SNUG/PC Care Meeting 1/9/2010

Thanks to Frank Weitzman for conducting this Q&A session.--DPH

Q&A and Problems:

Q. Do cell phone numbers go public this month?  The consensus is no, this is probably just an e-mail rumor.  However, you may at times get unsolicited calls that are dialed by computer using essentially random numbers.

Warnings about unauthorized persons pretending to be census employees. Genuine employees have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. The census employees will have a phone number you can call for verification.

Help Desk Calls: Calm down beforehand. Have basic info handy: use Windows key+Pause Break for RAM, CPU info, OS info. Have precise wording of any error message handy. Be polite. To avoid miscommunication, try repeating whatever suggestions are offered.

Q. Sometimes the only way I can get my computer turned off is to push the power button.  Is this bad for it?    It can make bad changes to the Registry.  You also tend to get all kinds of messages when you start the computer again. Try CTRL, ALT, Delete to cancel an unresponsive program. Before pushing the button, be sure the computer is not just temporarily frozen (hard drive light will be going on and off).  Pushing the power button also causes more wear and tear on the hard drive than running the computer normally.

Turning off computer: Turn Off—turns everything off, desktop comes back slowest, and only the smallest amount of power is used to keep the clock going.  Hibernate—Leaves computer in existing last state, saving data to hard drive.  This is a good option, saves some power. Faster to restore than Turn Off. Files may get fragmented though, so you may have to defrag more often.  Sleep—Keeps open applications in RAM so it comes back fastest but doesn’t save much energy.  Hybrid Sleep (in Vista)—Combination of sleep and hibernate. 

Q. What to do if System Restore fails to complete? Follow these steps before retrying (1) Safe mode (2) Turn off AV program (3) Disable Firewall. This led to a discussion about on-line back up.  Advantages--sometimes you can get 2 GB free storage.  Disadvantages: you only get one copy of back-up—the last one, (sometimes it can be helpful to have more than one back-up), and if you have a lot of data it can take several days to complete the back up (or to restore it).    Carbonite: Once it is installed, Carbonite works automatically in the background recording any file you change: $130 for three years.—Kim Komando recommended.  You can buy external hard drives now for back-up that are quite inexpensive.

Q. When I plug in a Flash drive, it doesn’t show up on My Computer; what’s wrong? They are ideal for backing up all sorts of documents, including photos; you can even store audio tracks and video clips on the bigger ones. They draw their power from your computer like some other USB devices; if you have trouble using a frontside USB port, try one in the back instead. Otherwise you should get a self powered USB hub.

Q. Ever try to remember who you sent a mass email to?  When you send an email in Outlook Express or Windows Mail, it leaves a copy in your Sent mail box.  Often times you will send a message to more than one person, but when recalling the email from your Sent box it doesn't show who you sent it to.  The answer is to click on File, Properties, and then the Details Tab.  There you'll find a list of recipients to refresh your memory—Cyber News. Similarly, when you have received e-mails, a lot of information can be obtained by looking at the header to see where it originated.

Q. How many Joules do you need for a battery backup (Uninterrupted Power Supply – UPS).  This is an emergency device to allow you to shut the computer down safely when there is a power failure.  The number of plug-ins is a factor to consider. You will need a 500 to 550 volt amp unit, which should be large enough except if you have cable service you will need a 650 VA because you will also need a cable adapter. Plug in the CPU and Monitor into the UPS and all other plugs into the surge protector.—SNUG OK

Q. Computer makes a funny noise when I start it.  Does this mean the hard drive is about to go?  Yes that is a possibility.  Be sure all data is backed up.  You may also want to put your ear to computer to try and detect if it may be a fan or something else. Hard drives on laptops usually only last about 5 years as they may have rough handling when on the go.  A solid state laptop or netbook is more durable.

Q. What can I do about a friend on Facebook that I have little in common with?  Is there a graceful way to defriend?  No, but updating your security settings may help.

Q. Has anyone heard of a program called Network Magic?  Jay Hall has used it and finds it excellent for someone who has several computers, wireless printers, etc. to set up.  Also, it is easier to set up networks with Windows 7.

Q. After I switched to Vista, the lines on Excel and Microsoft Word tables are too light.  I change them but next time I use the programs they come back the same way.  Perhaps the user did not understand templates enough to save her desired document appearance to the normal template (or it's equivalent in Corel speak). If the darker gridlines are saved to the normal template, gridlines should have the same appearance in all new documents based on that template.

Q. What is the best way to wipe a hard drive clean when getting a new computer?  Google “wipe hard drive” for products that do this. If it won’t be re-used, destroy it with a hammer.  This is how many of the big companies do it.

Windows 7

Some Features of Windows 7 were demonstrated—Most people like Windows 7.  It can be thought of as Windows Vista with service pack 3 and slight improvements in security.  It looks very similar to Vista and it has been out long enough now that most of the early problems (such as no drivers for some things) have been taken care of.  Some people don’t care for the new version of internet explorer which comes with Vista.  With some versions you can actually have a copy of Windows XP on the computer also for easily running some very old programs.  With Windows 7, it is easy to set up computer networks.  Windows 7 has the same excellent search functions also found in Vista.  It is easy to pull up lists, such as recent documents.   Windows 7 appears to boot up faster than Vista.  Actually what happens is that the core services are booting faster while other services are still booting.  The users guide for Windows 7 is online only. Always wait at least six months before switching to a new operating system. Most people have done okay moving from XP to Windows 7, but you have to do a complete back-up first then wipe the hard drive, then install Windows, then reinstall the programs you need, then copy all your saved documents into Win 7.

SNUG Minutes, January 8, 2010

Refreshments: Linda and Mary Fairbanks, Terri McIvor, Nancy Sjoberg, Grover Good, June Miller

Set-Up: Jim Kaehler

Visitors: Sylvia Moss, Maury Grimes, Ursula Cheney

Door Prize Winner: Bob Capellini

Natalie Holley is in assisted living. See people news for more information.

Terri McIvor will help with publicity for SNUG. She will send information to some of the small, weekly neighborhood newspapers, such as in Carrollwood. Send her the names of any others you might think of.

The monthly program was PC Care presented by David Henry and Frank Weitzman.

SNUG Minutes November 30, 2009

Refreshments: Rose Terenzi, Dorothy Whyte, Nancy Sjoberg, Jim Kaehler
Set-Up: Jim Kaehler
Door Prize Winner: George Lott
Visitors: Claudette Kirk, Maury Levine, Mike Cawthon

Program: Frank Zacherl, one of our longtime computer instructors, talked about making your own custom music CD, as well as demonstrating Skype and Slingbox.

Skype enables the user to make free phone calls over the internet. You need a quality microphone and web cam to get good results. Frank demonstrated a phone conversation with his wife who was on her home computer and we were able to hear and see her picture on the screen. David Henry reported that he regularly talks to his son in England for about an hour each week and gets good results with Skype.

Slingbox enables individuals to remotely view their home's television or personal video recorder. Frank was able to view baseball games that were only broadcast in this area, while he was away on vacation in California. The company has a number of different products with different capabilities.

Frank demonstrated the steps to creating a music CD--insert CD, rip music first, then burn to blank CD. Write the names of songs on CD with a sharpie rather than using a paper label. Usually choose mp3 or wpa as the file type. Windows media player can't handle the cda file type. This is a file type commonly played on CD players.

January SNUG Meeting

SNUG meets for socializing and refreshments at 1 pm on Friday January 8^th in its usual location, Westside E. The program is another in the popular PC Care series, in which we address members’ PC problems in a Q&A format, and offer product news and demonstrations, including an introduction to Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system.

 

SNUG--No December Meeting

There will be no SNUG meeting in December. We hope to see you at the all OLLI Holiday Gathering on December 17 in the Westside Conference Center. The next SNUG meeting will be Friday, January 8, 2010.  Have a most happy holiday season, and we will see you in the New Year!—Jim Kaehler, VP

SNUG to meet on November 20

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGED DATE. This month only, SNUG will meet on the third Friday of November in its usual location of Westside E. Our speaker will again be Frank Zacherl, a long time OLLI computer instructor, whose topic will be “Creating Your Own Custom Music CD”. If you care to bring a CD with a favorite song on it, you may be chosen to loan it to add to his other songs. Frank also promises a surprise extra demonstration if time permits.—David Henry

SNUG Program October 9, 2009

Panelists: Frank Weitzman, Lilli Guttman, and David Henry


Question on Global Template: It was explained that Word's Normal Template contains settings such as default styles, AutoText, macros, toolbars, and other customizations that determine the basic look of your document. For an explanation of Global Template, visit http://freeringer.biz/faq.shtml#q6
Discussion also touched on Skype and Google Phone. Frank has used Google free phone and it performs as advertised. They assign you a telephone number and when people call it, all of your other phone numbers ring also if you program this into your google phone. Frank's-in-laws have used skype and find it successful if you use a good quality camera and a high-speed internet connection. Jay thinks there may be a waiting list at this time for the google phone.
http://www.addbalance.com/word/savenormal.htm

Question on Tab-Shift: Instead of moving Word's insertion point backwards to the previous tab stop, two members experience the opposite effect. Any answer?
Free Ringer: Would somebody try this free phone service out for the next PC Care meeting?
Office 2007: (KK) For long-time Office users, the Ribbon can be a huge annoyance. I've heard many complaints about it from readers and listeners. Well, you don't need to live with the Office Ribbon. Just download UBitMenu. It will bring back Office's old menus. UBitMenu is free for personal use. But you must select the correct download. On the UBitMenu site, click UBitMenu UK Discussion demonstrated the Ribbon briefly, and also touched on Open Office which is free, compatible with Microsoft, runs on Mac and Linux. Frank has gotten used to the ribbon and likes it.
Cookies: Should I allow them? Limit them? In Internet Explorer, click Tools > Internet Options. Click Advanced on the Privacy tab. Deselect "Override automatic cookie handling." Click OK > OK. IE will manage cookies for you. "Good" cookies are helpful in facilitating access to online retail, banking etc sites, but "bad" ones also track your websurfing. You are recommended not to delete all your cookies. Cookies are simply text files written to your computer during your browsing session. They do not slow down your computer. The name cookie came from Hansel and Gretl who dropped cookies to find their way home.
Software Versions: (KK) Having trouble making a new version of software work on your older machine? Go back to an earlier version that worked—there's an extensive collection at http://www.oldversion.com/
Scripts: What are they? What is debugging? How is it used by malware? How to turn off script debugging: In IE7, Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Disable Script Debugging (both). Consequences? Members were advised to turn off scripts.

Turn off or change Screen Saver: Start > Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver controls it. There is no technical reason to use screen savers these days; they can be used for prettying up your screen.
Print Screen key: It copies the screen to the clipboard, then you can paste it into Word (or an email) for editing and printing. To capture and print just the active window, hold down Alt + PrtScr 
Search Engines: Bing vs Google. Microsoft's Bing search engine was demonstrated. It appears very similar to Google. But it has a weakness with porn. With Google you can view a side-by-side comparisons at http://bingle.pwnij.com 
Vista Service Pack 2:  (Cyber News) If you have a Vista machine then you will want to download and install SP2.  This service pack will increase performance, bolster security, show an increase in disk space, and fix a lot of bugs.  To get SP2, click on Start > All Programs > Windows Update. To determine what service pack you have click Start > Right click on Computer > and choose Properties. 
Set up a new Vista or Win 7 PC from an XP machine. Transferring your files is the easy part, whether documents, photos, audio or video files. Use intermediaries such as a memory stick, CD or DVD. Most programs will reinstall easily from the original disks on to your new machine, which is most likely "64 bit" with a 64 bit OS. However some older programs won't so go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/ for a list of compatible programs or try looking at the manufacturer's website for information.

Get a health checkup for Vista: Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Performance Information and Tools > Advanced Tools > Generate a System Health Report. Helps you learn about problems or potential problems. This turns out to be too technical for the average user. 
Remove bloatware (1) Control Panel > Add remove programs (2) Mcafee and Norton have uninstall tools (3) go to www.pcdecrapifier.com 
Print text from the web. (Cyber News) Often times you want to print something from the Internet, but don't want to print the whole page.  Here's a simple solution to that dilemma.  Highlight the text you want to print, then click on File, Print, and under "Print Range" put a mark next to "Selection."  Now click OK and it will print only the text you have highlighted instead of the whole page.