Dave "Bytes" - July 23, 2004

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!
July 23, 2004

A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!

Click here to subscribe to Dave "Bytes
(Please provide your full name and email address)

Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Clean Boot Windows XP

Sometimes you need to start up Windows XP clean. By clean, we mean no extra services, no extra "start up" applications, nothing extra at all except what Windows XP needs to start up. You can use this clean boot to delete files that say that they're "in use" when you try to delete them, or install programs that will fix problems you're having when you boot normally. Remember, booting clean is for troubleshooting and fixing - it's not for running your day to day computing:

Click Start and then click the Run command.
In the Run dialog box, type msconfig in the Open text box and click OK.
On the General tab, select the Selective Startup option.
Remove the checkmarks from the Process SYSTEM.INI, Process WIN.INI, and Load Startup Items checkboxes.
Click on the Services tab. Put a checkmark in the Hide All Microsoft Services checkbox. Then click the Disable All button. This disables all non-Microsoft services. If a Microsoft service is causing the problem, it won't disable that service and won't fix the problem.
Click Apply and then click OK.
In the System Configuration dialog box, click the Restart button.
Logon to the system. You'll see a System Configuration Utility dialog box. Click OK.
Move the dialog box off to the side and make the changes you need to make. Then click on the General tab and then select the Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services option.
Click Apply and then click Close. Click the Restart button in the System Configuration dialog box.

Missing the Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT setup disks or CD-ROM?

The files you need may already be on your computer in cab files. When you are prompted for the CD or disk, click the Browse... button and locate c:\windows\options\cabs. Once you have located that directory, select it and click on OK.

BITS

BYTES

Clicking on Dave will take you to the

"Bits & Bytes"

site where you can listen to the most recent broadcast

Why not give the gift that keeps on giving all year round? I'm referring to a subscription to either Smart Computing, PC Today, CE Tips 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

SPCUG General Meeting Date Changed to August 11

Due to a scheduling conflict at Sarasota Middle School the next General Meeting
has been changed from
August 4th to August 11th

Please remember to mark your calendars !!!!

Countdown to the next SPCUG General Meeting

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 1500 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.

Two 128mb Smartmedia Memory Cards
$15 each, or both for $25
Smartmedia Card Reader $8

Got a new camera that uses a different format. Everything in A1 condition

Warren Kahn
warka@comcast.net
(941)378-3728

Two new ink cartridges
Black P/N T0529 for Dell Printer A920.
Also have one refilled cartridge
Need #56 black for HP printer
E mail rwt2@juno.com. or call 377-3038

Click Here To Submit Your Ad

Here's A Microsoft Word Tip

Training for Office Online has now reached a major milestone: 100 courses have been published. The course that gains the honor of being the 100^th is Get to know Visio.

Now available for your delectation and education are:

18 Excel courses
16 Outlook courses
12 FrontPage courses
12 Word courses
11 Access courses
11 PowerPoint courses
4 Visio courses
3 OneNote courses
3 Publisher courses
3 InfoPath courses
1 Project course
and 6 courses about general Office features that apply to more than one Microsoft Office System program.

All these online courses are free to owners of any Office 2003 product. Training courses are a great way to learn about features that are new to you, or to polish rusty skills that you haven't used in a while. Check out what the Crabby Office Lady has to say about Office Online Training in this article: Put on your training wheels and learn some Office skills.

Note You need to have an Office 2003 product installed on your computer to see training courses, but everyone can see an animated tour of a training course.

The writers and editors on the training team are hard at work producing still more courses. Keep checking the Office Online Training home page for new courses or to suggest courses that you would like to see.

Please Sign The Dave "Bytes" Guestbook

Click Image to Sign

Are You "Movin' On Up?

If YOU are movin' on up, that is, to a newer model PC and aren't really using your old one, please give careful consideration to donating it to the PC Refurbishing/Donation SIG. Roger Leer's gang will take your donated PC, buff it up where needed, then find it a new home with a worthy recipient.

Your donation could change a life !!

Contact Roger at by clicking here

From the "Bytes" Mailbag

Hi Dave,

I have a Quick Time icon in my tray next to the clock. I have to exit it every time I log on to XP.
But it comes back every time.
Quick Time does not show in the 'add-remove programs.
It does not show in the Programs list.
Finally found it by 'regedit' under HKey_local_machine_software_Apple.
I do not use it, do not want it in the tray. Would it be OK to delete it from the registry?

Thank you, Ken

Apple's Quicktime Player has, for a long time, been one of the standard video players available. Some vendors pre-install it on new systems or you might have done so yourself while wandering the web. Quicktime uses no resources while sitting in the taskbar and I can't offer an explanation as to why it doesn't appear in Add/Remove Programs or in you Start menu.

Before fiddling with the registry try this ....

Open Control Panel
If a QuickTime Icon is visible follow Option #1
If not. follow Option #2

1.
Double-click Icon
Top line should read "Browser Plugin". If it doesn't, click the arrow and scroll to that choice.
Uncheck the bottom option (Quicktime System Tray Icon

2.
Click Start + Run
Type MSCONFIG
Click tab that read "Startup"
Uncheck the box qttask

Either option should do it !!

How to Create a Password Reset Disk

Windows XP lets you create a reset disk so that, if you should forget your password, you'll be able to use the disk to reset the password. Otherwise, you might never be able to log onto the account again. To make the disk, you use the Forgotten Password Wizard. Here's how (the following assumes your computer is not a member of a domain):
Click Start | Control Panel and double click User Accounts.
Click the account name under which you're logged on.
Under Related Tasks in the top box on the left, click Prevent a forgotten password.
On the first page of the wizard, click Next.
On the next page, choose the drive letter of the disk on which you want to create the reset disk (typically a:).
Enter your current password.
Click Next.
Click Finish.
This places an encrypted copy of your password on the disk. Now if you forget the password, you can use your reset disk to start the Password Reset Wizard and create a new password.
Important: You'll need to create a new reset disk any time you change your password.

Who Says There's No Place For Humor In Computing?

Those who know me are very aware that I am not fond of receiving jokes via email. There are a few reasons but the most annoying ones are getting a joke .....

1. That has been around the world at least 100 times
2. That's not even a bit humorous
3. When it's pages and pages long and not worth the "punch line" putting unnecessary wear and tear on my scroll mouse
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY .....
4. Sent to all recipients along the way using TO: and not BCC:

So, occasionally I'll include the ones that I think are are worth the time without clogging your INBOX.
Dave

Here's The Latest Virus Information

USB 1.0 or 2.0?

USB is a way for your computer to connect to external devices. It's fast, easy to use, and allows you to use tons of devices all strung together. Most newer computers have one or more USB ports. Older computers have USB 1.0 or 1.1, while newer PCs have the faster USB 2.0

But how do you find out which type you have?

Well, it's not too hard to find out if your PC has Hi-Speed (USB 2.0) or not. Right click "My Computer" select "Properties" (or from Control Panel go to "System") then select the "Hardware" tab. Locate and expand the Universal Serial Bus section.

If it shows an "Enhanced" USB Host Controller, then you have USB 2.0 capability. If not, then you have the slower USB 1.0 or 1.1

Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?

Click the SPCUG Logo for an online
Membership Application that you can
type into and print

This Has Absolutely Nothing To Do With Computers

It Just Made Me Laugh

Pause For Thought

"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence."

-Robert Frost

Don't Be an Invisible Member

Get Involved

To inquire about volunteer opportunities

Click Here

Remember.. "The more you put in....

the more you'll take out"

Dave's Cool Downloads

Iconoid is a Windows desktop icon manager. Make icon backgrounds
transparent Select any color for icon backgrounds Save and Restore Icon
positions for each (or every) screen resolution Select any color for
icon text Automatically or manually select the best color for the text
background Dynamically hide icons when you don't need them and show
them when you do Quickly minimize all windows so that you can see your
desktop wallpaper. See the help files (which include screen shots) for
even more information.

Remember

Don't Let Your

Membership Lapse

contact: membership@spcug.org

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

To Send A Message To Dave Click Below

Sign the "Bytes" Book


Mentioned In The LangaList Newsletter		As Seen In

Last Updated
04/13/2007 06:42 AM