Monday, December 24, 2001		Dr Tribune

Q I use Windows Me. I downloaded DialUp Controller from www.infratec.com . The program is a shareware on trial for 30 days. I cannot get rid of this program. When I try to remove it using add/remove Programs in Control Panel, the response is, "An error occurred while uninstalling the program. It may already be uninstalled." Would be safe to delete the folder containing the program in the Program File?

H.V. Bali

Q I am having an external modem D-Link for data/fax/voice and running my Internet connection nicely. I wanted to dial from my computer to another phone. Please guide me step by step how to configure. My system configuration is Pentium – III, 933 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Disk, Intel 810 Chipset Motherboard and Windows ’98 running as operating system. Another problem is that I have 20 GB hard disk having two partitions — C: and D: Windows ’98 is running as operating system on C. I wanted to install DOS 6.22 on D partition. How should I boot my PC after installing the operating system?

A Regarding your first problem, you can use Windows default application, phone dialler for dialling another telephone. For using this application, just click on the Start>Program>Accessories>communication and Phone Dialler. This will start the application.

You can install DOS on other partition without worrying about the booting as the Windows will by default load the Windows ’98 operating system without going to the DOS mode.

Q I purchased my assembled PC two months ago. I have a P III, 800 MHz, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB hard disk, Mercury 815-e board, ATX cabinet, 52x Samsung CD ROM, 1.44 FDD, Windows ’98 2nd edition, Samsung samtron monitor 55v, internal modem 56k, PC-cillin anti-virus).

1. When computer is working and if I switch off my monitor and when I turn it on
again, many times the computer restarts and runs scandisk because the computer wasn't properly shutdown. Sometimes this problem doesn’t occur.

2. My computer's internal beep sound is very low. When using sound function in programming the beep sound output is difficult to hear. How do I improve it?

3. How to configure already made Hotmail address in Outlook Express 6. Can I do the same with Indiatimes id?

4. Can I install Linux and Unix simultaneously with Windows ’98 on different partitions? Is there any risk involved in it?

Atul Mittal, Ambala Cantt.

A The problem mentioned by you suggests that probably your UPS is not powerful enough to take load of all gadgets put on it. Therefore when the load is full on the UPS, then turning the monitor off and then on cause it to boot your computer as your UPS runs out of load to support the power required to switching on the monitor. Or on a low-rated UPS, you are trying to run bigger monitor like 17"-inch monitor. These are the most likely reasons of your problem, try to pinpoint the problem as per indications mentioned above and work out the solution accordingly. However generally speaking, in order to solve this problem, keep the load minimum on the UPS so that it doesn't run out of power when required. Regarding your second problem you may need to replace the internal speaker, which is normally fit to the cabinet with a bigger and more powerful speaker. However, before that try to fix the speaker near any open or semi-open space like grill in the cabinet, to boost the sound of the speaker.

Regarding your third query, I would like to say that you can easily configure your existing Hotmail account in Outlook Express but you cannot configure Indiatimes account in Outlook Express as into the Web-based e-mail service. For configuring your existing Hotmail account, simply start Outlook Express and then click on the Tools menu. Now from drop-down menu, choose the option "Account" and then click on ‘Add’. This will open a window on the computer screen, fill up the name of your account and then click next. Now in the next window, choose the first option of audit existing accounts and user Hotmail ID here. Now just follow the steps and your Hotmail account will be configured in Outlook Express.

Regarding your fourth query, you can install Linux etc. on separate partitions of the same hard disk on which you have Windows operating system. There will be no problem having these on your same hard disk. However you should make sure that you install Linux on separate partition.

Q I have an assembled PC (Celeron 850 MHZ, GSM motherboard, 128 MB RAM with operating system Windows ’98). I have following problems with my PC:

1. I have Internet explorer version 5.5 installed on my PC. Whenever I start working with IE after some time it shows the following message and is closed. This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. IEXPLORE caused an invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL at 0177:78002f52.

2. I have Samsung CD ROM. When I start copying any file from compact disk, it takes more time than normal.

3. When I start my PC, here comes the User Password Window. I want to remove this Window completely from my PC.

A Regarding your first problem, please remove the clutter from your PC, by cleaning off the cache memory and disk memory. Also, delete temp files present on your system under the temp directory and then run ScanDisk. I hope this will solve your problem. Regarding your second problem, please enable DMA support for CD ROM on secondly IDE. This will boost to the performance of your CD-ROM. For enabling this setting, click on control panel and then click system. This will open system properties window on your computer screen. Now select the option view device by type and then right click on secondary IDE. Now click on properties and then from the properties window click on settings and select the DMA now click OK and close all open Windows. Next time, when you reboot your system, you will find improved performance of CD ROM. Regarding your third problem, hit Del, when the PC is booting and enter bios feature set up. Now under the security option, change the preference to set up from system. Save and exit set up now. This will take care of your problem.

Q The configuration of my system is Celeron 733 MHz, 20 GB HDD, 52-x
CD ROM, 1.44 FDD, 64 MB RAM working on Windows Me. My problem is that my system does not enter in the setup by pressing del key although message appears that press del to enter setup. But pressing del key doesn’t work. My del key on keyboard is okay. It works well to delete items. Please suggests me a solution.

Neeraj Choudhary, Talwara

A To solve this problem, open the outer cover of the cabinet of your PC and look at the motherboard. You will find a coat button size battery on it. Take this battery out for 10 seconds and also unplug your PC from the power for the same duration. When you put them back again after 10 seconds, your problem would be solved. However, by any chance if your problem is not solved, then you should contact your hardware vendor for any possibility of BIOS problem.

Q I have P III system with 4 GB HDD and Windows ’98 loaded and MS Office 2000. My problem is that when I want to open my MS Word File, it automatically gets converted into .exe file (Executable file) or simple Text file. For example, if document file is Temp .doc then after opening suddenly and automatically it changes to Temp.doc.exe. After that it is not possible to open and see the contents of that infected file. I want to know the reason of that — whether it is due some kind of virus. Moreover, when any file is copied from this defective system into some another fresh system, then that fresh system also shows the same problem i.e. becomes defective. From this it seems to be file virus. If yes, then I want to know the name of the virus also and a suitable anti-virus scanner.

A You are right as the problem mentioned by you suggests the presence of some virus in your system, which could be attacking the visual basic library and is affecting .doc files etc. You must run the latest anti-virus software like Norton Antivirus 2002 or Latest edition of McAfee virus scanner or any other reputed anti-virus software like PC Cillin, Panda etc. Hunt down the virus using any one of these scanners and clear the virus from it. From the information mentioned by you it is difficult to pinpoint, which virus is affecting your computer, as there are thousands of viruses on the Internet. But by using the anti-virus software you would be able to know all the details of it.