FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 135 (12/11/98)

SCREEN TEST

I note that you frequently show Windows screen displays as pictures. Can you tell me what software to use to capture the screen display as a file which can be incorporated in a DTP file showing both a narrative of what to do, and what the screen looks like. I would also like the source of the program, whether shareware or a commercial supplier.

John Lee

A

Windows contains everything you need to insert a 'screen grab' into a document. Simply press the Print Screen button on your keyboard and a snapshot or 'bitmap' of whatever is on the screen is sent to the Windows Clipboard. From there it can be opened and manipulated using the Paint program, or pasted into a document using the Paste command. If you only want to capture the 'active' window in a display then hold down the Alt key before pressing Print Screen button. If you want to do anything more complicated with the image then you will need a graphics program. Paint Shop Pro is a very good place to start and you can try it for free by downloading a copy from the Internet (www.jasc.com), or checking the shareware sections of computer magazine cover mount CD ROMs.

CLEAN WINDOWS

We have a family multimedia PC, which is used for both work and pleasure by everyone. We need to increase the size of the hard drive but we already have the maximum 2.1GB that our early version of Windows 95 allows.  Should we install a newer version of Windows 95 or go the whole hog to Windows 98? Would Windows 98 create problems with newly purchased hardware such as our Agfa scanner or software including the children's games?

Most of the advice seems to suggest there are still some problems with Windows 98, but we are reluctant to purchase Windows 95 if in a few months time we need to move on again.  Upgrading Windows 95 would be a cheaper option but again it seems we could experience problems.

Caroline Butler

A

A newer version of Windows won't solve your fundamental problem, which is the need for a larger hard disc drive. The logical solution would be to get a larger disc drive, and Windows 98, or the OSR2 version of Windows 95, which can cope with disc drives larger than 2Gb, without having to 'partition' or split the drive up. Most of the problems with Windows 98 have been confined to users upgrading cluttered and unstable Windows 95 PCs. Since you will be starting with a clean slate -- i.e. a new hard disc drive and operating system  -- you should have no difficulty using your existing peripherals and software, though be warned, a few older DOS based games have shown a dislike for the new operating system.

THE NAME GAME

In common with many homes we have an increasingly tatty name and telephone book. Is there such a thing as a small flat box, with integral keyboard and screen that non-computer literate family members can use to speedily extract a person's details, and update them as necessary?

Peter F Carey

A

You have to go a long way to beat pen and paper; there's no batteries to run out, it is easy to use, it doesn't break if you drop it or tread on it and it's cheap… However, if you really want to entrust your family address book to technology you are spoilt for choice. Simple pocket sized electronic 'data banks' that can store a few hundred address files cost from around £20 upwards. Better still would be a handheld organiser or palmtop PC; the Psion Sienna or Series 3 models would be ideal as they are pre-loaded with really simple to use address and contact management software (alarms and calendars, to remind you to do things), plus a lot more besides. Prices for Psion palmtops start from around £110 upwards.

REMOVAL PLAN

Certain programs can be uninstalled using the Add/Remove utility in Windows, others have their own uninstall feature built in. However, I have several programs that fall into neither category. Are there are any other methods of removing them safely, other than deleting folders in Windows Explorer?

H.D. Lantsberry Manchester

A

As we have said several times before, removing software by deleting folders in Windows Explorer is not a good idea. Most Windows software install lots of additional files that can end up all over your hard disc drive. When the parent program is deleted these left-overs or 'orphan' files can cause all sorts of problems. The best way to get rid of an unwanted program  -- assuming there is no entry in Windows Add/Remove or an associated uninstaller utility -- is to use a software removal utility like WinDelete, CleanSweep or Uninstaller. They can safely erase old programs, and once installed on your machine, will log all new software loaded on to your PC, so it can be safely and completely removed

LOST FOR WORDS

I've just read your reply to the reader who lost a Word document through inadvertently keying Ctrl+A, then typing on (F!F!F! October 29th). I wondered why you suggested disconnecting EditSelectAll from the keyboard.  Wouldn't advising him, if it ever happened again, to use Ctrl+Z  (edit undo), have been quicker and easier?

Jean Elliott

A

We had several letters and E-mails on this subject but as you will recall the specific problem concerned an unfortunate sequence of events that resulted in the document being overwritten, then lost when Word was subsequently shut down. Ctrl-Z and the Word Undo function cannot recover deleted text once the program has been exited. The nub of our advice was to ensure a regular backup was made, preferably on a floppy, so if the worst happens an earlier version of the document is available.  The questioner asked how to disable EditSelectAll, so we told him…

ANCIENT ALIENS

Seeing the letter about backgammon (F!F!F! 29 October) reminded me that I would really like to find what I think was the original Space Invaders game. I used to play it on my brother-in-law's computer, which he has since sold, along with the software.  It was the only game I enjoyed.

Rosemary Marshall

A

The animated aliens are alive and well and living on the Internet. There's an excellent version for Windows PCs called Invaders 95. It is based on the original game, but with a few extras, including aliens whose eyes pop out when they're zapped, some really good sound effects and an invincible mode, which gives you a sporting chance of making it to the second level... Invaders 95 is freeware and the file can be downloaded from: http://www.nanzarts.com/FreeStuff.htm

LOST SCREENS

I am attempting to amend the two Windows 95 closing screens as detailed in Boot Camp (Connected 8th October) but I cannot see logos.sys and logow.sys listed in the Windows directory opened via Explorer. However, if I look for them via the Find command, they are listed as being in Windows.

J.M. Lewendon, Hythe, Southampton

A

Apologies for that, we should have explained that Windows Explorer can be set to 'hide' system files and will not be shown unless you unless you check the 'Show All Files' box listed on the View tab under Options on the View menu.

SILENT NET

Like George Berry (Connected Oct 29th) I have a mute modem, but all other sounds are OK. I tried your suggestion but the slider is greyed out and hence immovable. Any further suggestions?

Dennis Ross

A

There are a number of possible causes but a greyed out slider often indicate that your modem doesn't have an on board speaker. Some models have provision for an external speaker, or you may be able to connect to your PCs sound card.