Announcements

(Another) New Message Board

Well, we have another new message board for your computer questions. Although the last board was good, it just couldn't handle our volume. So we found what looks to be the board of our dreams. It's fast, powerful, full of features, and yes, it's still free.

If you were on the old board, you will have to re-register. Sorry about that, but hopefully this will be the last time.

Anyhow, if you have a computer question to ask, a tip to share, or just want to browse around, head to the new and improved message board at the link below:

http://www.worldstart.com/forums/index.php

Is It Magic??

OK, here's my problem:

I don't know about you, but I'm always reformatting my hard drive and reinstalling Windows. Of course, each time you have to back up all your data, then put all that data back on your computer once everything is re-installed. Gotta be a better way - right?

Well, I started using a program called Partition Magic a few weeks ago and it is going to make my life a lot easier. (And yes, I know it's been around for awhile, and yes, I wish I had been using it all along).

Anyhow, what this program does is allow you to easily split your hard drive into separate partitions - meaning you can split you C: into multiple drives, maybe a drive C: and drive D: for example.

Now, the really cool part is that it can do this without losing your data (the fdisk utility normally used to create partitions will destroy data). Plus this is a Windows program that uses wizards to make it simple - no messing around in DOS.

So, what did I do? I created a second hard drive partition (in my case, Drive E:) that I keep all my data on. Now, when I go to reformat and re-install drive C: all my data is safe on Drive E: (Of course, you should still back up - just in case).Using this system is an awesome time saver!

As if that weren't enough, this program includes a utility called Boot Magic that allows you to have several different operating systems on the same computer! So, if you want XP, but are worried that you won't be able to play your favorite Win 98 or DOS games, this program just solved your problem! When the computer boots up, just pick the version of Windows you want to run.

OK, so now you want one too huh? I don't blame you :-) The good news is that we have them for only $36.95 - almost half off the retail price of $69.95! And yes, US Shipping is still FREE!

To see all this program can do for you, head to:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/partition-magic-7.htm

PS - I am really in love with this thing and it's one of the program I would NEVER be without. I highly recommend you stop by the website and take a look at this! It's GREAT!

No Newsletters :-(

Due to the holiday weekend here in the US, we're not going to run newsletters on Monday or Tuesday. Monday because of the holiday and Tuesday due to the fact you'll have a ton of e-mail from the previous three days.

So, see ya on Wednesday! Have a GREAT WEEKEND! :-)

Computers 101

Q:
How do I download Wave (sound) files from the internet?

A:
Here's the problem. You go to download a Wave file, so you click the link to it. Then Windows automatically plays it, but doesn't display a download screen (OK, this varies a bit depending on what flavor of Windows / Explorer you're using). What can you do? Easy! Right-click it.

When you right-click the link to the Wave file, you should get an option to "Save target as..." Select that and you'll get a dialog box that allows you to put the file wherever you like. (P. S. This also works for stuff like pictures, movies, etc.)

That's all well and good, but where do you put all of these little .wav files? Personally, I set up a folder on my C: drive for 'em.

To do this, follow the procedure above, but when you get to the dialog box, navigate to your C: drive. Next, click the new folder button on the dialog box (it looks like a folder with a little star in the corner). Name the new folder Waves, and put all your Wave downloads in there.

Oh, if you're really in the dark about all this downloading stuff, check out our downloading guide at:

http://www.worldstart.com/guides/download.htm

Have a question for the newsletter? Submit it at the link below:
http://www.worldstart.com/submitquestion.htm

Tip of the Day

New Wave

OK, you've downloaded some wave files and you would like to use them in your sound scheme. How do you do it? Well, it's easy!

1. First, click your Start button, Settings, Control panel (XP users, hit the Start button, Control Panel). You should see an icon for either Sounds or Sounds & Audio Devices. Double-click it.

2. A screen will be displayed that allows you to change your sounds (XP users will need to hit the Sounds tab). Select the event from the "Events" box that you would like to add your custom sound to.

As an example, if you would like to change the sound you hear when Windows starts, you would select the "Start Windows" item.

FYI - If an item has a little speaker next to it, it means it has a sound associated with it (you can still change it). If there is no speaker, the event currently doesn't have a sound associated with it, but you can certainly add one.

3. Click the Browse button and head to wherever you downloaded your .wav file (if you followed the Computer 101 tip, it would be the Waves folder you created). Select the file and hit OK.

That should do it. Click the Preview or Play button to hear the new sound you've selected.

If you decide to change a bunch of the sounds, you may want to save the sound scheme. To do so, just click the Save As button on the sound properties screen. A box will display that allows you to give your new sound scheme a name.

Once finished, your sound scheme will be listed with all the others in the sound scheme drop down box.

--Steve

Have a tip for the newsletter? Submit it below:
http://www.worldstart.com/submitatip.htm

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Kewl Box Games

A while back I told you about a game called Santa Balls. Well, now you can check out more games by Kewl Box. At this site, you’ll find Braving the Elements, Sketchy Snow Sledding, Frendz, and many, many more. Two of my favorites were...

Flip the Mix - You have to match M&M’s and beat Red’s score. Flip the M&M’s by color so that you have at least a match of three. This one is as addicting as Gems.

Star War Villains Swappers - This is a puzzle game where you have to swap pieces of the puzzle until you solve it. Your goal is to do it in the fewest moves.

Sit back relax and play some games. Enjoy!

http://www.kewlbox.com/games/index.cfm

Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?
Send it to Amanda at amanda@worldstart.com