Speel Spell
Checker
Is Outlook/Outlook Express checking your email message spelling?
If not, check the settings:
Tools menu > Options > Spelling (tab)
Both Outlook and Outlook Express require Microsoft Office, or at
least Microsoft Word, to spell check and even then; not all versions of
Word will load spell checker for email. Older versions of Works
that included Word may not load the checker as a global
applet.
So now what? You could of course purchase Word or Office or
you could search the Internet for an add-on spell checker. However,
these add-ons are typically not integrated and are cumbersome to use.
Microsoft Knowledgebase link for this problem with Microsoft Works loaded.
When Should You Replace a Computer?
Sooner or later you must call it quits on repairing
old equipment. Like a trusty old car, sometimes it's hard to make the
decision to replace, but unlike a car, computer prices have
dropped, significantly. Today's $500 computer is more stable, many times faster and all around better
than the thousand dollar machines of just a few years ago.
Businesses shouldn't have too much trouble deciding.
Just calculate payroll hours lost due to computer problems against the price of a new
one and in no time at all, you could replace a computer.
Obviously if you have some high end hardware in the
computer the decision is harder but on the other hand, that hardware can
probably be move to a new computer. But you may want to check
first so here are the Windows XP
hardware and
application compatibility
links.
Some things that should make you seriously think
about a new computer:
- If you are running Windows 95 or earlier.
- If the computer is that old, replace it - period!
- If you are having read or write errors involving
the C: drive.
- If the hard drive is making a "clicking" noise.
- If you have having unpredictable lock-up problems or blue screens.
- Formatting the drive and reinstalling everything may
resolve this, but here too, how much time should you invest in that
old machine?
- If you try to install a new application but are informed there is
not enough memory or not enough disk space.
Click here for more
information.
or
- If you have irreplaceable data such as photos and the computer is
four years old or more. Note: If you
have irreplaceable data, regardless of the computer's age, you
should be doing
backups.
So if you're having problems with your current machine or
it's getting upward of four-five years old, you really should consider
replacing it! With prices less than $500 for a new machine, it makes
little sense to hold on to/repair an older one.
Exactly What Will You Pay For?
To get the price lower, many computer companies are offering "trial
versions" of different software but when the trial version is over you
must pay additional money to renew the application. Remember to
add that amount back in to the original cost. NOTE: If the trial
application is MS Office Professional the renewal will likely be over
$400!
A more dangerous "trial version" is the antivirus application.
If the notice to renew is ignored and the trial period expires, the computer is not protected.
Warranty:
You should certainly get one year support at no additional charge, but
should you get the extended warranty? If a laptop, it may be worthwhile
as long as that coverage includes damage. Before you buy an extended
warranty consider this: you will likely be replacing the computer in
four or five years.
HP Photo Printers
Recently we were involved in resolving an issue with two
different HP PhotoSmart printers on the same computer. Installing
one would wipe out the HP director from the other installation.
After some unsuccessful experimenting we wrote HP.
Their response was somewhat expected:
I am sorry to inform you that the HP PSC 2410
all-in-one does not support multiple installations along with
another Photosmart printer. I regret for the inconvenience this
might cause you.
When more than one HP Photosmart device is used
on the same system, incompatibility issues will probably be
encountered. HP does not recommend using more than one HP Photosmart
device on the same computer.
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