Internet Irritations
Ah, the amazing Internet: streaming video (and endless pop-ups), always-on connections (and always-busy ISP tech-support lines), and free browsers (proving once again that you get what you pay for).
DSL Modem Blues
The Annoyance: I spent countless hours trying to figure out why my DSL connection couldn't access the Internet. I tested my connection with utility programs, reconfigured my pop-up and ad blocker, fiddled with Windows' TCP/IP settings, and finally gave up and called tech support--all to no avail.
The Fix: When you lose your Internet link, start your troubleshooting with a simple 2-minute reboot of your DSL modem (it works for cable modems, too). The mystery is why there isn't a diagnostic tool to tell you when to reset your Internet access device. But eliminating that annoyance will have to wait until next year.
Lost-Password Predicament
The Annoyance: Internet Explorer automatically inserted my password into the right field when I revisited a Web site. I wanted to write down the password, but I couldn't remember it.
The Fix: Lostpassword.com's free Asterisk Key utility shows the password hidden behind practically any row of asterisks. But please use it wisely.
Disappearing Status Bar Mystery
The Annoyance: Internet Explorer 6 would periodically lose the status bar at the bottom of its window. (When I hover my mouse over a link, the status bar shows me where the link leads to.) I had to click View, Status Bar to bring it back.
The Fix: To correct this bug, open a single window in IE 5 or higher and click View, Status Bar (if it's not already selected). Right-click a blank spot on IE's toolbar and make sure that Lock the Toolbar is checked. Hold down <Ctrl> and click the "X" in the upper-right corner of the window to close it. Open Windows Explorer and make sure View, Status Bar is selected. Right-click a blank spot on Windows Explorer's toolbar and make sure Lock the Toolbars is checked. Select Tools, Folder Options, View, Apply to all folders. Click Yes to confirm and OK to close the dialog box. Hold down <Ctrl> and click the "X" in the upper-right corner to close the window.
Nix the New Spam Threat
The Annoyance: I began getting pop-up ads even when I wasn't surfing the Net.
The Fix: Messenger Service ads (also called directads) are pop-up messages that blindly shower a range of IP addresses. If you have Windows 98 or Me, don't worry about them. But if you run Windows 2000 or XP without a software firewall, or if you're not attached to a router with a hardware firewall, you may see these ads pop up. The way to stop them until your next reboot is via Windows' Services console. Select Start, Run, type services.msc, and press <Enter>. In the right pane, right-click Messenger and choose Stop. For a permanent solution, download Gibson Research's Shoot the Messenger--a program that is actually designed to eliminate spam from Windows Messenger but that just so happens to block these ads as well.
AOL's Hard-Drive Flogging
The Annoyance: I got tired of hearing my hard disk thrashing whenever I used AOL.
The Fix: The hard-drive whine occurred whenever AOL accessed my hard drive, causing unnecessary disk-buffer flushing. I don't know why the program feels the need to do this, and Steve Case won't return my calls (they're all routed to India, for some reason). But the good news is that you can download a free patch that forces AOL to use its own cache more efficiently. This stops the program from trouncing your hard drive and boosts the app's performance.
IE's Max-Window Memory Lapse
The Annoyance: For some reason, Internet Explorer doesn't always remember to launch as a maximized window.
The Fix: Download IE New Window Maximizer, a free utility that automatically maximizes every new IE window. The program also lets you hide or close all Internet Explorer windows with the keystroke combination of your choice.
Changing Network Setups
The Annoyance: I had to change my notebook's network configuration every time I connected to a hotel LAN or to a client's network. I had to carry a piece of paper with my network settings on it; and when I made the changes, Windows forced me to reboot.
The Fix: The cure for Multiple Network Disorder is J.W. Hance's NetSwitcher, a $14 shareware program that lets you save several different network configurations. Whenever you reach a new network location, add and save the new network settings. Once you get home, restore your previous network settings with a couple of clicks. And whereas Windows insists on rebooting no matter what, NetSwitcher asks for a restart only if you modify a parameter that can't take effect without a reboot. Visit NetSwitcher to download a 30-day trial version of NetSwitcher.
Bonus tip: If you're having trouble connecting to a network, take advantage of the surprisingly thorough network diagnostic tool buried deep within Windows XP's Help and Support Center. Click Start, Help and Support, choose Networking and the Web, click Fixing networking or Web problems on the left, and then select Diagnose network configuration and run automated networking tests on the right. Choose Scan your system. If you want the whole shooting match, click Set scanning options and check all the boxes before selecting Scan your system.
Clogged Broadband Pipes
The Annoyance: All of a sudden, the DSL access in my home office went from turbo to turtle. I tried every trick I could think of to speed it up--even rebooting my DSL modem and router--without success.
The Fix: My Internet service provider had set up my router to use specific DNS (Domain Name Service) addresses that my ISP supplied. Later, the ISP changed all its DNS addresses but neglected to consider that its customers might want the new numbers. The old numbers worked, sure, but the new DNS addresses worked a lot better. If you encounter a broadband slowdown that you can't figure out, call your ISP's tech support and ask if the company has changed its DNS addresses (see FIGURE 6 ). If it has, ask for help in updating the ones on your router.
Cluttered Browser Views
The Annoyance: The 20-inch LCD monitor I use in my home office provides me with plenty of viewing area--enough to show me lots of things on my screen. But in comparison, my tiny HP notebook's screen seems the size of a paperback book. The lost screen space is particularly bothersome when I browse the Web.
The Fix: To make the most of your screen real estate in Internet Explorer or Netscape, press <F11>. Lots of things immediately vanish, including the status bar on the bottom of your screen, and most of your browser's toolbars. But in exchange you get a beautiful full-screen window (okay, nearly a full screen) for viewing a Web site. Finished browsing? Toggle the screen back by tapping on the <F11> key again.
Photograph: Rick RiznerThe Annoyance: Last year I told you about a fix for bulky AC adapters , but I still spent too much time crawling around on my office floor, plugging those monsters into my surge suppressor.
The Fix: These days I save wear and tear on my knees with a couple of cleverly designed extension cords that I bought from Cables Unlimited. The $8 Power Strip Liberator is a 1-foot extension cord, while the $9 Power Strip Liberator II adds a Y-connector that lets me plug two bricks into a single outlet. The two cords have already paid for themselves simply by sparing the knees of my pants--and on top of that, there's all the money I save on chiropractor bills.
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