PC doctor

I have a program called GeoClock which has a BBS number for obtainingof an ageing Microwriter, and explains why not all hard drives can be compressed. updates in the USA. Can I get to this BBS via the Internet? I have only been surfing for a few months and although I learn things quickly, there is so much to learn that it can be rather confusing.

Dave Gibson,

D.R.Gibson@btinternet.com

The Bulletin Board System (BBS) is a hangover from the early days of computer communications. At its simplest, a BBS is a computer and modem that people can connect to with their computer and modem, to download files. Larger BBSs allow several users to connect at once and even communicate with each other with on-line 'chat'.

The downside with a BBS is cost of access. Since you're dialling directly into someone's computer, unless you live in the same area, your telephone call will be charged at a national or international rate.

Personal Web sites have more or less replaced the BBS but some of the latter are still running. Unfortunately, BBSs are completely separate from the Internet and cannot be accessed using it.

GeoClock does, however, have its own Web site at: www.clark.net/pub/bblake/geoclock from which you can download the program and updates. We found the site by doing a Web search and this should be the first step whenever you want to find anything on the Internet. PC doctor's favourite search site is www.search.com but there are many others.

I was interested to read your recent article on hard disk drive compression (October 1997), but when I tried it on my machine I got a message saying it was not possible to compress the drive because it had more than 500Mb of data on it. Does this mean disk compression is not available to me?

Mark Griffiths,

101476.1704@compuserve.com

Early versions of Windows 95 have a 500Mb size limit for hard drives that can be compressed with DriveSpace. The FAT16 filing system these versions use cannot manage any hard drive larger than 2Gb and to cut a very long story short, when a drive larger than 500Mb is compressed with DriveSpace, it would be larger than 2Gb.

The solution is to partition 500Mb into two 250Mb drives, each of which can then be compressed. The hard way of doing this is to use the Fdisk program to delete the original single partition, create two new ones and format both drives. This does, of course, erase any data stored on the drive. The easy way is to use a product like Quarterdeck's Partition-It.

For #39.95, it will split a drive into two or more partitions without losing any data.

Later releases of Windows 95 (95b or OSR2) use the FAT32 filing system, which can manage hard drives up to 4Gb. Sadly, Windows 95b is only available preinstalled on new PCs and FAT32 drives cannot be compressed with DriveSpace anyway.

Quarterdeck: 0645 123521

I use Windows 95 with Lotus Word Pro for letters and documents. I have a minor but irritating problem in that the font always defaults to Times New Roman, which I don't like.

I keep having to change the font to Courier, or whatever font I want to use at that particular time, and wonder if it's possible to change the default font that Word Pro uses?

Karen Armstrong,

karen.armstrong@virgin.net

You don't say which version of Word Pro you're using, so here's the way to do it in Word Pro 97.

1. Open a blank default document in Word Pro.

2. Right-click the mouse on the document and choose 'Text Properties' from the menu that appears.

3. Change the font and size (and any other text attributes).

4. Click the right-most tab marked with an 'S'.

5. Click the 'Redefine Style' button and then click the 'OK' button.

6. Choose 'Save As' from the File menu.

7. Change the 'Save as type' to 'Lotus Word Pro SmartMaster (*.MWP)'.

8. Change the 'Save in' folder to c:/lotus/smasters/wordpro (assuming Word Pro is installed on the C: drive).

9. Click the file called 'default.mwp' to select it then click 'Save'.

10. Click 'Yes' to overwrite the file then 'OK' to confirm the SmartMaster options.

You have just changed the default document style to the font you chose and any new documents of this type you create will reflect these changes.

I've had an AgendA Microwriter for several years and it's a great pity that the manufacturers have now gone out of business. Is there any way that I can still get hold of a replacement rechargeable battery for it?

Mark Edwards,

University of Greenwich, London

There are no longer any official suppliers for the AgendA Microwriter, nor for parts. However, Chris Rainey at Bellaire Electronics was involved in the design of the Microwriter and continues to supply batteries for it, as well as providing a limited repair service.

What's more, if you'd like to use Microwriting on your PC, then Bellaire has developed the CyKey. Costing #79.95, it's like a Microwriter keyboard but plugs into your keyboard socket. You can use your PC keyboard at the same time.

Bellaire Electronics can be contacted on 01271 24759, or at 4 Broadgate, Bellaire, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1QZ.

I've bought a Compaq Armada 4131T notebook PC second-hand. I'd like to expand its16Mb of RAM to 32Mb but I'm not sure what I should buy. I went to a local computer shop for some advice but the assistant wasn't sure what I needed either. He showed me some SIMMs and DIMMs (whatever they might be!) but they were much too big to fit into my Armada's socket.

What do I need and where can I get it from?

Rick Parfitt,

Finchley, London

Like most notebook PCs, Compaq's Armada range does not accept standard-size SIMMs (Single In-line Memory Modules) or DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules). Instead you have to buy memory modules that have been designed specifically for your system. You might be able to locate a supplier who will sell you a cheaper compatible module but the best way is to order the original, Compaq-designed one. Call Compaq's Customer Care line on 0845 270 4000 quoting part number 217915-001.

How can I get the full range of text colours I used to get in Microsoft Word before I turned to Office 97.

Cyril D Blount,

CyBlount@aol.com

Your letter doesn't make it clear as to what range of text colours you used to get in Word, but there is still a variety available in Word 97.

Choose Font from the Format menu in Word and you can use the Color drop-down list to change font colour.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed that my computer's clock is running slow. Although I have reset it to the correct time, it is losing about 10 minutes over the course of a fortnight. Should I be getting worried about this?

Dilip Varsani,

Wembley, Middlesex

The time on your PC, along with other details of your system's setup, is stored in an area of memory known as the CMOS. To prevent the details from being lost when you switch your machine off, the CMOS is powered by a battery. When the battery runs down, one of the first symptoms is a slow system clock, so you should replace it fairly soon.

Removing this battery may erase all the important system information held in the CMOS and so it's important to make a note of the settings in your PC's BIOS setup. When your computer boots up, you will see a message which says something like 'To enter setup press the Del key'. Do this and your BIOS setting will be displayed.

You now have access to a number of screens which record information about, for instance, your computer's hard disk. Take careful note of these details, paying particular attention to such things as the hard disk type and its formatting information (number of cylinders, heads and sectors). When this is done, make sure you exit the BIOS setup without saving.

You'll need to remove the PC's case to get at the battery and if your machine is relatively modern, you'll find a slim lithium watch-type battery somewhere on the motherboard. All you have to do is slip the battery from its holder and replace it with a new one of the same type. If your PC has an older motherboard, it may be trickier to find the battery and some are soldered in place. If this is the case, you may be better off asking your local computer shop for help.

With the new battery fitted it's time to enter your setup utility again and check that no system information has been lost. If it has been, all you have to do is type it in again exactly as you noted it down, then exit setup and save the settings.

The PC doctor regrets that he cannot provide readers with individual replies or answer queries over the telephone, but if you have a question or problem you want to share with other readers, write to PC doctor, What PC? Editorial, VNU House, 32-34 Broadwick Street, London W1A 2HG or e-mail whatpc@vnu.co.uk.

The writer of EVERY letter published will receive a FREE Microsoft IntelliMouse and a choice of Microsoft Bookshelf, Publisher 97 or Money 97. Please state which you would prefer.

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