Q. (Email message) Hello I saw your website with some Q and A about computers and saw a question about Paint program. I am having an annoying problem but I think it is something stupid I am doing. It happens in both Paint and Picture It! if I recall. I look at my picture in the print preview and it seems alright but then when I print it comes out too small. Or else it will not fit on only one piece of paper but rather it will take two pieces. I know how to use Page Set up so I set it to Landscape let's say, and horizontal orientation and I try to set it for left margin aligned, but still it takes over two pages. I don't get it. The bigger problem is the sizing thing, some of pictures are the right size and so I use that as a template for the others. But there are other pictures that seem to be exactly the same as the first adn they are printing somewhat smaller. Any insight you can provide would be appreciated.

A. I have used Paint, a Microsoft Windows applet, ever since it first became available with Windows 95. It provides many useful tools. However, in a situation similar to yours, I prefer Irfanview using the custom settings where one can print any size desired. This will tell you in inches what size the picture will be. Other graphic programs are also available but I have been happy with Irfanview especially the price i.e. free. It is available at http://www.irfanview.com/.

Q. (Email message) I have a problem with MS Word 2002. I want to change my normal. dot file back to its original normal default template. I don't seem able to find it. I have tried various approaches without positive results. I had no problem using Windows XP with finding this file. I am currently using Vista.

A. In Vista, one way to find normal.dot is to open Windows Explorer (Window key + E); click on the C: drive click Users; click Current User (your name); click AppData; click Roaming; click Microsoft then click Templates . In the right panel you should see normal.dot.  Delete the file or rename it (right click). As you are aware, this should create a new normal. dot.  If this doesn't work you can always uninstall and install MS Word.

Q. (Email message) I don't care for the Sidebar in Vista. How do I disable it?

A. Click Start (Orb); click on Control Panel (Classic view); scroll down to and click on Windows Sidebar Properties and deselect Start Sidebar when Windows starts. Click Apply then OK.

Q. (modified Email message). We received two attachments with PPT extensions on our Vista based lap top that we have not been able to open. We received the following message: "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control panel" The file would still not open and we cannot find anything labeled "Set Association" in the control panel.  Also cannot find where to find and choose the file type associations that we could locate in XP. We would like to use Open Office Impress program to open and edit the files.

A. PPT extensions are associated with the Microsoft Power Point program. Try opening these files with Power Point Viewer. It is a free download and is available at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD010798701033.aspx.         
As you have stated, you can use the Open Office Impress program to open .pps files. This is done by changing file associations.  The Set Associations process is a little different in Vista compared to Windows XP. Open Control Panel (Control Panel Home View);  click on Programs; under Default Programs, click "Make a file always open in a specific program"; scroll down to .pps and select it; click on "Change program" button (upper right) then click on "simpress.exe". You can choose and set all the listed file associations with compatible programs via this path in Vista.

Q. (Email message) What is a Flash card Reader versus a Flash Card ?

A. Essentially, a card reader lets you use a flash card (memory card) as ordinary removable storage. A device is needed to read what is on card. If you open My Documents (Documents in Vista), the device icon shows up like any other drive e.g. CD drive or USB drive. Many computers have special horizontal reader drives built immediately in the front part of the machine showing their own drive letters and icons. When you insert media, the Safely Remove Hardware will appear in the Notification Area of the Taskbar. You can also connect a card reader via a USB port. Card readers can handle up to eight types of Flash cards. You can remove the flash card from your camera, insert it into a reader and the images will download to the computer where you can manage the pictures as desired. The memory card can then be formatted and be reused repeatedly in the camera.

Q. (Email message) I do not understand how to send an attachment as an ATTACHMENT ONLY. Every time I send it the picture pops into the body of the email too. Thanks,

A. (The questioner is using Windows XP and Outlook Express).Try the following: Open Outlook Express; click Tools; click Options; click the Send tab; click HTML Settings; uncheck the box in front of Send pictures with messages. Next click on Create Mail icon (Toolbar); click the Format menu; uncheck Send Pictures with Messages. 

Q. (Email message) It's advised to scan a download for virus's (viruses). How do you do that prior to downloading same?

A.  The advise regarding scanning downloads from the Internet is a good one. If there is any question regarding the download source subject that file to a virus scan prior to executing it. Most antivirus programs allow you to do so.  Most members of our computer club use AVG. You should have a folder on your computer that functions as a "downloads" folder. For years we used such a folder located on the Desktop.  It is now located immediately in my user's name folder under the Desktop folder.  Once you download the file to the Downloads folder, you can right click on it and select Scan with AVG. This is done prior to executing it.             

Q. (Email message) Question: My computer is full (of) "junk".  Is there a "free" program or programs that I can download in order to do a complete computer clean-up.  Thank you.

A. There are many free programs available to do a "computer cleanup". Try a Google search using as the proper parameters e.g. "free cleanup computer". Be careful however in selecting and downloading any software. Nasty things can happen to your computer if you download "bad" material especially when advertised as "free". Recently I downloaded McAfee SiteAdvisor (free version) at http://www.siteadvisor.com/.  This program is advertised as a Powerful Enforcer of Internet Safety. Provides active, real-time, comprehensive protection from dangerous sites that can compromise your identity and your PC. Using it has provided me with a better since of security. As stated in the above Q & A, consider subjecting the download to a virus scan prior to executing it.

Many of our computer club members use Easy Cleaner (http://tinyurl.com/2dg5d) and CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) to accomplish what you are seeking.

Keep in mind that there are many "cleanup" tools available in the Windows operating system itself e.g. Windows XP and Vista. These include using Clean Disk, uninstalling unused programs, ridding unnecessary program in Startup, etc.

If you have any questions and/or answers that you think might be of general interest to your fellow Computer Club members, send an email to: