InBox

By DON McALLISTER

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

Q. Noah's inward e-mail "ppt" attachment refuses to open. "It's not in my Windows Me file list, yet a friend does have it listed. Is there any way I can add this to my folder options and thereby open the 'rogue' file?"

A. It's a PowerPoint presentation Noah. You can open it using the free viewer. But be careful - several viruses are masquerading as ppt files. If you already had the PowerPoint Viewer yet it refused to open, an urgent virus scan would be a good idea.

* * *

Q. "I can't see the OK button!", complains Cyril. "I increased my desktop font size and am unable to get at the OK button to reverse my Windows 98 font size settings. How can I access that button please?"

A. Hit Enter, Cyril. The OK button should activate by default once you change the settings and hit enter. If this fails, reboot (turning the PC off and on) the machine into Safe Mode - a bare bones operation of Windows that disables the offending settings. Reboot and when it says "Starting Windows 98", press F8, select Windows safe mode from the menu and allow it to start. Change the settings back then reboot back into full Windows mode.

* * *

Q. Manuel writes: "Often when I'm browsing the internet, a small screen asks me if I wish to debug. When I click on 'yes', the Microsoft script editor runs. Is this problem mine and how is it solved?"

A. The debug screen is referring to errors on the page, not in your program, Manuel. You can disable the warning by going to Internet Explorer/Tools/Internet options/Advanced. Place a tick beside "turn off script debugging".

* * *

Q. Anita's new Jetstream connection disconnects every 30 minutes. I asked her if the Telecom technical staff had installed a separate unfiltered line which they had. At this point we were stumped.

A. Anita emailed again to let us know "all is well". The Telecom tech had not isolated the Jetstream socket from her monitored home alarm, which calls base every 30 minutes.


* Email us your question about computers