I have hundreds of fonts installed but can only see a few in my applications

Check your default printer - it may be Generic / Text only or some other printer that does not support True Type Fonts. Try changing it to a laser, for example.

If you are using Windows 9x, it is possible that your C:\WINDOWS\ttfCache file is corrupt. Delete this file, reboot your PC and it will be rebuilt when Windows restarts.

Note: Do not MOVE the file to another folder as Windows will continue to use the same file regardless of its location. If you want to make a backup, use a floppy disk.

If this does not help, or you want more information, follow this link or this link to articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that should assist you.

I cannot Install New Fonts from Control Panel in Win9x

Generally, this is because your \WINDOWS\FONTS folder has lost it's SYSTEM attribute.

There are a few ways to fix this problem:

• Get TWEAK UI, one of the PowerToys from Microsoft.

• Put the following lines in your AUTOEXEC.BAT:

REM to allow fonts to be installed from Control Panel
ATTRIB +S C:\WINDOWS\FONTS

• Just drag the new fonts into the fonts folder and they will be installed automatically (you can also delete the ones you don't need any more by dragging them to the recycle bin).

If this does not help, or you want more information, follow this link to an article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that should assist you.

Can I print out samples of all my fonts and clipart?

Yes, go to the Software Page at our Web site and look for LISTFONT, LISTCLIP and PFONT.

My MS Word 6 thesaurus has stopped working properly since upgrading to Win9x

When you use the Thesaurus in Microsoft Word, it may display incorrect synonyms or no synonyms at all. This problem occurs when you run Word version 6.0, 6.0a, or 6.0c for Windows with a non-U.S. version of Windows 9x or Windows NT.

You need an updated MSTHES.DLL in your \WINDOWS\MSAPPS\PROOF folder. You can get the file from this link ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/WD1253.exe

How do I change the default 'float over text' property when inserting graphics in Word 97?

You cannot easily change this annoying default except by creating a macro to replace Word's InsertPicture command. The good news is it's straightforward - just follow these instructions:

1. Create a new document
2. Choose Tools / Macro / Macros from the menu
3. In the macro name field, type InsertPicture then click on Create
4. You will then go to the VB editor and will see the existing code for this action
5. Replace the existing text with the following:

Sub InsertPicture()
Set MyDialog = Dialogs(wdDialogInsertPicture)
MyDialog.floatovertext = False
MyDialog.Show
End Sub

6. Choose File / Close to return to Word
7. Insert a picture now - it will NOT 'float over text'

You can now do the same with InsertObject (eg for the Clipart Gallery) using the following macro:

Sub InsertObject()
' Turns the float over text option off.
SendKeys "%{t}"
' Displays the Insert Object dialog.
Dialogs(wdDialogInsertObject).Show
End Sub

NB Make sure you save the macros in NORMAL.DOT so it will be used for ALL new documents.

Note: In Microsoft Word 97 Service Release 1, when you insert a picture or object, it is inserted as an inline (non-floating) object. That is, the Float Over Text check box is cleared by default.

In addition, if you click to select the Float Over Text check box, Word will retain your setting. That is, the option will be set until you change it again.

For more information, go to microsoft.com and search for these articles: Q157773 Q163808 Q170564.

Thanks to Bob Buckland for supplying these pointers.

How do I slow down the vertical scrolling speed in Word?

This MS Word 'feature' has been with us throughout several versions and seems to be related to the speed of your video card. When you try to select text with the mouse (click and drag) it scrolls too fast and it's difficult to select text accurately. As far as I am aware, Microsoft have still not produced a fix for this but there are a number of workarounds:

1. Use the keyboard to select text instead of the mouse. Using Shift with the arrow keys seems to work at an acceptable speed. Alternatively, press F8 and then use the up and down arrow keys to mark your selection (use Shift F8 to turn the selection off).
2. Click once at the beginning of your text and then shift click at the end to select a block of text with your mouse.
3. Slow down your PC! It's not as drastic as it sounds - right click on 'My Computer', select Properties, click on Performance then Graphics and then slow down hardware acceleration. I've slowed mine down to an acceptable speed in Word without losing anything in other applications (but then again, I don't play games...!!)

Complaints to: http://www.microsoft.com

How can I change the default language in Word?

This is another MS Word 'feature' that has been with us for all Win9x versions. It generally only affects non English US users. The default language in MS Word defaults to English US even after you change it in the NORMAL template.

The problem is related to the keyboard! What, you might ask has that to do with the default language? The answer lies with Microsoft and their strange ways...

Here's what you need to do:

Start / Settings / Control Panel / Keyboard / Language.

Add the language you wish to use and remove English US - this is where Word 97 picks up it's default language.

Now you can spell colour the 'proper' way...

The only problem with this is if you want to use a default other than your 'native' language. For example, I may wish to use English (British) as my default language in Word but do not want to use the British keyboard as it changes the keys (eg to use £ instead of #).

The following advice came from Veroniek Weskin and should solve this problem:

When you have selected the language, select properties and select the keyboard you want to use. This is how we do it in Holland. We use Dutch as language but US keyboard.

Complaints to: http://www.microsoft.com

Why does MS Word prompt me for confirmation when I delete text?

MS Word is trying to behave like WordPerfect! When you highlight text and press the Delete key, a prompt appears on your status bar 'Delete Block? No (Yes)'.

Go to Tools / Options / General and you will see a check mark next to 'Navigation Keys for WordPerfect Users'. Turn off this and any other Wordperfect options you don't want and it will stop prompting you in future.

How do I read a .SNP (Snapshot) file?

This is a Microsoft Access Report Snapshot file - here are some useful links at the Microsoft site:
Download Centre or Snapshot Viewer for Access 97/2000/2002 or Using the Snapshot Viewer

My computer is too fast to play some of my games - how do I slow it down?

You can either swap your Pentium for one of our slow 486 PCs or try some of these:

http://www.simtel.net/pub/msdos/sysutl/
486slo.zip B 1272 920716 Slows down progs which run too fast.486 only
boost.zip B 21189 890625 Program to turn on/off Turbo mode
whoapc.zip B 11896 890223 WHOA! slows down PC or AT, v1.0

Moslo.exe is recommended - try your favourite search engine.

I want two copies of Windows on the same disk - how do I switch between them?

This method of dual booting is ideal if, for example, you want to have a clean install of Windows for testing as well as your 'live' copy. It uses the same IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT for all copies of Windows.

Note that it is designed to run two copies of the same version of Windows. It is not guaranteed to work if two different versions are installed (eg Windows 95 and Windows 98) because the IO.SYS file may be different for each version. Thanks to Gordon Fecyk for pointing out this potential problem.

Here's how to do it:

1. Install Windows copy 1 to C:\WINDOWS
2. Reboot to 'Safe Mode Command Prompt Only'
3. Rename the Windows folder to C:\WINDOWS.V1 (use the MOVE command)
4. Install Windows copy 2 to C:\WINDOWS (or make a copy of version 1)
5. Setup the configuration files to select the required version (see below)

Mateusz Lapsa (Beda) from Nowy Targ, Poland has taken this idea and extended it using the multiple configuration features of Windows.

This example assumes you have installed one copy of Windows in C:\WINDOWS.V1 and another in C:\WINDOWS.V2.

Firstly, you must use the following commands in the file C:\CONFIG.SYS to give you a menu when start your computer:

CONFIG.SYS

[MENU]
MENUITEM=LIVE,Microsoft Windows Live Copy
MENUITEM=TEST,Microsoft Windows Test Copy
MENUDEFAULT=LIVE,5

[LIVE]

[TEST]

Now add the following lines to the file C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT to start the selected copy of Windows:

AUTOEXEC.BAT

@ECHO OFF
GOTO %CONFIG%

:LIVE
IF NOT EXIST C:\WINDOWS.V1\WIN.COM GOTO WINSTART
MOVE C:\WINDOWS C:\WINDOWS.V2
MOVE C:\WINDOWS.V1 C:\WINDOWS
GOTO WINSTART

:TEST
IF NOT EXIST C:\WINDOWS.V2\WIN.COM GOTO WINSTART
MOVE C:\WINDOWS C:\WINDOWS.V1
MOVE C:\WINDOWS.V2 C:\WINDOWS
GOTO WINSTART

:WINSTART

Notes:

1. Beda has copied the MOVE.EXE file from C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND to the root folder (C:\) to avoid using cumbersome path statements.
   
   
2. This method can be extended to handle more than two copes of Windows on the same disk. Changing the configuration files is left as an exercise for the reader!
   
3. Refer also to this article from Microsoft: How to Install Windows 98 Into a New Folder [Q193902]

Is there a quick way to exit Windows, reboot my computer or Exit to DOS?

Download the Windows Utilities (WINUTILS) and look for the BOOTWIN, ENDWIN, RESTWIN, WLOGOFF and EXIT2DOS utilities.

When I install new applications it tells me to close all running programs - is there an easy way to do this?

Download the Windows Utilities (WINUTILS) and look for the CLOSEALL utility.

Is there any way to change the defaults in WordPad or Notepad?

Download the Windows Utilities (WINUTILS) and look for the NPAD and WPAD utilities.

How can I rotate text or produce vertical text in my applications?

Try inserting an MS Wordart object into your document (usually Insert / Object / Microsoft Wordart). This allows you to rotate text and produce other special effects. Wordart is part of the MS Office package but is not always installed by default - try a custom install and look under 'Office Tools' if you don't see it.

I want to create a Web Site - who do I ask for advice?

Contact Aylott Computing - reasonable rates for Web page design and construction.

How can I get a FREE home page on the Web?

Try these sites:

How can I get a FREE e-mail account?

Try one of these sites:

Can I set time limits for my children to play games on the computer?

Download the Windows Utilities (WINUTILS) and look for the TIMEPROG utility.

Is there a DOS utility to backup Long Filenames in Win9x?

My recommendation goes to the freeware/shareware application DOSLFNBK that lets you save the long filenames to a file. You can then use your favourite DOS backup program with confidence knowing that you will be able to restore the LFNs.

Get the latest version from http://www8.pair.com/dmurdoch/programs/doslfnbk.htm

You can also try this (untested) method discovered on a newsgroup:

1. Boot with "Command Prompt Only"
2. Rename \WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KRNL386.EXE to KRNL386.SAV
3. Copy COMMAND.COM or 4DOS.COM to \WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KRNL386.EXE
4. Type the command WIN. Windows will load, the 32-bit drivers that provide LFN support will load, and then WIN.COM will load KRNL386.EXE -- but that's really a command processor and you get a prompt.

The only minor problem is that the command processor does not inherit the environment settings. This is easily fixed by using a setenv.bat, for example, to restore them.

It is recommended that you reboot your PC after renaming the files back to normal.

My Win9x icons keep rearranging themselves - how can I keep them in position?

First, check to see if you have Auto Arrange turned on. Right click on the window or desktop and select Arrange Icons. If Auto Arrange has a tick by it then select it with the left mouse button to turn it off.

When you close a folder in Windows 9x, its size, position, and sort order will not always be restored next time the folder is opened. It appears that Windows 9x stores a maximum of 29 window settings (including the desktop) which means that, as newer settings are saved, earlier ones will be lost. To make sure your folder settings are saved, hold down the <Ctrl> key when you close the window.

We recommend the FREEWARE PCMAG utility, WinTidy 95 that lets you save different desktop layouts for each screen resolution plus other goodies.

It is also possible to use Tweak UI, one of the FREE PowerToys from Microsoft, to 'lock' the desktop and folder settings (well, 29 of them anyway!).

I've corrupted or forgotten the password to a WordPerfect / Word / Excel / Access document - is there a way to recover the file?

Contact Aylott Computing - your documents may be able to be restored for a small fee. We can crack some passwords for MS Word, WordPerfect, MS Excel and MS Access. We can also 'unprotect' Word and Excel macros.

Note: Files sent to us will be treated as 'In Commercial Confidence'. The contents will not be divulged to third parties and they will be deleted promptly.

How can I stop Windows 9x prompting for a password every time it starts?

If you are the only person using your computer or you want every user to have the same settings (and you are not using a network) it probably does not make sense to type in a password every time you start Win9x.

To stop this happening, follow these instructions:

1. Go to Control Panel / Networks and set the Primary Network Logon to 'Windows Logon'. You may need Client for Microsoft Networks loaded for other reasons (eg Dial-Up Networking) but it does not have to be the default client. Do NOT restart your computer when prompted.
   
   
2. Go to Control Panel / Passwords and change your password to an empty string. If you have a password set you will need to enter it every time Windows starts. In the Change Windows Password dialog box enter your existing password and leave the other two boxes empty. If you don't know your password you must delete any *.PWL files from your WINDOWS folder - next time you log on you will be prompted for a password and you can then leave it blank.
   
   
3. Restart your computer.

My Dial-Up Networking Password Is Not Saved

Follow this link to an article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that should assist you. Thanks to Jean Smith for this tip: 'I installed TweakUI and under Paranoia I checked "Clear last user at logon". This brings up a password box on bootup and messes up DUN too'.

The DUN Save Password Check Box is Unavailable

Follow this link to an article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that should assist you. Thanks to Murray Eisenberg for this warning: 'I had repeated system crashes when I installed Microsoft Client for Networks after installing the MS security patch' Information on this patch is available by following this link.

My Computer hangs at the 'Please wait while your computer shuts down' screen

Follow this link to an article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that should assist you.

If you are using Windows 98 SE, follow this link for a software update from Microsoft.

I have problems starting and shutting down Windows 9x

Follow this link to an article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that should assist you.

You may also get some help from Microsoft Technical Support by following this link.

How can I automate or disable the execution of scandisk when booting Win9x after a sudden shutdown?

This can be disabled by editing the [Options] section in C:\MSDOS.SYS. There are different options:

AUTOSCAN=0 - This turns scandisk off completely. The kernel does not check the clean shutdown and hard disk error bits, and scandisk is not started.

AUTOSCAN=1 - Default behaviour. Scandisk runs every time the computer starts after a sudden shutdown.

AUTOSCAN=2 - The same as the default behaviour, but no error message is displayed before scandisk is started. Scandisk starts with no prompt.

Thanks to Mercè Bruned for supplying this information.

NOTE: C:\MSDOS.SYS is normally a Hidden, System & Read-Only file. In Explorer, select View / Options / Show all files then right click on C:\MSDOS.SYS from Windows Explorer, select Properties and turn off the Read-Only attribute before editing it. After saving the modified file you should turn the Read-Only attribute back on.

TWEAK UI, one of the PowerToys from Microsoft makes this process even easier.

Can I perform cleanup tasks and backups automatically whenever I close down Windows 9x?

Download the Windows Utilities (WINUTILS) and look for the SHUTDOWN utility.

Is it possible to change the default shutdown option in Windows 9x (eg to Close all programs and log on as a different user)?

Download the Windows Utilities (WINUTILS) and look for the SHUTOPTN utility.

The ShellIconCache file in the Windows folder does not get created or updated

This file is used to cache the desktop icons making them faster to display. A common solution to redisplay problems is to delete this file and restart Windows. Normally, the file will be recreated automatically - but not always!

Here is Brad Jackson's solution:

"I have been able to get it to rebuild by opening and closing the Control Panel and then clicking on Start/Shut Down..."

You have to restart immediately after closing Control Panel. Don't ask why - just be happy that it works!!!

I get an error message relating to CTL3D32.DLL - 'This version of CTL3D32.DLL is designed only for Windows NT systems'

A program has probably installed an incorrect version of one of the Visual Basic run-time files on your computer. Follow this link to find out more information and how to fix the problem.

My desktop icons are sorted in descending rather than ascending order

R Nelson reported the following problem and a solution:

Somehow or another, My Computer and Recycle Bin got placed last on the Desktop rather than first (in the upper left where they are supposed to be). What caused this, I can't say, but I found the solution.

The procedure to correct this problem requires that TweakUI be installed into Control Panel.

Open up Explorer, and go to \Windows, and make a new directory called New Desktop (or whatever else you want to name it). Then go to \Windows\Desktop, select all the files and directories there, and copy them to the New Desktop folder you just created. (Right click, choose copy, then scroll to New Desktop, and choose paste, because attempting to drag the selected files will create shortcuts, not copy files).

Verify that all the files and directories have been copied (right click on \Windows\Desktop, choose Properties, note how many files and directories are present, then right click on \Windows\New Desktop and do the same).

Then open Control Panel, call up TweakUI, go to General, and change the Desktop folder to \Windows\New Desktop. Either log off and back on or reboot, and Presto! all the icons are back in their proper places, with the sort order being restored to ascending.

After this, move the \Windows\Desktop folder to \Desktop or to some other drive, or change its name or delete it. Then, create \Windows\Desktop, and copy all the files and directories from \Windows\New Desktop to the new \Windows\Desktop directory, make sure all the files got copied, use TweakUI to change the desktop folder back to \Windows\Desktop and restart or log off and on again.

Strange, but it worked. It doesn't seem to be a registry problem, How it got caused, or why that procedure repairs the problem, I don't have the faintest clue.

My question hasn't been answered here - where else can I go for assistance?

Try some of these links:

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