Inbox Highlights

Welcome to InBox, where we attempt to answer your internet questions.

Martin Sims is frustrated: "How do I get rid of the Links bar in my Favourites on Internet Explorer 5.5? I have taken everything out of Links and made sure it is unchecked (View/Toolbars). I right click on it and delete it but next time I start IE, back it comes."

You can only delete the contents of Links, Martin, not the toolbar itself because it is an integral part of your browser. I suggest you drag it up a level and park it, empty, at the left-hand end of the address bar where, after a bit of adjustment, all you'll see is the word Links. But it's really useful for sites you visit daily.

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Graeme Howard is haunted by ghost e-mails: "I am using MS Outlook 2000. More often than not, when I log on I have several e-mail messages. As they begin to download, I can see one or more slip off the waiting list. It happens so fast I don't get time to read the subject heading before it goes on to the next e-mail. How do I fix this problem, as I don't know what e-mails I am missing out on."

I think what's happening, Graeme, is that there's a filter in operation, and the messages which vanish are being shunted in a flash from your Inbox into some other mailbox - perhaps they're junk mail. Hunt through your mail-tree, including the Delete folder, and you'll probably locate them. If you're running Outlook, check the Rules Wizard to see what's going on behind your back - also make sure a Delete from Server box isn't checked.

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Hope Noel Bramley speaks French: "Could you please help me: do you know the website for the solo around-the-world yacht race?"

It's the Vendee Globe, Noel, and the official site is at www.vendee-globe.tm.fr/fr/sommaire.html. Bonne chance!

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Denny is taking the plunge: "I am planning to have my PC reformatted. My PC man advises me to go from my present Windows 98 to the Millennium version on the basis that he contends it's far more stable. He also wants me to install Norton Antivirus instead of my existing PC-Cillin. I would value your confirmation that Windows ME and Norton Antivirus are the way to go."

After the recent Great Crash of 2001, Denny, I installed Windows ME in fear and trembling, but now I've got to agree with him - it's great. And I have always used and trusted Norton Antivirus. Go for it.

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Here's Irene Sealey having second thoughts: "I have downloaded a trial version of some ftp software which I really like and is quite easy for me to understand. My problem is that now I wish to purchase this software, but am a bit wary of giving my Visa number over the net. The software concerned is Ftpnavigator and the internet website is www.vista.ru. I got more than a little nervous when entering this site to find it was in Westphalia, and was wondering if it was legitimate ... "

You're right, Irene, there are some dodgy sites in the Russian Federation. But studying this one, my antennae didn't start twitching; it looks reputable. Either take a chance, or get a bank cheque and mail it to them, which is inconvenient and will cost you more but limit any possible loss - $US20 isn't too crippling.

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More of your InBox questions will be answered Wednesday in CyberLunch, on air 12:00-1:00 with Murray Lindsay and Peter Sinclair on Classic Hits 97FM.

If there's anything you want to know about the exciting world of the web, just e-mail inbox@herald.co.nz.

Links:

Vendee-Globe

www.vista.ru