   
   
2. Click on Add a printer
   
   
   
3. Click on Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer
   
   
   
   
4. Click on Have Disk and insert the disk or CD that came with your printer.
   
   
   
   
5. Select the printer model from the list and click Next.
   
   
   
   Windows should install the printer software and or drivers on the computer.
   If you have more than one computer/laptop on the network, repeat the process on each system.
   
   
6. Once installation is done you can change the default printer to use or select the printer from within your print menu of your application.

Note: Make sure all the computers and printer are on same network or connected to the same router. If you have more than one printer configured on your computer make sure you select the appropriate printer before you are start to print.

You can also watch a video about this topic. Click here to watch the video.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Overview

Description: This is an overview or informational document on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. In this document we will provide a brief look into Jelly Bean and some of the features.

1. Here's a look at the lock screen
   
   
   
   
2. The default home screen (after installing Chrome)
   
   
   
   
3. The contents of the "Google" folder by default
   
   
   
   
4. The apps drawer, with a few custom apps installed. On this first page is the Currents app, a news application that will be detailed after the Google app. The Google app is not just another way to get to Google Search, instead it brings up the Google Now app.
   
   
   
   
5. Google Now utilizes what are called Cards to provide for you various information, including (in this example) the weather. The app is intended to watch, for example, when you leave for work and give you an estimate on travel time - automatically. Also, if you are travelling it may give you updates on traffic or flight delays based on recent searches, navigation or heading. It will also give you sports scores and updates based on teams that you follow.
   
   
   
   
6. An Example Card estimating travel time.
   
   
   
   
7. Another Example covering a basketball game
   
   
   
   
8. The Currents app shows news outlets, tapping on a new outlet will bring up categories
   
   
   
   
9. Tapping on a category will bring up individual stories
   
   
   
   
10. Showing individual stories
    
    
    
    
11. The Play Music app has been updated. The primary features are automatic activation of Google Music access and a refreshed Recent tab, showing cover art of recent albums. Additional UI features and optimizations have been implemented in the Music app.
    
    
    
    
12. The Gallery application is much unchanged, but with some UI optimizations and beautification.
    
    
    
    
13. A look at the second Apps drawer with some key apps highlighted
    
    
    
    
14. Google Wallet is intended to be a payment system for physical in-store purchases, using credit cards
    
    
    
    
15. Play Movies opens a Movies section of the Play store in a custom app, allowing for rental or purchase of movies, as well as playing videos that have been downloaded to the device.
    
    
    
    
16. Play Magazines will open the Magazine store, where you can buy and subscribe to magazines.
    
    
    
    
17. The Google+ application has been updated to include a clean new interface, as well as support for Events.
    
    
    
    
18. Play Books has been updated as well
    
    
    
    
19. The YouTube app includes a Pre-load feature, to download videos for viewing without an internet connection.
    
    
    
    
20. The Channel Feed screen has been updated as well
    
    

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: Using the Windows Registry Editor: Part 4 - Removing virus entries

One of the most common ploys of modern Trojan infections is that they hijack the program executable function of the PC. In such cases, all attempts at launching programs either produce no results or they start of series of popup windows urging the user to buy a phony anti-virus program. Even attempts at anti-virus scans are in vain. The reason for this problem is that the Trojan has written a few simple values into the Windows Registry to redirect program behavior. Fortunately, there is a relatively simple way to restore the proper values and return the PC to proper functionality.

Launching the Windows Registry in Safe Mode

To get around the problem of the Trojan blocking programs, the computer can be started in "Safe Mode," which is a low level of Windows designed to run without conflicting programs starting up. To do this, reboot the PC and tap the "F8" key repeatedly, until the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" (a black text screen) appears. Use the arrow keys to highlight "Safe Mode," then hit Enter. Wait for the minimal set of drivers to load, select your own user account, and then the Windows "Safe Mode" screen will appear.

Now, launch the Windows Registry Editor by going to Start, (click "Run" in Windows XP), typing in "regedit" in the search box, and hit Enter. If the Registry Editor starts, you may proceed to the next step. If it does NOT start, reboot the machine, use "F8" to get into the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" again, only this time choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt." At the DOS-like prompt, type "regedit.exe" and hit "Enter." The Registry Editor should appear on the screen.

Searching for and changing hijacked ".exe" values

You will want to navigate (in the left side panel of the Registry Editor) to this location:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

It should look something like the picture, below:



In this example of an infected Registry, notice that the Data value in the (Default) entry reads, “secfile.” (NOTE: Your infected computer may have a different Data value.) This value in the Registry should always read, "exefile," and nothing else. If it does NOT read "exefile," then a malicious program has changed it so that executable programs cannot operate normally. So, the objective is to change this Data value back to the proper entry.

Double-clicking the "(Default)" entry (highlighted in blue with a single mouse click) will bring up an editing window where you can type in the proper value...

from this: 

to this:

Simply click “OK” to save your changes, and proceed to the next step.

Searching for and changing hijacked "exefile" values

The search for hijacked entries is not complete. For the next step, navigate
further down in the Registry Editor to the following two adjoining keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command

Values in these keys will also determine how - and if - programs run normally in Windows. For each of these values, make sure that the only Data value (in the right-side panel) is listed as: "%1" %*"

In the example below, the Data value has been changed by a Trojan whose filename is "pqx.exe," located in the hidden "C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local" folder. What this insertion in the registry accomplishes is that, for every program that is attempted to be launched on this machine, the Trojan is launched instead.




At this point, the Data value must be edited to delete the information inserted by the Trojan. Once again, double-click the "(Default)" entry and simply delete all of the data except for the portion that reads: "%1" %*" When finished editing, click the "save" button, and the data for both the "(Default)" entry and the "IsolatedCommand" entry should read the same. Before leaving this area of the Registry, also check the adjacent "run as" folder for a hijacked value and change that value in the same manner if it has been altered.

Searching for additional Trojan entries

Unfortunately, if a Trojan has written one value into the Registry, it has likely written several more. Based on the information found in the "exefile" data, above, a search should be done to clean out all other matching entries. In this example, a search for "pqx.exe" will locate all places in the registry
where references to the Trojan program file need to be deleted.

Please note that the Trojan could be named anything other than "pqx.exe" (which is only my example) as they usually randomly generate their own file names and those file names may vary from PC to PC. The important point, here, is to identify the file listed in the "exefile" Data, and then search (using "Ctrl-F" to start the search string, and "F3" to continue the search) for all other instances of that file reference and remove them, one by one.

Finishing up the Trojan removal

Removing infected Data values from the Windows Registry is just the first step in removing a Trojan or virus. The following steps should be taken in order to get the best chance of recovering from an infection:

1. Search for all instances of the actual Trojan file on the hard drive and delete them. Instances of the file may also be in the C:\Windows\Prefetch folder.
2. Scan the entire computer with a good cleanser, such as Malwarebytes. This program can be downloaded (in "Safe mode with networking"), installed, updated and run, ALL in "Safe Mode."
3. Scan the entire computer with a full-featured anti-virus program (if installed). The question to ask is why the Trojan made it past an installed anti-virus program in the first place. Do you have an anti-virus program installed? Is it a good one, or just one of the "free" (meaning, mostly ineffective) programs? Time to get good protection!

When finished editing the Registry and scanning for Trojan removal, always reboot your computer to make sure it is functioning properly.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: Using the Windows Registry Editor: Part 3 - A fix for CD/DVD drives

One problem sometimes encountered by Windows PC users is the sudden failure of the DVD and/or CD (or "optical") drive. Optical drives do fail in time (as the lasers fail), but sudden failures are often the result of an easily fixed problem in the Windows registry. One symptom of the failure is the disappearance of the optical drive (and its drive letter) altogether from the list of drives under "Computer" (Windows Vista and Windows 7) or "My Computer" (for Windows XP).

Another symptom of the failure is evident in the Windows "Device Manager" (right-click "Computer"/"My Computer," > "Manage" > "Device Manager"). The drive(s) may appear, but are listed with a failed or missing driver. The problem of missing drives typically occurs after the installation of an application such as disk burning or photo editing software, or an MP3 manager. The key, here, is that the drive disappears suddenly. If this is your problem, a simple fix using the Registry Editor may be the solution.

Locating the DVD Key in the Registry

Here are the steps for fixing the problem in the Registry. They essentially involve deleting the "Lower Filters" and "Upper Filters" values:

1. Start the Windows registry editor by typing "regedit" in the search or Run window, and hit "Enter." (It would be beneficial to expand the window to full screen if it is not already expanded in order to see as much of the information as possible.)
   
   
2. In the left panel, navigate down the list (by double-clicking) to this location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
SYSTEM
CurrentControlSet
Control
Class
{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

You should see a screen that looks very similar to the picture above. Make sure that you see "DVD/CD-ROM drives" under the Data column in the upper right corner.


3. Now, to protect yourself against failure with this method, right-click the folder in the left column that reads "{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}." Click "Export" in the drop-down menu, give this file a name, and then save it in some location that you will remember (the desktop is a good place). Once you've backed up this key, you may safely delete entries without fear of corrupting the any Windows functionality.
   
   
4. Now, look for the entries in the right column that read "Lower Filters" and "Upper Filters." Single-click (to highlight in blue) each one of these values and then delete them (either by using the "delete" key or by right-clicking the mouse and choosing "delete" in the drop-down menu).
   
   
5. Once the values have been deleted, close the Registry and reboot your computer. Look to see if your optical drives have re-appeared in the list of drives, and test them by reading a disk. If they work, the fix was successful.
   
   
6. If this fix did not work, then the problem lies elsewhere and cannot be fixed by editing Registry keys. It is probably wise to restore the Registry to its prior condition, which can be simply done by double-clicking the saved Registry backup file from step #3. Other diagnostics will have to be performed to determine how to fix your optical drive problem.
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: Don't pick a printer by Duty Cycle ratings

Duty Cycle vs. Recommended Monthly Volume

Selecting a new printer? Great!

Setting your expectations about how many pages you can print based on the "Duty Cycle" spec? Not so great...

Calculating "Duty Cycle" is a process printer manufacturers go through to stress the printer to the point of failure. It's not meant to be the "run it all the time at this rate" number - sort of like being able to drive your car at 7,000 RPMs for a SHORT period of time.

If you're looking to keep your printer for an extended period of time (I have a friend who has printed 1.5 million pages since 1990 on his laser printer), the "Recommended Monthly Volume" figure is the spec you should use, but be prepared for reverse sticker shock.

For example:

The specs on a name brand laser printer say 21 pages per minute (ppm), 40,000 pages Monthly Duty Cycle, and recommended of 1,000 to 2,500 pages per month. But wait..... do the math: 21PPM x 60 minutes x 24 hours x 30 days is 907,200 pages.

Let's first account for the difference between 40,000 pages and 907,200 pages, which brings us back to "Duty Cycle". Duty Cycle is the percentage of time a device is "on" or "doing" compared to "off" or "not doing". An easy example is to think of a water pump rated at 30% duty cycle --- for every 10 minutes, it's running for 3 minutes. In this printer's case, running it 40,000 pages per month is the "failure point"; just as running the water pump over 30% will cause premature failure.

But back to the spec you care about - the Recommended Monthly Volume. We've all seen ads for cars that show owners with over 1,000,000 miles on their car, meant to convince us to buy a certain make or use a certain motor oil. How many of those owners do you think were driving with the tach in the red zone?

"Recommended Monthly Volume" may not be the number you want to hear, but it's the number your printer can live with for an extended period of time.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to disable the Adobe splash screen

Say "Good-bye" to the Adobe Reader X "Welcome Screen"

Adobe Reader X starts by popping up a "Welcome Screen" making it easier for you to pick a recent document.

One problem - if you have applications that open or print your PDF file, the "Welcome" screen can block that action.

There's no option or preference choice in Adobe Reader X to turn this off, but there is a very easy fix:

1. Create a new text file on your desktop. To do this, right click on the desktop and select New » Text Document.
   
   
   
   
2. Rename the file to: NoWelcome.reg
   
   (Make sure that you can see file extensions and change the name from New Text
   Document.txt to NoWelcome.reg - this should prompt Windows to ask if you are sure that you want to change the file type.)
   
   
   
   
3. Copy the text contained inside the box below and paste it into your new file. Save and close the file.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\10.0\FeatureLockDown\cWelcomeScreen] "bShowWelcomeScreen"=dword:00000000

4. Double-click on that file, agree with all of the prompts and warnings, and the "Welcome" screen will be gone.

 

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.