Ask the Experts
by John Polich (January 1998 )

Q: What are “temp” files? Where are they found? Should I delete them?
A: Temp files are scratch or temporary files that applications (programs) develop in the process of creating documents and then usually disappear. They may also be caused by improperly turning off your computer. Some programs are notorious for creating them. Sometimes they stubbornly remain and may even accumulate taking up valuable storage space on the hard drive. They are usually located in the Windows folder (directory) but may be located elsewhere. They usually have a tilde (~) that precedes the name and have the extension “tmp’. If you have difficulty finding them, go to the Find menu, insert asterisk, dot, tmp (*.tmp). Once you have identified them, feel free to delete them as long as they don’t carry the current date.

Q. I want to use the Internet. Should I use an on-line service such as AOL or Prodigy or should I go with a Provider such as Earthlink or Infinet?
A. This is strictly a personal preference! The answers vary depending on whom you ask.

If you feel insecure re searching the Internet and want a proprietary format you ought to use an on-line service. The information is usually readily available, well organized and easy to find. Many of these on-line services, in order to get subscribers, offer “free” up front connections for a number of hours or for a month. You can always use one of these trial subscriptions to get better acquainted with the Internet.

Internet Service Providers simply give you access to the Internet using whatever browser you select e.g. Netscape or Explorer but you are on your own in your search of Cyberspace. 

Regardless of which method you use, take advantage of our excellent weekly Internet SIGs to get answers to all of your questions.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich (February 1998)

Q. Once I have identified desired shareware on the Internet, how do I download it?
A. First read any available download information, then do the following:

1. Make certain that the target disk has sufficient storage space i.e. hard drive, floppy or zip.

2. Left click the appropriate “download” button.

3. Select the target folder (designated or you can create a new one). 

4. Be patient as the downloading occurs (you can cancel at anytime during this process).

5. Once the downloading is complete make certain that you have done a virus check prior to executing.

6. Execute the file.

7. Be sure to read the “read me” text to get better acquainted with the downloaded material. 

Q. I enlarged the icons and print on the Windows 95 Desktop by choosing Standard (Extra Large) from Scheme in Display Properties. I now want to go back to Window Standard but am unable to get to the OK button which is below the monitor screen. I tried the combination of alt + space + m to get the four-headed arrow (this allows you to move a window by using the keyboard arrow keys) but this did not seem to be effective. What should I do short of re-installing Windows 95?
A. Depress alt + a (keyboard) to use the Apply button which will then allow you to use the OK button to put in effect the Window Standard Scheme.

You could also use the Tab key.

Q. How do I examine the Registry in Windows 95 and what precautions should I take?
A. The Registry is not a site to be tinkered with by the beginner! Leave this to the more experienced computer user. 

1. Go to Start button, then Run and insert “regedit”. 

2. Don’t do any editing in the the Registry until you first back up the Registry.

3. Use cfgback.exe to backup the Registry. This small program is found on the Windows 95 CD - ROM. The path to it is Windows \Other\Misc\Cfgback. Create a folder e.g. “Config” on your hard drive and copy the two files found in cfgback to it. To create a Registry backup double click on Cfgback.exe and follow the directions. The backup, since it is compressed, can be saved to a floppy or to your hard drive. If saved to your hard drive it will be found in your Windows folder. The file will have the extension .rbk.

4. Multiple backups, up to nine, can be saved in this fashion. To restore the registry, run cfgback.exe, select the backup to be restored and click on restore.

Another way to backup is to click on Export Registry File in the Registry menu. Name the file (it will have an .reg extension) and save it to the Desktop or elsewhere.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (March 1998)

Q. In Window 3.xx how can I determine the amount of RAM my computer has?
A. As your computer boots up, if yours eyes function quickly, you should literally be able to see it “count” the memory. A better way is to type mem at the DOS prompt which should show e.g. “Total memory 16,384K” (16 MB RAM). This will work for Windows 95 also. 

Q. How do I prevent my CD disk from automatically starting when I put it into the drive?
A. Simply depress the shift key at time of insertion of the disk into the drive.

If you want to make this occur each time (without using the shift key) go to the Control Panel, left double click on the System icon then click on the Device Manager, then select the CD ROM icon, expand it by left double click on the CD ROM, then click the Settings tab, turn off the toggle switch to “auto insert notification”.

Q. What is a virus?
A. A virus is not an infective biologic micro-organism as we encounter in medicine (e.g. the cause of a common cold). It is rather a program that is written by “bad guys” to cause trouble with your computer. They may even disguise as useful tools. Some are even meant to be humorous. Like medical viruses, they replicate causing minor annoying problems but also can create devastating situations (e.g. Michelangelo virus). They tend to be hidden. A boot sector virus hides in the boot sector of a floppy or hard drive and loads into memory when a computer boots from the drive. (Some years ago our own Computer Club Lab experienced a boot sector virus called “Monkey Virus” which Ed Ash and Art Tanaka had great difficulty in eradicating). A file virus attaches itself to other programs and does damage when the program is used. A macro virus duplicates itself in macro languages especially in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Be careful in the exchange of floppies or programs with others and in the execution of downloaded files from the Internet. 

Several new viruses are reported almost daily. The best protection is to install an anti-virus program and to keep it updated. Some of these are the Norton , McAfee and Dr. Soloman’s Anti-Virus installations.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (April 1998)

Q. How do I get rid of unwanted programs in Windows 95? 
A. The process was clear cut and precise when we used DOS but is much more complex with Windows. 

Uninstalling is often associated with the leaving behind useless residue in system files or in the Registry. These useless files could accumulate over a period of time thus taking up valuable storage space on your hard drive. While uninstalling it is possible to remove files e.g. .dll files that are shared and are necessary to run other programs.

The following methods are listed in reversed order of preference:

1. Using Windows Explorer to do the job by deleting the selected program folder may work at times. This method often leaves orphan files scattered throughout Windows. This method is probably the least desirable.

2. Going to the Control Panel and Add/Remove is better but many programs don’t appear on the list and this method was found to be much less than perfect.

3. You could find the “uninstall.exe” file associated with the program and execute it.

4. The general consensus seems to be that the best method is to use an uninstaller software. These seem to be associated with less residual problems. Studies indicate that “CleanSweep Deluxe struck the best balance re effectiveness, speed, and easy to follow interface”.

Q. How do I find a “lost” file in Windows 95?
A. This question was addressed very nicely at one of our recent Beginners’ Koffee Klatches by Dick Wright. I will use his response (with some modifications).

1. Open the Application (Program) that was used to create the file
   Somewhere should be a list of recently opened files, usually at the end of the File menu 
   If file is there, left click to open
   If file is not there, go to 2.

2. Click on the Start Button on Task Bar 
   Left click on “Documents”
   If file is there, left click to open
   If file not there, go to 3.

3. Click on Start Button again 
   Left click on “Find”, then “Files or Folders”
   “Find” menu appears with 3 tabs
   a. “Name and Location” which by default searches the Master drive
   -be sure to check “Sub folders” toggle switch
   -type in any part of the file name you remember
   -click “Find Now”
   b. “Date Modified” 
   -normally set at “All Files”
   -type in the date created and click “Find Now”
   c. “Advanced”
   -normally set at “All Files or Folders”
   -type in box “Containing text” key word or phrase 
   -click “Find Now”

4. Once file is found, open it or use “Quick View” (to review the file without using the application that created it)
   You can also get to “Find” from Windows Explorer or use F3 on keyboard

5. Don’t forget to look in the recycle bin. If there it can be restored.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (May 1998)

Q. How do I use “SendTo” (in Windows 95)?
A. Do the following:
Right click on a folder or file. This brings up a context menu. Left click on “SendTo” then left click on the desired target e.g. you can copy (or move by holding down the shift keyboard key) a file from the hard drive to a floppy. 

One method used to put other targets into the Sendto folder is as follows. Open Windows Explorer/ Windows folder/SendTo. Don’t open it. Simply use right mouse button to drag desired shortcuts into this folder.

Some other worthwhile targets are the zip drive, an anti-virus program, mail recipient, Notepad and Wordpad.You will find this method of copying files especially useful when copying from your hard drive to a floppy or to Notepad/Wordpad (for editing text).

Q. If I use “Find” (Start/Find) to locate a “Hidden” file will I succeed? If not, how to do I change the “hidden” attribute of this file?
A. No, you can not locate a file with this attribute using this method. To find a “hidden” file bring up either My Computer or Windows Explorer, click on the View Menu, click on Options, click on radial button that reads “Show all files”, then OK. Right click on the file in question and change its attribute by clicking on Properties, then unselecting the “Hidden” toggle switch. 

Q. How do I print a paragraph(s) from a lengthy email message or text on the Internet without printing its entirety?
A. Select the desired text, click the Edit menu, use Copy command, bring up word processor and paste (using Edit menu again) where the cursor is. You can then format if needed and then print.

Q. How often should I scandisk my hard drive and how do I accomplish this procedure?
A. Scandisking is performed to maintain “health” of the drive. A “thorough” process should be carried out when your pc is new, repeated every 4-6 months and after an abnormal termination of your computer e.g. after certain crashes. A “standard” method should be done perhaps once a week (at least once every month). To run ScanDisk (Windows 95), click Start /Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click ScanDisk. Select the desired disk you want to fix, select type of test, check “Automatically fix error”.

Q. I inadvertently selected a password to open Windows 95. Now I must use this password to allow me open Windows 95. What can I do to eliminate this procedure?
A. You can do the following:

1. Click the Start button/Find/Files and Folders

2. Insert *.pwl in Named box

3. Insert hard drive in Look in box (include subfolders)

4. This will give you the path of the sought password file

5. Delete the password file found (in the Windows folder)

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (June 1998)

This question and answer is provided by Ray Ellerman, a fellow Computer Club member. This learning experience stresses, once again, the importance of thinking of the obvious when faced with a computer problem:
Q. Over a period of six weeks I shared with many sources a problem that I was experiencing with my PrintMaster Gold Deluxe program. The program would start in its normal way but after 2 or 3 minutes it would come to a virtual stop, moving forward very, very slowly. Even the sound disappeared. Following advice regarding my dilemma, I Scandisked and Defragmented the hard drive and even installed 32 additional MB of RAM. None of these suggestions helped. 
A. I borrowed a CD of the same application from a friend. His worked perfectly. I concluded that the problem had to be my CD.

More than three weeks after writing PrintMaster Gold company (and more than five weeks of frustration) I received an answer. It was suggested that I use a clean, soft cloth to clean the CD. If a damp cloth is used, be sure the CD is dry before using. It worked!.

Suggestion: Make certain that your CD is clean, especially if you encounter a situation as I did.

Q. What hardware do I need to install Juno? Is it really free? Do I need an Internet account?
A. You need a modem with at least 28.8 K speed. You do not need to be “hooked up” to the Internet. It is free but you will receive some advertising. The software (for Windows 3.xx or Windows 95) is very simple to install. Once installed it is easy to use and even has a spellchecker. A major disadvantage is the inability to send or receive attachments. You can only use your account on computers that have Juno software installed.

Q. I have a program that automatically starts when my computer finishes booting up. I have Windows 95. How can I prevent this from occurring?
A. Try going to C:\Windows\Start\Programs\StartUp to see if there is a shortcut to the program there. If it is there , simply delete it. There are other places to look. Take a peek at the Win.ini file “load=” and “run” lines. Also look at the Config.sys and/or Autoexec.bat files. Your problem could also be in the Registry. There now is available software that makes it easier to deal with this area of the computer. However, as mentioned in a previous column, if you are not familiar with the Registry, ask for the help of an expert before entering it. 

Q. How do I back up my Registry?
A. Go to Run and type in Regedit. This will allow you to enter the Registry. Then go the File Menu and Export to a location of your choice.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (July/August 1998)

Q. May I install and use 2 browsers i.e. Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer 4 on my computer at the same time? Are there any advantages in doing so?
A. Yes to both questions. Make certain that you have enough storage space on your hard drive. Some of our Computer Club member have both in their computers without experiencing any difficulty. Both are available as free downloads from the Internet. Both enjoy certain advantages over the other so that you can relish the best of both. Only one is registered as the default but you can make the other the default if you desire. A more comprehensive answer is available Smart Computing (July, 1998).

Q. How can I uses the keyboard to print Windows screen images?
A. Depress the Alt and Print Screen keys. This will send the image of the active window to the Clipboard. Start Paint (Windows 95 applet) then Paste. Then use the Print command from the Paint File menu.

Q. I want to send a voice recording i.e. a .wav file as an attachment to electronic mail. How do I record the sound and save it as a file?
A. Depress the Start button, go to Programs then Accessories then Multimedia then Sound Recorder. Record the sound using a microphone. After you have completed your recording bring up the File menu/Save As. Give the file a name and save it in a folder you designate (Remember that sound can use a relatively large amount of storage space.) Bring up your e-mail program, create you message and then attach the file. Most email programs allow you to use attachments, however Juno does not. 

Q. I used the Clipboard to Paste some selected text in a Word Perfect document to a MS Works document. This resulted in a box like structure around the pasted text. What did I do wrong?
A. You embedded the text into the MS Works document. You should have used Paste Special instead of Paste and then selected the Formatted Text (RTF) option. Note the Results area at the bottom of the dialog box as you select this option.

Q. How do I bring up “Safe Mode” in Windows 95?
A. When you boot up, look for the message "Starting Windows 95". At this time press F8. You are now in “Safe Mode”. Once in this mode, Windows uses default settings with minimum device drivers that are necessary to start Windows. You will be able to use the mouse and VGA monitor. However you will not have access to the CD-ROM drive. Other devices e.g. the printer will not be able to be used. While in this mode you can access the system files, win ini, autoexec.bat, config.sys, etc. You will still be able to back up the Registry dat file.

This does not apply if you are using Windows 98. There you should hit the Ctrl key when you see text on the screen during the boot process. Windows Magazine says that “pressing F8 still works, but Win98 doesn’t include a Starting Windows 98 prompt, so it’s hard to know when to press the key.”

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (September 1998)

Q. I am happy with Window 95 and with my present Internet browser. Should I buy and install Windows 98?
A. This question when posed to many of our computer club members elicited a variety of responses. 

My wife and I were very contented with Win 95 and felt very comfortable using it with Netscape Communicator browser. However as the writer of this column, I felt somewhat obligated to install Win 98. When I record answers given by our knowledgeable members relative to Win 98 I should be better acquainted with this operating system.

Several of our members have had difficulty in installing Win 98 and in configuring their peripherals. One member even reported that he contacted Microsoft about an installation problem and was told that there were some defective CDs that had been shipped. Two days later he had a replacement CD and the installation went very well. Fran Wise also solved her installation problems by using a different CD. However, Win 98 still refused to recognize her Brother laser printer, even though Win 98 contains a driver for this printer. The solution, which she found after much searching on the Web, involved changing the designation of the LPT1 printer port. As Fran points out, “sometimes it takes a lot of patience to solve a problem with your computer.”

Some of the positive improvements of Win 98 are the easy use of Internet integration, increased speed, increased storage space using FAT 32, USB (universal serial bus), support of DVD (digital video drive), better maintenance using the Wizard, faster shut down, availability of drivers, etc.

If you already have the latest version of Internet Explorer (using “Active Desktop”) and Win95 (with FAT 32) and have downloaded available updates including Power Toys you already have the “poor man’s” version of Win98. This is especially true if you also have a maintenance program such as Norton Utilities. Admittedly this will not produce the full version of Windows 98 with all its features. Only you can decide whether it is worth $90 to you to upgrade to Windows 98?

Q. Will I be able to use my old DOS programs in Win98?
A. There is some controversy re the correct answer. However the consensus is that you will be able to use them.

Q. Will I be able to install Win98 update over Win3.11?
A. Yes 

Q. I have Win95 and want to install Win98. Should I do a “clean” installation or simply upgrade over Win95?
A. If your are having some difficulty with your present Win95, do a “clean”. But back up adequately e.g. bookmarks, drivers, application , etc.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (October 1998)

Q. How can I decrease the volume of my internal modern as it is dialing?
A: Start/Settings/Control Panel/System/Device Manager/Modem/dbl. click on name of modem/lower “speaker volume” with the slider.

Q. What is “DVD”?
A. This acronym means Digital Video Disk(s). These are high-powered CDs. They are capable of storing a large amount of information i.e. more than 176 GB which obviously dwarfs the capacity of the hard drive. They are especially suited for sound and video and are capable of running full length movies, encyclopedias, games, huge databases, etc. You must have a digital video drive. You must also have a cooperative operating system such as Win98.

Q. I don’t have a clipboard viewer in my computer with Win95 . How can I install it? 
A. Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs tab/Windows Setup tab/left click Accessories and go to Details and use toggle switch to select Clipboard Viewer and follow instructions.

In Win98 go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs tab/Window Setup tab/System Tools/click details/follow instructions re Clipboard Viewer

Q. Many of our club members have used “Beta” versions of software including Win98. Would you explain what this is?
A. A “Beta” version is a “trial” copy which is used prior to the release of the final rendition. Usually only experienced users are issued these, at no charge, for evaluation. Inherent problems, including serious ones, may have to be dealt with. Constructive criticism to the creator(s) is welcomed. 

Q. Can my computer become infected by a virus through electronic mail?
A. No, it can not be infested with a virus by just opening the message and reading it. However e-mail attachments can carry viruses and can create difficulty once they are opened. We try to emphasize the importance of using an anti-virus program e.g. McAfee or Norton especially if you receive files attached to e-mail or download files from the Internet.

Q. How do I remove some file names from the Documents menu but not all of them?
A. To remove all of them go to the Start button/Settings/Taskbar/Start button tab/ follow instructions. To remove some go to Start/Find/Files or Folders (on the hard drive)/type in “recent”/Find Now/double left click to open the Recent folder, delete files as you desire.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (November/December 1998)

Q. I want to change the default margins in MS Works. How do I do this and make these default settings available for future documents? 
A. You can’t. You must go to the File Menu, choose Page Setup and change the margins each time you create a new document. You can change the default in more sophisticated word processors, such as MSWord. 

Q. I have spreadsheets that were created in MS Works. Recently I purchased MS Excel. Can I convert these to the Excel format? 
A. Yes. Bring up the MS Works spreadsheet document then go to the File Menu and choose Save As. In the Save In box be certain that the name of the folder you want saved is displayed. In the File Name box type a name for the document and in the “Save as type” box click the down arrow and check Excel SS and then Save. 

Q. What is “MIME?” 
A. This acronym stands for “Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.” It is a standard that allows you to send attachments in electronic mail. 

Q. Can my computer “catch” a virus while copying (to the clipboard) and pasting text from a site on the Internet? 
A. No. Pure text can’t carry a virus. 

Q. How do I tell what version of software I have? 
A. Click on the Help menu within the software and then “About ... ” 

Q. I have the Norton AntiVirus Program. How can I make certain that the program is active when I download from the Internet? 
A. You should have an icon on the Taskbar in the System Tray which should say “Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Enabled” when the mouse pointer rests on it. 

To make certain, press the Start button, choose Programs, then Norton AntiVirus. Click Tools Menu, select Options and click on the Auto-protect tab and check “Load Auto-protect at startup.” 

Make certain that you have the most recent “Live Update.” There are more than 100 new viruses introduced each month. 

Other antivirus programs have similar protocols. 

Q. How can I increase or decrease memory and/or disk cache in my Internet browser, Netscape Communicator? 
A. Bring up the browser, then in the Edit menu select Preferences. Click the + in front of Advanced and click Cache. This will bring up the memory and disk cache settings that you can change according to your preferences (in KBytes). The Memory Cache is related to RAM. You can also Clear Cache here. Note the path (address) of the Disk Cache which can be changed to another drive if necessary. 

In Netscape Navigator 3.0 go to the Options menu, select Network Preferences, and click On Disk Cache. 

Q. I want to create more or less space to store Internet temporary files using Internet Explorer 4.0? 
A. Bring up the browser, then go to the View menu and select Internet Options. Click on the General tab. Select Temporary Internet files, click on Settings and use the slider as desired. You can also delete these files here. 

With MS Internet Explorer 3.0 or older go to View menu, select Options.Click on the Advanced tab and use the slider as desired. 

Q. I have Netscape Communicator. I want to use another home page, such as Yahoo when going to the Internet. How do I accomplish this? 
A. Bring up the browser, go to the Edit menu, select Preferences. In the Home Page section of the dialog box, select (highlight) the Current Page URL (address) present or enter the Yahoo address (or whichever one you prefer). 

In Internet Explorer 4.0 go to the View menu, select Internet Options. Click on the General tab and enter the new URL in the Home Page field. 

In Internet Explorer 3.0 go to the View menu and select Options.Click on the Navigation tab and enter your preferred Home Page address.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich (January 1999)

Q. How do I use my Internet browser to open graphic files?
A. (I would like to quote from ‘Smart Computing’, Oct. 98, page 66)
You can use MS Internet Explorer and Netscape to open a wide range of files. The programs, besides opening regular World Wide Web pages in HTML format, will open text files as well as .JPEG and .GIF graphics files. To open these files with the latest versions of Navigator or Explorer, you can drag and drop the files onto the program icon. You also can open files by using the File menu’s Open (Open Page in Netscape) option. Select Browse in Internet Explorer and Choose File in Netscape. Change the file type to All Files instead of HTML files and select the file you wish to open.

Q. I keep getting the current date whenever I bring up a letter that I had previously created in MS Works. How do I prevent this from occurring?
A. Go to the Insert menu in the document (letter) and uncheck automatically updated when printed. Similar procedures are available in MS Word, Word Perfect and other word processors.

Q. In Win98 I have a Control Panel toolbar at the top of the desktop. How did it get there and how do I get rid of it.
A. One way to get this toolbar on your desktop in Win98 is to right click on the Taskbar, left click on Toolbars then New Toolbar then My Computer then Control Panel then OK. The icon will now appear on the Taskbar. You can left drag to the top or sides of the Desktop. To remove right click on a clear space on that toolbar. This will bring up a context menu from which you can choose Close.

With the Desktop visible it is also possible to left drag any of the programs to the Desktop edge, creating another toolbar. To remove right click on the toolbar as stated above. 

Q. In Win98 how do I get rid of the folder On Line Service (contains short cuts to installing AOL, Prodigy, etc) from the Desktop? 
A. Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs/Windows Setup tab/scroll to On Line Service, deselect the ‘toggle’.

Q. How do I change a Field Name in the MS Work Database?
A. Go to List View/select the Field Name in question/Format menu/click on Field/type in new field name (up to 15 characters)/OK. The new name will also be changed in Form View. Other database programs are similar.

Q. In attempting to download a file from the Internet I received a security alert. This was followed by a message that said in effect that security settings don’t allow this file to be downloaded. What goes on?
A. It is possible that you may have set the security level too high re being notified about any potential security problems from a Web site. Click on the Start button/Settings/ Control Panel/Internet/click on Security tab and lower the Internet Zone security level.

Q. I don’t have a ‘startup’ diskette for Win98. Should I have one and if so how can I create one?
A. You should absolutely have a startup disk(s) in case of an emergency. This is practicing good preventive medicine. There are multiple ways of creating this process including using a floppy and zip cartridge (in a zip drive). 

There is an excellent article in Smart Computing (1/99) relative to this subject with a ‘step by step’ instructions on how to make a ‘New & Improved Startup Diskette’. Win98 provides the mechanism that allows you access to your CD-ROM drive. Go to the Start button/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs/Startup Disk tab and carefully follow instructions. This a great improvement over WIN95.

Q. In order to handle a special printing job, my commercial printer has asked me to send him a floppy with 2 specific fonts (copies) from my computer. How do I accomplish this?
A. Make sure that you have a floppy in the A drive. Go to the Control Panel/Fonts/select the font(s) desired/Edit menu and choose Copy (ctrl + c). Open up the A drive. Go to the Edit menu and choose Paste (ctrl + v).

Q. Recently you wrote about a “clean” installation of Win98. Would you define what you mean by this type of installation and how do I progress in accomplishing this?
A. This procedure is a new installation and not simply an upgrade over a previous version of Windows. This is a major surgical procedure. THIS IS NOT FOR THE NEOPHYTE TO ATTEMPT WITHOUT HELP. 

You first remove all other applications, data, etc. making sure to first backup your data.

There are several ways to do a “clean” install. Some are rather complex. It does require a higher level of technical expertise because most methods require you to reformat your hard disk and later reinstall all your desired applications and data. It may require re-installing drivers for your hardware, even newer ones. This process requires much more preparation and takes much longer than simply upgrading.

This fresh start (‘clean install’) has certain advantages including a computer that will run a bit faster, save some space on your hard drive and have fewer configuration issues. 

You can use the Windows 98 ‘upgrade’ CD. If you're installing it onto a blank formatted hard disk you will need MS-DOS–based files required to boot to a command prompt. This ‘start up disk’ must include the CD ROM drivers. Once you've inserted the installation CD for Windows 98 you will be directed to insert your Win95 or Win3.x CD or floppy disk to prove you're ‘upgrading’.

Obviously using the upgrade method is simpler, faster and requires less experience.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich (February 1999)

Q. What happens when I select the Apply button vs the OK button e.g. in Display Properties?
A. If you select Apply the command is obeyed saving the changes you have made while the Display Properties window remains in view. When you select OK the command is also obeyed but the Display Property window closes.

Q. Someone told me the erratic behavior of my mouse pointer may be due to my graphics driver. How would I diagnose this possibility?
A. You might disable your video card incrementally (with a poorer responding performance) by going to the Control Panel/System/Performance/click Graphics button. Note the slider with four settings and the messages that come up as you slide it to the left. Remember that none of the settings produce results as would a fully compatible driver, which can be downloaded from the Internet if necessary.

Q. I want to remove some icons from the system tray (right-hand area of the Taskbar). I have Win98. How do I accomplish this? (Irene Padretti nicely answered this question recently via email)
A. To remove icons from the system tray: Start/Run/type "msconfig" /click Startup tab/ uncheck the one(s) to be removed/OK. Never uncheck ‘System tray’. After re-booting they will be gone i.e. until you repeat the process and check the one(s) you want displayed. 

This is a very easy way to remove all of the TSRs (terminate and stay residents) when installing a new program as well. But don’t forget to re-check the ones you want to remain in the System Tray after the installation. 

Q. I lost my driver for my sound system. What can I do?
A. One thing that you can do is download the driver (software) from the manufacturer’s Internet site. A good site to find drivers (used by and recommended by Ed Ash) is ‘http://www.conitech.com/windows/’

Q. I just bought a new computer bundled with Win98. I keep hearing about ‘extensions’ to files. None of the files in My Computer and Windows Explorer show any extensions. What goes?
A. You can go to the View menu/Folder Options/click View tab/un-check ‘Hide file extensions for known file types’/OK

Q. I downloaded a file from the Internet and ‘put’ it in a special folder on the hard drive. What do I do next to ‘use’ (activate) it?
A. If it has an .exe extension, double click on it and usually the file will ‘find’ its proper niche. You can then delete the file from the folder that you initially down-loaded it to.

If the downloaded file has a .zip extension (meaning that it is compressed) then you must use an unzipping utility e.g. WinZip or ZipMagic.

Q. What are Internet cookies? Can I safely delete them?
A. They are small files with bits of information e.g. a password you may have set up on an Internet site or some preferences you selected when using this site. With a cookie the nest time you visit the site you don’t have to re-enter the same information.

You can view cookies in a word processor e.g. Wordpad or Notepad.

Deleting them usually is not harmful but really frees only a small amount of hard disk space

They are stored in COOKIES and TEMPORARY folders in the WINDOWS folder. 

You can open Internet Explorer then go to View/Internet Options/click Advanced tab and scroll to set of options labeled ‘cookies’ where you may always accept, ask for a prompt before accepting or disable all cookies.

In Netscape Communicator go to Edit menu/Preference/Advance/Cookie where you find similar options. 

Q. I’m donating my older computer to a charity. How can I make sure that all my data files are really gone.?
A. Use Defrag after deleting the folders.

Reformat unconditionally by going to the DOS prompt and type in format c:/u/s erasing everything.

Norton Utilities Wipe Disk, without formatting, would completely wipe out residual traces of any files you have erased.

Q. What is a ‘portal’ site on the Internet?
A. A ‘portal’ site can best defined by citing an example. Yahoo is such a site by providing news, games, shopping, yellow pages, etc.. Other examples are Netscape Netcenter and Lycos. They emulate commercial on-line services such as AOL, Prodigy and Compuserve.

Q. I am on AOL which uses Internet Explorer as a browser. I would like to use Netscape Communicator 4.5 as my browser. How do I do this?
A. Download Netscape from the Internet. It is free. Once you have installed Netscape on you computer it can be used as desired. Bring up and minimize AOL then bring up Netscape.

Q. What is the Registry in Win9x ?
A. It is a storehouse in the computer for holding essential system information. It is a site for configuration values and settings that are used to determine how applications operate and keeps track of hardware. It is crudely analogous to the cerebral cortex and other areas of the human brain. Think of it as being a huge structured database that keeps track of information e.g. if you install a new application (program) or add a new printer. 

It consists of 6 main branches that can be further expanded much like the ‘tree’ pane (left portion) of Windows Explorer (the file manager). 

It can be accessed by clicking the Start menu/Run/typing regedit.

As emphasized so many times in this column, unless you have available a very experienced user, don’t attempt to change any settings in the Registry. This could result in disaster.

Q. I have about 20 icons in my Hperterminal folder e.g. Compuserve, Prodigy, etc. Most of them I do not use. Can I safely delete them? 
A. Yes you can but do not delete Hpertrm.exe and the .dll files. The usual path is: C:\Program Files\Accessories\Communication\Hyperterminal

Q. I have Windows 98. I primarily use MS Works as my word processor. By default (initial software setting) all my newly created documents want to save and open in "My Documents." I would rather save them in a special folder (e.g., "Personal") that I have created on the hard drive. How do I change this default? 
A. Right click on the MS Works Shortcut, click on Properties, click on Shortcut tab. In the Start in box, type path (address) of desired default folder (e.g., C:\Personal), then click OK. You can carry out the same process for WordPad. 

In MS Word, go to the Tools menu and choose Options, then go to the File locations tab. Select file type, click Modify, go to "Look-in" then navigate to the folder of your choice. Click OK. 

In WordPerfect, go to the Tools menu and choose Settings, Click on Files icon and type path of the desired default folder next to "Default document folder." Click OK. 

Q. I use Eudora Light as my e-mail program. How can I avoid entering my password each time I want to use it? 
A. To enter your password automatically, bring up Eudora Light then Tools/ Options/Checking Mail (left pane). Check "Save Password" and click OK.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (April 1999)

Q. Would you list the shortcuts to system functions that are available when the Windows 95 key (the one on the keyboard with the Windows logo) is used in combination with other keys? 
A. Here they are (from Windows Magazine): 

•  Win key + E opens an Explorer window 

•  Win key + R opens the Run dialog 

•  Win key + Pause opens System Properties 

•  Win key + F opens Find: All Files 

•  Win key + M minimizes all open windows 

•  Win key + Shift + M is an undo for Win key + M 

•  Win key + D is a toggle that minimizes or maximizes all open windows 

•  Win key + Tab cycles through program buttons on the taskbar 

•  Win key + F1 opens Windows help. 

Q. I would like to use Works instead of Notepad to bring up .txt documents. How would I accomplish this? 
A. Go to Windows Explorer or My Computer, then click on the View menu/Folder Options (Options in Windows 95)/File Types tab. Scroll to and select "Text Document." Depress Edit and then Edit in the next window. Click the Browse button to browse the hard drive until you find the path for MSWorks.exe. Select and then click OK. 

Q. In Windows 98 what is a safe way to get rid of .tmp files? 
A. Click the Start button (on Task Bar) then Programs/ Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup. Select your hard drive/Disk Cleanup tab. Check files you want removed. Click OK. 
We discussed the question of removing temporary files via Windows (system and Internet) at great length at a recent Kaffee Klatch with some controversy. An article in Internet Surfer of February 1999, page 18 was often referenced. It states that to eradicate these files more thoroughly it is necessary to go to DOS. 

Q. How do I create SCSCC as the home page on my browser? 
A. In Internet Explorer (off line) go to View, then Internet Options/, then the General tab. Then go to Home page area and type in the correct URL (address) for SCSCC. Click OK. 

In Netscape Communicator (off line) go to Edit, then Preferences, then Navigator. Push the Home page button then type in the SCSCC address in Home page Location. Click OK. 

You'll need the exact URL to reset the start-up page. You could get this by bringing up the SCSCC home page in a browser, then copy and paste it. 

Q. I just purchased a new computer with Windows 98. When I don't use it for about 15 minutes, the monitor screen gets black. I can get the image back by pressing a key or moving the mouse. What's wrong? 
A. Nothing is "wrong." Most likely your computer has Power Management and it is functioning properly, i.e., this feature powers off your monitor after 15 minutes of inactivity. Moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard restores the power. Since the monitor uses a great deal of electricity when it is on, this is a very worthwhile process. 

Of course, if you find this feature a hindrance, you may wish to turn it off altogether or increase the delay time before the monitor powers off. Open the Control Panel (select Start, Settings, Control Panel), and double-click Power Management. To prevent the monitor from powering off altogether, click the down arrow next to Turn Off Monitor and select Never. To increase the delay, select a new time in this same list. Either way, click OK, and the new setting will be applied to the current power scheme. 

Q. Can I change the icons on my Windows 98 Desktop, e.g., My Computer, Recycle Bin and My Documents? 
A. Yes. Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Display, Choose the Effects tab and select the icon(s) you want to change. Click the Change Icon button and in the new window select the icon you want. Click OK. 
For a wider selection of icons you can click Browse in the Change Icon window and navigate to Windows\System\ Shell32.dll (or Pifmngr.dll). Select an icon, then click Open. Click OK 

Q. I often enjoy listening to music CDs with the Audio CD player. However, during this time I don't want to hear the annoying sound scheme. What can I do to temporarily mute the scheme? 
A. Right click on the yellow speaker icon in the System Tray (far right on the Taskbar) then click Open Volume Controls. In the Wave (.WAV files) box, check Mute button (it is a toggle), then close the dialog box. (You may also get to the Volume Control by going to Start/Programs/ Accessories/Entertainment/Volume Control.) To get the scheme to return, just go back and uncheck the Mute button. 

Q. I have Windows 98. Will defragging my hard drive speed up the start of my applications? 
A. Yes. This is a great improvement in Windows 98. It includes an option to speed things up. Go to Start/ Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter. Select the drive, click the Settings button and be sure to select "Rearrange program files so my programs start faster." Click OK and again OK. 

Q Since I have added many new applications and perhaps many more fonts than I will ever use, I would like to remove some superfluous ones. How do I accomplish this and are there any precautions? 
A. (Part of this answer is taken form a Kim Komando newsletter.) Go Start/Settings/ Control Panel/Font Folder. Find the font you think you want to remove and -- this is very important -- double-click it and check the font preview window to ensure that this is in fact the font that you want to remove. 

Warning: Do Not Remove Any of the Following Fonts 

• Times New Roman 

• Arial 

• Courier New 

• System 

• Symbol 

• Wingdings 

• Any font whose name begins with "MS" 

• Any font whose name begins with the name of another software manufacturer (for example, "LotusWP Box"). 

When you're sure the font is one you want to delete, close the Preview window, and from the Fonts window menu choose File + Delete. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the font.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (May 1999)

Q. While my thirteen year old grandchild is visiting our home, I would like to keep the screen saver active on my computer. I want to use the password protection. How do I do this? 
A. Click on the Start Button, click on Settings and open the Control Panel. Click on the Display icon. Click on the Screen Saver tab. Then check the Password protected box. Click "Change password and confirmation." Click OK. Of course your grandchild could re-boot the computer to circumvent this "protection." 

Q. I have created a spreadsheet using MS Works. I have a name in its header but also would like to include the current date to come up in the right portion whenever I bring up this document to modify and print it. How do I do this? 
A. Open the Spreadsheet document. Go to View on the Menu Bar. Select Headers and Footers. Type in &r&d in the header area. Click OK. 

Q. I have Windows 95. When I go to the Start button/Programs I no longer have the Windows Explorer listed in the menu. When I go to Find and type in explorer.exe I see that this file is located on the C:\ drive in the Windows folder. How do I restore the Windows Explorer shortcut to the Programs menu? 
A. To restore this shortcut, left click on the explorer.exe file which you have located in Find. This will bring up your Windows Explorer. Go to C:\ drive and select the Windows folder. Find explorer.exe in the right (contents) pane. Click the + beside the Start Menu folder. Right drag the Explorer.exe file to the left pane until Programs is selected (highlighted) and release the right mouse button. Select "Create Shortcut(s) Here." 

Q. The icon for the hard drive (C:/) is missing in My Computer but is displayed in Windows Explorer. What has happened? 
A. The icon is probably hidden somewhere. Try going to My Computer. Click on View on the Menu Bar or the Toolbar. In Arrange Icons select Auto Arrange. 

Q. I have a digital camera which creates files on a floppy. How do I convert one of these photos into a Wallpaper pattern for my Desktop? I use Windows 98. 
A. Try right clicking on a 'free spot' on the Desktop. In the pop-up menu which appears select Properties. Select the Background tab. Choose Browse. Find the file in question. Select Open. (I have created Wallpaper patterns using .jpeg , .gif and .bmp files.) 

Q. I would like to have larger icons on my Win98 Desktop. How can I accomplish this? 
A. Right click on a blank spot on your Desktop. In the pop-up menu which appears select
/Properties. Click on the Appearance tab. In the Item category, use the small down arrow to find and select Icon. Increase to the desired size. Click OK. 

Q. I am impressed with the appealing screen savers available with Windows 98. Do they have any functional value? 
A. No. They are moving images that can be set to come on after a set period of time. Years ago they served a very useful function, i.e., preventing a static image from burning itself into the phosphorus creating permanent 'ghosts' on the monitor face. They are now used for cosmetic reasons or to prevent someone from seeing your data. 

Q. I have Win98. How do I decrease or mute the volume of my internal modem? 
A. Click on the My Computer icon. Click on Dial-Up Networking. Right click on your Internet Service Provider icon. Click on Properties. Choose the General tab. Click the Configure button in the Connect Using section of the dialog box. Adjust the Speaker Volume slider bar as you prefer. Some modems will not allow you to do this. 

Q. I want to eliminate "autorun" while installing a new program on a CD because I want to virus check the CD first. How do I do this? 
A. Keep the Shift key depressed when inserting the installation disk until lights stop flickering on the CD-ROM drive. 

Q. I recently installed MS Word. Now whenever I open a document with the .doc extension, it opens in MS Word whereas previously it opened in WordPad. I would prefer the latter. 
A. Both of these word processors use the same extension. Open Windows Explorer. Click on View on the Menu Bar. Click on Folder Options then click on File Types. Scroll to "Microsoft Word Document" and select it. Click on Edit. Under Actions, click Open. Choose Edit, then Browse and find the WordPad program (usually C:\Program Files\Accessories) and select it. Click OK. In the Description of Type Field write "Word Pad." Click on Close. 

Q. While in Windows Explorer I accidentally moved a file. How do I figure out what folder it went to and undo the move? 
A. Immediately click the Edit menu and select Undo. Win98 will then restore the program to its former location. You also can perform the Undo command on the Desktop by right clicking on any empty spot on the Desktop. Select the Undo option. (Ctrl + Z is the keyboard equivalent of the Undo command). 

Q. I want to add a shortcut to the Quick Launch toolbar. How do I do this? 
A. Right click on an empty area of the Taskbar. Select Toolbars. Then select Quick Launch (the Quick Launch toolbar will appear on the Taskbar). Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and use the File Finder to locate the .exe file of the program that you want to add (.exe represents the "execute" file). Select the file, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the .exe file on to the Quick Launch toolbar. To delete a shortcut, right click on the icon and make that choice from the menu. 

Q. I lost my speaker icon in the system tray of the Taskbar. How can I get it back? 
A. Click on the Start button. Go to Settings, then to Control Panel. Double left click on Multimedia. Left click the Audio tab. Place a checkmark (a toggle switch) in "Show volume control on the Taskbar." 

Q. There are two useless icons on my Desktop left over from a utility program that I uninstalled. I have tried various methods in an attempt to delete them without success. What goes? 
A. These are called "ghost" icons. To eliminate them go to Windows Explorer. Select the C:\ drive, then select the Windows folder. Locate and delete the ShelllconCache file. Make sure that you have the option to "show all files" checked because the latter can be "Hidden," i.e., go to Windows Explorer then to the View menu. Click on Folder Options (Options in Windows 95).

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (June 1999)

Q. At times while running Scandisk the scanning procedure stops and then it restarts the process. Why? 
A. A very possible etiology is that some activity on your hard drive is interfering with the scanning completion. Before beginning the scan, close all other running programs, including the Screen Saver. You should also carefully depress the Ctrl and Alt and then Delete keys (this maneuver is called "the triple salute"). Make certain that all keys are depressed at the same time. This will bring up the Close Program dialog box. Click (to select) one at a time on each of the names listed. Do not close Systray and Explorer. These are required to run Windows. In each instance, a dialog box will open containing a button to End Task. Click on this button. Sometimes a window opens asking you to verify that you wish to close the particular program. 

Q. I want to add a program (e.g., MS Word) shortcut to the Quick Launch toolbar. I have Windows98. 
A. If Quick Launch is not on the Taskbar, right click on an empty area of the Taskbar, then click Toolbars. Place a check by Quick Launch (the Quick Launch toolbar will appear on the Taskbar). Click on the Start button, then click on Program. Right drag the desired Program (e.g., MS Word) to the Quick Launch area. 

To remove the icon in Quick Launch, right click on the icon and click on delete from the context menu. 

Q. I lost my speaker icon in the system tray of the Taskbar. The speakers are functioning normally. How can I get it back? 
A. Click on the Start button, then Settings and then Control Panel. Double left click on Multimedia. Left click the Audio tab, then place a checkmark (a toggle switch) in "Show volume control on the Taskbar." 

Q. After dragging a document to the printer's shortcut on the Desktop, a message appeared stating that I must create an association. How do I create this association for this document? 
A. Windows doesn't recognize which application (program) is necessary to open the document. To establish an association, select (highlight) the file icon in question, depress and hold down the Shift key. Then right click on the file icon which will bring up a context menu. Click Open with..., then select the program that you want to open the document with. Click the box in front of Always use this program to open file then click OK. 

Q. I would like to print part of a picture of a window that is open on my computer to a word processing document. 
A. Depress the Print key (on the keyboard) to send the image to the Clipboard. Click on Start, click on Programs, click on Accessories, then click on Paint. Click on the Edit menu, then on Paste in Paint (Paintbrush in Win95). In the Paint program you can "dress up" the picture as desired, then select it and copy it (click on the Edit menu then click on Copy). Bring up your word processing document, place the cursor where you want to paste the finished picture, and then click on the Edit menu and then Paste. 

Q. How does Windows 98 keep itself stocked with current drivers and such? 
A. There is a new Windows Update feature that can be found by clicking on the Start menu and then clicking on Windows Update. You will be connected to Internet Explorer (a browser). It automatically takes you to a central Web site featuring a wizard that scans your hard drive, notes out-of-date drivers or other system files, and then downloads and installs the newest versions. Get familiar with all the excellent features of Windows Update in Windows 98. It is a great improvement over Windows 95. Look over the list of files with descriptions and approximate download times. See what's already installed on your system and whether or not updates are available. Click what you need and the files are downloaded. You should use this utility about once a month. 

Q. I have Windows 98. Recently I changed to a higher video resolution by right clicking on the Desktop, and clicking on Properties. I clicked on the Settings tab and moved the slider to the right. Now menus and other screen items are too small for comfortable reading. What can I do and still preserve the higher resolution? 
A. Right click on the Desktop again, click on Properties, then on the Settings tab. Click on the Advanced button, then on the General tab. In the Font Size section, select Large Fonts.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (July/August 1999)

Q. have Windows 95. How do I ascertain what version I have? 
A. The initial version was issued in August of 1995. There have been three upgrades since. Each has different operating features. 

To determine which version you have click the Start button, click Settings, click Control Panel, double click System icon which opens System Properties. The General Tab lists the version number starting with 4.00. The original is 4.00.950 followed by 4.00.950A (Service Pack 1Update or OEM Service Release); 4.00.950B (OEM Service Release 2); 4.00.950C (OSR 2.5). 

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) versions are only available on computers purchased directly from a vendor. If you have the original version, you can download Service Pack 1 from the Internet at http://www.microsoft.com. 

Q. I created a letter with my word processor. I "put it somewhere" but can't find it. (One of the most common problems encountered by beginners is the "loss" of a document.) 
A. Please refer to this column in the April 1998 issue of The Gigabyte Gazette. You can also go to http://www.scscc/bkk (an Internet site for beginners created by Jean-Pierre Denis and Ed Ash) and read two fine "handouts" created by Dick Wright on "Finding Lost Files." If you are a beginner, I strongly suggest that you visit this Internet site, peruse all of these basic computing files and print them out for future reference. 

There is an improved Find feature in Windows 98. The reader would benefit from reading an article that appears in Smart Computing magazine (July 1999) regarding this matter. 

To get to Find, click the Start button and then Find. In Windows 98 you have several options including finding information and people by accessing various Search Engines or searching for files and folders. Get acquainted with this procedure. It is easy to use and very valuable. 

Q. (This question is addressed quite often at our Kaffee Klatches and always seems to open up the proverbial "can of worms".) When I go through the usual routine to shut down my computer, it gets "hung up" with the Windows logo. It never gets to the screen that says "It's now safe to turn off your computer." How can I correct this situation?  
A. The solutions presented by our Club members are numerous. Many have alleviated the problem by disabling the Norton Antivirus Auto-protect when shutting down. In Windows 98 another possible solution offered is to click on Start, then Run and type msconfig. Click OK, click the General tab, then click the Advanced button and check the box labeled Disable fast shutdown. 

One of the possible etiologies, and apparently much more common in Windows 95, is that this may be associated with a program in the StartUp menu. To rule out this possibility, depress the Shift key during the boot up process (starting up the computer) at the time you initially visualize the blue Windows logo. Keep the key depressed until you see the Desktop. This maneuver prevents the objects in the StartUp folder from starting automatically and the shut down process should be normal. 

If the problem is associated with one (or more) of the programs in the StartUp folder, right click on the Start button, left click Explore (this will open the Start Menu), click the + next to Programs and scroll to the StartUp folder. Left click on StartUp folder to open it up and move all but one of the icons into another separate, newly created folder. (For example, bring up Windows Explorer, click on the Master drive, click on File menu, click on New, click on Folder and type in StartUp1.)
Reboot the machine with one of the shortcuts in the StartUp folder. Keep adding one at a time and re-booting until you create the shutdown problem. This should point to the program that is responsible. New users should seek help if they aren't comfortable moving and creating new folders and moving files. 

There are other possible etiologies, e.g., corrupt or conflicting device drivers, config.sys or autoexec.bat files, exit Windows sound file, etc. 

Advanced power management in the systems may be the culprit. 

Whatever the cause, there should be no adverse effect if you manually wait for a few minute then shut off your computer, but wait until the light on the hard drive goes out. 

An excellent URL is http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/tshoot/. At this Internet address you can read and follow a "trial and error" approach to possibly diagnosis and treat this problem. 

To reiterate, if you are a tyro at computing seek Help. 

Q. I want to delete documents without putting them in the Recycle Bin. How do I accomplish this? 
A. Select (highlight) the document(s) name, depress the Shift key while tapping the delete key. This maneuver will bypass the Recycle Bin. You can bypass "permanently" by right clicking on the Recycle Bin icon, then click Properties and check the box Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted. 

Generally speaking it is wiser to use the Recycle Bin, storing documents there until absolutely certain that you no longer want the document(s). Once you remove files from the Bin it is impossible to recover them unless using a special utility program, such as Norton Utilities. 

Q. would like to create a Desktop shortcut for MS Works. How do I do this? 
A. In Windows 98 with the Desktop showing, click the Start button, click Programs, right drag (depress the right mouse button) the program name, i.e., Microsoft Works to the Desktop. Release the mouse button and click on Create Shortcut(s) Here. 

It's a little more complicated in Windows 95 as you must find the program (executable) file. Click the Start button, click on Programs, then click on Windows Explorer to bring up the "file manager." Once you are in Explorer (you will have to click the Restore button in the upper right-hand area of the Title Bar so that you will be able to see part of the Desktop), click the + in front of the Master (usually C:) drive icon, click the + near the Program Files, scroll down to the MS Works folder and click on its icon to "spill" its contents into the right pane. Then right drag Msworks.exe (a program file) to the Desktop, release the mouse button and click on Create Shortcut(s) Here. You must use the program's executable file (.exe) to create the shortcut. 

There are other ways to accomplish putting a shortcut on the Desktop besides the ones listed above. You can create shortcuts for objects other than programs (applications), e.g., files, printers, drives, Internet providers and browsers, and more.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (September 1999)

Q. I have Windows 98. Up until recently, when I right﷓clicked on my Start button, I would get four choices, in the following order: Open; Explore (which took me to Windows Explorer); Find; Scan with Norton AntiVirus. Now, although all four appear, Explorer is grayed out, so I can no longer get to Windows Explorer from a right﷓click on Start. The other three remain active. How do I correct this?
A. One possible therapeutic approach may involve TweakUI. Go to Start, click on Settings, click on Control Panel, click on TweakUI, click on the My Computer tab, then check(toggle) any un-checked drives then click OK.

Q. I have just installed Windows 98. I want to get rid of a password box that comes up whenever I start my machine.
A. (Many possible solutions have been discussed at the Koffee-Klatchs, etc. the following is suggested by Kim Komando) When the password box comes up, enter a user name and a password. Click on Start, then click on Settings, and double click on the Control Panel icon, double-click Passwords icon, and on the Change Passwords tab, click the Change Windows Password button. Type your current password in the Old Password text box, press Tab, then type it again in the New Password text box. Press Enter, and you'll see a dialog box telling you that your password has been changed. This should get rid of the annoying password box.

Q. When I boot up (turn on) my computer I want an application to start but minimized on Taskbar. The shortcut is in the StartUp folder. How do I do this?
A. Right-mouse click on the shortcut, choose Properties, and click the Shortcut tab. On the Run line, click the drop-down arrow to display your three possible options--Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized. Select Minimized, click OK, and from now on, that application will shrink out of site when it opens at start up.

Q. How do I change the appearance of a shortcut icon on my Desktop-
A. There are many suggestions offered. One solution is to right click on the icon, left click on Properties, click on Change Icon button, click on desired icon, click OK. To find more selections in the File Name area type in C:\windows\moricons.dll, click on icon you want to use, click on OK.

Commercial software is also available to allow you to select even more icons.

Q. While printing a document of some 90 pages, my printer ran out of ink at page 21. My printer output consisted thereafter of blank sheets. What should be my course of action?
A. A simple but effective approach would be to abort the procedure by removing loose paper in the paper tray, replenish the ink supply, bring up the document, initiate the printing process again (File menu, Print) and select the proper pages in the print dialogue box e.g. pages 21 to 90.

Q. I find a certain web site particularly helpful. How do I create a desktop shortcut to it?
A. (This answer is based on responses via e-mail messages by Carol Warman and Dick Jones) Create a new shortcut on your desktop by right clicking on an empty space on the desktop, click New and then click Shortcut. When the Create Shortcut wizard comes up, put the URL (Internet address) in the command line. You can either type in the address or select (highlight) it, copy it by using ctrl + C on the keyboard to copy it to the Clipboard and then ctrl + V to paste it in the command line. Click “next”, give your shortcut a name on the next screen and finally click “Finish”. 

Here is another method for putting a URL shortcut on the desktop, assuming the URL is in your Favorites folder. Open the Favorites menu in Windows Explorer. Right Click on the desired URL which brings up a context menu. Click on “Send To” and Left Click on “Desktop as Shortcut”.

Q. When formatting a floppy disk there is a choice between ‘Quick (erase)’ and ‘Full’. What is the difference?
A. ”Quick Erase” removes all the files but does not check for damaged areas. With a ‘Full’ format the damaged areas are marked so that they will not be used to store information. The ‘Full’ method is a safer procedure even though somewhat more time consuming.

Q. I have Window 98. Should I buy Windows 98 Second Edition?
A. (A concise article in Smart Computing dated Sept. 99 and going to the Microsoft Web site are recommended to get a more complete answer). If you have been routinely downloading Microsoft Updates and are not interested in a new feature called ‘Internet Connection Sharing’ (ICS) then it probably would not be necessary to spend the $20. 

ICS is a built-in improved support for home networks and multiple, simultaneous Internet connections. This allows several computers to access the Internet over a single connection.

Q. How can I use the keyboard to launch a program in my computer? 
A. Right click on the shortcut for the program you want to make a keyboard command for. You can use shortcuts from the Start menu’s Programs list. From the pop up (context) menu, click on Properties. Then click on the Shortcut tab. In the box associated with Shortcut key, type in the letter that you desire to associate with program. When you depress Ctrl + Alt along with the letter you selected the program should automatically come up.

Q. I want to forward a message (e-mail) to someone. How does one eliminate all of the names & addresses (header) that came with the original message? In other words I want to forward a message, but to just one person.
A. Although you did not identify your electronic mail program, one answer to your problem is to select (highlight) just the original message itself (not the header), click Ctrl + c keyboard keys (this copies the text to the Clipboard) then paste the message into the 'new' email Message area by using the Ctrl + v keys

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (October 1999)

Q. I have a bubble jet printer. I noticed that it is capable of printing in a ‘draft' mode. What does this mean?
A. The ‘draft' mode allows the printer to print as fast as possible. This setting allows an increase in speed because it is using a lower resolution thus preserving ink. The quality of the printing is acceptable for ‘everyday' text processing.

Q. How do I check an attachment to e-mail for a virus infestation? I have Windows 98 and use the Norton Anti-virus program. 
A. Save the attachment to a special folder before you execute (open) it, right click on it to bring up a context menu, click on Scan with Norton Antivirus., wait a short while for the results which will appear on the screen.

The McAfee program works essentially the same way.

Make certain that you update the latest definitions. If you are downloading files from the Internet regularly, you should update almost weekly. On average, two or more new viruses per day are created. 

I understand that the new Norton Antivirus (2000) program will automatically check attachments to email.

Q. At times I get the message General Protection Fault. I am forced to turn off my computer thus losing newly created data in the process. What is going on?
A. General Protection Fault (GPF) is a warning that the particular program (application) that you are using has tried to reach a portion of memory that it is ‘not supposed to' or that program is trying to perform a function it simply cannot execute. This error then forces you to exit the program & re-start (re-boot) the computer.

This is one of the many reasons to save often when creating a document, especially a lengthy one. 

Q. What is the difference between a virus and a worm?
A. The distinction between the two is academic because either is capable of creating havoc with your computer. Proper prophylaxis, including an anti-virus Program is essential. The following was copied from the Web http://cis.gsu.edu/~rbaskerv/cis8680/Lessons/virus/index.htm :

Virus:

• Programs that secretly change other programs stored on the computer system. 

• Changed programs also spread the virus further to other programs.

• Copies itself around the system by gradually attaching the virus code to every common executable program available on the computer.

Worm:

• A program that replicates itself across data links and on computer networks.

• Typically does not modify stored programs.

• Transfer copies of itself across network links.

• Tricks the receiving network computers into installing and executing their copies of the worm. 

Q. I have Windows 98. I want to use ‘Send To' to copy/move a file from the hard drive (C:) to a cartridge in the Zip drive. When I right click on the file to bring up the context menu the Zip drive (D:) is not listed. What shall I do?
A. You can add the Zip drive to the menu. There are several ways to do this. One way is using Windows Explorer (the file manager) by clicking on the Start button (on Taskbar), click on Programs, click on Windows Explorer. You will see two panes. Click on My Computer in the left pane opening up its contents onto the right pane including the icon for the Zip drive (D:). Next, scroll down the left pane (tree pane) until you see the Windows folder and click on the + next to it then scroll down further until you see the SendTo folder then right drag (depress the right mouse button without releasing it) the icon of the Zip drive (D:) into the left pane over the SendTo folder until it is selected {changes color) and then let go of the right mouse button. You should then select create a shortcut. 

Q. I have a folder on my hard drive named Win95set. It contains mostly .cab files. Apparently this folder was created by a local vendor from whom we bought our computer for the purpose of re-installing Windows 95 if necessary. It consumes about 80 MB of space. Now that we have Windows 98 would there be any harm done if I were to delete this folder with all its files? 
A. You should not encounter any difficulty after deleting this folder. 

Q. I tried unsuccessfully to install a new modem. Windows 98 did not have the proper driver (software that allows the modem to communicate with Windows). I do not have the disk that came with the modem. What should I do?
A. You might search for the driver by going to the manufacturer's Web site and download the proper software (if necessary you can ‘borrow' a computer which has Internet) or call the manufacturer to mail the driver to you. 

Q. My visiting grandson was ‘fooling around' with our computer. He changed the appearance of many of Desktop icons, including the Recycle Bin, My Computer and My Documents. They do not appeal to us. How can we change them?
A. Right click on a blank area on the Desktop then click on Properties, click on the Effects tab (note the large display of icons), select the preferred one by clicking on it, click Change Icon, select the icon you prefer and click OK. 

Q. While ‘defragging' my hard drive (C:) after 10% into the process it stops then re-starts again to 10% than stops again and then restarts and may go up to 90+% and stop altogether with my computer ‘freezing'. I have Windows 98. I have been told that this ‘malady' may be associated with the Task Scheduler.
A. Apparently some underlying computer activity is interfering with the defragmentation. It could be the Task Scheduler. Prior to using the Disk Defragmenter right click on the icon for Task Scheduler in the System Tray (right side of the Taskbar) and disable it by left clicking on (choosing) Pause Task Scheduler. 

Many of our Computer Club members do not use the Task Scheduler but scan disk, defrag, etc manually. To discontinue the use of the Task Scheduler click on the Start button, click Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, click Scheduled Tasks, click Advanced and then check Stop Using Task Scheduler. You can select one or more tasks to come on automatically e.g. we have our virus program scan the hard drive on our computer every Friday at 8pm, a time that our computer is likely to be turned on.

Q. You have mentioned TweakUI in previous columns. What is it? I have Windows 98 but can not find it on my computer. 
A. It is a very useful utility that allows you to ‘fix' a few annoying things on your computer without going into the Registry.

If you do have Tweak UI installed, you should find its icon in the Control Panel. (Click the Start button, click Settings and then click Control Panel.) 

If you do not have it installed you can do so by inserting your Windows 98 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive, and close the Welcome screen if it appears. Right-click the Tweakui.inf file in the Tools\Reskit\Powertoy folder, and then click Install. Follow the instructions on your screen to install the TweakUI tool.

Once installed and you want to use it, simply go to the Control Panel and click on its icon.

If necessary you can download it from Microsoft's web site. There is available a version for Windows 95. Don't attempt use the Windows 95 version in Windows 98.

Q. I've been told that I need ‘WinZip' to handle zipped files that I have downloaded from the Web. What is ‘WinZip'? I don't have it installed on my computer. 
A. WinZip is one of a number of compressing (zipping) programs. Many files (really folders with files in them) that you download from the Internet will have a .zip extension and have a unique vise like icon. Before you can use a compressed file you must unzip it i.e. separate the files. You can also use this handy program to compress a large file or a number of files e.g. to reduce the amount of storage space required when backing up data to another storage media.

Evaluation versions are available on the Internet at www.winzip.com .

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (November/December 1999)

Q. We recently purchased a new computer (with Windows 98) which the salesperson told us has a USB port. What does this mean? How do we use it?
A. ‘Ports’ are situated on the back of the computer where external hardware e.g. printers, modems, etc. can be plugged. Communication occurs between the computer and the hardware. Parallel (LPT) and Serial (COM) ports are what most of us presently have. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a special type. Several devices can communicate with this single port. It is much faster than using serial and parallel ports. The hardware can be attached even while the computer is on.

Those members of our computer club who have used USB seem very pleased with it.

Another fresh innovation, ‘Fire wire’, is being touted as even more useful as a means of connecting peripherals. 

Using infra-red light instead of cables is also a technology that seems worth watching.

Q. I would like to print a list of files in a folder on my hard drive (C:). 
A. Display the contents of the folder e.g. Start button, click Programs, click Windows Explorer, click on the desired folder in left pane to ‘spill’ its contents into the right pane. Click the Start button then click Run and type in the following: command /c dir >dirlist.txt., click OK. The new file dirlist.txt will be added to the right pane of Windows Explorer where all the files are listed. This .txt file can then be printed. 

You can actually print out a list of the folders & files on your entire hard drive if you desire to do so.

Q. Up until this morning, I could right click Start, and one of the options I had was Explore. Clicking Explore took me directly to Windows Explorer. But now this option is grayed out. I can't figure out how to get it back. Can you help?
A. A possible ‘cure’ might be the use of TweakUI (see my column in Oct 99 Gigabyte Gazette). Click on the Start button, click on Settings, click on the Control Panel and bring up TweakUI, click on My Computer tab and make certain that all the boxes (toggle switches) are checked.

Q. My vision has deteriorated recently (Macular Degeneration). I understand that help is available to better see the text, etc. in Windows 98.
A. There are some excellent features to help you better visualize the information on your computer screen. Click on the Start button (on Taskbar), click on Programs, click on Accessories, click on Accessibility Wizard and/or Magnifier. Follow the instructions.

The Magnifier allows you to use the mouse pointer (or keyboard) to direct your vision. Other options also are available.

You can even create a Magnifier shortcut on your desktop. The program file is Magnify.exe. Select (highlight) this file, click Ctrl + C keys (on keyboard) to copy it to the Clipboard. Right click on the Desktop, click on New, click on Shortcut, paste i.e. Ctrl + V keys this into the Command Line, click on Next and select a name for the shortcut, click Finish.

Q. I would like to add Microsoft Word to Quick Launch. 
A. Be sure that Quick Launch is visible by right clicking on the Toolbar, click on Toolbar and check (toggle switch) Quick Launch. Click on the Start button (on Taskbar), click Programs, move the mouse cursor over Microsoft Word thus selecting (highlighting) it, right drag (depress the right mouse button) it to the Quick Launch area on the Taskbar and release the right mouse button, click Create Shortcut(s) Here.

Q. I have created an ‘appealing’ drawing with my Windows 98 ‘Paint’ (an applet that comes with Win9x) that I would like to use as wallpaper for the Desktop.
A. While showing the drawing in ‘Paint’, click on the File menu, select ‘Set as Wallpaper’ (centered or tiled). You can customize so that your “masterpiece” will be the same size on the Desktop as it appears in Paint. 

Q. When I print the text from Windows 98 Help (click Start button, click Help, click the Options menu, Print) the font size is small. How can I print this text in a larger font size?
A. Simply select (highlight) the desired text, copy it to the Clipboard (Ctrl + C) then paste it to your favorite word processor then once again select the copied text (Ctrl +A on the keyboard) and choose a larger font size and then go to the File menu and click on Print. 

Q. I want to use Yahoo (Internet search engine) as my Home Page in IE 5?
A. Bring up IE (Internet Explorer), click on the View menu, click on Internet Options, click the General tab then type in the Yahoo address in the Home page area.

The process is essentially the same if you use Netscape as your Internet browser by clicking on the Edit menu, clicking on Preference and typing the Yahoo address in the Home page section.

You can use any Internet address as your home page.

Q. I have just upgraded to Windows 98. Should I convert to FAT 32 (File Allocation Table)? 
A. Yes, unless you feel that you might return to Windows 95, which is unlikely. Since the advent of large multi-gigabyte drives conversion is a good idea. FAT locates files on disks. FAT 32 improves the organization of data in smaller clusters (groups) to help reduce ‘wasted’ space. Partitioning a single drive greater than 2GB (Gigabytes) is no longer necessary with FAT 32 (unlike the situation with FAT 16 which can only support drives up to 2GB).
An often cited example of conserving disk space is the following. If you had a 33KB (kilobyte) file and FAT 16 using 32KB clusters the data would ‘spill’ into a second cluster wasting 31KB. In FAT 32 with 6KB clusters storage occurs in 5 clusters wasting only 3KB.

To diagnose whether you have it, double click on My Computer, right click on the Master Drive (usually C:), click on Properties, click on General tab. 

If you have FAT 16 and want to convert use the ‘Drive Converter’ Wizard. Click on the Start button, click on Programs, click on Accessories, click on System Tools, click on Drive Converter (FAT 32), follow instructions.

Q. I would like to single click (the same way I do when on the Internet) instead of double click to open folders and files in Win98.
A. You can use single﷓clicking in two ways: with or without underlining icons and titles. 
In My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the View menu and select Folder Options. On the General tab, select Custom, Based On The Settings You Choose, click the Settings button, and then click Single﷓click To Open An Item. Next, choose the underlining style you want. If you want to see items underlined the way they are in your browser, click Underline Icon Titles Consistent With My Browser Settings. If you want to underline items only when you point at them with the mouse, then select Underline Icon Titles Only When I Point To Them.

Q. I would like to embed (make a copy of a file so that I can edit it without changing the information in the original) an entire file into a letter that I am creating in MS Works 4.5.
A. One approach is to choose the Insert menu while in the document, click on Object, click the radial button Create from file, then specify the file name by browsing your computer until you find the file and then insert it.

You can essentially do the same using MS Word, Lotus and Word Perfect.

Q. I would like to use Imaging (part of Windows 98) as a viewer for graphic files, e.g. .gif and .jpeg documents. 
A. There are several ways to accomplish this. 

Using ‘Send To’ is an excellent way so that when you get a graphic file just right click on it to bring up the context menu then click on the Icon for Imaging. To do this you must put a shortcut for kodakimg.exe (the program file) in the ‘SendTo’ folder. Click on the Start button of Taskbar, click on Find, click on Files or Folders type in the name of the above file. Click on the Start button again, click on Run, type in SendTo and press the Enter key.

You will now have two windows (Find and SendTo) open on your Desktop. Select (highlight) the above file in the Find results box, click the Edit menu, click copy, then click on the SendTo area, click on its Edit menu, click on paste. 

Another way is to right click on the graphic file name while depressing the shift key then click on Open with then scroll down and select Kodaking, click OK.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich (January 2000)

Q. How do I use the keyboard to bring up MS Works? 
A. Right click on any shortcut for MS Works ( e.g., on the Desktop), click on Properties, click on the Shortcut tab, type in the keyboard letter you desire, e.g., m, click OK. Now when you depress the Ctrl, Alt, and m keys, MS Works should appear. You can select whether you want to open the program as: Normal window, Maximized or Minimize.

You can follow the same procedure to bring up other applications using your keyboard. 

Q. An application that I recently installed keeps crashing. Why? 
A. (This a frequent question that comes up in our Kaffee Klatches and evokes many responses.) 

To answer, I will paraphrase and quote from an excellent and succinct article that appeared in the December 1999 issue of Smart Computing magazine.

There are multiple etiologies of this frustrating malady including missing files, file version mismatches, memory conflicts and exhaustion of the user or Graphics Device Interface (GDI) resources. Depending on the cause, you may be notified of an Illegal Operation or see the Blue Screen of Death. This experience may be transient, i.e., solved with a reboot (with possible loss of data) or may present a more persistent problem with a complete system failure.

First, make sure the problem isn't the result of malfunctioning software by checking the vendor's Web site for patches or updates. Next, try a simple reinstall over the existing app. This usually preserves any settings changes you made but will correct erroneous settings and replace corrupted .dlls. If a simple reinstall doesn't work, try completely uninstalling the errant software, then rebooting and reinstalling from scratch. A clean start will often correct pernicious problems.

Five Steps to Prevent Software Malfunctions: 

1. Research compatibility of your system and software before you install a new program. 

2. Protect your existing DLL shared files before you install a new program. 

3. Watch for patterns when you have Illegal Operations or blue screen errors and research the cause. 

4. Monitor your system resources. 

5. Use uninstall programs to remove installed programs

Q. I don't have a Windows 98 Startup disk. How do I create one? What is it for? 
A. (When you initially install Windows 98, you are asked if you want to create one.) In your situation, to prepare this valuable tool, put a floppy disk n the A drive. Click on the Start button, click on Settings, click on Control Panel, click on Add/Remove Programs, click on Startup and follow instructions. You will be asked to place your Windows 98 Installation disk in the CD-ROM drive. 

This very important disk may be necessary if you can't start your computer normally. By putting it in your floppy drive and turning on your distressed computer it allows you (or someone more experienced) to access several tools that are crucial to recovering a system.

Once created, write-protect it (look for a sliding tab in a square hole on the diskette and slide the tab so it does not cover the hole), label it and put it away in a safe place.

Q. I prepared a Windows 98 "boot disk" when installing Windows 98. When I tested it, I got a DOS prompt. Since I am not well versed in DOS commands I became confused. Where can I get information on this matter? 
A. You are to be commended for testing your Windows 98 startup disk before a catastrophe occurs. This is practicing good preventive medicine.

Using proper commands at the DOS (Disk Operating System) prompt is essential when using the Windows startup disk. Be prepared by printing out and reading a file in your Windows folder. Click Start, click Programs, click Windows Explorer, click the + next to the Windows folder in the left pane, click the + next to Command, click on the EBD folder to open its contents in the right pane, then open the Readme.txt file which text should appear in a word processor (usually Notepad). Click the File menu in the word processor and click on Print.

An excellent article appears in Smart Computing Magazine, January 2000 issue, regarding the use of this useful boot diskette.

Q. I often lose good control using the mouse when selecting (highlighting) text. How can I use the keyboard in this situation? 
A. Position the cursor at the start of or end of the text, depress the Shift key and the arrow (or Page Up/Page Down) keys. Using the keyboard in this manner allows you better control of selecting and is especially efficacious while selecting text on the Internet. 

Q. After removing a program I got the following window "Could not find Fmedia.exe. Specified in the WIN.INI file. Make sure the file exist on your computer or remove the reference to it in the WIN.INI file." How do I get rid of this annoyance? I have Windows 95. 
A. Click on Start button, click on Run, type in sysedit (this will bring up a cascade of windows), click on C:\WIN.INI window and type in rem (remark) and a space in front of the line that has Fmedia.exe in it. Get help from a more experienced user if necessary. 

Q. What is Dr. Watson (in Windows 98)? Is it worthwhile? 
A. Dr. Watson is a Windows 98 diagnostic tool and is very worthwhile whenever your computer experiences a system fault. It behaves much like a medical doctor in taking a history, getting a snapshot of your system, identifying the failed software and possibly offering a diagnosis and a course of therapy. Even a consultation is available with Microsoft Technical Support using Dr. Watson as a tool to aid in the evaluation of the "disease." 

Open Dr. Watson by clicking Start, clicking Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking System Information. In System Information, click Tools, and then click Dr. Watson. An icon will appear in the system tray.

To obtain a system snapshot, right click the icon in the system tray then click Dr. Watson. Type a short description of the steps you took that initiated the error. Click the File menu and click Save As then click Save. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for assistance re determining the cause of the problem found by Dr. Watson.

Q. How do I find out which version of Juno I have installed in my computer?
A. Click on the Help menu and then click on About Juno. This technique to find out which version you are dealing with is applicable to essentially all applications. 

Q. For what possible reason(s) would I install Juno when I could use a superior e-mail program, such as Outlook Express or Eudora Pro? 
A. It is true that e-mail programs like Outlook Express offer higher quality electronic management, e.g., handling attachments, HTML, special formatting. Many of us who use an ISP (Internet Service Provider) also use Juno as a "constant" email address, for example your ISP may be "down" or you may change ISPs. Juno also does not require that you be on the Internet when using the program, i.e., you simply use the modem for a brief period to receive and send email. Another handy feature is the ability to import your account to another computer, e.g., when visiting another area of the country. Although Juno is available "free" and does not require an ISP, you must be willing to tolerate supporting advertising. 

If you have an ISP you can use free electronic mail services, such as Yahoo, Hotmail, and Freemail. These are also supported by advertising. Commercial on-line services, like America Online, Prodigy and CompuServe, also provide electronic mail capabilities.

Q. 2000 (Actual email message) "I am trying to run the HP DeskJet Printer Software to a new computer. All I get is "install in exec.setup." I have no idea what that means and cannot find it any of the manuals! Suggestions!! Many thanks." 
A. (This true case exemplifies that whenever you have a computer problem think of the obvious initially) The case was diagnosed and 'cured' with a house visit. The problem turned out to be an unattached cable to the printer. Always rule out the obvious first!. 

Q. In Windows Explorer, when I click on the File menu and then select New, I get a very long menu of selections. Is there any way to remove some or all of these items? 
A. (Provided by Sy Bensky with some modifications.) Yes there is. Click the Start button, click Settings, click Control Panel, Double click on "TweakUI.", Click on the "New" tab. A list of the applications that appear on the File, New menu will appear. For each item you wish to remove, click on the check mark (a toggle switch), to clear it. This will remove the items from the File - New menu. If you want to add some of the items back to the File - New menu, bring-up Tweak UI as explained above and click on the check box. 

Tweak UI is a very useful tool. Please refer to this column in the October 99 issue of the Gigabyte Gazette for more information on Tweak UI.

Q. (Actual email message) "I don't know how I did it, but my quick launch icons disappeared. I can get them if I click  on the task bar but I can't get them back on the quick launch. I can't get anything to go onto the task bar. If I could, I would just reinstall them. I have W98. Thanks." 
A. Try right clicking on a blank area on the Taskbar, left click Toolbar, and click (toggle) Quick Launch.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich (February 2000)

Q. I never use the Desktop folder called My Documents. Can I safely get rid of it?
A. Yes you can. Simply right click on the Desktop icon which will bring up a context menu. Click on Remove from Desktop. Even though you remove this folder from the Desktop it will still be available on your hard drive (usually C:\) in the My Documents folder.

To restore the folder, right click on the Desktop, click on New, click on My Documents Folder on Desktop.

Q. Recently whenever I start up my computer it goes into "Safe Mode." What is going on?
A. There are many etiologies for this situation. You may have inadvertently changed important Windows settings or installed a device incorrectly. Windows may start in Safe Mode (diagnostic mode) automatically if there is a start-up hitch, e.g., application requests, incompatible drivers, a corrupt Registry.

You can use this mode to fix the underlying problem. It is really a "skeletal" version of Windows. You won't be able to access your CD-ROM drive and peripherals, e.g., printer, modem and sound card. The display (monitor) setting uses the standard VGA (video graphics array) with only 16 colors. No items in the StartUp folders can be started in this mode.

If necessary you can boot up (start your computer) in this mode by depressing F8 (function key) on your keyboard during the booting up process. Be certain that you consult with a "specialist" p.r.n. (as necessary).

Q. I was "fooling around" in the Registry (Win98) and did not back it up properly. How can I restore the settings?
A. Fortunately Windows 98 backs up the Registry the first time it boots up each day. It also keeps copies of the five most recent backups.

One way to restore one of the copies is to reboot (start) your computer. Depress the Ctrl key during the boot up process. The Setup Menu should appear. Select the Command prompt option. Type scanreg/restore at the C: prompt. The Registry Checker appears and displays previous settings (.cab files). Select the setting used successfully recently. This process is truly a great improvement and could be "life saving."

Q. What is a .cab file?
A. This is a cabinet file used by Microsoft to compress (compact) and store installation related programs and files on hard drives. These files can be viewed by clicking on them in Windows Explorer.

Q. I uninstalled a program from my computer but when I click Start (on Taskbar) then Programs, the name of the program is still displayed. How do I remove it?
A. One approach is to click on Start, click on Settings, click on Taskbar & Start Menu, click on the Start Menu Programs tab, click Remove which will bring up Remove Shortcuts/Folder window which lists all the items on the Start/Programs menu, select the desired item, click Remove, click Close then OK.

Q. (Actual e-mail message) "I have Word '97 C drive documents as "my documents" which I have backed up on A drive floppies as "my documents" (Windows '95).
I expect to purchase a new computer with Windows '98 and Word '97 pre-packed.
What' s the best and fastest way to transfer the information on my floppies to my new C drive, maintaining their integrity ........?
A. There are several ways to accomplish this. One technique is to insert your backup floppies in the A drive, then bring up Windows Explorer (the file manager) then scroll in the left pane and click on the A drive icon to show its contents in the right pane then select (highlight) all the files on the floppy then copy them to the clipboard (depress the Ctrl+c keys on the keyboard) then scroll down in the left pane and select "My Documents" folder then paste (depress the Ctrl+v keys) the files from the floppy into the "My Documents" folder.

Q. Can I use the same ID (identifying name) and password for different e-mail programs?
A. Yes you may. You cannot use a password if someone else using the same e-mail program is using it.

Q. My new computer will have at least one USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. According to your recent article all I have to do is plug my HP Office Jet Pro printer (I bought it in '97) into my computer and it will automatically find the printer engine without further ado?
A. Peripherals, e.g. printers, scanners etc. must be "USB ready" to use a USB port. It is very doubtful that you could simply plug in your "old" printer. The most cost effective way for you is to continue using a parallel port for the present time.

Refer to previous issues of The Gigabyte Gazette, i.e., September 98 and November-December 99 regarding USB.

Q. I want to create a folder to organize and store items in the Start menu.
A. Click on Start, click on Settings, click on Taskbar and Start Menu, click on Start Menu Programs tab, click on Advanced, click the + next to a folder to display subfolders, click on the folder (displaying its contents) that you want to contain the new folder. Right click on a blank area of the contents pane, click New, click Folder, type in the desired name and then depress the Enter (return) key. You can now drag items into the newly created folder.

Q. Why don't I have a speaker icon in the system tray of Taskbar? I do have sound.
A. Click on the Start button, click on Settings, click Control Panel, click on Multimedia, click on the Audio tab and make certain that Show volume control on the taskbar box ( a toggle) is checked.

Q. At a recent Kaffee Klatch we were discussing sound cards. The name "duplex" was often used. What does this term mean?
A. This label refers to an audio (sound) card that uses two DMA (Direct Memory Access) channels to play back and record sound simultaneously. While using the Internet this allows voice communication to sound more like a "normal" telephone call where callers can speak at the same time (unlike radio communication).

DMA is a computer resource allowing a device to communicate directly with the computers memory. This accelerates the processing of information.

Q. I have MS Works. I received a letter from my son with an embedded picture that he created using the applet "Paint." Can I change some of the drawing?
A. Yes, as long as you both are using the same application, i.e., MS Works and if he used Paste Special to embed the picture. If this is the case you should be able to double click on the picture (object). You than will get the Paint toolbar, etc. allowing you to edit (change) the object (embedded picture).

Q. I deleted a file from a floppy disk. I assumed that it would go into the Recycle Bin. I opened up the Bin but could not find the file to retrieve it. Why not?
A. You cannot use the Recycle Bin when erasing file(s) from a floppy disk or any removable disk. This holds true also for "deleted" electronic mail or using the DOS command to delete

Q. I would like an "easy" way to arrange Programs alphabetically (descending order) after clicking the Start button. I have Windows 98.
A. You can manually move a Program by click-dragging it to any position you want. Also, if you have Windows 98 and Internet Explorer 5.0, simply right click on the Programs list and select "Sort by Name." Apparently this maneuver doesn't work with earlier versions of Internet Explorer.

Q. When using "Backup" to back up files to my zip drive in Windows 98 I have a message saying there were "errors" when comparing my original files to the files I was backing up. Why?
A. A Microsoft Backup is a great tool to back up data (even compress it) to storage media, e.g., floppy disks, tape and to a zip drive. Click Start, click Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools then "Backup." Many of us don't take advantage of this "easy to use" implement.

When the process of backup is completed, the Backup compares the original files to the backed up files to make certain that the procedure was a success. A possibility that went wrong in your case is a faulty cartridge that goes into your zip drive. Try inserting a fresh cartridge.

Q. When I use WordPad (a word processing applet that comes with Window 9.x), the documents that I create are stored in "My Documents" on the Desktop. How can I change this situation so as to save them in a special folder that I have created called "Letters" on the hard drive (C:).
A. To change this default setting, right click on "My Documents," click on Properties, click on Browse, click on the + next to the C: drive, click on the created folder, i.e., "Letters," click OK.

Q. Can I copy the Windows folder to a Zip disk?
A. Yes. The data copied will include the Registry.

Ask the Experts
by John Polich  (March 2000)

Q. I just installed Norton Antivirus 2000 and then downloaded the latest NAV (virus definitions) update. How do I find a list of the total number and names of all the viruses being checked and providing protection against?

A. Go to Programs, click on Norton 2000, click on Reports on the left side of the dialog box, click on View the list of viruses that Norton AntiVirus is protecting you against. Click Open. In late January there were nearly 47,000 names listed. McAfee has a similar procedure to follow.

Q. After using the Window's Backup Utility, can I make a printed, hard copy of a backup list of numerous files?

A. Yes. Making a report of your backup is an appropriate idea. Windows Backup Utility is an excellent tool for backing up files. The Windows 98 version is improved over the Windows 95 model. It is probably underutilized by our members. To bring it up click the Start button, click Programs, click Accessories, click on System Tools and then Backup. After you back up, view the report by clicking the Backup Process window, click the Report button. A Notepad window appears and shows the report. Click File menu, then click Print.

Q. I have created a document in MS Works. Can I select part of the text of that document and print it selectively?

A. No. You could select the desired text, copy it and paste it to another document and then print it. However more sophisticated word processors, e.g., MS Word, WordPerfect allow you to print selectively by selecting (highlighting) the desired text, clicking on the File menu, clicking the Selected text radial button and then OK the printing.

Q. I was trying to copy 356 files to a 100MB zip disk drive cartridge but it would copy so many and then would stop with the message, "Error. Unable to create this file titled (then the name of the file)." I was unable to copy any more files to the zip drive. There was still plenty of space available on the disk. I tried inserting a new cartridge and began the process again only to get the same results. What happened?"

A. There is a limit to the number of objects (files and folders) that you can put in a root directory.

(After a great deal of discussion with Computer Club members most did not remember the exact number of objects involved.) You should create a folder(s) on the zip and put the files in the folder(s) in an organized manner.

Ed Ash was kind enough to go the Internet and come up with the following: "You can continue to add directories at any level of the structure, as long as there are no more than 512 files and directories in the root directory of your hard drive. A root directory on a floppy disk can hold fewer files and directories. Other directories can contain as many files and directories as needed. However, MS DOS runs more slowly if there are more than 150 or so files and subdirectories in one directory." Ed then quotes further: "Don't create files or directories with long file names (LFN) in the root directory. Why Not? An LFN uses one directory entry for the DOS name of the file and one directory entry for each 12 characters in the LFN. The root directory is limited to 512 file and directory entries. It is possible to run out of directory entries"

Q. Can I edit the system file (config.sys, autoexec.bat, system.ini, win.ini) in Win98?

A. There are several ways to do so but be sure to back up the files first. Click the Start button, click on Run, then type msconfig. Click the General tab and select Create Backup. Click the tab for the system file that you want to change, click Edit, do the editing, then OK.

Let the novice user be forewarned that system files should not be tampered with unless proper guidance is available.

Q. What are some good general rules in selecting a password?

A. Make it one that would be difficult to guess but not so difficult that you will forget it, e.g., use your mother's maiden name in it. Use a mixture of uppercase and lowercase. Combine it with numbers and other characters. It is very important that you remember it. Keep it stored in a safe place.

Q. (An actual message) I have Windows 98 and Microsoft Office 2000 on my computer. My friend has Windows 95 and uses MS Works. She has material which I need to transfer to my computer. She copied the files onto a floppy, but I cannot access them on my computer. I had understood that Works and Excel would be interchangeable. Any suggestions or thoughts as to what I might be doing wrong?

A. Works and Excel are interchangeable. Your friend should bring up the files in question on her computer, click on the File menu, click on Save As, use the down arrow in the dialog box and select the latest Excel extension, e.g., Excel 97-2000 (*.xls). You should then be able to insert the floppies in your floppy drive and open them using your Excel program.

Q. (This Q & A is quoted from e-mail sent via our Chat line by Avery Hughes) "This question always comes up. How do you save or transfer Bookmarks/Favorites?

PROBLEM: You have a new computer and want to copy the Favorites list in Internet Explorer from your old machine to the new one.

SOLUTION: First, choose File, Import and Export to save the Favorites list (or one of its folders) as a HTML file. Next, copy the HTML file either to a floppy disk or a network folder or attach it to an e-mail message. On the computer receiving the Favorites list, choose File, Import and Export.

Note: The same technique works for Bookmarks in Netscape Navigator."

Q. (This a question commonly asked by beginners.) When should I use the right button on my mouse versus using the left button?

A. Whenever in doubt use the right button which brings up a context menu that applies to whatever you have selected (highlighted). This menu gives you a list of options including open, cut, copy, create a shortcut, deleting, etc. Usually single clicking the left button selects the object and double clicking will initiate an action, such as opening a file or folder. You can customize the left clicking so that a single left click will activate a folder or file (refer to my column in the November/December 1999 issue of The Gigabyte Gazette).

Q. I noticed that I have more than 300 cookies in the Windows/Cookie folder. Should I delete them? If yes, how do I do this?

A. Most of us accept them and do not delete them because they do no damage. Generally speaking a cookie is data that a Web site puts on your hard disk so that it can remember something about you at a later time. Your identity cannot be found unless you specifically yield information about yourself. Cookies are records of your preferences, e.g., your password, your buying habits, etc. They actually help to serve you more quickly and better. They take up very little storage space on your hard drive.

You can actually view them by clicking on them but trying to interpret them may not make much sense. Internet Explorer stores each cookie as a separate file under a Windows subfolder. Netscape stores all cookies in a single "cookies" text (.txt) file.

Deleting all of them may prevent some online service from operating. You can deal with them to fit your personal situation. If you have Netscape Communicator 4.7, click Edit, then Preferences, then Advanced (left pane), click on your preferred option, e.g., Disable cookies.

For Internet Explorer 5.0 click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, click the Security tab, click Security Setting, scroll down to Cookies and choose your option, i.e., Disable, Enable or Prompt. You can also right click the Internet Explorer icon, select Properties and do essentially the same thing.

Q. (Thanks to Louis Laussade, one of our Computer Club "gurus", for this Q&A) "I have an unusual intermittent shrill that seems to be coming from my computer. The sound continues off and on even when the computer is turned off. What goes here? I called Compaq and they led me through a number of computing exercises but the noise continues." (Louis was then called for help. After reviewing the situation over the phone Louis scratched his head and admitted that he did not know the answer. He felt it possibly was a hardware problem and suggested taking the computer into a shop and to call Louis the results of this bizarre situation.)

A. The owner disconnected the various cables, power cord, etc. from the computer and removed it from the desk. He then observed that the noise was emanating form his wife's pager that was located in a drawer immediately under the computer tower. Sometimes a computing diagnostic "problem" is not due to the computer!

Ask the Experts
by John Polich (April 2000)

Q. I'm a beginner and have trouble double clicking my mouse to open a file or folder. Do you have any suggestions?

A. "Practice makes perfect." Keep working on it. You might try slowing down the required speed in double clicking by clicking the Start Button, click on Settings, click on Control Panel, click on the Mouse icon, click on the Buttons tab then move the slider to the left until you can comfortably move the "Jack in the box" in the Test area.

There are some alternatives to accomplishing the same end. After selecting (highlighting) the file/folder with a single left click, click the right mouse button which opens a menu and left click on Open. Another method is to single left click on the file/folder, then depress Enter on the keyboard.

Q. I now have a new laptop as well as my regular desk top computer. I want to use Briefcase so that I can transport documents between the two computers. How do I restore the Briefcase icon (I had removed it a few months ago) on my Windows 98 Desktop?