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How to get around Windows XP user password

A caller recently inherited a computer with a password enabled for getting into Windows. Here are two ways to disable or delete the required password.

1. Turn on the computer.

2. Immediately begin pressing the F8 key over and over in about half second intervals.

3. A menu will come up asking how you want to boot – choose SAFE MODE.

4. Windows will come up with two user accounts, click on the Administrator account.

5. Once Windows starts up (it will look ugly, but work the same) go to Start->Control Panel.

6. Double-click on User Accounts.

This is where you have two choices:

I’ve heard you say that before

Imagine for a moment (you won't have to stretch very far) that your son or daughter comes home past curfew and you say something like, "I told you to be home by midnight." In reply your kid says, "I know I heard you say that."

Imagine for a moment that you are an engineer who builds bridges. One day a bridge that you design collapses. You confront the builders only to find that they used half of the bolts that you indicated in the design. "I heard you say that we should use that many bolts," comes the reply from the builder.

In each case, the next sentence that follows is an excuse from the offenders as to why they thought this should be an exception.

Spyblocker: My first nasty Vista spyware and repair success story

I am writing this from a client's house. Typically I wouldn't work on the site while I am on the clock but since I have to sit and wait for they repair scan to finish, I might as well tell you why I'm here.

It all began with a call this morning. My client said that she could move her mouse but it wouldn't let her click on anything. Luckily I had time available to see her in the afternoon.

When I got here I took the computer into safe mode where I discovered two strange things.

1. A windows kept popping up telling me that Windows Explorer had a problem and needed to be restarted. Followed immediately by a window that said that the problem couldn't be repaired. Or vice versa. I don't remember which order the windows were coming up.

Three ways to learn Photoshop

Although Photoshop Elements is the "easy" version of Photoshop, it is still far from intuitive. While this may seem like a bad thing it is actually what makes it a great program. When programs get too intuitive, they begin to think for you and limit options. Photoshop and Photoshop Elements do neither.

The newer versions of  Photoshop are much better about guiding you to certain areas and offering better tutorials, but the best way to learn is still to just to dive in and get your hands dirty (too many idioms?).

I think there are three ways to approach Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. The best way depends on how you learn.

Properly Uninstall Norton Products

How to get rid of Norton Antivirus:

1. Go to Start – Control Panel (Start – Settings – Control Panel)
2. Open Add/Remove Programs
3. Now you will want to remove the following items:

  • Anything that says "Norton" or "Symantec" in the title.

  • LiveUpdate

  • LiveReg

4. Restart your computer when prompte

Is this a test?

Today I had an appointment that spanned almost every area of what I do on a daily basis. The appointment lasted roughly three hours.

In that time I…

Helped setup a new iMac. She is making the switch from Windows and wanted some of the features that she was used to in her PC. I set her computer to ask for her password whenever it was turned on or came out of sleep mode so her kids couldn't get online without her permission. I also setup a gmail account and a POP3 email program that worked like Outlook Express.

  • Consulted her on ways of getting better range from her wireless network.
  • Tuned up her kids' computer and removed lots of

Stick with HelpMeRick’s trusted security software

Some days I seem to face recurring themes. Today's was extortionware. Extortion is when someone forces you into paying money to solve a problem that the person or institution requiring payment caused. If that doesn't make a lot of sense, ask Rick to explain how his "If you want to keep your kneecaps – go get nachos for us," program works during the show on Saturday.

We have spelled out our proven method of home computer security countless times here on HelpMeRick, but just as a reminder here it is again in brief:

1. Don't use Internet Explorer to surf the web unless you have to

“NEW” Google Feature – Pass it on….

Reader, Chuck, wrote in and asked our opinion about this "new" feature from Google, which isn't new and isn't limited to Google. In fact, the feature has been around since the phone book was invented. Here's how the too frequently forwarded email starts:

"Google has implemented a new feature which enables you to

IPCONFIG and NETSTAT Options

Ipconfig Switches

Switch Effect

/all

Produces a detailed configuration report for all interfaces.

/flushdns

Removes all entries from the DNS name cache.

All Rights Reserved © 2024 Rick Castellini
All Rights Reserved © 2024 Rick Castellini