FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  548 (16/01/07)

Q. When I plug in my USB Skype Phone into any of my PCs I loose the sound card facility. Is there any way to have both Skype and the usual music playback functions?
Mike Orton, via email

A. Skype Phones can have a tendency to take over a PC’s audio facilities. To regain control open Skype and go to Tools > Options > Sound Devices and make sure it is set to your USB phone or Audio Device and not Windows Default Device. If you have an internal PC speaker (i.e. your PC emits a bleep when it boots up) you can enable ‘Ring PC Speaker’ and this will mean that you will hear a incoming call alert, even if your main speakers are turned down or muted.

Q. I had an early version of XP on my PC when I bought it new about 4 years ago. Various modifications and updates to the PC have occurred since then and I eventually bit the bullet and purchased a new, retail XP CD-ROM installation disk. I am the only user of this PC and the earlier version would boot up all the way to the desktop whereas the new version presents me with a password request box and I have to click OK, before it will get to the desktop.

No one else has access to this PC and I find the requirement to enter a password very annoying and much prefer the earlier, straight to desktop version. Is there any way to achieve this?

Chris Mancrief, Worcester

A. The first thing to say that is that you there was no need to buy a new copy of XP. You could have just re-installed your original copy and bought it up to date with Service Pack 2 and updates and patches downloaded from the Microsoft website. Alternatively you can ‘Slipstream’ your old copy of XP, creating a fully updated XP SP2 installation disc -- see Boot Camps 428 and 429.

But back to your question, and how to switch off the logon-screen. All you have to do is go to Run on the Start menu and type ‘control userpasswords2’ (without the quotes), then click OK. Highlight the user (you) you want to log on automatically then uncheck the item ‘Users must enter a username and password…’. When you click Apply you will be asked to enter your username and password (leave blank if you have never filled in these details) and click OK.  Alternatively download the Microsoft utility Tweak UI and you will find the option to bypass the logon screen under Logon > Autologon.

Q. I have sent for a 160Gb hard drive, as I want to use it for backup mainly. I also want to scan photographs on to my PC and then put them on disc.  The idea is to free up space on my computer hard drive and also preserve my pictures and documents on CD or DVD.  Can you talk me through the procedure; I must keep up with my grandchildren? 

Eileen Cole, via email

A. No problem, and it is actually very easy. There’s not enough space to go into it in any details here but basically all you have to do is set the new drive to ‘Slave’ mode, which involves moving a small connector or ‘jumper’. After that you connect the power supply and data cable plugs then fix the drive into place with four screws. When you next boot up Windows it will recognise the drive as ask you if you want to format it. This takes a couple of minutes after which it will be assigned a drive letter and it will be ready to use. For a detailed step-by-step guide see Boot Camp 427. 

Q. My All Programs window is overfull and I have forgotten how to combine similar programs into folders.

Peter Bryan

A. All Programs on the Start menu is basically just a folder and you can treat it like any other folder on your computer. To open it in a Windows Explorer window right-click on the All Programs button and select Explore then double-click Programs. This open the Programs list for the logged on User (C:\Documents and Settings\<yourname>\Start Menu\Programs). If you want to make global changes then you need to modify the Programs list at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

In case you need reminding to create new folders go to File > New > Folder, give it a name then drag and drop the items you want to put into it.

Q. I appear to have lost the ability to open USB memory sticks in Windows Explorer. This problem applies to all USB ports including front panel and mainboard and to all flash memory sticks. Is it a problem with Windows Explorer, and can I repair it?

Ian Marshall, via email

A. It’s more likely there’s something wrong with the USB Host Controller or Root Hub, in which case the simplest thing to do is uninstall then reinstall them. You may need the driver disc or motherboard installation disc that came with your PC. If you don’t have it contact the vendor or check the manufacturer’s website.

Assuming that you have the disc to hand the first thing to do is unplug all USB devices, except your keyboard or mouse, if they are USB types. Next open Device Manager (Winkey + Break > Hardware > Device Manager). Scroll down the list to Universal Serial Bus Devices, double-click to expand the tree. Right-click on each entry in turn and select Uninstall. Exit Windows and reboot and if prompted load your driver disc, Windows will reinstall the drivers and hopefully normal service will be resumed. 

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© R. Maybury 2007 0901