I believe this will fit in with Beginner Issues, since I am computer stupid.

Computer use is something I do and find relaxing after work. I expect it to run, as my car does. I don't claim to be a mechanic when I only know how to check oil, put air in tires, or put gas in it. The same idea goes for my computer!

I got sick of paying high prices for cable net and even dropped the net completely for about six months. I'm now using cheap $10/mo Netscape.

Here is one problem. I get off work tonight and my computer is definitely not right! I can get on the net. My top bar is gone. Where did it go and why? Do I need to re-instal the program?

What happened to my browser? I use Firefox. It was here last night, but can't even find that this browser ever existed at all.

My browser and Netscape bar are both gone. The computer always fires a home page when I log on to the net. It isn't showing up at all. I can't hit a link from Outlook and get the page, as I always could.

I also have a big problem with a vast many programs that fire as the computer is turned on. This thing was slow with cable net! Using msconfig, I got rid of all start up programs. Where do I go to get rid of all optional programs that I don't need, until I choose to open them?

Cheap 56k is not a whole lot slower than my cable net after shutting down all these unnecessary start up programs. They are back!

Any advice?

We can't be of much help without the basic computer information; make/model/Operating System, etc. This page may help you to determine your machine's specifics: Computer Help.

In the meantime, the toolbars you mentioned may have been turned off, or they may have been accidentally dragged out of your view.

Look in the View menu for Toolbars. The items you want to show should be checked. If they aren't, click the item to turn it on.

If the item(s) you want are checked, they may have been dragged out of your sight. If you carefully position your cursor near a separation bar you can drag it so you can see the toolbar better. The toolbar must be unlocked before you will see the separation bars.

See this picture

Are you running anti-spyware? If so, please let us know which ones and verify that they are up-to-date. If you're not sure, please open the program and run the update/scan to see if any spyware is found and removed.

Finally, you can check your Web browser for any "hijacks" using this site: Click here

Dwight

My computer is about a 5 year old Windows XP. I work second shift. My 15 year old daughter knows a lot more about computers than I do.

Could this be a problem? I was using Firefox as the primary browser. My daughter likes Explorer. She deleted Firefox saying it makes the computer run too slow.

I am at work before she comes home from school. She is asleep when I get off work. She apparently deleted Firefox, but did not set Explorer to be the primary browser.

Could this be the reason I cannot use a link to AP e-mail? I use Outlook Express. I hit the e-mail link to the auto-respond when a topic you posted on gets a reply, but it didn't work. I had to go to AP and find the topic, not use the link that wouldn't work at all.

Hmmm....I just finished the Firefox download and my Netscape tool bar re-appeared!

New topic! Is Internet Explorer any faster than Firefox as a primary browser?

Thanks for your help Dwight! You are a great help to us Computer Stupid people!!

"...did not set Explorer to be the primary browser. Could this be the reason I cannot use a link to AP e-mail?"

Yes, you need to set IE as your default.
You could reinstall FF and set it as the default.

You set the default in the Control Panel --> Internet Options applet (Classic view or Network and Internet Connections in the Category view).

As to which browser is faster, all the variations will have their proponents. It seems to me it depends a bit on the types of sites you visit. I use Internet Explorer, but I have tried several of the alternatives including Netscape and Fire Fox. I settled on Internet Explorer because I know this software the best, so it is the fastest for me.

Is FF faster than IE?

Generally there is no reason a computer can't run both versions. You use the one you like, your daughter using the one she prefers. However, an agreement will need to be made about the program defaults (which are set in Internet Options in the Control Panel).

But in the long run, it might be easiest for you two if each of you has your own separate login. That way changes she makes within her login won't affect your preferences within your login.

Add an additional login for you daughter in the Control Panel/User Accounts (Category View) or User Accounts (Classic View).

As for Toolbars, I recommend that you uninstall any "third party" toolbars, including the Netscape toolbar. They have a tendency to slow down the system and they don't do anything for you that you can't do yourself manually. But again, that is a personal preference and if you really like it, then use it as you see fit. If problems develops, you can uninstall it, then reinstall it to try to fix it.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to run effective Spyware protection. You can download three very good one free from my site at:

http://dwightblackburn.com#spyware

I would recommend "SpywareBlaster" as the most important of these because it is preventative, but the other two (Ad-Aware and Spybots) are important as removal tools.

The "Hijack This" is very good also, but it does require a much higher level of expertize.

My computer ran this slow because of 'start up programs' using cable net. I used msconfig and got rid of this.

Question, how do I use msconfig and get rid of optional programs vs. needed ones for the computer to work right?

This page by Paul Collins has an excellent explanation about using MSCONFIG to control your startup programs:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm

You will need to leave necessary utilities like your anti-virus running for instance.

Windows XP is much better at controlling memory than earlier windows versions.

Perhaps the greater concern is how much RAM memory your system has. In this day and age, I would suggest a minimum value of 1 Gb (1024 Mb) of RAM.

You can check your RAM amount by right clicking on the "My Computer" icon (either on the Desktop or in the Start menu) and choosing "Properties"

Look at the bottom of the System Properties Window in the General tab for the amount of RAM in your system.

See this picture

I like the company "Crucial" to purchase memory. It is simple to figure out what memory board your system requires and their prices are very competitive. The memory itself works very well. Best of all, they provide very easy to follow directions for installing the memory board.

http://crucial.com

Look for the Memory tool on the top right side of the page.

I hope this helps!

Dwight