FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 032 (05/11/96)

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I recently stumbled across the BIOS function on my PC (486/33 with 8Mb RAM). Intrigued, I tried changing some of the settings, to see if I could make it run any faster. Nothing seemed to make any difference, except that now my once reliable machine freezes two or three times a day. I thought I put all the settings back to their original state, but I've obviously missed something, any ideas?

M. J. W., Chesterfield

A

The BIOS or basic input output system is a small piece of software, stored in a microchip memory, that tells your computer how to boot up, and interface with the rest of the machine's operating software, held on floppy and hard disc drives. Mess with it at your peril!

Check the settings for cache memory. The internal cache should always be enabled on a 486 PC, and it's usual for the external cache to be enabled as well, though not always. An incorrect setting for either will cause the machine to lock up.

A PC's BIOS is best left well alone, unless you know exactly what you are doing. However, the memory chip that stores the BIOS is normally powered by a small rechargeable or long-life battery, which can fail, or expire, in which case the information can be lost. It is a good idea therefore to make a note of the settings -- especially those relating to the hard disc drive. Tape it to the case, preferably inside, where it can't get lost.

WATER WORKS

My brother-in-law is a field engineer working in Peru. His job entails carrying out feasibility studies for, and designing of micro-hydro projects, to provide sustainable and renewable energy for small rural communities. He travels about a lot, which precludes carrying a large number of engineering data books. As he owns a Toshiba 486 Windows laptop with CD-ROM drive, an ideal solution would be to have a disk that would act as a database for much of the information he regularly needs access to. This includes: standard tables, engineering design formulas, manufacturing methods, specifications for commonly used products (screw threads, couplings, gears, drives etc.), strength of materials (Young's Modulus and more). Could you tell me if such a CD-ROM exists, where I can buy it, and how much it will cost.

N. B.

A

It's seems highly unlikely anyone has produced a CD ROM containing precisely the  mixture of specialist information your brother needs, though much of what he wants is readily available on other media, some of it for no more than the cost of an Internet download. The Hydrologic Engineering Centre is one of a number of database and software resources on the net, they can be found at: http://www.waterengr.com . Most shareware libraries contain a wealth of engineering software; contact A1 Shareware and Invicta for their free disc-based catalogues. There's nothing to stop you or your brother creating or commissioning your own CD ROM database. Information and tables can easily scanned into a PC, as text and graphics images, which can then be written to CD ROM. The cost of recordable CD ROM drives has plummeted in recent months, some models are selling for below £450, with blank discs retailing from around £6.00. There are numerous companies offering CD ROM recording and duplicating services, prices start at around £75 per disc.

Contacts: A1 Shareware 0181-806 5769, Invicta Shareware 0181-302 6213, A.L. Downloading Services (CD ROM replication) 0181 994 5471

SLOW START

I have only had a modem for 1 week.  It's a 14,400 bps type and I think it's set up correctly. As a result of your 'Word of Warning'  item about macro viruses (FFF 29/10/96) I have tried to connect to the Microsoft web site with the virus detection utilities. After a couple of minutes I reached the file menu page, I waited a further 10 minutes while it said it was locating the files but nothing seemed to be happening.  Am I just being too impatient?  How long should it take?

P. C.

A

It's possible your modem isn't operating at maximum efficiency -- try increasing the speed setting in your Web software configuration menu. However, it's more likely that you've been caught up in one of the web 'rush hours', when data transfer can slow to a crawl. The best time for busy sites, like Microsoft, is early morning. Things start to slow down from around lunch-time onwards, when America starts waking up.