FAQ
How can I find out basic information about my computer?
Right click on the My Computer Icon and then left click on Properties.
How can I get detailed system information about my computer?
Sometimes, despite all efforts, it seems impossible to find a particular piece of information about your computer. This is especially frustrating when you're attempting to resolve a problem, and a support technician asks you to provide a simple piece of data. Wouldn't life be a little easier if information about your operating system, hardware resources and components, and software settings was all in one place? Microsoft System Information, which is included with almost all Windows systems, may be just what you need. To check out Microsoft System Information:
1. Go to Start > Run
2. Type "msinfo32" into the Open field
3. Click "OK"
Note: If "msinfo32" doesn't work, try "msinfo".
What is the "correct" way to remove a program from my computer?
The best way is to go to Control Panel/Add remove programs. Find the program you wish to remove, click on it and follow the on screen directions. If the program is not there you can check to see if there is an uninstall option when you go to the Program itself or in the start menu options for that program. As a last resort, you can move the program folder to the recycle bin but this will not totally remove it and may cause problems. Leave it on the computer if space allows.
How do I change the screen resolution of my computer?
Go to Control Panel > Display > Settings and adjust the resolution there.
Or
Right click on an empty place on the desktop, choose "Properties" from the menu and then Settings.
My mouse is erratic. How can I fix it?
There are a couple of things to recommend:
1. Try replacing the batteries in the mouse if it is wireless.
2. Try removing the mouse ball and cleaning the rollers inside the mouse with a Q-tip. Often that residue is quite sticky. They sell kits with a "velcro" ball you clean the rollers with by putting it in place of the regular ball.
3. If that doesn't fix the problem, buy a new mouse.
4. If that doesn't resolve it, you may need to hire a technician to troubleshoot the problem.
What does OEM mean?
Original Equipment Manufacturer.
How do I remove the ">" marks for an email before I send it on
1) Copy and paste just the text of the email into a page of WordPad, or a favorite word processor. The >>> that represent the number of times it has been forwarded can be removed from the text like this: With your text Pasted into WordPad, click Edit, then Replace. In the space provided type one > or whatever you may want to remove. Then click Replace All. Now you can again copy the text without the >> and paste it into a blank email page.
Or
2) Use a program like "emailStripper", available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm or "eCleaner" by purchasing "Auer's Utilities" from the club or downloading it from http://ecleaner.tripod.com/
How can I easily send a part of a received e-mail to someone else?
Highlight the part you want to send, Right click on it and select copy. Open new message, right click on page and select paste, and the message should be there ready to go. Or you can select forward, and then highlight the part that you don't want to go with the message, and press your delete key.
What is the difference between Save and Save As?
Use SAVE when you are revising an existing document.
Use SAVE AS when you are creating a new document from scratch or an existing document. This will keep the original document untouched in its original format and create a new document with a new name.
How do I "add" a sound to the Caps Lock key so I can hear when I accidentally hit it?
To add a sound to the Caps Lock key, go into Control Panel and double click (or single click in XP) Accessibility Options. Select the Keyboard tab. Check Use ToggleKeys. Click OK. This will also set sounds for Num Lock and Scroll Lock.
Is there a simple way to create a boot disk for various operating systems?
You can download a boot disk from www.bootdisk.com When you open the file, have a formatted floppy in the floppy drive, because it copies the files over automatically. With this disk, it will allow you to boot to dos mode.
What is the difference between the *system tray* and the *quick launch tray*?
The system tray is that portion of the task bar (usually on the bottom of the screen-but you can drag it to either side or to the top!) that is on the right hand side displaying the clock and some of those programs that are running in the background. The portion on the left is the 'quick launch tray' because you can drag icons/shortcuts there and with a single click you can start or 'launch' the program.
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You probably pressed the "insert" key on your keyboard. The toggle to "insert" is "replace". The "replace" works in some programs but not all.
Where can one "Properly and Safely" dispose of a "dead" computer components?
All household hazardous materials including electronic components (VCRs, computers, monitors, etc.) can be dropped off at Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Locations. For information, contact your local waste disposal / recycling center.
Why does defragment (defrag) go only so far and then stop and start over again? I get the message "Drive's Contents Have Changed: Restarting..." How can I get it to finish?
One of the most common reasons that defrag does not continue is that there is something running in the background. A screen saver is a very common one. Our techies recommend that you restart your computer in "safe mode" and run defrag there. That way, you can be sure all background processes are turned off. You can find out how to get into safe mode from Microsoft at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;186978 for Windows 98 and at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310541 for Windows XP.
How can I check my E-mail when I am away from home?
Before you leave, check the home page of your ISP. Look for "Web mail" or something similar. If you cannot get your mail there, here is a URL that works with any mail when you are away from home: http:///www.mail2web.com
How can I view the patches and hot fixes which have been downloaded onto my machine?
To see all that has been added to your machine, go to Windows Update and look at: VIEW HISTORY
How do I change the number of mouse clicks to open items?
To change the number of mouse clicks required to open items
1. Open Folder Options in Control Panel.
a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
b. Double-click Folder Options.
2. On the General tab under Click items as follows, click the option you want.
Can a FAT32 drive be converted to NTFS without losing data?
Yes it can. To do so go to "Accessories" in the Start Menu and select "Command Prompt". You'll see a DOS-like box open to a command prompt. At the prompt, type the following command and hit enter:
Convert c: /FS:NTFS
The conversion won't start until you restart Windows. At that point, you'll see a strange screen on next startup. It will convert the file system and then reboot. Then you're done.
How can I add or change the choices available in the Send To box?
Click *Start*, Click *Run*
In the text box, enter *SendTo* (without the quotes and no space between the words).
Click OK.....the *Send To* window will open, In the *Send To* window,
Click *File*, Click *New*, Click *Shortcut*,
Click *Browse* to find folder you want to add to the *Send To* list
Click it and then click *OK*, Click *Next*, Click "Finish*
How do I open a RAR file?A RAR file (Resource Adapters aRchive) is a compressed file (like a Zip file). You need a decompressing program to see the contents of a RAR file. One you can use is called WinRAR.
What steps should I take to replace the bios battery?
It is better if you go to the BIOS first, and copy the settings to have them available before you try to replace the battery, in case your system does not use the default settings. Once this is done then you can safely replace the battery and if necessary duplicate the BIOS settings you had before.
How do I set my screen saver to stay on "forever"?
Here's what to do:
1) Go into Control Panel and click on the Display icon.
2) In Display Properties, click on the Screen saver tab.
3) In the Screen saver tab, click the Power button in the lower right-hand corner.
4) Set "Turn off monitor", "System standby" and "System hibernates" to Never.
5) Click Ok twice to complete the process.
Your screen saver should now run indefinitely.
My desktop Icons keep moving around.
If your desktop icons seem to change on their own accord go to the desktop and right click. Be sure the auto arrange choice is unchecked. This should keep your icons the way you want them!