FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  345 (24/12/02)

Q

Is it possible to buy a strap-on wrist support to treat and/or prevent repetitive strain injury?
Barbara Alliss

A

There is no single cause or cure for RSI but before you do anything you should consult your GP to ensure that there are no underlying medical conditions that may require attention. Check the position of your screen and keyboard, seating and posture, there’s a commonsense guide at: http://www2.state.id.us/

dhw/behs/workergo2.htm. You might also consider changing to an ‘ergonomic’ keyboard design, with a split keyboard and wrist support, like the Microsoft Natural range, which encourages the hands to adopt a more relaxed position when typing.

Q

When using the dialler in Windows is it possible to use the microphone and speakers on the computer instead of the telephone handset?

Peter Harty

A

It all depends on your modem. ‘Voice’ modems can handle telephony as well as data; normally this is used to enable the PC to operate as a sophisticated telephone answering machine. The software may also include the option to use the PC as a telephone but in my experience it’s more trouble than it’s worth and you’ll still need a normal phone to make and take calls when the PC is switched off.

Q

It seems that my local BT exchange will shortly be able to provide Broadband and I wish to sign up in order that I may have quicker access and cheaper phone costs. At present I use BT Together so that I have two lines - one for ordinary calls and one for my computer and Fax. If I switch to Broadband then I assume I can cancel BT Together is this correct? I am told that apart from the set up cost of the system etc. one will need 'filters' for each phone extension - is this true?

Bill Harrison

A

In theory broadband will allow you to do away with one of the lines since the always-on Internet connection won’t interfere with normal telephone and fax calls, though it might still prove too much for a single line if it’s heavily used. Filters are needed; they eliminate high-pitched buzzing noises generated by ADSL modems, which you (but not the caller) will hear whenever you make a phone call. Normally you get a couple of them with a broadband modem and they simply plug into the phone socket. If you need more they’re readily obtainable from PC dealers for between £10 and £15 each.

Q

My cousin in the US is using Windows 98 and Outlook Express. A problem has arisen whereby messages he transmits are copied to others who have not been selected e.g. I have been receiving a number of messages that he has sent to other people and not intended for me! Also some of the messages he receives are auto-forwarded to me! Can you suggest a possible cause or solution for this problem (apart from formatting and doing a compete reinstallation!) or suggest a contact for advice? I can confirm that he has checked that his PC is virus free; he has had extensive talks with his Broadband ISP, who confirm that the broadband is set up properly, but cannot offer any advice.

Charles Cresswell

A

Despite your cousin’s assurances this really does sound like the work of a ‘mass emailer’ worm like Klez or Bugbear. You should check with him that his anti-virus scanning software is up to date, and he’s not using the same program that came with his computer. Of course it’s possible there’s some sort of glitch in Outlook Express so if the virus check is still negative he can try uninstalling it from Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel (Start > Programs > Settings) and re-installing the latest version, which can be downloaded from: http://www.microsoft.com/

downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en

Q

I purchased a Konica KD-400Z digital camera recently, the feature list in the catalogue I purchased it from stated it could display picture on my TV but this doesn’t seem to be possible. I read the recent Boot Camp article on making VCD picture discs and duly downloaded the PicturetoTV program and used it to make a CD which I tried on my Denon DVD player but this didn’t work either. Is there any other method?

R.C.Greaves

A

You were obviously misled by the catalogue, many digital still cameras do indeed have video outputs that allow you to display pictures on any TV but your Konica camera does not have that facility and you would be well within your rights to ask for your money back. Unfortunately, as we said in the Boot Camp feature some DVD players, particularly older models, have problems reading CD-R/RW discs. However, all is not lost, you may be able to connect your PC to the TV, many laptops have a video output socket, otherwise you can purchase a plug-in video adaptor card with ‘TV out’ for around £20 to £25.

Q

I have joystick (Logitech Wing Man) connected to my computer via a USB 4-port hub. When I connect my video camera I get the message that it has a ‘code 10’ problem. The message recommends moving the device to a controller that has more bandwidth available – or to disconnect one or more devices. I have only the two devices connected and if I remove the joystick then the camera will work. Why can’t I have more than one device connected at a time? I am about to add a USB driven scanner. Am I going to get even more problems?

John Lyon

A

External USB hubs are really only designed for relatively lightweight duties and often create a data ‘bottleneck’. The best solution is to fit an internal adaptor card with four or more ports. These interface directly to the PC’s internal PCI bus and your bandwidth problems should disappear. They only take a few minutes to fit and prices stat at under £12 from online suppliers like www.ebuyer.com. Incidentally, although you joystick doesn’t need it, you might want to consider installing a faster USB 2 card, which is backwards compatible with USB 1 but may come in handy for USB device you buy in the future.

Q

I am an official student doing my ECDL part time at my local college.  Microsoft offers student software at massive discounts.  The trouble is that on finishing the course and not being a student any more, I am no longer allowed to use this cut-price software.  How does this operate? Do they send a bug down the line or do they come to my house and take it away?

John R Suttle

A

It does say in the qualifying conditions that: ‘Usage rights end as soon as the qualifying user ceases to be eligible through graduation or change of educational status’. Microsoft tells me that like all software licensing it’s an issue of trust and no one is going to come knocking on your front door to check up on you. It also goes on to point out that it’s an offence to use unlicensed software, and needless to say if anything goes wrong you won’t be entitled to any support.