Well, the install was a pain. Not really — but my initial install worked extremely smoothly until Windows rebooted.
At that point, it simply failed to boot with an ambiguous error message that was less than helpful. It told me to reboot the installation DVD and select the Repair option.
When I did selected Repair, there were [...]
A reader wrote recently that he was havig problems with his router on his DSL connection:
Terry,
I have been using Linksys DSL wireless router (4 data ports and 2 analog phone ports) for over one year. Lately, I can’t access to the internet (via this router). I did [...]
I received a question from Adam, a Terry’s Computer Tips web site visitor recently, who was having problems with two of his computers:
Hey Terry, just read your XP SP3 woes, got another one two for you. i have a small home network running with shared internet connection. When SP3 came out [...]
A reader wrote me to ask about IP address security. I’m not really sure whether he meant keeping his IP address a secret, or whether he was asking if someone could break into his network and use his ISP connection with his IP address, so, let’s first look at the idea of keeping one’s IP [...]
With some programs, we always may want to open them in maximized (full-screen), or even minimized (hidden), mode. Windows allows us to accomplish this via a setting in a program’s shortcut.
Continue reading HOWTO: Open a Program in a Maximized Window
Subscriber Helen Day wrote to ask about the Quick Launch bar:
How to keep the “quick launch” bar exposed when I’m using different programs. Regardless of what I open I have to minimize to find the bar and some programs won’t let me do that. I tried changing the resolution but that [...]
If you’ve read some of my other articles about having an open, unsecured wireless network versus securing your wireless network so that others can not get into it, you know that I believe in security.
I recommend that everyone secure their wireless network to the extent possible. It’s impossible to completely secure a wireless system, but [...]
Reader Steve Sturgill wrote to ask about screen freeze problems he was having:
Mr. Stockdale, My OS is XP, my ISP is MSN and I connect through broadband. My problem is, any time I right click, as in attempting to access dropdown menus, my screen freezes. Also I am unable to click [...]
Reader Tom Linton wrote about is problems that occurred when he installed Windows XP Service Pack 3 shortly after it was released:
Terry,
I made the mistake of not being patient. SP3 had been out about a week and I hadn’t seen very much in the various email newsletters I subscribe to. A few friends had told [...]
So far, I’ve still avoided installing the new Windows XP Service Pack 3. I know that a lot of people have installed it without any problems.
However, when there is a problem, it is not trivial! Recently, two subscribers wrote to tell me of their horror stories and ask for suggestions on solving them.
Delmer [...]