Please back up your computer before following advice from anyone! When you send your queries in, please give as much information about your set-up as possible!
Dear LJ, How can I check my broadband speed? Paul, Sutton Hi Paul, Type "check broadband connection speed" into Google and you'll get many options – there's a fun one here http://www.broadband-help.com/tools/speed-test/ which, once you hit "start test" will show your download and upload speed, and give you the chance to rate your service provider. I would do a few different tests though - speed also depends on how far you are away from the exchange, and how many people are connected at the same time, so I would also check every few hours and average out any results to get a more realistic speed estimation.
Dear LJ, How do I install MSN Messenger Service? Bob, Surrey Dear Bob, As you may know, MSN is Microsoft's Instant Message program allowing you and friends to type messages to each other and interact. If you follow this link, it should take you through the whole process. http://messenger.msn.com/download/getstarted.aspx
Dear LJ, I've got a Praktica micropix camera – however, I have no CD or software to take the pix from the camera onto PC – if you could help me out, it would be much appreciated. Danny, Southend Dear Danny, Glad to help! You can download drivers from Praktica's new download area here http://www.praktica-uk.com/dload.php Look for your model and install its driver. As Praktica cameras store pictures in JPEG format, you should now be able to drag and drop photos from your camera folder to your hard drive and use any photo editing software you want with them.
Dear LJ, How can I share my set top box? I would like to use it for 2 different rooms with 2 different TVs. Visa, London Dear Visa, One For All do a fantastic Video Sender that allows you to watch your set top box in two different rooms. NB this will not allow you to watch 2 different channels at the same time though – you'd need an extra set-top box for that. Plug the transmitter unit in to the VCR output of your set top box, and plug the receiver unit into the back of your 2nd TV. Job done! You can also use your remote in the second room to control your box in the lounge. For more info link here: http://www.oneforall-int.com/?pag=39&prodnr=85
Dear LJ, Will a Personal Video Recorder (device comprising a hard drive with two freeview tuners) work with a TV that already has integrated freeview built into it? Thanks, Keith, Stoke on Trent Dear Keith, Yes this should work. If you want to record Freeview into your PVR and watch Freeview on your TV as well, you need to make sure the aerial from your house goes into both devices by using an extra cable (which has the same ends as your aerial, also called RF or Coaxial) and plug as shown in the diagram – hopefully this should work as I don't know your exact set-up.
Dear LJ, Which is the better format to choose, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD? I am kind of siding with Blu-Ray, and thinking of buying one of the Sony players, any suggestions? Jay, Manchester Hmm, if you like the look of that Sony player, it sounds like you've been imagining it under your telly for a while! Here's some more info about this interesting situation. In the 1980s, consumers were stuck in the middle choosing between VHS and Betamax video cassettes – some people are saying that today's HD DVD / Blu-Ray feud is a similar debate, with film studios and electronics companies tending to back one or other of these formats. Both HD DVD and Blu-Ray use blue lasers (instead of red) to read the data on the disc. The shorter wavelength of the blue light allows for more data to be recorded on a disc the same size as a DVD (a bit like smaller writing with a thinner pen). Normal DVDs hold 4.7GB, HD DVD 15-30GB and Blu-Ray 25-50GB. All HD DVD and Blu-Ray players are backwards-compatible with DVDs. The general consensus on the web is that this war will go on for a while yet. Although Blu-ray discs hold more data, HD DVD discs cost less to make. I know that LG already do a multi-format player, and Samsung have reported that they have one on the way (it's the BD-UP5000 if you're wondering, for geeks like me). There have been noises in the industry for a while that this multi-format player will be released in time for Xmas 2007. More info: http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/19/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-state-of-the-s-union-s-division/
Dear LJ, I have a Fuji Finepix S5600, the battery charger mains lead doesn't work, so I have to use the car adapter lead – can you tell me how to get a new mains lead? Samuel, Hoddesdon I did a bit of surfing and have come up with this link for you: I hope that helps. http://www.fuji.co.uk/shop/spares/ or http://www.fotosense.co.uk/shop/Fuji/Power/Fuji_AC-3v_Mains_Adapter.asp?productID=243&tabID= Give Fuji a call if you're unsure – ask for a UK mains adapter compatible with "S" series Fuji Finepix.
Dear LJ, Have you been to Cambridge? Nathaniel, Cambridge Dear Nathaniel, Yes I have – It's lovely.
Dear LJ, My email address was given to me by service provider, but spelt wrong. Can I correct this without losing incoming mail to original address? Thanks for your help. Charlie, Oxford Hello Charlie, Ask your service provider to provide you with a new, correctly spelled email address as well as keeping your old one – most allow more than one mailbox per household. They should also be able to help you set up "mail forwarding" for your old email address, so that anything sent to your old email is diverted automatically to your new address. You can keep both email addresses until no-one uses the old one anymore.
See you soon! LJx
If you have any gadget and tech enquiries you'd like LJ to answer send them in here.
