FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  623 (29/07/08)

Q. I am an avid user of Firefox but certain sites still require the use of IE7. My problem is that I tried to upgrade to IE7, with disastrous results. Now I cannot get IE7 to work at all. I have tried un-install it through Add/Remove Programs and I have tried removing it manually but whenever I try to re-install I get the message ‘Unable to install, restart computer to remove install files’. Everything else on my XP laptop works perfectly. Any ideas?

Derek Sharp, via email

A. A couple of things to check first. Before you can install IE7 you must have XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Genuine Advantage validation on your PC. If you haven’t got them pop along to the Windows Update site.

If your PC is up to date then have another go but this time disable or temporarily uninstall your firewall, especially if you are using Zone Alarm as this has been known to take a dislike to IE7. Finally, if all else fails, attempt a clean install by running a utility called Revo Uninstaller to get rid of all traces of the failed IE7. This is particularly good at removing programs that won’t uninstall by conventional means and those that leave behind a lot of detritus that can interfere with a new installation.

Q. What are the most effective ways to control a child's access to Internet websites? Our children are just old enough now for this to become relevant and I'm not quite sure where to start.
Philip Whitehead, via email

A. I am afraid there are no easy answers or miracle programs that you can abrogate responsibility to. If you are really concerned about what they are getting up to then you shouldn’t allow them to have unsupervised access to the Internet, full stop.

It all starts to go horribly wrong the moment you let them have a computer in their bedrooms, at which point you lose any authority you may have had and compromise the security of any other PCs in your home that are connected to the same network. If you want to take back control then the only solution is to impose some draconian and I fear, highly intrusive measures,

You can tell them that it’s not just for their own safety, but also to protect the family’s computers, from viruses, malicious software, illegal downloads and to safeguard private information, bank account details, personal data and so on. Let them know that you have the capability to monitor what they do – more on that in a moment -- and most importantly, impose a curfew. No Internet after a particular time, and don’t just trust them to log off, make it happen! You should also make sure that every PC has a good two-way firewall and automatically updated anti virus software.

If their PC uses Windows Vista you are off to a flying start because each User Account has a useful set of Parental Controls that includes an Internet timer, detailed activity logs, web filters and so on. Check also to see what parental controls are available from your ISP. Some firewalls and routers have access timers; otherwise there are third-party software utilities that can impose time limits. At the very least you can plug your router into a simple mains timer and have it switch off at whatever time you deem appropriate.

If the computer is in another room then you can keep watch on what they are doing with remote viewer software, like VNC. You see on your screen exactly what they are looking at. Make sure they know that you have this capability, and use it, and it will only be uninstalled when they reach a particular age, or have gained your trust. 

Q. Word 2003 has an annoying feature called Reading Layout. It is automatically enabled when viewing email attachments and it hides toolbars, which makes it difficult to edit and save documents. I have tried turning it off by going to Tools > Options > General and unchecking ‘Allow starting in Reading Layout’ but no matter how many times I untick this
box, it always resets itself whenever Word is started. Is there any way, please, of turning it off permanently?
Andrew Miller

A. There does seem to be a bug in the system as quite a few Word 2003 users suffer from the same problem. I have a cross a couple of solutions that are worth trying. In addition to the steps you have already taken, the next time Reading Layout opens go to View and change to Normal or Print Layout view then on the Reading Layout toolbar click the Close icon, or press Esc or use the shortcut Alt + C. You should now Save and close the document and exit Word, and this time the setting should stick.

If that doesn’t work, and you fancy a challenge then try disabling it using the Group Policy Management Console, which is part of the Office 2003 Resource Kit. Download and install the Resource kit, start the GPM Console for the Active Directory, select or create a Group Policy, Open User Configuration, right-click Administrative Templates then Add/Remove Templates, select and open Word11.ADM, work your way to Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Office > Word 2003 > Tools > Options > General > Allow Starting in Reading Layout. Select Enabled but leave ‘Check to allow starting in Reading Layout’ unticked. Click OK and exit the Group Policy console.

Q. I am about to replace my ageing desktop PC, which runs very happily on XP Pro. However, the suppliers of new PCs all insist that I have to have Vista. How can I move on to a new desktop PC and keep running on XP Pro?

Thomas Curry, via email

A. Vista is not so bad; give it a try before you decide. If you are determined to stick with XP then some suppliers, if pressed, will supply XP as a retro upgrade. Alternatively if you have an installation disc from your old PC you could remove Vista and install XP, though check first with the supplier that the necessary drivers are available. If you haven’t got a disc they are still available from mainstream suppliers, though hurry, officially XP has come to the end of the line, otherwise you’ll find plenty on sale on ebay, just make sure they are the full retail version and not a manufacturer’s install disc.

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

---end---

© R. Maybury 2008 0807