Problems With QuickBooks and Money
Fix the latest snafus plaguing the Intuit and Microsoft financial programs.An accountant once asked me, "What's the difference between an accountant and accounting software?" His answer: "The software at least has some personality."
In today's financial programs you'll find lots of personality in the form of quirks and foibles--in short, bugs. Annoying glitches have surfaced in Intuit's QuickBooks and Microsoft's Money.
The first problem affects users of both QuickBooks Basic 2002 and the higher-end QuickBooks Pro 2002. If you used the online update feature recently, you may have run into weird behavior. The following message pops up: "You have recently downloaded a software update. Can we install it now?" You click 'Yes,' but nothing happens. Though you can still use QuickBooks, you'll be asked to download the update every time you close the app.
To fix the problem, Intuit says, you must quit all programs and reboot your PC. Then reopen QuickBooks and close it at once. You will be prompted to install the update; click Yes again. Still nothing happening? Then you need to restart QuickBooks and download the update once more. But this time, type a set of keystrokes to reset the program. Go to Intuit's site for instructions. In addition, the company advises users to call its tech support line (888/320-7276).
The second problem affects people who use Microsoft Money 2002's Help option and Internet Explorer 5.5 or earlier. Within all 2002 versions of Money, when you select the Help menu, you may encounter the error message, "Internet Explorer script error." This blurb is followed by several lines of gibberish--and you're unable to get any farther with the Help option. The cause? One (or more) of the files IE needs to display Money's help files has become corrupted. You can still use the program, but Help won't be helpful.
Microsoft's recommended fix: Download IE 6, the latest version. Of course, upgrading to IE 6 may not appeal to you if you're happy with an earlier version. But remember that version 6 incorporates most of the security updates and other patches that Microsoft has released.
Stuart J. Johnston is a contributing editor for PC World.
Windows XP Clashes With USB Mice
Some users of Windows XP Home and Professional editions have reported system crashes when they shut down their machines. This glitch can happen to people who use a USB mouse and have XP's "USB selective suspend" option enabled.
You can work around the problem by disabling the selective suspend option. Hop to Microsoft's site to get instructions. The company has released a "hotfix" for the problem too, but advises you to install it only if you can't live without the suspend option. To get the hotfix, contact Microsoft tech support (800/936-5700) or your PC manufacturer (if XP was preinstalled on your PC and you're still covered for software support). If your warranty has expired--believe it or not-- Microsoft may charge you for its help.
In Brief: Son of Klez
Watch out for a new variation of the Klez worm called W32.Klez.h@mm. Like earlier versions, Klez.h spreads through your Outlook address book and ICQ. It can infect your PC if you preview an e-mail message. Klez.h may randomly send one of your files to people in your address book. Jump to McAfee's site for its disinfection info and to Symantec's site for its removal advice.
Habla Worm?
If a person you know--especially someone who wouldn't know his cabeza from his cerveza--sends you an e-mail with a file attachment and a subject line in Spanish (Mira esto, jajaja, te vas a reir), delete the message. If you open it, don't launch the attachment, or you'll unleash a worm known as W32.Trilisa@mm. Go to Symantec's site for its advisory or to McAfee's site for its removal steps.
Bugged?
Found a hardware or software bug? Tell us about it via e-mail at bugs@pcworld.com.