Official COOL TIPS thread.

[Antitrust19]

I would like to start this thread off by giving a cool little tip to do if your dual booting.

Ok you know when you dual boot and the the screen that comes up and ask which OS you want to boot up? Yes ok something cool but pointless you can do with this is change what it says. Like "Windows 2000" to "Boot this one up idget" something to that affect.

This is how you do it. Quite simple. Search your computer for the file name Boot.ini and open it. It should read "Windows w/e w/e"
"Windows w/e w/e" and you can

just change whats in " " and then save the file

Just a tip to try it out. Thank you and keep em coming

[MrMungus]

Alt+Tab allows you to switch between programs.

Hope this helps. :P

[ClayBuster]

When using internet explorer.

In the address bar type in where you want to go without the www and the .com for instance type in dvdrhelp then hit ctrl and enter. the www. .com will be automatically added.

[indolikaa]

[Alt] +P [Prnt Scrn/SysRq] takes a picture of your desktop and places it on the clipboard.

[duffyr83]

windows key + D minimizes all program windows that are open

[bugster]

Windows key + E opens windows explorer

Widnows Key + M minimises all open applications

Windows Key + D takes you to the desktop.

(Last two might seem identical, but the latter will hide any active dialogs, the former wont)

In most apps, Ctrl+S is Save, Ctrl+A is Save as..

[Solarjetman]

When a program crashes, you get an "Auto-notify Microsoft of the error" message box. Want to turn this off?

Right-click "My Computer"
Choose Properties
Go to the Advanced tab
Click "Error Reoporting"
Select "Disable Error Reporting"

No more reporting message on crashes.

Note: You can also turn off all notification of a program crashing by de-selecting "But notify me when critical error occurs".

[Ripper2860]

Windows Key + L locks your computer. Great if you're stepping away for a few minutes.

[curryman]

Windows Key + L locks your computer. Great if you're stepping away for a few minutes.
_________________

How do you unlock it?

[MrMungus]

Windows Key + L locks your computer. Great if you're stepping away for a few minutes.
_________________

How do you unlock it?

HAHAHA. That's what I was wondering.

[Ripper2860]

Type in your Password -- if you got one !! Works in XP and 2000 -- not sure about Win98

[rallynavvie]

Windows + R brings up the Run line. Handy for those of you who use it a lot.

My latest tweak was getting rid of the little balloon tips that pop up from the system tray (icons next to the clock) in WinXP. You have to edit the registry so the normal noob disclaimers apply (that is if you mess up your computer then it's your own damn fault).

Open up the registry editor and find the folder:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer

Click on the folder in there named "Advanced". In the window to the right there should be numerous entries. Right-click in an open space and select "New -> DWORD Value". Name the value "EnableBalloonTips" (without the quotes of course) and set its value to zero. Make sure to also select hexadecimal for value base to the right of the value.

No more annoying little balloons popping up from that stupid area. I hated how with my wireless network I would get balloons popping up anytime I lost connection and reconnected to the router, as well as other stupid notifications I don't really care about.

[SLICK RICK]

Ok, I got one.

When you are getting ready to Shut Down your computer but dont have the time to wait for it to shut down properly, Just pull out the power cord from the outlet in the wall. Just joking.

SLICK RICK

[curryman]

I do that everytime

[jeex]

this seems to be a shortcut fest as of now, so here's a nice one;

windows key + pause/break key = system properties window

very useful when you're having problems and having to go to the device manager alot

[g_shocker182]

For XP:

If your computer is totally screwed and frozen up, goto the task manager and end EXPLORER.EXE

Once this is done, do a cntrl-alt-del thus bringing back up the task manager and click File> New Task(Run..) > Type in explorer

bada bing bada boom...Explorer fine again

[Treebeard]

For MAC owners:


Drop your box from the roof of the tallest building in your city and go buy a PC like the rest of us.

[Craig Tucker]

For MAC owners:


Drop your box from the roof of the tallest building in your city and go buy a PC like the rest of us.

Ding Ding Ding Ding We have a winner

[disturbed1]

CTRL-SHIFT-ESC brings up task manager

In IE hold down shift, mouse wheel down for back "button", mouse wheel up for forward "button".

F6 highlights the address bar.

Pop up adds? Get the google tool bar, it's free and it works.

Shift click on a link to open in a new window.

[Faustus]

Tip to not get a virus:

I've not had one since I started using MacOS9 and OSX as a virus shield.

[disturbed1]

Tip to not get a virus:

I've not had one since I started using MacOS9 and OSX as a virus shield.

Used Windows since 3.1, and never had one either. Don't even have antivirus software.

Spyware/Addware, that's another story

[BobV]

Used Windows since 3.1, and never had one either. Don't even have antivirus software.

And what makes you think that your PC is virus free if you are not running a program to detect it?

[disturbed1]

Bazooka Spyware/Adware detects virus.

Trendmicro has a free online scanner that scans your PC. I run it about once every 7-8 months.

[waheed]

Want to change the boot screen that appears when you boot the pc

visit www.bootskin.com

ive changed my Windows XP Professional screen to Windows XP Overclocked Edition. There loads to choose from. a great tool and also a freeware.

a method of protecting your computer from viruses is to use two operating systems.

partition the hard drive, (first partition should be larger in size eg for a 120GB HDD, use 80GB and 40GB) install Windows XP on one partition (this should be the main partition and the largest) using NTFS file sytem. you must use NTFS. install windows 98 on the other partiton using the FAT32 file system.

now use Win XP as the main operating system for your daily tasks, but windows 98 only for connecting to the internet.

therectically, win 98 cannot see files on win XP as it is a different file system (NTFS), therefore, if your computer gets infected with a virus, (note you are using Win 98 for internet) your files on Windows XP are safe. no worries!!

ive not tried this myself but this is what my friend has done.

[Solarjetman]

therectically, win 98 cannot see files on win XP as it is a different file system (NTFS), therefore, if your computer gets infected with a virus, (note you are using Win 98 for internet) your files on Windows XP are safe. no worries!!

ive not tried this myself but this is what my friend has done.

It should work for many viruses, however you will not be safe from all viruses. Some infect the boot sector of the hard drive, those would get into the WinXP install since they are activated before any windows system even is loaded. Plus, If a Win98 file is infected, you could infect the WinXP if it was run while in WinXP since it will be viewable.

[808smokey]

Used Windows since 3.1, and never had one either. Don't even have antivirus software.

And what makes you think that your PC is virus free if you are not running a program to detect it?

Good Point

[MpegEncoder]

Pulling the power cord out of the wall socket will shut down your computer, even when it's running.

[Gritz]

Pulling the power cord out of the wall socket will shut down your computer, even when it's running

Not mine! I have a UPS ..... :P

How about this ..... XP users .... hold down the number lock for 5 seconds and you activate an audible sound each time you hit the "Caps Lock" . Great for those of us who always get our caps backwards.

[b1tchm4gn3t]

Thank you GRITZ, I reALLY NEEDED THAT ONE IN A BAD WAY

[Faustus]

Between the 2 get whichever one has a good deal that week. You'll likely be happy with it.

Maxtor DOES however get points for still cross shipping yoru hard drive if it breaks. Well as long as you have a credit card they will (no charge, just want a credit card to make sure they REALLY get the bad one back) Well, I assume they still do that, did it for me a few years ago.