By Randall Hull
Tech Talk
This column offers solutions to personal computer problems submitted by readers. Neither the author nor this newspaper endorses products or companies mentioned.
Q: I’m using Outlook Express with Windows 2000. I’ve tried to set up my e-mail accounts to remember my password. However, each time I open Outlook Express, it asks for my password. I’ve checked “Remember Password” in the setup and each time I open Outlook Express. Is there any way to correct this? -Will Straw, Los Altos.
A: The short answer is your Outlook Express password is not retained in Windows 2000 when retrieving e-mail messages from a Post Office Protocol (POP) server. Microsoft admits the cause is “incorrect information for the Protected Storage System Provider registry subkey for your account.” In order to get Win2K to save your password(s), you have to use the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) to back up your registry, remove the user account information and then re-enter your password(s). If that isn’t enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck, Microsoft offers this warning: “Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system.” Because this is a complex - and potentially devastating - process, I recommend reading and following the complete step-by-step resolution found at Microsoft.com/support. Look for article Q264672 in the Knowledge Base.
Q: With a summer promising more rolling blackouts, what should I do to avoid damage to my PC or loss of data when the power goes out?
A: If you have a laptop, you’re set. All you need is a good surge protector to block spikes when the power fluctuates. Look for surge protectors with a joule rating no lower than 400; 600 joules is best. But if you are using a desktop PC, you need to get an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). A UPS monitors your power line and switches to battery power when it detects an outage. These are commonly available in retail stores and start at about $150.
You need to choose a UPS with the right volt-ampere (VA) rating for your PC. The VA rating is the UPS’s output capacity. Take your CPU’s and monitor’s total wattage and multiply by 1.43 to get the VA rating. The typical desktop requires 200-300 VA which equals 15 to 20 minutes run time on the average UPS, enough time to save your work and shut down. A good quality UPS also includes a high joule-rated surge suppresser. The best brands to look for are APC, Belkin and TrippLite.
Please keep questions to 100 words or less. When describing the problem, be as specific and succinct as possible. Send to: Tech Talk, Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022 or e-mail: techtalk@latc.com.
Randall Hull is a Los Altos resident and owner of The Br@nd Ranch, an advertising and marketing agency.
