IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I’m finding I can’t open Outlook eml files. This seemed to start after I installed Google Desktop Search

The current version of the Google Desktop Search has a function that indexes the content of eml files. The problem is some people find they can’t open eml files as a consequence.

To fix this, you can disable the Google Outlook Add-In. Open Outlook, click the Tools menu and select Options. In the Options click Other.

In the Other box, click the Advanced Options button and then Add-in Manager button that appears towards the bottom of the box. Take the tick off the Google Desktop Search Outlook Addin. Click Apply and exit out of the boxes.

In outlook express, when running an email with a video attachment, I get audio, but no video.

It depends upon what audio you are trying to run. Check what type of attachment it is and that you are trying to run the correct program. The following types are the common formats with the correct programs to run them.

Once you’ve determined you are running the right programs, check your video settings. We can’t really help any more until we know exactly what software is causing the problem.

I use Windows and my problem occurs when I am in hotmail using mozilla firefox. Typical scenario: I’m reading a long email, and as I scroll down using the wheel on my mouse, I get white stripes at the bottom of the screen. However, instead if I drag the bar on the right side of the screen down, there are no stripes. How can I stop the stripes from happening when using the wheel on the mouse? Or should I just use Internet Explorer and avoid the whole thing?

The problem sounds like the wheel is moving too fast and the video card can’t keep up with the change in the screen.

To change this, you can change the wheel speed in the Control Panel. Click on Start, settings and Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click on Mouse and you can change the wheel speed there.

for past few months i have had no internet history files,when clicking on history whilst in internet,the boxes with ’2 weeks ago, last week and today’ come up, but there is nothing there,nothing comes up if i click “expand” on the tools menu, under internet options– history it says to keep 10 days history….I have Norton 2007 Internet Security and tracks eraser, but cannot find anything on either which would prevent recording my history, hoping you can help

The culprit is Tracks Eraser. The whole purpose of the program is to delete traces of what you’ve done on the computer. Deleting the web history is one of it’s basic functions.

It may be possible to set Tracks Eraser to exclude your browsing history and they may be able to advise you on how to do this. But I’d suggest that defeats the purpose of the program and you should consider why you have this program in the first place.

When I install the Hewlett Packard F380 all in one printer on my daughters PC, it fails to fully load properly, its a Vista Home edition sytem, I have used the vista software CD supplied with the printer, all loads OK, but when you turn off the PC and turn it on the next time it does’nt recognise the printer!!!

You then have to put the CD back in again, load the last bit again and then it works?????? trouble is, you have to do this every time! (it is connected via a top quality gold USB cable by the way)

This problem of devices not loading at startup is quite common in Vista. It’s usually a driver problem.

The first thing is to download the latest F380 drivers from HP.

Then, disconnect the printer and uninstall all the F380 printer software. Restart the computer when you are finished.

When the computer has restarted, open the downloaded file and run it. Connect the printer when you are asked to do so.

This should clear the problem, however we have had reports of Vista having problems with multifunction printers, specifically with the scanning functions. If this is case, you need to contact HP.

I have been blessed with an unsolicited message from url runonce.msn.com/runonce2.aspx relating to internet explorer 7. This site has not downloaded correctly and i am unable to get rid of the damm thing. I am running windows xp professional and the error message is as follows
Line 8
Char 5
Error not implemented
Code 0
Url runonce.msn.com/runonce 2 aspx

You can change the startup page by opening Internet Explorer, clicking Tools, Internet Options and changing the home page settings under the General tab.

However it sounds like you have a spyware infection. We’ve previously posted instructions on removing a Trojan.

Some of these spyware infections can be very difficult to remove, if you find it stubborn, you may want to contact our technicians.

My previous computer was using Windows XP Pro. I used Outlook for my e-mail program. Many times I saved e-mails in the Outlook format – .msg I bought a new computer that now is Windows Vista and the Windows Mail is .eml format. I am unable to open any of my old saved messages of the .msg format. If I try, it opens a box asking me which file format I want to import contacts from, which makes no sense to me. Is there any way to open these .msg messages in Windows Vista? I am a bit frustrated that this hasn’t been a “uniform” type updated system. Thank you for your help.

You are quite right to be frustrated, Microsoft really dropped the ball with having different file formats for Outlook and Outlook Express/Windows Mail. It’s another example of how pointless the name “Outlook Express” was for Windows Mail was when the two programs have nothing in common.

All of that aside, there are tools that allow you to open .msg messages, but the simplest solution is to download the Office 2007 Trial Edition then use Outlook to open the files and then save them in .txt format where they can be read by almost any program.

Outlook Express will not send email with stationery. However, it does not give an error message and even moves the email to the Sent folder – but the recipient never gets it. I have even tried sending it to myself with the same result. I can see the stationery fine (no missing file), and if I remove it the email gets received. Any idea what’s wrong?

Outlook Express relies on the same computer language as web pages, this is called HTML. It sounds like Outlook Express is set to send in plain text rather than HTML.

To change this, open Outlook Express click Tools, Option and under the Send tab tick the HTML button under the Mail Sending Format section. Click okay and it should work fine.

Note that some people’s email systems are setup to strip out a lot of pictures and HTML features because they can spread viruses. It’s not unknown for virus and spam checkers to assume heavily formatted emails are also up to no good.

We recommend keeping emails simple partly for this reason, so don’t go too overboard on the graphics.

My PC has been turning itself off a lot recently. It used to run fine but over the last couple of years has become very ‘buggy’. One of the more recent problems is this turning itself off, as if there’s been a power cut. When ive been using the PC for a while it will switch off, or if im watching a DVD it will usually switch off at a similar point in time on the DVD.

Computers shutting down of their own accord is almost always due to an overheating component, usually the power supply but sometimes the CPU or chipset due to a faulty fan.

This is easily fixed by swapping out the power supply or fan. You can ask a computer tech to do this for you.

It can also be something defective is connected to your computer, you can eliminate this problem by disconnecting everything; printers, Internet, modems and USB devices.

If you do get a new power supply, make sure you get one rated at least 400W as these tend to be more reliable and many systems are chronically underpowered.

The other day my PC turned itself off, like it does, but this time there was a sort of crackling sound followed by a strong smell of burning plastic!

I’m really worried about this as i have a lot of important data on my hard drive which i need to get to! Im hoping this problem has not effected the hard drive!? What can i do? Please Help!!

The problem is your computer’s power supply has blown. This is quite common and it will have to be replaced.

One of the functions of a computer’s power supply is to protect your computer insides from power surges and brownouts so we usually find that when a power supply fails, the hard drive and motherboard are fine.

You’ll need to contact your local computer tech to replace the power supply and test your system, but you’ll probably find your data is unaffected.