FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  387 (28/10/03)

Q

In Word 2000 the menu bar and toolbars appear to have been deleted when I open any new or existing document. Neither of these toolbars is hiding at the side or bottom of the screen. I am not the only person who has access to this computer and it would appear that someone has deleted them.

John Gardner

A

It’s just possible that Word has been left in Full Screen mode, in which case pressing the Esc key will restore it to normal view. Otherwise there may be a problem with the Registry, but it’s worth checking first that someone hasn’t fiddled with the toolbar settings by starting Word in its default mode. To do that go to Run on the Start menu and type ‘winword.exe /a’ (without the quotes) click OK in the password box and see if your menu and toolbars have returned. If not have a look at Microsoft Knowledgebase article Q242368 (just type the reference number into Google’s search window), which has details of the Registry fix.

Q

I wish to use a spare computer and a web-cam to take pictures of my back garden, which backs on to an open space. I require the system to take one picture every few seconds, to save the images and then overwrite them with later images - all of this to be carried out automatically.

Martin Andresier

A

Have a look at a freeware utility called Fwink. This will do all that you ask plus it has the facility to upload images to your personal web site, so, for example, you could view the images when you’re away from home or on holiday on any PC with an internet connection, provided of course that you can leave your PC running, with an open Internet connection. Fwink works with all versions of Windows, the download is only 1.2Mb and you’ll find it at: http://lundie.ca/fwink/

Q

My problems started a couple of months ago when my work computer was "re-loaded". I noticed that some sounds it played were at a higher pitch than normal, for example the "new mail" sound in an email package I sometimes use. My local computer help person is bemused and I can see it's not high priority in terms of a workplace problem!

Rachel Fell

A

If this was your own computer I would suggest that you first uninstall then re-install the sound card or adaptor driver software, and if that didn’t work, go to the sound card (or motherboard manufacturer) web site and download the latest drivers. However, since this is a work computer you probably won’t have access to driver files and you really shouldn’t interfere with system files. Although it’s not a serious problem you might drop a hint to the technician that this could be a precursor to a more serious fault and it might save them time and effort later on if they had a look at it. Well, it’s worth a try…

Q

I am looking to purchase a scanner, which can scan not just 35mm format negatives but also the older 110 and 127 formats. All the literature I have seen only talks about 35mm formats. Can you help to point me in the right direction?
Roger Warwick, Stockport

A

The 110 and 127 film sizes are both obsolete so it’s hardly surprising that there’s little or no support from scanner manufacturers but there are ways and means, and plenty of specialist companies that can do the work for you. For a simple explanation of the problem have a look at: www.slidescanning.com/faq.html#formats, and there’s some useful suggestions for making DIY film holders and masks at: www.acecam.com/photo-forum-9.html

Q

Since downloading a Windows 98 update I am being pestered by a recurrent
on-screen message that informs me that ‘RNAAPP caused an invalid page fault in module WININET.DLL’.  There is no other evidence of any operating problem and the message can be removed by closing the box.
Peter Gray, Belfast

A

This particular error message usually means there’s a corrupt file in the Cookies or Temporary Internet Files folders. You can clear both by going to Internet Options on the Tools menu, select the General tab then click the Delete Cookies and Delete Files buttons.

Q

Whenever I closed Outlook Express or any Internet web site my computer used to put up a window giving the choice to 'Stay connected?' or   'Disconnect now?'. For some reason this window no longer appears and I have to click on the status bar and disconnect - which I don’t always remember to do. I suppose I must have disabled something somewhere but can find no reference to this facility in any of the manuals. Can you help?

Maggie Norrington

A

You would have had to be quite determined to switch this facility off as it’s buried deep inside the Internet Settings menu. Open Control Panel and click on Internet Options, select the Connections tab then highlight your Dial-Up networking connection and click Settings. Under Dial Up Settings click the Properties button then select the Dialling tab and right down the bottom check the item ‘Disconnect When Connection May no Longer be Needed’. Exit by clicking the OK buttons on each of the dialogue boxes.

Q

Since the 'sobig' virus appeared email received with an attachment cannot be opened. When I try to open the attachment I see a banner 'OE removed access to the following unsafe attachments in your email'. I have Norton Virus Checker on my computer, which has quarantined several 'sobig' virus emails and I have noticed no other problems.  How can I view attachments?

Nigel Leveridge

A

This may have happened following the installation of a Microsoft Security Update or Service Pack, in which case the facility to download potentially attachments has been switched off, as a precaution. You can switch it back on again by going to OE’s Tools menu, select Options then the Security tab and uncheck the item ‘Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened…’. Click Apply and normal operation will be resumed, just remember not to open any unexpected or dubious-looking attachments!