FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  402 (17/02/04)

Q

I want to be able to access the Internet from two computers. Can I just double the telephone from line from the socket (using a BT approved line splitter) and run a connection to each computer or do I have to use a router?  I don't need to share files between the machines.
David Martin, via email

A

Providing the two PCs are not going to be online at the same time then it is perfectly okay to connect them both to the same telephone line. If you want them to be able to share the same connection simultaneously then they will have to be linked together in a simple network. If they are within a few metres of each other they can be connected by cable, otherwise you can use a wireless or ‘Wi-Fi’ connection, which has a range of around 15 to 20 metres inside a house or building.

It’s really not as difficult as it sounds, if your PCs are reasonably recent they probably already have the necessary cable network connections built-in; Wi-Fi network adaptors are readily available for between £20 to £30 (you’ll need two) and these plug into a spare USB socket on each PC. You will only need a router if you plan to add more computers to your network. The software needed to share your Internet connection is included with Windows (ICS or Internet Connection Sharing, from Win 98 onwards). For a complete how to do it guide have a look at Boot Camps 281 to 286, which you’ll find in the Electronic Telegraph archive at www.telegraph.co.uk/bootarc/

Q

A couple of weeks ago you told a reader how to connect two printers to his PC. I have the same problem but both of mine have USB leads. There must be an easier way than unplugging one and plugging in the other! Please can you help?
Brian Crangle, via email

A

It sounds as though you have a fairly old PC with only one USB socket. If so then you need to buy a ‘hub’, which is a small device that works rather like a multi-way mains adaptor. USB hubs are available with 2 or more outlets, so several devices – including two or more printers -- can share one USB socket. You should be able to use a cheaper ‘unpowered’ hub for your printers but you may encounter problems if you try to use them with devices that draw power from the USB socket, like web cams and some scanners, so it’s worth paying a little extra for a ‘powered’ type hub, which will come with a plug-in mains adaptor.

Q

I support my journalistic and PR aspirations with days of supply teaching at a technology college.  It is one of those rare establishments where all the computers actually work and no one has glued up the mouse balls. They are networked, and all the registration takes place online. I have had my own laptop put on their LAN, which is splendid as it means I am always online to check my emails. The problem is that we are now networked at home too and it seems that I can’t be on our home LAN and the school one.  Is this true? If not, is it easy to install and switch between LANs?
Miranda Spatchurst, via email

A

It can be done of course but it will probably involve a fair amount of messing around. For obvious reasons networks have to be protected against unauthorised access. At the very least PCs logging on to a network need to talk the correct language (protocol) and be programmed with the appropriate Workgroup or Domain name. Additionally files and folders which you are happy to share with others on your home network you may not want to be seen on the college network, and vice-versa. Protocol, Identity, file sharing settings and passwords will have to be reconfigured every time you change networks, which is time consuming to do manually. There are utilities that can store the settings and make all the changes at the click of a mouse, have a look at Network Config Manager; for more information go to: http://www.ztekware.com/ncm/.

Q

When I open My Documents to view photos I have downloaded from my camera the image is gigantic.  I see only a quarter of the picture at a time and have to scroll left/right/up/down to see each part of the image. Also if I print it only the quarter that is on the screen is printed.  I shall be grateful for a
solution.
Marjory Bareneed, via email

A

Most digital cameras come with some sort of image editing or viewer program, which will allow you to see the pictures full screen or in the display format of your choice so check first the CD-ROM disc that came with your camera to see if it has any bundled utilities that you can install. Windows XP also has a decent image viewer built in but if, as seems likely you are using an older version of Windows I suggest a little freeware program called IrfanView. In addition to simple editing and sizing tools there’s also a file converter and a sophisticated printing utility. You can download it from: http://www.irfanview.com/

Q

I am concerned at the size of my system and around 13Gb of my 16Gb disc has been filled. I have found a ‘Hidden and Protected’ system file called ‘Restore’, which I opened and examined.  It is some 5.8Gb in size and consists of several folders. One of these is very large one and has hundreds of ‘Cab’ files from December 2002 to today. Can I safely delete any (most) of these?

David J Chambers, via email

A

That folder almost certainly contains your Windows installation files, which you will need if you ever need to reinstall your operating system, plus System Restore backups, which again you will need if your PC suffers a major breakdown. Unless you have a full set of installation discs I would leave well alone and consider the simpler and safer alternative of fitting a second hard disc drive and ‘slaving’ to your main drive. These days hard drives are cheap, you can pick up a 120Gb model for less than £50 from online suppliers, and they only take a few minutes to fit. (See part 3 of the current Boot Camp series – Spring Clean and Upgrade).