This week’s online newsletter includes:
- Can’t Access Files Moved to D: Drive
After moving data files from C: to D:, this reader has problems opening and editing those files… - The Lighter Side of Technology
This week’s computer technology cartoon at Terry’s Computer Tips… - Solving the Permissions Problem
The ultimate solution to solving the "can’t access files" problem… - Feedback and Questions from Readers
Some quick feedback, questions and answers… - My Security Software Recommendations
My recommendations for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, anti-spam software, and backup software…
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There is a program which allows you to save your desktop configuration, which includes icon location. It’s called, “DeskInstU.MSI”. It is freeware, leaving three choices with a right click menu on the desktop to do one of three things:
1) Save Desktop
2) Restore Desktop
3) Custom Save/Restore
Go to
http://forums.techarena.in/tips-tweaks/967108.htm for the download.
I have been using a nifty free application called “Icon Restore”. It has enabled me on several occasions to restore the order of my desktop icons when they get re-sorted.
You can download it at http://download.cnet.com/Icon-Restore/3000-2072_4-10163499.html
Here is CNET’s description:
“Icon Restore gives you the ability to save the placement of your desktop icons and restore them to their saved placement any time they get moved. Simply place your icons wherever you want them on your desktop, right click My Computer (or any system icon) and left click on ‘save icon layout’ from the pop up menu. If your icons ever get moved because your computer entered safe mode or you changed the screen resolution, right click My Computer and left click on ‘restore icon layout’ from the pop up menu. It is the perfect solution for anyone that needs to change the screen resolution frequently.”
It works great with XP & Vista. Not sure about Win 7.
I use a tool called Stardock Fences to keep my desktop icons under control. I have a 2 monitor setup and when I’m launching Windows my video card goes through several gyrations cycling through screen resolutions (ie starts with 640×480 first for some strange reason) which deranges all of my manual arrangement of icons. Fences helps keep things catorized.
re: Routers
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=3080&tag=nl.e019 – this article talks about some of the configuration information about your PC that your browser can provide to a website. It is often enough to uniquely (in the world) identify your PC. Scary. You can try to hide your Identity behind annonymizers, but your PC may still give you away.
re Lost Favorites
Since they are using FireFox, “Favorites” are called “Bookmarks” and stored in totally different formats. Importing Favorites into Bookmarks is a one time solution. If you add more IE Favorites, they won’t show up in bookmarks. I prefer to use a FireFox addon called “Plain Old Favorites” which allows FF to use the same favorites folder for both IE and FF.
I prefer this approach because I use a second tool called “Everything”. It does instant searches on file names (much much faster than Windows Search). Since IE favorites are stored as individual shortcut files “Everything” finds both files and favorites at the same time.
Solving the Permissions Problem
Why in G__’s name does Microsoft make everything so much more difficult with each version of Windows, especially for home owners? There should be an option to turn off all this security crap if you are running Windows on a HOME system. XP was bad for this, VISTA was a major pain in the neck, and now I am reading 7 is even worse.
With careful use of the Internet and my own security to the outside world I have only once had a problem. And that was a learning experience. I have done my best to turn off and defeat the security systems employed by Microsoft as they are MUCH more bother than worth in a home environment.
I have “some” computer experience. I feel so sorry for all those other home PC owners that cross my path that just cannot coupe with this security crap. With ample warning, I do my best to get them some relief. Most are very happy after-wards. Some DO NOT heed my warnings and get themselves in trouble. That’s people for you.