Problems with Shortcut Bar

[CGB]

I am running Office 97 Pro on my Windows 98 (not SE) computer. I have an
office shortcut bar on my desktop which provides links to the various
components of the office suite. It has worked well for years. Suddenly,
starting a couple of days ago, when it comes onto the desktop when I boot
the machine, the icons for each component are all changed to a white balloon
with a blue question mark in it, instead of the icons I had originally
installed for the shortcut bar. I've gone to each element and tried to set
a new icon but to no avail. Despite their appearance, when I slide the
cursor over each, they display the element to which they are to go and when
clicked, they do run the intended program.

I have run latest versions of Norton antivirus, AdAware, Spybot, and
CWShredder, all to no avail. Disk is defragged. I've not installed any
recent software.

I can't really find any info on MS that would explain this and would
therefore greatly appreciate help.

Thanks.

Chet

 

[John Ski]

Subject: Problems with Shortcut Bar

From: "CGB" (e-mail address removed)
Date: 2/2/2004 3:24 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

I am running Office 97 Pro on my Windows 98 (not SE) computer. I have an
office shortcut bar on my desktop which provides links to the various
components of the office suite. It has worked well for years. Suddenly,
starting a couple of days ago, when it comes onto the desktop when I boot
the machine, the icons for each component are all changed to a white balloon
with a blue question mark in it, instead of the icons I had originally
installed for the shortcut bar. I've gone to each element and tried to set
a new icon but to no avail. Despite their appearance, when I slide the
cursor over each, they display the element to which they are to go and when
clicked, they do run the intended program.

I have run latest versions of Norton antivirus, AdAware, Spybot, and
CWShredder, all to no avail. Disk is defragged. I've not installed any
recent software.

I can't really find any info on MS that would explain this and would
therefore greatly appreciate help.

Thanks.

Chet

Have you tried "refreshing" the icons? You need to have a blank space on the
shortcut bar. Right- click in it and choose "Refresh Icons".

HTH,
John

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
***Arthur C. Clarke***

 

[CGB]

I don't know how to get a blank space in there and when right-clicking on
any area of the tool bar, I find no option for "refresh."

Chet

 

[John Ski]

Subject: Re: Problems with Shortcut Bar

From: "CGB" (e-mail address removed)
Date: 2/2/2004 3:40 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

I don't know how to get a blank space in there and when right-clicking on
any area of the tool bar, I find no option for "refresh."

Chet

Right-click the little Office logo on the left end, choose customize, click
"buttons", highlight a button in the middle somewhere and click the "add a
space" button.

John
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
***Arthur C. Clarke***

 

[CGB]

John Ski
I'll try that. Right now the wife is calling and I've got to scram. I'll
report back here on how it worked, in case you're curious about such things
as I am. Thanks for your replies. I will get back.

Chet

 

[CGB]

John,
You're a genius. It worked. I would NEVER have lucked into that solution.
I am repeatedly impressed how far the computer industry has to go to make
these machines truly user-friendly! Were it not for you, I'd never have
figured that out. There ain't nothin' intuitive about it. How'd you ever
learn the fix? Same way I have??

Thanks,

Chet

 

[CGB]

John,

BTW since you were so good with the shortcut bar, did you notice my post on
2/1 about "Trouble with envelopes?" Any ideas on that one?

Chet

 

[John Ski]

Subject: Re: Problems with Shortcut Bar

From: "CGB" (e-mail address removed)
Date: 2/2/2004 7:19 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <eb#[email protected]>

John,
You're a genius. It worked. I would NEVER have lucked into that solution.
I am repeatedly impressed how far the computer industry has to go to make
these machines truly user-friendly! Were it not for you, I'd never have
figured that out. There ain't nothin' intuitive about it. How'd you ever
learn the fix? Same way I have??

Thanks,

Chet

Truth be told I just screwed around with the SB, tried everything, until I
accidentally fell into the correct thing to do. I truly believe the A.C.
Clarke quote below, and also find that serendipity can be a wonderful thing.
Glad I could help.
As to the envelope question, I guess I missed it 'cause I spent most of the day
at a Super Bowl Party. If you'll send it again I'll take a look.

Cheers,
John
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
***Arthur C. Clarke***

 

[CGB]

John,

Below is a copy of the post I made re: my envelope problems.

I am running MS Office 97 with all updates that have been available. I'm
running it on Windows 98. I'm having trouble printing envelopes.

I open up a new document page (default fonts are Times New Roman at 12 pt.)
and I change the font to 14 pt and/or bold. It looks appropriate on that
page. I then go to tools>envelope and print the envelope out. What is
printed is the first line in 12 pt font and the remaining lines in 14 pt.
It doesn't seem to matter which styles/sizes I use, the ones chosen only
appear on the 2nd and lowers lines of the address on the envelope. It
didn't used to do this. This started about 3 months ago.

An MS MVP suggested it might be a driver problem and asked if I had gone to
the printer mfg's to look for an updated driver. My reply to that was:

Yes, I have done that and my driver is current. The driver is a 1999
version and I've been using it since then although the problem just started
recently. Checked on the functionality via a program HP runs from their
site says my version is "current and settings show no problems

Any thoughts?

Chet

 

[John Ski]

Subject: Re: Problems with Shortcut Bar and Envelope Addendum

From: "CGB" (e-mail address removed)
Date: 2/2/2004 8:19 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

John,

Below is a copy of the post I made re: my envelope problems.

I am running MS Office 97 with all updates that have been available. I'm
running it on Windows 98. I'm having trouble printing envelopes.

I open up a new document page (default fonts are Times New Roman at 12 pt.)
and I change the font to 14 pt and/or bold. It looks appropriate on that
page. I then go to tools>envelope and print the envelope out. What is
printed is the first line in 12 pt font and the remaining lines in 14 pt.
It doesn't seem to matter which styles/sizes I use, the ones chosen only
appear on the 2nd and lowers lines of the address on the envelope. It
didn't used to do this. This started about 3 months ago.

An MS MVP suggested it might be a driver problem and asked if I had gone to
the printer mfg's to look for an updated driver. My reply to that was:

Yes, I have done that and my driver is current. The driver is a 1999
version and I've been using it since then although the problem just started
recently. Checked on the functionality via a program HP runs from their
site says my version is "current and settings show no problems

Any thoughts?

Chet

This is a tough one, first because it's been a long while since I had Office
97. One thing you might try is Tools>Options>Show all formatting marks.
Sometimes the formatting characters will provide info when something odd is
happening like this. I don't remember whether there is a format font option in
the envelope tool(like there is in Office XP). If so change the format there
and see if it prints properly. I'm afraid this isn't much help. Let me sleep on
it and see if anything pops up(It's after 11:00 EST in the USA).

John
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
***Arthur C. Clarke***