Getting  Along With Your Computer Column Archive

Answering Your Questions
By Cate Eales
Appeared March 12, 2009 on castanet.net

Going through my In Box is always interesting because I get so many interesting questions! This week I answer two of them, and as a bonus, I nag you about some security updates!


Will my scanner work if I don't have the installation CD?
Last week, I received an email from a reader who wanted to know how he could get the necessary software for a scanner.

I have this scanner by (Canon) (Cano scan lide 70) It was given to me but has no "CD" to download the software so I can't run it. I tried a few places to download the software but it doesn't work? Is there a place I can go to find the driver so the scanner will work or is the scanner no good without the CD?

Almost every scanner/printer/digital camera manufacturer maintains a website with drivers and software for their hardware. And that's where you want to look for software and drivers. Be careful about downloading files from places that are not the "official" manufacturers' sites. Just make sure you get the software for whatever operating system you're hooking the scanner to --- the XP software won't work in Vista, and so on.

In this case, a visit to the Canon (Canada) website and a search for the right software brought the reader to the right place for his XP machine.

If you have an older scanner/printer/etc that you want Vista to handle for you, visit the Windows Vista Compatibility Center, here, and search for your equipment. With some scanners, including the CanoScan LiDE70, you'll find a link to the files on the manufacturer's website that will make it work with Vista.


Can I get rid of some of these weird-looking files?
Another reader had this question:

I checked "my computer" and then went to the windows folder and when I click on the + sign, all the sub folders come up and a lot of them have $NtUninstallKB867282$ (different #'s in the other ones and a few different words, such as ServicePackUninstall, etc.) but all are preceded and followed by the $ sign. Is this normal or not?

Those files are created by Windows when updates and service packs and other major programs (Internet Explorer, for instance) from Microsoft are installed. They are there in case there is a problem with an update and you have to uninstall the update.

click to enlarge picture

They are files that keep track of exactly what got installed and where it got installed, and that's what Windows uses to back out of troubled updates. This is completely normal. Unless you are concerned about the amount of space they are taking up, you should leave them alone.

If you really must get rid of them, then get rid of the old ones, and leave the newer ones (the last six months or so) around. The thinking here is that if you haven't had to uninstall a given update for six months, you probably never will, so get rid of the uninstaller. Just don't mess with the more recent ones in case a problem crops up.

Do not get rid of anything that says it's a service pack; there is a special procedure for that, and it's not a good idea anyway.


Important Updates
March 10 was "Patch Tuesday" again. Please be sure you're getting your Windows Updates either automagically, or by visiting Microsoft Update. The instructions for configuring automatic updates for XP are here. The Vista instructions are here.

In addition, if you use Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat, you should make sure to get those updates as well. A serious security hole has been plugged with these updates. Adobe Reader and Acrobat is available here. If you use Foxit, the excellent alternative to Adobe Reader, you need an update too. That is available here.

You can always visit the Secunia website and run the Online Inspector to make sure you're up to date. Here's the link. While it doesn't check every program known to humankind, it does check lots. There's a list here.


Do you need help with your computer?  With your scanner/printer/camera/music player?  Do you have a virus or a spyware problem?  Do you have a new computer and now you're wondering how to get the files from the old one over to the new one? I'm here to help you and your computer get along! To ask a question, make a comment or suggestion, or schedule a visit, email cate@rlis.com. You can read previous columns here.  If you'd like to subscribe to this column by email, please visit this link.  It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the RSS Feed, click here.

Links
Windows Vista Compatibility Center http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/Default.aspx
Adobe Reader and Acrobat http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
Microsoft Update http://update.microsoft.com/
Foxit http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/
Windows Updates in XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
Using Windows Update for Windows Vista http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/learn/windowsvista.mspx
Secunia Software Inspector http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/
What Secunia Checks http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/programs_covered/
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives http://rlis.com/column.htm
Get Cate's column by email http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618
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Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric, and her dog, Sandy. Cate is a partner in Real Life Internet Solutions, helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware and malware eradication; personal computer training and management; digital image management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and management. Email Cate at cate@rlis.com with your comments, suggestions, or questions. To browse the column archives, visit the Real Life Internet Solutions website at www.rlis.com.

© Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
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