FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  356 (23/03/03)

Q

When emailing our French friends I'd like to be able to use accents on words where needed.  The drop-down Insert menu "Symbols" doesn't work nor do the short cuts to add accents, which one can use in Word. Someone told me that there is a way to add accents when writing emails.  If this is so, how do I do it?

Mary Smith, Linslade, Bedfordshire.

A

Below is a list of the most commonly used accent and foreign character codes, (and this trick applies to all Windows applications). All you have to do is press and hold the Alt key then enter the number, but you must use the numeric keypad, not the numbers along the top of the keyboard.

Alt + 133 = à, 131= â, 135 = ç 130 = é, 138 = è. 136 = ê, 137 = ë, 140 = î, 139 = ï, 147 = ô, 151 = ù, 150 = û, 183 = À, 182 = Â, 128 = Ç, 212 = È, 144 = É , 210 =  Ê, 211 = Ë, 215 = Î, 216 = Ï, 226 = Ô, 235 = Ù, 234 = Û,

Q

How do I create a template with fixed text that cannot be edited or deleted?  I have tried Microsoft Knowledgebase and Word help without success. I would like to be able to enter formatted information, too.
Chris Myers 
 
A

It’s really easy, go to New on the File menu, select the General tab and in the bottom right corner click Create New Template then OK. A blank document opens, insert your text and change the formatting as required then use SaveAs on the File menu to give it a name. Your newly created template can be called up at any time from New on the File menu. If you want to protect your template from changes go to File > New > General once again and right-click on your template icon, select Properties and check the box marked ‘Read Only’.

Q

In chapter 5 of Rick Maybury's book Boot up Rescue mention is made that DLL files are often the cause of problems resulting in an error message "an illegal operation has occurred and the program will be shut down". When calling up the details on my PC it mentions Kernel32.DLL file. Using Find, the Properties page shows ‘Created: 21 September 2002; and Modified: 23 April 1999’. The creation date has obviously been corrupted but I do not know how to correct this.
H E Reiner, Mill Hill, London NW7

A

Firstly, I wouldn’t worry too much about the dates the file was created and modified and this is unlikely to have anything to do with your problem. Kernel32.dll errors are quite common, ‘.dll’ stands for dynamic link library, which means it is a critical system file that has a number of functions, principally managing your PC’s memory and controlling the flow of data within the PC. When Windows boots up Kernel32.dll is loaded into a protected section of your PC’s memory and problem arise when other programs attempt to use this space. Kernel32.dll errors are many and varied but you’ll find help for a lot of them at: http://www.generation.net/~hleboeuf/errkrn32.htm

Q

At each start up Windows 98SE reports an error in the system files. Registry checker proceeds to restore a recent back up.  What might be causing it and is there a permanent fix? 

Andy Beal, South Woodford, London

A

Registry problems can sometimes be swines to fix but there are a number of utilities that can help you to clean out the unused and unwanted entries that usually cause error messages. However, before you do anything make sure that you backup your present configuration so if the worst happens you won’t be any worse off. Go to Run on the Start menu and type ‘regedit’ (without the quotes) and go to Export on the Registry file, give it a name (today’s date) and click OK. If problems arise simply double click your registry ‘bak’ file and it will be automatically restored. Now go to http://www.hoverdesk.net/ click the Freeware link and download RegSeeker and when it has been installed use the ‘Clean the Registry’ option.

Q

I use Outlook Express to send and receive e-mails. Occasionally I need to archive important information to floppy or CD-ROM but I can't find my e-mails anywhere on my hard drive using Windows Explorer. Is there an easier way of archiving these important e-mails than cutting and pasting them into Word?

Peter Cole

A

All you have to do is open the message you want to archive and go to SaveAs on the File menu then select Text File in the Save As Type drop down menu and choose where you want it to be save.

Q

I have recently started receiving a new type of pop-up called 'Messenger
Service' which then contains a message from a source unknown to me inviting me to look at their web site. They are becoming quite irritating, as they often tend to be salacious. Can you tell me how to get rid of them? Do I
need to unsubscribe somewhere or are they through my ISP?
Mike Hill

A

This particular annoyance was originally incorporated into Windows XP as a means for network operators to send messages to workstations but it has since been hijacked by spammers. To switch it off go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, double click Messenger Services and on Start-Up Type select Disabled.  If Administrative Tools isn’t displayed right-click the Start button and select Properties, in the Start Menu tab select Customize and check the option to ‘Display Administrative Tools.

Q

I have a Compaq PC (Pentium II) with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. All of which means absolutely nothing to me. I would dearly like to purchase a reasonably priced digital camera but from my interpretation they require at least Windows 2000.

Arthur Wolstenholme, Stretford, Manchester,

A

It’s bad news I’m afraid. Windows NT does not support USB, which most digital cameras require in order to download picture files, either directly or indirectly via a USB memory card reader. A few companies have developed NT compatible USB drivers but it’s a messy business and quite honestly it would be quicker and simpler to save all of your data files, format the disc and install Windows 98, your PC is probably too slow for Windows XP. If it hasn’t got any USB ports you can add them with a plug in card, which costs around £20.