FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  325 (06/08/02)

Q

I wish to install Windows 98 on my daughter's computer, which at present has Windows. Is there a way of uninstalling Windows 95 without wiping and re-formatting the hard disc, then installing Win 98, so avoiding having to reinstall all the hardware and files? I have a full version of Windows 98 and I have tried installing this on top of Win 95 but I get a message saying I need the upgrade version.
Michael Dewhurst

A

‘Dirty installs’ or upgrades of Windows 95 to 98 often run into problems when bugs, glitches and corrupt registry entries ere carried across to the new operating system. It is usually quicker and easier to back up essential data, format the disc and carry out a clean install.

Q

Is there any free uninstaller programs for Windows 98, which will keep track of the changes made to a PC when a program is installed, so that when you uninstall it everything is removed? I know that "Add/Remove programs" in Windows does this in theory, but in practice it still doesn’t always restore the Registry and other files to their original forms.
James Housley

A

Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel is not an uninstaller utility as such it is merely a directory of shortcuts to your programs own uninstallers and these should be the best equipped to do the job properly as they are customised for each program. Of course not all programs have removal utilities and whilst there are freeware uninstaller programs – some of them quite good -- I don’t think this is an area for penny pinching. The current market leader, Norton CleanSweep, has been doing a good job for years and is worth the £25 to £30 currently being asked for it.

Q

I frequently send small spreadsheet, document and picture files (jpg) as attachments to an e-mail note.  I occasionally would like to send a large file of in excess of 3Mb. Most mailboxes seem to be limited to 3Mb and large files, which might exceed this, are rejected. What's the simplest way of sending large files? Do the sender and recipient need FTP software?

Ian W Marshall

A

FTP or File Transfer Protocol is the preferred way of sending large files over the Internet but it’s not as straightforward to use as, say, email, moreover you will usually need to upload the files into your personal web space so they will be accessible to others. The easiest way to get around the file size limits imposed by some ISPs is to break them into smaller chunks. You can do this by going to Accounts on the Tools menu, highlight your account, select Properties then the Advanced tab and under ‘Sending’ select the item ‘Break Apart Messages Larger Than ….’ and set the size limit to 2Mb.

Q

I am an expat living in the US and I often have need of the £ sign for correspondence with UK businesses. Currently when I want to use one I have to switch on NumLock and enter the code alt + 0163, always assuming I can remember it… There are a lot of symbols on the keyboard that I have never used and probably never will; can I permanently change an unwanted symbol into a pound sign?

Richard Coombs

A

Yes you can, and you have several alternatives, here’s a couple to try. If you are using a word processor like MS Word you can assign any symbol to a keyboard shortcut. Go to Symbol on the Insert menu, select the pound sign and click the Shortcut Key button and choose a simple to remember combination of keys. Alternatively you could set up your PC to use UK and US keyboard layouts and toggle between the two when you want to use a pound sign. You’ll find that option in Keyboard in Control Panel, select the Language tab and ‘Add’ English (British) but keep English (US) as the default. A keyboard language ‘button’ will appear in the System Tray next to the clock, simply click the button to change to English (British) layout and the pound sign will be on the Shift + 3 key.

Q

The pointer of my mouse keeps hanging. The mouse still works and I can see each time it runs over a button that the button dips (it's just invisible!). I've tried three different mouses and it happens with them all. The only way to get the mouse fully operational again is to reboot the computer. Any ideas?

Tony Dixon, Chichester, West Sussex

A

Unfortunately a great many things can affect PC mice but ironically relatively few of them are directly concerned with the mouse. The most likely cause of erratic operation, freezing and skipping are faulty or incorrect drivers and programs running in the background, which sounds a lot like your particular problem. Check that you are using the correct driver for your mouse, rather than relying on the ones included with Windows. You should find up to date drivers for download on the manufacturer’s web site. If you are using Windows 98 or later got to Run on the Start menu and type ‘msconfig’ to open the Windows Configuration Utility. Click the Start-up tab and look down the list and check for any unfamiliar programs, try unchecking any you find, and re-boot, and see if that makes a difference, but only do it to one thing at a time. However, your problem develops after Windows has loaded. Immediately after boot up, when the mouse is working normally press Ctrl + Alt + Delete once and make a note of what programs are running then after the mouse starts acting up do it again and see if there are any new programs or applications on the list. If so, try End Tasking those programs, one at a time, to see if the mouse returns to normal.

Q

I wonder if you could help me to control my "wandering icons" on my desktop. This is a fairly new phenomenon, which happens when I point the mouse to an icon they all start moving around and are hard to catch! I have right clicked and tried to align them, which is successful, and sometimes they remain in place, but other times they go off across the desktop and need to be aligned again. I would be very grateful if someone could help me.

Mrs Patricia Marks, via email

A

There is a very good chance you’ve been the victim of a practical joke, this sounds very much like the action of a little program called Crazy Icons, one of a number of ‘joke’ programs that can cause real alarm and distress. Details of how to disable it can be found on the developers web site at: http://www.lizardworks.com/pranks.html, but you should also check to see if there’s a program shortcut Start-Up folder (Start > Programs), in which case delete it, and have a quiet word with anyone who has access to your PC…