Q & A Committee: Charlie Le Ber and Tom Rosebush
Moderated by: George Chandler


  1. How can I repair scratch on the monitor?
    • Rub the scratch with a non-gel toothpaste then clean off with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.

  2. What is the advantage of having more than one monitor on a computer?
    • This allows you to have a website on your left screen with instructions and you can follow the instructions on your right screen. This speeds up your work.

  3. What security measures should you use when using a public computer?
    • We suggest you have your bank information on Roboform on a stick. The bank information downloads from the stick and does not leave any information behind. Also portable Thunderbird and portable CCleaner. To download 'Roboform to Go' and read instructions go here: Roboform
      Also, if you use a password on a site, they suggested you change the password when you return home. Banking passwords should be changed frequently.

  4. A member got an e-mail from the curling club but couldn't open the attachment. The message said to put in the original disk.
    • You may need to install another program so your computer can play or open the attachment. Ask the sender what they are sending you. Charlie saves email to his desktop and works on it there.

  5. How efficient is Antivirus from Sympatico?
    • Sympatico would use an AV program from another company. We do not know who supplies it. Charlie said most antivirus programs are in the high 90's - sees no perceptible difference in efficiency.

  6. When using AVG - what is the difference between "removing" and "delete"?
    • Removing will quarantine with the possibility of fixing later. Both Charlie and Tom suggest you "delete" any virus the program finds.

  7. How do you change the registered name on the computer?
    • Go to "Google" and type in "change name computer" for instructions. However, be sure you have a system restore done, and your information is backed up.
      You may be asked to change data in the registry. This can bring your PC down if you make a mistake. Tom said, "Google is a PC users best friend." Lots of good information there.

  8. What is a "username"?
    • Depends how it is used. A user may have a user account that identifies the user by a username.

  9. When traveling to the U.S. with a laptop, how do you connect to the internet?
    • You need a wireless connection. Member suggested AOL. Walmart sells cheap internet cards, as does Radio Shack. The diskette gives you an internet provider. A member suggested going to the library, they will have wireless.

  10. What is a net book?
    • Net books smaller and cheaper than notebooks. Usually they have a 10" display and USB ports, but no CD/DVD player. They are good for email and surfing.

  11. How do I clear the history from a public computer?
    • Need a portable version of CCleaner. Go to CCleaner and download a portable version.

  12. Can you use Google to get information on a "Quicken lost data" problem?
    • Charlie tried doing this. You get many pages of possibilities. Usually the best answers are on the first page."Bing" is also another good search engine. Unfortunately no good answer was found. Quicken support should be able to help.

  13. What is the difference between DSL and Broadband?
    • Broadband in telecommunications refers to a signalling method that handles a wider range (or band) of frequencies. DSL is one of them. It comes through the telephone lines and is good for 5 or 6 km. from distribution site. Carriers: Distributel, Bell, Net Reach, KOS, Primus, Telus. Cogeco Cable.

  14. If you only get dial up service would the Rogers stick work?
    • If you can get cell phone service where you live then the Rogers stick would work. Vista will broadcast, XP not sure if it will work. The speed is about 400KB.

  15. Why is the website screen sometimes opened up full size; sometimes not.
    • Charlie demonstrated how to expand the screen size. Restore down the screen by clicking on the two boxes between the red 'X' and the ' _ ' at the top right of your screen. You now have one box. Now click and hold the edges of the window and drag it to the edge of your screen.

  16. DVDs may play on one machine but not another. How to solve this?
    • You may have a faulty recording. Try copying the DVD on another computer and re-try. Some DVD players do not play all formats. You may need a new player. Which format is better: '+' or '-' ? '+' is used on more DVD players.
      If you want to keep something forever, we suggest you save it on a DVD. For backup put on an external hard drive or a CD. For photos, a member suggested that you print them. They will not be subject to media changes which occur often.

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