PC Win: Spell Checker Changes Words Without Prompt

• Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.0, 3.0b, and 3.2
• Microsoft Windows NT Mail Client, 3.5

SYMPTOMS

The Microsoft Mail for Windows spell checker uses a custom dictionary file. If words are added through the user interface while another word is in the Suggested field, the spell checker may appear to be changing words without prompting the user for confirmation.

CAUSE

The custom dictionary is a text file and by default is named CUSTOM.DIC. The file consists of special or unique words that were not found by the spell check process in the main dictionary. The user may choose to add these words to the custom dictionary file. The added words are arranged within the custom dictionary file one word per line.

If words are added with another word in the Suggested field, the original word may be replaced with the suggested word. The result would be two words per line within the custom dictionary file. If this happens, the spell checker will replace the first word on the line with the second word and will not prompt the user. For example, suppose the CUSTOM.DIC file contains the following entry:

   manman madman

RESOLUTION

To correct the problem, use a text editor to edit the custom dictionary and remove the second word on the line.