Some fixes for problems

Locate Link Browser

A window pops up when you try to open a link from Microsoft Outlook which says "Locate Link Browser" when Firefox is set as the default browser. Almost every so-called "solution" to this problem you will find involves URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol and changing the DDE settings, but this never worked long term. I finally found the answer with a registry edit and this worked perfectly. I stopped having the problem for years but when I set my computer up for multiple users it started occurring again. It took me a long time to find the solution (again!) so am making note of it this time. http://johnhaller.com/jh/mozilla/firefox_bug_246078.asp In case that link does not work, here's the file.

Windows spawn or display off the screen when using multiple monitors

This can happen with single monitors, too. You start a program or change it from full to partial screen and it disappears. It is still open somewhere you know since you see it displayed in the Windows task bar or you see it zoom off the screen when it is opened from the task bar. You can right click on the program in the task bar and choose Maximize and you can see it, but you can otherwise run it in non-full screen mode. One of these three methods might be required.

1. Right click on the program in the task bar and choose Move then you can use keyboard arrows and sometimes the mouse to move it into place.

2. If this does not work, right click on the Desktop and go to Properties->Settings. Temporarily changing the Primary Display will usually show the program window. Then you can move it then change the primary display back, and Apply.

3. If this does not work you can temporarily change the monitor orientation on the Properties->Settings by dragging the right window to the left or vice-versa.

4. If there are multiple users on the computer, it is sometimes necessary to do this from the other user account, especially if the DIsplay Properties windows displays off-screen since it does not provide a task bar icon.

Acronis True Image takes forever to Analyze a Partition

Disable the Distributed Link Tracking Client service with msconfig. The problem ceased. When I re-enable it, the problem returns. This is repeatable. I have now disabled the service permanently, and True Image works normally.

Other links http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=1151449

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=195219

NewEgg is one of the the most popular and least expensive online merchants to buy computer components, upgrades, software, and peripherals. They also offer prebuilt personal computers, or for the technophiles, all the components necessary to build them oneself. In addition, NewEgg is also one of the best places to buy MP3, AVI, and iPod players, DVD players, LCD monitors, home theater equipment, and other consumer electronicsonline. Their selection, pricing, and customer service are excellent. Shipping is very fast since they offer Priority Mail shipping for smaller items and ship same day in most cases, plus they usually offer shipping discounts where shipping is very inexpensive or even better, offer free shipping promos on many of their products. When there is a shipping cost, they state it in the product descriptions, as well as allow a large number of products, up to 100, to be shown in category and search displays.NewEgg has a huge Customer Review forum, with customer feedback of products. Overall website design is clean and uncluttered. NewEgg was formerly known as Egghead Software, a computer and software store which once operated a large number of brick-and-mortar stores throughout the US, but now has mostly an online presence.

Tiger Direct is the next best place to buy computer components, upgrades, software, and peripherals online, similar to NewEgg. They offer prebuilt personal computers, or for the technophiles, all the components necessary to build them oneself. Like NewEgg, they offer MP3 and iPod players, DVD players, LCD monitors, home theater equipment, and other consumer electronics, with excellent selection and pricing. Note that many of their best-priced items require rebates, a definite minus, but common among electronics retailers. Website design is a bit cluttered on the homepage. The major difference which stands Tiger Direct apart from NewEgg in online shopping is that Tiger Direct charges way too much for shipping, and it's usually slow (3 to 7 day) ground shipping. Shipping costs are based on total cost of the order so if you buy a high end motherboard and an expensive iPod, which might weigh 4 lbs total, it could cost $30 or more shipping, although it might only cost an extra couple dollars for a 2 day air upgrade. Compare this to NewEgg where the shipping would cost about $12 to as little as free if there were free shipping promos on the items at the time. Tax is levied on Tiger Direct orders to Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina.

Best Buy, like Circuit City below, is another large national retailer of computers, software electronics, home theater, audio systems, TVs, cameras, appliances, music and videos, and office products. The best things about Best Buy are the prices and selection, oftenamong the best in a number of product categories, but they are not known for their customer service.  However, it is a very popular merchant and Best Buy's pricing usually overcomes the fear of getting poor customer service if it's needed. Best Buy is now associated with Geek Squad, a home computer service, and some promotions offer a free visit. Near the top left of the Best Buy homepage is a button titled "Weekly Ad " which details sales, free shipping promotions, and other weekly specials. Further down on the page is a bar which further details sales events, free shipping events, Wednesday sales, and the Best Buy outlet store. Other features of the website design are excellent, including large thumbnails for some product display pages, and smaller ones if more on a page are desired to display. Sales tax is charged in the 32 states in which Best Buy has a retail store.

Circuit City is the very large national retailer of consumer electronic products with over 600 stores and 40,000 employees, and is one of the oldest chains in this genre, started in 1949 in Richmond, VA as a television store. Although they still carry TVs (over 100 models in all price ranges) they are also known for their excellent selection of audio and home theater components, computers, cameras, office products, and auto electronics all at great prices. They feature customer reviews and ratings of many of their products (always an excellent feature!) with a graphical display to summarize the ratings. There are usually free shipping promotions with a small order (as little as $25) and free in-store pickup for larger items if there is a retail outlet nearby. However, tax is charged in the states in which they have a retail presence, and this is most of them.

Surplus Computers bills itself as "The Best Discount Computer Outlet Anywhere!!  Guaranteed!!"  After viewing their website, you may agree. They have excellent prices and a vast selection of items, but they change constantly. Besides computers, components, and laptops, they carry consumer electronics including MP3 players, tools, some automotive accessories, and toys. It is worth checking the website often to see what's available. The minimum shipping charge is $6 for UPS ground (up to 10 days) with 2 day air offered as an option. Surplus Computers has a 10,000 sq ft brick and mortar outlet in Silicon Valley and a large warehouse in San Jose. They purchase manufacturer and corporate excess, overstock, and slightly obsolete inventories in large quantities to maximize the savings to you. Their motto is, "We specialize in the trailing edge of technology and if we can’t get a great deal you won’t see it in our store or on our site."

Net2Phone offers the service of having your phone connected to your broadband internet service so the local phone company can be dumped.  Their most popular plan features unlimited calls to US and Canada for $30 per month. All monthly calling plans include voice mail, call waiting, caller ID, 3-way calling, and call forwarding at no extra charge. There are also plans which allow unlimited calls to Europe ($40) as well as plans for Asia, Israel, and India, but these last three have limited minutes (up to 500). Net2Phone sells a few phones that work like regular phones, but still must be connected to a PC (USB connection). A feature that appeals to some people is to be able to choose the area code (almost anywhere in the US) in which their number is based so that people who call you from that area code are not subject to long distance charges (but then again, people who live nearby will have to pay long distance charges!)  Net2Phone also offers calling cards with an excellent rate per minute (even overseas) as well as a PC to phone service, using a microphone and speakers on your PC to converse.

WebPhone is another service that allows one to make a call over a broadband connection, and in some cases via dialup. Instead of monthly rates for either unlimited or in some cases a limited number of minutes per month as with Net2Phone, WebPhone charges by the minute. However, the cost is very inexpensive, with calls to the US at around 2 cents per minute and most of Europe for 4 cents per minute (up to .31 per min in Arab countries and more in remote countries). WebPhone recommends using a good headset, which is attached to the computer soundcard, and provides software which displays a phone graphic to make the call. Calling time is purchased beforehand and the phone window shows the balance updated in realtime as calls are made.

MicroCenter Online is an excellent source for personal computers, peripherals, and software. Pricing is very good but usually not as cheap as NewEgg or Tiger Direct. Their store brand personal computers by PowerSpec are among the best low-cost computers available for the money.  Shipping is fast, however, they have 20 brick-and-mortar locations around the US and items can be shipped to them for free if they are not already in stock.

Avast Antivirus is a popular antivirus program made even more popular since it's free for personal use. Avast is based on the comprehensive ALWIL software a.s. scanning technology available since 1988, It features fast incremental updates and advanced multi-layer real-time protection of all infection vectors and also safeguards against virtually all kinds of malware. Unlike some antivirus programs that promote themselves as free, Avast for personal use is full-featured and has automatic updates. There are versions for Windows and Linux. The avast Professional edition is made for small and medium sized businesses, and there are also PDA and U3 editions. Avast Antivirus is highly recommended! For a description and links to other free programs to combat intrusive advertising, viruses, trojans, and spyware, please see the Antivirus, Spyware, and PC Tuning section.

Tech Depot sells computers, laptops, printers, digital cameras, software, projectors, and computer peripherals and accessories, much like any large computer company. Tech Depot is an Office Depot company, though, so has the backing of a large retailer. Website design is very good, prices are fair to good, and shipping is usually same-day. They offer services, and some products, based on whether the purchase is for home, business, government, or education. One downside is that the customer usually pays tax on the purchase since Office Depot has a presence in almost every state.