Q. I used to be able to open PDF files with Adobe Acrobat Reader. How I get a message that says that a Windows XP Journal Viewer is not able to open the file. Why is something that isn’t there trying to open it, when I have Acrobat Reader on the machine? A. It looks like an install of some other application ‘stole’ the association of .PDF files away from Acrobat Reader, and then you probably removed that application, leaving no valid association for .PDF files. To fix it, find a .PDF using Windows Explorer, then right-click it, and select OPEN WITH. Then find Adobe Acrobat Reader in the list of programs, click “Always Use Selected Application”, and click OK. By the way, if you ever need to create a .PDF file, you might look at the combination of GhostScript, GhostView and RedMon (Redirect Monitor) - all freeware - which will let you define a pseudo-printer that will let you ‘FILE / PRINT’ to a PDF file. Q. My computer boots and then locks with the message “Out of Scan Range”. Is anyone familiar with this message? A. Somehow your display adapter got set to a refresh rate (such as 72Hz, 75Hz, etc.) that is beyond what the monitor is able to support. If you boot into safe mode you should be able to set the display adapter to a basic VGA or SVGA setting of 800x600 with a default refresh rate. Then restart the machine normally, make certain that you have the correct/latest device driver for your adapter card, and then set the display resolution and refresh rate to what you want (within the limits of the hardware.) You do the settings via the Properties page for your display (right-click desktop, Properties) – select SETTINGS, then ADVANCED, then MONITOR to get at the refresh rate. Q. Comments on the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2? A. Many have installed it, mostly from the free CD. The most common problem reported on the web (and by one member) was that wireless networking connections seem to get lost or confused. You can order the CD (free) from: www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx The biggest source of problems are with machines that have spyware running, or have worms or viruses. Make certain that your machine is clean before you start the install. Q. My machine was running when we had a power failure. Now when I boot, I get a message that says that there is a bad driver, and it grunts and groans for a while, and then proceeds. However, the next time I boot it goes through the same sequence again. How do I get it to fix it once and for all? A. Find the system file checker (SFC.EXE) and run it. It should go back to your last good configuration. Or, in XP, press F8 when booting and select booting from last known good configuration. Q. Is there a way to lift text from a PDF file? A. It depends upon the PDF file. If it isn’t encrypted there is a text tool (a big “T” icon) that lets you select text and copy it to the clipboard. Q. Very often when I go to a web site I get a pop-up window telling me that there are errors on the page and do I want to compete loading with errors? How do I get rid of this? A. In Internet Properties (either via Control Panel, or via IE’s Tools / Internet Options …) on the Advanced tab, in the Browser section put a check against the item “Disable Script Debugging” and it will go away. |
| Bruce Preston is president of West Mountain Systems, a consultancy in Ridgefield, CT specializing in database applications. A DACS director, Bruce also leads the Access SIG. Members may send tech queries to Bruce at askdacs@dacs.org. |
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