Dr. J:  It is not wise to automatically install Flash player or any other software without the user's permission.  Once the browser detects a flash movie, it will look for the application to execute it.  If none is found, it will inform the user if he/she wants to download the player.  It's up to your visitor to decide whether he or she wants to download it or not.

*****

Question:  I'm using an XP Home Ed and I wish to reformat my hard drive and I’m not sure if I have to re-register my PC again by supplying the same info I did when I first registered the first time. Is there a file in my PC where such info is saved? Where is it and how does it work? Thanks, you are great. God bless. -- Bogie.

Dr. J:  As long as the new installation is on the same system and there won't be any hardware changes, you skip having to go through the product activation process again.  Look for the files "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.  If you're able to save these two files before formatting your drive, then you can just copy them back to your newly installed system. 

*****

Question:  I have a problem uninstalling a program; in the middle of uninstalling it will stop and say the data shell manager database missing or corrupted. Thank you. - Joseph Mateo.

Dr. J:  Kindly email the application that you're trying to uninstall.  My guess is that the application is using a certain database that has been erased prior to the removal of the application. 

*****

Question:   There are so many anti-viruses w/ anti-spy ware or firewall utilities to select from; what do I choose? All of them offer great protection from all kinds of computer threats. Which of them is the perfect one, w/o slowing the computer at start-up? Thanks and more power! - bladeknight.

Dr. J:  There's no such thing as the perfect anti-virus, anti-spy ware and firewall.  Security is a process and not a product.  It requires the involvement of the human, the process and the product to secure your system. 

*****

Question:  I have a dual operating system installed in my PC: Windows Professional and Home Editions. The Windows Professional has been infected with a virus and after removing it with anti-virus software, it is no longer functioning. How do I re-install the Windows Professional? Windows Professional is installed in Drive C while Windows Home is in drive G in the same hard disk. Thanks for your help and God bless. Ariel M. Navata.

Dr. J:  Simply install it as if it’s your first time to install it.  Insert the original bootable CD of Windows Pro and go through the installation process. 

*****

Question:  I would like to ask how to solve this: "stacks overflow" always appears on my computer. Thanks and more power to your column - Reynaldo Catipay.

Dr. J:  Visit this website to understand what stack overflow is all about and how to fix it: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=145799

*****

For your questions, comments and suggestions send your e-mail to: AskDrJ101@yahoo.com