Teaching you the Tips and Tricks to make computers Easy!

Susy Gans Santa Cruz, CA (831) 479-1242 (888) 237-3164 toll free

That does not compute...

A frequently asked Q&A column geared toward beginning Windows users.

Q: What can I do when my computer locks up and I can’t do a proper shut down?

A: If your computer locks up – i.e., you click the mouse and nothing happens or the mouse doesn’t move at all – you can try to save any files you have open and safely shut down your computer, using Ctrl, Alt, Delete. First, press and hold the CTRL and ALT keys on your keyboard. While holding them down, press the DELETE key, then let go of all three keys. A Close Program dialogue window should pop up. Select the task that caused the problem (most likely, it will say Not Responding in parentheses), and click the End Task button. After a few seconds, a separate End Task dialog box will pop up, explaining that the program is not responding. Click End Task again, and with any luck, Windows will proceed to close the program that was locked up.

If pressing Ctrl, Alt, Delete does absolutely nothing; or if trying to end a task results in a total lock-up, you're flat out of luck. At that point, all you can do is turn the computer’s power off.

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Q: I’m really tired of that paper-clip character butting into my business in Microsoft Word. Is there a way to get rid of him permanently?

A: The paper-clip character is called the “Microsoft Assistant.” He gives you access to tips and help while using the Microsoft Office products. If you click on the Help menu and choose “Hide Assistant,” he will pop up only when he thinks you need assistance. On the other hand, if you don’t want Big Brother watching as you type, get rid of him completely! Click your RIGHT mouse button on the Assistant, choose “Options” from the resulting menu, then click the “Use Office Assistant” check box to remove the check mark.

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Q: My son tells me I don’t have enough memory to run a particular game, but my computer says I have 2GB of free space. I don’t get it!

A: Understanding the difference between memory and disk space is a common problem. Memory is a temporary work area your computer uses when performing tasks. It is measured in Megabytes (MB) and is wiped clean every time you start up your computer. More memory is needed to run some of the more complex programs and games and it allows you to leave several programs or documents open at the same time. To increase the size of your memory, you need to add chips to the inside of your computer.

On the other hand, your Hard Disk is like a huge CD in your computer where all your files and programs are permanently stored. It is usually measure in Gigabytes (GB). As you create more files and load more programs onto your computer, you use up disk space. You can create more disk space by deleting files and programs from your computer, then emptying your Recycling Bin.

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Q: How do I use a picture of my grandson as the background on my Windows desktop?

A: If you have the picture somewhere on your computer, you can easily use it as your desktop background. The following are instructions for later versions of Windows, like XP or Me: 

Close or minimize all your windows, so you see only the current desktop background. Click your RIGHT mouse button on your current background - where there are no icons - and a small menu should pop up. Click "Properties" to show the Display Properties window. Click "Desktop" at the top of the window to see your choices for backgrounds. You'll see your current background highlighted. Make note of the name and whether it says "Stretch", "Tile", or "Center" in the lower right corner, just in case you want to go back to it. You can scroll through other backgrounds stored on your computer to see if you like them, by clicking on each one.

Click the "Browse" button, find the picture you want to use, and double click it. You'll see what the desktop will look like in the mini-picture on the window. Experiment with changing the "Position" between, Center, Tile, Stretch. If you like it, click OK to change your desktop. Otherwise, click "Cancel."

What background do I use? I like "Prairie Wind," which comes with Windows XP. I like it because it's a nice soothing dark color, with a little character - but not too busy - so it's easy to pick out my desktop icons.

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Tips and Tricks for Advanced Users.

You can create your own keyboard shortcuts to launch commonly used programs. For example, I type CTRL+ALT+E to run my email program and CTRL+ALT+W to run Microsoft Word. This way I don't need to find the icon on my desktop or Start menu. To do this, you first need to find a shortcut to the program somewhere on your computer. (Usually you can find one on your Start menu.) Click your RIGHT mouse button on the shortcut and choose Properties. In the "Shortcut Key" field, type the letter you want for your hotkey. (Make sure you don't duplicate a hotkey you've already used - Windows won't warn you!). Click OK. Now you can launch that program by holding down the CTRL and ALT keys while pressing the hotkey you specified. I love hotkeys, because I have too many icons on my desktop and my Start menu is huge!

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Many people don't know about using the HOME and END keys on your keyboard as shortcuts. In most Windows programs dealing with text, you can use them as follows:
 

HOME	Jumps to the beginning of the line
END	Jumps to the end of the line
CTRL+HOME	Jumps to the beginning of the document
CTRL+END	Jumps to the end of the document
SHIFT+CTRL+HOME	Highlights the text between the current cursor point and the beginning of the document
SHIFT+CTRL+END	Highlights the text between the current cursor point and the end of the document

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When you first install Windows, it hides the extensions of all known file types.  If you want the extensions displayed, go to any folder's window, choose View -> Folder Options, click on the View tab, and un-select "Hide file extension of known file types."  There are several other options in this window which are great for customizing your views - like "Show all Hidden Files"...

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To quickly and easily add an item to your Start menu:  In any folder's window (or on the desktop), locate the item you'd like to add to the Start menu. Click and drag the item directly over the Start button (if you see a circle with a line through it on your mouse pointer, you're on the edge of the Start button--move over just a bit), let go, and that item takes its place in the top portion of your Start menu (alphabetically). Click Start to see for yourself!

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Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows

I love keyboard shortcuts in general, but they're also handy when your mouse is frozen for some reason...
 

SHIFT+click	To select a contiguous group of text, files, or folders
CTRL+click	To select a non-contiguous group of files, or folders
CTRL+A	To select all text, files, or folders
SHIFT+arrow key	To select text, files, or folders as the cursor moves
ALT	Highlights the menu bar.  After pressing ALT, press the underlined letter of a menu item to open that menu.  For example, ALT+F will open the File menu.
ALT+space bar	Opens the Minimize / Maximize / Close menu for the current window - then press X to maximize, R to restore, N to minimize, or C to close.

 

If you have a Windows Key on your keyboard (between CTRL and ALT), you can use the following shortcuts:
 

WINDOWS+Pause/Break	Open System Properties
WINDOWS+R	Open the Run dialogue box
WINDOWS+F	Open the Find File dialogue box
WINDOWS+M	Minimize all open windows
WINDOWS+F1	Run Windows Help.

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