FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  621 (15/07/08)

Q. I want to store all my CDs, videos and music files on an external drive, rather than take up space on my PC's hard drive. I've tried to configure Windows Media Player so that the library is defaulted to an external drive, but it appears to me that the WMP library's location cannot be changed, and the only way to view files on an external drive is to import the whole lot into the library, which defeats the object. Is there a way to view, create play lists and manage my individual media files from an external source or do you know of an alternative program that would let me do this?

Les Morgan, via email

A. The Windows Media Player Library is essentially a database. It doesn’t contain any actual media files but simply lists what is available to your PC, and where they are located. In other words there is no reason to move it and the actual library file is quite small so it’s not going to save any space.

There’s nothing to stop you keeping your media folders on an external drive, and that is where they will stay. When you import files into the Library all that you are doing is updating the Library and creating a series of links. There’s more about how WMP manages library and media files in this easy to follow Microsoft FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/5hldf5

Q. My 'Sent Items' mailbox seems to have stopped functioning. I am sending emails, which the recipients receive, but the message is not listed, in the Sent items box. Have I inadvertently done something silly or is this a problem?  I am using XP and the latest version of OE.

John Forshaw, via email

A. I know of only one setting in OE that stops outgoing messages appearing in Sent Items, so check that first by going to Tools > Options and select the Send tab. At the top, under Sending, make sure that ‘Save copy of sent message in Sent Items folder’ is checked.

If the option is ticked then it is possible that the Folders.dbx file is corrupt. This is a database that lists and manages the contents of your mailboxes. The simple solution is to close OE then use Search on the Start menu to find folders.dbx. When it appears right click on the file icon, select Rename, call it ‘folders.old’, and click OK. The next time OE opens folders.dbx is automatically recreated.

Q. I have recently bought a Hewlett Packard Photosmart D7360 printer to replace an Epson model, which gave up after over 8 years of constant use. I installed it with no apparent problems, but after printing just a few small photos and A4 text documents an error message appeared on the touch screen. It said  'Ink System Failure, unable to print. Error 0xc18a001’.  I searched the manual and online references and this seems to be a common problem. I tried a few solutions with no success. I am planning to return the printer as it is of no use but before I do, have you any suggestions, please?

I. M. Glassman, via email

A. According to the HP support website (http://tinyurl.com/499wz4) the official solution is a ‘soft’ reset. Switch it off, disconnect the power, remove all ink carts, wait two minutes, reconnect power lead, switch on and when prompted reinstall the inks. I assume that you have tried this safe but largely ineffectual procedure, in which case there is something else you can try, though since it is still under warranty it behoves me to advise you to go through official channels and take it back to the retailer. 

The procedure is called a ‘hard reset’, which sometimes helps when printer firmware gets itself into a tangle. However, it is a Service facility and not meant to be used by owners, so you use it entirely at your own risk. As before unplug the printer and wait a couple of minutes but this time, whilst holding down the OK and Cancel buttons, plug the power lead back in. When the HP logo appears on the screen release the buttons. The printer will now go through its initial setup routine (there should be some paper in the loading tray). If that doesn’t work then I’m afraid it requires expert attention.

Q. Help!! If I highlight some text in Word 2003 and hit the Delete button, it doesn't! I'm sure there is an option to turn it on or off, but can't find it anywhere. Any clues?

Bob Featherstone, by email

A. This is a new one on me and I have hunted high and low for a solution but nothing! The only thing I can fine that comes close is a way to stop a bock of highlighted text being deleted if you press the Backspace button. If this is what is happening in your case then go to Tools > Options, select the Edit tab and make sure that ‘ Typing replaces selection’ is checked. In case that’s not the answer I’m opening up the floor to alternative suggestions and solutions.

Q. I have partitioned my 250Gb HDD into two sections, one for my use and

one for my wife's.  Each partition is loaded with XP SP2. When the computer boots up, and before Windows loads, I get a message: ‘Please select an operating system to start’, then it lists ‘Microsoft Windows XP Professional’ twice. This is confusing. The first of the choices refers to my partition and is the one that opens by default if a choice is not made. Is there a method of renaming these selections (e.g. 'His' and  'Hers') in the on-screen message that appears before Windows loads?

Mike Grice, via email.

A. Press Winkey + Break to open System Properties then select the Advanced tab and under Startup and Recovery, click the Settings button. Click the Edit button under Default Operating Systems and this opens Notepad showing the Boot.ini file that contains the operating system options. You might want to make a copy of this file, just in case anything goes wrong…

The text naming the choice of operating systems on the menu screen is contained within double quotes, i.e. “Microsoft Windows XP Professional” and you can edit these entries to say anything you like. Be warned touch nothing else! When you have finished Save the file and your newly named options will appear the next time you boot up.

If you have a computer problem write to: fff@telegraph.co.uk

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© R. Maybury 2008 2306