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Windows

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:

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:

Windows XP User Picture

Windows XP reached its first birthday last month. Yet, as with all other versions of Windows, learning all the tricks takes a lot of time OR just listening to my show and reading the Tip of the Week!

If you use Windows XP and use the default ‘two column’ Start menu, then you see your Windows user name and picture at the top of the menu. The stock pictures that come with Windows XP include a frog, cat eye, butterfly, space ship and more. They are nice enough pictures, but hardly representative of our individual personalities. Follow the steps below to change your user name and the user picture at the top of the Windows XP Start menu:

Windows XP Printing

Over the past year, I have pointed out many of the great features of Windows XP. One more to add to the list is the improved printing engines added to XP.

In particular, I really like that XP prints the last page first and the first page last for documents that span two or greater pages. You might think that this seems backward, but think about it for a moment. When you print with Windows 95/98/Me, you have to take the documents out of the printer and then manually order them. By Windows XP printing the ‘last’ page first, the document comes out of your printer already perfectly in order!

Windows XP Makes Computing Easier

When Microsoft released the latest version of Windows in October ’01, one of the most touted features was its redesigned user interface. The press and reviewers of the software initially called the interface “Fisher Price” like, but after working with the operating system over the past four months, I have come to appreciate some of the new usability features.

Some basic computing functions like renaming, copying, and even deleting files remain elusive to many computer users. The new “Explorer Bar” that runs vertically along almost every window in Windows XP addresses the problem quite admirably. For example, in the My Documents folder (or any other folder for that matter), one click buttons along the left side of the window offer easy access to functions such as moving, copying, printing, deleting, and even emailing files.

Windows XP Look and Feel

Recently, I read an article that described the new Windows XP color and icon scheme as “Fisher-Price” like…you know, the toy company. It made me chuckle and has some truth to it.

I happen to be ok with the new change, but you may not. If you aren’t, you can easily revert back to the traditional Windows colors and icons by:

1. RIGHT Click on the desktop
2. Click on Properties
3. Choose Windows Classic as your theme
4. Click Apply
5. Click OK

Windows Tools that Moved

Windows XP has been with us almost eight months now and XP users are starting to request some XP specific tips. Don’t let it be said that I’m not responsive to my listeners requests (I welcome and consider them all).

If you are using the new Windows XP and have been looking for some old favorite tools from your Windows 95/98 days, read onward my friend.

I use Windows Explorer probably more than any other tool in Windows. In previous versions of Windows, it was located in the Programs menu. With Windows XP (and Me, by the way), you have to dig in the Accessories menu to find it. Of course, you can always get to it in any version of Windows, including XP, via the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut.

Using the Resource Meter

Lack of memory can cause many of the most common computer problems. Learn how to keep track of your computer memory and what to do about it using the Resource Meter. 

Windows 98 and Me usually have this feature installed by default. You can find the resource meter by clicking on Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> System Tools –> Resource Meter

Windows 95 users may need to install the feature by going to the Control Panel –> Add/Remove Programs –> Windows Setup –> Accessories.

Once started, you will see a little green indicator in your  system tray by the clock. Float your mouse over it to see a readout of available memory. You need to only concern yourself with the first number (System). If this number falls below 50%, you increase your chances of lockups, illegal operations and other unwanted side effects. So, save your work and restart your computer when this number falls below fifty.

If you want to have the program start up automatically with your computer, then drag the Resource Meter icon to the Startup folder in Programs.

Take Advantage of Window’s Folder Views

Viewing files and their attributes works great in all version of Windows IF you know hot to take advantage of the different folder views. It makes managing and searching through your files much easier.

In all versions of Windows, you can view files in List, Icon, Tile, or Details view. With Windows XP, you can view files in Thumbnail view or Filmstrip view for pictures.

  • Tile view shows an icon representing the program used to create or open the file, type of document and size of document