Short cuts and other tips Vista Tips Discuss Short cuts and other tips in the Windows Vista forums; Create and format a hard disk partition On a previous post, I suggested to have “Documents” folders store files on a separate partition. This is important in case u have ...

[felix8406]

Create and format a hard disk partition
On a previous post, I suggested to have “Documents” folders store files on a separate partition. This is important in case u have or want to reinstalled Vista, as ur data will not be affected. To do this, u must have a separate hard drive or a drive partitioned in two or more volumes. If u only have one hard drive with one partition, u can use Vista to create another partition.

Here’s is how:

1. Click Start and type Management on search box, or click Start, right click Computer and click Manage.
2. Click Disk Management under Storage.
3. Right-click the drive u want to add your partition to and select Shrink Volume
4. Decide how much room u want to allocate to the new partition; e.g. If ur hard disk has 60GB and u want to allocate 20GB for ur data, u must shrink the partition to 40GB.
5. Now right click the Unallocated partition u just created and select New Simple Volume.
6. In the New Simple Volume Wizard, click Next.
7. U can either create a custom size volume in MB or accept the maximum default size, and click Next.
8. Select the default drive letter or choose a different letter and click Next.
9. Click Next to format the partition and then click Finish.

To have ur Documents point to the new partition automatically, do the following:

1. Click Start and right click Documents.
2. Click Properties and select the Location tab
3. On the Location Tab, change the drive letter to the letter corresponding to the drive you just create: e.g. if the new hard drive letter is “D”, then change this C:\Users\Administrator\Documents, to read like this D:\Users\Administrator\Documents.
4. Click OK
5. When ask Do you want to create the folder, select Yes.
6. When ask Do you want to move old files to new location, select Yes.
7. You r done. Now whenever u save a file, it will be stored in ur new partition. Happy computing.

[felix8406]

Did u install anti-virus software? No u said? R u been trying to figure out why ur PC... is running slow?...u r getting unexpected messages?....ur programs start automatically?...ur hard drive sounds like is continually running?...ur computers turned itself off by itself?
Although there could be many reasons for these abnormality, chances r ur PC could be infected with a virus. Here r some steps to rake if u suspect ur PC is infected with a virus:

1. Scan ur PC with an anti-virus program. U can search online for free utilities that scan ur PC for virus for free; e.g. Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma.../default.mspx), Avast Virus Cleaner (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html), Trend Micro HouseCall (http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp), and others.
2. Install and use anti-virus software. This is the most effective way to remove and prevent viruses from being installed on ur PC.
3. If u cannot start Window through a Normal Start, try to start PC on safe mode (Restart ur PC and hit the F8 key repeatedly before the Windows logo appears). Once on safe mode use an anti-virus software or virus scanner. Also, while on safe mode, run MSCONFIG command, go to Startup tab and uncheck those programs u don’t need at the moment. U can check those programs again after the virus is gone. (Don’t uncheck ur anti-virus program if u have one installed)
4. Go to control panel and using ur Uninstall or Change program look for programs that u don’t recognize. Some programs might install themselves while u visit some sites. (If u recognize a program, use Google search). If u don’t need the program get rid of it.
5. Use regedit command to edit the registry. (Note, only experience users should do this. If u remove the wrong key, u might not be able to get windows to start.) Go to HEKY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion and HEKY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion and look for entries inside Run and RunOnce commands. If u see something u don’t know, use Google search. If it reference a virus then delete the key.
6. If everything else fail and u need to format ur hard drive and reinstall ur software, beware that ur virus might be hiding in one of the programs. Is it an original file or a copy u received from a friend or bought at the flea market? If it’s a copy, the is a chance that it’s carrying the virus.

More importantly is learning ur lesson. Use anti-virus software. Many r free and will help u to maintain ur PC safe and sound. Download and safe anti-virus program and removal tool in ur PC in case u can’t access the Internet (Save these files on a separate partition or CD). Use Vista Backup and Restore Center to backup ur PC now that is running healthy. Happy computing!

[Davehc]

Ref two previous postings on disabling the UAC. Its even easier than the two sugggestions. Just type Msconfig in the "run" link and go to the tools tab. Down the list you will see an entry "disable User Acoount" - just launch it!

[Znod]

Cool, and did you know that you can just type the name of any .exe program in Start Menu > Search and hit return to run the program?--e.g., msconfig.

[felix8406]

If u cannot connect with ur wireless adapter, there r a few things u can do to troubleshoot the connection before calling an “expert”.
Check power. This might seem obvious, but many troubleshooters make the mistake of going for the technical aspect when troubleshooting, instead of starting from the “easiest”. Here r some tips:
1. Make sure there’s power to ur router or access point.
2. Reset ur router or access point. Simply disconnect or turn it off for about 20 seconds or so.
3. Did u just add a cordless phone or r using a microwave? Signals from these appliances could interfere with ur wireless signal. Turn them off and see. If they r the culprit, u may want to place them on another location or change the wireless channel of ur router or access point, or set it to auto if it is set to a fixed channel.
4. Verify connection mode, either ad hoc- meaning the adapter is connected directly without going through a router or access point, or infrastructure- when it communicates through a router or access point. Settings in Windows must match setting of adapter. Click Start, Network to modify ur connection.
5. Do u have a dual or a single band adapter? There r three standards (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g) 802.11b and g use 2.4GHZ frequency, while 802.11a uses 5GHZ. A dual band adapter can connect to all three, 802.11a/b/g. 802.11g and b adapters r backward compatible, but will not connect to 802.11a.
6. Stay within range? The maximum range of 802.11b or 802.11g 150 feet, while 802.11a is about 60 feet. Happy computing!

[felix8406]

When u travel, u want to make sure u’ll have access to the latest files and documents; Windows has made it easier for those who use a laptop, tablet or PDA. Before u leave for ur business trip, use Sync Center to make sure u have the latest files on hand.
Sync Center keeps information in sync between ur desktop and mobile equipment. It determines the latest version of the file and overwrites the older file with the newer version. To open Sync Center, click Start and type Sync Center in Search box, or click Start, All Programs, Accessories and Sync Center.
If you must rely on the battery while traveling, it will help to utilize the battery power as efficient as possible. Vista Power saver, helps u travel longer with battery power by lowering system performance. Although u might not be able to run a power hungry application, u’ll still be able to answer ur emails or relax to some music, for a longer time. To change ur power option, click Start and type Power Option, lick Power Option and select Power saver.
If u r traveling with friends and coworkers and want to share info, u can use Vista Meeting Space. It allows up to ten people to work to share information through a network or peer to peer (P2P). U can share desktops and programs and distribute and edit files on each other PC. Click Start and type Meeting Space.
Finally, use Vista’s Mobility Center to quickly access ur mobile PC settings, all in one central location. U can adjust ur screen, speaker volume, select power saver, turn off ur wireless adapter, rotate the screen, connect another monitor, access the sync center or prepare ur presentation. To access Mobility Center click Start, Control Panel, Mobile PC and the click Windows Mobility Center, or click Battery meter icon on the taskbar, then click Mobility Center or simply press the Windows + X keys on ur keyboard. Happy computing!

[Znod]

And, see this thread: Completing Sync and Mobile Centers

[crabby]

One thing I thought was odd... the snipping tool is a tablet PC function. If you remove the tablet PC functions then say bubye to the snipping tool! (Then go and reinstall it )

crabby

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by crabby

One thing I thought was odd... the snipping tool is a tablet PC function. If you remove the tablet PC functions then say bubye to the snipping tool! (Then go and reinstall it )

crabby

To add to Crabby's comment; to get the mobility function you must buy at least the Home Premium Version, as it won't be available with Vista Home Basic.

[felix8406]

Want to know about the Top 10 Vista Tips and Tricks? Use this link to view a PDF files that shows u just that. http://www.windowsvistatnt.com/docum...s_&_tricks.pdf Happy computing!