Data on screen
You may be worried to see a reply from a website containing
your IP address, ISP, OS and web browser details. This may not be a problem, Danasoft ( www.danasoft.com ) supply a system that adds
this data to a signature graphic once it has come down to your PC, the data is
not visible to the sender. If this is
not the Danasoft system or something similar then it might be a problem except
that it is highly unlikely that someone stealing your data would actually tell
you that they had.
Startup in Excel
When Excel starts you can arrange for a file to load on
startup or you may wish to prevent a file loading. There are 3 places where Excel looks to find
files to load. C:\Program files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Xlstart C:\Documents
and Settings\your_logon\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART (this may be a
hidden folder, turn off hide system folders) or the folder specified in Tools |
Options | General | ‘At startup open all files in’ On starting any Excel will consult all 3
places and any .xls files will load, template files .xlt will be available in
‘open templates’ and add-ins files .xla will install menus and toolbars. To get a file to load place a copy in any of
these locations or to stop it loading delete or move a file. Note if a file is hidden you may not be able
to see it there.
Updates
You can set your PC to automatically download and install
updates but what happens to the files when they have been installed. The answer is that they are saved in the
Windows folder as hidden files, go to Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options
select the View tab and check ‘Show hidden files and folders’ and you will now
be able to see them. They are stored
there in case you need to uninstall them because your system no longer
functions properly. Uninstall is carried
out from Control Panel Add or Remove Programs, they are not normally visible
but there is a ‘show updates’ checkbox that will reveal them. There are less listed here because some cannot
be uninstalled. Conventional wisdom is
that you cannot uninstall an old update only, you must uninstall all the most
recent updates until you get back to the important one and then reinstall in
order by running the files in the Windows folder.
Test a power supply
AT power supply units were switched on with the PC main
switch and present no problem, they will run remote from the PC. ATX power supply units are a different kettle
of fish, they are switched on with an electrical connection. The secret is to disconnect the main
connector and a hard drive connector and link the only green wire to any black
wire and then switch on the mains power and the unit should run.
Opening files
It is normal to open a file by double clicking it in Windows
Explorer, it is then opened by the program registered to open files with that
extension. Normally .txt files are
opened by Notepad and .doc by Word. If
you try this and all you get is ‘not a valid Win32 application’ right click the
file choose Open and then select the program with which to open the file, check
the box to always open with this program.
Windows Desktop Search
Following on from the item last month on desktop search
engines, Microsoft now has its own.
Available from www.microsoft.com/windows/desktopsearch/default.mspx. As with the other search engines it is an
advance over windows Start | Search as it indexes your files when the processor
would not otherwise be busy.
ADSL woes
Now that ISPs are increasing bandwidth from 512kb/sec to
2mb/sec or more there is a potential problem if you telephone line is too long
or too noisy it may just fail to work at all not just run slower than
maximum. I met an example recently when
AOL upgraded, the connection just stopped working one day. The help lines do not seem to be aware of the
problem, after 2 months without a connection, with a hint form someone in the
know the fault was traced to a noisy line.
The telephone had always had a lot of crackle but a 512kb connection
worked fine but then just stopped working.
A BT man cured the crackle and at the same restored ADSL.
Reboot
Why should a PC suddenly shut down and reboot at random, in
anything from 10 minutes to 12 hours.
The first thought is that it is overheating; fans and cooling fins are
clogged with dust. This would be most
obvious when the processor is being used intensively rather than just browsing
the web or idling. The solution is
obvious, leave it plugged in for earthing but switched off at the mains (if you
cannot do this unplug it and earth yourself by touching a radiator). Remove the
case and use a clean soft brush or air jet to remove the dust from fans and
cooling fins.
If this is not the obvious cause, in XP you can force the
BsoD (blue screen of death) with an error message which may be of help. Right click My Computer and select Properties
(or Control Panel | System) choose the Advanced tab and then Settings under
Startup and Recovery, uncheck Automatically Restart. Next time it happens you should get your
error message which you can research on Google etc.
In the example that prompted this the solution was an
updated video driver.
Windows 98 update
Many people are finding problems running Windows Update
after a fresh install of 98SE. I
received error code 0x80072F89, not on the MS support site, after connecting to
Update. A web search came up with lots
of suggestions but the one that worked was upgrading Internet Explorer to v6
from the v4 on the 98SE CD. This has
also been the solution for several similar errors. It would seem that if you do a fresh install
of 98SE immediately upgrading to Internet Explorer v6 may pay dividends later
both in greater security and more certain connection to winows Update.
PC Myths
Screensavers protect your screen from damage – False – It
was true at one time, the effect of the phosphor gun unmoving on the screen
would burn a permanent image (only a shadow) on to the screen. Screens have improved with time and this is
no longer necessary for a CRT and never relevant to a LCD screen. The only modern use for a screen saver is to
protect your privacy when you are away from your desk.
Linux is safer to use than Windows – Truish – With Linux
before you can make changes you need to enter the Administrator password, with
Windows this is not the default, most people run their PCs as an administrator
so it is open to abuse while they are working.
A Windows PC could be as secure as Linux, at great inconvenience. In addition an awful lot of viruses are
written to attack Windows or DOS, very few for Mac or Unix (Linux)
Cookies can spy on you – False – Cookies are small files
left on your PC when you visit a website so that if you return a website can
check the cookie it left and identify you and greet you by name. Some people do not like being checked up on
so object to them on principal.
Leaving a computer on is better for it – False – Again the
answer to this one has probably changed with time. Yes there is a strain on components when they
are first switched on but this has to be balanced against the wear whilst in
use. Resistance to both has improved but
leaving the balance in favour of switching off.
The power and cost savings in switching off definitely tilt the balance
in favour of not leaving the PC on necessarily.
Using hibernate is probably a useful compromise, the PC shuts down but
on restarting it is restored to exactly the same state, running programs and
all, as when it went into hibernation.
It is good to shut down fully, occasionally, to avoid problems building
up.
Calendar 2006
Club night Wednesday
June14th 2006
?Ripping Music By Jim
July12th
2006 to be decided
MCC Committee 2005 - 2006
Contact/Chairman Robert Huggett 01628 623712
RobertVHuggett@aol.com
Treasurer
Dave Grant
Hints & Tips: Alan Everett aeverett@btinternet.com
Web-site Jim Borg-Cardona jimbcuk@aol.com
Editor All
contributions to this Newsletter should be sent to: Robert Huggett, 5 The Points,
Maidenhead. SL6 3AE
Tel: 01628 623712 Email: RobertVHuggett@aol.com
(All contributions to be
received 2 weeks before the next meeting to ensure inclusion)
Contributions may be
sent on:3.5’ PC disk in almost any format, E-mail attachment, or hardcopy.
Please Note: Selected items from this Newsletter may also be
published in MCC’s pages on the Internet.
Internet Home Page: http://website.lineone.net/~mcchome
The club meets on the
second Wednesday of each month at the offices of Zinsser Analytic,
DISCLAIMER: This Newsletter represents the ideas and
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