Elizabeth had a full hard disk. The disk is partitioned into two: One a Windows NT the other a DOS partition. She wanted to get rid of the DOS partition and use it for Windows NT, which constantly runs out of space.

Reformatting the DOS partition

You must always backup your data before running any formatting or partitioning commands.

Once you have backed up your data, open Disk Administrator, from the start button click start, run and type windisk.

If you are running windisk for the first time you will be asked if you want to initialise the drive, say yes.

Highlight the MS-DOS partition, Choose Format from the Tools menu, click the NTFS button, check that you are about to format the correct drive. then click the OK to start the format. A progress box will appear. When it finishes you now have an NTFS formatted partition and all the data on the DOS disk is effectively gone. Take a note of the drive letter of your new NTFS partition.

Changing NT swap file setting

Click Start, Settings, Control Panel from the Start menu.

Double-click the System control panel. Select the Performance tab. Click Change in the virtual memory area.

Change the drive from C: to the letter of your new NTFS partition. Restart Windows.

It is a good idea to have a thorough clean up of your C: drive and move your data to the new drive. You can also move temp files, Internet cache files and program files to the new drive, assuming you have the space.

Tips and hints on Windows NT: http://www.winplanet.com/winplanet/print/810/

The difference between ADSL and Cable Internet connections

Brendan wanted to know the difference between ADSL and Cable Internet connections.

Both are much faster than using a modem dial up connection. Once you use a broadband connection it is very difficult to go back to a dial up connection. ADSL uses your existing telephone line, but requires special equipment at your local phone exchange and you cannot be more than 3500m from that exchange. Cable requires a suitable pay television service in your street or building.

The price of broadband connections vary between $60 and $150 per month and installation between $150 and $500. Cable connections are only available where you have Optus or Foxtel cable, There are more companies offering ADSL but these are only in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Even in these cities coverage is limited.

Both types of connection require a network card to be installed in your computer and a special modem to be supplied. Once you are connected you can share the connection with other networked computers in your home or office. Telstra throttles the speed of their connections which means other companies can provide a faster connection. Optus have recently announced that the heaviest users of their network will be disconnected without notice.

Australian Personal Computer ran a very good comparison in their November issue, read their bandwidth boom article

ADSL and Cable providers include