Making new Word look more like old

By STEVE ALEXANDER, Star Tribune

Last update: January 13, 2009 - 4:11 PM

Q I have two computers with older versions of Microsoft Word, and one computer with Office 2007 Word. I find it difficult switching from the old Word versions to the new one because the commands are arranged differently on Word 2007's "command ribbon." Is it possible to install the older command arrangement on Word 2007 without purchasing a download? I have found commercial downloads that will do this, such as one at www.toolbartoggle.com.

MONICA MANNING, ST. PAUL

A You can substantially change the look of Word 2007 without downloading anything, but it won't look exactly like earlier versions of the program. For that reason, you may want to opt for one of the for-pay downloads because they more accurately re-create the look of earlier Word versions. (You can find more of these programs at www.download.com; search for "Word 2007 ribbon.")

To make Word 2007 more closely resemble the earlier versions of the program, right click the command ribbon and choose "minimize the ribbon." Then click the arrow next to the abbreviated command line at the top left of the page and choose "show below the ribbon." Then click the arrow again and choose items in the list to include in the command line. For more functions, click on "more commands" and select from that list. The result is a customized command line with relatively small icons compared to earlier versions of Word.

Q I have a Dell laptop with Windows XP that sometimes will lock up for no apparent reason. I can move the cursor, but I can't click on anything. If I call up the Windows Task Manager by pushing the control, alt and delete keys simultaneously, then close it, the computer works again. But after I do that, the screen-saver won't come on and the PC won't go into sleep mode when it should. Have you heard of this problem before?

RON BENDER, RICHFIELD

A Odd laptop behavior can sometimes be fixed by unplugging the power cord, shutting down the computer and then removing and reinstalling the PC's battery. After that, plug in the power cord and restart the computer. Exactly why this works remains unclear; some say static electricity build-up around the battery is corrected by removing it.

If that doesn't work, try Dell's tech help page on what to do when a Windows XP computer freezes. It includes a link to an online troubleshooting program for XP and says that running more than one anti-virus program can cause your computer to freeze. Find it at support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=318020.

E-mail tech questions to steve.j.alexander@ gmail.com, or write Tech Q&A, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488-0002. Include a full name, city and phone number.

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