Answering Questions

Can I install Windows 2000 on top of Windows Me, or do I need to reformat my hard drive? To my knowledge, you can't upgrade from Millennium Edition to Windows 2000. I wouldn't recommend upgrading with any other OS in place, anyway. You're always bound to hit undocumented quirks.

Is there a way (when you right click on the Start button and select Open or Explore) to have it default to My Computer rather then the Start Menu folder? Why bother with the Start Menu at all? Just use the WinKey + E combination to open up the desired Windows Explorer instance.

Do you know much about eMachines? Do you recommend them or have you heard horrible things about them? While I haven't had any personal experience with the systems or the company, I believe they've taken a page from the book of Packard Bell. The lowest price often yields the lowest performance as far as technology is concerned. My brother has one and has yet to complain (loudly) about it.

I just bought a new HP Jornada 568 and love it – except for the popping / crackling that the speaker occasionally makes when the sound is off. I have seen you with one on the show. Is this a hardware or software problem? Is there anything I can do to fix it? I think I know what you're talking about, as my device has the same problem. Supposedly, HP fixed a few sound snags with the release of their first Pocket PC 2002 service pack. I have yet to apply it, as that would also require I reinstall all the applications on the device, as well. I'd check over at Pocket PC Thoughts.

I have a problem that consists of my MP3s being turned into VBscript files! I know I can't recover the files I lost, but I need to know how to stop this from happening again. I used the P2P service (Grokster) to download the files. I believe that those MP3s may actually be salvageable. First, update your virus scanner or get a better one. Use Housecall immediately. That, and be careful the next time you download something from someone you wouldn't know from Adam. Adam, by the way, is my younger brother (who just started to get TechTV the other day).

I have upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional, and I am trying to network my computer with the other guys in my fraternity (which, by the way, I am a TKE in Madison, WI). I cannot see their computers in My Network Places at all. I had no problems when I had Windows 98. Assuming the other computers are in Windows 98, try applying the Namespace tweak in X-Setup on the 2000 machine. Does that help? Either that, or make sure that File and Printer Sharing is turned on (for every connected system). Make sure they all have the same (Windows) Logon enabled, too.

I was just wondering how you would go about opening a .ACE file. You need WinACE or something along those lines. It's just another compression format that is supposedly better than ZIP. That's debatable, if only because you weren't aware of what the darn thing was in the first place. That's truly not your fault, though. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't heard about it before now. Another great place to search for file extensions is ExtSearch.

I have the pictures from your spycam up on my site. Please feel free to take a look. In the Spycam section, the last link says “Comments about Archive.” Click on that and leave a message. I thought it would be a cool autograph book type thing. Consider it done, Philip. You have more pictures of me than I have of me! Heck, you even have the 'Gnomedex or Bust' one (where I'm holding up my boobies).

What happened to Ali? Did she get fired – or is she on a vacation or something? No, she's still very much a part of the CFH crew. However, instead of working on the set, she's now sitting behind the scenes, making sure that some of our guests are properly prepped. She's been doing a wonderful job!

I was wondering where can I find Nero and is it free? You can find it at Nero.com and it is NOT free. Even so, it'll be the best fifty bucks you'll ever spend. Don't bother with Roxio's crap – it can't do half the stuff that Nero can do. Download the demo and give it a spin. Pun intended.

Dude, can you please give me a link to where that shirt is on eBay? Ya know, the one that Cat had on last night? I gotta have that shirt. She is a Goddess. Thanks a lot, man. And what am I? Chopped liver? Regardless, as we said on the show today, you can get the link directly from our main page. Since I'm a nice guy, I'll give you the direct link, too. It will be signed by Chris Pirillo, Cat Schwartz, Brett Larson, Leo Laporte, Martin Sargent, Megan Morrone, Morgan Webb, Liam Mayclem, Kris Kosach, Becky Worley, Erica Hill, Jennifer London, and Michaela Pereira. All proceeds will be donated to the charity Computers for Schools.

I recently bought a Powerbook 190cs (made in 1996 with a 66MHz processor, 16MB RAM, and OS 7.5.3). I am wondering if I will feel a real difference if all I am using it for is Word processing, e-mail, and light Internet surfing. Yeah, quite honestly – you'll know it's time to upgrade when you find yourself waiting for the computer to finish doing its work. Those extra seconds start to add up quickly.

Hi, I love your show. I was the one who asked you where you got your inspiration a day or so ago… anyway, you mentioned getting free image hosting at Homestead or Geocities. Well, starting April 2nd, Geocities will no longer allow remote loading of images. Thanks for the note, my friend! This is a growing trend, and one which is probably long overdue. They own the servers, after all.

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