Fleur from Stanmore can't open Microsoft Word documents. Corrupted Word templates are very common and Word uses the normal template to create a blank page when it starts. Renaming or deleting the normal.dot template usually clears startup problems. A computer cleanup may also help.

Fax modem starts with computer

Glenn has a fax modem that tries to answer the phone whenever the computer is on. There will be a setting within the program to turn off the automatic answer. If this doesn't work open msconfig (start, run, type msconfig) and in the startup section take the tick off the program that controls the fax. Using your computer to receive faxes is always a problem unless you have a phone line set aside for the fax line.

Computer freezing

Don's computer is freezing whenever he leaves it for a while. The problem is almost certainly the power saving functions. To fix this disable power settings and screen savers within the Control Panel. If the problem continues it may be the BIOS settings that are causing the problem, this will require a computer technician to look at the computer.

Hard drive misbehaving

Gerald from Forbes had a Seagate 20Gb hard drive that runs Linux with no problems but Windows 98 and 2000 will not load. Problems like are usually a driver and it may be necessary during the installation to load the Windows drivers. It is also worthwhile checking the BIOS settings that nothing odd is selected and using the IDE cable that was supplied with the motherboard. Creating a partition of less than 8Gb may help.

System freezes

Geoff has a computer that freezes regularly. It is probably a game that is causing the problem although it could be a full hard drive. Uninstall all the unnecessary or unused programs and clean up the computer. If it is a full hard drive ask the kids what games can go. It may be time for an upgrade.

Outlook Express crashes

Janine's Outlook Express is crashing when it goes on line. This is possibly a corrupt inbox or a corrupt message in the outbox. Remove anything that is in the outbox and see it the problem goes away. If it doesn't, copy any important mail into another folder, close Outlook Express, do a search for inbox.mbx and delete it. A new inbox will be created when you restart.

Colour washed out

Ron has a computer that has washed out colour. To check what your colour settings are open the Control Panel, click Display and go to the Settings section, you will find the colour settings their. When you only have the 16 colours setting available it means that Windows has a problem with your video card. The simplest solution is to download the latest drivers for the video card, although cheap cards are less than $50.00 so it may be simpler just to replace the card.