FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  350 (11/02/03)

Q

How can I remove the registered name from my computer system?
John Hibell

A

This involves editing the Windows Registry, which as you may know is off-limits to novices but provided you know what you are doing and have made a backup first the procedure is quite straightforward. Open the Registry editor by typing ‘regedit’ (without the quotes) in Run on the Start menu and navigate your way to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\

Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.

Double-click Current Version and in the right hand pane scroll down to the ‘RegisteredOrganisation’ and ‘RegisteredOwner’ keys, right click on the key, select Modify and change the entries as required’ click OK and close Regedit.

Q

Is it possible to use two monitors from the same PC, or do you need two Video cards?

Mike de Jong 

A

It depends what you are trying to achieve. There are devices called ‘splitters’ that allow your PC to drive two or more monitors, and these will all show the same image. Otherwise you can add an extra video card, or a ‘dual head’ video card that expands your desktop to cover two monitors. In other words you can have your word processor running on one screen and your Internet browser or email program on the second one. There’s a useful introductory article at:

http://www.windows-help.net/

features/dualmonitors.html

You should also consult the Knowledgebase on the Microsoft web site. For Windows 98/SE/Me and a list of compatible video cards go to:

http://support.microsoft.com/

default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q182708

Windows XP has improved multiple monitor support, called DualView, you’ll find more information at: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/ pro/using/howto/customize/multimonitor.asp

Q

Is there a way that I can copy the contents of the "Blocked Sender List" to my Access database? I have a huge list as many senders change just one character each time. Moving the list to a database will enable me to see patterns of change and maybe use a ‘* wildcard’ to overcome some of them?
Malcolm Nothard

A

The Blocked Senders list is held in the Windows Registry, so bear in mind what I said earlier about tinkering with it! Type ‘regedit’ in Run on the Start menu and work your way down to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{GUID}

\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0\Block Senders

(GUID or Global Unique Identifier is a long string of characters that identify your PC). Right click on Blocked Senders to highlight then go to Export Registry File on the Registry menu. Call the file ‘block.txt’ and click Save and close Regedit. You can now open the saved file as a text document in Notepad or your word processor; in amongst all of the gobbledegook you will find the email addresses of your blocked senders, which you can strip out and save as a separate document that you can open in Access. 

Q

My computer has developed a very irritating, jerky or hesitating, action, which I have been unable to correct. For instance, between each key depression, there is frequently a delay before the letter appears on screen, sometimes up to three letters delay. Similarly, on spreadsheets, when moving into another cell, the whole line will go blank, momentarily, before reappearing corrected. When printing a complete letter, the print carriage hesitates between each two lines of print.

Victor Paget

A

The chances you have too many applications running, that are slowing down your processor. Press Ctrl + Alt +Delete to bring up the Close Program dialogue box. Highlight and End Task them one by one (with the exception of Explorer and SysTray) and see if the PC perks up. When you find the culprit uninstall or reinstall the offending program.

Q

In your book Boot Up you say that, for cleaning hardware, it's always better to blow (can of compressed air) than to suck (small vacuum cleaner such as used for cars).  But if I blow on a PC box, printer and monitor, where does the dust end up?

Franco Cavallini, Bedford

A

All over the place… But seriously, you need to remove the lid or case from your PC first then blow out all the accumulated dust, using one of those compressed air cylinders or ‘air dusters’ obtainable from PC suppliers. Just be careful not to touch anything! If you poke a vacuum cleaner hose inside your PC there’s a good chance you will dislodge a cable. If you’ve never mucked out your PC before it’s probably a good idea to disconnect all the cables and do it outside, it can be a messy business!

Q

 I clear the computer as much as I can each evening (Spider, Internet options, AdAware etc). Is there a way of storing those few cookies I am willing to keep, without removing them?

Brian Stephens, Penarth, Glam.

A

You need a program called a Cookie Manager, which lets you specify which cookies you want to keep. Have a look at an excellent little freeware utility called Cookies Manager, which you can download from:

http://home.nordnet.fr/~pmdevigne/

Q

I connect my digital camera to my VCR, and it has a facility, which allows me to create a PhotoAlbum on VCR tape from pictures held in the camera.

My wife, who is 80, is pleased as it means she can watch them in comfort on the lounge TV, instead of the computer, which is in a bedroom. However now she wants me to make a taped album from all our old photos! If I scan them into the computer, how can I get them from there to the VCR?  Trying to photo images on the computer screen does not work, so is there another way?

Len  Dowsett

A

The simplest solution is to install a video card with a ‘TV’ output; these can be obtained form online sellers like ebuyer.com for around £25. Use the slideshow option on an image viewer program like Irfanview (freeware, obtainable from http://www.irfanview.com/) to run a sequence of your pictures, which you can record on your VCR.