Computer Gremlins vs. Computer MoJo - How Do You Get "The Force" on Your Side?
Kathy decided to treat herself to a new computer two weeks ago, and like many small businesses she reached out to the professionals she trusted to help transfer the information from her old computer to her new computer. In 2007 this should be a relatively painless process, at least that’s what Kathy thought. When her outside computer consultant was done transferring the information over and installing all her applications she was upset to find out that not everything worked as it had on her other computer. Her Microsoft Outlook, ACT and Palm were no longer working together. That’s when Kathy called me for a little technology therapy.
Kathy’s computer consultant did a fine job, but he was not familiar with some of the issues that ACT, Outlook and Palm users face when trying to get everything connected. Kathy and I worked together using GoToMeeting since she is in Texas and I am in New York. I reviewed everything the consultant did and then I tried to connect ACT & Outlook and Kathy and I started seeing error messages popping up with missing .dll files. Next, we attempted installing an update to her ACT software, and when we tried to apply the update a pop-up said the application was not installed. Kathy like most users was baffled – the computer gremlins were at it again! (At least this is what most people think). My response to Kathy was a calm one laughing and saying, “you must be patient and learn the ways of ‘The Force’”, this of course made Kathy laugh and relax. The trick that most users do not know is that Anti-virus software can some times cause a problem with applications talking to each other. Since most PC’s come with virus protection pre-installed now, unless someone like me makes you aware of this issue, most users start to blame it on the Gremlins.
To resolve this problem you have to:
What’s the secret to being a good technical problem solver or having Computer MoJo?
Leave a comment about your computer mojo.
Kathy’s computer consultant did a fine job, but he was not familiar with some of the issues that ACT, Outlook and Palm users face when trying to get everything connected. Kathy and I worked together using GoToMeeting since she is in Texas and I am in New York. I reviewed everything the consultant did and then I tried to connect ACT & Outlook and Kathy and I started seeing error messages popping up with missing .dll files. Next, we attempted installing an update to her ACT software, and when we tried to apply the update a pop-up said the application was not installed. Kathy like most users was baffled – the computer gremlins were at it again! (At least this is what most people think). My response to Kathy was a calm one laughing and saying, “you must be patient and learn the ways of ‘The Force’”, this of course made Kathy laugh and relax. The trick that most users do not know is that Anti-virus software can some times cause a problem with applications talking to each other. Since most PC’s come with virus protection pre-installed now, unless someone like me makes you aware of this issue, most users start to blame it on the Gremlins.
To resolve this problem you have to:
- uninstall ACT & the anti-virus application
- Restart your computer
- Install ACT
- Sync ACT & Outlook
- Install the Palm sync program
- Run a sync – (Be Careful in your settings here or you may get duplicates on your palm)
- Then re-install your anti-virus application
What’s the secret to being a good technical problem solver or having Computer MoJo?
- Be Patient – Don’t get frustrated
- Stop and think about the rules of the computer.
- Take a moment to check help files or message boards – your probably not the only person who has had the problem.
- When dealing with software – you may want to make sure you have all the updates. Microsoft Office also offers a Detect & Repair option under the help menu.
- If all else fails when dealing with software call (888-874-7400) or email The Technology Therapist
Leave a comment about your computer mojo.
