COMPUTER TIPS
Here are various things I've learned. Some of them will be obvious to people who aren't newbies. Note that I use a PC so Mac tips are on a different page (some of the tips below will also work with Macs).
Windows 95/98
 | CTRL C and CTRL V will let you cut and paste just about anything. Just highlight the text you want to move and do CTRL C, then go to a word processing program such as Word or any text program such as Notepad and do CTRL VV. The text will move there. This is the same function as going to the Edit menu and choosing Cut and Paste. It can also be used in Netscape on Web pages. |
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| If your computer is having some problems, one thing to make sure to do on a REGULAR basis is to perform ScanDisk and Disk Defrag on your hard drive. Go to your Programs Menu and then to the submenu Accessories. Choose "System Tools". First click on ScanDisk. If you have more than one hard drive, you can either do them all or just one hard drive. I always do a thorough scan, but a surface scan is a lot quicker. After you have done the scan, then choose Disk Defrag. It may tell you that you don't need to do it yet, so you don't have to. But it won't hurt anything if you do it anyway. |
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| To remove unwanted programs from your Start Menu, Click on the Start button and then choose "Settings". Choose "Taskbar" and click on the "Start Menu Programs" tab. You can then either choose to add or remove programs. NOTE: this will not remove the program from your system, only your Start Menu. |
Netscape
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| To save any picture, just right-click with your mouse button on the picture and it will give you a list of options including "Save"; then you just save the pic. Also, if you find the cache files in your browser (use Windows Explorer or a similar program), you will see that all the html files and pictures you have come across in your Web travels are there, so you don't really have to save any. Just choose the ones you want. Also, since these caches can really large, you can delete them regularly to give yourself more hard drive space. |
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| If you use a lot of bookmarks, sometimes it can be tough to organize them. My Netscape came with a bunch of directory names to use but if you choose to "Add Bookmark", it puts the bookmark below these directories. So I have to routinely go through and put the new bookmarks in directories for easier use. In the Bookmarks menu, choose "Go to Bookmarks" and you will see a list of all your bookmarks. You can use the Edit and Insert menus to make directories for you bookmarks, move them around, arrange them alphabetically, etc. Fool with it so you can see all the choices. Just be sure to backup your bookmarks file first, in case you accidentally delete something! |
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| If you click on a bookmark while in "Go to Bookmark", it will show you the URL at the bottom of the bookmark screen. If you click on CTRL C you can paste the URL anywhere you want. |
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| I get too many bookmarks to use. That is one reason I have a Web page. If you have the capabilities of making a Web page, then a links page is the best way to keep all your bookmarks handy without having to use them in Netscape. (This is also helpful if you use different browsers) For instance, my computers page is a list of good computer and HTMl links that I use all the time. Rather than have them as bookmarks, I go to my computers page and click on the link I want. This also keeps my bookmarks from getting too cluttered. It doesn't even have to a page you want to share with others. If you don't advertise your page, then you won't get many visitors anyway. If you want to keep it totally private, for your use only, then just don't put the page up on a server. Keep it on your own computer, then when you open Netscape, go to the File menu and choose Open, then open your file. The links should still work and you can go to any of them you want. |
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| For printing or bookmarking pages in frames (and to see what the URL is): Click on the page with the right button of your mouse and you should see some options. In Netscape 4.0: You have three options. You can select either "Create Shortcut" and then highlight the URL given there, copy it (make sure to cancel the shortcut after that), and paste it into the location field; or you can choose "Add Bookmark". This will it to your bookmarks. By selecting it in your Bookmarks, you can see the actual page for printing, etc. A third way is to select "Open Frame in New Window". This will open a new Netscape window with the frame page, so you can bookmark, print, etc. |
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| For making a page your Home Page (the first page you see when you open Netscape): If you're using Netscape Navigator or Communicator, go to the "Edit" menu and choose "Preferences." At the top of the Preferences box, you will find a box that says "Navigator Starts With" and then three options, click on the little button to the left of the "Home Page" option. Further down on the box it will say "Clicking on the Home button will take you to this page" under that, where it says "Location:" enter your favorite URL address and click on "OK". |
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| Netscape Communicator (4.0 and above) has a new feature where you can add a URL right on your toolbar, for easier access. In Netscape 4.0: Go to the Bookmarks Menu and choose "Add Bookmark". Then choose "Edit Bookmarks". Go to the very end of your bookmarks. Using the cut and paste function in your operating system, move your favorite bookmark to the folder at the top of your bookmarks called "Personal Toolbar Folder". The site of your bookmark should appear on your Netscape toolbar. |
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| Netscape Composer: This is a great HTML editor, but if you are using the Windows 95 version, you know that Netscape often crashes. Make sure to save your work often! |
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| Want to use Netscape for your mail but you're not sure how it works? Go to the "Preferences" section (depending on which version of Netscape you use, it may be on different menus). Click on "Mail & Groups". Under "Identity" you should have different fields. Under "Name" put whatever name you choose to be known by. Type your email address where it says "email address" (duh!). Also type it where it says "reply-to". If you work for a particular company or group, type that name under "Organization". If you have a signature file that you already use, click on "Choose" next to "signature file". This will take you to your directories, just find the place where you put the signature file and click on "Open". Next choose "Message Server". Type your user name where it says "mail server user name" (usually this is the first part of your email address before the "@"). Where it says "Outgoing mail server" you are going to have put something. Your ISP should be able to supply you with this information. It is usually something like "mail.XXXX.com" Your "incoming mail server" is usually the same (but not always; check to make sure). You have other choices here, but they are not as important and can be fixed later. |
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| If you browse the web a lot, then you also go back and forth between the same web sites a lot. Rather than using your back or forward buttons all the time, an easier way is to use the GO menu. Click on it and it will give you a list of all the most recent sites you've been to. Just click on the one you want to go to. |
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| To save a file that you would normally download, such as an MPG (movie) file, right click on the link and choose "Save Link As..." |
Internet Explorer (I don't use it too much but here are a few tips):
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| For printing or bookmarking frames pages: Click on the page with the right button of your mouse and you should see some options. If your browser is Internet Explorer 4.0: You have one of two options. You can either select "properties" and then highlight the URL given there, copy it and paste it to the address field; or you can select "Add to Favorites". This will add it to your favorites list. By selecting it in your Favorites List, you can see the actual page for printing, etc. |
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| For making a page your Home Page (the first page you see when you open Internet Explorer): If you're using Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0, go to the "Views" Menu and choose "Internet Options ". On the "General" page the first entry is "You can change which page to use for your homepage" under which there is a space for "Address," enter your favorite URL address and then click on "OK". |
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| Internet Explorer 4.0 has a new feature where you can add a favorite site right on your toolbar to handily use. In Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0, Go to the "Favorites" Menu and choose "Add to Favorites". Choose Organize Favorites. Click on the favorite site you like at the end of your list of Favorites, then click on Move and then Links. Then Close. Your favorite site should appear on your Links toolbar. |
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| If you browse the web a lot, then you also go back and forth between the same web sites a lot. Rather than using your back or forward buttons all the time, an easier way is to use the File menu. Click on it and, under Properties, it will give you a list of all the most recent sites you've been to. Just click on the one you want to go to. |
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| To save a file that you would normally download, such as an MPG (movie) file, right click on the link and choose "Save Target As..." |
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| IE 5.0 has a feature where, if you type in something in a form field, it shows a drop down box of previous things you've typed into form fields. This can be annoying. To get rid of this: Choose Internet Options from the Tools menu. Click on the Content tab and look at where it says "Personal Information." Click on the "Autocomplete" button and make sure that the box called "Forms" is not checked. Click on "OK". |
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| Some of the earlier versions of 5.0 had a bug that would cause the back button to have problems. You can solve this problem by upgrading to a more recent release of 5.0. |
BOTH BROWSERS:
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| When a site is taking awhile to load, click on the "Stop" button. If it's just that the graphics are taking a long time, you can still read the text. |
SOUND:
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| If you're having trouble with getting sound to work on your computer....first make sure the "mute" box on your realplayer
or other music player is not checked and that the volume is turned up on the
program. Then go to your start button, programs/accessories/media/entertainment menus and click on "volume control". Make sure your volume is turned up and no mute boxes are checked. If they are checked, uncheck them! If none of that helps, then check the connection on your computer between your speakers and your pc. Also check to make sure any external volume control is not turned down. If none of that works, then you might have a problem with your sound card. You will need to either call the company that makes your sound card for help, or take your pc to a repair place. You can check the MIDI Forum for help with MIDI music. Good luck! |
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| Mac tips! |
Here is a list of some links to other good tips pages:
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| Some useful tips that someone sent me! |
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| Winplanet Huge, helpful page! |
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| Windows Forum from Delphi get lots of good help! |
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| Windows 95 Tips for Using Telnet |
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| ComputerImages tips--for many programs, not just Windows |
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| Winfiles.com Shareware, drivers, tips, etc. |
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| PC Users Group with Tips and more |
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| The World of Windows |
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| Tipworld Tips for many different computer programs |
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| PC Computing's article "Undocumented PC Secrets" |
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| PC Computing's Windows SuperGuide |
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| 24-hour Support.com |
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| Windows 95 Annoyances |
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| The LaughIn's Computer Tips |
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| Network One's Windows 95 Tips |
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| Netscape Tips and Tricks |
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| Windows 95 Tips and Tricks |
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| webhelp.com |
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| Help-Site Computer Manuals - Main Index |
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| Please Use E |
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| Ask-a-Tech Canadian software support |
Back to Suzanne's Computer Page
Email:
me@suzann.com
All documents created using Microsoft FrontPage. Graphics created using
many products over the years. Currently I use MS Paint, ThumbsPlus, and MS
PhotoDraw for all other graphics.
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