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Est. 1997
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September 11, 2001
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This is a page about anything, really. I needed a place to include reviews about software utilities I find useful, tech tips, new products, hints, tips, etc. This can be technology-related, but it can also be about household cleaners, crafts, or anything else, hence the name "Potpourri".

AVG Antivirus | PhotoRescue | YarnLog | Simply Soft Brites | Backup Ideas | WS/FTP | PuTTY | Music Minus One | Poppies
USB Flash Drives | Internet Speed Tests | Outlook Error | Cleaning Color Bleed in Doilies | 2002 Mazda MPV Problem
Ricola Throat Drops | Generic9.xxxx | Word & Excel Slow to Start

AVG Antivirus Software
Sometime ago, my computer got infected by a Trojan virus which caused it to blue screen every 10 minutes. To say this was worrysome would be an understatement. I was a bit panicked. Make that completely panicked. I really couldn't think of any way to fix it, so as a last resort, I downloaded and installed (within 10 min.) AVG free antivirus. The result was nothing short of amazing. Within 10 min, AVG had found the source of the problem and healed my computer! Not only that, but it also found a couple more viruses - namely crase.exe and drwaton.exe (not the real drwatson.exe, which is a bona fide windows diagnostic program), both of which are password stealing programs. It healed those plus a few others. I used to run Norton and it never found anything wrong. I've become a fan of AVG. Nothing else works quite as well. Plus, it's free. You can't beat that.
PhotoRescue
If you use a digital camera, you've probably encoutered problems with your memory card. If at some point, you've thought: "Oh no, I've lost my pictures" because your photo software told you that it couldn't read the card, then don't despair. PhotoRescue is there for you. In 95% of cases, it can retrieve your pictures easily. Usually, when your photo sw can't read the card, it's because somehow the index on the card got corrupted. Your pictures are still there; they're just not readable by that software. PhotoRescue in essence bypasses the index on the card and goes right to the pictures. After you're safely retrieved all your pictures, you should of course reformat the card, so the index can be rebuilt. This software is free to demo. The way this works is, you download and install the software (to see what is looks like, check out the flash demo on the developer's website), run a check of your memory card, and see if PhotoRescue can get all of the pictures you want back (it may not get 1 or 2 pictures out of a whole card; at this point, this is just a preview). If you're satisfied with the results and you think it'll help you, then you can pay the $29 (well worth it in my opinion) to actually retrieve your pics (at this point, you're buying the software). The only other thing you'll need of course, is a card reader, since PhotoRescue reads from a virtual drive (in this case, the card reader acts as a drive). I've been very pleased with this sw, and I'm glad I purchased it. It has gotten me out of a bind a few times...
YarnLog
If you're a Palm (PDA) user like me, and you're a crafter (as in knitting/crocheting), you'll definitely be interested in a nice little palm program called YarnLog. This neat little app., created by Sarah Wood, lets you organize your projects right on your PDA! You can enter the amount and color of yarns you used, the needle/crochet size, where you got the pattern, any mods you made to the pattern, etc. To get it, just visit PalmGear.com and search for YarnLog! You can download a demo for free, and if you decide to keep it, it only costs $5!
Simply Soft Brites
If you haven't looked at Caron Simply Soft yarn lately, look again. Caron has finally come up with a "Brites" line with vibrant colors. No longer do you have to buy another yarn to get these bright colors. Now, you have a whole new line of colors available. Now, it's not on the Caron website yet (supposed to come out in June 2004), but I've already seen them at Wal-Mart in April, so this is good news, especially since I needed a bright yellow sometime in May. Perfect timing. :-)
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Backup Ideas
For several years, I had been backing up my PC using CD's. After getting PC's with increasingly larger drives, it was becoming a problem. After all, CD's aren't that roomy, and when you have several GB's of data to backup, it can be a pain to swap a dozen CD's. I started thinking about getting a DVD-RW or some such creature to save on CD's, but I had to buy the drive *and* the media. Finally, I settled on an even better solution. Nowadays, I just use a hard drive to backup my PC. I bought this external (since the point of this is to remove the backup from the PC) Western Digital hard drive (120 GB, on sale for only $80), partitioned it (creating 4 partitions, one per quarter) and now, every time I need to backup my entire PC, I just plug in the external HD (USB, so it's easy), and drag the entire PC's contents onto one partition. When it's done, I remove the drive and store it elsewhere. After the 4 partitions are filled, I start overwriting the 1st one, so that I always have 3 previous backups just in case. This is so much easier than juggling CD's and DVD's!
WS/FTP
Just a note on two great little pieces of software. WS-FTP, by Ipswitch is a Windows-based program which allows you to updload/download your website easily without having to do any typing. I've always been reluctant to change my ways, and for years, typed in the uploads to my site using simple DOS-based FTP, but I must say it's a good thing I downloaded WS-FTP. It's saved me so much time! WS-FTP Lite is free for educational users (which I am), and it gives you listings side-by-side of your local drive and your web server. Uploading files is as easy as pressing a button. And you can use the software to get a directory listing of a local drive, something that is hard to do in Windows. And quite frankly, if you have zillions of files, this program is much easier to use than a DOS-based one! You can download WS-FTP LE from FTPplanet.com.
PuTTY
The second little program I use is PuTTY. I've always preferred reading my mail text-only style on the server. If there are any harmful files, viruses, etc. they can't execute in text-only. So I had been using Telnet, a program that comes bundled with Windows. Then a few years ago, my webhost decided that Telnet wasn't secure enough to use, and decided to only allow SSH to access the server rather than Telnet. To do this, I had to download a free program called PuTTY, by Simon Tatham, which functions essentially the same as Telnet, only with secure encryption added. This is a neat little program. It's small (there's only one file) so you can carry it with you and install it anywhere you need to securely access your mail (at home, on your work PC, etc.). And you can store session information (such as blinking cursor, cursor color, etc. ) so the next time you access your account on the server, PuTTY remembers exactly how you liked to display your session window.
Music Minus One
If you're a musician, you may have played instrumental pieces and thought "that would sound so much better with an accompaniment". If so, then why not try Music Minus One? Music Minus One is basically sheet music that comes bundled with a CD which has both the full version of the piece, and a soloist version (this one has the orchestra/ensemble playing; you supply the solo). This is a great way to perform with an orchestra without really having one there! In addition, many Music Minus One sets also include a -20% reduced speed version of the piece on the CD, so you can practice at your own pace. Music Minus One is like karaoke for classical music! You can check out the Music Minus One website for more information and the catalog of currently available pieces.
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Poppies As Cut Flowers
If you happen to have poppies in your garden, and you're planning to use them as cut flowers, you may notice that when you put them in a vase, they will quickly bend down all the way, which looks really unattractive. To correct the problem, just take a match and burn the end of the stem, about 1 inch. Not only does this prevent this problem from occurring, but if your flowers have already started to wilt, this will actually undo the damage, and in a few minutes, your flowers will stand right up and remain that way for a few days.
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USB Flash Drives
For years, I've been using CD's to carry stuff from one PC to another (when said PC's aren't networked). This has been a real pain. Not only does it take time to copy stuff to a CD, but it also takes room, and in some cases is a very noisy process. So I've finally moved into the 21st century, and bought my first ever USB "thumbdrive". And I have been absolutely amazed at this tiny little thing. It is incredibly fast, noise-less, and so tiny, it fits literally anywhere. Since it's plug and play, you just plug it in, and your PC, assuming it's newer than Windows 98, will instantly recognize the new drive. How did I ever live without this? The one I bought is the SanDisk Mini Cruzer 256MB. It was on sale for $20 after rebates. A bargain for this little miracle.
Internet Speed Test
I recently upgraded to DSL, taking advantage of Verizon's low-cost, low-speed DSL ($14.95/mo. for 768 Mbps). Verizon's instructions were great; DLink's (router) were less than stellar. In fact, the manual was even missing Step2 entirely, which made for a pretty complicated install. In the end, we figured it out and everything's working fine now. The cables are hidden away, and I'm starting to really enjoy surfing at nearly 600 Mbps. If you'd like to check how fast your connection is, here are some interesting sites - These are all free, no need to register, sites. And they're pretty fast and accurate, too.

Outlook Error - 0x8004060C
If you're using Outlook 2002, and when receiving email, you see the cursor change into a little envelope as usual, etc. (like it's downloading messages), but nothing actually comes in, don't panic. It means your personal folder (.pst) has reached its size limit. You'll probably get something that says "'Microsoft Exchange Server - Receiving' reported error (0x8004060C): 'Unknown Error 0x8004060C'". If that's the case, then there are several things you can do.

1. Delete anything you can to unload that personal folder: old messages, junk messages, things in your "deleted items folder", etc.

2. Once you've deleted some things, compact your pst file. The file expands when you add messages to it, but it doesn't decrease in size when you remove messages. So, you have to compress it yourself. If you're using Outlook 2002, go to Tools > Options. Click on Mail Setup tab, and then on Data Files. Choose the file that has a comment of "Mail delivery location" (this is the folder where your mail arrives). Click Settings. You'll see where the file is stored; you can open your Windows Explorer and check it out to see how big the file is, if you wish. Now, click Compact Now. If you have your Windows Explorer open, you'll see the file size go down. The compacting process may take a few minutes, so be patient. To avoid having this problem again, try to keep the file under 1GB.

• What if I can't delete stuff ?!

Then the easiest thing to do is create an additional .pst file and drop some things in there until the folder where mail is received is small enough. Go to Tools > Options. Click on Mail Setup tab, and then on Data Files. Choose the file that has a comment of "Mail delivery location" (this is the folder where your mail arrives). Click Settings. There, you can see where your Outlook files are normally stored. Remember that folder. It might be good to open Windows Explorer to that folder. Now that you've seen that, click Cancel. You're back on the Data Files screen. Click Add. Select .pst. Navigate to the Outlook folder (which you just saw) and give your file a name. Next, when you get to the "Create MS Personal Folders" screen, be sure to select a meaningful name for your data file. This isn't the file name, it's the name that will display in your Outlook window. If you don't pick a meaningful name here, you'll get really confused really quick. Pick No Encryption, and OK. Back on the Data Files screen, you now see your new file. Now go and drop some messages in there to unload your regular mail-receiving folder. Once that's done, proceed with the compacting process I described above.
Cleaning Color Bleed in Crocheted Doilies
If you've ever crocheted a doily and had a dark color (usually red) bleed all over your white thread, don't despair. You can fix this problem by applying hydrogen peroxide. I used an oral cleanser called Peroxyl, which contains 1% hydrogen peroxide (it's used to whiten teeth). If you buy full-strength peroxide, be sure to dilute it first. First, protect your work area - I used a garbage bag, and laid the doily on a towel on top of that. Then take some Q-tips and apply the hydrogen peroxide (liberally) on the white thread, being careful not to touch the colored thread. Let it dry overnight. If needed, apply again. Then take some wet paper towels and clean off the hydrogen peroxide residue that's left in the fiber. Your white thread will be white again. You can clean stains on old, yellowed doilies this way too.
2002 Mazda MPV Problem
I'm writing this up in case it can help someone out there...

This mess started one morning, when we started the van and noticed that the Overdrive light was blinking and the check engine light came on (which is never a good sign). The transmission started to shift roughly, like someone was hitting the rear bumper. Getting a diagnostic from our shop's scanner, the techs noted a "knock sensor" code, which, incidently, has nothing to do with the transmission. We decided to visit a transmission shop. The result was less than satisfactory. They had no clue what could be causing the problem. Their thoughts were perhaps 3 sensors inside the transmission needed to be replaced. This would cost $180 and would take 5 days. We had the parts ordered, but then realized they were clueless and decided not to take a chance and cancelled the order.

As a last resort, we thought of bringing the van do the dealership. Unfortunately, they had no idea either, but recommended we replace the infamous knock sensor. Of course, this was a special order part, which took 3 days to arrive. We went ahead and ordered the part, which cost $108, and had the techs at our shop replace the sensor. Took half an hour to install - the dealer would've charged us an hour at $85/hr. So we saved some money there, but as expected, it made absolutely no difference.

Still puzzled by the problem and with no hope of a solution in sight, we decided to try another transmission shop. They told us to bring the van in the morning. They would keep it all day but warned us that they had no idea whatsoever what the problem could be. We decided against leaving the van there.

Fast forward to the second dealer, who claimed he knew the answer to our problem. There's a short somewhere, they said, but we have to pay a minimum of 3 hours for the diagnostic, still at $85/hr. And it could take days to figure it out. In the end, they decided to replace the transmission control module, aka TCM, another special order, this one worth $400, payable in advance. As expected, this didn't fix the problem, and we couldn't return that special order part. By now, we were really losing all hope.

Back at the shop, our manager decided to take a look at the wiring, but found no problem. Wires were fine; so were the connectors. After some research, and some deep thinking, he decided to try replacing the PCM (main computer). We weren't exactly thrilled at the idea of "trying" something again, especially when that something was going to cost another $1000. Fortunately, we were able to find a used PCM for "only" $200. It was worth it, we thought, so we ordered it. Again, it took 3 days to get here. Our techs installed said PCM in about an hour.

The result was quite amazing. The blinking Overdrive warning light disappeared right away, and we were able to easily take out the check engine light. The transmission has had a change of heart and now feels just fine. No more rough shifting. It's night and day.

After 2 dealers and 2 transmission shops, we ended up repairing it at our own shop, and for only $200. This whole mess could've cost us $3000 or $4000 if we had overhauled the transmission (which was a possibility) and replaced all the sensors and various computers.
Ricola Throat Drops
If you've ever had an upset stomach (and God forbid, someplace important to be!), then you should try the Ricola cherry-honey throat drops. As their name indicates, they are throat drops, not cough drops. That means there's no cough medication involved (though they do have menthol), just Ricola's famous mixture of 13 soothing, all-natural herbs which works wonders for the most common digestive disorders. They act fast and because they're not medicated, there are no side effects. Plus, they're inexpensive, and they taste great, too! No, I'm not a spokesperson for Ricola, but I am a fan. I can't promise they'll work for you, but give them a try.
Generic 9.xxxx Virus
If your PC has been infected with a virus by the name of Generic9.xxxx (xxxx varies), chances are you're trying very hard to get rid of it. My PC got infected when I visited a normal website and it took me some time to figure out how to get rid of that thing. I had run multiple AVG scans, and every time the virus was deleted, it came back. Not only that, the virus downloaded spyware which made it near impossible to get online. In the end, what did work was rebooting into Safe Mode and running a full AVG anti-virus and a full AVG anti-spyware scan there. Rebooting into Safe Mode again, and rescanning. Then rebooting normally. That took care of the virus and its associated spyware.

Now, usually to get into Safe Mode, you press F8 (or some other key) while Windows is booting. Unfortunately, when my PC was infected, the Safe Mode option wasn't there for me to pick. So, I booted normally, then went to msconfig (Start > Run > type in "msconfig"). Once there, there's a BOOT.INI tab where you can pick what kind of boot you'd like. If you check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, next time you reboot, you'll go directly into Safe Mode (which is what I did). When you're ready to reboot normally again, just go back to msconfig and uncheck /SAFEBOOT. The computer will do a normal reboot.
Word & Excel Slow to Start
If you notice that your Word or Excel (or even Publisher) is very slow to start, there are several ways you can fix the problem. My Word and Excel took at a minimum several minutes to open. I would start them off long before I needed to use them - meaning I avoided using them at all. After a while (a long while), I got so fed up that I started looking for solutions. Hopefully these will help someone out there with the same problem. This is valid for Office 2000 under Windows XP.
  • First thing I did was remove "update automatic links at open". I did this because I use QuickOffice on my PDA, and it adds plugins (toolbars) to my Office software. Every time Office opens, it looks for any such plugins. After unchecking this option, I got back into Word and Excel, and it told me there was a problem with the Quickoffice toolbar, and asked if I wanted to disable the link to QuickOffice. I said yes for Word, and no for Excel. I kept the Excel link because I use Quicksheet quite a bit, but I took out the Word link because I never use Quickword. In either case, it's easy to enable it again. You can find disabled plugins in Word > About. There is a Disabled Items button at the bottom. If you're using Word 2007, you'll find this under the big yellow button > Word Options > Add-Ins.

  • Next thing I did was to delete Normal.dot. This is the basic Word template. It can become corrupted, and since it's recreated every time you open Word, if you think it has, then it's a good idea to delete it so that Word can create a new healthy version of the template. Obviously if you've made changes to your Normal.dot, then you'll want to be careful not to delete it.

  • Next thing was to take care of the font issue. This may be the most important step. Word loads the list of fonts on your PC every time it opens. If there are bad (i.e. corrupted) fonts, then it looks for close substitutes. The more bad fonts you have, the longer it takes for Word to find a valid substitute. I use a lot of fonts on my PC, and I know from working with them that there are several that are corrupted. How would you know? Well, if you highlight something in Word and the font doesn't 'take' (it goes back to some other font - something like Times New Roman), then the font is corrupted somehow. You can figure out which ones are bad by looking at your font list in Word - the bad ones don't show correctly, their names all display in a basic font like Arial. When you see one, try to format a piece of text with it, and see if it works. If not, it's definitely corrupted. Once you've found the bad ones, go to C:\Windows\Fonts and delete those. Word won't be loading them, so the opening time should be cut quite a bit. The same list is used in Excel and Publisher (and any other Office app), so this fixes those too.

  • Last thing I did has to do with Norton Anti-Virus. After the first 3 steps above, Word opened pretty quickly, up to the point where it displays a blank sheet. There, it stalled, and I could see 'Requesting virus scan' in the lower left-hand corner. Now, I really don't want Norton to scan a new, blank document every time I open Word. Norton also makes this initial scan every time I open any other Office software, including Excel. Since I'd been meaning to remove Norton for some time (I now use AVG exclusively), I went ahead and uninstalled Norton AV. It took a while to uninstall, but when it was all said and done, Word no longer 'required a virus scan' when it opened. I'm pretty sure there must be an option in Norton somewhere to stop scanning at the opening of Office software, if you don't want to uninstall your NAV.

The result of all this is that Word now opens in a matter of seconds, and so do Excel and Publisher. smiley

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