Error message commonly encountered while surfing the net

q+a I have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed in my computer with a BSNL broadband connection. After surfing for a few minutes, my Internet connection snaps with an error message: “Generic Host for Win32 services has encountered a problem and needs to close.” I then have to restart the machine to be able to connect to the Internet. How do I get rid of this problem?

Bhaskar Mukherjee

Several readers have written in regarding frequent net disconnection. This problem occurs because of a security issue in Internet Explorer. First, make sure the firewall is turned on in Windows. Second, get hold of a decent anti-virus program. Remember to update it every week and scan your computer. Third, you need very good anti-spyware technology to help prevent spyware and malware. This too needs to be regularly updated. Fourth, update your PC with the patches Microsoft provides now and then. The best way to do this is to turn on Automatic Updates in Windows.

To fix your problem go to the Microsoft site and download the Security Update for Windows XP numbered KB921883. You will find it in this link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2996b9b6-03ff-4636-861a-46b3eac7a305&displaylang=en. If you have a problem in following the link just search for KB921883 at the Microsoft site.

Mobile Internet

q+a I have a Nokia 6020 mobile phone with a DKU-5 serial cable. I have installed the drivers and PC Suite v6.5.12 and correctly. I am able to transfer all files from the mobile to the computer and vice-versa. However, I just cannot make the Internet connection — everytime I get the error message: “Failed to connect to the network…” or “The modem may be used by another application”. I have Airtel GPRS with the settings sent by them.

Debkumar Mondal

The first thing you must check when you are connecting through a cable or Bluetooth is whether the COM port is enabled or not. Very often the connection is not complete because the relevant COM port has not been enabled. To check this, go to the Control Panel on your PC and click on Phone and Modem Options. After clicking on the Modem tab, find out to which COM port your device is attached. Next, click on Phone Monitor Options. Clicking on the COM Ports tab will show a list of COM ports. Select the relevant port and enable it. This will solve the problem.

Some of you have complained that you get the error message, “PPP link control terminated” when you attempt a connection. Usually this happens with a Cellone connection and you are left with the impression that your Internet access has not been activated by BSNL. However, this is not the case. A little bit of tweaking will easily put you online. All you need to do is go to Phone and Modem Options and click on the Modem tab. Click on the Properties and then select the Advanced tab. Under the text field for Extra Initialization Commands put in: AT+CGDCONT=1,”ip”, www.e.pr. This is for Cellone Prepaid connections. Those on Cellone postpaid must replace www.e.pr with www.e.po. (Please type it exactly as it is without any spaces.) If you are on Airtel, you will need to put airtelgprs.com in place of www.e.pr; and those on Hutch should put in www. This little trick will open up the web for you through your mobile.

Missing icons

q+a The icons for both my CD-RW and DVD ROM have disappeared from the list in My Computer. The drives have also disappeared from Device Manager. Please help.

Amit Goyal

With the computer turned off, remove the two cables from the connectors on the back of the drive, and then tightly re-fix them. Check the other end of the ribbon cable to make sure it is plugged firmly into the motherboard. If you are sure you tightened the cables properly and it still does not show up in Device Manager, then the drive is most probably defective. The last thing to try is restoring your computer to a previous state when the drives were working properly. You will find System Restore under Accessories—>System Tools.

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