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Volume 12

March 1996

Q: Somebody created aliases on my Mac. How can I locate the original files?

A: If you click the New Blank Document button in the default WordPerfect Toolbar, you'll be able to open a blank document without having to select a template first.

A: Macintosh alias files are small files that point to complete, original files that can be located on your hard drive, on diskettes, or on file servers. To locate an original file, single-click on its alias and then select Get Info from the File menu. From there you can click on the Find Original button to locate the original and pull it up in an active window on your screen. The path to the original file also appears in the Original: field in the Get Info window. For example, Original: Macintosh HD:Documents:Test tells you that the original file named Test is on the volume (hard drive) called Macintosh HD, in the Documents folder. -Kristin Nelson, CRC

Q: I've heard about new memory chips called DIMMs. What are they and will I be able to use them?

A: Currently, SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Modules) are the de facto standard for memory for most computers. However, some newer computers (most new Mac models and some high-end workstations) use DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Modules), which can handle larger amounts of data at one time. Data handling is measured by the number of bits in the data path, and the path used by DIMMS is twice as wide as the path used by SIMMs. Because DIMMs are physically larger than SIMMs, they do not fit into computers designed for SIMMs and vice versa. Because memory design changes periodically, it's always advisable to check with the vendor from whom you purchased your system before you add memory.
-Tom Gudmundsen, CRC

Q: What are the files with the .grp file extension in my Windows directory?

A: These files are the program group files displayed in Windows Program Manager. They contain the icons for each of your groups. For example, the file main.grp contains all of the icons for the Main group. You may want to make copies of the .grp files so you will not have to recreate them if they are deleted accidentally or damaged.
-Caroline Ferguson, CRC

Q: I had a problem running a program in Windows 3.1. A friend who had the same problem attributes it to low System Resources in Windows. How can I check to see what the available System Resources are?

A: System Resources is the area of memory that Win dows sets aside to keep track of windows, icons, and other features. Each program you run, including Windows, takes up some System Resources. To check for available System Resources select About Program Manager from the Help menu in the Program Manager window.

When System Resources get low, you will generally have problems with screen display and disappearing icons. Ultimately your computer may lock up. There isn't a hard and fast rule for the amount of System Resources you should have free, but you should be concerned if the amount drops below 50 percent. To free up System Resources quit some open applications and close any unnecessary windows.
-Caroline Ferguson, CRC

Q: When I try to sign on to PennLIN databases like WILS and OED, I get messages like "No patron exists for this ID" and "Not a valid ID, try again." What's wrong? I'm a Penn faculty member.

A: To use the PennLIN databases you must have a current patron record with the Library. You can register immediately by bringing your PennCard to one of the Library's Circulation Desks, but there will be a 24-hour delay before your ID will be recognised for access to the PennLIN databases. Once you're registered, you'll also be able to borrow books and take advantage of other library services.
-Patricia Renfro, University Libraries

Q: I upgraded to the more secure version of Netscape but how can I tell if the sites I'm accessing are secure?

A: An unbroken key icon at the lower left corner of the Netscape window indicates a secure site; a broken key indicates an unsecured site. Even when you access a secure site, be careful of the kind of information you submit. Exercise the same care you would when using your credit card over the phone.
-Caroline Ferguson, CRC

December 1995

Q: I could automatically open a new document without having to choose a document tem plate when selecting File New in WordPerfect 6.0a. How can I do this in WordPerfect 6.1?


Q: I use Microsoft Windows 3.1 and recently discovered lots of .TMP files in my C:\WINDOWS\TEMP directory. What are these files and is it safe to get rid of them?

A: These files are left behind when an application, or even Windows itself, doesn't close properly. You should delete these files, but be careful doing so. Don't delete .TMP files when Windows is running; exit it completely before deleting them.

Q: I noticed that Eudora Pro for Windows has an option for message filtering. Can I send messages to certain mailboxes based on criteria I specify?

A: Yes. The message filtering options of Eudora Pro allow you to process incoming or outgoing messages in a variety of ways. You can change the subject header or message priority, assign a color-coded label, or route messages to a specific mailbox if the messages meet criteria that you specify.

To assign criteria for filtering, first select Filters from the Window menu and then select New. Next select the category of messages you want to filter, such as incoming and/or outgoing messages, from the Match selection of the Filters window. Now select the matching criteria for filtering. The criteria should be as simple and focused as possible; criteria that are too complex or too broad can cause unexpected results. To test your criteria you may want to do a manual filter to make sure that the filter captures the messages you want.

After selecting criteria you must select the action that takes place when a message matches your criteria. To send messages that meet your criteria to a specific mailbox, select Transfer to: in the Action area and then specify a mailbox.

If you selected Incoming or Outgoing messages as a category, messages are filtered automatically. Depending on how you have new message notification set, either a filter report will notify you that messages have been routed to the specified mailboxes or the mailboxes that have new filtered messages will be opened automatically.

Q: I created a document with page num-bers in WordPerfect 6.1. The page numbers are in a different font from the text. How do I make them the same?

A: Page numbers in WordPerfect 6.1 use the font specified in the Format Document Initial Font dialog box. If you selected a different font for your text, the font for the page numbers and the text will be different.

There are two ways to make the fonts the same. You can change the text font to the font in the Format Docu ment Initial Font dialog box. Or you can change the font of the page numbers by selecting the font you used for your text in the Format Page Numbering Font dialog box.

Q: I recently purchased a 28,800 bps PC Card modem that seems much noisier and feels hotter than the 14,400 bps modem I used to have. Is this a problem?

A: Many people have commented that their 28,800 bps PC Card modems run hotter and sound noisier. Modem documentation from Megahertz, a leading manufacturer of PC Card modems, states that the extra heat isn't a problem.


Two of the three domain name server ad -dresses given in the November Q&A concerning Netscape were incorrect. The three correct addresses are,, and

CAROLINE FERGUSON is a Consultant for the Comput ing Resource Center.

November 1995

Q: I have a PCMCIA modem for my laptop. What should I do with it when I'm not using the modem -- leave it in the laptop or take it out?

A: The card is better protected from shock, vibration, and dust inside your laptop than out. Once in your system, it should only be removed if you are swapping it with another PCMCIA card.

Q: I use PPP to connect to PennNet. After using the Dialer to connect to PennNet and typing t to access my account, everything appears scrambled and I can't read my mail. What an I doing wrong?

A: You are using the Dialer incorrectly. The purpose of the Dialer is to establish a PPP connection to PennNet. Other applications, such as Host Presenter or Eudora, are used to connect to e-mail accounts.

To establish a PPP connection to PennNet and access your e-mail, first connect using the Dialer. When you see the annex prompt, type ppp. This establishes the PPP connection and minimizes the Dialer window.

Now you can access your e-mail account. In the PennNet-PPP program group, which was created when you installed PPP, you have an application called Host Presenter. Host Presenter allows you to set up a Telnet connection to your e-mail account. To do so, double click on the Host Presenter icon and then type in the host address of your e-mail account -- in your case -- and then click the open button. You will be presented with the familiar login prompt to log in to your e-mail account with your user ID and password.

Q: I want to purchase a modem for my old 386 system. I'm not doing anything fancy, all I want to do is read e-mail from home. I was planning to buy a 14.4 Kbps modem, but I wonder if there might be problems pairing a high-speed modem with such an old system?

A: Although the price of 14.4 Kbps modems has dropped significantly, there are a few things you should be aware of before putting a fast modem on an old 386 machine.

If you are purchasing an external modem, first find out what UART chip your computer has. The UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) controls the flow of information in, an out of, the serial ports. Older UART chips can make modem speeds faster than 9,600 bps unreliable.

Check your documentation to find out what kind of UART your computer has. If you are using a current version of Microsoft Windows, you can use the Microsoft Diagnostics (MSD) program to find out what type of UART your computer has. You can avoid UART problems by purchasing an internal modem, since most have built-in UART. Check the modem software to see what UART the modem has. You'll need a 16550 or 16550AF UART in order to connect reliably at speeds greater than 9,600 bps.

Q: What does the Netscape message "Cannot find DNS entry." mean?

A: It means that Netscape cannot find the correct address of the place you tried to access. When you type a host address, for instance,, Penn's domain name servers are responsible for translating that name into a string of numbers associated with the Library Web.

If you type in the address of the Library incorrectly, you'll get this message -- try again. Another common reason is that your machine isn't properly configured to access Penn's domain name servers (or was accidentally changed). If you are using a Macintosh with MacSLIP, the Domain name and Domain Name Servers are set in the MacTCP control panel. If you are using a Windows PC with PPP, the Domain name and the Domain Name Servers are set in the Dialer in the Network Options dialog box (to access the Network Options dialog box open the Dialer, select the Edit button and then select the Network Settings.) The correct domain name for all three servers should be and their IP addresses should be,, and

If the Domain name and the Domain Name Servers are set correctly, and you have typed in the correct address, the most likely cause of this message is a temporary net -- work problem. In this case, try to access the location later.

CAROLINE FERGUSON is a Consultant for the Computing Resource Center.

October 1995

Q: I have a problem with Microsoft Windows 3.1. that's driving me crazy. When I start Windows, a Program Group always opens. I close it, but the next time I open Windows, there it is again! What can I do?

Small problems like this can be really annoying. This one is easy to fix. First open Windows. Close the open Program Group. Select the Options menu and make sure that Save Settings on Exit is selected. (When selected, it will have a check mark next to it.) Exit Windows. Reopen Windows; the problematic Program Group should be closed.

To maintain this arrangement select the Options menu again and deselect (uncheck) Save Settings on Exit. Now, any changes you accidentally make to your Program Manager or Program Groups won't be saved and your Program Manager and Program Groups will be just the way you want them.

Q: I just purchased a color ink-jet printer to use with WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS. I can print colored text fine, but none of the color graphics that I see on my screen print in color. What am I doing wrong?

A: You aren't doing anything wrong. WordPerfect 5.1 doesn't support printing color graphics on anything except a color PostScript printer. If you want to print color graphics on your ink-jet printer, you need to upgrade to WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS.

Q: I'm a touch typist using Word for Windows 6.0. I occasionally hit the Caps Lock key accidentally and don't notice until I have finished a page. I have to go through and retype the whole page. Is there any way, short of ripping the Caps Lock key off the keyboard, that I can change the case of words?

A: Yes, Word for Windows 6.0 lets you change the case of words. You can cycle through all lowercase, all upper case, and mixed case (the first letter is uppercase and rest of the letters in the word are lowercase). To change the case of a word, select the word and press Shift-F3. This allows you to cycle through the options for the case of words or paragraphs.

Q: I recently had a problem trying to install software. The troubleshooting guide recommended that if I was using DOS 6.X or later, I prevent the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT from loading. How can I do this?

A: You can prevent AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS from loading by pressing the F5 key when you see the Starting MS DOS... prompt. This bypasses the two files and gives you a very basic startup.

Q: I use MicroPhone Pro for Windows as my communications package. How can I take information that I get from the Library and save it to a file?

A: MicroPhone Pro for Windows makes it easy to capture information from your communication session into a file. To capture information, select Open New Capture File... from the File menu. This allows you to save text displayed on screen into an ASCII file that can be opened in any word processor. You can also control, by using the Stop Capturing To... and Resume Capturing To... menu options, what information is captured during your session.

Q: I use Microsoft Word for the Macintosh. I need to create a document made up of files from several different people. Is there any way to do this aside from cutting and pasting?

A: One way to do this is to use the INCLUDE command to link the necessary documents together. To do so, first open Word. From the File menu, select New. From the View menu, select Print Merge Helper.... A navigation menu will appear on your screen; click None. Place the cursor where you want the first document to start. From the Insert Keyword pull-down menu, select INCLUDE and then navigate to the document you want to start with in your merged document. Use one INCLUDE command for each document you want to link to your file. To print or view the linked documents, select Print Merge from the File menu and then select Merge and Print or Merge and Save Results in New File.

CAROLINE FERGUSON is a Consultant for the Computing Resource Center.