Need Help from Computer Savvy People

[Sputnik]

I'm using Internet Explorer 6. I found the address book, however its not sorted by profile - so now all my email addresses and all of my boyfriend's email addresses are merged into one giant address book.

[ragingfish]

My personal recommendation would be back up all of your personal files, reformat, and reload!Things get all cluttery when you start to piece things togehter...I R/R every few months, keeps my system running fast...

[millster]

Alrighty. Here's the longest darned string I can imagine.Your email is located at:Documents and Settings Profile NameLocal SettingsApplication DataIdentities UniqueIDNumberMicrosoftOutlook ExpressThose are the files.To import them, go to File, Import, select Outlook Express 6, select "Import from an OE6 store directory", browse to the above location and click next. That should import your messages.

[Sputnik]

Thanks I'll give that a try once I finish my PM assignment. If nothing else works, I'll follow Ragingfish's advice... after Thanksgiving weekend (this weekend in Canada)... going home for some gobblers!

[Sputnik]

You know, I have to say, I googled and googled about my computer problems, but its hard to find what you're looking for - when you don't exactly know what it is you're looking for! So I decided to ask here, knowing there were people who would help and you guys didn't disappoint. Thanks so much!

[millster]

Cool. Yeah, I would reccommend Raging's approach in the long term as well, but I wanted to provide you with the option to get you running now.As for the helping, no prob. It's nice to help someone who actually cares too. Some of the people I help at work just take it for granted and don't really seem to care.

[Sputnik]

Argh. freaking laptop has done it again. At least this time I know how to get back into it. I haven't managed to get my files off of it yet because there are over 4000 digital photos and even just moving them to the CD burner drive seemed to take forever. I'll have to work on that when I get back from Thanksgiving weekend.

[Sputnik]

Well I've now reinstalled windows completed (formatted the hard drive)... unfortunately my wireless network card isn't working. I downloaded the drivers from my desktop and burned them to CD, but it can't seem to find it when it wants to install new hardware.

[millster]

So the card does detect (it finds new hardware)?Is the driver you downloaded an installer (is there a Setup.exe on the CD)?

[Sputnik]

Yeah it detects it. And I believe there's a setup.exe which I ran, but nothing happened. Coincidently (or maybe not)... my router stopped working this morning too so I'll have to reset it before I try again I guess... else I won't know if the card is working or not.

[millster]

So does the card show in device manager and just not function or is it like it's not installing at all?

[Sputnik]

I don't think it shows in the device manager. Its like its not installing it at all.

[Sputnik]

Actually it is in the device manager under "Other devices" and its calling it an Ethernet Controller (I don't remember seeing it called that before my reinstall). It is shown with a yellow question mark icon and it says its not configured correctly (Code 1).

[millster]

OK. Next question. What card are we talking about? It is definitely not installing properly at all.

[Sputnik]

Its a Linksys wirelss-B card (and router).

[millster]

Hmm... should have guessed that.Seems to be a common issue with Linksys.What has worked for me in the past is:Boot to Safe Mode.Open Device ManagerDelete the offending device (often there are multiple copies with one not showing up in normal mode)When the device is detected in Windows, select the driver and install from there. Don't let it go to Unknown Device.

[Sputnik]

Thanks I shall try.

[Sputnik]

Its working - sort of. I have the driver installed and it recognizes it as a wireless B notebook adapter. It says its signal strength to my network is good. IE doesn't like it though. All webpages give an error message that Internet Explorer could not open the search page. I'll keep fiddling with it - its how I fix most of my network issues. Thanks for all your help!

[millster]

Couple of ideas:Check your IP address. If it's 169.?.?.? that's self assigned. Make sure you have your WEP key correct if you're using WEP.To check your IP, open a command window and type "ipconfig".If you have a proper IP, most likely 192.?.?.?Make sure that IE is not set to detect proxies automatically.

[Sputnik]

I've checked the MAC filtering and the IP so far. I just copied down the WEP and will try that next.

[Sputnik]

Woo hoo I'm posting from my laptop right now!

[millster]

YAY!!!! Glad to hear it!!

[Sputnik]

Yeah! I'm now importing my mail that I backed up to the desktop. *doin' a little dance* You guys are da bomb!

[Sputnik]

One thing I haven't figured out yet - when I scroll down a webpage, its so bloody slow. It just seems to sort of refresh itself even when I use the slider on the touchpad. I thought maybe its the refresh rate of the screen, but apprently I can't change that.

[millster]

Umm... do you have any other devices with yellow question marks?

[Sputnik]

yep! The video controller and the modem (I never use the modem).

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by Sputnik »yep! The video controller and the modem (I never use the modem).I'd say that could be causing your scrolling problem... If the proper drivers aren't loaded for the video card, that may be slowing down the video card's performance...

[millster]

Definitely the video controller. Probably have problems with weird colors as well (may not, but in most cases...)What you'll need is the make/model of your video card to get the drivers. If you know it, great. If not, it's usually pretty easy to find by the make/model of the machine (laptops are particularly easy). Most manufacturers provide a searchable downloads database at the support portion of their site. I would recommend starting there. If you need help, let me know what the make and model of your laptop is and I can help you find the proper driver.

[Sputnik]

Well I discovered I have 6 additional disks with system restore stuff on it. So now the laptop is up and running - the screen appearance seems normal. Now just to get the email setup. Thanks!

[millster]

Cool! Glad to hear it's working.

[Sputnik]

Yeah I couldn't get better service! okay but I have one last problem - I hope. You know the different outlook express identities that I backed up so I could save my email? When I try to import it its importing it only into one identity and I can see only one set of messages in all my identities. For example. I created all the email identities. Then imported my bf's email. When I switch to my identity, I see his email. When I switch to any identity - I see his email.

[Sputnik]

Heh! With a little help from google I've fixed my OE problem. Seems its got to do with Service Pack 1. I downloaded the update and I also fixed a registry entry that was causing it to not remember passwords for downloading mail - voila! It is all good. Thanks SO MUCH for all your help everyone!