Seeing "Modem Bob's" note in the March Magazine again reminded me of all the grief I have tolerated with the computer-controlled modem that came with my Dell 4100 computer. Sporadic action, slowdowns and hang-ups, not to mention that it was very sensitive to what other appliances were on the same telephone line, which would guarantee a speed of 31.2 Kbps unless they were removed prior to dialing up the Internet. The addition of various modem string commands didn't do much except produce either a speed of 31.2 or 49.1 Kbps (I think this last was a lie) and nothing in between. Most of the time it was 31.2 Kbps.

So, after talking it over with "Modem Bob" and determining what type of PCI Hardware controlled modem I needed, I found one at Missing Solutions at 9039 Westheimer. They were very helpful in choosing the right modem which was a U. S. Robotic 2977 and provided a floppy driver but mentioned with XP I probably wouldn't need it. "Just pull the old one out and plug the new one in and it will install itself". Yeah, yeah, how many times have I heard that before?

That is exactly what I did and that is exactly what happened! Upon boot up the computer recognized new PCI hardware in a little balloon sign and indicated "it's installed". And indeed it was as I just clicked onto the Internet as usual and everything worked.

The difference was immediately noticeable. The connection speed came up at 45.2 Kbps and stayed there rock solid, as it has ever since. Never a hesitation or a noticeable slowdown, even when Microsoft automatically downloaded a security patch for loading while I was browsing and the movement from one site to another was seamless. Tests of adding and removing answering machines and other telephones to the same line no longer had the slightest effect on the connection speed as it did before. This modem seems to be able to handle any obstacle that gets in its way. For about $50 it's a bargain. To say I am happy is an understatement and I feel that I must be saving 50% of my time by now having a consistent speed and not having to reboot when the browser slowed down or no longer moved. As far as I am concerned modems are "Black Magic" and I may never be able to comprehend all they do but "Modem Bob" was very helpful and I am most thankful for his assistance.

Subject: Thanks to Friday crew!
From: Harry L. Stille
hlacour@hal-pc.org

Did not know who to write to. But I want to thank the Friday crew who helped me with my computer problem. Very helpful, friendly, professional and competent group. Hope you get word to the guys who helped so much. Thank you very much.

Subject: Outlook Error
From: Bob, HAL-PC Member
HELP - I can't get Outlook to open.

It responds Error 1919. Error configuring ODBC data source: Excel files ODBC error 6: Component not found in the registry verify that the file Excel Files still exists and that you can access it. This happened after I removed a Word Perfect Sample program on my computer. Word Perfect has not been helpful. Any advice would be appreciated.

Editor's Note:

This problem is unfortunately a known issue in Corel WordPerfect Office 2002 (WordPerfect 10) that has been posted on their web site at kb.corel.com/kbdocs/UNKNOWN/WP10WIN/WP10WIN_206758.htm since November 2001, but apparently never resolved. They give directions to export the portion of the registry that will be affected before removing WordPerfect, and then restoring it after. But it's too late for that once the software has been removed. Their explanation for the problem you're seeing is: "The uninstall routine for WordPerfect Office 2002 may remove the ODBC drivers from the workstation. This issue has been reported to engineering."

If you are unable to reach the article using the link above, try kb.corel.com and search for Article # 22206758, Loss of ODBC drivers after uninstalling of WordPerfect Office 2002.

Here are the symptoms:

When you start Microsoft Outlook or install Microsoft Office, you may receive the following error message:

Error 1919. Error configuring ODBC data source: MS Excel; ODBC Error. 6: Component not found in the registry. Verify that the file MS Excel files exists and you can access it.

This behavior can occur if the following conditions are true:

. Corel WordPerfect Office 2002 is installed and then removed from the computer.

-and-

. The Corel WordPerfect Office 2002 removal procedure removes Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) drivers from the computer.

As a result, the ODBC keys are missing from the Windows registry.

The workaround provided by WordPerfect suggests that you restore the Windows registry entries manually.

But if you're uncomfortable doing that, you can download and install the latest MDAC files specific for your version of Windows from the Microsoft web site (www.microsoft.com/data/download.htm#26info) instead. This will install the standard Microsoft ODBC drivers. If you have installed any programs that require special drivers to run correctly, those programs may have to be reinstalled. If you have purchased any specific drivers from third party vendors (i.e. Intersolve), those drivers will have to be reinstalled as well.

For additional information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Error 1919" Error Message If You Start Microsoft Outlook or Install Microsoft Office, Article 320757 posted at support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320757.

Subject: EMail question
From: A HAL-PC Member
Hi - hoping you can help.

I belong to a number of email discussion groups and want to save a large portion of these emails onto my hard drive for future reference. Currently, I am using Outlook Express as my email program and have set up about 20 different folders where I can transfer these emails from the Inbox into the respective folder.

Is there a way to download these entire folders into a location on the hard drive where they can be viewed in their entirety as a text file? I know that I can save individual emails as a text file, but when you are dealing with 30,000 messages in folders, that could take a lifetime.

My second question is if I should be using a different email program which might accomplish my goal easier? Thanks.

Editor: Do any of you have a suggestion to export emails from Outlook? Please send us your ideas.