FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 153 (18/03/99)

LOCKED OUT

My preference is that Num Lock is off when the computer starts. I was able to set it off or on by a setting in the BIOS is my last computer, a Windows 95 system. My new machine is a Gateway 400 model and there appears to be no such switch in the BIOS. Gateway's technical team confirms this. Is there any program I may write to achieve my aim?

Denis O'Mulloy

A

It is very unusual for the Num Lock option not to be in the BIOS but it's not a problem. You can switch it on or off at boot up by adding a brief command to your PC's start up system configuration file, better known as 'Config.sys'. Open WordPad, (Start > Accessories > WordPad) and use File Open to find Config.sys, which should be in the Windows folder. You may have to change the Files of Type field to 'All Files' before it will be shown. At the end of the file, on a new line type: 'Numlock = off' (omitting the inverted commas), save the file, switch off and re-boot and the Num Lock will be off.

CRASH REPAIR

Can you please tell me how I can make a recovery disk? There used to be an icon on my desktop to do this but I have had the hard disk reformatted and Windows 95 reinstalled after my computer crashed. I have made a Windows 95 start up disk, is this similar? How do I use the start up disk if I have problems?
Neil Vaughan

A

The Emergency Recovery Utility (ERU) and a start-up disc are quite different things. The ERU is included in Windows 95 (but not Windows 98 for some reason) and it can be found on the CD-ROM  (Other > Misc > ERU). It backs up key system files to a floppy disc (or other media), so they can be restored in the event they are lost or become corrupted. You may still have it on your system, try looking under Program Files in Explorer or use Find to locate 'Eru.exe', create a new desktop shortcut by right clicking on the icon. A start up disc is meant to help you boot up your PC in the event it won't start from the hard disc. If that happens pop in the disc and your PC will boot to the A: prompt from where you will be able to access a variety of utilities, diagnostic tools and a useful help file that will outline various common problems and possible remedies. If all else fails the Start up disc will allow you to re-install Windows from the CD-ROM.

CLEAN START  

I had a crash while downloading a program. Having tidied up and deleted some of the associated files I find that I cannot try again or load it from a disc because the system believes that the loading program is still present and running. How do you stop and close a program that has already been deleted? I have gone through my almost complete collection of F!F!F! and Boot Camp but can't find a solution. What do you recommend?
John Hamilton-fey

A

It's worth trying a housekeeping program like CleanSweep, PC-Cillin or Uninstaller, to search out and remove bits of old programs and file references that have been left behind.

DOS FIRST

Although my PC uses Windows 95, my most frequently used program is Locoscript Professional which, operates in DOS. My computer takes a full two minutes to boot up into Windows. I then have to go to "shutdown" and "restart the computer in DOS". It all gets a little boring!  Can you suggest a way in which I can program a start-up floppy disk to insert when switching on the computer so that it automatically goes straight into Locoscript without first starting Windows? If that is possible, could you also advise on what commands I can use to load Windows after using Locoscript?
John Boden

A

You can start your PC in MS-DOS mode without having to go through Windows by hitting the Ctrl or F8 key immediately after the first boot-up screen. This will take you to the Safe Mode menu. Choose the 'Command Prompt Only' option and you will get a C: prompt from where you can start Locoscript. When you have finished your DOS session simply type 'Win' at the C: prompt to load Windows.

VULGAR ALTERNATIVES

I tried your Equations & Formulas method to get fractions in MS Word 97 (F!F!F! March 4th) but found that I could not size them down satisfactorily. It seems easier to go to Insert > Symbols and select the MS Reference 2 font. This has a good selection of vulgar fractions, which I have added to my Auto Correct list.

Pat Nelson

A

With MS Word for Windows 95, use Autoformat and it will automatically change 1/2, into a proper fraction, as well as correct other things you may not want corrected, but there is a facility that lets you go over your document and iron out the unwanted corrections.

Brian Farrell

 
A

These methods only work if the faction is contained within the particular font or symbols list. If you want to create a fraction that's not included, like 11/16, or 27/31 say, you will have to use the Equation method.

BOXING CLEVER

I have the Word 7 word processing package and I have recently become interested in compiling crosswords. I can create a neat grid but can anyone tell me an easy way to black in the squares!

John Le Gassick

A

There should be a way using the table or drawing tools but we couldn't find it so we'll throw this one open to our ingenious F!F!F! readers. In the meantime there are lots of freeware and shareware crossword programs on the Internet for you to design your own crosswords, here's a few addresses to get you started.

http://www.shareware-australia.com/

antonylewis/xwordcompiler.htm

http://search.shareware.com/SW/

Selections/Detail/0,71,660281,00.html

http://www.aeroinc.net/matthew/creations.htm

http://www.shareware.demon.co.uk/puzzle.htm

MOBILE MAIL

I am hoping to travel around the world in the next year and want to be able to pick up and send E-mail on my way. I have a Hotmail address and an AOL account and my plan was to use a Psion series 5 with integral modem to dial into the Internet. AOL tell me I cannot load their software onto a palm top. Is there an ISP that would let me do this for the charge of a local call in US, Canada, NZ, Oz, Malaysia and Thailand? Or will I have to resort to Internet cafes?
Jacqui Siggers

A

AOL has local access numbers or points of presence in over 100 countries, including almost all of those you plan to visit (the exception is Thailand). You can find a list of the relevant telephone numbers by typing 'Global' in the Keyword search box when you're logged on. AOL assure us that it should be possible to pick up your E-mail using the Psion, log on to www.aol.com read all about it by clicking on 'Netmail'.