Post interesting tips for the novice computer user

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I'm bored and I feel like posting some small tips for users of Windows specifically. Feel free to add some tips for the novice computer user.

First tip:

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How to access the Run dialog box in Windows Vista/7

Press (and hold) the Windows button (the one with the Windows logo on it) on your keyboard and then press R while holding the Windows key.

Second Tip:

Start Linux, run wine. Alternatively, use the windows+r, type msconfig - then hit enter and try to disable some of the startup items in the startup tab. Like quick time and spyware.

Internet Explorer doesn't seem to connect to the Internet because you suspect it's been hijacked by malware? It could have a malicious proxy connection set.

If so, try the following:

Open Internet Explorer.

Go to Tools -> Internet Options

Click on the Connections tab.

Click on the LAN settings button.

Uncheck Use a proxy server for your settings.

Press OK and OK again.

Close Internet Explorer and open it again.

If it now connects, download something lik MalwareByte's AntiMalware, update it, and scan and fix the sh*t out of the malware on your system.

You think you have a virus? Somethings slowing you down and your thinking... I WISH I had a virus scanner? Then inexplicably you see a "click here to buy your anti virus for 19.95" popup on your screen.

Do us all a favor, and don't click it.

Windows is very susceptible to internet based viruses. Keep in mind the fake anti virus windows usually look more like "BUY NOW, LIMITED TIME OFFER" .. or "OMGZOR, WHAT A DEAL"..

With lots of flashing stuff, not to mention its a popup.....

I no longer wish to fix your computer if you click these.... over, and over... mother.

do not be tempted to buy a relatively inexpensive celeron laptop running windows vista or windows 7, [especially if it has less than 4 gigs of fast RAM] because it will be slow and buggy and hang up on you all the time. many websites will not load or load improperly, due to insufficient system throughput [what the puter guru told me]. so if you're gonna run vista or 7, have at least a pentium IV with at least 4 gigs of fast RAM [not DRAM].

Actually I think they fixed he recourse hogging issues in win 7 didn't they? How about a internet safety danger word list.

File types to watch out for.
.EXE (if its a trusted file you can download these)
.VBS (ow)
.DLL (sometimes...)
.CAD (isnt really a reason to be downloading one of these)

Windows has the tendency to hide the file extension in file explorer. So when you download a file look at the extension before you hit save. A JPG is a .jpg , or .jpeg, not a " .jpg.exe ". This is indeed a virus.

You can enable "show file extensions" in the explorer options (somewhere). But Microsoft like to hide things.

Also when buying a computer, danger words may include:
Celeron (hot)
Compaq (slooow)
HP (laptops, repair bill always)
Gateway (fire hazard)

Also keep in mind if you ever buy a older dell. There is a "service code" on the sticker on most of their products. You can use this service code at the dell website to figure out when it was manufactured/original specs.

Another thing that you might want to do in this case is to open a DOS Prompt (placing a DOS Prompt shortcut on your desktop is also a good idea) and entering something along the lines of :

ftp://firefox(DOT)com/public/releases/firefox/windows/firefox4.00, or navigating the directory structure of ftp.firefox.com using the ls,(List) and cd,(Change Directory) commands until you come to the directory that the Windows Firefox download resides in and then typing in :

cp public/public/releases/firefox/windows/firefox4.00> c:\\users\public\downloads

then hit enter and let firefox download onto your system and then installing. IE is STILL a horrible browser to use from a security standpoint.

If you use Firefox and want to improve security and privacy:
Download and install AdBlock Plus and Flashblock plugins - AdBlock improves loading times, reduces clutter. Flashblock replaces all Flash objects with a button so that they don't automatically play and annoy you when you load a page.
Disable third party cookies (under Options-> Privacy) - Use to prevent third-party sites (e.g. embedded in ads, etc.) from setting tracking cookies. I find this especially useful with the way sites like Facebook try to "share" my info

If you use Internet Explorer...don't

Some applications have better (and/or free) alternatives
Adobe Acrobat Reader -> Foxit Reader (more lightweight, less bloatware)
Photoshop -> The GIMP (free and open source, and will do everything that the average user needs it to do)
MSN Messenger, AIM, Yahoo IM, etc. -> Pidgin (free IM client that works with most services using one interface)
Microsoft Office -> OpenOffice.org (free/open source alternative that has most of the same functionality)
Quicktime, Realplayer, etc. -> Media Player Classic

Unable to boot into Windows? Your Windows XP and is, thus, lacking the Startup Repair feature that Vista and 7 have?

Not to worry. If you have a Windows XP CD, don't waste money by sending it to a computer shop for repair (unless you live in Melbourne near where I work, that is).

If the problem is that the MBR is corrupted, here's what to do:

Boot from CD (go here if you don't know how).

Once you pass the initial stage of the CD loading and you're asked whether you want to press this or that to ocntinue, press R to access the Recovery Console.

Type in the number representing your Windows installation (the number is on the screen).

Type in:
fixmbr

press ENTER

then confirm with Y

then press ENTER

type in

exit

then press ENTER

If you now manage to log in, then that was the problem.

The windows Vista/7 startup repair not only rewrites the MBR, but also some of Windows' files needed for booting the system... with the commands of "fixmbr" and "fixboot", you essentially have the equivalent of a Vista/7 startup repair.


Another good player is VLC together with its network features. You can get smartphone apps for managing playlists and remote controlling VLC as well.

more tips may be coming up...

You got struck by a nasty Virut infection and were told that the only way to get this fixed is by reformatting the system when you don't want to do so?

Well, there's still hope. Move your drive to a clean system with Vista or 7 installed (not XP as Vista and 7 are immune to the Virut infections). Have it as a slave/secondary drive ... and on that system, download Dr.Web CureIt!, run it and let it clean the infected files.

Put the infected drive back inside the original system and, if you're lucky, you are hopefully clean from the Virut infection. But don't get your hopes up just yet. Scan, scan and scan until you make sure your system's really clean. Then you can sigh a sigh of relief and finally enjoy your computer for good ... until the next time you choose to download some crack off some torrents.

Double click the icon in the top left corner of a window.

Most of these tips aren't very "novice" in nature.

People who are experts in a certain field frequently forget that they have to explain the jargon before using it.

What makes you think that a computer novice would even know what the Run dialog box is for, or why they would even want to access it? (I certainly don't!)

Start by explaining that, and then you can tell them how to do it!

Otherwise, this isn't a "let's all help out clueless people" thread. Rather, it's a "let's all show off who knows what, and totally exclude the clueless people by using lots of jargon" thread.



Assume a novice knows none of the jargon you use, and explain it beforehand.

Barzum is assuming a computer novice knows what "window" means. On what grounds?

One of my favourite sketches of all time:

"IT department? Yes, I've closed all the windows now, just like you said, but it's still not responding."

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_i_NHrIe_k[/youtube]

Fine. Here's a simple tip for the novice user.

If you don't know what "Windows" means nor what "Run" means nor do you wish to use it when you have to follow some troubleshooting instructions, then maybe ... just maybe ... you shouldn't be using the computer at all.

That way you'll stop trying to figure out how closing glass windows won't solve your computer problems and how My Computer can mysteriously be on your computer.

And besides, I have to show off my skills and expertise every now and then else I'll just explode from lack of narcissism.

That was not a helpful tip. This would be a helpful tip: the one you really need to explain, please, is where that elusive "any" key is located. Computer novices are often confronted with messages telling us to press any key to continue, and for the life of them they just can't see a key marked "any." <-----OK, OK, that's a very old joke - but it's still funny!





I didn't mean there was anything wrong with showing off your skills! We all enjoy talking about our special interests. I just meant maybe you could have called the thread something else - "computer geeks share your tips here," or something, if you're not going to make it very novice-friendly.

And now, to stay on-topic, I'd better give a tip of my own.

Pressing Alt and then Tab enables Windows users to flick from one window to another without having to use their mouse.

And somewhat apocryphal, but those of us who have spent time (for our sins) on the other end of IT support lines leaned pretty quickly to just say 'press the spacebar' instead - or, if all else fails: 'mash your hand against the keyboard'.