Install Windows XP Home Edition Backup software

posted on 28 Aug 2008 11:51 by computertips  in WindowsTips

Computers, like any appliance, can break down or fail. To protect your important files from computer failure, you should make backup copies of your files. Each edition of Microsoft Windows XP—except Windows XP Home Edition—includes Windows Backup, a program that helps you save your files to an external disk. If you use Windows XP Home Edition, you can manually install Windows Backup.

To manually install Windows Backup

1.

Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD drive. If Windows XP Setup does not appear after several seconds, open My Computer, right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay.

CD drive Shortcut menu with AutoPlay selected

2.

In the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP window, click Perform additional tasks.

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen

3.

Click Browse this CD.

What do you want to do? page with Browse this CD option selected

4.

Double-click VALUEADD, double-click MSFT, and then double-click NTBACKUP to open the \VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP folder.

VALUEADD folder selected

5.

In the NTBACKUP folder, double-click NTBACKUP.

NTBACKUP icon

6.

After setup is complete, click Finish.

Completing the Windows Backup Utility Installation Wizard page

You can now start Windows Backup by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking Backup. For more information about protecting your files from computer failure, read Back up your files.

Create a keyboard shortcut to open a folder

posted on 28 Aug 2008 11:47 by computertips  in WindowsTips

Do you have a folder that you'd like to be able to open quickly and easily whenever you want? If you create a keyboard shortcut for that folder, you can open it anytime by pressing a key combination, no matter which other programs you have open.

To create a keyboard shortcut to open a folder

1.

Click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.

2.

In Windows Explorer (the program that appears when you open folders such as My Computer, My Documents, My Pictures, or My Music), right-click the folder to which you want instant access, click Send To, and then click Desktop.

Folder selected in My Documents folder, with Send To and then Desktop selected on right-click menu

3.

On your desktop, right-click the new shortcut, and then click Properties.

Shortcut selected, with Properties selected on right-click menu

4.

On the Shortcut tab, click in the Shortcut key box. Now press the letter on your keyboard that you want to use to open the folder.

Note: In the Shortcut key box, Microsoft Windows XP automatically adds CTRL+ALT before the key you press, because to use the shortcut to open a folder, you have to hold down both the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously, while pressing the letter you chose. This way, your folder won't open every time you type that letter.

The Shortcut to My Pictures Properties page, with the shortcut key shown

5.

Click OK.

The Shortcut to My Pictures Properties page, with the OK button selected

6.

Now test your shortcut. Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys, and then press the letter you chose.

Fingers pressing the shortcut keys on the keyboard

This tip can be applied to folders, programs, and text file shortcuts that are placed on the desktop. For more keyboard shortcuts, read Tired of chasing your mouse? Use keyboard shortcuts

Add a shortcut to your desktop for Windows XP

posted on 28 Aug 2008 11:39 by computertips  in WindowsTips
You can create shortcuts on your desktop that enable you to open your favorite files and folders by simply double-clicking your mouse.

To add a shortcut from a file to your desktop

1.

Browse through your My Documents folder, and find the file that you want to create a shortcut to.

2.

Right-click the file that you want to be able to open from your desktop, click Send To, and then click Desktop.

File shortcut menu with Send To – Desktop (create shortcut) selected

You’ll see the shortcut on your desktop.

Note: The shortcut icon has an arrow in the lower-left corner to indicate that it’s a shortcut rather than the actual file. You can open a shortcut just like you would any other file by double-clicking it. However, if you delete the shortcut, you won’t remove the file itself.

Shortcuts as they appear on the desktop

For more information about shortcuts, read Working with icons and shortcuts.

How to get IP inforamtion

posted on 28 Aug 2008 09:32 by computertips  in WindowsTips
  • Go to the "DOS Prompt" or the "Command Prompt"
  • Type:

    ipconfig /all

How to create a repair disk

posted on 26 Aug 2008 14:41 by computertips  in WindowsTips
Forgot how to create a repair disk? Try running "rdisk.exe"