Computer Help

Welcome To Computer Help

Just Getting Started With This Page But Check Back Often For Updates

Setting Up Windows XP

NOTE: Some manufacturers make you have a password to login with when you buy a new computer. We will get to that later if they supplied a password use it now to at least gain entry we will change that later.

You can create something of your own if you want but just try and keep the setting (under Desktop Settings ) small and use centered  not stretched or tiled.

Now choose Hibernate if you want to enable this hibernation feature (SP2 Update). Click OK Apply / OK.

Click on Advanced and put a check in all three. If you are on a network put a check in the that box My Network Places to show the icon on your desktop. You may want to add your favorites to the start menu as well your choice. Click OK.

Now Select The Classic Menu ( The one I Use) here again you can make your choices as to what you want to appear in your start menu. I have all checked except Expand Control Panel and Personalize menus.

Now click Apply and then OK then OK one more time to exit Display Properties.

Next Step Click on Start / Settings / Control Panel / Choose Users Account

OK what we have here is where we can change the password or nothing at all

#1 Turn off the Guest Account here you can also control how people use your computer by simply allowing access or limiting access.

#2 Click on the account that pertains to your current login status You can change a few things here just follow the prompts but I want you to go and change your account type to administrator. If it isn't already. If you are running ASP.Net change this account type also to Administrator

#3 If you want to remove or change the password click on change password (if you have one) or create a password (if none was setup) and type in the password you was furnish then enter the new password (if you want one or none if you don't) after this click back to User Accounts Page

While still in Control Panel choose Folder Options / Click Items as Follows lets choose the single click option to open an item

Browse Folder choose Open each folder in a separate window click apply OK and exit

#4 Right click on the blank area of the task bar choose properties uncheck lock taskbar. Click taskbar again and choose toolbars and select quick launch.

Adding Users (OPTIONAL)

 To add a user and create an account for someone else is relatively simple Click: Start / Settings / Control Panel Users Account  Click on Create a New Account / Enter The Persons Name / Choose between Administrator or Limited you can move your mouse over each one to view the description. If you have kids or a person who should be restricted from downloads and viewing files on your computer then I would suggest limited.

What we did so far is Remove the Disney Interface called "Bliss" Turn the settings into The Classic View. We changed our Video Settings to 1024x768 and switched to Clear Type Fonts. We changed the password settings for resume and changed power management settings. We changed the shut down options , unlocked the taskbar, installed quick launch on the taskbar. We set the number of start items on start and switched to small icons with no text. We turned off the guest account and set ourselves up as administrators accounts. We set our folder options and setup view in separate windows option. We just setup a users account (if you want one) and set permissions.

I would now suggest installing your Anti -Virus Software I say this now because I know there is boot legged software out there and yes you may have some. By installing the virus software now we will have it scan any software that is being installed on your system. Unless you feel safe about installing software that came from someone else who may have  a virus on their machine could transfer it to your new machine. Be safe not sorry! Make all your settings to your Virus Software before we proceed. You may have to fine tune it as we go. I myself use Computer Associates EZ Virus Version 7. Now with that installed let us get ready to connect to the internet. (fact an average computer when connected to the internet lasts about twenty minutes before it gets loaded with spyware, malware or a virus).

Modem Setup: First lets make sure our modem is identified Click Start /Settings / Control Panel / Phone and Modems / Set your area code if not already.

Click on Modems / It should show your modem listed here. Next click on Properties it should say there are no conflicts and is working properly. However click on Diagnostics to test the modem. Click on Query Modem it should do a read out of the modem. If there was no modem or there was conflicts then this will have to be resolved before you can proceed.

Assuming everything was a go then our next step is click back to control panel and choose Network Connections then choose Create a New Connection / Connect to The Internet / Here you can choose an ISP / Setup the ISP Manually / Use The Setup Disk Provided  the choice is yours. I will describe setting up manually Click it  Next connect using a dialup modem Next Type in your ISP Name Next The Phone Number top dial / Next Users Name and Password make appropriate checks to the boxes below and click next the finish.

To use a network connection such as DSL On your desktop click on network places and choose setup a home or small office network Click Next / You can click on review the checklist if you want but most likely you have a network card already most new computers do. Click Next the center option should be used if using ADSL or DSL if you are using internet sharing through another computer with a modem then the top choice is for you otherwise we are setting up for DSL right now. Click Next here you can type in a description most use mshome and the name is what ever your computer is named (TIP! To name or rename your computer click on start settings control panel and choose system next choose computer name and here you go name your network or computer name or name your workgroup by clicking on change computer name.) Click Next here again you can change your workgroup name. Most use mshome for description and workgroup. Click Next and you should see a choice to allow file and print sharing this is your choice lick next and you will see all the settings you just made displayed. Click Next and it will start setting up the computer to the network. Next choose just finish the wizard and click next and finish.

Fact! The more Graphical Users Interface (GUI) such as Bliss or any other desktop theme that takes up your whole desktop screen slows down the response time of your computer.

Fact! The more software Applications you have running in the background under startup, the slower your computer will be. Thus the more software you install that is set to run on startup slows down your computer. To see this Click Start / Run type in msconfig and click OK then click on startup, see what I mean?

Next Click Start / Settings Control Panel / System / Advanced Settings and put an check in Adjust for best performance click OK Next click on error reporting choose to turn it of but to notify you click OK. Next click on automatic updates and choose to notify me but don't download and install them (tip! review the updates before you install them) Click OK

Have You Had Problems Viewing Pictures on Websites?

A Known Issue With Internet Explorer see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283807

If You Are Running Norton Products? Go Here  There are known issues

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Want to Try a Another Operating System Other Than Windows?

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 Ubuntu or Kubuntu

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