IT@TT - Online

Message from the Editor: Dear Readers, do bear with us. We are experiencing an avalanche (average 50 messages a day) of email. We are available online at www.careermosaicindia.com/itattt. Please check the various issues of Mailbox if your problem has a solution before sending us email. Queries that don't mention your system configuration, problems experienced and any resolution attempted, will not be answered. As an experiment, we are selecting one letter for each problem and responding to it.

Q: I recently loaded McAfee 5.01 in my computer. Although I've configured all the components in VShield, E-Mail Scan is inactive. But in the configuration window it is Enabled. What shall I do? Defrag ran for 6 hours without being completed. Please help
B.P.Ghosh
via email

A: Email scan only activates when you download email to your PC. If you don't require it, unload to save memory resources. To Defrag the hard disk, start in Safe mode (press F8 at boot up for menu). Make sure the anti-virus is not running.

Q:I had installed the McAfee VirusScan demo and later uninstalled it. Now I get an .VXD file missing error. How can I resolve it?
Anirban De
via email

A: Monitor the boot up and note which .VXD file is missing. Then use the System File Checker to restore that particular file from the Windows .CAB files.

Q: With reference to Shivaji Moitra's email (it@tt, 9 Jan 2001) about Net magazines accepting freelance contributions, he can check out www.sulekha.com.
Nivedita Sengupta Jain

A: Thank you, Nivedita.

Q: I have an AMD K6. My Windows timer doesn't work and sometimes goes to 1996! I had installed some Y2K programs but after deleting them this problem occurs. Also, when I use the Net, I often get illegal operations. Please help.
Rohit
via email

A: The Y2K programs could have damaged Windows. We recommend reinstalling the operating system.

Q: Every now and then my NORMAL.DOT settings change. I have three files with the same name in my system. Also Excel worksheets allow you to force printing in black and white. Is the same possible for Word?
S. Jayaraman
via email

A: Keep only the c:\progra~1\micros~1\templa~1\normal.dot file. Delete the others. In Word Tools|Options|File Locations, set the User Templates to the default folder. Unlike in Excel, to force B&W printing in Word, you need to set the printer to monochrome.

Q: A few days ago I tried accessing Caltiger through the desktop icon. I got an error that the password was incorrect. I reinstalled the dialer and can now access using the desktop icon. But I can't access the service from Dial Up Networking. What is the solution?
Rahul Shanker
via email

A: If the Dialer is working, why not use it instead of DUN? Possibly, Caltiger only allows access to its services through their dialer.

Q: I have been using a VSNL account for 3 years on a laptop from home (Kalighat) and at office (Salt Lake) with no problems. I recently shifted to Jodhpur Park, and since then have been unable to dial up from home. The dial tone comes through my speakers, but the dialup from the computer has no affect. I have tried dialling in pulse and tone modes. Is it a configuration problem or phone problem? I tried dialling up from a friend's house in Behala and the same problem happened there.
Dr Peter Evans
via email

A: Since you are now unable to dial VSNL from any location, your modem driver may be corrupted. Remove the driver, restart the PC, and then reinstall the driver. Keep us posted if the problem persists.

Q: My Celeron 600 with Win98SE often fails to shut down after showing "The computer is shutting down" message. The computer is new and I have done a thorough Scandisk and Defrag. Please advise.
Dipayan
via email

A: Win98SE has a known shutdown problem for which an upgrade is available. Check http://www.infinisource.com/windows98/troub-51.shtml for more details.

Q: I scanned my Windows Temp folder using the AVG shell extension. It detected an infected file, JIMI_HMNDRIX.PIF and asked me to scan using System Scan. However, when I tried to access the Temp folder, my system hung. Finally I deleted the folder. Can you tell me why am I receiving inconsistent results. Also, very often my computer hangs when using Foxmail. Please help.
Abhik Ray
via email

A: We can't say why AVG is so inconsistent. Before shutting down Windows, you should always empty the content of \Windows\Temp. It's possible Foxmail has a problem are is conflicting with some part of the operating system.

Q: I want to increase the download speeds of my Internet connection. Please suggest a site which provides free software for increasing the download speeds.
Amaleshwar Sinha
via email

A: These tools have been featured in it@tt. Check the 30 Jan and 20 Feb 2001 issues at http://www.careermosaicindia.com/itattt.

Q: I am currently using Audiograbber to rip CD. However, I find that not all tracks listed in the Audiograbber menu after the CD has been loaded are ripped. Could you tell me why this happens and how can rip the rest of the tracks?
Jaideep Basu Roy
via email

A: The restricted "ripping" is to force you to purchase a copy of the software. A possible work around is to exit the program and reload it untill all the tracks have been processed. You may also need to exit and restart Windows.

Q: Sometime ago I created a password to log into Windows. Then I decided to delete it. However, on start-up I'm still prompted for a password. How do I get around this problem. Also as soon as I switch on the PC, the monitor goes into standby mode. After I reset the PC there are no problems. My PC needs to be "warmed up" before it works! I use a CVT and suspect it to be an electrical problem. Help!
Pavan Bedi
via email

A: When prompted for the password, click on cancel. If that doesn't work, you will need to delete your profile from Control Panel|Users. Your monitor problems may be caused by a PC power supply; if the monitor is plugged into it. Or possibly a problem with the display card. Have the SMPS checked first.

Q: I have a PIII with both Win98SE and Linux Redhat 6.1. After logging into Linux, I cannot get a Graphics User Interface like in Windows. Instead I get something that looks like the DOS command prompt. Also this login mentions "Kernel 2.2.12-20 on an i686." My motherboard says i810. Whenever I press the Power button on the keyboard, the computer goes into standby mode. I have selected shutdown in the option "whenever I press the power button on my computer" under Power Management/Advanced in the Control Panel. Also after I wake from standby the mouse does not work.
Debaditya Gangulee
via email

A: To start the GUI, you need to load X-Windows. Login and type "startx." If you get an error that the display drivers are not set, run Xconfigurator. Linux reports Pentium II/IIIs as i686 (i=Intel). Win98SE's power saving features are not compatible with all BIOS.

Q: I want to know if it's possible to save a movie or song from a VCD or audio CD without any additional software. Also recently, my Windows starts in Safe Mode. What is this. I was unable to view any pictures properly.
Varun Gupta
via email

A: To "rip" a VCD you need a video grabbing card and software. You can grab tracks from audio CDs using tools like Audiograbber. Windows Safe Mode is for troubleshooting, and usually happens when the PC has been powered off without being shut down. Safe Mode video runs at just 16-colours.

Q: I have emailed you several times, but didn't get a response. I hope that this time I will. I accidentally deleted the desktop shortcut for IE. Now whenever I try and launch it, I get an "illegal operation" error. How do I fix IE? and will be shut down".when i click on close
Nirmal Kr Vijaywargi
via email

A: With the amount of email we receive, you just have to be patient. You will need to reinstall IE to resolve the problem.

Q: Is there any free, downloadable software that allows me to convert MP3s to .WAV files
Kanad Sanyal
via email

A: You can try WinAmp 2.6x. Use the Nullsoft DiskWriter plug-in to convert MP3 to .WAV.

Q: I had downloaded Netscape 6 and then noticed that all .JPG files had the Netscape's icon. Double clicking would open them in Netscape 6. Recently I uninstalled Netscape and installed IE 5.5. But the images continue to have Netscape associated with them. How do I get rid of it?

Q: I would like to install Linux Mandrake 7.2 on my PC. Do I need to re-organize my partitions so that both operating systems coexist peacefully without having to lose my current data. Also is my 4 MB AGP card enough for installing Linux ?
Suddha Satta Ray
via email

A: In Windows Explorer, right-click the file name while keeping the Shift key pressed. In the OpenWith it, scroll through the list until you reach IE and select it. Make sure to check the "Always Use this program.." check box. You can install Linux in drive D. Your AGP card should be good enough for Linux. However, check that its supported by the particular Linux version you plan to install.

Q: Can you please tell me of any websites which allow us to post computer-related queries and receive answers by e-mail?
Hassan Modan
via email

A: Not that we know of. However, you can subscribe to Windows-Help.Net's Support BBS.

Q: I'm studying electrical and telecom engineering and want to know about softwares used in this field? Also is e-commerce applicable in India and what is the aim of multimedia technology?
Saptarshi Lahiri
via email

A: For more on specific software, we suggest you visit a cyber cafe and search the Web. Try Google.com. E-Commerce is alive in India, and most sites offer online purchases. Multimedia is a more than one concurrent presentation medium. And is typically used to mean the combination of text, sound, and/or motion video.

Q: How do I configure MSN/YAHOO/AOL Messenger in a Win 95 workgroup LAN. I want to use
voice chat and make Net2phone calls. I am using the AnalogX proxy to share a single PSTN internet connection.
Koushik Roy Bardhan
via email

A: In the instant messaging software, enable connect through a proxy server (giving the AnalogX server IP with port as 1080). Make sure to enable SOCKS support in the proxy. Under existing Indian Telecom rules, Internet telephone is illegal.

Q: I access Hotmail in OE. I have now added Onlysmart and Yahoo to OE. But email from both accounts is received in the Inbox, mixing up the messages. This creates problems for me. Is there a way out? Also Do you have a web page for it@tt?
Gautam Ghosh
via email

A: First make new folders for your new email accounts. Then Use Tools|Message Rules|Mail to define rules that redirect email from a specific account into a specific folder. And yes, it@tt is online at www.careermosaicindia.com/itattt.

Q: I have a Zenith Pentium II with 128 MB RAM and Windows 98. Every now and then my Windows gets corrupted, I bought the computer in September 2000, and till date it has been formatted thrice. I think Windows is again corrupt because I keep getting "Illegal Operation" errors and the whole screen goes blue. I don't have a UPS. The dealer say the problem is mine. Please help me as any repairs fall within the warranty.
Uma Sridhar.
via email

A: Before formatting your PC, try this fix. In the root folder of C:\, modify or create a CONFIG.SYS file that includes these lines (without the quotes): "FILES=65", "BUFFERS=40", "STACKS=64,512", "C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE /AUTO" and also add "MinSPs=6" to the [386Enh] section of \Windows\SYSTEM.INI. Save the file, and restart Windows. If this still does not resolve the problem its possible you have a defect in the mother board and/or the RAM.

Q: Whenever I log on to the Net, after disconnecting, I find a huge number of files (mainly GIF and JPEG) dumped in my C:/Program Files/Netscape/Users/Aruni/Cache or in my C:/Windows/Temporary Internet Folder. I want to ask that why this happens and can I prevent it.
Aruni
via email

A: Those files are the result of your browsing the Web. If you disable images in your Web browser, you won't see them any more.

Q: I have a peculiar problem with my computer. I have a Cyrix with 64MB RAM and Windows 98. Whenever I try to load other softwares I get "Windows encountered an error
accessing system registry." When I restart the machine, it hangs on booting. I have tried installing the software on a different machine and they work fine. Once the software is loaded on a different machine it works fine in my PC. Is this a RAM or a Motherboard problem. Please suggest a remedy.
Shubha S. DasGupta
via email

A: We are confused. How do you load the software on a different PC and then run it on yours? Have you also tested your copy of Windows 98 on another PC? Without these details we can't help resolve the problem.

G Menon & Sumit Arora
[email protected]

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