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Save some text editing keystrokes

Use these hints that I notice that computer users forget about when editing text in emails, file names, word processing etc:

  • When text is highlighted in blue, simply start typing the text that you want to replace it with…NO NEED to hit the backspace or delete key.
  • If you need to delete just a few characters of text and the blinking cursor is in front of the text, use the delete key. If the cursor is behind the text, then use the backspace key. No need to reposition the cursor, just use the delete and backspace key interchangeably.
  • If you need to delete a large block of text, use your mouse to highlight it, OR click ONE time at the beginning of the text you want to delete, then scroll to the end of the text, hold down your shift key and click ONE time again. All the text between the two clicks will be highlighted.
  • To select all text on a page or email to delete, use the Edit –> Select All function or Ctrl + A
  • When filling out web forms, remember that you can push the TAB key on your keyboard to move between information fields (boxes you type in) instead of having to reach for the mouse and click on each box.

Make Disk Cleanup Run Faster

WARNING:  This tip involves editing the Registry, so only perform these steps IF you feel comfortable making changes to a part of the computer where one wrong move can bring your whole system down.

Performing these steps will disable the "compress files" part of the Windows Clean Up utility:

  1. Click Start –> Run
  2. Type:   regedit
  3. Navigate to and expand the following registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE  –> SOFTWARE –>   Microsoft –>   Windows –>  CurrentVersion –> Explorer –> VolumeCaches

I always have my tools with me

Most computer problems have nothing to do with the mechanics of the computer. It is rare that I see a motherboard die, RAM go bad, a video card burn out or a power supply fail.

Almost all computer problems are software related. Among the hundreds of millions of lines of programming code, a few 1s and 0s crash together and things go screwy.

Whether it is a programming glitch or the problem is caused by an intentionally designed virus, the majority of computer problems must be solved by tweaking the software.

Twice today I had people comment on my lack of tools. I walk into a home or office with nothing under my arm. Everything I need is on my person.

Computer guys are kind of like Zorro

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I am not complaining in this post at all. I am just explaining the events of the day.

I began my day with a blank schedule. My mother in law was scheduled to arrive to spend a couple of weeks with us so I had blocked today so that I could help my family get ready.

My phone rang at 7am this morning. It was a dentist’s office. They had accidentally done something that had deleted their patient schedule and they were completely lost without it. I told them that I would be right in after I took a shower and got dressed.

As it turns out, they backed everything up on tape drives. It took 3 tries and almost six hours before we finally had a success in getting everything back up. Then one of their laptops died in an unrelated occurance.

Get rid of Atwola

Atwola is a nasty little spyware cookie. Here is how to delete it if you get it.

You can follow these steps to block this cookie from your computer:

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options.
  2. Click the Privacy tab, click the Website button or Edit button in Website group box.
  3. In the Website box, enter Atwola.com and click Reject button to add this website to block lists.
  4. Click Ok button to save the changes.
  5. Open the file "%WinDir%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts" with a text editor program.
  6. Add the following lines to the end of the text file.

    127.0.0.1 ar1. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar2. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar3. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar4. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar5. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar6. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar7. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar8. atwola .com
    127.0.0.1 ar9. atwola .com

Re-installing a problematic program

Sometimes a program that is giving you trouble will work better after reinstalling it. Here are some tips to help make that process a little easier and more successful.

  1. Uninstall the problematic program by using the Add/Remove programs applet in the Control Panel in Windows
  2. Restart your computer via Start–>Shutdown and restart; even if the computer doesn’t ask you to do so.
  3. After Windows reloads, shut down all extra utilities and programs
  4. Put in the installation disk and start the installation.
  5. The most important part of the tip: When the installation shows the ‘path’ or destination of the program (usually something like:  C:\Program Files\Intuit\Quicken), change something in that path to force the installation into a different directory than the original. I usually just delete the Program Files part or add a ‘2’ to the end of the path.
  6. Then proceed as normal with your installation and reboot the computer when finished

Tip within a Tip:  If you are using Windows XP, just shut down any running programs, RIGHT click and exit what utilities you can from the system tray, and disable your anti-virus in place of step 3.

How to Format Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows

WARNING:  I have done my best to outline the steps in this somewhat arduous task, but undertake this procedure at your own risk. Because of the vast differences in hardware and software, I cannot possibly cover every nuance. Please use this Tip as a guide and not the end all. AND BE SURE TO BACKUP ANYTHING YOU DON"T WANT TO LOSE PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE TASK!

Since many of the sites that I used to refer listeners to regarding this subject have either disappeared or no longer have the information, I am starting a multi-part tip outlining the steps to reformat your computer. In this week’s tip, I’ll explain the what, why’s, and when’s?

What does it mean ‘format my hard drive’? Formatting a hard drive erases all current information (for all practical purposes) and let’s your computer start with a clean slate. Formatting deletes all applications AND data from your computer. The process itself requires very little technical know how. What comes after the format involves the techy knowledge.

Why would I need to format my hard drive? If your computer uses Windows 95/98 or Me, I recommend formatting and reinstalling Windows at least every two years as a maintenance routine. Performing this routine purges your computer of any little errors and irritations that have cropped up and thus makes your computer feel and run like ‘new’ again. You also would need to format and reinstall if you have encountered innumerable error messages or encounter a runaway virus.

When should you perform this purging and restoration of your computer? I answered that question along with the ‘why’ above….at least every two years for any Windows version but Windows XP. Windows XP appeared almost two and a half years ago and has proved to be quite stable and resilient so I’m reserving judgment as to how often it should be done for XP.

If you use a name brand computer like HP, Compaq, E-Machines or even some Gateway systems, they come with a disk or disk set (on CD’s) called "Restore Disks". These disks make the process very easy. Put the disk in, shut your computer off, turn it back on and follow the on-screen instructions. REMEMBER, this will erase all data on your computer, so backup anything you don’t want to lose.

Font management

Fonts are the different typefaces that we can choose when we create word processing documents, newsletters and other computer-generated documents. 

I am willing to wager that most computer users only use about a dozen different fonts.  However, there are over 400 different fonts installed on many computers today.

These fonts utilize precious computer memory resources and also increase computer boot time.  In this week’s tip, I will share with you how to better manage your fonts so that you can release some of your computer resources and decrease the time your computer takes to boot up.

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)

One Additional Defense Against Email Viruses

This simple tip should not be a substitute for anti-virus programs and keeping them updated, but can be an affective adjunct to anti-virus programs.

As always, remember that viruses can come from friends and family. Although not on purpose, if a friend or family email buddy received a virus unknowingly, they will propagate the virus unknowingly as well.

Because we have a tendency to look at email attachments, institute this easy method of intercepting some of the most virulent of viruses…the Visual Basic Script virus or worm (VBS). Follow these steps carefully and verbatim:

1. Click on Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> Notepad