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Rick

Tackle the OPEN WITH problem with confidence

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.

Stopping the Starting

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!

Stop the Windows password screen

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

Stop the Messenger Pop Up Windows

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.

Run Scan Disk or Defrag in Safe Mode

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:

Remove Password at Startup

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

Quick Tweaks to Make Windows Snap

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

Quick Access to a Calendar

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. 

Power Toys for Windows (Windows 98)

Many computer users enjoy tweaking and customizing their computers. However, at times, this can cause problems with the performance and even the operation of the computer. 

Power Toys is an unofficial add-on (meaning Microsoft does not officially support it even though they include it on the Windows 98 CD)  to Windows. Power Toys allows you to adjust items like:

Mouse
General
Explorer
Internet Explorer
Desktop
My Computer 		Control Panel
Network
New menu
Add/Remove menu
Boot
Repair
Paranoia

Organize Files with Windows XP Move function

Organize Files with Windows XP Move function

Use this tip to quickly and easily move your files (documents, music, pictures) from one folder to another on your computer. Once you master this tip, you will be able to organize your digital files with confidence. You can also use the tip to copy digital photos from a memory card or CD to your hard drive.

  1. Open the folder or drive containing the files (pictures, music, documents, etc) you would like to move.

  2. Select the file or files to move. Remember that you can use the Ctrl + Click method to select (highlight) multiple files or Ctrl + A to Select All files in a given folder