It is that time of year when people look forward to Thanksgiving, the day-after rush and the shopping season. Let's get right to the letters and see what we can solve for you.

Question: I see you liked the Motorola Droid. You were a big fan of the Samsung Omnia as well. Did you try out the Palm Pre?

Answer: I did briefly use a Pre during a demo, and I am still going with the Droid (and recently bought one after my review unit had to be returned). I am still getting used to all of the fun things it does — and the weight in my pocket — and I love having an actual Web browser along with me. The number of applications available on Android is staggering and I find the Verizon network to be a big plus. I liked the Omnia and still do, but I think the Droid is a step up.

Question: I did a custom install of Windows 7 and, as I read in your column, it did wipe out all of my data and programs, which I did back up. Now, however, I cannot get most of my games to reload back onto my computer. Is there a trick to copying them back on?

Answer: You can't just copy the folders back to the directories and expect most programs to work, which I gather is what you are doing. You need to reinstall the applications using the original program disc or re-download the applications over again. A few programs may work if you copy the directories over again, but most will not.

Question: I uninstalled TaxCut software last year and now I need to make a printout of my return from a year prior. Is there a viewer that you know of that will let you do that?

Answer: I wish. The only way I know of is to rename the file the current tax year (TaxCut names each year T08 for tax year 2008, etc.), then open it in the current year. So you can take the T07 file and rename it T08 and open it in last year's program, print it or make a PDF, and then close it again. Just make sure you are renaming a copy and not your original file. H&R Block really does need to come out with a viewer because many of us either forget to make the PDF of the file or we lose it in a hard-drive crash in later years.

Question: With all the concern about H1N1 going around, is there anything we can use to clean computer keyboards and mice that we share in our office?

Answer: You can purchase commercial wipes for this or just squirt a light dose of disinfectant spray across the keyboard and mouse when the computer is turned off or the PC is locked. Wipe off the keys after each user. You don't want the keys to get really soaking wet, but you're right: shared keyboards can harbor germs. You can lock the computer by hitting the Windows key and the L key at the same time.

James Derk is owner of CyberDads, a computer-repair firm and a tech columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. E-mail him at jim@cyberdads.com.