FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  435 (05/10/04)

Q

I use a third party firewall and virus checker and since I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 I get this annoying shield and "bubble" on boot up, complaining about lack of information on my virus protection.  Is there any way of removing it?

Hector Stewart, via email

A

You didn’t say which firewall or virus checker you are using but my guess is that they are amongst the programs that either won’t work under SP2, or require a patch from the manufacturer. You’ll find a list of the programs that conflict with SP2, along with various fixes, at:

http://support.microsoft.com/

default.aspx?kbid=884130#appliesto

Q

I have a number of applications which ran satisfactorily on Windows 98 and ME but which result in an error message when I try to load them into XP Home. This affects an old version of Microsoft AutoRoute Express, the 1881 Census CDs and certain other applications produced by the Church of Latter Day Saints who have not been able to answer my problem. I know that XP has the facility to pretend to be Windows 98 or ME but in these cases, that facility does not appear to solve the problem.

John Gauld, via email

A

Earlier versions of Windows, prior to XP, were basically ‘shells’ that added the familiar Windows environment or ‘graphical user interface’ (mouse, icons and so on) to the older MS-DOS operating system. This worked well for several years but it was starting to create problems and posed a threat to future development as improvements to hardware came on stream so Microsoft effectively went back to the drawing board and created an entirely new operating system. XP retains the look and feel of old Windows but does away with the need for MS-DOS running in the background, so many older programs that rely on MS-DOS simply no longer work. There’s no easy answer, apart from sticking with Windows 9x, or upgrading to newer versions of the programs you are using. I realise that’s an unsatisfactory answer if XP-friendly versions of your software are not available but that’s the price of progress…

Q

I have a Windows 98 PC and a laptop with Windows XP. On attempting to move my address book into XP nothing happens. I did try copying to a floppy and tried to import to XP from the floppy but no Luck. Can you offer any advice?

Joe Bowie, via email

A

The trick to is to ‘Export’ your Address Book from within OE. Go to File > Export > Address Book, select comma separated value (csv) text file and save it to a floppy. On the XP PC open OE then select File > Import > Other Address Book > Text File (comma separated value) and follow the prompts.

Q

Two months ago I installed wireless broadband on my Windows ME desktop PC and on my wife's new XP Laptop. I was then able to download all of the latest Windows ME Update patches from Microsoft without the intolerable wait that had stopped me doing it fully before. In the last week I have noticed that my cursor disappears at frequent intervals. Also, my wheel-mouse stops scrolling in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 has become jerky and 'pauses' after about 15 seconds. Any ideas?

Dr Robin Hendy, Canterbury

A

Any software that you've installed since the problem first started is immediately suspect. If so try uninstalling it and if that does the trick visit the FAQ or support sections on the manufacturer’s web sites to see if there are any upgrades or patches available. Otherwise I would try ME's System Restore facility and roll back the PC to a Restore Point a few days before the problem occurred. If you haven't used System Restore before you will find it by going to: Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools.

Q

Can you tell me what all those bytes are that are being sent and received while I'm connected to the net but I don't have any sites open?

Jeff Probst, London

A

Even though your browser isn’t running there are a host of other programs and Windows networking components that periodically check to ensure that your Internet connection is live. Programs with automatic update features can also access your connection. Then there are spyware and adware programs on your PC attempting to send information, so it is important to scan your machine regularly with cleaner utilities like AdAware and Spybot (both free from: www.lavasoftusa.com and www.safer-networking.org/) Incoming data can come from your ISP and previously accessed web sites may be attempting to send pages from a recently closed session. It can also be evidence of hackers and so-called 'bots' probing your PC for open ports, which is why it is vital to have a firewall.

Q

Having recently bought a digital camera I am having problems connecting it to my six-year-old computer. The two available USB ports are already taken up by my scanner and broadband modem so I bought a cheap USB hub but have failed to get the system to work with more than two USB devices connected. Each peripheral works fine when plugged directly into the tower but not via the hub. I've also encountered problems with Windows start-up or shutdown when trying various alternative USB configurations.

Jim Webb

A

A more expensive ‘powered’ hub may solve some of your problems but I would try a USB expansion card. PCI cards with up to 4 powered ports cost less than £20 or so and they generally sit a lot easier with Windows, resulting in fewer crashes and lockups.