Straight forward

Labels: Add-in, Files, General, Tips

Where they live and breathe

Labels: Files, General, Tips

Tap or Click?

Labels: Desktop, General, Tips

Registry mop

Labels: Customize, General, Tips, Tutorials

Wash and dry

"Your computer could fry if you don't keep it clean," says Jonathon Millman, chief technology officer for Hooplah Interactive.
Dust clogs the vents behind your computer, which causes your CPU to heat up—and heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. Regular cleaning could save you costly maintenance fees down the road.

Labels: General, Hardware, Tips

You control

"If you want to leave your Task Manager showing on your desktop for a period of time, it can be nice to hide the title bar and gain that space for displaying more information. To do this, simply double-click on the empty area to the right of the tabs. Once it has switched views, you can switch back quickly by double-clicking anywhere on the border."

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

When all else fails

@echo off
echo.
echo Purging the print queue . . .
net stop Spooler
echo Deleting all print jobs . . .
ping localhost -n 4 > nul
del /q %SystemRoot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start Spooler
echo Done!
ping localhost -n 4 > nul

Labels: General, Tips

I've got your number

"...the Hosts file is like an address book. When you type an address like www.yahoo.com into your browser, the Hosts file is consulted to see if you have the IP address, or "telephone number," for that site. If you do, then your computer will "call it" and the site will open. If not, your computer will ask your ISP's (internet service provider) computer for the phone number before it can "call" that site.
Most of the time, you do not have addresses in your "address book," because you have not put any there. Therefore, most of the time your computer asks for the IP address from your ISP to find sites."

"Important Notice - 2K/XP Users

In most cases a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) tends to slow down the machine. This only occurs in W2000 and XP. Windows 98 and Windows ME are not affected.

To resolve this issue (manually) open the "Services Editor"

1. Start>Run (type) "services.msc" (no quotes)
   
2. Scroll down to "DNS Client",
   
3. Right-click and select: Properties
   
4. Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type"
   
5. Select: Manual, click Apply/OK and restart.

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

Take your own advise

1. Go to start>Run and type in Regedit
   
   
2. Find:
   

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Tips]
   

   
   
3. Create a new string value named by incrementing the existing value names and set it to the required tip text.
   
   
4. The Data Type is REG_SZ (String Value)
   
   
5. The Value Data: Your tip

Labels: Customize, Tips, Tricks

File location

1. From the Tools menu, click Options.
   
   
2. Select the File Locations tab.
   
   
3. Select ClipArt Pictures from the File Types list.
   
   
4. Click the Modify button.
   
   
5. Navigate to the folder you want Word to default to.
   
   
6. Click OK. OK.

1. Click on the Office logo
   
   
2. Go to Word Options>Advanced
   
   
3. Scroll down to General
   
   
4. Click the File Locations button

Labels: Customize, Tips

Smarten your machine

1. Open Windows Explorer
   
   
2. Go to Tools>Folder Options.
   
   
3. In the Folder Options dialog box, click the View tab
   
   
4. Clear the checkbox to the left of the Hide extensions for known file types option
   
   
5. Click OK to close the dialog box and return to Windows Explorer
   

Labels: Customize, Files, Tips

Works, but dangerous

"Cipher.exe is a command-line tool. Microsoft has developed an improved version of the Cipher.exe tool that provides the ability to permanently overwrite (or "wipe") all of the deleted data on a hard disk.
This feature improves security by ensuring that even an attacker who gained complete physical control of a Windows computer would be unable to recover previously-deleted data."

Labels: General, Tips, Tutorials

Just right

1. Click Start and click Run.
   
2. Type regedit and click OK.
   
3. Locate the following registry key:
   

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer. 

4. From the Edit menu, point to New, and click DWORD Value.
   
5. Type in ThumbnailSize and press Enter.
   
6. Double click the new value. Enter in a hexadecimal value between 32 and 256.
   
7. Close the registry editor.

Labels: Customize, Explorer, General, Regedit, Tips, Vista

Change your Welcome avatar

Labels: Customize, Tips

Get an inventory

This article describes how to add the Print Directory feature for folders in Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. After you follow the steps that are listed in this article, you can right-click a folder, and then click Print Directory Listing to print a directory listing of the contents of a folder.

Labels: General, Tips, Vista

Sole user

If you are the only person using the computer, you can have it automatically log you on.

Go to Start>Run ; type in:

"control userpasswords2"

(no quotes)

Uncheck:

"Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"

[Edited entry from 4/12/2004]




See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

No more three fingers

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
   
   
2. Value Name: DisableCAD
   
   
3. Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
   
   
4. Value Data: (0 = Require Ctrl+Alt+Delete, 1 = Disable)

Labels: Customize, Regedit, Tips

Free utility

" My experience with teaching has made it clear that a lot of people simply refuse to do anything on a computer that involves more than a few simple steps."

Labels: Backup, Tips

Change your company

1. Go to the Start button and open up the Control Panel
   
2. Select User Accounts and click on the account that you wish to Change
   
3. Click the "Change my name" option

1. Go to Start>Run
   
   
2. Type: regedit
   
   
3. Find:
   HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version
   
   
4. On the right pane, look for 'RegisteredOwner'
   
   
5. Right click the RegisteredOwner key to edit it
   
   
6. Right click the entry and select Modify
   
   
7. You could also change the RegisteredOrganization.

Labels: Customize, Regedit, Tips

Turn off pop-ups

Balloon pop-ups typically appear when new programs and hardware are installed, when disk space becomes limited. If you do not want balloon pop-ups to appear, you can prevent them by setting values in the registry.

1. Go to Start>Run, type Regedit
   
   
2. In the Root list, select HKEY_CURRENT_USER
   
   
3. Find Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
   
   
4. For EnableBalloonTips, the value 2 enables balloon pop-ups and the value 0 disables them.
   For Start_NotifyNewApps, the value 1 enables balloon pop-ups and the value 0 disables them.
   
   
5. Click OK

Note When EnableBalloonTips is disabled, enabling Start_NotifyNewApps has no effect.

1. Right-click the Start button
   
2. Choose Properties
   
3. Choose the tab Start Menu and then the Customize button
   
4. Select the Advanced tab
   
5. Remove the check by "Highlight newly installed programs"
   
6. Then OK your way out

Labels: Customize, Regedit, Tips

Opening notice

1. Registry Key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
   
   
2. Modify or Create the Value Name
   [LegalNoticeCaption]
   
   
3. Data Type:
   REG_SZ [String Value]
   
   
4. Value Name:
   LegalNoticeCaption
   
   
5. Value Data for LegalNoticeCaption:
   [Type the Caption for the Dialog Box]

---

1. Modify or Create the Value Name
   [LegalNoticeText]
   
   
2. Data Type:
   REG_SZ [String Value]
   
   
3. Value Name:
   LegalNoticeText
   
   
4. Value Data for LegalNoticeText:
   [Type the Data for the Legal Notice]

Labels: Customize, Regedit, Tips

Still sign on, or not

Note If you have not created a password reset disk, and you have also forgotten the password for all user accounts, you cannot log on to your existing Windows installation for security reasons. This information applies to starting Windows XP typically, to safe mode, and to Recovery Console. In this case, you must perform a "clean" installation of Windows XP, re-create all user accounts, and then reinstall all your programs.

Labels: General, Password, Tips, Troubleshoot, Vista

Private Character Editor

Using Private Character Editor (PCE), you can create up to 6,400 unique characters (such as special letters and logos) for use in your font library. PCE contains basic tools for creating and editing characters, along with more advanced options.

If you want to create a new private character using an existing character as your model, you can copy the existing character to the Edit grid and then modify it to suit your needs, or you can display the existing character in a Reference window alongside your Edit grid for use as a visual reference. You can use any character from any font that is installed on your computer.

The Private Character Editor is accessed at Start>Run and enter "Eudcedit" without the quotes.

After you have constructed and saved the design of your choosing, you can access it from the Character Map by selecting Start>Run "Charmap".

Drop the Font selection list down and choose All Fonts (Private Characters), then click on the character you have created, copying and pasting it into any document.

Hermann Zapf designed some of the 20th century's most important fonts, including Palatino and Optima. He also produced a collection of decorative symbols called "dingbats", modeled after the accidental lead drippings collected by old style typesetters.

Also:
Private Character Editor — Eudcedit
By Vic Laurie

Keyboard Utilities for Windows
Alan Woods




See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, Fonts, Tips

Accessibility Shortcuts

Several resources are available to help increase speed and effectiveness for keyboard users. Here are keyboard shortcuts for leading Microsoft products that help save time and effort and provide an essential tool for some people with mobility impairments.

• Internet Explorer 7/6/5/4
  
• Office (2007/2003/XP/2002/2000/97)
  
• PhotoDraw
  
• PowerPoint
  
• Producer
  
• Publisher
  
• Windows (Vista/2003/XP/2000/98/ME/NT)
  
• Windows Media Player
  
• Windows Movie Maker
  
• Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Labels: Tips, Tricks

A fast way in

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

Finger tricks

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Accessibility Options.
   
   
2. On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, select the Use MouseKeys check box.
   
   
3. To turn off MouseKeys, clear the Use MouseKeys check box.

1. Press left ALT + left SHIFT + NUM LOCK.
   
   
2. In the MouseKeys message dialog box, press SPACEBAR to clear the Turn off keyboard shortcut for this accessibility feature check box.
   
   
3. Press TAB, and then press ENTER.

Labels: Customize, General, Hardware, Tips, Tutorials

Browser direction

Labels: General, Tips

Is any place safe?

"One of the biggest misconceptions is that hackers will target only large companies. The truth is computers get attacked for a variety of reasons. Some of these include the following:

• Snooping: Reading private mail and other personal files.
  
• Destroying or corrupting computer data: Making files unusable, or making a whole computer unusable.
  
• Stealing computer data: Taking credit card numbers, e-mail addresses, company information and so on.
  
• Stopping computers from functioning properly: Blocking incoming traffic so that intended users cannot get access, etc.
  
• Misusing computer resources: Sending spam without you knowing it, etc.
  
• Pranks: practical jokes, breaking in just because it's a challenge.

The bottom line, don't think your network is safe just because you're not that important or well-known. Assuming that you aren't personally targeted, moderately secure networks usually cause hackers to attack elsewhere. Yet attacks can come from many different sources and your computer should be equipped to deal with each of these types of attacks."

CAN YOU EVER BE TRULY SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE

Check out your computers vulnerability at GRC.com.
(Gibson Research Corporation)

Also see:
StaySafeOnline.info



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Password, Tips, Virus

MFU list

To remove items from the Most Frequently Used Programs list, right-click Remove from this list. However, when you run the program again, it may reappear on the list.

You can stop a program from appearing on the Most Frequently Used Programs list. No mater how often you use the program it will never appear on this list.

1. Click Start and select Run.
   
2. Type regedit and click OK.
   
3. Look for the registry key:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\
   
4. Under this key are a series of sub-keys representing the installed applications.
   
5. Choose the executable you do not want to appear on the list. (for instance Excel.exe)
   
6. Click Edit, point to New, and select String Value.
   
7. Type NoStartPage for the value name.
   
8. Close the Registry Editor.
   
9. Restart the computer.

Microsoft Support:

Prevent a Program from Being Displayed in the Most Frequently Used Programs List in Windows XP

and

Start Menu (MFU) list is empty



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windows

Labels: Customize, Desktop, General, Tips, Tutorials

Pruning tips

"When you right click certain files, you'll see a selection to "open with," and when you click it, you'll see a list of programs to choose from. You can remove some of the applications from this list if you will never use them to open this type of file, or you can clear the list completely, by editing the registry.

1. Open the registry editor.
   (Start>Run Regedit will do it)
   
2. Go to the following key: HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts
   
3. Scroll down the list of file extensions to the one for which you want to edit or clear the list.
   
4. Click the + to expand OpenWithList
   
5. In the right pane, you should see a list of programs (for example, Word.exe, notepad.exe, etc.).
   
6. Click the one(s) you want to remove. Press the Delete key.

• Go to: HKEY CLASSES ROOT
  
• Scroll to the desired file extension
  
• Click OpenWithList, and remove the program there

Labels: Customize, Tips

Open, but hidden

1. Hold down the Alt key and tap the Tab Key. When you see the desired window, let go of the Alt key.
   
   
2. Hit Alt+Spacebar
   
   
3. Hit M and then use the arrow keys to get the window to the right spot.
   
   
4. Hit Esc when it's near the right spot.
   
   
5. Now drag on the edges of the window to size it. (do not use the Maximize button)

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot

Really basic

To create a file that time-dates entries, on the first line of a Notepad document, type the following extension at the left margin, making sure you use all uppercase letters and include the period:

.LOG

After making an entry, save Notepad. When you next open the file, the previous date and time will be displayed.

You can, also insert the date and time by clicking Edit and select Time/Date, or just press F5. The current date and time will automatically be inserted into your file.

You can also change the Font on the Format menu and change the page layout on File>Page Setup.

To work with Headers and Footers,
On the File menu, click Page Setup.
In the Header or Footer box, type the letter and character combination from the following list:

Insert the open file's name or (untitled) if the file has no name.

&f

Insert the date.

&d

Insert the time specified by your computer's clock.

&t

Insert page numbers.

&p

Insert an ampersand (&).

&&

Align the header or footer to the left, center, or right.

&l, &c, or &r

• You can use more than one combination in the Header or Footer box. Leaving a space or two between each combination will make the header or footer easier to read.
  
• To align text to the left, center, or right, you must first enter &l, &c, or &r in the Header or Footer box, followed by any other combinations you want to use.
  
• You can also incorporate text with the combinations. For example, Page &p will print out as Page 1, Page 2, and so on.

Product description

Replacing notepad in Windows Vista

Also see:

WebTech University:
Using Windows Notepad as an HTML Editor




See all Topics

windows

Labels: General, Tips

Both Desktop and Server

Jim Boyce puts out a newsletter that covers various computer topics.

His web site, Boyce.us, has a long list of topics.

Microsoft Windows XP / 2000 Professional Tips

Here are just a few of the 516 Windows desktop items:

• A Better Calculator
  
• Adding Options to the Send To Menu
  
• Avoid reinstalling applications after a clean install
  
• Changing Icons of Desktop Items and Documents
  
• Cloning Your Current Configuration
  
• Defrag a drive when not logged on as Administrator
  
• Fine-tune Internet Explorer’s behavior
  
• Give your middle button a reason to live
  
• Lock your workstation with a keystroke
  
• Locking Down the Registry
  
• Prevent users from shutting down the computer
  
• Sharing a dial-up Internet connection
  
• Take control of Explorer
  
• Taking your notebook home
  
• Test your connection speed
  
• Use Ctrl for opening folders
  
• Use two or more monitors
  
• Using the Last Known Good Configuration
  
• Working with Safe Mode

(This has not been updated in awhile, but there is still good information.)

Labels: Tips

Screen capture plus

" Windows Media Encoder can capture the screen as you perform a task such as editing a photo; in fact, almost anything you can do on the screen can be recorded as a video. You can even narrate the demo as you record the steps you're performing. It's surprisingly easy to achieve good results in minutes. Probably the only reason the program isn't more widely used is that few people know it exists."

Microsoft Windows Media:
Windows Media Encoder 9 Series

Microsoft Support:
Support for Windows Media Encoder

Microsoft Media Knowledge Center:
Getting Started with Screen Capture Using Windows Media Encoder.



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Add-in, Tips, Tutorials

Help yourself

"WritersUA specializes in providing quality training and publications for the community of user assistance professionals. The world of user assistance comprises a variety of techniques and technologies to make working with software a better experience. This includes online Help, wizards, web sites, printed documentation, and improvements to the application user interface."

Help writing tools
Resources

Also:
Creating "Smart Help" with Conditional Content
By Dave Gash, HyperTrain dot Com

"This article discusses several methods you can use to make Web-based Help systems "smart", by using conditional content to customize the appearance and behavior of your pages to the users' needs. "

Also:
TheFreeCountry.com:
Free Help Authoring Tools



See all Topics

windows

Labels: General, Tips

A collectors collection

• Red Hat 8.0
  
• Windows 2000 Professional and Server
  
• Windows 2003 Enterprise Server
  
• Windows Me
  
• Windows Vista
  
• Windows XP Home
  
• Windows XP Professional

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot

Change display

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
   
   
2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   
   
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
   
   
4. Type ShowDriveLettersFirst, and then press ENTER.
   
   
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
   
   
6. Type 4, and then click OK.

Key: ShowDriveLettersFirst
Type: DWORD
Value: 1, 2, or 4
If the value is 1, the drive letter is displayed first for remote drives.
If the value is 2, drive letters are not displayed.
If the value is 4, the drive letter is displayed first for all drives.

Microsoft KB:

The computer description appears before the computer name in Windows XP

"In Windows Vista, you can also use the ShowDriveLettersFirst and the ToggleCommentPosition registry entries to set the display order. However, if you set the ShowDriveLettersFirst entry only under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key, the setting will not take effect after you change folder options. You must set the ShowDriveLettersFirst entry under both the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key and the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key."

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

XP bother

1. Right-click a empty space on your desktop and choose Properties.
   
2. Click the Desktop tab.
   
3. Choose Customize Desktop.
   
4. Remove the check mark next to Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days.

Labels: Desktop, General, Tips

Make up your own

Labels: Tips, Tricks, Vista

Hands on keys

Labels: Tips

Easy record

Labels: Tips, Troubleshoot

Eavesdrop on the experts

Labels: General, Tips, Vista

No add-ins needed

• Raw text, HTML, XHTML, Microsoft Word, RTF, PDF, PS, Open Office, Star Writer, Pocket Word, Word Perfect
  
  
• CSV, dBase, Microsoft Excel, Pocket Excel, Lotus 123, Quattro Pro, Star Calc, Open Office spreadsheet
  
  
• MathML, Star Math, Open Office math
  
  
• Microsoft Powerpoint, Star Impress, Open Office presentation

Convert files into universal formats like Adobe PDF, PS (PostScript) or CSV to print, fax or simply read them on any computer, without special software.

Learn morse code with the text to morse converter ;-)

Labels: Files, Tips

DOS is back

"To find out how many folders there are on your hard disk, you can open a Command Prompt and use the Tree command. You'll get a very nice looking graphical tree structure showing all the folders on your hard disk.

The only problem is that the display will scroll by your screen so fast and exceed the buffer size, so you'll never be able to see it."

Import Tree command into Word

Tree command



See all Topics

windows

Labels: DOS, Tips

Alpha my Adobe

Labels: Tips

No molten lead required

Okay. Fine. I'll let the secret out. This tutorial explains my personal font-making technique. It may not be the academically approved typographic design process, but it works for me, and it can be done on any Mac or PC with the proper software installed. You've been working with the alphabet since you were a small child. Now you can make a font of your own.

Labels: Fonts, Tips

Change the default

1. Go to Control Panel >Power Options
   
   
2. Select Change Plan Settings >Change Advanced Power Settings
   
   
3. Find "Power buttons and lid"
   
   
4. Change the Start menu power button to either Shut Down Sleep, or Hibernate

The Power button action

Changes the hardware power button action.

The Start menu power button

Changes the power button on the Start Menu

Labels: Customize, Tips, Vista