Alexander: Apple's new OS update causes iPhone, iPad glitches

Q: After Apple recently upgraded the iOS operating software for its mobile devices, my iPad 2 began having trouble connecting to my favorite websites via Wi-Fi. What can I do?

Tom Enda, Lakeland, Fla.

A: You are one of many iPad and iPhone users to report Wi-Fi connectivity problems and other glitches in the wake of the recent iOS operating system upgrades. Because the problems appear to be caused by the software, there's little you can do until Apple releases a fix.

Although Apple has issued three updates to iOS 8 since mid-September (most recently iOS 8.1), there have been continued reports of Wi-Fi connectivity problems, rapid battery discharge, screen freezing and repetitive rebooting. For details, see tinyurl.com/njv6rwg and tinyurl.com/nf2m6ca. For a sample of user complaints, see tinyurl.com/qd8yddg.

Apple is being closely watched by its customers to see how quickly it resolves the issue. But while we wait, you can try a simple remedy that has worked for a few users: resetting your iPad or iPhone network settings. Before you do this, write down your Wi-Fi password if you have one, because the reset will erase it. Then, go to Settings, then General, then Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This will cause your iPad to reboot.

Q: When I try to respond to an e-mail address on a website, Microsoft's Windows Live Mail always opens on my Windows 7 PC. Since I use Gmail, how can I make that my default e-mail?

Bruce Snyder, Mendota Heights

Q: Somehow I lost the "MSConfig" feature on my Windows 98 PC, and now I can't shut the computer off using the normal keyboard commands. I have to shut it off by holding down the power button. What can I do?

Daniel Lee, Plymouth

A: You may have made unintentional changes by using "MSConfig," a Windows 98 feature that automates troubleshooting but can also modify the operating system settings. You can try an alternate way to shut down the PC by clicking the Start button and then click "Shut down."

Try the 15-step troubleshooting guide at tinyurl.com/25rgd.

Back up your data and then reload Windows 98. During the reload, all PC data and programs will be erased.

Continuing to press the power button to force a shutdown on your current computer is likely to cause more problems, such as a loss of data or a disruption of Windows file management.