Computing Tips

[Although this is my 100th column in the Times, this blog is missing a few of my earlier published pieces; the reason why the numbers don't jive.....FYI - ag]

Computer Care: Revisiting some key tips on column No. 100

By Arthur Glazer

glazer.tech@gmail.com

POSTED: November 12, 2011 1:00 a.m.

When I began writing this column back in 2007, it was sporadic at best. My intent was to assist the novice computer user and not have it sound like a manual. I strayed from that format a few times by expressing my opinions while maligning Vista or praising Windows 7, and I've discussed technology in general many times.

This being my 100th Computer Care column in the Times, I wanted to go back to where I began. So here are 10 useful tips that everyone should be able to appreciate, whether a novice or seasoned user, whether using Windows XP, Vista or 7.

It's always a good idea prior to making any changes to your system, to create a system restore point first. In XP, it's in Accessories under System Tools. In Vista and Win 7, just do a search for it.

Change a desktop icon. If you're tired of looking at the same manila folder icon all over your desktop, change some of them. Right-click on the icon to modify, click on "Properties," choose the "Customize" tab and then click the "Change Icon" button. Pick one from the library or browse to one of your own.

Change a desktop image. In XP, right-click on your desktop, go to "Properties," and then to the "Desktop" tab and choose an image from the list. In Vista/Win 7, right-click the desktop and choose "Personalize," then click on "Desktop Background."

Adjust a power scheme. In XP, again right-click the desktop and choose "Properties." This time go to the "Screen Saver" tab and click the "Power" button. From there you can adjust when the system sleeps or turns off.

In Vista, go to Control Panel, then to Power Options. In Win 7, type "Power" in the search box and from the options, create or edit a power plan.

Unlock the desktop icons. To be able to reorder the icons to your liking, right-click on the desktop in all versions of Windows. In XP, choose "Arrange Icons By," and uncheck the "Auto Arrange" option. In Vista/7 choose "View," and uncheck the same.

Choose which application opens what file. To change this, simply right-click the icon of the file in question and go to "Open With." If for example, Windows uses Picture Viewer or Paintshop to open an image and you want to use Photoshop, from "Open With," navigate to Photoshop. Click "Apply" and "OK." There is also a box to check that keeps this option should you want to keep using Photoshop.

How to save ink. Most printer software has options to change the paper size, paper type and quality of the print. Photo printing uses the most ink; the draft option uses the least amount.

Put web shortcuts on your desktop. From an open browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome), reduce the size to half and drag the icon from in front of the address in the address bar to your desktop. Do this by holding the left mouse button down while dragging. If the name of the shortcut is too long, right-click the new icon and "Rename" it. If you created a shortcut from Firefox, but Chrome is your default browser, the icon will be that of Chrome.

Tidy up your desktop. If you have all types of icons all over your desktop, here's an easy way to organize it. Right-click the desktop and choose "New," then "Folder." Call it what you want. I have one for PDF files, one for Utilities and one I call "Closet," for miscellaneous junk without a home.

Right-click and "Rename" the new folders to call them what you want. The simply drag your scattered files to their respective new folders.

Pin items to your taskbar. XP has a Quick Launch bar near the Start Button on the Taskbar. If it isn't enabled, right-click on the taskbar, click "Toolbars," and then click Quick Launch. To add items just drag them from the desktop to that area of the taskbar, copying them. They are always seen (thus Quick Launch).

Vista and Win 7 uses the same concept, but uses full-size icons in the taskbar. Right-click and choose "pin" or "unpin" on the icons on the bar.

Refresh system memory. Even when computer programs are closed, not all of the memory used is released. There are utilities that refresh the memory at the click of a button, but they're not included in Windows. What you can do is simply reboot the system: Turn it off and then on again. The RAM will be refreshed and you'll be able to access all that there is, making your system run faster.

Use the last tip for trying to fix anything that ails your system. Often a simple reboot fixes many little things in a computer. It may even stop the dreaded blue screen error messages, although they usually demand more attention.

When in doubt, reboot. It certainly couldn't hurt.

Keep those emails coming, and thanks for reading.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly on the Business page and on gainesvilletimes.com.

Network Your Home Computers

Computer Care: Networking your PCs is a snap

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

UPDATED July 18, 2009 12:33 a.m.

Networking your computers can be an asset to your home environment if you have more than one computer. By combining your desktop with your spouse’s laptop and your child’s PC via a home network, there are obvious benefits. All could share one Internet connection, one printer or all have access to many. You would also be able to share files.

Adding wireless to the network could enhance it even more. You would then have the ability to check your e-mail or update your Facebook account from the kitchen table or backyard lounger using a laptop.

Networking has gotten easier since Windows XP and even more so with Vista. With Win 7 coming this fall, it will be even easier still. Not to oversimplify matters, but Windows practically networks for you. The operating systems each have wizards to follow.

Providing you have the proper equipment, you could be up and running in no time. Really.

Assuming you have a broadband connection, DSL or cable, you already have a modem. Some ISPs provide a combination router/modem. If yours is just a modem, then you’ll need a router. This is where you’ll have to decide if you want wired or wireless. Routers start at about $40 and can be purchased at online retailers or locally just about anywhere.

You should have all the cables you need. The router or modem usually ships with both a USB and an Ethernet cable, the one that looks like a fat phone wire. Forget about the USB and use the Ethernet instead. Many people get into trouble thinking both cables need to be used; they don’t.

Depending upon which type of connection you have, you’ll see either a phone wire or a coaxial cable coming from the wall. That’s what you’ll want to connect to the back of your modem. If you have a separate router, use an Ethernet cable from the modem to the router. The router usually has four ports together and one by itself. The one alone is the input, the rest are outputs for a wired network.

Don’t stack the devices if you have two. Keep them at least a foot or more apart as they may cause interference. This is also true of wireless phones on the 2.4 GHz frequency. If you have one on your desk, you may want to find another place for it.

Wireless computing has a range of about 300 feet. It can connect through floors, but you may need to adjust the antennas downward. Metals studs and microwaves may also get in the way. You’ll have to experiment with placement to get an optimum signal.

Should you lose your signal, and you will, you’ll need to reset your modem. Whether it be a thunderstorm or an outage for another reason, rather than call your ISP and wait 45 minutes, do this instead: Unplug both router and modem and wait half a minute. Plug in the modem and wait for the lights to stop flashing, about 15-20 seconds. Then plug the router back in and wait for it to settle down. You should then have your connection back.

Setting up the computers: First you need to make sure all computers involved are called something different and are all in the same workgroup. If you use XP, right-click on My Computer and go to Properties. Under the Computer Name tab, give your system a unique name and click Change to rename the workgroup. Click Apply, OK and reboot.

In Vista, right-click on My Computer and click Properties. Then click on Advanced System Settings on the left, then the Computer Name tab as in XP. Give the computer a unique name and click Change to rename the Workgroup. Agree to everything and reboot.

Next, you’ll need to run the Network Setup Wizard. Depending on what you plan to do, from here on there are options, too many to cover in the constraints of this column. You’ll have to make choices and follow the prompts. They are not difficult; they have explanations and troubleshooters.

Look in Control Panel. From either XP or Vista, click the start button and look on the right column for Control Panel. XP will have both Wireless Setup and Network Setup wizards. Vista has a Network and Sharing Center under Network and Internet. There are various subheadings within that group.

Keep a USB flash drive handy. You’ll need it to save and transfer settings from one computer to the next.

In either OS, whatever it is you want to share is easily done with a right-click. If you want to share the Photos folder for example, right-click on it and choose “Share.” A hand will appear beneath the newly shared folder.

There are lots of other things to cover, including security, but as I mentioned, there’s not enough room here for it all. In a nutshell, don’t ignore it. WEP is good; WPA is better. The system will assist you in choosing. An unsecured system invites hackers and leaves you open to threats.

Worst case scenario, you’ll need to call a local technician. I hear there are a few good ones in town.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.