Highest Rated Tips

SHORTCUTS & KEYBOARD TRICKS

Frozen Computer Options
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Sometimes Windows will get itself all tied into a bunch and there is no choice but to cut the power to your computer and restart. Well, maybe not. Here are some other things to try… Continue reading

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SYSTEM TUNE-UP HELP

Deleting Setup Files
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Deleting Setup Files

You’ve downloaded some software and ran its setup program. Now you want to delete the setup program, but should you?

Usually. If it was a .ZIP file, you’re normally safe. If it was an .EXE file, make sure it’s only a setup program and not the actual program itself (in most cases, it’s only a setup program).

Here’s why:

The way most setup programs work is they… Continue reading

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FILE & DISK MANAGEMENT

File Name Characters to Avoid
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Ever try to save a file only to be told that the file name is “invalid” due to a character issue? It’s not you, nor a jab at your personality, I promise!

So, to avoid future problems, I give you a list of characters to avoid:

* Asterisk

< >[ ] Brackets

= Equal sign

+ Plus sign

” Quotes

\ / Slashes

, . : ; Comma, Period… Continue reading

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USING THE INTERNET

Stop It
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Q:
Sometimes I go to web pages that have information I need, but the animations and stupid music are so annoying. I shut my speakers off and try to ignore the animations, but I was wondering if there was a better way to deal with pages like this. Any thoughts?

A:
I think I was on that page yesterday

If the music doesn’t knock you off your… Continue reading

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SHORTCUTS & KEYBOARD TRICKS

Mistakes Are A Drag!
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Have you ever made a mistake while filling out a form on a web page or in a software program? If you’re like me, you occasionally find that you’ve put information in the wrong box.

Most people would just sigh, delete out the error, then re-type it in the appropriate box.

And we wonder why carpal tunnel syndrome cases are on the rise.… Continue reading

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SHORTCUTS & KEYBOARD TRICKS

Get Sticky
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

I love using keyboard shortcuts. They’re quick and make me look like I’m a pro… or something. However, I realize that many of you like to keep one hand on the mouse, so those three key combos are out. How about a way to type one key at a time rather than all at once?

This feature is called “Sticky Keys” and gives you a delay between key strokes when… Continue reading

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DESKTOP ENHANCEMENT

Clean Your Desk(top)
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Clean Your Desk(top)

Have too many icons on your desktop? You probably only have a few that you really use on a regular basis, so why not keep the other ones handy, but hidden?

Well, it can be done by putting a little folder on your desktop and dragging any infrequently used shortcut icons to it. Here’s how:

1. Right-click the desktop and select, New, Folder .… Continue reading

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SHORTCUTS & KEYBOARD TRICKS

Launching Multiple Programs
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Launching Multiple Programs

Have you ever needed to launch multiple programs? Normally, you hit the Start button, Programs , then select the program you want to run. Once that one starts, you go back through and repeat the process for the next program. Well, here’s a better way.

Next time you need to launch more than one program from your Programs menu, hold down your SHIFT key while you click… Continue reading

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COMPUTER TERMS

What Drivers Do
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Drivers are basically instructions that tell your computer how to use its hardware. Each hardware device in your computer has a driver. Continue reading

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Adjust Mouse Click Speed
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004

Adjust Mouse Click Speed

Do you have a tough time double clicking fast enough to open files and programs? Or maybe the opposite problem.

Guess what? Your double-click speed can be adjusted!

Just click the Start button, Settings, Control Panel , then open the Mouse icon. ( XP users, hit the Start button, Control Panel , then open the Mouse icon).

From the little screen that pops up, you should… Continue reading

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