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Archive for the ‘Ask OnSoftware’ Category

Ask OnSoftware: What is the Windows Logo test?

October 2nd, 2009 Elena Santos

After reviewing the improved snapshot management functionality in the latest version of VirtualBox, OnSoftware reader Mark contacted us with an interesting question:

I’ve become an avid reader of your weekly newsletter and look forward each week to explore your recommendations. I was interested in VirtualBox after reading about it on your site. I’m running Windows XP. I tried downloading the file “VirtualBox 3.0.6 for Windows hosts x86/amd64″ from www.virtualbox.org but during the installation a warning came up suggesting that I should not continue as the software  is not recognized as being approved with “Windows Logo” and went on  to say that completing the download could corrupt my system. Should I be concerned?

The Windows Logo testing error message Mark refers to is not something that just happens in VirtualBox. It may appear when installing other applications as well, but as long as you trust the software developers and the application you’re about to install, you don’t have anything to worry about.

Ask OnSoftware: What is the Windows Logo testing error?

This error means that some components – usually drivers -  inside the program you’re installing couldn’t be properly tested by Windows during installation. It doesn’t mean that the program is dangerous, or that it’s going to crash your system, erase your hard drive or any of those horrible things you may have thought about… well, not necessarily. It’s just that Windows wasn’t able to complete the test on those particular items. Our advice for Mark then, in this particular case of VirtualBox, is to ignore that message and go on with the installation. I did, and my Windows XP is perfectly fine!

Once again, this message should be ignored only in those cases when you’re installing a trustworthy application, coming from a reputable developer. In case of doubt, do some Google research. It may help you decide whether you should continue with the installation or not.

Don’t forget to keep on sending all your problems, questions and doubts to ask@onsoftware.com so that we can provide handy solutions for you and the rest of our readers!

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Security, Software, Tips, Windows Comments Off
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Ask OnSoftware: Uninstall Windows Live Messenger

September 21st, 2009 Elena Santos

There are few things as annoying as a program that’s easy to install, but almost impossible to remove from your computer. One of them is Windows Live Messenger, which comes preinstalled with Windows Vista and can get a bit stubborn when trying to get rid of it. One of our readers, Jean, had this problem and decided to ask OnSoftware for help:

I already have enough stuff registered in this lousy, abominable pop-up computer. How do I get rid of that WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER window that pops on my screen??!!

If you’re in the same situation as Jean, you’ll be glad to know it’s easier to solve that it seems. All you have to do is download WLMUninstaller, a handy application that locates Windows Live Messenger on your hard drive and removes it in a couple of minutes.

Remove Windows Live Messenger from your PC

WLMUninstaller is dead easy to use: run the program – no installation required – and click Uninstall to remove Windows Live Messenger from your computer. That’s all! WLMUninstaller does leave some traces behind (a couple of folders and files inside the Windows Live directory) but the actual IM client will be gone forever.

Do you know any other trick to effectively uninstall Windows Live Messenger? Feel free to share it in comments! Also, keep on sending all your problems, questions and doubts to ask@onsoftware.com so that we can provide handy solutions for you and the rest of our readers.

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Free, Internet, Software, Windows Tags: , , , Comments Off
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Need a little extra help with math or spelling?

September 17th, 2009 Niamh Lynch

Here at OnSoftware we get lots of emails asking about software. Most of the time they are complicated questions, like how to partition your disc while dual booting on an external drive… or something along those lines. Sometimes, however, we get questions with more human interest.

A while ago a reader emailed asking for help with her math skills. She wanted to know if there were any programs or applications that could help her become more comfortable with numbers and less embarrassed by her lack of math skills. The good news is that there are – lots of them! Even better news is that our reader is not alone, and there are many people who have similar problems. Lucky that our reader was brave enough to ask, right?

mathintro.png

That got us thinking here at the office – always a dangerous thing – but this time, we’ve come up with a great idea! We’re going to produce a short series of posts with advice and software tips for people who have problems with numeracy, reading, spelling or money skills. They’ll be of use to lots of people, and best of all, you’ll be able to brush up on your skills without even leaving the house. Whatever your level, you’ll find something useful, so stay tuned and don’t forget to spread the word. You never know who might need the extra help…

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Productivity, Software, Web, Windows, adult education, help, literacy, math, maths, money, numeracy, spelling Tags: , , Comments Off
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Ask OnSoftware: What are Augmented Reality apps?

September 10th, 2009 Tom Clarke

An interesting query from one of our (anonymous) readers on a topic which has even cropped up in our editorial meetings:
Hi! I’ve been thinking about buying a smartphone, and one of the features I’ve heard people talking about on mobile blogs is “Augmented Reality”. What is that, and why is it useful? Should it affect [...]

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Opinion, Phones, Review, Software, Utilities Comments Off
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Ask OnSoftware: How to use a webcam with Messenger for Mac

August 13th, 2009 Nicholas Mead

If there’s one thing that’s still poorly supported on Macs by Instant Messenger clients, it’s the iSight camera. You’d think by now, IM clients would have advanced enough to allow users to make video calls but even major ones such as Adium still don’t. Biggest culprit of them all however is Microsoft Messenger for Mac [...]

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Free, Internet, Mac, Software, Video, Web Tags: Comments Off
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Follow us on Twitter!

June 19th, 2009 Jon Riggall

In case you don’t know, OnSoftware is on Twitter: so if you want to keep up with what’s going on here, follow us! Find us here at twitter/softonic_en.
If you don’t use Twitter, why not give it a go? It’s a surprisingly good way to stay up to date with whatever you’re interested in! And if [...]

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Software, Tips, Web Tags: , Comments Off
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Ask OnSoftware: Customize your browser home page

June 17th, 2009 Elena Santos

The web browser has slowly evolved from being just one more program on our hard drive to becoming almost the only tool you’ll ever need, thanks to the popularity of web apps. This is why it’s important to keep it perfectly updated, and tailor it according to your needs and tastes. One of these small [...]

Posted in Ask OnSoftware, Free, Internet, Software, Windows Tags: , , , , Comments Off
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