FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  314 (21/05/02)

Q

I recently tried to send a number of pictures via email. I broke them into lots of about 2.5 megabytes but they were returned with the message that the server could not handle more than 1.5 Mb. I subsequently broke them down
to less than 1.5Mb but they were still returned to me. Problem is, it took a long time to send them and a long, long time to get them back - basically with the message that it was a waste of time! Is there any way that I can stop them being returned? It only compounds the problem.
Roy Wiggins

A

Message size is decided by the Internet Service Providers that you, and to a lesser extent, whoever you are sending the pictures to are using. Perhaps that’s something you should take up with them, or change your ISPs? However, there is a facility in Outlook Express to automatically split large emails into smaller chunks, which may provide a solution in the short term. You can set message size by going to Accounts on the Tools menu, highlight your dial-up connection then click Properties and select the Advanced tab. Check the box ‘Break apart messages larger than..’ and set your size limit.

Q

In the days of hot metal fonts, character combinations such as ff, fiand fl used to be combined into single ligatures to allow the 'f' to overhang the following letter. This still happens in book printing, but not apparently in your newspaper. I have searched my font files in Windows ME and can't find anything equivalent. Nor does there appear to be support for ligatures in word processing software. Is there a way to get them into my fonts?
Alan Hakim

A

Ligatures are possible in Microsoft Word using the spacing options (highlight the characters then go to Font on the Format menu, select the Character Spacing tab) but if you want to make a habit of it you can use a special macro to automate the process. You will find full details and the text of the macro – which you can copy and paste into Word Macro -- at: http://www.hughwhitehouse.com/WLIG.htm

Q

I have Windows 98, and we have two desktops set up (for my wife and for me) as well as the default desktop. Whenever we switch between desktops, and also when we close down the PC, it tries to operate the floppy drive.  This holds up the process, with the usual clunking and groaning, for a few seconds, before the PC gives up and moves on.  I'm sure this did not always happen, but cannot remember when it started.  Is there anything I can do to stop this?

David Jackson, Derbyshire

A

This is the ‘Floppy Seek at Boot Up’ command in your computer’s BIOS (basic input output system) program, the idea being that if your PC can boot from a floppy if the hard disc drive fails. It doesn’t usually switch itself on spontaneously and there may be an underlying problem, such as a dead or dying motherboard backup battery which has caused the BIOS to default to factory settings. If you happy about poking around your PC’s inner workings you can switch the floppy seek off by going into the BIOS program; refer to the motherboard manual or watch for on-screen instructions at boot up, like ‘To enter Setup press Del’. Alternatively upgrade to Windows XP, which lets you change users without re-booting.

Q

I'm secretary of an organisation and I've been sent a letterhead on a floppy by the printer. It says that it’s in PDF format and I can open it using Acrobat. However, I can't do anything except print it. I want to make Compliment slips, add text to it so that I can circulate newsletters by email. Instead of the usual arrow, I get a little hand on the screen. I've tried saving, pasting copying etc. but none of these work. Any ideas?
Brian Crangle

Assuming that you’ve got a recent version of Adobe Acrobat (Version 5 is the current release), you can copy and paste a graphic using the Graphic Select tool, which is right next door to the Text tool (‘T’ button on the Basic toolbar). Simply drag the capture box around the letterhead, press Ctrl + C to copy it to the Windows Clipboard, and Ctrl + V to Paste it into your chosen word processor or paint program.

Q

Window's Solitaire has just started display an error message saying it has performed an illegal operation. It has caused a general protection fault in module KRNL 386.Exe at 0002:00003077. It started perfectly in Diagnostic setup and Selective Startup. I have removed in by Window Uninstall and then reinstalled it, but it still does not work. Help appreciated.

Gordon Mansfield

A

This is a know problem, usually caused by the presence of a troublesome piece of software called Bonzai Buddy, which you may have downloaded from the Internet, or Microsoft’s Intellipoint software. Full details of how to get your favourite card game back to normal are outlined in a Microsoft Knowledgebase article at:

http://support.microsoft.com/

default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q237900

Q

I've used Microsoft Word for quite some while and find the spelling and grammar checks useful, particularly when set up to be used as individual tools.  However, I have a minor colour vision problem and am unable to clearly differentiate the underline colours between a spelling error and a grammatical error.  Does anyone know if there is a way to change one of the underline colours to, say, blue?
Stuart Edwards

A

We’ve dealt with this annoyance before and the bottom line is that it the colour of the wavy underlines cannot be changed as they are ‘hard coded’ by the program. However, Microsoft has finally seen the light and incorporated this facility into Word 2002, which is available as a standalone program or as part of the Office XP suite.

Q

In the days of pen and ink... I used to write Post-It Notes to remind me about things and stick them on my desk is there anything similar I can program into my computer so that when I switch on there is a prominent message on the desktop till I delete it?

Merry Thompson

A

There is and it is called -- surprise-surprise -- Post It Notes! You can download a freeware ‘lite’ version from:

www.3m.com/market/office/

postit/com_prod/psnotes/sn_download.html