Monday, August 14, 2000		Learning Computers

The personal computer revolution in the world to a large extent could be attributed to the user-friendly interface of Windows. The easy to handle operations helped persons understand the computer in a much better way. Despite the fact that it has user-friendly functions, most of us have not been able to utilise them optimally.

In this column, several uses of Windows, which are otherwise ignored, have been discussed. However, there are many more utility, which need to be explored in order to make their best use.

One such utility is Backup. It is a fact that with the growing use of computer, the dependence on it is rising. Right from the accounts to critical documents, everything is stored on a computer. We hardly ever realise the importance of keeping a back up of our data.

Mostly people make duplicate files for their data and store it in the same drive, where the main data is lying. Though computer professionals understand the importance of this utility, yet in a majority of the cases people are not aware of the Back up utility in Windows.

The reason is very simple. In most of the cases when you install Windows and choose Typical setup, Backup utility is not installed automatically. However, if you choose the Custom set up then select it during installation itself. You can search for this utility in your computer. For example under Windows 95 you can search this utility from Start>Programs>Accessories>System tools.

If you can see the systems utility in the submenu, this means it is already installed in the computer. However, if you are not able to see it in a submenu, you can install it from the control panel. For installing the backup utility the procedure is as follows.

Click My computer>Control Panel>Add remove program. Now click on Windows Setup tab. In this window you will find several items like accessories, communications etc. In the same list click the disk tools option and click on the details button. From the window, check the box adjoining Backup. Press OK and then press Apply. This will install the back up utility on the computer.

Click on this utility from the path mentioned above (Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools> Backup) to create a backup of a file or folder or the hard disk as a whole depending upon your requirement. Normally you can take backup on the tape drive.

If you do not use the tape drive, then the backup can also be taken on floppies. Alternatively, if you use writable CD -RW, then you can use it for backup purpose.

Among other utilities, Fax is another often ignored utility of Windows, which comes free as a package. Normally PC users, utilise other fax softwares but hardly try the inbuilt fax software of the Windows, which is user friendly.

All you need to do is to check whether Windows Fax is installed on your computer or not. This can be easily known from the Accessories menu (Start> Programs> Accessories). If you can see Fax in the submenu, this means that Fax is installed in your computer. However if you do not see Fax in the submenu, then you will have to install the Fax first, before using it.

You can install the Fax from the add/remove programme under the control panel. For example under Windows 95, click at My Computer>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs. Now click on the Windows Setup tab. Like the backup utility, you will find several items in the list. Select the Microsoft Fax and click details. Check all components in the detailed window and click OK. Here you must also install the Microsoft exchange besides, the Microsoft Fax. Now after selecting both programmes, click Apply. Your Microsoft Fax will be installed and after rebooting your system, Fax will be added under accessories in your programmes. If you want to send faxes using this software, Click on Start>Programs>Accessories>Fax> Compose New Fax. In the Compose New Fax Window enter the necessary details and either you can write text or can attach a file which will be delivered on the remote fax machine.

To receive a fax, double click on the Inbox icon on the desk top and switch on the modem. Set your modem to receive fax. If you wish to receive the fax automatically, then set your modem on auto answer mode after a specific number of rings, or receive fax by operating the modem manually also. On the whole, it is a good utility.

It may come as a surprise to you, but in some cases the Fax modems are more efficient than normal fax. If you choose a lower-end fax machine, its communication speed is normally 9,600 bps whereas communication speed of majority of Fax modems in the fax mode is 14,400 bps, thereby saving phone bills.

— Roli