Q: What is KB891711.EXE and why is it in my Startup tasklist?
A: KB891711.EXE is an official Microsoft "patch" that only applies to Win98 / Win98SE / WinMe. It is run as a service that protects against an exploit that can place malicious code in cursor and icon files. if you load one of those files, those files can actually execute programs placed on remote computers. This program will cut that off, and should NOT be removed.

For further details, see MS05-002: Microsoft Knowledgebase Article 891711: Vulnerability in cursor and icon format handling could allow remote code execution

News update: looks like Safer Networking (the guys that brought you Spybot: Search and Destroy) like LeechGet as the download manager. No spyware, lots and lots of options for fast downloads, does not violate your privacy at all. Its only problem: too cute looking.

Q: How do I update my PC's BIOS?
A: You should read the instructions that is on the manufacturer's website, as they have special instructions. But in general, you download the BIOS file (probably something.BIN) and the flashing program, then exit to DOS prompt and run the flash program with the BIOS file. Please beware that doing it with the WRONG BIOS file can stop your computer from working and require a new BIOS chip for repairs. So unless you are trying to fix a problem, don't touch the BIOS!

Q: Is there a tool that will help me get better page ranking via the search engines?
A: Try SE-Inspector, a website that tests your website for keywords, meta tags, and so on. It will also check keywords and such and find your competitors.

Q: What is BitTorrent? How does it work? I heard it's like P2P, but better? Is it "safe"?
A: A BitTorrent is a sorta P2P standard that allows any one on the Internet to locate a file, that could be spread across bazillion different computers on the Internet, and in turn be another provider of the file as more stuff is downloaded.

So what does this have to do with you? When you get to a torrent file, and download it, it doesn't do anything, because torrent itself doesn't contain anything. It's just a... pointer, like an URL, to the actual content, and even that isn't quite correct. It actually points you to the "tracker", which track all the different bits and pieces of that file. So all you see is the torrent, and that file will get to you... eventually, provided other people stay online long enough for you to get the other pieces.

Let's say 10 people have bits and pieces of the files you want. Five of the 10 have full copies. Those are called "hosts", as they're nice enough to stay on to continue hosting the file. The other 5 are leeches. When they got the complete file, they'll become hosts as well. As you join, you'll be the 6th leech, and eventually, be another host. Other people will join, some will leave, and hopefully the ring stays intact...

When you open the torrent file (with the appropriate BitTorrent client), the client will talk to the Tracker, and determine where the hosts and leeches are, and coordinate the bandwidth available (which pieces to download from who, etc.). As you can guess, the most hosts (and sometimes, leeches, as they have some useful pieces), the faster the download will go.

If there are no hosts, you likely can't download since usually leeches don't have complete copies. And if there are no trackers, the whole thing goes kaput.

When you "register" on these Torrent sites, you're just getting access to the torrent files they got from the various trackers. Who knows what happened to the trackers in the meanwhile?

Keep in mind that at least one of these torrent sites were raided by MPAA/RIAA. After vowing to fight them, the owner instead copped a plea agreement, and provided ALL REGISTERED USER'S INFO to them. Think about that.

An update: the error on my uncle's machine is indeed caused by the dead RAM. After replacing the 256MB module with a new 512MB module, the system is up and running, faster than before!

So if the system is doing random failures, check the memory!

A bit of advice for people diagnosing a seemingly random problem: turn OFF the "quick power-on test". This makes the PC do the FULL memory test and POST (power-on system test) instead of the abbreviated version. Nowadays systems are fast enough that the time difference is negligible.

Why? Let me tell you this story.

I just spent a hour trying to fix my uncle's computer. He has a 1.1 GHz Duron with 256MB of RAM, loaded with Windows 2000. He said it started giving him a bluescreen. When I got there, it says something about INVALID DEVICE. I rebooted the system, picked "last known config", and got "cannot load SOFTWARE" registry. I rebooted and try "safe mode", same thing. Tried "safe mode with command prompt", same thing. Tried "Diagnostic mode", same thing.

At this point, I'm willing to concede the system is completely hosed, and he probably got a virus, but I know my uncle. He's a very safe computer user, never downloads anything except official sites, etc. etc. Chances of him catching a virus or trojan is nil. Yet the evidence is the setup is probably hosed. So what now?

I put in the Win2K CD and the 4 boot floppies. After the 4th disk, just as it tries to load the setup menu... The computer restarted itself. Yikes!

I put in my XP setup CD and set the BIOS to boot off the CD. The setup screen loaded all the drivers... Just as it got to "install or repair" screen... It blue-screened out with some error in a certain driver. That makes no sense, as we haven't even seen the GUI yet! So I rebooted... This time I got the "install or repair" screen. I hit REPAIR, just to see what would happen... the computer rebooted.

At this point, I'm completely stumped, so I'm changing things in the BIOS and started turning off all the options, so I turned OFF "Fast Power-On Test", and rebooted. Ahem! Memory Test Fail. The 256MB DIMM lost at least 1 bank. It stopped at roughly 236MB during the memory check.

The Fast test would have never picked it up, and I would have been still in the dark.

You may have wondered... didn't I turn on the BIOS halt errors? Yes I did. Originally it was on "halt except disk errors". I set it to "halt on all", but still the same. It's only AFTER I turned off "fast POST" that I saw the memory error.

So next time you trying to diagnose something random, think memory problem first.

Not a question or answer, but rather, a collection of computer humor... Except these REALLY did happen. These are collected photos of some people's computers sent in for service. Stupid Computer Tricks

Q: My DSL connection quality is way worse, and sometimes, when other phones get calls my DSL connection got disconnected. What's going on?
A: Did you add a phone recently? All phone connections needs that mouse-tail filter, or put up a filter at the "root" connection out the wall. Check every phone tap, put more filters if you need to.

Q: I have some AVI files that I can't play in Windows Media Player. What should I use?

A: AVI files can use a lot of different codecs. You need to use GSpot to identify the Codecs used in that AVI, then download/install the appropriate codecs for your O/S and player.