Posts Tagged: attach

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
12
May 08

Eee PC 900

The new ASUS Eee PC 900 is finally available in the United States. Like its release earlier this year in Asia, the 900 version is selling like hot cakes in the U.S. too. I have been using the 4G version of the  original ASUS Eee PC since November 2007 and wrote a few articles about it that can be found here. I originally bought it to try it out and see what all the fuss was about, but quickly became attached to its ultra portability and usablity.

The main differences in the new 900 model versus the older model are a larger screen (9″ vs. 7″) and a larger hard drive (20 GB vs. 4-8 GB). The larger screen brings a higher resolution which will make working with some web applications easier and require less horizontal scrolling. The hard drives are solid state (no moving parts) flash drives. These little gems aren’t meant to completely replace your computer or main laptop…although they could. The target market is travelers, kids, and computer enthusiasts who wouldn’t mind a second computer for traveling or for kid’s web surfing and document creation. The keyboards on these machines are small, but easy to adapt to with a little practice.

The Eee PC’s I linked up in this article come pre-installed with a Linux operating system. Which means, you won’t have to worry about installing, configuring, and keep updating anti-virus and anti-spyware software. However, if you must have Windows, the Eee PC also released the same Eee PC 900 version with Windows XP and a 12 GB solid state drive (the drive is smaller to make up for the cost of Windows). Once you see one of these little marvels and see it properly demonstrated, you will realize how functional they really are for a significant segment of the computing population.

Hardware Tips — No Comments
1
May 08

Troubleshoot Hardware Problems Using the Device Manager – Video Tip

Starting with Windows 95 all the way through today’s Windows Vista, Microsoft supplied computer users with a great tool listing the different hardware devices attached to and residing in our computers. This tool is called the Device Manager.

Today’s tip focuses on how to use the Device Manager to troubleshoot a video card, sound card or other internal hardware problem. If you suddenly lose sound or your monitor’s picture lacks the quality it had before, or you can’t connect your high speed modem to your computer, this tip will solve the problem a high percentage of the time.

1. RIGHT Click on My Computer from your desktop or Start menu (XP & Vista)

2. Click Properties (or use the Windows key + Pause/Break key to replace these two steps)

3. Click Device Manager (Windows 95-Me, Vista). or in WindowsVista Click the Hardware tab –> then click Device Manager (XP)

4. Click the “+” sign next to the device having the problem

5. RIGHT Click the device itself

6. Click Remove (Windows 95-Me) or Uninstall (XP & Vista)

7. Close any open screens and shut down your computer (don’t just restart, shut it all the way off)

8. When Windows restarts, it should re-recognize your hardware and function properly again.

 If these steps don’t work, then you get some extra computer help.

Watch the short (2 minutes) video below to see these steps in action!

 

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 9 Comments
1
Apr 08

Save pictures from email – Video Tip

It’s been almost one year since I first posted this tip. We have many new visitors this year, and not enough of you are heading my advice yet on this subject, so I’m posting it again. Please believe me when I tell you that this tip alone can save you countless dollars, time, and tears!

Through my travels, I have noticed that many computer users save emails with pictures because they are unsure of how to save those pictures. Saving lots of pictures in your email program can drastically slow down the performance of the email program over time. Email programs typically can handle thousands of messages, but if something happens to the email database, and you haven't backed up those databases, the pictures will be gone for good. Your best insurance for saving pictures is to save them to a folder on your computer (like My Pictures or a subfolder of My Pictures) then back them up on a regular basis.

To save pictures from your email to a folder on your hard drive, do the following:

Outlook Express

1. Click the paper clip icon in the preview pane*
2. Click Save Attachments
3. In the "Save To" box at the bottom of the dialog box that pops up, click Browse and choose where YOU want to save the pictures and click OK
4. Click Save

* If you read your Outlook Express email in its own window, then RIGHT Click on the attachment name and click Save As

AOL

Click the "Download Now" button at the bottom of the email you are reading and follow on-screen instructions. Remember that most AOL versions automatically download to an AOL Downloads folder in the AOL directory. It differs, however, from version to version.

Juno/NetZero

Depending on your method of reading messages, the technique changes, but generally you should be able to RIGHT click on an attachment and save it.

For any email program that you can see the picture in the body of the message, you can RIGHT click on the photo itself to save it by clicking "Save As" or "Save Picture As".

Keeping your pictures stored in a known folder allows you to access the pictures easier, print them easier and most importantly gives you the ability to back them up. For more tips about receiving, printing and sending pictures via email, browse through our tips archive.

Watch the video below for a demonstration of this tip.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — 2 Comments
19
Mar 08

Where to buy a book manual for your computer

“Why didn’t my computer come with a manual?”

One of the most common complaints we hear is about how new computers don’t come with manuals. I am here to explain why this is the case.

The sad answer is that if the computer company came with a manual, it would weigh more than the computer.

“But my old computers used to come with manuals…,” Is the next comment.

Back in the old days of computers there weren’t many uses. You would use computers for word processing, finances, Internet and email. In each case there were only a handful of options.

Putting together a manual meant covering how to do email in AOL or Outlook Express. Word Processing was done in Word or WordPerfect. Finances were done with Quicken. Internet was AOL or Internet Explorer.

Today the options are endless. The method of attaching a file to email is different depending on whether you use AOL, Yahoo, Comcast, Yahoo, Juno, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Gmail, etc. Just covering how to read an email could take up 10 pages of a book because the book would have to explain how too do it on each system.

In every case the book would be more confusing than having no book and you would pay a premium for it because of the size.

Add to that the fact that we now use computers for phone calls, digital photography, movie editing, calenders, games, and holographic teleportation. Covering all of these processes in depth would mean including a manual that covered Picasa, Word, WordPerfect, Photoshop Elements, every email system, Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer 6 and 7, Skype, iTunes, Windows Media Player, MusicMatch, Google…

In other words, once you turn on your computer, you actually never use your computer. You use the software.

If you want to learn how to use the computer, you need to learn the program that you are using. If you want to learn Quicken, buy a book on Quicken. If you want to learn email, buy a book on your specific email system.

If you don’t want to buy a bunch of books, simply buy one book on Google and that will take you into the world of free answers on the Internet.

Oh, and make sure to always check HelpMeRick.com first and we will point you in the right direction.

 

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
22
Feb 08

Always check the cables

Two customer visits this week took less than 10 minutes after I arrived on the scene. When printers, speakers, keyboards, mice, etc stop working and I get a call, the first thing I ask is whether the cables/cords are all plugged in correctly or at all. About 50% of the time, I’m told either “yes they are” or “I don’t know how to check them and want you to do it.” I show up and check the cables, attach them securely to their correct spots and then everything works.

The next time you lose sound, can’t print, lose your keyboard or mouse function follow these steps to save you lots of time, frustration, and money:

  1. Shut down the computer
  2. Follow the cables coming from the offending piece of hardware to their ends in the computer.
  3. Pull the cable out, and firmly reattach it to its computer home
  4. Also, do the same thing with the power cables for any devices that use separate power cables
  5. If your mice and/or keyboard require batteries, replace them when you lose mouse or keyboard function
  6. Now turn your computer back on again and see what happens.

If you have trouble figuring out what cables go to what ports on your computer, use tape and a Sharpie to label both the PC and the cable itself to properly match up plethora of cables hanging from the back of your computer. You can also couple this with a photo of the back of your computer to use as a reference as well.

Bottom line:  Don’t call phone tech support for these kind of hardware issues until you are positive that the cables/batteries all are attached and functioning properly. Phone support can’t see those things and might guide you down the wrong path that will cause problems once you hang up with them.

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
5
Feb 08

Brain transplant

If I could impart one aspect of my computer knowledge to everyone who uses a computer, it would be the ability to understand file management.

File management, in the computer world, means how information (files) are stored and utilized on a computer system. Understanding file management, means understanding:

  • How to locate files (documents, pictures, spreadsheets, music, etc) on your computer.
  • How to move those files from one area (directory or folder) to another area on the computer.
  • How to delete those files.
  • How to backup those files so you never lose them.
  • How to send the files to another person via email.
  • How to manipulate the file in various programs and understand what programs can manipulate what files.
  • How to properly save an email attachment and how to find it any time you need it.
  • How to determine how much physical space a file uses and how much space is available on your hard drive, cd, flash drive, etc.

The answers to all these questions give a computer user so much more confidence and power than a person who doesn’t have this knowledge. With solid file management know-how, many aspects of computing that used to be a chore become routine. Questions that have been haunting a computer user for years, suddenly become clear with the knowledge of file management.

In my day-to-day dealings with computer users of all abilities, the lack of file management knowledge clearly stands out as being the largest hurdle for any computer user. Unfortunately, trying to explain file management in a short troubleshooting session is extremely difficult.

If you happen to be a computer user who struggles with the information I described above, I implore you to learn about file management. I created a video tutorial called THE Secret to Computing that describes in depth how to gain the knowledge of file management that will greatly enhance how you work with your computer. For just $25 + shipping, I will send you the video that will change your computing life.

If you dont have a PayPal account, click ContinueJust click the Buy it Now button below and securely pay with a credit card or a PayPal account, and I will rush the video to your mail box.

To pay by credit card, click the continue link as pictured in the image on the left. 


Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
12
Oct 07

Is anyone out there?

There is no doubt in my mind that our site has the most relevant and easy to understand computer information for the average and beginner computer user. Unfortunately, the average computer user doesn’t know how to browse the web well and has trouble finding the information they need to know.

Search engines are confusing. Searching a web site is even more baffling. These computer users do well when they have a recipe of what to do in front of them or can watch someone else perform the steps.

Enter the above average computer user…YOU!

We desperately need your help in spreading the word about HelpMeRick.com Your neighbors look to you for help and computer advice. Your co-workers look to you when they need to find a lost file. And of course your family knows that you know the answer to their latest computer dilemma.

Unofficially, YOU provide tech support for a multitude of computer users. Those computer users you help need to be visiting HelpMeRick.com to help get answers to their questions and to improve their computer knowlege. You can help them get the computer education they need by using the thousands of answers we provide here at the site.

Send your tech support charges links via email to the exact answer to their question at HelpMeRick.com. No reason for you to have reinvent the wheel.

  • Grandma needs to know how to send an email attachment. Send her here.
  • Dan across the hall from you at the office would like to know how to organize his photos easier and then email them. Send him here and here.
  • Your neighbor, McElroy, is supplying free Internet to the neighborhood, unintentionally of course, but can’t get his kid’s computers to print to his printer. Send him here.
  • Your sister-in-law called and said that there computer is so slow that the household is almost at full mutiny. Print out the tips found here and mail them to her because her computer is so hosed that the Internet connection is unusable.

Get the picture? Help us, help you. Help us, help your friends.

Then tell your friends to visit HelpMeRick.com often so they don’t get in these messes to begin with or can learn new skills that make them more productive computer users.

And finally, let them know that they also should send their friends, family, and co-workers to HelpMeRick.com for education and computer help. Knowledge is power, and powerful computer knowledge can be found right here.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — No Comments
23
Aug 07

Wacom Bamboo – an excellent artist’s tool



A Wacom tablet is a tool used by artists to design work on the computer using a natural pen and paper motion.

The tablet is hard and flat and the stylus that you draw with looks like a pen. The Wacom tablet is pressure sensitive providing the ability to draw thicker or heavier lines depending on the amount of pressure that you apply while drawing.

The stylus has a pen tip end and an “eraser” end. As you draw and design you can erase your mistakes by turning the stylus over and erasing with the other end as you would with a pencil.

Wacom has recently released the Bamboo. Although cheaper than previous models, the Bamboo is everything that most artists want in a tablet.

Previous Wacom tablets have come with a stylus and a mouse-type puck. The Bamboo gets rid of the puck and the included software is oriented for artists and office work such has handwriting and signature software.

The Bamboo is extremely sexy with a high gloss finish, four buttons and a cool touchpad that helps you scroll and use your finger rather than the stylus to get around. This is an easy substitute for the missing mouse puck as it doesn’t require switching pointing utensils.

I bought the Bamboo at Office Depot for $79 and that may be the only place you can find it offline in America as even Wacom’s website claims that it is only available over seas. Perhaps that is something they need to update on their site though.

If there is one drawback to the Bamboo it is that it is missing a plastic overlay. Previous Wacom tablets have had an attached thick plastic overlay that allows you to place art work or photos behind for tracing into the computer. This isn’t a big issue though as you can easily tape art work to the bad and get the same results. Overlays are also fairly unnecessary an a 3×5 tablet anyway as little art work is that small.

I am extremely impressed with the Bamboo for the price and performance. All Wacom tablets are excellent but Wacom has really put out a great product in the Bamboo for folks who want all of the performance in a small price.

 


Riding Shotgun with Adam — 668 Comments
14
Aug 07

Fun with Cameroon Pet Scams


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I really love English Bulldogs.

Recently I became aware of a common pet scam that is based on every other over seas Internet scam.

Someone from Cameroon posts a desired breed up for a ridiculously low price.

He/she asks for money plus shipping. You never get the dog.

Here is my recent correspondence with one such scammer.

I have resorted the posts from oldest to newest so you can enjoy the events as they occurred.



For reference, here are the photos the scammer sent with the email. Keep in mind that these are the actual size photos that were sent!

tinybulldog
tinybulldog2
tinybulldog3
tinybulldog4

Original post that my sister saw on Craigslist in Denver:

Hello

Thanks for the mail,i work for a Christ orphanage care center at Denver,but presently i am in New lakes Cameroon. i have come to discover that the weather/climate,is not good for my baby.she finds much difficulties in adapting,and due to the nature of my work,i find much difficulties in taking care of her,so i want to send her back to the States/Canada to any caring family/ pet lover or a Christian home.i hope

that you will take great care of her ok? i will not refuse anyone from

getting my baby, all i need for her is love and care and if you will

accept in sending me update pictures of her every month.She is just 13weeks old

so gentle to kids, a very good companion at home, she is good with other

house pets.she is vet checked,AKC registered and up to date on all her

sorts.She will run and play like a 3year old kids.She has very good

temperament with kids and other pets at home she will make a very fine

house pet.This little girl loves to run and play, Likes

to stop and smell flowers.. She comes along with a 1-year health

guarantee She comes along all her playing toys, including her menu

booklet,and video CDs, which shows what she likes and dislikes.her asking price is $350.i will like to know

how soon you will be ready for the puppy.her pictures are attached to this mail

thanks

Yes, it was centered like that and no changes were made to spelling or punctuation.

My reply:

Please send me your contact information. I am very very intersted in saving your baby!

Thank you,

I was 99 percent sure it was a scam, but I thought I would give them a chance.

Their reply:

Hello

Thanks for the mail,i work for a Christ orphanage care center at Denver,but presently i am in New lakes Cameroon. i have come to discover that the weather/climate,is not good for my baby.she finds much difficulties in adapting,and due to the nature of my work,i find much difficulties in taking care of her,so i want to send her back to the States/Canada to any caring family/ pet lover or a Christian home.i hope

that you will take great care of her ok? i will not refuse anyone from

getting my baby, all i need for her is love and care and if you will

accept in sending me update pictures of her every month.She is just 13weeks old

so gentle to kids, a very good companion at home, she is good with other

house pets.she is vet checked,AKC registered and up to date on all her

sorts.She will run and play like a 3year old kids.She has very good

temperament with kids and other pets at home she will make a very fine

house pet.This little girl loves to run and play, Likes

to stop and smell flowers.. She comes along with a 1-year health

guarantee She comes along all her playing toys, including her menu

booklet,and video CDs, which shows what she likes and dislikes.i will like to know

how soon you will be ready for the puppy.her pictures are attached to this mail

thanks

The formatting was a little better, but everything else was identical.

My reply:

Ya. I saw all that in my sister’s email. How many dogs do you have? There were pictures of four different dogs with different markings. Do you have any larger pictures? I assume you are on a short vacation and will be coming back to Denver soon as Christ orphanage is very understaffed judging by the ads I always see on KKDNVR about their need for volunteers. I was wondering if you would be willing to trade it for a Mac p-p-p-powerbook. (I did not include this link in the actual email.)

I will gladly have one of  my friends in Cameroon pick up the dog.

Thank you,

Their reply:

i am sorry fo the ale reply,i went for evening prayers.that is all the pics i have for the puppy,and the pictures you see is the pics of 1puppy,and not different puppies.so how soon are you ready for the puppy?

My reply:

At this point I decide to really start seeing if this person will get irritated at my responces. Please note that I made up the names of breeds as well as the distinctive features of each breed.

ashley,

it is no problem. I am so glad you wrote back. Those pictures are still very small. I used my photoshop custom enlargement filter and the dog has a brown patch over the left eye in some photos but not in others. Does the patch move? Did the patch appear as he got older? You didn’t use an bleach or other chemicals to remove the spot did you? The smell of bleach bothers my cats.

The dog in the picture appears to be a southwithshire breed. Can you tell me if this is the case. If not, it may be a kanarvastshire and those are very valuable. Are you sure you only want $325? Even shouthwithshires are selling for over $3200 by private breeders. kanarvastshires are only licenced to be raised by two breeders. Does the puppy have a pink nose or black, this would really help me in knowing more about which breed it comes from. Either way I am interested, but if it’s nose in pink (inside) I will  be especially excited.

Are the pictures actual size? Have you had the puppy vaccinated against elm beetle?

Any answers will be appreciated.
Adam

Their reply:

Hello

i am just so sorry for emailing you very late,i was at a seminar,and only came back yesterday.the batch appears as she grows older. my baby is a southwithshire breed,and i am sorry you misunderstood me the $325 was for the transportation.her re homing fee is $1950.my darling has a pick nose.she  has been vaccinated against elm,re best and is currently on sorts.she will come along 1yrs health grantee.pls i will like to know how many pets you have at the moments,because my darling is so sociable with other house pets.in fact you will see that magic in her when you get her.

hope to read from you.

My Reply:

At this point I decide to make some of the same mistakes in my post as they make in theirs. Note that they were hoping that the dog would go to a good Christian home and that they work for Christ orphanage, yet she was delayed in a previous post because she was gone for evening prayers. Isn’t that strange?

No problem ashley. I am in no hurry. For a shouthwithshire I will gladly take the time to get this right. Will you be coming back to denver any time soon.
I have a few other pets but they are also very sociable.I told my family about the dog and they are  very excited. We think we may take a holiday there and pick up the dog at the same time. Is this a good time of year to visit cameroon?
Thanks,
Alvin (I decided to make a change to my name to see if they would call me on it.

Their reply:

I begin to sense that they are getting a little irritated at my wavering interest in their baby.

ok Alvin if you will come to pick her up here,then that will be very great.this is the rightful time to visit Cameroon,when you want to come do let me know,so that i can help make some reservation for you. i have close to 3months to be here in Cameroon,and the weather it really not good for the pup.so pls the earlier you come the better.

thanks.

My reply:

This should be my final message to them. At least until they get to Denver with the southwithshire.

Sorry, about that last note. It was written by my friend Alvin. He is always replying to my email. I have three other friends that often respond to my email their names are Simon, Theodore and Dave. You don’t have to reply to their messages.

I just realized that Cameroon is in AFRICA! Did you know that? I thought it was in Detroit or  something. That is too far for me to go to pickup the dog. I will wait until you get back to Denver. Let me know when you get here. Please keep your dog in doors I heard that some places in Africa catch stray dogs and put them in baby food. I would hate for you to have to utter the words – “A baby ate my dingo”

I am sure you will find another interested party in Cameroon with air conditioning.

Thank you,

Aaron




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