FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 092 (15/01/98)

DIRECT DEBIT

In September I brought an up-to-date PC for the whole family to use. Over the Christmas break we acquired two new games: Lego Island and Tomb Raider II. However, neither game would run without new drivers being installed. Both came with Direct X Version 5 but in addition I was informed that I would have to download updated audio and video drivers, as the ones which came with the machine -- all of three months old -- were not up to scratch. Having done this I now wonder how often I will have to repeat this process? What other hardware requires this updating procedure?

Andy Whitehouse, Maidstone, Kent

A

We suspect Lego Island and Tomb Raider II tested a lot of PC owners spirit of goodwill this Christmas. The problem centres on Direct X, it is an application program interface or API. Basically it’s a collection of programs developed by Microsoft, running under Windows 95, that allow games developers to create more exciting graphics and sounds. Until recently Direct X was mostly used for video enhancements but Lego Island and Tomb Raider II are amongst the first games to use the latest version of Direct X to process sound as well. This has doubled the chances of a conflict occurring. For Direct X to work the PC must have compatible graphics and sound cards, and the correct driver software. If the program crashes, freezes or simply refuses to work the chances are it is driver related and only cure is to install the correct updated driver. However, games company helplines -- when you manage to get through -- invariably say it is not their responsibility and refer callers to their PC’s maker or vendor, causing a great deal of annoyance.

There’s no easy answer though it would help if games manufacturers spelt out system requirements more clearly on their packaging. The PC specification is constantly evolving, so this kind of thing will keep on happening. The best advice is not to rush out and buy any new piece of hardware or software, and always wait for the bugs to be identified and fixed.

The Direct X web page is worth a visit if you are having problems, it has a large library of drivers and can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp

STUPID’S ARROW...

With reference to ‘Annoying Arrows’ (F!F!F!  30/1297), readers may be interested to note that a handy suite of utilities exist in the form of ‘PowerToys’.  It contains various desktop enhancements amongst which is a very useful application called Tweak UI which allows the user to delete shortcut arrows without editing the registry (which can be a daunting task!).  Tweak UI can also be used to automatically clear document history lists on start up, set right click and menu display speeds and much more through one application located in the control panel of Windows 95 PowerToys are available free and can be regularly found on computer magazine discs. PC Pro always includes a copy of PowerToys in its ‘Windows 95 Essentials’ section of the cover CD-ROM.

Mark Hill

A

Many thanks to Mark Hill and others who reminded us that we should have mentioned PowerToys and Tweak UI. We did suggest it last time this question arose, along with the Microsoft web address from where it could be obtained (see below), in an earlier edition of F!F!F!, but that’s no excuse.  Mark is right to be concerned about editing the registry, although we did stress that it was not to be undertaken lightly, but we have to agree that for newcomers Tweak UI is a far more satisfactory method of removing shortcut arrows. For those with internet access PowerToys can be obtained from:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/

download/powertoy.exe

DON’T KNOCK IT...

I own a Packard Bell 100Mz Pentium with 16Mb RAM.  It is just over a year old but for the last three months it crashes whenever it is slightly knocked, when a diskette is put in the A: drive or even when there is a gust of wind!  I was advised that it was a software problem but it has persisted despite formatting the C: drive.  Do you have any ideas?

Tunde Ogungbesan

A

It has nothing to do with the software, there’s an intermittent contact somewhere inside the case. You should have it checked by a qualified engineer but if you’re handy with a screwdriver -- and the warranty has expired --  you might want to have a go at tracking it down. Disconnect the mains leads and remove the case lid. Touch the metalwork to disperse any static charge then systematically remove and re-seat the cables and plug-in cards on the motherboard and disc drives. Only do one at a time, make sure you observe which way around they go and don’t unplug anything you can’t easily get back in again.