FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  552 (13/02/07)

Q. Could you please explain how to block the WGA Notification Tool with my firewall? I use Windows XP home edition and have Norton Security 2007 installed for Internet security etc. I have read that you can get a WGA Notification removal tool but it is illegal, is this correct?

Pam Bennett

A. Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation is a part of some critical downloads from Microsoft and it checks to see if your copy of Windows XP is legitimate. If it finds you are using a pirated or unlicensed copy the download is blocked.

The WGA Notification tool is a component of WGA Validation and it also checks your copy of Windows XP, but it does so every time you boot up, sending back unspecified data to Microsoft via your Internet connection. There seems to be no good reason for carrying out this check every day and in some quarters it is regarded as spyware. If nothing else using your Internet connection without your knowledge or permission is a bit cheeky. A few months ago a tool, called RemoveWGA appeared on the Internet. This only deleted the Notification component, so you could continue to download critical updates, but Microsoft took exception and many of the sites carrying the utility were pressurised to remove it. Nevertheless this 13.5kb file is still out there, as you will discover if you type ‘removewga’ into Google. It is not illegal to use it but I have no doubt it runs afoul of the small print in the fearsome Windows End User Licence Agreement (EULA).

Q. I am looking to build or buy a new, faster and more powerful PC to be used for editing and managing my large portfolio of digital photographs. Can you advise if it would be better to opt for Vista or stay with XP?  Can I assume that software written for XP will also run on Vista, in particular Adobe Photoshop CS2?

Garry Field, Woking, Surrey

A. Assume nothing!  Although the vast majority of XP applications will run, or can be persuaded to run on Vista, at this very early stage of the game there’s no knowing what complications will arise from the almost infinite permutations or hardware and software. In theory Vista will be a good platform for imaging and graphics applications but unless you are in a desperate hurry I would give it six months for the glitches to be found and the bugs to be ironed out. Otherwise go for a PC with a spec that very comfortably exceeds the Vista Premium Ready specification – particularly in the processor and graphics departments -- and upgrade to Vista later. 

Q. I have a Systemax Lifestyle desktop running Windows Millennium Edition. Somebody has been playing with the monitor resolution on the Settings page. I am unable to alter the resolution because the Settings screen opens at full screen size and I cannot see or access the 'Apply' button.

I have tried hiding toolbars and using the monitor controls to make the display area larger, but without success. How can I alter the size of the Settings screen when I open it?

John Denness

A. Use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Spacebar + M and you can move the Display Properties dialogue box with the arrow keys or your mouse. Alternatively start your PC in Safe Mode (press F8 at start-up) and Windows will open in default 800 x 600 resolution then can change the resolution from Display Properties

Q. We use the BBC Radio website Listen Again service to catch up with programmes that we have missed. At the moment we have to sit by the computer, which is upstairs, but it would be much more convenient to do this downstairs where the stereo is.

Is there a device that would allow us to transmit the output from our computer speakers to our stereo, and let us choose what radio programmes to play from the BBC website?

Jeremy Clynes, London

A. Not as such. There’s no problem transmitting the audio output from your PC to a receiver connected to your hi-fi system. All you need for is a video or AV ‘wireless sender; these are available from video and electronic gadget shops for around £30. Just connect the ‘transmitter’ module to your PC’s line audio or headphone output socket and plug the receiver’s output into your hi-fi’s line audio input sockets. The video plugs and sockets can safely be left disconnected. Remotely controlling the PC, so you can change stations, is another matter. It can be done, using another PC via a wireless or network connection, but that would rather defeat the object of the exercise... 

Q. When using ‘Save As’ or similar functions, the dialogue box defaults to "My Documents". As I keep files in directories other than this one (which I do not use) is it possible to change that default to something such as "My Computer" or to local disc C:?

Is there a way to change the four options, shown by icons, in the left hand column of such dialogue boxes?

Andrew Miller, via email

A. The row of folders displayed in Open and SaveAs dialogue boxes is known as the Places Bar and there is no easy way of changing them from inside Windows, unless you know your way around the Registry. Fortunately there is a simple solution and that’s to use a little-known tool in old friend Tweak UI, the free Microsoft ‘PowerToy’ customisation utility. Download and install Tweak UI then go to Common Dialogues > Places Bar. Select ‘Custom places bar’ and enter the paths of up to four folders that you want to appear. For example, if you keep all of your photographs in a folder called ‘Pictures’ on the C: drive, enter: ’C:\Pictures’  (without the quotes) into the box and click Apply.

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© R. Maybury 2007 0602