Home Better Living The AI Help Desk Archives
Archives:
Q: Why do I have to scroll from left to right on many of the websites I visit? Even with my browser maximized on my 17" monitor, I'm still scrolling! Any Ideas?
A: This could be the result of a couple problems. The most likely problem is that your screen resolution is set too low. It's probably at 640x480 and most sites are designed with the assumption you're using a resolution of 800x600 (the most common).
To check / change your monitor resolution, right-click your desktop and select Properties. Next, click the Settings tab. You'll see a little slider gizmo that goes left to right. Make sure it's set to 800x600 or higher (the higher you go, the smaller an item will appear on your screen, so don't go too far). Click OK. You may need to re-start.
The other possibility is that the site you're looking at is poorly designed. My site is designed for an 800x600 resolution, but I have it set at 750 pixels wide to allow for the sides of the browser window. If it was set to 800, you would still have to scroll a little unless your monitor was set higher than 800x600.
Drag & Drop Madness!
I used to hate dragging and dropping files. I was never sure what Windows was going to do with it. Was it going to be copied? Was it going to be moved? Was I just creating a shortcut to the file?
Well, then I started paying attention and realized that Windows actually tells you what it's doing as you move the file. If you see a "+" sign in a little white box, the file is being copied. If you see an arrow, Windows is creating a shortcut. Finally, if you see nothing at all, the file is being moved.
OK here's a new problem. What happens if you're trying to move say, a program file (a file ending in ".exe"), and Windows wants to do a shortcut instead of a move? Or maybe you want to make a copy of a file and Windows wants to move it?
Well, there's an easy solution for that as well. Just drag and drop with your RIGHT mouse button. When you release the button, you'll be given a little menu that allows you to pick "Move", "Copy", "Create Shortcut", or "Cancel".
Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.
What's New in Cyberspace
No name computers outsell brands
Music online to cost $1 per song
One-time discounts at Amazon
Majority of E-tailers profitable
Just for Fun
Yesterdayland - you're childhood is here - http://yesterdayland.com
Q: Why does my monitor go black after about 15 minutes of not using the computer?
A: Windows has a Power Management setting that will shut your monitor off after a specified amount of time. If you don't like when it's shutting the monitor off, you can change it by doing the following:
Win 95/98/ME/2000
1. Hit the Start button, Settings, Control Panel. Then open the Power Management icon.
XP Users
1. Hit the Start button, Control Panel, Power Options.
Everyone -
2. Look for the "Turn off monitor" drop box (it's towards the bottom). Select the amount of time you want the computer to wait before shutting off the monitor, or tell it not to shut the monitor off at all.
Finding Your MS Product Codes
This tip accesses the registry and MUST be used with extreme care.
Ever notice how Microsoft likes to put "product keys" on all their software? Well, what do you do if you've lost yours and you need re-install the software? I suppose you could call Microsoft and ask them to help. Yeah right!
Here's another solution. If the program is still on your machine (or at least still has entries in your registry), there may be hope. The info you need may be tucked away in the Windows Registry. Here's how to find it:
1. Click the Start button, Run. Type in regedit and click OK. Your registry editor program will start.
2. Next, head to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Microsoft
Make sure you open (double-click) the Microsoft folder.
Now, scroll down to the program you want to re-install. Double-click its folder and look for another folder called "Current Version". Double-click that and look for an entry for "ProductKey" or "ProductId" in the right window pane. If you find it, you've found your code! It can be a bit of a pain to hunt through the registry like this, but at least you don't have to buy the software again!
Q: Sometimes, when I'm using drop down boxes, it takes forever to get to the item I'm looking for. Is there a better way?
A: You bet. I'll illustrate how to do it with an example. Let's say you're filling out an online registration form that asks for your country. If you live in Australia you're all set, since your country is towards the top. But what if you live here in the US? We have to scroll through tons of countries (many of which we've never heard of :-) to get to the entry for "United States".
Well, here's a quicker way. When you get to the box, type the first letter of the item you're hunting for. You'll find that items beginning with that letter start popping up in the drop box. So, when you get to the box, just hit the letter "U" until "United States" comes up. No more scrolling!
Leave It Run, Or Not?
I've been getting tons of questions lately asking whether you should leave your computer run all the time or shut it down. This is one of those topics that always seem to make digital sparks fly. I guess I'll give you the thoughts from both camps and let you decide.
Leave it on: The electronic components within the computer tend to last longer if they aren't constantly cooling off and warming back up. Additionally, you don't get any kind of initial "spike" in power when your machine is first turned on (not a big problem if you have an ATX type motherboard - most newer computers do). Finally, it's much more convenient to just plop down in front of your computer and start working than to sit through a lengthy boot-up.
Turn it off: Your hard drive may last longer, especially if your computer doesn't put the drive on "standby" after a certain amount of idle time. The constant spinning of your hard drive motor can wear out the internal bearings. I personally don't think this a big deal. Newer hard drives will probably be in good service longer than the computer they live in.
Another "turn it off" argument is that you'll save on your electric bill. Depending on your machine, it uses the same power as one or more 100 watt light bulbs.
Those are the main reasons both ways. My opinion? I let it run during the day when I'm using it and shut it off at night. I don't think it's good for the computer to have someone poking at the power switch constantly. If you're going to use it in the morning and then again in the afternoon, leave it run till you're finished for the day.
I used to leave mine run 24/7, but a few things have changed my mind. For one, any chip faster than 133Mhz needs a cooling fan to keep it from burning itself into a silicon cinder. These fans are not totally reliable. If I'm using the computer and am getting signs that I have a CPU that's overheating (your computer will act *really* strange, some will play a little tune through the internal speaker), I can shut things down and get it fixed. If it happens in the middle of the night, I'll have a roasted CPU in the morning.
Another reason is that I've seen power supplies go bad and try to catch themselves (and anything nearby) on fire. Again, not something I want to have happen at 2:00 AM when I'm asleep dreaming about program code. Finally, anyone who uses Windows knows that it should be re-booted on a daily basis. So, by shutting it off at night and turning it back on it the morning, I automatically get my re-boot (that's not to say I don't have to do the occasional re-boot during the day though with win 9.x type machines).
So, my advice is to run it when you need it, and when you're done for the day, shut it down.
Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.
News from Cyberspace
Amazon lowers shipping
Buy.com eliminates most shipping fees
New scam gives hackers access to your bank account
Don't fall for Nigerian scams
K-mart renames website
Just for Fun
Animate your name
Since my p.c. isn't in the coolest spot in the house, this will be a brief column this week. Also, as I'm typing this, my background color keeps changing and it's making me dizzy. I fear that my monitor is succumbing to the heat. So, just a couple tips and links. Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Web Shortcuts
Do you have a web site you visit often? Wouldn't it be cool to have a shortcut on your desktop for it? Here's a quick way to do it:
First, head to the web page with either Explorer or Netscape.
- With Internet Explorer:
You'll see next to the site's URL (address) a small icon with a blue "e" on it. Drag that to your desktop. Instant shortcut!
- With Netscape:
Next to the URL (address) box, you'll see the word "location". Next to "location" there's a small icon. If you drag it onto your desktop, you'll make an instant shortcut to the page.
When you click on the shortcut(s), they will open your default browser and take you to the web site. Cool huh?
Q: My mouse is acting funny. Sometimes I have to move it a few inches before the cursor starts to move. Is it time for a new mouse?
A: Probably not. I'm guessing the problem is your mouse guts are dirty. Don't worry, you don't need to get in touch with some sort of computer vet to fix the little guy.
Turn the mouse over. Normally, there is a removable piece that holds the mouse ball in. It usually comes off with a little twist. Pull the ball out and remove any excess dirt, fur, hair, gum, pop, spare change, etc. Usually just wiping off the ball with a lint free cloth will do the trick. If it's extra grimy, rinsing it off under running water would be a good idea (the ball - not the mouse) - just make 110% sure that it's dry before you re-assemble things.
Next look inside the mouse. You'll probably need to take a pair of tweezers and (carefully) pluck the hair / fur / lint off the rollers (they act like a magnet for it). Finally, I would try to blow it out with some of that canned air stuff (in case you're tempted, it's probably NOT a real good idea to wash it out with water :-).
News from Cyberspace
Your p.c. may be under attack
Gator sued over pop-up ads
Price war, internet style
Just for Fun
Here's a site for those who enjoy a good mystery - you are the detective - Suspicion of Murder |
