| An Easy Performance Enhancement | | | | A feature of Windows XP Professional, that is not |
| If youre using the NTFS filing protocol on your | | | | available in the Home Edition, is the ability to encrypt |
| system, instead of FAT32, you can get a bit more | | | | files. This encryption prevents others from opening |
| speed by disabling Windows Indexing. The downside | | | | the files in the folder you encrypt. To encrypt one or |
| to this is that searching your drive for a specific file | | | | more a folders, follow these easy steps. |
| might take a moment or two longer, but everything | | | | Click Start, then My Documents. Now locate the |
| else should run faster. | | | | folder you wish to encrypt and right click on it and |
| To disable this feature open My Computer and then | | | | choose Properties. |
| right click on the drive you wish to reset usually | | | | On the General tab, click on Advanced. Put a tick |
| C-drive. Now click on Properties and then uncheck | | | | mark in the box for Encrypt Contents to Secure |
| Allow Indexing Service. It will take Windows a few | | | | Data. Click okay two times and the confirmation |
| moments to accomplish this task, based on your | | | | dialog box will appear allowing you to select the |
| processor speed. If you have other hard drives, | | | | folder, the folder and all files, and/or the subfolders |
| perform the same process for them. After this is | | | | within it. |
| done, its a good idea to empty the Recycle Bin and | | | | Now you'll be able to place files in this folder (or |
| then Defragment your hard drive(s). | | | | folders) and since they're encrypted, others will not |
| FREE Software | | | | be able to access them. |
| If you have a system and it does not have an office | | | | Internet Safety |
| suite, such as Microsoft Office, and you dont want | | | | You should never reveal your username or password |
| to pay several hundred dollars to have one, try Open | | | | to anyone who e-mails you and asks for it. This |
| Office. This is a great alternative to other suites, and | | | | information is frequently asked for by an Internet |
| its free! Simply direct your browser to and follow the | | | | scheme called phishing. |
| instructions for downloading and installation. Make no | | | | In a common phishing scam, you receive an e-mail |
| mistake, this free office suite is an extremely | | | | that looks quite official. It usually appears to come |
| powerful set of software tools easily a match for | | | | from a bank or credit card company. A common title |
| any competitor. | | | | for these e-mails is We need to verify your account |
| Internet Explorer (Microsofts Internet browser) is | | | | information. Another is Please logon to your account |
| unarguably the standard in computers. This is why | | | | and verify your settings. If you do click where |
| hackers develop so many malware applications to | | | | instructed, youll end up on a site that appears to be |
| invade it. If you use a different browser, you have | | | | the real one. If you fill in the username and password |
| much less chance of an invasion by malicious | | | | for of your on-line banking account, you can expect |
| software. There is a great alternative available, and | | | | serious problems within twenty-four hours. |
| its free. You can download a copy of Firefox at You | | | | If you believe that a company or business that you |
| can even move your Internet Explorer settings into | | | | do on-line business with really does require your |
| Firefox automatically so you dont lose your Favorites, | | | | information, then simply contact them. This way, you |
| etc. | | | | will know where you are sending your information, |
| Laptop Printer Fix | | | | and what it will be used for. |
| If youre using a laptop that is running Windows ME, | | | | CD Burning Error Fix |
| and youre having trouble printing through the USB, | | | | Burning music, video, and data CDs has become quite |
| try this simple fix. Go to the website for the | | | | popular over the past few years, and the evolution |
| company that manufactures your printer. If you use | | | | of the supporting technology has yielded hardware |
| a Hewlett-Packard, for example, go to and download | | | | and software that is better than ever and very |
| the appropriate drivers and install them. ME has | | | | reasonably priced. CDs offer a great place to store |
| drivers that recognize the USB printer is present and | | | | substantial amounts of data in a small, easily retained |
| attached, but not the drivers needed to make it print. | | | | format. They also give us new control over aspects |
| Which drivers you download and install will be | | | | of our entertainment. |
| dependant on your printer. After installing new | | | | A relatively common error received during CD burning |
| drivers, update the printer as necessary in the | | | | informs you that the CD cannot be burned, or that |
| Control Panel. | | | | there was an error during burning. Of course, you |
| Save $$$ When Shopping On-line | | | | could actually have a defective CD drive, but this is |
| If youre making a purchase on-line, and you know | | | | usually not the case. |
| the item you want to buy, you can easily compare | | | | If you receive a message indicating that your CD |
| pricing all across the Internet. This can amount to a | | | | cannot be burned, go to the website of your CD |
| very substantial savings. | | | | drive manufacturer. Look for the list of CD types |
| At this writing, I went to and typed in that I wanted | | | | (manufacturers/numbers) that are compatible with |
| to buy a printer: a Canon PIXMA iP4000. The service | | | | your device. Most often, youll find that your CDs are |
| instantly checked the Internet and returned prices | | | | not listed. The two types that seem to have the |
| ranging from $62.00 up to $286.00. This kind of price | | | | least difficulty being burned are manufactured by |
| spread is not at all unusual, especially for computers | | | | Sony and TDK. These cost a bit more, but they burn |
| and electronics. | | | | very reliably. |
| The My Simon website service only checks pricing, it | | | | Along the same lines H-P has introduced a new CD |
| does not provide a platform for purchasing anything, | | | | burner. This new burner requires the use of special |
| though it does link to such places. It also gives a | | | | CD blanks, but after you burn your data into the CD, |
| rating for the sellers and other users input regarding | | | | you can flip it over and close the drive again. Then |
| their experiences with the company. You can order | | | | you can use the laser to burn a title for the CD |
| the results of the search for your product by price, | | | | directly onto the CD itself. Its new technology, but |
| so that you can quickly find the lowest price from | | | | perhaps it will catch on and well see newer, better |
| the highest rated dealer. | | | | such devices in the near future. |
| Windows XP Professional Only | | | | |