Q And A

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday March 3, 2008

Nicole Manktelow

Q I am running Windows XP on my laptop. Each time I start up or try to click on to Microsoft Works Calendar I get a pop up advising me that: "Microsoft Works 8 has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." What can I do about this?

A There are utilities available from Microsoft to help with troubleshooting Works

(support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297061), although I suspect this is more likely a problem with Works 8 trying to find a calendar from an older software version. You may need to replace your calendar database, as described in the unsurprisingly-titled support article "The Calendar may stop responding when you try to start Works Calendar" (support.microsoft.com/?id=888947). Finding the right Works support info can be daunting. There's a Works4Us FAQ that can help you to locate other pages (www.btinternet.com/-kevin.james1/index.htm).

Q When unsubscribing from unwanted circulars and spam, my computer often freezes and it is necessary to turn it off and reboot. Sometimes unsubscribing is perfectly straightforward with no problems. What is the difference and can I avoid the freeze-ups?

A As a rule, one should never use the unsubscribe link that may appear in a spam message. They're simply not genuine. At best they just serve to tell spammers that yours is a live email address. Hopefully, your security software (antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware) is up to date. The next time you get spam, don't try unsubscribing - it's safer to delete the message.

Q I am using Windows XP version 5.1 (service Pack 2). Recently, after resizing the Taskbar, the facility to reduce open windows to icons on the Task Bar disappeared. Now I can only see which windows are open by going to Task Manager. I have tried resizing the taskbar, locking it, unlocking it, all to no avail. I no longer have the icons to indicate which windows are open. What can I do?

A For most of the annoying Windows XP problems, the best place to look for a quick fix is Kellys Korner's XP Tweaks page (www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp-tweaks.htm). Try the downloadable fix located at line 240 on the left called "Programs aren't minimised in the task bar".

qa@nicolemanktelow.com

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