Is Your Windows XP Haunted?

Users have reported random words and characters appearing on Windows XP and Office XP screens. While they are performing other tasks, suddenly text appears or menus pop open. To compound the problem, the strange symptoms may not reappear when an IT support person is checking the machine.  Needless to say, this leaves both users and support staff perplexed.

Is this a case of demonic possession, or a pre-Halloween feature installed by Microsoft? Actually, the explanation is a bit more mundane. XP includes speech recognition features, some of which may be turned on when the computer is shipped to the user. Thus, when the computer hears words or sounds, it tries to interpret these and turn them into text or commands.  Oddly, in some cases, even disabling or unplugging the microphone may not stop the errant behavior.

The Fix

The solution is simple once the problem is correctly diagnosed.  One must disable the Dictation and Voice Command features on the Language bar, or to turn off speech recognition completely in the control panel.  The computer will be "exorcised" and no more unearthly text will appear!

More Info:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315765 

.

 IT Indiana - Home

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CompStar Technologies is a leading Indiana-based provider of networking, technology, and communications services. With offices in Mishawaka (serving South Bend, Elkhart, Warsaw, Michigan City, Fort Wayne, Niles, St. Joseph, and Benton Harbor, Michigan) and Indianapolis, CompStar provides network design / support, network security, wireless networking, business telephone systems, VoIP (voice over IP), and cctv / video surveillance systems. CompStar is the Technology Division of Direct Line Communications, headquartered in Mishawaka, Indiana.