FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 006 (21/05/96)

WEAR AND TEAR

I own a Pentium PC running Windows 95. I mainly use the computer during the weekend and probably a couple of hours during weekdays. I usually turn the computer off as soon as I finish, but I have been told by a friend that it is much better for the computer to leave it on all the time and just switch the monitor off. Is that right?

G.G. Demon UK

A

There's a certain amount of truth in what your friend says. The chances of something going wrong are at their highest when the computer is turned on and off. Voltage surges and sudden changes in temperature at switch-on can cause components to fail. However, the risk is fairly small and leaving it on all the time can also have detrimental effects. There will be increased wear to mechanical components, such as the hard disc drive and cooling fan, and the working life of electronic components and microchips will be shortened. Furthermore, by leaving it on all the time you will be consuming extra power; over time this could add up to more than the cost of any repairs or replacement parts. On balance the most sensible thing to do is to turn the computer on when you need it, and avoid switching it on and off unnecessarily.

BUDGET BACKUP

Further to the query regarding data backup (FFF April 30th); at current prices surely the best option must be to install a duplicate hard disc in a PC, with exactly the same capacity as the working one, and simply save files to both discs?

M.G.T., Devizes

A

Good idea, and it would work, however, one of the most compelling reasons for backing up vital files is to protect data from loss or damage. A second, non-removable hard disc drive inside a PC would still be vulnerable to wear, theft or fire.

CAMBRIDGE CONNECTION   

I recently brought a Cambridge Z88 laptop computer for the princely sum of £40. Whilst it is quite basic, it is very compact and the word processor facility is fine for composing short documents. I've figured out how to connect it to a printer, but would like to find some way of transferring files to my PC. I have asked at various local computer stores but I've been told it's obsolete and it can't be done. Can you

help?

R.D.,Hammersmith

A

The Z88 first appeared in 1987 and has been out of production for some time, though many are still in daily use and there are several thriving user groups. It is crude by today's standards, but it was very cheap, and still has a lot going for it, if all you need is a simple word-processor, diary, alarm and calculator. It's biggest drawback, though is the 8-line display, which isn't very easy to read in poor light.  Software and spares are still available, and a PC link cable, which you will need, costs around £10. You could even make one up yourself, if you can use a soldering iron. You'll find details, and lots of other useful information on the Z88 home page at: http://members.aol.com

Z88forever/z88home.htm arious purpose-designed comms packages are available but you can use the Z88's built-in Terminal program to send files to a Windows PC running a comms package such as QuickLink II. This simply needs to be configured for an ASCII file transfer, with the Z88 Terminal left on its default settings. 

DIGITAL DIFFERENCES

Can you tell me what differences there are between PCN and GSM digital mobile phones. Because of my work privacy and coverage are the most important considerations.

D.S., Windsor

A

GSM stands for the global system for mobile communications; this is the digital system employed by Cellnet and Vodaphone in the UK and used on over 120 networks in more than 70 other countries world-wide, over 30 of whom have ‘roaming’ agreements with the UK networks. PCN stands for personal communications network, it’s the most recent digital system, used in the UK by Orange and One-2-One. Currently Orange have roaming agreements with just a couple of PCN networks in other countries. Technically GSM and PCN are fairly similar, they operate on adjacent frequency bands, but at the moment the Cellnet and Vodaphone networks offer the best national and international coverage, added value services and features. PCN tariffs tend to be cheaper. Digital phones are far more secure than analogue phones, though it has to be said that no system is totally immune to eavesdropping.