InBox

By DON McALLISTER

Welcome to InBox, where we attempt to answer your internet questions.

Q. David recently upgraded to Windows XP and subsequently found the spell check has failed in Outlook Express, though Microsoft Office still works.

A.During the upgrade, components of Microsoft Office have been lost or corrupted, David. Dust off your setup disks and re-run Office setup. In the list of office components find Spell Check and remove the tick. Complete setup, reboot (shut down and startup) and run setup again (replacing the tick) and finally reboot. This should replace all the damaged spelling components.

Q. Mick was lucky his Norton stopped a virus called W32sobig.a@mm, entering via his email. In its wake it quarantined a file called "NAV21C1.tmp" What is it, he asks, and what can be done with it?

A. That's probably the raw attachment that Norton refused entry to, Mick. These attachments are not what their filename suggests and it's never going to be a repairable item. That virus uses well-documented ways to spread and therefore rates as a low threat. It's safe in Quarantine, but delete it if its existence annoys you. More information at Symantec.

Q. Robert has Norton Antivirus 2003 and for some obscure reason it believes his definition update entitlement ended on 09/01/2003, whereas it should say 01/01/2004.

A. Your subscription should last 12 months from first installation of the version, Robert. If your program wrongly believes it should expire early, Symantec has a page listing steps to rectify this.

Q. Tom's printer has recently lost its print quality and has lines across the finished articles.

A. Dirt and grime has built up, Tom. Clean the print heads. If the head is part of the ink cartridge (as in many late model printers), you'll be able to buy a new cartridge to eliminate the problem. However, if it's part of the machine, a bit of isopropyl alcohol (available from your chemist) on a cotton bud can be used to carefully remove the buildup of dirt and ink.


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