Calling all experts: Windows Tips and Tricks

[bartonc]

I've decide to compile a bunch of your favorite tips and tricks for the Articles section. I found a post yesterday by Chrisjc that is a perfect example. I copied his post over to create Dealing with USB flash drive issues.

Post your favorite tips and tricks here, in this thread, and I'll copy the best ones to a Tips and Tricks article (to be created soon).

I'll kick things off:

[bartonc]

There are many applets and other goodies on Windows that must be run by:
Go to the Start menu and click Run. Then type in the name of the command that you want to run.

One example of a goody that is often useful on Windows XP Professional is the Group Policy Editor. GPE is actually a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console and there is no simple way to launch it. Here's what I have done to solve this inconvenience:

Right-click the desktop. Pull down to New, then over to Shortcut.
In the Create Shortcut wizard, click Browse. Browse you way to C:\Windows\syst em32. Find and select the gpedit.msc file, then click Next (of course, if you don't mind typing and know exactly the path and program, you may do that instead). On the last screen of the wizard, give your new shortcut a useful name and click Finish.

Presto! No more going to Run and typing the name of the command.

[epots9]

Updates...

go the manufacturer's website and download the latest drives; alot of issues have been resolved by just getting the correct drivers.

[iWillLiveforever]

Or also reinstall your old drivers, that helps with some problems.

[Chrisjc]

If you have reason to believe that a DRIVER is faulty or not correctly working such as Sound or Video drivers etc... before posting and asking what to do try some of the following steps to troubleshoot the issues at hand.

Check to be sure you installed the Driver. “I know you may ask well that’s dumb, sadly I can’t count how many times I have seen this. Some people just do not know” How to do this and what to look for.

How to.

Anyone on Microsoft Windows 95, 98, and Windows ME can get to the Device Manager by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel > System icon > and click the Device Manager tab.

Anyone on Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP may get to the Device Manager by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel > System icon > Hardware tab > click the Device Manager Button.

Anyone who has a keyboard with the windows key may also quickly get to the system properties by pressing the “Windows key” + “Pause key” AT THE SAME TIME.

What to look for.

If your system declares its self “okay” you will only see a screen that looks like this.


This means all your drivers are correctly working.

However an issue still may exist but may not be a driver issue.

If you have any of the following “an exclamation mark, a red X, or an Other device.”

Here is what they mean,

Exclamation Mark - When a device has a yellow exclamation mark, this is an indication that the device is conflicting with another hardware device.

Red X - Indication that the device has been disabled, removed or that Windows is unable to locate the device.

Other Devices - Windows was unable to locate the drivers for the device and cannot determine the type of device being installed.

Each of the Device Manager Error codes can be found in this MS guild along with some recommendations that MS Suggests Device Manager Error codes

Another great idea to do is check for updates at the Manufactures website place you bought your PC so example, lets say you have a Dell you will need to visit www.dell.com find your PC’s model.

NOTE: Your model can be found in the front of the Tower Case or on the side or rear of your computer Depending on manufacture.

And if you have any after market hardware added to your manufactured PC you will need to consult that hardware’s website for drivers updates or patches.

Clearly I don’t think anyone who builds a custom PC will need to retain to this information there for I am excluding “Custom built PC’s”

If you have tried everything suggested and you are still experiencing an issue consulting one of the form EXPERTS here is the next thing you may consider or taking your PC to a local shop for hands on examination.

This concludes my quick guild to checking for driver functionality and how to solve slight issues such as being sure your drivers are correctly installed and or updated.

I hope this helps.

-Chris

[bartonc]

Now that's what I'm talking about! Thanks Chris. I've created a Tips and Tricks article that I'll keep adding to.

I know that you guys have it in you. Chris, here, has put even me to shame. I'll have to get to work on the real deal, too.

[Chrisjc]

Now that's what I'm talking about! Thanks Chris. I've created a Tips and Tricks article that I'll keep adding to.

I know that you guys have it in you. Chris, here, has put even me to shame. I'll have to get to work on the real deal, too.

No issue. I will work out some more when I find another bored moment at work.

Shame I dont think so either I am sure you can out do me... Hopefully befor I post another =)

[latitude]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

[latitude]

Keyboard Shortcuts

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

[Chrisjc]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

hey how about that you tought me something new.

[bartonc]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

Thank you. I have copied it over to the Articles Tip and Tricks.

[Colloid Snake]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

Hmm, I thought I saw a list of these floating around here at one point, but I can't seem to find them now.

Anyway, a few more that might not be so commonly known.

You can switch between open programs (ordered by which ones you have accessed most recently), by using Alt+Tab. You can switch between tabs on a screen in most applications (such as a web browser) by using Ctrl+Tab. You can move backwards through any of these lists by throwing the Shift key in - ie Alt + Shift + Tab will take you to the open program you accessed the longest ago (or the one that is at the end of the list that comes up when you hold Alt+Tab).

And a somewhat ubiquitous command is the Windows key + d to minimize everything on the screen and show the desktop (same functionality as the quicklaunch 'Show Desktop' button).

[Colloid Snake]

Alot of people are not aware of this simple little neat shortcut in windows; instead of buying or downloading programs to lock your computer while you're away from it, just push: Windows key + L

Hmm, I thought I saw a list of these floating around here at one point, but I can't seem to find them now.

Anyway, a few more that might not be so commonly known.

You can switch between open programs (ordered by which ones you have accessed most recently), by using Alt+Tab. You can switch between tabs on a screen in most applications (such as a web browser) by using Ctrl+Tab. You can move backwards through any of these lists by throwing the Shift key in - ie Alt + Shift + Tab will take you to the open program you accessed the longest ago (or the one that is at the end of the list that comes up when you hold Alt+Tab).

And a somewhat ubiquitous command is the Windows key + d to minimize everything on the screen and show the desktop (same functionality as the quicklaunch 'Show Desktop' button).

[bartonc]

Thanks lattitude and Colloid Snake. I'll add your posts to the Windows Tips and Tricks Article.

[vasista2k]

and to add for common tips, windows key + L for locking system and control + C for copy and control + V for paste