Tutorials
- HOME PAGE
- First Days on Computer
- Email Etiquette
- How to use the mouse
- When things go wrong
- Computer Maintenance
- Tips Part I
- Tips Part II
- Burning a CD
- Disk Cleanup
- Add color to your bars and windows
- Use Winzip to Zip a File
- Use Winzip to unzip a file
- Help for Windows 95
- IRC Star mIRC
- Making mIRC Popups
Security
Linux
Legal Stuff
Tips:
Click on one of the following links to get to the tutor you need quicker.
Sometimes you visit a Website and the text is either too large or to small
for your browser. This can happen because they have added the tags in the
html to specify the text size. You can decrease or increase the size of
the text but the page then may not display properly. It depends on if they
set a certain resolution to the page and if they are using tables or certain
scripts. To change this:
Internet Explorer:
Click your "View" menu, then "Text Size", and select the size you want to
view the web page at.
Netscape Users:
Click the "View" menu and select either "Increase Font" or "Decrease Font"
If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel you can change the font size by
pressing the "ctrl" key and using the mouse wheel in either direction to
increase or decrease the text size also.
For some people their email of attachements is not set to send pictures.
To fix this On the Tools menu, click Options. Go to the Send tab and click
HTML under "Mail Sending Format". If you want to send pictures as
attachments with every message, click Settings then check the box marked
"Send Pictures With Messages", then OK.
BCC is the right thing to use when you have to send a email out to many
people at the same time. It is also considered the proper way to email
several people at once. There is nothing so annoying as getting a email
with a scroll from hell of 25 to 50 addresses in the *To:* line. Not only
is it bad email edicate, it is also leaving the email addys open to spam.
Spammers love that To: line the emails there the more they have to harvest.
What it boils down too is online you don't have a clue whom you are really
sending too. They could be selling those addys for all you know. So use
that BCC to send emails your true friends will thank you for it. On most
email clients you will only see the BCC if you click on the To: on this
Window you should see the BCC at the bottom on Outlook Express. Putting a
email in this activates the BCC and you will see it added now to your
choices when you send a email.
Sometimes you need to copy large amounts of text. But to do this can be
bothersome, and a nuisance. Either the copy feature wants the whole page,
or to run amuck in either direction making the copying hard. There are
several ways to go to war and win the battle when trying to copy text.
The first is if your on a website take the cursor place it and click right
before where you want the selected copy text to start. Now scroll down to
the end of the text you want copied and press the shift key and click with
the mouse where the end of the copy is. All the text you need copied should
now be highlighted. Right click the highlighted text and select copy from
the dropdown.
There is a couple variations to this also. look on your keyboard,
to the right of the spacebar you should see the alt key, the windows key,
and this funny looking key you probably never have used, you may or may not
have another ctrl key at the end. Well I want to bring your attention to
the funny looking key. The one that has what looks like a piece of paper
and a arrow on it. When you have highlighted text and you want to copy
this to the clipboard, then use this key to do so. You can also use that
key to paste instead of having to scroll or having to right click and select
copy this key will bring that dropdown up for you. Experiment with this
also because if you was viewing the desktop a different menu will pop up.
I'm not gonna tell you which one cause I want you to look and see for
yourself.
Drop down boxes can be a pain if your looking to select like the "United
States" in the dropdown and your fixing to scroll through every Country in the world to get
there. There is a better way to handle this. Next time click on the arrow
to the right and now press the letter "U" on the keyboard you will be taken
to the first Country that starts with the letter "U". this sure beats
having to scoll for ever in a drop down.
If you happen to click the wrong link remember if you are still over the
link and you havent released yet just drag the mouse away from the link.
It's not the act of clicking a link that sends you on your merry way, its
the act of releasing the click of the mouse that does.
These tips are not in any type order. You will have to rule each of these out.
1.
Viruses and Trojans You will need a virus checker, plus a Trojan
scanner. Or check to be sure if your anti-virus software is running properly.
2.
Compressed drive Some think if they compress the drive they get
extra space, what they fail to realize is they loose performance on some
machines.
3.
Running unnecessary programs in background If you are not using it
then don't run it. That includes services.
4.
Not doing your computer maintenance which is: scan disk and defrag
5.
overheating A bad fan can cause slow downs today's computer may
slow down if the temp gets past the 110 degree mark. Some PC manufactures
have built this safety into the pc. If you are not sure if this is the problem, then have a computer shop check it out.
6.
low virtual memory if you have a computer that is almost full,
your computer will suffer. Add a second hard drive, or remove a few things.
7.
Bad software All it takes is to download software that can make your
computer nose dive speed wise. Some of this is because of .dll files too.
8.
Bad Drivers. Some people don't realize that by the time a computer is
purchased, and taken home, their could be several new drivers already
released for the computer. Other than getting set up for security, you
should also check for updates on your computer too.
There are other reasons, but these are the top ones.
Ever notice how Microsoft likes to put "product keys" on all their software?
Well, what do you do if you've lost yours and you need to re-install the
software? I suppose you could call Microsoft and ask them to help.
Sure you can! lol
Here's another solution. If the program is still on your machine (or at
least still has entries in your registry), there may be hope. The info you
need may be tucked away in the Windows Registry!
Here's how to find it:
1. Click the Start button, Run. Type in regedit and click OK. Your registry
editor program will start.
2. Next, open the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder, then open the Software folder.
Scroll down to the Microsoft folder and open it.
Now, scroll down to the program you want to re-install. Open it's folder and
look for a folder called "Current Version". Open that and look for an entry
for "ProductKey" in the right window pane. If you find it, you've found your
code!
It can be a bit of a pain to hunt through the registry like this, but at
least you don't have to buy the software again!
If your computer hangs or freezes in Win95/98 and Ctrl+Alt+Delete gives no response. You can try one more thing before reaching for the power button. Press Ctrl+Esc. This will activate the Start menu, from which you can safely shut down or restart your system. This may work in the newer Operating Systems too. Just give it a try. This is no guarantee that this will even work. It may work a few times. and other times no matter what you do, you still may have to hit the power button or unplug. If you unplug every time, try to break that habit. Use this tip instead. This tip will keep you from loosing your work. Unplugging does not guarantee that your work will be saved.
Hit Start -> Run -> Type the following:
chkdsk /f /r /x
Hit enter. Reboot the computer like normal (start then turn off computer
then restart/reboot)
When Windows comes back up, Windows XP will prompt you to do a
scan...*hit nothing when it prompts you* *leave keyboard and mouse
alone* after waiting a couple of seconds the computer start its scan.
Extra information about the above commands... type the entire thing in
as wrote above:
/f means to fix errors on the disk
A: is always your floppy drive
B: is those large floppy drives.
(C: is your physical drive, or what some call the drive that your
Operating system resides on
(D: is either used for the cd-ROM drive or for the cd-rw drive and can
even be the dvd rom some people will have just a cd rom and even a
cd/dvd rom
(E: is for the cd dvd rw in other words it is usely used just to write
to disk rather it be a cd or a dvd. Now you can have just one of these
that does it all and it will reside on the (D: drive.
Also a extra hard drive can reside on the E: drive. Depending if you
have a burner or not, and if it is on a combo driven hardware. So you
can have a A: C: D: and a E: being a extra hardrive if the D: is a combo
drive used to read and write CDs and or CDs and DVDs. Or you can have
just a CD ROM drive on D: and E will be your extra hardrive. Gee I hope
I didn't confuse you guys. If I did just give me a holler.
Knowing how version numbers work will help you to better
understand what you are looking at when your checking out new
software, or updating software that you already have installed.
Just so you all understand. It is better to know how the version
numbers work, so that when you do update you know exactly what you
are getting.
Please keep in mind this is not fool proof. Some places do not
follow the version number norm. Others will add or either take a number
away.
So lets get started...
First you have a piece of software. You went to the help tab and
then clicked on the "about" Then a version number popped up along with other information. Name of software, company producing it, and year of copyright. It
was version: 2.1.3 What does this mean?
The first the 2 is a major upgrades. This means that this number
hardly changes unless their are major changes done to the software
itself.
So this software has had 2 major upgrades.
The second number is the 1 which is maybe a minor update. This
could be a feature added, but not something that affects the whole
software in how it runs, or how you operate it.
This software has had 1 minor upgrade.
The last number is a 3 which is bug fixes. These are fixes that fix
a problem that developed while running the software.
This software has had 3 bug fixes.
How important are these numbers? Well it depends on the
programmer. It also depends on what they call relevant. Some may
call security fixes very important. So they will bump the 2 up to a
3, instead of listing it under bug fixes.
The major thing to understand is when you look at these numbers if
there has been a change then one of these numbers will change in the
version that you have from the newer version offered at the download
site. So become familiar with the numbers they will help you when
your trying to decide if you need to update your software. All
three numbers could change or just one of them.
Incidentally some programmers only have two numbers listed in their
version. The fist number in these are always major updates or
upgrades. Everything else is listed under the second number. So
theirs may be just version 3.2 Sorry for all the confusion. Maybe
I helped you somewhat.
Most people use the My documents folder to store most items they download,
and to store most items like files they make, and or update, etc. But the
desktop on XP doesn't contain the My Documents folder unless the
manufacturer managed to include it when you buy the desktop. So here is a
tip to create a short cut to the My documents folder for your desktop.
Right click a area on your desktop that is free of icons. Select New then
select shortcut from the dropdown menu. A wizard will pop up. It will have
a browse button select this and scroll though your list till you find the My
documents folder. Highlight then select ok. You now have a shortcut on
your desktop for the My documents folder. If you have another folder that
is more important to have on your desktop you can also create a shortcut to
this folder.
Another way to do this is to right click your desktop and select "properties" now select "desktop tab" then "customize desktop button" then "General tab"
then checkmark the folders etc you want on your desktop. Picture below:
Don't even quote me on this one, but I guess its worth a try and last ditch
effort to do before you reformat, or reinstall a software. If you have a
computer, and say you had to rid it of a lot of virus crap, and the virus
attacked a lot of your Windows files. I had read on a news group that you
can use your Windows install disk to see if it can fix the files missing, or
corrupted. Pitfalls to this fix? Yes. The file will be converted to the version it was before any updates that you may have installed up till this date. It will always be a older version of the file.
To do this install the Windows disk into you cd rom go to "start" then "run"
type in:
"SFC /scannow"
Leave off the quotes but include everything I have in the quote above.
This will examine all the windows files, replace missing ones and repair
damaged ones.
I heard this helps to repair damaged dll files too.
when to use this?
After a bad virus
a Windows software you are trying to use now wont run or freezes after you
start it.
possible bad dll files
This is no guarantee it will work. But I guess it's worth a try. But it
only fixes system files. If the problem is with the software itslef (bad
bug) it may not fix it.
The impending viruses upon us have us taking drastic measures in order to
fix our computers. One thing that comes to mind is that certain viruses
like to keep our computers cycling on shutting down. (rebooting) It's a
cycle that can have the best of us pulling our hair out. Below is how to
abort a shutdown that windows pops up a window stating that in 60 seconds
your computer will be shutting down. It wont fix the problem but it will
keep windows from shutting down so you can fix the problem. Unfortunatly
you dont have much time to type this in and hit enter. So you must type
quickly.(please read the extra tip on the end of this tip)
go to the "Start" button and then to the "Run"
Type:
"shutdown -a"
(Without the quotes)
That's the "shutdown" command, with the "-a" option, which stands for "abort
the pending shutdown".
Press "OK"
Windows now will abort the shutdown
The following extra tidbit is from a member on our list named David:
You could make a batch file with the command shutdown -a as the
command to execute & put a shortcut to it on your desktop or Quick
launch bar.
Open Notepad & type in: shutdown -a
Save as {choose All Files from dropdown menu}: shutdown.bat
(I made one & saved it in My Documents)
Right click it & send it to the Desktop as a shortcut.
You can leave it there or drag & drop it to the Quick launch bar.
Then just double click it on the Desktop or single click it from the
Quick launch bar.
If it is on the Quick launch bar, put it next to the Start button for
quick access.
When it runs, a DOS window opens,executing it.
I tested mine.
I didn't have a shutdown pending so it just ran.
And ran & ran...
I clicked the X in the title bar of the window to shut it off.
No harm done.
I don't have any viruses or anything bad so I don't know if it will
work if a virus trys to shut down my computer but it should work.
The command is valid.
http://imgsrv.worldstart.com/videotips/index.htm
Say for instance you do get a virus. The virus uses your email client to
mass email the virus out to everyone in your address book. It does this
without your knowledge. There is a way for you to have a clue that this has
happened. Place a bogus email addy in your address book. For me the
address is nonegiven@none.home.com you can use a email like
virusewarning@alertyouhaveavirus.com What will happen is if you get a virus
and the virus uses your address book to grab addresses. It will also grab
this address and you will receive a email from your ISP stating (sometimes)
it was undeliverable. Most of the returns will be from the Mail
Administrator of you ISP. This wont work on web based email servers. And
you will only get this email if the virus uses your email address to send it
out. If it fakes it, it could use one of the emails in your address book to
send a virus out instead of yours. So this will only help you a little.
But every little effort on your part helps though.
One way to be sure that you don't forget what a file or a App is after you
have downloaded it is to right click the file or APP and select properties,
now click on the summary tab and put your needed info about the file or APP
in the places provided. The very first block ( Title) is key if you just
want to be able to Hoover with the mouse over the file and see what it is.
Be as short and as descriptive as you can on the first one. After filling
in any notes or even putting the web addy of where you found the file at be
sure to click on apply and then ok when you are done. Now Hoover over the
file and see if you did a good job or need to make an adjustment. Repeat until you are satisfied that you never will have another download on your computer that is a complete mystery. This may not help the files you already have unless you know what they are, but for future files it will help you out a great deal.
Using the mouse for a newbie takes some getting use too. If you don't know
what all the chatter is then go here and see first hand how to use the
mouse. How to use your mouse
This happens with Outlook and Outlook Express. There is a file called pop3uidl.dbx that can get corrupted. This file keeps up with what emails have been downloaded to your inbox. Find this file and rename it. Close Outlook/Outlook Express and restart after you rename the file.
all kinds of tips and tricks for troubleshooting modems. Best place I
know of, for you to get info. Troubleshooting Modems
A good way to pratice using the mouse is to play the games that are included with your Operating System. Each of the games instill some type of mouse move, which gives you experience. So now I have given you a good excuse as to why you play the games. :)
If you do not understand a option in a Windows dialog box right click the option and select (click) "whats this?" For another option you can click on the question mark then click on the option that you need more info on.
To run a program or software effectively make sure you have the recommended requirements instead of the minimum requirements. Minimum requirments may limit some of your features of the software. It can also cause slow downs. This is especially true if your looking at getting a new operating system, or a game.
You can close a program by pressing "Alt +F4" at the same time instead of using your mouse.
To select a paragraph of text just triple click in the middle of the paragraph.
Sometimes you need to copy large amounts of text. To do this can be a pain, and a nuisance. Either the copy feature wants the whole page, or to run amuck in either direction making the copying hard. There are several ways to go to war and win the battle when trying to copy text. The first is if your on a website take the cursor place it and click right before where you want the selected copy text to start. Now scroll down to the end of the text you want copied and press the shift key and click with the mouse where the end of the copy is. All the text you need copied should now be highlighted. Right click the highlighted text and select copy from the dropdown. There is a couple variations to this also. look on your keyboard, to the
right of the spacebar you should see the alt key, the windows key, and this
funny looking key you probably never have used, you may or may not have
another ctrl key at the end. Well I want to bring your attention to the
funny looking key. The one that has what looks like a piece of paper and a
arrow on it. When you have highlighted text and you want to copy this to
the clipboard, then use this key to do so. You can also use that key to
paste instead of having to scroll or having to right click and select copy
this key will bring that dropdown up for you. Experiment with this also
because if you was viewing the desktop a different menu will pop up.
I'm not gonna tell you which one cause I want you to look and see for
yourself. :P
If you have a file that everyone in your household keeps changing on you. This might solve the problem. Right click on the file and select "properties" now towards the bottom you will see "attributes" put a checkmark in the "read only" box. If you later decide you need to make changes to this file yourself. You will have to resave it with a new name.
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/r means to attempt to fix and recover bad sectors
/x means to have the computer give the disk checker direct access.
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Some computers do not auto open a floppy or even auto open a cd in the
cd ROM tray. You have to do this manually. The easiest way i have
found to do this is to open explorer. Click the little arrow to the
right of the address and go to the drive that you need. If the cd is
named when it is burned to disk, the name will show sometimes along with
the drive letter. But some cds just have a bunch of numbers and or
number and letters combos displayed beside them in the dropdown when
you go this route. Be sure to give your hardware time to load the CD or
floppy too.
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Add Desktop items Thank you David!
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