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Index
Newsletters - A good place to start for what's new and miscellaneous items not worthy of an entire page.
Although we try to explain things, we do realize some of our newsletters contents are a bit beyond some users. So here, we will layout some computers basics, like an out of control Facebook page this subject could go on forever. Much more to come!
- Red links are just a bit beyond basics...
- External links - more information here.
- (Ignore the √'s, as they are for our purpose)
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Applications Access, Adobe, Word, Outlook, Installing/Uninstalling apps and more...
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Bits, Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes and more (storage size)
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Can't find your external drive? See Disk Management.
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Cut/Copy/Paste (what to, how to)
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Backing up your data not the same as System restore (see also Windows below)
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Calculator (assign it a quick/shortcut key for fast access)
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Cleaning your computer up (performance and other issues).
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√ Command line tools (DOS commands) See also, Run as Administrator, PowerShell and Windows run
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Compressing/Zipping file(s) when you have large or multiple files to email
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√ Context menus (what they are)
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√ Computer locked up? Maybe...
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√ Desktop (what/where it is and things to do with it)
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√ Dialog box/window (example)
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√ Display (monitor) Settings (sizing, multiple monitors, etc.)
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DNS (term) DNS Issues (when you are having page not found, cannot open, etc.)
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√ Drivers (what they are, how/when to get new drivers)
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Edge (Windows 10's browser sucks!) You can still use the Internet Explorer
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Email (variety of information)
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Executable files - danger!
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Factory restore (bringing your computer back to day one).
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File Extensions and issues (what they are/do)
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√ How files are stored, deleting files and more
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- CPU is one of many parts that make up a computer. Simply put, it is the brain but if you want to learn more, see this Wikipedia article.
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Hard drives (this is where your data is
stored)
- Drive letter changing
- Disk activity light on solid?
- Diskspace (storage) vs. memory (muscle)
- Drive failure rates
- External drives
- How much disk space do you have?
- Performance issues?
- Ports and slots (what they are/do)
- Worried about data on your old drive? Don't worry, instead destroy that hard drive
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Keyboards (and Mouse settings,
hints and ideas)
- Not working at login screen? Look in the BIOS settings for UEFI and disable Intel XHCI Mode.
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Memory (RAM)
- Computer not starting or rebooting all by itself? Try reseating the RAM...
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√ Icons and Shortcuts (distinction and creating new)
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All kinds you can copy: http://www.bergesch.com/icons/
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Infected? - help clearing and other virus related information. See Security
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Internet All kinds of information, help, suggestions and warnings
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ISP (term)
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Keyboards (and Mouse settings, hints and ideas)
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√ Locked up computer? Maybe...
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Looking to purchase a new computer? Once you have that new computer see Copying data
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Manufacturer sites - saving you time and the possibility of ending up at a bad website.
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√ Monitor (Display) Settings (sizing, multiple monitors, etc.)
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Mouse
(and
Keyboard hints, settings, single vs. double
single click)double click -
√ MSConfig and items running
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Routers (what they are/do)
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Windows 10 network reset (when you have problems connecting)
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Operating System (see also Windows, below)
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Overheating computer or laptop? Cooling fins may be plugged: Laptop and mini towers
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Create a password recovery disk! See this article.
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Pixels (term)
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Ports and slots (what they are/do)
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Power button and settings, can't wake via the mouse, other power settings
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√ PowerShell. See also Command line tools and Windows run
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Printing
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Quick (shortcut) keys (quick way to launch applications and other hints/ideas)
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Remote Desktop (allowing someone to take over your computer) - try Google's, but be aware of the danger
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Reseating ram (computer not starting, try this)
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Routers (see also networks, above)
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Scams and Hijacked? √ Recognizing a scam! Report scams:
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Help Microsoft stop cybercriminals by reporting information about tech support scam.
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And/or the FTC Complaint Assistant form.
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Scheduled tasks (and an example of a nasty script that runs on a schedule)
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Screen saver (and other display settings)
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Services (good, bad and ugly)
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√ Shortcuts and Icons (distinction and creating new)
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Shortcut (or quick) Keys (quick way to launch applications and other hints/ideas)
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Software (see also Applications)
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√ System Information (Computer's name, Workgroup, RAM (memory), Processor and a lot more)
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System restore (not the same as backing up data).
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Toolbars (the good, bad and ugly)
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Utilities: Processor Explorer, Autoruns (but be very, very careful!)
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Rather than searching the Internet for "drivers" (which you probably don't need anyway), use our manufacturer's site links. Note: Windows will keep your computer driver's up to date. If you are seeing updates needed, it's probably a scam! See drivers.
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Windows 10 updates cannot be turned of but you do have some control. See our March '19 article.
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UPS (no, not the brown trucks)
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URL (term)
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Windows: (even more, see Working in Windows):
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Restarting the Windows (Explorer) without restarting the whole computer.
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Safe mode (when things go terribly wrong)
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Windows 7, 8 backup (Microsoft article) See also Backup batch file
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Windows run quickly execute a program or application (Windows key+R)
A list of things you can do via the run command. May just make things a bit quicker! -
Windows Updates
Windows Update issue Windows takes a long time to update (even days)
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Wireless networks
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XCopy (for copying files and directory trees)
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Zipping/Compressing file(s) when you have large or multiple files to email
Steve's KB notes are somewhat cryptic containing quick resolution to strange or unusual stuff we have encountered. Someday we'll clean them up but for now it's just an online reference we use.