Monday 26 November 2007  By Tom Scot

Q. I am using Front Page to create my first web page and I am attempting to link to an information web site. When I run the program on my computer the link will not work.

A. This can be due to a few things. It may be an incorrectly entered link. You must put the whole link to the site. It could be something as simple as an incorrect letter or full stop. Go on line and see if you can open the page on line.

Q. I have been using Eudora and have moved to Outlook Express. I can't find the folder containing the attachments.

A. Outlook Express saves the attachments with the email, in a file within the Outlook Express program. Look in tools/options/maintenance/store folder. This will give you the name of the folder file that holds all your emails and attachments.

Q. My mouse is working spasmodically. When I move it on the desk sometimes the pointer moves and other times it will not?
A. From the sounds of that description you have a ball mouse. The best way to fix it is to put it in the bin and get a new one for as little as $9-95. Get an optical mouse though and take a good look at the wrapper as you can get them with lots of features, which you may not need.
If you have an optical mouse just unplug the cord and plug it in again as this may fix a driver problem. Maybe the batteries are low or you can try reloading the drivers again as per instructions. Also with any style of mouse the cord from the mouse can be damaged and if this is the case it's better to replace the mouse than try to fix the old one.

Q. I have just purchased a new hard drive to add to my computer internally. I now have; A: floppy, C: main hard drive, D: second drive and E: my DVD burner. I have placed the jumper in cable select and placed the drive on the master ribbon first in the line, with the old C: drive at the end. I can't seem to find it to place information on it.

A. Do a search on the net for the brand of hard drive you have and the model and size then look for their format program, download it and run it to format the new drive.
If I am purchasing a new second drive for someone I ask the supplier to format it and then I can be sure it works.

Just a mention about questions and answers:
Anybody giving help by phone, email or whatever medium can only give help from the information you supply. With so many different programs, computers and combinations you can’t beat being in front of the computer when you are doing a repair. By ‘in front of the computer’ I mean the person giving help is literally sitting at the computer but if that is not possible then the more information you can give, the better. I really don’t believe it’s an exacting science by any means. Hardware repairs within the computer can usually be easier to solve by changing the part, if it doesn’t work, and then hoping for the best but operating system and program repairs can be a lot harder.

Q. When I surf to some web sites I get boxes with a small cross in the top left and something seems to be missing.
A. This can be one of two things. If it is only happening on one or two web pages I would suggest the web master has made a mistake and not completed the link to a logo. An email to the web master would be appreciated.
Or if you have used a URL link directly from an email program then if you right click next to the cross or icon, you can then click on ‘download pictures’ and see all the web page. This is caused by a setting in your email program to protect you. It’s difficult to say what to change but look in ‘tools’ and ‘security’ and this depends on what email program you use.

Q. I have recently started saving all my records and CD music to put them on a set of DVD’S. When I have burnt them they play ok but not in a totally random way. Some will play using the random play setting but some play as listed on the DVD.
A. This is a common fault so when you start your collection each song must be a separate file. While building the list save them in one folder so you can keep an eye on the total size. When you go to burn the DVD copy the contents of the folder, not the folder, and all the music files will appear in an ordered list but can be played randomly. Do this with records also. You can record the whole LP but edit the tracks and make individual files of the LP.

Q. I have not been able to get on to the internet for a few days with my browser or email. What can I do?
A. For this one we could have done with some more information like; are you on dialup or ADSL and have you contacted your ISP?
If you are on dialup then check your modem settings and even delete the old one and remake a new connection. If this fails contact your ISP and make sure your account is up to date.
If you are on ADSL start by disconnecting the power to the modem. Usually leave it off for a minute and wait a couple of minutes for it to reconnect. If you haven’t altered your settings recently a call to your ISP may be the next step. They can help with specific settings for that ISP.

Q I have had ADSL for several months and it appears to be very slow and has been for the past few days.
A. Some accounts have what is known as footprint shaping. This means if you have a 500 megabyte limited account instead of paying money for extra megabytes you use over that limit they shape your connection speed. Therefore, when the limit reaches 500megabytes the connection may go from 256 KBS to 72 KBS or something like that. This will happen without warning but if it still happens at the start of a new month then contact the ISP to make sure the restriction is removed.

23rd July 2007 By Gordon Giles
Q. What exactly can your computer group do for our listeners?

A. As a member of our group we can give help with a wide range of computer problems, from buying a computer to putting programs on your computer and running them. This can be done by phone, in person, by email or by asking a question at a meeting. This is just a short list of ways we can help.

Q What is your aim within the group?

A. Our main aim is People helping each other.
In this way we hope to assist all members to get the maximum use from their computer experience.

Q. How many members do you have and where do you meet?

A. We have approximately 420 members and we have 8 special meetings a month with two in Armadale, two in Bullcreek, two in Dianella, one in Kalamunda, one at Guilderton and our main meeting at the Railway Institute East Perth on the first Wednesday each month, starting at 6-30pm.

Q. What sort of things do you do at your meetings?

A. At our main meetings we try to get someone from a company to demonstrate the latest computer equipment or to show us new software or what they use computers for in their industry.

Q. So what sort of things do you do at the other meetings?

A. At our SIG (Special Interest Group) meetings we invite our members to come along and show us what they can do with their computers. The sort of things we do are; Genealogy, photo editing, card making, web page making, general help in using computers and even making your own computer.

Q. Do you have any training for your members?

A. Yes we do have training from an introductory course in computers for the beginner, Photoshop, Paint shop Pro, Dreamweaver, and we can tailor a training session if someone has something special they wish to cover. The training we offer is aimed at the beginner to intermediate.

Q. What is "email etiquette"?

A. This is the way you use the address bar. Usually if you send emails to more than 2 people you should place them in the BCC list that's Blind Carbon Copy.
Edit the names and addresses in your address box so only the name appears in the list not name and email address. Never forward mail; copy and paste into a new email instead. Don't spam people, that is, don't send things to multiple people unless you have their permission. Don't give other people's email addresses away by filling in electronic birthday cards.

Q. What do you recommend to look for when signing up for Broadband or Dial-up Internet Service?

A. Value for money. With dialup you want a cheap rate and a large download. Use a well known company that will give you 24/7 help by phone. If the fee is low you may not get a web space area for your own web page.
As for ADSL it's pretty much the same except for a few things such as shaping your limit, instead of charging to go over the limit. You may want VOIP so make sure it's supported with some ISP's it's not. Check whether they spam and virus check emails and if the speed is 256KBS, 512KBS, 1.5MBS or 8MBS.

Q. If I sign up for a free email address will they on sell my address so I get lots of Spam?

A. It's a big possibility depending on the free email companies. It's safer to use the one from your ISP and if you are not at your own computer use web mail as almost all ISP's supply this in the deal.

Q. What protection do you recommend before a novice user starts using the Internet?

A. You need to get a free virus checker, firewall and even a registry cleaner and spam filter for starters. You will find several others like programs to remove spy ware, advertising, Trojan horses, key loggers and mail list collectors. Some programs will cover several of the above programs and some are very good and some are not so good.