Computer Help and Tips

[Anonymous]

I am starting this thread to share questions and answers about computers and computer related problems. I am not the one to ask about computer problems. But I know we have some people here in the forums who do have a good knowledge of computers and softwear, and could offer good advice on most questions someone might have.

We can use this thread to also offer tips, etc. that will hopefully help people. If your computer is still under warrenty then by all means use the warrenty and take it where they tell you to take it. However, it is my goal to have people offer tips and ideas for those of us whose computer is out of warrenty, and therefore, have nothing to loose. If the computer is out of warrenty and you have a problem that someone can help you with then you have saved some money and that my friends should be a big help to anyone.

So if you hear of a tip or have a problem then post it here. We will see how computer savy we all are.

[Anonymous]

Someone emailed me this tip today. I tried it and it works. [^]

If your disk drive refuses to open when pushing the button, there is a manual release you can use. Find a paper clip, or other small straight hard object, and insert it into the small hole on the disk drive. When you feel it hit something push just a little and you will feel it disengage and the drive will open.

I hope this is a small help to anyone who needs it. [;)]

If you have another tip, please put it here in this thread.

[Anonymous]

I know just enough about computers to be really dangerous.[X-)] My 3 favorite buttons are Ctrl,Alt,Delete. [#oops][:-^] And when all else fails, there's allways the power button [#dots]

[Anonymous]

Here are some tips to help you if your computer is running slow. (I learned this stuff when I had days off from Amtrak)

1. Computers store data in pieces on your hard disk and the computer puts the data where ever it wants it to go, usually broken up and scattered all over your hard drive. To make these pieces of data organized so the computer doesn't have to go back and forth across the hard disk, open start, programs, accessories, system tools, and click on Disk Defragmenter. It may take a while to defragment but its worth it. It's recommended that you defragment monthly.

2. Clean all temporary Internet files. You can do this by right clicking Internet explorer, click properties, and on the menu click delete cookies, and click temporary Internet files. These files take up hard disk space and are rarely ever used again.

Hope this helps if you have this problem. There are many more reasons why your computer could be running slow, but these are usually the problem.

Amtrak Mark

[Modelcar]

....Good stuff, keep 'em coming.

[daveklepper]

Also, go into DOS if you know how. If you don't get someone to show you. Then delete all deletable files in Windows/temp. Preferably do this before you use Deframentator. Unless you are an expert, don't go into DOS for any othe purpose. You can also use 'My Computer," - "C" - "Windows" - "Temporary" to delete the temp files. Once you delete a lot of them at once you might notice an improvement in computer speed in some applications. Dave Klepper

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the humour thread would have been a better place to post this, but here are Murphy's Laws of Computing.

-When computing, whatever happens, behave as though you meant it to happen.
When you get to the point where you really understand your computer, it's probably obsolete.
-The first place to look for information is in the section of the manual where you least expect to find it.
-When the going gets tough, upgrade.
-For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.
-To err is human . . . to blame your computer for your mistakes is even more human, it is downright natural.
-He who laughs last probably made a back-up.
-If at first you do not succeed, blame your computer.
-A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.
-The number one cause of computer problems is computer solutions.
-A computer program will always do what you tell it to do, but rarely what you want to do.

[sooblue]

Well,
We live in the age of the hacker/advertising executive that has learned how to get around fire walls. For those who don't know what a fire wall is it is software that is suppose to isolate your computer from unwanted internet "garbage". If you want to down load something you have to give the computer permission.

In my wifes School they had a firewall set up in their bank of computers that was comprimised by the add world. When there computers were started up they would run so slow that it would take 15 mins to get all the programs started on each computer. The local computer guru found that most of the computers had several programs running in the background inviting XXX sights as well as less bothersome pop up adds to come and join the group. All through the firewall. No one knew about it until one little Girl tried to search for curves on the internet and got curves!! xxx.
after it was cleaned up everything ran normal again.
Sooblue

[adrianspeeder]

i'm a hardware guy, so a can answer questions about that and whats in your case. dont know dip about software though.

Adrianspeeder

[Modelcar]

...Someone give this a shot: What would generally cause e-mail to be received in duplicates and sometimes triplicates...? But not always. This computer is new and it is doing the same as the one it replaced.

[rrnut282]

MC
The first thing I would look at is the sender's address info. See if your e-mail address is listed in there twice. Someone who has set up groups (multiple addresses in one) may inadvertently send an e-mail to a group that includes you and also add in the individual address as well. Hopefully it's not more complicated than that.

[Modelcar]

....Thanks for the response 282....but some of the duplicates are coming from friends that communicate each day....In other words, a private note coming only to me.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....Thanks for the response 282....but some of the duplicates are coming from friends that communicate each day....In other words, a private note coming only to me.

If it's happening consistently to the same people, probably need to look to them. Some people will hit "send" again if the response isn't judged as quick enough, and the computer or software will gladly execute the command again... I double posted on the forums the other day when I got back an error screen instead of the usual. I wrongly assumed that the post hadn't "taken", went "back" and sent it again...

And I have seen people who can inadvertently "bounce" a key, sending the same command twice.

[Modelcar]

Tree68....Yes, 10-4 on sending twice to the forum...In fact, I too did that just yesterday as I got some kind of message when I tried to send my message to the forum and then assuming it didn't go I sent it again when I cycled around...and for sure both went.
But my other situation of duplication of incoming e-mails...It occurs with friends and at times from unsolicited mail. Sometimes tripled. This morning was a time again when all kinds of incoming were doubled....but not all of it. Some came in single just as it's supposed to.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

Tree68....Yes, 10-4 on sending twice to the forum...In fact, I too did that just yesterday as I got some kind of message when I tried to send my message to the forum and then assuming it didn't go I sent it again when I cycled around...and for sure both went.
But my other situation of duplication of incoming e-mails...It occurs with friends and at times from unsolicited mail. Sometimes tripled. This morning was a time again when all kinds of incoming were doubled....but not all of it. Some came in single just as it's supposed to.

This sounds like a mail server issue. Question: Are you using Outlook Express for mail?

There is a setting in the tools---> Accounts "Delete mail from server when retrieving" or something like that. This may not be working on your mail server. This has happened to me a few times. I had to finally access my mail via my providers web mail service to delete the mail I had already downloaded.

I would check with your provider.

[Modelcar]

....Tom: ISP is Iquest and mail program is IncrediMail Xe....Thanks for the thoughts.

[Puckdropper]

Definately talk to your ISP's or mail provider's tech support.

My biggest tip for computers is "DO NOT USE OUTLOOK EXPRESS." You'll notice many viruses copy the outlook express address book, and send themselves out again. Use Mozilla mail (if you have mozilla... mozilla.org), Netscape's Mail, or Eudora or some other mail program.

Also, never open an attachment you (1) don't expect, (2) doesn't have a .txt, .jpg, .gif extension. (Plain text and pictures.)

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AMTRK143

Here are some tips to help you if your computer is running slow. (I learned this stuff when I had days off from Amtrak)

1. Computers store data in pieces on your hard disk and the computer puts the data where ever it wants it to go, usually broken up and scattered all over your hard drive. To make these pieces of data organized so the computer doesn't have to go back and forth across the hard disk, open start, programs, accessories, system tools, and click on Disk Defragmenter. It may take a while to defragment but its worth it. It's recommended that you defragment monthly.

2. Clean all temporary Internet files. You can do this by right clicking Internet explorer, click properties, and on the menu click delete cookies, and click temporary Internet files. These files take up hard disk space and are rarely ever used again.

Hope this helps if you have this problem. There are many more reasons why your computer could be running slow, but these are usually the problem.

Amtrak Mark

Good advice BUT what if a brand new, out of the box computer (DELL) seems awful slow running? Any tips on that? (yeah, yeah, I know...call DELL!) It's my wife's new computer at work. Thought there was something I could do or check on first.

[Puckdropper]

I'm assuming Windows XP.

Press [ALT] + [CTRL] + [DELETE] and click on the processes tab. Do this with nothing running. You should see a CPU column. Watch this. You should see very little movement in this column, except for perhaps explorer.exe, but that shouldn't take more than 1% of the CPU. If the system is idle, there shouldn't be anything taking CPU time. If there is, there could be a virus on it.

[Anonymous]

As a new user with my son's ancient (4 years old), computer, I have printed the info presented and take very careful steps on using them.

[ironhorseman]

1. Opening Disk Drawers: Newer computers don't have this paper clip or pin-size hole anymore for manual release. Newer computers are coming with at least 2 CD drives now and they're coming with spring-action flap doors over them making them harder to get into. I don't think the 3 1/2" flobby ever had a pin-hole release gadget thingy. If someone knows the manual release for new computers please update us. Otherwise I guess restarting the computer is the best bet. 3 1/2" floppies that don't come out are usually stuck and require a screwdriver or fireworks to dislodge them.

2. Slow Computers: Actually you go through Tools and Internet Options to delete your internet files and cookies.

3. New Computers Running Slow: Be absolutely sure you test out all the systems fairly quickly. My dad had a computer that turned out to be a lemon but we didn't find out until after the computer warranty expired because he didn't use or had no use for half the stuff on there. The major problem was a slow clock. This also caused problems in other areas and the computer would frequently freeze and had to be restarted. He reinstalled Windows serveral times. Didn't work. Took it Best Buy. They thought they fixed it, but the clock still ran slow. Took it back, replace the hard drive, clock still ran slow. Reinstalled Windows on the new hard drive, clock still ran slow. Got a new windows program, clock still ran slow. Internet would alway disconnect for no apparant reason. DVD player was also found to be a dud. Got the computer in 2001, didn't realize it until end of 2003. Dad never had any use for the DVD. I was never home long engough to use the DVD. There were at least 4 major malfunctions with the computer, never discovered all them until it was TOO LATE. BEST ADVICE: go through your computer thoroughly and have it looked at frequently if you have problems. If the computer is a lemon you can get a new one for free IF YOU DO IT ON TIME.

4. For Expired Warranties: I've had the best luck with CompUSA. If you buy products from them they'll do free installation and they do it quickly. Best Buy want's to charge an arm and a leg for service and they're always busy so it takes weeks for the computer to be worked on or have programs installed. (PS- I've also found that CompUSA has more train games than Best Buy or Wal-Mart).

[Rick Gates]

Modelcar: Just something you may check for in Incredimail. Click "Tools" on menu bar and then click "Options" Look under "general tab" and see that you are not configured to check for email messages in less than every five minutes. Also check to have incoming message from server "hang-up" or disconnect after recieving email. Anything less than five minutes without a hang-up may be causing the progam to start recieving the same message before the first has been fully retrieved. Just a thought. Hope it is useful to you.

[daveklepper]

A pair of tweezers is great for pulling out stuck floppy disks. Dave Klepper

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daveklepper

A pair of tweezers is great for pulling out stuck floppy disks. Dave Klepper

Thanks all for the good tips and advice. [:)]

Keep them coming. [8D]

[Modelcar]

Rick....Thanks for your tip back on the 10th....I just noticed it this morning. I think I check for incoming mail each 15 min. but we'll take a look at it.

[Modelcar]

....Rick: To my surprise it was set at 5 min...to check for incoming mail and "hang-up" was not checked. Have changed to 8 min. and clicked "hang-up"...and now we'll give that a try....Thanks again.

[Rick Gates]

Modelcar- Hope the setting worked for you. Please let me know if it did. I'm just curious. I believe 15 minutes for checking is the default time because of slower loading dial up modems and loading a large amount of pics, attachments, Gif.s, wavs, and midis. I had the problem when I first started using it. Also, If you have had Incredimail for awhile, an upgrade is available for free that helps in picking out your formats. It uses pics instead of titles.

[Modelcar]

....Rick: I believe it is doing better...but I did just have 2 sets of imcoming duplicate themselves so maybe I'll go back in and set for 15 min...I have it set on 8 now.
And yes I've been using IncrediMail Xe for some time now...I believe I started using it around last August. I'll have to look for the update you're referring to...Thanks. One thing, it has happened on 2 computers. This one was just put in service in January and it is doing similar as the other one was.

[Modelcar]

....Rick: For info....I did go in and reset to 10 min. last night after I wrote the above post but again this morning I had one or so incoming e-mails duplicate themselves...I'm not going to be too too concerned about it and I suppose just live with it. I simply delete the extra one and go on. It really does pose the question in my mind thougth...Why...? Especially doing it on 2 different computers...

[Rick Gates]

Modelcar Yeah it's puzzling to me. Did you tranfer data from old pc to the new one via ethernet connection? May be a browser setting or quirk was transfered also.