Announcements

MSConfig Update -

We had several readers send in sites that relate to yesterday's tip on startup programs. These sites help you determine exactly which programs you should leave running and which you can shut off.

The one we like the most is:

http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

It gives you a list of common startup programs and a description as to what they do.

Oh, if you missed yesterday's tip, here's the link:

http://www.worldstart.com/tips/msconfig.htm

Computers 101

Q:
My Internet Explorer homepage is wrong. I don't know how it got switched, but now my normal hompage is gone and I have this new one in its place. How can I get my old one back?

A:
Actually, it's very easy - assuming you know what the address was to your original homepage. Open Explorer and head to your old homepage. Once there, click the Tools menu, Internet Options.

A tabbed screen will pop up with the General tab selected. Click the "Use Current" button

That should switch your homepage back.

This seems to happen a lot, usually due to an underhanded tactic of some unscrupulous site. What they do is put a line of code in the web page that generates a pop up box asking you if you want to set their site for your homepage.

In order to actually get you to say yes, they'll put some kind of message in that same box to "trick" you into saying yes to them - hoping you'll miss the part about getting your homepage switched. So, be sure to read carefully.

Oh, one last thing - if you really like your current homepage, place it in your Favorites folder. That way, should your homepage accidentally get changed, at least you'll be able to get back to it easily. Sometimes a custom homepage URLs can be long and complicated, so this is a good way to "back up" your homepage.

Oh, and speaking of backups...

Tip of the Day

Back It Up! - Part 1 of 2

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

As most of you know, I recommend backing up your computer on a regular basis. Since I'm always harping about it, I thought it might be a good idea to actually explain how to do this!

First, what exactly does it mean to "backup" your files?

To backup simply means to copy files to another disk. This can be in the form of using a program designed to do backups or just doing a straight copy from your computer to a floppy (probably a lot more than one floppy), a zip disk, or CD-RW.

For a zip disk, just copy and paste the files you want to save onto the disk. For a CD-R or CD-RW, use your CD burning software. (Note that most CD burning software and Zip drives come with some kind of backup utility you can use if you like).

If all your files will fit on a single CD or Zip disk, then you're in good shape just copying your files straight to it. If your files are too large, you're probably better off using a backup utility, since they can "split" your files up automatically and most can even compress them.

That's really all there is to it. You just take the files you want to be sure to save and copy them to a disk or CD.

Tomorrow - We'll look at steps for easier backups, plus some additional backup tricks and advice.

Cool Site of the Day

Debbie's Themes

Do you need a new theme for your desktop? A new background image? A new skin for your messenger? Well, give Debbie's Themes a try. There are marvelous free themes and lots of other cool things there.

http://www.debbiesthemes.com