PC Tips

[SUNSTONE]

I think this is a good idea to learn the little things about our PC's that we over look every day.
So if you have some tips, please post them.
I'll start.


When you sign in, you give a user name and a password.
When you put your user name in, hit the TAB key and it will bring you down to the password.
Each time you hit the TAB key it will bring you to the next spot below.
You can cycle through the entire web page by hitting the TAB key over and over.

 

[Qyöt27]

On Windows, in the Programs group, under Accessories, in System Tools, is something called the Character Map. This can enable you to copy and paste letters not found on some keyboards into your documents. If you notice, in the corner of the Character Map window it also gives a manual command to put it directly into the document by pressing and holding the Alt button and then typing a four-number code into the right side number pad.

For example:

Ö = Alt and 0214
£ = Alt and 0163
½ = Alt and 0189
etc., etc.

 

[dr.p]

These are just the most common problems I run into when troubleshooting PC's for other people.

• Be very careful when you install any software. Make sure you read the license if it is free/shareware (as it may tell you that information will be "gathered" and/or third-party software will be installed.) New software, in rare cases, can disabled already installed software (dial-up software for SBC/Yahoo and for AOL can conflict with each other, for example.

• Never open an attachment in e-mail, regardless of the type of file, unless it comes from a trusted source (someone you know personally.) Even then, it's a really really really good idea to use a virus scanner with the most recent update before opening it, as the sender's computer may already be compromised.

• Never hit your computer. I had a friend doing this the other day, and it NEVER helps, no matter how good it may feel

• Never upgrade your operating system until you've made sure that ALL hardware and software that needs to work on your computer is supported under the new system. Certain older hardware items (scanners and cd-rw) that works under Windows 9X, for example, will no longer work under Windows XP/2000/etc. if the manufacturer has never made new drivers for them. Things like sound cards and video cards are usually supported, though.

• Leave your computer on for a while after you turn it on, whether you use it or not. Turning the power on and off frequently can be abusive to the circutry. And if you don't have a surge protector, make sure you turn your computer OFF any time there is audible thunder.

• Remember that moisture and electronics don't mix So, leaving the windows of a room with electronics open over night or during very humid periods could lessen the lifespan of your electronics, or fry them altogether, depending. If a room is naturally humid with the windows closed (like in a basement or older home for example) you might consider a de-humidifier. And make sure that if you take your electronics apart to clean them, that you use a dry aerosol cleaner to dust, and never anything that will get items wet.

• Remember that warranties are voided on manufactured computers (Dell's, Gateways, etc.) Consider this before upgrading or troubleshooting hardware yourself, or having a third-party do it.

• Be careful when surfing the internet of what keys you press and what buttons you click. When you get an "Alert" or "Confirmation" dialog box, make sure you read it carefully before you close it. To be safe, if you don't understand what it is asking or telling you, always click "Cancel", hit "Escape" on your keyboard, or click the "X" icon in the upper-right corner of the box. Clicking "Yes" or "OK" to a message while surfing without reading the request is a major cause of spyware/adware and malicious software being installed via a web browser.

• If you really don't know what to do, and only seem to make things worse, it really is worth it to consult a professional about your PC problems. They can determine the problem and give suggested solutions in far less time than a novice and without damaging the system further. But remember that talent is talent, so you maybe be one of the lucky ones that will never have to pay for help

And, I have to mention my favourite short-cut keys in windows:

• ALT + TAB -- Allows you to scroll through the open windows. Keep holding ALT down after you hit ALT + TAB initially, and hit TAB to continue through the windows.

• If you don't have the handy-dandy Windows button on your keyboard (between the ALT and CTRL buttons on the left and right side of the space bar) you can hit CTRL + ESCAPE to bring up the start menu instead.

• Never hit ALT + F4 if someone tells you to and you don't know what it does. It ends the current application. And CTRL + W usually closes the current window. And hitting CTRL + ALT + DELETE repeatedly will shut down Windows. So beware.

• As Sunstone already said, TAB will cycle your cursor through the various elements of a web page (and most applications). Note that CTRL + TAB will let you go in reverse

 

[CheshireDragon]

For example:

Ö = Alt and 0214
£ = Alt and 0163
½ = Alt and 0189
etc., etc.

dang, if thats not the hard way of doing it...

 

[hoiven]

Window button + L = logout for security

 

[SUNSTONE]

If you want to make any part of a post bold or italic or underlined .
Just hold down your left mouse button and run your cursor over the text, this will 'highlite' it. Then click one of the three letters B = bold I = Italic U = underline, located on the 'Reply' box menu.

 

[SUNSTONE]

Pressing F11 will expand your window by taking away the links bar, and some of the other menu bars.
This is a great way to view pictures that are larger than your screen allows.

 

[GutterRat]

Edit - double post - don't know how - but it was a double post. doh!

 

[GutterRat]

1) BACK UP YOUR DATA!!!!! Don't get mad at me when I can't get back the 1000 pictures you took of your baby - or I can't get all of those mp3's your "legally" downloaded.
2) Don't be cheap about virus protection - and if you are - see #1.
3) Get the kids their own PC because they will surely kill yours by downloading stupid things and clogging your pc w/ spyware.
4) DUST IT OFF!! It doesn't hurt to open up the PC & spray it w/ a can of air. This can save you money in the long run.

 

[troglodyte]

the strange symbols thing, you can look up on the internet, just google "alt codes"

you can move your start menu to different sides of the screen by "unlocking it" and dragging it to the left, right, etc...

install anti spyware programs like Ad-aware, Spybot, and Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta

 

[simplicity]

My PC Tip:

If your notebook computer totally freezes, remove the battery pack. Voila. It resets. XP fails to go on auto-standby about 15% of the time for me, freezing up instead. However, shutting down manually hasn't failed yet.

 

[trunks2k]

• As Sunstone already said, TAB will cycle your cursor through the various elements of a web page (and most applications). Note that CTRL + TAB will let you go in reverse

I think you mean SHIFT+TAB. Not sure about IE. But in Firefox, CTRL+TAB changes your currently views tab. SHIFT+TAB, makes you cycle through elements on a webpage in reverse. SHIFT+CTRL+TAB will let you cycle through tabs in reverse.

 

[trunks2k]

4) DUST IT OFF!! It doesn't hurt to open up the PC & spray it w/ a can of air. This can save you money in the long run.

Warning on this one. With many manufactorers (i.e. Dell), opening up the case will void any existing warranty.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

You can't have tips (Windows tips anyways!) without mentioning my old friend and soon yours...MSCONFIG!!! http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/ There's even a link for using it on Windows 2000. This is very useful for figuring out what bad guys are dwelling in your System Tray (that's all the stuff floating around next to the time on your Start bar) and disabling them.

If you ever get a popup ad that tells you to do something like download this or that...DON'T! Ever.

Here's a big tip for Windows users and it's a two-parter: If you've got some money and you're not much into games...try a Mac. I did and I'm not sorry. If you are "budget conscious" and feeling like a change (and aren't that into games...) try Linux. It's an adventure to be sure!

 

[dr.p]

I think you mean SHIFT+TAB. Not sure about IE. But in Firefox, CTRL+TAB changes your currently views tab. SHIFT+TAB, makes you cycle through elements on a webpage in reverse. SHIFT+CTRL+TAB will let you cycle through tabs in reverse.

 

[Ave Maria]

If you don't like scanning for and removing spyware, prevent it from getting on your computer in the first place with a free program like Spyware Blaster that "inoculates" your computer against almost all known spyware/malware.

Make sure that you update your Windows with patches, anti-virus with definitions, anti-spyware/adware with definitions, firewall with updates, etc. Your software can be essentially useless if it is not updated. Update above mentioned software a bare minimum of once a month. I check for updates once a week and sometimes more often.

If you hate pop-ups and have an older browser, either update your browser or download a pop-up blocker like Google Toolbar.

If your PC's clock is always wrong, download something like Atomic Clock Sync to keep it updated.

If you have eye problems, consider upgrading to an LCD screen. They are much easier on the eyes than the big and bulky CRT screens and the picture quality is much better.

If you don't already have one, invest in a CD-RW drive. CD-R/Ws hold a lot more data than floppies which hold a measly 1.44 Mb. CD-R/Ws hold 700 Mb. If you want even more storage capacity, try DVD-R/Ws. They hold 4.7 gigabytes.

Use a wrist pad for your keyboard. They really help if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or other pain when using a keyboard.

If you have limited space and want a printer and a scanner, get a printer/scanner combo. They're not too expensive and they really save space.

Have at least two different browsers installed on your computer in case one fails. Believe me, its not fun to have a browser go bad on you and then you have to go to the library or some other computer to look up instructions on how to fix the browser that has gone bad.

Have at least two separate e-mail addresses. One for personal/business correspondence and one for signing up for newsletters and other such things where your e-mail might get shared. This will prevent your primary e-mail account from being loaded up with spam and the other will be the one to get the most spam so you don't load up your primary account to its limit.

If you don't like banner ads and other ads on the Internet, you can download free programs that will block these ads such as Web Washer.

 

[Qyöt27]

Make sure that you update your Windows with patches, anti-virus with definitions, anti-spyware/adware with definitions, firewall with updates, etc. Your software can be essentially useless if it is not updated. Update above mentioned software a bare minimum of once a month. I check for updates once a week and sometimes more often.

Be careful about the Windows Update function though. It can often cause horrendous amounts of memory cloggage. If you absolutely have to use any Windows Updates, just use the bare minimum ones (like SP1 or SP2, although there are lots of reported compatibility issues with SP2). Allow your spyware/adware blockers, anti-virus, firewall, and hopefully browser (in the case of Firefox or other non-IE setups) to do most of the work.

If you don't already have one, invest in a CD-RW drive. CD-R/Ws hold a lot more data than floppies which hold a measly 1.44 Mb. CD-R/Ws hold 700 Mb. If you want even more storage capacity, try DVD-R/Ws. They hold 4.7 gigabytes.

Or better yet, invest in a DVD burner that's capable of handling dual-layer burning, which raises the bar to 8.5 GB. If you look at the Lite-On product line, you can get one with DVD-R9 (Dual-Layer) support for only $75.

Use a wrist pad for your keyboard. They really help if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or other pain when using a keyboard.

Again, be careful. In my experiences, wristguards have only hurt my hands worse than without. They tend to cut off the circulation in my right hand.

 

[AhmadRaw]

You can use the Windows Key to speed up your working and productivity. Here are some common shortcuts.

WinKey+E = Open an Explorer window
WinKey+R = Open the Run dialog
WinKey+Pause = Open the System Properties
WinKey+F Find: = All Files
WinKey+Ctrl+F = Find: Computer
WinKey+M = Minimize all open windows
WinKey+D = Show/Hide Desktop
WinKey+Shift+M = Undo minimize all open windows
WinKey+Tab = Cycle through taskbar program buttons
WinKey+F1 = Open Windows Help

 

[WalksWithChrist]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but don't use Internet Explorer unless you have to like if you have a site that won't run without it. Anything else like Firefox or Mozilla has a built-in popup blocker and tabbed browsing, not to mention the fact that they aren't anywhere near as vulnerable to highjacks or other security breeches. Dump IE!!! This is a golden tip.

 

[Ave Maria]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but don't use Internet Explorer unless you have to like if you have a site that won't run without it. Anything else like Firefox or Mozilla has a built-in popup blocker and tabbed browsing, not to mention the fact that they aren't anywhere near as vulnerable to highjacks or other security breeches. Dump IE!!! This is a golden tip.

Internet Explorer with Service Pack 2 has a built-in pop-up blocker. But yes, other browsers like Firefox do tend to be better.