FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  445 (14/12/04)

Q

Some years ago when I had an Amstrad computer, it was possible to type a ‘hard space’.  Doing so prevented the two words either side of the space being separated. So if you were typing Mr Smith, the ‘Mr’ would not end one line and ‘Smith’ on the next. Can something similar be accomplished in Word 2002?

Douglas Potts

A

It can and the equivalent feature in Word is called a ‘nonbreaking’ space, to insert one simply use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Space.

Q

Regarding last week’s item about removing permanent felt tip markigns from a CD-R, Isopropyl Alcohol is still available although it's name was changed some years ago when chemicals were reclassified. It is now called Isopropanol or to give it it's correct new chemical name PROPAN-2-OL. Any alcohol is safe to use on plastics although if you use methylated spirits it will leave a white deposit, which will need to be carefully wiped off after it has dried.

Pat Worman, via email

A

Thanks to Pat and several other readers who suggested methylated spirits instead of Brasso. I agree it’s a somewhat harsh method but it does an excellent job of removing light scratches and I have recovered many discs that would otherwise have been thrown away but do remember to give it a thorough polish afterwards, to buff up the surface and remove all traces.

Q

I have received from my granddaughter an email with her Christmas present list as an attachment. This downloads OK, but all attempts to open are met with 'WordPad has caused an error. MSWRD832CNV'.  I have Windows ME my ISP is AOL and I would be most grateful for any help.

David James, Brixham

A

This can happen if the attached document was created using Word 2000, which Word Pad cannot open. The simple solution is to ask your granddaughter to resend the list, this time in Rich Text format. Alternatively install Word 2000 on your PC or try saving the attachment to your hard drive then opening it with a Word 'viewer'. You can download one free from Microsoft at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q165908/

Q

Outlook Express has recently developed an aggravating fault. Every email now arrives with a ‘twin’!  Literally, two identical emails at exactly the same time.

Chas H, via email

A

My guess is OE is leaving a copy of your incoming emails on your ISP’s server so go to Tools > Accounts, highlight your Mail account then Properties > Advanced tab and make sure 'Leave a copy on server...' isn't ticked. I suppose it might just be possible to contrive a convoluted 'Rule' to do something of the sort, so check that there are no odd-ball Rules operating in Tools > Message Rules > Mail. Otherwise the only other thing I can suggest is to see if it's an ISP issue. You can do that by accessing your server mailbox using www.mail2web.com, to see if there actually are 2 of every email waiting to be downloaded, if so have a word with the Help and Support department.

Q

I use my PC to make compilations of my favourite music tracks and then burn them onto CD's for use in the car. This means that I keep a large number of WMA files on my hard drive. I also have a number of MP3 files on my PC as well, is it possible to convert these to WMA files as well? Can I mix WMA and MP3 files on a CD and is it likely to play?

Frank Williams

A

I am not aware of any freeware MP3 to WMA converters, at least none without some sort of restriction or limitation (unless anyone knows different…), but you will find a list of modestly priced shareware utilities at:

www.mp3-converter.biz/mp3-to-wma-converter-directory/. It is unlikely that a home, personal or in-car CD player would be able to play all of the tracks on a mixed format disc, even the player in question has an MP3 playback facility but it should be okay on your PC, which will automatically select the appropriate player software according to file type.

Q

The multi-sheet loading problem (F!F!F! 442 November 23rd) with HP printers must be quite common My HP Laser jet 6L was cured by contacting HP Customer Service in Croydon who sent me, free of charge, a small gizmo with a sticky piece of plastic contained within a large cardboard loading device for pushing it into the appropriate orifice at the back of the machine. It has solved the problem for about 18 months or so and, touch wood, will continue to do so. The only word of warning is that you can only cure the problem once with this device.

Ken Lang, via email

A

Thanks to Ken and several other readers who wrote in with suggestions, including Geoff Pickerell and John Allen who recommended printer repair kits from www.fixyourownprinter.com/ and Edward Bulmer who came across a useful HP Support Centre article, which you can find by typing ‘11538’ in the search field at: http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html