But first I will need to know...

I will need to know what Make your computer is: Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Gateway, etc.

And what Model it is: HP 8190, or Presario 5600, or Gateway 2000, etc.

I'll also need to know the Operating System (OS) you're running: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 2^nd Edition, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME), Windows XP (Home Edition or Pro)

You can determine your Operating System by right clicking on the "My Computer" icon (either on the Desktop or in the Start/Programs menu). Then left click on "Properties". Please also note what Sevice Pack you're running: SP2 for instance.

It often is a big help to know what Web browser program you're using: Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera, other.

And the Web browser program version number.

You can determine which version number you have in most any program by clicking on the "Help" menu and then on "About..."

And finally, please describe the problem you're having in as much detail as you can. If you're seeing an error message, please tell me what the message says. (See below for more on error messages). Tell me if the problem occurs every time you do something, or if it is an occasional thing.

If you're wanting to know how to do something, please tell me exactly what it is you want. For instance, if you're trying to print out only a portion of an email message instead of the entire thing.

Taking a "Screen Shot" and sending me the picture also helps.

If you need to identfy a system component, like a graphics adapter for instance, the PC Wizard 2006 may be very helpful. It will provide you with all the details that you may need to know about your system.

I will try to assist you if I can. Another, perhaps even better option, is to use the Computer Experts at http://answerpool.com Once the site opens, go to the "Computer" section and ask your question. If you haven't already joined, you will need to register to ask a question. It is completely free of charge. Feel free to do both, email me and ask at AnswerPool. I regularly read the posts at answerpool and so may be one of the ones who attempts to answer you!

If you see a "Details" button on the error message, click that. It will show you more information. This shows the "Details" open.

In this type of error message, take note of the missing file. The corrective action is to find and reinstall the file.

This shows the "Details" open, with the important part of the message highlighted. Once highlighted, you can right click on the highlighted area and choose "copy". Then you can paste the information from the box into an email message to send to me.

Here is how:

(1) Copy it by clicking into the box on the left side of the first word (in this case, where it says "IEXPLORE").

(2) Then press and hold your left mouse button and drag it to where it says "65369256.". Release your mouse button and the section should be highlighted as shown in the picture above.

(3) Once the section is selected, press the Ctrl key and the "C" key together (or right-click on the highlight, and then left click on "Copy").

(4) Then open a program to paste the information into (a new email message, or Notepad, etc.)

(5) You can click into the body and

(6) Click "Edit/Paste" or just press the "Ctrl" and "V" keys together.

*Note: Those numbers under the word "Registers:" in this example are meaningless except to the programer. Don't bother copying those unless you're going to send the information to the program's author.

This is a irritating error message that you will see occasionally when browsing the Internet. It is telling you that the author of the Web page you're viewing has made an error on the page. You cannot do anything about the error (except perhaps emailing the Webmaster to report the error).

You can disable this dialog in the "advanced" configuration options. To do that:

In Internet Explorer

(1) Click Tools

(2) Click Internet Options

(3) Click the Advanced tab

(4) Click to uncheck the option, "Display a notification about every script error."

(5) I suggest you check the option, "Disable script debugging" as well.

(6) Click OK.

Netscape Navigator

(1) Open Control Panel

(2) Open Internet Options

(3) Follow steps 3 - 6 above

Finally, you can take a "screenshot" of the error message using your "Print Scrn" key.

Print Scrn copies the screen image to the clipboard. If you want to see this in action:

1. Press the Print Scrn key. (Usually, located on the top row of your keyboard, to the right of the F12 key)

2. Open a graphics program (like Paint, or even MS Word) and do a paste

(Right click/Paste or CTRL + V keys).

3. You'll see the screen image.

4. If you want to capture only a window on the screen:

• press and hold the ALT  key, then the Print Scrn key. The image copied will be only the active window.

• use your graphics program's "Save" command in the "File" menu.

I would like to hear from you with any comments or suggestions you have about improving this site. Also, let me know if there is a Windows procedure or problem you would like to see discussed here. Email me:

Dwight Blackburn

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