Question: What are orphans and can I safely delete them?
-- Larry
Answer: In the context of humans, they're people without parents. Similarly in the world of computers, orphans are files that no longer have a parent program.
When you install a program, many files that serve different purposes are copied to your hard drive. They're all designed to serve the greater program, usually an executable that ends with the file extension EXE.
When you uninstall the parent program, some files may get left behind on your hard disk. These are orphan files, and since they serve no purpose, they can be safely deleted.
They get left behind for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a program leaves them because they contain settings information. The idea is that if you reinstall the program, your settings will be recovered. Sometimes they are DLL files, or dynamic linked libraries. Those are like a toolchest that contain common tools that programs use regularly, say, to create a window.
Question: There is a bunch of useless icons (like MS Outlook, Network Neighborhood, Internet Explorer, etc) that I have no use for. Is there any way to get rid of them ?
-- aalibaba
Answer: There are two ways to remove programs from Windows 95/98 and NT. The first is via the Control Panel. Go click the START button then pick Settings and then Control Panel. Choose "Add/Remove Programs". Click on the Add/Remove tab and find Microsoft Outlook or Internet Explorer and remove them.
If it's a Windows component you're trying to delete, do the same thing, but click on the "Windows Setup" tab. Uncheck the Windows item you want removed and click OK and follow the instructions.
You won't be able to remove Network Neighborhood because it's an integral part of Windows., but you can hide it. You'll need a program called Tweak UI.
It can be found on your Windows 98 CD-ROM in the Tools\Reskit\Powertoy folder. When it's installed start the program and use the DESKTOP tab to uncheck the Network Neighbourhood entry. He icon will disappear from your Windows desktop. Instructions on how to install and uninstall this program can be found on the Microsoft Web site at: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q190/6/43.asp. You may have to register (for free) at http to use the site before you gain access to the page.
Question: Like one of your readers, I could not get WinFax v8.03 to recognize distinctive ring even when my modem had this feature enabled. I purchased a device called RING O'MATIC , made by TGI Technologies Ltd. This device recognizes the different rings when you subscribe to a service like the Smart Ring service your reader mentioned. The device is installed between my computer and the phone line and can be set to route three different rings, regular, two short rings, and three short rings. My fax number is a second phone number on Smart Ring and this device routes all incoming faxes to my computer. It is simple to install and is very reliable. Various stores sell similar devices. Radio Shack has one called "Ring Selector" that sells for $49. Perhaps you could forward this to your reader.
-- JE
Answer: I'll do one better and let everyone know
about these devices. The column JE is referring can be found
here. Thanks for
the feedback.
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