FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  385 (14/10/03)

Q

I have Windows ME. I downloaded and ran the Spider freeware referred to in Boot Camp 293  - Paranoia Part 1. The program scanned the PC but did not delete any information, even after rebooting. How do I delete the information?

Alan Perelman, alan.perelman@blueyonder.co.uk

A

Spider does work in Windows ME but I have noticed that it can take two or sometimes three sessions to clear the index.dat files in IE6. Failing that try my other suggestion, My Privacy, which also works well in Windows ME. This is freeware as well and can be downloaded from: http://www.omniquad.com/

I have also come across another technique, for deleting index.dat files in Windows ME and 2000, without resorting to DOS commands by logging on as a new user, you’ll find more details at:

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/

article/0,aid,52263,pg,2,00.asp

Q

When I try to access a link in an email it asks for Netscape.exe. I no longer have this program as it was corrupted, how can I get it to link to Internet Explorer?
Duncan Grant, DUNCAN.GRANT2@london-fire.gov.uk

A

You need to make Internet Explorer your default browser, to do that go to Tools > Internet Options and select the Programs tab. At the bottom check the item ‘Internet Explorer should check…’, exit and re-launch IE and it will prompt you to make it the default.

Q

I want to record everything that appears on the screen (including mouse movements), straight to my hard disc (or writable CD). Is there any software that will allow me to do this?
Ian Wilson, Iwils@aol.com

A

There certainly is, have a look at these two share programs, Desktop Spy and Spy agent, which you will find at:

http://www.alpinesnow.com/dspy.shtml

and

http://www.spytech-web.com/

Q

I burn many CDs, which can contain over 100 small files. I need to list the content of the disk on its jewel case label, which I type out with one finger. Is it possible to copy the list in the right hand Explorer panel and paste it into my WP programme?
A.B.West, damaris-1@tiscali.co.uk

A

CD recorder programs like Nero Burning and CD Creator have label and jewel case utilities, which will create an insert card listing the CD’s contents. Otherwise try one of our favourite freeware tools, RJH Extensions, which is an add-on for Windows Explorer and amongst other things has a Save Directory List facility. This creates a text file of the directory that can be opened and edited in your word processor. You’ll find the RJH download at: http://www.rjhsoftware.com/rjhextensions/

Q

Trowbridge Camera Club was started in 1942 and retains a number of members who well remember the earlier years. Our committee wants to satisfy their expectations of traditional slide shows and print exhibitions and at the same time encourage the members who have taken an interest in digital photography.

Whilst no distinction is made in competitions between prints that are produced digitally or by traditional development, competitions for slides currently excludes those working digitally. It is hoped to redress this situation by the introduction of a multi-media projector so that digital work can be shown in the same way as slides.

Whilst there is plenty of information available about the equipment available, there are a number of questions that need an authoritative answer; namely: what would be the recommended light output level for a multi-media projector for a room of 14 by 7 metres? What connection is there between output level and screen size? What other measures of performance need to be considered? What is the optimum file size for projection?  Are standard CD photo discs a suitable source for competition work?

Funds are very limited so it is important that we get it right first time!

John Lindsay, Hon. Secretary, john@rubberconsultant.co.uk

A

The light output question is simple; get the most powerful projector the club can afford. Most recent video projectors have light outputs in the range 500 to 1500 ANSI lumens and this has a direct bearing on the screen size, however the lens also has a very important part to play so you should shortlist models with a zoom lens, which will allow you more leeway when it comes to positioning the projector and screen relative to one another and audience.

Contrast is another very important factor when it comes to image quality; this is expressed as a ratio and again the bigger the number the better so look for models with contrast ratios in excess of 1000:1.

Resolution determines the amount of fine detail the projector can reproduce and the minimum acceptable is 800 x 600 pixels but many recent models now achieve 1270 x 720 pixels, which will give a noticeably sharper picture.

The optimum file size will be the one in which the image was shot and ideally pictures shot on a digital camera should be downloaded onto a PC, using a multi-format card reader, the computer can then be connected directly to the projector’s data input. Transferring image files to a recordable CD won’t result in any loss of quality but the Photo CD format can be a bit variable and in general it is better to avoid any process that changes an image from its native file format. There’s a useful buying guide to video projectors at: http://www.projectorcentral.com/buyers4.htm

Q

The battery pack for my 15-month old Sharp laptop has failed. A new one costs GBP 200, which is on the expensive side of exorbitant. I found a USA company who will replace the batteries in the pack for USD 80, but the postage will almost double this amount.  Do you know of any UK companies who can do this? 

Mark Martin, Penarth

A

You can safely run the laptop from its mains charger but I think you are going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new battery. Shop around; there are plenty of companies supplying ‘compatible’ battery packs, which often work out cheaper than the manufacturers own products. Try the following web sites:

http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk

http://www.payless-batteries.co.uk

http://www.laptopshop.co.uk

It’s also worth doing a search for your battery on ebay: www.ebay.co.uk

Refurbishment used to be a cost effective option for battery packs using nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride cells but nowadays most laptops use high capacity lithium ion rechargeable batteries, which are considerably more expensive and the cost of ‘re-celling’ with good quality replacement parts isn’t usually much less than the price of a new battery, so be wary of cheap deals.  

---end---

Ó R. Maybury 2003, 0710