ActiveX controls are the building blocks of Microsoft ActiveX technology that enable web developers to customize their websites by adding media that is viewable by downloading the controls.  Some Windows programs such as Windows Explorer and Windows Media Player to enable navigation and usability also utilize ActiveX controls.  Though there are a few downsides, ActiveX controls provide many benefits for PC users and internet goers.

1. Functionality of ActiveX Controls: The most obvious benefit of ActiveX controls is their functionality.  They enable computer users to utilize programs such as Windows Media and Windows Explorer and help enrich internet experience on the Internet Explorer and Firefox web browsers.  This unique programming language makes navigation quick and easy and gives a means for PC users to interact with their computer.
2. Quick Interaction with Internet Browser: Probably the most attractive benefit of ActiveX controls is the fact that they enable quick interaction with web pages and email messages by using pre-existing components.  This means fewer control downloads, less space taken up, and smooth running of Internet Explorer.

Though ActiveX components mainly only operate with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, they have a greater level of control over Windows than Java applets do.  This makes them more powerful than Java applets when it comes to interacting and controlling Windows components.

Though the benefits are positive attributes to your PC use and internet browsing, prevent corruption of ActiveX controls on your system registry with regular maintenance.  Download and utilize a good registry cleaner to keep your ActiveX controls in check and to keep your registry clear of errors.  This will overall improve and optimize your PC’s performance.

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ActiveX controls are the building blocks of the Active X programming language that is utilized to set functions in Microsoft Windows operating systems.  More specifically, it is utilized in Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Windows Explorer to build their feature-sets and encapsulate functionality in ActiveX Controls.

What Do ActiveX Controls Do?
As with any programming language, there are certain disadvantages that hinder its use or functionality.  ActiveX controls are the individual units that distribute applications used on your computer, so you can utilize a program or navigate a browser window.  Websites often use them to enable media on their sites to be seen or played.

1. The first major disadvantage of ActiveX controls is that there are certain security vulnerabilities within the framework that make it easy for malicious programs to infiltrate your computer.
2. ActiveX controls downloaded onto your computer possess the same rights as the current user on your PC (i.e., limited or administrative access) and therefore have the same control over your computer.
3. Extending your trust in someone else not to abuse this is risky because some websites won’t hesitate to install malware or viruses alongside their controls.

Preventing ActiveX Problems
The best way to avoid these harmful disadvantages of ActiveX controls is to be aware and make sure all of your internet security settings are correct.  Correct and prevent most ActiveX control problems by downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner.  This will prevent corrupt ActiveX controls from adversely affecting your system and keep your PC running at optimal performance.

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About:Blank is a malicious program with literally hundreds of variants that attacks your web browser.  This article will tell you how to fix and remove the About:Blank hijacker from your PC.

Signs of About:Blank
About:Blank tends to mess with your browser.  It usually replaces your homepage with a new “about:blank” page that contains a pseudo-search engine.  In the engine are various “shopping” directory links, and if/when you click on them, the hijacker earns money.  It also installs a Browser Helper Object on Internet Explorer, which consumes system resources and slows internet connection.

Removing About:Blank
If you have an antivirus program, use it to scan your computer for About:Blank.  If you do not have an antivirus program, download and utilize one of the many free scans.  These will help find and completely delete older versions of About:Blank or confirm the presence of newer versions that are harder to get rid of.

Some helpful hints include:

• Purging all temp files from your system.
  • This can be done by going to Tools
  • Go to Options.
  • Select delete cookies, temp files, and browser history in your webpage.
• Also, performing a disk check on your computer will remove the temp files also.

This will in the very least allow you to change back your homepage and remove the pesky pop-ups that accompany About:Blank

Remove the About:Blank hijacker files from your computer immediately.  It would be wise to download and utilize a good registry cleaner.  Registry cleaners find and remove any registry errors on your computer that can cause harmful problems such as crashes and freezes that may result in data loss.  It will also help optimize PC performance.

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Win 32 (WinAPI, Windows API) is a set of core application programming interfaces (APIs) available on all Microsoft Windows operating systems.  Though some programs use Native API, a majority utilize Win 32 to provide documentation and tools to aid developers in creating software associated with Windows technologies.

Functions of Win 32 Applications
Win 32 offers a host of services including:

• Base Services (file systems, processes, threads, devices, and error handling)
• Advanced Services (Windows registry, shutdown/restart system, start/stop/create a Windows service, and managing user accounts)
• Graphics Device Interface (output functionality for monitors, printers, and other devices)
• User Interface (creation and management of screen windows and basic controls), and various other functions
• In short, Win 32 helps you run/customize your PC.

Internet Explorer also utilizes Win 32, especially in imbedded web browser controls, URL monitor services, DirectX Transforms, XML support, and access to the Windows Address Book.  It also aids in program interaction and the function of wrapper libraries on your computer.

Your PC couldn’t run without Win 32 there to direct it, or at least provide the user with a means to do so.  All Win 32 applications are contained within your PCs DLL (dynamic-link library).  This library enables your PC to store, manage, and access all .dll, .oxc, or .drv files.

Maintaining Win 32 Files and Other Registry Files
Win 32 is beneficial to your PC because your PC pretty much runs off it.  Prevent any problems with Win 32 or your computer’s registry by downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner.  This will help find and remove registry errors, prevent future registry errors from occurring, and keep your computer from dangerous crashes/freezes.

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Outlook Express is the default email and news server of Internet Explorer that is widely used and often prone to corruption and errors.  Here are some simple ways to fix Outlook Express.

1. Restart your PC
   This is possibly the simplest cure for minor problems that result from damage to system files, files that are improperly closed, and corruption of Outlook Express memory.
2. Delete Temporary Internet Files
   Firstly, make sure all programs except Internet Explorer are closed.  In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools tab and select Internet Options.  On the Temporary Internet Files tab, select the Delete Files option.  Select the box for “Remove all offline files” and click OK. This option eliminates temporary files created by Outlook Express that take up space.
3. Compact All Folders
   In Outlook Express, go to File and select Work Offline.  This prevents you from receiving new messages while compressing folders.  Click on Outlook Express in the Folder List to ensure that no emails or news folders are open.  Then close the Folder List.

Go back to File, down to Folder, and then select Compact All Folders.  It is recommended to leave the computer idle during this process.  When complete, restart the computer.  This will not only create more space in the master folder, it will automatically update the master index for Outlook Express.

These three simple steps will help fix and prevent file corruption, free up needed file space, and keep Outlook Express running smoothly.

Regular maintenance of your computer is the only thing that will put computer freezes and system crashes from harming you.  Don’t wait until the problem is so big that you have to clean your entire hard drive.  Add a registry cleaner to your regimen to fix Outlook Express and optimize your PC’s performance.

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If your computer is lagging in runtime and/or performance, or if you just want to optimize computer performance, a computer check up is recommended.  For at-home easy options, follow these steps to clean your computer’s hard drive and improve overall function.

Eliminating Unnecessary Files
Go to the Start menu, select Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click on Disk Cleanup.  Process will start automatically and may take a few minutes, it is recommended to keep all programs closed during this time.

Resizing Internet Cache
Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools and select Internet Options.  Select General, then Settings and set the existing size to 50Meg.  Back to the General tab, select Delete Files to delete existing cache files and clear file space.

Defragment and Check Disk Utilities
Both of these utilities can be found by going into the My Computer file, right-clicking on the C: drive, selecting Properties, and going to the Tool tab.  Both of these tasks should be performed monthly or even weekly to prevent file fragmentation and corruption from slowing your computer.

Windows Update Patches
To install the latest Windows Update patches and ensure prime Windows performance, open Internet Explorer, go to Tools, and select Windows Update.  Select to reboot your computer afterwards.

Other suggestions include installing or updating antivirus or virus scan software, ensuring your firewall is activated, and rebooting your computer at least twice a week.  All of these steps should clean and prime your computer.

Most importantly, find a registry cleaner to do your computer check up and fully optimize computer performance on a regular basis.  Don’t wait until your system crashes and you lose that document that you’ve been working on all night.  You can prevent these errors and have you system running like it did when it was brand new.

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A JavaScript error usually occurs when there is a problem embedded in a website or in programs heavily associated in utilizing JavaScript.  Here are a few common JavaScript errors and ways to fix them:

Program JavaScript Errors

If a JavaScript error occurs while you are using a certain program that needs updating, try updating the program and check if that solved the problem.  Also, the program’s website FAQ is a good place to search for common errors regarding the program.  If these all fail to fix the JavaScript error, uninstalling and reinstalling the program is suggested as a last resort.

Internet JavaScript Errors

JavaScript errors from a certain webpage are usually a result of blocked processes.  Check to see if Active Script, Java Applets, or ActiveX is blocked on the browser settings and then enabling the process(es).  You may also want to check if your firewall or antivirus is blocking these processes.

To undo this block on Internet Explorer, you need to go to tools, select internet options, security, and then choose the default level. If the problem persists, try going to the same website on a different computer.  If the JavaScript error occurs after opening that website, the problem is with the website itself and not your computer.

The smooth scrolling feature in Internet Explorer is also known to cause JavaScript errors at times. To eliminate this source, go to internet options, select advanced and find “smooth scrolling” on the list, and clear the checked box to deactivate it.

Have you found yourself waiting on that little hourglass icon to open up your programs.  If you don’t want to ever experience a system crash or a computer freeze again, you need to maintain your computer on a regular basis.  Whether you fix the JavaScript error yourself or use a registry cleaner, it is always a good idea to regularly clean your registry to optimize your PC’s performance.

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Today we’re going to talk a bit about Internet Explorer. If your operating system is Windows, you have Internet Explorer on your computer. Internet Explorer is the most used Internet browser in the world, mainly because Windows comes with it and most people don’t see a reason to change browsers. Because of this I will point out some things that you need to know.

The first thing to know is that Internet Explorer has some huge security holes. Programmers and people in the IT profession have pointed out these holes to Microsoft and some have been fixed, but not all. To get these fixes you need to keep your Windows updated. The security holes in Internet Explorer makes it easy for those who make a living by hacking, creating spyware that installs itself via drive by, etc. to either get control of your computer, infect you, and/or steal your information and thus bank account information and/or identity.

Let us talk about the infecting your computer with the drive by infection. These drive by infections are written so that if you visit a certain site you are infected. Internet Explorer is the program they are written for because of its widespread use. Other browsers have built in protections from drive by infections, but Internet Explorer does not. This makes using Internet Explorer unsafe. Most drive by infections these days are spyware, though some are viruses. Many take the form of giving you a window that looks like a warning stating that you have been or are infected and want to know if you would like to run a free scan now. If you ever get that window, ctrl+alt+delete to your task manager and end tasks on that window. If you click it at all you will be infected.

To wrap it up, with these issues it is easy for something to affect your registry and cause errors. Using Regcure will clean up these errors and keep you in smooth working order. Download Regcure today to fix Internet Explorer and fully optimize you PC in under two minutes.

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The news that Microsoft will not release Internet Explorer 8 to the public is not something that is surprising. Microsoft’s latest browser IE8 will remain in beta until 2009.

The announcement was made on Microsoft’s official blog. Dean Hachamovitch, General Manager of Internet Explorer project noted that they will release another beta next year. “We will release one more public update of IE8 in the first quarter of 2009, and then follow that up with the final release,” he said. The browser is currently in Beta 2.

Tech enthusiasts on the other hand agree that the decision is very just. A review on ArsTechnica noted that they are perfectly fine with more testing and bug fixing being done. Internet Exlorer 8 Beta 2 is noted with numerous bugs and crash errors, something that is not present in its grand rival Firefox 3.

As of this writing, Microsoft encourages users and beta testers to submit bug reports to help improve the once leading browser.

Source: PopuTech and ArsTechnica

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No matter how fast your processor is, chances are is that your surfing speed would soon drag down due to unwanted data build up, plug-in issues, or failure to update your browser. You don’t need an antivirus or anti-spyware program for these problems. Putting grease into your laggard browser is as easy as clicking a few buttons.

If you’re using Internet Explorer, just click on Tools • Internet Options then click on Delete Browsing History. If you’re using a third-party utility suite, such as Norton Systemworks, then you have to open up its control center and choose the appropriate option to delete unwanted browser clutter.

For plug-in problems, all you have to do is disable it. In Firefox, just choose Tools • Add-ons, then Disable. In Internet Explorer, click on Start • All Programs • Accessories • Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).

As for the updates, you don’t have to worry about Internet Explorer if you’re using Windows and Windows Update is set to automatically receive patches. For Firefox, just click on Help • Check for Updates.

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