Tiplet expert tips & tech support

March 18, 2009

How to Disable Browser Cache

Filed under: Internet,privacy & security,Windows — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

The first time you visit a Web page, your browser stores the file in your cache so that when you visit again, the page loads quicker. The stored files load from your hard drive instead of having to be downloaded from the Internet. This is a useful feature because it makes your Web surfing much faster. Sometimes, however, browser caching is undesirable – it may cause you to miss updates on a Web page that changes frequently. There are several ways around this. You can bypass, clear, or even disable your browser cache so that each time you visit a page all the files are freshly downloaded.
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Using Windows Remote Desktop Function

Filed under: computer performance,Internet,mobile computing,Windows — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

Imagine you are away from the office, or home, or home-office, about to make a presentation to an important client. In the waiting room, you discover you’ve left your PowerPoint presentation and, more importantly, the contract the client was going to sign on your desktop PC! It’s time to die … unless you have Remote Desktop running back home.
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March 17, 2009

“Cannot Restore” Errors When Trying to Use System Restore

Filed under: computer performance,data storage and recovery,Windows — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Q: I’ve been having trouble trying to restore my system to an earlier date. The restore program goes to the point where it says pick a date to restore to. There will be several dates highlighted to pick from, and when I pick one the program goes through its paces and then gives the message that it cannot restore to that date. No matter what date I pick it does the same thing. Is there a way to correct this? — Thomas

Unfortunately, the odds are you will likely not be able to correct this error, since Windows has probably deleted the files. One of the ways this can happen is if you have upgraded your Windows to a newer version. When the files are updated, Windows doesn’t keep old system restore checkpoints since they would not be compatible with a newer version of Windows. Neither can you “degrade” to an older version of Windows with system restore.
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Where Did “Spyware Threat Has Been Detected on Your PC” Come From?

Filed under: applications,privacy & security,Windows — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

As you surf the Web, you may be startled by a window that pops up with a message like one of these:

warning spyware threat has been detected on your pc

spyware threat has been detected on your pc

Sometimes the window jiggles nervously in a way calculated to make you anxious. Always, there is a button to click for a “free spyware scan.”
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March 16, 2009

How to Declutter Your Computer Desktop

Filed under: Windows — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

In Windows XP, the desktop is the first thing you see when you boot your computer. Chances are that over time, your desktop becomes less and less useful because it is all cluttered up with icons that represent installation files, shortcuts, and miscellaneous items that tend to get dumped on the desktop because it’s easy. Kind of like the actual made-out-of-wood or acrylic desktop that your computer is sitting on right now. When your desktop gets too cluttered, it’s hard to work with and you can’t find anything. Here are a few ways you can organize your virtual desktop to best suit your needs.
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How to Transfer Files From Drive to Drive

Filed under: computer hardware,computer performance,data storage and recovery,file transfer,Windows — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

Q: I figured it would be cheaper to buy an external hard drive and free up some space on my C: drive and in turn give me more speed and memory back, versus buying a whole new computer. So, my question is: How do I transfer files, programs, etc. from my C: internal hard drive to my new G: external hard drive? – Richard

Richard wants to “free up some disk space” (available memory won’t be affected by moving files) so I would recommend moving only user data files at first. That should free up quite a bit of space. Leave Windows and existing program files where they are. Install new programs on the external drive.

In increasing order of difficulty, here are ways to move user data, program files, and Windows itself:
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March 15, 2009

How to Set Your Default Folder Views for Consistency in Windows XP

Filed under: Windows — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

When you’re looking for a file, do you find yourself constantly changing the folder view so you can see all the details about a file? I do. Seeing the date that the file was created or last modified helps me figure out if I’m seeing the file I really want. Or do you like to see thumbnails of the files and folders? When you have a lot of pictures or videos on your computer, the thumbnail view really comes in handy. In Windows XP, you can change the default folder view so that you never have to go through the process again, unless you decide you want to see your folders a different way.
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Synchronizing your PC and Cell Phone with Microsoft ActiveSync

Filed under: applications,communication,mobile computing,Windows — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

Compact, convenient smart phones are increasingly used in lieu of laptop computers for communication and personal information management when one is away from home or office. Consequently, it becomes necessary to ensure that up-to-date copies of your contacts, email, correspondence, and other frequently accessed information are on your phone as well as your desktop computer. You have to synchronize the two devices.
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March 14, 2009

What Is a Virtual PC and Who Needs It?

Filed under: applications,computer performance,Windows — Tags: , , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

“Virtual PC” is both a Microsoft product name and a generic computing term. The “PC” part refers specifically to Intel x86 hardware platforms, which are the basis of most familiar PCs (Personal Computers). A “virtual machine” is not necessarily an Intel x86-based machine.

A virtual PC allows one to run multiple operating systems on one x86 hardware platform simultaneously. Microsoft Virtual PC is Microsoft’s software for enabling the running of various Microsoft operating systems in a virtual PC environment. You can have multiple copies of one operating system, or copies of several different operating systems running simultaneously. You can switch from one virtual PC to another with a click of a mouse key.
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March 13, 2009

How to Disable or Enable Firewall in Windows XP

Filed under: computer performance,privacy & security,Windows — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Windows XP comes with a built-in firewall, which is a great tool for protecting your system from unauthorized access by malicious programs that you may stumble upon while you’re online. Sometimes, however, you’ll want to turn the firewall off in order to install a desirable program or to allow a remote technician access to your computer for technical support. After that, of course, it’s important to re-enable the firewall so that your computer is less vulnerable to attack.
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How to Format or Reformat a Hard Drive

Filed under: computer hardware,Windows — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

Sometimes you have to prepare a brand new hard drive for use. At other times, you may have to reformat a badly messed-up hard drive; that is, wipe it clean and start over with a fresh installation of Windows and all your applications and data. Either need calls for formatting the hard drive. It’s simple, but it takes a bit of time and you have to be careful to preserve irreplaceable data.
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