FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 025 (01/10/96)

AMSTRAD ANGST

I’ve used the Amstrad PCW8256 ever since it was launched. It has proved adequate for word processing, but now I’m writing books, so I need to upgrade, since I need to be able to send discs to publishers. Can anyone convert my existing 3-inch discs to a PC format? Would the Canon StarWriter 4000 be a suitable replacement, or should I take the plunge and go for an Apple  Mac or PC; if so, what would be a suitable specification?

R.L.K., Sandygate, IOM

A

Integrated word processors/printers, like the StarWriter 4000 are fine if all you want to do is produce straightforward documents. Text written on StarWriter discs can be read by a PC, but that’s about as far as it goes. Capable IBM PC compatibles, with a 100MHz Pentium processor, 8 Mb of RAM, 1 gigabyte hard drive plus software, sell for only a little more than the £600 being asked for the StarWriter, but they can do so many more things, that could be useful in your writing career. That includes running DTP software, keeping your accounts and address files, plus much, much more. A CD ROM drive and modem will add another £150 or so to the price, but it will give you access to vast databases and information resources on the Internet, put you in touch with others, including publishers, who you’ll be able to send copy to directly, using e-mail.

You can have the information your PCW discs converted to a PC-readable form, but it could turn out to be quite expensive if there’s a lot of them. Several companies advertise this service in specialist magazines like PCW Plus; prices start at around £3 per disc. The alternative is to transfer files directly from the PCW to the PC, using a program called LocoLink for Windows. This sells for £70 and is available from Locomotive Software, on (01306) 740606.

LETHARGIC LAPTOP
The running time of my ancient Digital 325SL laptop is gradually getting shorter; it’s now down to around 15 minutes, if I’m lucky. I’ve tried various local computer shops for a replacement, so far without success. Do you know of a source of old or obsolete battery packs.

L.S.R., Godalming

A

They do exist, but before you read on, take a seat... Digital told us they have fifty-seven of them left, sitting in a warehouse in Holland. They’ll happily ship one over for you, the only snag is they want £109.50 (plus VAT, plus delivery) for it. That’s probably not far off what your computer is worth. We tried phoning around for a better price, but all of the companies we spoke to were either out of stock, or were dearer than Digital.

The problem is your machine has been out of production for some time, so spares are scarce. In common with a lot of other laptops, it uses a proprietary battery pack design. Comparatively few machines were sold, so accessory companies didn’t bother producing replacements. It also uses nickel metal-hydride cells, which are dearer than the more common nickel cadmium type re-chargeable battery. There’s some good news. We did manage to track down one company, that can ‘re-cell’ lap-top battery packs. DSM in St Helens quoted us a price of £75, for your particular model.

Contacts: Digital Parts Service: (01734) 521587, DSM Batteries: (01942) 272730

PARITY CHECK

I’m about to upgrade the memory on my PC but I’m confused about ‘parity’. What is it, and do I need to be concerned about it?

D.E.S., Lakenheath

A

Parity is the means by which some memory modules (SIMM or serial in-line memory modules) check the integrity of the data they’re storing. Briefly, an extra data bit is added to each byte of data passing in and out of the SIMM,  indicating whether or not the ‘number’ is valid. If your machine is set-up to use parity check, then you have to upgrade using SIMMs of the same type; if not you can use either type of memory. You may be able to tell which sort you have by counting the number of chips on the memory modules. If there’s 8 chips per module then they’re almost certainly non-parity SIMMs, 9 chips invariably means the boards have parity.