FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  290 (20/11/01)

Q

Since I changed from Windows 98 to ME earlier this year, I find that when I select Windows Explorer the folder that comes up is "My Documents", whereas I always used to get "C:\".  I have tried and failed to reset this feature. Can you help?
Peter F Thompson

A

Certainly can! Right click on the Windows Explorer shortcut and select Properties. In the box marked ‘Target’ add the following ‘c:/’ (without the quotes), hit Enter and close the box. The next time you start Windows Explorer it should open in the root directory of your C: drive. If you want it to open in a 2-pane view add a ‘\e’ switch to the command i.e. ‘\e, c:/’.

Q

My copy of Microsoft Word 2000 is causing trouble. I am trying to type up my autobiography and have completed several chapters when for no apparent reason it has decided to type in red, underlined with a black line in the left margin. When I try to use the delete button, instead of deleting as normal, the cursor goes forward changing any black type to red, with a line through the middle of each letter at the same time underlining the word. I have tried everything to resolve this problem.
Michael Huighes-Narborough

A

You must have inadvertently enabled Word’s Track Changes option, which highlights and preserves any alterations you make to a document. To get Word back to normal simply go to the Tools menu, click Track Changes then Highlight Changes and deselect the item ‘Track Changes while Editing’.

Q

How do I stop the pop-up windows interrupting my online sessions? Whenever I go to a site with lots of information the windows rudely pop up and I have to start clicking to get rid of them.
Michael bell

A

They are a real pest and it’s getting worse. My solution is to use a neat little freeware program called NoPops. Once it has been taught to recognise popup ads they are zapped before they get a chance to appear on your screen. The download is only around 560kb and it can be obtained from: http://www.jpsoft.dk/products.php

Q

I am getting new PC with Windows XP.  Can you tell me, does XP support Direct Cable Connection since I shall want to transfer files from my old Windows 98 PC?

Peter Barnes

A

DCC is supported and XP actually makes it a bit easier to use with a dedicated ‘File and Settings Transfer Wizard’ that takes you through the process of copying across data from another PC.

Q

I wish to disable the numbers lock, which annoyingly trips in every time I switch on my PC.  Every attempt to disable this automatic programmed feature has failed.  Help please!

Shaun Finucane

A

There are two ways of doing this, from the PC’s BIOS (Basic Input Output System) -- a small program that initialises your PC when you switch it on -- or by adding a simple command to a system file. The BIOS method should only be attempted if you are reasonably conversant with the ways of your computer. When you first switch on you should see a message like ‘Press DEL for setup’ or word to that effect, doing so will stop the boot up sequence and launch the BIOS main menu. Select the ‘BIOS Features’ or ‘Advanced Features’ sub menu using the cursor up/down keys and look for the item ‘Boot Up Num Lock’ or something similar, highlight it – using the cursor keys again – and use the Page up/down keys to change the selection to ‘Off’. Touch nothing else! Press Esc to return to the main menu, select Save and Exit and if prompted to do so, select Y for ‘Save Changes and Exit’.

The alternative method is to open the ‘Config.sys’ file using WordPad – it’s in the root directory of the C drive and you may have to change ‘Files of Type’ to "All Files". Scroll to the end of the text and add the line ‘Numlock=off’ (without the quotes), save the file, exit WordPad and Windows and reboot.

Q

My computer only puts in standard vertical quotation marks, which are unchanged at the beginning and end of words. I believe there is a way in Word that can change it to curve left and right for beginning and end quotes. I should be grateful to learn how to do it.

Graham Sasse

A

The command switch for straight and curly or ‘smart’ quotes can be found on the Insert menu, select AutoText, then AutoText and the ‘AutoFormat as you Type’ tab, the curly/straight quote option can be found under the heading ‘Replace As you Type’.

Q

I have just invested in a Seagate 60GB hard drive to replace my 6GB drive, also a Seagate model - a straight swap, so I thought. I have only one HDD - the jumper was already set to `Single Drive Master' on the new HDD. However, when switched on, the PC refuses to boot up. It gets as far as ‘Detecting IDE primary Master (Press F4 to skip)’, and then locks up - it does not recognise the new disk. I have tried booting it both with and without a Windows 98 start-up floppy in place but it makes no difference. Is this a BIOS setting problem?

Michael Grice

A

It sounds as though you haven’t partitioned and formatted the new drive. These two processes are essential to give the blank drive a file structure that the PC can use. Boot up the PC using your Start-up floppy and when the A: prompt appears type ‘fdisk’ (without the quotes) and select the option ‘Enable Large Disc Support’, when prompted select ‘Y’ (yes) for Create DOS Partition’ and Create Primary DOS Partition’. When it has finished switch off, reboot and at the A: prompt type ‘format c: /s’ and this will prepare the disc for use and copy across key system files so that the PC will be able to boot up on its own, from the C: drive. Now you are ready to install Windows, boot from the startup disc again, this time choosing the ‘Boot with CD Support’, pop in the Windows CD-ROM, type ‘D:’ to change to drive letter type ‘setup’ and the installation routine should begin.

Q

I work from my home office and everything is centred on the PC. I use PhoneTools software to make calls using a headset, however when not on the phone I like to listen to music or the radio played through the PC's soundcard and speakers. At present to switch between the speakers and the headset, I have to reach behind the PC and swap over the leads plugged into the soundcard output socket. This is very inconvenient. I have tried an audio extension lead to bring this connection to the desk top and then an Audio splitter plug to enable me to leave both speakers and head set plugged in but no luck on either of these. Can you suggest a better way?

Brian Batchelor

A

Maplin Electronics (www.maplin.co.uk) have a neat little 2-channel audio switch box (product code CN44X) costing £9.99, the only slight problem is that it uses phono type plugs and sockets so you would need some phono to jack adaptors but these are readily available, also from Maplin.