Reset Microsoft Word for Character Highlighting

Q. I enjoyed your explanation about highlighting words, lines, sentences, paragraphs and pages in a previous Q&A; in your column. I sometimes need to highlight just part of a single word, and Microsoft Word automatically highlights that particular word. It drives me nuts! Can you help?

--Charles B., Upland

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A. Microsoft Word is set to select a word at a time by default. From within any Word document select Tools and then select Options. Now click on the Edit tab. Deselect When Selecting, Automatically Select Entire Word. Click OK. Now you can highlight one character at a time. You can still highlight an entire word by just double-clicking on that word.

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Q. I use my computer daily, and have heard different opinions on this question. Should I turn the computer off after each daily work session, or should I just leave it on all the time?

--Jan R., Laguna Niguel

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A. When you turn your computer on, heat is generated as you use the system. The heat expands electronic boards. When you shut the computer down, the heat dissipates and those same electronic boards contract. This process creates unnecessary wear on those components. Leaving the computer on 24 hours a day, seven days a week puts the system at risk should the electric power to the system fail.

When power is restored it tends to surge through the wall outlet. Surges can severely damage parts of your computer. I suggest that you turn your computer off after the last work session for the day.

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Q.. I bought a PC for my sister so she can communicate with me by e-mail and have access to the Internet. The problem is that she lives in Lake Elsinore. Getting a local phone number for Internet access is difficult. Is there an Internet service provider that can provide toll-free access to the Internet in areas like Lake Elsinore?

--Rebecca C., Long Beach

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A. There is a place that can provide toll-free Internet access through an 800 number. Take a look at https://www.youreon.net. You’ll have to click on Service Sign Up and then scroll down the page to find 800 toll-free access to the Internet. For $19.95 monthly you’ll get unlimited Internet access. The prices get better if you prepay six months or a year. I might go for the six months but not for the full year. You’re betting that the company can stay in business that long.

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Q. I recently bit the bullet and bought a new PC. The keyboard has a “Windows” key that I didn’t have on my old computer. What does it do--how can I use it?

--Roger B., Encino

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A.. The so-called Windows key gives you access to keyboard shortcuts. For example, pressing the “Windows” key brings up the Start menu. Here’s a partial list of “Windows” key shortcuts:

* Windows + D brings up the desktop, minimizing all open windows.

* Windows + E opens Windows Explorer.

* Windows + F opens find.

* Windows + L logs off Windows.

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Q. I use bookmarks to track Web sites I need to access. Recently my hard drive crashed and I lost all of my bookmarks. Is there a way to safeguard against this?

--Grant M., Palmdale

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A. You can easily copy your bookmarks or favorites. Here’s how. In Microsoft Internet Explorer, select Favorites and then select Organize Favorites. Right-click on any file you wish to save, and from the Send To dialog box select your floppy disk drive (A) Make sure you have a blank floppy disk in drive A. For Netscape, click on Start and then on Find. Select Files and Folders, and type in BOOKMARK.HTM. When you find the Bookmark.htm file, highlight it. Now right-click, select Send To, and send it to your floppy drive.

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Q. I have just one phone line and it has call-waiting activated. Short of turning off the call-waiting feature when I go on the Internet, is there some way I can deal with incoming calls without dropping my Internet connection?

--Ed S., Newport Beach

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A. Take a look at https://www.pagoo.com. This Web site captures phone messages while you’re online and stores them in a private mailbox. A message notification will then appear on your computer screen so you can play it back immediately if you wish. The service runs $3.95 per month.

Another approach is to use a call-waiting modem. Actiontec makes both internal and external call-waiting modems. When you have an incoming call, the Actiontec call-waiting modem lets you pick up the phone and talk for about seven seconds before your Internet connection is terminated--just enough time to say “Sorry, I’m busy. I’ll call you back.” I have tested the Actiontec modem and found that it works just as advertised. Take a look at https://www.actiontec.com.

Jeff Levy hosts the “On Computers” radio talk show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on KFI-AM (640). He can be reached at jefflevykfi@hotmail.com.