FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  392 (02/12/03)

Q

My daughter and I both share the same computer. She is constantly instant messaging with her friends on-line but when she replies all her contacts end up in my Outlook Express Contacts folder. Can you tell me if there is any way to stop this happening?

Jim Ennis

A

There certainly is, go to Outlook Express’s Tools menu and select Options then the Send tab, the third item down should be ‘Automatically put people I reply to in my Address Book’, uncheck it, click Apply then OK.

Q

I have downloaded Real Player One so that I can access video and audio clips on the BBC website. However now every time I load an audio CD into my computer RealOne Player opens and tries to access the Internet to download a track listing. I'm tearing my hair out, and just want AudioStation to be my default CD player again. Please can you help!
Nick Cavender, via email

A

RealOne Player is notoriously pervasive – the BBC really should have known better -- and you have to keep your wits about you during the installation process otherwise it can take over. You can have a go at altering the Preferences on the Tools menu, but the new settings don’t always stick. Nevertheless, try it first and select CD in the Category windows and uncheck ‘Start Playback’ under When inserting a CD’ then click the ‘Additional CD Options button and deselect everything! Next, select ‘Media Types’ and make sure Audio CD and all other audio formats you don’t want Real One to play are deselected. Finally, go to Run on the Start menu and type ‘msconfig’, click the Startup tab and uncheck all references to Real Player, including the sneakily named ‘TkBellExe’ which handles automatic updates. If that doesn’t work then the best option is to completely uninstall the player and start over and when you get to the Customize options during the installation routine, select it and switch everything off you don’t want or need.

Q

Thanks for the hint in last week’s Boot Camp on how to get rid of Windows Messenger pop-ups. The only problem is I've done what you said but still the wretched thing appears every time I dial in to my ISP with reminders that a "newer version of Messenger is available", so despite showing as "disabled" in "services.msc" something else must be triggering it. Any further ideas?

Roy Cotton

A

This is a background ‘service’ running in XP that automatically scans for Messenger updates, even though it is switched off. To banish it forever right click on the Start button, select Properties then the Taskbar tab. Click the Customize button and scroll down the ‘Current Items’ list until you get to Windows Messenger, highlight the entry then in the Behaviour column, click the drop-down menu and choose ‘Always Hide’. Click Okay, then Apply and you shouldn’t be bothered by it again, hopefully…

Q

After downloading my new Symantec security package, I have three new icons on my desktop.  One is the shortcut to my security system, which I want. Another opens the installation file, and the third opens the setup program.  I think the latter two should have been deleted or moved during the installation process, but I'm not sure. Can I safely delete these installation and setup program files?  If not, how can I move them off my desktop?

Mary Deg, via email

A

The new icons may be caused by a previous version of Norton Anti Virus (NAV) or Norton Internet Security (NIS) not being properly uninstalled by the new program’s installer. Odd things can also happen if the PC has previously been loaded with another anti-virus program or it has been infected with a virus. The solution is to completely uninstall all anti-virus software and in extreme cases, edit the Registry. I suggest that you visit the Symantec support web site,  www.symantec.com/techsupp/

support_options.html), click the Installation link and follow the prompts to the Install Issues faq for the program you are using.

Q

My Windows 98SE computer is fitted with a USB 1 socket. Can I use a scanner fitted with a USB 2 connection and no separate power input, without modifying my setup?

Rhys Jenkins, via email

A

The vast majority of USB2 devices will work when connected to a USB1 port, though naturally they default to the slower data rate so there won’t be any performance benefits. However, before you proceed, it is a good idea to check the scanner manufacturer’s web sites to see if there are any compatibility issues or updated drivers available.

Q

When I exit Outlook Express I get the following message: 'msimn.exe application error …referenced memory could not be written.'

Kennedy Grange, via email

A

Unfortunately there are several possibilities, including faulty memory chips, but I suggest you leave that one until last and have a look through the following Microsoft Knowledgebase articles: 288085, 258034, 225867. Just type the number into Google’s search window.

Q

The top email in my Inbox always opens if I had ignored it when first received. This means possible virus containing emails open without my accepting them. A cure please.

George Benwell, via email

A

You are right, leaving this option switched on can expose your PC to viruses so open Outlook Express, go to Layout on the View menu and deselect the item 'Preview Pane'.

Q

Your recent Boot Camp articles on Spam were interesting but of little use to those of us who prefer Eudora as our e-mail system. Is it possible to block Spam in a similar way on Eudora?
Richard Hutchinson, via email

A

Eudora has a facility called ‘Filters’ which are similar in concept to Outlook Express Rules and there are a couple of helpful articles on how to use them at: http://www.cecilw.com/eudora/ and www.overcomeemailoverload.com/

eudora/top3.html