Announcements

One of our readers sent in the following in regard to our saving your e-mail tip yesterday. It explains how to save your e-mail if you use MS Outlook (not Outlook Express)

It's radically different to save e-mail from Outlook than for OE. You might want to pass this along to your readers if you get questions (and I'm sure you will).

In Outlook, what you do is export to PST format. Click File, then click Import and Export and choose to Export to a File. On the next screen choose Personal Folder File (.pst). You can save your entire Inbox, Drafts, and Sent -- but you have to individually select each. If your Inbox contains sub-folders, be sure to check the box that includes those (or you can archive each Inbox sub-folder separately, as I do).

If you're setting up your e-mail on a new PC, it's very easy to just import the PST folders in.

If you've customized the filter Rules and mail accounts, you'll also want to save settings. Click on Tools/Rules Wizard. Then click the Options button and select Export. I save mine to a folder I've named Backup. To save mail accounts, click Tools/Accounts. Highlight each mail account in your list and click Export (you'll have to do this for each account if there's more than one).

Years ago we were told computers would eradicate the need for paper. That still hasn't happened, in fact computers just added to the problem. However, nowadays many people conduct much of their business through e-mail so it's CRUCIAL to run a backup. I advise all my clients to regularly back up all e-mail. And don't overlook the Sent folder. That one's pure gold if you ever have to reconstruct a paper trail!

~ Lorelle Smith,
the "smith" and the "pro" in
Websmith Pro Internet Services
www.websmithpro.com

Thanks Lorelle!

ALSO -

Virus Update -

We had TONS of the new W32.Badtrans.B@MM virus come through again yesterday. I had some of you mention that you updated your anti-virus recently software but it didn't detect this new virus. Well, the reason is that this puppy was just found a couple days ago. So, even if you updated last week, you're still at risk.

My advice - get your anti-virus software up to date ASAP! And be sure to check out our online Virus Guide. It'll help you learn how to avoid getting infected by new viruses.

If you don't have Anti-Virus software, now's the time. We still have it Norton Anti-Virus on sale for $14.97:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/nortonav.htm

For more info on this virus, and how to remove it, head to:

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.badtrans.b@mm.html

Finally -

In addition, we have a couple of Bargain Bin titles that have been selling really well. Here they are:

# 1 - Carnivores - 3D Dinosaur Hunting - $6.97 (Free US Shipping):

Hunt dinosaurs in this spectacular 3D action game! Sometimes you hunt them, sometimes they hunt you. Either way, it's loads of fun! Check it out at:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/carnivores.htm

# 2 - ChessMaster 5500. We have it for only $3.97 (Free US Shipping)!!

No matter what your skill level, first time player or grandmaster, you'll find a challenging opponent in this game. It's one of the best deals we've ever offered!

http://www.worldstart.com/store/chessmaster5500.htm
(note that this title does not run on Win XP.)

Those two have been selling like crazy - we can hardly keep 'em in stock. So, if you want yours, better get them while you still can!

Computers 101

Q:
When I first purchased my computer, it seemed like everything ran fast. Lately, it seems like it just keeps getting slower and slower. What can I do to speed things back up?

A:
One sure-fire way is to do a reformat and re-install (NOT an exercise for beginners). If you've been running your system for awhile and have not done this, it may be something to look into. We ran a 3 part series on this topic awhile back. Here are the links to those pages:

Part 1 - http://www.worldstart.com/tips/rr1.htm

Part 2 - http://www.worldstart.com/tips/rr2.htm

Part 3 - http://www.worldstart.com/tips/rr3.htm

However, reformatting is probably a bit on the extreme side for most speed problems.

The most likely reason you are experiencing slowdowns (and possibly more lockups) is that there is too much "junk" running in your System Tray. It seems like just about every other program I install wants to put an icon there.

Each one of those little icons is actuality a program running in the background Some take up a lot of resources, some don't, but the overall effect is a hit in the performance dept. So, disabling all the nonessential programs in the system tray is usually a good place to start. See today's Tip of the Day for more details.

Another source for slowdowns is hard drive fragmentation. If it's been awhile since you've run a Defrag, now's the time. You can get to the Windows Disk Defragmentor program via the Start button, Programs, Accessories, System Tools. If you have problems running it, you may want to try running it under Safe Mode.

If you've shut down all the excess programs and done a defrag on your hard drive, you may want to consider getting some extra RAM. You can usually get 128 meg for under $30.00 - and adding more RAM is the best way I know of to boost your computer's performance.

Anyhow, there's a few suggestions for ya. Of course, the list above doesn't cover everything, but it's a good start.

Tip of the Day

Don't Start!

Web Link - http://www.worldstart.com/tips/msconfig.htm

Yeah, I know, I've run this before. It's just that I get TONS of e-mail every day that this tip directly relates to. So, here it is again - revised and updated!

Don't you just hate it when you've installed a program that insists on starting itself when you boot the computer? You know the drill. You install something and it places an icon in your system tray.

Now, all those little icons you see in your system tray represent programs that are RUNNING. If a bunch of stuff loads when you start your computer, you may be maxing out your system before you launch your first regular program. So, if you find your computer getting progressively slower as you add more software, it could be that these system tray icons are, at least partially, at fault.

In addition, program running in your system tray can cause any (or all) of the following problems:

- Sluggish system speed
- Frequent lockups / illegal operations
- Software install problems
- Difficulty in running some programs

The more of these programs you have running, the more likely it is that you're going to see one or more of the problems mentioned above. Granted, System Tray programs are not the only cause for the conditions mentioned above, but they are the first place to look.

So, how do you keep all these unwanted programs at bay?

1. Click the Start button and select Run...

2. Next, type in:

msconfig

Then hit OK.

3. The System Configuration Utility should run (please note that not all computers have it installed -see note below).

4. Click the Startup tab.

5. You'll see a listing of all the stuff that starts itself when your computer does. Just uncheck the programs you don't want to load and leave the rest alone.

Note - If you don't have msconfig on your system (win 95 / 2000 doesn't) then check out Startup Control Panel at:

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

It does basically the same thing.

Once you get msconfig or the program above running, you'll probably see more stuff than you bargained for. I would advise exercising caution while unchecking, especially if you're not sure about what program(s) you're suppressing. Stuff like "Scan Registry" and "System tray" are probably best left alone. If you see stuff that you recognize as being non-essential software, than uncheck it. This is one of those do at your own risk things - for sure.

If you're not sure which program is being referred to, look at the path. Sometimes the folder just before the ".exe" file can give you a clue as to what program you're dealing with.

For example, if I see something like:

"C:\program files\real\realplayer.exe"

I can guess the program in question is the ever annoying Real Player.

In general, don't disable stuff that starts like this:

"C:\Windows\"

Or stuff like this:

SysTray.exe

These are more likely to be important system files and programs. You may find that your computer won't run without them and you'll have to go into Safe mode to get things working again.

Finally, note that unchecking this stuff doesn't remove it. The idea behind having these programs start when the computer does is to give you fast, easy access to them. However, having too many of these programs running at the same time can hit you hard in the system resources department. I personally make sure anything I don't need isn't running. If I need it, I'll click on it's shortcut.

Cool Site of the Day

Make Up Your Mind!

Having trouble making up your mind? Confused as to what to do? Well if you'd like some help with your decision visit…

http://www.selectsmart.com/

The site has online quizzes that you can take to see what best suits you. Everything from help choosing the right breed of dog to what cartoon character you would be and many more.