FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  432 (14/09/04)

Q

How can I connect more than one monitor to my PC so that each one has the same display?

Alan Kennedy, via email

A

There are several methods, the simplest being to use a device called a VGA or video ‘splitter’. This plugs between the monitor socket on the back of your PC and as many display screens as you need. A basic 2-way splitter like the Euronetworks KVS532 (www.euronetwork.co.uk) costs around £39. If you don’t mind delving inside your PC you can add a second video card but it must be the same type as your present one (i.e. PCI or AGP), or you can fit a video card with twin monitor outputs, though these tend to be quite expensive, prices start at around £70. Windows 98 onwards supports multiple monitor displays, for more information have a look at Microsoft Knowledgebase articles 179602, 182708 and 296538 (just type the number into Google).

Q

Is it necessary to have Service Pack 1 (SP1) loaded on my Windows XP computer in order to download the recently released SP2 upgrade?

John Gale, via email

A

When you visit the Microsoft download site you will be asked to install a small utility that scans your PC to determine which components of SP1 and SP2 you need. It’s all quite safe and no personal information is sent from your PC. When you are ready to install SP2 and have backed up all of your critical files, go to: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Incidentally, if you followed the advice in Boot Camp a couple of weeks ago and installed a Mozilla or Firefox browser you’ll find the site will ask you to upgrade your version Internet Explorer. Ignore that and just click the link at the bottom of the page for alternative browsers, which for the record is: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/s

arch.aspx?displaylang=en

Q

Can I convert pdf documents displayed in Adobe Acrobat Reader to Word format? They seem to resist select, copy or paste instructions. If there's an article available somewhere and can you point me to it?

John Thornley, London NW5

A

We looked at pdf (portable document format) late last year in Boot Camp 292. In it we mentioned the fact that there is a facility for an author or publisher to ‘lock’ a pdf document. If the ‘T’ icon on the Acrobat toolbar is greyed out, or when you click on it you can’t highlight a block of text or graphic then Copy and Paste functions are disabled.

Q

At switch on I am receiving the following message: ‘Error loading p2esocks_1015.dll, the specified module could not be found’. I have no idea what this refers to; it does not appear to affect the running of the computer but is somewhat perplexing.

A.Shanks, via email

A

The p2esocks file appears to be either part of a Trojan, left behind after a virus was removed or it is an unwanted component in the Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing application, either way you do not want it on your PC. It is embedded deep in the Windows Registry and the safest way to get rid of it is to download and run our old friend Hijack This, which lists out all of the add-ons and plug ins -- good and bad -- that get attached to your browser.

Hijack This is freeware and can be downloaded from: http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Run a scan and look for the entry:

‘O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Instant Access] rundll32.exe p2esocks_1015.dll’

Check the box next to it and click ‘Fix Checked’ and it will be deleted. While you are at it look through the log for any other suspicious looking entries, though don’t delete anything without first highlighting the item and clicking the ‘Info on selected Item’ button for more advice.

Q

My HP printer has worked happily for years with my Windows 98 PC until I ran 'Defrag' after which it runs like a snail. I’ve reloaded Windows 98, stripped out all the drivers and reloaded the manufacturers driver several times and with updates from the Internet all to no avail.

Michael Warwick, Newton Blossomville

A

I think that running defrag and the printer slowing down was probably just a coincidence. To paraphrase Mr Sherlock Holmes, when you have eliminated all other factors, the one that remains must be the truth. However, there are a couple more things to try before we get to the prime suspect, which in this case is the printer. If you haven’t already done so replace the ink cartridge, reseat the plugs at both end of the printer cable and visit the HP web site. Download the latest drivers for your model and see the faq/support section to see if there is any other possible causes. If the problem persists then it seems likely that the printer itself is at fault and you can confirm this by trying it on another PC.

Q

Some time ago you mentioned a small program that would allow you to fit files larger than 1.4Mb across several floppy discs.  I made a note of it but cannot now find it, could you remind me please?

John Dove, via email

A

If you are using Windows 95/98/SE or ME and the file is less than 2.5Mb or so then you can still get it all on one floppy using Windows DriveSpace. Pop in a fresh floppy and go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools, click DriveSpace, choose Compress from the File menu and follow the prompts. To span a large file across several floppies your best bet is WinZip or TugZip (see this week’s Boot Camp) and you find the fully operational trial version at: http://www.winzip.com/, you find a step-by-step guide to ‘disc spanning’ in the Help files.