How to Cut, Copy, and Paste in Windows XP
You can cut, copy, and paste in Windows XP to move items or copies of items to other locations within a file, or to a different file or application. Using the cut, copy, and paste features allows you to [more…]
How to Program Your PC to Hibernate
You can save power and not-quite-exactly turn your PC by making it hibernate. When your computer hibernates, it saves all the memory — everything the system is doing — then turns the computer off. Hibernating [more…]
How to Add Gadgets to the Sidebar in Windows Vista
You can customize your Windows Vista desktop by adding gadgets to the Sidebar, such as news feeds, clocks, weather, and so on. Adding gadgets to your Vista Sidebar allows you to check out information quickly [more…]
Install a Wired Network
Installing a wired network comprises assembling the proper components. To install a wired network, assemble the cables, network adapter, and router, among other components. Follow these steps to install [more…]
How to Edit a Picture in Paint Using Windows Vista
Although the Windows Vista version of Paint is usually used to create simple drawings, you can also use it to edit picture files. In Paint, you can crop your pictures, edit their colors, draw objects on [more…]
Using DOS to Write-Protect and Reformat Disks
You can protect floppy disks in such a way as to prevent yourself or anyone else from modifying or deleting anything on the disk.
When a disk is write-protected, you cannot alter, modify, change, or delete [more…]
Exploring NFS in UNIX
If your computer is on a LAN, the computer is probably set up to share files with other computers. Quite a few different schemes enable computers to use files on other machines. These schemes are named [more…]
Who Goes There? Understanding Permissions in UNIX
Unlike some operating systems, UNIX was designed from the beginning to be used by more than one person. Like all multiuser systems, UNIX keeps track of who owns what file and who can do what with each [more…]
How to Make an Application Start Automatically in Windows XP
Having programs automatically open when you start Windows XP is handy. It's nice to turn on your computer and have applications, such as e-mail, open while you're busy pouring your first cup of coffee. [more…]
How to Use Windows Briefcase to Move and Synchronize Your Desktop and Laptop Files
Windows Briefcase automatically synchronizes multiple copies of files. If you use a desktop computer at the office but work from home on a laptop, you can synchronize the files between your laptop and [more…]
How to Restart or Shut Down a Locked-Up Computer in Windows Vista
In some cases, Windows fails to respond to keyboard and mouse commands. This is known as a locked-up or frozenstate. To restart or shut down a locked-up computer, you can try pressing special key combinations [more…]
How to Shut Down Windows on Your PC
You can turn your computer off by shutting it down. If you want to shut down your computer, rather than making it sleep or hibernate, you can. Be in charge! Shut down your PC whenever you please. [more…]
How to Connect Your Laptop to an Unknown SSID in Windows XP
For security reasons, some wireless networks don’t broadcast their SSIDs. A wireless network not broadcasting its SSID doesn’t show up in your list of networks. [more…]
Place an Icon on the Quick Launch Bar
Place an icon on the Quick Launch bar so that you have easy access to it. You can place virtually any desktop icon on the Quick Launch bar.
The easiest way to put a program icon on the Quick Launch bar [more…]
How to Make an Application Start Automatically in Windows Vista
Having programs automatically open when you start Windows Vista is handy. It's nice to turn on your computer and have applications, such as e-mail, open while you're busy pouring your first cup of coffee [more…]
How to Encrypt Important Files or Folders on Your Laptop
If your laptop’s hard drive is set up with NTFS formatting, Windows can scramble or encrypt your files. (This feature may not be available in some versions of Windows.) Encryption provides extra security [more…]
Controlling Your Linux Smart Home with X10
To own and operate a Linux smart home means to control and monitor devices and information around your home by using a standard personal computer, the Linux operating system, and its vast array of open [more…]
How to Convert Currency in Windows Vista
The Windows Vista Currency Conversion gadget makes converting currency a breeze. After you add the Currency Conversion gadget to your Windows Vista Sidebar, you can easily access and convert your dollars [more…]
How to Add RSS Feeds to the Windows Vista Sidebar
Adding RSS feeds to your Windows Vista Sidebar lets you access current information from the Web sites you check most often. By adding RSS feeds to your Sidebar, at a glance you can check out the latest [more…]
How to Change Your Laptop’s Power Button Functions in Windows XP
In Windows XP, you can control what your laptop does when you close the lid, or press the power or sleep button. You can access the Power button controls by following these steps: [more…]
How to Empty the Recycle Bin in Windows Vista
You can empty your entire Recycle Bin on your Windows Vista desktop at any time. Deleting items forever from your Recycle Bin frees up hard drive space, and Windows Vista helps you out by deleting older [more…]
How to Create a New User Account in Windows XP
You can create a new user account in Windows XP for anyone: your spouse, your children, your babysitter, your in-laws . . . well, don't go too crazy. By creating new user accounts for the people who will [more…]
How to Restart Windows on Your PC
You need to reset or restart Windows in two instances: You restart whenever Windows tells you to restart (usually after you install something new or make some change), and you restart whenever Something [more…]
How to Access Network Printers from Your Laptop
Printers can be connected to other computers on the network, or they can dwell on the network directly. Either way, after your laptop is on the network, it can access those other computers. [more…]
How to Encrypt Your Files or Folders
To ensure the security of your files and folders, you can encrypt them. Encrypting a file or folder scrambles its content so that others cannot read it. You can encrypt your files or folders only if your [more…]
