FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  531 (19/09/06)

Q. I have Windows XP and a few weeks ago the Edit menu function disappeared off the toolbar in Word, but it still appears in Excel and Outlook etc. I have added the individual functions I use on regular basis by selecting them from View - Toolbars then dragging and dropping. But it would be far easier to re-instate the Edit menu.  Please can you help?

Anne Elliott, via email

A. I wouldn’t mind betting that your Edit menu vanished when you last had the Toolbar Customize dialogue box open. This unlocks all of Word’s menus and toolbars and an accidental click and slip of the mouse can easily make things disappear. To reinstate your Edit menu right-click on the toolbar, select Customize then the Commands tab. In the Categories window scroll down the list, click on ‘Built In Menus’ then in the Commands Windows click, hold, drag and drop ‘Edit’ back into its rightful spot between File and View then click Close to exit Customize.

Q. The "Ctrl+Alt+Del" combination is not behaving as normal on my Windows XP Home PC. Instead of bringing up a panel with tabs to show Applications or Processes or Performance etc, I just get a box showing an abbreviated list of processes. This panel doesn't even have a red cross at the top right hand corner for closing it. How can I get it back to normal display mode?  I'm protected by up to date Norton Internet Security, so I don't think that it could be malware.

Dave Walkington

A. You’ll be relieved to know that it’s not malware but an obscure and as far as I can see completely pointless feature on the Windows XP Task Manager called ‘Tiny Footprint’ mode. It has been known to drive otherwise sane people crazy, to the extent of uninstalling Windows. Once engaged the menu bar and tabs disappear and as you have found out, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to close the Task Manager. The solution (and the reason it happened in the first place) is annoyingly simple, just double click into an empty space next to the End Process button and it toggles back to normal display mode.

Q. I decided to take the plunge and have built the DT Mk II computer. I have not fired the machine up yet while I consider whether to install Linux instead of Windows XP. I looked back at some Boot Camp articles you wrote in 2004 but wondered what your current views were on Linux? One concern is the ease with which I will be able to get the computer linked to my current wireless network.

Mike Green, Chorley, Lancashire

A. Why not install them both? The prototype DT Mk II is currently set up for triple-booting Windows XP, Windows Vista and Linux Mandriva, and so far they’re getting along together swimmingly.

Linux is now reasonably well housetrained and the latest distributions are very easy to install and use. I consider Linux to be a viable alternative to Windows for most routine applications but there remain a few problems with drivers for some hardware devices, there isn’t the diversity of software -- compared with Windows -- and you do have to learn a few new tricks so it’s not for absolute novices.

With a dual boot system you get the best of both worlds. You don’t have to give up Windows and you can learn to use Linux at your own pace. Most versions of Linux are very network, wireless and Internet friendly and it virtually connects itself, so there should be no worries on that score.

The only thing to watch out for is the order the operating systems are installed. Windows should always be loaded first because it dislikes sharing, and if you are installing more than one version, load them in reverse order (i.e. the oldest first). Leave Linux until last and allow its ‘Bootloader’ program (usually LiLo or Grub) to take charge of booting up the computer. When you switch it on you will see a Linux boot menu that gives you a choice of operating systems. If anyone is interested in how to install Linux on the DT Mk II let me know and I’ll run through the procedure.

Q. I am interested in the DT Mk II project but in the past I have always spurned reduced spec processors like the Celeron. Is this a mistake, and have I been paying more for something that really gives me little in the way of practical advantage? I would be using the computer for professional photo editing using PhotoShop on files as large as 250Mb.

Peter Brown, via email

A. The DT Mk II makes no pretence of being a high-end graphics workstation. It’s a fast general-purpose multimedia PC for home and office use, with the capability to run all popular applications (including PhotoShop) and the next generation of Windows. It’s true, Celeron processors are not cutting edge but they’re more than adequate for the sort of jobs the DT Mk II will be called upon to perform, they’re very reasonably priced, reliable and in plentiful supply.

Q. All my e-mails seem to have the attachment paperclip even when there is no attachment. I seem to remember that it is because the message saying it is virus free is regarded as an attachment, but I cannot remember how to change this.

Andrew Griffin, via email

A. You are right and the paperclip attachment icon is a 'certificate' added by your AVG anti-virus software, and indicates that incoming mail has been scanned for viruses. To switch it off open the AVG Control Centre by double-clicking the icon in the System Tray (next to the clock). Click the Email scanner icon then the Properties button. On the 'Plugins' tab click the Configure button then under Incoming Mail deselect the checkbox next to 'Certify Mail'.

---end---

© R. Maybury 2006, 1209