Q:
I need an efficient MP3 software and had installed one from a free magazine
CD-ROM. But whenever I used it, my PC hung. Can you also tell me about
good transfer-sheet paper for printing computer graphics on t-shirts using
a DeskJet printer.
Tony Dutta
via e-mail
A: A great MP3 player-encoder is WinAmp. It needs the Fraunhofer MP3 codec (bundled with Windows Media Player 6 or later). Visit a HP computer dealer for information on where to source the paper, and what it costs in Calcutta.
Q:
I own a P3/500 with 64 MB. Whenever I install some games or softwares,
the system becomes extremely slow. Also my HDD shows 9.52 GB and the properties
box shows P2. Recently I upgraded from Win98 to Win98SE, and now some
system files are corrupt. Also when I shutdown my computer it restarts
automatically.
Sitaram Agarwal
via e-mail
A: If you use Win98SE, then 64 MB RAM is entry-level; you should upgrade to 128 MB. You also haven't mentioned how much of your HDD is used. The HDD properties shows the formatted area available. To use all 10 GB, you need to have two partitions as Win9x has a problem addressing partitions larger than 8 MB. We don't understand how an upgrade could corrupt your system files. Or what you mean by shutdown (Start|Shut Down|Shut Down)
Q:
I have a P2 with 64 MB RAM. Is any free software available on the Net
to check boot virus on my Mac. I don't think you can check boot virus
in Win ME while booting. My AVG scanner does not respond at the time of
boot up
Parvinder Singh
via e-mail
A: Er? You have me confused. What does a Mac virus scanner have to do with Win ME? They're completely different platforms. I don't know if AVG supports Win ME. Why not consider purchasing a virus scanner specifically for Win ME. Visit winmecentral.com for the specifics.
Q:
I use Outlook Express and IE5. When receiving e-mails, e-mails from a
certain address goes into the deleted items folder. I have to drag them
to the Inbox. Why does this happen. I use Caltiger and download speeds
is very slow. Can you suggest some free software to increase my Internet
connection speed.
Vikash Kumar Agarwal
via e-mail
A: Check if there are any Rules enabled (Tools|Message Rules|Mail). Caltiger is slow because as a free ISP there are more users than the service can optimally support. Check out the preview of Naviscope in this issue.
Q:
I have a P2 with 32 MB RAM. Whenever I insert a CD-ROM in the drive, the
PC can't read the disk. It appears that E:\ is not accessible. But the
CD-ROM works in other PCs. This is happening for some CD-ROMs. Why does
this happen.
Kanishka Chowdhury
via e-mail
A: Your CD-ROM drive is probably dirty. Either get your vendor to come and clean the drive. Or purchase a CD-ROM cleaning kit, and follow the instructions.
Q:
Is the hard disk repairable if the "0" track is bad?
Sanjay Saha
via e-mail
A: It depends. There are disk data recovery specialists like Unistal Systems who can recover your data. However, their solution involves physically opening the drive casing. This approach is only recommended if the drive contains data like financial records or company documents.
Q:
I have Win98 Media Player. Earlier I was able to play audio and video
files from the Internet. I wanted to play an audio file and an "open
with" window appeared. I just OKed it now I can't to play any file
from the Internet. Hope you can help me out.
Moumita Ghosh
via e-mail
A: The sins of clicking blindly! You have managed to change the file associations. To restore them you need to right click on the file to get that dialog box again, locate Windows Media player in the list of registered applications and enable the "always open with" check box. Or you should reinstall Media Player.
Q:
I have recently observed that I am unable to insert any images (JPG/GIF)
in my email with Outlook Express. Also, images in an HTML file created
using FrontPage are not visible in the Preview mode. I can however see
them while on the Normal mode. If I wish to view an HTML file on my hard
disk with IE5, the images are not available. I don't have any problems
viewing images in Web pages while connected. Also chat modules and Java
applets don't load with IE5. I have no problems with Netscape Communicator
4.7.
Neel Sen
via e-mail
A: This kind of odd behaviour has virus-like symptoms. Please check your system. Also, have you recently installed IE5? Do write back to us with more details (less the version numbers). Try and resolve any possible IE problems by selecting Control Panel|Add/Remove Software|IE and click the Add/Remove box. Now choose Repair in the sub-menu and see if it resolves your problem.
Q:
I am a regular reader of it@tt,and i find it extremely helpful. And am
presently pursuing a course in e-commerce. To get more familiar with computers
i want to purchase a PC, but am not to sure about the right configuration.
It must help me in my course, let me play games, watch movies and TV,
listen to songs and also surf the Net. My budget is Rs 55,000. Please
advise me.
Kishore Adhikari
via e-mail
A: We aim to please. The configuration details you sent are excellent. The only modifications are to try for a 17" monitor (better TV and movie viewing) and a scroll mouse (easier to surf). TV tuner cards are not equivalent to a dedicated AGP card, especially if you plan heavy gaming.
Q:
I purchased an assembled Celeron 600. My vendor is charging extra for
Win98SE instead of Win 98. How do I check if the operating system is Win98
SE? What are the extra features of Win 98 SE over Win98.
Sudip Kumar Dhar
via e-mail
A: To check which OS is installed, right-click My Computer. Inform your vendor that an original copy of Windows 98SE has to be bundled with each PC. And should include the CD media, manual and certificate of authenticity with serial number. Win98SE has fixed some bugs and upgrade some internal components. It also needs at least 64 MB RAM.
Q:
I have 30 GB drive of which 10 GB is reserved for Linux and 20 GB for
Windows. I opted for this because there are a lot more Windows games and
software. However, my computer vendor can't install Win NT 4 Server (with
NTFS) unless he divides the drive into 10 parts. Help. Also can I address
my CD drive as B:\. Is Win 2000 Professional better than Win NT 4.0 Server?
Tamal Saha
via e-mail
A: Your computer vendor should go drown in the Hooghly. Win NT has never had the drive size limitations plaguing Win9x. I recommend 3 partitions: two 10 GB partitions for Windows; one for applications the other for data. And 10 GB for Linux. Make sure NT is the primary operating system and you use Red Hat Linux v7 or later. Avoid changing the default CD drive ID. B: is reserved for floppies. And yes Win 2K Pro is way better than NT 4 SP-5, but needs at least 128 MB RAM to work.
Q:
Please let me know if there's any Web site offering shareware to enhance
the print quality of photos for DeskJet printers? I use Word 2000 and
have a HP660 printer.
Dona Dawn
via e-mail
A: I looked but couldn't find one. Ask the person who first mentioned it to you for a specific Web site.
Q:
I have a Celeron 433 with 32 MB RAM. I want to upgrade the Ram. Is it
possible to install both 32 MB and 64 MB RAM together? Also how can I
make Internet downloads faster?
Prasanta Basu
via e-mail
A: I presume you mean SIMS of different capacities. It's not recommended, but in a pinch can do. However, consider upgrading in multiples of 32; 64 MB, 128 MB etc. You can boost file downloads with a download manager like GetRight or Gozilla. For more on improving Web page load speeds, see my review of Naviscope (this issue?).
G
Menon and Sumit Arora
[email protected]
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