Inbox

By DON McALLISTER

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

Q. Allan has heard about software and hardware modems. "What's the difference?" he asks.

A. Essentially, it's how they crunch their numbers when converting the data for your phone line, Allan. Most current internal modems (those in your computer box) are software modems which use the computer to do their calculations.

Hardware modems crunch those numbers with their own internal chip.

Some experts claim software modems are inferior, but in practice they work fine for the average user and are very good value for money, as long as your computer is of reasonable specifications.

One exception is over bad phone lines. Most rural modems are of the hardware type, and are designed to handle bad lines better than the cheaper brands. The downside is the extra expense.

Q. Barry has a new scanner capable of turning his large collection of slides and photos into computer images. "What should I use to convert these files to a universally readable format?" he asks.

A. There are too many options to list, Barry. Your best bet is to look for software able to create Video CD files, because these are readable by most computers and DVD players.

Search Tucows Downloads for "Photo album VCD" to find 14 pages of demoware, shareware and freeware. This way you can try before you buy.

Count the cows to find the best selections.

Q. "Invalid Backweb Application". Lynda receives this message every time she starts her computer.

A. This is an auto-update system used by Compaq, HP and McAfee to name a few. The home web site is Backweb
.

It often does not appear in Add/Remove programs, and may be removable only by rerunning setup for the program that installed it.

Or you can try Start/Run and type in msconfig. Hit enter. Under the startup tab is a list of programs that start with Windows.

Identify the offender and take the tick away from it. Now it won't start with Windows and the message will be gone.


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