FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  390 (18/11/03)

Q

I have a friend who is going blind. She is unable to see the icons on her PC and finds it difficult to use her programs. She can touch type but is unable to see if she has made a mistake. Do you know of a program that will input a magnifier onto her screen that will enable her to see the icons and be able to use the start menu?

G.Sims, via email

A

All versions of Windows come with a simple Screen Magnifier utility, though it is not normally installed by default on Windows 9x (95/98/SE/ME), to do that go to Add/Remove programs in Control Panel, click the Windows Setup tab, double click Accessibility then check the item Accessibility tools, click OK and follow the prompts. The Windows XP magnifier is a little more sophisticated, to switch it on go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility > Magnifier; there’s a detailed user guide on the Microsoft web site at:

www.microsoft.com/enable/training/

windowsxp/usingmagnifier.aspx

The Windows magnifiers are a little basic but there’s plenty of more advanced shareware and freeware programs available and the best place to start looking is the Screen Magnifier’s homepage at:

http://www.magnifiers.org/main2.shtml

Q

I am fairly sure that some time ago you advised how to show the file name at the foot of a printed document so that it was easy to locate that file. Despite searching F!F!F! archives I cannot seem to find it. Would be grateful if you could advise where I can read how to do it!

Graham Savill, via email

A

Better than that, here’s the step by step procedure: on the View menu select Header and Footer, click the switch Footer/Header icon (third from the end) to change to Footer, next, with the cursor flashing in the Footer box go to the Insert menu and select Field, in the Categories window select Document Information and in the FieldName window choose FileName. You can change the characteristics using the Options button or just click OK and it’s done.

Q

Due to a couple of new viruses which sneaked in, in spite of my Norton Antivirus Software I have had to quarantine two small programs (svcinit.exe and mssys.exe) and then delete them as the Norton anti-virus has not yet got a solution to repair them! I have no idea how important they are. The trouble is I cannot find how to obtain them from elsewhere to reload them I have done a search on my original Windows CD, which came with the computer, but neither file showed up. I have tried Microsoft without any success, can you recommend an Internet site, which might help, perhaps a help forum of some sort?  

John Coombes, near York

A

You definitely do not want to reload these programs, as they are the viruses! In fact svcinit.exe and mssys.exe are both Trojans, nasty little ‘spyware’ programs that monitor activity on your computer, log keystrokes and allow others to access files on your hard disc via the Internet. Your AntiVirus program is doing its job and removed both of them; it should however have made it clearer that these programs were the problem. 

Q

I am having a major problem with my display settings. It is stuck on 16-bit 600 x 800 and most settings for games should be 24-bit. I have tried lots of times in display panel and changed it there and clicked apply and then had to restart the computer and the setting hasn't changed.  Hence, we can't see pictures correctly and all the windows are far too big for the screen.  Please help before the computer goes out of the window!

Vicky Jells, via email

A

Almost all display problems are caused by a corrupt or missing video driver. This is the software program that tells your PC what type of video adaptor it is using, and how to communicate with it. The simplest thing to do is uninstall the current adaptor and reinstall it – make sure you have it first, though, either on a disc that came with your PC or download the latest version from the manufacturer’s web site. To uninstall the old driver right-click on My Computer then select Properties then Device Manager. Double click Display Adaptors, highlight the entry for your video adaptor and click the Remove button. Shut down the computer and reboot and you should be asked for your driver disc, or the location of the video driver file, reinstall the driver and all should be well once again.

Q

I have an AST Premier 4/66d computer (1994 vintage), using Windows 95, which is fine for my needs. I recently acquired a Canon BJC-2100 Bubble jet printer, which is not on the list of printers given on my computer and which I cannot get to work. Is there any way I can get my computer and printer to cooperate?

Ray Tagli, via email

A

Age isn’t a problem in this case, there’s an updated Windows 95 driver for the BJC-2100 on the Canon Support web site, and you’ll find it at:

http://ww2.canon-europe.com/cgi-bin/

CEDD/list-products.cgi?catid=5

Q

I am moving to Switzerland shortly and need a PC -- would it be better to buy one before I go or wait to get out there? Anything in particular I should consider when buying a PC? Also I need an e-mail address - again should I wait or set one up before I go?
Debbie Edwards, via email

A

The PC I would buy here – and have you considered a laptop, it would be a lot easier to transport and these days they are just as functional as desktop models? Either way the price is likely to be quite a bit lower in the UK and it will be configured for English use, with an English (or thereabouts….) instruction manual. Repairs shouldn’t be a problem but if you want them carried out under guarantee then you should shortlist the better-known International brands with Swiss service centres. If you are going to be there for any length of time then you should ask Swiss friends or colleagues for recommendations for a local Internet Service Provider, otherwise you could sign up for an AOL or CompuServe account here and transfer it to your new location, and still keep the same email address if you later return to the UK.