Computing Tips

Computing Tips Collection

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Tips on computer techniques and problem solving - to find a specific word press Ctl + F

Click here to email me if you have any good tips or if you want to ask a question
Although I will do what I can to help, I give no guarantees and stress that you must take responsibility for changes you make to your computer

Previous Tips of the Weeks.... Beware. If you print this page it will be a mile long ! Just select a section with the mouse after searching, then Print, Selection

Recuva. A recovery program from Piriform, the authors of Ccleaner, will even enable you to get back files deleted from a USB key
Found another great site (similar to this one) at ColyComputerHelp at http://www.colycomputerhelp.co.uk/about.htm
Windows Task Manager is very useful (especially if you have a crash). The quick way to it is Ctl+Shift+Esc
F-secure suggests a way to keep passwords safe and easy to remember. They recommend that you write down and keep safe a HALF of the password e.g. a number and then add a memorised second part. This could relate to the site. e.g. your Facebook password could be FAC1234 or 1234FAC or even FA1234C. That should keep the hackers guessing
Get rid of your junk and find bargains. Join your local Freecycle. See http://uk.freecycle.org/
To read PDF files you need a PDF file reader. Acrobat 8 is now a 22Mb download and even bigger when installed. The Foxit Reader (3.1) is a good alternative at just 5Mb download and under 10Mb when installed. To create PDF files from a word processor you can install a program called PDF995 or use the Open Office word processor
Internet Explorer allows you a print preview of web pages and an option to print at 50, 60, 70, 80%. No more cut off pages
Picasa 3 is new; (click to download from the Google Pack) is so simple and has an excellent on-line photo album. It now includes some excellent new features. No photographer should be without Picasa !
Did you know..'Cos I didn't.... that the surface of a CD that is 'burned' is not the UNDER side of the disk but the underside of the silver material that covers the upper surface. So you can be tough on the underside (cleaning it) but be sure not to damage the TOP surface with anything sharp or by scraping a label off etc. DVDs are made as a sandwich, so are more durable
To enable inserted pictures to be moved anywhere in a Word (2003) document use Tools, Options, Edit and tick the picture option "In front of Text". This will be the norm in future.
People who would like to download videos from YouTube can do so with a number of programs. See http://askbobrankin.com/download_youtube_videos.html
Internet Explorer 7 now allows you a print preview of web pages and an option to print at 50, 60, 70, 80%. No more cut off pages
You can set FireFox to delete your cookies each time you close it. Open Firefox and click Tools/Options/Privacy and set Cookies to 'Keep until I close Firefox'.
If you have Vista PC but wish you had XP too, you can make you Vista machine dual boot. You must have an unregistered XP disk (and quite a lot of computer savvy) See http://windowssecrets.com/2008/02/14
If you click on one of the adverts (or any link) and wish to return to this site, just touch the back arrow on the top row of your keyboard
Cookies are small files which are held on your computer unless deleted. They help to remember information you have entered. If you do not allow cookies or clear them, information such as the items in an on-line shopping basket may disappear before you have managed to go to the checkout
If Internet Explorer starts behaving badly you can return it to its original state by going to Tools, Options, Advanced and clicking Reset. But if that doesn't help, I recommend Firefox or Chrome as better alternatives, especially for Vista. To download them see Page 9 (Search Engines)
Map programs are very sophisticated these days. From street level upwards. See http://maps.google.co.uk/ http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ http://www.multimap.com/
One way to manage spam, providing your ISP indicates which emails are spam, is to write RULE in your e-mail program. My ISP (NTL/Virgin) marks spam with the word [SPAM?] in the subject line. So I went to Tools, Message Filters, New, Match the following, If Subject contains [SPAM?], Move the message to Deleted folder. Later one can go to File, Folders, Empty Deleted Folder. In the case of Outlook Express Click Tools, Message Rules, Mail. Tick "Where the subject line contains specific words". Then click "Move to specific folder" in section 2. In section 3 I click on the blue words "Contains specific words" and enter [SPAM?]. Lastly click on the blue wording "Specific folder" and choose the Deleted one.
To check whether your software is up to date and secure try Software Inspector from www.secunia.com
If you ever get a message which states that there is a file which you cannot delete, try Http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
If you have a serious problem with XP and wish to repair it see http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm which may enable you to repair the XP files without losing all your other programs and data. As a precaution he recommends that you download a free program called autostreamer.exe from a link on his site. Do it now. Put it on a CD, floppy or memory key. You never know. You will need a full XP disk to do this repair
If you get an e-mail promising M & S vouchers please see HERE then delete it
Windows Vista has a facility called Readyboost. When enabled in conjunction with a USB memory key (memory stick) it can use the additional memory to boost the speed of your computer. With the price of memory sticks falling rapidly this is well worth considering.
If you moved to Internet Explorer 7 and found that using the internet was a very slow process it is no doubt due to the anti-phishing filter. You can either turn it off (permanently or temporarily) or get a Microsoft patch from the knowledge Base article KB928089 Here. To turn it off you need to go to the Tools button, clicking Phishing filter and Phishing Filter settings. To leave it available but inactive click Turn off automatic website checking.
An excellent site to find out what is going on on your area is WhereCanWeGo.com
The most common form of robbery on the streets today is for mobile phones. And yet you can block the use of a phone almost immediately by getting in touch with the service provider and telling them to block it. You will need to tell them the Serial Number. To get this you should press *#06# on the phone and keep a note of it in a safe place
The Financial Services Authority has a useful comparative site at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/tables, dealing with many different financial offerings. Just fill in what you want to do and it will show an up-to-date list of what is available.
http://www.eac.org.uk/ The Elderly Advice Counsel 020 780 1343 Is a general site of advice for older people, including housing
If you would like to send a complete web page to someone, including pictures etc, when in Internet explorer go File, Save As and save it as an MHT file (rather than an HTM) Tell people you send one to that they can only be opened with Internet Explorer
To speed your computer, if you use Windows XP, right click My Computer on your desktop. Click Properties at the bottom of the menu that appears, click the Advanced tab, then Performance/Settings. Lastly, click 'Adjust for best performance'
Wireless connections ? Don't ask me, please ! But there are experts around who will supply the necessary equipment and advise you. For instance www.allwireless.co.uk of Leicester specialize in Wireless Technology & Home Automation and if you get stuck you can phone them on 0845 058 0504 and will get personal attention.
Fed up with having to put in a password (or hit Esc) when XP starts. This only works if you haven't got several users on that machine. To delete other users go to Control Panel, User Accounts and delete all other users except your (Administrator) account and Guest. See if that does the trick. If not, try this : go Start, Run and type Control userpasswords2 and click OK. Just untick "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer". If you have a password you will need to enter it now.
The Preview Pane which can display the content of your emails in Outlook Express and Outlook can be dangerous as it displays the content before you have a chance to delete it. In Outlook Express you can get rid of this option by clicking View, Layout and unticking Preview Pane. In Outlook click View and then on the "Preview Pane" menu item. This is a toggle setting. Clicking this to turn the Preview Pane off.
In windows XP, you can control the horizontal as well as vertical spacing or shortcuts on the desktop by Right clicking on it then clicking on Properties option, then the Appearance tab then Advanced button .You will find many options , for example choose icon spacing in both ways and the size putting number (minimum or maximum) under size. When you finished all setting then click ok button.
To send an compressed version of a picture via email (without altering the original) right click the picture, click Send to and then click on Mail Recipient from the list that appears. Your e-mail program should show with the graphic greatly reduced in size (kb)
PC suddenly slowed up ? There may be two culprits. Uninstall Internet Explorer 7.0 anti phishing and Google desktop, They both take such a lot of computing that everything else slows to a crawl
Computer Active gives the Browser Firefox 2 five stars - (quote " It's hard to improve on a winning product") - Internet Explorer 7 only four. If you want Firefox (free) click on the logo at the top of page9 (click it)
You can use the Google search box to do things like calculate 275*4.5 or even 60 british pounds in us dollars. Press Enter, rather than clicking on Search. Try anything e.g. 10 feet four inches in meters.
Alert call is a useful facility to ensure that vulnerable people are 'Up and About' http://www.alertacall.com/
Another way to uninstall Internet Explorer 7 is to use the brilliant program Ccleaner. It is free but so good. Get it from www.ccleaner.com/download/ Click the tools item
Remember when Printscreen used to do that ? Download Printscreen 2000 from HERE
I really do recommend that everyone uses Mcafee free Site Advisor for security. http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html
Applicants who were 16 years old or older at the end of World War 2 (that is, applicants born on or before 2 September 1929) are eligible for free standard 32-page ten year passports. See HERE Thanks, Ken W.
To create strong passwords see the article by Microsoft HERE Thanks to Beryl in Las Vegas
If you want to copy the contents of a web page into Word without the pictures and stuff, select the page (you can use Edit, Select All), Copy. Then open Word and use Edit Paste Special. There is a variety to choose from, the simplest being Unformatted Text. Voila!
Temporary Internet Files are more trouble than they are worth! They drag up older (and often out-of-date) pages from your hard disk. In Internet Explorer hit View Refresh to make sure you are not missing my latest words of wisdom. Better still, stop TIFs from clogging up your machine. Right click IE, Properties, Advanced, and tick 'Empty TIF folder when browser closes' (under the Security heading).
Before starting out on a journey, take a look at www.transportdirect.info the new Dept. of Transport site
If you keep getting 'phishing' e-mails, from what appears to be banks, you are not alone. I just delete them like Spam. But these are serious attempts to drain your bank accounts and if you feel you would like to do something about them the Metropolitan Police Fraudalert Dept. suggest that you forward them unopened to the bank which they purport to come from - if you can find their e-mail address amongst their advertising dross.
To avoid clicking on links to scammers' websites always check the address that appears on your browser's bottom line when you hover the mouse over the link. They may not be what they appear to be.
To Find a specific word on a web page (including these) press Ctl + F and type in the word.
If your anti virus program reports something infected called Pav.sig, ignore it. It turns out to be the Panda virus signature file which, seems to be downloaded if you use Trendmicro Housecall AV program. Another 'false positive' is Smitrem.
If, when you print web pages, (including your bank statement) the printing falls off the edge of the paper you can either (a) print in Landscape or (2) Go to File, Page Setup (in Internet Explorer) and reduce all the margins to zero
For a great KEYBOARD Tutorial go to http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/keyboard/page1.html
I needed a more efficient way to deal with Spam. NTL indicates it by adding the word [SPAM?] in the subject line. So I created a Message Rule. In Outlook Express click File, New then Folder and create one called Spam. Then create a Rule: Tools, Message Rules, Mail. Tick "Where the subject line contains specific words". Then click "Move to specific folder" in section 2. In section 3 I click on the blue words "Contains specific words" and enter [SPAM?]. Lastly click on the blue wording "Specific folder" and choose the Spam one. (If you haven't created a new folder you can do it then). OK this and from then on the Spam mail will be redirected to that folder. There it can be checked and deleted very quickly.
If Internet Explorer 7 creates problems for you here is how to revert to the previous one. In Windows XP Click Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Check “Show Updates” at the top of the dialog box. Scroll down the list to “Windows XP – Software Updates,” select “Internet Explorer 7,” and then click "Change/Remove." If you are really fed up with IE 7 I recommend that you use the reputable alternative called Firefox, which you can download by click on the icon at the top of Page 9
If you use then Firefox instead of Internet Explorer to explore the Internet, don't delete Internet Explorer or you won't get the important Windows Updates.
Gmail, now called Googlemail, is a very useful free additional e-mail facility. Because you get it via the Internet you can pick it up anywhere in the world. You can see all your address book as well. Strangely you have to be invited to get a Gmail address. But I can do that for you if you so request.
If you get unsolicited premium messages on your mobile phone (up to £1.50) the sender is breaking the law. Complain to the regulator http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/ and demand a refund from the sender. Get the SHORT CODE from the Phonepayplus number checking facility and send the single word STOP to the shortcode number.
Did you know that, if you pay for caller display service from BT you can get it free ? But (quite ridiculously) you have to cancel you current payment system and apply for BT Privacy. In addition this will stop most marketing calls to your phone.
Recycling stuff ? See www.recyclenow.com, www.iswap.co.uk (toys, CD's, computer games) www.recommIT.co.uk (computers, video players), www.phonebak.com Oxfam or Action Aid (mobile phones) and www.icer.org.uk (electrical and 'white goods') or join a Freecycle group. They are worldwide.
Want to log in to your computer from anywhere in the world ? Try LogMeIn from https://secure.logmein.com/go.asp?page=download1
To vary the size of web page text with a scroll mouse, hold down the Ctl key.
If you tend to lose the mouse pointer (e.g. on a laptop) you can make it show. Go to Control Panel, Mouse, Pointer options and tick Mouse Trailers and/or 'Show location when I press Ctl'.
Shortcuts in Windows Ctrl + A Select all ; Shift + arrows selects text ; Ctrl + C Copies a selection ; Ctrl + X Cuts selection; Ctrl + V Pastes clipboard contents to cursor position ; Home/End Moves cursor to beginning/end of line ; Ctrl + Home/End Moves cursor to beginning/end of document ; Ctrl + Up/Down arrow Moves cursor up/down one paragraph ; Ctrl + Left/Right arrow moves cursor one word to left/right ; Ctrl + Z Undo the last action.; Tab takes you to the next field (in email or form filling) ;Try Alt + any underlined menu letter e.g. Alt + F for FileFor easier viewing make sure the screen resolution is set no higher than 800 x 600. Right click a space on the desktop, Properties, Settings and move the slider to the left.
If, when you INSERT a picture with an Outlook Express e-mail (instead of attach), people are just receiving a red cross placemark (not the picture) you must change a setting in OE. Go : Tools, Options, Send, HTML Settings and tick Send Pictures with Message.
www.adobe.com produce the useful Acrobat Reader for opening PDF files. The latest version is 7 but it unfortunately makes you download a massive photo album program as well. If you don't need it you then have to uninstall it.
Sony batteries in all laptops from 2004 should be checked for overheating. Information on the HP models affected and how to exchange the battery is available on HP's website here
If you have ever had a problem getting e-mails and suspect the hold up is that someone sent you a very large attachment it is possible to remove the offending item by going to www.mail2web.com and entering your details.
Microsoft and Yahoo announced on 12th October that the companies will connect their IM (Messaging) networks so users on each can communicate with one another using text and voice chat free of charge.
Arthur asked me how to turn Caps Lock off so he wOULDN'T KEEP TYPING IN CAPITALS. I am sure this problem accounts for many hours of unproductive work around the world. I suggested he could make it flash and sound but he found a better way !

Caps Lock Off ! Sorted. Arthur deserves a 'prise' - geddit?

Alternatively you could download a program called CapsWiz from www.snapfiles.com
AVG anti Virus always attaches a reaasuring note at the bottom of e-mails to say that they have been checked. AVAST anti virus is a great alternative but you have to set this feature on :
1.. Right click in the Avast icon in the 'system tray' (a blue rotating ball)
2.. Click on "On-Access Protection Control"
3.. Click the details option at the bottom right hand side (next to the OK button)
4.. Click on 'Internet mail' on the left hand side of page (Installed providers)
5.. On the right will appear all the details, click on customize ( to the right of the sensitivity meter)
6.. Click on "pop" page file and tick the box 'insert note into clean message' This covers incoming mail.
7.. Now move to the SMTP tab and do the same for outgoing mail

Acrobat 7 is proving difficult. Either revert to version 6, or reinstall 7 after uninstalling all previous versions.
Until recently it has been difficult to export an AOL address book to Outlook or Outlook Express. But AOL has produced a program that does it very well.
From time to time you should delete old emails, then compact the email folder. In Outlook Express go File Folder, Compact All Folders. To delete emails en-masse click the top one, hold shift, click the bottom one and click Delete.
Did you know that with Windows XP you can e-mail compressed and resized versions of photographs ? In the My Pictures folder click on a photo and then 'File and Folder Tasks' on the left. Click e-mail this file and choose 'Make my pictures smaller', OK.
BT now offers some software that will warn you if your PC is dialling a premium number. Get it from http://www.btmodemprotection.com/ Broadband users need not worry about Diallers. BT is also offerering free landline calls for people who sign up to their free PC to PC call system. See www.by.com/freecallsoffer.
Many mobile phone companies offer e-mail access from your mobile. Orange give an initial 4Mb or £12 of free access. See www.orange.co.uk/emailonyourphone
Make sure that your anti-virus software is up to date, that you have an active firewall in place and that your Microsoft Critical updates are downloaded. Microsoft has a new and very thorough, anti Spyware program for you to download (free) from www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware
Increasingly Broadband is being offered with download limits. These will not affect the basic surfer but, if you are concerned, download a small free program called Down2Home.
In Word you can get rid spare blank lines by Finding and Replacing the ^p chaacter. Go Edit, Find (or Ctl + F) click Special and choose Paragraph, then click Replace, enter nothing and hit Replace. Repeat as often as needed.
www.holidaysuncovered.co.uk for genuine comments about resorts/hotels and some discounts.
If you wish to send people several documents or pictures it is best to compress them into a Zip file. You need to have installed a program such as Winzip. Go to the folder and select all the files you want to send. Right click with the mouse and click 'Zip and e-mail' Not only will your files be compressed into one file, it will be attached to an e-mail ready to send. Neat! Zip files are usually accepted by anti virus and firewall software, whereas many other types of file are blocked.
CD pens are expensive but dry up quickly. Put a drop of methylated spirit in a cap and stand the pen with the tip in it.
Google has developed a program that enables you to search your hard disk very quickly. Initially it indexes everything on yor hard disk. It does this in the background. Then if you click on the icon on the taskbar you can search for any file very rapidly. Download the program from http://desktop.google.com And Copernic have done the same trick.
If you have XP and haven't tried the slide show or printing facility of Windows Fax and Picture viewer you are missing a treat
Some files come with an SWF ending. These can only be seen if you have a program called Macromedia Shockwave Player on your machine. You can get it, free, from http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?
AVG anti virus offers a chance to make a Rescue disk which can get you out of trouble evfen if your PC has become infected. Click on Make a Rescue Disk. But, be warned, you may need as many as four disks, so make sure you have four empty ones before you start. You cannot save the files to a CD.
Microsoft Windows Messenger (4.6) is what I term a 'crippled' alternative to MSN Messenger (6.2 and 7) It comes with XP and isn't easy to block. Click its Help and look at 'Stop the Windows Messenger program from starting automatically'
If you use MSN Messenger and you do not wish the MSN Today window to pop up click (in your Messenger window) Tools, Options. In the left pane click General and clear the tick in Display MSN Today... and click OK
It is possible to use MSN Messenger to send and receive messages to a mobile phone. Go to www.Mobile.MSN.com and become a member of MSN Mobile, then go to Tools in the MSN Messenger window and Edit My Mobile Settings, entering you number and selecting 'Allow people on my contacts list to send messages'. I understand the mobile phone owner pays.
If you want to talk to your relatives in far away places for NOTHING, you should (both) download SKYPE from www.skype.com. The quality is excellent even on dialup. Even I can hear it. Min.spec. Win ME, 2000 or XP. See Here And from www.ebuyer.co.uk a 'Headset' to go with your Skype. £1.29 !
This year, Silver Surfers Day will be on 27th May. Nominations for SilverSurfer of the Year to be in by 11th March. See www.silversurfersday.org
If you use Word you can increase or decrease the size of a font by selecting some text then using the > or < signs along with Ctl + Shift
You can keep a record of what is said whilst you are using MsnMessenger. . Go to Options, Tools, Messges and tick "Automatically keep History...."
Want to put your Favourites (or your Programs) in alphabetical order ? Go Start, Favorites (OR Programs) right click the list and click Sort by name.
If you have put something vital on a CD (or even a floppy disk) and it seems to have disappeared (perhaps you overwrote it somehow) there is a program called Badcopy Pro from http://www.jufsoft.com/badcopy/ which is an excellent recovery program.
Instead of using Msconfig to see what is in your Startup, try running Services.msc. It gives you far more information about what your PC is running when it starts
Fed up ? Click on http://positivepause.com
If you are about to move your PC and have a digital camera, why not take a snap of the back of the PC. It will help when you putting all those cables back
My most frequent question is how to get 'Defrag' (See Windows Help) to complete the job. The answer is to reduce other computer activity to a minimum. Set your screen saver to 'None' and start your machine in Safe Mode by pressing either the Ctl key or F8 when you machine says 'Starting Windows' at boot up.
OR to start you machine WITHOUT any Startup programs hold down Shift whilst you boot up.
OR if your machine still refuses to defrag more than 10% get a copy of Power Defrag from www.powerdefrag.com. Make sure you download the one for your version of Windows. Another useful defragger is Diskeeper from www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads Both require payment after a certain period of usage.
XP Defrag Right click on the C: drive in My Computer; click Properties, Tools and choose Defrag Now. It may say it is not necessary but do it. It takes a while.
To print a part of a website just select the area, using the mouse, click Print but before you click OK click Selection
To find a word on any website page (including these) Press F whilst holding down the Alt key. Enter the word and click to search.
To order you free copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2 fill in the simple form at http://tinyurl.com/6g675 or get it off the Office Windows XP Magazine. Tip : You may wish to wait a few weeks before installing if you think it will be a problem but, so far, reports are good apart from its affect on some games. See sp2.htm.
Quick Shut Down of your Win 98 PC. Create a new Desktop Icon as follows: Right Click your desktop. Select New, Create Shortcut. In the Command Line space, type the following path: C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows (Space only between rundll.exe and user) Click on Next, and then rename the Icon Shutdown. Click on Finish. Now double click on your new Icon on the desktop and the computer will go directly to shutdown. Thanks go to Jack Temperton
If you use Internet Explorer you can enlarge the type size on web pages by clicking (whilst in IE) View, Text Size and choosing a larger one. It will stay the same until you change it back
Outlook Express is normally set to prevent downloads of any attachments which might contain viruses. Unfortunately this includes Word (Doc) and Excel (XLS) files. To receive these you need to open OE, Tools, Options, Security and untick that item.
The Zone-Alarm crib EZFirewall Lite, which came with the Microsoft Secuity Update disks makes it difficult to install if you run Norton Anti virus. It asks you to take off Norton and then tries to install a different AV program first. If you install it you will need to set its security level at Medium. High settings can prevent you from accessing ANY websites !
Even if you are not into digital photography you can get your prints onto CD (and so, into your PC). Bonusprint will put up to five films onto CD for £3.99. The CD also includes a great Picture Viewer/Editor program, which for Win 98 users is a great boon
People are having trouble with 'Dialers'. These are a sort of virus or trojan that gets onto your computer and dials a premium rate number and costs people a great deal. One way to be sure this doesn't happen is to get in touch with your telephone provider and BLOCK all premium rate number access (usually 090 numbers) and also ask them to block access to overseas numbers unless you use these a lot
To check your computer over go to www.pcpitstop.com. It even has an anti virus program connection and a link to a site which will check your Internet connection. Great stuff and all free. Give yourself an hour to do the main checks
Where did Scandisk go in XP? Surprisingly the venerable Chkdsk can still be run (Start, Run, Chkdsk) but the proper way to do it is to right click the C: drive (in Explorer), click Properties, Tools, Check now. For a surface check of the hard disk tick the second option. Chkdsk is still used from the 'Recovery Console' in XP. Intrigued? Type it in Help for details.
For a free checkup program for all Windows see www.tune-up.com/download/tu2003
If you want to backup your Outlook Express try www.oehelp.com/oebackup/default.aspx
The Windows® Security Update CD contains security updates released by Microsoft through to February 2004 for the Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98 and Windows Me operating systems. It’s particularly useful if you use a dial-up connection, as you can install all updates in one session without tying up your phone line. See http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp
Make sure you Ad-aware (spyware remover) is up to date. Otherwise it wont remove the latest spyware
Don't Have Too Many Fonts. Windows loads every font you have in the Fonts folder when it starts up. Search for *.TTF and delete ones you never use, especially the very large ones.
If you don't want your screensaver to cut in when you are doing something just click on the Start button and keep its menu open
To change the text size of Web Pages such as this click View, Text size. n.b. AOL does not provide this facility
Use Print Preview (under File) before printing a web page. If it is too wide choose landscape in Print Setup (again under File). You can also limit the number of pages to be printed at this stage.
If you use MSN Messenger you have probably got a Hotmail address. To prevent this being flooded with mail click on Options, Junk Email Filter and tick Exclusive. This will mean that only messages for MSN get through. You need this to keep the address current.
If you have a scroll mouse and use an Office or a graphics program (e.g. Word) try holding down Control while you move the wheel. Amazing ! Try tapping the button, too.
You can use a digital camera or MP3 player to transfer any files from one computer to another
If you are over 60 you qualify for 50% off bus fares. No coach card needed. www.nationalexpress.com/over60 From April this will be FREE
Windows XP has a full Glossary of computer terms. Go Start, Help and search for Glossary. Or for easy access just search for Glossary.chm and put a shortcut on your desktop
If you get a message which suggests you report an error to Microsoft you may as well ignore it. You can turn this feature off in XP by right clicking on My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Error Reporting and Tick the Disable Error Reporting button.
With Windows XP you can right click on a photo and add details under the Summary heading
For a thorough free analysis of your PC and its software download Advisor.exe from www.Belarc.com
For a tour of Windows in XP go Start, Run, Tourstart (Win XP)
In Windows Explorer you can open out the subfolders by using the + key on the right. Close them using the minus key
With Wordpro, to create an envelope, click on the address in your letter and click (guess what ?) Create - an envelope ! With Word, click Tools, Envelope and enter the address(es)
If you want to stop your printer in full flood click the printer icon, bottom right; click the name of the file being printed and click Cancel. Then let the printer finish what it is doing rather that trying to switch it off. It may take a short while but it has to be done.
To start your computer faster, skip the memory check by pressing the Esc key
I use them all the time.. Select text or a file, Ctl + X to delete it or Ctl + C to copy it, then Ctl + V to Paste it somewhere else. Grab bits of a website (text), an e-mail address, move files around; endlesss uses.
In Outlook Express, to email a picture (or document) to someone, right click the file, click Send To, then Mail Recipient, complete the email form in the usual way. You get the chance to make the file smaller. This reduces them to at least a third of the original file size. They go quicker and it makes them easier to view, too.
Do you wonder if your Anti Virus software works? Just click on the following (from F-secure.com) and attempt to download Eicar.com. I can assure you it is harmless but if you AV software works it will say it is a virus and might quarantine it. Click on http://www.f-secure.com/virus-info/eicar.zip But Val said it made her anti virus software go crazy. Well, at least it proves it is working !
If you have a scanner but no photocopy facility with it you can get a nice free program from www.nicocuppen.com called (surprise) Copier
A great place for top notch free utilities (Anti virus, anti popups, anti spyware, anti spam, firewall etc) is www.webattack.com
Checking old word processed documents can be a bore. Why not open a whole bunch together ? In the word processor go to File, Open. Click on the first, hold Shift then click on another, say 10th down the list. Click Open. Now you can inspect them rapidly by closing them one at a time.
To increase the width of slim scroll bars at the side and top of any program right click a space on the Desktop, Properties, Appearance, Scrollbar and adjust the size. In XP click Advanced to find this item.
If you are spending the earth on glossy paper and original cartridges to get good photographic results you might as well take a disk or memory card to Boots and get 28 enprints for £4.99. Or send any film to Bonusprint and get them on CD for an extra £2.50. Plus get a great Viewer program.
Want a scrap ? Drag a selection of a document onto the desktop. It stays there as a 'scrap' until you want to use it. You can do the same with anything you have cut or copied to your 'clipboard' Right click a desktop space and click Paste
If the weather is thundery disconnect your modem when not in use - or risk having a 'fried' modem. Applies to TV's too !
I recommend that you get and run Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com occasionally and check your machine for SPYWARE
Stripmail is a great utility for cleaning up e-mails that come through with short lines, tabs and << signs. Get it from www.download.com.
When looking at files using Windows Explorer you can see more detail by clicking View, Details. The lists of files (and folders) have headings, such as Name, Type, Size and Date Modified. If you click a heading the column will be put in order. Click it again to put in reverse order. Useful when looking for recently amended files.
If your computer keeps dialling your ISP, even when you don't ask it to, right click Internet Explorer, Properties, Connection and tick 'Never Dial a Connection'. Then it will only dial when you want it to.
If you are a Wordpro user it is easy to run through the fonts. Type a word in a new document and put the cursor in the middle. Now use the font changing tools to cycle through the typefaces (and sizes and styles), keeping an eye on the font name, bottom left. This doesn't apply to Word.
If you are concerned that someone might contact a premium rate number via your PC and land you with a large bill it is possible to ask BT to bar such calls. Some (usually dubious) sites are legitimately able to do this, though the rules say the charge should be no more than £20.
If you get a problem in XP after installing something new do a Restore immediately. If you wait three weeks you may lose new things you have installed and might not get back to the original situation. You never lose what you have in your My Documents folder and sub folders.
Andrew says : PC Booster from www.mcafee.com (around £20) fixed his Millennium Edition Problems. He bought it from Inkline Global
Mike says : My Lexmark printer uses black and colour cartridges alternately. To keep the spare fresh I keep it in a sealable sandwich bag with a piece of wetted kitchen roll inside. This keeps the cartridge ready for use up to weeks later without drying out
You can reduce the clicking speed of your mouse if you find double-clicking difficult. Or you can just click once and press Enter.
At one time Twigger allowed you to collect e-mails from anywhere, free. Now they are charging, so try www.mail2web.com
Lost a recent document ? In a Windows Explorer folder right click on a space and arrange icons by date (or name) You can see the dates if you click View, Details
In Windows 98 /ME/XP you can run the program Msconfig and check what is under the Startup tab with a view to reducing the strain on memory but leave the items such as ScanRegistry, System Tray, Taskmonitor and any Broadband and Anti Virus Program.
BT has an answerphone service. You have to ask them to set it up. You dial 1571 to get your message. However, if there is a message waiting for you it can interfere with your dialup access to the internet
If you haven't got any anti-virus software yet you should have ! The best free one is AVG from www.grisoft.com. It will take about 20 mins to download and set up but is well worth it
The fastest way to your folders is the Windows key plus E. You will get into Windows Explorer. Applies to all versions
To get the Euro sign € press AltGr (if you have one) and 4. If you haven't got an AltGr key try Ctl+Alt+4
Clicking on View, Refresh in Windows Explorer will display newly added folders or files (and put them in alphabetical order)
To close Windows quickly press Alt + F4.
If you have Windows 98 /ME/XP you can test how your graphics and sound system uses Directx, the program that is used to run audio/visual programs. Just go Start, Run and type Dxdiag and click OK. It will tell you if you have Microsoft's Directx and a lot more about your system. Run each test in turn
To send a translation of an email to someone in, say, France all you have to do is add the words English-French @T-Mail.Com in the CC line. They will get your English version, then the French one. Try sending one to yourself to test it out.
If you find that a program doesn't open in full screen you can right click on its icon (if you have put one on the desktop) and click Properties. Change Run to the Maximized option
Did you know that the Windows Calculator (Start, Run, Calc) is capable of Scientific Calculations ? Just click on View, Scientific. If you need a calculator regularly put a shortcut on your desktop. You can even copy results into your word processor (Edit, Copy then Ctl+V in your document)
Rather than print a whole web page (or even an email) just select the text part you want and copy it (Control + C) and paste it into your word processor for printing (Ctl + V). You needn't even save the document. Same with emails. Or just select it and go to Print, then Print selection
A bit technical this one : If your machine takes a long time to 'boot up' - just beeps then seems to take ages to get to Windows - you could try changing the jumper on the back of the hard drive from Master to CSEL (which means Cable Select). If it doesn't help you can always change it back pronto before you put the case back on !
.If your desktop icons keep getting out of order just right click anywhere in a free space and click Arrange Icons - by Name. Then (if you want) put a tick by Auto Arrange.
Don't confuse Memory (RAM), which comes fixed on chips on your machine, with Hard Disk space, which is contained on a spinning disk of magnetic material. I know they can both 'memorise' things and are measured in Megabytes but they are very different from each other.
EVER FOUND THAT YOU HAVE TYPED two sentences in capitals ? I don't any more. Go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Accessibility and click Use Toggle Keys. Under the Sound tab click Sound Sentry. When you hit the Caps Lock you will hear a sound and the screen will flash. You shouldn't be able to miss that lot.
If you don't have a Fix-it type program to fix problems in your Register you can no longer download RegClean from Microsoft. Another program, which lets you see and choose what is being cleared out is Regcleaner, free from www.jv16.org but make sure it is suitable for your version of windows.
Do you want free downloads of useful software ? Go to http://www.zdnet.com/downloads and type in what you are looking for. Select Downloads.
Want to get to grips with CD-Writers? See Cdwriters.htm << Click on this site
If you would like to keep backups safe from fire and burglars (or are just filling up your hard disk) you can get 300Mb of space on the web at www.myspace.com. Thinks : It would be one way to transfer data from one connected PC to another e.g. when upgrading to a new PC.
Using too much expensive ink ? Have a look at Economy or Draft mode in your printer's Properties. It's a lot faster, too. If it is good enough for most purposes set that as you default in Start, Settings, Printers (right click) Properties. You can always change back to quality print for individual letters/graphics - by File, Print, Properties. I find that HP printers do well on this.
Using too much ink printing net pages? Don't print the coloured background : right click Internet Explorer, Properties, Advanced and uncheck Print background colours and images (it's a long way down in the list) Also set the oprinter to Draft.
In Win 98 you can save searches you do with Find. (Start, Find, Files and Folders) Go File, Save when you have done a search. To repeat and refresh the search later click on the icon which appears on your Desktop
Occasionally do a full Scandisk (with surface check). A slightly damaged hard disk can be the cause of numerous problems. A full Scandisk 'repairs' damaged sectors. Start, Run, Scandiskw (Windows) or Scandisk from DOS (W.98).
If you get a Virus or scam warning and it says to pass it on to friends it is 99% likely to be a hoax. Before passing it on it is a good idea to check the site www.f-secure.com/ Look at their recent hoax list. Another interesting hoax checking site is www.snopes.com. Think what will happen if everyone passes them on to their address list ! It slows the whole system down and wastes their time.
The Consumers Association says that, under the Sale of Goods Act, retailers/suppliers are responsible for goods being 'of satisfactory quality' for up to six years after the date of purchase - regardless of what your guarantee says. Get leaflet Unsatisfactory Goods : your Rights as a Consumer from the Department of Trade on 0870 150 2500
I know YOU know, but not everyone does. To 'select' a file or a word or a paragraph you swipe it with the mouse pointer. Then you can drag it elsewhere and drop it or cut/copy and paste it, whether it be text to another paragraph or a file to another folder. Other ways include Edit, Select All ; or use the shift and arrow keys.
If you wish to see what files there are in a specific folder e.g. c:\windows\favorites you can open the folder by going Start, Run and typing c:\windows\favorites. Click OK. You can drag a Favorite onto your Desktop, too (not AOL).
If you would prefer not to be asked whether you want to send something to the Recycle Bin just right click it the bin on the desktop, click Properties and 'uncheck' the 'Display delete confirmation dialogue box'
To send out a mass email, send it to yourself and put all other addresses in BCC (Blind Copy) so that people don't see everyone else's address - and you get a copy of who it went to. Can't find a BCC line ? Ask me.
If you want to copy a file onto floppy disk just go to File, Save As and put a: (A, colon) in front of the file name. So, to save this page to floppy I could go File, Save As a:help12.htm. Works in most programs.
To associate a file type (e.g. a jpg graphic) with a program, so that file type is always opened by that program, select a file in Explorer (left click it) then hold down the right mouse button + the Shift key.(In Windows ME/XP you do not have to hold down Shift). Click 'Open with' and select the additional program from the list shown. Then click the 'Always use this program.....' box.
Outlook Express uses the spellchecker from Word or one of its associated programs. No Word, no spellcheck . If you want a free spellchecker try www.quinion.com/mqa/spell. It works with any Windows program, even WordPad.
There is a useful, printable list of shortcuts for Outlook Express. See its Help, Shortcut Keys. Print is under Options.
To scroll DOWN any web page hit the Space Bar. To scroll UP hold down shift while you hit it.
Whilst Browsing you can change from Window to Full-screen by pressing F11. You may also find you can start programs full screen by right clicking their icon, clicking Properties and the change the Run item to Full Screen.
To send a SMS to a mobile phone many ISP's provide an SMS service but some charge With Windows Messenger you can pay a small fee.
Check your printer setup to make sure that the Page Size is set to A4. Some printer drivers will set it to 'Letter', which is the 11" American size. This reduces your page length by 7/16". With laser printers this may result in the page not being ejected. With ink jet printers it means you are not able to print on the full length of the paper.
Sorting Internet Explorer Favourites alphabetically. Do this from Start, Favourites, right click and Sort by Name. If you really want one at the top you can drag it there afterwards. Want to move your Favourites list from one ISP (or PC) to another? Internet Explorer (File) allows you to export and import your list. AOL has a similar facility.
Heard of Numeric or Decimal Tabs ? If you are typing a column of figures in a Word Processor you will usually want them to line up round the decimal point. You need to look at your WP help to see how to create a Decimal (or Numeric) tab, so that when you press the tab key it will take you straight to it and any figures you type with decimal points will then line up over each other correctly. Save a lot of frustration.
Haven't got a software suite ? You could pay £400 + for Microsoft Office (or £5 if you are a parent teacher or ANY sort of a student - worth joining that art class) But, amazingly, there are some completely free ones. And pretty powerful they are. Thinkfree Office can be downloaded from www.thinkfree.com. Ability Office is sometimes included in 'cover disks'. Keep an eye on my page 17.
Having problems with Win 98 ? Have you tried Win 98's System File Checker ? Have a look at it - Start, Help, Index, System File Checker. (or just run SFC.exe). It often finds missing and corrupted System Files and will ask you for your Win 98 disk to get them back in order. If it does, you must tick Browse and select the Win 98 sub folder on your Win 98 disk.
Media Player (Mplayer.exe/ Wmplayer.exe in XP) enables you to play sound and video files,'rip' music from your CDs and 'burn' the music onto blank CDs. Windows Media Player 10 is a more advanced version. It is free from Microsoft. It enables streaming video and access to Internet radio stations It can downloaded from www.eu.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/default.asp. But beware, it is over 7 Mb and would take at least half an hour to download on a 56k modem. Wmplayer is included in Windows Millennium Edition (ME), Windows XP and Vista.
To get a copy of the whole screen press PrintScreen, open your Word Processor or Graphics application and Paste it in with Ctl + V. If you want to copy just the window you are using hold down Alt when you are pressing Printscreen, then paste it as before. Better than this, get a program such as Mwsnap, so you can select the bit your want.
Many people take the power lead out of their PC during thunderstorms but did you know that Modems can get 'fried' if you don't also detach your phone line, too ?
The Password on boot up is not really for security. After all, you can get round it by pressing Esc. It is more to do with setting up various desktop settings for different people who use the machine. Do you hate having to put in a password each time you start the machine? Providing you know what password was put in originally....... In Win 98 go Start, Settings, Control Panel, Passwords. Enter your password but leave the new password entries blank. Next time you boot up you wont have to type it in. If you have a network setup you cannot get rid of the password. In Windows XP passwords are dealt with under User Accounts and you can proceed from these in the same way. See XP Help.
If your Internet sign on password wont save (older Outlook Express/Internet Explorer) it may not be your fault. You may have to doctor your register. Take a look at http://support.microsoft.com

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