A New Source for your Computing Help!

Welcome to the 1st edition of Rick's Computing Tips. I know there are literally hundred's of sites like this out there, but hopefully this one will provide you help to the everyday problems and questions you might have using your PC. I will be focusing on Windows XP & Vista sytems, Microsoft Office applications, basic home networks (wired and wireless), and the ever popular "peripherals"... aka printers, scanners, monitors, etc.

To make this blog useful, I want to make sure I provide tips on things you may struggle with, So if you have ideas on topics or specific problems you are having, send an E-mail to me (RicksComputingTips@gmail.com). So its now time for your 1st tip!

Speeding up your Computer Startup
I thought I'd start this new blog off with something almost everyone faces, especially after having a computer for quite awhile - slow booting of your computer. There are several things that can affect your start up time - type of Windows operating system, amount of RAM memory,age of computer, and my personal favorite - Startup Programs. All of you have something like this....
This is your Notification Area on your Windows display (lower RH corner). Each of those icons represent something that is active on your computer. Your clock, your sound, your anti-virus, etc. So when you install programs, that are set to open when you start your computer, typically, something will be added to this area.
Now some programs have a way of "adding themselves" to the startup without asking you if its ok. A couple infamous programs are Quicktime (video viewing app), and Adobe products (PDF as an example). Over time, all these take time to open, and also, they use up your RAM memory (memory that computer uses to run the programs you have open). And limited RAM makes everything slower.
So, its good occasionally to remove those that you don't need running all the time. Miscrosoft has a built in program you can run that allows you to select which ones you want and don't want. Its called MSConfig.exe. Its pretty straight forward to use. Here's how you start it up:

• Click on your "Start" icon, and select "Programs", then select "Accessories"
  
• Within "Accessories", look for "Run", and select it
• A box will open up where you will type MSConfig, and hit "OK"
• A window will open that looks like this -

• Click on the tab "Startup", and this window will appear -
  

Each one of the lines is something that is started when you booted (started) your computer. Most have descriptions of what they are for. To see the complete name, grab that little verticle line to the right of "Startup Item" (move your mouse over it), hold down your Left Mouse button, and drag it to the right.. you should now see more of the "Item" name. Note - If you are not sure what the line is, leave it checked.
Look thru the list. uncheck items you rarely use. Most programs do NOT need to start up when the computer does... its a "convenience thing". So by unchecking, you are NOT removing it from your computer. It just means that if you want to run that program, you will have to go to the programs listing, and select it to run it when you actually want it to run.
So now you can reduce the time the computer takes to start by unchecking items not needed. Quicktime, ITunes, Adobe listings, items listed as "Real...", and if you have AOL on your computer, anything with AOL, are all ones you can uncheck.

• Once you have finished unchecking, click the "Apply" button, and then the "OK" button
• Next time you start your computer, up a small window will appear stating your startup settings have changed. Click on the little box in the lower LH corner to stop that window from appearing on future startups.

Give it a try, and see if you notice any difference. For us "lazy" people, we just go buy more RAM memory, and install it on the computer. It still takes a bit longer to load all these, but with more RAM the computer can process more things at once, and make it happen faster!

- Enjoy Your Computing! - Rick