Basic Computer Up Keep
FYI
While we did use Windows XP for our visual displays the basics apply for all other windows operating systems. This just means that the steps might be slightly different, but the end result should be the same.
Hint for those of us that are just to Lazy to TYPE-- I say COPY copy CoPy
To copy a word or a group of words. Just hi lite the words by holding left mouse and moving until complete. Then click right mouse( while holding pointer on hi lited text) and choose copy (or CTRL C ). Then just put mouse pointer on the location where you want to paste the copied text then click right mouse and select paste ( or CTRL V). This is very useful when you want to go to a web that has a very long name and various other characters just copy and paste the name into the Address space and off you go. What you type or copy into the Address space tells the computer what page you want it to go to. Your ISP( AOL, Earthlink, MSN, ...) converts the words type into the address space into a number. So, typing words into the address bar is like dialing a phone number that will get you to the Web Page you requested.
For Example
Here is what you had to type into the Address Bar in order to get to this page and its a short address
http://www.classifiedparkinglot.com/basic_computer_hints.htm
With this theme in mind
You can also copy the whole computer screen by using CTRL Print Screen which copies the screen as you see it. Then you can open up a word processing document file with notepad, word, word perfect or ... then do CTRL V and it drops the screen image into the file. (all of the screen images used below were created this way)
Remember that you can also
Use CTRL N to open up a new window while working on the web. this way you can keep the original page available while you use the newly opened page to search for other interest.
Below are a few things that will help you keep your computer up and running reasonably fast and some other things that might help you save time and money in general.
Periodically delete Temporary Internet Files
These files tend to buildup over time clogging up your system. The culprits are usually temporary files, offline content, cookies, history and other junk that slips onto your system when you download stuff or go too different web sites while surfing the web. Try this maintenance Monthly or more often if system is sluggish .
Note !!!
Clearing History wipes out the (address)list of web sites that are displayed when you click on the down arrow at the end of the address bar. Therefore, after clearing your history files you will have to type in the name of the web pages you want to go to. After this the system will remember the web pages and list them so you can click on the web page name to go there. In case you did not make the connection each time you type a web address into your address bar the address is stored into in a history file which is used to generate the (address) list.
While you are already there you should also clear your history files or set the number of days to keep pages in history to a low number (3 - 5)
" This is like a grease build up in the kitchen sink that you use Liquid Plumber to clear "
Under Microsoft Internet Explorer
Select >>> Tools
Select >>> Internet Options
Internet Options
Note !!!
This task is something that you do at bedtime and let it run overnight it may take anywhere from 1 - 10
hours to complete.This task simply reorganizes your hard drive . It puts the data on the system hard drive together so that when the system searches for data it is in order.
" Disk Defragmentation is like alphabetization of you CD’s so you can find the required CD more quickly "
START
All PROGRAMS
Select >>>ACCESSORIES
Select >>>SYSTEM TOOLS
Select >>> DISK DEFRAGMENTER
Click Analyze --- The system will tell you if the hard drive needs to be Defragmented
As you see from the above display I have been bad --bad -- b....
Run Windows Update Set to Auto Update
Go to Tools Menu
Select ---- Windows Update
then Select Express [ Critical Software Fixes ]
This selection allows for windows software update -- fixes to your software that might cause problems or allow other people to access your system
This should be run every few weeks or when you hear about some major Microsoft software problem that they have a fix for.
Install Virus Software and Set Auto Update for virus protection
Buy and install some type of Antivirus/Spyware/Worms software like Norton Antivirus or McAfee Antivirus…..
It is straightforward, pop in the CD and its automated -- set the software to auto update which means that it will automatically update when you get onto the internet. You should run a system Virus/Spyware/Worm scan on your hard drive periodically[ Monthly ]. Especially if the system starts to act squirrelly or odd. Typically the ant virus software will be activated for one year from the date that it was installed on your system. Most ISP’s( AOL, Yahoo, Earthlink, Bell South, ... ) provide tools like popup blocker, email scanner, spyware detection, system accelerator and other free software that you simply have to activate (turn it on).
Remember virus’s, worms and other bad things are often passed from system to system by email attachments. So be very careful about opening attachments from unknown and known sources.
Never go to a web site by clicking on a link in the email
You often receive fake emails that look like they are from a familiar site or person that you know. Looks can be deceiving, people spend countless hours creating emails that look like they are from your Bank, Internet Service Provider [ ISP -- Earthlink, AOL, Yahoo, … ] or some other company that you might be doing business with.
The point is
Never Respond to any emails by clicking on a link in the email, especially if they are requesting that you verify or provide your personal information.
Please keep in mind that even though the link may appear as " WWW.MYBANK.COM "
Upon clicking the link you will most likely be directed to " WWW.FORSUCKERS.COM " or some other fake mirror site.
Which will have a page that looks exactly like WWW.MYBANK.COM home page designed to steal your username and password or other personal information.
They usually try to get you to react emotionally. Some tactics include creating a sense of fear, appealing to greed or forcing a sense of urgency ….
Not all emails are fake so sometimes you might need to respond. The safest thing to do in this case is to go to the Address Bar and Type in the site name [ Example: http://www.mybank.com ] in order to go there. The other thing that you can do is look up the phone number call.
Also, never give out personal info to someone who calls and tells you that they are from a company that you do business with. Always look up the phone number and call back. Assume that any phone calls or emails that you receive are fake until you can verify them.
Remember nothing is free and you won’t receive fame and fortune from an email
In order to send a fax on your computer, you must
1. Have the computer attached to an active/working phone line
2. You can't be on the internet while faxing from the computer
3. You can only fax documents that physically reside in a word processing file on your computer
Note:
You can fax any document on your computer. But in order to use outside documents a scanner has to be used. The documents have to be scanned into a word processing file on your computer prior to faxing.
Let's talk faxing ( Sending )
Bring up the word processing file that you want to fax.
Under >>>File
Select>>>Print
Select >>> OK
Select >>> Fax then >>>OK
Next
Then >>> Enter necessary data until complete
You will hear the computer faxing , if the speakers are on and notification will be given during the process.
Please !!!
Remember to change your printer setting back to your printer name in order to print documents on your printer
There are two ways
to receive a fax on your computer1. This method allows the computer to automatically receive the fax
START >>> Control Panel >>> Printers and Other Hardware>>>
Printer and Faxes>>>Properties>>>Device Tab>>>Properties >>>
Receive Tab >>> Check Box - Enable Device to Receive Fax >>>
Select Automatic Answer (set number of rings) >>>
Apply
2. This method allows you to manually answer/ receive the fax
START >>> Control Panel >>> Printers and Other Hardware>>>
Printer and Faxes>>>Properties>>>Device Tab>>>Properties >>>
Receive Tab >>> Check Box - Enable Device to Receive Fax >>>
Select Manual >>>
Apply
Note !!!
Once you have received the faxes you were waiting for it will be better to set the fax receive option back to Manual ( as above). Some idiot's in the business community think that you want to get unsolicited faxes as their way of advertising. It will drive you crazy.
Note !! Compressed data files can be much faster to send over the internet than uncompressed/data files.
File Zipping is the process of compressing data. This process is similar to folding clothes. We all know that if you fold the clothes nice and neatly we can get more to fit into a drawer. What happens when you zip a file, the computer squeezes/packs the data file into a nice small box for shipping/sending. Upon arrival the receiver lets the computer program unpack the zipped data file to it's original state. You will notice that when a file is zipped it will appear with a picture of a zipper on the folder as below.
NOTE !!!
Please keep track of the location where you stored the files you zipped. So you can find them when using "Browse" to attach the zipped data files to your email.
To Zip a data file.
Example sending pictures by email.
Before starting to create your email make sure that the picture files that you want to send in the email have been zipped.
Steps
1. Right Click the folder you want to zip/compress
Select >>> Send To
Select >>> Compressed (zipped) Folder
Result is
Upon being received you can unzip a file By
Right Click the folder you want to unzip
Select >>> Extract All
Then select the folder where the unzipped file will go to
Typically you can get to the recycle bin by double clicking the Recycle Bin Icon on your desktop.
Then
Under File Select >>> Empty Recycle Bin and then confirm request to delete the files
This program searches your computer for files and other items that you can possibly delete on your system. It is like a weight loss program for your computer. It finds all these files that can be removed so your computer does not have process these extra files that slow your computer down. But the downside is that the utility presents you with a check list of possible items/files that can be deleted. Then it is up to you to choose the items/files that the utility will delete. The computer's operating system has no way of knowing what things you want to keep in your files and folders. So, if it comes back with a choice for you to delete the folder "My Pictures" and you have family photos in that folder make sure that you don't select this item to be deleted.
All Programs
Select >>>Accessories
Select >>>System Tools
Select >>>Disk Cleanup
Note !! Only make selections from the items that have been chosen by the Cleanup Utility Program
It is in your best interest to restrict your choices to only the files that the program has automatically checked. It is best not to delete any of the other items in the list because it could cause some major system problem if you delete files that are necessary. Remember if you start checking boxes and get distracted you can always cancel and start over from scratch.
Result Below
To add the Web page you are currently viewing to your Favorites list and then make it available for offline viewing, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:
| 1. | On the Favorites menu, click Add To Favorites. |
| 2. | Click the Make Available Offline check box to select it, and then click OK. |
To make an existing favorite Web page available for offline viewing, follow
these steps in Internet Explorer:
| 1. | On the Favorites menu, click Organize Favorites. |
| 2. | Click the Web page you want to make available offline. |
| 3. | Click the Make Available Offline check box to select it, and then click Close. |
Cannot find Server Internet Explorer (IE)/ Limited Connectivity (LAN)
XP SP2 will have incorporated XP SP1 & should have the latest IE6 which is
IE6 SP1.
Are you on a
Network?
Tools > Internet Options > Connections >
LAN Settings: uncheck automatic detection.
What is your connection?
Try Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Restore Defaults
Also Tools > Internet Options > Security > Default
Is there a difference when you link from:
1. a typed url
2. a url embeded in a page
3. a url in your favorites
Do the same pages repeatedly not respond or is it totally random?
Instead of the refresh button try pressing Ctrl + F5
After you do that once & leave the page; do you have any problem going back to
that page?
******************
ERROR
LAN Connection
Limited or no connectivity ????
Internet Option à Connection à LAN Settings à make sure no check boxes are checked
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