FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  485 (01/11/05)

Q

Is it possible in any way to connect two keyboards, mice and monitors to one computer so that two operators can communicate over the Internet simultaneously?

Peter Marchese, via email

A

Not quite but with a widget called a ‘Reverse’ or ‘sharing’ KVM Switch. A normal KVM switch allows you to control two PCs through one keyboard, video monitor and mouse, a reverse switch does the opposite, letting you connect multiple keyboards, monitors and mice to one PC, though only one person can be connected to the PC at a time. They are quite a bit dearer than conventional KVMs and cheapest one I’ve been able to find is the Belkin Omniview Reverse KVM, which costs just over £45 from Amazon UK. Simultaneous control of one PC from two keyboards and mice is possible using a second PC, a network connection and some specialised software, but that rather defeats the object of the exercise…

Q

Over the years of downloading test software and installing and uninstalling programs I am sure my computer is full of left over bits of instructions and files which are no longer relevant to my present set-up or usage. Apart from reformatting the drives and then re-installing everything is there any way I can clean-up my computer to gain space?

Malcolm Brown, Ludlow

A

Most of the clutter left behind by uninstalled programs ends up in the Windows Registry. Apart from increasing the size of this already massive set of system files -- which slows down boot up -- the remnants can cause all sorts of problems and unexpected interactions so it is a good idea to periodically muck it out. There is a huge number of Registry cleaning tools on the market but the one I use, and so it far hasn’t let me down, is a freeware utility called RegSeeker, which has a tool called Clean The Registry. It is very effective but the one thing I would add is that making any changes to the Registry is potentially dangerous, so it is a good idea to set a System Restore point before you use it, or if you know your way around the Registry, make a backup. Full details for both procedures can be found here. You should also enable the ‘Backup’ option in RegSeeker, as a boots and braces measure, just in case something goes awry.

Q

I desperately need help. I run windows XP Professional and I find that I cannot remove the Read Only attributes of some files in Windows Explorer, I have tried everything but without success.

David Joyce, via email

A

This is a known issue in Windows XP and 2000 and there is a reasonably straightforward workaround that will remove the Read Only attribute from all of the files in a folder. It is carried out from a Command Prompt (a DOS type window), so knowledgeable users only please apply. The full procedure is outlined in Microsoft Knowledgebase article 326549

Q

Further to your recent reply to a reader’s query regarding Windows recovery discs I have a related question. I can't get my head around having to "Restore the System" when Windows goes wrong. I have a Sony Vaio Notebook, with Window XP SP2, which came with no back-up disks at all.

The manual (also loaded on the Notebook), gives instructions on how to make copies of system in case of problems. Although I bought the requisite number and type of DVDs to perform this task, I now find the idea daunting. Is it necessary to do it?  Am I being anxious about something that may never happen?  

Patricia Osborne

A

Anything that will help you get a sick PC back up and working has to be worthwhile but first I think we should first make a distinction between Windows XP System Restore, and re-installing the Windows XP operating system.

System Restore is a built-in utility (also in Windows ME) that automatically makes a backup copy of vital system files, usually once a day and whenever you install any software or hardware that makes changes to the PC’s configuration. If something goes wrong System Restore lets you backtrack to a point before the problem occurred and hopefully get the PC working again. We looked at how to setup and use System Restore in Boot Camp 334.

Re-installing Windows XP should be a last resort, when everything else has failed, but XP does make it easy to do what’s called a Repair Install (Boot Camp 336). It is definitely worth trying first, as you don’t have to format the disc so all of your programs and data should (in theory) be protected. However, sometimes the only way to get a terminally ill PC working again is a full re-install of the operating system, in which case the drive has to be wiped clean so you can start from scratch.

To carry out a Repair Install or Full Install you will need either an original Windows XP installation disc or a manufacturer’s Recovery Disc. In some circumstances a Repair Install can also be carried out from files stored on the hard disc -- as in Patricia’s case -- and that is fine providing the hard drive isn’t faulty, though it has to be said HDD failure is thankfully quite rare these days.

The point is re-installing Windows XP shouldn’t be necessary except in extreme circumstances. Most problems can be sorted out using System Restore, Recovery Console and other simple procedures (Boot Camp 337). It is well worth brushing up on basic recovery techniques, which will get you out of trouble 99 times out of a 100. Catastrophic failures do happen so I suggest that when you get a few spare minutes you should make those recovery discs, and learn how to use them, but as I keep on saying it is much more important to regularly back up all of your irreplaceable data.  

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© R. Maybury 2005, 2510