Q: I intend to buy a computer that will come with Windows 7 and a pre-installed version of Microsoft Office. I want to continue using the old Office suite on my new computer. Is this feasible?
Roy Price
A: Sure. Just use the Windows uninstall feature to remove the version of Office that comes pre-loaded and then use the installation discs for your old version of Office and it's done.
It's easy to do but it may not be a great idea. If someone sends you a document created with the newest version of Office you'll not be able to open it with your old version. Besides, sooner or later you'll be forced to use the new version so you might as well push yourself through the change now. I do feel your pain by the way. Each time the way Office looks and works is changed, I spend a month or so struggling with even the simplest tasks. But keep in mind that the new version of Office can save files in the old formats if you wish.
Q: Whenever I'm on the Internet, I notice that my hard drive seems to be sporadically accessed, and that the bottom status bar shows something is being transmitted. I'm concerned about this activity. The computer otherwise works well.
Robert Chaffer
A: There are at least two possibilities:
1. It's normal. Many of the programs on your computer -- including Windows itself -- check for updates and download them automatically. So that causes hard disk and Internet activity. If you have anti-virus or anti-adware/spyware software, they'll also check for updates (a good thing) automatically. So this kind of activity happens all the time on most computers as Windows and your other programs try to keep current.
2. It's spyware/adware -- those programs (not detected by anti-virus programs, you need a good anti-spyware program for that) transmit your browsing habits back to the originator. In some cases it's fairly harmless marketing stuff that doesn't identify you by name or e-mail address. But there are some ugly spyware programs that do sophisticated snooping. All of them -- mild or heavy-duty -- invade your
privacy without your permission. Besides, all this activity can slow down your computer as well as tax your Internet connection.
Infestations of spyware and adware are the leading cause for a slow computer. It's smart to use a program that both blocks the installation of this sneaky software as well as searches out and destroys programs like this that are already on your hard disk.
Q: I removed -- by mistake -- the software used by my printer, a Dell V305. How can I get it back?
Bernadette Bink
A: You can use the installation discs that came with your computer to reinstall the program. If you have lost the disc, you can find the software and download it from Dell. It's the same for others in the same fix. If you can't find the original installation disc for a device, like a printer, then check the manufacturer's website. You'll almost always find the needed software there.
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