Along with questions, comments and suggestions, you can now write in with your computer-related problems to TechTalk. Be sure to include the configuration of your PC and be specific about the problem. Write to techtalk@abpmail.comThanks for writing in. Here are solutions to some of your computer-related problems.

Puspen Haldar: I have an assembled PC with Celeron 1.7 GHz processor, Gigabyte Technology motherboard, 128 MB DDR RAM, 40 GB HDD, 52X CD ROM and running Windows XP Professional. My PC is nearly 14 months old. For the past two weeks, whenever I start the PC, a message is displayed during POST: ?CMOS checksum error-Defaults loaded Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter setup/Q-Flash?. On pressing F1, the computer starts normally and I don?t encounter any problem. But after restarting, the message is displayed again. This time, instead of pressing F1, when I enter CMOS setup, I find that the boot sequence has changed automatically from ?HDD-0, CD ROM, Floppy? to ?Floppy, HDD-0, CD ROM?. I have to change the sequence and save it. After exiting setup, the computer starts normally and the message is not displayed. The problem recurs. My SMPS was damaged twice recently.

TechTalk: A checksum is computed as an error-detecting code to protect the BIOS settings stored in the CMOS memory. Each time the system is booted, this number is recomputed and is checked against the stored value. If they do not match, an error message is generated indicating CMOS memory contents may have been corrupted. Your problem may be due to a weak CMOS battery, in which case you need to get it replaced. A virus that?s changing the CMOS settings, may also be the cause. Do a thorough check-up with an antivirus. For the frequent SMPS damage, check the input AC Voltage and the ?earthing? of your electricity distribution.

Ashis Biswas: I have a PC with PIII, 36 MB RAM, 10.2 GB HDD, 15-inch Samsung monitor and Windows XP. Two days ago it was displaying the message ?no sound card installed?. Now it is not booting. What do I do?

TechTalk: You have not mentioned your problem in detail. The two problems may not be related. Please check a few things before you can come to a conclusion. Is the PC receiving proper AC Voltage? Is the PC doing the Power On Self Test (POST)? Is the memory check being done and the hard disk detected during POST? Are all the CMOS settings correct? Is the boot sequence in CMOS setup correct (hard disk followed by floppy or CD)? If all these are OK, then the problem must be with the operating system.

Jeet Roy: I own a PC with Intel 1.3 GHz Celeron processor and 128 MB RAM on which Windows 98 is installed. Since purchase, I?m facing several problems. The CDROM drive was not working, and now the PC is not booting. I also discovered that my vendor has actually given me 64 MB RAM. He is now avoiding me whenever I?m trying to contact him. What do I do?

TechTalk: It seems you have been a victim of a dishonest computer vendor. You can?t approach manufacturing company directly since your PC is assembled. You can get in touch with reputed computer showrooms and ask them for repair options. You may have to get into an annual maintenance scheme, but it will ensure your peace of mind for the future. To avoid such a situation, remember to crosscheck your vendor?s credentials before buying.

Sumit Paul: I want to know about free downloadable sound sample websites and how I can download them. Also, what is the function of karaoke software ? is it a free download?

TechTalk: There are many websites from which you can download free sound samples. Some, like www.soundcentral.com, allow you to download free samples of different instruments. You can find out about other websites through search engines like Google and Altavista. Many of the websites will ask you to register first and then allow download.

Karaoke software helps you to sing along with Karaoke files. Like your MP3 players, you can set up playlist, edit karaoke files or customise a karaoke session. There are different Karaoke software available on the Internet. Some of them are free.

Suman Rana: My configuration is: Mercury motherboard, PIII 1.13 GHz processor, 192 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD. For the past one month, while booting, I get the following massage: ?Pri master: qp100-12 Samsung sv4002h ultra DMA mode-5, S.M.A.R.T. capable but disabled, CMOS setting wrong CMOS/GPNV checksum bad, press F1 to run setup press F2 to load default values and continue. After changing S.M.A.R.T. enable, I get the message ?CPU has changed, press any key to enter setup.

TechTalk: It may be just a coincidence that you encountered the error after you enabled S.M.A.R.T. for your hard disk. There is no relation between the two. Try to load the default CMOS settings first. If it doesn't work then you may have to change your CMOS battery.

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Tuhin Mitra: My two-year old PC has the following configuration: Intel Celeron 1.10A GHz processor, 128 MB SD RAM, 40 GB HDD, Mercury 810e2 TFST motherboard, 52X CDROM, 600VA Microtek UPS. When I bought it; there were two types of Celeron processors available. One, the Celeron 1.1 Ghz and the other Celeron 1.10A GHz. I chose the latter. I want to know the difference between the two. Also, I want to upgrade to 256 MB DDR RAM, but my motherboard doesn?t support DDR RAM. I was also told that changing the motherboard wouldn?t help because my processor wouldn?t fit in current motherboards. Please suggest a way out.

TechTalk: There are architectural differences between Celeron 1.1 and 1.1 A. Celeron 1.1 has the Coppermine based 0.18 micron core whereas Celeron 1.1A has Tualatin based 0.13 micron core. ?A? denotes Tualatin. The maximum temperature of Celeron 1.1 is 77 degree Celsius and the power is 33.0 Watts. For Celeron 1.1A the maximum temperature is 69 degree Celsius and the power is 28.9 Watts. The core voltage of Celeron 1.1 is 1.75 Volt and Celeron 1.1A is 1.48 Volt. For the second problem, there seems no way out. You might have to change the whole setup, but if you only want to a memory increase, look for SD RAM.

P.K. Basu: I have an assembled PC with Celeron 1 GHz Intel processor, 128 MB RAM and 40 GB HDD. Windows 98 and Windows 2000 Server are loaded. While Defragmenting drive C, after completing 10% it repeatedly shows ?Drives contents changed...Restarting?. I also have huge number of files in the Temporary Internet Files folder. Can these be deleted? Further, by removing a particular program using Add/Remove programs, do all the files actually get deleted? If not, how do I remove unnecessary files?

TechTalk: Usually, the error message ?Drives contents changed? is shown when you try to run Defrag while the anti-virus or screen saver is running. Select ?None? for your screensaver menu, disable the antivirus program and then try Defrag. If it still doesn?t work, boot your system in Safe mode and run Defrag. The Temporary Internet files can be deleted safely.

The answer to the last question depends on the program you want to uninstal. A good uninstaller program should remove all the components, including the registry entry. But some uninstallers don?t clear all files. If you know the location of these files or registry entries, you may try to delete them manually.