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Dave "Bytes" Please remember to use your thinker,
before you tinker! |
This Space For Rent |
A Periodic Newsletter for the Members
of the Sarasota PC User Group
Click here to subscribe to Dave "Bytes
(if you haven't already)
Here's A
Windows XP Tip
Let Windows XP Help You
When you have problems with Windows XP, who do
you call? You could call Microsoft, your computer technician or a friend from
SPCUG, but what about helping yourself. The fastest way may be to let Windows
XP help you do it yourself. Windows XP comes with built-in troubleshooters that
help diagnose and suggest solutions for your computer problems. If you have not
tried any of Windows XP’s Troubleshooters here is a way to start. When you get
an error message or notice your computer acting strangely, note any information
in the error message or the symptoms your computer is experiencing. Open the
Help And Support Center by clicking Start and then Help And Support.
On the left
side of the Help and support Center screen click “Fixing A Problem” in the
“Pick A Help topic” list.
In the new
window in the Fixing A Problem section, click “Troubleshooting problems”.
Now the
right side of the screen displays various Windows support features.
Click “List
of troubleshooters” under the Overviews, Articles and Tutorials section.
This opens a
listing of the complete array of troubleshooters and descriptions of what each
does.
To open a
Troubleshooter click the name like you would a Web link, and it will begin a
questionnaire approach to identifying the problem.
All of the
troubleshooters work this way, trying to identify common problems and pointing
you to information that can help you fix it. You answer each question and
select the appropriate button and description before clicking each step’s Next
button.
The System setup troubleshooter is for problems with Installing and setting up
Windows. If you’re installing to a new hard drive, problems with setup may be
due to hardware malfunctions or incompatible BIOS settings. If you are
upgrading from an earlier version of Windows the troubleshooter will help track
down potential problems including installed hardware and
software
that worked under the old operating system but might be incompatible with
Windows XP.
Use the Startup/Shutdown troubleshooter if you are having problems starting and
shutting down your computer. With this you can enable or disable various startup
applications and services that you think might be causing the problem. On the
other hand, as the troubleshooter suggests, disable all of them and enable them
one at a time to find the offender.
The other utility is the System Restore application. The troubleshooter suggests using it after
making changes to your system settings if you find that Windows no longer
starts successfully but you’re still able to boot into Safe Mode. Remember that
System Restore affects only system settings, so it is different from a data
backup program and cannot recover lost application data.
The Display troubleshooter can help you resolve problems with video cards and video adapters,
including your computer screen, outdated or incompatible video drivers, and
incorrect settings for your video hardware.
The Home networking troubleshooter guides you through network setup, Internet
connections, sharing files and printers.
With the Hardware troubleshooter you can identify and fix problems with disk
drives (including CD-ROM and DVD drives), game controllers, input devices (such
as keyboards, mice, cameras, scanners, and infrared devices), network adapters,
USB devices, modems, and sound cards.
Additional
hardware troubleshooters are available for Multimedia and games, Digital Video
Discs (DVDs), Input Devices (Keyboards, mouse and trackball devices, cameras,
scanners, and infrared devices), Drives and Network Adapters (Hard discs,
floppy discs, CD-ROM and DVD drives, network cards, tape drives, backup
programs), USB (USB connectors and
peripherals),
Sound (Sound and sound cards), Modem (Modem connections, setup, configuration,
and detection).
The Internet connection sharing troubleshooter helps you connect and log on to your Internet
service provider.
For problems browsing the Web, downloading
files, saving your favorites, using IE toolbars, or printing Web pages use the Internet
Explorer troubleshooter.
Similarly the Outlook
Express (Messaging) troubleshooter helps with problems using email and messaging.
The File and Print Sharing
troubleshooter aids in sharing files and printers between
computers, connecting to other computers in a network, installing network
adapters, and logging on.
And the Printing troubleshooter guides you through printer installation and
connection, printer drivers, print quality, printer speed, and fonts.
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BITS |
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BYTES |
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Clicking on the WLSS Logo will
take you to the
"Bits &
Bytes"
site where you can listen to
the most recent broadcast and our Commercial too !!!
My Special
Guests for the Thursday, April 8th program will be
SPCUG President
Sharon Rump
and
PC Donation
Chairman Roger Leer
We'll be discussing
SPCUG's role in providing computers to worthy
organizations and individuals.
We also plan a
SPECIAL SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT during this program.
HERE'S AN
OUTLOOK EXPRESS TIP
Spammers and Read Receipts Outlook Express and Outlook both have a
feature that could tell spammers that your address is good. You may not even
know that it is happening. If a message that you receive requests a read
receipt do you know if you are responding? Well if you don’t have your email program
set properly you might be automatically sending a receipt.
To keep Outlook Express from responding, click Tools and then Options.
Select the Receipts tab and then select "Ask me before sending a
response."
To keep Outlook from responding, click Tools and then Options.
On the Preferences tab, click E-Mail Options.
In the E-Mail Options window, click Tracking Options.
At the bottom of the Tracking Options window, select "Ask me before
sending a response."
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Dave's Cool Download |
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NONE THIS ISSUE !!
Why
not give the gift that keeps on giving all year round? I'm referring to a
subscription to either Smart Computing or CPU Magazines. If
you are a current subscriber and order a gift subscription, the folks at Smart
Computing will add 2 additional issues to your current subscription at no
charge. And remember that even gift subscriptions will be credited to the SPCUG
account so that we can accumulate free subscriptions to give away to our
membership.
To order call 1-800-733-3809 and be
sure to give the following Code Numbers so that SPCUG gets proper credit.
Smart
Computing (11607) CPU Magazine (272)
PC Today (146) CE Tips (219)
Click the banner above to print
an order form.
You will need Adobe Acrobat
Reader to print
If you do not have Acrobat
Reader installed on your computer you can get it by clicking this button
HERE'S A
SPECIAL OFFER FOUND BY ROGER LEER
There is a special price offer
on 22 months of the new PC Magazine Digital Edition for $9.99.
For more information and/or to
order go to
https://www.zdmcirc.com/zdmcirc/default.asp?LK=DIGPOP03043&I=ibmp
Spim Is The
New Spam
Spammers turn to instant messaging to peddle porn and
get-rich-quick scams
Instant messaging spam, or spim, will account for roughly five per
cent of instant message traffic across public networks by year-end, a new
report has claimed. Spim is set to triple from 400 million messages in 2003 to
1.2 billion in 2004, according to research from Radicati.
Pornographic messages are estimated to make up around 70 per cent
of spim, followed by get-rich-quick schemes at 12 per cent, product sales at
nine per cent and financial messages at five per cent.
Almost all messages are short one-liners with a link attached.
Radicati advises that users are made aware of spim and that they
do not click on strange links or those from unknown parties during an instant
messaging session.
From the "Bytes" Mailbag
I know that there is a solution to my
little aggravation, but I can't remember it.
When I delete my e-mail it goes to the deleted items folder, then when I click
on that folder I have to delete them a second time. Is there a way to make it
so that the deleted messages get permanently deleted without that second step?
Joan
Sure
is Joan,
Open your Outlook Express, click on Tools, click on Options, click on
Maintenance, put a checkmark in the box: "Empty Messages from the Deleted
Items Folder on Exit" or in Outlook program follow the same steps except
click the Other Tab in Options and place a checkmark in the box: "Empty
the Deleted Items Folder upon Exiting"
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Got a question? Why
not "Byte" me? |
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Countdown To May General
Meeting |
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The "Bytes" Beg, Bargain
& Barter Basement
Got something
"computer related" to sell? Looking for that rare peripheral? If it's
computer related you can submit a short classified ad for exposure in Dave
"Bytes". Be sure to include your name and e-mail address in the ad.
You can also include a picture of the item. Now some would suggest that there
be a charge for this feature but alas, since my bookkeeping skills leave much
to be desired I've determined that this will be a free service to all SPCUG
members in good standing. "Bytes" is currently sent to almost
1000 homes in the area. Ad requests will be included as soon as possible. I
assume absolutely no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of
supplied info. All transactions are between consulting adults which leaves me
entirely off the hook. Please let me know by clicking HERE when your merchandise is sold
so that I can remove it from the listing. I will try to run each ad for
a month.
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3 Smart Media disks at 128 MB and 1
at 64MB Contact: Sharon Rump |
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Almost-brand new Compaq color
monitor, model 7550 (17") for sale for only $75.00 |
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YOU CAN NOW EASILY LOCATE THE DOWNLOADS MENTIONED IN DAVE
"BYTES" BY CLICKING ON THE BUTTONS ON Check regularly since I'm always adding new content OK SPCUG Members...I Surrender !! Members
Helping Members, something I believe in and I know that I am not alone in
this belief. This space has always asked for your contributions but alas,
none have been received. Remember... Only "YOU" can prevent
"Volunteer Burnout" !! |
Got Something to Share? Click Smokey
Here's The Latest Virus Information
Google Launches Gmail, Free Email
Service
Google is launching a new web-based email service called Gmail
that it hopes it will allow people to search their email as easily as they
search the web -- as well as provide Google with a more permanent connection to
its users.
"Your mail comes in. You don't have to file it. You can just
do a query based on what you remember about it," said Wayne Rosing, vice
president of engineering at Google.
Rosing said the
system has been in development for a number of years and used internally by
employees. Now it's being turned into a product for the public, though most of
the public will still need to wait a few weeks to try it.
Google employees
are currently inviting people outside the company to join the system. Once
Google becomes more confident of Gmail's stability under a heavier load, the
general public will be allowed to sign-up.
"It really
is a test. We need to get feedback from non-technical users.
And that's one
of the suggestions to Googlers, to invite their mothers, fathers and
non-technical relatives. We think it will take a few weeks to get things sorted
out, and I imagine we'll open it up after that."
The Gmail site
is supposed to go live on Thursday (if that link doesn't work, try this one).
And why Gmail? Google says it liked that it was shorter to type than Google
Mail.
Free Mail, But
With Contextual Ads Google has no immediate plans to charge for the system.
Rather, it hopes to monetize through the placement of its AdSense contextual
ads near the system's mail viewing window. For example, someone reading an
email about a particular movie might also see nearby ads pitching the movie's
DVD or soundtrack.
Presumably,
Google's keyword-linked AdWords ads would also show up when actual mail
searches were conducted.
Mixing ads with
email isn't new. Free services have long earned by inserting ads into the
footers of emails that their users send. But some users might be disturbed by
the concept that Google, even if only in an automated fashion, would be
essentially reading their mail in order to know what ads to place.
Indeed, the New
York Times reports that some inside Google have exactly this worry. And while
the messages might stay private, the contextual ads that Google serves simply
can't be targeted without the email's content being analyzed.
Somewhat similar
concerns came up back in 2002, when Yahoo considered using personal search
histories as a way to deliver targeted email advertisements for its Yahoo
Impluse Mail program. The company later abandoned these plans.
Selby Library
Needs Volunteers
As you may be aware, the Selby Library is doing a "tag-a-thon" in the
Youth Department. All books in the library will be tagged to get ready
for self check-out. What this entails is scanning and placing a computer
chip (attached to a sticker) in every book. As you can imagine, this is a
very labor intensive process. We started it last week and have clocked
over 180 volunteer hours!!! We will be continuing until this Friday.
As little as one hour would help us. Volunteers are
encouraged to bring friends, family, etc (sorry no pets). Refreshments
are provided and it is like Santa's workshop over there. Even snowbirds
can volunteer to help out and truly make a difference.
Volunteers interested can call Marilyn Nykiforuk (the youth
librarian) directly at 861-1133.
Want to Join
SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?
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Click the SPCUG Logo for an online |
Spyware, Spyware ... Everywhere You
Look?
Click on name for additional info
Pause For
Thought
"Nine tenths of
education is encouragement."
While
Wandering The Web
The Identity Theft
Resource Center (ITRC), a nonprofit, nationally respected expert dedicated
exclusively to identity theft It provides consumer and victim support and
advises governmental agencies, legislators and companies about this evolving
and growing crime.
Identity theft is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of
information such as Social Security and driver's license numbers and uses it
for their own personal gain. Identity theft takes many forms. Almost all cases,
victims are left with a ruined credit or criminal history and the complicated
task of regaining their good names. Identity theft is an evolving crime and
criminals are finding new and more sophisticated ways to steal and use
information. Nationally, an estimated 7 million consumers became victims of
identity theft during 2002.
Click the thief to visit
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Don't Be an Invisible Member Get Involved To inquire about volunteer
opportunities Remember.. "The more you
put in.... the more you'll take out" |
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Remember Don't Let Your Membership Lapse contact: membership@spcug.org |
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Looking for a SIG or Forum?
The best place to go is the
SPCUG Event Calendar.
Once there you can view everything planned for SPCUG members.
Want to register for a SIG? There is no better place to do that then at http://www.calsplus.com/spcug
This calendar is updated on a daily basis making it the most accurate way to
see what's happening in the world of SPCUG.
Click here for
the Dave "Bytes" Archives
P.S. Don't forget to say "Hi"
at the meeting!!
Sarasota Personal Computer User Group, Inc
Phone: 877-SPCUG-HI
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Website: http://www.spcug.org
© 2004. All Rights Reserved.
l Dave
"Bytes" Home Page l
Bits
& Bytes Radio Show|
SPCUG Home Page | Officers | Newsletter | SIGs | Regular
Meetings | Sarasota | Join
NOW! |
| Coming Attractions | Favorite
Links | Calendar | Search | Site Map |