FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  312 (07/05/02)

Q

I recently joined my new company, and I need help with something that's really annoying me. When find a file using Windows Explorer (e.g. a Word document or Excel spreadsheet) and double-click, unless I already have Word or Excel open, it won't launch and comes up with an error message. I then have to start again, launch Word, and open a document, and find it that way. On other PC’s I've always found my files using Explorer, and cannot get out of the habit of doing so.  Any tips or hints gratefully received. 

Steve Simmonds

A

You’re right, usually clicking on a file in Explorer will launch the application it is associated with but for some reason the file associations on your company’s PC do not work, or have been changed. To put that right – and assuming you’re allowed to tinker with it -- go to Folder Options on the View menu in Explorer and click the File Types tab. Scroll down the list to find Microsoft Word Document or Excel Spreadsheet, highlight the item and click the Edit button. On the dialogue box that appears you can now specify the program it opens with (i.e. ‘winword.exe’ in C:\Programs\Microsoft Office\Office) by double clicking on Open in the Action window.

Q

Since switching to NTL broadband recently I find on start-up that a small window appears demanding that I insert a CD-ROM I have never heard of ‘terausb\vtruck.exe’. Clicking on Cancel clears the window but I wonder what it is? How do I eliminate it?

Jim McCormick

A

I found only two references to Vtruck.exe, the first is a part of an ISP signup program called Roadrunner, which as far as I can make out is only available in Oklahoma… There’s a useful FAQ at: http://www.mmcoklahoma.com /faq.htm#Available. The other one is a virtual reality truck modelling program developed by a company called Aims Solutions (http://www.aims-solutions.co.uk/). This appears only to have ever existed in Beta (trial) version, so how either of them got onto your PC is a mystery!

It sounds like an aborted installation so have a look in your Startup folder (Start > Programs) and your Windows Startup Group by going to Run on the Start menu, typing ‘msconfig’ and clicking the Startup button. If you see any references to vtruck delete or disable them.

Q

I enjoy playing FreeCell occasionally for some reason my cursor will not function as an arrow and move any cards, it behaves as if it is waiting for a program to close. Though I have closed everything and gone off line,  it will not respond. I am nearly 80 and do not know much of the technology of the computer. Any help available?

J. Jaquiery

A

Providing the other programs on your PC are functioning normally it’s likely the FreeCell game has become corrupted, in which case a quick uninstall then re-install should do the trick. Go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel (Start > Settings), select the Windows Setup tab, double-click Accessories then deselect Games. It’s a good idea to reboot the PC then go back to Add/Remove Programs and re-select Games then OK (have your Windows disc handy) and follow the instructions.

Q
If a caller to my telephone number can withhold their number, is there a way that my telephone can be coded to reject calls where the caller's number has been withheld?
Michael Fielding

A

There is indeed, the service you require is called 'Anonymous Call Rejection', it costs £9.99 a quarter (a bit steep I reckon…) but all you have to do is call BT Customer Services on 150 and they'll switch it on for you.

Q

My PC has a 2.34Gb hard drive and uses Microsoft ME. I have recently become aware of an increasing shortage of space. On inspection of the directory I discover that the drive contains a massive, and growing, file of 1,155 GB entitled "Restore" which breaks down to three 1Kb shortcuts and one 62Kb data file. Clearly the shortcuts lead to disk-gobbling folders.

Help tutors me in the need for and use of Restore and explains that it requires 200 MB to record parameters for the last two weeks. Currently Restore displays 25 dates spread over March and April. I've got 299Mb left and I'm getting claustrophobic! Something needs to be corrected and Help contributes nothing to assist. How do I reduce the space occupied by Restore?

Michael Weston, Sandhurst, Berks

A

Normally the maximum size of the ME Data Store, on drives smaller than 4Gb should not exceed 400Mb, on larger drives it can be up to 12% of the drive capacity. In theory when the restore folder reaches 90% capacity older files are automatically purged as new Restore points are created. The Restore folder cannot be edited manually but the size can be adjusted, which may be what has happened in your case. To slim down the folder size go to Control Panel click System, then the Performance tab and the File System button. On the Hard Disk tab adjust the System Restore Disc Space slider to a more manageable size and re-boot your PC. 

Q

I recently discovered I had been infected by the Gibe virus. Norton Antivirus scanned my system and told me that the virus had been placed in quarantine but I find I am still unable to send emails - my email server will not forward them.  What can I do?

Don S

A

It sounds as though the virus files haven’t been completely removed, there’s a useful article and a link to a removal tool on the Symantec web site at:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/ avcenter/venc/data/w32.gibe@mm.html

Q

I have an analogue camcorder and a Windows XP PC (which includes a basic video editing package). Is there a gizmo, which would enable me to connect the two so I can edit my tapes on the PC? I have various leads with phono and SCART plugs etc. but nothing seems to connect to the PC at present.
Vivian Dunn

A

Your PC lacks an analogue video input, which can be in the form of an external module, that plugs into a USB socket, or an expansion card, that fits onto your PC’s motherboard. External modules are generally easier to configure and range in price from the sophisticated Dazzle Hollywood Bridge (£250 at Dixons and PC World) to simpler and cheaper devices like the Pinnacle Linx cable (www.pinnaclesys.com). F