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Byteback
Repairing XP
QUESTION: I am using WinXP and Win98 with a 2.4GHz processor and 512MB RAM. When I shut down my computer in XP, the menu takes a long time to appear and it takes equally long for the system to shut down. I have scanned my computer with AVG, Bitdefender and SpyDoctor, checked my MSconfig file and used System Mechanic for cleaning my registry but the problem remains. How can I solve the problem?
Zeeshan Siddiqi
muhusidg@yahoo.com
EDITOR’S REPLY: I suggest that you repair your WinXP. Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS so the CD boots before the hard drive. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order. When you see the “Welcome to Setup” screen, you will see these options. This part of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer:
To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
Press Enter to start the Windows Setup. do not choose “To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R”, (you Do Not want to load Recovery Console).
Accept the Licence Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair.
Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.
CD problems
I have installed the game Need For Speed Most Wanted on my system. But each time I try to play the game, the system tells me to insert the correct CD in the CD/DVD ROM. I checked for cracks on the CD, but there were none. What could be the problem?
Ahmed Yousuf
ahmed_nav@hotmail.com
Please get another CD of the game. That might work.
Money matters
are you paid to read or visit sites. Do they really offer money? Are there any ways to make money from the internet?
Ayaz Ahmed
thefalcon2k3@hotmail.com
There are many websites that offer money for the time spent on the internet. However, these days most of these operations are turning into frauds, so you have to be careful which website you sign up with. Search on Google. You will find plenty of resources dealing with the topic and referencing good sites.
You can make money off the net, but again it is as hard (some say harder) as in the real world. There are associate programs, freelance jobs for writers, AdSense (per click advertising money) and many more programs, but as with everything else, it takes time and effort to make money off these resources.
Hard disk
I have a 40GB western digital hard disk. The problem is that when the system is working, I hear some noises from the hard disk. It then gets detected during the system startup after which it gives an error: “Primary master HDD error. Press F1 to resume.”
Waqas Haseeb
waqas.haseeb@gmail.com
If you hear noises in your hard disk than I suggest that you get your hard disk checked. The problem may lie in there. However, if the noises persist, then your hard disk is failing or has already failed.
In case your hard disk has failed, the only remedy is to get a new one. It is nearly impossible to repair hard disks.
Google Talk
Please give me some information about gmail messenger. How can I use it to talk to my friends?
M. Ibrahim Khan Dawar
ibrahim_2005_khan@yahoo.com
The software you are referring to without naming it is GoogleTalk. This enables you to call or send instant messages to your friends for free anytime, anywhere in the world over email, IM or a call. You can download it from http://www. google.com/talk/
Updating Windows
When I try to update my computer from the Microsoft Windows update site, it tells me that I am not using a valid product. What is the solution?
Danish Khan
dannyonnet@hotmail.com
There is no solution to this problem. Windows Validation is Microsoft’s new Anti-Piracy effort to only let genuine Windows users (those who have paid Microsoft and not a local CD vendor) to download their updates/new software. However, you can find the same software on local CDs or you can also search Google for other sites that host software like MSN Messenger.
Linux
Can you suggest websites from where I can download Linux books for free?
Babar Baig
babarbaig82@yahoo.com
Please visit www.linux.com. You will find as much help and documents on Linux as you can handle.
Dial-up error
When I try to connect to the internet through a dialup connection, an error appears saying “excessive line current, disconnect modem to avoid damage to it”. What could be the problem?
Uzair Aon
uzairaon@gmail.com
Make sure the telephone line is not in close contact with other electrical devices or power points. It is a good advice to avoid running phone cables parallel to power cables or power lines as this will cause excessive interference to your modem connection.
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