FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 159 (29/04/99)

EXPLORATORY OPERATION

Whenever I start Windows Explorer, it opens showing all the first level sub-directories in the C: drive. Due to my partitioned drive, most of my working files are on the D: drive. I cannot find any way to set the default such that Explorer always opens showing the D: drive folders. With Windows 3.1 it was possible to set "Keep current settings".
David Bickell, Ipswich

A

You can configure Windows Explorer to open on any drive or folder, though as far as we are aware the procedure isn't explained in Help or any of the Windows manuals we've seen. Open Windows Explorer and scroll down to the Windows folder, click on the plus sign and look for the Start Menu, double click on it to open it up in the right hand window and find the Explorer.exe shortcut. Right-click on the icon; select Properties and the Shortcut tab. In the Target field you should see C:\Windows\Explorer.exe, change it to read: 'C:\Windows\Explorer.exe /n /e, d:' (omitting the inverted commas) and press enter. Note that there are spaces in front of the forward slashes and don't forget the comma after 'e'. Once that's done Windows Explorer will open to show the contents of drive D: To undo the change simply go back to Explorer Properties and remove the 'switches'. Incidentally, if you want Explorer to open on a particular folder substitute d: with c:\foldername, where foldername is the folder you want to access.

SOUND ADVICE
I have recently had some problems with my PC, which have now been corrected. However, I am now unable to alter the volume on my PC, as the volume control option is no longer there. Can you please tell me how to get it back?
Vicky Evans

A

Go to: Start > Settings > Control Panel > Multimedia and on the Audio tab check the box marked 'Show Volume Control on the Task Bar'

PAINTING LESSONS

I work for a school and I need some software, which will convert JPEG and BMP image files to PCX format and do very basic image manipulation like resizing. Funds are low, which do you recommend?
Noel Reynolds

A

PaintShop Pro will do all that you require and more. Shareware versions frequently appear on computer magazine cover discs (try PC Pro) or the latest version can be downloaded direct from www.jasc.com. You should also have a look at some of the shareware image editing programs on the Tucows web site (www.tucows.com), several of which have good file conversion utilities.

DAN PLAN
I have a Dan Pentium II 233MHz computer with a 3.4 gigabyte hard disc. The hard disc has been segmented into three separate drives C: (designated Windows), D: and E:. Each drive has just over 1 Gb of capacity and my C: drive is now about 90% full. My problem is how do I use the other drives? I am loath to experiment without a book of instructions lest something goes wrong that I cannot undo. Do I need to install an operating system onto the D and E drives or will the system on the C drive still work on those drives. I have some programs that I would like to install on the computer but am reluctant to do so on the C: drive lest it use up all the available space. If I put them on the D: drive, will they work with the programs on the C: drive?

Bob Adams, South Croydon

A

Your hard disc has been partitioned, which basically means it has been split into three 'virtual' drives, with each segment or partition behaving as if it was a separate disc drive. This is because your operating system cannot handle more than 2Gb of disc space at a time, this problem was solved on later releases of Windows 95 and Windows 98, so it may be worth your while upgrading.  Treat the partitions as you would actual physical drives, as storage space for software and data, if a program objects to being loaded on a partitioned drive it will usually tell you during the installation.  

WNETGETUSER AGAIN

I have exactly same problem with 'WNetGetUser returned' error message mentioned in the March 25th edition of F!F!F!  I followed your instructions but my problem is there is no Identification tab in the Network dialogue box. I don't know what to do!
Chris Broughton

A

We dealt with the missing Identification tab in F!F!F! the following week (April 1st) but quite a few readers seem to have missed it so here's a quick recap on how to get rid of the WnetGetuser error message when opening Outlook Express. It happens when the PC hasn't been given a 'name'. To check yours go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network, click the Identification tab and in the name field type 'default' (or anything else you like but no spaces and only 15 alphanumeric characters). If the Identification tab is missing click on the Add button, double-click Client in the Manufacturer's box then Microsoft and in the window opposite select Client for Microsoft Networks and then OK. Restart the PC and go back to Network in Control panel and the Identification tab should be there. You may find that you get a new Network Password dialogue box appearing you can get rid of this from Network in Control Panel by highlighting 'Windows Logon' under Primary Network Logon field, click OK and re-start your PC.

IMAGE PROBLEM

Recently, I have had my monitor repaired for a single fault (something to do with the colour). Before it went away the controls on the front of the monitor changed the height, width and position of the projected picture. However, since it has been fixed, the controls have stopped working, so now I am stuck with off-position, stretched or squashed pictures. Display Doctor seemed the solution, but now that I have installed a new graphics card (a 3FX 2D/3D accelerator), I can no longer use Display Doctor (for some reason). Are there any other programs out there that can change the position, width, height etc. of the picture on the monitor?
James Fingleton

A

This has got nothing to do with your PC, the graphics card or any programs you are using. The controls and on-screen display used to adjust the size and geometry of the display have been disabled for some reason – probably carelessness –  when the monitor was repaired. Take it back and ask them to put it right.

COLOURFUL WORDS

I hope that you can help me because I have exhausted all other avenues. I need to be able to strike-out and underline text in colour, but keeping the actual text in black. I have only been able to achieve this whilst colouring the text. I use Word 97, WordPerfect 8 and Word 98 for Mac, but have found no way of doing this. Do you know how to do it or are you aware of any add-ons for these word processors?
Richard Paige

A

No, but if there is a way we are confident F!F!F! readers will point us in the right direction. Over to you…