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Computer Tips

Lock the Taskbar

Lock the Taskbar is more than just a big hit from 80s punk band “The Clash” it is also a great tip for Microsoft Windows.

Windows XP has been out just over a week at retail outlets and more than a month from many computer manufacturers. (If you are thinking of upgrading, make sure you have at least a 400mhz processor with 128mb or more of RAM). Microsoft packed a good deal of improvements and stability into the new Windows and if you have the requirements, it will be a good upgrade.

One of my favorite new features centers on the taskbar. If you keep the default XP settings, the taskbar will be bright blue and a little more noticeable than before. However, by default, the taskbar is now locked…hooray! Many consumers will appreciate this feature if they have had children or grandchildren come by the house and move their taskbar to the side or the top of the screen. Or, heck, you may have done it a time or two on accident yourself.

Keep your system running clean

It’s easy to become a digital pack rat. However, using all this space on your computer can contribute to slower performance.

Here are some tips of how to keep your system clutter free.

* Use the Disk Cleanup utility (Windows 98 and Me users) to delete temporary windows and Internet files.
* If you use a digital camera or scanner, archive your older images on a ZIP disk or CDR (also important for backups).
* Keep your email folders cleaned out…especially delete unwanted Sent messages and don’t forget to empty your deleted email folder as well.
* Speaking of email, also delete any unwanted email attachments you have received (AOL users look for your downloaded files under the C drive, then AOL, then Download folder)

Instant Shut Down in Windows XP

One of the most popular tips from my book was the ‘instant shut down’ shortcut that can be used in place of clicking on Start –> Shut Down, etc.

Unfortunately, the tip does not apply to Windows XP. If you are a Windows XP and would like to create an icon that will shut down your computer, read on.

If you are a Windows 95/98/Me user, you can find the tip by searching my web site below for “instant shut down”. Or if you own my book, the tip is on page 63.

To create your Windows XP shut down icon, follow these steps exactly:

1. RIGHT click on your Desktop
2. Click on New
3. Click on Shortcut

Instant Shut Down

This tip requires strict attention to detail, so please print it out and follow it verbatim. If you don’t feel comfortable with the process do not attempt it.

1. RIGHT Click on a blank portion of your desktop
2. Click on New
3. Click on Shortcut
4. Type: C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows
5. Click Next
6. Type: Shut Down My Computer
7. Click Finish

That’s it. Now to use it, simply double-click on it and your machine will shut down.

Finding Files You Thought Were Lost

Windows contains a powerful search agent to look for those lost treasures. Follow these steps to find your lost files.

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Find
3. Click on Files or Folders
4. In the Named box, type any part of the file name you lost
5. Make sure that the Look In box says My Computer and the box is checked to include Subfolders
6. Click on Find Now
7. The results will appear below the find box

NOTE: When you find your file, before opening it, make a note of where it is saved by looking at its location in the In Folder column.

Drag and Drop

Over the past few weeks, we discussed the usefulness of cut, copy and paste. Another great skill to have at your disposal is “drag and drop”. With very few exceptions, drag and drop requires your mouse.

To drag and drop an object, click and hold the left mouse button on the file, object, or text and then move (drag) the mouse to its destination. It is the same exact maneuver computer users use every day to play solitaire and move the cards from stack to stack.

Here are some other examples:

* Want to delete an unused icon from your desktop? Click on the icon and hold the mouse button down while dragging it to the Recycle Bin. Once over the Recycle Bin, release the mouse button and the icon disappears.

Does Your Wallpaper Fit?

One tip that has evaded us over the years is sharing the magic of making wallpaper fit your screen. Wallpaper personalizes your computer and makes your desktop yours.

If you use Windows 98 and above, you can add any photo you want to your desktop as wallpaper. But often the picture doesn’t quite fit well on the screen leaving space around the picture. If you want to get rid of the space around your wallpaper, try this:

1. RIGHT Click on your desktop (not on an icon)
2. Click on Properties from the menu
3. Click on the Desktop or Background tab
4. In the position box, click and choose “Stretch”

Delete an Email without opening it

A common question I am asked is how to delete an email without opening it first. Keep in mind that if you keep your anti-virus software up to date AND you don’t open suspicious attachments…even from people you know, you will lower your risk factor significantly.

To delete email without opening it in Outlook Express follow these steps:

1. Click on View from the menus
2. Click Layout
3. Uncheck the box next to “Show Preview Pane”
4. Click OK

Now you have to double-click on messages to read them, but you can delete messages without them opening

Cleaning up Headers in Email

This tip was prompted by an email from Jean. She, like many other people, is frustrated with email header information and wanted to learn how to print email without all the headers. This technique will work no matter what email program you are using.

The only way to get rid of headers when printing is to follow this procedure:

1. Start your Email session as normal
2. Keep your email open, but now Click on Start–Programs–Accessories–Notepad
3. This will open up the small program called Notepad (notice that you now have 2 buttons on the bar next to the Start button…one for your email and one for Notepad

Beware of Fraudulent Email

This week I had the unfortunate job of helping a client of mine change email addresses and passwords. Not that the change itself was unfortunate, it was the reason for the change. Earlier in the week, she fell prey to an Internet scam known as ‘phishing’.

Phishing starts in our email box. The email looks and almost sounds completely official and usually claims to represent a large company like AOL, Earthlink, Citibank, eBay, etc. Even the company’s logo and maybe an address or telephone number will appear in the email as well. The email states that either the company has had a catastrophic computer melt down and needs to rebuild their customer information database OR it says that for your security you need to react.