FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  394 (16/12/03)

Q

I use Office 2000 and since October, whenever I create a new document and then choose file Save the dialogue box opens with the format preselected as "Document Template". I have to change the box to indicate Word Document but unfortunately my wife keeps forgetting to do so. Hence every so often I have to rename all files she has created as Word documents and then delete the template versions, which she has saved. Do you have any ideas as to how I can correct this problem?

Robert Hughes, via email

A

I'm not sure how it happened but you can change the default 'Save As' entry by going to Options on the Tools menu, select the Save tab and about two thirds of the way down you'll find the 'Save Word files As' drop-down menu. Make your changes then click OK.

Q

I keep losing the Copy/Paste facility in Internet Explorer. The only way I can get it back is to reboot. Then after 15 minutes or so of using the computer it disappears again.

David Morrison, via email

A

The Active X and Direct X  'plug-ins' and add-ons that many web sites insist on downloading so you can view multimedia content and fancy graphics can cause problems with older versions of Windows and Internet Explorer's OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) functions. Microsoft is aware of it and has come up with an update that fixes a lot of these problems. You can download the file, oleupd.exe' from a link in Microsoft Knowledgebase article 139432 (type the KB number into Google's Search window).

Otherwise there's the tried and tested remedies for most IE problems, namely repair and replace. To use IE's Repair function go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel, scroll down the list, double click Microsoft Internet Explorer, select Repair then OK and follow the prompts. To replace Internet Explorer download the latest version from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/

downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp

Q

I have an installation of Scansoft's SuperGoo graphics software, which I bought for my previous (Win98) PC. On installation in my new Win XP Pro PC, I was very disappointed in the degradation of performance. It just doesn't work well in Win XP. Some tools no longer function and there are other issues. Are there any other graphics manipulation/morphing apps out there on the market that are Windows XP-compatible? 

David J Crook, Coatesville, Pa, US

A

Before you ditch SuperGoo it is worth trying it in Windows XP 'Compatibility Mode'. This configures XP to work with older programs, written for Windows 95 and 98 and it can be very effective. To start the Compatibility Wizard go to Help And Support on the Start menu, type 'Compatibility' in the Search window, select 'Getting older programs to run on XP' and click on the link to the Wizard in the Instructions. Alternatively right-click on the program's desktop icon. Select Properties then the Compatibility tab and experiment with the settings. As for other XP compatible morphing programs, it's not an area I feel qualified to comment on so I'll leave it up to our very knowledgeable readers to come up with some suggestions.

Q

Since the end of August this year, messages sent by me to seven friends of mine whose use AOL simply fail to arrive, just disappearing into the ether without being returned or bounced. The problem is only with AOL subscribers.  However, messages sent to me from these AOL subscribers arrive in the normal way. I took up the problem with my ISP, who said the problem was nothing to do with them or their systems.  They referred me to AOL, who looked into it and said the problem was nothing to do with them and suggested I ask my AOL friends to check their systems (they had of course already done that), and referred me back to my ISP.  Deadlock. Any ideas?

Stewart J. Wild, via email

A

I'm inclined to think AOL is to blame for your messages not getting through. It has a history of blocking email from ISPs and servers that it considers to be a source of Spam. You'll find an explanation of its policy at: http://www.aol.com/info/bulkemail.adp. You should go back to your ISP, it may not be aware that it is happening and can take the matter up with AOL or it could be that it knows that it has a problem with spammers but for one reason or another is not doing anything about it, in which case it is time to change ISPs.

Q

I like to have Google as my homepage. Recently despite setting Google as the home page under Internet settings I keep getting another screen at the bottom. This includes lots of options including sites with sexual content. I am slightly concerned that this site keeps appearing even when I remove it.  Can you tell me how to remove it permanently? Also is there a security risk for secure sites if I am going through this site?

Nigel Knowlman, via email

And...

I have a naughty program on my PC, which I have tried to get rid of. I suspect that the kids have been looking at unsuitable sites and will be dealt with appropriately. The program is in my Start Up folder. I can find the .exe file but it will not let me delete as it says Windows is using it. The desktop icon has an uninstall button but this does nothing.

M Connor, via email

A

Your PCs have been infected by adware, spyware or Trojan programs that lurk inside some web sites and can pose a real threat to your personal privacy and the security of data stored on your PC, so they need to be removed. You should be able to regain control by running the AdAware cleaner utility; it's freeware and can be downloaded from www.lavasoftusa.com