FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  309 (16/04/02)

Q
Thanks for the tip about the hidden Work menu in Word (Boot Camp April 2nd) but how do you remove entries from list?  I can remove the button itself but I don't want to do that.
Don Starr

A

Good point, several readers wrote in asking about that. Fortunately it can be done, but there’s a bit of a trick to it. Ctrl + Alt + - (hyphen), the cursor changes to a bar, go to the Work menu and click on the item you want to remove.

Q

My laptop runs Windows 98SE, and I share it with other members of the household. How can I protect (by password or similar) from the prying eyes of others, those Outlook Express files that contain my (sometimes) private emails?

Tony Kerr

A

Outlook Express has a facility called Identities that lets you set up password protected access to your email accounts and mailboxes. It’s a bit long winded but you can find some simple to follow tutorials at the follow web sites.

http://support.microsoft.com/

default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q209169

http://www.xtra.co.nz/help/0,,6155-889572,00.html

Q

I am running Windows ME and trying to find extra space on my C drive I went into Add/Remove Programs. I have removed a couple of items that I don't use but there is one listed as MS Wallet, which I cannot find any other trace of anywhere. I don't know if it is part of Windows or Word 2000 so I rang Microsoft but they tell me that because ME was on my PC when I bought it I will have to ask the manufacturer (who is in Holland) or pay Microsoft technical department to tell me.  Being an OAP, I cannot afford that, so I wondered if you could help.

Lewis Holmes

A

Microsoft Wallet is part of MS Passport, a scheme designed to make it easier to log onto participating web sites. The wallet part contains log-in or usernames, passwords and other personal details it can also store credit card information for use in on-line shopping. Clearly this raises a number of security and privacy issues and there have been reports of loopholes that could allow information stored in the wallet to be revealed so unless you have a burning desire to make use of this facility you can safely delete it, though it’s very unlikely you will free up much hard disc space. If you are running out of room the best solution is to get a larger hard disc drive, or add a second ‘slave’ drive.

Q

Until recently l have been using my computer to get onto the Internet but I have been having problems with the modem. I keep getting a message saying 'device driver not installed'. The computer detects the modem but then the message appears. What can I do to resolve the problem?

Peter Crisford

A

This type of error message usually means the driver software has become corrupted but there’s also a chance that the modem itself could be faulty. The first thing to do is reinstall the driver, so dig out the disc – it’s usually on a CD-ROM that came with your PC – and have it ready. Right-click My Computer, select Properties then Device Manager, select and right-click on your modem, choose Properties and the Driver tab then click the Reinstall button and follow the instructions. Alternatively, if you have access to another Internet PC download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s web site, the name and model number of the modem should be displayed in Device Manager. If that doesn’t solve the problem then there could be a hardware fault, if you’re happy about poking around inside your PC, after taking all of the usual precautions try reseating the modem card. If all else fails get a new modem, they’re not expensive, basic 56k types can be found online for less than £10.

Q

Could you tell me where I can get a copy of Microsoft Word, which I want to install on my daughter's Windows '98 PC? She needs it to help with her coursework for the coming GCSE exams. Her computer came with
MS Works preinstalled, but no Word. Obviously I can get the complete Office suite but this seems such a waste of money.

Jim Davies

A

Word 2002 is available as a standalone program with an ‘official’ street price of over £200, though you can pick up the upgrade version for around £70, but if you don’t mind not having the latest version there are plenty of bargains to be had. In fact a lot of people prefer Word 2000. You can pick up sealed and unregistered versions of Word on auction sites like Ebay (www.ebay.co.uk) for as little as £15, or scour the pages of magazines such as Micro Mart, which regularly carries ads from companies selling unboxed OEM copies (‘original equipment manufacturer’ -- normally supplied to PC system builders) for around £35. 

Q

Following your Boot Camp article on the subject of memory cards I purchased a PG Flashcard and a PCMCIA cardholder for my laptop. How do I configure the PC to recognise the memory card, so that I can use it.

Ian Goodwin

A

Normally you don’t have to do anything, the laptop should automatically recognise the memory card and cardholder as soon as they’re inserted, the card and its contents will be assigned a drive letter and shown as a  ‘Removeable Disc Drive’, or ‘Flash Card’ on the directory tree in Windows Explorer. If the PC fails to register the card then there may be a problem with the card or card holder, or the PC’s card slot or driver software. Have a look in Device Manager (right click My Computer and select Properties), and look down the list for any yellow exclamation marks. Clicking on the errant entry should start a troubleshooter or invite you to reinstall the driver software from the installation disc that came with your PC. 

Q

I regularly clear my Internet temporary files and site history but I am wondering if there is a way of clearing the history on search engines? Whenever I start typing a new search it tries to pre-empt me!!

Alan Edwards

A

This information may be stored in the form of Cookies or an AutoComplete entry. In the case of the former you can manually delete individual Cookies (the name and address of a particular site is usually easy to spot) using Windows Explorer (C:\Windows\Cookies). You can zap all of the cookies stored on your PC from Internet Explorer (Tools > Internet Options, General tab). You can also control the downloading of Cookies from the Privacy tab (IE6) or from the Advanced tab (IE5).