InBox

Q. Some of my Start Menu shortcuts are gone!

Ross writes that some of his Start Menu shortcuts are missing. He tried to use a program he hasn't used for a while, but found the shortcut was gone. The application is listed in add/remove programs as installed, but the shortcut is nowhere to be found. He wants to know if he's got some sort of virus that is eating his Start Menu items.

A. It's more likely a feature of Windows ME, 2000 and XP called Personalised Menus, which hides unused icons from the Start Menu. Disable this feature in Control Panel/Taskbar and Start Menu. Under the Start Menu tab, choose Classic Start Menu and click Customise. Turn off Use Personalised Menus and then click OK.

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Q. John downloaded Netscape but he got a "file not found" message while trying to install it. He tried to download it again but the same message appeared.

A. It's either a faulty download or another program is affecting the installation. Obviously downloading the file again eliminated the possibility of file corruption, so it must be the other issue. Hit Ctrl Alt and Del keys to bring up Task Manager and under the Applications tab End Task everything that is running. Close Task Manager and restart the downloaded Netscape setup file.

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Q. Nasty feedback on Trade Me; how do I get it removed?

Debbie has been using Trade Me for a few months, and recently a buyer claimed an item bought from her was damaged. She tried to keep the buyer happy but received bad feedback threats unless she refunded the full amount, including postage, while letting them keep the item. She politely refused and received particularly nasty feedback. She wants to know if there's any way to have the feedback removed, given that it was the end result of what she says amounted to extortion.

A. Feedback wars are common, so Trade Me will only remove or edit bad feedback for reasons listed at the link below. In retaliatory feedback, state only the facts, not opinions. If you suffer financial loss because of the feedback, courts may award you damages but your defamatory statements can also be used in court in the other party's defence. Essentially, it's only one bit of feedback, so it's a good idea to get over it and move on.