Need Help With Windows?

Like most people, including myself, you probably have tons of questions on using, changing, fixing and otherwise modifying your version of windows.

The most single valuable resource in getting answers to your questions are ‘Community Newsgroups’ run by Microsoft at http://support.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.aspx.

Be sure to read the topics in the box on the right hand side of your browser before diving into the newsgroups. The most important of the four topics are ‘Using Newsgroups’ and ‘Microsoft Product Communities’. The middle two links are oriented to developers of software rather than users of products.

In the center of the main browser page be sure to read Microsoft suggestions for avoiding spam. One suggestion is to use a secondary account, such as Hotmail.

Another suggestion is a modified address. In Microsoft’s words: If your actual e-mail address is “[email protected]”, use “emailname(removethis)@account.com” as your modified e-mail address. In this case, the spam tools will send mail to an invalid e-mail address, and others will know to exclude the “(removethis)” when they send you e-mail.

In the frame on the right hand side you can focus on the application or operating system that’s giving you problems.

Have a problem downloading from Internet Explorer? Click the + sign to the left of Internet Technologies, then click your version of Internet Explorer. If you click Internet Explorer 6.0, you have four newsgroups to choose from.

Having trouble turning off the sound effects every time you copy or paste something? Click the + sign to the left of Windows and then click on your version. If you click Windows XP, you have a long list of newsgroups to choose from. Task Manager not working? Try Basics or New Users. Can’t sign into Windows Messenger? Try the Messenger newsgroup.

My guess is that you’ll find these newsgroups your most valuable resource. In subsequent columns we’ll discuss anti-virus software, utilities that fix shortcut, registry and other problems, anti-spyware, anti-adware, and others.

There are plenty of utilities that sound great. However, unless you know how to use their great power you can damage your computer as badly as the worst virus or trojan. An example would be to avoid System Mechanic Pro like the plague, unless you are already an expert. It has great power to fix problems, but at the same time it can delete files it identifies as hacker tools which in fact are crucial to the operation of your system.

I’m happy to be joining the “TTP Team.” While I’m not available for questions on individual problems, if you want a database (not Sybase, DB2 or Oracle) designed and deployed on the Web, that’s something else.

Dennis Turner, [email protected].