February 18, 2006

Installing Win XP

question: I have a 20GB hard disk with three partitions. I want to install Win XP on one of the partitions through the hard disk. I have already copied the entire CD of Win XP onto my D partition in the Win XP folder. How can I install it from there?
Izharul Haq
< izharulhaq2001@yahoo.com >

editor’s reply: The same rules apply for installing from a hard disk as from installing from a CD ROM. Double-click “Set-up” or search for “WinNT32” file and double-click it. Installation will begin.

However, unless you have valid reasons, it is recommended that you install from the CD only, since the Win XP folders also contain many hidden files. And unless you have copied them all, installation will not be successful.

Downloading game

I have a P4 with Windows XP Professional Service Pack2. The problem is that I am not able to download the online MSN game Bespelled. It works all right until the last page, after which it keeps on displaying the advertisement banners and this message: “Loading Bespelled now.... Thanks for your patience.” At the bottom of the page following statement is displayed: “Applet Applet Notinited”.

Zahid Amin
< mzamin@yahoo.com >

Try downloading the latest JRE (Java Runtime Environment) from . Also ensure that you are not accessing this game from a cable connection.

Language barrier

I own a Hitachi Flora 310 DL6 computer with 450Mhz processor and an Acer V66LT motherboard. When I begin working on the system it says, “BIOS Update Code miss-match.” I tried to find the updated version on the internet, but the sites are in Japanese. Where else can I find the updates?

Abdullah
< abullahtariq80@yahoo.com >

Please download the google bar from . Whenever you get a page in Japanese, you can use the “Translate into English” feature to translate the page from Japanese to English.

Website problems

I cannot open two or more websites at the same time. The system says there isn’t enough memory. How do I solve this problem?

Salman Ali
< roomitall@yahoo.com >

I suggest that you switch to Firefox, which you can download from . Alter-natively, you can upgrade your system.

Installing XP

I want to install the latest Win XP with Service Pack1 and 2. Can I do it without damaging the data on my hard disk? What is the best way to go about it?

Abdul Rauf
< raufabdl@super.net.pk >

1. Start your computer.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD in your computer’s CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
3. On the ‘Welcome to Micro- soft Windows XP’ page, click ‘Install Windows XP’.
4. On the ‘Welcome to Win- dows Setup’ page, click ‘Upgrade (Recommended)’ in the ‘Installation Type’ box (if it is not already selected) and then click ‘Next’.
5. On the ‘Licence Agreement’ page, click ‘I accept this agreement’, and then click ‘Next’.
6. On the ‘Your Product Key’ page, type the 25-character product key in the product key boxes, and then click ‘Next’.
7. On the ‘Get Updated Setup Files’ page, select the option that you want, and then click ‘Next’.
8. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP with SP1 and 2.

Corrupted hard disk

My sister has a P3 with a 756Mhz processor and 128MB RAM. The person she bought it from installed two operation systems, Win 98 and Win XP. She also plays game CDs on the system, which has corrupted her XP. Now, despite reinstalling XP the screen flickers and sometimes the system freezes.

< elvismemphis@gmail.com >

Your system files have been corrupted and the damage may have spread to the partitions. I suggest that you do a complete reinstallation of Win XP after fully formating the system.

Accessing memory stick

I have a Kingston Data Traveller 2.0, but I am unable to access it. Does it require a driver? If yes, where can I find it on the internet?

Nehal Hasan

< nehal_hasan1@hotmail.com >

You will only require the drivers if you are using Win 98. Kingston works fine with Win XP. With Win 98, you will require the driver CD, which is available in our markets. You may also try and search for the product.

Repairing bad sectors

If a hard disk develops bad sectors, how can we detect them? That is, which software to use? Also, can we use Cmap to repair bad sectors?

Saba Bilwani

< saba_bilwani2003@yahoo.com >

The best software for bad sectors is none other than Window’s own ‘ScanDisk’ utility.

Select the hard disk you want to scan and click ‘properties’. In ‘Tools’ select ‘ScanDisk’ and check the ‘Thorough’ option. This will find and automatically mark the bad sectors on the hard disk.

However, bad sectors cannot be repaired. The software just tells the OS not to write data there. Hence, it is best to have a backup of the data and change your hard disk because your drive will eventually crash.

Outlook Express

I use the Outlook Express extensively, but lately I have noticed that it’s getting difficult to send email. Mind you, the system receives mails without a hitch. What could be the problem?
< saba_bilwani2003@yahoo.com>
Fahim Salim



Your SMTP server is probably set incorrectly. Call your ISP and ask them for the Mail Server Settings. In all probability the one you are using as an SMTP has been discontinued.