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FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 573 (10/07/07)
Q. How do I install upgrade the BIOS on my
computer? There does not appear to be anything anywhere like a folder list that
would allow me to install the new files. It's a puzzle!
David P. Robinson via email
A.
The BIOS or Basic Input Output System is a small program that runs immediately
after you switch your PC on. Its job is to carry out a series of diagnostic
checks, called POST (Power On Self Test), then it configures the motherboard and
the hardware (disc drives, memory etc.) connected to it, and once that’s done
the operating system (i.e. Windows) will is loaded and the computer is ready to
use.
The BIOS program is
actually stored on a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) chip on the
motherboard so it can still run, even if the hard drive is faulty (or not
connected), which is why you can find no traces of it on C: drive. Generally
speaking BIOS updates are to be avoided, as they are potentially dangerous. If
it goes wrong then you may be left with a dead PC and quite possibly no way of
restoring it. In other words only do it if you absolutely have to.
The exact procedure
varies from one make of motherboard (and BIOS) to another but you should find a
detailed set of instructions on the motherboard or PC manufacturer’s website.
In most cases it is necessary to download and copy the new BIOS to a floppy, CD
or USB memory stick and carry out the upgrade from within the BIOS program,
though increasingly it is done using a DOS or Windows utility. One last thing,
don’t forget to backup your old BIOS, just in case the new one causes problems.
Q. Ever since I downloaded the new version
of Windows Media Player I have run into a problem when burning music to a CD
and it can take upwards of three hours to burn an 80-minute disc! The program
runs fine until the actual burning then the brakes are applied. I have
contacted Microsoft and they weren't very helpful; can you assist?
Steve Ridding, via email
A.
Windows Media Player has its faults but I’m not aware of anything that would
make it cause such a drastic slowdown. Nevertheless, you can eliminate that
possibility fairly quickly by installing another CD burning utility and I
suggest JetAudio
Basic. This program is free and actually a very competent multimedia
player, CD ripper, and audio file converter. If after trying it with a couple
of different brands of blank CD it is still horribly slow then it could be a hardware
problem.
If the drive hasn’t
been cleaned for a while do so now, and if that makes no difference try
re-installing the divers. To do that open Device Manager (Winkey + Break >
Hardware > Device Manager). Expand the CD/DVD drive entry, right-click on
your device and select Properties. It’s worth trying the ‘Roll Back’ the driver
option first, but if that doesn’t work uninstall the driver and reboot and
Windows will automatically replace it. If none of the above makes a difference
then there’s a good chance the drive itself is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Q. When starting my Windows XP Home PCI
get the message ‘CPU Fan has Low’. I press F1 to carry on. Should I do
something to rectify this?
Colin Sutton, via email
A.
I can’t help feeling there’s something missing from this message but it is
fairly clear that the BIOS is reporting a possible fault with your PC’s cooling
system. This requires your immediate attention, as an overheating CPU can
result in permanent damage. Often the problem is due to the fan or its cooling
fins being choked with dust and fluff and all you need to do is whip off the
lid (after disconnecting the power) and give it a quick spring clean with an
‘air duster’ (can of compressed gas, widely available for around Ł5.00), However,
it is far more likely that the fan is on its last legs and could be about to
fail completely so if after cleaning the message persists I wouldn’t take any
chances, just replace the cooling fan.
Q. I'm just about to buy a new PC (the old
one having finally given up the ghost), which, for the first time in my life,
will have two enormous (or so they seem at this stage) 400GB hard drives. Can
you please give me any advice on how I should set up these drives? Should I use
one for everything - with partitions or not? - and just use the other as a
backup? Should I use one for the operating system and program files, and the
other for all user data?
Vivian Dunn, via email
A.
There are no hard and fast rules and in the end it all depends on how you
intend to use your PC. For example, if you wanted to try your hand at video
editing then the second drive should be set aside for storing video files; this
improves the flow of data and helps to relieve the strain on your main drive,
which will be kept busy running Windows and your editing application.
If the PC was being
used in a ‘mission critical’ application – running the accounts or stock
control for a small business – then the second drive is best employed as a
backup or even as a ‘clone’ of the main drive.
On a home PC setup I
would tend towards a mixture of backups and media file storage (pictures,
music, video etc.). If you have the luxury of starting from scratch, with blank
drives then I would split the main drive into one large (350Gb) and one small
(50Gb) partitions. This will give you the option to dual-boot different
versions of Windows or install Linux, either of which could be useful if your
main Windows installation lets you down
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© R. Maybury 2007 0307
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