http://faqsoflife.net The Answers I give to the Questions I'm asked the most Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:50:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I've encountered an issue recently on a few machines with Windows Update on Windows XP machines after installing Service Pack 3 on them. Essentially, the updates get downloaded but not installed. There are a ton of various fixes for Windows Updates but this patch from Microsoft resloves this particular ... http://faqsoflife.net/2008/07/15/issue-with-windows-updates-after-installing-xp-sp3/ Came across an Outlook 2003 issue today that I've only seen one previous time. Basically, Outlook functions normally but in the right corner of the status bar, it lists sending 1 of x number of messages. However, there are no messages in the outbox. If you see this you ... http://faqsoflife.net/2008/06/04/yet-another-outlook-issue-sending-1-of/ Here’s a problem that I encountered for the second time in recent weeks. Thought I’d pass it along, hopefully saving some frustration… Here the scenario: New user/profile setup on computer where Office 2007 was installed using a different profile.  New Local user has full admin rights to local machine. After configuring Outlook 2007 ... http://faqsoflife.net/2008/05/05/outlook-2007-bug-when-setting-up-a-new-user/ One of the features that I get a lot of questions is about the Outlook 2003 (and 2007) auto complete function and it's relation, or lack there of, to Outlook Contacts. Anyone that has used Outlook for any length of time knows what I'm talking about; when you open ... http://faqsoflife.net/2008/04/17/where-did-all-of-my-outlook-addressescontacts-go/ RBL (Real-time black lists) are very effective spam blocking mechanism.  However, like any spam prevention solution, it is far from perfect and legitimate email can be blocked as well.  An RBL is a list of IP addresses that an email server will not accept email from.  This is very effective ... http://faqsoflife.net/2008/03/19/getting-off-of-a-rbl/ One of the most common questions that I get is about email "bounces" - why did this message get returned?? The funny part is, the more time I spend managing email servers, the more surprised I am that any email ever gets to the intended recipients! That said, we ... http://faqsoflife.net/2008/03/19/why-didnt-my-email-go-though/ I've been thinking a lot about what people's expectations of the computer repair industry since watching a recent CBC "undercover investigation." The premise was a TV new producer had 10 different technicians from various chains come to a private home to diagnose and hopefully repair a broken computer ... http://faqsoflife.net/2007/10/05/in-home-computer-repair/ As a IT professional/computer geek, I have to stay current with the latest mainstream (meaning Microsoft) operating systems. While I've had access to Vista since November of 2006, I'm still running XP and have absolutely zero motivation for "upgrading."   And I'm not alone. While XP to Vista upgrades ... http://faqsoflife.net/2007/10/02/why-is-vista-not-gaining-traction/ First of all, WAIT! If at all possible wait. The next version of Windows, called "Vista" is just around the corner. It is due to be released for business customers in November and for home users in January. Vista is the replacement for Windows XP. ... http://faqsoflife.net/2006/10/24/i-want-to-get-a-new-pc-what-should-i-get/ I make my living working on computers. Network Engineer or IT Consultant are the preferred titles but most of the time I'm referred to as the "computer guy." With over 11 years experience in the computer service industry and the last six years as a 'consultant' you would ... http://faqsoflife.net/2006/10/19/can-you-help-me-with-my-computer-at-home/