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Q. In Outlook Express 6, every time I go to empty my "Deleted Items" folder I get an error message saying Windows cannot delete 'deleted items'... Why is this and can you tell me how to correct it?

A. This is a maintenance problem - or I should say, lack of maintenance. OE, by default compacts folders to save disc space, working in the background, and while I recommend that this feature is switched off - for other reasons - when it is switched off, you must maintain OE manually or problems will begin to surface.

What you need to do now is to recreate your 'Deleted Items.dbx' file. (.dbx are e-mail files) Go to Tools||Options||Maintenance||Store Folder. This will locate your folders store. Write down its path, close OE and navigate to your Store. In the folder find and delete 'Deleted items.dbx'. The next time you launch OE the folder will be recreated and you should be back to normal.

I strongly recommend that you visit http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/files/maintain.htm and read up on maintaining OE.

Q. I have had so many problems since trying to install Windows XP Home that I now need to reformat my hard drive and clean install XP. Can you help me with this?

A. I always recommend a clean install, especially if you are confident of doing it. For those less confident, when installing XP over the top of its predecessor, then be sure to follow this advice.

Uninstall and disconnect all peripherals - printers, scanner etc - and all the programmes you know you can reinstall. (Don't forget to have all the product keys you'll need). Create a folder to store updated drivers for everything then visit all programme and hardware manufacturers' websites and download XP compatible drivers and store them.

You should now have the minimum of problems, although a few minor headaches may arise. However, I'm confident you'll agree it was worth it.

On the other hand, a Clean Install is still the better way. Here, of course, you must backup everything for reinstallation after completion and disconnect all peripherals. And updated drivers will still be needed. The process is too long for this page, but excellent advice and instructions are avilable here - http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html. I suggest you print them off.

You will also find instructions at this location for setting the BIOS to boot from the Windows CD.

Q.  My fax console has suddenly died on me. Whereas I used to be able to simply open the document and go via "Send to" this no longer works.   When I open Fax Console, under "Send a Fax, Receive a fax" etc, all are greyed out.

Do you know of a way I can recover the situation?

A. You need to install (or reinstall) Fax Console. Go to Start//Control Panel//Add or Remove Programs and click on Add/Remove Windows Components. Check the box next to "Fax Services", click "Next" and close when the installation is finished. You will need to reconfigure, which is quite simple.

Q   I am using Outlook 2003 and have just received an attachment that I was expecting. The problem is, it has been blocked with the words "Unsafe Attachment" Now I can't get to it. Can you help?

A You don't say what type of attachment it is but it will most certainly be an executable file such as .exe, dll, vbs, zip or other. One way is to edit the registry by inserting a new string value to the appropriate Registry Key that will unblock the extension that your file is using. However, I do not recommend this as it unblocks every file with that extension and could easily allow a malicious e-mail through - even from a friend.

I think a better way is a work-around. If you are expecting an e-mail attachment, then a little work is worth it and you should know its extension - .zip for example. Have the sender change the file name by altering the extension from .zip to .txt. (A warning is displayed but hit "Yes"). When you receive it, it will pass the blocker as all blockers allow .txt files. (Unless specifically configured to block all). You then right click the attachment and save it to your hard-drive after changing the extension back to its original.  All should now work fine and your safety net remains intact.

Q   I have been trying to insert a border around the entire page but when I print it the bottom line is always missing. Page Setup is set to default. How can I cure this?

A   Unfortunately, I also find this process confusing - and irritating. The only way I know of is: in "Format||Borders and Shading" select "Page Border||Options" and under   "Measure from" select "Text". Set margins all at '4 pt'. Keep these low or something else happens!!

In Page Setup set the bottom margin to at least 2.3cm (1 inch).

As a work-around (a method I prefer) you can use a Text Box.

Go to "View" and select "Headers and Footers". Insert a Text Box and drag it to the top left corner where you want your border to start and then resize the Text Box to the bottom right to fill the page. (You gain about 0.5cm of bottom margin over the orthodox method).

You can format the Text Box in the normal way - choosing style, colour and thickness of the lines - but you can't use "Artistic" borders.

When you are done, go to "Print Preview" in the "File" menu (or click the magnifying glass) and check you have not gone too close to the bottom of the page. If the bottom line is missing, you can inch it up until it appears.

Exit "Headers and Footers" and you will have a border nicely set in place.

A third way, but a bit Heath Robinson, is to use Clip Art and search "borders". Mess with these by turning them vertical and horizontal etc to achieve what you are looking for.

Q  Is there any way I can remove the advertising banner on my Internet Explorer's title bar. I find it really annoying when I did not want it in the first place.

A  Yes, ISPs are the most likely culprits but some other programmes also will infringe on your wishes this way. The answer is to go to Start//Run and type rundll32.exe iedkcs.dll.Clear.