InBox

By DON McALLISTER

Welcome to InBox, where we attempt to answer your internet questions.


Q. Is it possible to mix and edit MP3 files? "I want to create a mix of parts of various MP3 songs for a birthday party," writes Don.

A. There are many mp3 editors available, Don. A good website to start your hunt is: Free Downloads Center

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Q. Alan has tried the built-in Outlook Express Mail, contacts and settings export facilities and is running into hassles importing it back into Outlook Express.

A. Yes, Alan, the dreaded import/export function is decidedly clunky to use. Here's an excellent program for backing up all files or just certain files from Outlook Express called OEHelp by Majik.

Best of all... it's donation-ware (you donate to the creator if you think it's worth it).

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Q. "Error 550 - Relaying not allowed" haunts Warren when trying to send email. "I recently changed to an Xtra dial-up, but still use my original address at Ihug. I haven't changed anything, yet the outward mail refuses to go. What am I doing wrong?"

A. Now that you dial through a different provider, the "Send-mail" (SMTP) server must match the dial-up provider, Warren. In OE/Tools/Accounts/Mail/Properties/Servers the POP server stays as it is, but change the SMTP server to: smtp.xtra.co.nz

Any SMTP server that allows outside connections is termed an "open relay server" and easy to abuse by spammers, therefore most providers now block mail from any open relay servers to eliminate this annoying internet abuse.

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Q. "I have a CD I created in my writer that has files on it plus a separate auto play program. It's annoying to place it in the CD to find this program tries to install as soon as it's inserted. I don't want to turn off auto play; only disable it for this specific CD," says Mark.

A. It's so simple it's ridiculous, Mark; try hitting shift when you insert the CD. This disables auto-play while the shift key is pressed, allowing it to be disabled for specific disks.


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