q+a I am currently using Windows XP Professional. My PC was infected with a virus (W32.Pinfi) which I had quarantined with Norton Antivirus. But Norton still displays that my system needs urgent attention, just as it had done before I quarantined the virus. What’s the problem with my PC? Moreover, Norton has made my system slow. How do I know whether the version of XP I am using is original or pirated?

Gyanesh Prasad

You are a classic victim of pirated software. Your Norton was acquired for free and you were probably given a Windows that is not original. To check whether your copy of Windows is genuine, go to www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/uk/windows/default.mspx. On this page, click on Validate Now.

If you find that your Windows is not genuine, do not panic. You do not have to format your hard drive and reinstall Windows. The Get Genuine Kit for Windows XP Professional is a cost-effective solution to legalise your operating system. This kit is available from any Microsoft-authorised reseller. After you get the kit and the licence number, run the Windows Product Key Update tool.

I strongly recommend that all those who are running a pirated version of Windows XP should take advantage of this special offer in India from Microsoft and legalise your software. I also suggest that you do a clean install of Windows XP after you get the kit. Although it is not mandatory, this will save you from further sleepless nights.

Finally, buy a copy of Norton Internet Security Suite or Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite. You will be completely safe for years to come.

Printer connection

q+a I recently restored my Compaq Presario PC to its factory settings. But when I tried to install HP Deskjet 845c printer, I got a message saying the printer cannot be located. What should I do?

Kaushik Roy

The first thing to do is check whether you have connected the printer to the right slot behind your PC. Next go the Start — Control Panel and click on the System icon. Here click on the Hardware tab. You will then see Device Manager. Click on it. Look for Ports in the list. Right click on it and select Scan for Hardware Changes. If you have connected your printer correctly and it is switched on, you will be able to install it easily.

Internet issues

q+a We were accessing the Internet through cable, but recently changed over to BSNL. With cable, we were allotted a fixed IP address and we could set up a mail server. Now we are not able to configure our mail server with BSNL’s broadband. Could you please help us?

Gunjan Pandya

To have a mail server, you need to have a fixed IP address. BSNL allocates an IP address on the fly each time you connect to the Internet. So, the IP address changes each time switch on your machine, or connect to the Internet through PPoE with the broadband dialler. If you want to have a mail server on your premises, you need to register your domain name and get a fixed IP address. BSNL can help you with this or you can do it independently through Rediff, VSNL or some other service provider.

BIOS battery

q+a I formatted my hard drives and installed Windows XP SP2. Ever since my system clock has been running slow, no matter how many times I reset it to the correct time. Should I remove and re-insert the BIOS battery?

Arijit Dey

This is a typical first indication that the BIOS battery needs to be changed. My suggestion is get hold of a small software program called AboutTime available at www.arachnoid.com/abouttime/index.html to periodically correct your problem. There is also another similar program at www.gregorybraun.com/WebTime.html. Sometimes, there is a problem where the hardware clock is on the correct time, but the software clock drifts badly. A utility called RightTime can correct this. You will find it at www.rightime.com.

Error message

q+a I am not able to install any of my programs that I kept on the E drive of my computer after I formatted my C drive and reinstalled Windows XP Service Pack 2. Whenever I try to install these software, an error message pops up saying “Shell executable of Setup program has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience”. Please help.

Sopan Jena

Check whether you formatted your hard drive using NTFS and not FAT32. Windows XP should always be on NTFS. These are basically two different file systems. Second, check the integrity of the setup files of your programs. I am assuming that you had kept the installation files on the E drive of your computer. Go to www.programchecker.com and get your setup files analysed. With the FileAnalyser, you can do it from your browser. Also, run your anti-virus program on your installation files to see whether you have been infected by some virus.

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