FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 137 (26/11/98)

SIZE MATTERS

In Windows it seems impossible to set the size at which certain windows will open next time they are used. The best example is the Find Files or Folders window.  It always opens at the same size and the columns of information are always small and have to be widened.  Is there a way to set this window at least to open the way I like it?

Barry Sesnan

A

The Find window does seem to have a mind of its own, however, it's a simple enough matter to click on the maximise icon (top right corner, next to close 'X') when you open it. It is possible to make some windows open with a preferred size or shape; Windows Explorer is one example. The trick is to click on the icon in the top left hand corner, select Size from the drop-down menu and make your changes using the four pointed arrow; these should be memorised when the window is closed and later re-opened. 

PAINT POTTY

My children have been playing with the Paint program on my PC and have somehow managed to drag the ToolBox off the screen. How do I get it back? It does not return when using the View Command.

M. D.A. Thorburn, Emsworth, Hants

A

You have to be quite determined to make a tool boxes or menu bars disappear but it can be done, we've managed to do it a couple of times… Although the box appears to have vanished from the screen it can normally be recovered. Make sure ToolBox is checked in the View menu then maximise the Paint Window. Use the mouse pointer to probe the edges of the display, clicking the left mouse button as you do so. Sooner or later you'll discover a vestige of the ToolBox -- it may just be a short white line -- but it will highlight when you click the mouse. When you find it you can either drag it back onto the desktop, or fast click on the edge of the box several times and this will put it back in its place. 

SPEAK TO ME

I have tried repeatedly to find the PC speaker software mentioned in Boot Camp Tip of the Week (Connected October 22nd). I have had no joy from the web site you quoted; can you narrow the search for me?

R. Nield (Mrs.)

A

Speak.Exe, a small program that plays .wav sounds through a PC's built-in speaker is definitely on the Microsoft web site. You will find a full explanation of what the files does, how to install it in Windows 95, and a link to the actual download on:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/

kb/articles/q138/8/57.asp

SCREEN CLEAN

I have downloaded screensavers from Internet web sites suggested in 'Connected' and elsewhere but they need updating.  How do I remove the old to make room for new?

D.Best

A

Why do you want to remove them? You can change screensavers and settings from the Display icon in Control Panel (Start then Settings). Most screensaver files are quite small and deleting them probably won't regain you much hard disc space. Leave them alone and they won't bother you, but if you insist on going ahead with the cull then you will find most of them lurking in the 'System' folder, inside your Windows program. They have the extension .scr and usually -- though not always -- have a small monitor icon next to the listing. Alternatively open Find on the Start menu and type *.scr then click on Find Now, and it should list all of the screensavers on your system. Do not remove files willy-nilly and be aware that not all files with the extension .scr are screensavers. Whenever you delete a file from an important folder like Windows System wait for a day or two before emptying the Recycle Bin; if there is a problem, you can always restore the file. Some more elaborate screensavers may live in their own separate folders, in which case use the program's uninstall utility -- if provided -- or Add/Remove Programs in Control panel. 

UNLUCKY STRIKE

Recent electric storms prompted me to buy an extension lead with a four-way socket and a surge-protector -- just in case! I plan to switch the socket off at the mains when my computer is not in use. Could this cause problems?  I'm worried in case the battery runs down.

Lynn Bennison

A

Maybe you are being a tad over cautious. The surge protector should prevent any damaging 'spikes' on the mains supply -- from a nearby lightning strike -- harming your PC when it is on, though it is always a good idea to switch off when there's a storm in the immediate vicinity. When the PC is off the power supply and the parts of your computer that can be affected by mains irregularities are effectively isolated. There's no need to unplug it as well, though if you do, it won't cause problems. PCs use two types of backup batteries to keep the clock on the motherboard running when the power is off. Rechargeable types (nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, etc.) only require an hour or two's use to charge after which they will power the clock for several weeks. Non-rechargeable Lithium type batteries -- used on Macs and some recent PCs -- have a life expectancy of between 5 to 8 years and do not depend on the PC being connected to the mains.

WIPE THE SLATE

Lately I have noticed my copy of Windows is dumping a few too many .TMP files in the Temporary folder, moreover Temporary Internet has suddenly gained a few cache folders holding some very odd files. I have reformatted my hard drive once before but that was with the help of the manufacturer's help line. Unfortunately I can't remember how I did it so I would like to know if there are any books that include an idiots guide to hard drive re-formatting, preferably in simple steps.

Martin Taylor, New Dunston, Northampton

A

Reformatting your hard drive should be an absolute last resort. It's not unheard of for manufacturer's technical help lines tend to suggest this remedy when faced with problems they either can't resolve or be bothered to sort out.  A few temporary files hardly seem like a good enough reason to carry out such as drastic and time-consuming procedure. One reason why temporary files get left behind is that the application that created them isn't shut down properly; always check the System Tray on the Task Bar to make sure no programs are left running before you exit Windows. The extra folders generated by Temporary Internet are quite harmless and the files inside can be safely removed, though you may want to hang on to any 'cookies' for sites that you visit regularly as they can help speed up downloads. You can delete any files ending with .tmp using Windows Explorer, though bear in mind what we said earlier and don't empty the Recycle Bin straight away. Better still, use a Windows housekeeping program, like CleanSweep, to search out and eliminate unwanted files.