Last thing I'll mention, when in MSConfig, you'll see some things you might not immediately recognize or know if it's safe to turn off. Whenever in doubt, just type the name in Google & read up on it. But more likely then not, I'm betting your security software is what's causing the problem.

If your on Windows, click on Start then Run and type in "msconfig" without the quotes, and hit enter. This will bring up a window that allows you to disable anything on startup. Whenever I get a virus, that's the first place I check. Also, here is a link to some screenshots and more info on MSConfig: http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/index.html

I'm not an employee, just a customer. I do know about computers though. I would try turning off your security software, that includes spyware, virus scanner, and firewall. Then uninstall the EasyBloom software. Restart your machine. Turn off the security software again, download the installer from the website, run the software & then plug the easybloom in when it asks you to. Then restart the machine. -- Sometimes just installing things in the wrong order can cause problems or more times then not there is another program that is causing a conflict. -- to troubleshoot which programs might be causing problems, you want to disable anything that automatically starts up on when you turn on your pc. With everything disabled, it should work. Then you turn on programs on by one.

Or at the very least (because NPK might be to difficult) if all the EasyBoom could do was display a High, Medium, and Low fertility read out, the online software could log & display a graph showing the levels over the course of a full season. While it wouldn't be much more advanced then the $15 electronic soil tester, it would be a lot more useful when displayed along side the rest of the data. -- and by the way, thank you Edith for replying so quickly. Its nice seeing you and Robby being active in these forums. :)

I'm using the Ferry Morse Soil Test Kit. The ones that go for $3-$4 at the local garden store and comes with PH and the NPK pills inside small plastic vials. I also have the Ferry Morse Electronic Soil Tester Analyzer which I picked up for $15-$20. It looks like a small black box with two metal prongs.

I'm located in Southern California, growing carrots, snow peas, lettuce, catnip, strawberries, and tomatoes in a raised 4x4 foot garden bed on the southern side of my house. I've recently began noticing a problem with aphids, hornworms, and spider mites. What are some organic methods to control these pests? And should I aim for total genocide of these vermin or let them be and hope Mother Nature will keep the balance?

As I understand it, most quality PH readers cost over $100 dollars. I would have no problem paying $150 for an "EasyBloom II" that monitors light, moisture, and PH levels. And I'm not talking acidity.. give us NPK!!! Pretty please, with cherries on top. :)