Fast Forward's Help File

Q After running Dell's "PC TuneUp" tool, the news sites I visit look like a mess in Firefox -- but appear normal in Internet Explorer. How can I fix this?

AI suggested that this reader clear Firefox's cache of recent Web pages, and he reported that everything looked right in Firefox afterwards.

I still don't know why that remedy worked, but clearing a browser's cache will often resolve mysterious glitches like that. It should be your first trouble-shooting step if your browser starts acting up.

To do so in the latest version of Firefox, go to the Tools menu and select "Clear Private Data..."; uncheck every box except "Cache" and then click the "Clear Private Data Now" button. In Internet Explorer 7, go to the Tools menu, select "Delete Browsing History..." and then click the "Delete files..." button. In Apple's Safari, go to the Safari menu and select "Empty Cache..."

I run Windows Vista, and though I can synchronize my Palm handheld to Palm Desktop, I can't install any applications.

Palm is yet another firm that hasn't updated its software for Vista: Palm Desktop's installer tools crash in Microsoft's new system.

As a note on Palm's site ( http://palm.com/vista) explains, you'll have to find another way. You can try beaming the program to your Palm from another Palm, using a non-Vista computer, downloading the program straight to your Palm (if it has Internet access) or copying the program to a memory card (if your Palm has a card slot).

If none of those options will do, you can use a $9.95 third-party program, Business Technology Solved's PalmVista Simple Installer: http://www.btsolved.com/SS/SS_software.htm

Palm's corporate blog ( http://blog.palm.com) says it will have a Vista-compatible version of Palm Desktop out this summer. If you must buy the PalmVista installer in the meantime, I suggest sending Palm the bill.

Rob Pegoraro attempts to untangle computing conundrums and errant electronics each week. Send questions to The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071 orrobp@washpost.com.