FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  257 (04/04/01)

Q

I would like to print out a sample list of all the fonts available on my system to show to others, when I am composing invitations or other documents for them, to allow them to choose a font. I can do it the by the longhand method, which would probably take me two or three hours to complete but is there quicker method?  I have Windows 98 and Office 2000.
Keith Jones

There is a macro (an automated function in a program), originally written for Word 97 that will do the job. You can find it on the Microsoft web site at: http://support.microsoft.com/

support/kb/articles/q170/9/70.asp.

It would take too long to transcribe, so highlight and copy the list of commands in the grey box to the Windows clipboard by pressing Ctrl + C. Open Word, click on Macro on the Tools menu, then Macros, clear the Macro Name field, call it ListFonts and click the Create button. The NewMacros window opens with a flashing cursor above End Sub, press Ctrl + V (paste command) to copy the macro from the Clipboard. Delete the first ('Sub ListFonts()') and last ('End Sub') lines, then try it by clicking the Run icon (small triangle) on the top toolbar. If all's well Word will create a new document with a two-line sample of each font, which can be saved or printed out. If you want to use the macro on a regular basis you can assign it a toolbar icon. Right click an empty part of the toolbar and select Customize and the Commands tab, scroll down the Categories list to find and highlight Macros, ListFonts should appear in the Commands Windows, drag and drop the icon onto the Toolbar, right click the new icon, choose change button image, select an icon and click Default Style.

Q

I regularly compile pattern crosswords on a 15 x 15 grid. Is there any software that will enable me to design my own? I need to put the layout on the screen and then set the questions and answers as I am going along. The software I have used in the past chooses the pattern and inserts the answers automatically. Alternatively, is there a program that produces the regular 15 x 15 pattern but enables me to create the questions/answers myself?

Geoffrey Berry

A

If you have Microsoft Word you can create a grid with the Table facility, use 'Fill' on the Tables and Borders toolbar to black in squares. Otherwise there are dozens of crossword design programs, have a look at WordCrosser, which can be downloaded from the Tucows shareware site (www.tucows.com). Other sites you might like to peruse are:

http://www.crauswords.com/

http://www.homeware.com/

http://home.freeuk.net/dharrison/

puzzles/utility.htm

Q

I have Windows 98 SE and I regularly defrag my hard disc. In Boot Camp you advise readers to disable Power Management before defragmenting. When I purchased my computer, I was told not to interfere with power management. Please tell me how to disable it?

Brian Gargate

A

Power Management on desktop PCs is not an especially dangerous area for novices and most of the settings are fairly self-explanatory. The option to disable it can be found in Control Panel (Start > Settings), click on the Power Management icon, make a note of the current setting under Power Schemes then using the drop down menu select 'Always On'. If you want to keep an eye on Defrag's progress you may also want to change the Monitor Off setting to 'Never'). Don't forget to put everything back to the way it was when it has finished.

Q

I have inserted a new colour cartridge in my printer but it will only print in blue. It will not print in black or colour. I have carried out all the troubleshooting tests as outlined in the Canon Users Manual such as print cleaning nozzle cleaning and printing tests to no avail. Is this a common fault? Do you think it is a printer fault, a faulty cartridge or have I perhaps damaged the cartridge when inserting it
Alfred Briscoe

A

Modern printers are usually very reliable but it's not unknown for dirty contacts on the moving print head or cartridge to cause problems and it wouldn't hurt to wipe them gently with a cotton bud soaked in a cleaning fluid like isopropyl alcohol (the stuff that comes with audio/video tape and disc cleaner kits). If that doesn't work then the chances are the cartridge is faulty and you can easily confirm that by trying another one.

Q

I use Windows 98SE and Office 2000 and in the "My Documents" folder I have a personal file which holds some data which I would like to protect with a password without it affecting the rest of the computer. I can find instructions on how to protect the whole system, but can you tell me how I can protect individual folders or files?

John Truslove,

A

There are various strategies you can use to protect information in Windows from casual snoopers. One of the simplest is to 'hide' the file in a program folder and give it an innocuous or anonymous name. A more secure method would be to encrypt and password protect the file. There's an excellent freeware file management utility called rjhExtensions that can do this (and much more besides), it's quite small (675kb) and can be downloaded from: http://www.rjhsoftware.com/rjhextensions/