Q A rash of e-mails has recently been returned from addresses I have been messaging for years because of a service called MailProve. What is going on?

David Walker, West Yorkshire

A A growing number of filtering services, including MailProve and SpamCop, ensure that junk e-mail is removed before reaching our inboxes. However, they can be overzealous. One of my ISP e-mail services, Cix, is filtering my mail so vigorously that it is bouncing messages from my friends, which is not good. The better news is that spam infestation does appear to be slowly decreasing. If your messages go missing en route, try sending them again through a different service, such as Hotmail; or complain loudly to the e-mail service in question. Sad world, isn’t it?

SPARKIER PLUG

Q My phone socket is a long way from my computer, and I am considering installing broadband. What is the best way to proceed?

Ian Bailey, via e-mail

A With HomePlug’s superb new Powerline products (www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline.htm) you can set up — in minutes — a computer network through the mains wiring. Put a HomePlug unit into the mains wall socket next to your broadband modem, then connect them with a standard Ethernet network cable. You can then stick other HomePlug units into power sockets anywhere in the house, and the internet is piped through the mains to those points. However, this won’t work with a three-phase electricity system. You can plug in multiple boxes for computers around the house, as long as each machine has an Ethernet socket or standard network card inside. It’s completely plug-and-play, there are no drivers to install and thick walls will not ruin the signal. Prices start at £55 per pair. Alternatively, go wireless.

COLLECTOR'S ITEM

Q Does a system exist that can store my collection of 5,000 music CDs on a hard disk and connect to my hi-fi?

Ade Taiwo, via e-mail

A The problem with storing this quantity of music is that you need a gigantic hard disk, and no audio manufacturer that I know of has come up with this kind of technology. Kaleidescape (www.kaleidescape.com) promises music storage in the future, but it will cost upwards of £12,000 for the privilege. The best solution for the moment would probably be to purchase a computer with a 500GB disk and good speakers. You could even treat it as a music jukebox for streaming sounds to your hi-fi system, through a £187 Roku Soundbridge (tinyurl.com/cbca9). Though perhaps not as elegant as an all-in-one box, this shouldn’t cost you too much if you buy sensibly.

SHARP MUSIC MOVER

Q Is there an easy way to transfer iPod music from my Apple Mac to my Compaq laptop without losing playlist information?

Neil Delaney, Dublin

A Be careful when transferring music between machines, in case you inadvertently delete tracks for ever or wipe out your tags, playlists and organisational structure. Luckily, there are a couple of sources of detailed information on how to carry out this tricky process: Apple’s own site (tinyurl.com/7msun), and Brett Wilms’s helpful page at tinyurl.com/adq4h. The trick is to carefully exploit the synchronisation and drag-and-drop capabilities of the software.

DOWNLOAD UPSHOT

Q What constitutes downloading in terms of your monthly broadband limits?

Graeme Ogg, London

A Unfortunately, downloading includes all data that comes down your modem connection — whether it is a file you save, a website image your browser displays or an e-mail you receive. However, you probably won’t download more than 1-2 gigabytes a month if all you do is surf the web and access e-mails. The limits really become a problem only if you surf all day, watch internet television or download hundreds of files each month. I regularly chew my way through 6-7 gigabytes of data every month, but I’m probably a bit of a nethead.

dontpanic@sunday-times.co.uk

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