Q) What is Plug and Play?

Plug and Play is the name of a technology that lets PC hardware and attached devices work together automatically, reducing end-user complexity. Plug and Play technology is implemented in hardware, in operating systems, and in supporting software such as drivers and in the motherboard's BIOS.

Q) What is an OEM product?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM's exist in most major industries; Chrysler sells cars made by Mitsubishi, and all of Sear's Kenmore products are made by OEM companies. The main difference in the computer industry is that OEM products are usually less expensive than the retail versions supplied by the manufacturer. However, there are different types of OEM products.

Q) How do I sign up for an online service?

If your looking for information on how to get on the internet, look in your yellow pages under Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or try accessing the "Online Services" group from your startup menu. There may be an ISP close to your location that offers superior customer service to the big companies. Some even offer low-cost classes on using the Internet. Each ISP has unique settings that must be configured before attempting to use the Internet. After choosing an ISP they will instruct you on how to configure these settings.

Q) My keyboard will not work.

Check the cable in the rear of the system. If the keyboard uses the same connection as the mouse, trade places with the mouse. (Plug the keyboard where the mouse was plugged in and plug the mouse where the keyboard was plugged in)

If certain keys do not work on your keyboard try using a compressed-air can to blow out any dust particles. Keyboards are particularly vulnerable to liquid spills, which are not covered under warranty. If you are still experiencing problems please contact technical support. For out of Warranty replacements check your local computer hardware store.

Q) My mouse will not work.

Check the connection at the back of the computer. If this does not solve the problem contact Daytek Technical Support.

Q) My mouse functions erratically.

All mice need to be cleaned bi-monthly, or at the very least once for every 2 months of use. Flip your mouse over and spin the disc in the direction the arrows point in. Flip your mouse over again, the disc and ball should fall into your hand. Without using any chemicals or liquid cleaners remove all particulate matter from the three rollers inside the mouse. Replace the ball then the disc and spin the disc until it locks into place again.

Q) How do I protect myself from computer hazards?

Even the most advanced computer experts experience "crashes". Due to the hundreds of thousands of people working together on creating one computer and operating system there is going to be an occasional problem here and there. It is important to work on prevention. Following these three simple steps allow you to work on your computer "worry free". If you follow these steps before anything goes wrong, you will be safe. (It might take some extra time to set your system up again, but when you are prepared you will not loose critical data.)

Q) How do I clean my computer?

Clean the outside with a damp (not wet) cloth with a mild dish washing detergent after unplugging the system. Let it dry completely before plugging your system in. Do not clean the inside? computer components are not susceptible to common house hold dust. Unless you have special equipment, you will more likely cause more harm than help to your computer if you try.

Q) Can I use two monitors with Windows 98?

Best check with the graphics card manufacturer. Make sure the graphics card is compliant to operate the way Microsoft wants it to, and note that currently AGP cards cannot drive the primary display.

Q) Windows 98 applications boot much faster than Windows 95 applications on other systems but mine seems slower.

Faster systems (typically, they will be newer systems) have a noticeably faster application software boot time running Windows 98 than Windows 95. Older systems, for example Pentium 90-based systems, will not boot your software much quicker running Windows 98.

Q) How Does Windows 98 Effect Improved Maintenance and Faster Loading?

Windows 98 Maintenance Wizard attempts to shorten the loading time for frequently launched programs by placing them on the outer edges of the hard drive during the defragmenting process. Also the needed clusters are also contiguously placed on the disk so that the drive head doesn't have to move far to retrieve them. Applications load faster than Windows 95. The difference is more notable on faster systems, with Word 97 and Excel 97 loading in about half the time. Speed differences loading graphics programs are much less remarkable.

Q) What is the Difference between FAT 16 and FAT 32?

FAT stands for File Allocation System. FAT 16 is an older, 16-bit version of the Microsoft File Allocation System. If Windows 98 is pre-installed on your system, it includes a built-in tool for upgrading from FAT16 to FAT32, which is Microsoft's 32-bit file system. With Win 95, unless FAT32 was preinstalled, your only upgrade option for acquiring the (normally desirable) 32-bit file system is a third-party disk utility.

Q) Why FAT 32?

FAT32 creates smaller file clusters and allows you to create drive partitions larger than 2GB. These smaller clusters translate into disk-space savings. Win 98 with FAT32 requires slightly less disk space than Win 95 with FAT16. Warning: drive defragmenting is slow with FAT32, sometimes up to half an hour.