The most reliable way is to search your computer for *.dbx files using Start –> Search. Make sure you check the option to search for hidden folders and files. Then backup any of the dbx files.
To restore these files on a new computer or new installation, Start Outlook Express, Click File –> Import –> Messages. Follow the wizard and choose Outlook Express 6 as the type of email you are importing, then click Browse to where you saved the original files.
When you first install Picasa, it asks if you want to scan your entire computer or just your My Documents folder for pictures. If you select one option but change your mind, you can add more folders or subtract folders to the Picasa index by doing the following:
1. Click on FILE
2. Click on Add Folders to Picasa
3. Select a file then click on the "Always Scan" bullet at the side.
4. Click OK and it will scan all the given folders for photos.
Lately I have seen several people who use Microsoft Outlook to manage their calendar, email, memos and to do lists.
Microsoft Oultook is similar to the Outlook Express program that comes with all Windows computers, but it adds more features. It is essentially a Franklin Planner for your computer.
One of the great things about Microsoft Outlook is that it is so easy to backup everything at once, you just have to go through a series of steps.
Following this process allows you to backup your email, contact list, calendar, memos, and to do list all as one file.
Here’s what to do:
Here is how to get rid of those email ads from Netscape:
1. Click on Start –> Find –> Files or folders
2. Type: *prefs.js in the "find" box
3. Make sure the Look in box says My Computer
4. Click Find now
5. The search should yield at least two files (depends on how many profiles you have set up in Netscape)
6. RIGHT click on each of the files and click Edit
7. Type or copy and paste the following line into the file: user_pref("mailnews.start_page.enabled", false);
If you receive more than a few email per day, you could probably benefit from using email filters. All major email programs can be used to look at your email as it comes in and then shift it to a designated folder or even delete it.
Before starting to use a filter, set up some email folders to organize your messages. Simply having an Inbox that collects all incoming mail can be cumbersome to work with and makes it easy to lose important messages.
In my email program, I have set up over 25 folders that collect and organize everything from listener mail, newsletters, daily tips that I receive, mail from specific contacts and more. When I check for email, the program applies the rules (filters) that I have setup and shifts the mail to where it belongs.
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
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
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.
Open the folder or drive containing the files (pictures, music, documents, etc) you would like to move.
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
Windows XP brought many new and useful features to computer users. Digital photographers benefited greatly with the roll out of Windows XP nearly three years ago. One of my favorite features is the ‘thumbnail’ view in my photo folders.
Thumbnails allow you to see mini pictures instead of just file names. Windows Me had this feature albeit not as elegantly implemented as in XP. To view your photos in thumbnail view, do the following:
Open a folder containing your photos
Click View from the menus
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)