InBox

By DON McALLISTER

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


Q: Kelly receives this error message since installing Win XP service pack 2: "Could not find the file swflash.ocx". Any ideas how I can get rid of it?

A: The version of Shockwave player you are running is probably incompatible with XPSP2, Kelly. Download the latest version at Macromedia

Q: "I connect to the internet through a home network hub and an ADSL modem and I have two possibly unrelated problems," writes Derek.

1) While browsing web pages a pop-up box tells me that I can't access a particular page because I am offline, followed by another box inviting me to connect via dial-up. The only solution I have found is re-booting.

2) Sometimes something fills my entire memory (512 Mb RAM) so I can no longer copy and paste. Again the only solution I have found is re-booting.

A: Immediately virus scan your hard-drive, Derek. It sounds like a virus and a rogue dialler in combo. (Many internal modem users don't see the machine re-connect to a 0900 number or worse, to an overseas pay-per-dial number.) Yes, the two are probably related as some diallers enter via a virus and that virus may be multiplying, chewing up machine resources.

Q: "I'm sick of spanning floppies to save data and intend to buy a larger portable system. What media is seen as the best these days?" asks Jared.

A: Depending on your data movement size needs, Jared, the best option is a DVD writer. Most will also write ordinary CDs. A DVD disk holds 4.7GB of data, a huge amount of portable storage that can be easily transported from one computer to another. Prices seem to drop each month and are as low as $133.88 including GST (QMB)

Home theatre is now committed to the DVD technology, so it should be around for a few years yet.



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