2 PC Annoyances and How To Solve Them!

I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.

In fact, often I love to hate my computer!

It will do things I know even the great Mr. Gates didn't intend, and it usually does them at the least convenient time (like when I'm on a deadline or in a hurry).

Rather than the usual whining and doing nothing about it, I've decided to share a couple of things that previously annoyed the heck out of me and the solutions I found to help you avoid these same problems.

*Disappearing Internet Explorer Status Bar*

The status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer web browser serves many purposes.

It allows you to hold your mouse over a link to see where the link will take you.

It enables you to see a page's loading progress as you wait for it to download.

Most importantly, the status bar allows you to see the little gold "lock" symbol that lets you know you've made a connection to a secure server (very important to know before you input credit card data).

For some inexplicable reason, from time to time, this status bar disappears from my browser.

Also, the toolbars at the top tend to move periodically and mess up my "system" for surfing the Internet.

Now, it's not the end of the world, but it really ticks me off when things change and I didn't change them! If this ever happens to you, here's how to literally "lock" the toolbars and status bar in place so they don't disappear or move again.

First, close all your Internet Explorer web browser windows except for one. If the status bar doesn't already appear in the window, go to "View" and then click "status bar."

Also, make sure you have all the toolbars arranged the way you want them.

Next, place your mouse over a blank spot on one of the tool bars at the top of the Internet Explorer browser window.

Right-mouse-click and a menu will appear where you should check the option "Lock the Toolbars."

Then, while holding down the key, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the window to close it. This will set your selection.

If you ever need to change your toolbars in the future, simply right-mouse-click on the toolbar and uncheck the "Lock the Toolbars" option, make the changes, and then re- lock the toolbars to keep them from moving or disappearing.

*Missing File Extensions*

One of the biggest pains in the neck involves opening Windows Explorer, viewing a list of files, and not being able to see the file extension (.doc, .txt, .html, etc.) for each file.

For some reason, Windows considers this classified information!

To make the file extensions show up, click "Start" then "Control Panel." Double-click "Folder Options" then click the "View" tab. Scroll down the list and uncheck the box that says "Hide extensions for known file types."

You will now see the file extensions any time you open up Windows Explorer.

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com

Jim Edwards, a.k.a. TheNetReporter.com, is a syndicated newspaper columnist, nationally recognized speaker, author, and web developer. Owner of nine (9) successful e-businesses as well as a professional consulting firm, Jim's writing comes straight off the front lines of the Internet and e-commerce.

Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months... without spending a dime on advertising! ==> "Turn Words Into Traffic"

In The News:


Personal Tech: Army to use video games for training
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Dec 1, 2008
It will watch trends in commercial video games and look for technologies that can be used in training -- but it does not plan to compete with the industry. ...

Personal Tech: Music lovers have lots of portable options
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Dec 1, 2008
AP The Microsoft Zune sports a touch pad and sharp screen that make it easy and fun to check out all your music, photos and videos. ...

10 Things You Can Do to Give Your Computer a "Makeover"
MarketWatch - Dec 2, 2008
This according to BluePhone ( www.bluephone.com), the personal tech support hotline and "At Home Help Desk" that helps consumers get maximum value out of ...

10 Things You Can Do to Give Your Computer a "Makeover"
International Business Times, NY - Dec 2, 2008
This according to BluePhone (www.bluephone.com), the personal tech supporthotline and "At Home Help Desk" that helps consumers get maximum value outof their ...

Personal Tech: Digital cameras go big on video
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Nov 24, 2008
By Ron Harris AP Writer The holiday season brings good tidings for shutterbugs. Whether you're shopping for someone new to digital cameras or a seasoned ...

Personal Tech: Military launches TroopTube
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Nov 17, 2008
Members can upload personal videos from anywhere with an Internet connection, but a Pentagon employee screens each for taste, copyright violations and ...

Seattle Post Intelligencer

LIKE IT IS : Big 12 foolish to let BCS standings break tie
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AR - Dec 2, 2008
None of this has anything personal to do with OU. The Sooners are very good. Yes, late in the season they ran the score up, most likely in an effort to sway ...
This computer and pollster give OU the nod over Texas SportingNews.com
Settle Big 12's spat on the field Denver Post
Oklahoma, Texas Tech seek share of South title Dallas Morning News
Austin American-Statesman - Kansas City Starall 2,154 news articles

Personal Tech: Tennesee boasts world's fastest unclassified computer
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Nov 17, 2008
AP The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. released this photograph Nov. 10 showing some of the 284 computer cabinets ...

Coping With the Inevitable: The Losers in Your Portfolio
Wall Street Journal - 20 hours ago
James B. Stewart, a columnist for SmartMoney magazine and SmartMoney.com, writes weekly about his personal investing strategy. Unlike Dow Jones reporters, ...

Delaware Tech certificates make great holiday gifts
Cape Gazette, DE - 11 hours ago
Get in shape with fitness programs such as membership to Delaware Tech’s fitness center, personal training sessions, aerobics, ballroom dancing, Pilates, ...
personal tech - Google News

How to Place Home Theater Speakers

You have your television and home theater receiver; you just... Read More

How To Become A True CCNA

I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More

Dynamite Comes in Small Packages - Tiny Personal Audio MP3 Players Pack Powerful Music Enjoyment

MP3 players are Hot! Playing music has come a long... Read More

Troubleshooting Computer Freeze (Lockup) Problems

How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More

Your Home is in Your Hands

I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More

Buying A PC Flat Screen Monitor

For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More

How To Have Two (Multiple) Copies Of Windows

Having two operating systems is not as difficult as many... Read More

The Benefits of Open Source

If you are a building a website or a forum,... Read More

4 Computer Money-saving Tips

Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More

CCNA 640-801 Certification Primer

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification is meant for... Read More

Digital Cameras + Photo Printers = Quality Instant Photographs

In the 1950's and 1960's Polaroid's instant cameras were all... Read More

What Does That Error Message Really Mean?

Surf the 'Net for about 10 minutes and chances rate... Read More

Back Up, Back Up, Back Up!

This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More

Flow Text Around a Graphic in Microsoft Word

Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More

Web Standards

HTTP ProtocolThe web is run on port 80. You are... Read More

Palm PC critique

I met an entrepreneur who hole heartedly disagree with an... Read More

Is DVD Storage An Attractive Alternative For Your Computer Backup?

If you have a computer for home use or for... Read More

Connect Your IPAQ to Linux

Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More

Dont Let the Internet Overstimulate Your Mind

The Internet is an awesome tool, but be careful and... Read More

What Exactly are Screensavers? - part I

After reading this good article you will know some important... Read More

How To Remove One Operating System from a Dual Boot Windows XP Computer

In Windows Xp, you can install two operating systems on... Read More

Use Your Computer For Your Entertainment Needs

By using your computer today you can find a lot... Read More

Top 9 Ways To Speed Up Your Surfing & Computing

It seems like fast never quite rates fast enough.No matter... Read More

DVD The Ultimate Consumer Digital Media

Digital Video Disc or as it is sometimes referred to... Read More

Classification of Computers

Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due... Read More