Solutions: Missing SpellCheck, address bar and toolbar

Q. I installed a new hard drive in my computer. A co-worker helped me get started reinstalling the software onto my computer. I have a 3-year-old Gateway machine that came with a Windows CD. I reinstalled Windows, then went to the Microsoft Web site to upgrade my Windows Security and Windows Explorer (6), which also upgraded my Outlook Express. I used a 56k modem to download this update. I noticed later that my SpellCheck icon was not highlighted and SpellCheck isn't enabled. How can I turn it on? As I was searching for a way to enable my SpellCheck for e-mail, I somehow managed to make my Internet address bar and my toolbar disappear. Can you help me restore my stuff?

A. Outlook Express uses the spelling checker provided with the following Microsoft Office programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. If you do not have one of these programs installed, the Spelling icon will not be available. Once you install your Microsoft Office programs, the icon should reappear.

As for your toolbars, maybe you turned on Full Screen by accident. To return to normal mode, click the double-window icon in the top right (right next to the X) or press the F11 key (it toggles between Full and Normal view). In case you've collapsed your toolbars, click and hold the edge of the toolbar in Internet Explorer with your mouse and drag it down (or across). You'll eventually find it. Also make sure that the option to see it is still turned on (View, Toolbars).

Straightening out the registry

Q. At startup, I get the message: "Cannot find device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application. The Windows registry or SYSTEM.INI file refers to this device file, but the device file no longer exists. If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated application using the uninstall or setup program. If you still want to use the application associated with this device file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.

C:PROGRA ~1\MCAFEE\MCAFEE ~2\SAFE&SOUND ~1\FBWIN95.VXD.

I am using Windows 98 and updated McAfee V Shield to McAfee VirusScan Online and had problems getting VirusScan to work, possibly because I did not know that I needed to uninstall the old Virus Shield before attempting to download the new VirusScan. Also, would this be the cause of the computer's frequent freezes? I have to turn it off without shutting it down. -- Housewife whose husband wants me to be a computer genius

A. You already have the hardest job there is; it seems unfair that you're required to be a computer genius, too. These files are components of McAfee Safe and Sound, an associated program. The registry refers to these files, and since they no longer exist, you receive the error messages. Contact McAfee support, or try the following suggestion from Microsoft. It involves modifying the Windows Registry. If you are not comfortable editing the registry, find someone who is. Mistakes made in the registry could cause more serious problems than you have now. If you have at least Windows 98, your safety net, if you experience registry problems, would be to run ScanReg at the DOS prompt. At the C: prompt, type c:\Windows\Command\scanreg /restore and press Enter. Select the previous registry you want to restore, then press Enter. A properly working registry has the word Started next to the date.

Okay, now that you know the risk and at least one way to correct a potential problem, let's take a look at the work-around for your missing VXD problem:

1. Start Registry Editor (Start, Run: type Regedit.exe and hit Return).

2. Locate the following key in the registry (click to expand each section):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Vshinit

3. Click this key to select it, then delete the key (press the Delete key on the keyboard).

4. Quit Registry Editor, and restart your computer.

Also, if you can pull this off, tell your husband that he just received his Father's Day gift a few weeks early.

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