Gazette Reader 'Stacy97' writes: " Dear Dennis, Recently, I had to reinstall Windows XP. Ever since then, I am having a problem with my display: the font size is much too large. On some pages that are displayed, the sentences all run together ... because the words are too large. Also, the contrast is horrible and pictures are fuzzy. I've tried changing my screen resolution, but I only have the ability to use 640x480 resolution and 4 colors maximum. Can you help? " My response: If your resolution and color slide bar are locked, it's because your video card driver has not been installed properly ( ... (view more)

Infopackets Gazette Reader Dan L. writes: " Dear Dennis, My PC came pre-loaded with Windows ME and now I'm thinking of upgrading to Windows XP. Do I have to uninstall ME, or can I simple run an upgrade option to install Windows XP? I've downloaded a ... few of your eBooks and videos onto this machine, and I'd hate to lose them. On another note: I've see Windows XP advertised on the Internet for $50. Is this legitimate? If so, can you recommend a reputable source? " My response: Upgrading from ME to XP can be done by inserting the Windows XP disc into your machine (after Windows ME is loaded). If ... (view more)

Gazette Rich K. writes: " For some reason, my Quick Launch toolbar (near the Start Menu) disappears when I reboot. Oddly enough, I have this same problem with my MS Office short cut bar. Do you have any idea how I can fix this? " My response: My ... Quick Launch toolbar has never disappeared on me, but nonetheless, a number of Gazette Readers have asked me this question before. After querying Google.com for "quick launch disappears after reboot", I came across an online forum at techguy.org which appears to have answered both questions. RE: Resetting the Quick Launch toolbar It was suggested that ... (view more)

Infopackets Gazette Reader Viv 'Better Letters' writes: " Dear Dennis, I read with interest all your newsletters, and although I haven't had any of the problems that some people have had, I really enjoy reading everything your site has to offer. And ... now, I have a query: a colleague of mine wants to send a fax through her PC running Windows XP Pro. She doesn't have a fax machine connected to her PC, but she does have a phone line which has an ADSL Internet connection. Try as she might, her MS Word Document fax won't send out of the outbox. I've checked her settings, but can't figure it out. If ... (view more)

Infopackets Gazette Reader Ian B. writes: " Hi Dennis! I am a keen reader of your Infopackets, but I haven't been able to find an answer to the problem I am having. You see, I have a win 98 computer that used to shut off the power after a Start ... -> Shutdown command was clicked, but now it just stops at that the 'It is now safe to shut down your computer' screen. Can you advise if this is a hardware or software fault, please? " My response: There is a good chance that this issue is related to a previously written article, entitled, " Computer won't go into Standby mode? " (November 25, ... (view more)

Infopackets Gazette Reader Linda S. writes: " Dear Dennis, My Compaq Presario 7000 computer will not hibernate: I always get a message that says, 'Your computer cannot hibernate or standby because the Intel (R) PC Camera CS110 cannot enter a low ... power state.' I went to Compaq Communities [online message board], and received a reply which stated that I needed to download and install the BIOS and driver update for the camera to resolve the problem. Since my camera has worked flawlessly for the past 2 years, I assume that I don't need to download another driver? Please Help! " Side note: " ... (view more)

Infopackets Gazette Reader Dan G. writes: " Dear Dennis, [I've read many times that you talk about the Windows Registry*] ... I was wondering if you could tell me how I can copy out [export / backup] my Registry [incase Windows stops functioning ... properly and I need to revert back to a previously working Registry]? Many thanks. " My Response: Reverting back to a Registry Backup may work, but it all depends on how often you update your system and what files have been changed. You can Export (backup) your Registry by doing this: start -> run "regedit" (no quotes) file -> export ensure that ... (view more)

Recall -- Last week, Anne from Canada told me of a very strange problem with her computer: " ... Sometimes there is an image under the email page, or Internet page, and it has a small eye with a white box and a red X in it. It annoys me, and I try ... to get rid of it ... It's not always there for long, and then disappears. Any ideas? " My Response: I haven't experienced this problem before, so I asked Gazette Readers for help. Many Readers wrote in to tell me that they also have the same predicament, while others provided some very insightful information. Wendall J. put it very simply: " The ... (view more)

Infopackets Gazette Reader Niel L. writes: " Dear Dennis, Greetings from Trinidad ... (view more)

Ikara from Australia writes: " Thanks, Dennis! I have been reading your [recent] descriptions and explanations [about disk imaging, partitioning, and installing to another drive letter] with interest. I can understand [the reason for wanting to ... install an application to another drive letter, especially in the case of disk imaging] ... but some installation procedures ... [won't let] me to decide [where to install my files]. The last [program I tried installing] ... was MusicMatch Media Player, [and] it gave me absolutely no choice at all [as to where the files were to be installed], ... (view more)