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Computer Tips

Backups: Don’t try to double-click on them

I received many emails this week thanking me for the tip on how to back up your address book. Don’t forget that I also have past tips on how to print your address book as well, check out the archives below. However, I also received many questions regarding why when you try to double-click to view a back up file an error occurs.

When you backup a database from within a program (like Quicken, Quickbooks, your address book, genealogy programs, etc), using the File –> Export or Backup function, the program performs two functions. The first step transforms the original data file into a proprietary file format for storage. Secondly, the program compresses the data so it takes up less space. By performing both of these functions, the file becomes unreadable by simply double-clicking on it. At this point, it is known as an archive file.

Another Safe Mode Boot Command

I mention entering Safe Mode many times on the show to help people solve problems or perform system utilities. Safe Mode is used when there may be a problem with your monitor or other device drivers required to start Windows normally. Safe Mode uses default settings and a minimum amount of device drivers to run Windows.

The screen, in safe mode, displays only 16 colors (ugly) and all the icons seem out of place and abnormally large. In safe mode, Windows prevents access to CD-ROM’s, modems, sound cards and other hardware ‘extras’. 

I usually recommend users press F8 after the machine starts to boot up. However, I recently discovered another method of getting into Safe Mode. All you need to do is hold down the CTRL key at the first sign of any text on the screen during boot until the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu appears.

This method may be easier than the F8 method because of the timing involved using the F8 key…start pushing the key too late and Windows will boot into normal mode.

Again, safe mode is primarily for troubleshooting purposes or performing some key system utilities that don’t run for you in regular mode. Here are some past tips where we mention Safe Mode:

Spam Revisited…and Outlook Express Filters

If you use Outlook Express, a listener, Jerry, pointed out an important and extremely helpful tip for seeing less junk in your Inbox. Thanks Jerry!

1. Click Tools from the menus
2. Click Message Rules –> Mail
3. (Click the New button IF the ‘new mail rule’ box doesn’t appear)
4. Check the box “Where The To Line Contains People”
5. Check “Delete It” or another action you prefer
6. Click on the blue “Contains People” in the third box
7. In the select people box, type in Your E-Mail address
8. Click the Add button
9. Click on the Options button (this is the most important step)

Signature Files

A signature file will automatically put any text you desire at the end of your outgoing email. Here?s how:

Outlook Express

1. In Outlook Express, Click on Tools à Options
2. Click the Signatures Tab
3. Click the New button
4. Type how you want your signature to look
5. Make sure the ?Add signatures to all outgoing messages? box is checked at the top of the screen
6. Click OK…now all of your outgoing messages will be automatically signed.

Saving Pictures from Email II

With scanners built into sub $100 printers and the onslaught of digital cameras, more pictures are being sent via email than ever before. Search through our archives on the most efficient ways to send your digital photos and ways to resize photos that were sent to you too large.

Today’s tip, however, focuses on the recommended method of saving those precious photos from getting lost. One thing I do not recommend doing is saving old email with attachments just so you don’t lose your photos. I don’t recommend this for two reasons; 1) Most emailers don’t back up their email and 2) it takes much longer to look for and view your photos if they are still attached to an email.

Resize an emailed photo for printing

Have you ever been frustrated when trying to view or print a picture that you received via email?

Today’s tip will solve this annoying problem for you quickly and almost effortlessly.

1. When you receive one of these large pictures, save it to your hard drive (and remember where it is).
2. Start Microsoft Word (Word Perfect and newer versions of Works will work as well).
3. Click on Insert –> Picture –> from file from the menus
4. Click in the “Look in” box and navigate to where you saved the photo
5. Double-click on your photo
6. Word automatically resizes the photo to fit in the document.

Unblocking Attachments in Outlook Express

Many computer users over the past few months lost the ability to receive attachments normally in Outlook Express for seemingly no reason. As with all problems, there is a cause. In this case, the loss of attachments starts after a Windows Update session or an upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer/Outlook Express. Microsoft decided that since attachments can bring along a virus, by default they would prevent attachments altogether from reaching users of Outlook Express. The sentiment is admirable, but the execution is flawed.

Fortunately, you can reverse the process and get your email attachments normally again. Start Outlook Express and follow these steps:

Print Address Book – Outlook Express Revisited

Prompted by a listener, here is the procedure for printing a copy of your address book from Outlook Express with more control than the tip we discussed a few weeks ago.

1. Open your Address Book from within Outlook Express
2. Click on File
3. Click on Export
4. Click on Other Address Book
5. Click on Text File (Comma Separated Values)
6. Click on Export
7. Type in Address in the white box
8. Click on Browse
9. Click on Desktop from the “Save In” box
10. Click on Save
11. Click on Next
12. Uncheck all the boxes except Name and Email Address
13. Click on Finish

Printing your email address book – Outlook Express & AOL

As promised, here is the technique for Outlook Express and AOL users:

Outlook Express Users

1. Start Outlook Express
2. Click on Tools from the menus
3. Click on Address Book
4. In the address book window, click on File from the menus, then Print
5. The print window gives you “style” options. Choose Business card for simplicity and to save paper

AOL Users

Use the “Print” option in your address book and choose from a single user, entire address book and choose whether you want all details for just essential information…choose the latter.