Q: Recently, I have been unable to view PDF files, such as bank statements, on Internet Explorer. I upgraded (that term is questionable) to IE 9 sometime before this problem, and I can't say for sure I was ever able to view them since the upgrade. I have searched all the help files I can find with no success, and even tried to go back to IE 8, but, as they say, "You can't go back again." Can you help me?

— Bill Cheaqui, Coupeville

A: Internet Explorer 9 uses add-ons to view some types of files in the browser. In the case of PDF files, it would generally be Adobe PDF. Go to the Add-ons Manager, which you can access by clicking on the gear symbol in the upper-right-hand corner. Make sure there is a PDF reader listed and, if there is, that it is enabled. If all looks good and it still isn't working, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated in order to work properly with Internet Explorer 9. If that's the case, go to the add-on's website to download an update.

Q: I was using Microsoft Picture It 7 (on Windows XP) to "batch move" 127 out of 202 pictures from a Secure Digital card to the computer. The first 126 pictures were moved successfully and upon returning to the SD card to continue, the card was empty. I have tried using a number of "file recovery" software programs to retrieve the lost pictures; only the 126 pictures that were transferred successfully show up as deleted and are recoverable. The last 76 pictures are nowhere to be found. Any suggestions?

— Ralf

A: Can you see those 76 pictures when you put the SD card back in the camera? If so, the problem could be with your SD card reader. Try cleaning the contacts first, then try again. If it still doesn't work, try another reader. If you can't see the 76 pictures using the camera's display, it's likely the SD card is going bad.

Q: Everyone but us — mother and father of Linda — can send her email. Our messages are returned with the message that "mail rejected by policy. (Blacklisted by user)." Linda sends us email without any problem. We can send email to Linda with our iPhone. What's the problem? Can you help?

— Jack Fletcher

A: One of two things is going on. Either your email server is blacklisted on your daughter's email server, or it may be that she accidentally tagged your email address for blocking. Have Linda check to see if she has blocked your email. If that's not the case, have her contact her email service provider and report which email messages are being bounced. It should be able to clear things up.

Q: Do you know of a link where I can get precise instructions as to how to install Windows 7 on a PC currently running Windows XP?

— Ed Robison

A: Microsoft offers an online tutorial on how to do that upgrade. You can find it at:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

Q: The recent question from Kevin about a call from a "Microsoft partner" (Personal Technology, Dec. 10) should have resulted in a more complete response. Kevin should be changing all passwords on his Windows system and putting fraud alerts on bank and card accounts (if any of that data is stored on the system). These fraudulent calls usually result in a bad actor having full access to the victim's computer.

Kevin should also take the system to a trusted professional to have it scanned for root kits or other malware. He should also assess his online activity and determine where he may have provided the pertinent information that was used to socially engineer him.

— Guy L. Pace

A: I agree.

Questions for Patrick Marshall may be sent by email to pmarshall@seattletimes.com or pgmarshall@pgmarshall.net, or by mail at Q&A/Technology, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/

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