Just did a google search on "external mouse" + laptop + erratic. Quite a few hits. One recommendation is to disable the internal pointing device when using an external mouse. I'll give it a try.

I've received an email (trusted source) with a winmail.dat attachment which I can't open. Error message says there isn't a program associated with it. Any clues, please?

Could be alsorts of files
DAT files are sometimes data files, usually comma delimited, that contain ASCII format data - They are also Mcaffe updates and one is even called index.dat which records a list of websites you have visited, cookies received and files downloaded.
There are probably even more .dat types.
Ask whoever sent it to resend it in a format you understand or open and look inside it with notepad maybe?


Edit - Try outlook - WINMAIL.DAT is a proprietary Outlook file that allows Outlook users to send Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format (TNEF) information (see Microsoft's technical support article at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q241/5/38.ASP). This TNEF information is unopenable and irrelevant outside of Outlook.

TOK, you can get the general gist of what it contains by saving it to disk, right clicking on it in Explorer and Open With/Select Program/Notepad. It will probably be mainly control characters (gobbledigook) but there will probably be text strings that will show what it is.

leo and kayak - Gentlemen, thanks for all of that. What fascinating stuff gobbledygook is to look at! The sender didn't know what it was all about either!

I have installed zonealarm but cannot access L2 and I`m constantly getting log-on reminders. This is the second time I am sending this as I tried a few minutes ago with zonealarm on and got a log-on reminder but the message from me was not effected. Zone alarm is now going off while I send this

Snip, not really the answer you're looking for, but I have Norton Internet security installed. It works totally seamlessly and configuration is a doddle. I have Zonealarm installed (by someone else) on one of my PC's at work and I don't find it easy to use or configure. A constant pain in fact. If you download NIS it's from (I believe from memory) www.symantec.com and isn't expensive, I have reformatted the hard drive and re-downloaded it once by using the code which I printed off when I bought it. Updates are regular and automatic, and I'll be continuing my sub when this one runs out. Got sent a virus on Wednesday this week - first one in ages, and it was picked up immediately.

Snip, You don't say what your operating system is. If it's XP and you have security enabled then, in my opinion, there's no need for the added complexity of a zone alarm type product. XP does the business itself. Of course, you'll still need a virus checker (I like AVG, the excellent free one from www.grisoft.com).
By the way, anyone concerned about the security of their PC can check it out at http://scan.sygatetech.com/

well that`s it. Zone alarm is going out the window. Thanks for the responses. I`ve got a norton virus checker and I`m going to go along with the xp firewall

I have ZoneA enabled and never have any problems with Moneyam. It's very easy to set-up and operate and has never given me a problem.

I`ve installed a free pop-up stopper from panicware. I hope it works those messenger ads are driving me mad

Does anyone know how to record radio programmes that I've missed from the web using the BBC's radio player. I suspect it's not easy, but I'd like to keep copies of Humph in ISIHAC.

SC - "streamed" content is designed to be less than easy to record, but there is software that does it, take a look at Total Recorder. (edit - there used to be a website with mp3 files of all the old ISIHAC programmes, maybe try a search on groups.google.com for sources...)

Thanks troll, that's just what I wanted, and more...

excellent.

edit for anyone else who'e interested it's on
http://www.isihac-download.com/

However downloads not possible at the moment

Can anyone help me.
I gave my grandson an old computer I bought in 1999.
It has 12 gb hard drive.
windows 98.
Their is a lot of rubbish on it now.
He cannot start a game, cannot remove the game .
How can you reload windows 98 from scratch, I would be obliged for any help.

THANKS for no help.

lordkent21,

It has only been a few hours since your request, and expecting such a prompt reply in such a short time may be being a little unreasonable.

I myself havent reinstalled windows 98 for many a year, but from what I recall, you need the Windows98 install CD.

You also need to create a windows98 boot floppy, this will enable the machine to detect the CDRom drive upon boot.

Reboot the machine with the boot floppy (how to create the boot floppy you will have to read the help, I cant remember), then type the following:
format c:

this will remove ALL the data on the C: (back up anything that you want saved!), then put the Windows98 CDRom into the CDRom drive, and type:
d:\setup.exe

this *should* start the install proceedure for Windows98...

Good luck.

J.

lordkent , with the computer you should have got a product recovery disc or restore disc. Insert this and follow instructions and it will overwrite everything and your computer will be as it left the store. Hope you still have the disc. Having reread your message I think you mean a cd is jammed in the machine. Should be able to open it with a straightened paperclip if you can see the hole.

LordKent21

I reinstalled Win 98 after doing a hard disc reformat as well, surprisingly easy. I have a copy of a magazine (Best of Computer Active Workshops 2002) Could scan it & try to e-mail to you as a jpeg if you want - will need a valid email address though as money am will not permit attachments.

Send me an e-mail through money am if you want - could be a couple of days before I do it though - work pressures.

lordkent, tech help can take a while to arrive (this is an investment/trading BB after all). If you follow Tullets method you should have no problems. By the way a boot disc from any PC running the same version of windows can be used.

A less drastic step MAY be to start the PC in safe mode and then try removing the game. Pressing F8 while the PC boots up should get you into safe mode and rebooting it after will restore it to normal operation. Im not sure this will cure your problem but youve nothing to lose in trying.

good luck

Neil