elcome back to your source for answers to all your OS/2 questions! Each month we bring you tips, tricks, questions and answers from our readers and contributors. If you've got a question or tip you would like to share with us, send it in!

Q-- Like many people, I have a URL folder sitting on my desktop neatly subdivided into folders for various types of web sites. I've recently had a system melt down and now my URL folder has a bunch of plain text data files in it instead of URL objects. These files don't actually contain any data, like the WWW addresses that previously were in them, and they can not be opened with a text editor. Is there any way to get my URLs back?

A-- Most likely the problem is that the URL class needs to be reregistered. A simple solution that often fixes problems like yours is to reinstall WebExplorer. Just run the install that comes with later versions of WebEx and the URL class will get reregistered. Most or all the data files in your folders should magically become URL objects again.

By the way, you should try to store your URL folders off a directory that is not the Desktop. For ease of use just shadow it to your Desktop. This way the folder is handy and if the Desktop goes south, you will lose the shadow but the actual folder will stay put.

Q-- I want my computer to page me at certain times everyday. I know that I can use the ECHO command to access my modem and send out a string. For example:

ECHO ATDT1234567,,9999# > COM2

• 1234567 is my pager number
• ,, is a few seconds delay for the pager to answer
• 9999 is the code I want to be paged with
• # to end the action
• COM2 to send the whole thing to COM2 (my modem)

ECHO ATZ > COM2.

But how do I use this idea in a .CMD file or REXX script so I can use it with CHRON?

A-- You can put system command in 'quotes' in a regular REXX program and they will execute as system commands because the default address is 'CMD', the system command processor. A REXX program equivalent of your command would be:

/* Pager.cmd a REXX program to page me */
'ECHO ATDT1234567,,9999# > COM2'
'ECHO ATZ > COM2'
exit

Q-- I have been using OS/2 for a month now, and I like it. It is easier to install OS/2 than I thought (the first time only took 45 minutes, installing on top of DOS and Windows). The only problem is my sound card. In order for it to work under OS/2 I first have boot into DOS then reboot into OS/2. Is this normal? (I have an Acer sound card).

A-- Is it normal? Maybe. Is it acceptable? No. We have heard of some similar situations where proper drivers for OS/2 did not exist for a sound card and the technical support at certain companies actually recommended booting to DOS (which loads the DOS drivers), then doing a warm boot (Ctrl-Alt-Del) to OS/2 (leaving things in working order). So I guess the best advice is, if it works, don't knock it. But a far better solution would be to demand real support for your sound card under OS/2 from Acer.

Q-- I have been shutting off the power switch to my monitor and leaving my computer running, in order to save the monitor screen. Someone told me that turning on the monitor while the computer is running can send some kind of surge to the video card or otherwise damage things. She said that the monitor should always be turned on first and then the computer, and the computer off then the monitor. I had never heard of this before. Is that precaution true?

A-- This used to be true in the beginning times of personal computers (Apple II, C64). Basically it held true for all peripherals, not just the monitor. These days peripherals are surge-protected, so this precaution isn't necessary any more. What you are doing (turning off the monitor) is actually a good practice. We are doing the same thing all the time with our servers, which are machines of up to $30,000 US in worth, not to mention the data...

Q-- I've been looking for a dialer with an AutoDial feature, such as with Win95 (one that dials a specified number as soon as it is opened). Is there an existing dialer for OS/2 which offers this feature (e.g. InJoy)?

A-- Yep, InJoy does offer an "AutoDial" feature. Also, so does the "Dial Other Internet Providers" utility you are probably using right now. Just type the "Name" of the connection you want to dial (whatever you entered in the "Name" field of the DOIP Add Entry notebook when you set up your Internet connection) in the Parameters field of the Settings notebook and when you double click on the DOIP object, it will autodial your provider. One note though, make sure you enter the "Name" exactly as it appears in the DOIP because this is case sensitive (meaning "INTERNEX" is not the same as "Internex").

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