FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  558 (27/03/07)

Q. I recently had problems with my 5-year old Dell laptop and had it professionally fixed. Apparently some of the Registry files were ‘off’ (you can see I am not technical). He had to take all files off the hard drive, fix the Registry problem, reinstall the programs and I think most of the data files. Now when I try to open some Word files I get a message ‘The File appears to be corrupted’. Can I do anything and if so, what, please?

Gerry Yates, via email

A. I really don’t like the sound of the methods used by your expert. Perhaps it wasn’t explained to you very well but I cannot imagine anyone going to the bother of removing programs and data, ‘repairing’ the Registry then putting everything back. It would be quicker and easier to carry out a Repair Install or even re-install Windows, but that aside I can’t see how it would affect only some Word files. My guess is they were corrupted when they were being backed up or restored. However, it’s possible that part or all of the wonky documents can be recovered using the following technique.

Open a new document and type in a word, i.e. Recover, now Save the document (use the default name) then highlight the word and press Ctrl C. Next open a new blank document and go to Edit > Paste Special, select Unformatted Text and check the item ‘Paste Link’ then click OK. Go to Links on the Edit menu, choose the ‘Recover’ document and select Change Source. In the Open dialogue box that appears select the corrupted document, click Open then OK and any recoverable data in the corrupt document will appear. You can then save the recovered text as a new file.

Q. My computer is on a table up against a wall and the USB ports are difficult to access, and bending down to connect to the USB sockets at the front is a problem. I have a lead from a USB port at the rear to which is permanently connected to my card reader.   However, I have just obtained a multiple card reader, which yesterday I connected to the PC. This morning the computer refused to boot up.  The only thing that I could think of was that the new card reader might be upsetting it, so I removed it and, bingo, no more problems. Computers act in mysterious ways.

Bill Hall

A. They do indeed. Usually when this happens any USB device will cause the PC to hang during boot up, but it’s not unknown for single devices to do it as well. Either way the problem can usually be traced back to the motherboard BIOS or USB drivers, so the first thing to do is check the PC manufacturer or vendor’s website, or the motherboard maker’s site and download and install the latest drivers. Updating or ‘flashing’ the BIOS is fairly straightforward but it does entail a small risk, so I would leave that until last.

Since you are finding access to your USB ports difficult I suggest that you install an external ‘hub’. This works like a mains extension socket, it’s a small box with two or more USB sockets that you plug into your PC. I recommend buying a ‘powered’ type (they come with mains plug-in adaptors), as this will allow you to use peripherals, like some scanners, that derive power from the USB socket.

Q. I've just reinstalled XP Pro on a friend's laptop. Everything appears to be fine except I get the message: "Windows could not load installer for Battery: Contact Hardware vendor for assistance". However, the laptop works perfectly well on battery power. Is there any way I could block the message? Or is this a sign that something more sinister is happening?

R. Star, via email

A. It’s nothing to worry about and it almost certainly refers to a battery manager utility that is specific to that machine. It’s probably not essential, though it may include a more accurate battery level meter but from what you say Windows Power Management seems to be doing a satisfactory job. If you want to make the message disappear you can either install the utility, which you should find on the installation disc that came with the laptop, otherwise you can disable the installer. You should find it on the Startup list, which you can access by typing ‘msconfig’ in Run on the Start menu. It may be difficult to spot in amongst all of the other entries but you can find out what they all mean by Googling the name or typing it into the very extensive Startup Applications List maintained on the Sysinfo website. Once you’ve found the culprit uncheck it and reboot. When Windows starts you will see a warning message, deselect the item. Do not show this message again’ and Windows starts normally.

Q. My Recycle Bin has vanished from the XP Desktop. The Windows Help function is useless, and I cannot find anything on the Internet - any ideas please?

Keith Wardill, by email

A. A disappearing Recycle Bin is usually due to it being deliberately removed by a program or a corrupt Registry entry. If it happened immediately after installing an application then check its Help or support website. Otherwise you will have to rebuild the damaged Registry key and there’s a reasonably simple to follow guide in Microsoft Knowledgebase article 810869.

Q. Google Earth is already downloaded to a User on our system. Can I give the other users access to this program or include in it everybody’s ‘All Programs’ list?

Tony Cross, via email

A. You have several alternatives. The quickest and simplest option would be to re-install the program and make it available for ‘All Users’ from the outset. Otherwise you could try dragging the program shortcut from the User’s Start menu (C:\documents and settings\<username>\start menu\programs) into the All User Start Menu (C:\documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs). However, this may cause problems with customisations and user settings. The other thing you could try is to go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel, select Google Earth from the list and select Change then Modify.

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© R. Maybury 2007 0603