Miscellaneous

To select more than one item in any list, click once on one of the items, then hold down the "Ctrl" key on the keyboard, then click on the other items you want to highlight. Release the Ctrl key.

Or, if the items are all together in one block, click once on the top item, then hold down the "Shift" key and click once on the bottom item. Then release the key and do whatever action you want on the highlighted items, such as Delete. (These procedures work in just about any program.)

Spyware:

Be sure to use a spyware remover program regularly (at least once a month) to remove spyware on your computer. Spyware tracks where you go on the Internet and sends this information to marketers. This can result in more pop-up ads, a slower computer, an inability to get on the Internet and can even prevent your computer from starting up or shutting down properly. Spyware is often surreptitiously installed on your computer when you download and install "free" programs, such as the KaZaa music downloading program or the IncrediMail e-mail program, but can also be transferred to your computer just by visiting certain web sites. Ad-Aware, which is a free program, and Spy Sweeper, which costs about $30.00, are two good anti-spyware programs.

To learn more about spyware, visit Doxdesk.com .

Virus Alert:

If your computer slows down, or starts acting strangely, or if you are receiving many e-mail messages saying "the message is undeliverable," then you may have a virus on your computer. Click here for more information.

Troubleshooting Tips (Software):

An obvious tip:Always change just one thing, then see if the problem disappears. This will take longer, but you'll know exactly what fixed your problem, and you'll learn more this way.

A less obvious tip: Keep a Computer Diary. Put in any problems, error messages, and the solutions. This could save you much time in the future when the same problem happens again. Your Computer Diary is also a good place to jot down the Serial Numbers or Product Keys of the hardware and software you buy.

Troubleshooting Tips (Hardware):

An obvious tip: Replace the part or component that you suspect has failed with an identical or nearly identical part. Keep doing so until you've narrowed it down to the bad part.

A less obvious tip: The most common part to fail is the battery on the motherboard, which usually lasts anywhere from two to five years. If your clock slows down or the year changes to a strange year on your computer, suspect the battery first.