FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  357 (01/04/03)

Q

Because Windows 98SE detected that during my last session I had trouble putting my PC on Stand-by (it just "hung" on a faint grainy desktop background), it asked did I wish this facility to be removed? Mistakenly I said yes and it has now disappeared from the Shutdown Menu. Where do you think it might have gone and can I please restore it?
Bob Curtis

A

Windows gets its knickers in a twist if your PC fails to go into Standby mode two or more times in succession. To restore the facility go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Systems and select the Device Manager tab. On the list double-click System Devices and look for Advanced Power Management Support, right-click the entry, then Remove and reboot. If by any chance APM Support is not there you’ll have to install it by going to Control Panel > Add New Hardware and follow the prompts.

Q

What is a Read-only file?  I had on my Desktop, for temporary convenience, one of my own photos.  When I no longer needed it there and dragged it to the recycle bin, I got the warning message: "Do you really want to send this read-only file to the recycle bin?"
Roderic Walkington

A

‘Read Only’ is a file or folder ‘attribute’. It’s a label that tells Windows and other programs that the file can be opened, but it cannot be changed. To add, remove or change a file attribute all you have to do is right click on the file icon in Windows Explorer and select Properties.

Q

What are the relative merits of an LCD flat screen monitor versus the more conventional cathode ray tube type of screen? I'm thinking of upgrading my system, largely but not exclusively with a view to a webcam link with my son in Australia.

Ken. H

A

The most obvious advantage is the huge saving of space; a flat panel display typically takes up less than a quarter of the room of a CRT monitor. The other benefits, in no particular order are: no harmful emissions, most users find them easier on the eye for prolonged periods because there’s no ‘flicker’. There are fewer problems with image geometry and sizing, they consume less power than a CRT and run cooler and because there are no high voltages flying around inside, they attract less dust. The downside is price, though it typically only adds £50 to £100 on the cost of a system and stand-alone LCD monitors are now available for less than £200. Image quality is still not quite as good as the best CRT monitors, though this is only likely to be a concern if you are using high-end graphics or publishing applications.  

Q

Every time I open up Internet Explorer to my homepage (Blueyonder), another page opens up underneath it. The address in the top bar reads `adfarm.mediaplex.com and eventually opens up to the ebay homepage. It's easy enough to get rid of by closing the offending window, but it drives me to distraction in trying to permanently remove this page from my system.

Albert Greenfield

A

This is the work of an 'adware' program or cookie placed on your computer by a web site. There's a facility on the Mediaplex website to 'opt out' at: http://www.mediaplex.com/privacy.shtml but I recommend that you download a freeware utility called Spybot S&D, and run it at least once a week to rid yourself of these intrusive pests. Spybot S&D can be found at: http://security.kolla.de/

Q

My six-year old Viglen PC has been brilliant but it is now full and I want to replace it with a more up-to-date model. How do I transfer 6 gigabytes of files apart from making ca 4000 floppies? I am still running on Windows 95 and an external CD-writer won’t work with 95. I believe I can connect the PCs via USB or parallel ports, but what software do I need?

Brian Singleton, Baslow, Derbyshire

A

You are referring to Direct Cable Connection; it’s a simple peer-to-peer networking utility, built into Windows, from 95 onwards. It’s relatively easy to setup and use – providing you have the correct cable -- but I suggest that you have a look at Boot Camps 67 and 68.

Q

I have to put a list of over 2,000 names in alphabetical order. Can you suggest a method or a program that can to this? I use Windows XP.
M. Edwardes

A

Microsoft Word has a ‘Sort’ facility that can rearrange lists and tables according to a wide range of criteria, including alphabetical order. Simply highlight the list then go to Sort on the Table menu, the default settings should do the trick.

Q

I frequently get a note at the bottom of the page when using IE6 saying Error on page' after clicking on a link. It seems from what I have gleaned from the Internet that it is an IE problem. I have tried the repair option without success and wonder what else I could try. I have now added Netscape, which appears to be OK.
Brian Morris

A

There are a couple of possibilities, the most likely one being an incorrectly installed system file called ‘urlmon.dll’. The solution is to go to Run on the Start menu and type ‘Regsvr32 urlmon.dll’ (without the quotes) and click OK and when prompted with the message ‘DllRegisterServer in urlmon.dll succeeded’ click OK again. The other possibility is that you have Norton Internet Security 2000 installed on your PC and it is blocking access to certain Internet commands; the easiest thing to do is to uninstall and then reinstall it again. There’s more information in the Microsoft Knowledgebase at: http://support.microsoft.com/

default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q259846

Q

Outlook Express uses the spelling checker provided with the following Microsoft Office programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. I do not have any of these but have 'Ability Office' which has a spelling checker. Is there any way I can use this with Outlook Express?

Carl Shortman, Hampshire

A

I’m not aware of any way to use Ability Office as a spell checker but there are plenty of third-party utilities that will work with Outlook Express, including a couple of freeware programs, like the ones you’ll find at:

www.geocities.com/vampirefo/

and

www.filelibrary.com/Contents/Windows/131/1.html