Since installing Word 2000 two problems have shown up (my operating system is Windows 98 SE). Firstly, I have been unable to open any e-mail attachments. Secondly, when rebooting the computer using the reset button, a program starts running that analyses directories, files, clusters etc. By pressing ‘escape’ I can cancel the program after which the computer resumes normal running. I would appreciate your help. (more…)

I have a problem with Outlook Express 6 running on Windows 98. Having happily run with Outlook Express 5 on Windows 98 for the past 2 years then a week ago a message came out-of-the-blue telling me that Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express 6 were available and could be downloaded free from Microsoft - there was no warning that these might not work properly with Windows 98. Since installing IE6 and OE6, the message composition window which appears when clicking “Write Message”, replying to an email, or forward an email to another person, is very small (about 4″ square). Previously it went straight to full screen size. Now I have to click Maximise in the top right hand corner to get the full-size screen. Version 6 also seems to be much slower than OE5. My ISP was unable to help, though one of the techs suggested that OE6 had plenty of bugs and I should try to download OE6.1. However, I couldn’t find OE6.1 on the download site. I’ve tried unsuccessfully logging in to the Microsoft web-site to find a solution. I have three questions for you:
1. Can I uninstall OE6 and revert to OE5? (My ISP suggested that if I uninstall OE6 I may lose all of my stored emails);
2. Is there some way to make OE6 run the way OE5 used to run with my Windows 98 (i.e. defaulting to the full screen when I try to send an email) and;
3. How can one contact Microsoft to complain?
I hope you can help me! (more…)

I recently installed eTrust EZ Antivirus which then found two infections in my system. They are: ‘C:WINDOWSSYSTEMCCA7C700.HTA - Wscript.Kak.a Worm. Not Restored’ and ‘C:WINDOWSKAK.HTM is Wscript.Kak.a dropper. Not Restored’. What are these viruses and how can I get rid of them? They don’t appear to affect anything nor are they transmitted through my email. I am running Windows 98 2nd Edition. (more…)

These are probably elementary questions which you have already answered but I haven’t kept your columns so I would be grateful if you could assist. I have recently installed Windows 95 on a newish computer I bought at an auction. However, things happen at startup which I don’t want to happen. Firstly, a box appears requiring me to enter my networking password. I have no networking and no wish to have a password, but the software won’t proceed until I have hit the Enter key. I don’t want this box to appear, but I can’t find out what’s doing it. Can you please help? Secondly, I use Netscape for Internet access. Sadly, the version I have is unable to handle attachments in email. As a workaround, I put Microsoft Internet Explorer onto my machine. Now whenever starting up my computer I get a Microsoft Internet Explorer logo flash and the message ‘Microsoft Internet Explorer is not your default browser, do you want to make it your default?’. I would like to stop these messages appearing on startup. How would I do this? (more…)

I am thinking of purchasing a second-hand Macintosh computer (perhaps a Performa, with a PowerPC processor) which I would use exclusively for connecting to the Internet. Moreover, I would use the Internet, in principle, mainly for sending and receiving email. The Macintosh appears to be less vulnerable to computer viruses in comparison to the PC. Is this true or merely a legend? What version of the MacOS operating system would you suggest as the most appropriate for the task? Finally, is it possible to obtain, somehow, a free connection to the Internet. If so, could you please let me know how? Thanks for your help. (more…)