F.A.Q. (computer)

Q. My computer is running slower than it was when we bought it what could I do to speed it up ?
A. Your computer was running faster before because you had more free space in the hard drive. You can fix this by deleting file you no long need, or by putting more RAM in your computer. What RAM does is explained later on this page.

Q. What does HTML stand for ?
A. Hyper Text Mark-up Language.

Q. What does DOS stand for and used for ?
A. DOS stands for Disk Operating System. DOS is an old program, which was replaced by windows. DOS use to be the program that you did everything in. DOS isn't something to be scared of you should know the basics about it. If you have to ever call Tech support they will most likely take you in to DOS. Some basic DOS commands are:
deltree - this command is used to delete a file. You would use this like so: Say you want to delete a file called trash.txt, all you would have to do is go to the DOS prompt (looks like C:\> or c:\windows>) and enter: deltree trash.txt Then press enter.
cd - cd stands for change directory. To go from c:\> to c:\windows> all you have to do is enter in cd\windows and press enter.

c: - This is used to change drives. Say you want to go to you're A drive, all you have to do is enter in a: at the DOS prompt.

copy - Used for copying files. Type the name of the file you want copyed and then where to. Like this: copy trash.txt c:\windows

dir - used to display what is in that directory. The dir command also can list things in alphabetical order, a page at a time or across the screen instead of down it. To do this add a slash (/) and then, o for alphabetical order, p to list it one page at a time, or w to list the page width ways (That's where the w comes from, it means across the page).

diskcopy - diskcopy is used to copy one disk one to another. To use this command all you do is type in diskcopy a: a: at the c: prompt.

Q. What does http stand for ?
A. Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.

Q. What does ftp stand for ?
A. File Transfer Protocol

Q. How do I install a scanner ?
A. There are two ways of installing a scanner. The first way is to hook the scanner up to your computer and then double click on My Computer, then double click on Control Panel, then double click on Add New Hardware. Next you can either choose the scanner from the list of hardware or do what windows and I recommend let windows search for your new hardware. The second way to do it is if your scanner came with a disk, open up the disk and use the setup program and it will install it their for you.

Q. What is a hard drive ?
 

Q. How can I create more hard drive space ?
A. To create more space on your hard, go to your windows folder and then to the directory temp. 

Q. Does the CD drive speed really matter ?
A. No not really. Once you reach 20 speed it is really just pointless.

Q. What does RAM stand for ?
A. RAM stands for Random Accessed Memory.

Q. I installed one RAM chip how come it is not working ?
A. The reason it probly isn't working is because you have a Pentium. The Pentium board's RAM works in pairs, so you have to install two RAM chips to get them to work.

Q. I installed RAM how can I tell that it is working ?
A. When you start your computer it displays a something called a RAM test (it looks like scrolling numbers). The first two numbers are the number of RAM you have, unless you have more than one hundred MB of RAM then it is the first three numbers.

Q. What is hyperterminal used for ?
A. Hyperterminal has been around for along time. It was the original internet. Now their is no need to use it except if you get Suffolk net or another ISP which uses UNIX.

Q. How do I set up Suffolk net (and other free service's) ?
A. Suffolk net comes with a book which gives you your local access phone number, and your user name and password. To use Suffolk net click on the Start button(bottom left-hand side of the screen on the taskbar), go to programs, the accessories then look for the Hyperterminal folder. Run hypertrm.exe and enter in the infomation you have from Suffolk net or any other free ISP.

Q. What does a 404 error mean ?
A. A 404 error means that the server or the page is down. Down means that the page or server isn't working at the momment.

Q. When I switch disks in the A drive it still shows what was on my old disk how do I see the new disk ?
A. What is going on is that it is displaying the old disk because it still thinks it is in the computer. To fix that all you have to do is click on veiw on the top of the folder and then go down towards the bottom and click refresh.

Q. I want to make my own website how would I go about doing that ?
A. Their are many ways to make your own website. Most ISPs offer free webpages to their members. Then their are places like Geocities, Fortunecity, Tripod and Angelfire that offer free sites to anyone who wants one (their are other free place to get sites but those are the main ones). There are different reason to choose each place, somethings to look for are:

• If you don't know HTML if they provide a good means of creating your page.
• The amount of room each site gives you. 
• What you are allowed to have on your page. 
• If they provide a free E-mail address. 
• What different add ons they provide for your site (Like Java script, Java classes, page counters, ect.) 

Q. How do I get an image from a magizine to my computer ?
A. To get a image from a magizine to your computer you have to use a scanner. It isn't really worth buying a scanner if you only need one or two photos scaned. My suggestion is to find someone with a scanner, and ask them to scan the image in for you.

Q. I want to learn HTML where can I learn it from ?
A. There are many place to learn HTML. Most of the time you can learn HTML right from the the place where you have your website.

Q. What is Java ?
A. Java is an extension of HTML. There are two kinds of Java, scripts and classes. A java script replaces something called a CGI script. A java script is mostly used to make forms on a webpage. Java classes are like little programs. You enter in a command and it doe the command to what you choose it to do it to.

Q. What is the difference between a Trojan, a virus, and a worm ?
A. A trojan is a file which has a different file hidden inside of it, usally a virus. A virus is a program created to cause dammage to someone's computer by damaging important files need to run the computer. A worm is a file which slowly eats up files and memory until there is nothing left.

Q. All my friends use Instant Messaging Services, and I don't. Is there a way I can talk to them ?
A. You can use MSN, Yahoo Messenger (YM), and AOL Instant Messenger.

Q. I am looking into buying a computer, should I buy a Mac ?
A. If you are looking a good computer for graphics then a Mac would be a wonderful choice. In any other case you might be better off with a different computer.

Q. What virus protection software is the best ?
A. My personsel favorite is MacAfee. Another good virus protection software would be Norton Anti-Virus. Both of these programs put up a virus "wall". This "wall" stops a virus from being run and downloaded.

Q. Do I need virus protection software ?
A. Anyone who uses the internet should definately invest in some type of virus protection for their computer. It is always a good thing to have virus protection. Someone could have a virus and not know it, and accidently give it to you.

Q. What is pirated software ?
A. Software that is distributed without the knowledge and/or permission of the company that legally produces it. Pirated software is usually cheater than the real stuff but it also is the best way to get a virus on your computer.

Q. How can I make my own games or software ?
A. If you wish to create your own programs you should take courses involving computer programing (C or C++ are the main languages)

Q. What is an ISP ?
A. ISP stands for Internet Service Provider.

Q. What is UNIX ?
A. UNIX is DOS program for the internet. Their are no graphics or icons just text commands.

Q. What is an IP address and how do I find out what mine is ?
A. IP stands for Internet Provider. You can use an IP address to find out if someone is on-line by pinging them. To ping someone all you have to do is go to the MS-Dos prompt and type: ping IP IP stands for the person's IP address.(NF)

Q. What is SPAM ?
A. SPAM is a term used to describe any junk e-mail.

>Q. What is the difference between Shareware and Freeware ?
A. Freeware is software that is given away for free, but the only request they ask is that they receive credit for the program. Shareware is software that you can use for free, but they have things called "nag screens" and/or you can't use all of the options until you regester. A "nag screen". Once you regester the software it is now completly usable and no long has the "nag screen".

Q. What is a hacker ?
A.  Eric Raymond, compiler of The New Hacker's Dictionary, defines a hacker as a clever programmer. A "good
hack" is a clever solution to a programming problem and "hacking" is the act of doing it.

Journalists or their editors almost universally use hacker to mean someone who attempts to break into computer systems. Typically, this
kind of hacker would be a proficient programmer or engineer with sufficient technical knowledge to understand the weak points in a security
system. A cracker is someone who breaks into someone else's computer system, often on a network; bypasses passwords or
licenses in computer programs; or in other ways intentionally breaches computer security. A cracker can be doing this
for profit, maliciously, for some altruistic purpose or cause, or because the challenge is there. Some breaking-and-entering has been done ostensibly to point out weaknesses in a site's security system.

Q. Is buying items off the Internet with a credit card really safe ?
A. Buying stuff over the internet is pretty safe, as long as you follow a few rules. The first thing your should never do is to give your credit card number to someone in a chatroom, through E-mail, or Instant Messages. Next only give your credit card number to a trusted site through the form they provide. The reason you do this is because then the number is encrypted where it changed into a code and send to the site where it will be decoded.

Q. What is encrypting, and when should I use it ?
A. Encrypting is used when you have to send information to a site or another person and if it is intercepted it can't be read(example: credit cards, address, private messages, ect.). When you encrypt something you take it and put it into a special code which the person receiving the message then decodes(kind of like when you were a little kid and would write messages to your friend in the OP langage or pig latin).

Q. Is there a way I can check my E-mail from a different computer then mine ?
A. It depends where you get your e-mail from.   If you have AOL you can go to there site now and read your e-mail there.  You can also get a free E-mail service like Hotmail, Yahoo!, etc.  Those can be checked anywhere, and come with some good features.

Q. How come when I send E-mail to my friend I get a message that says it wasn't sent ?
A. The reason you most likly are getting this message is because you have entered in the wrong E-mail address. Check the E-mail address again, then try resending it. Make sure any letters that should be capitilized are capitilized. If those things don't work the person most likly gave you the wrong address.