ADELAIDE'S TECHGUY

System File Checker - Making Windows Run Right

Windows not running as it should.

Maybe you should run the system file checker for your windows installation.

It will see whether any system files have been modified or corrected.

Click start , then run and enter cmd and a dos box will open , then type sfc\scannow

This will scan your windows installation and will ask you for your windows disk so you can repair it.

Just insert your disk when you are asked for it and let it run.

Remember follow the instructions on the screen

Why You Should See File Extensions

By default when you install Windows you are unable to see file extensions and many people fail to rectify this.

Why would you want to do this:

To differentiate between different file types , bmp , jpeg , doc etc

To know when a file is an . exe , this is where you should be the most wary of running these unknown files , especially if someone has emailed it to you or you have received it from someone.

So how do you do this.

1. Click Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Classic View
4. Double-click Folder Options
5. Click the View Tab
6. Uncheck Hide Extensions for Known File Types
7. Click Apply button (at the bottom of the window)
8. Click Apply to Folders button (at the top of the window)
9. Click OK

Leave The Computer Alone

Computers can take a hammering in the wrong hands.

• Installing registry cleaners ( Don't believe they work or if anyone really needs them )
• Software that promises to speed up your internet connection ( voodoo , doesn't work )
• Installing anything and everything that you see on the internet ( How many toolbars do you need )
• Trial software ( I'm sure I will use it one day )
• Installing more than one anti virus solution ( a recipe for disaster )

Try something different , leave the computer alone , think long and hard whether you actually need it , and will it actually do you any good.

If you equate computers to cars , some people would be changing the color of their car on a regular basis.

If your computer is working and their is nothing wrong with it , leave it alone.

Dont Send Me An E Card

If I had a birthday coming up one thing I do not want is an E Card.

• I will not open it
• I will not go to the site and enter my email address to access it .
• I will not click on the link and download malware not the card , usually this is what will happen

What are some of the signs that it could be a fake card?

• It claims you sent the card 
• Spelling mistakes , name incorrect , general grammatical errors
• URL does not look quiet right
• Never heard of the person sending the card
• Strange name from the sender

There are legitimate companies out there doing the e cards however I would personally steer clear.
This is one time you should go back to the old fashioned buy a card and put it in snail mail.

Admin Or Limited

When setting up your computer you really should have 2 accounts.

An Administrator account ( Vista & XP )

A Limited User Account ( XP ) Standard Account (Vista)

Then for your day to day activities you should run in limited user which will avoid you installing or running unwanted programs and applications that you

Malware and Spyware require you to run in Administration mode as they need to access system files hence running in Limited will enable you to avoid activating these programs.

In Vista the UAC is turned on and should be left on so that unauthorised changes to your computer are monitored.

G Mail Task Manager

We all need a task manager to keep us at the jobs we need to do and complete.

I am a big fan of g mail which I use as my primary email client and for email messages comes with a great task manager.

When you receive an email with a task in it that you have to complete just click on the box on the left hand side then go to "more actions" which has  a dropdown menu and click on "Add to Tasks" and it will appear on your task list.

You are also able to create multiple task lists by going to the actions and on the right hand side is a List Symbol , click on it and you can make a new list.

Your emails that are associated with tasks can always be accessed by clicking on the email link underneath the task.

Learn How To Type

Everyone will get more out of their computer , be more productive and achieve more by learning
how to type and you can achieve this for FREE by going to Typing Web

Most of us can type but here you learn the proper typing technique and increase your word speed , and accuracy.