ATLANTA -- Q: I have a Dell PC that uses dedicated video memory. Is it possible to add a video card? I have heard you will need a video card to work with Vista.
-- Ray Seese, Montrose, Colo.
A: Yes, it's possible to add a video card. Often, you must first change the settings of a switch on the main circuit board. That switch disables the video system you are using now. Then, it's just a matter of buying a video card and popping it into the accessory slot.
It also may be possible to disable the onboard video from within Windows. To do this, you go to the Control Panel, click open System and then Device Manager. Click on the plus sign by the display adapter entry. Then place a checkmark by the box to disable the adapter card. Shut down the computer and install the video card.
To determine which method to use, refer to your manual or e-mail the manufacturer of your computer to see which method will work with your specific PC.
For those who wonder what all this is about, here's a brief explanation.
Many computers, especially relatively inexpensive ones, have video capability built into the main circuit board. These machines use RAM memory both in the normal way and as shared memory for video. Stand-alone video cards contain their own memory.
Based on early reports, you're right in thinking Vista will require a stand-alone video card. Since the exact specifications for Vista are unclear, I would not make any changes just yet, however.
Q: How and why do exclamation marks get into e-mail texts when the person didn't type them?
-- Amy Wanzek
A: When the sending computer uses a type font that is not installed in the computer receiving the message, Windows uses one of the available fonts to display the message. There are times when the translation from the old font to the new fails and unintended symbols are substituted.
Q: A couple months ago I purchased an HP printer. Since I am not technical-minded, I asked a friend to install it.
He did but ever since that time, I cannot get the defrag to work. Occasionally it will get up to 1 percent complete but then goes it right back to zero. Do you have any suggestions for me?
-- Cheryl Yasbec
A: I doubt the printer installation caused your problem. I also am guessing -- and feel pretty confident of my guess -- you have a pre-XP version of Windows.
Earlier editions often stalled when trying to use the defragmentation program. To solve the problem, start your machine in Safe Mode and then run defrag.
Once that is done, restart the machine. To start the computer in Safe Mode, simply press the F8 key as Windows attempts to load.
For those unfamiliar, defragmenting speeds up hard disk performance by reuniting fragmented files.
Help from a reader
During a recent power outage, I tried using my uninterruptible power supply from my computer to power a lamp for light. So that I could extend the battery support time, I installed a 15-watt compact fluorescent lamp instead of the typical 60-watt lamp. The lamp burned about four hours before the UPS shut down!
An improvement in flashlights is also available. Go get one of the new LED flashlights and give it a try. I bought one in a pack of two for about $25.
Yes, it is a little pricey, but the lamp should last the life of the flashlight. And it apparently will burn for about 10 hours on one set of batteries.
-- Wendell Carter
Bill Husted writes for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: bhusted AT ajc.com