Take Advantage of Window’s Folder Views

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Viewing files and their attributes works great in all version of Windows IF you know hot to take advantage of the different folder views. It makes managing and searching through your files much easier.

In all versions of Windows, you can view files in List, Icon, Tile, or Details view. With Windows XP, you can view files in Thumbnail view or Filmstrip view for pictures.

  • Tile view shows an icon representing the program used to create or open the file, type of document and size of document

  • Icon view shows the icon as above, but with only the file name

  • List view shows a list of the files with small icons and file names

  • Details view (my favorite in many cases) shows the file names, small icons, date file was last modified (created) and size of the file.

  • Thumbnail view shows a small representation of the file so you can preview it without opening it.

  • Filmstrip view (only for pictures) allows picture viewing in a strip format

To change between these views, click the icon as represented in the graphic OR Click View from the menus and your desired view. From this same menu, you can also sort your files in many different manners. Take some time to become familiar with this tip…you will be glad you did!

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Tackle the OPEN WITH problem with confidence

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

The reason we see the “open with” dialog box (see picture) when a file is double-clicked boils down to one of two scenarios: 1) We do not own a program that can read the file or

2) We shouldn’t be viewing or messing with the file anyway.

To approach this box, first determine what type of file it was you were attempting to open by canceling the box above, then RIGHT click on the file and click properties to see what the extension is (the last three letters following the file name). You can check what type of file it was by visiting this web site: List of File Extensions. Then if you determine that it is a graphic file, choose a graphics program, if word processing try a word processing program, etc.

An easier approach would be to use a universal viewer program like Quick View Plus from Avantstar.

To see how to change file associations, see my video tip here.

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System File Checker (Windows 98 only)

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Some very astute listeners asked me to expand on the System File Checker I refer to on the air. System File Checker (SFC) exists only in Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE. Windows 95 didn’t have it and neither do Windows Me or Windows XP. 

SFC was designed to help cut down on illegal operations and blue screen make to crucial system files. If your Win98 system has become unstable or ‘buggy’, running the SFC can help restore some order and stability. When it runs, SFC looks for deleted or modified crucial computer files (system files) and allows you to
reinstall the originals.

To run SFC with Windows 98:

  1. Click Start –> Run
  2. Type:   sfc
  3. Press Enter on your keyboard
  4. Insert your Windows 98 CD (or know where your Windows ‘cab’ files exist on
    your hard drive)
  5. Click on the Settings button
  6. Check the boxes next to ‘Check for changed files’ and ‘Check for deleted
    files’
  7. Click OK
  8. Click Start
  9. If a file comes up as deleted or changed, you can choose to skip or restore the file.

For more information on SFC, visit the following sites:

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Stopping the Starting

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Are you having a tough time figuring out how to get some programs from automatically opening every time Windows starts? Then this tip is for you.

If you are using Windows 98, then the method is easier than with Windows 95:

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Programs
3. Click on Accessories
4. Click on System Tools
5. Click on System Information
6. Click on the Tools menu
7. Click on System Configuration Utility
8. Click on the Startup tab
9. Now simply scroll through the list of programs that are automatically starting, and uncheck the box next to them.
10. Click OK twice and restart your computer, that?s it!

If you are using Windows 95, try this:

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Settings
3. Click on Taskbar and Start menu
4. Click on the Start Menu Programs tab at the top of the screen
5. Click on the Remove button
6. Scroll through the list and click on the plus sign next to the Startup folder
7. Click on the program that you don?t want to start and then click on the Remove button
8. Repeat the last step for all the programs you want to prevent from automatically starting
9. Click on close
10. Click on OK

The Windows 95 tip will work for Windows 98, but if you have Windows 98, that methodology is more reliable.

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Stop the Windows password screen

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Follow either of these techniques to get rid of the Windows logon password (it doesn’t provide any type of security any way).

I’m going to give a couple of ways to go about it, because it can be quirky and not work the same way on every machine (imagine that).

Technique 1:

1. Click on Start–>Settings –> Control Panel
2. Double-click on the Passwords icon.
3. Click the Change Passwords tab and click the Change Windows Password button.
4. Make sure all three fields are completely blank and click the OK button to save changes.

Technique 2:

1. Click on Start –> Find –> Files and Folders
2. Type: *.pwl in the Named box
3. Make sure that “My Computer” is selected in the look in box and Click Find Now
4. Delete any entries that are found and reboot your computer
5. When the password shows up again, just click OK twice and you will never see it again.

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Stop the Messenger Pop Up Windows

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Recently, many listeners have asked how to get rid of the annoying messenger pop-up windows they receive when online. This problem affects only Windows XP users. These messenger pop-ups are NOT related to the MSN Messenger service used for instant messaging. These messages are unsolicited advertisements where the advertiser utilizes a function of Windows XP called the Messenger Service.

The purpose of the Messenger Service is to alert users on a local network (like a business) to announcements and company information. However, some advertisers have figured out a way to use this service as a way of popping ads in front of our eyeballs. Follow this weeks tip to stop these unwanted and unnecessary ads.

1. RIGHT Click on My Computer
2. Click Manage
3. Click Services and Applications from the left side of screen
4. Double-Click Services on the right side Scroll down on the right until you see Messenger in the list (alphabetically) and Double click on it
5. In the dropdown menu marked Startup Type on the general tab, click and choose Disabled.
6. Click the Stop button under Service Status
7. Click OK
8. Close these Windows

These steps will stop the Messenger ads and pop-ups permanently

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Run Scan Disk or Defrag in Safe Mode

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Performing regular disk maintenance on our computers helps keep them running smoothly. However, some computer users are not able to successfully complete the two standard disk utility programs…Scan Disk and Defrag. Scan Disk may produce an error pop-up stating that it tried to complete the operation up to ten times, but wasn’t able to complete it. Or, with defrag, the error may mention that another program is interrupting it.

The easiest way to avoid both of these situations is to run the utilities in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is the ugly version of Windows that you occasionally reach after a bad shut down. But, this ugly mode of Windows provides a great place to run your disk utilities free of errors. Here’s how:

1. Restart your computer
2. As the computer starts to boot up, continually push the F8 key until you reach a menu of options
3. Type 3 or press F5 to continue booting
4. The system will boot to safe mode
5. Perform your utilities as normal
6. Click Start –> Shut Down and Restart
7. Your system will then boot back to normal.

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Remove Password at Startup

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Are you annoyed by a ‘password’ screen that starts up every time you start your computer? Did you know that this password affords you NO extra security what-so-ever?

Well, if you are itching to get rid of it, here’s how:

1. Click on Start –> Find –> Files or Folders
2. Type: *.pwl in the named box
3. Click in the Look In box and choose My Computer
4. Make sure the Include subfolders box is checked and then click on Find Now
5. Delete any files that are found and close the Find window
6. Click on Start –> Settings –> Control Panel
7. Double-click on Network
8. In the Primary network logon box, make sure it says Windows Logon
9. Click OK and restart your computer
10. When Windows comes back, you will be presented with the logon screen once again, this time, however, DO NOT enter a password…just click OK (some users may get a second screen…just click OK again).

You will never again be bothered by the logon password screen.

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Quick Tweaks to Make Windows Snap

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

When I make a house or office call during the week to work on a computer, I almost always run through a few quick tweaks to make Windows perform just a little bit better. No matter how new a computer may be, it can’t be too fast. Try these tweaks on your computer to see if you can eek out a little more performance.
Disable Visual Effects

Starting with Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft added visual effects to menus and windows that do nothing but make us wait a little longer to perform our computing tasks. To cut down on these visual effects, do the following:

1. RIGHT Click on a blank part of the desktop
2. Click Properties from the menu
3. Click the Appearance tab
4. Click the Effects button
5. UN-check the first box describing ‘transition effects for menus’
6. Click OK

Disable Personalized Menus

This ‘feature’ really irritates me. Software manufacturers thought that by hiding our menu options from us and only showing the ‘most used’ items, it would increase productivity. Not in my mind. Here’s how to disable them.

1. In Microsoft Office products; Click View from the menus
2. Click Toolbars —> Customize
3. Click the Options tab
4. Uncheck the “show full menus after a short delay” box
5. Check the box that says “Always show full menus”
6. Click Apply and OK

Startup Menu

Lastly, I always check the Startup group found under Start then Programs. RIGHT click and delete any items from this list that you don’t absolutely need. Keep in mind that deleting these items will not remove them from your computer, they will just stop them from starting automatically.

You can also use some of our MSCONFIG tips (see archive) to further eek out more performance from Windows.

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Quick Access to a Calendar

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

If you’ve ever scrambled at your computer desk to find a wall calendar or
desk calendar to look up a date, then I think you will appreciate the
speed and convenience of this tip.

To find a date any time in the future or the past (or at least between
1980 and 2099) try this:

  1. Double-click on your system clock at the end of your task bar
    (usually located in the lower right of your screen)
  2. Click on the drop down box to pick your month
  3. Click on the up/down buttons to get to your desired year
  4. IMPORTANT:  Make sure you click on Cancel when finished so that
    your current date remains accurate. 

This tip works with any version of Windows from 95 right on through the
new XP. 

Give it a try and I think you will be surprised how often you end up
using this little jewel.v

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