FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  327 (20/08/02)

Q

Sometimes when I download a file I get disconnected. When I reconnect the file starts to reload from the beginning. Will the part file initially loaded interfere with the second download or any other software? If it does how do I get rid of it?

John Bennet

A

The partial download will usually be overwritten when you try again but rather than start from the beginning, why not install a download manager program? This will automatically pick up from the point where the abortive download ended and they also make it easier to do several simultaneous downloads, even if you are using a relatively slow dial-up connection. There are plenty to choose from, Paraben Download Manager works well (http://www.paraben.com/html/index.html) and you'll find a selection of shareware and freeware titles at: http://www.webattack.com/ freeware/downloader/fwdown.shtml

Q

After a succession of crashes I have decided to format my hard disc in order to reinstall Windows ME. Unfortunately the installation process stopped at the very beginning when I got a 'SU 0409' notice advising me to uninstall the anti-virus programs in the first place. I suspect the culprit could be an anti virus program, which lacks an uninstall facility and could not be removed with 'Add/Remove Programs' in the Control Panel either. Any ideas?

H. Baranga

A

You have several options, the simplest being to stop the program loading with Windows by removing any entries in Autoexec.bat and config.sys or the Start-up group. You can access these from the system configuration utility by typing 'msconfig' in Run on the Start menu. Alternatively completely wipe the hard disc. Start the PC using your Emergency Recovery Disc, at the ‘A:/ prompt type ‘fdisk’, then when it has finished format the disc and re-load Windows. If you are unsure of the procedure or haven’t done it before read the Microsoft Knowledgebase article on the topic at: http://support.microsoft.com/

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Q

I am receiving viruses on a daily basis.  My Norton anti-virus protection is picking them up and asking if I want them to be quarantined.  Excellent.  However I am fed up with this aggravation, what are the likely consequences of using the reply button to returned these unwanted, malicious and dangerous messages to their source?

John Cook

A

It is incredibly frustrating but sending virus messages back to the sender won't achieve anything. It certainly won't reach the creator of the virus who will have covered their tracks and probably doesn't live within reach of the UK authorities. The vast majority of viruses ride on the back of email attachments that are sent out - usually quite innocently - from the infected address books in Outlook Express. The sender's only crime is opening an unexpected attachment with checking its authenticity or reading an infected email and not updating their anti-virus software. It's a good idea to email the sender to warn them that their PC is infected, not to send any more emails until their PC has been cleaned, and to update their virus scanner.

Q

I recently purchased a PC that has a DVD player. On installing the DVD software I received a notice on my screen that said I could change the region setting for the DVD up to 5 times and after that the setting would be fixed even if I re-installed the software. I have DVDs from at least 3 regions and would like the capacity to play them all on my PC. The fact that I can change the region up to 5 times shows that the DVD player in my PC is not hardwired to accept only one region. How can I adjust the PC so I can change the regional setting whenever I choose with no limit on the number of times? It seems to be unnecessarily restrictive to limit the region compatibility especially when one can purchase DVDs from various sources over the Internet.

Stephen Jones

A

Regional coding on DVDs was introduced at the insistence of the major Hollywood studios, primarily as a means of controlling the distribution of movies but also to facilitate local censorship laws and multi-lingual soundtracks. The problem for Hollywood is that cinema prints are expensive and after a film has finished showing in US cinemas the prints are sent abroad where they continue to earn revenue. The region Code on a disc means that the movie can be released on DVD in the US whilst it is still playing in cinemas in other countries because the code stops the disc playing on DVD players sold in other countries. The system is reasonably effective but as you point out discs can be readily purchased over the Internet and most DVD players can be 'hacked' or 'chipped' to allow them to play discs from any region.

Initially DVD drives fitted to PCs were 'region free' but since 2000, as part of the licensing agreement, manufacturers have had to incorporate region checking software that limits the deck mechanism to just 4 changes. This is quite separate from the region locks in the player software. To get around the drive mechanism's lock the firmware has to be changed and this is not something a novice should attempt, you could easily end up with a very expensive doorstop. Modifying the player software is easier and 'patches' are available for most player programs. For more information on both topics have a look at the following web site: http://regionhacks.datatestlab.com/

Q

I am running Windows ME. Every time I power up my computer, shortly after the Windows 'welcome' screen a dialogue box appears. The dialogue box is entitled "Enter Network Password" and invites me to "Enter your network password for Microsoft Networking"

I haven't got a password and I only have to press the OK button or press the Cancel button on the dialogue box and I can proceed with booting up my computer.  It's driving me mad.  How can I stop this dialogue box from appearing at boot up?

David Rees

A

You have probably invoked a network protocol or enabled a network card; in both cases you should be able to disable network operation from Network in Control Panel, (assuming that your PC is not networked). Select the Configuration tab, on the list highlight and remove Client for Microsoft Networks, then shut down and reboot. If Windows asks to reinstall a protocol or component make sure you have your Windows CD -Rom handy (unless it's already on your hard drive).