Click to go to Tips 1 & Tips 2

How do you backup the files on your computer and how often?
It is strongly recommended that you use/do some form of backup.

Sometimes you might run into a frozen mouse (or the batteries in your mouse run out) or for some other eason your mouse stops working, and have to use your keyboard to navigate, (some folks actually ) find it easier to use the keyboard as opposed to the mouse.

Go to the following link and you will find an excelent tutorial (with graphics) for the use of your keyboard, with and about keyboard shortcuts. You can also download a copy of the PDF zipped file that I have in my downlaods section (though this is not as complete as the link)

Keyboard shortcuts can make the difference between getting or not getting your computer up and running again if you run into problems.

I would like to suggest that you print out a copy of the above (or at least enough of it to get you up and running again) and keep it in a safe place.

Being forced to reinstall but want to avoid reactivation?
Once you activate your copy of Windows XP operating system,
A file gets created/updated in windows/ system32 directory. It is called wpa.dbl file.
I have noticed that if you need to reinstall, take a backup of this file and once you have reinstalled the OS, just copy it back to the same directory.


IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE INSTALLED A LEGAL COPY OF WINDOWS XP ON THEIR MACHINE AND HAVE ALREADY ACTIVATED THE SOFTWARE THROUGH MICROSOFT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU INSTALL THE OPERATING SYSTEM ON ANOTHER MACHINE (MEANING MORE THAN ONE) YOU SHOULD HAVE A VALID LEGAL COPY AND LICENSE AND SHOULD ACTIVATE THAT COPY THROUGH MICROSOFT AS WELL.


Where does Window's ProductId get stored ?
There are two places at least where ProductId gets stored.
To see the first place, open Registry by going to START-RUN and entering REGEDIT and Navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]. In right pane, look for key by the name "ProductId". This is your Windows Product Id.
Alternatively you can navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion] and still find same field with the name ProductId.

Etiquette on the Internet
(or just plain good manners)

Sometimes you can run into what seems like an insurmountable problem. Just remember, if you are having it, then some else has or is experiencing it as well.

The majority of good software have there own forums this should be the first palce to check for a soulution.. Do an Internet search for the progam and its forum or sometimes there will be a link directly to the help forums from the HELP button at the top of the program page..

Remeber that the solving of a problem might take a while.Take your time and follow any instructions you are given. Write them down so that you can see them whilst you are working on the solution. If you have gone to a forum for help, please remember to post back and let others know how you got on, and, if different from what was posted, tell them your solution.

Never suggest anything to someone unless you know that it works. If you do, please point out that you have never tried your proposed solution and are therefor not certain about it.

Always be courtious to others on the Internet. If someone flames (has a go at you) try not to retaliate.
This can be hard at times but achieves nothing in the long run. Try to use lower case typing (unless you want to emphasise something) It is the equivelant of shouting if you use uppercase

Try to keep all posting in a forum as brief as possible. Give as much information as you can about your problem (what happened and what you were doing when it happened) and also what OS (eg. Win XP home/Prof or Win98 etc.) you are operating

If there is something that could possibly upset you or go against your beliefs, remember that others are the same.
Try not expound your views on relgion, politics and or racial problems. Remember that if something might offend you it might also offend others.

Just because you cannot see and be seen is no excuse for bad behaviour.

Whilst you are trying to help someone, remember that they could be a virtual new-comer to computers and when you say or suggest something they might have no understanding of what you mean, so be patient and tolerant.

 

File Extentions and their meanings

File Extensions, Registered Viewers, Changing File Associations (About File Extensions and Registered Viewers for Windows PC Users) Computer Filing System

Files Extentions & Associations Explained
Every computer file has a file extension. This way, your computer will know which program to use to open the file. Sometimes though, when you get a file in an e-mail or download a file and then try to open it, you will get a window that asks what program to use to open the file. This happens because you don't have a file association. Not having a file association just means that you don't have a program registered to open a file or you may not have a program that is capable of opening that type of file. Also, after installing a new program, that program may take over opening a file. The good news - fixing this is simple!

Common File Extensions Used Online
First let's look at some common file extensions. A file extension is the couple letters (usually 3) that come after the period in the file name. For example: "picture.jpg" or "filename.exe".

Common File Extensions On The Internet
jpg - Picture
jpeg - Picture
bmp - Picture
gif - Picture or animation
exe - Executable Program
htm - html document (web page)
html - html document (web page)
zip - File that is compressed with Winzip
These are just a few of many file formats that are available. A complete list of file extensions are available here.

About Programs and File Extensions
· Programs can only open certain files. If the program is not designed to open a gif file then it will not.
· A registered viewer is the default program that will automatically start and open the file when the file is clicked on.
· During software installation a program may make itself the registered viewer of certain files.
· Even though a program is not the registered viewer, it can still open certain files but the file must be opened with the program that you want to use.
· You may not be able to open some files because you don't have a program that will handle the file.
· System files (such as dll files) are not meant to be opened by the end user.

Part II: Changing File Associations
Let's suppose for a minute that you installed a new program and it decided to become the program that opens all jpg (picture) files. Before installing that program all your pictures used to open automatically with your favorite picture program. You liked that, so let's change it back!

Step One
Open Windows Explorer
Step Two
Select any file of the type you want to change. In this example we are changing the association for jpg files, so...
· Select a jpg file by clicking once on it
· Hold down the shift key and then right-click your mouse
· Select "Opens With" from the menu
· In some versions of Windows (ie. Windows 95) the "Opens With" dialog box will appear. With Windows ME, you will have to select the option to "Choose Program".
Step Three
· Select the program that you want to use to open the file with. In my case, I selected one of my favourite Photo Editors.
· If you want to make this association permanent, be sure to check the box, "Always use this program to open these files".
· Click "OK" and you are all done!

Another Way To Do This
You can also change file associations from the "Tools" menu in Windows Explorer by selecting "Folder Options" then the "File Types" tab. (In Windows 95 this option is located under the "View" menu)

What if someone sends you a file that you can't open? There are many free viewers available to open files such as PowerPoint, Access, Excel and others.

Part III: Finding Free Viewers to Open Files

Now that you know what file extensions are and how to change file associations here are some tips to deal with files.

Pictures That You Can't Open
What if you get a file in email that you don't have a program to open it with? This happens often with pictures. Someone will send you a picture from their Kodak picture CD or in a photo editor's default extension and you don't have the same program to open it with. This is where a fantastic free program comes in. The program is called Irfanview. It is a free download and it will open almost any picture file format!

Opening Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Word and other files.
Some people seem to think that everyone has Microsoft Office. Even if someone has Microsoft Office, if the version is different, you might not be able to open that file. Microsoft has come up with a solution. Here are free viewers that are available for (and file converters) popular Microsoft Office products:
Converters for Microsoft Office 2000
Viewers and Converters for Word (Word common file extensions: doc, dot)
Viewers and Converters for Excel (Excel common file extensions: XLT, XLS, XLW)
Viewers and Converters for Outlook (Outlook common file extensions: OFT, FAV)
Viewers and Converters for PowerPoint (PowerPoint common file extensions: POT, PPS, PPT, PWZ)
Viewers and Converters for Access (Access common file extension: LDB, MAD, MAF, MAR, MDB, MDW)


 

One of the most important thing in computer maintenance is to have your SECURITY programs and (if possible) your drivers upto date. Also check with software sites to see if there are any sofware updates, if there are, remember to update these as well.

Never rush anything you are doing on your computer. If you do you will just make more mistakes and usually have to start over again. You are better off taking 10 minutes longer and succeding than rushing and failing A simple rule of thumb is "Easy Does it"
Remember as well, that it is of no use keeping your system clean and upto date if you do not make backups

See my TIPS 1 & TIPS 2 page for more information.