Advanced PC Users by Richard Gohman

Note:  This information is not for the novice or intermediate computer user. 

If you feel that you have developed some of the more advanced skills in computer use and want to increase your skills, I have provided several articles that you may find useful.

 
NEW
Windows 7 Users		 GodMode (Name given by Microsoft programmer)
 

Clearing a file jammed printer

 StopPrint
Mail Merge
Names Database Making a Address list in a Spreadsheet program for Address or Name Tag labels.
 

Have you ever wanted to print out a list of the contents of a folder, or CD?

 

 Print folder listing
   

 "Fix Windows with Knoppix".
  Knoppix is a Linux operating system.  You can download copies for free (but be aware is will be a big down-load) or you can "Google" for Knoppix and find many web sites where you can buy disks with Knoppix for $10 or less. 
These disks will setup and run the Knoppix system without installing any software on your computer.  Thus you can rescue files and repair or fix some hard drive problems that caused Windows not to function.  (Other Linux OS's
can do the same job, but the article makes reference to specific programs found in Knoppix.)
 
   I keep one computer with a Linux Operating System for just that purpose.  Many times when critical files, or sections of the hard drive, become corrupted, Windows can no longer access the drive.  But Linux systems can still see the
files on the disk and copy these files to a CD or USB drive.  
That feature is appreciated by Windows users who forgot to back up their photos and documents before the hard drive crashed.  (Of course that does not apply to VVCC members - does it!)

 
"Saving XP after the BSOD". 
(Blue Screen of Death)
  The second article is  The BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) is a critical Windows System failure that produces a blue screen with an error message something like "Bang you are dead". 
This article uses a "Recovery Console" feature (basically a DOS command line process) to replace the critical system files and make Windows XP operational again.  
 
Please take note that the Recovery Console feature is part of the Microsoft Installation Disk version of Windows XP.  It is not part of the Restore Disk versions that are typically supplied by computer makers like HP, Compaq, Sony, etc. (Dell Restore Disks do have the Recovery Console feature).  
 
If you have the HP, Compaq, etc. disks, you will have to buy, or borrow, a Microsoft XP installation disk. Yes you can borrow a Microsoft XP disk for access to the Recovery Console operation as long as it is the same version as installed on your computer (i.e. XP Pro or XP Home). 
Just don't try to use the borrowed disk to re-install Windows.

 
Buying, or receiving, a new computer this holiday?
  You should know that all kinds of "trial-ware" software will be included in almost every "big brand" unit.Trial-Ware is software installed on the PC to let you try it.  Then in 30 to 60 days it quits working unless you credit card them with $$.   Any data you created with this "trial-ware"  (often impolitely referred to as crap-ware) will not be accessible to you until you pay for the program. 
Software suppliers pay the PC maker to include this software on the hard drive in hope that you will pay them "full-retail" for the software after the trial period.
 
Here is the link to a free and safe program that will identify these "trial-ware" programs found on your computer and offer to uninstall them for you. http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/
 
The program also works on your existing PC, but if you already have cleaned most of the crap-ware out, it just finds less to remove.
 
Example of Trial-ware.  New HP computers have a trial offer of Microsoft Office 2007.  You can use it for 60 days and then, if you don't pay $420.00, it stops working.  (You can buy a new copy Office 2007 for Students and Home for $150 at any computer software store.  On sale it is often only $130.00).  OpenOffice is an equivalent program and is free off the Internet, or available on a DOQ for $5 from the VVCC.
 
Remember the Safe Shopping rules for the Internet.
Make sure the web address starts with "https://" ( the "s" is the important letter) and a "padlock" icon show before giving any financial information.

Richard Gohman