Outlook Wizard (2000/SR1)

[NancyL]

Strange question of the day - I just had someone in our organization call asking about a "little blue wizard" that pops up in their e-mail and reads the e-mail out loud. She tells me it is not the "assistant," but that the e-mail is read in a monotone (at a time of the wizard's choosing). It doesn't happen all the time, but appears to be on certain days. If this is something she downloaded, it wasn't intentional. Could it be a date sensitive virus? We are using Corporate/Workgroup edition with an Exchange Server. Has anyone ever heard of or seen this? How do we get rid of it?
Thanks,
NancyL

[OldDog]

Sounds kind of cool, actually. I haven't heard of anything specific like this, and can't tell you what to look for, but I can suggest where to look. Tools Menu | Options | Other tab. Then Advanced Options button. Check both the Add In Manager button and the COM add-ins button.

[etherboy2000]

Not something I've heard of, but it sounds like it was something that got installed that reads emails or text. Check the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel for anything unusual. Also check the Programs menu in the Start button for any programs that look out of the ordinary. Next time it pops up, check to see if there is a small icon by the clock that comes up with it, maybe there's something to right-click on to get information.

[MaryJ]

it sounds like it's the new actors - and she installed a text to speech utility that uses the actors.

i'd start looking in add/remove programs - she installed something that added it. Also look in control panel - the utilities i tested all added applets to the control panel.

[NancyL]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will check them out and see what I can find out. I can't imagine her downloading anything, but who knows...
NancyL

[jbs]

ATT Broadband has a new generic instant messenger and it comes with
with a new text to speech utility for e-mail -

[NancyL]

Do you know where I can see what this looks like?
Thanks,
NancyL

[NancyL]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. It's not the ATT IM. Still don't know why he shows up, but the Principal who has him thinks he's cute, For now, all is well.
NancyL <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>

[TerryB]

Could it be this?

Speaking Email Deluxe - http://www.uk-software.com/speakingemail.htm

Uses Microsoft Agent characters to read your email messages.

[jbs]

Edited by DaveA to add url code

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.att.net/perks/features/imanywhere.html>http://www.att.net/perks/features/imanywhere.html</A>

[Simonh]

I know this is all over now - but I ran into a similar speaking wizard from a program called Universal Translator 2000, which had inserted menu's into Word also.

I removed the program but it still has remnants in word that I can't get rid of, even after reinstallation!

[NancyL]

The wizard went away by himself, but we expect him to return. (He's done this before.) I don't believe the person who has him downloaded anything intentionally, and definitely didn't install anything with a wizard. We are wondering if a virus is involved, although we've run several virus scans that have come up empty. I will check on the translator, though, as this is a school with a lot of ESOL kids, and a translator would be beneficial for the administrators. Maybe the Principal installed that and didn't know what it would do.... At least he's cute! Thanks to all that have come up with suggestions.
NancyL <img src=/S/compute.gif border=0 alt=compute width=40 height=20>

[channing]

I have tried using a program that has this. Try searching zdnet or cnet downloads for e-mail readers. I could not get it to work on my machine. The wizard's lips moved but no sound came out. I don't remember the name.