InBox

By DON McALLISTER

Welcome to InBox, where we attempt to answer your internet questions.

Q. Jason noticed his Windows XP slowed to a crawl in late March. Outlook, for instance, takes many seconds to start. "Curiously the only programs I've added are a few Microsoft updates. Could they be the cause?" he asks.

A. Yes, Jason. It seems the Microsoft patch team made a mess of Security Patch 811493 and are currently working hard on a solution. Officially they recommend leaving the offending security patch installed until they resolve the issue. If the update is causing dramatic problems, removing the update works a treat. Go to Start/Control Panel/Add Remove programs. Look down the list for "Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q811493". Highlight it and hit remove. But removing this update may make you vulnerable to the attack it was designed to eliminate. See Microsoft security.

Q. Marg's daughter in London sent her a web-cam as a great way to keep in touch. Unfortunately, the sound isn't working either end when they try to chat!

A. Double click the little speaker icon beside the clock, Marg. Click on Options/Properties and place a tick beside "Mic". Click OK, Remove the tick from the "Mute" box under Mic. Get your daughter to do the same. By default, the Microphone level is muted in most versions of Windows.

Q. Mike is concerned that a site recently visited listed his IP address (personal internet connection number) address and a few other details specific to his computer.

A. A good firewall should hide most of those details, Mike.

Check out Tucows where a smorgasbord of firewalls is available for download in demo/shareware or even freeware options. Popular firewall sites include:

Zone Alarm

Symantec

McAfee Security


Q. Lainie asks how to fix a Zfree-sourced Internet Explorer which has its "Help" pointing to the defunct Zfree help site. She asks: "Can the browser be made to ignore the original supplier's addresses?"

A. You can rid yourself of the Zfree ghost by downloading the latest version of Internet Explorer, Lainie. The new version will overwrite the out-of-date addresses and take on standard Microsoft settings.


* Email us your question about the internet