System: Windows 7 64-bit

Q: This is a general question pertaining to any PC. I often use registry tweaks as suggested in your wonderful magazine. My new laptop is running 64 bit Windows 7. Often your advice to make a tweak involves creating a new Dword and I’ve never questioned this before. But I was applying some of the printer and network tweaks from the Registry Workshop in issue 137 and I noticed it asks me if I wish to create a new Dword (32-bit) or Qword (64-bit).

So if I’m employing a registry modification, should I be making a Qword if running a 64-bit OS instead of a Dword? If so, should you be alerting readers to this? Or am I barking up the wrong tree and it has nothing to do with 32-bit versus 64-bit?

A: Whether you use a Dword or a Qword is dependent on the length of the entry rather than the version of Windows. Dwords came first, but Qwords were first introduced in Windows 2000 and you can use them on 32-bit systems.

To explain how and why this works we need a bit of history. The universal unit of digital information is the byte, consisting of 8 bits (binary digits), each byte forming an individual text character. The x86 platform, which still forms the basis of modern processor architecture, handled data in 16-bit (2 byte) chunks and this unit became known as a word. More recent systems use 32-bit or 64-bit words, but in order not to confuse things 32-bits is known as a double word (or Dword) and 64-bits as a quadruple word (or Qword). But effectively a Qword is still four 16-bit words bundled together rather than a single 64-bit one, so it’s just a way of getting more information into a field.

You only need to use a Qword in the registry when the particular program you’re dealing with requires it.

Qwords in the registry aren’t unique to 64-bit systems

Originally featured in PCU 139

System: Compaq Presario, 4GB RAM

Q: I recently had my Compaq Presario computer upgraded to 4GB RAM and a Quad- Core processor along with the standard Graphics/Sound, Direct 9.0c compatible with at least 64MB VRAM, so that I could run the Hit ‘n’ Mix music editing software you recently reviewed (issue 136). However, after reading your review I am not sure that Hit ‘n’ Mix will do the job I want it to do. I am a musician who primarily wants to isolate individual instruments so that I can learn the parts. Is there any other music editing software on the market which will isolate the individual instruments better than Hit ‘n’ Mix and how much do they cost? And will they run on the above specifications?

A: Unless you have access to an original multi-track recording this is something that’s remarkably difficult to achieve. There are a few programs around to remove vocals – try Vocal Remover, which is free – but it’s really hard for software algorithms to distinguish individual instruments. Hit ‘n’ Mix is probably as good as the technology gets right now. You can download a free Hit ‘n’ Mix Play version from the website, this is feature limited but will give you an idea of how it works before you decide whether it’s worth buying. Another tool you may want to try is Extra Boy Pro, which is capable of isolating or removing specific elements from a song and costs US$29.95 as a plug-in for most audio software. There’s a 14-day trial available from the website.

Another avenue you might want to explore is that multi-track stems for many songs are available online through remix contests, so you could download some of these to get a feel for individual instruments. Try www.remixcomps.com for links to recently launched competitions.

Hit ‘n’ Mix analyses tracks to allow you to pick out different elements

Originally featured in PCU 139

Q: I have what appears to me to be a simple problem with Skype but cannot get an answer. I have a friend in the UK who is on MSWebcam and wants to communicate with me on Skype but we cannot figure out what he has to do to his system to be able to do this. I looked at Skype but cannot see where you register his webcam to use that system. I looked at Skype Help but cannot get a satisfactory answer. There is a section under Tools/ Options/ Advanced Settings/ Manage Other Programs Access to Skype but when you click it, it refuses to open up at all – the panel is headed Manage API Access Control. Can you figure out for me what he has to do with his system?

A: If we’ve understood this correctly you want to be able to talk using Skype on one system and Windows Live Messenger on another. In which case the answer is you can’t do it, they’re separate networks. The API Access Control in Skype is there to allow other products on the same system – such as third-party software or external handsets – to access the Skype interface.

To talk to another system both machines need to be running Skype. You can chat to a Skype user via a multi-protocol messenger like Trillian Astra but that’s just tapping into the Skype API so you’ll still need to have Skype installed at both ends.

You can use a multi-protocol messenger like Trillian Astra but you still need Skype installed

Originally featured in PCU 139

To celebrate World Backup Day we’re giving away a 1-year subscription to Trend Micro SafeSync worth £24.95.

Click HERE to enter.

Open to UK residents only, competition closes 3 April 2012.

Q: I have a PC that had XP Home on it. Because my hard drive got corrupted I had to replace the hard drive and re-install XP. I have installed XP from disc and added the motherboard drivers but for some reason I cannot download Service Pack 3 because something is missing when installing. In addition to this, Norton will not install without the Service Pack. My intention is to load Windows 7 but until XP is complete (with software) then Windows 7 will not load up. Do you have any thoughts or a solution on this?

A: Windows XP Service Pack 3 isn’t fully cumulative and can only be installed if the system is already at Service Pack 2. Depending on the age of your XP disc it’s probably at SP1 or earlier since reloading. Download and install SP2 via Windows Update , you should then be able to proceed to SP3.

You can download the Service Pack network installer to transfer to other machines

Originally featured in PCU 139

Q: I see on your website that portable version of OpenOffice can be put on the iPod. Would it possibly to get instructions to show how to get OpenOffice on iPod and get it to work? It would be great to have complete application instead of separate apps

A: Putting OpenOffice.org Portable on an iPod simply means using the music player as external storage so that you can run the software on any PC without needing to install it. You’ll also need the PortableApps platform. Once you’ve installed this on the iPod you can then simply plug it into any PC and run the software straight from the iPod’s drive. This will work with any MP3 player or external storage device provided it has enough space available.

The PortableApps platform allows you to run programs from external storage, including MP3 players

Originally featured in PCU 139

System: Dell Inspiron 1525, 2GB RAM

Q:I want to add some RAM to my current laptop to boost its performance. However, I don’t know how to do it, and when I went to a computer shop, they want to charge me AU$ 20.00 just for the labour fee of installing the additional RAM.

I would really appreciate if you could give me some instructions on how to replace the RAM in my laptop. It currently has 2GB (1GB for each slot), and I want to replace it for a 4GB (2GB for each slot).

A: Replacing laptop memory is a straightforward job that you can do at home. There’s usually a plate on the bottom of the machine which you can remove after taking out a few screws – remove the battery first for safety. You’ll then have access to the RAM modules which are in hinged slots held in place by clips on either side. Release the clips and you should be able to slide the old SODIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module) out. When you insert the new one the clips should automatically snap into place and you can then press the module down so that it lies flat. There’s video of all this in action on YouTube.

Unless you have a 64-bit version of Windows the system won’t be able to use more than 3GB of RAM, so you can save money by just replacing one of the existing 1GB SODIMMs with at 2GB module.

You can find useful YouTube videos demonstrating how to fit laptop memory

Originally featured in PCU 139

System: Pentium D 3.4Ghz, 2GB RAM, Windows XP Professional

Q: My computer runs very slowly even after deleting all of the partitions on hard drive and doing a clean install so that only Windows is running. All the solutions I’ve found indicate this is a software problem solved by cleaning all non-essential files and the registry. But with a fresh install this can’t be so, could this be a Hardware problem?

A: If the system is slow even after a clean install then there are a number of things to look at. Most likely cause is the processor, keep an eye on the POST screens as the machine boots up, this should tell you if the CPU is being detected at the correct clock speed. If it tells you that your processor is slower than 3.4GHz then it may be that the bus clock speed or multiplier has changed in the BIOS. It may also be that the processor is overheating – modern CPUs are designed to switch to a lower clock rate in these circumstances in order to protect themselves from damage – check that the cooler fan is working. Or it’s possible that the CPU voltage is too low, which could be a symptom of a failing power supply.

The next thing to look at is the memory. Try removing and reseating the RAM modules, blow any dust out of the slots with compressed air, you can also try gently cleaning the contacts on the bottom edge of the DIMMs with a soft pencil eraser.

Finally the hard drive could be failing. The best way to diagnose this is with a program that can read the disk’s SMART data. Try CrystalDiskInfo or the no-install Open Hardware Monitor which will also help you investigate other system temperatures and voltages.

Open Hardware Monitor can help you diagnose temperature and voltage problems

Originally featured in PCU 139

System: Dell Inspiron 1525

Q: I want to purchase a new desktop computer, however I’m worried about my iTunes stored on my old laptop. Once before, I tried to transfer iTunes from one PC to another by copying it to an external drive then copying it to my new PC. The iTunes was copied but I lost all my playlists. I spent a lot of time and effort building playlists and I don’t want that to happen again. Please can you give me some advice on how to do the transfer without losing playlists?

A: The problem with transferring iTunes to another computer is that the software stores all of the library information – including ratings and playlists – in a separate location from the actual music.

In order to transfer to another PC you need to copy the music itself, but you also need to copy the database files. These are stored in the Windows/ My Music folder in a sub-folder called iTunes. Install iTunes on the new PC, then copy the folder so it doesn’t get overwritten. Once you’ve copied it start iTunes with the Shift key held down and it will prompt you to choose a library, make sure this is pointing to the iTunes folder in My Music.

Start iTunes with the Shift key held down to select a the library location when moving to a new PC

Originally featured in PCU 139

Q: Do you know of a program, preferably a free one, for changing the tempo of a tune/song, but without changing the pitch <\#208> unless you want to? I have looked through articles in some of your magazines but could not find any.

A: You should be able to do this with an audio editing utility like Audacity, but an easier way might be MP3 Speed which is a specialised tool to slow down or speed up audio files and allows separation of pitch and tempo.

MP3 speed lets you change the tempo of a song whilst preserving the pitch

Originally featured in PCU 139