THE COTSWOLD HILLS
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WINDOWS XP
Click here for Windows 98x
Many of the tips shown here apply to Windows 98x and earlier version of the programmes referred to
Select the subject of your
question
Please use the 'Contact us' facility to report any broken links
Useful questions are published as they're received.
| Taskbars, Toolbars -
Notification Area (Sys-tray) Q.
I am a novice and am totally confused by the terms toolbar, taskbar and quick launch bar.
I have no idea what the differences are. This becomes important as I try to understand how
to edit the area at the bottom right of the screen that has the clock, speaker settings,
printer icons etc. You add Quicklaunch yourself which becomes the left-hand section of the Taskbar. Right click the Taskbar, selecting "Toolbars" and enable "Quicklaunch". This is useful for those files you open often within programmes such as MS Word, Excel et al - by dragging a shortcut to the file onto the Quicklaunch. If you think you have too many icons in the Notification Area you can stop these programmes launching at startup. First check the configuration of the programme concerned and see if it can be adjusted there. [This is the correct way to do it and sometimes means reinstalling the programme during which process the option is displayed]. If not, go to Start||Run and type msconfig in the rectangular window. Hit OK. Select the "Startup" tab and there you will see all the programmes that run when booting has finished. Uncheck those you don't want. You will be asked to restart when you are done.
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| Old programmes
don't run Q. When I try to run pre-XP programs on my XP Professional, nothing happens. I keep clicking on the icons, trying to run them under the 'run' command, but nothing helps. No error messages - just nothing. The weird thing is, they used to work without any problems but now they aren't even considering it. One is a dictionary made for Win 95 and the other is Civilisation II, also made for Win 95. A. Total silence is usually because no drivers are recognised. Uninstall and reinstall. This usually cures the problem. Let Windows choose the driver. If this doesn't work, visit the manufacturers' web sites where you can probably download updated drivers. If you can't find these then XP may still be able to help with the "Compatibility Wizard". To Start the Program Compatibility Wizard. (Click Start,
click Help and Support, click Fixing a problem, click Application
and software problems, under Fix a problem click Getting older programs
to run on Windows XP, and then click the Program Compatibility Wizard
link in the instructions.) Follow the instructions in the wizard. You can also go to this
page for a full explanation: Unfotunately, there are some programmes you just can't help!
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| Delete
'undeletable' file Q. I came
across 3 unnecessary files listed as being filed under My Computer. I don't know how I
could have filed them there in the first place but in any event I want to delete them. If
I go to explorer & click My Computer I can't find them there. If I select them in the
search panel & click delete I get the message."Cannot delete file: Cannot read
from source file or disk". [You will need to do this for each file separately] Go back to Task Manager, click File, New Task and enter
EXPLORER.EXE to restart the GUI shell. Close Task Manager. In square brackets... [ ] my contribution for beginners.
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| Desktop Icons Disappeared Q. I have somehow lost all my Desktop icons. How can I get them back? A. Right click on the Desktop, in the pop-up menu select "Show Desktop Icons".If they are still missing, right click on the Desktop, choose..., "Properties||Desktop||Customise Desktop". You can add or remove icons such as My Computer, My Documents and My Network Places.
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| Task
Manager Toolbar Missing. Q. I brought up Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) but found the toolbar has disappeared. The only way I could close it was to use 'Escape'. How do I put it back to normal? A. This is caused by double clicking the blank area off to the right of the tabs. To put things back, just double click on the top rail (border).
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| My new PC won't boot. Q. My new PC won't boot. It starts normally but after about 10 seconds the screen goes blank and nothing else happens. A. For a new PC, in the first instance you should contact the manufacturer for support. In the meantime, try hitting F8 as soon as bootup starts to access Safe Mode. Select 'Last known good" from the options and reboot. If you are unable to resolve the problem this way then you can enter the BIOS by hitting F1 as soon as you start to boot. In the BIOS find and change the setting to detect the CD-ROM first. Insert the WindowXP CD in the CD-ROM drive, exit BIOS - saving changes - and let your PC boot. Your PC will boot from the CD which will give you the chance to reinstall or repair your installation. (Don't forget to go back into BIOS and reset it to Default). If you still have problems you can try using the Recovery Console. This, however, is generally thought to be for advanced users only so I would recommend that you read up on its use in "Help and Support". Better still... visit http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q307545 where step by step instructions are available and much information besides.
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| Excel - Tools/Properties Q. In Excel, when I click on "Tools" and then "Properties", I get a fatal error and Excel closes down. A. This is a Microsoft glitch which can be instantly corrected by installing the SR-2 update. Download it from: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;151261. You will need to have already installed SR-1. If you have not installed SR-1, you can follow the advice given at the above location to retrieve it.
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| My Documents - ...cant'
access Q. I have recently installed Windows XP Home and now can't access "My Documents". All I get is the message "Access denied". Is there an easy solution to this? A. This looks like an 'ownership' problem. It is a bit long so I suggest you visit Microsoft Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421 where you'll get your answer with instructions on how to go about it.
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| Outlook Express - Can't open
attachments Q. I am unable to open attachments when I receive them. This has only started to happen since I installed XP. A. Open Outlook Express. Go to "Tools||Options" Click the 'Security' tab and uncheck... "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that may potentially be viruses." If this is not the problem, then check your firewall configuration and make sure it is not set to block all attachments.
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| Outlook Express - Hyperlink off
website fails Q. When I am visiting a web page and click on their e-mail (contact us) link, Outlook Express goes into a continuous loop and produces dozens of windows with the error message, "....Outlook express is not properly installed". OE works fine at all other jobs. I am using OE6. A. This could be simple, like OE is not registered as your default browser and nor is Microsoft Outlook. This can be corrected by opening OE, going to "Tools||Options" and clicking on the General tab. At the bottom you will see "This application is NOT the default Mail Handler." Next to it is the button to make it default. Click on this. If this does not work, it probably means a trip to the Registry, but before you do that, go to Start||Run and type in the window - with the quotes "C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /reg (yes there is a space before /reg). Hit OK. Try sending a message off a WebPage. If OE6 still does not work, back up your registry and then do the following. 1: Start||Run type regedit and hit OK. Go to the
following registry key - OE6 should now behave normally. Remember, any typing or changes you make in the registry are saved the moment you exit. In XP create a restore point in "System Restore". Any other OS, always back up the registry before editing it.
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| Installing XP Home on
another machine Q. I have installed Windows XP
Home on my PC but when I tried to install it on my laptop I was instructed to 'activate'
it, Microsoft say I can't. Surely this can't be right? You must now return to your previous OS or, if you live in
the United States, you can purchase an additional license. (For 'Home' or 'Professional').
If you are an XP Professional user, click here:
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| Format hard-drive for Windows XP Q. After all kinds of problems, I am trying to format my C:
drive but XP won't let me format. It says I have to shut down all programs using this
drive. How do I do this when I need it to format? Even from a command prompt or running XP
in safe mode I can't see how it is done. How do I format my drive? I have been told it is
possible.
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| "My Briefcase" is missing! Q. I have just upgraded to Windows XP and can't find "My Briefcase". I used this a lot in Windows 98. Does it exist in XP and if so, can you help me find it? A. Go to C:\WINDOWS\system32. Look for a file named "syncapp.exe" and double click it. (If you can't find it, use "Search"). The 'My Briefcase' icon will appear on your desktop. When you double click on this, full instructions on how to proceed will be displayed.
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| Deleting files off a CD-RW Q. I have just upgraded to Windows XP and used the CD-RW for the
first time. However, I cannot delete any files I copy. Surely this can't be right?
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| Clock... removing. Q. Is there any way I can get rid of the clock in my sys tray?
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| "Run" command -
Clearing entries Q. In my "Run" command (Start/Run) I have accumulated more than a dozen bits and pieces, most of which I have long forgotten what to do with. Is there a way to clear this box, or edit it to leave just those commands I use regularly? A. Yes. It means a trip to the Registry (Start||Run and type regedit). Go to... HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU You can delete which entries you no longer want.
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| Volume Control - System Tray Q. I remember in Windows 98 I had a volume control on the sys tray (Notification Area). Is this available with XP? A. Yes. Right click a blank spot on the taskbar then Properties. Make sure "Hide Inactive Icons" is disabled. If that doesn't bring it up, go to Control Panel and in "Sound and Audio Devices Properties", enable "Place volume icon on the taskbar".
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| Restricting Logon Time Q. Is it possible to restrict the amount of time my children spend
on their PC so I can share it more equally between them? If you have XP Pro click Start, Run and enter gpedit.msc.
Go to Computer Configuration||Windows Settings||Security Settings||Local
Policies||Security Options. In the right pane, locate the entry for Network Security:
"Force logoff when logon hours expire".
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| Word Crashes Q. Without warning or any apparent input fom me MS Word suddenly crashed, locking up the system, and the only way out was to reboot. Now, when I try to restart Word I get the "Illegal Operation" error message. In 'Details' it gave an invalid page fault in module MSO9.DLL and the number 015f:308c9c03. I have tried everything and asked about but without any luck. Can you help. A. This error is almost certainly a currupt MSO9.DLL file and/or WINWORD.EXE. To fix the problem you should replace these two files. Go to Start||Search||Files and Folders and enter mso9.dll and hit "Search". when it comes up, right click on it and select 'Rename'. Call it mso9-old.dll and hit 'Enter'. Do the same for the Winword.exe file, renaming it Winword-old.exe. Now go to Start||System||Control Panel and click on Add/Remove Programs. Select Change/Remove and highlight Office 2000. (You will be asked to insert your Windows XP Disc. You will then need to select "Repair errors" in the Maintenance Mode. Click 'Finish' and all should now be okay.
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| Thumbnail View - Size of. Q. I have been told that I can increase the size of the thumbnail image in 'Thumbnail View' when opening folders. Is this so, and if so, how do I do it? A. Yes you can. Go to the Registry and navigate to either of the following keys depending on your PC's setup. Current user only: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer All users: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer Add a new DWORD value called ThumbnailSize and give it a hexidecimal value that is between 32 and 256. A value of 32 will give you the smallest thumbnails, and 256 will give you the biggest. You will need to reboot for the new setting to take effect.Don't expect a screen size thumbnail! The difference between the smallest and largest is about x2.
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| Taskbar Greyed Out - XP Pro Q. I installed Windows XP Pro and changed my desktop apperance from XP style to Classic style. When I changed back, my taskbar remained grey. No matter what I do it will not get its colour back. Can you help? A. (Thanks to Kelly Theriot MS.MVP for her help with this) This problem is not as uncommon as I thought when I was first asked about it. What happens is that the visual system setting becomes unchecked and for some users the Windows and Buttons become greyed out under 'Appearance'. To resolve this... Go to Start/Administrative
Tools/Services/Themes. Set to "Automatic". Also check your settings here: You can also certainly resolve this issue by visiting the following website, copy/paste and apply any of the workarounds available but epecially....Restore Luna Theme (Line 187) http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
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| DWORD
Value - Registry Q. In your answer to the question "Thumbnail View" you refer to a new DWORD value and Hexadecimal value for a Registry key. How do you achieve this? A. I should not have assumed it would be known. Apologies all round... When adding either a DWORD value : String value : Binary value : Multi-String value or Expandable value you can right click in the window where this new value is to appear and you are given these five choices. You can also go to Edit||New on the toolbar. Clicking on a choice brings up an insert box (as if a new folder) into which you type the name of the new value. Double clicking on the name allows you to enter either a hexadecimal or decimal value which then appears in the "Data" column. It is always wise - if not essential - to use System Restore and set a Restore Point before editing the Registry. (In other OSes, backup the registry).
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| Multiple Scanners - Error Q. I have only one
scanner but in Device Manager several are shown. Can you tell me what causes this and how
do I get rid of the surplus? ~~~*~~~ WARNING: BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT ANY EDITING OF THE REGISTRY ~~~*~~~
Locate, and then click the following key in the registry:
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| Taskbar - Tooltips Nuisance Q. When I pass my cursor over a shortcut on my taskbar the pop-up Tooltip appears, but when I move the cursor away, part of the tooltip remains. I find this really annoying. Is there a way to cure it? A. I know only one answer to this, which I hope helps. Right click the desktop and left click "Properties". Select the "Appearance" tab and click on "Effects". Alongside "Use the following transition effects for menus and tooltips" you will probably find it set to "Fade Effect". You can try changing this to "Scroll Effect" or disenabling it altogether by unchecking the adjacent checkbox.
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| Taskbar - Height Problem Q. My taskbar has suddenly leapt to twice its height and I can't get it to go back. Can you help? A. Right click an empty space on the taskbar and uncheck "Lock the Taskbar", then place your cursor over the edge of the taskbar until it changes to a double headed arrow and drag it down.
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| Virus - W32BLASTER Q. My computer crashes every time I connect to the internet. How do I download the Microsoft patch and the tool to remove this virus when I can't connect? A. Go to Start||Run and type services.msc. Hit OK. Scroll down to Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and double click it, or right click and choose 'Properties'. [Mind you do not select (RPC) Locator]. Select the "Recovery" tab. In each of the three 'Failure' windows showing "Restart the Computer" select "Take No Action". Hit OK. You will now be able to connect to download the tools you need to get rid of this virus. Don't forget to return to services.msc and reset the recovery to "Restart the Computer".
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| Firewall - XP Q. I understand that Windows XP has a built-in firewall. Can you explain how I use this. A. XP's firewall is not as sophisticated as, say, Zonelab Pro, but is adequate in most cases and certainly better than nothing. It can be enabled or disenabled. If you have no other firewall, then it should most definitely be enabled as follows... Left click My Computer||Control Panel||Network & Internet Connections. (If "Network & Internet Connections" is not showing, click on "Switch to Category View"). Left click "Network Connections". Right click on your default Internet connection and select "Properties". Select the "Advanced" tab and make sure the "Internet Connection Firewall" box is checked. I strongly recommend that you read up on the firewall by clicking on "Learn more about Internet Connection firewall". Especially if you have any form of 'file sharing' enabled or you have a network set-up. If you have a network set-up, click on "Settings" or "...Network Setup Wizard" to safely configure the firewall for a network enabled PC.
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| Clock Synchronization Q. I am told that my PC's clock will automatically synchronise. This doesn't seem to happen as my clock is always running slow. Can you help? A. Your clock can be configured to automatically synchronise. Double click the time in the systray. This displays your clock. Click on the "Internet Time" tab and enable "Automatically synchronise with an internet server". [Either server selected in the scroll down window will do the job]. Your clock will now synchronise once a week provided you are connected to the internet on the due date. If your pc misses its date, (because you weren't connected) you can force the synchronisation by clicking on "Update".
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| Blue Sub-folders in C:\Windows folder Q. When I open Windows in Windows Explorer the top first 20+ folders are printed in blue and all begin with "$NtuninstallQ..." Can you tell me what these folders are and should I delete them? A. These folders are related to the "Hotfixes" installed on your PC when Microsoft automatically updates. If you are happy with the updates you have and have no problems, then it is safe to delete them from this folder. If you are having a problem and you think it may have something to do with one of the updates, note the number and visit Microsoft Support Knowledge Base and check it out using the 'Q' number. If it is a problem, you can delete the update ("Hotfix") by clicking on the 'spuninst.exe" file in that folder.
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| Help & Support Won't
Start Q. Help. My Help & Support seems to have given up on me. When I click on it, the hour glass flashes for a second and then nothing. A. If you've run a Registry Cleaner recently and enabled it to delete registry entries, then Help and Support will not run. Most of these cleaners (All really) are likely to delete values you need to keep. I suggest you visit, www.dougknox.com and go to the Windows XP section. Look for "Fix Window XP Help" and download a small VB Script that will repair the damage done.
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Q. I have heard you can resize the scroll bar in XP. Is this true and if so, how? A. Yes, it is true. Right click the desktop, select the "Appearance" tab, click on "Advanced" and in the top scroll menu (probably reading Desktop) scroll down to Scrollbar. You can adjust the size from there.
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| Clipart Fails to Insert in Word Q. When I go to 'Insert||Picture||Clipart' and in Clipart select the image and click on 'Insert' the square appears but the clipart does not insert. I'm left with just a blank square. A. Go to Tools||Options and on the 'View' tab disenable (untick) "Picture placeholders" This facility is generally used to enable fast scrolling in documents with a lot of graphics. Only a blank square will show where the image is meant to be. It is not a good idea to have this enabled when creating artwork as sometimes this will prevent the image appearing when inserting from Clipart.
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