New Imformation on System Restore & Windows Installer Registry Corruption

[Chad Harris]

There have been a number of installation errors of the July 27th Office 2003 Updates and other Office version updates, particularly Office 2003 SP1 remedied by Office resource kit tools and other tools like the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, and I'm pasting this information that has come up from Sloan Crayton [MS] who has been generously helping and providing some useful information on using these Office tools to help with install/setup problems. Because it involves information I have not seen anywhere, including MSKB, MSDN, Technet or Windows SP2/MSI 3.0 articles and good artifcles on System Restore, I'm pasting some of it here:

_______________________________________________________

After running the Installer Clean utility to remove remnants of OfficeXP, now if I try to update Office 2003 Pro from the website, this is EXACTLY what I get:

The Office Update site is unable to check for updates on this
computer. This may be happening because of one of the following
reasons:

You do not have administrative privileges for this computer.

There is a network problem and the detection catalog used by the
Office Update site failed to download. Go back to the Downloads home
page and try running detection again.

Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied
Office updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden
directory on your computer. MSP files are stored on your computer
after update installation completes because they need to be referenced
for future update operations. If the files are missing you will not be
able to apply Office updates. You may also be unable to uninstall
Office products as a result of the same problem. Please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance.

You installed Office updates in the past and then upgraded from
Windows Installer version 1.0 to Windows Installer version 1.1. For
more information see the KB article Windows Installer May Prompt for
Install Source if Unavailable.

Search for Office updates in the Download Catalog

The Problem With System Restore and the Windows Installer Corrected by Windows Installer 3.0

(Fixing the Problem but not Fixing the Registry Once It's Corrupted):

______________________________________________________________

Windows System Restore will corrupt the Windows Installer registry
information for Office (and other applications). Windows Installer 3.0
(included in Windows XP SP2 when it ships) will fix this bug

The use of Windows System Restore is one of the known causes. Windows Installer 3.0 which is included in Windows XP SP2 fixes this problem (but will not fix it once it's broken).

You will need to use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the
Windows Installer registry information for all installed Office products.
Then you'll need to install Office 2003 again and then install any service
packs and public updates.

This is documented in the KB article at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304498.

Sloan Crayton
Microsoft

_________________________________________________________________

Best,

Chad Harris

 

[Plato]

There have been a number of installation errors of the July 27th

Since your going to post in html with a mini font, pick one that is even
smaller to give my eyes an even better workout.

 

[Chad Harris]

Since your going to post in html with a mini font, pick one that is even
smaller to give my eyes an even better workout.

 

[Chad Harris]

Plato--

1) I have and always make it a point to have the font set to *Plain Text.*
I understand the concern about bandwidth and dialup for people not using
broadband. I have never seen anything posted *here* that requests anything
else but plain text in the public groups. I have seen directions in the
Beta groups repeatedly from that if you think there is an appropriate
reason, you can post in html and put up an attachment *from Microsoft,* and
a number of people who have not read that announcement will always reflexly
complain repeatedly anyway if you do.

2) As for the font, I can understand a font size setting if I had
Format>HTML selected because of the addition of the HTML toolbar, but I
don't, and I don't see any additional way with a Plain Text setting to
control the size of what you see, but if you can show me one, I'd be
delighted to set it.
No one would intentionally try to post in any size that is unconfortable for
anyone else, and I haven't had anyone complain that I'm using a "mini-font"
in several hundred posts on these groups. Where's the "minifont" setting
on a plain text OE message? I don't see one.

3) I like big fonts, and because I do, I have View settings at several
different places to insure that everything I see from the OE newsreader is
large from

a) Popping "control desktop" into the run box and setting for large fonts on
the display
properties dialogue box.

b) On the IE toolbar putting a check at Options>Accessibility. This allows
me to use the mouse scroll button to over-ride the size of the text in
OE's NTTP newsreader as well as web pages, whatever the size the poster
used-- it doesn't matter.

c) I have the view on the OE toolbar set to a certain size, but this can be
over-ridden by the accessibility setting.

4) Again, I empathize if anything I posted turned out to be "html mini
font", but I don't know how because I have the Format>Plain Text setting
selected.

5) I like big fonts to the extent that I have gone out of my way to have my
title bars, task bars, and notification area, minimized taskbar buttons, and
menus in much larger than normal sized font and skinned them so that I can
see the colors easily and I can scroll these messages like a rheostat with
that simple Accessibility setting.

Thanks,

Chad Harris

________________________________________________________________________

 

[David Candy]

Select your post and press Ctrl + F3 and scroll down past the plain text you'll see it's html. These groups ARE binary groups and html is allowed. I use html where it is appropiate. Your Font Size is set to 2 but it looks plain text to me because I use IE's View as big text Ctrl + Scroll Wheel.
--
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/29/1088392635123.html

There have been a number of installation errors of the July 27th Office 2003 Updates and other Office version updates, particularly Office 2003 SP1 remedied by Office resource kit tools and other tools like the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, and I'm pasting this information that has come up from Sloan Crayton [MS] who has been generously helping and providing some useful information on using these Office tools to help with install/setup problems. Because it involves information I have not seen anywhere, including MSKB, MSDN, Technet or Windows SP2/MSI 3.0 articles and good artifcles on System Restore, I'm pasting some of it here:

_______________________________________________________

After running the Installer Clean utility to remove remnants of OfficeXP, now if I try to update Office 2003 Pro from the website, this is EXACTLY what I get:

The Office Update site is unable to check for updates on this
computer. This may be happening because of one of the following
reasons:

You do not have administrative privileges for this computer.

There is a network problem and the detection catalog used by the
Office Update site failed to download. Go back to the Downloads home
page and try running detection again.

Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied
Office updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden
directory on your computer. MSP files are stored on your computer
after update installation completes because they need to be referenced
for future update operations. If the files are missing you will not be
able to apply Office updates. You may also be unable to uninstall
Office products as a result of the same problem. Please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance.

You installed Office updates in the past and then upgraded from
Windows Installer version 1.0 to Windows Installer version 1.1. For
more information see the KB article Windows Installer May Prompt for
Install Source if Unavailable.

Search for Office updates in the Download Catalog

The Problem With System Restore and the Windows Installer Corrected by Windows Installer 3.0

(Fixing the Problem but not Fixing the Registry Once It's Corrupted):

______________________________________________________________

Windows System Restore will corrupt the Windows Installer registry
information for Office (and other applications). Windows Installer 3.0
(included in Windows XP SP2 when it ships) will fix this bug

The use of Windows System Restore is one of the known causes. Windows Installer 3.0 which is included in Windows XP SP2 fixes this problem (but will not fix it once it's broken).

You will need to use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the
Windows Installer registry information for all installed Office products.
Then you'll need to install Office 2003 again and then install any service
packs and public updates.

This is documented in the KB article at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304498.

Sloan Crayton
Microsoft

_________________________________________________________________

Best,

Chad Harris

 

[Chad Harris]

Plato--

This is another convenience, but I think one of your best bets is to use the
Accessbility chek box so that you can rheostat anythng you see here.

Use Kelly's Tweak Line 227 Left:

Set IE Fonts to Smaller or Larger

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/iesmallertxt.reg

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Best,

Chad Harris
_______________________________________________________________________

 

[Kelly]

Chad,

Bottom line is, you are posting in html.

/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

Plato--

1) I have and always make it a point to have the font set to *Plain Text.*

<snip>

 

[Chad Harris]

David--

Thanks for the Ctrl+ F3. Sometimes when I get ready to post I'll see the
html bar click in and think since I'm not using any html selection (bold,
italics, ect.) it's going to show as plain. What probalby happened was it
insured that the paste from Kelly's page would remain small but I can't see
it that way when I open up that post.

I was trying for better or worse to context new information on System
Restore and when I picked up that it could impact the MSI and "installation
of other apps" I pasted from Kelly's page and part of the Sys Restore
article was in a smaller font. I'm still trying to find out what the other
apps are or if it just means the impact on the MSI could affect some apps it
installs. 2 things I don't understand:

Most of the time--if you paste a large font to post, it's not going to show
up as that large font. I'm not talking about setting an html size but if
you pasted the title of an MSKB for example and left it that size, that's
not what you'd see on the newsgroup. If you paste a regedit and the font is
larger or different, that's not what you usually see on the groups unless
you set it's size in html.

Even if you're posting in simple text, a hyperlink is going to show up and
doesn't that require html?

I have been fond of that accessory check box because it lets me Ctrl+Scroll
lists on web pages when they use small fonts--and these group posts unless
you click on one and give it it's own message box if you're going to reply
or use the up or down arrows on the message toolbar.

Once in a blue moon, you'll see a web page that overlaps its font a little
because of that--it happens with bink.nu's site but not to the extent I
can't read the article--sometimes you get frank superimposition--then I take
that check out.

Thanks,

Chad Harris

__________________________________________________________________


Select your post and press Ctrl + F3 and scroll down past the plain text
you'll see it's html. These groups ARE binary groups and html is allowed. I
use html where it is appropiate. Your Font Size is set to 2 but it looks
plain text to me because I use IE's View as big text Ctrl + Scroll Wheel.
--
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/29/1088392635123.html

There have been a number of installation errors of the July 27th Office
2003 Updates and other Office version updates, particularly Office 2003 SP1
remedied by Office resource kit tools and other tools like the Windows
Installer Cleanup Utility, and I'm pasting this information that has come up
from Sloan Crayton [MS] who has been generously helping and providing some
useful information on using these Office tools to help with install/setup
problems. Because it involves information I have not seen anywhere,
including MSKB, MSDN, Technet or Windows SP2/MSI 3.0 articles and good
artifcles on System Restore, I'm pasting some of it here:

_______________________________________________________

After running the Installer Clean utility to remove remnants of OfficeXP,
now if I try to update Office 2003 Pro from the website, this is EXACTLY
what I get:

The Office Update site is unable to check for updates on this
computer. This may be happening because of one of the following
reasons:

You do not have administrative privileges for this computer.

There is a network problem and the detection catalog used by the
Office Update site failed to download. Go back to the Downloads home
page and try running detection again.

Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied
Office updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden
directory on your computer. MSP files are stored on your computer
after update installation completes because they need to be referenced
for future update operations. If the files are missing you will not be
able to apply Office updates. You may also be unable to uninstall
Office products as a result of the same problem. Please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance.

You installed Office updates in the past and then upgraded from
Windows Installer version 1.0 to Windows Installer version 1.1. For
more information see the KB article Windows Installer May Prompt for
Install Source if Unavailable.

Search for Office updates in the Download Catalog

The Problem With System Restore and the Windows Installer Corrected by
Windows Installer 3.0

(Fixing the Problem but not Fixing the Registry Once It's Corrupted):

______________________________________________________________

Windows System Restore will corrupt the Windows Installer registry
information for Office (and other applications). Windows Installer 3.0
(included in Windows XP SP2 when it ships) will fix this bug

The use of Windows System Restore is one of the known causes. Windows
Installer 3.0 which is included in Windows XP SP2 fixes this problem (but
will not fix it once it's broken).

You will need to use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the
Windows Installer registry information for all installed Office products.
Then you'll need to install Office 2003 again and then install any service
packs and public updates.

This is documented in the KB article at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304498.

Sloan Crayton
Microsoft

_________________________________________________________________

Best,

Chad Harris

 

[Chad Harris]

I may have made the mistake in *that post*, Kelly, (which is why it took
that smaller font from your web page with the SR changes in SP1 and
preserved it), because I didn't turn off the html toolbar that I didn't ask
for during that post, but I can't post in html if like this post, Format's
menu has the radio button by *plain text*, and I'm not posting purposely in
html. The other day when you called me on it, that registry key's font was
preserved, and the same thing must have happened.

Chad Harris
__________________________________________________________________________________

 

[Kelly]

Chad,

Your spell checker seems to be misbehaving. ) Other than that, you were
posting in html, until this post.

As for the latter: Whenever you copy and paste from a website - paste it
into Notepad first, then copy and paste again.

 

[+-J]

| Chad Harris wrote:
| >
| > There have been a number of installation errors of the July 27th
|
| Since your going to post in html with a mini font, pick one that is even
| smaller to give my eyes an even better workout.

Plato,

I have set my newsreader to display posts in TEXT-only mode.
I fail to see why people insist on posting in HTML or RTF, (or even write eMails in HTML).

Unfortunately, MS Outlook Express insists on displaying graphic files which are embedded in HTML posts!
(At least in MS Internet Explorer, displaying of graphic files can be disabled.)

 

[+-J]

<SNIP />
|
| Even if you're posting in simple text, a hyperlink is going to show up and
| doesn't that require html?

<SNIP />

Chad,

In Outlook Express, in TEXT-mode, all hyperlinks are clickable.

 

[+-J]

| Chad,
|
| Your spell checker seems to be misbehaving. ) Other than that, you were
| posting in html, until this post.
|
| As for the latter: Whenever you copy and paste from a website - paste it
| into Notepad first, then copy and paste again.

Kelly,

Excellent advice!

 

[Chad Harris]

Thanks Jan--

May have seemed obvious, but I thought by definition that a hyperlink is in
HTML and I'll have to clear this up for myself. I also thought in general
with OE and OL, that whatever format you used would only be viewed if the
recipient has format enough to view it--and I know RTF has a different
meaning in OL and OE.

This is a different question and technically one in OE but if you embed a
graphic into the text of OE won't the recipient have to have HTML activated
to view the picture. If they don't when they receive it and read directions
to activate it will they be able to see the picture?

Thanks,

Chad Harris
___________________________

 

[David Candy]

If you attached a picture to a post OE display the picture after it displays the post. It's not emmbedded. If you insert a picture then yes. But html posts get sent as html AND plain text. Jan and Plato are stark raving mad. They can chose to view the plain text in SP1 or later by ticking a box in options.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/29/1088392635123.html

Thanks Jan--

May have seemed obvious, but I thought by definition that a hyperlink is in
HTML and I'll have to clear this up for myself. I also thought in general
with OE and OL, that whatever format you used would only be viewed if the
recipient has format enough to view it--and I know RTF has a different
meaning in OL and OE.

This is a different question and technically one in OE but if you embed a
graphic into the text of OE won't the recipient have to have HTML activated
to view the picture. If they don't when they receive it and read directions
to activate it will they be able to see the picture?

Thanks,

Chad Harris
___________________________

 

[Kelly]

Thanks and welcome back. )

 

[+-J]

David,

You wrote:
| If you attached a picture to a post OE display the picture after it displays the post. It's not emmbedded. If you insert a picture
then yes. But html posts get sent as html AND plain text.

I replied to Plato:

I have set my newsreader to display posts in TEXT-only mode.
I fail to see why people insist on posting in HTML or RTF, (or even write eMails in HTML).
Unfortunately, MS Outlook Express insists on displaying graphic files which are embedded in HTML posts!
(At least in MS Internet Explorer, displaying of graphic files can be disabled.)

| Jan and Plato are stark raving mad. They can chose to view the plain text in SP1 or later by ticking a box in options.

I *do* use OE 6 SP1 set to TEXT-only mode.
How do I stop OE from displaying *any* images at all?

In this newsgroup, I have *never* seen a need for a post to be in anything other than TEXT-only format.
(The CDO presents posts in TEXT-only mode so all HTML and RTF "markup" is lost. Also, there are no attachments.)

 

[+-J]

Chad,

| Thanks Jan--
|
| May have seemed obvious, but I thought by definition that a hyperlink is in
| HTML and I'll have to clear this up for myself.

For HTML in a web browser, yes.


| I also thought in general
| with OE and OL, that whatever format you used would only be viewed if the
| recipient has format enough to view it--and I know RTF has a different
| meaning in OL and OE.
|
| This is a different question and technically one in OE but if you embed a
| graphic into the text of OE won't the recipient have to have HTML activated
| to view the picture. If they don't when they receive it and read directions
| to activate it will they be able to see the picture?


For MS Outlook (Express|) - not the same behaviour.


I use MS Outlook Express (in "minimal" mode) only as a news-reader.

I would never use it for eMails.

I observe how it behaves, but I have no interest in its inner workings.
(However, David does know.)
---
Jan


| | >
| > <SNIP />
| > | Even if you're posting in simple text, a hyperlink is going to show up
| > | and doesn't that require html?
| > <SNIP />
| > Chad,
| > In Outlook Express, in TEXT-mode, all hyperlinks are clickable.
| > ---
| > Jan

 

[David Candy]

Tools - Options - Read - Read All Messages In Plain Text

I've never ticked it. Last thing I want. I often post technical reference daya that only makes sense if it retains it's formatting, mainly tables.

 

[David Candy]

To move around the desktop toolbars, Taskbar, Notification Area and the Desktop - press Ctrl + Escape (or the Winkey) to activate Start, Escape to cancel the menu, then Tab and Shift + Tab to the various parts of the screen. Use the arrow keys to move within a section. Winkey + B jumps straight to the System Notification Area.

Key Description
Delete key or Delete on the shortcut menu Deletes the file
Shift + Delete key or Shift + Delete on the shortcut menu Deletes the file and doesn't place it in the Reycle Bin
Dbl Click a drive shortcut, Rycycle Bin, Start Menu, or My Computer Opens an folder view of the double clicked item
Shift + Dbl Click a drive shortcut, Rycycle Bin, Start Menu, or My Computer Open an explorer view with the double clicked item selected
Shift + Close Button Closes the current folder and all parent folders
Shift + Drag Move a file (default when dragging on the same drive)
Shift + Right Click Opens the object's context menu with hidden verbs shown, if any
Shift + Send To menu Moves a file (default when sending on the same drive)
Shift + Insert a CD Prevents the CD from auto running
Shift + Starting Windows Doesn't run the programs in the startup folder
Shift + No in a file confirmation dialog Means No To All (XP)
Shift + View menu - Thumbnails Hides the label for the thumbnails. Repeat to Show (XP)
Ctrl + Dbl Click an object (such as a document file) Opens in the object behind other windows. Doesn't work on all objects
Ctrl + Close button Sets the system default settings, mainly sort order. Icon style is not affected
Ctrl + Close button in Picture & Fax Viewer Resets "Don't Show ... Again" dialog settings
Ctrl + Drag Copies a file (default for dragging between drives)
Ctrl + Send To menu Copies the file (default when sending between drives)
Ctrl + Send To menu Powertoys (except Send Contents to Clipboard) Sends the short name to the clipboard or run dialog
Ctrl + Send To menu Send Contents to Clipboard Powertoy Opens a dialog box to specify the data format
Ctrl + Shift + Drag
(also Alt + Drag) Creates a Shortcut rather than moving or copying a file (default when dragging only program files in 95, default for dragging files called setup.exe and install.exe later versions)
Ctrl + Shift + Send To menu Creates a Shortcut rather than moving or copying a file
Ctrl + Plus Key in Explorer Auto sizes all columns
Ctrl + Alt + Delete Starts the Close Program dialog box (Windows 9x), Security dialog (NT, 2000, XP if Welcome Screen disabled), and Task Manager (XP with Welcome Screen enabled)
Ctrl + Shift + Escape Starts the Close Program dialog box (Windows 9x) or Task Manager (NT, 2000, XP)
Ctrl + Alt + Shift and Close or Cancel in the Shutdown dialog Closes down Window's shell. Use Task Manager's File - Run dialog to start Explorer to restart the shell.
Ctrl + Click a Taskbar Button Select multiple Windows to tile or cascade (by right clicking the taskbar)
Alt + Space Opens the System menu
Alt + Hyphen Opens the Document menu in MDI applications
Alt + Enter or Alt + Dbl Click Open the Property dialog
Alt + Left Arrow Moves forward through the history list
Alt + Right Arrow Moves backwards through the history list
Alt + Tab Cycles through open windows, and switches to the window when the Alt key is released
Alt + Shift + Tab Cycles backwards through open windows, and switches to the window when the Alt key is released
Alt + Esc Switches to the next open window
Alt + Shift + Esc Switches to the previous open window
Alt + Home Home Page
Left Arrow Collapse the current selection if it is expanded or Select the parent folder
Right Arrow Expand the current selection if it is collapsed or Select the first subfolder
Num Lock On + Minus Sign (-) Collapse the selected folder
Num Lock On + * Expand all folders below the current selection
Num Lock On + Plus Sign (+) Expand the selected folder
Home Top of File List
End Bottom of File List
[Characters] tyed without a pause Goto the object that starts with the characters that were typed
[Single Character] after a pause Goto the next object starting with that character
Backspace Go to the parent folder
Right Click the System Menu or the Folder Icon in Web View Pops up the context menu for the container
Drag an object onto a Windows Titlebar Opens that object in that window (dragging into the window will often work, but in OLE documents this will insert the object into the current document)
Drag an object over, then hover over a collapsed folder in Explorer's tree view Expands the folder display
Drag an object over, then hover over, a taskbar button Brings the Window attached to the Taskbar button to the top
Drag an object over, then hover over, a blank part of the taskbar Minimises all open windows

Function Keys
Key Description
F1 Starts Windows Help
F2 Renames the selected file
F3 Starts Find Files or Folders
F4 Opens the drop down address bar
Alt + F4 Closes the current window in Explorer, exits an application, or if the shell has the focus (ie Start Menu or the Desktop), exits Windows
F5 Refreshes the view in Explorer, Desktop, or Start Menu
F6 or Tab Switch between left and right panes
F10 Menu access key (same to pressing Alt by itself)
Shift + F10 or the Application key Context menu access key
Shift + Ctrl + F10 or Shift + Right Click Add Open With.. to Right Click Menu
F11 Toggles full screen view

Control Keys
Key Description
Ctrl + A Selects all files
Ctrl + B Organise Favourites (in an Explorer window)
Ctrl + C Copies a file
Ctrl + D If a file isn't selected adds the current folder to Favourites
Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F Opens the Search pane in Explorer
Ctrl + G Goto (older versions only)
Ctrl + H Opens the History pane in Explorer
Ctrl + H Opens the Favourites pane in Explorer
Ctrl + P Prints the Web View template part of the view if the Web View has the focus (this isn't a useful feature)
Ctrl + R Refreshes the view
Ctrl + V Pastes a file
Ctrl + W Closes an Explorer window
Ctrl + X Cuts a file
Ctrl + Z Undoes the last operation (if possible)

The Winkey
The Winkey works even if Explorer or the Shell doesn't have the focus.

Key Description
Winkey or Ctrl + Esc Opens the Start Menu
Winkey + B Set focus to the first icon in the System Notification Area.
Winkey + D Minimises and hides windows that can't be minimised or Unminimises/unhides all windows
Winkey + E Starts Explorer
Winkey + F Starts Find Files or Folders
Winkey + Ctrl + F Starts Find Computer
Winkey + M Minimises all windows that can be minimised
Winkey + Shift + M Unminimises all windows
Winkey + R Starts the Run Dialog
Winkey + F1 Starts Windows Help (F1 start help for the current application, if the focus is in Explorer or the desktop F1 also starts Windows Help)
Winkey + Tab Cycles through open windows with out bringing the Window to the top (press Enter)
Winkey + Break Starts System Properties

Windows 2000/XP Only

Key Description
Winkey + L Lock Workstation or Switch User (if Welcome Screen is on)
Winkey + U Accessability Utility Manager

Selecting
Key Description
Click an object Selects the object, cancelling any other selection.
Control + Click, or Control + Space Selects or unselects the object without cancelling any other selection.
Arrow Keys Moves the focus and selects the object.
Control + Arrow Keys Moves the focus without selecting the objects.
Shift + Arrow Keys Moves the focus and adds the object to the selected objects.
Click then Shift + Click Selects all objects between the two clicks.
Drag Drag a rectangle to select all objects within the rectangle.

Auto Complete
Key Description
Alt + Down Arrows (or double click) Opens the drop down list
Down Arrow Cycles from most recent to least recent Auto Complete suggestions. Will match suggestions that start with the characters to the left of the cursor. Only letters are able to be used for partial matches.
Up Arrow Cycles from least recent to most recent Auto Complete suggestions. Will match suggestions that start with the characters to the left of the cursor. Only letters are able to be used for partial matches. If no letters are entered then the Up Arrow is only valid after the Down Arrow has been used.
Right Arrow Goes to the end of the suggestion. Type or press up or down arrow to cycle through suggestions which begin with the characters to the left of the cursor.
Ctrl + Left or Right Arrow Moves cursor a word at a time, slashes and dots are considered word separators.
Ctrl + Enter Adds http://www. before the typed word and .com after it in the address bar.
Delete Deletes the highlighted suggestion for forms and passwords only.

Message Boxes and Error Dialogs
Key Description
Ctrl + C Copies the text of a message box to the clipboard.
Alt + D Shows details in an error dialog.


--
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/29/1088392635123.html

Tools - Options - Read - Read All Messages In Plain Text

I've never ticked it. Last thing I want. I often post technical reference daya that only makes sense if it retains it's formatting, mainly tables.