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|   Sept. 20, 2008—Vol. 12, No. 38 Support this free newsletter—please visit our advertisers
HOW TO CALL ME DURING THE SHOW
 LITTLE TIDBITS TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW • Amazon: Without much fanfare, Amazon dropped its 30-day refunds. The site used to refund you any discounts that happened within 30 days of a purchase. So, if you have any programs installed watching for Amazon.com discounts, you might as well remove them. • Still playing poker online? I think it's a losing game. First, it's illegal. I also doubt, as I've said for years, that it is legitimate. It seems a lot easier to cheat online than in a casino. As it turns out, I was right. One of the top 10 poker sites allegedly had cheaters. They could see their opponents' hole cards. MSNBC has the full story. • If you use the site StumbleUpon, cancel the account. eBay hired a firm to sell the site, which has 6 million registered owners. You don't know where your account information will end up. • Microsoft released another beta version of Internet Explorer. You can download it here. • Microsoft released more Windows Vista ads this week. They're supposed to convince people Vista is as cool as a Mac. I think they're wasting their money. This ad campaign is not very powerful. If you want to watch the commercials, you can find them here. DON'T READ THIS UNLESS YOU ARE A TECHIE I needed to figure out what the heck was wrong. So, I installed Process Explorer. This free program tells you what is running in the background. I had forgotten how great this little program is. It's brother is AutoRuns. I used that to see what programs were loading with Windows. I also could see what the Windows Registry entries looked like. Using both, I found the culprit—Symantec's Enterprise Security Software. I tweaked the settings and life is good once more. If you need these free techie programs, click here. SHARE ALERT: I am sure at least one person in your address book could learn a thing or two. So pay it forward. Send them this newsletter with a little recommendation that they join the Komando Clan, too! Today only, enter to win a Microsoft Bundle of Goodies. In one pretty box, we'll deliver to the winner the following: a Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 keyboard, LifeCam VX-7000 Webcam and Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000. This is $259.85 worth of great stuff! Tomorrow, you have a chance to win a Lifescribe SmartPen. This is a computer within a pen. It records and syncs audio with whatever you write, so you never miss a word. Simply tap on your words or drawings with Pulse to replay what was recorded from the moment you began writing. The Pulse smartpen also has a built-in calculator and piano to allow you to write basic math problems on paper and get the answer or draw a piano and play music. It's a $150 value. You could win, too! Here are some of the fantastic prizes you can win: Just remember: To win daily, you have to enter daily. Here's a secret: Not all people who visit my site, get these newsletters, listen to the show, etc. enter our contests. I don't know what the odds are of winning. But I bet they're a lot better than your state lottery's! Hurry over to the Giveaway site and enter today's drawing now! Afterwards, check your e-mail for an exclusive offer from our eStore. And come back here for your weekly dose of digital delight. TELL YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY: Maybe they could win, too! Share this link! http://gotd.komando.com TELL THE WORLD: If you have your own Web site, blog, newsletter or other form of electronic communication, go here: There, you will find the short code that you can use to get some very attractive artwork to jazz up your site. You can help us promote the Sweepstakes, too! So click here now and then, post the code! CAN'T SWIM, RUN OR DUNK THE BALL? CHECK MY VIDEOS! Why not cut the grass and trim the shrubs? Ha, ha, ha! Actually, I suggest you take a look at my daily videos. If you've dallied at YouTube, you know there's plenty of dreck available. Well, I work hard at picking my videos. No dreck for me! Most of these videos are funny; some are startling. All are interesting.Here are some of the most popular videos from the past week:
• Ever yell at your PC? This one fights back! • Leslie Lemke was born severely disabled. Today, he is a professional pianist. • Watch this video and you'll know why helium and sulfur hexafluoride changes your voice. I started running Videos of the Day in March. So, you may have missed some. No problem. They're in our archives. Here are a few oldies but goodies:
• You know the song, American Pie. Watch this YouTube video for the song's meaning. • Do you like cats? You'll love this video about what they all seem to do. • This one is hard to believe. But this horse really is more like a dog.
And if you want to see who may be the best aerobatic pilot in the world, make a note now to check Komando.com for Sunday's Video of the Day. I really like this one a lot. NOTE: Are you having trouble seeing my daily video picks? Do you get a message that the video is not available? Sorry to say, it's probably not the video. It's your computer, my friend. Get help on my troubleshooting page. These problems are pretty easy to fix. EASY-TO-FIND, DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE However, that's what I do. This week, I presented seven downloads. Here are four I really liked. Remember, they're all free! Just click the links below to visit my site. But come back here to finish reading this weekend's newsletter. There are still plenty of goodies to come!
• Do you always have multiple windows open on your PC? This program can help you manage them! • Looking for an alternative search site? How about getting your search results in 3D? • Not all versions of Microsoft Office are compatible. Convert your documents with this program. • Google Earth is great. Habitat sounds from different parts of the world would make it better. I've got the links! • Studying the Bible can be a huge task. Now you can organize the Bible and your notes with this easy-to-use program. Want a tip? Before you buy a program, search the downloads at Komando.com. Better yet, bookmark the Downloads page. Once there, press Ctrl and the letter D. That will add my downloads section to your browser's favorites! Saturday's download—How'd you like to learn a foreign language or brush up on your math? Want to study computer engineering or robotics? Maybe you want to brush up on your music, history, psychology or philosophy? I've selected the best places online to take a lesson for free! PRIVACY AND SECURITY TIP: Prevent e-mail hacks STILL TO COME: Useful tips, important news and a few laughs!
• Be more productive. Use two monitors • Important security tips; and some awesome freebies! Back to the top   EXPENSIVE CONVERTER BOXES OFFER MORE FEATURES First Bob, let's make sure everyone knows what we're talking about. Converter boxes will change TV signals from digital to analog. That's necessary because all TV broadcasting will be digital next February. Old televisions are analog. Without the conversion, they couldn't even get a test pattern! This only applies to folks who use an antenna to watch TV. If you get TV through cable or satellite, a converter is unnecessary. Your provider should take care of all that. The government is mailing coupons to people with analog TVs. They're for $40 each. They'll offset the purchase of cheap converter boxes. But they won't apply against more expensive boxes. So there's one difference, right there. You're right about the prices, Bob. I did a quick, thoroughly unscientific study online. Most prices seem to fall between $50 and $75. Some were under $50, and others topped $100. Why, you could approach $200 if you really tried. Low-price models will get you the conversion. Most probably have monaural sound. They may not let you switch between wide-screen and standard 4:3 display. On the expensive end, stereo sound should be a given. You'll also find the ability to switch modes. And some boxes include a DVR or DVD recorder. How much should you pay? Well, remember that you're putting the money into an old technology. If the TV dies, your fancy, schmancy converter box will be useless. Ultimately, it's an economic decision. You know what you can afford. Personally, I'd buy a high-definition set, and forget this converter box business. The difference in the pictures is striking. And I don't want to pour money into a dying technology. Don't miss these links about digital television:
• How to get a converter box coupon • Calibrate your TV for a better picture • What you need to know to buy an HDTV • Making movies fit your HDTV MAKE YOUR LAPTOP'S SCREEN BRIGHTER There is a solution, Glenn. It's one of those chew-bubble-gum-while-you-walk deals. Somewhere on your keyboard, you'll find a key marked "fn." You also have a key with a small screen drawn on it. It will have an arrow pointing up. This is where dexterity comes in. Depress the fn key. While it's depressed, tap the other key. Keep tapping until you're satisfied. There is a downside. That pretty and bright display consumes more battery power. But heck, your eyes are worth it! Here are some other goodies you'll find helpful:
• Vista laptop users: This freebie will watch your battery • Mac laptop users: We have a freebie for you, too! CAN SURGES KNOCK OUT A UPS? Richard, your UPS includes a surge suppressor. If your computer is working OK, the surge suppressor is doing its job. Surge suppressors carry a joule rating. That rating gives you an idea of how much surge suppression it can take. Surge suppressors wear out, eventually. Batteries also go dead, sooner or later. If you're getting electrical interruptions, the battery could be worn. We've had our current UPS's for a year, and they're showing wear. You may have a UPS rebuilder in your area. Ask if they will check yours if you bring it in. Many UPS's are expensive, and don't appear to do anything. But they can save you from a lot of grief. Don't miss these important tidbits: HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PODCASTS? I HAVE ANSWERS KEEP YOUR PC RUNNING LIKE NEW TELL THE WORLD TO GO KOMANDO
• I think everyone should be using two monitors. Back to the top
 WORK SMARTER WITH A SECOND MONITORHow'd you like to increase your office productivity by as much as 50 percent? Add a second monitor to your computer setup. Once you do, you'll never go back to a single screen. For example, open a document or presentation on one monitor. Use the other to conduct research on the Web. Or, see your e-mail arrive as you work. Photo editors really benefit from having an image open on one monitor and the tool bars in full view on the second. Video editing suddenly becomes almost as easy as the television commercials promise. Adding a second monitor to your system is easy. Your computer needs a dual-output video card. Or, you can add a second video card to your current machine. A dual-output video card runs about $100, depending on the specifications. A single-output card costs slightly less. Before you buy, check your existing card. It may already support dual monitors. Many newer computers do. Installing a video card isn't difficult. But you may not want to mess with it. An electronics store can install a card for a fee. Do you get tired of flipping back and forth on your single monitor? Dual setups are easy. I've got all the facts in my free column. Just click here! A LITTLE ABOUT ME: HOW TO CALL ME DURING THE SHOW WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
• Replace your dead DVD burner Back to the top 
Phelps, you seem really upset about this change. It actually is not a problem. You can set up your e-mail programs to download mail. Google's Gmail, a free service, will work with Outlook 2002, 2003 and 2007. It also works with Apple Mail 3.0, Outlook Express, Thunderbird 2.0 and Windows Mail. Gmail isn't your only option. You can also download from Hotmail. You will have to join either one of them. I prefer Gmail. So I'll tell you how to set up Windows Mail there. I have instructions for Hostmail below. Start with Gmail by opening an account. Click on Create an Account and fill out the form. After the account is created, go to the Gmail Help Center. Under Access Choices, click POP. In the next window, click Windows Mail. In Windows Mail, click Tools>>Accounts>>Add. Be sure Email Account is selected. Click Next. Enter your full Gmail e-mail address. Click Next. Fill in the server information. The "Incoming e-mail server type" is POP3. The "Incoming mail (POP3 or IMAP) server" is pop.gmail.com. The "Outgoing e-mail server (SMTP) name" is smtp.gmail.com. Check "Outgoing server requires authentication." Click Next. Enter your full Gmail address and password. Be sure that "Remember password" is checked. Click Next>>Finish. This will put you into the Internet Accounts window. Your Gmail account should be selected. Click Properties. Select the Advanced tab. Find Outgoing mail (SMTP) and enter 465 in the box. Check the boxes next to the two lines that say "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)." The box next to "Incoming mail (POP3)" will show the number 995. Click OK>>Close. To download your mail, click Send/Receive. In case you were wondering, Yahoo! also lets you download e-mail. But you have to pay for Mail Plus, which is $19.99 annually. There is a small program that will get you in for free. The download link is on my site. But that's extra trouble. So, I'd just avoid Yahoo! Hotmail has an interesting solution to this issue. You can download a program, Windows Live Mail. This program will download e-mail from other services, in addition to Hotmail. After downloading and installing Windows Live Mail, click Tools>> Accounts. Click Add. Click E-mail Account>>Next. Enter your e-mail address, password and name, and click Next. Windows Live Mail will attempt to detect your settings. If it can't, follow the instructions in the program. As I said, I like Gmail. Google always does a great job. I think Hotmail is harder to use. And my accounts there have always filled with spam. So, it's up to you. Look at them both and see what you think.A MESSSAGE FROM THE KOMANDO.COM POSTMASTER
STILL TO COME IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION:
• When a good burner goes bad Back to the top
HELLO! WELCOME NEW KOMANDO AFFILIATES! TIME CHANGE IN MIAMI MY AFFILIATE FAMILY FREE GRAND FORKS, ND
THE CLUB AT KOMANDO.COM THE STATION FINDER STILL TO COME IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION:
• What to do when your burner won't burn
KIM'S TIPS FOR KOMANDO KIDS: Save money on text messaging CONTEST SITE: A green home makeover FREEBIE OF THE WEEK: Just erase it FREEBIE FROM KOMANDO.COM: Expand your dreams GET A COOL SITE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
THIS WEEK'S FOCUS: Learn something new online All the children are back at school or college. What are you doing with yourself? Why not learn something? Going back to school may not be possible. But the Web has plenty of sites for learning on your own. I'll show you some of the coolest and most professional. Let's keep it going; there's plenty more to cover:
QUICKTIME HAS ANOTHER SERIOUS FLAW Now attack code has been posted for a new vulnerability. At present, it just causes a crash. But it may also let someone run code on a target machine. No one, including the hacker who posted the code, is sure. Whatever, this is really ridiculous. When will Apple get this program right? Maybe that smarmy guy in the "I'm an Apple" commercial could help. Until Apple updates QuickTime (yet again!), I'd avoid using it.GET YOUR FREE SECURITY SOFTWARE HERE SHARE IT: Spread the word. Share the link to my security center with your family, friends, baseball team—everyone! They will thank you for it! Back to the top
 Fortunately, they're easy to replace when necessary. But before you do that, try some other things. Are you using a no-name CD-R? You can buy stacks of those things for little money. However, there's still a fair amount of technology involved in manufacturing these. So, try a name brand. Personally, I like Verbatim. Was the partitioning disc molded? If so, it should be OK. But if you're using a burned disc, it could be bad. Try a disc that has been molded, rather than burned. CD-Rs and -RWs can go bad over time. Are you inserting the disc correctly? I assume you know which way it works. For the record, the label goes up. I suppose this could be a driver issue. Drivers are programs that tell Windows how to interface with the burner. To check the driver, click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click System. Select the Hardware tab. Click Device Manager. Click the + mark next to DVD/CD-ROM drives. Your burner should be listed under DVD/CD-ROM drives. Right-click it and select Properties. On the General tab, look under "Device status." It may say the burner is operating normally. Click Troubleshoot anyway. Work through that to see if it helps. I wouldn't expect miracles, but you never know. Assuming the drive still won't work, the next step is the lights. The amber and green lights mean different things. But the result is the same: In Plextor's words, "your drive is most likely defective." Unless it is under warranty, you should buy a new drive. Do not even think about getting the old one fixed. I doubt you could find a repair person. Even if you could, replacement would almost certainly be cheaper. You can do this replacement yourself. But before you start, a word about static electricity. It can destroy your computer. Always touch the computer box's frame before reaching in. That will ground you. Unplug the computer. I'd remove all the other cables, too. You'll need to remove at least one side panel on the computer. Usually, there are two or three screws at the back. Remove them. Slide the side panel back. It will probably come right off. You might have to remove both side panels. If so, the other one should work the same way. Before removing the old drive, study its installation. Feel free to take pictures with a digital camera or cell phone. There should be two or three cables attached to the back. They are the power cable, a data ribbon cable and perhaps an audio cable. (You could have a serial ATA drive. In that case, you won't have a ribbon cable. The serial ATA cable will be much less bulky. Given the age of your computer, I'd expect a ribbon cable.) The DVD burner may be on the same cable as the hard drive. That's not a big deal. Just set up the new drive the same way as the old. You may not have an audio cable. Don't worry about that. Again, set up the new drive the same way as the old one. Remove the screws holding the DVD drive in. Don't lose the screws. Slide the drive out the front. (Some computers have plastic snaps, not screws. Others let you pull out the drive bay and remove the drive. Or, your drive could be mounted on rails, which slide into the box. If you can't figure yours out, put everything back and check the Web. Find something that looks like yours. Read the instructions.) Take the drive to the store with you. I always get name brands. That makes me feel better. The new drive should be the same as the old—IDE or serial. Remember: If you have a ribbon cable, you need IDE. A new drive will run you $50 or $60. The new drive goes in the same way as the old. Hook up the power and data (ribbon or serial) cables correctly. Check your pictures if you're not sure. Also, the new drive should have installation instructions. They probably include a diagram. Don't forget the jumper on the back of the drive. Again, use the old drive as your guide. Install the audio cable if you have one. IF I HELPED YOU, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? 1. Tell your co-workers, employees, team members, fantasy sports buddies, family members and friends to check us out. I have a form that makes it easy. 2. Link your blog, online profile or site to my site. Instructions and cool artwork await you. Have a great weekend. Thank you for your support of my show and newsletters! I appreciate it! Kim :)
 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT HONEY BEES Some people say that bees die during the winter, but I think they just hivernate. See you on the show! And don't forget, you can be part of the show. Just call me when I am live in the studio. That's this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Call me toll-free, 1-888-825-5254. Kim :) GET MORE TIPS FROM ME TO YOU
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Last night, I decided to partition my hard drive. I put a CD into my Plextor DVD burner. To my surprise, the burner would not read it. I put in a music disc that I burned some time ago. The burner wouldn't read that, either. The yellow and green lights are flashing, five blinks at a time. I have a 2.8 Pentium 4 and Windows XP. What gives?
Optical drives are really reliable. So we are shocked when they fail. I've used Plextor drives in the past without any drama. Unfortunately, it sounds like yours has died. 
Copyright © 2008, The Kim Komando Show. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of The Kim Komando Show is prohibited and strictly enforced. Newsletters may contain links to sites on the Internet owned and operated by third parties. The Kim Komando Show is not responsible for the availability of, or the content located on or through, any such third-party site. Information in this document is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from infringement. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. We will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this information, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages. You may also unsubscribe by sending a request via postal mail. Please include your name, e-mail address and a printed copy of your Newsletter e-mail. Send to: |
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