Aunty Virus 2nd August 2010
Alan via email asks:
Hi Aunty, I have recently had problems with download speed. I have a 4Mb/sec internet which normally is fine. Last week I bought some software to download but the download speed was at about 65Kb/sec so it took 2.5 hours to download. Is this normal or can I change the speed to be closer to the 4Mb/sec. I run Windows XP and have up-to-date f-secure anti virus so doubt a virus infection.
Aunty Says:
What you need to remember Alan is that this particular download speed will also depend on the connection at the other end, and a lot of sites will pre allocate smaller chunks of their bandwidth to guarantee everyone gets a reasonable speed. If you’re not sure that you are consistently getting your 4Mbps then have a quick check via www.speedtest.net.
What you need to remember Alan is that this particular download speed will also depend on the connection at the other end, and a lot of sites will pre allocate smaller chunks of their bandwidth to guarantee everyone gets a reasonable speed. If you’re not sure that you are consistently getting your 4Mbps then have a quick check via www.speedtest.net.
Vicky via email asks:
Hi Aunty, I need your invaluable help again please. I have XP Professional with Microsoft Office Word 2007. I want to know can I translate an email that’s in Spanish to English using the translator in Word. I have tried saving email then bringing it to Word but no go. Hope you can help.
Aunty Says:
The only way I know of doing this Vicky is to copy and paste the contents of the email into the Word document and go to ‘tools’ ‘language’ and ‘translate’ and use the panel that pops up on the left to choose the language etc. It worked like this in Office 2003 so unless Microsoft chose to completely omit it from 2007 it’s probably a similar method.
James via email asks:
Dear Aunty, once again I turn to you for sound advice. I have a second PC with XP and still use it now and again but it has taken over half an hour from start up just to get to this point! I keep receiving a McAfee promotion for a Registry Cleaner to speed up PCs but I know you have always been very critical of any such software. I am fairly confident that there are no viruses, so what is my best move to speed up a very slow PC?
Aunty Says:
Hello James. You are right to be cautious of any registry cleaners as they can cause more harm than good. Depending on your level of expertise and confidence you may get a result from using the msconfig utility that comes with Windows. I must warn you of the potential dangers of misusing msconfig, and if you’re not familiar with it then it may be better taking your machine in for a service.
Seamus from Ireland asks:
I really enjoy your column, a question, how good is inKline PC Booster 7? I carried out its test and it said my window freezes, slow boot up and crashes often, which is the truth. Is there any other software available to sort out these problems (maybe free software, or can you make a suggestion to help?
Aunty Says:
Aunty Says:
Hi Seamus. If version 5 was anything to go by then it’s a total rip off. There really is no easy quick fix to sort out a slow booting and crashing PC other than checking for virus and spyware with AVG, Malwarebytes and Superantispyware, and checking your startup programs with msconfig.
John via email asks:
Hi Aunty, I am looking for a free download that will automatically inform me of new email in my in-box as soon as I switch on my computer but before I go on-line. Is there such a thing? If so, what do you recommend?
Aunty Says:
As you are using Hotmail John then I’m sure there is a feature in the new Windows Live program from www.microsoft.com. I personally use a free Firefox add-on from www.mozilla.org (type Webmail Notifier into the search box) which works with pretty much all web based email.
Patricia via email asks:
Dear Aunty, If I have an email with an attachment that is a PDF File I am unable to open it. As I click to open it says "This file does not have a programme associated with it. Create an association in the Folder Options Control Panel" but I cannot find a Folder Options icon! I work with XP.
Aunty Says:
Probably the easiest way around this is to download the free Adobe Reader 9 from www.adobe.com as that is the program PDF files need to open. If you still need to go to the ‘Folder Options’ in control panel you will need to click on the ‘switch to classic view’ option in the left hand pane.