February 27, 2006, 9:23 pm
This video is intended to display how to add or remove programs, or features of MS Windows XP. This is also a good place to look for any software that doesn’t seem familiar. If you never heard of software listed in the windows shown through the video, (and if it has the words ad, removal, cash, assistant, marketing) there is a pretty good chance you have spy/adware on your system.
This would be the first place to look to remove unwanted software.
February 27, 2006, 9:18 pm
One of the lesser used customizations of Windows is the ability to change the sounds that play when you click around use a scroll bar. This video shows you how to change a sound that plays on your computer, such as the start up or shutdown sound. It also covers how to remove a sound completely, or add a new sound.
These various sound setups sometimes get changed when you install/remove software. After watching this video, you should be able to tweak any sounds on your computer to your liking. If there is something not mentioned in this tutorial that you still have questions about, leave a comment.
February 27, 2006, 8:53 pm
If you are the type who doesn’t care for Start Menu clutter, or just want to learn how to better control your desktop, this video is for you. Here you will learn how to switch between the XP Start Menu, and what is called the “classic” Start Menu. Classic because it is the older start menu from windows 95/98/ME/2000.
I don’t cover how to turn the start menu into autohide mode in detail, but it is there if you pay close attention. I used to be a fan of autohide, but then I found I spent more time scrolling my mouse down to make use of the task bar with it on. There are times when it is useful though (Movies, audio visualizations when you don’t want to use Fullscreen mode).
I have found with a 17″ monitor or better, I can increase the number of most often/recently used programs by at least 5. Give it a try. Is there something I don’t cover in the video? Leave a comment and I will see what I can do!
February 27, 2006, 8:47 pm
This should probably be the second video in the series of removing startup programs. It is more technical as it edits the registry. Modifying the registry can be tricky business, so any changes you make you do so at your own risk! Don’t say I didn’t warn you (disclaimer: it’s not my fault if you mess things up).
This will help you clear out those unwanted programs. It is also a place to look to clean out any virii (viruses?) that are loading up. Those will be addressed in another post. For the meantime, this is the place to look to prevent things like Quicktime, or useless printer software from starting up with your computer.
February 14, 2006, 7:51 pm
Chances are just after installing that shiny new photo printer that uses a usb connection, you got a bunch of extra software starting up when you turn on your computer. It’s usally a very helpful toolbox you don’t give a stuff about, or possibly a loader (loader?) for gamma rays or x rays and the like (bad joke).
If my jokes haven’t put you off yet, and you can somehow digest the watered down resolution of google video, then here you are! Your first step to pepping that machine up after maintaining it is here!
Watch this video to learn how to remove basic programs from starting up with your computer.