FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  512 (09/05/06)

Q. I have a problem with my completely legal copy of Microsoft Office '97, bought some years ago. For some reason I cannot save any file with a file name longer than one letter! If I try for example to save a Word file called "Church 24th April 2006.doc" although I fill out the "save as" box with this filename, Office will only save the file as "C.doc". The same happens with any of the other programmes in the Office '97 suite, such as Access or Excel. I can find and rename re-name the file to the name I want to use, via My Documents. But this is tedious and annoying.

I have removed and re-installed Office a number of times but to no avail. I run Zone Alarm and AVG virus scan - both following your recommendations in connected! For which I thank you. The problem with Office '97 predates my use of Zone Alarm & AVG!

Peter Goddard, via email

A. This is a known glitch with older versions of Word when they are run under Windows XP. When you install Word it triggers XP ‘Compatibility Mode’, which allows older programs to run on the operating system, however this is unnecessary in the case of Word 97. The solution is to switch off compatibility mode for Word. To do that open Windows Explorer and find Winword.exe (it should be in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office, if not use Search on the Start menu to find it). Right-click on the file icon and select Properties, select the Compatibility tab and uncheck the item ‘Run this program in Compatibility Mode’, click OK exit and reboot.

Q. When I click the Start button a message pops up saying, "There is not enough room to show all the items you have added to the start menu etc."  This statement is untrue.  How can I delete it permanently from appearing?

Ronal Haynes, via email

A. I am not sure how or why this message or ‘Balloon Tip’ is appearing but I do know it’s going to be a swine to track down. If it happened recently, following the installation of a new piece of software you could try a System Restore to a date before it started. However, since there isn’t a problem, and Balloon Tips are unnecessary and annoying, I think the simplest thing to do is switch them off. The easiest way to do it is to use Tweak UI for XP, a really useful little tool, free from Microsoft, for fixing some of XP’s many annoyances. See Boot Camp 406 for details of how to install the program and a more in-depth look at what it can do. Your particular problem can be addressed by clicking ‘Taskbar’ on Tweak UI’s menu tree and uncheck ‘Enable Balloon Tips’ in the right hand Settings window.

Q. I have several DivX movie files that I would like to play on my TV via my DVD player.  Is there any software available that will enable me to burn my DivX files to a DVD for playing on my TV through my DVD player?
David Rees, via email

A. Normally this would entail the use of at least two separate programs, to convert and ‘burn’ the disc but the latest release of Nero Burning (v7) includes Nero Vision 4. This bundled utility can convert just about any video file from one format to another, and create a finished VCD or DVD with just a few clicks. Nero 7 Premium usually sells for around £40 to £50 but if you shop around you can find it for less than half that online.

Q. I built my own PC following your article in Boot Camp 321 and I must say that I have been completely delighted both with the spec and the money that I have saved. I also think I have a better understanding of how the things work! However, I have a problem with the motherboard. It has failed twice, leaving me computerless.

On both occasions I booted up the PC only to receive a message repeatedly saying "System Failed CPU Test". The first time, after contacting Asus Technical support; I changed the power supply, but to no avail. Following this I returned the motherboard to Asus; it concluded that the processor was running perfectly and that there was a piece of hardware on the motherboard that had failed. It took them five weeks to repair (under guarantee).

One year later, I have suffered the same fault. I have returned the motherboard again, only this time it will take seven weeks to fix. Asus have not said what the problem was.

My question is what will happen if I temporarily replace the motherboard with a different one? I would really appreciate any views that you have - even if you say you can't help!

Phil Maundrill, via email

A. I am as mystified as you and this is the first time I have come across this problem. The motherboard specified has turned out to be extremely reliable and I have heard of only one other total failure, though for a completely different reason. The fact that two have failed in the same manner suggests to me that something connected to it is causing the problem -- the PSU would have been high on my list of candidates -- otherwise it could be an iffy HDD, CD drive or memory module, though I can't say I have ever encountered such a thing for some time. Top of my list of suspects would be the case. Could any part of it be coming into contact with the underside of the motherboard and causing a short? But I'm barrel-scraping now and would be very interested to know if you ever get to the bottom of it.

Yes, you can swap motherboards but it will probably entail a lengthy re-configuration as Windows will have install the correct drivers and system files -- you will need the driver disc that came with the motherboard -- and you'll probably have to reactivate Windows as well, but it's certainly do-able.

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© R. Maybury 2006, 0205