FORT COLLINS COLORADO
1-800-682-1905
TIPS AND TRICKS
WINDOWS 95, 98 and 2000
The NEW Newbie Club must now be the ultimate dream for Newbies and not-so-Newbies alike. Just by becoming a Member you can now gain access to the best and most laid-back learning Site around.
D. Run MSDOS Programs in Windows 95
My Computer: Allows you to view and organize files on disk drives including floppy drives, hard drives, CD-ROM and any network drive connected to your system Network Neighborhood: Allows you to quickly browse, locate and connect to other computers and printers on your network.
OUTLOOK EXPRESS: Includes electronic mail. The e-mail client, allows you to send and receive e-mail form a number of different sources including the internet
Recycle Bin: stores selected files and allows you to retrieve or dispose of them later.
Start Button: To quickly launch programs, load documents, change settings Find Files and get Help.
Taskbar: To view all programs running on your system and quickly switch between them.
Minimize: To shrink a window into a small rectangle on the Taskbar to make room for other programs on the desktop.
Maximize/Restore: To grow a non-full screen window to cover the full screen or to reduce a full screen window into a smaller window.
Close: To exit a program or close a window and remove it from your desktop.
To Launch programs: · Select the Start Button · Select Programs · Select group in which your program icon is located · Select program's icon
To Launch existing Documents: · Select the Start Button · Select Documents · Select the document you want to launch from the list
To Add items to the Start Menu: · Select the start Button · Select Settings · Select Taskbar · Select the Start Menu Programs tab · Click on Add: - browse your hard drive to select the program or document to add - find program and select Open, click on Next - select location on the Start Menu, click on Next (To place on top of the Start Menu, select the Start Menu folder, or select whichever folder you'd like to place on the program's icon in) - type in the name as you'd like it to appear on the Start Menu, and click Finish.
To Remove items from the Start Menu: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Taskbar · Select the Start Menu Programs tab · Click on the + sign to expand the groups to view the icons if needed · Select the icon or group you'd like to remove from the Start Menu and click Remove
Taskbar
To switch between open programs or windows: · Select the button on the Taskbar that corresponds to the program or window you would like to switch to.
To hide the Taskbar so it only papers when you drag the mouse over it: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Taskbar · Check the Auto Hide box
To make the Start Menu icons smaller: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Taskbar · Check the Show small icons in Start Menu box
Control Panel
To add a new piece of hardware to your system · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click on Add New Hardware icon · Follow the wizard
To add or remove programs from your computer: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click on Add/Remove Programs icon · To remove a Windows 95 program - select the program you want to remove from the list - select the Add/remove button · To add or remove Windows components - select the Windows Setup tab - select the desired category and choose Details - check the component you want to add - unchecked the component you want to remove
To change the cursor on your mouse: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click on Mouse icon · Select the Pointer tab - select the action you would like to change - select the Browse button - select the cursor from the list · Select the motion tab - choose the Show Pointer Trails box
To set your different multimedia settings: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click on Multimedia icon · Select the appropriate tab · To play music CDs - select the Start Button - choose Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, Media Player - select Device, CD Audio, then click Play
To install a new printer on your system: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Double click Printers · Double click Add Printer · Follow the wizard
Finding your way around with Find
Find a file on my computer: · Select the Start Button · Select Find · Select Files or Folders - type name or part of name in the Named box - if you want to search in a specific directory or different hard drive click Browse and select the directory or drive - if you know it was created within a specific time-frame select Date Modified tab and enter that information - if you know the type or contents of the file, select Advanced tax and enter that information · Click on Find Now
To quickly view the contents of a file: · Right Mouse click on the desired file · Select Quick view from the Shortcut menu
On Line Help
To get Help on a specific topic: · Select the Start Button · Select Help · From the Contents tab - select the book or subject matter and click open - select the topic of page and click display · From the Index tab- Type in the first few letters of what you want to do · Click on the Jump button to launch the appropriate dialog box
Do it From Your Desktop
To change views in My Computer: · Double click on My Computer · From the View menu, select which view you'd like - Large icons: Larger icons with names - Small icons: Smaller icons to see more folders/files - List: Top to bottom list of folders/files - Details: List file type, size and date modified, here you can sort by clicking on the title button. You can sort icons by: - Name-alphabetic order - Type-by program the file is associated with - Size-smallest file to largest - Date-arranged by date modified most recent to last recent Quick tip: Hold down the CTRL key to sort in reverse order
To create a new folder (directory): · Double click on My Computer · Continue to double click on the folders drilling down to the place you'd like to create a new folder from the File menu, Select New, Folder · Type in the name of your folder
To copy or move a file from one folder to another: · Select the file · From the Edit menu choose - Cut to move - Copy to copy · Maneuver to the location where you'd like to place the file and choose Edit, Paste Quick tip: To quickly move a file from on folder to another, drag and drop the file to the appropriate folder, to copy it use the right mouse button to drag and drop
To copy or move a file to a floppy disk: · Select the file you'd click to copy to a floppy · From the File menu select Send To · Select the floppy drive you like to copy the file to Quick tip: Right mouse click on the file you'd like to copy to a floppy and select Send To, and select the appropriate floppy drive
To delete or remove a file or folder: · Select the file or folder you'd like to delete · From the File menu, select Delete Quick tip: Select the file and press the DEL key on your keyboard
To change the name of a file or folder: · Select the file or folder who's name you'd like to change · From the File menu select Rename · Type in the new name Quick tip: To quickly rename a file or folder, select the file or folder, and then point the mouse at the file name ad click once to make t an editable filed, then type in the new name.
Recycle: It's the Right Thing to Do
To undelete a file or folder you have previously removed from your system: · Double click on the Recycle Bin icon · Find the file or folder you'd like to restore and select it · From the File menu select Restore Quick tip: To quickly restore a file or folder from the Recycle Bin, right mouse click on the file and select Restore.
Set size of the Recycle Bin: · Right mouse click on the Recycle Bin · Choose Properties · Move the slider to the percent of your hard drive you'd like the Recycle Bin to take up
To not use the Recycle Bin at all so your files are permanently deleted: · Right mouse click on the Recycle Bin · Choose Properties · Check the Do not move files to the Recycle Bin - option
To permanently remove the files in your Recycle Bin from your hard drive: · Double click the Recycle Bin · From the File menu select Empty Recycle Bin Quick tip: To quickly delete all the files in the Recycle Bin permanently from your hard drive, right mouse click on the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin
Customize your Desktop
To change the background or wallpaper on the desktop: · Select the Start button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click Display (you can also right mouse click on the desktop and choose Properties) · From the Background tab, select the pattern or wall paper - Tile to cover the whole desktop - Center to place in the middle
To set up a screen saver: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click Display (you can also right mouse click on the desktop and choose Properties) · Select the Screen Saver tab · Select the screen saver you would like · Select the Settings button to change the way the screen saver acts
To assign a password to a screen saver: · Select the Start Button · Select Settings · Select Control Panel · Double click Display (you can also right mouse click on the desktop and choose Properties) · Select the Screen Saver tab · Select the Password protected check box · Click Change and type in your password and confirm it · Click OK
Shut it Down Safely
To shutdown your computer: · Select the Start Button · Select Shut Down · Select the Shut down your computer option · Walt until your receive the message: "It is now safe to turn off your computer."
Start with the Start Menu and Taskbar
To add items to the Start Menu: · Right click on the Taskbar and select Properties · Click on the Start Menu Programs tab in the Taskbar Properties dialog box · Click on Add · Type in the command line of the program, folder or file you want to add, or... · Click on the Browse button and double click on the folders until you find the item you want to add, and select it · Choose Open, then Next · Select the folder where you want to place the shortcut, or... · Click on the New Folder button to create a new folder · Type in a descriptive name of the item · Click on Finish, the OK Or, to add any item to the Start Menu: · Open My Computer · Find the program, folder or file you want to add · Drag and drop it onto the Start Menu
To remove items from the Start Menu: · Click the Start Button and choose Settings, Taskbar · Click the Start Menu Programs tab · Click the Advanced button to open the :"Exploring--Start Menu" window · Click through the folders on the left until you find what you want to remove · Click the item you want to remove and press the delete key
To move an item into a different folder on your Start menu: · >From the "Exploring--Start Menu" window · Drag and drop the item onto the folder where you want it to appear
To create a new folder on the Start Menu: · From the "Exploring--Start Menu" window · Click on the Start Menu folder · Click the File menu, then New and select Folder or... · Right mouse click in any open space in the right pane and choose New, then Folder
To quickly access the "Exploring--Start Menu" window: · Right mouse click on the Start Button · Choose Explore
To number items in the Start Menu to launch them faster: · Right click on the Start Button and choose Explore · Right click on the item that you want to add a number in front of · Choose Rename (or, press the F2 key to rename) · Add numbers 1, 2, 3. . . to the front of each item in the order you want · Click on the Start Button and press the number of the item you want to launch
To assign a shortcut key to quickly start items: · From the "Exploring--Start Menu" window · Right click on the item you want to assign a shortcut to · Choose Properties from the shortcut menu · Click on the Shortcut tab · Type a letter into the Shortcut Key field · Enter Ctrl + alt + (your assigned letter) to start the item
To move the Taskbar: · Click on any open space inside the Taskbar · Drag and drop the Taskbar to another edge of the screen
To hide the Taskbar: · Right click on any open space inside the Taskbar and choose Properties · Select the Taskbar Options tab · Put a check next to Auto hide and click OK · Move mouse to edge where Taskbar is located and it will reappear
To tile all open windows: · Right click on the Taskbar · Select Cascade, Tile Horizontally or Tile Vertically
To minimize all open windows into the Taskbar: · Right Click on the Taskbar · Chose Minimize All Windows · Or, choose Undo Minimize All Windows to get back open windows
To close items in the Taskbar: · Right click on the item's button on the Taskbar · Choose Close
To reset the computer's clock: · Double click on the time display in the right side of the Taskbar · Reset time
Mouse and Keyboard Shortcuts
To change the mouse pointers to Animated Hourglasses: · Click the Start Button and choose Settings, the Control Panel · Double click on the Mouse icon · Select the Pointers tab · Click the down arrow under Schemes and choose Animated Hourglasses
To use your keyboard arrows in place of the mouse: · Click the Start Button and choose Settings then Control Panel · Double click on the Accessibility Options icon · Click the Mouse tab and choose Enable Mouse Keys
Keyboard shortcuts: · Ctrl + Esc = Opens the Start Menu · Enter the first letter of a Start Menu item to select it · Alt + Tab = Brings up dialog to switch between running programs · Alt + Esc. = Brings up the actual window of each running program Tip: Hold the Alt Key and press Tab or Esc repeatedly to cycle through programs. · In My Computer: - To select a list of files click on the top file, hold the shift key and click on the bottom file in the list - To select discontinuous files hold the Ctrl key and click the files you want to select - Ctrl + A = Selects All the files in a folder - Shift + Delete = Permanently deletes files without sending them to the Recycle Bin · To get to the Explorer view: - Right click on the item (file, folder, My Computer) and choose Explore - Hold down the shift key and double click on the item · F1 = Starts Help · F2 = Renames a file, folder or icon · F3 = Starts Find · Microsoft Natural Keyboard shortcuts - Key with Windows Flag = Opens Start menu - Key with picture of Menu = Right mouse click - Windows Flay Key + M = Minimize All Windows - Shift + Windows Flag key + M = Undo Minimize All Windows - Windows Flag key + E = Starts Explorer
HOT KEYS: · Right Mouse click: Secondary mouse button to quickly obtain short cut menus · CTRL + ESC: to quickly open up the Start Menu · ALT + TAB: to quickly switch between open programs · TAB: To move from one field to another in a dialog box · DEL: To quickly delete a file or folder · ESC.: To quickly close down an open window
Troubleshoot your Problems Away
To troubleshoot your PC: · Try to determine which part of the PC is giving you problems: your printer? Windows? A program? etc. · Make sure all the wires are connected and the right software drivers are installed · Look in the on-line Help (press F1) Troubleshooting section for advice on solving your problem · Check Microsoft's Windows 95 support forums on-line on the Microsoft Network or on the Internet. Look in the Knowledge Base for information on your problem · If you can't figure it out yourself, call the technical support line at Microsoft or at your computer manufacturer
For Hardware problems: · Check all the wires and make sure they're plugged in firmly and in the right sockets · Make sure everything is turned on and in the right mode · Make sure the correct and most current driver software is installed · Or, Right click on My Computer, choose Properties and click on the Device Manager Tab · If the item has a yellow exclamation point or a red X through it, click on it and click the Properties button to find out what the problem is
Explore the Internet
Definitions: Internet: A vast, public, world-wide collection of networked computers which allows subscribers on the network to access and exchange information World Wide Web (WWW): The graphical, user friendly screens that are available on the Internet. Click on a button on a WWW screen to get to another screen Internet Explorer: Microsoft's Internet browser software, required for viewing the WWW
To UPDATE Internet Explorer
In Internet Explorer, click on Tools in the menue bar, Click on Windows UPDATE.
You must be on line to access this update page at Microsoft.com
To use the Internet ("Surf the net"): · Double click on the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop · Click a button that interests you in the Welcome to the Internet page · Click anything that's underlined to get to the page covering that topic · Click the forward and back arrows on the toolbar to get to screens you've already viewed
To find a topic on the Internet: · In the Welcome to the Internet page, click the Searches button on the tool bar· In the Internet Searches page click in the search field nest to one of the Search Services, such as Excite, Google, MSN or Yahoo · Type in the words that describe what you're looking for · Click the Search button and wait for the page titles to appear · Click on the underlined title that describes what your looking for
To keep a list of your favorite WWW sites: · Go to the site you want to return to · Click the Add to Favorites button on the toolbar · Type in a descriptive name and click Add · To get back to this site, click on the Favorites menu and choose the site. Tip: To create a desktop shortcut to a site, click on an underlined title and drag and drop it to your desktop. Double click on the icon to re-connect to the Internet and go directly to that site.
Send and Receive Mail
Definition: OUTLOOK EXPRESS The Email program that's included with Windows 98
To Send Email: Double click on the OUTLOOK Express icon on your desktop Click the New Message button on the Toolbar · Type the email names (see below) in the To: and Cc: fields · Type a descriptive title in the Subject: field · Type your message in the body of the new message template · To insert a file into the message body, click the Insert File button, then search the directories and find the file you want to send and click OK · To mark the message as urgent, click the red exclamation point · Click the Send button to move the message to the Outbox ·
To store and organize your messages: · Click the VIEW button on the menu bar. Click Folder List button in the drop down menu to expose the folders on the left · To create a new folder, click the folder where you want your new folder to appear and click the File menu and choose New Folder · Open the message and change the subject filed to a descriptive title. Close the message and save changes · To move a message to a folder either right click on the message, choose Move and double click on the folder where you want it to go, or drag and drop the message to the folder
Tip: All the mail that you send or delete is stored in the Sent Items and Deleted Items folders automatically. You can delete these messages if you have limited hard disk space.
To address an Email message: · Type the email address, looks like this: someone@emailserver.com This will route the Email through the Internet. To enter several email names in the To: or Cc: fields, put a semicolon (;) and a space between the names.
To receive, read and reply to an Email message: ·Click on Send/Receive in the Tool Bar, Wait for your new messages to download. Their titles will appear bold when unread · Double click on the message to open and read it · Click on one of the 3 Reply buttons to reply, type your message. · Click the Send button
To create your own customized Email template: · From the tools menu select Options · Click the Send tab · Click the Font button and choose the style you want · Select other items from this dialog to customize your messages Tip: .You can change the font style, size and color of your messages using the toolbar buttons, all readers will see the customization.
Run MS-DOS Programs in Windows 95
To open the MS-DOS Prompt: · Click the Start button · Choose Programs then MS-DOS Prompt · Click the Full Screen button to eliminate the window borders · Press Alt+Enter to get back to a window
To customize your MS-DOS program: · Click the Properties button on the toolbar and choose the Programs tab · To assign a shortcut key, click in the Shortcut Key field and type D to assign Ctrl+Alt+D Tip:.If you don't know what any item is in the Properties dialog, right click on it and choose "What's This?"
To maintain your hard drive with ScanDisk: · Click the Start button and choose Programs then Accessories then System Tools then ScanDisk · Under Type of Test, run the Standard test weekly and the Thorough test monthly · Check the Automatically fix errors option
To keep the files on your hard drive together and efficient with Disk Defragmenter: · Click the Start button and choose Programs then Accessories then System Tools then Disk Defragmenter · Select the disk you want to defragment and click OK Tip:.To automatically run these tools, install Microsoft Plus! and run the System Agent
To compress your hard disk if you are running out of space: · Back up any important files · Click the Start button and choose Programs then Accessories then System Tools then Compression Agent· Select the drive you want to compress - even a floppy disk · From the menu, choose Drive then Compress · Click Start
To check your system's performance status: · Right click on My Computer and choose Properties · Select the Performance tab · Most notable is how much Random Access Memory (RAM) you have: We recommend at least 12o megabytes if you are running several programs at the same time · If you have any 16 bit drivers installed, find out if there are newer 32 bit drivers available
HOT KEYS: · Right-Mouse click: Secondary mouse button to quickly obtain shortcut menus · CTRL + ESC: To quickly open up the Start Menu · ALT + TAB: To quickly switch between open programs · TAB: To move from one field to another in a dialog box · DEL: To quickly delete a file or folder · ESC: To quickly close down an open window
Thanks for reading our tips and tricks!
Computer Tutor Home Page
This page hosted by: - Computer Tutor is a registered Trademark of Computer Tutor, Inc. of Fort Collins Colorado