Nerd/Boffin Technical corner. Page 8

Hmm, probably the driver supplied by Microsoft called "USB mass storage device" has been corrupted.

Re-installing it is a heart stopping procedure as it could end up disabling all your USB ports.

Basically in "Device Manager" you delete the device, then re-boot the system (use a full power-down & power-up) and let it find it again. Unplug any USB external devices during the re-boot. As you plug in each external device it should find and re-install the appropriate driver.

You can first try deleting only "USB Mass storage Device" and see if the automatic re-install fixes the problem, but if it doesn't you can then try deleting ALL the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and let them re-install themselves.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't try Take it to someone who does know what I'm saying. If it goes wrong, you could be into hours of time saving all your docs, data, emails and settings and re-installing the whole system from scratch.

In fact you should best do a (backup) save of all your docs, data, emails and settings before you start.

It worked like a charm, Bill! Cheers!

I had several word documents open when somehow the one I was working on was being deleted before my eyes. I don't think I accidentally pressed backspace but it looked as if it was backspacing at really high speed. I couldn't think how to stop it so I closed the document, but then it started on the next one, and so on.
What did I do? What should I do if it happens again?

CTRL + Z.

Alternatively close the docs and do a spyware scan just to see if there is something fishy going on.

Thanks Gav much appreciated. <3

Quote: Loopey @ August 9 2010, 12:47 PM BST

I had several word documents open when somehow the one I was working on was being deleted before my eyes. I don't think I accidentally pressed backspace but it looked as if it was backspacing at really high speed. I couldn't think how to stop it so I closed the document, but then it started on the next one, and so on.
What did I do? What should I do if it happens again?

View original

Most likely something is jamming the backspace key down on your keyboard.

Try another keyboard., or give it a hefty thump.

Otherwise you have a virus written by someone with a malicious sense of humour.

Quote: billwill @ August 9 2010, 7:27 PM BST

Most likely something is jamming the backspace key down on your keyboard.

Try another keyboard., or give it a hefty thump.

Otherwise you have a virus written by someone with a malicious sense of humour.

View original

Thank you. It isn't a virus as far as I can tell. Will be trying another keyboard tomorrow and will also try thump option. I have Control Z stuck to the screen just in case. xx

Question: I have a budget, capped at £4K, and need to buy a new 3D TV with requisite sound arena. Any suggestions?

I haven't played with any others, but the newest Samaung range is really nice.

It needs to be the best?

Can anyone recommend to me a good, free and easy to use AVI - MPEG converter please?

Quote: Oldrocker @ August 14 2010, 4:16 PM BST

Can anyone recommend to me a good, free and easy to use AVI - MPEG converter please?

View original

No. I can't.

I suspect that's not particularly helpful.

AVI is MPEG... But I assume that you mean MPEG 2. What do you need it for exactly?

He downloaded a load of porn and wants to watch it on his TV.

Quote: Leevil @ August 14 2010, 5:09 PM BST

He downloaded something and wants to watch it on his TV.

View original

Correct.