tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65246323408245951192024-03-08T04:51:07.840-08:00WINDOWS TIPS AND TRICKSSuhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-79566229741438227352010-04-30T15:04:00.000-07:002010-04-30T15:06:35.832-07:00How to Access Frequently Used Items in Windows 7 with Jump Lists?How to Access Frequently Used Items in Windows 7 with Jump Lists?ump list is a handy<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">ump list is a handy way to have access to the recently as well as frequently used items on the computer. Jump Lists can be seen on the Taskbar and the Start menu when you right-click on an icon. Jump Lists function as small Start Menus which are application-specific. They can also be found on the icons of applications specifically pinned to the taskbar or the Start menu.</span></span> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">In the previous versions of Windows, it was not very easy and convenient to access frequently used websites, files etc through the jump list. . It allows you to get quick access to frequently used items in Windows 7. </span></span> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Access Frequently Used Items In Windows 7 Using Jump lists</span></strong></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Jump List Feature for Internet Explorer</span></strong></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p> <span style="color:#000000;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;"> Right click a program icon on the Taskbar. </span></span></p><p> <span style="color:#000000;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/search-start.jpg" border="0" width="282" height="379" /></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p align="left"> <span style="color:#000000;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;"> Click the first letter of an item to jump between them after you open the Windows 7 jump list.</span></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p align="left"> <span style="color:#000000;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/start-run-search.jpg" border="0" width="285" height="274" /></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="color:#000000;"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Jump List Feature in the Start Menu</span></b></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p> <span style="color:#000000;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;"> This feature makes helps you get easy access to the recently opened items on your computer.</span></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p> <span style="color:#000000;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/windows-media-center.jpg" border="0" width="370" height="391" /></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="color:#000000;"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">How to Clear Jump List History</span></b></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><ul><span style="color:#000000;"> <li> <span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Right click on Start.</span></li> <li> <span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Select Properties.</span></li> <li> </li> <li> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/windows7-properties.jpg" border="0" width="271" height="103" /></li> <li> </li> <li> <span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Choose Start Menu tab</span></li> <li> <span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Uncheck the first or second or even both the boxes if you want under Privacy. This will clear the history of Start Menu or Taskbar items or both.</span></li> <li> </li> <li> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/taskbar-windows7.jpg" border="0" width="377" height="413" /></li> </span></ul> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">The improved feature helps you access frequently used items in Windows 7 in a better as well as easier way. It makes your navigation quicker. </span></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><p><span style="color:#000000;"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Use Short Keys on the Keyboard to access frequently used items using Jump Lists</span></b></span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color:#000000;"> Windows 7 provides you with another method to access the Jump List feature. This method is by using the short keys on your keyboard. Windows 7 comes with a built-in shortcut key. This shortcut key can open up the Jump Lists for the earliest nine icons on the taskbar. So for the taskbar icon, use the shortcut key Win+Alt+1 to open the Jump List.</span></span><span style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-52044253914380193922010-04-30T14:53:00.000-07:002010-04-30T15:04:17.652-07:00How to remove the text from the Desktop icon?<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Desktop is the interface of Windows, which contain the icons, taskbar etc. that allow the user to interact with the computer to perform different operations. Usually the picture of icon represents its purpose so if you want your desktop looking very clean then you can remove the title under the desktop icons. May be you are thinking it is so easy, just go to rename option and set blank name or single spacebar entry but the problem is this, windows will not allow you to set blank name or name with single spacebar entry. Here interesting thing is this; window will allow you to use the ASCII code for a space, which is 0160.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/rename_icon.jpg" border="0" width="235" height="286" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">First clear all the text from that icon</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Now type the ASCII code, simply hold the Alt key, type the number 0160 from the number pad and release the Alt key then press Enter button to finish the process.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Before</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/icon_text.jpg" border="0" width="200" height="199" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <b>After</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/empty_icon.jpg" border="0" width="200" height="208" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> But if you want to remove the text of multiple icons, then repeat the above process with adding one extra ASCII code for second icon, (for example for second icon you type the 0160 twice and for third icon type 0160 three times with Alt key and so on).</p></span></span>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-16883062993333681952010-04-26T03:22:00.000-07:002010-04-26T03:23:19.271-07:00How to remove the text from the Desktop icon?<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Desktop is the interface of Windows, which contain the icons, taskbar etc. that allow the user to interact with the computer to perform different operations. Usually the picture of icon represents its purpose so if you want your desktop looking very clean then you can remove the title under the desktop icons. May be you are thinking it is so easy, just go to rename option and set blank name or single spacebar entry but the problem is this, windows will not allow you to set blank name or name with single spacebar entry. Here interesting thing is this; window will allow you to use the ASCII code for a space, which is 0160.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/rename_icon.jpg" border="0" width="235" height="286" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">First clear all the text from that icon</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Now type the ASCII code, simply hold the Alt key, type the number 0160 from the number pad and release the Alt key then press Enter button to finish the process.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Before</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/icon_text.jpg" border="0" width="200" height="199" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <b>After</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/empty_icon.jpg" border="0" width="200" height="208" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> But if you want to remove the text of multiple icons, then repeat the above process with adding one extra ASCII code for second icon, (for example for second icon you type the 0160 twice and for third icon type 0160 three times with Alt key and so on).</p></span></span>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-3474341373351905632010-04-26T03:15:00.000-07:002010-04-26T03:20:31.847-07:00How to Manage your Documents and Files with Libraries in Windows 7?How to Manage your Documents and Files with Libraries in Windows 7?<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;" align="center"> <span style="color:#000000;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"> How to Manage your Documents and Files with Libraries in Windows 7?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;"> </span></p> <span style="color:#000000;"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <blockquote> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-family: Verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;" align="justify"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">With the old editions of Windows like XP and </span> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Vista, it can be a tiresome job to manage documents, photos, music etc that are present in different directories on the hard drives. The new feature named Libraries in Windows 7 helps you to organize all your folders from different locations in the hard drives in a single place.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> </p></span> <span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt;"> Follow the given steps</span><span style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> to use default Libraries in Windows 7: </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">To access the Libraries in the computer, click on Start.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Click your user name to open your personal folder. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Libraries-Windows.jpg" border="0" width="367" height="459" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;" align="left"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Click on Libraries in the left pane. You will be able to see the 4 default Libraries: Documents, Videos, Pictures and Music.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Libraries-vedio.jpg" border="0" width="528" height="450" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Libraries in Windows 7 reveal files stored in different hard drives of the computer. This is what a Music Library looks like. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-6827212458261535"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; google_ad_format = "336x280_as"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_ad_channel ="1524239187"; google_color_border = "FFFFFF"; google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; google_color_link = "000000"; google_color_url = "000000"; google_color_text = "000000"; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/expansion_embed.js"></script><script src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/test_domain.js"></script><script>google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);</script><ins style="display: inline-table; border: medium none; height: 280px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><ins style="display: block; border: medium none; height: 280px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" hspace="0" id="google_ads_frame1" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_frame" src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6827212458261535&format=336x280_as&output=html&h=280&w=336&lmt=1269307465&channel=1524239187&ad_type=text&color_bg=FFFFFF&color_border=FFFFFF&color_link=000000&color_text=000000&color_url=000000&flash=10.0.32&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerfreetips.com%2FWindows-7-tips%2FVedio-Libraries-Windows-7.html&dt=1272244717266&shv=r20100414&correlator=1272244717308&frm=0&ga_vid=886355401.1262700624&ga_sid=1272244707&ga_hid=1523286895&ga_fc=1&u_tz=120&u_his=1&u_java=1&u_h=600&u_w=800&u_ah=568&u_aw=800&u_cd=24&u_nplug=10&u_nmime=57&biw=783&bih=409&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerfreetips.com%2F&fu=0&ifi=1&dtd=1036&xpc=nmPUo4NthF&p=http%3A//www.computerfreetips.com" style="left: 0pt; position: absolute; top: 0pt;" vspace="0" width="336" frameborder="0" height="280" scrolling="no"></iframe></ins></ins></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Music-Library.jpg" border="0" width="535" height="508" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">You can make your own Library in addition to the ones that already exist. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"> How to Make Your Own Libraries in Windows 7: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Click on the New Libraries button in the left pane.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Create-Library.jpg" border="0" width="290" height="237" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> A new Library will come up simply like a new folder.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> Label your new Library. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Work-files.jpg" border="0" width="361" height="160" /> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">As you go into your new Library, you can add new files, documents, as well as new folders.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/folder-image.jpg" border="0" width="301" height="153" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">In order to add new folder locations to the Library, you just have to click on the hyperlink that displays the present number of locations.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-6827212458261535"; /* 336x280, created 3/21/10 */ google_ad_slot = "8233855638"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><script>google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);</script><ins style="display: inline-table; border: medium none; height: 280px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><ins style="display: block; border: medium none; height: 280px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" hspace="0" id="google_ads_frame2" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_frame" src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6827212458261535&output=html&h=280&slotname=8233855638&w=336&lmt=1269307465&flash=10.0.32&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerfreetips.com%2FWindows-7-tips%2FVedio-Libraries-Windows-7.html&dt=1272244718712&shv=r20100414&prev_fmts=336x280_as&correlator=1272244717308&frm=0&ga_vid=886355401.1262700624&ga_sid=1272244707&ga_hid=1523286895&ga_fc=1&u_tz=120&u_his=1&u_java=1&u_h=600&u_w=800&u_ah=568&u_aw=800&u_cd=24&u_nplug=10&u_nmime=57&biw=783&bih=409&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerfreetips.com%2F&fu=0&ifi=2&dtd=79&xpc=uCzhDiSsar&p=http%3A//www.computerfreetips.com" style="left: 0pt; position: absolute; top: 0pt;" vspace="0" width="336" frameborder="0" height="280" scrolling="no"></iframe></ins></ins></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/work-files-labrary.jpg" border="0" width="234" height="179" /> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Click the Add button to include other locations of your computer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Add-Project.jpg" border="0" width="463" height="336" /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> Right-click on the Library icon.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> Select Properties and add a folder from there.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Add-Project-windows7.jpg" border="0" width="332" height="447" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">In addition to this, you can Right-click on a folder and include it in any library as you are navigating the explorer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/Open-Project.jpg" border="0" width="449" height="427" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">All this will make a little change to the user interface. It is very good feature and makes the navigation of folders and files very easy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <img src="http://www.computerfreetips.com/images/download-Labrary.jpg" border="0" width="526" height="454" /></span></p></span></blockquote></span></span><br /><br /><br /> With the old editions of Windows like XP and Vista, it can be a tiresome job to manage documents, photos, music etc that are present in different directories on the hard drives. The new feature named Libraries in Windows 7 helps you to organize all your folders from different locations in the hard drives in a single place.<br /><br /> Follow the given steps to use default Libraries in Windows 7:<br /><br /> To access the Libraries in the computer, click on Start.<br /><br /> Click your user name to open your personal folder.<br /><br /> Click on Libraries in the left pane. You will be able to see the 4 default Libraries: Documents, Videos, Pictures and Music.<br /><br /> Libraries in Windows 7 reveal files stored in different hard drives of the computer. This is what a Music Library looks like. <br /><br /> You can make your own Library in addition to the ones that already exist. <br /><br /> How to Make Your Own Libraries in Windows 7:<br /><br /> Click on the New Libraries button in the left pane.<br /><br /> A new Library will come up simply like a new folder.<br /><br /> Label your new Library.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> As you go into your new Library, you can add new files, documents, as well as new folders.<br /><br /> In order to add new folder locations to the Library, you just have to click on the hyperlink that displays the present number of locations.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Click the Add button to include other locations of your computer.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Right-click on the Library icon.<br /><br /> Select Properties and add a folder from there.<br /><br /> In addition to this, you can Right-click on a folder and include it in any library as you are navigating the explorer.<br /><br /> All this will make a little change to the user interface. It is very good feature and makes the navigation of folders and files very easy.Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-17846345505038315282010-01-05T03:20:00.001-08:002010-01-05T03:20:36.058-08:00A Quick way to print a Document<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;">There are many ways to prints a document, but you can print a document quickly if you put a shortcut to the printer on your desktop and drag a document icon to it, no need to open file for printing just drag a file to printer icon and get your print. </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-6827212458261535"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; google_ad_format = "336x280_as"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_ad_channel ="1524239187"; google_color_border = "FFFFFF"; google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; google_color_link = "000000"; google_color_url = "000000"; google_color_text = "000000"; //--></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><script>google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);</script><ins style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; display: inline-table; height: 280px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><ins style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; display: block; height: 280px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" hspace="0" id="google_ads_frame2" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_frame" src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6827212458261535&format=336x280_as&output=html&h=280&w=336&lmt=1236026783&channel=1524239187&ad_type=text&color_bg=FFFFFF&color_border=FFFFFF&color_link=000000&color_text=000000&color_url=000000&flash=10.0.32&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerfreetips.com%2Fwindow_xp%2Fa_quick_xp.html&dt=1262701290866&prev_fmts=728x90_as&correlator=1262701290728&frm=0&ga_vid=886355401.1262700624&ga_sid=1262700624&ga_hid=569648465&ga_fc=1&u_tz=120&u_his=4&u_java=0&u_h=600&u_w=800&u_ah=570&u_aw=800&u_cd=32&u_nplug=7&u_nmime=22&biw=783&bih=402&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerfreetips.com%2Fwindow_xp%2Fmain_xp.html&fu=0&ifi=2&dtd=18&xpc=lFwBCmLaCh&p=http%3A//www.computerfreetips.com" style="left: 0pt; position: absolute; top: 0pt;" vspace="0" width="336" frameborder="0" height="280" scrolling="no"></iframe></ins></ins></p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-88562208042799402842010-01-05T03:15:00.000-08:002010-01-05T03:18:18.990-08:003 stubborn PC problems you can fix<p class="intro">Ever notice how each PC has a personality of its own? Or maybe even multiple personalities? In the course of a week, your computer may act friendly, moody, and sometimes downright mean.</p><p>However, don't take a hammer to your PC just yet. The following is a list of common symptoms and treatments to help even the most troublesome PCs. You don't even have to be a psychologist (at least not yet) to deal with your PC's neuroses.</p><p>Windows 7 and Windows Vista usually manage this automatically, but overall you'll find that these tips work for all versions of Windows, from Windows 95 to Windows 7.</p><div><h2>1. You keep getting a "your system is running low on virtual memory" message</h2><p>Perhaps you're more than familiar with this scenario: You're working on your PC and notice performance getting gradually slower and slower. Programs become harder to open and close. You wait forever for Web pages to be displayed. And then, you get some serious-sounding "virtual memory is too low" message, like the one in the following graphic.</p><p>Don't worry: This message isn't as scary as it sounds.</p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/stubbornpc.jpg" alt="Example of a Virtual Memory is low message." title="Example of a Virtual Memory is low message." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Virtual memory low message</em></p></div><p>Virtual memory is the space your computer uses when it's short of RAM (Random Access Memory), which is the memory used when running programs like Microsoft Office Word or Microsoft Office PowerPoint. </p><p>So what can you do to correct this problem and prevent this message from coming up in the future? The following are some solutions to keep your computer from displaying the "virtual memory minimum is too low" message.</p><p><strong>Solution 1: Bump up the virtual memory size on your computer</strong></p><p>The first solution is to increase your computer's virtual memory settings. To do so, you first need to determine how much RAM you currently have.</p><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(11);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead11">Windows 7</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando11"><ol><li><p>On the <strong>Start</strong> menu, click <strong>Control Panel</strong>, then click <strong>System</strong>.</p></li><li><p>In the left pane, click <strong>Advanced system settings</strong>. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.</p></li><li><p>On the <strong>Advanced</strong> tab, under <strong>Performance</strong>, click <strong>Settings</strong>.</p></li><li><p>Click the <strong>Advanced</strong> tab, and then, under <strong>Virtual memory</strong>, click <strong>Change</strong>.</p></li><li><p>Clear the <strong>Automatically manage paging file size for all drives</strong> check box.</p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/pcproblems_screenshot1.jpg" alt="Example of the Virtual Memory dialog box with the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box cleared." title="Example of the Virtual Memory dialog box with the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box cleared." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Clearing the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box</em></p></div></li><li><p> Under <strong>Drive [Volume Label]</strong>, click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change. </p></li><li><p> Click <strong>Custom size</strong>, type a new size in the <strong>Initial size (MB)</strong> or <strong>Maximum size (MB)</strong> box, click <strong>Set</strong>, and then click <strong>OK</strong>. </p></li></ol><p><strong>Note</strong> Increases in size usually don't require you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect, but if you decrease the size, you'll need to restart your computer. We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.</p></div><p><strong>Solution 2: Add more RAM to your computer</strong></p><p>If you keep getting that dreaded "Your system is running low on virtual memory" message—even after you increase your computer's virtual memory—then you may need to buy more memory for your computer. To really work well:</p><ul><li><p>Windows 7 needs at least 1 GB of RAM to run. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx">See more system requirements for Windows 7</a>.</p></li><li><p>Windows Vista needs at least 512 MB of RAM to run, but for some applications (like gaming) 1 GB or more of RAM is recommended.</p></li><li><p>Windows XP needs a minimum of 256 MB of RAM.</p></li></ul><p>The more RAM you have, the better.</p><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(21);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead21">Find out how much RAM you have in your computer</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando21"><ol><li><p> On the <strong>Start</strong> menu, click <strong>Control Panel</strong>, then click <strong>System</strong>. </p></li><li><p> Under <strong>System</strong>, next to Installed memory (RAM), you can see the amount of RAM your computer has. </p><p><strong>Note</strong> In some cases, Windows reports both the amount of memory that's installed on your computer and the amount of memory that's usable. If you're using a 32-bit version of Windows, the amount of usable memory might be less than the total amount of memory installed. </p></li></ol></div><p>If you're at work, contact your company's IT administrator before updating the memory on your computer. They may have some memory available and can help you install it.</p><p>If you do need to purchase some more memory, stop by your local computer shop. You can probably buy memory from them, and they'll probably install it for you. Or, you can buy memory online.</p></div><div><h2>2. Your windows slide off the desktop—and you can't grab them</h2><p>We're all familiar with moving program windows around the desktop. You can click-and-hold the window's title bar to move it around. But what do you do when you accidentally move a window's title bar off the desktop so you can't grab it anymore? The window is stuck in that inconvenient position.</p><p><strong>Solution: Use your keyboard to help move your window</strong></p><p>The trick to moving these stubborn program windows is to use your keyboard.</p><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(31);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead31">Use your keyboard to move a window:</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando31"><ol><li><p>Select the program window you're trying to move, and then press ALT+SPACEBAR on your keyboard. The program's shortcut menu is displayed.</p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/Figure-8.stubbornPC.jpg" alt="Example of the shortcut menu." title="Example of the shortcut menu." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Accessing shortcut menu</em></p></div></li><li><p> Click <strong>Move</strong>. </p></li><li><p>Use your LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, UP ARROW, or DOWN ARROW keys to move the window so you can see its title bar on your screen.</p></li><li><p>After you move the window where you want it, press ENTER.</p></li></ol></div></div><div><h2>3. Your taskbar has disappeared</h2><p>The taskbar is that horizontal bar at the bottom or your computer screen that displays open programs on your desktop. The taskbar also contains the Start menu, which allows you to navigate to various programs installed on your computer. In many ways, it's your command central.</p><p>Thus, there's nothing more frustrating than going to start a program, only to find the taskbar gone. A computer without a taskbar will bring you to a grinding halt. </p><p>The good news is that the taskbar never disappears—it just hides. It may be hiding behind other open windows, or at the top or side of your screen. You can also (unintentionally) make the taskbar so thin that it seems invisible.</p><p>The following are possible reasons why your taskbar has vanished, as well as solutions to keep your taskbar from ever running away again.</p><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(41);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead41">Solution 1: Find your taskbar behind other windows</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando41"><ul><li><p>If you don't see your taskbar, minimize all windows on your desktop. See if your taskbar is hiding behind your open windows. </p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/pcproblems_minmaxwindow.jpg" alt="Examples of maximized window with taskbar hidden and minimized window with taskbar visible." title="Examples of maximized window with taskbar hidden and minimized window with taskbar visible." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Finding your taskbar behind maximized windows</em></p></div></li><li><p>Set your taskbar so it's always on top of all desktop windows:</p><ol><li><p> Right-click the taskbar, and click <strong>Properties</strong>. </p></li><li><p> Select the <strong>Lock the taskbar</strong> check box. </p></li><li><p> Make sure the <strong>Auto-hide the taskbar</strong> check box is not selected. </p></li></ol></li></ul><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/pcproblems_screenshot2.jpg" alt="Taskbar page on the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box. Under appearance, the Lock the taskbar checkbox is selected." title="Taskbar page on the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box. Under appearance, the Lock the taskbar checkbox is selected." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Locking and keeping the taskbar on top</em></p></div><p>Now your taskbar will always be visible, no matter how many windows you have open. Locking your taskbar also keeps you from accidentally moving it around.</p></div><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(42);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead42">Solution 2: Find your taskbar elsewhere on your screen</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando42"><p>If you have tried minimizing all windows on your desktop and you still don't see your taskbar—perhaps it has been moved. Maybe you've moved it yourself by accident. Or, perhaps someone's playing a practical joke on you. Regardless, the following will help you get your taskbar back to its proper size.</p><ol><li><p>As you did in the previous steps, minimize all windows on your desktop. If you don't see your taskbar at the bottom of the screen, perhaps it's hanging out to the side or at the top of your desktop.</p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/Figure-8v2.stubbornPC.jpg" alt="Example of the desktop showing a taskbar that was previously hidden." title="Example of the desktop showing a taskbar that was previously hidden." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Finding a hidden taskbar</em></p></div></li><li><p>Click-and-drag your taskbar back to the bottom of your screen.</p></li><li><p> Right-click the taskbar, and then click <strong>Properties</strong>. </p></li><li><p> Click to select the <strong>Lock the taskbar</strong> check box. </p></li></ol></div><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(43);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead43">Solution 3: Thicken your taskbar</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando43"><p>You can make your taskbar a thin line—so skinny it's hard to see. To see if you've done this unintentionally, perform the following:</p><ol><li><p>Minimize all windows on your desktop. Look at each side of your screen. If you see a thin strip, that's the taskbar.</p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/Figure9v2.stubbornPC.jpg" alt="The Windows desktop with the taskbar showing as a thin line." title="The Windows desktop with the taskbar showing as a thin line." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Finding a thin taskbar</em></p></div></li><li><p>Point your mouse at the strip. It changes into a double-sided arrow</p></li><li><p>Click-and-drag the mouse toward the center of the screen to thicken your taskbar.</p></li><li><p>After you thicken the taskbar, you can drag it back to the bottom of the screen by following the steps in "Solution 2" above.</p></li></ol></div></div><div><h2>Where to find more help</h2><p>This article covers three common PC problems. But if you're still unable to find the solution to your particular PC problems, check out <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/" target="_self">the Microsoft support page</a>. There, you'll find various self-support and assisted support solutions. You'll find answers to cure even the most disturbed computer.</p></div>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-53065622443579914072010-01-05T03:14:00.000-08:002010-01-05T03:15:11.476-08:005 good computing habits<p class="intro">Working off a slow, disorganized computer can be frustrating—and it happens to the best of us. This article is designed to give you some easy-to-follow guidelines on how to keep your computer on the right track using tools in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.</p><div><h2>1. Organize your folders</h2><p>We all know how easy it is to dump files into the wrong folder when we're in a hurry. But one way to make sure you'll keep your files organized is to remove the clutter with a filing system that makes sense for the way you use your computer. Here are a few tips to get you started:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Start clean</strong></p><p>Begin by deciding which files you no longer need on your hard drive.</p></li><li><p><strong>Think it through</strong></p><p>Take the time to plan the best way to organize your files. How do you spend your time on the computer and what do you create? Do you work with photos and image editing software, surf the Web, write short stories, research school projects, or play games? The folders you create in Documents (called “My Documents” in Windows XP) can be easily tailored to show you just the kind of data about your files that you need to track. </p></li><li><p><strong>Use subfolders</strong></p><p>After you have an idea of the kinds of items you produce and want to save, create folders and subfolders to store your files. Be sure to use logical, easy-to-understand names. For example, within Documents, you might create additional folders called Projects, HR Benefits, and Career. Then, within the Projects folder, you could create subfolders for each different project.</p></li><li><p><strong>Clean your files periodically </strong></p><p>After you have set up your file system, inspect and clean it regularly. Routine maintenance tasks such as deleting old or duplicate files and folders and making sure that important files are in the right folders can save you a lot of time and frustration.</p></li></ul><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ie/images/using/icoTip.gif" alt="Tip" title="Tip" class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><strong>Windows Tip</strong></p><p> To create a new subfolder with Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, simply right-click anywhere in the folder, select <strong>New</strong>, and then select <strong>Folder</strong>. Type the name for the new folder and press <strong>Enter</strong>. In Windows 7, you can also click <strong>New Folder</strong> at the top of any Documents Library folder to automatically create a new folder. For more tips about creating a well-organized filing system, see <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/productivity/files.aspx" target="_self">7 tips to manage your files better</a>. </p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/productivity/Atwork_productivity_5computinghabits_screenshot1.png" alt="Windows 7 screen with New Folder command circled and New Folder ready to be named" title="Windows 7 screen with New Folder command circled and New Folder ready to be named" class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Windows 7 screen with New Folder command circled and New Folder ready to be named</em></p></div></div><div><h2>2. Clean up your hard disk</h2><p>Now that you've organized your files and folders, and cleaned up your desktop, you can organize the data itself. Windows includes two utilities—Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter—that help you free up more space on your hard drive and help your computer work more efficiently.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Disk Cleanup </strong>compresses your old files so you can free up storage space.</p></li><li><p><strong>Disk Defragmenter</strong> scans your hard drive and consolidates files that may be scattered across the disk. </p><p>Not sure how often to run these utilities? It's really up to you—some people like to run both weekly, others prefer monthly, and a few only run them every few months. It's not a bad idea to do both at least once a month. Windows Vista users take note: Disk Defragmenter is automatically scheduled to run once a week (Sunday at 4 a.m.). You can change the scheduled time for this feature or turn it off, if you prefer.</p></li><li><p>To find both programs in Windows Vista and Windows XP, click <strong>Start</strong>, point to <strong>All Programs</strong>, then point to <strong>Accessories</strong>, and then choose <strong>System Tools</strong>.</p></li></ul></div><div><h2>3. Use System Restore</h2><p>System Restore is one of those programs that can be a life-saver when you've been the unfortunate recipient of unstable software, a badly timed power outage, or a damaging thunderstorm. System Restore records important documents, settings, and preferences on your computer. If the unthinkable happens and your computer files are damaged or inaccessible, you can use System Restore to restore your computer back the same state it was in before the data was lost.</p><p>System Restore creates restore points daily, and whenever you install device drivers, automatic updates, and some applications. Still, it's a good idea to get into the habit of creating a system checkpoint (called a restore point) whether you're about to install new software or take any action you suspect might make your computer unstable. That way, if there's any conflict at all, you can restore your computer to the point just before you began the installation.</p><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(11);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead11">Windows 7</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando11"><ul><li><p> Click <strong>Start</strong> <img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/atwork_maintenance_battery_icon1.png" alt="" title="" class="nofloat" border="0" />. In the search box, type <strong>system restore</strong>. Under <strong>Programs</strong>, click <strong>System Restore</strong>. Follow the directions in the wizard to restore your computer to the point you want. </p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/productivity/Atwork_productivity_5computinghabits_screenshot2.png" alt="First page of the Windows 7 System Restore Wizard" title="First page of the Windows 7 System Restore Wizard" class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>First page of the Windows 7 System Restore Wizard</em></p></div></li></ul></div><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(12);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead12">Windows Vista and Windows XP</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando12"><ol><li><p> Click <strong>Start</strong>, and choose <strong>All Programs</strong>. </p></li><li><p> Point to <strong>Accessories</strong>, then point to <strong>System Tools</strong>, and then choose <strong>System Restore</strong>. </p></li><li><p> When the program begins, choose <strong>Create a restore point</strong> and click <strong>Next</strong>. </p></li><li><p> Enter a description of the restore point and click <strong>Create</strong>. After a few seconds, the program will tell you the date, time, and description of the new restore point. </p></li><li><p> Click <strong>Close</strong>. </p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/productivity/fiveGood_restorePoint.jpg" alt="Create a Restore Point page with a restore point created for a specific date before state was lost." title="Create a Restore Point page with a restore point created for a specific date before state was lost." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>System Restore screen with a restore point created for a specific date before data was lost</em></p></div></li></ol></div></div><div><h2>4. Keep Windows and Office up-to-date</h2><p>Computer programs are continually improved based on customer feedback and continuing product testing. As problems are resolved, you should benefit from those improvements. By checking Microsoft Update regularly, you can make sure you've got the most recent Windows and Office improvements available to you.</p><p>Windows 7 and Windows Vista users don't need to sign up for Microsoft Update: an account is automatically created for you during the registration process and Windows Update is automatically installed on your computer with default settings that you can change later if you wish. </p><p>If you're using Windows XP, you have to visit <a href="http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/">Microsoft Update</a> to start the update process. If it's your first time to visit Microsoft Update, you might need to sign up for the service. </p><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/learn/windowsxp.mspx">Use Microsoft Update to install the update process for all Microsoft products on your XP-based computer</a></p><p>After you've visited the Microsoft Update site, you should also configure your Windows XP-based computer to receive critical updates automatically. This free service is called Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows Vista and Automatic Updates in Windows XP.</p><p><strong>Learn how to turn automatic updating on in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2797-windows-update-settings-change.html">Windows 7</a></p><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/learn/windowsvista.mspx">Windows Vista</a></p><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/learn/windowsxp.mspx">Windows XP</a></p><p><strong>Important</strong> If you do not select the automatic updating option we recommend, you must download and install every critical update. If you download the updates, but forget to install them, your computer will not be protected with all the latest enhancements.</p></div><div><h2>5. Run antivirus software AND a spyware detection and removal tool</h2><p>Updating your Windows software is just the first step in keeping your computer safe. Next, you'll want to download and install antivirus software and keep it up-to-date. Your computer may have come with a free trial of antivirus software, but if you don't renew your subscription, you won't be protected from all the latest threats.</p><p> If your computer seems sluggish or if you begin to see lots of pop-up advertisements, even when you're not surfing the Web, your computer may be infected with spyware, adware, or other unwanted software. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx" target="_self">Learn more about spyware</a> and what it can do to your computer. </p></div>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-30590168338407881892010-01-05T03:11:00.000-08:002010-01-05T03:14:30.180-08:008 ways to help maintain your computer and devices at work<p class="intro"> You most likely couldn't do your job without your computer and mobile devices. Everyday you use them to work on files, connect with people, and access resources. Keeping them running smoothly is important to working effectively. </p><p>So how do you start?</p><p> At work your computer and devices are part of a larger network. Keeping them running means you have to work closely with your corporate IT department. Working with them will save you time, save your company money, and help keep the network secure. This article includes tips and best practices for working with your corporate IT department to keep your computer and devices up-to-date and functioning properly. </p><div><h2>Who owns the computer?</h2><p> You use a computer at work, you may take it home, and you might even have a picture of your kids on the computer desktop. The computer, though, isn't yours. It's important to realize that your company owns that computer. They have the right to install patches and updates on a regular basis. By doing so, they can make sure your computer and the network run as smoothly as possible. </p><p> "It's common for IT departments to get complaints about patches being put on computers," said Jim DuBois, a general manager for IT at Microsoft. "But it is the best way for companies to make sure the network and computers remain secure." </p><p> To further protect their computers, many companies even prevent users from making changes to the settings or software installed on the computer. </p></div><div><h2>Best practices for maintaining your computer</h2><p> Use these best practices to help maintain and protect the computer you use at work. You should contact your IT department to determine their specific policies. </p><ol><li><p><strong>Install all updates required by your IT department.</strong> Not installing updates as required by your IT department can expose your company to viruses and other security risks. Some companies even prevent computers from accessing the network if patches aren't installed after a set date. Also, find out whether the IT department wants you to install updates on <a href="http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/"> Microsoft Update </a>. If they do, make it a habit of checking Microsoft Update regularly. You'll save yourself the hassle of the IT department forcing you to install updates when it's not convenient for you. </p></li><li><p><strong>Install only licensed programs.</strong> Make sure that you or your company have a license for any software you install on your work computer. Your company can get sued for having software without a license installed on its computers. For example, installing a program your friend bought could present some problems. Software that you've bought a license for is probably fine, but double-check the license to make sure. Sometimes, software bought for home use can not be installed at work as well. </p></li><li><p><strong>Don't install different versions of software.</strong> Even if you prefer the version of software you use at home rather than work, don't install it on your work computer. You could have incompatibility problems with the software your co-workers are using and with your specific line of business applications. Your IT department may also not be able to make any required updates or provide technical support. </p></li><li><p><strong>Let IT know when hardware isn't working.</strong> Fixing a broken computer yourself could just cause more problems. Your fixes, for example, could make the computer incompatible with the corporate network. Most IT departments have a helpdesk or technical assistance program designed for this type of work. The IT department may have already seen the same problem and have a known fix. Helping your IT department track common computer problems can also help them decide which brand and make of computer to order in the future. </p></li><li><p><strong>Let IT know when you need something.</strong> Giving the IT department reasonable requests and adequate time for planning can help them respond to your needs. Otherwise, you may end up with computer software or hardware you didn't want, which can hinder how effective you are at work. </p></li><li><p><strong>Don't download programs from Internet sites you don't trust.</strong> By downloading programs that may not be secure, you put all the computers on the network at risk. </p></li><li><p><strong>Be aware of suspicious e-mails.</strong> A virus introduced though e-mail may be disguised as a downloadable file. If an e-mail you receive is from someone you don't know, contains strange text, or otherwise looks suspicious, contact your IT department. If you open it, you could potentially cause problems for you and you co-workers. If it does contain a virus, the IT department can ask other employees in the organization to look for similar e-mails. </p></li><li><p><strong>Use online support resources.</strong> Many IT departments have created online internal help sites that could provide an answer to your computer problem. Each day, Help desks typically receive many questions that are already answered at these sites. For help effectively using Microsoft products, you can also use the following resources: </p><ul><li><p><a href="http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/default.aspx">Microsoft Office Online Assistance Center</a></p></li><li><p><a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242450">Microsoft Knowledge Base</a></p></li><li><p><a href="http://support.microsoft.com/gp/windows7#tab6">Windows 7 Solution Center</a></p></li><li><p><a href="http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732#tab0">Windows Vista Solution Center</a></p></li><li><p><a href="http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173">Windows XP Solution Center</a></p></li><li><p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help">Windows Help & How-to</a></p></li></ul></li></ol></div><div><h2>Buying pocket PCs and Smartphones to use at work</h2><p>If you work on the road, your company may provide you with a <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/devices/devices.mspx">Windows phone</a> to stay in touch with the office. If you buy your own, though, check with the IT department to see whether they have a list of recommended devices. There are many options for devices and data and voice plans. Your IT department may have brands, models, and plans that they already support. Buying those will make it easier to connect to the network and get support if you need it. </p></div>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-50566918885330746622010-01-05T03:10:00.000-08:002010-01-05T03:11:10.687-08:005 ways to speed up your PC<p class="intro">By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly. This article discusses how to use the tools available in Windows 7, Vista, and XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to more efficiently maintain your computer and safeguard your privacy when you're online.</p><div><h2>1. Free up disk space</h2><p>The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.</p><p>Use Disk Cleanup to:</p><ul><li><p>Remove temporary Internet files.</p></li><li><p>Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).</p></li><li><p>Empty the Recycle Bin.</p></li><li><p>Remove Windows temporary files such as error reports.</p></li><li><p>Remove optional Windows components that you don't use.</p></li><li><p>Remove installed programs that you no longer use.</p></li><li><p>Remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Tip:</strong> Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.</p><p><strong>Use Disk Cleanup</strong></p><p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Delete-files-using-Disk-Cleanup">Window 7</a></p><p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Delete-files-using-Disk-Cleanup">Windows Vista</a></p><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/improveperf.mspx">Windows XP</a></p></div><div><h2>2. Speed up access to data</h2><p>Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk when the file is opened to piece it back together. The response time can be significantly longer.</p><p>Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end-to-end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.</p><p><strong>When to run Disk Defragmenter</strong><br />In addition to running Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals—monthly is optimal—there are other times you should run it too, such as when:</p><ul><li><p>You add a large number of files.</p></li><li><p>Your free disk space totals 15 percent or less.</p></li><li><p>You install new programs or a new version of Windows.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Use Disk Defragmenter</strong></p><p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Improve-performance-by-defragmenting-your-hard-disk">Window 7</a></p><p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Improve-performance-by-defragmenting-your-hard-disk">Windows Vista</a></p><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/improveperf.mspx">Windows XP</a></p></div><div><h2>3. Detect and repair disk errors</h2><p>In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.</p><p>As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult, or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors, and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.</p><p>If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.</p><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="this.blur();toggleExpando(11);"><h3 class="expando-off" id="expandohead11">Run the Error Checking utility:</h3></a><div class="expando-hide" id="expando11"><ol><li><p>Close all open files.</p></li><li><p> Click <strong>Start</strong>, and then click <strong>My Computer</strong>. </p></li><li><p> In the My Computer window, right-click the hard disk you want to search for bad sectors, and then click <strong>Properties</strong>. </p></li><li><p> In the <strong>Properties</strong> dialog box, click the <strong>Tools</strong> tab. </p></li><li><p> Click the <strong>Check Now</strong> button. </p></li><li><p> In the <strong>Check Disk</strong> dialog box (called <strong>Error-checking</strong> in Windows 7), select the <strong>Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors</strong> check box, and then click <strong>Start</strong>. </p><div class="captionedobject clear"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/global/atwork/PublishingImages/maintenance/checkdisk.jpg" alt="Check Disk Local Disk dialog box, with the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box selected." title="Check Disk Local Disk dialog box, with the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box selected." class="nofloat" border="0" /><p><em>Example of Check Disk Local Disk dialog box</em></p></div><br /></li><li><p>If bad sectors are found, choose to fix them.</p></li></ol><p><strong>Tip:</strong> Only select the "Automatically fix file system errors" check box if you think that your disk contains bad sectors. </p></div></div><div><h2>4. Protect your computer against spyware</h2><p>Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the Web sites you visit to usernames and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer's performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using Microsoft Windows Defender, which is included in <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Spyware-frequently-asked-questions" target="_self">Windows 7</a> and <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/vista.mspx">Windows Vista</a>, and is available as a <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx">free download for Microsoft XP SP2</a>. Alternatively, there are other free anti-spyware software programs available.</p></div><h2>5. Learn all about ReadyBoost</h2><p>If you're using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can use ReadyBoost to speed up your system. A new concept in adding memory to a system, it allows you to use non-volatile flash memory—like a USB flash drive or a memory card—to improve performance without having to add additional memory.</p><ul><li><p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Turn-ReadyBoost-on-or-off-for-a-storage-device">Learn more about ReadyBoost in Windows 7</a>.</p></li><li><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/readyboost.mspx">Learn more about ReadyBoost in </a></p></li></ul>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-88956126880201074802009-10-04T14:16:00.000-07:002009-10-04T14:17:23.775-07:00Tired of chasing your mouse? Use keyboard shortcuts<p>The mouse, one of the greatest advances in computing history, provides you with an intuitive point-and-click method for using your computer. Depending on the type of work you're doing, however, sometimes using a mouse actually slows you down. If you are a good typist, taking your hands away from the keyboard to move the mouse can use up a few seconds. Over the course of a full day, you could save several minutes by using keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse.</p><p>You can use your keyboard instead of your mouse to do these three tasks:</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="listBullet" valign="top">•</td><td class="listItem"><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#1">Start a program</a></p></td></tr><tr><td class="listBullet" valign="top">•</td><td class="listItem"><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#2">Navigate menus</a></p></td></tr><tr><td class="listBullet" valign="top">•</td><td class="listItem"><p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#3">Minimize, maximize, and close windows</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div id="1"><a name="EEB"></a><h2>Start a program using a keyboard shortcut</h2><p>The Start menu is great for finding programs, but its multiple levels of folders can be time consuming to navigate. If there is a program you start frequently, you should set a keyboard shortcut for it so that you can start the program without taking your hands off the keyboard.</p><p><b>To set a keyboard shortcut to start a program</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click the <b>Start</b> menu, and then click <b>All Programs</b>. Right-click the program that you want to start with a keyboard shortcut, and then click <b>Properties</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67431-ie-Properties.gif" alt="Shortcut menu for a program with Properties selected" width="455" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click in the <b>Shortcut key</b> box. Now press the letter on your keyboard that you want to use to start the program. Make it easy to remember—for example, press I for Microsoft Internet Explorer.</p><p><b>Note:</b> You can use either uppercase or lowercase letters when creating your keyboard shortcuts—and when accessing them later. In the Shortcut key box, Microsoft Windows XP automatically adds <b>Ctrl + Alt +</b> before the key you pressed. When you want to start the program, hold down both the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously, while also pressing the letter you chose. This way, your program won't start every time you type that letter.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67431-press-shortcut-key.gif" alt="Properties window for specified program with Shortcut tab displayed and Shortcut key box indicated" width="427" border="0" height="374" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67431-ie-properties-click-okcopy.gif" alt="Properties window for specified program with Shortcut tab displayed and OK button selected" width="427" border="0" height="537" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>Now test your shortcut. Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys, and then press the letter you chose. If you find it difficult to hold down two keys at once, read <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/stickykeys.mspx">Turn on the Sticky Keys feature</a>. Your program should start.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67431-keycombination.jpg" alt="Pressing shortcut keys" width="530" border="0" height="310" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>When your friends see you start up programs without touching your mouse, they just might think you have a psychic connection with your computer!</p></div><div id="2"><div style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#top"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/business/templates/MNP2.Common/images/arrow_px_up.gif" alt="Top of page" width="7" border="0" height="9" /></a><a class="topOfPage" href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#top">Top of page</a></div><a name="EDD"></a><h2>Navigate menus using the keyboard</h2><p>You can speed up tasks in almost any program by choosing menu items using your keyboard instead of your mouse. This operation is particularly handy when you're performing repetitive tasks.</p><p><b>To control menus using your keyboard</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>With your program open, press the ALT key. Notice that one letter on each menu name is now underlined. To open the menu, press the underlined key. For example, in Internet Explorer, the <b>View</b> menu name shows the V underlined after you press the ALT key. To open the <b>View</b> menu, press the ALT key, and then press V.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67431-menu1-highlight.gif" alt="Menu bar with the V highlighted and underlined on View menu name" width="200" border="0" height="200" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Now, each menu item will show one letter underlined. To access or activate the menu item you want, simply press the underlined key. For example, in Internet Explorer, after you open the <b>View</b> menu, the <b>Privacy Report</b> menu item shows the V underlined. Instead of clicking <b>Privacy Report</b> with your mouse, you can just press the V key.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67431-menu2-highlight.gif" alt="View menu with the v in Privacy Report menu item highlighted and underlined" width="375" border="0" height="275" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>You can also choose menu commands by pressing key sequences quickly, without waiting for the menus to open. For example, to quickly view a Web page's privacy report in Internet Explorer, press ALT, V, V. Similarly, to save a Web page in Internet Explorer, you would normally click the <b>File</b> menu, and then click <b>Save As</b>. To choose the same commands using your keyboard, press ALT, F, A.</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div id="3"><div style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#top"><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/business/templates/MNP2.Common/images/arrow_px_up.gif" alt="Top of page" width="7" border="0" height="9" /></a><a class="topOfPage" href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/kbshortcuts.mspx#top">Top of page</a></div><a name="ESE"></a><h2>Control windows using your keyboard</h2><p>If you like to keep four or five windows open while you work (or play) on your computer, you'll appreciate knowing these keyboard shortcuts. You can quickly switch between your Web browser, e-mail, instant message windows, and other programs without taking your hands off the keyboard.</p><table class="dataTable" id="EWE" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><thead><tr class="stdHeader" valign="top"><td id="colEYE">Action</td><td id="colE2E" style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);">Shortcut</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="record" valign="top"><td><p class="lastInCell">Minimize a window to your taskbar</p></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><p class="lastInCell">ALT, SPACEBAR, N</p></td></tr><tr class="record" valign="top"><td><p class="lastInCell">Maximize a window so it takes up your whole desktop</p></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><p class="lastInCell">ALT, SPACEBAR, X</p></td></tr><tr class="record" valign="top"><td><p class="lastInCell">Restore a window so it's visible but doesn't take up your whole desktop</p></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><p class="lastInCell">ALT, SPACEBAR, R</p></td></tr><tr class="record" valign="top"><td><p class="lastInCell">Close a window</p></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><p class="lastInCell">ALT+F4</p></td></tr><tr class="record" valign="top"><td><p class="lastInCell">Switch to the last window you had open</p></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><p class="lastInCell">ALT+TAB</p></td></tr><tr class="record" valign="top"><td><p class="lastInCell">Switch to any window</p></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><p class="lastInCell">Hold down the ALT key, and press TAB until the window you want is active</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Programs often start up in a "restored" state, where the window takes up only part of the screen. To maximize the window so that it takes up the entire screen, press the ALT key, press the SPACEBAR, and then press X. This will feel natural after you do it a few times, and you will feel much more efficient while using your computer.</p></div>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-76976903564047002082009-10-04T14:15:00.000-07:002009-10-04T14:16:15.163-07:00Simplify using your mouse: change double-click to single-click<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>When you browse the Web with Microsoft Internet Explorer, links open with a single click. Yet, when you browse My Computer or My Documents, a single click lets you select a file or folder, but you have to double-click to open it.</p><p>If you'd rather single-click to open files and folders, you can change the setting on your mouse (don't worry, this process doesn't require any double clicks).</p><p><b>To change the settings on your mouse</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>My Computer</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67432-click-my-computer.gif" alt="Start menu with My Computer selected" width="400" border="0" height="527" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Tools</b>, and then click <b>Folder Options</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67432-click-folder-options.gif" alt="Folder Options selected on Tools menu" width="402" border="0" height="183" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Single-click to open an item</b>. Then, click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67432-click-ok.gif" alt="General tab in Folder Options dialog box with Single-click to open an item selected" width="386" border="0" height="488" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Now you can navigate folders and open files with a single rather than a double click. If you need to select a file, simply hold your mouse over the file for a few seconds without clickingSuhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-39545211116988300172009-10-04T14:14:00.002-07:002009-10-04T14:15:24.361-07:00Set your windows so they all have the same view<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>Microsoft Windows XP lets you show the contents of folders in a variety of ways, such as a simple or detailed list of the files, or as thumbnail images. Each folder in My Computer or My Documents can have its own view. That’s useful for folders like My Music or My Pictures, because you can look at your digital photos in Thumbnails or Filmstrip view, and see your song titles in Tiles view. But changing the view for every folder can be time-consuming.</p><p>If you prefer to have all your folder contents displayed in a particular way, you can save yourself some time by changing the view for all the folders on your computer at once.</p><p><b>To set your windows so they all have the same view</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>My Documents</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67433-click-my-documents.gif" alt="Start menu with My Documents selected" width="414" border="0" height="528" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click the <b>Views</b> button, and then click the view you want to apply to all folders.</p><p><b>Note:</b> For more information about views, read <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/folders.mspx">Specify how folders open</a>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67433-click-views-details.gif" alt="My Documents window with Views menu displayed" width="428" border="0" height="309" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Tools</b>, and then click <b>Folder Options</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67433-click-folder-options.gif" alt="Tools menu with Folder Options selected" width="428" border="0" height="309" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>Click the <b>View</b> tab, and then click <b>Apply to All Folders</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67433-click-apply-to-all-folders.gif" alt="View tab in Folder Options window" width="386" border="0" height="475" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>5.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Yes</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67433-click-yes.gif" alt="Folder views dialog box" width="497" border="0" height="133" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>6.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67433-click-ok.gif" alt="View tab in Folder Options window with OK button selected" width="386" border="0" height="485" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next time you open a folder, it will be displayed using the view you chose. To restore your original folder settings, repeat steps 1-3. Then, in step 4, click <b>Reset All Folders</b>.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-80827936490542882572009-10-04T14:14:00.001-07:002009-10-04T14:14:48.290-07:00Use a Web graphic for your desktop background<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>The Web has many beautiful pictures. If you find a picture you particularly like, such as the following image of the puppy, you can make it your desktop background, so that you can see it whenever you use your computer.</p><p><b>To use a Web graphic for your desktop background</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Use Microsoft Internet Explorer to open the Web page with the picture you like.</p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Right-click the picture, and then click <b>Set as Background</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67434-click-set-as-background-new.GIF" alt="Web image shortcut menu with Set as Background selected" width="530" border="0" height="530" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Microsoft Windows XP displays the picture as your desktop background. For best results, use large pictures that are wider than they are tall.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-66004199338915021972009-10-04T14:13:00.002-07:002009-10-04T14:14:17.280-07:00Speed up menu display<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>Microsoft Windows XP uses many visual effects to provide a rich, friendly interface. One of these settings allows menus to fade into view when you open them. This visual effect is so smooth that you may never have noticed it; however, the effect does cause menus to take a little longer to appear. </p><p>On a fast computer, this shouldn't be an issue. But on a computer that isn’t responding as quickly as you'd like, you can make menus display faster.</p><p><b>To speed up menu display</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>. Right-click <b>My Computer</b>, and then click <b>Properties</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67435-click-properties.gif" alt="My Computer shortcut menu with Properties selected" width="491" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click the <b>Advanced</b> tab. In the <b>Performance</b> area, click <b>Settings</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67435-system-properties-click-settings.gif" alt="System Properties dialog box Advanced tab with Settings button selected" width="419" border="0" height="486" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>On the <b>Visual Effects</b> tab in the <b>Performance Options</b> dialog box, clear the <b>Fade or slide menus into view</b> check box.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67435-clear-checkbox.gif" alt="Visual Effects tab in Performance Options dialog box with Fade or slide menus into view selected" width="367" border="0" height="535" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>OK</b>.</p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>5.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>System Properties</b> dialog box, click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67435-system-properties-click-ok.gif" alt="Advanced tab in System Properties dialog box with OK selected" width="419" border="0" height="496" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Now when you click a menu, it will appear almost instantlySuhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-16824937485653772932009-10-04T14:13:00.001-07:002009-10-04T14:13:42.719-07:00Instantly activate a screen saver<p>Screen savers were originally intended to prevent monitor burn-in, which could occur if a single image was displayed most of the time. Over time, that image would essentially become etched into the display, making the monitor harder to use. Monitor technology has improved over the years, and screen savers have become more a form of entertainment than a way to avoid burn-in.</p><p>Screen savers can be used to <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/diyscreensaver.mspx">display your favorite photos</a> or other images you'd like to see. Sometimes you might want to immediately start your screen saver like you would any other program, without waiting several minutes for it to start automatically.</p><p><b>To add a shortcut to your desktop that you can double-click to instantly start your screen saver</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click the <b>Start</b> button, and then click <b>Search</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67436-click-start-search.gif" alt="Start menu with Search selected" width="410" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>In the Search Results window, click <b>All files and folders</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67436-click-all-files-and-folders.gif" alt="Search results window" width="514" border="0" height="415" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>All or part of the file name</b> box, type <b>*.scr</b>. Then, click <b>Search</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67436-click-search.gif" alt="Search Results window with Search button selected" width="514" border="0" height="415" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>You will see a list of screen savers in the search results. Pick the screen saver you want. You can preview it by double-clicking it. To add a shortcut to your desktop, right-click the file, click <b>Send To</b>, and then click <b>Desktop</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67436-send-to-desktop.gif" alt="File selected with Send To and Desktop selected on shortcut menu and submenu" width="572" border="0" height="433" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now you can instantly start your screen saver by double-clicking the icon on your desktop.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-48442156261590538402009-10-04T14:12:00.002-07:002009-10-04T14:13:06.126-07:00Manually put your computer into hibernation<p>When you use a laptop computer, you probably try to keep your battery power usage to a minimum. You may also want to cut down on the energy consumption of your desktop computer. One way to save power is to turn the computer off when you're not using it. If you’d like to save power but do not want to wait for Windows to shut down and restart, you can use the Microsoft Windows XP hibernation capability. Hibernation saves your open windows to your computer's hard disk and shuts the computer down within a few seconds. The next time you start your computer, all of your windows open exactly where you left them.</p><p>Hibernation is an alternative to the standby capability and saves your programs and shuts your computer down completely. Hibernation uses no power, and it takes your computer just several seconds to recover from hibernation when you want to use it again. Standby reduces power usage when your computer is not in use by turning off the parts of your computer that use the most energy. Standby uses more power than hibernation, but it takes less time to start a computer from standby than from hibernation.</p><p><b>Note:</b> You can learn more about the standby option in your computer's power management settings in <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/powermgmt.mspx">Configure Windows XP power management</a>.</p><p><b>To put your computer into hibernation</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>Turn Off Computer</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67437-click-turn-off-computer.gif" alt="Start menu with Turn Off Computer selected" width="407" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Hibernate</b>. If <b>Hibernate</b> is not an option, read <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/powermgmt.mspx">Configure Windows XP power management</a> for instructions on how to enable hibernation.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67437-click-hibernate.gif" alt="Turn off computer screen with Hibernate selected" width="314" border="0" height="200" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Your computer goes into hibernation—a state in which it consumes no power. To wake your computer from hibernation, press the power button. If you like using hibernation, you can <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/powermgmt.mspx">configure your computer's power button to automatically put your computer into hibernation</a>.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-10047268425310464602009-10-04T14:12:00.001-07:002009-10-04T14:12:27.152-07:00Unlock toolbars to work with them<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>A toolbar is a collection of buttons or icons—usually displayed across the top of the screen—that represents the different tasks you can do within a program. For example, in Microsoft Internet Explorer, there is a toolbar for the standard Internet Explorer command buttons, one for entering an Internet address, and one for quick links you can set up.</p><p>When you open a toolbar, it will appear in a particular spot on the screen. If you want to change the location of the toolbar you can move it by dragging it to the new location. You can also resize the toolbar by dragging its edge. If you find a toolbar that cannot be moved or resized, the toolbar may be locked.</p><p><b>To unlock a toolbar</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Make sure you have only one window open for the program. (You can look at the taskbar at the bottom of your screen to verify this.) Then, right-click the toolbar.</p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>If <b>Lock the Toolbars</b> appears on the shortcut menu and is selected (a check mark appears to the left of it), click <b>Lock the Toolbars</b> to unlock the toolbar. If you see <b>Lock the Toolbars</b>, but no check mark appears to the left of it, the toolbar is already unlocked.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Note:</b> If <b>Lock the Toolbars</b> does not appear on the shortcut menu, you may not be able to move or resize the toolbar.</p><p>If you are able move the toolbar, once you’ve moved the toolbar to the location where you want it, select <b>Lock the Toolbars</b> so that it isn’t inadvertently moved. To make sure the change is permanent, lock the toolbar, exit the program, and then reopen it. The toolbar should be locked.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67438-click-lock-the-toolbar.gif" alt="Toolbar shortcut menu with Lock the Toolbars selected" width="331" border="0" height="192" /></p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-1546605583757514172009-10-04T14:11:00.001-07:002009-10-04T14:11:57.193-07:00Add familiar icons back to your desktop<p>When you first got your computer, it probably had shortcuts for My Computer, My Documents, My Network Places, and the Recycle Bin on the desktop. If you or someone else removed any of those shortcuts and you’d like to get them back, you can easily restore them. </p><p><b>To restore you icons</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Right-click the desktop, and then click <b>Properties</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67439-click-properties.gif" alt="Desktop shortcut menu with Properties selected" width="250" border="0" height="203" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>Display Properties</b> dialog box, click the <b>Desktop</b> tab, and then click <b>Customize Desktop</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67439-click-customize-desktop.gif" alt="Desktop tab in Display Properties dialog box with Customize Desktop selected" width="404" border="0" height="455" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>Desktop icons</b> area in the <b>Desktop Items</b> dialog box, select the desktop icons that you want to appear on your desktop.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67439-select-desktop-icons.gif" alt="Desktop Items dialog box" width="377" border="0" height="455" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67439-click-ok-desktop-items.gif" alt="General tab in Desktop Items dialog box with OK selected" width="377" border="0" height="467" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>5.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>OK</b> again.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67439-click-ok-desktop-properties.gif" alt="Desktop tab in Display Properties dialog box with OK button selected" width="404" border="0" height="465" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The icons you selected will be displayed on your desktop. You can also <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/addshortcut.mspx">add shortcuts to your desktop</a> or <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/organize.mspx">clean up unused icons on your desktop</a>.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-89368568292369875112009-10-04T14:10:00.000-07:002009-10-04T14:11:20.870-07:00Change the default folder opened in Windows Explorer<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>Microsoft Windows Explorer, which is accessible through the Start menu, is the tool you use to look through the files and drives on your computer.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/hwprograms/67440-open-explorer.gif" alt="All Programs menu expanded to access Windows Explorer on Accessories submenu" width="530" border="0" height="471" /></p><p>When you start Windows Explorer from the Start menu, it opens your My Documents folder by default. However, a My Documents shortcut already exists on your Start menu. You can put the Windows Explorer shortcut to better use by changing it to display all top-level drives and folders on your system. This change will give you a broad, overall view of all your folders and files.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/hwprograms/67440-explorer-window.gif" alt="My Computer window showing top-level drives and folders" width="478" border="0" height="408" /></p><p><b>To change how Windows Explorer opens </b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>, point to <b>All Programs</b>, point to <b>Accessories</b>, right-click <b>Windows Explorer</b>, and then click <b>Properties</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/hwprograms/67440-explorer-properties.gif" alt="All Programs menu and submenus expanded to access Properties on Windows Explorer shortcut menu" width="654" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>The <b>Target</b> box currently shows <b>%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe</b><br /> At the end of the line, type the characters <b>/n, /e, /select, C:\</b><br /> The line should now read <b>%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\</b><br /> Be sure you insert blank spaces in the correct locations. Then, click <b>OK</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/hwprograms/67440-click-ok.gif" alt="Shortcut tab in Windows Explorer Properties dialog box with OK button selected" width="367" border="0" height="518" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now, when you open Windows Explorer, it will display all of your folders and drives, not just your My Documents folder.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-35567393116976013962009-10-04T14:09:00.002-07:002009-10-04T14:10:42.086-07:00Schedule a weekly defragmentation<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>If it seems like your computer has gotten slower since you bought it, it probably has. One of the biggest factors that slows down your computer’s performance is <i>fragmentation</i>, a situation that occurs over time, in which files on your hard drive become divided into small pieces. Your computer must read a file to open, save, or close it. So when it reads each piece of a fragmented file separately, the effect is that the file can seem “slow” when you’re working with it.</p><p>Defragmenting your hard drive is the process of putting all the scattered pieces of files back together. Microsoft Windows XP includes a tool that will defragment your hard drive for you. To keep your system performing well, it’s a good idea to have Windows XP automatically defragment your hard drive every week. </p><p><b>To schedule a weekly defragmentation</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>Control Panel</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-control-panel.gif" alt="Start menu with Control Panel selected" width="420" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Performance and Maintenance</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-performance-and-maintenance.gif" alt="Control Panel window with Performance and Maintenance selected" width="341" border="0" height="289" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Under <b>or pick a Control Panel icon</b>, click <b>Scheduled Tasks</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-scheduled-tasks.gif" alt="Performance and Maintenance window with Scheduled Tasks selected" width="340" border="0" height="345" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>Scheduled Tasks</b> window, double-click <b>Add Scheduled Task</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-add-scheduled-tasks.gif" alt="Scheduled Tasks window with Add Scheduled Task selected" width="340" border="0" height="240" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>5.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>Scheduled Task Wizard</b>, click <b>Next</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-scheduled-task-wizard1.gif" alt="Scheduled Task Wizard with Next selected" width="441" border="0" height="334" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>6.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Browse</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-browse.gif" alt="Scheduled Task Wizard with Browse selected" width="441" border="0" height="325" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>7.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>File name</b> box, type <b>%systemroot%\system32\defrag.exe</b>, and then click <b>Open</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-open.gif" alt="Select Program to Schedule window with Open selected" width="563" border="0" height="419" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>8.</p></td><td><p>Under <b>Perform this task</b>, click <b>Weekly</b>. Then, click <b>Next</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-scheduled-task-wizard3.gif" alt="Scheduled Task Wizard with Weekly and Next button selected" width="441" border="0" height="333" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>9.</p></td><td><p>Set the time and day of the week you would like to defragment your hard drive. For best results, choose a time when your computer will be on but you will be away from it. Click <b>Next</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-scheduled-task-wizard4.gif" alt="Scheduled Task Wizard with a time and Next button selected" width="441" border="0" height="335" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>10.</p></td><td><p>Type your password in both the <b>Enter the password</b> and <b>Confirm password</b> boxes. Then, click <b>Next</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-scheduled-task-wizard5.gif" alt="Scheduled Task Wizard with password information entered and Next button selected" width="441" border="0" height="332" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>11.</p></td><td><p>Select the <b>Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish</b> check box, and then click <b>Finish</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-finish.gif" alt="Scheduled Task Wizard with Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish selected" width="441" border="0" height="333" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>12.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>Run</b> box, add <b>C:</b> to the existing command. Make sure you include a space before the “C:”. Then, click <b>OK</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-click-ok-highlighted.gif" alt="defrag dialog box with C: highlighted in Run box" width="406" border="0" height="466" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>13.</p></td><td><p>In the <b>Set Account Information</b> dialog box, type your password in both the <b>Password</b> and <b>Confirm password</b> boxes. Then, click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67441-set-account-information.gif" alt="Set Account Information dialog box with password entered and OK selected" width="360" border="0" height="196" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Windows XP will defragment your hard drive at the time you have scheduled. During defragmentation, a black window will open. If you happen to be working at your computer when the window opens, you can ignore it. The window will automatically disappear when defragmentation is complete. You can use other programs during defragmentation, but you may prefer to schedule defragmentation at a time when you won’t be using your computer.</p><p>Defragmentation works best when you have plenty of free space on your hard drive. For instructions on how to clear free space, read <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/improveperf.mspx">Maintenance tasks that improve performance</a>.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-84114512696777766252009-10-04T14:09:00.001-07:002009-10-04T14:09:57.049-07:00Set up your computer so that only authorized people can use it<p>When several people use a single computer, it’s convenient to set up a user account for each person to keep everyone’s setup preferences and documents separate. If someone wants to use your computer briefly he or she can use the Guest user account. By default in Microsoft Window XP, this account is disabled, which means that only <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/accounts.mspx">specifically authorized users</a> can access your computer.</p><p>If you have enabled your Guest account, you should disable the Guest account (once your guest has finished using your computer) to improve your computer’s security. </p><p><b>To disable the Guest account</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>Control Panel</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67442-click-control-panel.gif" alt="Start menu with Control Panel selected" width="420" border="0" height="524" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Under <b>Pick a Category</b>, click <b>User Accounts</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67442-click-user-accounts.gif" alt="Control Panel window with User Accounts selected" width="507" border="0" height="345" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Under <b>or pick an account to change</b>, click <b>Guest</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67442-click-Guest-new.gif" alt="User Accounts window with Guest account selected" width="521" border="0" height="305" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>On the <b>What do you want to change about the guest account?</b> page, click <b>Turn off the guest account</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67442-click-turn-off-the-guest-account.gif" alt="What do you want to change about the guest account? page with Turn off the guest account selected" width="520" border="0" height="323" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now the Guest account is disabled. As an added safety precaution, and to prevent users without user accounts from logging on, it’s a good idea to <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/accounts.mspx">add passwords to every account</a> on your computer.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-52645267812381487702009-10-04T14:08:00.002-07:002009-10-04T14:09:08.253-07:00Move your taskbar to a new spot<p>By default, the Microsoft Windows XP taskbar, which shows buttons for each of your open windows, sits at the bottom of your screen. That’s fine if you don’t open many windows. If you have more than six or seven windows open at a time, however, the taskbar can become extremely crowded. To make more room for windows, move your taskbar to the right or left side of the screen, where it will be displayed vertically, giving you room for more than a dozen windows. </p><img src="http://img.microsoft.com/Windows/ie/images/using/icoTip.gif" alt="Tip" title="Tip" class="nearGraphic" width="34" align="left" border="0" height="34" /><p><b>Tip: </b> If you have a widescreen monitor, placing your taskbar on the right or left side of the screen can make much more efficient use of screen space.<br /><br /></p><p><b>To move your taskbar</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Right-click your taskbar. If there is a check mark beside <b>Lock the Taskbar</b> on the shortcut menu, click <b>Lock the Taskbar</b> to unlock it.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67443-click-lock-the-taskbar.gif" alt="Taskbar shortcut menu with Lock the Taskbar selected" width="434" border="0" height="188" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Drag your taskbar to the left, right, or top of your screen. To drag the taskbar, click and hold the mouse button over the taskbar. Then, while holding down the mouse button, drag the taskbar to its new location. When the taskbar is in place, release the mouse button.</p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Move the pointer over an edge of the taskbar until the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow. Click the mouse button, and drag the edge of the taskbar to widen it. When you can read the window titles, release the mouse button.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67443-resize-taskbar.gif" alt="Resized taskbar" width="141" border="0" height="480" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>Finally, to prevent your taskbar from being accidentally moved, right-click your taskbar, and click <b>Lock the Taskbar</b> on the shortcut menu. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67443-click-lock-the-taskbar2.gif" alt="Resized taskbar with Lock the Taskbar selected on the shortcut menu" width="214" border="0" height="480" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-57874399228956279682009-10-04T14:08:00.001-07:002009-10-04T14:08:37.069-07:00Display the Quick Launch bar<p>The Quick Launch bar is a list of shortcuts to your favorite programs. You can use the Quick Launch bar to open programs with a single click, without having to go through the <b>Start</b> menu. Microsoft Windows XP displays the Quick Launch bar by default, so it might already be part of your taskbar. Look for the Quick Launch bar directly to the right of your <b>Start</b> button.</p><p>If you have disabled your Quick Launch bar, you can display it by right-clicking your taskbar, clicking <b>Toolbars</b>, and then clicking <b>Quick Launch</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67444-select-quick-launch.gif" alt="The Toolbars shortcut menu with Toolbars and then Quick Launch selected" width="442" border="0" height="187" /></p><p>Windows XP displays the Quick Launch bar, which by default shows shortcuts for opening Microsoft Internet Explorer and for displaying your desktop. Other programs might add a shortcut to the Quick Launch bar, too. </p><p>To start a program, just click the shortcut.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67444-click-quick-launch-button.gif" alt="The Quick Launch bar with the Window Media Player shortcut selected" width="250" border="0" height="31" /></p><p>With the Quick Launch bar displayed on your taskbar, your favorite programs are just a click away.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-38072008872852620112009-10-04T14:07:00.000-07:002009-10-04T14:08:03.928-07:00Add a shortcut to your desktop<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>You can create shortcuts on your desktop that enable you to open your favorite files and folders by simply double-clicking your mouse. </p><p><b>To add a shortcut from a file to your desktop</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Browse through your <b>My Documents</b> folder, and find the file that you want to create a shortcut to. </p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Right-click the file that you want to be able to open from your desktop, click <b>Send To</b>, and then click <b>Desktop</b>. </p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67445-click-send-to-desktop.gif" alt="File shortcut menu with Send To – Desktop (create shortcut) selected" width="422" border="0" height="423" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>You’ll see the shortcut on your desktop.</p><p><b>Note: </b> The shortcut icon has an arrow in the lower-left corner to indicate that it’s a shortcut rather than the actual file. You can open a shortcut just like you would any other file by double-clicking it. However, if you delete the shortcut, you won’t remove the file itself.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67445-shortcut-icon.gif" alt="Shortcuts as they appear on the desktop" width="161" border="0" height="139" /></p><p>For more information about shortcuts, read <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/shortcuts.mspx">Working with icons and shortcuts</a>. </p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6524632340824595119.post-49911303369195775282009-10-04T14:06:00.000-07:002009-10-04T14:07:11.146-07:00Time zones, Daylight Saving Time, and e-mail<h1><br /></h1><div class="date"><br /></div><p>Time zones and Daylight Saving Time (DST) are sometimes confusing. If you travel between time zones, do you set your clock forward or back? If a friend sends you an e-mail at noon, whose time zone is reflected in Microsoft Outlook—yours or your friend’s? What day should you change your clock for daylight-saving time, and do you move forward or back an hour?</p><p>Fortunately, Microsoft Windows XP helps you answer these questions by automatically translating times from other computers into your local time zone. Windows XP can also automatically adjust your clock for DST. Traveling between time zones is easy because you can select the new time zone, and Windows XP sets your clock correctly. </p><p>Your computer keeps track of time using Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Your computer automatically adjusts the time on your system clock, in incoming e-mail messages, in the Event Viewer administrative tool, and elsewhere to the correct time zone. It is important for you to set your time zone correctly and to update it when you travel. If your time zone isn't kept up to date—even if your clock is set correctly on your computer—the time stamps on e-mail messages you send will be wrong.</p><p>For example, if you are in the Eastern United States time zone (GMT-5), and a friend in the Pacific United States time zone (GMT-8) sends you an e-mail at 8:00 A.M. (your friend’s time), Outlook converts the time to 11:00 A.M. to reflect your local time zone. Similarly, if you monitor events on remote computers in other time zones, Event Viewer always displays those event dates and times in your local time zone.</p><a name="EZ"></a><h2>How to change the time zone</h2><p><b>To change the time zone and enable automatic adjustment for DST</b></p><table class="numberedList" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>1.</p></td><td><p>Right-click your <b>system clock</b>, and then click <b>Adjust Date/Time</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67446-click-adjust-date-time.gif" alt="The system clock right-click menu with Adjust Date/Time selected" width="248" border="0" height="231" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>2.</p></td><td><p>Click the <b>Time Zone</b> tab. Click the list, and then click on your time zone.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67446-change-time-zone.gif" alt="The Time Zone tab with Central Time selected" width="404" border="0" height="478" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>3.</p></td><td><p>Select the <b>Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes</b> check box, if your region uses daylight-saving time.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67446-select-automatically-adjust-clock.gif" alt="The Time Zone tab with "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes" selected" width="404" border="0" height="348" /></p></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td class="listNumber" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><p>4.</p></td><td><p>Click <b>OK</b>.</p><p><img src="http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/tips/67446-click-ok.gif" alt="The Time Zone tab with the OK button selected" width="404" border="0" height="359" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now, all references to time reflect your new time zone. This includes the times shown for incoming e-mail messages, event times in Event Viewer, and when scheduled tasks run.</p><p><b>Note: </b> If you use Event Viewer, DST can cause unexpected behavior because Event Viewer changes the displayed time (and possibly the date) for events that have already occurred. For example, if an event occurred at 6:00 P.M. in standard time, after you move into DST, that event appears as if it had occurred at 7:00 P.M.</p>Suhail Rizwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05835885142560585399noreply@blogger.com0