FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  441 (16/11/04)

Q

For some years I have had a useful shortcut on my Windows 98 Desktop labelled Shutdown, and have copied it to a succession of PCs.  I have now Installed Windows XP on a new PC and have been unable to make the shortcut work. Unfortunately I have not kept a copy of the command formula, which I believe originally appeared in an early Boot Camp or Top Tip, and a rudimentary search of the Archive has failed to find it, so could you repeat it?

David Benham, via email

A

There is a slightly different version for XP. As before right-click on the desktop, select New > Shortcut from menu. Browse to C:\Windows\System32\Shutdown.exe, click Next, give the shortcut a name and click Finish. Next right-click the new shortcut, select Properties and in the Target box, add the command line ‘switch’ -l (to log off), -s (to shut down) or -r (to reboot). Other bells and whistles include a countdown timer with a  -t xx  switch (where xx is a number of seconds), and your own your own comments or text in the Shutdown box with a  -c "Your text" switch.

Q

Do you know of a simple program, which can keep count of the total number of pages printed? I have a Brother HL5040 Laser printer and I would like to keep a tally count of copies printed, so that I can have some idea when to order a new cartridge. I have looked all over the help menu, but without success.

David G Stay

A

There are a couple of freeware utilities that should fit the bill, try Karen’s Print Logger from: www.karenware.com/powertools/ptprnlog.asp

And Print Logger Pro from: www.freewareweb.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi?ID=1166

Q

When I open Outlook Express it begins receiving some 39 emails. However when number 18 starts downloading the PC crashes (1 to 17 arrive ok). When I reboot it happens again. How can I set my e-mail to ignore emails 1 to 18 and start at number 19?

Chris Graham, via email

A

There’s obviously something horribly wrong with that 18th email so try deleting it on the server using a webmail client like www.mail2web.com. Just enter your email address and password and this will display all of the emails awaiting download, you can then delete the offending one and try again. Web2mail works on most email systems but if you have trouble accessing your mailbox try the Advanced Login option and enter your server address plus your user name and password. You’ll find this information in Outlook Express by going to Tools > Accounts, select the Mail tab, highlight your Account, click Properties then the Server tab.

Q

I recently bought a Toshiba lap top in the USA and completely forgot it would not have the pound sign on the keyboard only the dollar ($) sign. I believe there is a way to get the pound sign onto the keyboard for use in letters etc. but can you please tell me how?

Roy Newall, via email

A

You have a number of options. You can change the keyboard language to English (UK) from Control Panel (Regional and Language Options, select the Languages tab, click the Details button and change the Default Language) and this will put the pound sign on the Shift 3 key but it will also change the assignments of the ‘@’ and ‘#’ keys and possibly some others as well, which might prove confusing. If you only need to use pound signs in Word, for example, then it might be easier to assign it to a keyboard shortcut by going to Insert > Symbol, choose your font from the drop-down menu, select the symbol then click the Shortcut button and choose a key combination (it will tell you if it is already in use by another shortcut). The best solution, however, is to get hold of a UK keyboard for your laptop, they are quite easy to fit and you should find one for your machine at: www.laptopbits.co.uk/Database_files/

Toshiba_Laptop_Keyboards.htm. Prices start at around £55 (plus VAT). Otherwise you could try trawling ebay for a damaged or scrap version of your machine, which may also provide you with some useful spare parts.

Q

I use Bluetooth to communicate between my mobile phone and my computer using a dongle in a USB port. Is there any way in which I can use the Bluetooth earpiece as an alternative to a microphone/headphone to listen and talk on MSN Messenger?

Geoff Burton

A

There are several Bluetooth and ‘wireless’ PC headsets on the market, from the likes of Logitech, Sony and Plantronics but it is unlikely that an ad-hoc combination of headset and adaptor will work in the way you want unless that facility has been built into the product’s ‘firmware’ (the software that makes it tick). Nevertheless it is worth visiting the headset manufacturers website to see if such a facility is available through a software upgrade.

Q

I wish to communicate from a laptop to a plasma screen using wireless facility. The screen has a RS-232C serial socket only but no USB port.

G D Sutherland, Co.Durham

A

Many plasma screens have a dedicated ‘VGA’ input suitable for direct or wireless connection to a PC or laptop, otherwise you will have to use a wireless PC to video adaptor, like the AEI DV-200 PC Sender (available from Amazon UK for around £95) ’, with the receiver connecting to the screen’s video and audio inputs.