Software

Infopackets Reader Wayne M. writes: " Dear Dennis, My question is regarding the two types of the Outlook program that come with Windows (Outlook and Outlook Express). Outlook Express comes with Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook comes with MS ... Office. What I would like to know is how can I make it so that I only have one on my system? It becomes very confusing with two of them. I have found that when installing MS Office, it asks to configure MS Outlook but does not transfer emails or address over from Outlook Express. I have to setup a computer for some friends who are very new to ... (view more)

I recently received a question from a fellow Infopackets Reader, R. Barnes. He writes: " Great newsletter as always. I was wondering if you could explain the new AMD processor speed ratings. I've seen them in mail order catalog and TV, but haven't ... heard an explanation of their '2200+' statements. I would assume that it is indeed the speed of their processor but how are they in relationship with say a 1.2 GHz Athlon processor, or even a Pentium 4 1.3GHz? " That's a good question. The speed rating that AMD is using for its new line of XP processors represents their new " ... (view more)

You must be wondering: why is the Infopackets Gazette being sent out on a Sunday? In short, I've decided to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. First of all, I'm going on a small vacation. So, I won't be here to send out the newsletter on ... Tuesday -- so that's why I've decided to send it out Sunday instead of Tuesday. Secondly, I received a lot of feedback regarding my Visitor Feedback suggestion to Judy W. in the last newsletter . Many of you wrote in and asked me if I was crazy for suggesting that she purchase a special adapter for her old and ailing Pentium-1 system instead of ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Judy W. asks, " Is there a way to upgrade my old Pentium-1 computer with a motherboard or a new processor chip? I really like this computer, but I need something faster so that I can use my digital camera. " My Response: It may be ... possible to get an adapter for your motherboard to make it run (at most) 500 MHz. Your CPU is most likely a Socket-7 type motherboard, so I'm pretty sure you can use this adapter: http://www.powerleap.com/Products/k6iii.htm I'd advise you get at least 128 meg of RAM with your upgrade -- but most likely you're using 72 pin SIMM RAM or ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Darren B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I was just reading your latest newsletter regarding computer internet security. I would be interested to know what you think of using the Windows hosts file as an ad-tracking blocking method. A ... pre-compiled hosts file of this type can be found at smartin-designs.com . To me, this is a much better method of blocking tracking than having ad blocking software using additional resources. You may also wish to make your readers aware of myiebrowser . It uses the IE engine, so it is a small download, and includes tabbed browsing, a pop-up ... (view more)

Have you ever wondered where you are connected to when you're visiting a web site? Believe it or not, every web site in cyberspace resides on a computer which is physically located somewhere in the world. Each server is "hosted" by a company which ... dictates the configuration of each server, such as: how many web sites reside on each web server, server-to-Internet connection speed, how much information can be transferred per site per month (also known as bandwidth limitations), and the like. Different web-hosting packages are offered by different web-hosting companies and define the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Annette K. writes: " I think I am going to get another replacement computer from Hewlett Packard. This computer is starting to make noises, and I get error messages in Internet Explorer all the time. Since the warranty expires on ... the 31st of this month, I am going to do this soon. My question is this: Can I take my whole hard drive, just as it is, copy it onto a zip disk and then reinstall it all on the new case? Or do I just take everything but what is in the Windows folder? If not, can you tell me how I can take everything I have right now, just as it is, and save it ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Fred B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I have a PIII 933 mhz with various softwares installed. Scandisk cannot complete because it keeps resetting while checking file folders. I am told something is activating and causing the reset. Can ... you shed some light? " My response: Scandisk keeps resetting because Windows is constantly performing background tasks that you are unaware of. Try this: Before the Windows splash screen appears (just as your computer starts to boot), keep hitting F8 on your keyboard repeatedly. You'll get a menu if you pressed F8 before the splash screen ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Jayne T. writes: " Dear Dennis, I have a marvelous new computer and I have transferred everything onto my new machine but I cannot get to my e-mail address book contents and save and replace them in my new identical software. Do ... you have any idea how I can do this? I am running on Windows 98SE and Outlook Express 5. I have tried to save the information as a Word document and import it. I have saved the file via Explorer and all it saves is the empty address book software. I have also tried to send them as an e-mail document but once received I cannot activate the ... (view more)