By Kim Komando
Gannett News Service

Q. I have a dual-boot system. Can I get rid of Windows 98 and keep Windows XP? The operating systems are in separate partitions.

A. You can use Disk Manager, a part of XP, to get rid of the second partition. To find it, click Start, Control Panel and double-click Administrative Tools. Double-click Computer Management, then click Disk Management. The partitions will appear in the right panel. Click the one you want to delete. Click Action, All Tasks and Delete Partition. Deleting the partition will destroy all the data in it.

Q. When a WAV file is compressed to 90 percent of its original size as an MP3 file, who decides what sounds are dropped?

A. The software that creates MP3s removes sounds that humans cannot hear. Very high pitched sounds are dropped, for example. Some MP3s sound better than others. It depends on how much data is saved as the file is created. This can range from 64 to 320 kilobits per second. The more data saved, the larger the file. CD-quality sound is generally placed at 128 kbps. Can you hear the difference between the original CD and an MP3? Some experts claim you can't.

Q. I am on a message list in France and receive hundreds of e-mails daily. How do I get this stopped?

A. First, send a removal request e-mail to whoever manages the list. The address may be at the end of the messages. If you cannot read French, use an online translation tool such as Bablefish's (babelfish.altavista.com/translate.dyn) or Google's (www.google.com/language_tools) If that doesn't work, ask your ISP to bounce the e-mails back as undeliverable. The list probably removes bad addresses automatically. You also could set up a filter in your e-mail to route the e-mails to the trash. Finally, if nothing else works, change your e-mail address.

Q. I have old 8mm films that must be shown using a projector. Any suggestions on how to get the film image to my computer?

A. For best results, you have to project the image into a box, where it is reflected on to a modern camera. The film made by the camera then can be used to export the image to a computer. If you have such a projector, the products are the Image Transfer Studio ($150; www.clevergear.com) and the Sima Copy Kit 3 ($98; www.markertek.com).

Consider having the work done professionally. Costs range from 12 cents a foot to transfer film to DVD to more than $100 for a three-hour DVD.

Reach Kim Komando through www.komando.com.