Computer Tips (Hardware & Software)

Skype test call :O

2012-07-22T17:19:00.002+05:00

Skype test call :O

How to open and clean CD-ROM

2012-02-06T16:29:00.001+05:00

Computer CD-ROM is a sensitive device and it need great care to open and clean it. Normallythey work good even having fair amount of dust on their lens but it can stop working when dust on the lens is more then enough. It can createtwo problems.

- Skipping/ Repeating CDs
- Stop reading
- Taking time in reading CDs

in this case you should make it sure that your CD-ROM need to be cleaned.

Take following steps to open the CD-ROM:

Take the CD-ROM out of CPU box
Open the try of the CD-ROM and remove the front cover of the try.
When try cover is removed you can removed the other cover on which play and eject button are situated.
Now open the screw

Almost in the middle of the machine there is a lens you can see it from the bottom of the CD-ROM. There is a small screw which holds the lens you can adjust it to fix the lens. some times this screw is lose and lens cannot perform better. now take tissue paper and very softly clean the lens. Always use blower to clean other parts of CD-ROM. After finishing this job tight the screw and place the cover as it was removed. You will definitely see difference in CD reading

WINDOWS 7 short keys

2012-02-06T16:25:00.002+05:00

Most of us are using windows 7 but few of them know windows 7 shortcut keys, so its good to know some short keys.

WINDOWS 7 SHORTCUTS KEYS

WIN +UP arrow Maximize Window
WIN +DOWN arrow Restore or Minimize Windows
WIN +LEFT arrow Snap window to left
WIN +RIGHT arrow Snap window to right

WIN +SHIFT+LEFT arrow Move current window to left monitor
WIN +SHIFT+RIGHT arrow Move current window to right monitor

WIN +HOME key Minimize all windows

WIN +X Shows windows mobility centre
Win+Shift+left arrow Move current window to the left monitor (with dual monitors)
Win+Shift+right arrow Move current window to the right monitor (with dual monitors)
Win+Home Minimize all but the current window
Win+Space Peek at the desktop
Win+[Plus sign] Zoom in
Win+[Minus sign] Zoom out
Win+P Open the projection menu (generally used for laptops connected to projectors)
Alt+P In Explorer, show/hide the preview pane

Taskbar Modifiers

Alt+F4 Close the active window
Alt+Tab Switch to previous active window
Alt+Esc Cycle through all open windows
Win+Tab Flip 3D [more info]

Ctrl+Win+Tab Persistent Flip 3D
Win+T Cycle through applications on taskbar (showing its live preview)
Win+M Minimize all open windows
Win+Shift+M Undo all window minimization
Win+D Toggle showing the desktop

Win+up arrow Maximize the current window
Win+down arrow If the current window is maximized, restore it; if the current
Win+Shift+left arrow Move current window to the left monitor (with dual monitors)
Win+Shift+right arrow Move current window to the right monitor (with dual monitors)

Win+Home Minimize all but the current window
Win+Space Peek at the desktop
Win+[Plus sign] Zoom in
Win+[Minus sign] Zoom out

Starting Programs

Shift+Click Open a new instance of the program
Ctrl+Click Cycle between windows in a group
Middle Click Open a new instance of the program
Ctrl+Shift+Click Open a new instance of the program as Administrator
Shift+Right-Click Show window menu Managing Windows

Win+1 Open the first program on your Quick Launch bar
Win+2 Open the second program on your Quick Launch bar
Win+n Open the nth program on your Quick Launch bar
Win+U Open the ease of access center
Win+F Open the search window
Win+X Open the Mobility Center
Win+E Open Explorer
Win+R Open the Run window [more info]
Win+B Move focus to notification tray (the right-most portion of the task bar)
Win+P Open the projection menu (generally used for laptops connected to projectors)

Win+Pause Open the System Properties portion from the Control Panel
Ctrl+Shift+Esc Open Windows Task Manager

Win+ right arrow +Enter Shutdown
Win+right arrow + R Restart
Win+ right arrow + S Sleep
Win+ right arrow + W Switch Users
Win+L Locks computer

Viewing Folders With Explorer

Alt+right arrow Go back
Alt+ right arrow Go forward
Alt+up arrow Go up a directory

Alt+D Move focus to address bar
Alt+D, Tab Move focus to search bar

Alt+Enter Open the Properties window of the current selection
Ctrl +Mouse wheel Change the view type (extra large, small, list view, detail, etc.)
Alt+P Show/hide the preview pane

How to make a strong password

2012-02-06T16:23:00.001+05:00

Passwords are a pain and while many organizations require then, they have very simple , even lax rules for implementing a password strategy. Besides requiring your user s to use passwords, there are two other things you should require of them- password ageing - strong password, password aging is essential to minimize the chances of someone else discovering and using a password that may be shared, for example to help co-worker access the corporate network. a strong password (requiring a mix of letters, numbers and characters) minimizes the chance of someone obtaining a password through a social enineering exercise.
Another technique is to make a case sensitive password and use space (if allowed) and a mix of symbols like star or hash etc.

Computer buying tips

2012-02-06T16:17:00.004+05:00

Here are few tips which will help you in buying a new computer

Step 1 : Evaluate your need

First of all make a rough idea what kind of PC you are looking to buy.

Are you looking to buy a mini PC, desk tip or lap top ?
What should be its configuration?
Do you have any brand preference?
What should be the quality of hardware?
What should be the size of hard disk and ram?

Step 2 : Market Survey

After making this rough idea, try to find out prices of the PC you are looking for. For this purpose you can search from the Internet or go to the market for price survey. when you have done this job, next step is to check the PC that is that the one you are looking for?

Step 3 : Checking your PC

Initially there are certain checks you need to do. First of all check the hard drive size , ram size, cache memory, Processor size, key board quality or brand, mouse , Power supply. power cables

checking the monitor:

For new monitor there are always warranties so you don't need to worry when you are buying a new monitor.
If you are buying a branded computer then first of all check the screen. Is there any kind of bold on the screen or a minor dim in the screen, If so then ask the shop keeper.

Step 4 : Ask for warranties

Before paying the price for the PC, you need to ask to the shopkeeper that how the company will compensate in case the device is not functioning or is not compatible with your computer. what would be the procedure.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Mozilla Firefox

2012-01-09T17:01:00.003+05:00

CTRL + A Select all text on a webpage
CTRL + B Open the Bookmarks sidebar
CTRL + C Copy the selected text to the Windows clipboard
CTRL + D Bookmark the current webpage
CTRL + F Find text within the current webpage
CTRL + G Find more text within the same webpage
CTRL + H Opens the webpage History sidebar
CTRL + I Open the Bookmarks sidebar
CTRL + J Opens the Download Dialogue Box
CTRL + K Places the cursor in the Web Search box ready to type your search
CTRL + L Places the cursor into the URL box ready to type a website address
CTRL + M Opens your mail program (if you have one) to create a new email message
CTRL + N Opens a new Firefox window
CTRL + O Open a local file
CTRL + P Print the current webpage
CTRL + R Reloads the current webpage
CTRL + S Save the current webpage on your PC
CTRL + T Opens a new Firefox Tab
CTRL + U View the page source of the current webpage
CTRL + V Paste the contents of the Windows clipboard
CTRL + W Closes the current Firefox Tab or Window (if more than one tab is open)
CTRL + X Cut the selected text
CTRL + Z Undo the last action
F1 Opens Firefox help
F3 Find more text within the same webpage
F5 Reload the current webpage
F6 Toggles the cursor between the address/URL input box and the current webpage
F7 Toggles Caret Browsing on and off. Used to be able to select text on a webpage with the keyboard
F11 Switch to Full Screen mode

Completely Removing Old Software

2012-01-09T17:01:00.000+05:00

Completely Removing Old Software

We all install programs, use them for a while, and then wish we were never introduced to them. Some programs that you install you will forget you even have. Some software that you remove will leave little bits and pieces behind that you may not even know about.

Add Or Remove Programs.....Not Enough
The easiest way to remove programs is from the Add Or Remove Programs applet. You simply select the program you wish to remove and click to remove it. This generally removes a majority of the application from your computer

However, a good portion of the time this method of removal does not remove every file that is related to the program. Often there will be scattered files, DLLs (dynamic link libraries), temporary files, and more that may be left on your computer. To ensure maximum optimization of your computer, as much of this clutter should be removed as possible.

Why are some files left behind?
When you install a program, the installer makes a log of all of the files it installs. when you remove the program, the uninstaller reads that log file and removes only the files listed. This sounds great, but if the uninstaller is flawed or the initial installation was inconsistent, the program can't be removed properly. If additional files have been added to the program's folders, those files and the folders they live in will not be removed either.

Where are files normally stored?
Many files are normally stored in you My Documents folder. Normally this folder is on the desktop of your computer or in your Start menu. Many of these files are created by programs for use by you. If you installed a trial of something and it creates a file or folder in you My Documents folder. That file or folder will not usually be removed when you uninstall the software.

Another place files are stored are in the temporary folders on your computer. In the old days of computing it was very easy to find and delete temporary files. However, today there are several different Temp folders:

C:Temp
C:WindowsTemp
C:Documents and SettingsYourNameLocal SettingsTemp
*Warning: It is not recommended to remove shared files. Deleting the wrong file while trying to free up some hard disk space could bring your system to a screeching halt.

Another place programs place data is in the Registry. The Registry is where most of the system information, preferences, and settings for your computer and software are stored. If software is removed improperly, information pertaining to the program will remain in the Registry. Removing these orphaned keys can make your system faster and more stable.

The registry is the favorite hiding place for spyware. Visit Secure Computer Networks for more information on spyware: http://www.securecomputernetworks.com/resources/security/spyware.htm

*Warning: Modifying the Registry could possibly crash your computer or software. Always remember to back your computer up before every changing anything Do not remove Registry entries for anything unless you are sure that they are not needed.

With a little detective work, you can find and remove unwanted files from your computer. You will end up with more free disk space and perhaps a more reliable and faster computer.

Of course, you must always be careful when removing files from your computer. If you mistakenly remove files that a program still uses, the program may not start again until you reinstall it. If you remove files that your operating system uses, you could potentially have a computer that will not start fully.

Secure Computer Networks has specialists on staff that can help you with this task. They have mobile techs located throughout Texas and also offer phone support provided by QUALIFIED technicians. A majority of the time after a Complete PC Clean-Up, your computer will run better, launch programs faster, crash less often, and receive fewer pop-ups while surfing the internet. Constant Pop-ups are a sign of a virus or spyware that has found it's way into your computer.

Article Source: http://www.kokkada.com

Secure Computer Networks has many valuable tips and tricks to help maintain and improve your computing experience. www.securecomputernetworks.com/resources/general-pc/clean-up-your-desktop.htm

Speed up CD-ROM data transfer

2012-01-09T16:59:00.000+05:00

DMA mode

Windows XP sets DMA mode on IDE channels wrong. Most of CD-ROM devices support this, but Windows XP puts them in PIO ( slower ). DMA wont speed device, but it will use less RAM memory, and that way data transfer from CD-ROM to computer will be faster.
Go to My Computer-Hardware-Device Manager.
Find "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and click «+» (plus) near it. Double click on «Primary IDE channel». Look at «Advance settings» and look at Device 1 settings. It's probably set up to PIO transfer mode. Set to «DMA if available».
Back to "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers". Do same for «Secondary IDE channels» now. If it's in PIO mode.
If this won't help, you can reinstall IDE channels that won't accept DMA mode. And that you can do in following way:
Right click on IDE channel, «uninstall» and OK.
Restart your computer and look if IDE channel excepted DMA mode.
IN some cases, you can get only MultiWord, but that's better than PIO mode, too.

Conditional color formatting in Excel

2012-01-09T16:57:00.002+05:00

Let's say you are making an Excel table where you shall input how many hours did you work for everyday. And you would like to make designation with colors. Red number for less than 8, blue for 8 and green color for more than 8. Did you know you can make that process automatic in MS Excel? Here's how.

Open MSExcel. Make two column table (one for dates and second for hours). Select right column , go to Format and «Conditional formatting» after. Set Condition 1 to «Cell value is». In next drop-down menu set «less than» and in next write 8. Click Format. You'll get «Format cells» pop-up window. In Font card, pick color (red for this case). Go OK.
Now go to «Add». Format condition 2 now. Cell value is – Equal to – 8. Format – Font – Color – Blue.
And Add – Condition 3 - Cell value is – Greater than – 8. Format – Font – Color – Green – OK.

Now, when you type number in that column, it will become colored properly automatically.

You can also format cells color instead numbers if you like. Just, when you set conditions and go to Format, don’t change Font card but open Patterns card. On Cell shading – Pattern, pick color you like.
Through this actions, you will notice other similar methods to make different cell values in Excel.

How to Uninstall Windows Messenger

2012-01-09T16:50:00.002+05:00

Lots of PC users don't like Windows Messenger and find it dangerous and unuseful. But, it can be uninstaled in common way. Here is a tip how you can uninstall Windows Messenger.
Open Windows Explorer. Go to Windows directory (usually it's on C disk), and find folder named INF. In that directory, find sysoc.ini file. Right mouse click, open with, Notepad. Find row where
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
is written. Delete word HIDE from it, and after, that row should look like this:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,7
Save file.
Go to Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs, and Add/Remove Windows Components. Remove note near the «Windows Messenger», and click NEXT. After that, you will not have Windows Messenger on your computer.

NOTICE: This can cause some problems if you use Outlook or Outlook Express.

How to unstuck CD from Macintosh

2012-01-09T16:48:00.003+05:00

If you are MAC user you probably experienced this sometimes: CD stuck in computer and you can't remove it. So, what to do with your Macintosh in that case?
Try one of the following solutions:
- Close program CD is using and click EJECT on your Macintosh keyboard after.
- Open FINDER, click on little EJECT icon on side palette. Or try to drag dick icon from Mac desktop into Trash.
- Unlog from your user account (U menu) and click EJECT on keyboard after.
- Restart computer holding mouse key.

MS Word thumbnails

2012-01-09T16:41:00.003+05:00

Some of you have following problem with MS Word. Everytime you open some document in Word, on left side there are pages mini pics (pictograms). You manage to close that on View – Thumbnails, but next time when you open another document, thumbnails are there again. Default document in Microsoft Word is Normal.dot, so problem is probably there. So, try this:
- Open Word. You should see empty document on screen.
- Click on Menu – Thumbnails to close thumbnails part on left side.
- Click on Tools – Options. Word will show you Options dialog.
- Click on View card.
- Change Startup Task Pane status.
- Go to OK. Options dialog box should close.
- Holding Shift on keyboard, click on File menu and chose Save All.
- When Windows ask you to save empty document – click Cancel.
- When Windows ask you if you want to save template Normal.dot, click Yes.
- Do again 3-6 steps to setup Startup Task Pane box like you like.

Fade callout in Word

2012-01-09T16:40:00.001+05:00

In this tutorial you can learn how to make callout colored like this, in MS Word.

Open MSWord and open new document. Go to Insert in menu, and than Picture – AutoShapes. AutoShapes window will pop-up. There you'll see callouts. Click on them and chose callout type (rectangular, rounded rectangular, oval, cloud, line callout, line accent bar, line no border, line border and accent bar). Chose callout you like and it will be added to your Word page. Move mouse pointer at the edge and when you see arrows you can drag them and make callout wider, taller, shorter, ... After you made dimensions you like, move pointer on edge till you see four arrows. Than, right click with your mouse and click on Format AutoShape. In «Colors and lines» in «Fill» «Color» you have drop down menu. Open it and chose «Fill Effects». Under Gradient, chose «Two colors». Pick both colors (I have chose red and black in this case). You can change transparency (I didn't change it for this image). At bottom you can chose Shading styles (horizontal, vertical, diagonal up, diagonal down, from corner, from center). For this callout I have chose horizontal shading style.

Uninstaling graphic card drivers

2012-01-09T16:38:00.002+05:00

If you are changing graphic/video card, or have some problems with it, you have to uninstall old drivers in order to install new drivers.

Uninstaling ATI graphic/video card drivers (Windows XP):

- You have to prepare Driver Cleaner software. If you don't have it on your computer, you can download it from www.drivercleaner.net .
- Open Control panel, open «add/remove programs» and delete all ATI software (display drivers, control panel…) . When Windows ask you for restart, refuse it. Don't restart computer at that moment.
- Go to Device Manager and delete all „display adaptors“.
- Now restart computer and turn it on in safe mode (clicking F8 while computer tuning on).
- Start DriverCleaner software.
- Chose „select multiple cleaning filters“.
- For ATI Select
ATI
ATI CCC
ATI MMC (if you have AIW card)
ATI REMOTE WONDER (if you have AIW card)
ATI UNINSTALL
ATI WDM (if you have AIW card)
ATI HYDRAVISION (dont chose it if you don't have HYDRAVISION)
- For Nvidia select:
NVIDIA VDM (if you have VIVO card)
- Wait for Drive Cleaner to do what is needed and restart computer after.
- Monitor can blink few times, to change resolution, or make some other weird act. Wait while Windows normalize.
- If „found new hardware“message appears, just click «cancel».
- Go to Device Manager and find «DISPLAY ADAPTORS». There you'll see either „Standard VGA Controller“ (2 inputs if you have graphic card supporting 2 monitors), either Windows will recognize your card immediately. If it isn't neither one of two named options, than drivers won't be installed. In that case, click F5 to try force Windows recognize card. If that won't work, restart computer and than all should be all right.
- If you use any software for graphic card (like ATI tools for example), you'll see error „no direct 3d device found“. That's OK.
- Now you can install new graphic card drivers.

Hibernate computer to save time

2012-01-09T16:36:00.001+05:00

Hibernate for faster start

If you turn-down computer when you're not working on it, you will save the energy, but not the time. If you don't want to wait until computer turns on, log on, ... than you can use Hibernate function. However, you can't "sleep" all computer like that. Windows 9x with Fat32, for example, can't hibernate.

How you can tell if your system can hibernate?

In Windows 2000 or Windows XP, login like administrator. In Internet explorer, or in any directory, in Address field, type "control panelpower options" and click Enter. If you see Hibernate card, in dialog box, great. Open that card and see "Disk space for hibernation". See if your computer fits that condicions. Check "Enable hibernation" and be shore there is no error message.
Next time when you chose "Start-Shutdown" (Windows 98, ME and 2000), chose Hibernate option and go OK. In WindowsXP, chose "Start-Turn Off Computer" and click Shift to turn "Stand By" button to "Hibernate" button.

Splitting files

2012-01-06T16:26:00.001+05:00

In last post , I explained how to split archive into several archives, and later back them into one.
Sometimes you have to split file into several files without archiving. There are many different software products you can use for that propose. Those kind of software usually creates little BAT file, and when you like to put splitted files together, you just run that BUT file.
Gsplit is one of that software. You can download it from torry.net/apps/filedrv/utils/gsplits.exe . Program is easy to use, with nice graphics, very useful help. Gsplit creates one EXE file and several parts of original file. When you run that EXE file later and confirm option, in few moments, Gsplit will make original file again.

Splitting Zip files

2012-01-06T16:22:00.001+05:00

When you want to send some file in attachment by mail, there are some limits. It's common case you have to split some file into 2 or more files. Or, you have zip file 850MB and you don't have DVD writer. So, you have to split that Zip file into 2 files, not bigger than 700MB.
If you like to split it in WinZip, you have to make that while archiving file. Select files you want in that archive, and maximum for each file you will get. At the and of process you'll get several archives. When you want to Unzip them, do unzip first archive. All archives have to be placed in same directory (folder).
WinRAR works the same way like WinZIP. Look for this option in «Split to volumes, bytes». Created files have RAR1, RAR2 and so on, extensions. All files have to be in same folder, just like in WinZIP. «Split Zip file» is option where you have to chose how big you want each archived file to be.
You can create splitted archives in Total Commander, too. And it can be used for reading and unpacking those kind of files.

Quick Case Conversion - MSWord

2012-01-06T16:18:00.000+05:00

You are typing some text in Microsoft Word. If you need to convert the case of text, you can select character or word, delete it and replace with right case. But you can do that easier. Select caracter or word, and click Shift/F3. That will swap the case. If you forgot Caps lock , and have all caracters in Upper-case, now you have them all lower case. With another Shft/F3, you'll get TitleCase (capitals in sentences) and on third Shift/F3 text will get (UpperCase again.

extra tip:
While selecting text, if you need select whole paragraph, that will be done with triple click.

Defragment disk drives

2012-01-06T16:15:00.001+05:00

Every time you work something on your computer, it write some info on local disk. Fragmented files are spread all around the hard disk and that slows down computer. So, you need to defragment every few weeks.

How to defragment?

Go to Start - Programs - Accessories - System tools - Disk defragmenter. On defragmenter, just click (and select) disk drive and click on Defragment. After you finish with one disk drive, do the same with another.

Uninstalling software - safe way

2012-01-06T16:13:00.002+05:00

You have some software installed on your computer and you don't use it anymore. So, you want to delete it. Don't ever use "right click - delete" on software. That way, Windows can pull some other file you need for some other program, and you'll get in trouble.
You have two ways to do that properly.
First, you can go to Start - Programs, find software you want to delete and look if "Uninstall" link is there. If there is, than click it and follow the instructions.

If there is not "uninstall", that you need 2nd way. Go to Start - Settings - Control panel - Add or remove programs. Find your program there and click on "Change/Remove".

Change Internet Explorer logo

2012-01-05T13:19:00.002+05:00

In the right top corner of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express you will see logo. When you're online logo is animated, and on offline it's static bitmap. This is the way you can change that logo to any pic you want.
First, make logo (bitmap image). You will need two images, 22 and 38 pixels for IExplorer and 2nd for Outlook Express.
Make first 22pixels image. Make it 22 pixels high and 5x22=110 pixels width. There you will make 5 22x22 pics like on film. When it's animated, those 5 images will show one after another, and on offline only first frame will be visible.
Same way, you will make 38x190 bitmap.
Than, open registry and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ Internet Explorer\Toolbar
Create 2 new strings, and name them "SmBrandBitmap" i "BrandBitmap". Values will be full paths to bitmap images you made.
Restart IExplorer and Outlook Express and you shall see new images in top-right corner.

What is my IP address

2012-01-05T12:55:00.004+05:00

You would like to know what is your IP address when you are connected on the Internet? You can get your answer on several different ways. You can go to whatismyipaddress.com and you'll see your IP and where are you on Google map. But if you need more information you can go to Start - Run, than type CMD and press ENTER. There, just type
"ipconfig/all" (without quotes) and press ENTER. You will get more than IP address, you'll see full profile of your connection like on image bellow:

Make shortcut for locking your desktop and keyboard

2012-01-04T22:12:00.002+05:00

Sometimes you need to move away from computer quick without shutting it down. But there are people near you don't trust. How to keep them not to touch your computer? Lock it. OK, but how to do that quick? Well, you'll do that if you have a shortcut on desktop for looking your computer desktop and keyboard. Just double-click on shortcut. And here's how you'll make that shortcut.

Right-click on desktop.
Take "New > Shortcut".
"Create Shortcut Wizard" opened.
In text field, type: "rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation".
Next.
Name your shortcut as you like.
Finish.

Now, you have a shortcut for locking your desktop and keyboard. Here's how you'll change it's icon:

Right-click on shortcut.
Chose "Properties".
Click on "Shortcut" card.
Click "Change Icon".
In "Look for icons in this file" field, type "Shell32.dll".
OK
Chose icon from list.
OK.

How to hyperlink in Word

2012-01-04T22:08:00.000+05:00

So, how to hyperlink in Word? Actual it's pritty easy to link to some webpage from some word or few words. Just select the word you want (or few words or even whole sentence) and right-click your mouse. There pick "Hyperlink". On new window, in field Address type full url where link should go. Do that including http:// prefix, like here on this image:

Then, just click OK and the word will be hyperlinked to particular URL.

Firefox bookmarks in Google Chrome

2012-01-02T17:54:00.000+05:00

Google explained how you can import your Firefox bookmarks into Chrome:
In Chrome, click on wrench icon on top right corner. Then, go to Options - in new window Personal Stuff. Under Browsing Data click on "Import data from another browser" button. On new window, sellect the Firefox and click Import.

But that way, you will only get Firefox bookmarks folder in
the "Other bookmarks" folder at the end of the bookmarks bar. You need few clicks to open some site from it when you need. In order to speedup that process, just click on Other Bookmarks, and slide (drive) Firefox folder onto main bookmars tab, where the Other bookmarks folder is. You will get it quite handy for later use.