Media Watch

Rob Cook writes: "Before assuming that it wasn't installed correctly you need to consider two things. 1) Is there a surge protector and if so is the phone line plugged into it? If yes bypass the surge protector (SP) and see if the modem works when plugged in directly to the wall. If it does replace the SP as it is broke; and 2) If after bypassing the SP the modem still dosent work plugged in directly to the wall then the phone line itself needs to be checked by the phone company. If there is no dial tone the modem will never work. Software will not matter one bit. I spent over a year working for an ISP in tech support, this was a very common problem espicaly after a T-storm." Danny writes: "Excellent point, Rob! Thanks for the input"

Lynda Clayton ( Email , call 515-727-4978, or visit ClayonComputers.com ) talks about the upgrade special we've been advertising -- and sticks around for the help line. Have a computer question or problem you can't handle? Give Lynda a call; there's no charge.

WHO Radio events guru Molly Pins (call 515-242-3669 or email MollyPins@ClearChannel.com ) checks in and gives last-minute rundown and details on Mark & Gary's Great Iowa Tractor Ride; also previews this year's Taste fo Des Moines for us, the music, the food & the fun, July 18 & 19.

A "panel of experts" would best describe our show.  Not so much us, but the guests we invite to be on the show.  The hosts are actually several people, although you most often hear from the three of us: web guy Danny Bishop, FM radio disk jockey and home entertainment guru Corey Allen and Mac network administrator Dan Adams (in order of studio seating).  Other wise guys you hear on the show from time to time are WHO Historian, Attorney and Sunday news anchor George Davison and staff IT manager Jeff Hansen. Call us at 284-1040 or 800-469-4295. Or email us !

Geocaching to the Buddy Holly Shrine Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valenz and "The Big Bopper" performed their last show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake on February 2, 1959. Following the show, the three rock & rollers boarded a four-seat airplane in a light snow at the Mason City airport -- the plane being piloted by 22-year-old Roger Peterson. Five minutes into their fateful flight, the plane was observed (from the airport) drifting downward when the tail light went dark. In the early morning light, a search revealed that indeed the plane had crashed and all aboard killed. I've placed a virtual cache in memory of the four young men -- and to all who follow to pay their respects and remember them fondly through the monuments built. To find the shrine, plug the coordinated below into your GPS.   N 43° 13.2223 W 093° 22.8853 (WGS-84)  MapQwest

Hoaxes and Urban Legends? Will Bill Gates really pay you $500 for every email you forward to your friends?  Does little Michelle in Kenya really need a new liver?  Should you really delete that file on your computer if someone emails you & says it's a virus?  You probaby get all these claims in your inbox and wonder if you should alert your friends and collegues about it.  Fact is, it's probably just a hoax.  You can check to make sure by visiting Snope2.com or the Symantec web site.  www.snopes2.com

Real Estate Expert Robin Polder is a walking FAQ on Real Estate.  From learning how to avoid PMI (primary Mortgage Insurance) to deciding how much to ask for your home, she'll have some tried & true advise for you.  Feel free to contact her direct at robinpolder@dsmhomes.com or see her web site: http://www.robinpolder.com .