This page contains general computer "how to" stuff. These topics are written toward a middle level of expertise. If you need additional info about anything described here, please don't hesitate to let me know by private email. You can click my address at the bottom of this page to email me.

This is PC stuff. I do have an apple notebook and a ipad 2 (amazing toy -- highly recommend it), but do most serious work on PC desktop.

Note:  here and elsewhere on this site, box or button names, and text that you type in a box are enclosed  between single or double quotes.  When typing, do not type the quotes.

Warnings:

Slow down: I've seen 2 problems recently that I suspect are caused by clicking, pressing keys too fast.  If the computer does a lot of processing for a key or click, pressing another key or clicking again may confuse it.  You may get strange results.  That may be why I've deleted someone's comments on the group page (I think twice).  I recommend you pause 3-4 seconds between clicks or command key presses (usually the "enter" key.  Exception:  for a double or triple click, you need them 1/2 second apart or less.

Scam:   Got a call from an Indian woman claiming my computer contained malicious software.  I cut her off.  Don't provide any info, don't download anything in response to calls like this.  Reputable websites or banks don't call and request info.  They already HAVE the info, and they KNOW who they called.

Unfreeze a computer:   removed - see video on page "Solve Computer Problems".

Trapped on a website: removed - use task manager to sto the browser on page "Solve Computer Problems". 

HOW-TO

Play "Unplayable" Video Files

Windows media player can't play all video file types. If you can't play a file or file type, read on. (File type means the letters to the right of the period in the file name -- e.g. abc.wmv is file type "wmv - windows media video", and is usually automatically played by the windows media player.

First, see if you have another player on your computer that can play the file:

right-click the file name, click "open with". If players other than the one trying to play the file are shown, try each of them until you find one that works.

If one of them works, close the file, then right-click the file again and select "properties". Click "change" to the right of the "opens with" line. Now select the player that successfully played the file. If you check the checkbox, ALL files of that type will be played by this player.

If you can't play the file with any installed player, You need to download/install a player or codec to play it. That's easy to do -- most are free -- you can even click the "find codec" option when the player fails to play a file, but I suggest you just go to the cnet website first, and just download the VLC player and the k-lite codec package (includes "media player classic" player). The basic versions of these two playerss are free and will play pretty much every type of video file. Caution -- DO NOT download any free files from ANYWHERE, unless you have a GOOD anti-virus program installed (I recommend Norton 360).

Download only from "reputable" sites, such as Cnet, or the site for the player. When downloading a "free" program, I recommend you "decline" all those little "extras" they want to include. Also I always select "run", when asked to "save" or "run" the installation. Saving clutters up your computer. When downloading/installing a player, I recommend you DO NOT select an option to play all types of files that player can play. (expecially if you're happy with how you currently play a lot of file types. After you have downloaded a player or codec, you may also have to install it. (follow the download instructions).

After you've installed a new player, see the third paragraph (above) to tell widows which file type(s) to play with the new player.

If you have trouble, take two tax cuts, cut regulations, and call me in the morning. (Er -- wait, that's for someting else.)

Change the size of text in your browser display:

(I.E.) Lower right corner has a drop-down list to change the text size.  Many browsers use control-plus or control-minus for this.  Be aware that size will stay changed after you close your browser.  You may need to reset it later.

Print a web page:  (including any page on this website)

Open the web page.

Right-click anywhere on the page.

Select "print".

Note -- Many web pages (such as pages on bank websites) have a printer icon you should left-click to print that page.  This will reformat the page for better printing.  You may then have to click a "print" command on the reformatted page.

Create a shortcut:

Right-click an unused desktop area.

Click "new", "shortcut" from the drop-down menu.

Navigate to an item on your computer, or type in either an address on your computer, or the url of a web page.

Click "next".

Type the name you want displayed on the shortcut.

Click "finish"

Create a shortcut to an open web page:

1. Open the web page in your browser.
2. Drag the symbol at the left end of your browser address window off the window onto your desktop.
3. Click on the name displayed under the new shortcut to retype the name.
Create a shortcut to a program (this includes browsers):  Click "start", "all programs", right-click the program and drag to the desktop, select "create shortcuts here".

Open a webpage in "kiosk" mode:  Removed - see playlist: Getting To Know Your Browser .   Warning:   To close a "kiosk" page, you must press alt-f4 -- that will only work AFTER you have left-clicked somewhere on the page.

Reorganize your desktop:  If you're like me, you accumulate shortcuts or files on your desktop (I've got 75 right now).  To reorganize, you should create folders to contain related groups of them.  There are two steps: 

Create folder on desktop:  (or in any open folder) -

Right-click empty space on desktop or in open folder.

Click "new", "folder".

Type the name for the new folder.  e.g. "facebook pages".

Click anywhere else on your desktop (to save the new name)

Add items to folder:  To put items in a folder, make sure the folder icon is visible, or the folder is open and visible.  Put items in by left-clicking on their names or icons, then draging them to the folder or it's icon.  If you right-click items and drag them into the folder, you will have the option to move, copy, or create a shortcut to them in the folder (or to cancel the operation).

Open a website with a different browser:  Most users set their default browser to always open websites in their favorite browser.  If a website has problems with your browser, there's a simple way to force a website to open with a different browser.  Just create a shortcut to the website on your desktop, and make sure there is a shortcut to the desired browser either on the desktop, or on your taskbar.  To open the website, just left-click and drag the website shortcut onto the shortcut for the desired browser.  You may then have to choose the shortcut from a popup menu that appears.

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