If there are any topics you would like to see discussed in the future or if you have any comments, please contact me at JoeT@HighCaliber.com
Bullet Points
Disabling Error Reporting in Windows XP
Whenever a program crashes or stops responding, XP wants to send an error
report to Microsoft. To make it stop asking you if you want to do this:
Right click My Computer on the desktop or in the Start menu.
Click Properties
Click the Advanced tab
Click the Error Reporting button at the bottom
Click Disable error reporting. You can select the checkbox under it if you
still want to be notified when errors occur.
Click OK
Note that you can disable error reporting for the operating system only, or
for programs only, by unchecking the appropriate box under the Enable error
reporting option. You can also configure error reporting only for specific
programs by clicking the Choose Programs button
Finding the Application That Can Read a Given File Type
As you probably know, Windows determines which application was used to create a
given data file by looking at the file name's extension (i.e. the characters that
come after the period at the end of the name.) For example, Windows usually associates
data files with names ending in .doc with Microsoft Word, and files ending in .xls
with Microsoft Excel.
If you can't figure out the application that was used to create a file on your harddrive,
More generically, you can find out what software you need to handle just
go here:
Just enter the file extension (eg SWF) in the search box, and a page will be displayed
telling you what software generates or uses that file extension.
MSCONFIG
MSCONFIG is an important system configuration utility that comes with Windows.
It allows you to view and/or control the programs and elements of XP's startup process.
To run it:
Click Start
Click Run
Type in msconfig and press Enter
You will then be presented with a series of tabs that will allow you to access
various configuration options. I find the Startup tab the most interesting.
If your machine is infested with spyware/adware/scumware, you will find some nasty
things here.
Should I Turn Off My Computer at Night?
Ever wonder if you should turn your computer off at night or if
you should just turn off the monitor? Some say turning the
PC on and off reduces the useful life of the hard drive and
other components. Others say the opposite. PC design and
construction have changed significantly over the past 5 years
so what we believed way back when may not be applicable today.
For a detailed discussion of this topic, click here:
There are six different variations of DVD format. The most common are
the +R and -R versions. Unlike the VHS/Betamax debacle, there are few
practical differences between +R and -R technologies. Mostly, it's
a turf war over who will "own" DVD standards.
Even if you support PCs in a clean environment, your equipment will
accumulate dust. Regularly cleaning PC equipment plays a big part in
preserving your systems. The following seven steps represent best
practices for keeping dust at bay and equipment functioning optimally.
Perform a periodic full system cleaning
Remove the computer's casing. Remove all dust with canned air and/or
a small vacuum. Clean the external and internal surfaces of the computer
to get rid of dust and any other particles. Don't neglect the power supply
and CPU fan, which are especially prone to accumulating dust.
If you do not have a cleaning product, you can make a simple solution of
1:1 rubbing alcohol and water for external surfaces. Be sure to unplug the
electronic components when introducing a solution and allow it to dry fully.
As always, when working inside the case, make sure you dissipate static
electricity.
Clean the keyboard and mouse
Use a dust vacuum and the alcohol/water solution to clean these dust- and
dirt-collecting components. The keyboard can become very unsightly and even
send erroneous keystrokes if foreign particles become lodged between keys.
Run a CD-ROM cleaner
As with audio systems, CD-ROM drives can be cleaned with special kits. This
is especially useful if you are in a dusty environment.
Clean the monitor
Use a cleaner on the surface of the display unit to remove fingerprints,
dust, or other imperfections on the screen. Always spray the cleaner on a
cloth to clean a monitor rather then spraying cleaner on it directly. If
you're cleaning an LCD, use a product designed for that purpose and don't
press too hard on the screen. It's also a good idea to take the canned air
to the vents on the top of monitor cases to get rid of accumulated dust and
dirt.
Clean the floppy drive with canned air
A good blast of air can remove dust collections inside floppy drives. Use
covers/panels if your systems provide them to help keep dust out of the
drives.
Run a cleaning tape
If your systems have tape drives, run the cleaning tape through to keep the
tape heads clean.
Keep it covered
Use a keyboard, CPU, and monitor cover to keep dust out of systems when not
in use. If a system is used only partly during the day and turned off most
other times, plastic covers can keep dust and airborne particulate out. Just
be careful not to cover up a powered-on system in a way that will block
airflow, as this may cause thermal damage.
Cleaning PCs will result in happier, more productive
users, fewer repairs and replacements, and less downtime.
