01/02/2009

How to thaw a frozen PC
When your computer locks up or freezes, it’s frequently caused by a program trying to access a memory location that’s in use by another program.

12/26/2008

Create shortcuts to Web sites
Just go to a Web site, then reduce the size of your browser window (by using the Restore button, which is the middle of the three buttons in the upper right-hand corner) so you can see some Desktop real estate in the background.

12/19/2008

Troubleshoot your frozen computer
When a computer stops responding, locks up or freezes, this is usually caused by a program trying to access a portion of memory that’s in use by another program.

12/12/2008

Remove unwanted programs correctly
If you’re like most users, the first place you turn to remove an unwanted application is your Control Panel and the Add/Remove Programs utility. Good thinking, but that’s actually the second place to turn.

12/05/2008

Single-click for easy access
Users who have a difficult time double-clicking often prefer to eliminate the double-click option in Windows and use single-clicks instead.

11/28/2008

Outlook Express not supported: Now what?
I recently switched to a new Internet service provider (ISP) and because it doesn’t support Outlook Express, I had to switch to Outlook. Now, when I start to type in an email address, it doesn't automatically appear in the "To:" field. Is there something I need to do to get this back?

11/21/2008

View photos as slide show
On my older laptop when I go into My Computer and call up a CD with photos on it, I get a menu on the left that includes "Picture Tasks." I can then click that and select “View as a slide show." When I do that on my desktop computer running XP, I get a menu on the left, but no "Picture Tasks" option. How can I get that on my desktop, also?

11/14/2008

Drivers for non-golfers
A device driver, better known by its shorter name “driver,” is a small software program that is used to help your computer work with its hardware.

11/07/2008

Create copyright © and other symbols
What keyboard shortcuts can I use to create the symbols for copyright © and trademark ™?

10/31/2008

The sounds of silence
When the silence is deafening, it’s time to do some troubleshooting.

10/24/2008

Bounced-back email
Lately, I've been getting email notices that certain emails I supposedly sent were undeliverable, but I know I didn't send them because I don't recognize the addresses. What’s causing that and how can I stop it?

10/17/2008

Repair CD scratches
Though CDs are very durable and damage-resistant, if they’re not stored in a plastic jewel cases or sleeves, they are susceptible to scratching.

10/10/2008

Print wallet-size checks
Check-printer programs are a dime a dozen, but finding one that prints wallet-size checks was a challenge.

10/03/2008

Memory vs Hard Drive Space
Memory, in general, is a very broad topic, but I'll be happy to share a few thoughts from my ever-decreasing personal memory cache.

09/26/2008

Coping with junk faxes
Unsolicited faxes are a real problem today, but the same advice applies to junk faxes as applies to spam: Never respond.

09/19/2008

Resolve virtual memory errors
When the amount of RAM (physical memory) installed on your computer is insufficient to accommodate the programs and other resources required by your system, Windows will commandeer some hard drive space to pick up the slack.

09/12/2008

Vanishing desktop icons? Don't panic!
In my Windows XP computer, I apparently clicked something that removed all the icons from my Desktop.

09/05/2008

Shrink photos for emailing
I'm using Windows XP and need to resize some photos for emailing. Can you recommend a good program to do that, one that’s easy to use?

08/29/2008

It's as easy as A-B-C: Alphabetizing applications
Q. How can I alphabetize the programs on my Start Menu, rather than have them appear in random order or in the order in which I installed them?

08/22/2008

Share favorites among computers
It is cumbersome, to say the least, to have to continually copy or update your bookmarks if you have several computers, but you’re correct, there is an easy way to do it.

08/15/2008

Tidy computing 101: Delete temporary files
As you discovered, it’s very easy to drag an icon from your Start menu to your Desktop, but it’s a bit more challenging to get it back from whence it came.

08/08/2008

Print excerpts to save ink and paper
If you only want to print specific text from an email, Web page, or other document, your ability to do that is governed by your printer software.

08/01/2008

Safe searching with Google
Google has a little-known SafeSearch feature that filters Web content thus preventing x-rated or other offensive material from appearing in your search results.

07/25/2008

Install Outlook Express spell-check
Outlook Express does not have its own spell-checker and instead uses the spell checking capabilities of Microsoft Word or any Microsoft Office program.

07/18/2008

"Help! I’m atuck on a 'no-fly' list"
If your name inappropriately winds up on a Transportation Security Agency (TSA) No-Fly List, it can be just about impossible to get off that list.

07/11/2008

Mouse-based aerobics: One click or two?
I recently changed the operation of my mouse to eliminate double clicking. After using it in single-click mode, I decided that I liked the old way (double-clicking) better, but I have forgotten what to do to reverse it.

07/04/2008

Create foreign-language characters
How can I create special characters, such as accent marks that appear over French and Spanish letters?

06/27/2008

Help for a holy scroller
In one of your wonderful newsletters, you explained how to change the size of scroll bars.

06/20/2008

Memory vs. space: It’s soooo confusing!
How can I check the amount of memory I have in my computer?

06/13/2008

Farewell, fair floppy
If you've been using computers for a few years, you probably have an impressive collection of 3.5-inch floppy disks, and possibly even some of the old, old, 5.25-inch disks.

06/06/2008

Change font size for easy reading
Is there some way I can increase the font size just for that particular page or message without changing it for everything else?

05/30/2008

Protect your personal information
I hear a lot of talk about protecting my Social Security number from identity thieves, but last week I signed up for cable Internet service and they wanted my Social Security number to establish an account. Is there anything that can be done about that?

05/23/2008

Clear data from Internet Explorer
How can I clear the entries stored in the Address Bar of Internet Explorer?

05/16/2008

Insert vs. overwrite: What’s the difference?
When I use my word processing software, I can't insert a letter (character) into a word or a sentence without canceling the letter next to it.

05/09/2008

Beware of 'jury duty' scam
Identity thieves must be working overtime to come up with these diabolically ingenious plans to separate us from our personal information.

05/02/2008

Find best gas prices
There are several excellent sites where you can find the best gas prices in any area.

04/25/2008

Ixnay on cable sharing
Is there anything that prevents me from sharing my high-speed Comcast Internet connection with my neighbors by using a wireless router?

04/18/2008

Display multiple time zones
Displaying multiple time zones can come in handy if you communicate with people in other cities.

04/11/2008

Enlarge bars for easy scrolling
I read somewhere that I can enlarge my scroll bars, but I can’t remember how to do it.

04/04/2008

In case of emergency, think ICE
I received an email that says I should add an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number to my cell phone auto-dialer. Is there any truth to this or any reason not to do it?

03/28/2008

Banish Windows Messenger
How can I get rid of Windows Messenger so it doesn't announce to the world that I'm online?

03/21/2008

Spring clean your keyboard
Q. A couple of keys stick on my keyboard. I don't know what to do other than buy a new keyboard. Is there anything I can use to unstick the keys, and if so, how would I go about it?

03/14/2008

Create handy shortcut to explorer
Why is it so difficult to create a Desktop shortcut to Windows Explorer? I know how to launch it by clicking Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer, and I’ve made lots of shortcuts before, but I can't find where the activation file is located. Can you help?

03/07/2008

Use photos as desktop wallpaper
Q. I saw a photo on the Web that I’d like to use as my Desktop wallpaper. Can you explain how I can do that?

02/29/2008

Are the 'Net and Web synonymous?
I’ve been using the Internet for about a year, but I’m still not clear about something: Are the Internet and the World Wide Web the same thing?

02/22/2008

Clear your browsing history
When I enter a Web site address into the address bar of Internet Explorer, the address pops up before I finish typing. Is there any way to prevent that? I’d also like to delete sites from the drop-down list that appears to the right of the address field, which also displays sites previously visited.

02/15/2008

Auto-generated messages, Part 2
In response to a question in last week’s column, I explained how to create a message, using Outlook Express, that will automatically be sent in response to email received while you’re out of the office or away on vacation

02/08/2008

Auto-generated messages, Part 1
When I'm out of the office, how can I create an email message that will go out in response to email that I receive? I'm using Outlook Express.

02/01/2008

Organize your data
One of the best things that you can do to increase your computer productivity is to create a logical filing system so you can find things quickly.

01/25/2008

Turn back time with system restore
If you’re using Windows ME, XP or Vista, the System Restore feature allows you to turn back the clock, if a computer problem arises, and return to a point when your computer was presumably working hunky-dorily. The point in time you can return to is called a Restore Point.

01/18/2008

"Farewell, Old Software"
I regularly hear from subscribers of my weekly computer-help newsletter who are required, for one reason or another, to accept a new version of older software, and who resist it every step of the way.

01/11/2008

Crumble your cookies
Cookies are tiny text files that are primarily used for personalization purposes or to remember account log-in information on a particular Web site.