Beyond Tech Support

Some Facebook Security

2011-03-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

Goto the Account Settings, at the top Right Hand Corner...

From the Menu, go down to "Account Security" and click "change"

It is recommended that you check the box for "Secure browsing (https)", this provides some encryption to the way you connect to Facebook.

Secondly a good feature, on Facebook, is the email alert when someone connects from a different computer.

When ever you login, from a different computer, it will ask you to give it a name - that name will be added to the list, and will rarely ask again for that computer.
You'll notice on the above screenshots - the page lists the associated computers and recent activity.
If there is one you don't recognise, then it's possible someone else knows your password - CHANGE IT
On the list - it's the device name that's important. The locations may look unfamliar to you, as they are likely to be the location of the Internet Provider that you used, not the location of the actual computer. The examples above are from the same computer (but one is over mobile internet and one is landline)

25Gb of free online storage

2009-11-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

Sky Drive on Windows Live, offers 25Gb of free storage.

Windows live also offers a Photo Gallery tool, that can be used to upload all your Photo's (something that is impossible to replace, if the worst should happen to your computer)

With Gladinet you can set up Skydrive to appear on your "My Computer" as a Network Drive - which you can drag and drop to, as with normal drives

Easy navigation in CMD prompt

2009-11-07T07:55:00.001-08:00

Open a "CMD prompt" window using Start Menu, or WIN & R keys
(see This Post)

then type "CD " (that's a space after CD) note where the cursor is...

in windows explorer, locate the folder that you require...

Click and drag the folder to the Cursor in the "CMD prompt" window (remember to leave a space)

How to delete a file that can't be deleted...

2009-11-06T05:28:00.000-08:00

You try to delete a file, and get the following...

(In this example I'm trying to delete "bridge.mp4")

In preparation... Start a Command Prompt

(easiest way to get it is to use the "Windows Key" and "R" shortcut, see this

Post)

and type "cmd" (without the quotes)

If you need to get to a different folder see thisPost

To delete the file, you'll have to stop explorer 1st, and delete from a Command Prompt.

Open the Task Manager - one way is to right-click the Task Bar

Select "explorer.exe" - and click "End Process"

Leave the "Task Manager" window open.

Back on the "CMD prompt window"

check that the file is there... dir brid* the * is known as a wild card, and in this case means to look for anything that begins with brid

to delete the file type del bridge.mp4

Now restart EXPLORER

Back on "Task Manager" select File > New Task(Run...)

Hide User Account in XP

2009-08-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Start "regedit" by using the Run Dialog..

Then drill down to ...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList

Right Click on "User List" and select New > DWORD Value

Enter the Name "EXACTLY" for the Account that you want to hide.

To access this user from the Login Screen press CTRL+Alt+Delete twice, then enter the User Name and Password.

Some instructions on the web advise that this login method may not work on "XP Home" and that you need to access hidden accounts via the Safe Mode. I am running "XP Home SP3" which seems OK, but I can't be sure which versions work or not

Remove Windows Messenger

2009-07-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

Have you installed windows live messenger?

Notice that the Original Windows Messenger is still there?

Remove it by typing the following command into the Run Dialog Box:

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\inf\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Spell Check

2009-07-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a small app to spell check entries on forms on internet explorer.. i.e. Facebook
Download and install ieSpell from http://www.iespell.com/

Then when you have typed something in a form (only works on IE) right click and select "Check Spellings"

Windows Key

2009-07-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

Save time, with the Windows KeyWindows Key and ....

The Break Key shows the System Properties

D Displays the Desktop

M Minimizes all Windows (Shift & M will restore Minimized Windows)

E Opens My Computer

F Search for File or Folder

F1 Windows Help

L Locks the Desktop and Keyboard

R Opens the Run Dialog Box

U Open the Utility Manager

on it's own opens the start menu

Use a BAT file to Map drives

2009-07-21T07:33:00.001-07:00

If you have a network and need to map to other drives, using notepad, create a file similar to the following:
Change "family\stuff" and "kids\pics" to the locations you require.

Save as whatever.bat

Double click the bat file to map the drives...

Some Run Commands

2009-07-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

Previous Post showed how to get the Run Box -
Press the Windows Key, then R to get the Run Box

What Can be Typed in the Run Box ?

Any URL (Web Address)
A location on your Computer (Folder or File)
Commands - here is a selection:

Calculator : calc
Character Map : charmap
Clipboard Viewer : clipbrd
Firefox (if installed) : firefox
Folders Properties control : folders
Free Cell Card Game : freecell
Hearts Card Game : mshearts
Help and Support : helpctr
Internet Explorer : iexplore
Internet Properties : inetcpl.cpl
Keyboard Properties control : keyboard
Logs You Out Of Windows : logoff
Microsoft Excel (if installed) : excel
Microsoft Movie Maker : moviemk
Microsoft Paint : mspaint
Microsoft Powerpoint (if installed) : powerpnt
Microsoft Word (if installed) : winword
Minesweeper Game : winmine
Nero (if installed) : nero
Notepad : notepad
On Screen Keyboard : osk
Paint : pbrush
Pinball Game : pinball
Printers Folder : printers
Shuts Down Windows : shutdown
Spider Solitare Card Game : spider
Tweak UI (if installed) : tweakui
Windows Explorer : explorer
Wordpad : write

Address Band

2009-07-13T15:30:00.001-07:00

Do you use the address Band on the Taskbar?

It is used to launch Applications, go to locations on your computer, or go direct to the Internet

Add it by Right Clicking the Taskbar, select Toolbars then Address.

However, if you have Windows XP Service Pack 3 - it is not available (Due to Legal Problems - go figure) - Look it up if you're bothered.

There are apps that can be installed, to get the same effect - but no need... try this simple work around, it's just as quick.

Press the Windows Key, then R to get the Run Box - it does the same thing.

iTunes on the Taskbar

2009-07-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

Conrol iTunes from the Taskbar

Right click on The Taskbar ...

Now when you Minimize iTunes ...

Auto Run Macro

2009-06-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

To set a Macro to run automatically when excel is started:

Phone Fix - Cosmetic

2009-06-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

A final bit of work, for the phone is the customisation

I like the iPhone style Slide to Unlock (S2U) - far easier to use than the windows lock/unlock feature.

S2 applications for Windows Mobile by A_C

Once installed - set one of the Function Buttons to run the Lock Function.

S2V - Slide to View is a very good picture viewer too, and integrates with S2U

Phone Fix continued

2009-06-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

To set up your GPRS internet connection (Windows Mobile 5)

Tap Start > Settings > Connections Tab > Connections

In "My ISP" section tap "Add a new modem connection" and follow on screen instructions.

filesaveas is a good source of the relevant information for each Network

Phone Dead...

2009-06-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Thought my phone was dead :')

After a few hours of reading about the error meaning it was irrepairable, I found the following page...

How to flash a new ROM to your Wizard... a little tutorial!

Although I had to search the Internet for a Wizard Love ROM (Complete with Non-English Instructions) - the ROM did actually flash OK

Wow phone fixed.

If attempting anything similar, make sure you read all the instructions before starting... it became apparent that I came close to killing the phone completely.

Gmail 414 Error

2009-05-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Got a 414 Error when trying to connect to GMail?

Check that the Date is correct on your Desktop.

Clean your Windows

2009-05-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

Use the Freeware Software - CCLEANER

It removes unwanted files, clears your internet history and keeps an eye on your Registry

Highly recommended in the industry, and press.

Click the following link.

Clean Your PC

2009-05-18T14:55:00.001-07:00

Yep... Keep it clean

Unplug it, take the back off and give it a clean. The insides of a PC create static, and attract dust (Just take a look at the back of your Television for what I mean) except it is exagerated in a PC by the cooling fans sucking the stuff in, and then aiming it at the Processors.
The dust can act like a blanket that counteracts what the fans are trying to do, and cause overheating - which, at best, slows the PC down.

Another point to know is that the spaces between the moving parts of a disk are so small, that the smallest particles of dust can cause damage. I've read that even smoke particles can cause damage.

Be careful, though. Obviously make sure it is unplugged.
Try not to touch anything inside with your hands or the nozzle of the vacuum.
Try Air Duster (Can of compressed Air) - and blow the dust away.

Warning - make sure you know the conditions of your Warranty, before opening up.

Lost Title Bar

2009-05-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

If you have lost the Title Bar, off the screen. Or you have a Netbook and need to see the bottom of a fixed size window, that is not being displayed completely.

Use Alt & Space

Followed By the "M" Key

Then Use your Cursor (Arrow) keys to move the window about.

Break out with the "ESC" key

Parental Control

2009-05-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Need Parental Control for the Internet?

K9 Free Web Protection

Internet Security

2009-05-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

You do not need to pay for anything, on the internet. Security is a good example:

Here are the Firewall and Anti Virus that I use.

Although they may not be as good as the Brand Names, that you have to pay for (some with monthly/annual subscripions) but for most users they will do the Job.

Zonealarm Free Firewall

AVG Free Anti Virus

Jack of all Trades

2009-04-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

"Jack of all Trades, but Master of None"
Tech's, Programmers, Network Support, 3rd Level, Helpdesk, SAP - all Masters at what they do. But what happens when 5 comes and they go home? Somebody has to look after a Global Company's IT after hours.
We have to know a bit about everything, in the IT world.

OK I've hyped my job up - Nowt wrong with that is there?

This blog is just going to be a collection of "Tips and Tricks" I've picked up over the years. Ranging from Informative to downright obscure (or at least specialist areas of IT)

Actually - it's more like a Notebook for my own use, that anybody can read.