FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 065 (16/07/97)

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE

I've just had my first month on the net and I have seen lots of sites requesting payment before membership is granted. Just how risky is it to reveal credit card details by e-mail? Other than not buying, have you any advice on this subject which should become more popular with the advent of digital, interactive, TV?

Grahame Ross

A

Internet fraud is possible, and it does happen, but you need to look at in perspective, and take the view that most traders are basically honest. After all, you reveal your credit number every time you use it, whether personally in a shop or restaurant, or when buying goods and services over the phone. Have you ever wondered what happens to all those discarded slips and carbons? You can play it safe, by only dealing with large, reputable companies based in the UK, many of whom use encryption systems on their web sites, that will prevent your card details from being intercepted as they move around the net. These will become more commonplace, as the number of on-line shopping services grows. However, for the moment, there’s a simple rule of thumb. The more distant, obscure, unusual or dubious the service or product, the greater the potential risk.

REMAIN ALERT

In ‘Remains To Be Seen’ (FFF June 24th)  you show how to be rid of file names on the Document list on the Start up menu by series of steps from Settings.The button for clearing the document menu will however, clear the whole list. I want to know how to erase only selected file names. I have found no answer apart from time to time they slip off the list, as more are added. How do you delete only one file name?

Mary Clarke            

A

From Windows Explorer or My Computer open the contents of Drive C: by clicking on the icon, then look for the Windows folder. Open that and look for a file called Recent. In there you will find the contents of the Document list. You can remove any or all of them by highlighting with a single click, and pressing the delete key.

DIAL-UP DILEMMA

My internet provider is CompuServe and I have recently upgraded to version 3.0 for Windows 95. When I try to access the service I get the message ‘Dial Up Networking failed’, and then sometimes the name of a missing file. I’ve tried to uninstall and install without success, any help would be appreciated.

T.H.Pavett

A

The problem is usually in Dial Up Networking, but check first that the new installation is using the right type of connection. From the CompuServe desktop click on the Access menu and select Preferences. On the page marked ‘Connection’ you will see fields marked ‘Winsock’ and ‘Connect Using’, these should show ‘Dial Up Networking’ and ‘CS3 Connection’. Check all the details of the CS3 Connection by clicking on ‘Configure Dial Up Network’, and amend if necessary. There’s a chance the CS3 file is corrupted, in which case remove it and create a new one. Find it using Explorer or My Computer; the Dial Up Networking folder is normally close to the bottom of the directory tree. Open it up and delete or rename the existing CS3 Connection file. Go back to CompuServe and try to log on, it should respond by saying ‘Cannot Find CS3 Connection’ and invite you to create a new one. Follow the prompts and try again. If all else fails the CompuServe help line can be reached on (0990) 134 819.

MAC VAC

My two year old Mac has one year left on the on-site warranty, and touch wood It has been faultless. However, I’m concerned that after a lot of heavy use it probably needs mucking out. If I open it up and clean it myself will this affect the guarantee?

Simon Barrett, Lakenheath, Suffolk.

A

Taking the lid off your Mac can almost certainly be used as an excuse for invalidating your warranty. It’s understandable, you could do no end of damage but if you are careful -- and accept the risks --  there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do a little spring cleaning. Make sure you disconnect the machine from the mains before you open the case. The safest method is to blow, (rather than suck, with a vacuum cleaner). You can get cans of compressed air or eco-friendly gasses from camera shops and office supply stores, that will dislodge the dust and debris that accumulate on circuit boards and in corners. Try not to touch anything, unless you know what you’re doing. While you’re at it, it’s worth taking the keyboard apart to empty the ‘crumb tray’, give that a blow too; wipe down the case and keys with a lightly moistened cloth, or use proprietary cleaning cloths, and treat the floppy drive to a run-through with a good quality cleaner disc. You Mac may not run any faster, but it will look and smell a whole lot better.