Q My Acer laptop used to always start up with the wireless capability turned on. Now when I turn the computer on, wireless capability is turned off and if I slide the wireless communication switch on the front of the computer, I get a message saying "No Device." But if I simply restart the computer, it comes up just fine with wireless capability turned on. How does the wireless capability get set, and why would it work differently on a restart?
SHARI FLANAGAN, EAGAN
A Leave the PC's Wi-Fi switch in the on position when you turn your PC off. That way, when your PC starts up again it will load the software drivers (programs that enable the PC to communicate with an attached device) for the laptop's built-in Wi-Fi unit. When the Wi-Fi switch is turned off during start-up, the drivers for it probably aren't being loaded into the PC's memory.
Q I read about a free AVG Anti-Virus program in your column, and afterward got a "one-time reminder e-mail" about AVG because I had visited the website of a California company called TrialPay. The e-mail said I could get free AVG 8.5 software for a year if I signed up with one of their offers. Is this the "free" AVG software you wrote about?
GEORGE CHALOUPKA, CLEVELAND
A No, this is not the program I was talking about, and you should be wary of Internet companies that offer you free software in exchange for signing up for something else. Part of the confusion is that there are two versions of AVG 8.5: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5.278 (free to home users) and AVG Anti-Virus 8.5.276 for business users, which is free to try but then costs $34.99.
If you want the free version of AVG Anti-Virus, download it here: download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
Q I'm trying to find a free calendar program for Windows XP. I know Google and Hotmail have them, but they run on the Internet and I want a calendar that isn't online. Any ideas?
