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Microsoft Office 2007 Word. He couldn’t highlight text! He could click on some things, but not all menus. And despite everything he tried, the mouse wouldn’t select the text. He turned to me for help. Since this was a new situation for me – one that I hadn’t heard of – I searched Google for an answer. On Lockergnome.com, I discovered there were many people experiencing this issue. A fix was posted, which was copied in part from a Microsoft Knowledgebase article. What happens sometimes, is the Data file for Word 2007 becomes corrupted. Usually due to a defective, or incompatible addin. The suggestion is to delete the registry key. Most of us don’t like to work with the registry, however, in this instance, the fix was painless, and I was even able to apply it to my client’s computer remotely. To delete the Word Data registry key, follow these steps: 1. Exit all Office programs. 2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. 3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running: • Word 2002: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice10.0WordData • Word 2003: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice11.0WordData • Word 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice12.0WordData 4. Click Data, and then click Export on the File menu. 5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop. 6. Click Delete on the Edit menu, and then click Yes. 7. Exit Registry Editor. 8. Start Word. If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem. The problem was a damaged Word Data registry key. You may have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word. If you want to escape problems in future use the Office For Mac UK. (This is an excerpt from Microsoft Article ID: 921541) Hope this helps if any of you experience this issue. Happy Computing, Kathy Ritchie]]>

NOT be one of those that never reopen. Plan your recovery before its needed. To see the supplies that Ready.gov recommends please visit http://www.ready.gov/business/plan/emersupply.html Common sense tells us, that businesses should keep copies of their most important files offsite. Personally, I use several methods but most notably, I use Carbonite’s online backup service. For about $50 per year, I’m assured of complete recovery of my files in the case of disaster – or if I reformat my PC (as I did recently) and need to restore my files. Also, dvd’s of my information is stored in fireproof safes, and the really urgent information is easily grabbed as I’m running out the door. Be prepared. Your equipment should be insured. Don’t use a rider on your homeowner’s policy, you should have business insurance that covers your equipment. All of it. Make an inventory of all the software you have, whether its installed or not, list your peripherals List your books. If you have a radio in your office, list that! List EVERYTHING! Take pictures of your equipment, store your receipts with your inventory, OFF SITE. My Office inventory is electronic, and is stored offsite, AND backed up regularly. Keep your inventory up to date. When you prepare your inventory, don’t forget about your various logins and account access codes and passwords. I have a book of keycodes, kept in my fireproof safe. For my more sensitive logins, those are encrypted on a flashdrive in the safe. Keep this list as up to date as possible. During severe weather, surges often cripple your equipment, which is why it is vital your equipment be protected with high quality surge protection, and if you lose power suddenly, having an uninteruptable power supply (UPS) can give you the time you need to save what you’re working on and shut your equipment down. High quality UPS systems also include surge protection. Include your PHONES on the surge protection. Often, your telephone is one piece of equipment that is forgotten about when it comes to equipment protection. Visit Ready.gov for more information about disaster preparedness for your home and your business. Become familiar with what you need to do, and what needs to be on hand. Stay alert to the news, and be prepared. Wishing you safe, Kathy Ritchie]]>