FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 072 (02/09/97)

NIMBLE NET

Is it possible to go faster on the Internet ? There are several software packages claiming to do this. How reliable and effective are they ?

John Young

A

The rate at which internet data is sent to and from your computer is determined by many different things, including the speed and efficiency of the PC, modem and comms software, the quality of the telephone line, and even the time of day -- when East Coast America wakes up at around midday transfer speeds can slow down dramatically. The programs you’ve seen cannot change any of these, they can however make use of ‘idle time’. When a data transfer is complete, the software automatically downloads other frequently-used or nominated pages, or uses a trick called forward-caching, loading all the links from the page you’re viewing, so when you click on one of them, it appears instantly. If you’re a fast reader, there’s not much on the page, or your connection is running slowly, there’s little or nothing to be gained. A faster modem and time spent optimising your PC and internet software will have a much bigger effect.

PASS  MUSTER

When I purchased our PC a year ago with Windows 95 pre-loaded, I was given the option of having a password. At the time I said no, thinking that I could change my mind later.  Now I can’t find any way to install a password - the facility seems to have gone for ever! Any ideas?

James Nicholls

A

The password protection you’re referring to is almost certainly the one that is included in the PC’s BIOS (basic input output system) software. The BIOS set-up menu is normally accessed by pressing the ‘delete’ key immediately after switching on. There’s usually an option marked ‘security’ or ‘password’, select it and follow the instructions. 

LOST IN SPACE

I wanted to clear out some redundant files to make more room on my laptop. The most regularly used programs are Word, Winfax Pro, Pipex Dial and  Netscape.  In my DOS directory I have a growing list of files with extensions .tmp. Most use 0 bytes, about every fifth one has 1,506 bytes, and a few have serious numbers between 15k and 250k. Any advice about what they might be and whether I can safely dump them?

John Church

A

They are temporary files, created by the PC and its software for the short-term storage of data. Normally they’re automatically deleted, but they can be left behind if the PC or the application locks up, or isn’t closed down properly.

Any file ending with .tmp or .swp (swapfile) and starting with the tilde sign (~) can be safely deleted, though if you are using Windows 3.1 this should only be attempted from within DOS, when Windows is not running. You may also find a lot of left-over temporary files stored in a directory called ‘Temp’, which is normally inside Windows. Help files also take up a lot of room; check through applications looking for text documents or files ending with the extension .hlp.   

MACRO VIRUS

In your reply to Marc Jardine (FFF 5/9/97) ‘Macros Lost For Words’ you assumed he did not have a Virus. His description of the Macros label disappearing from the Tools menu in Word is exactly what happens with the recent Word Macro Virus WM/Cap.A.  We know, we had it!

David Weaver

A

Thanks to everyone who brought this virus to our attention. It appears to be quite virulent and widespread. Fortunately it is reasonably easy to detect and future infections can be prevented using software, like AntiVirus, PC-Cillin II, Mc Afee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus and the latest version of Dr Solomon’s Antivirus Toolkit, all of which have Word Macro virus utilities. Any PC user who regularly imports word processor files on disc, or via e-mail from other  would be well advised to take this sort of precaution. You can check to see if there are any unauthorised macros installed in Word using the ListMacro command. On Word 6 this isn’t installed by default but it is easy to add it to the Tools menu by clicking on Customize, (on the Tools menu bar). Select the ‘Menu’ tab, then click on ‘all commands’ from the categories menu. Find ListMacro in the Commands window, highlight it and click on ‘Add’.

WOODWORK FOR WINDOWS

With reference to Paul Bentley’s question about computer-controlled woodworking equipment, (FFF 5/9/97), he may be interested to know that the magazine Model Engineering Workshop -- issues 41 to 44 -- features a series of articles on how to build a low-cost system, together with information on available software.

A. Barrett, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

A

Model Engineering Workshop is published by Nexus Special Interests Ltd., their back numbers department can be reached on (01442) 66551