Skip to content

Windows

Some guys stop and ask for directions

I constantly get asked if I mind being asked stupid questions. My answer is always the same, “No. The only stupid questions are the ones that aren’t asked.” I believe and live that statement every single day.

When it comes to computers, I love researching and hunting down solutions to problems or questions I’m trying to solve. However, I also know when to say when and ask for help. Tonight is one of those points. My daughter received a MacBook from her grandparents for her birthday and it works great. However, I have a shared printer hooked to a Windows XP machine that I print to from my Vista machine and XP laptop just fine, but the MacBook won’t see the network or the printer.

Using Check boxes to Select Files and Folders – Video Tip

Some computer users have trouble remembering or using the keyboard and mouse shortcuts to select multiple files and folders. Windows Vista offers an option to allow users to check boxes instead of using the keyboard/mouse combos to select multiple files. To enable this option, again in Windows Vista only, follow these steps:

  1. Open in folder (My Computer, Documents, Windows Explorer, etc)
  2. Click Organize from the menus
  3. Click Folder and Search Options
  4. Click the View tab
  5. Scroll through the Advanced settings and check the Use check boxes to select items option
  6. Click Apply
  7. Click OK 

Watch the short 2 minute video below to see a demonstration of this feature and how to enable it.

Department store fix it people

I encountered another department store computer fix-it horror story today. The client called me because they had the proverbial slow computer. I show up and the owner proceeds to tell me that they just got it returned from a big box electronic store with the initials CC whose computer experts work under the initials of FD. Incidentally, I could tell similar stories of woe with another store whose initials are BB and their resident experts work under the initials of GS.

Bresnan Security Suite

Our local cable Internet provider, Bresnan, starting sending out notices about their new security suite from Computer Associates. Computer Associates is one of the older technology companies and produces great software, and I haven’t seen the product yet, but based on the description in the email, I wouldn’t jump on board.

As with most suites, they are usually too big, too slow, and don’t protect you well enough. As of today, I recommend the Castellini on Computers Hybrid Security Suite:

1. AVG Anti-virus
2. Windows Defender
3. A router for your high speed connection
4. Windows Firewall
5. Monthly updates and scans with SypBot Search and Destroy and/or Super AntiSpyware
6. Cloudmark Desktop anti-spam
7. MOST IMPORTANT: ONLY browse the Internet with Mozilla Firefox

Another fluff feature unveiled in Windows Vista – Video Tip

Windows Vista still doesn’t seem to be gaining any momentum in the fans department after 10 months. Today, I discovered this new feature (see the 53 second video below) that Microsoft took 7 years and billions of dollars to develop and implement in Vista. Once again, instead of Wow, I’m asking, “Why?”

The Top 10 Free Porn and Poker Web Sites

Let’s all face it. We don’t have to agree with it or even like it, but the porn and gaming (poker) industry push the boundaries of the Internet and sometimes that translates to a better Internet experience for all of us.

How to fix Windows Mail when you can’t delete messages

I ran into a problem today with a Windows Vista machine that apparently isn’t unique. This tip only applies to Windows Vista users who use Windows mail.

Problem: Can’t delete any messages in Windows Mail…which also prevents new messages from being read.

Symptom: When you try and delete a message in Windows Mail, you get an “Internal Error” message then have to restart the program.

Solution:

Deep Cleaning Temporary Files in Windows XP

Temporary files are used by our computers to provide behind the scenes speed and function. When we use any program from Solitaire to programming a database, our computers are performing hundreds or thousands of duties behind the scenes…creating, modifying, and sometimes deleting files.

The files left behind are known as temporary files. Temporary files are just that; temporary and expendable. Thousands of them can stack up over time taking up valuable space and slowing your computer.

Since Windows 98, Microsoft has provided us a great little tool called Disk Cleanup. Disk Cleanup can delete Temporary Internet Files, Temporary Windows files and more all in one easy to use utility. Disk Cleanup can be found by:

1. Click Start
2. Click Programs (All Programs)

Print Folder Contents

The ability to print out the contents of a folder (directory) on your computer does not exist in Windows.

“Why would I need to print out a list of what is in my folders?”, you ask. A couple of reasons actually; 1) it can serve as a quick glance reference to your computer’s contents and 2) you might want to print a copy of file names that you backed up.

Thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of programmers everywhere, you can print out those folders’ contents. One such program is called Folder Print 3. It is a FREE utility that you can download and install to satisfy this need.

New computer recommendations

At least once a year, I write a short article about my current computer recommendations. The holiday season is upon us, and I haven’t written an article like this in awhile, so here goes.

In the past six months, I ask more questions than I give when approached with this question.

Scenario 1

If I find that the person has a 2-4 year old computer with Windows XP, and just thinks the computer is slow, I go with this advice: