Have you ever attempted to save a Word document as HTML, only to find the HTML document has a massive file size? This is because Word puts application specific tags within the HTML document, so it displays correctly when the document is opened in Word. If you are running Word 2000, you can remove these tags by downloading the Office 2000 HTML Filter (office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/Msohtmf2.aspx). For those running Word XP, go to the ‘File’ menu > ‘Save as Web Page’ and select ‘Web Page, Filtered’ in the ‘Save as type:’ box. (more…)

Recently my computer hardware was upgraded, and I also installed Windows XP Home Edition. Sometimes when the computer is turned on it boots to the old Windows 98 (which is still installed on the computer). This is usually fixed by restarting the computer, but lately this does not work. However, if I switch the computer off and leave it for a day this fixes the problem until the next time. How can I stop this happening and boot the computer directly to Windows XP? (more…)

Recently, I received an email with ’status’ as the subject and became concerned that my computer had been infected with Mydoom. Subsequently, I installed AVG virus scanner, ZoneAlarm, and Spybot, followed up with a full virus scan. The scan did not show any viruses. However, I now receive emails from unknown people at least 2 - 3 times a week whereas previously when I had no IT security installed I received only 1 - 2 a year. Is this normal? I would have thought these emails would decrease with improved security, not increase. (more…)

My computer starts up normally, but as soon as it reaches the Welcome screen the blue screen of death appears saying: ‘NO_MORE_IRP_STACK_LOCATIONS. Beginning dump of physical memory’. The only way I can use the computer is through Safe Mode. Deleting all other users does not solve the problem. The computer is running Windows XP Home Edition. (more…)

My computer is no longer able to view two read-only data CDs. These CDs are 6-years and 3-months old respectively. Both CDs are in pristine condition (no scratches). I was able to read these CDs with no problems until now but they no longer work on any computer. I could not copy the older CD, but the copy that I made of the newer, showed the same problem of the original: some files are not read. Though not being able to copy it, I am able to read some files of the older CD; but hundreds of files are, simply, omitted, though I am sure that the files are on the disk. In addition, an odd popping sound is heard when reading the older CD. My understanding was that a CD should last some 200 years. I have many, many other CDs containing archival data, that are absolutely not replaceable. (more…)