Any article on fixing a slow computer would be incomplete if it didn’t talk about prevention. Learning about your computer is paramount to preventing problems. Following are articles I recommend that all computer users familiarize themselves with to prevent problems: Backing up your important information Recommended approach to security Using Microsoft Security software Learn how to search the web and… Read More »How to fix a slow computer
Photos I’m betting that your photos top the list as your most precious data. If that is true, then you want to back that data up. First, you need to store all your photos in one easy to find (and backup) spot. My suggestion is to use the default My Pictures folder found in all versions of Windows. If you… Read More »How to backup your important stuff – Video Tips
You can easily delete and rename files from within almost any computer program.
Solitaire seems to be a game that is synonymous with computers. Microsoft planted the game in Windows not only for entertainment, but also for new computer users to learn mouse skills (drag, double-click, etc). Some computer users have branched out to FreeCell and like it better than Solitaire.
However, have you tried playing Minesweeper?
Minesweeper appears difficult upon first look. And yes, it does require some brain power, but isn't that partially the purpose of our computers…to use our brains? If you do like a challenge and using logic and something different than clicking on cards or sitting in front of a TV, give Minesweeper a try.
The object of the game is to avoid the 'mines'. You do this by first making a random guess and clicking one time on the board. If you are lucky, you didn't hit a mine. Now you have to use the clues the game gives you to figure out where the other ones lie. The clues come in the form of a number (usually 1-5). The number indicates how many mines border that particular square. One hint to commit to memory is that one square (if it isn't along the edge), borders eight other squares. Keep that in mind and like FreeCell, every game is winnable. (see the video below for a video lesson on this fun game.)
Give it a try. My best time so far on the beginner level is 29 seconds and 326 seconds on intermediate level. Call us up and let us know what your best times are, leave a comment here, but most of all have fun!
I was trying to export my Netflix queue tonight and tried to find an easy to follow tutorial or tool, but found neither. Instead, I created my own! It ended up being so easy, that I’m going to share it with the rest of the web…here it is: Open your Netflix queue Select the entire queue using your mouse (don’t… Read More »How to export your Netflix queue to a spreadsheet – Video Tip
Over the past month or so, you may have noticed an email from Google similar to the one pictured below. Many people have wondered whether or not this meant the end of Google or the end of their Gmail account. Neither are true. Google+ was Google’s attempt to compete with Facebook and have their own social media platform. Not many… Read More »Google+ Account is Going Away in April 2019 – Don’t Panic!
I produced a video last week demonstrating how to use the basic functions of CCleaner. This week, I wanted to show some of the lesser known features of the CCleaner program. Like any add-on utility program, you must be very careful when using some of its advanced or custom functions. The same is true in this case. WARNING: Use some… Read More »How to use CCleaner – Advanced Video Tip
For many years, I have recommended using the CCleaner disk cleanup utility for Windows. It does a more thorough job and is faster than the Windows cleanup utility built-in to all versions of Windows. In this short video, I demonstrate how to get started with CCleaner. I may delve deeper into the product in a future video.
Starting today, I can now help you remotely with your iPhone or iPad questions (and some Android devices)!! Using the same technology that I use to help with computer problems and training (Windows and Apple), I can now do the same thing with your Apple device. I won’t be able to manipulate the device remotely, like I can with computer… Read More »Remote Help for your iPad, iPhone or Android device!
The title bar is the long (usually blue) bar at the top of each program. The title bar contains three familiar buttons on the right; the minimize button (little bar), the maximize or resize button (middle button) and the often used "X" button to close a program.
On the left side of the title bar is a small icon in the far left corner that matches that of the program. The name of the current file (or web page on the web), and the name of the program also reside on the left side of the title bar. And even though one half to two-thirds of the bar is blank, it also has its functions.
Clicking on the little icon in the far left (once) will produce a menu that allows you to minimize, move, resize, maximize or close the window. This comes in handy when a window is shoved to one side and the right hand buttons are not visible. Double-clicking on the little icon closes the window/program.
Use the blank part of the title bar to move and position the window. This only works if the window is in the less than maximum position. Just click and drag the title bar and the whole window follows. This technique is helpful if you need to position two windows for dragging and dropping files. Also, double-clicking your title bar will automatically maximize the window.
Remember to use the minimize button to ‘shrink’ the window to an icon on your desktop so that you can access your desktop or a window/program behind the current window. This keeps the program running and to restore it back to the original position, simple click on it one time from the task bar.
The middle button on the right side of a title bar
changes between the maximize button (one square) and the restore button (two overlapping squares). The maximize button will fill the entire screen with the program window. The restore button makes the program windows less than maximum.
You many not necessarily use all these techniques every day, but keep them in mind and they will come in handy from time-to-time.
Watch the short 3 minute video below for a good visual tour of how these functions work.