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Tips & Tricks for Computers & Laptops
At CS Computers Ltd we provide a wealth of experience in all IT related areas and strive to compliment your existing computer skills and resources. Alternatively we can take more of a leading role if you prefer or if you are out of your comfort zone. Whichever path you choose we can give you the best and most skilled service while providing a personal touch.
There are always short cuts which make life easier and take some of the hassle out of dealing with computer technology. As part of our customer care orientated service we have put together a Tips & Tricks page to help make your computer experience a little simpler and a lot more enjoyable.
Find out how to put the features of Windows XP to work for you and find time-saving tips for browsing the web.
Techniques and Hidden Features for Windows
You don't have to be a computer wizard to benefit from our tips and tricks because everything is laid down in easy, step by step instructions. As the world of computers and the internet is constantly evolving we at CS Computers Ltd keep our eye firmly on the ball so that we can bring powerful free tips, techniques and hidden features to you allowing you to effectively master your computer.
We regularly update our Tips & Tricks page so be sure to come back and check the latest additions. Enjoy the Windows Tips & Tricks.
TIPS FOR WINDOWS XP
XP file Sharing
File sharing is the sharing of a disk or printer between computers . If a disk or folder is shared, everyone on the network can access it. You have the ability to set password and permissions for the shared disk or folder for security therefore Windows XP tries to protect you from some potential security risks.
Right click the disk or folder that you want to share and select Sharing and Security.
NOTE: The first time you do this the Networking wizard will appear ..CLOSE IT..:-
The Wizard automatically enables the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) to prevent other Internet users from accessing your shared disks and folders. Enabling ICF is a good idea if you connect directly to the Internet through a dial-up, DSL, or cable modem. But it's a terrible idea if you connect to the Internet through your LAN, using a software router (like Internet Connection Sharing) or a hardware router, since it will block File and Printer Sharing.
The disk or folder that you share, along with all of the folders that it contains, will be accessible by other network users If you're sharing an entire disk, Windows XP gives a warning. The implication of the warning is that it's better to share a specific folder, since only that folder (and its sub-folders) will be accessible by others, and the rest of the disk will be inaccessible. Click where indicated if you want to go ahead and share the entire disk. This screen doesn't appear if you're sharing a folder.
XP will display a warning. If you want ICF enabled, select Use the wizard to enable file sharing. Otherwise, select Just enable file sharing.
Having successfully stopped the Wizard's, you now have to specify a Share name, which users on other networked computers will use to access this disk or folder. For maximum compatibility with all versions of Windows, use 1-12 characters.
By default, users on other computers have full access: they can read, write, and delete shared files. If you only want them to be able to read files, un-check Allow network users to change my files.
Warning: If a user has full access, deleting a file doesn't put it in the Recycle Bin. Once it's deleted, it's gone for good.
Make your Folders Private
- Open My Computer
- Double-click the drive where Windows is installed (usually drive (C:), unless you have more than one drive on your computer).
- If the contents of the drive are hidden, under System Tasks, click Show the contents of this drive.
- Double-click the Documents and Settings folder.
- Double-click your user folder.
- Right-click any folder in your user profile, and then click Properties.
- On the Sharing tab, select the Make this folder private so that only I have access to it check box.
Note
- To open My Computer, click Start, and then click My Computer.
- This option is only available for folders included in your user profile. Folders in your user profile include My Documents and its sub-folders, Desktop, Start Menu, Cookies, and Favourites. If you do not make these folders private, they are available to everyone who uses your computer.
- When you make a folder private, all of its sub-folders are private as well. For example, when you make My Documents private, you also make My Music and My Pictures private. When you share a folder, you also share all of its sub-folders unless you make them private.
- You cannot make your folders private if your drive is not formatted as NTFS For information about converting your drive to NTFS
Create a Password Reset Disk
If you’re running Windows XP Professional as a local user in a work group environment, you can create a password reset disk to log onto your computer when you forget your password. To create the disk:
- Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
- Click your account name.
- Under Related Tasks, click Prevent a forgotten password.
- Follow the directions in the Forgotten Password Wizard to create a password reset disk.
- Store the disk in a secure location, because anyone using it can access your local user account.