Tips About Computers(small things can't be Ignored)

In many ways, XP is the most reliable and user-friendly version of Windows to date. However, it is not without problems. If you use XP on a regular basis, you’ve probably been infected once or twice by Windows Fever — a serious condition marked by elevated blood pressure, sudden verbal outbursts at your computer screen, and the mad desire to toss your entire PC out a window. If you are currently experiencing these symptoms, step away from your computer, count to 10 (better yet, make it 1,000), and start visiting this thread everyday.
If you haven’t contracted the disease yet, consider yourself lucky. With a good diet, regular exercise, and the digital preventive medicine that I will be sharing with you all, you can expect to remain free of the fever

PLEASE NOTE THAT NONE OF THESE TIPS HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY WRITTEN BY ME (though I have tried and used successfully quite a few) THEY HAVE ALL BEEN COLLECTED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES IN MY SOJOURNS THROUGH THAT WIDE AND WONDERFUL PLACE WE CALL THE INTERNET.:p

FIRST TIP : CLOSE AN UNRESPNOSIVE PROGRAM
Occasionally, a program may throw the digital equivalent of a temper tantrum and refuse to close.When that happens, you can force it to shut down by using the Task Manager, as follows:

1. Simultaneously press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys on your keyboard, which opens the Windows Task Manager. (However, if your version of Windows is configured differently, then pressing these keys might open a Windows Security box. In that case, simply click the Task Manager button.)

2. Click the Applications tab.

3. Click the name of the unresponsive program.

4. At the bottom of the Task Manager, click the End Task button.

5. If the troubled program doesn’t close immediately, a message alerts you that the program is not responding. Click the End Now button.

6. If the program still does not respond, or if Windows feels sluggish, then shut down your computer and restart it.


SECOND TIP:Protect Windows from a Botched Software Installation
Before you install any new program, you should create a “restore point.” Doing so will enable you to undo any problems or damage caused by the software installation. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click All Programs.

3. Select Accessories.

4. Select System Tools.

5. Click System Restore.

6. The System Restore window will open. Click the Create a Restore
Point button .

7. Click Next.

8. Under the Restore Point Description heading, type some words or
sentences that will help you to remember why you are creating this
restore point. For example, if you just bought a new antivirus
program, you could label this restore point “Before Installation of
New Antivirus Software.”

9. Click the Create button.


THIRD TIP:Prevent Windows Messenger from Loading

The popularity of instant-messaging (IM) software has soared in recent years, prompting Microsoft to join the party. Built into Windows XP is an IM program called Windows Messenger that always seems to hang around even if you never use it.

You can correct this by preventing it from loading when Windows starts, as follows:

1. Open Windows Messenger by double-clicking its icon located in the lower-right corner of Windows.

2. Click the Tools drop-down menu.

3. Select Options.

4. A window opens. Click the Preferences tab.

5. Under the General heading, remove the checkmark from the Run Windows Messenger When Windows Starts box. Next, remove the checkmark from the Allow Windows Messenger to Run in the Background box.


6. Click the OK button.

7. Close Windows Messenger, and then open Outlook Express.

8. Click the Tools drop-down menu.

9. Select Options.

10. A window opens. Under the General tab, remove the checkmark from the Automatically Log On to Windows Messenger box.

11. Click the Apply button.

12. Click the OK button.

Cont---->>