ISAC Computer Support Group

February 12, 2008

  Computer Support Subjects

Click here for printing instructions

142 - Printing Instructions

Topics Covered

Click on Links

208 - How To Make A Screen/Window Shot
209 - Clean Your LCD Surface
210 - Internet Explorer 7/Firefox - Tabbed Browsing
211 -Display Adapter - Driver Updates
212 - Mouse - Lost Pointer
213 - Internet Explorer 7/Firefox - Inline Search
214 - Buying Ram
215 - How to Install RAM

   Tips of the Month
Open Questions & Answers

 

208 - How To Make A Screen/Window Shot

A -To make a screen shot of all you see on your desktop.

Left click on the Print Scrn (Print Screen) key. 

Open Irfanview

Left click on Edit and select Paste

Left Click on File and select Save as... S 

 

When the JPEG/GIF save options window opens

Set the options as shown to reduce the size of the file and still maintain reasonable quality

When the Save Picture As ... window opens

Select a folder in the Save in: (recommend starting with My Pictures) field or Create New Folder

Give the New Folder a Name

Left click on the Open button to open the New Folder 

Give the picture a name in the File name: field

Save as type: JPG - JPEG Files

Left click on the Save button 

B To make a screen shot of a Window you see on your desktop

Hold down the Alt key and left click on the Print Scrn (Print Screen) key. 
Follow all the above steps in section A

Note: - The difference between a screen shot and a window shot is the use of the Alt key, the difference can save you a lot of ink. Always use a window shot wherever possible.

 

209 - Clean Your LCD Surface

If your screen is merely dusty, you can wipe it gently with a soft, clean cotton cloth.

If your screen is downright filthy, you're going to need to resort to stronger tactics.

Do not use compressed air.

Do not use a glass cleaner like Windex or other ethyl alcohol/ammonia-based cleaners.

You can buy special cleaners, but this is sort of throwing money away, since most of these are "ionized" water. You can buy a liter of distilled water cheap and fill a clean spray bottle with it. Most distilled water is "ionized". If you feel that you need more than water, add a teaspoon or two of white vinegar to the water in the spray bottle and shake to mix the solution thoroughly.

Always use a soft, clean cotton cloth rather than a paper towel or some other type of cloth. Spray the water or water-vinegar lightly on the cloth and then wipe the screen until all the smudges, dirt, and other crud is completely removed. It's best to use a lot of light wipes with the cloth rather than pressing too hard with the cloth trying to remove everything quickly.

Do not touch or press on your LCD surface too hard or with your fingers, it can cause pixels to burn out.  

 

210 - Internet Explorer 7/Firefox - Tabbed Browsing
Go from one site to another in one window using the tabs at the top of the browser frame.

See all tabbed sites in thumbnail views on a single page.
Group tabs and save them as Favorites.

To add a new tab, 
Press Ctrl + T
Press Ctrl + Left Click on Link (Open link in new background tab)
Press Ctrl + Shift +Left Click on Link (Open link in new foreground tab)

To display all tabs in Thumbnail view
Press Ctrl + Q

To close a tab
Press Ctrl + W

Note: - If none of these functions work for you, it is recommended you update your Display Adapter Driver files.

Click here for more IE 7 info and keyboard shortcut keys.

 

211 - Display Adapter - Driver Updates
To determine what Display Adapter you are using
Right click on the Desktop
Select Properties

When the Display Properties window opens
Select the Settings tab
Left click on the Advanced button

When the Advanced window opens
Select the Adapter tab
Press Alt + Print

Open any graphics application (IrfanView)
Press Ctrl+V
Press  Ctrl+P

Return to the Advanced window and under Adapter Type
Left click on the Properties button
When the Adapter Properties window opens
Select the Driver tab 
Press Alt + Print

Open any graphics application (IrfanView)
Press D to clear the screen
Press Ctrl+V
Press Ctrl+P
Close all open windows

Use the printed data to search the Internet for driver updates.

If updates are available, download and install

Repeat the above procedures to open the Display Properties and verify an update was indeed installed. Should the Driver Version be lower than the original, left click on the Roll Back Driver to restore your drivers back to the state prior to the up(down)date. Search the Internet again and hopefully find a more reliable source, usually the manufacturer of your Display Adapter

 

212 - Mouse - Lost Pointer

Have you ever been on a web site and have totally lost track of your mouse pointer?

Take your hand off the mouse

Press the left or right Winkey to display the Menu

Press the C key until Control Panel is selected

Press one of the Enter keys

When the Control Panel opens

If the Control Panel is in Category View

Press the Tab key repeatedly until Switch to Classic View is selected

Press one of the Enter keys

Press the M key until the Mouse is selected

Press one of the Enter keys

When the Mouse Properties window opens

Press the Tab key until the Buttons tab is selected

Press the Right Shift cursor key to select the Pointers Option tab

Press the Alt + S keys to place a check mark next to Show location of pointer - etc

Press the Alt + A keys to Apply

Press the Enter key to OK and close the Mouse Properties window

Press one of the Ctrl keys to locate your mouse pointer

Note: - The above is an exercise to test your ability to use the keyboard to get around your OS without a mouse. The day will come when this skill will be required when your mouse has been attacked by your cat or dies of old age.

 

213 - Internet Explorer 7/Firefox - Inline Search
Inline Search is an extremely useful free add-on for IE (version 5.5 or above)

Click here on the icon.

It integrates flawlessly into IE, making you a lot more efficient when you are looking for a specific piece of information on a web page.
Left click on View
Select Explorer Bar
Place a check mark next to Inline Search

 

OR
Press Ctrl +F
The following will be added to the bottom of your web page

  (Click to download add-on) 

It adds while-you-type searching within the current page, with the option to highlight all occurrences of your search term. 

*********

For Firefox users, Inline Search has been included with the browser for some time.

Left click on Edit
Select Find in This Page...  Ctrl+F
Press Esc to close the search

The following will be added to the bottom of your web page

(Click to download Firefox) (Click to download Firefox)

It adds while-you-type searching within the current page, with the option to highlight all occurrences of your search term. 

********* 

For IE7 or Firefox users, there is a more powerful Inline Search available for download from Google at this location Get the Google Toolbar here for IE7 or Firefox called Google Toolbar.

The Google Toolbar has the features of the above plus an additional dozen options including "current web site search, spelling check, popup blocker, etc."

 

214 - Buying Ram
The first step is to check the type and amount of ram already installed on your computer.

Press + Pause

When the System Properties window opens
Take a window shot (Alt + Print Scrn)
Copy to a photo editor (Ctrl + V)
Print the result for reference (Ctrl + P)

For more detailed info, download www.cpuid.com (free)
Double left click its ZIP folder
Double left click Cpuz.exe

When the CPU-Z window opens
Select the SPD tab
Take a window shot of each Slot #1 - #4 (Alt + Print Scrn)
Copy to a photo editor (Ctrl + V)
Print the result for reference (Ctrl + P)

For pricing estimates, open http://crucial.com/ 
Follow the screen instructions
Have the web site scan your computer
Print the results
Compare your printouts to ensure the descriptions of your RAM

Price compare, http://www.bestbuy.ca , http://www.futureshop.cahttp://www.staples.ca , http://www.thesourcecc.com 

 

215 - How to Install RAM
To install RAM takes less time than it does to research what your computer needs.
Take every precaution to prevent damaging your RAM with STATIC
Use the web sites below for more info

 

 

Tips of the Month

Digital camera users should be more aware of buying memory for their cameras on the internet. eBay posts how to spot the differences between fake and genuine cards. For more info, search the web for "counterfeit memory cards". Better still, always buy from a reputable vendor.

The following is a freebee found in the February issue of Smart Computing

Be1arc Advisor - assembles a detailed inventory of your system's hardware and software, including license and version information. Print it out and put it in a safe place. If disaster strikes, you'll have a comprehensive document to memorialize your system's vital statistics for repair, replacement, or insurance purposes.

Click on icon for accessibility tutorials on adjusting accessibility options and using accessibility utilities in Windows XP. Instructions are provided for both mouse and keyboard implementation.

Open Questions & Answers

 

NEXT MEETING - TUESDAY, February 26, 2008 @ 13:00 P.M. 

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Revised: April 07, 2008 .