Wai_Wai

Because Hotmail belongs to Microsoft(MS), and OE belongs to MS, so they are compatiible. But since Thunderbird is the enemy of OE, so Hotmail = no way?!

Other questions: *- is it no signature available (when sending posts in newsgroups)? If so, how? *- is it possible to assign different signatures to different newsgroups? If so, how? - is it possible to download a selected no. of posts and read them offline? If so, how? *- is it possible to move the following folders into a specific place (If so, how?): --- address book --- mail --- all newsserver posts Currently I just want news client program only. I haven't use mail client. I use web-based mail server (eg Yahoo!) and I don't know how to use Yahoo! in my mail client. What's more, I dn't see any real advantage to do so. what're advantages and disadvantages of using mail clients and web-based email sites? Any comment would be very welcome. Please introduce any other alternatives which can fulfil the points I concern.

People recommend me to use Firebox and Thunderbird. I tried today, and found they are not as good as I expect (Anyway, my little opinion though). In this passage, I try to compare Thunderbird with Outlook Express(OE). [in the following, you will see the * beside the point. It means the point I value/concern] Thunderbird Strong Points *- It uses slightly less resources than OE (eg 1MB less) *- more viewing filters to choose from for reading posts *- an advanced mode of making viewing filters - can toggle the message as unread/read by a mouse click - can copy folder location by a mouse click Weak Points *- cannot label a message as important etc. by clicking shortcut toolbar icons or one mouse click *- cannot add "search" as a shortcut toolbar icon - less customization to choose in the options - less security-related optional are available to apply. Next message please! The above is just my little opinion. Any comment would be very welcome. Please introduce any other alternatives which can fulfil the points I concern.

Updated on 26 Jul 2004 Firefox troubles It would be grateful if I could solve the following problems about Firefox: - Everytime when I open a new Firefox window, is it possible for it to display the same as the last one I set, instead of its default layout? Eg: When I open a window with bookmark pane opened, another newly opened window can show the same (ie open with bookmark pane opened) If you know any way or addon to do, please tell me. - Is it possible to get "whole-word" find criterion in the Find (Ctrl+F) Function? If you know any way or addon to do, please tell me. (eg If I type "am" in the "Find", I will search both "Ram", "ward", "am". I don't know any workaround to find a word which meet my criterion(ie I want to find "am" only, instead of other words.) - As far as I know, Firebox still cannot provide "disabling" and/or "folder moving" for the following *without problems*: - history - cache - cookies - bookmark [PS: I need to place it in another partition.] Something wondering: - will its "right click context menu" be forcefully disabled in some websites? - does Firefox have some functions which can download the webpages and can read offline? Any comment would be very welcome. Please introduce any other alternatives which can fulfil the points I concern.

People recommend me to use Firefox and Thunderbird. I tried today, and found they are not as good as I expect (Anyway, my little opinion though). In this passage, I try to compare Firefox with Internet Explorer(IE). [i will frequently update the post when I find some good/bad points] [in the following, you will see the * beside the point. It means the point I value/concern] [some points might be invalid since I just tried it for a few days] Firefox Strong Points *- use far less system resources *- tabbed browsing - better bookmark organization (eg separator, can insert description) - has bookmark toolbar folder - has page info which tells a lot more about the website (eg links it has, security issues etc.) *- simply right-click on bookmark and can open it as tab or new window - popup disabling (NB: But I installed Google toolbar into IE. All annoying popups are blocked: Very effective. Not really a strong point to me) - hackers will not target it so far and less security problems should be expected Weak Points - somewhat I feel Firefox is not really that secure. It is now secure maybe because of its low popularity (so hackers are not targeting it so far). Some reasons why I feel so: *-- lack of enough security settings (In IE, see "Tools | Internet Options | Security". Firefox is oversimplified to me.) *-- lack of enough cookies settings In IE, see "Tools | Internet Options | Cookies" Firefox is oversimplified to me.) - lack of lots of other customization (which IE offers) *- couldn't export cookies and settings etc. *- cannot export favorites to other Internet browsers *- Everytime when I open a new Firefox window, the window is displayed with its default setting. I would like to keep it displaying the same as the last window I set (eg with the same pane opended, instead of closing it by default) *- language code auto-detect function is a bit worse than IE *(new)- the find function is worse than IE Eg1: No whole-word finding criterion. If I type "am" in the "Find", I will search both "Ram", "ward", "am". I don't know any workaround to find a word which meet my criterion(ie I want to find "am" only, instead of other words. Eg2: One time I searched a word in http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=...+XP&btnG=Search. When it found the word, it just highlighted the word without bringing me to the screen where I can see the word. I just stayed in the orginal screen. Then I went to another website (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,9882,00.asp) and did another search. I worked again. Later I went back to the website (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=RAMDisk+XP&btnG=Search) . It worked fine again. Something wonder: - Firefox open source system In my opinion, on one hand, it is true that good programmers can find out and fix a bug faster, but on the other had, bad programmers can find out and make use of the bug faster. It is somewhat a kind of race - to see whether each party is faster. [PS: Since I'm a computer id***, my viewpoint may be wrong.] The above is just my little opinion. Any comment would be very welcome. Please introduce any other alternatives which can fulfil the points I concern.

1. In case if I need, how to remove/disable *completely* [NOT just clear the folders temporarily] for the following: - History (in IE | Tools | Options | General Tab) 2. How to relocate the following files *without problems*(ie changing the path from one to another): - My recent documents - Favorites (in IE) - History (in IE | Tools | Options | General Tab) - Cookies (in IE) [NB: what I am asking is, eg, for "my recent documents", I don't want Wins make a record of what programs I use, what files I opened etc. Instead I could like to disable the function, or simply find a good way to remove this folder away without causing any problems.] [NB: I think the method of "cut-and-paste" doesn't work. Once I tried moving favorites to another partition. Unfortunately the IE didn't detect the change and displayed nothing in my favorites pane] 3. I uses Wins XP. I have to disable "Wins Files Protection" in order to delete some files. Some websites have told me how to do: - http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/790/ - http://www.collakesoftware.com/aboutwfp.htm But to do so, I need to hook up the kernel debugger. What does it mean by "hook up the kernel debugger"? Do you know what kernel debugger is? Where and how to get it? I need a hex editor too. Just wonder if windows provide one for us to use?!? > At offset 0000E3BB (0E3BBh) you should find the values "8B" and "C6". (from: http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/790/) How can I find it? Don't really know how to do… 4. How to *completely* remove the following functions/programs *without problems*: - Internet Explorer - Outlook Express - NetMeeting (NB: I can't delete it. Wins Files Protection will replace it instantly after deletion) - Windows Media Player - Windows Movie Maker - MSN Explorer (NB: I don't trust Windows "Add/Remove" Program anymore. Eg: IE occupies 0.0MB. If I unclick it, it just simply removes the shortcut. Just wonder the unclick of MSN Explorer will uninstall it completely) 5. Is it possible to stop the following programs from installing when I install Wins XP at the first place (If so, how?): - Internet Explorer - Outlook Express - NetMeeting - Windows Media Player - Windows Movie Maker - MSN Explorer - Windows Messenger

I would not like to use Internet Explorer(IE) and Outlook Express anymore. Are there any alternatives for me to choose? 1. About internet browser, I would like to do the following: a. Enable me to do the following: Move the following folders: - history and cookies [you said yes!] - favorites - temporarily internet files b. And allow me to disable the above if needed. c. "tabbed" and "new windows" browsing d. use less memory and system resource e. can automatically AND correctly choose the display language codes (eg Big5, ISO, unicode) used in the webpage [NB: IE fails to do so sometimes] f. have some methods (no matter built-in or not) transfer files and settings from IE 2. About alternate Outlook express(OE), a. I hope it uses less memory and system resource b. I mainly use it to read newsgroups c. it has some methods (no matter built-in or not) transfer files and settings from OE d. maybe someone can introduction me to some good functions, which are helpful 3. I usually get one problem. My computer gets messed up by some programs/software. When I use their own uninstallers, they don't really delete everything. Instead they leave a lot of rubbish in my folders, registry etc. Is it possible to *safely and completely* uninstall the program? Any good software to introduce? Or is there any method to monitor the installation when a program install? So later if I wish to uninstall, I know what changes the program made, and undo all the process easily.

My motherboard is Asus A7N8X-VM.BIOS is already updated, the newest version. Thanks a lot.

1. Since my motherboard / BIOS does not support (Standby) and (Hibernation), is it possible for me to download some software to enable the above functions? If so, where? Or is there any workaround? My motherboard is Asus A7N8X-VM. BIOS is already updated, the newest version. 2. Does anyone know what the following means in power management: - S0 - S1 - S2 - S3 - S4 - S5 *new* 3. My monitor will not automatically shut down when it is idle more than the given time. I tried it even if I just started Windows and open no programs. What's wrong? How to solve?

Info about my computer (You may skip it and read question first) Two HDD: - Western Digital 160GB (in primary master IDE) - Maxtor 20GB (in secondary master IDE) And 1 CD-RW: - Ricoh CD-RW (in secondary slave IDE) Drive: C - WD (putting files to boot up my computer) D - WD (contain new Wins XP Pro) E - WD (for storage) F - CD-RW G - Maxtor (contain old Wins 98) 1. After I deleted the whole partition and wins 98 [the Maxtor one], some problems occurred Since I have 2 HDDs, I can set one as primary drive; another, secondary. When I set WD as the primary drive, the error message shows when booting: - Invalid system disks. Replace the disk, and then press any key. When I set Maxtor HDD as the primary drive, I could boot it but couldn't boot Wins XP. Instead I enter into the Wins setup program (from CD). I guess (it is a guess! >.<) the problem is the files (for booting computer up) are locating in my Maxtor HDD. I don't want to boot from it. I would like to transfer the files to my WD HDD. How could I do? 2. Just wonder: Does the choice of "booting from Maxtor HDD or WD HDD" have any effects/problems/benefits on computers? (eg performance, security) 3. Also I would like to change the drive order as follows: Drive order changing: C, D, E - the same as before F - Maxtor (contain old Wins 98) G - CD-RW Does anyone know how to do? PS: I tend not to change drive letters in Wins system tool. I'm afraid changing it will cause Wins or programs malfunction. 4. Just wonder: Will a drive letter have any effects/problems/benefits on computers? (eg performance, security)

Dear peachy, Thanks for your answer. I would like to know why you choose to put both HDD together, and optical drive in another IDE.

Questions regarding IDE cable plugs, allocating primary and secondary IDE I got 2 hard disk drives(HDD), ie: 160GB Western Digital 7200rpm 8MB Cache ATA100 - clean new disk (it is empty now) - I am going to install Wins XP in the future 20GB Maxtor 5400rpm 2MB Cache ATA100 - old disk (some data are inside) - the operating system is Wins 98 now And one CD-RW: - Ricoh CD-RW I don't know much about computer. Questions: 1. For the UltraDMA cable containing 3 plugs. A simple graph to show the outlook of the cable: A+ ------------------- B+ -------- C+ Where: + = plug A+,B+,C+ = plug A, B, C --- = cable (more "-" means longer) I would like to ask what the plug A, B, C are for? Where should I plug? [newly edited] 2. I wonder how to share the UltraDMA cable. I have to set primary IDE and secondary IDE. In each IDE, I have to set master and slave. Both master and slave will affect the performance mutually. How to optimize the allocation of IDE, and *why*? In my opinion, I will set as follows: Primary IDE Master - 160GB Slave - {nil} Secondary IDE Master - 20GB Slave - CD-RW Some sub-questions: a) what's the difference in setting one as master or slave? Will the setting affect perofrmace, or anything else? For secondary IDE, should I put master as 20GB, or the CD-RW? Which is better? and why? 3. How do I know if a cable supports UDMA 33/66/100/133?

Qs regarding optimized partition, partition strategy, old HDD partitioning I got 2 hard disk drives(HDD), ie: 160GB Western Digital 7200rpm 8MB Cache ATA100 - clean new disk (it is empty now) - I am going to install Wins XP in the future 20GB Maxtor 5400rpm 2MB Cache ATA 100 - old disk (some data are inside) - the operating system is Wins 98 now And one CD-RW: - Ricoh CD-RW I would like to partition HDDs as follows: 160GB Western Digital: - drive C-40GB: for program files, installing software and games - drive D-10GB: for windows itself. Drivers and some software which needed to be with the same drive - drive E-110GB: for backup, storage of programs, downloads, multimedia stuff etc. 20GB Maxtor: - drive F-20GB: for BT, FTP, downloading I don't know much about computer. Problems: 1. Since the 20GB Maxtor is for storage only, actually do I need to install Windows on 160GB HDD only, or both? 2. If so, do you think which is better, keep the 20GB Maxtor as Wins 98, or upgrade to Wins XP? 3. Since when only one primary partition was set when I first used it, that means it would be set as active too. Do I need to do anything when I add a new HDD? I'm afraid it might cause some problems. 4. What is the use of keeping more than 1 primary partition? (I think multi-operating system is the only reason, right?) 5. Should I set Maxtor as the logical partition (the primary partition would be Western Digital), or keep it as another primary partition? Which is better? And "why"? 6. Finally do you think my partition is good? Any suggestion to my partition strategy? *Why*?

Qs on how install Wins in drive D, how separate program files, program installation problems I don't know much about computer. I would like to ask questions, or ask for clarification (many boring questions though): 1. Is it possible to install Windows in drive D? What I am worried is I think I need to set the drive D (which I installed Windows) as primary partition and active. But then the drive lettering system should change it back as drive C. However someone said it is possible. Could anyone help me out? 2. I wonder how to separate programs files(PF) from windows, ie to move the folder of PF (and its sub-folders) away from drive D (which I'll install Wins) to another drive, I think, drive C. However I think this might cause problems. How to do it indeed? 3. Someone said it is a good idea to separate programs files from windows. But does anyone know the reason? I can't see any good. 4. It seems when you install a program/game, if you don't follow the installation path, problems will arise. Eg: If the default path is: D:\Program files\xx company\xx program, you change as D:\Program files\xx program. Problems will occur. But I don't whether it will cause problems if we simply change nothing except the drive no (eg E:\Program files\xx program). What do you think? 5. Assuming: -Drive D contains Wins -Drive E contains PF When I reinstall my windows, do I need to delete PF as well? Since PF has links with Wins, if wins is reinstalled, the links between them should be broken. That implies we need to delete PF (since it become faulty). And in this regard, I need to reinstall all programs/games. What do you think? 6. What (kinds of) programs/games should be put together with the Wins? Is there any way to know whether one program need to put together, or can separate from Wins?