OFFXP: Inferno.log File Is Created and Updated When You Use the Handwriting Feature (292163)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Publisher 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q292163

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Handwriting feature on the Language bar for the first time, Microsoft Office XP creates a file called Inferno.log in the root directory of drive C on your computer. Each time that you use the Handwriting feature, an entry of your usage is logged in the same file.

To view the contents of Inferno.log, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
  2. On the File menu in Notepad, click Open.
  3. Change the setting in the Look in list to drive C.
  4. Select Inferno.log and click Open.
The contents of the file may resemble the following: 
   log started at Mon Dec 04 22:04:32 2000
   InitLanguageModel...done
   log started at Sat Feb 03 15:26:37 2001
   InitLanguageModel...done
   log started at Tue Mar 13 19:44:15 2001
   InitLanguageModel...done

WORKAROUND

You cannot prevent an Office XP program from creating the Inferno.log file. However, to prevent the Handwriting feature from recording your usage, delete the contents of Inferno.log, and then make the file read-only. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all Office programs.
  2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
  3. On the File menu in Notepad, click Open.
  4. Change the setting in the Look in list to drive C.
  5. Change the setting in the Files of type box to All Files.
  6. Select Inferno.log and click Open.
  7. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
  8. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  9. On the File menu, click Save.
  10. On the File menu, click Exit.
  11. On the Windows desktop, double-click My Computer.
  12. Double-click the icon for drive C.
  13. In the root listing for drive C, locate and select the Inferno.log (Inferno) file.
  14. Right-click the Inferno.log file, and then click Properties on the shortcut menu that appears.
  15. On the General tab, click to select the Read-only check box, and then click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/25/2004
Keywords:kbbug kbnofix KB292163
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.