Computer Tips 101

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Computer Tips 101

I was sitting in a free class at the local community college last week when one of the students shouted from the back row to the instructor that she could increase the size of the text display (which no one could read) on the computer projection on the board if she pressed the Ctrl button key and scroll wheel on her mouse at the same time.

I have a mouse with a little button on the left (thumb) which allows me to create a locked size zoom window (does not increase resolution) so I though that I would never use this computer tip. However on small text the Ctrl/scroll does seem to increase the readability of the text over the button alone.

Try it on this website:
StereoTimes --

I'm still not sure how to return to my normal screen size. I've been closing the window or site and restarting Firefox for now.

Your old eyes will thank me for this tip.

What is your computer tip?

EDIT: from another forum...........

Quote:

Ctrl 0 will reset to normal

LakeCleElum · 10-23-2009, 01:02 PM

Thax for that tip....For FireFox, I do the same thing with the Ctrl and either the + or _

My tip: Don't drop your laptop, it can take out the motherboard.......

Shawn 357 · 10-23-2009, 01:22 PM

Probably a real basic one but here is my contribution:

When entering a web address in a browser:

instead of typing Pelican Parts - Porsche Parts & BMW Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

you can just type pelicanparts and hit control+enter (also works for other web addresses)

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Thanks Shawn - never knew that one.

An old one:

When inside of a webpage - hit control+F to bring up the 'Find' window.

You can now cruise through articles, webpages, Craigslist, etc looking for a specific word(s).

Wintermute · 10-23-2009, 01:53 PM

Instead of using Alt-Tab in Vista/Win7 to switch between programs, try Windows Key/Tab, you get a 3D effect.

masraum · 10-23-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Thanks Shawn - never knew that one.

An old one:

When inside of a webpage - hit control+F to bring up the 'Find' window.

You can now cruise through articles, webpages, Craigslist, etc looking for a specific word(s).

< ctrl > - F works in pretty much any Windows program

mattdavis11 · 10-23-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn 357

you can just type pelicanparts and hit control+enter (also works for other web addresses)

Thanks Shawn! After trying it, I can just hit enter, no need for ctrl. Lucky me.

RedBaron · 04:51 AM

A bit advanced, but still pretty cool...

1:Go To Start -> Run

Type in "MSCONFIG" and go to startup, and uncheck the boxes of the programs you know you dont need on startup (an example is itunes helper). Make sure you do not disable your anti virus and any manufacturer programs such as power management. You should notice a huge speed improvement...

2: Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks

Set up a CClean and a defrag when your computer is idle for X amount of time... I usually set an hour for my clients computers...

They still run well after years of use.

Joeaksa · 10-23-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBaron

A bit advanced, but still pretty cool...

1:Go To Start -> Run

Type in "MSCONFIG" and go to startup, hit disable all (except your anti virus). You should notice a huge speed improvement...

2: Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks

Set up a CClean and a defrag when your computer is idle for X amount of time... I usually set an hour for my clients computers...

They still run well after years of use.

Excellent! Will have to remember this one.

Assume that everyone knows about Control C, V and X? Old DOS commands that still work and save a lot of time.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

"Jesus Saves" and so should you. Backup every month. More often if vital info.

masraum · 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBaron

A bit advanced, but still pretty cool...

1:Go To Start -> Run

Type in "MSCONFIG" and go to startup, ...

The new version is advice that I can get behind. In the past, I've even found lists that tell you what stuff you can disable that you may not know anything about. I'll have to see if I can find one of those.

RedBaron · 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

A lot of stuff will stop working if you do this.

Such as?

It will still work, just not run when you turn the computer on right away.

I'm pretty sure i don't need stuff like "ituneshelper" on all the time and when you open the application it opens that service anyways. Plus it will most likely turn off spyware and malware that would run automatically when you turn your computer on.

Again, I wouldn't turn the startup items for anti virus off, or anything like a networking assistant that would set itself as the default program for connecting to networks, since it turns the wzc service off.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBaron

Such as?

It will still work, just not run when you turn the computer on right away.

Depends, if you have a laptop it could disable some of the function keys, or your touchpad, or power management.

His point is that it is in your best interest to know what you are disabling before you disable it.

Quote:

Plus it will most likely turn off spyware and malware that would run automatically when you turn your computer on.

Unlikely, not any of the bad ones anyway. Most of them put put the startup entries back as fast as you disable them, if they are even there in the first place.

Shawn 357 · 10-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBaron

A bit advanced, but still pretty cool...

1:Go To Start -> Run

Type in "MSCONFIG" and go to startup, hit disable all (except your anti virus). You should notice a huge speed improvement...

2: Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks

Set up a CClean and a defrag when your computer is idle for X amount of time... I usually set an hour for my clients computers...

They still run well after years of use.

Thanks for the info....my computer is quicker now that I don't have some of the unecessary stuff starting right away. Now if I could figure out a way to remember these tips because I know I have done this one before but apparently forgot how

herr_oberst · 10-23-2009, 08:44 PM

My only computer tip is to drop your PC off a tall building and buy something nice from Apple.

LakeCleElum · 10-23-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBaron

A bit advanced, but still pretty cool...

1:Go To Start -> Run

Type in "MSCONFIG" and go to startup, hit disable all (except your anti virus). You should notice a huge speed improvement...

2: Control Panel -> Scheduled Tasks

Set up a CClean and a defrag when your computer is idle for X amount of time... I usually set an hour for my clients computers...

They still run well after years of use.

Red - Good tip on #1, BUT, now my Outlook Express "No Workie".....Need advice on how to fix my "fix"......?????????????? I'm outta business.........

DavidB911 · 10-23-2009, 10:18 PM

alt + (left arrow) takes you back a web page
alt + (right arrow) takes you forward a web page

crtl + tab takes you to the previous tab. it undoes hitting the tab
start key + d minimizes all open windows

there are others, but i can't remember them right now.

RedBaron · 10-24-2009, 04:49 AM

I think I may edit my post now...

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Red - Good tip on #1, BUT, now my Outlook Express "No Workie".....Need advice on how to fix my "fix"......?????????????? I'm outta business.........

Sent you a PM

LakeCleElum · 10-24-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBaron

I think I may edit my post now...

Sent you a PM

Red - Thanks for holding my hand. Looks like an error on my part. Did what you said in the PM and it's all good now. ....Thanks for the great suggestion sir....