FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 055 (06/05/97)

CLEARING CLUTTER

With reference to the item in FFF! 15/4/97, Getting Rid of Clutter’, I look after a lot of PCs at work and have considerable experience in Spring-cleaning colleagues machines, when they complain they’re slowing down and running out of disk space. Here’s my solution. In DOS (not Windows) identify and delete all .tmp files, left behind when Windows is still running and the machine is turned off. In Windows delete old .bak files then find and delete directories loaded from free magazine CDs, there is usually megabytes of the stuff! Archive old documents to floppy disk or simply erase them. Run Scandisk in DOS. This usually frees up large chunks of disk space from corrupted files, then delete the .chk files created. Finally run Memmaker and Defrag in DOS. At the end of all this loads of space should be free on the hard disk. This can be used for temporary memory in Windows (386 Enhanced in the Control Panel) and the machine should be back on it's feet.

Ian Penson

MORE CLUTTER

I had the same problem with Defrag, showing insufficient memory errors as

reported by Richard Taylor. The problem occurs with all early versions of Defrag, which starts by reading the disk directory listing into conventional memory. When my hard disk reached something over 300Mb occupancy, the directory listing became too large for the memory available, so it stopped working. The solution is to upgrade to MS-DOS v6.22, which has a new version of Defrag that can use extended memory.

Geoffrey F Miller

AN END TO CLUTTER

The DEFRAG.EXE utility was introduced in DOS 6.0 along with the 'Clean Start' feature. At the 'Starting MS-DOS' message during boot, hold down the shift key and config.sys and autoexec.bat are bypassed. You are left with a DOS session with maximum memory available and the path set to C:\:C:\DOS ready to run defrag.

Geoff Lovis

A

Thank you to everyone who contributed solutions to this problem.

CHIPSETS WITH EVERYTHING

I am considering replacing the motherboard in my PC and upgrading to a Pentium MMX but I’m confused by the various chipsets that are on offer. What is the difference between ‘VX’ and ‘HX’ motherboards, and which is the best one for a MMX processor?

Brent Davies, Rochdale, Lancashire

A

Broadly speaking motherboards with the slightly cheaper VX chipsets are configured for home PCs running multimedia software. The HX chipset is designed to maximise performance on business applications and servers. It has higher upper memory limit (512Mb), advanced memory checking features and enhanced reliability. You might also come across boards with a TX chipset which boosts performance on fast Pentiums, speeds up disc transfer rates and has sophisticated diagnostic facilities.

However, there are many other far more critical factors to consider when buying a motherboard, including in your case, whether or not it has the necessary dual-voltage supply needed for an MMX processor. The size of its Level 2 cache memory (256k or 512k) has an impact on performance, and make sure the board you buy will fit your case. The number, type and position of expansion slots (PC1 or ISA) could be important, especially if you’re planning to use your existing cards, and you should check the RAM memory sockets, to see if it will take the SIMM or DIMM boards from your old motherboard. Other features worth considering are a USB (universal serial bus) interface, infra-red communications port, for transferring data to and from pocket PCs and organisers, and jumperless configuration, which makes setting up easier.

NUMBERS UP

I have an Amstrad Fax machine, (model number F5050), which is about five years old. Several keys on the handset have become unreliable, I’ve tried various local firms, who told me to contact Amstrad directly. This I tried to do, but to no avail. The address and telephone number in the manual is redundant. I tried the company who sold me the machine, they gave me the number of another firm, who were no help at all. Can anyone repair it?

Mrs D. S. Lee, Dunton Bassett, Leicestershire

A

Amstrad haven’t gone into hiding, their main telephone number is (01277) 228888, and that should be your first port of call, for general enquiries. However, we’ve done some of the legwork for you, and spares for Amstrad fax machines are handled by a company called CPC. They can be reached on (01772) 654455. They tell us that the cost of a replacement handset for your machine is £71.67, plus £3.99 postage and packing, plus VAT. That sounds rather a lot to spend on an old model,  heading towards retirement and the possibility of more expensive repairs. It will almost certainly be cheaper in the long run to buy a new fax, prices start from around £150.