NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Failings by Lehman Brothers executives and its auditor led to the bank collapse that unleashed the worst of the financial crisis, according to a report by a U.S. bankruptcy court-appointed examiner.
Lehman "repeatedly exceeded its own internal risk limits and controls" and a wide range of bad calls by its management led to the bank's failure, the report says.
The conduct of Lehman executives "ranged from serious but non-culpable errors of business judgment to actionable balance sheet manipulation," the report by examiner Anton Valukas says.
Valukas, of New York law firm Jenner & Block, was appointed in January of last year to examine the causes of Lehman's failure by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
The fall of a Wall Street highflier
Lehman's bankruptcy filing on Sept. 15, 2008 -- the largest Chapter 11 filing in financial history -- capped a 95% slide in the firm's stock price and unleashed a crisis of confidence that threw financial markets worldwide into turmoil, sparking the worst crisis since the Great Depression.
As a credit squeeze caused investor confidence to falter in the fall of 2008 Lehman tried to stave off collapse by painting a misleading picture of its financial condition, the report claims.
In particular, it criticizes Lehman's failure to disclose its use of what it called "Repo 105" transactions to manipulate its balance sheet.
The use of these transactions were not adequately challenged or questioned by its auditor Ernst & Young, according to the report, which runs more than 2,200 pages.
The report is highly critical of Lehman's executives. It says: "Lehman should have done more, done better."
But it says responsibility for its collapse is shared. A flawed business model that rewarded excessive risk and leverage exacerbated the bank's problems, as did government agencies.
Lehman's plight "was more the consequence than the cause of a deteriorating economic climate," Valukas wrote.
Friday, March 12, 2010
China warns Google as Internet row deal seen soon
China warns Google as Internet row deal seen soon
BEIJING (Reuters) - China warned Google, the world's largest search engine, against flouting the country's laws on Friday, as expectations grow for a resolution to a public battle over censorship and cyber-security.
The chief executive of Google, Eric Schmidt, said this week he hoped to announce soon a result to talks with Chinese authorities on offering an uncensored search engine in China.
"Google has made its case, both publicly and privately," China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Li Yizhong, said, but did not confirm directly that his ministry was in talks with Google.
Google in January threatened to pull out of China if it could not offer an unfiltered Chinese search engine, after cyber attacks originating from China on it and about 30 other firms.
"If you don't respect Chinese laws, you are unfriendly and irresponsible, and the consequences will be on you," Li told reporters, in answer to a question on what China would do if Google.cn simply stopped filtering search results.
Li complimented Google on having reached about 30 percent market share in the Chinese market since it launched google.cn about three years ago, and said it was welcome to expand market share further if it abided by Chinese law.
It was up to Google whether to stay in China's market or not, he added.
Ministry officials have wavered between confirming and denying that talks are happening at all, in response to repeated media questions during China's annual legislative session.
"This is really a hot topic, it's easy and yet not easy to respond. A lot of these matters don't fall under my ministry, " Li said.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shares oversight of the Chinese Internet with a number of other bodies, while still more bureaucracies are involved in matters of foreign investment, complicating the Chinese government's response to Google's challenge.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China warned Google, the world's largest search engine, against flouting the country's laws on Friday, as expectations grow for a resolution to a public battle over censorship and cyber-security.
The chief executive of Google, Eric Schmidt, said this week he hoped to announce soon a result to talks with Chinese authorities on offering an uncensored search engine in China.
"Google has made its case, both publicly and privately," China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Li Yizhong, said, but did not confirm directly that his ministry was in talks with Google.
Google in January threatened to pull out of China if it could not offer an unfiltered Chinese search engine, after cyber attacks originating from China on it and about 30 other firms.
"If you don't respect Chinese laws, you are unfriendly and irresponsible, and the consequences will be on you," Li told reporters, in answer to a question on what China would do if Google.cn simply stopped filtering search results.
Li complimented Google on having reached about 30 percent market share in the Chinese market since it launched google.cn about three years ago, and said it was welcome to expand market share further if it abided by Chinese law.
It was up to Google whether to stay in China's market or not, he added.
Ministry officials have wavered between confirming and denying that talks are happening at all, in response to repeated media questions during China's annual legislative session.
"This is really a hot topic, it's easy and yet not easy to respond. A lot of these matters don't fall under my ministry, " Li said.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shares oversight of the Chinese Internet with a number of other bodies, while still more bureaucracies are involved in matters of foreign investment, complicating the Chinese government's response to Google's challenge.
TV star Merlin Olsen dead at 69
Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, who helped form one of the NFL's greatest defensive lines before embarking on a successful career in television, died Thursday
And yet, Merlin Olsen, Pro Football Hall of Famer, tv star on both Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy passes with barely a ripple.
MELISSA GILBERT has paid tribute to her LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE co-st ar MERLIN OLSEN, who died on Thursday (11Mar10). The former American football ...
Merlin Olsen dies
He died March 11 of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. He was 69. By Matt Schudel Merlin Olsen, 69, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle with the Los Angeles ...
Merlin Olsen passed away Wednesday from mesothelioma, but a doctor has given tips on how to fight the lung disease
And yet, Merlin Olsen, Pro Football Hall of Famer, tv star on both Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy passes with barely a ripple.
MELISSA GILBERT has paid tribute to her LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE co-st ar MERLIN OLSEN, who died on Thursday (11Mar10). The former American football ...
Merlin Olsen dies
He died March 11 of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. He was 69. By Matt Schudel Merlin Olsen, 69, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle with the Los Angeles ...
Merlin Olsen passed away Wednesday from mesothelioma, but a doctor has given tips on how to fight the lung disease
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
How to troubleshoot Windows
How to troubleshoot Windows startup problemsSometimes Windows begins to load but then stops responding during the startup process. In most cases, the problem is a new piece of hardware, a new program, or a corrupted system file. Follow the instructions below to troubleshoot the problem. Try to start your computer after each step. Continue to the next step only if Windows continues to fail during startup.
To troubleshoot startup problems
1. Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start.
2. If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly. 3. Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode and press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.
4. Additional troubleshooting is possible, but it can be complicated and may require reinstalling Windows XP. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. Alternatively, you can perform a repair installation of Windows XP. It might solve your problem. However, you will lose some settings and need to reinstall updates.
To troubleshoot startup problems
1. Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start.
2. If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly. 3. Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode and press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.
4. Additional troubleshooting is possible, but it can be complicated and may require reinstalling Windows XP. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. Alternatively, you can perform a repair installation of Windows XP. It might solve your problem. However, you will lose some settings and need to reinstall updates.
How to troubleshoot Windows startup problemsSometimes Windows begins to load but then stops responding during the startup process. In most cases, the problem is a new piece of hardware, a new program, or a corrupted system file. Follow the instructions below to troubleshoot the problem. Try to start your computer after each step. Continue to the next step only if Windows continues to fail during startup.
To troubleshoot startup problems
1. Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start.
2. If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly. 3. Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode and press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.
4. Additional troubleshooting is possible, but it can be complicated and may require reinstalling Windows XP. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. Alternatively, you can perform a repair installation of Windows XP. It might solve your problem. However, you will lose some settings and need to reinstall updates.
To troubleshoot startup problems
1. Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start.
2. If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly. 3. Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode and press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.
4. Additional troubleshooting is possible, but it can be complicated and may require reinstalling Windows XP. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. Alternatively, you can perform a repair installation of Windows XP. It might solve your problem. However, you will lose some settings and need to reinstall updates.
To troubleshoot hardware problems
1.
If your computer beeps when you start it but does not display anything on your monitor:
a. Disconnect and reconnect your monitor from your computer.
b. Verify that your monitor's power cord is connected and that your monitor is turned on.
c. If possible, connect your monitor to a different computer to make sure that your monitor works properly.
d. If your monitor works but your computer beeps and displays nothing, your video adapter has probably failed. If your computer is under warranty, contact your computer manufacturer for support. If your computer is not under warranty, and you are comfortable opening your computer's case and replacing internal hardware, purchase and install a compatible replacement video adapter. Otherwise, contact a service center for assistance. While replacing a part is a nuisance and may be costly, your documents, pictures, and e-mail should be safe and will be available when your computer is fixed.
2.
If you see an error message that indicates that a keyboard is not present or a key is stuck, turn off your computer and reconnect your keyboard. If the problem continues, replace your keyboard.
3.
Sometimes your computer won't start because your computer is not compatible with a hardware accessory. If you have recently added a new hardware accessory, turn your computer off, remove the accessory, and restart your computer.
4.
Remove all hardware accessories except your keyboard, mouse, and monitor. If your computer starts successfully, shut down Windows, turn off your computer, and add one hardware accessory. Then, restart your computer. If your computer fails to start, the hardware accessory you most recently added is causing a problem. Remove the hardware and contact the hardware vendor for support. You can reconnect other hardware accessories.
5.
You may have a loose connector. Turn off your computer, remove all connectors from the outside of your computer, and then carefully push the connectors back in. Look for stray wires, bent pins, and loosely fitting connectors.
6.
If you are comfortable opening your computer's case, shut down your computer, unplug the power, and open your computer’s case. Remove and reconnect all cables. Remove and reconnect all cards inside your computer, including your computer’s memory chips. Reassemble your computer before attempting to start it again.
7.
If your computer still doesn't start, your motherboard, processor, memory, or graphics card may have developed a problem. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. While failed hardware can be frustrating, your documents, pictures, and e-mail should be safe and will be there when your computer is fixed.
1.
If your computer beeps when you start it but does not display anything on your monitor:
a. Disconnect and reconnect your monitor from your computer.
b. Verify that your monitor's power cord is connected and that your monitor is turned on.
c. If possible, connect your monitor to a different computer to make sure that your monitor works properly.
d. If your monitor works but your computer beeps and displays nothing, your video adapter has probably failed. If your computer is under warranty, contact your computer manufacturer for support. If your computer is not under warranty, and you are comfortable opening your computer's case and replacing internal hardware, purchase and install a compatible replacement video adapter. Otherwise, contact a service center for assistance. While replacing a part is a nuisance and may be costly, your documents, pictures, and e-mail should be safe and will be available when your computer is fixed.
2.
If you see an error message that indicates that a keyboard is not present or a key is stuck, turn off your computer and reconnect your keyboard. If the problem continues, replace your keyboard.
3.
Sometimes your computer won't start because your computer is not compatible with a hardware accessory. If you have recently added a new hardware accessory, turn your computer off, remove the accessory, and restart your computer.
4.
Remove all hardware accessories except your keyboard, mouse, and monitor. If your computer starts successfully, shut down Windows, turn off your computer, and add one hardware accessory. Then, restart your computer. If your computer fails to start, the hardware accessory you most recently added is causing a problem. Remove the hardware and contact the hardware vendor for support. You can reconnect other hardware accessories.
5.
You may have a loose connector. Turn off your computer, remove all connectors from the outside of your computer, and then carefully push the connectors back in. Look for stray wires, bent pins, and loosely fitting connectors.
6.
If you are comfortable opening your computer's case, shut down your computer, unplug the power, and open your computer’s case. Remove and reconnect all cables. Remove and reconnect all cards inside your computer, including your computer’s memory chips. Reassemble your computer before attempting to start it again.
7.
If your computer still doesn't start, your motherboard, processor, memory, or graphics card may have developed a problem. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. While failed hardware can be frustrating, your documents, pictures, and e-mail should be safe and will be there when your computer is fixed.
Repair a Damaged Hard Drive
I will explain a method that can repair a damaged hard drive. It is also possible to be able to tell if the hard drive is nearing its end by using this method.Warning: Depending on the extent of the damage to your hard drive, this test can cause the hard drive to actually fail. So, prior to running this test, be sure to backup all data.<>Start Repair Method:
1.Insert your Windows XP/2000 installation CD and restart your computer to launch the CD. If you receive a prompt asking what boot method you would like to use. Select the option that allows you to boot from the installation CD.
2.The next prompt will ask what you would like to do? Select the letter "R" to enter the Windows Recovery Console.
3.When asked what partition you would like to boot to, select the partition that has your Windows operating system installed on it. You may be asked for an administrator password at this point. If you use one, then enter it now. If not, simply press enter to continue.
4.A command prompt should now appear. Type in the following command and then press enter on your keyboard: chkdsk /p
5.Your system will begin testing for errors on your drive. If you receive a message that states; "One or more errors detected on the volume", then it is possible to use CHKDSK to repair these errors. If no errors were found, CHKDSK will not be able to repair your drive.
6.If one or more errors were found, type in the following command at the command prompt and then press enter on your keyboard: chkdsk /r
7.Once you press enter, the CHKDSK utility will begin checking every sector on your hard drive for errors and automatically repair them. This test could take some time depending on the size of your hard drive.
8.Once your system stops scanning and returns you to the command prompt, type the following command again, then press enter: chkdsk /p
9.If after the scan completes and it has found no errors, this means that you have successfully repaired your drive. If errors are again reported, this means that the CHKDSK utility was unable to repair these errors and it could also indicate that the drive is on its last leg.
10.Exit the Recovery Console and remove your Windows XP/2000 installation CD. Be sure to (if you haven't already) backup all data on your drive.
1.Insert your Windows XP/2000 installation CD and restart your computer to launch the CD. If you receive a prompt asking what boot method you would like to use. Select the option that allows you to boot from the installation CD.
2.The next prompt will ask what you would like to do? Select the letter "R" to enter the Windows Recovery Console.
3.When asked what partition you would like to boot to, select the partition that has your Windows operating system installed on it. You may be asked for an administrator password at this point. If you use one, then enter it now. If not, simply press enter to continue.
4.A command prompt should now appear. Type in the following command and then press enter on your keyboard: chkdsk /p
5.Your system will begin testing for errors on your drive. If you receive a message that states; "One or more errors detected on the volume", then it is possible to use CHKDSK to repair these errors. If no errors were found, CHKDSK will not be able to repair your drive.
6.If one or more errors were found, type in the following command at the command prompt and then press enter on your keyboard: chkdsk /r
7.Once you press enter, the CHKDSK utility will begin checking every sector on your hard drive for errors and automatically repair them. This test could take some time depending on the size of your hard drive.
8.Once your system stops scanning and returns you to the command prompt, type the following command again, then press enter: chkdsk /p
9.If after the scan completes and it has found no errors, this means that you have successfully repaired your drive. If errors are again reported, this means that the CHKDSK utility was unable to repair these errors and it could also indicate that the drive is on its last leg.
10.Exit the Recovery Console and remove your Windows XP/2000 installation CD. Be sure to (if you haven't already) backup all data on your drive.
Installing Laptop Memory
Installing Laptop Memory
Difficulty: Relatively simpleTime Required: 10-15 minutesTools Required: Precision Philips or flat-head screwdriver
This guide was developed to instruct readers on the proper procedures for installing memory modules into a laptop computer. It includes step-by-step instructions for the physical installation of a memory module into those laptop systems that have an access panel to the memory modules. Not all laptops have this type of access. If yours does not, then it will probably require installation from an authorized technician.
For additional information about installing computer memory into your computer system, it is recommended that you read any user manuals that came with your computer for specific procedures that may be required. For more information for purchasing memory upgrades for a computer, please refer to the Before You Buy Memory upgrades article.
1.Turn off the computer and remove all power cords from the computer system.
2.Locate the panel used for access to the memory modules. This is generally located on the bottom of the laptop computer. Refer to your laptop instruction manuals for locating the panel.
3.Remove any screws that the panel in place and place somewhere safe to prevent losing it.
4.Remove the panel from the laptop and set aside.
5.If replacing or upgrading an existing memory module, remove the memory modules by undoing and module clamps and gently lifting the edge of the module to a 45-degree angle and then pulling the module out of the slot.
6.Align the notch of the memory module with that of the memory slot and gently insert the module into the slot at a 45-degree angle.
7.Once all the pins are in the slot, gently rotate the module down flat until the clamps lock into the module into place.
8.Replace the memory access panel onto the laptop computer.
9.Replace any screws or fasteners that hold the panel in place.
10.Replace the power cord and power up your computer system.
Once the memory has been installed into the computer, the physical process is complete. When the computer is powered back up, it may be necessary to go into the computer BIOS to let the system properly detect the new RAM that has been installed in the computer. Please refer to the user manual for the computer system for any additional information.
Difficulty: Relatively simpleTime Required: 10-15 minutesTools Required: Precision Philips or flat-head screwdriver
This guide was developed to instruct readers on the proper procedures for installing memory modules into a laptop computer. It includes step-by-step instructions for the physical installation of a memory module into those laptop systems that have an access panel to the memory modules. Not all laptops have this type of access. If yours does not, then it will probably require installation from an authorized technician.
For additional information about installing computer memory into your computer system, it is recommended that you read any user manuals that came with your computer for specific procedures that may be required. For more information for purchasing memory upgrades for a computer, please refer to the Before You Buy Memory upgrades article.
1.Turn off the computer and remove all power cords from the computer system.
2.Locate the panel used for access to the memory modules. This is generally located on the bottom of the laptop computer. Refer to your laptop instruction manuals for locating the panel.
3.Remove any screws that the panel in place and place somewhere safe to prevent losing it.
4.Remove the panel from the laptop and set aside.
5.If replacing or upgrading an existing memory module, remove the memory modules by undoing and module clamps and gently lifting the edge of the module to a 45-degree angle and then pulling the module out of the slot.
6.Align the notch of the memory module with that of the memory slot and gently insert the module into the slot at a 45-degree angle.
7.Once all the pins are in the slot, gently rotate the module down flat until the clamps lock into the module into place.
8.Replace the memory access panel onto the laptop computer.
9.Replace any screws or fasteners that hold the panel in place.
10.Replace the power cord and power up your computer system.
Once the memory has been installed into the computer, the physical process is complete. When the computer is powered back up, it may be necessary to go into the computer BIOS to let the system properly detect the new RAM that has been installed in the computer. Please refer to the user manual for the computer system for any additional information.
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