If you need to identify which program opens a particular file type, you can do that, and a lot more, using the Folder Options functions in Windows Explorer.

To find Folder Options, open Windows Explorer (right-click on Start, select Explore). Then, on its menu bar, select Tools and then Folder Options…

At this point, we need to select the File Types tab.

Continue reading HOWTO: Identifying and Changing Default File Type / Program Associations

This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:
*   free weekly Terry”s Computer Tips email newsletter
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This week’s online newsletter includes:

*   Microsoft SyncToy versus Karen’s Replicator
Two free programs to copy or back up your data files…

*   Help! I Can’t Connect to the Internet
Sometimes updates from Microsoft break computer communications. This reader asked for help in solving that problem recently…

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

*   After 4 Months, My Verdict on the iPhone
You’ve read the hype about the iPhone. Now, I’m writing about my real world experiences with it and what I think…

Reader Howard Granville wrote to ask about Outlook Express:

Hi Terry:

I have an Outlook Express problem. When people request an email receipt, Outlook Express says it can’t send one. I’ve checked under Options > Receipts & it is set correctly to send confirming receipts. This only recently started happening. Any thoughts?

Thanks very much, Howard

I wasn’t able to give Howard a good answer, but there is one thing he could try. Sometimes, when a program is not following its settings, all you need to do is to change the settings and then change them back.

He could change the setting on “Returning Read Receipts” to something else, then click OK, and close Outlook Express. Then, start Outlook Express again, open the Options menu again, and change the setting back to either “Always send a read receipt” or “Notify me for each read receipt request.”

Continue reading Email Receipts not Working

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I’ve just posted a new set of articles at Terry’s Computer Tips:

• What Can I Do With My Old Computer?
• Email Receipts not Working
• Pocket Hard Drive Questions
• Adding a Computer to an Existing Home Network

This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:
*   free weekly Terry”s Computer Tips email newsletter
*   weekly on-line Terry”s Computer Tips newsletter

This week’s online newsletter includes:

*   Speeding Up a Slow Dialup Connection
The connection was good with one computer, but not with another…

*   HowTo: Use a Drive Letter for a Shared Folder on Another Computer
Sometimes it’s easier to refer to a folder on another computer by using a drive letter…

*   My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software…

*   HowTo: Use a Drive Letter for a Folder on Your Computer
Sometimes it’s easier to refer to a folder on the SAME computer by using a drive letter…

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Reader Scott Adler wrote recently to tell me about an interesting article on cable/DSL router security. I found it interesting that the mainstream computer media, in this case it was an article at CNET News.com, that was warning people to change the default password on their cable and DSL routers.

For a long time, my security recommendations for wired and wireless routers include the recommendation that you change the password on the router from the default to one of your choice..

What’s the default password for a router? It’s the password that you have to enter to edit the router settings. Many users use their router’s default password to set up the router initially. Then, they forget all about changing the password — or they worry that they won’t remember it so they decide not to change it.

Why is it important to change the router’s password? You should change the password because it’s one more door that can be locked to protect your computer and your Internet computing.

Continue reading Router Security — Wired & Wireless Routers