Computer Tip of the Week
Tip of the Week Archives
February 26, 2010
Windows Compatibility
So you have and old application that just will not run right or will not install. What can you
do? You really want to play that old game again or need that application that does things just right.
Don’t fret anymore Windows Compatibility Mode is here!
Windows Compatibility Mode allows you to run or install programs as if they were on an older
Operating System.
Here is how it works!
If the program installs ok but just will not run or it runs with errors:
1. Locate the shortcut to the program on your desktop or in your Start Menu.
2. Right-click the icon and choose Properties on the menu that appears.
3. In the Properties window select the Compatibility tab.
4. In the Compatibility Mode section put a checkmark in the ‘Run this program in compatibility
mode for:’ option.
5. Next select an Operating system that the program did work under from the Drop Down List.
6. Under ‘Settings’ select the options that are needed for the program to work (you may need
to try different settings to make the program run properly).
7. In the ‘Privilege Level’ area select ‘Run this program as an administrator’ if it still
has problems running.
8. Click OK and run the program. Now you can enjoy those old applications you missed so much!
If your application will not install:
Follow the same steps above but right-click on the setup.exe or the install.exe file instead of
the shortcut to the program.
by: Steven Hodges
February 6, 2010
Get Rid of Desktop Clutter
Are you having trouble seeing your desktop wallpaper because of all the program icons?
Is it taking too long to find the program you want to open because you forgot where on the
desktop the icon was? Then it is definitely time to organize and get rid of some of that
desktop clutter.
How did it all get there in the first place?
1. Every time you install a new program you are asked if you want a handy little Desktop
Shortcut. You think ‘Hey that would be great! Now I don’t have to search for my program
on the Start Menu!’ And so, little by little, you started multiplying the number of icons
on your screen.
2. You needed an icon of a program you used all the time to be more accessible so you
right click and drag the icon to the Desktop and choose to create a Shortcut.
3. When you download a file you save it to your Desktop thinking, ‘I will be able to
find it easier there’.
Now – what to do about the problem that has gotten out of hand?
Organize, organize, organize!
Program Shortcuts:
All the programs you install to your computer are on your Start Menu. That means
you really do not need any program icons on the Desktop. However, most of us like to be
able to get at those icons and start our application without the hassle of drilling down through
a lot of menus.
To start clearing up the clutter, decide what icons you really need and use everyday.
Those are the only ones you should have on your Desktop. Delete all the shortcuts to other
programs that you do not use on a daily basis. You can just navigate to the program via the
Start Menu when you do need it.
Already your Desktop is looking better. Now you can almost see the pretty wallpaper that
you have as your background.
Downloaded Items:
In Windows 7 and Vista there is a Downloads folder. So why not store all the things you
download from the internet in the folder designed to hold them! Move all your downloaded items
to this folder. If you have Windows XP then create a Downloads folder in the My Documents folder
and move everything to it.
Now the Desktop clutter is almost cleared away and suddenly you are a more organized person
gaining the respect of others that walk by and admire your computer screen that is cleared of icons.
They secretly wish that they could be as organized as you!
Taking the Extra Step:
While you may feel there are a few icons you must keep on your Desktop consider moving those to
your Taskbar. In Windows 7 just right click on your icon and choose the ‘Pin to Taskbar’ option and
then delete the icon on the Desktop. Now all your most used icons are on the Windows Taskbar ready
for use. But don’t stop there. Continue to organize your icons on your Taskbar by dragging them into
groups of similar applications. Put all your media players together, group all your internet browsers
and programs and so on.
If you have an earlier version of Windows you can still move icons to the Quick Launch area of the
Taskbar to accomplish the same thing. You might want to right click on the Taskbar and remove the check
mark next to Lock the Taskbar. This will enable you to grab the edge of the Quick Launch toolbar with
your mouse and resize it so you can view all of your programs with ease.
Who knew it was so easy to get organized, clear away clutter and gain the respect and admiration
of your friends and family!
by: Steven Hodges
Next week: Having trouble getting an older program to run? You may need to run that old Windows
95 application in XP, Vista or Windows 7. It seems to install ok but you can’t make it run. In our next
tip we will take a look at ... Windows Compatibility.
January 29, 2010
Show Desktop Lives On!
I have seen numerous Tech shows giving tips of different ways to get the functionality of the
‘Show Desktop’ button; that is in the Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows XP and Windows Vista, to work
in Windows 7. Many have been voicing loudly that it is gone in Windows 7. Rest assured
‘Show Desktop’ lives on!
The ‘Show Desktop’ button has not been removed from Windows 7 it has just been relocated
and is very obscure and hard to find if you don’t know where to look. In fact it looks like
it is just the edge of the Taskbar. It does not have an icon.
By hovering your mouse over the narrow rectangle at the far right edge of the taskbar
(to the right of the clock) a tooltip will appear that says: ShowDesktop. Leaving the mouse
hovering over this obscure hard to detect button will make all the application windows on your
desktop transparent and clicking on the button will make them invisible.
To get all your application windows to be visible again just click the ‘Show Desktop’
button again!
By right-clicking on the button you get only one option to ‘Peek at Desktop’ which by
default is checked. This is what causes the windows to become transparent while hovering
your mouse over the ‘ShowDestop’ button. Unchecking the option causes hovering to have no
affect or effect. The windows just stay the same until you click the button.
Why Microsoft decided to hide the ‘Show Desktop’ button by not giving it an icon we
may never know. However, the mystery of where the ‘Show Desktop’ button is located has
been solved. Yes, ‘Show Desktop’ lives on!
by: Steven Hodges
The Show Desktop Button
January 22, 2010
Browse the Internet Safely
Are you worried every time you browse the internet? With Malware, Spyware, Adware, Identity
Theft or the possibility of getting your system infected with a Virus you may wonder what you
can do to protect yourself from these varied online dangers. Educating yourself about safe
browsing practices is the first step toward web browsing peace of mind.
First - keep your software updated!
All software has bugs or vulnerabilities. By not updating you are giving unwanted and
malicious software a way into your computer. It is like locking all of the doors on your
house and leaving the windows open.
Here is what you can do:
-
Turn on automatic updates in Windows.
-
Turn automatic updates on in all Security Software.
-
Check for updates periodically even though you have automatic updates enabled.
-
Make sure your Web Browser is the latest version and updated.
Second - think before clicking anything.
If a window pops up while you are on a website clicking on it could install malicious
software. Even clciking on the Close button (the X at the top right corner) could cause
this to happen. Beware of any window that pops up unexpectedly especially if it is claiming
that it has found malware on your computer and only buying their product will keep you safe.
Remember you already have security software on you PC.
So you have a pop-up that you do not want to click on what can you do?
-
Close your web browser using Ctrl + Alt + Del to open Task Manager then click End Task.
-
Update you Security Software and run a Full System Scan.
-
If still concerned do an Online Security Scan like Microsofts Safety Scanner.
Third - know who you are buying from.
It would be easy to fall prey to Identity Theft or to be scammed if you don't know who
you are dealing with. Scammers are even able to make it appear that you are purchasing
something from a secure site when you are not.
How can you protect yourself and your credit card information?
-
Call the Company - if they don't list a working number on their site buy elsewhere.
-
Do a search and see what others are saying about the company.
-
Call the Better Business Bureau and see if there are any complaints about the Company.
Last but not least a word about Passwords.
Passwords and other account information should never be shared with anyone! Would you give your
house keys to a thief before leaving on vacation? Then never give any information in response to an
email asking for your Email Account information, Bank Account information or Social Security Number.
Here are some things to do:
-
Use strong passwords. Instead of using "password" use "P@55w0Rd".
-
Call your ISP or your Bank if you recieve an Email claiming to be from them.
-
Report the phishing scam to the proper authorities. The FBI at www.ic3.gov, the Federal Trade
Commission at ftc.gov and your Internet Service Provider.
Now you can have a little peace of mind while you surf the net in relative safety.
By: Steven Hodges
Next week: We will solve the mystery of the missing 'Show Desktop' button.
January 15, 2010
Virus? - Cure Your Sick PC
Which Anti-Virus program will cure your sick PC and keep it protected from future risks and infections?
Many insist that AVG Free is the way to go. However, as a computer technician I have had to spend days cleaning
infected systems that were running updated copies of AVG. I cannot conscientiously recommend this product.
Does that mean free is out and you need to shell out the big bucks to get good protection? Not necessarily.
Why not give Microsoft Security Essentials a try. It is FREE and provides good protection and in my testing has
removed threats that ESET Nod32 and Kaspersky did not detect. In fact the only Purchased Anti-Virus program that
detected anything missed by Microsoft Security Essentials was Norton 2010.
Norton found registry keys left behind of some possibly unwanted programs that Security Essentials had already detected and removed.
The Verdict? If you do not want to pull out the plastic for a yearly subscription fee Microsoft Security Essentials
may be the right choice for you.
But no matter what Anti-Virus program you choose your system can still become infected if you do not have safe
computing and browsing habits.
What steps can you take to keep your system clean and safe once you have your favorite Anti-Virus program installed?
Next week we will discuss safe browsing practices.
This week's tip will help keep your PC Virus Free!
by: Steven Hodges
January 8th, 2010
Shake Things Up in Windows 7
Have a lot of applications open and want to clear the desktop of all open windows except for
one? Then all you have to do is grab the window you desire to stay visible and give it a shake. All
the other open windows will be minimized. Shaking things up in Windows 7 may not be the most useful
of utilities but it is certainly fun! Here is all you need to do to shake things up in Windows:
- Place your mouse cursor on the Title Bar of the window you want to keep visible.
- Left Click with your mouse and hold the button down.
- Then give the mouse a shake! Really! All the other windows will minimize
Now to bring the windows back just follow the same proceedure outlined above and all of your
application windows reappear.
This week's till will help you shake things up in Windows!
by: Steven Hodges
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