#18:A good insurance policy for your computer is to have a 'boot' or 'start up' disk. These are used if your computer crashes, and becomes unbootable. Generally, if you need a 'boot' disk, you will need help fixing your computer. A 'boot' disk WILL NOT fix your computer, but does allow access to your files through a MS DOS prompt.

To create a 'boot' disk:

1. Insert a floppy disk in the "A" drive.
2. Open My Computer, Right mouse click on the "A" drive.
3. Choose Format | Create an MSDOS start up disk.

For computers without a floppy drive, consider checking with the Help Center on how to burn a 'start up' disk, OR locate the CD's you received when you purchased the system.

#19:If you are having difficulty connecting to your "H" drive, or lab printer. Click on the Computer Help Center link below, and request help.

#20:Looking for unique templates for MS Office products??? Try this link:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/default.aspx.

#21:Can't figure out why your MS Word document doesn't allow you to format the way you want?? Click on the Show/Hide character. This is the icon that looks like a paragraph mark on your toolbar. It shows you non printing, formatting characters.

#22:Is your screen tough to easily read while you are working in MS Word or MS Excel? Use the 'Zoom' tool to enlarge the screen, but still print with the selected font.

#23:In MS Word or MS Excel, are you frequently typing the same text?? Try typing it one time, selecting the text, click Tools | AutoCorrect Options | Select the AutoCorrect tab | Click in the "Replace" box and type two or three letters to represent the text you are typing. You should see the text in the box "With."  If not, retype your text here.  The next time you use this text, type the keystrokes you provided in the "Replace" box, add a space, and the text appears. (Hint: Make sure the shortcut keys do not create a word.)

#25:If you are having trouble connecting to the "H" drive, or the lab printers, please call Sandy at x7692, or email (verhoefs@central.edu).

#26:More E-mail Etiquette. Most employers or potential employers do not fully appreciate the abbreviated language, and punctuation most often used in instant messages. Your e-mail reflects you, so make a good impression!!
 

#27:E-Mail Etiquette. What is that?? When sending e-mail, beware of using all capital letters. The recipient will feel as though you are YELLING.

#28:Avid Instant Messenger fanatic??  Beware of the many virus attacks on IM users. The virus can slow down your computer to a crawl. Check with your vendor to find out what protection they will provide for you. If you do contract a virus, take care of it immediately to prevent spreading!!

#29:More on Instant Messenging! NO electronic communication is totally safe and secure. Don't give personal information over IM. Also, remember that anything you type in electronic form stays around for a long, long, long time. November 2, 2005

#30:What is "Adware - Virtumundo?"  It is a trojan program that may or may not be labeled a virus, but it DOES slow down your computer!! It is also very difficult to get off of your computer!! Symantec (Norton) does provide a tool that sometimes works. Here is a link to it: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FixVundo.exe. If that doesn't work, there are other tools available from the Internet. Call us for more info!!

#33:Does your assignment for your research paper call for "x" amount of words? MS Word has a function that automatically counts your words. Type your paper in MS Word | Click View | Toolbars | Word Count.

#34:Want to easily shut down a program?  Hold the Alt key and F4 key to close the current window.

#35:Another short cut!! Holding down the Alt key and tapping the Tab key, scroll through open progams.

#36: Did your computer quit connecting to the Internet for no apparent reason??? Try running a virus scan, Ad-Aware scan, AND a Spy Bot Search and Destroy scan. After you have run these, and corrected any problems, try to access the Internet again. Still not working??  Using the CD we distributed last summer, navigate to the "Useful Links" button. Find the "LSPFix" Tool, and run that on your computer. Follow the defaults, restart your computer and try again. Still not working?? Call the Help Center. We are seeing many computers with these symptoms. If the tools listed don't work, we have a couple more that we can try!!!

#37 When you create a MS Word document, do you have magical things happen to your document? Try turning off the auto-formatting options. Open MS Word | Click Tools | Auto Correct | AutoFormatAsYou Type.  In this dialog box, you may choose to turn off, automatic bullets, lists, auto linking, auto borders, and other options.

#38 Need to print a PowerPoint presentation???  In Blackboard, Open the presentation | Right Click | Choose Print.  Careful!!  If you don't make a selection, on the lower left side between, slides, handouts, notes, etc, you'll get the slides. AND if you don't choose to go black and white, or grayscale, you'll use LOTS of toner, because the printer will try to print the background colors!

#39 Your Central e-mail is set up so you receive messages when you are reaching the maximum size.  You will be able to receive messages, but will not be able to respond, or send out new messages.

#40 Do you receive messages in your Central e-mail account that it is full or approaching capacity? Your e-mail account size is based on ALL the folders you have set up. After you delete un-needed items, clear out the 'deleted items' folder.  Also, check the 'drafts' folder.  Still can't figure out why you are over the limit?  Go to a lab | log on | open MS Outlook (the program, not the Web Access Page). On the right side of the screen | Click Folder List | Right Mouse click on your name | Choose Properties | General tab | Folder size. This tells you the amount of space each folder contains.

#41 In MS Word, here is a keyboard short cut to open the "page set up" dialog box - Double click anywhere on either the horizontal or vertical ruler - assuming you are in 'normal' mode.

#42 Before you go home, update your anti-virus, anti-spyware, and run scans!!

#43 Adobe PageMaker has been added to the new computers in the 'pods' units lab.

#44 Use the shortcut keystrokes, Shift and Delete, to permanently delete items from Outlook AND to delete files and skip the 'Recycle Bin.'

#45 In Excel, use the 'fill box' to quickly copy cells, or create a series of numbers. The 'fill box' is the small black box on the lower right corner. Move your mouse over it and drag it to copy, right mouse click on it for more options.

#46 In Microsoft products, the 'F1' key gives you help.

#47 MS Office 2003 offers users easy access to many common procedures via the task pane. Open/Close the task pane by using the Control button and the F1 key.

#48 MS Word and MS Excel allow you to automatically recover files, IF the AutoRecover is set up. If you have your system set to save every 10 minutes, the most you would lose is 10 minutes work of work. In both, click Tools | Option | Save.

#49 Creating an Adobe Acrobat file (.pdf) is as easy as saving it to the "In" folder on \\acad3\activepdf. Check back a little later in the "Out" folder for your file. Faculty/Staff: Check any department shared folders for the same options!

#50 If you have taken Intro to Desktop Publishing, and completed the course, it is OK to delete the files needed for that class. This will free of space on the acad3 server.

#51 Register your gamebox!!  Call x7692 with the MAC address.

#52 Have you recently taken the class "Introduction to Desktop Publishing?" If so, you may remove any of the data files used in that class from your "H" drive. These files take up HUGE amounts of space!!

#53 Printers across campus have been set to duplex. If you'd rather not duplex, Click File | Properties or Options or Preferences** and choose to print on one side. **Printers are different, and the actual button may be different.

#54 Do you own a personal computer?  Mac?  If so, on a monthly basis, verify any automatic functions ARE actually happening properly.
EX: verify MS Updates are working  Open IE | Click Tools | Windows Updates
verify your anti-virus is updating  Right Click the "V" Shield (McAfee) | Choose About
verify your backup is working  Navigate to the backup file | Check the date - To be really sure restore a file
Do you own a personal computer?  Mac?  If so, on a monthly basis, verify any automatic functions ARE actually happening properly.
EX: verify MS Updates are working  Open IE | Click Tools | Windows Updates
verify your anti-virus is updating  Right Click the "V" Shield (McAfee) | Choose About
verify your backup is working  Navigate to the backup file | Check the date - To be really sure restore a file

#55 In Excel, do your column headings get longer and longer??? Do a quick keystroke Alt & Enter to force your text to wrap, or break to the next line.

#56 In Excel and Word, here is a nifty Function Key. To "save as" a document, click the F12 key.

#57 In Excel, More on function keys. F11 gives you a chart on its own sheet. All you do is put in your data!!

#58 In Excel and Word, Function key, F10, gives you access to the Menu Bar. Allowing you to keep your hands on the keyboard!

#59 Using the format painter in MS Office allows you to copy formatting features, not text.  A single click allows you to paint once, and a double click paints multiple items. Using the format painter in MS Office allows you to copy formatting features, not text.  A single click allows you to paint once, and a double click paints multiple items.

#60 PERSONAL HOME COMPUTERS:  If a print job is stuck and will not delete from your local printer’s queue, stop and start the Print Spooler service. To do this go to the Start menu and choose Run. In the Run box type cmd and click OK. In the command box type net stop “Print Spooler” and hit enter. After the Print Spooler service has stopped type net start “Print Spooler” and hit enter. Now all local print queues should be cleared.
(Submitted by Dan Rouw)

#61  Keyboarding speed not up to par??  Try using a software program geared to teach you how to type, and boost your speed. The software is loaded on the computer next to the printer in Maytag Computer Lab.

#62 In Excel, the countdown on Function keys continue!  F9 calculates IF you have turned off the auto calculation. This might be handy in a very large worksheet.

#63 Oh No!!! My Document won't open. It is in Microsoft Word, what do I do??? If you have experienced this issue, try the following:
Method 1 - Open Word, Click on File | Open | Change the "File of Type" to "recover text from any file" | Navigate to your file | Open
Method 2 - Open WordPad, Click on File | Open | Navigate to your file | Open
Method 3 - Call the Computer Help Center

#64   Why use a .pdf file?
A .pdf file is created in Adobe Acrobat. ANYONE can obtain a free program called Adobe Reader to access this file. This isn't always the case in other applications. Also, the printed copy of your file will be the same from whatever type of printer you print from. Security is another reason. An Adobe .pdf file may be set to be printed only. Watch tomorrow for information on how to convert a document to Adobe.
In Excel and Word, Function Key, F8 adds additional cells to your already selected area, without forcing you to start the selection process all over.

#65 How to create a .pdf file?
Students - save your file to your "H" Drive. Click Start | Run | Type:  \\acad3\activepdf, drag your file into the "IN" folder. Wait  2 - 3 minutes, check the "OUT" folder. Drag your new .pdf file back to your "H" drive.
Faculty/Staff - Most departments have a shared drive.  The "activePdf" folder should be on that drive. If you don't think you have access to a folder, or need help, call the Help Center.  Follow the instructions for the students as listed above.

#66 Students - as you head home for summer, remember to keep up with anti-virus updates or spyware updates. Also, if you are storing your computer, DO NOT store it in the following locations:   Garage - too dirty........Attic - too dusty ........Your car - tossed around too much

#67 Tip: The following is a list of lab printers.  XP: Start | Printers and Faxes (or Control Panel) | Add a printer    NEXT     Check box for a network printer    NEXT    Check box for connect to this printer    Type \\acad4\nameofprinter