Alexander: With e-books, you can't always read what you want

QLast year I bought a Sony e-book reader, but now I'd prefer to read my e-books on the larger screen of my Samsung Galaxy tablet computer. Is there a way I can transfer e-books I've purchased for the Sony e-reader to my tablet, which uses Kobo e-reader software?

MARGARET CAINES,

OTTAWA, ONTARIO

AYes, but not easily. While the Kobo and Sony e-readers use the same industry standard E-pub file format, Sony adds some Adobe copy-protection software that Kobo needs help to read. As a result you must register your e-reader online (see tinyurl.com/7u9zpt6), then verify you have the rights to the Sony e-book (see "to add a DRM (digital rights management) book" at tinyurl.com/7d7ynzn.)

Alternatively, you could try downloading the Sony e-reader software to your tablet computer and reading your Sony e-books that way. Your Samsung tablet uses Google's Android operating system, and there's a free Sony e-reader app in the Android Marketplace (an online store you can reach by clicking the Android Market icon on your tablet.) The app is for Android smartphones, but it will probably work on your tablet.

QI'm having trouble getting my photos to run in a slide show on Windows 7. I've followed the instructions, but the photos don't show up on my screen. What's the problem?

EARNEST MERCER,

AThere are two ways to set up a slide show on Windows 7. The key in either case is to put all the photos you want to use in one file folder.

Choice No. 1 is a slide show that covers the screen. It obscures your desktop icons and toolbar, giving you a clear view of your photos.

Go to Start, then click the "Pictures" heading on the right. This will take you inside the Pictures folder as viewed with Windows Explorer. If the folder containing your photos isn't already in the Pictures folder, use your cursor to drag it there. Then click the folder containing the photos, and select "slide show" at the top of Windows Explorer to start. For a video demo, see tinyurl.com/7udfz54.

Choice No. 2 is a slide show that runs as an ever-changing desktop background picture. Because you can still see your icons and toolbar, you're able to do other things on your computer without disrupting the show.

Go to Start, then Control Panel. In the search box type "desktop background," then on the next menu click "Change desktop background." Use the "browse" button to search for folder containing the photos. For more details, see "To use your own pictures" at tinyurl.com/ydlc9vw.