Shutdown shortcut
I read recently about a shortcut to shut down Windows without going through the Start menu. Could you tell me how to do it? Linda Waddington
linda_wad@yahoo.com.
Jack Schofield replies: It is a bad idea to shut down too quickly, as Microsoft has found with Windows 98SE and Me on some very fast computers. IDE hard disk drives store data in their own cache memories before writing it to the hard drive. Windows has no way of knowing if the drive has finished the job. In a fast shutdown, cached data may be lost, leading to corrupted files. Microsoft has therefore released a patch to add a two-second delay to the shutdown process. See article Q273017 at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/ rticles/q273/0/17.asp
However, there are a number of utilities that provide a more convenient shutdown routine. Examples include CloseFast 2000 <a href="http://www.davecentral.com/12045.html ), ShutDown NOW! ( www. dworld.de ) and ShutDownKing ("www.shutdownking.de/ english/ ). I have not tried them. You can also learn how to make your own shutdown button very easily at the PC Clinic at www.md4pc.com/questions/05.htm .
Defragging
When I run Defrag, I find it keeps restarting because "disk contents have changed". I was told that this could be cured by using Control-Alt-Delete to end all tasks except Explorer and Systray, but I still experience the problem with Defrag and Scandisk. I have Windows 98SE. Michael Ennals
michael@mjennals.icom43.net
JS: Your approach should work. Sometimes it doesn't.
The easiest way to run Scandisk is to go to Start|Shutdown and select Restart in MS-DOS Mode. Simply type Scandisk at the C:\WINDOWS> prompt.
To run Disk Defragmenter, either restart your PC in Safe Mode or try a "clean boot". Microsoft's help file describes both approaches in article Q186978 at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q186/9/78.asp
Anti-virus time
I have a 486 laptop running Windows 3.1 but it has no CD. Where can I get an anti-virus program for it? I also have a desktop PC with internet access so I could download a program that will fit on a floppy. Cowan Ervine
carol@ervine.freeuk.com
JS: I recommend Frisk Software's F-Prot for DOS, which is small and free for personal use. You can download a copy from www.complex.is/f-prot/Download.html (FP-Win costs $25 for one year's use). The file is too big for a floppy, but you can unzip it on your desktop PC before copying it. The most recent version was launched on January 18. Sign.def , the virus definition file, dated February 16, is only 830K.
You could copy large files to your laptop using a compression program that spans disks. For example, with WinZip 7, you can use Windows Explorer to create a new archive on a floppy, such as A:\massive.zip (or whatever). Use the mouse to drag and drop files into that. When the floppy is full, WinZip will ask for another. However, you cannot do this with an existing zip file, and you cannot remove files once the archive occupies more than one disk.
Before scanning for viruses, you should boot your PC from a write-protected floppy disk that is known to be virus-free. This could be the Windows Startup Disk created when the operating system was installed, or the one you made as soon as you got your new PC.
To make one, go to Start|Settings|Control Panel and double-click the icon for Add/Remove Programs. Click on the tab for Startup Disk, then click the button labelled Create Disk.
Capitals offence
My version of Microsoft Word gives me a capital at the beginning of a line when it is not wanted. How can I eliminate it? Eric Liggett
eliggett@onetel.net.uk
JS: That is Intellisense being helpful. Go to Tools|AutoCorrect and untick the box that says Capitalize first letter of sentences. Clicking on tabs such as AutoText and AutoFormat As You Type will let you disable other annoying functions.
Which OS?
I'm thinking of buying a computer to replace my Windows 95 machine. I would like to be able to use the printer, scanner, Zip drive and favourite old games I own. Should I choose Windows ME or Windows 2000? I've checked various manufacturers' web sites and all provide Windows 2000 drivers for the hardware I want to use, but not all offer drivers specifically for Windows ME. Chris Doncaster
christopher.doncaster@ntlworld.com
JS: Windows 2000 is a far better operating system but it was not designed for home users. Having tried the upgrades, I'm sticking with Windows 98SE with IE5 and Windows Media Player 6.4 until Windows XP (eXPerience) is launched, possibly in September. XP is Windows 2000 for consumers, and has a "cool" new interface. See www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_luna.asp.
Cold comfort
My 233MHz PC used to work superbly. Recently, however, it seems to suffer from the cold and appears to need warming up to function properly. After starting up it runs for about two minutes and then freezes. It needs another two or three stop-starts before it gets into its stride and works perfectly. Is it just getting old, like me? Will it be better in the summer? Keith Clark
Keith.S.Clark@ks2728.freeserve.co.uk
JS: I would guess the most likely cause is a loose connec tion. Take the lid off and make sure all the memory chips, expansion cards, cables and power plugs are securely plugged in. (Make sure the power is off, and that you are not carrying an electrostatic charge.) It might also be a cracked motherboard, or a faulty power supply, though the hardware geeks out there may have other suggestions. Temperature changes can create tiny differences that may have an effect, but I can't think of a simple way to isolate the problem.
Outlook poor
Where do I find Outlook, please? This is apparently required to synchronise my Psion Revo. Brian Casey
brigantia13@hotmail.com
JS: Outlook is the PIM (Personal Information Manager) included as part of Microsoft Office, and (says Microsoft) supplied with PocketPC handheld computers. It provides a calendar, addressbook, to-do list, email client and other functions. Many people have their data in Outlook and want to transfer it to their handheld, so synchronising with Outlook is important.
Psion does not provide it, though at least it now includes PsiWin, so you can back up your Revo to a Windows PC. If you feel the need to buy Outlook 2000, it is available separately for about £90. The Revo also synchs with, for example, Lotus Organizer.
