Ask DACS
November 2008

by Jim Scheef

Ask DACS is a question and answer session held at the start of the monthly general meeting. We solicit questions from the floor and by email (AskDACS@dacs.org). Hopefully we find the answers from those present at the meeting.

There was one question submitted by email this month.

Q: Directly from the email:
For some time, I have been having a problem with Microsoft Outlook. Most of the time I try to open the program on startup, I get the following message:
“Cannot open the Outlook window. The set of folders cannot be opened. The file C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.PST is in use and cannot be accessed. Close any application that is using this file and try again. You might need to restart your computer.”
I transport my notebook PC between work and home, and variously access a wired network and home wireless one. I have tried starting up with the networks unplugged, with only occasional success. I often have to use windows restore to go back to an earlier configuration, or to put the system to sleep instead of turning it off. I even purchased an upgrade to Office 2007, but the Outlook problems came back.

A: The audience went around and around on this. We finally suggested looking in the Mail applet in Control Panel to see what PST file(s) are used by Outlook.

After the meeting, the member sent me a screen grab of the data files listed in his Outlook profile. In the list of data files, the problem file was listed four times! It appears that the file is indeed in use, but by Outlook itself. Removing the extra references cured the problem. Unfortunately we do not know how the multiple references were created, so there is no assurance the problem cannot recur.

Q: I use three programs to clean up temp files: Windows Disk Cleanup (WDC), SystemSuite 7 Cleanup, and the disk cleanup feature in Norton Internet Security 2008. Recently the Norton cleanup no longer works.

A: Suggestions centered on using only one such program at a time. A couple members said that some of these programs run as a background process (not WDC, I’m not sure about the others) and thus could be in conflict. Since all of these products are aimed at the same result: finding and deleting temporary Internet files and other temporary files, that there is no need to use more than one particularly on a daily basis.

Q: Does anyone use a Windows registry cleaner that seems to produce positive results? (This is a follow-on question from the moderator.) If you do, please respond to askdacs@dacs.org with the name of the program, it’s cost and the appropriate website.

Q: I use a DSL connection to the Internet with Windows XP. If I leave the computer on, is it less vulnerable if I close the browser? I have a hardware router with wireless.

A: The consensus is that if the computer is on, it is vulnerable to some degree. Wireless access can increase this exponentially depending on how the wireless access point is configured. These days the biggest security problem comes from botnets. Infection can come from a variety of sources including worms and drive-by downloads from compromised (but often legitimate) websites. Others suggested that logging off or turning the computer off when it is not in use is good policy.

Q: I found something on my computer called “Rapid Antivirus online Windows Security Scan”. What is it and how do I remove it? I use Symantec antivirus.

A: This almost undoubtedly malicious software (malware) of some sort. If your antivirus software is up to date, it should detect and quarantine the malware. Other suggestions were to search on the Symantec Security Response website; or to download SUPERAntiSpyWare or Malwarebytes. Both offer free versions.

Disclaimer: Ask DACS questions come from members by email or from the audience attending the general meeting. Answers are suggestions offered by meeting attendees and represent a general consensus of those responding. DACS offers no warrantee as to the correctness of the answers and anyone following these suggestions or answers does so at their own risk. In other words, we could be totally wrong!

 

Submit any question to: askdacs@dacs.org.

 


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