If you hate dogs then the Windows XP search won’t make you feel better about them.

 

 

I think the problem many have is that there are too many options with the search function and usually you can’t remember exactly where a file was lost, when it was created, and what it was called.

 

Windows allows you to specify search file locations, attributes, file types, media types on and on. When all we need is a program to find the lost file and do it quickly! The filtering options can get too confusing. The general problem users face with windows search is not having the right settings. And the filters are set incorrectly for what they are looking for.

 

Simple settings that help make windows searching work

 

• Show hidden files
• Don’t hide extensions for known file types
• Show protected system files
• Activate windows indexing service
• Activate windows search service

 

Windows search allows many customizable parameters that if you overlook them you might think windows search isn’t working.

Also if you haven’t applied microsofts many hotfixes you may not get it to work either. The indexing service allows windows to keep better track of the files on your pc. Which means files will be found faster than without it on. The indexing service can also slow down your PC to the point of driving you nuts. So using this feature may not suit you.

 

Well, if you get fed up using windows search there are some free alternatives like google search which you might like better.

CPU’s Run Hotter Than Ever

 

Cooling the computer is generally not the concern of the common PC user and normally isn’t a problem unless you’ve built your own system or have added extra internal components to your system. Overclockers (PC users who change the electrical settings of their CPU’s to boost performance at the expense of higher heat) and hardcore PC gaming enthusiasts are aware that CPU cooling can be a tricky problem to manage using With liquid cooling systems or multiple fan installations. Be aware that when you add new devices inside the computers case you are increasing demands on the power supply and CPU and this results in more heat being generated. Higher heat means a shortened lifespan for electronic devices.

 

The newest generation of Intel processors with their ever faster processing speed has an unfortunate side affect, and that’s increased heat production. Generally the average CPU can operate at temperatures of up to about 70 degrees centigrade before permanently damaging the CPU. Modern motherboards have means to monitor this temperature in the BIOS setup. Monitoring temperature is a lot more useful when its done from within windows and the CPU is being used more to its limits. For monitoring active temps while the CPU is running intensive programs like 3D games you can use programs like Intel’s Active Monitor, or Almico’s SpeedFan. These applications give many temp readings for your PC and give options for directly controlling heat dissipation by setting alerts when the temperature rises to unsafe levels, and can directly control fan speeds to increase cooling.

 

How to lower computer case temperature

 

1)Use 80 mm fans or larger to get more air flowing in the case
2)Provide fan airflow in and out
3)Use a case that provides adequate ventilation openings
4)Allow more airflow into the case than out - to increase air pressure inside the case.
5)Don’t allow dust to build up inside the case or the components
6)Use neat cable management to maximize airflow around the cpu, memory
7)Keep the PC in a cool part of the house if possible or use air conditioning
8)Liquid cooling provides great alternative to using fan only cooling
9)Use a quality power supply

Setting up a wireless network is a common business in todays cmputing world. Windows 2000,XP,Vista makes it easy to setup a wi-fi network.

For a wi-fi network you need:
ISP internet account
computers with wireless card
optional gateway

 

Most wireless cards are either PCI interface for desktop PC’s or PCMCIA cards for laptops. USB wireless cards will work for both laptops or PC’s.

 

It’s a good idea to install the drivers or software for any wireless device you have before actually connecting the device to the computer. This software should come with the device or be available for download from the manufacturers website.

 

Once software is installed, XP can be configured to utilize windows wireless network manager or use a third party wireless network managing software.

 

Configure Your Computers For Wireless Network

 

These settings need to be made to your computers that will be in your wireless network
These images are Vista but Xp/2000 are very similar.

 

In Vista/XP/2000:
Click start
Right click network
In Vista you see Network and sharing Menu first - Under Tasks click Manage Network Connections
You should Find your wireless card listed here, highlight it,
Right click
Click properties (you may need to enter an administrators password)
Highlight TCP/IP
Click properties
Check both Obtain IP address automatically, Obtain DNS address automatically

 

Using and Setup a Wireless Gateway/Router

 

A gateway is the physical routing device that connects your DSL/Cable signal from the phone company to your computer network. If you use a wireless gateway device these are the steps you have to take to make it work:

 

Connect the gateway to your phone line or cable modem box (to ensure that you see a green indication for a live internet connection on your cable modem and gateway you may need to power off both devices one at a time - start with the cable modem)

 

Usually you need to configure the wireless options of your gateway before you can use the wireless capability.

 

Connect an ethernet cable from the gateway to your computer so you can configure the wireless options
Typically the gateway is setup with DHCP enabled and its LAN IP address set to 192.168.1.1 it maybe different so check the documentation. Log in to the gateway to change its options by opening up your browser and typing (192.168.1.1 for example) or the default IP address recommended in the documentation.

 

Your gateway may have a wizard which can discover some settings for you. Using the wizard may be easier.

 

These setting are necessary to set up the gateway:
Set up your gateway to be the DHCP server:
Typical settings are:
IP address 192.168.1.1
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Set a range of IP addresses for your network so that each computer device will have its own IP address (example 192.168.1.2 thru 192.168.1.30).

 

Your ISP (internet service provider) may have specific settings and software for you to use or you can have your gateway get settings automatically from the ISP; WAN IP address, DNS server addresses.

 

Set your gateways wireless connectivity to broadcast SSID (you can turn this off later if you wish)
You can name your SSID whatever you like (example BOBS-WIRELESS-INTERNET).

 

Optional WI-FI Security Measures

 

You can choose to setup a wireless connection with WPA or WEP security, a password will need to be entered by every computer or device that attempts to connect. Choose a password and remember it. Be sure all devices can access with the type of security you have used.

 

Set MAC access control; get the MAC address for each wireless card or device that accesses your gateway connection and input these addresses into the access list. Only devices that have these MAC addresses will be allowed to connect to your wireless network (sample address 00:A0:E0:F5:5E:10).

 

Some Gateways have firewalls that can help secure your internet connection, you should use either the gateway firewall or the windows firewall or a third party firewall software that you’ve installed. Using firewalls on top of firewalls can cause trouble that is harder to trace. So try turning on both the gateway firewall and the windows firewall and observe if you can access the internet without any trouble.

 

ICS - Internet Connection Sharing Instead Of A Gateway

 

If you are not using a gateway device and are instead sharing one computers internet connection with the other computers in your network. Follow these additional instructions instead:

 

In vista:
On the computer that has the internet connection that you want to share:
Click start
Right click network
In Vista you see the Network and Sharing Menu first - under Tasks click Manage Network Connections
You should find your wireless card listed here, highlight it,
Right click
Click properties (you may need to enter an administrators password in Vista)
Click sharing Tab
Check the Allow other Users to Connect… box

 

In XP/2000
On the computer that has the connection to be shared:
Click Start
Click Control Panel
Click Network Setup Wizard
The wizard will guide you through the process.

 

To Connect To A Wireless Network

 

In Vista
Click All programs
Click Connect To
Show all connections
or right click the network connection icon on the task bar
Click View Available Connections.
At this point you may see several available wireless networks that are broadcasting in your area. Pick the one that you want to connect to.

 

If this connection is security enabled then you will need a key (a password).

 

Troublehooting Wireless Network Connectivity

 

When you are using (ICS) internet connection sharing, the computer that has a connection you are sharing will be given a static LAN IP address (for instance 198.162.1.1) and the other computers should be set to obtain their IP address automatically from the host computer which acts as the DHCP server. If you run into snags be sure to be sure of the following:

 

Wireless cards have been installed properly.
TCP/IP protocol has been installed and enabled for use with the wireless cards.
Powering devices off and back on may be needed.
Disable firewalls until a connection becomes successful.

 

Once you are up and running review my safe internet surfing practices. Happy Computing!

If you can’t get to your favorite website anymore make sure your cookies are enabled for the websites you want to visit. Many websites require a cookie be accepted by your browser especially if you have to login to the web site.To check the cookie allowances on your browser follow these steps for either IEXPLORER or FIREFOX.

 

In Firefox:
Click Tools menu.
Click Privacy menu.
Make sure the Except cookies box is checked.
Click Exception tab.
Make sure the websites name you are having trouble accessing is NOT listed here. You my have to search through this list to find the cookie name that contains the websites name. Many websites use slightly different cookies for different pages on its website but they should generally all be identifiable by reading the name. If the website is listed as blocked higlight the website name then click Remove Site button.
Click OK.
You might need to restart your browser.

 

In Explorer:
Click Tools Menu.
Click Internet Options.
Click Privacy tab.
Click Sites button.
Make sure the website you want to visit is not listed as blocked - if so higlight the website name then click Remove button.
Click OK.
You may need to restart your browser.

 

 

it is possible that cookie files may become corrupted and not work correctly. In this case, delete them and as long as a website is allowed permission to send them the cookie will be re-created.

Some antispyware software can remove cookies and cookie access rights to sites it deems dangerous or that may compromise your privacy.

 

Cookies are harmless text files that websites use to help identify a user so that user can navigate its web pages more easily - based on the users previous session with that website. They are also used for tracking the surfing habits of web surfers. Cookies can’t infect a computer with viruses or spyware but some feel that using tracking cookies can violate peoples privacy even if no personally identifying information like name or address or credit card number is recorded.

 

One thing for sure, the cookie folder on your computer can get very big. It can be deleted and no harm will come to your internet experience though the websites that use those cookies will not recognize you as a return visitor and load the webpage the way you may have preferred it. Cookies - bad or good you be the judge.