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Byteback
The article “Can embryo destruction for research be justified” (May 15 issue) was very informative and interesting.
I would like to add that on May 19 the official opening of the world’s first embryonic stem cell bank (see page 10 of this issue — Editor) was to take place at the King’s College, London, from where researcher can get stem cells for further exploration. Stem cells offer hope of new ways to repair and replace diseased and damaged body tissues. This potentially revolutionary research could benefit thousands of patients in Pakistan. Last year, in December, a successful transplantation of stem cell has been carried out on a patient at the Gambat Hospital, Khairpur, with the help of a UK-based institute. This was the first important step towards the use of biotechnology tools in health sector in our country’s history.
Hepatitis B and C are global health problems with 350 million people being carriers of Hepatitis-B. The number of Hepatitis B carriers in Pakistan is estimated at around 15 million which means every tenth person here is the carrier of this disease. With the help of stem cells the damaged liver may be repaired. Similarly, myocardial infarction can be treated with this technique at an economical cost.
However; there is need to understand exactly how stem cells work and how their potential can be harnessed.
Ijaz Ahmad Rao
Bahawalpur
Azo dyes
The first sentence of the article “Phasing out azodyes with indigo cultivation” (May 22 issue) says: “Dyes which contain free heavy metal ions are classified as azodyes.”
The statement is incorrect, to say the least. The classification is on the basis of the presence of azo group (-N=N-) in its molcule. All azo dyes contain the azo chromophore(s).
Dyes with one azo chromophore are called monoazo dyes, or just azo dyes.
Those with two azo chromophores are called disazo dyes, with three azo chromophores are called trisazo dyes, and the ones withwith four azo chromophores are called tetrakisazo dyes.
A Reader
MBR error
When I try to format my hard disk, I get a message which reads as MBR error. I have tried using disk utilities, such as “Partition Magic 7.0” and “DM2000” but none worked. What should I do?
Abdus Samad
Abbottabad
Editor’s reply: The Master Boot Record (MBR) is created when you create the first partition on the hard disk. It contains information about the partition table for the disk and a small executable code for disk booting. The location is always the first sector on the disk. The first 446 (0x1BE) bytes are MBR itself, the next 64 bytes are the partition table, the last two bytes are a signature word for the sector and are always 0x55AA.
The simplest way to repair or re-create MBR is to run Microsoft’s standard utility, “Fdisk” with a parametre /MBR, as:
a:\> fdisk.exe/mbr
FDISK is included in DOS, Windows 95, 98, ME. Boot from startup floppy disks or CD-ROM and go into Command prompt in Pre-2k OSes or choose repair option during startup in Nt/Xp/2K, and run Recovery console. When logged on, you can run “fixmbr” command to fix it MBR. Make sure to back up important data.
If this doesn’t work, recreate your partition tables by deleting the existing partitions with the Fdisk utility. Type fdisk /help for help with using the utility.
Scandisk restarts
I have Windows98 OS installed on the drive C. When I run “scandisk” to check the C drive for errors, it keeps restarting, while it scans the other drives without any problem. What could be the problem?
Zaid Ali Shah
Editor’s reply: Try defragmenting your drive first. Go into “My Computer,” right click on C:\ and then properties and then under tools click Defragment now. This will take a long time, so you will have to be patient and do not cancel it until finished. Afterwards, re-scan.
No ‘Task Manager’
While using WindowsXP when I press “Ctrl+Alt+Del” it doesn’t show the “Task Manager,” rather I get an message which says, Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator. How can I solve this problem?
Kashif Hussian
Editor’s reply: There can be two reasons for this problem. The first is that you’re not using an antivirus software, and thus have been infected with either spyware or a virus. Get the latest antivirus and scan your system. Also, download adaware (www.download.com) and scan your system with that software too.
2. Log in as Administrator (by pressing “Ctrl+Alt+Del” twice on Login, and log into your system. Go into “User Accounts” and then after clicking on your user name click “Change Account Type.” Select “Computer Administrator.” and press “Ok.” That should solve the problem.
Outlook ordeals
I am finding it difficult send emails from Outlook Express. Whenever I try to compose email and click “Send” the message goes to “Outbox.” On opening the mail I find a highlighted message which reads as: “this messege has not been sent.” How can I fix this problem?
Tariq Khan
Karachi
Editor’s reply: It appears that the email client is not properly configured with the Pop and SMTP addresses. Also, sometimes you need to authenticate your SMTP account which can be found in More settings> My SMTP Server Requires Authentication. Ensure that it is not the case with your ISP.
Check configuration of the Outlook Express: go to Tools> Accounts> Mail> Add New Account> Fill in Display Information, get the SMTP and POP servers of the ISP you connect to.
3D graphics card
I want to buy a 3D card within Rs6,000. I have two options: Geforce4FX 128mb (Rs5000) or Geforce4MX 64MB (Rs4000). Which one is good for games such as nfs or Max Pyane 2.
Muhammad Omar
Multan
Editor’s reply: The MX cards are the lowest range of GeForce and are meant for casual gamers. They don’t have even half the features that a FX card has. You better go for the FX. More RAM is always good; though not always required. In your case, 512MB would be ideal.
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