Make A Mistake? Undo It!
Don't worry if you've just deleted a file by accident, or erased an entire block of text. To get it back, just click on EDIT | UNDO at the top of your screen.
Save Hard Drive Space
Do you frequently forget to remove files from the Recycle Bin? If so, you're keeping a lot of junk on your computer and it's using up valuable hard drive space. You can force the Recycle Bin to only use a small percentage of your hard drive. On your desktop, right-click on the Recycle Bin and choose PROPERTIES. A scroll bar appears on the multi-tabbed...
Sunday, December 30, 2007
5 Steps To Keep Your PC Safe Online
There are some simple steps you can take to ensure your PC remains protected while you surf the Web. Following these tips can help protect your PC from virus, spyware and other online threats.
1. Update Windows
Microsoft regularly releases free downloads to fix security problems with Windows, Internet Explorer and other Microsoft software such as Office. Read Update Windows to find out how you can get these important updates.
2. Install A Firewall
A good firewall such as ZoneAlarm will prevent programs from accessing the Internet without your...
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Watch As Your Computer Boots Up
In computer language, "Boot Up" simply means start up. You can watch what happens during the boot up process by pressing the Escape key on your keyboard, "Esc," just as the Microsoft Windows logo comes up.
You'll see a lot of text scrolling by. To stop the text so you can see it more closely, hit your Pause key. To continue scrolling, hit any key on your keyboard....
Friday, December 28, 2007
Remove Spyware
Spyware tracks your movements on the Web and can affect your PC's performance. This guide explains how to protect your PC and remove spyware.
What Is Spyware?
Spyware is malicious code that infects your PC and can manifest itself as things such as unwanted browser toolbars and pop-ups, or if your browser homepage suddenly changes without your knowledge. Spyware also takes the form of tracking files that watch where you go on the web in order to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Not only is it a source...
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Restore A Deleted File
If you've deleted something that you wish you hadn't, it may not be too late to get it back. As long as you haven't emptied your Recycle Bin you can restore it to where it once was.
On your desktop, double click on your Recycle Bin icon. Find the file you want and click on it once to highlight it. Then, at the top of the screen, click FILE | RESTORE. The file will disappear right before your eyes.
However, if you go back to where you deleted it from, you'll find it, safe and sound...
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Add A Program To Your Desktop
Sometimes going through that START menu can be a chore. It can be easier to add a shortcut to a frequently used program to your Desktop. To accomplish this, navigate to the desired program by clicking on START | PROGRAMS | DESIRED PROGRAM.
Once there, right click on the name of the program. Choose SEND TO | DESKTOP (Create
Shortcut). An icon will be added to your desktop.
By the way, this technique will also work with other things as well. Documents or Favorites, for instance. Don't be afraid to experiment...
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Expand Your Taskbar
If you have too many programs open, you can expand the taskbar can get pretty crowded. If you need more room, carefully hold your mouse over the top of the taskbar until the cursor changes shapes. It will become a line with an arrow at both ends. Once you've got the arrows, drag your Taskbar up as far as you need to. Follow step to expand the taskbar.
Move Your Taskbar
Your Taskbar does not have to be at the bottom of your screen. You can move it anywhere you like. Hold your mouse over the Taskbar. While holding the left button down, drag it to...
Monday, December 24, 2007
Keyboard Repeat Rate
When you hit the Backspace key on your keyboard and hold it down, the cursor just continues tomove until you let go of the key.If the cursor is moving too slow, or too fast, you can change the rate. Open your Control Paneland double click on Keyboard. Under the "Speed" tab you can increase or decrease the repeatra...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Check For Viruses
Malicious virus code can infect your files and cause you to lose important data. This guide explains how to install an anti-virus program to protect your PC.
What Are Viruses?
Computer viruses are malicious programs designed to cause annoyance and even damage to computer data. They spread by infecting files and by automatically sending e-mails to everyone in your address book. There are new virus threats everyday. It is essential to take steps to protect your PC.
What Can I Do About Them?
If you suspect you already have a virus on your computer,...
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Update Windows
Microsoft regularly releases free downloads that help fix security problems with Windows, Internet Explorer and other software including Office. This guide explains how you can get these important updates.
What is Windows Update?
The Windows Update service provides a way of checking whether your Windows operating system needs any updates.
This can include security fixes, and software and hardware updates. It is essential Windows is kept up-to-date...
Friday, December 21, 2007
Check Your System Resources
Do you ever get a message telling you that your system resources are low and that you should quit some programs? Annoying, isn't it? Anyway, you can keep tabs on just how much of your resources you're using by going to your desktop, right clicking on My Computer and choosing PROPERTIES.
Under the Performance tab you can view the percentage of resources you're using. If your available resources are below 40% you might want to open less programs at start up. To learn how to do that, view our start up tip.
View Your Hard Drive Space
To see how...
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
View Your IP Address
First, what is an IP address? The technical definition goes something like this: "An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a 32-binary digit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information that is sent across the Internet.
When you request an HTML page or send e-mail, the Internet Protocol part of TCP/IP includes your IP address in the information." To find out what your IP address is, click on START | RUN. Type in "WINIPCFG" without the quotes....
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Quick Minimize & Maximize
Quick Minimize & Maximize
To quickly minimize any open window, double click on its "Title Bar." Double click again to maximize.
Remove Your Speaker Icon
To save a little room, you can remove the speaker icon that resides in your system tray on the bottom right corner of your screen. Click on START | SETTINGS | CONTROL PANEL. Double-click MULTIMEDIA. Click on PROPERTIES. the box next to "Show volume control on the taskbar" so it is unchecked. Click "OK."
See How Long Windows Has Been Running
Click on START | PROGRAMS | ACCESSORIES | SYSTEM...
Delete Your Temporary Files
Unfortunately, many Windows files leave unnecessary files in the TEMP directory from time to time. These files may be unneeded data files, files that the program has simply "forgotten" about, or files created and not deleted due to a program's abnormal termination.
You can free up some room on your hard drive by visiting the WINDOWS\TEMP directory in your Windows Explorer and delete the files there.
Be Careful! Definitely DO NOT delete files that were created today, or yesterday... files created several weeks ago are usually safe to delete. If...
Opening A Program With Keystrokes
Did you know you can assign certain keystrokes to open a program? This way you won't have to stop what you're doing and double click on it with your mouse. Right click on the chosen program on your desktop and select PROPERTIES. Click on the Shortcut Tab. In the text box labeled SHORTCUT KEY, type your chosen letter. Ctrl + Alt will automatically be added. Click OK. Now hit CTRL + ALT + letter.
Shrink Your Toolbar Size
Is your toolbar taking up too much room? Customize it! You can shrink the size of the buttons, and if you know what each button...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Hide Your Taskbar
Your "Taskbar" is the tool bar at the very bottom of your screen. It's where all of your open programs and applications reside.
To hide it, find an empty space on the Taskbar and right click your mouse. Select PROPERTIES. Under the "Taskbar Options" tab, check the box next to "Auto Hide." Click OK.
Now, to view your Taskbar, move your mouse down to the bottom of your screen. Your Taskbar will appear...
Bypass Your Recycle Bin
Most of us know that when we delete a file, we're not really deleting it, but sending it to our Recycle Bin. There, the file will sit until we empty the Recycle Bin, or restore the file to it's original location.
If you are sure that you want this file gone, and don't want it hanging around your Recycle Bin, hold down the SHIFT button on your keyboard while deleting it...
Windows Clipboard
This should really be under the heading of "Copy And Paste." Copying and pasting is merely a way of moving something from one place to another. The most common thing moved around with this technique is text. You have a program on your computer that you can't see. It's called a "Clipboard." It is there for one purpose only; to hold the text (or graphic, or whatever else you're moving) as long as you need.
The catch is, the clipboard will only hold that text until another block of text is placed on it. It only holds one clipping at a time. Let's...
Add Frequently Used Programs To Your QuickLaunch Bar
In Windows 98, you have a handy tool bar called the "QuickLaunch Bar." It allows you to start up a program with just one click without having to go to your desktop or using your START button. The QuickLaunch Bar is located directly to the right of your START button. If you've never customized it, you probably have icons for Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express, and a button that takes you directly to your desktop, among others.
It's easy to customize your QuickLaunch Bar. To remove an icon, simply right click on it and choose DELETE....
Changing Your Desktop Icons
If you ever get bored with the same old icons sitting on your desktop, there is a solution. Many of the programs on your desktop offer lots of different icons.
First, right click on the icon you'd like to change. Select PROPERTIES. Then, click on the "Change Icon" button under the "Shortcut" tab. Select the icon you prefer and click OK....
Saturday, February 3, 2007
View The Source Of A Web Page
Ever wondered what a web page looks like underneath all the colors and pictures? Well, wonder no more. Next time you're on a web page go to the top of your screen and click on VIEW | SOURCE
Easy Access Dictionary Button
Have you ever been reading something on the web and come to a word that you don't know the meaning of? Dictionary.Com offers an easy access button that sits right on the tool bar in your browser.
Once the button is installed,...
