Video conversion

QI have a Samsung YP-S3 MP3 player. The problem is that when I try to convert MPG files into SVI files using the Samsung media studio, a window appears for the conversion but the conversions does not starts and closes after some time. I downloaded the required codec but it did not fix the problem either. What should I do now?

ATry installing ffdshow and then attempt to transfer. The most recent version of the software can be found at 
http//sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow-tryout/
Also check if you have an older firmware in the player. That has been known to be buggy and causes transfer problems. The latest version is 1.11. See if you can find an update to the firmware on the Samsung`s site.

Best free OS

QA lot of people use pirated OS of Microsoft Windows in Pakistan, which includes me as well, I was wondering if there is any good and free alternative for this. I searched for a free OS but I could not find what I wanted. I know Linux is free but there are different versions or editions of Linux and I do not know which one has all the features of the latest Windows.

Please tell me about an OS which is free and which has all the features of any latest OS like, Windows Vista, or an OS which can be used freely instead of WinXP or Vista so that I can stop using pirated OS which gives me a guilty feeling.

AI think the best free OS in the world is the Linux desktop and it is exactly what you are looking for. However, the `flavour` that is suitable for you will be the one that is based on your needs and level of Linux expertise.

For what it is worth, here is what I would tell today for someone who wants a Windows replacement. For example, if you just want the basics, I recommend Xandros Inc.`s eponymous Xandros Desktop (http//www.xandros.com/products/business/dsk_professional.html). The Xandros line has been meant from the start to persuade Windows users to give Linux a try and is the closest to WinXP you are going to get with a
Linux system.

On the other hand, Xandros does not have a lot of ready-to-use software outside the basic package. So for those who want to try a lot of software but cannot tell an Apt-Get from an RPM file, than I would recommend trying out Linspire Inc.`s Linspire (http//www.linspire.com/).

Touting itself as the world`s easiest desktop Linux, Linspire is a good, solid Debian-based Linux, and like Xandros, it goes out of its way to be new-user friendly. Linspire out-does Xandros with its easy-to-use CNR (click and run) new software installation system. With CNR, anyone can install Linux programmes.

However, if you would like a distribution for users with a bit more experience, than Ubuntu, to me, is the best available desktop system. While I am not crazy about it as a server, it works well as a desktop. Also, I feel confident saying this because I am hardly the only one who likes it as a desktop. It is a leading choice in many surveys and, most pragmatically of all, it is almost always the most downloaded distribution.

There are a lot of reasons. Foremost, among them is that it is built upon the strong Debian distribution and its many available software packages. Unlike mainstream Debian, however, Ubuntu quickly adopts newer enhancements. This makes Ubuntu more of a cutting-edge distribution than many of the other Debians.

It also, in my experience, does an excellent job of making the most of the GNOME interface. While nothing equals the smooth integration of looks and functionality of Mac OS X`s interface, Ubuntu and GNOME come mighty darn close.

Some other good platforms you can explore are ajaxWindows (www.ajaxwindows.com) which is a virtual operating system (aka Web OS), it uses Asynchronous Java-Script and XML (AJAX) programming to mimic the look and feel of a Windows desktop in Firefox or IE. It stores files (using Gmail) and runs its own applications, plus web apps like Meebo and Google Maps. If you can launch a web browser, you can get work done through ajaxWindows.

Freespire 2.0 (www.freespire.org) is a community-driven OS based on Linspire (formerly Lindows)-a Linux distro that looks like Windows, with an emphasis on compatibility with other platforms.

gOS (www.thinkgos.com) is a Linux Ubuntu-based and powered by Google`s apps (just do not call it Google OS).

Virus in the USB

QMy system has got viruses so whenever I insert any USB, the viruses transfer into it as well, how can I get rid of theses viruses?

AFirst ensure that you have antivirus software like AVG / Kaspersky or NOD32 on your system and have installed COMODO Firewall (www.comodo.com). After this, type gpedit.msc in Run.

You will see the Group Policy window. Select Administrative Templates System in the tree view In the right side pane, search for the item called "Turn off Autoplay". Double click the item, and set the radio button to Enabled, and change the "Turn off Autoplay on" to All Drives.

Now you should be safe from the viruses running on autoplay.

Also download PrevX CSI (www.prevx.com) and run checkups on your system regularly via it.
An alternate Open Windows Explorer or press the Windows + “e” key.

Right-click the drive of the USB drive, then select Properties. Drive Properties will appear.
Select the AutoPlay tab.

Choose Select an Action to Perform

At the bottom of the selection, click Take no Action, then click Apply.
Click OK to exit Drive Properties.
Remember to unplug USBs and always ensure that you have removed the hardware properly.

AVG installation error

QI recently downloaded AVG Internet Security 8.0 Pro from the internet. However, my installation was interrupted with the following error Local machine installation failed Initialisation Error Registry value is not of a BINARY type.

I downloaded the programme again several times, but the result was the same. How can I resolve this problem?

AWhen you are attempting to install AVG 8.0, is there any other antivirus programme installed on the computer concerned? (This includes previous versions of AVG too.) If there are, download AVG again from and `save` it to your Desktop or another easily accessible location. When the download is complete; disconnect from the internet; remove all other instances of any AV programmes from your computer; find the downloaded AVG> Right Click it > Properties > “Unblock”

It is now ready for installation, so just follow the on-screen instructions. Prior to this, be sure to use CC leaner or any other like software to clear temp files and also run a registry scan and fix issues found through software (Google Registry Cleaner), also disable any security apps.

Please note DO NOT reconnect to the internet until the installation reboots the computer, also DO NOT have any third party firewalls on during this period.

Optical mouse undetected

QMy system is a P4, with 2.8 GHz, IBM board and 512 Ram. The performance is overall good and as far as I know it has not been affected by any virus. The problem is that when I start my PC it neither detects the optical mouse nor opens the drives. However, it does find them. What is the problem?

AThis sounds like a driver problem. Try updating the ones you have for your mouse by getting the latest version from the vendor`s site. 

High resolution gaming

QI have an Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 @ 2.66 GHz, 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300Gt graphic card, 2GB Kingston Ram (1+1), 160GB SATA hard drive on Intel DG33FB motherboard. The problem is that when I set some games (like DMC-4, Assassins Creed) to resolution 1024*768 or more, the games slow down and do not run smoothly, while on low resolution the games run smoothly but the graphics quality becomes very low. What should I do for these games to run smoothly?

AYour problem stems from the underlying architecture first. The motherboard you are using is from the `Classic` series of Intel which are only slightly better than the essential series. These boards are built to meet the needs of mainstream home and business users and at max will give you only DDR2 800/667 MHz SDRam even though it has a 1333MHz FSB. What you require first is a good gaming board. Some suggestions can be XFX 750i board (2 WAY SLi READY) or if you have the budgets than the D975XBX2 Extreme Edition boards which is ATI CrossFire technology ready enabling two ATI graphics cards to work together for ultimate 3D gaming performance and visual quality.

After which you will need to upgrade your Ram to Corsair from Kingston. I would recommend getting the CORSAIR 2GB DDRII-800 with DHX technology.

Thirdly, from a 7300 GT which clocks in at 500MHz on the core and 1400MHz on the memory and is a tremendous card for any entry-level or even low-budget system (not for what you are looking for) you should at the least aim for getting the 512MB 128BITS NVIDIA 9400GT. It will give you slightly more decent performance than you are getting.

To aim really high, get the 9800 GT. Your current card still counts in the budget GPU category and performs
accordingly, slowing down to around 15 FPS on most of these games you are running it on at 1024x768
resolution.

However, if you are already reeling at the thought of spending so much money, you can always get another 7300 GT card and use it in SLI mode on the new motherboard which supports SLI, which I do not believe yours is capable of doing.

So at least that will have to be changed first. Hope this answers your questions.