Australian PC World articles from June 2007

Australian PC World archives from June 2007

Bursting with tech--six mags in one: this month the PC World team delivers more reader-driven content than ever, as we continue to integrate our significant editorial content online and in print. Plus the latest update to our WorldBench 6 benchmark puts Vista hardware to the test.(Editorial)
June 1, 2007... We always want to know what you--our readers--are looking for in terms of technology. From latest reviews of the hottest products to tutorials, buying guides, and the most highly rated gear. We do this by reviewing what sections you love online...

Rodent trouble.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... I was recently perplexed to find my screen saver had suddenly stopped working. I uninstalled Norton and then used System Restore to go back before I had made some changes to my computer. My screen saver still did not work. I focused on this...

Not a happy camper.(Readers' forum)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... I thought I would write for you my appraisal of Vista, after having tested it for some four months. My PC's specs include an ASUS P4S800-MX-SE Mainboard: Intel P4 3.2GB Processor; 2GB Corsair DDR RAM; Albatron 256MB FX6200 AGP 8X video card; 4...

Word of warning.(Readers' forum)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... After reading an article on malware in the January issue (Disarm Net threats page 63) I downloaded Process Explorer from sysinternals.com. As I was about to open the Process Explorer zip file, up popped my Norton AntiVirus warning, telling me...

The best antispyware tool available? PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.0.(anti-virus software)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** 1/2 Spyware Doctor 5.0 looks remarkably similar to version 4. Probe a little deeper, however, and the feature set has been noticeably extended. Spyware Doctor is now able to integrate with other PC Tools...

Simple to use; heavy on resources: Symantec Norton 360.(Broadband/Internet: SECURITY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2007... **** In a response to Microsoft's Live OneCare and McAfee's Total Protection, Symantec has completely revamped Norton Internet Security and served it up as Norton 360. This bundle offers a bit more than Norton Internet Security 2007....

Broadband for all.(Broadband/Internet: THE PULSE)(Kevin Rudd of Australian Labour Party)
June 1, 2007... National broadband has been a hot topic of discussion recently. Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Kevin Rudd, has promised to partner with the private sector and invest up to $4.7 billion in government money toward creating a new national...

Nokia joins VoIP party: Nokia N80 Internet Edition.(smart phone)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Dubbed as "the first Mobile Internet Phone to be released in Australia", the N80 Internet Edition is an upgrade to the previous N80. This new model only differs to its predecessor by extra software, upgraded firmware and Voice over IP...

Sick of high phone bills? I hear you: over the years I've given enough money to Telco's and their money-hungry honchos to buy them all vacation homes in Fiji. Frankly, I'm tired of it. That's why I love Skype.(Broadband/Internet telephony)
June 1, 2007... The beauty of VoIP phone services like Skype is that you can call subscribers anywhere in the world for absolutely nothing. All you need is the right software and a broadband connection. In fact, chat applications from AOL Instant Messenger to...

N-speed works a treat: Belkin N1 Wireless Modem Router.(wireless router)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Belkin's N1 Wireless Modem Router is as user-friendly as modem/router combinations get--the perfect device for those of you who haven't set up a modem and router before. It's not the best-featured all-in-one modem/router on the...

Express yourself: Microsoft Expression Web.(Broadband/Internet: web development software)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 With the introduction of Adobe's new Dreamweaver CS3, Microsoft has now released its new design software to the Web development fraternity--Expression Web; the successor to FrontPage 2003 and part of the new Expression range of...

Don't be threatened online: every day virus, spyware, and adware creators come up with new, ingenious ways to gain access to your PC. These steps will help keep you safe.(Broadband/Internet: internet tips)
June 1, 2007... Think before you click: Attached files that end with .exe, .com, .bat and .scr, as well as scriptable document files, including .doc and .xls, can infect your PC with a single click. Many e-mail programs block access to executable-file...

When good connections go bad: this month we're going to look at troubleshooting and optimising your ADSL connection.(Broadband/Internet: Networking)(asymmetric digital subscriber line)
June 1, 2007... As a foreword, keep in mind that while it's tempting to think that any problem always lies at your end, the odds are that it doesn't. You should check your ISP's network status page to see whether there are any reported problems. And it's...

Tangents and the Internet: time is precious, and it can be hard knowing what Web sites are worthy of your attention, time and bandwidth. This month we've put forward what we think are the hottest spots on the Web. Disagree? Then let us know what your favourites are too?(Broadband/Internet: community)
June 1, 2007... It's too easy to get sidetracked online these days, and on the evidence below, it's a wonder we get any work done at all! The most obvious online time waster award has to go to YouTube (www. youtube.com). Recently sold to Google for US$1.65...

Web 2.0? Let's recap: have you heard about Web 2.0 and how it will revolutionise life as you know it? It's the Web saviour we've all been waiting for ... apparently.(Broadband/Internet: WEB 2.0)
June 1, 2007... In reality, Web 2.0 is a buzzword many marketing heads use to sell us into something that has essentially been around a few years now, and is in effect the way Web development has been progressing through the noughties. So what exactly is...

A slow start, but the future looks good: Web 2.0 has closed for boarding, taxied out and taken off--many worldwide sites now implement AJAX, blogs, video, news feeds and online applications. But how popular is Web 2.0 locally, and who's designing these sites?(Broadband/Internet: WEB 2.0)
June 1, 2007... Chris Byrnes from Queensland Media Group (www.qmg.com.au) says their company has been developing Web 2.0 sites for the last eight-to-12 months, but have been using similar technology for much longer. At this stage, clients tend to look at...

Budget style: Sagem my401c.(mobile phone)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 Aimed at the fashion conscious buyer who is shopping on a budget, the my401c provides a reasonably stylish phone at a fairly affordable price, which nevertheless manages to pack in most features required by mainstream consumers....

Basic instincts: Motorola MOTOFONE F3.(mobile phone)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** The Motorola MOTOFONE F3 is a budget phone that simply makes calls and sends SMS messages. There is no music playback, no camera and no Bluetooth. This back-to-basics handset has been designed with simplicity...

Making life easier: Dopod D810.(smart phone)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Dopod's latest smartphone offers High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) connectivity in a sleek and stylish unit featuring a gloss black or white finish. The feature-packed D810 also includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and infrared (IrDa)...

Vaio Ultraportable: Sony VAIO VGN-G118GN/B.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... This ultraportable notebook uses an Intel Core Solo U1500 1.33GHz ultra low voltage CPU, which emits less heat and prolongs battery life. The on-board Intel graphics chip is enough to handle most business applications and manages Vista's Aero...

Light as a leather: NEC Versa E6210 1604DR.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** The NEC Versa E6210 1604DR comes with a touch of class in the form of a stylish leather-covered lid. Overall, it performed as we would expect in our tests, providing a fairly smooth experience in Windows Vista Home Premium, although...

Entry-level style: HP Compaq Presario V3230AU.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 Following in the footsteps of Sony's hip VAIO range, the HP Compaq Presario V3230AU is clearly aimed at fashion-conscious buyers who want to look cool while updating their spreadsheets. With an ultra glossy, subtly pinstriped...

Quality audio, video limited: iRiver E10 (6GB).(portable video player)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... Every company and their dog are clawing for space in the packed portable media market in an attempt to dethrone Apple's dominance. The E10 is iRiver's latest shot at the title. While it does outclass Apple in the video department, its...

IPod voicebox: Portable Sound Laboratories iMainGo.(portable stereo system)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** 1/2 Sometimes you just want to turn on your iPod and do the dishes, or exercise your green thumb in the garden while listening to your favourite tunes. The iMainGo from Portable Sound Laboratories frees you from your headphones and...

Best for simplicity: Garmin StreetPilot c510.(global positioning system receiver)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** 1/2 Prices of in-car GPS units continue to slide, thanks to an influx of basic, budget offerings that still provide all the functionality most users need. The Garmin StreetPilot c510 is one such unit, coming standard with a large...

Windows tips for everyone: whether you've jumped to Vista or are sticking with XP, our tips will make your computing faster and safer--and even a little more stylish.
June 1, 2007... Right out of the box, Windows is just a so-so operating system. It doesn't really reach its potential until you've cracked it, hacked it, and otherwise bent it to your will. Whether you want to speed up XP, customise Vista's Aero interface,...

The best gear to run Vista: after the hype, the reality: following the false starts, rumour and hyperbole, Windows Vista has finally launched. While it's one snazzy piece of code, how does Microsoft's baby work in the real world? We have tested PCs, notebooks, motherboards and graphics cards to determine the best Vista gear for your needs.(hardware performance)
June 1, 2007... VISTA PCs Unless you're the do-it-yourself type, if you're after a Windows Vista-based PC, it's worth shopping around for a pre-built system. System integrators such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, NEC and Plus Corporation do all the hard work for...

Five technologies to know about.(Tech@Work: NEW TECHNOLOGY)
June 1, 2007... [1] Ultra-Wideband: 200x personal-area networking A technology for rapidly transmitting data over radio in the 3.1GHz to 10.6GHz range, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is capable of generating data transfer rates approaching 500Mbps with relatively...

Be a PC crime fighter.(computer system security)
June 1, 2007... "Only the paranoid survive." What Inters Andy Grove said years ago about the computer industry applies to computer owners as well. All the firewalls, virus scanners, and antispyware apps in the world won't do you any good if a bad guy has...

MS ships Office Communications: Microsoft has entered the telephony market with Office Communications Server 2007 beta which is now available.
June 1, 2007... Microsoft has made good on its promise from last month, shipping the first public beta of its Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator client. You can download the beta format from the Microsoft Web site (www.microsoft....

Centrally served storage: Adaptec Snap Server 210.(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Adaptec's Snap Server 210 is perfect for small- or medium-sized businesses that require a central network storage location for their users. It's very well built, has a 500GB capacity and doesn't require a networking expert to install...

Is your smartphone secure? For any high-value target--whether that's an organisation with valuable financial or personal data--a little more thought ought to go into the process of selecting and deploying any device handling important data. It makes sense, then, to challenge the more widespread assumptions, and consider how to handle oft-ignored risks.(Tech@Work: SMARTPHONES)
June 1, 2007... 1 It's just a phone with cool features, right? No, it's not. Now most converged devices run commodity operating systems, such as Sony Ericsson's Symbian OS or Microsoft's Windows CE/Mobile family, that have portability as a core design...

Berry small and smart: RIM BlackBerry 8800.(samart phone)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** BlackBerry has long been synonymous with business and substance, but with the release of the 8800, it's clear RIM has decided that business and substance can also be achieved in style. At just 14mm the 8800 is...

Networking with Group Policy: a look at some of the new abilities of Group Policy in Windows Vista.
June 1, 2007... Group Policy was introduced in Windows 2000 Server and was a great boon to administrator productivity. While Group Policy was enhanced and extended in Windows Server 2003, there were not many improvements to the actual settings that Group...

Secure gigabit router: Linksys WRVS4400N.(wireless router)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... ** 1/2 A gigabit Ethernet connection can boost productivity in businesses where large file transfers are a common task. Likewise, an 802.11n wireless network can boost the transfer rate between wireless clients on an office LAN, and our...

Increased virtualisation and support: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.(linux operating system)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Linux market leader Red Hat unveiled the next generation of its open source operating system, saying the software, which integrates virtualisation, storage management and high availability, will reduce complexity and make Linux a...

Costly, but proficient Toshiba Satellite Pro P100 (PSPAEA-00G00D).(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Toshiba's latest Satellite notebook, the Pro P100, sports a large 17in screen and reasonably strong specifications which offers buyers a powerful business machine that can also fulfil several other more entertainment-oriented roles....

Tiny D-I-Y PC: ASUS Pundit P1-P5945G.(barebone desktop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 The ASUS Pundit P1-P5945G barebones PC isn't a complete system. It's called a barebones PC as ASUS only sells the PC case with a motherboard, CPU cooler, memory card reader and power supply installed. It's up to the buyer to...

Big focus on projection: InFocus Work Big IN32.(business projectors)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** With all the bells and whistles of similarly priced competitors, the InFocus Work Big IN32 outputs a high quality image with very few blemishes. This image quality as well as a wide range of connection options...

Double your workspace onscreen: AOC 223VW.(LCD monitor)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 AOC's 223VW 22in monitor has a price tag of $499, but it can be purchased for less if you shop around, and based on our tests, we think it represents excellent value for money. It has a widescreen aspect ratio (16:10) with a native...

Network-ready colour laser printers: these two colour laser printers are network-capable and a cinch to use.(Konica Minolta Magicolor 2530DL)(Samsung CLP-300N)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... Konica Minolta Magicolor 2530DL **** The Konica Minolta 2530DL is a compact colour laser with built-in networking features. At $599, it costs $100 less than its predecessor, the 2430DL, did at release, and it offers a few improvements,...

High-definition gaming glory: Hitachi 37LD9000TA.(LCD flatscreen television)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 Hitachi 37LD9000TA The Hitachi 37LD9000TA is a 37in LCD TV with a native resolution of 1366x768. It performed brilliantly in our HD gaming tests, but showed some minor flaws in our HD-DVD movie tests. In standard definition, it had...

Three-in-one recording power: Panasonic DMR-EX85.(DVD/HDD recorder)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Convergent technology is the way of the future as more and more features previously performed by multiple devices are being packed into a single unit. Panasonic's new DMR-EX85 is an excellent example of the power that convergent...

Apple's media streaming marvel: Apple TV.(Set-top Internet box)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** To say that Apple TV is the world's best media streaming device could be considered faint praise, the tech equivalent perhaps of the world's largest bonsai tree. After all, most previous versions of these devices, which take music,...

High-end home theatre: Harman Kardon HKTS7B.(home theatre system)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** The Harman Kardon HKTSTB is a high quality home theatre system aimed at users who have a mid to high range budget. Although slightly expensive, Harman Kardon's exceptional design makes this a great value product. Combining an...

A media centre with gaming grunt: HP Pavilion m8090a_03 PC.(Home Entertainment system)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... ***1/2 HP's latest entry in the media centre market is the impressive Pavilion m8090a. It comes in a sleek black tower case and has a couple of nifty inclusions, most notably an HD-DVD drive that makes it a solid choice if you're after an...

Upgrade your living room: TV aficionados have a number of things to look forward to this year, as vendors are poised to upgrade everything from HDTVs to set-top boxes to recorders for both the living room and the PC. That means bigger screens, better colour quality, and more choices in recording and viewing your favourite shows.(Home Entertainment tutorials)
June 1, 2007... TVs are getting some of the more significant upgrades. To start with, Sharp's splashy demonstration of a whopping 108in prototype LCD set further cements the notion that LCD can compete with plasma at the largest screen sizes, says Eric Haruki,...

Digital focus: goodies in Vista.(digital photography tools)
June 1, 2007... Today, digital photography is a major force in our everyday lives, and Windows new operating system has been designed accordingly. Unlike Windows XP, which didn't have many dedicated features, Vista fully caters to the digital photographer with...

Stunning innovation: Canon PowerShot A570IS.(digital camera)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** 1/2 Canon PowerShot A570IS Canon's PowerShot line of cameras are usually impressive, and the A570IS is no different. A nice return to form for the camera giant, after the rather lacklustre A450, the A570IS is...

It's all in the design: Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium.(image processing software)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** 1/2 It's been hotly anticipated since the first announcement that Adobe and Macromedia were to merge, and now it's finally here--Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, combining Photoshop Extended, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator,...

Traveller's choice: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3.(digital camera)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Billed as a 'travel camera', the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 packs in a great bundle of features for the roaming photographer. The 7.2Mp (megapixel) sensor performed well in most of our tests. Imatest awarded it a score of 1701 in its...

Best DVD camcorder: Canon DC22.(camcorder)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** The DC22 is Canon's midrange DVD camcorder. While many DVD camcorders at this price point aren't known for their image quality, Canon has bucked this trend, and come up with a comfortable, easy to use camera that produces excellent...

An easy gamble: Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD 7 Platinum Edition.(video editing software)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** 1/2 When it comes to producing professional looking videos, the editing process is arguably more important than remembering to take the lens cap off your camera. Whether you dream of winning fame and fortune at Tropfest, or just want...

Hi-def made handy: Sony HDR-HC5E.(Camcorder)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Sony's HDR-HC5E MiniDV handycam is labelled as a "hi-def" camera, and while it certainly does deliver video in impressive 1080i resolution, it's important to note that this doesn't necessarily guarantee that your movies will look like...

Make a stop-motion movie! Use your digital camera to create a movie in less than 30 minutes.(Digital Image)
June 1, 2007... I grew up loving classic stop-motion animation--stuff like Gumby cartoons and the classic Ray Harryhausen movies. Over the years, I've tinkered with making my own stop-motion creations, but have always ended up hitting a brick wall. The...

Vacation videos on the road: vacations are why a lot of people buy camcorders, so it's perhaps appropriate that I'm writing this column while on my holiday. I've been jetting around Europe for the past couple of days, but unfortunately, my wife was unable to join me. So I decided to take some videos, and post them on a Web site so she could see some of what I've been up to. Here's how I did it.(Column)
June 1, 2007... Holiday equipment Naturally, the first thing I needed was a camcorder, so I took along my trusty Sanyo VPC-HD2. This rather nice little camcorder shoots 720p high-def video to SD cards, so there's no fiddling around with videotapes....

Papermates: photoprinter reviews.(Epson PictureMate 250)(Lexmark p350)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... Epson PictureMate 250 **** The Epson isn't the prettiest portable printer around, being considerably larger and taller than most other models on the market. However, it is self-contained, with the fold-up lid acting as a paper tray,...

Why so jagged?(editing digital photos)(Corel Paint Shop Pro)(Brief article)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Q I post my photos on my personal Web site. I always shoot at the largest JPEG option, and I use Corel Paint Shop Pro to resize my pictures to about 540x460. I noticed that my results are not very good, and often I get jagged lengths which...

Winter shooting.(how to protect cameras)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Q Do you have any safety tips for shooting in winter? Last year, one of my shoots was ruined due to condensation on the lens. RONALD EVANS A Try keeping your camera and lenses stored in zip-locked handy bags. The bags will allow your...

Best way to save?(digital pictures)(Brief article)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Q What is the best way (with least loss) to store digital images? I use Western Digital's 250GB external hard disk. Is there a better way? Likewise, do you lose pixels in an image when it is copied and pasted or moved around more than once?...

Avoiding red eye.(photography tips)(Brief article)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Q I have a beautiful cat and I love to take pictures of her but I frequently get red eye. Is there something I can do to avoid this problem? GLORIA ABBEY A Animals are as susceptible to red eye as humans. The best way to avoid red eye is...

Static electricity danger?(for memory cards)(Brief article)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Q Can static electricity effect memory cards? HAL ROSENWASSER A In general, Hal, it's not a concern; you can't damage a memory card by 'zapping' it with static electricity. In fact, memory cards are seemingly impervious to routine damage....

Optical vs Digital.(zoom )(Brief article)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Q What's the difference between digital and optical zoom, and which is better? ZED WILLIAMS A Optical zoom is the more important of the two: the optical-zoom number refers to the ratio of the zoom lens built into the camcorder. Digital...

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars.(computer strategy game)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... Back in 1995, Westwood Studios released its seminal masterpiece, the original Command & Conquer. The real-time strategy genre has evolved considerably since those days, but the memory of the original C&C still lives on, periodically refreshed...

Bring sexy back: Sony VAIO VGN-AR38G.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... Sony's focus on creating powerful yet extremely stylish notebooks is becoming more and more evident with its new VAIO models, and the VGN-AR38G is leading the charge. Sporting an incredibly smooth, gloss black aesthetic and a 17in screen, this...

Power-packed PC: Stealth V-Extreme Quadro Math II QX6700.(PowerPC-based system)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Built with the gamer in mind, the Stealth V has top of the line components, including a Gigabyte motherboard that's designed for overclocking. The machine includes an Intel quadcore CPU, 2GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It's a...

Chunky + clunky: Sapphire X1950 Pro Dual.(graphics card)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** Compared to other graphics cards on the market, the Sapphire X1950 Pro DUAL is physically huge. It's over 30cm long, when you take its two supplemented power connections (one for each GPU) into consideration, and is about 7cm longer...

Card's cooler doesn't impress: ASUS EN8800GTX AquaTank.(graphics card)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** The AquaTank has been designed to take the danger out of liquid cooling. It's based on a GeForce 8800GTX graphics card and comes with a Thermaltake Tide Water cooler already attached. Aimed at enthusiasts, it's a limited edition...

Good for gamers: Gigabyte N680SLI-DQ6.(motherboard)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** 1/2 If you're a garner who's in the market for a high-end motherboard, then Gigabyte's N680SLI-DQ6 is an excellent choice. It has a glut of ports and slots as well as plenty of useful overclocking features in...

Quiet integration: ASUS M2A-VM HDMI.(motherboard)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** It's been a while since we've reviewed a new AMD motherboard, and this one is slightly different from the norm. It's aimed at consumers who want to build a compact media centre PC. The standout features of this board are its...

Swagman's choice: Gigabyte 3D Aurora 570.(computer expansion chassis)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 Constructed out of aluminium, Gigabyte's 3D Aurora 570 PC case is lightweight, yet roomy enough to install plenty of high-end components. The tall ATX form factor has space for six 3.5in drives and five 5.25in drives. You can...

1TB hard drive behemoth: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.(hard disk drive)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... **** Hitachi is the first vendor to release a single hard drive with the magical capacity of 1TB. It's scheduled to be available at the end of May and should arouse the same type of fanfare the first 1GHz CPUs received, as 1TB was a...

Building a PC Beast: welcome to our new section on building a PC Beast. This custom-built system will be an ongoing upgrade project where I will test, review and detail the components that go into building a high-end PC for gaming, video editing and much more.(PC Row-R-Tech: UPGRADE)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Each month, our PC Beast will evolve and upgrade as we test the latest, high-end components that will make it bigger, better and faster. This month, we've commenced with a beast configuration that is quite affordable and can be used for playing...

PC renovation: we take a simple PC and transform it to meet burgeoning PC tasks.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Howie had never purchased a PC before, he'd only used hand-me-down systems and work-supplied machines. This was his first attempt at finding his own PC. His needs were fairly straightforward and reviewing our recent reader survey results,...

Monster mash: S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl.(computer action game)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 With the word 'stalker' tattooed on your forearm, a PDA that says 'Kill Strelok' and nothing else on your person, you awaken in a radioactive wasteland unable to remember a thing. Set in the mutated heart of Chernobyl in the...

Back to the Fuhrer: War Front: Turning Point.(computer war game)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 The World War II era has been the focus of so many RTS games over the years that it feels as though every conceivable facet of the conflict has already been covered. (Indeed, the amount of computer Nazis killed in RTS games...

Ghost dogs of war: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2.(computer role playing game)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... pc world BEST BUYS **** 1/2 It's 2014, and Mexico is struggling to contain a rebellion on the eve of a new North American security agreement. Nukes go missing, and guess who gets to sweep up the mess? Yep, it's time for the Ghost...

Get a (virtual life): The Sims: Life Stories.(computer simulation game)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2007... *** 1/2 The Sims: Life Stories is not an expansion pack to The Sims or its bestselling sequel. Instead, it's a standalone product aimed at that rare breed of individual who has never played a Sims game before. In an attempt to convert the...

No double-click.(Microsoft Windows XP)(to open folders)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Q In XP, I'm unable to open folders by double-clicking on them. Instead, the search panel comes up with the selected folder in the "To" search box. I can right-click a folder and then left-click on Open, but I can't open them using the left...

Bad writer.(Sony AW-G170A DVD writer)(Brief article)(Column)
June 1, 2007... Q I have fitted a Sony AW-G170A DVD writer in my PC. This has been correctly identified by my system running XP Pro SP2, but it does not recognise any disc inserted into the drive. I am using a generic Microsoft driver. Is that causing the...

Space hog.(how to cleanup disks)(DiskAnalyzer Pro)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Q While defragging my hard drive, I noticed a 1GB file in the folder Richard\Local Settings\Temp. Is this the folder for temporary files and can it be safely deleted? Why hasn't the Disk Cleanup Wizard deleted it? RICHARD SCOTT-ROBINSON...

IE7 problem.(Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 usage tips)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Q I tried to upgrade to IE7 but the upgrade was unsuccessful. When I click on the IE icon I receive the message "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close". BRIAN SCOTT A The most common cause of this problem is...

How to get free Microsoft support.(newsgroups)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... You can get free Windows support from Microsoft by subscribing to its product support newsgroups. We find these newsgroups a valuable resource when researching answers for Helpscreen. You can access them using IE--just point your browser to...

Installing 1TB of storage capacity: with the cost per gigabyte of many hard drives being less than 50 cents, installing 1TB worth of hard drive space in your PC doesn't have to cost you the earth.(PC Pow-R-Tech: PC UPGRADE)
June 1, 2007... Drive options There are a few different ways you can go about installing 1TB worth of space: you can use four 250GB hard drives; two 500GB hard drives; two 400GB drives and one 200GB drive; or one 750GB drive and one 250GB drive. ...