Don
Trauger

Last month’s article covered basic computer maintenance. This month
I’ll bump it up a notch and improve on the level of cleaning and maintenance of
the computer.

Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup utility manages to do the required
cleanup. However, there are other utility programs that are designed to improve
upon what Microsoft offers. For one, I recommend downloading and installing
CCleaner. This program is free. Open Internet Explorer and go to
www.filehippo.com. CCleaner will be found under “Most Popular Downloads”. Click
it and in the next window click the big green arrow on the right. If you see an
Information Bar pop-up, click Close then click on the light yellow bar under
Internet Explorer’s buttons. You should see a drop down menu and then click on
Download file in the menu. Click Save and direct the download to your Desktop.
Do this by clicking the down arrow in the Save in: field. Select Desktop and
when the Save in: field shows Desktop, click the Save button. When the download
completes click the Close button, then close Internet Explorer. The CCleaner
download should now be on your Desktop. Look for an icon that says ccsetupxxx.
Double click to install. Follow the screen prompts and be sure to remove the
check next to adding the Yahoo Toolbar during the setup. Click the Install
button to complete and click Finish. After installation you may delete the
CCleaner download file (ccsetupxxx).

Click the new CCleaner icon on the Desktop
to open the program. The program comes properly configured so there is no need
to make further changes. When the program opens click the Analyze button. This
will indicate the number of MB’s that will be erased. Then click the Run Cleaner
button. Follow the screen prompt to rid your system of more unwanted files. Next
click the Registry button. Click the Scan for Issues button. After the screen
says 100% click the Fix selected issues button. The next pop-up window asks to
backup the changes. I find it’s not necessary so you can click No. However,
click Yes if you do. Then click Fix all selected issues click OK then Close. For
best results click the Registry button again to run it a second time then close
CCleaner.

Now that you have installed CCleaner the proper order for cleanup and
tune-up is to run Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup located in System Tools first,
CCleaner second, Disk Defragmenter, also in System Tools, third. Refer to the
October 2008 issue of the TV-Guide’s Technology Tips for more information
regarding Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter or go online to
www.hersheysmill.org and click on Tech Tips.

Another recommended cleanup routine
involves users of Outlook Express. Outlook Express is not meant to store
hundreds of emails. It can become unstable. To avoid difficulties empty your
Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items, Drafts, and Deleted Items frequently. Highlight
(click it) the first email to be deleted, then hold down the Shift key and move
the mouse to the last email you want to delete and click. The items to be
deleted should now be highlighted. Then click the Delete button. Remember all
highlighted items will be deleted when you click the Delete button. This works
on all the folders (Inbox, Outbox, etc.). Start with the Inbox and end with the
Deleted Items. Another technique is to highlight the first email, then hold down
the Ctrl key and press the “A” key. This highlights all the items and is
especially useful when emptying the Deleted Items. After emptying the preceding
folders, click File in the Main window, move to Folders, and click Compact All
Folders. Wait until the process completes. Normally compacting is done
automatically after 100 runs in Outlook express. If you see a message that says,
“To free up disk space, Outlook Express can compact messages. This may take up
to a few minutes”, click OK and allow the process to continue without
interruption. However, I would recommend that compacting be done manually 2-3
times a month especially for heavy email use. For Vista computers, using Windows
Mail, you will also see a message after every 100 runs of Windows Mail that says
“Windows mail can compact the message store”. Make sure to OK it and don’t
interrupt the process! Windows Mail does not have a manual method of compacting.

Help in maintaining your computer is available at the PC Club meetings. We meet
the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM upstairs in the Community Center.

Technology Tips – Published November 2017 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

The Reliability Monitor provides a graphical representation of how well your computer is performing. This tool, which has been around since the Windows Vista days, remains mostly hidden in Windows 10. The tool’s greatest strength is to inform you, on a scale of 1 to 10, the level of performance of your computer. One is the lowest and ten is the highest. The graph also reflects the nature of a performance problem against time. If your computer shows a problem that reduces the performance to a five rating, and then that problem is corrected, it may take several days to achieve a higher rating. That’s because time is needed to assure the problem is actually corrected. The Reliability Monitor does not correct any problems it detects. However it will offer a pathway to a possible solution to a problem.

To open the Reliability Monitor type the letters “rel” in the “Type here to search” box in the lower left corner of the screen and press the Enter key. The Reliability Monitor (View reliability history) should open. If you don’t see the “Type here to search” box, right click the Task Bar, move up to Cortana and click “Show search box.

The Reliability Monitor graph will show your performance rating as noted by a thin blue line at the top. On the right failures are shown with a red circle. Warnings are noted by yellow triangles and information by blue circles. On the left edge of the graph you can move back in time up to 1 month. The graph is segmented by days. Below the graph the details show the Source, Summary, Date and Action. Clicking a problem under Action may show either Check for a solution or View technical details.

To keep Reliability Monitor tool handy for investigating problems, right click the blank space just to the right of where it says Reliability Monitor at the top of the graph window. In the menu that appears, click “copy address”. Now go back to your Desktop screen and right click in a blank area and click “Paste shortcut”. You should see a new icon appear for the Reliability Monitor. Click it and the Reliability monitor should open.

Troubleshooting and fixing a problem can be done by typing the letters “co” in the “Type here to search box” to open the Control Panel and then clicking Troubleshooting”. Click “View all” on the upper left to see a list of possible solutions. If you don’t see Troubleshooting change the view in the upper right of the window to “Large icons”.

We will discuss this subject and answer any questions you may have at PC Club meetings held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM upstairs in the Community Center.

Technology Tips – Published November 2022 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

Microsoft has implemented this Memory Integrity feature since Version 1803 in Windows 10 and it is standard in Windows 11. Its purpose provides isolation to Windows processes running in memory to guard against malware attacks. Look at it as additional layering protection under your anti-virus program.  A simpler explanation would be when you drive up to one of our access gates you are allowed entry if you have a validated window sticker or access card. Applying the Windows technology, you are treated as potential malware until you are verified by the gate’s security reader. Once in and home, you are isolated from other things going on outside. It’s the same way for other Window’s processes running at the same time.

However, as nice as this sounds, it comes at a cost. A possible significant cost in your computer’s speed. I’ve experienced up to a 30% decrease in boot speed when I do a restart. Windows does have a Fast Startup feature that is on by default which reduces boot time from a power on start.

Since there are many variables involved, you can try this easy test to see if it is worth it to turn off Memory Integrity or to leave it on. On Windows 11, to access it, click Settings, click Privacy & Security, click Windows Security, click Device Security, click Core Isolation Details and turn off Memory Integrity. Windows 10 versions may have a slightly different path. Restart the computer and then try opening several different programs one at a time to see if the response is faster. Try restarting it to see if it boots faster. If you don’t see much change just follow the previous instructions and turn Memory Integrity back on. Wait until it checks your computer then restart it. If you decide it works better with Memory Integrity turned off, you may see a yellow badge on the Windows Security icon on the Taskbar near the clock or click the little up arrow to see it. All that means is that it is notifying you the Memory Integrity is turned off. Go back to Memory Integrity and click Dismiss.

NOTE: To evaluate this test properly, make sure you restart the computer when turning Memory Integrity off or on. Do not shut down the computer as it will invalidate the results.

Technology Tips – Published February 2017 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

Microsoft provides a way to beautify your computer screen using Themes. Themes can be described as a pictorial slide show. They consist of a group of very high quality photographs that change automatically. The timing of the photographs is adjustable by the user. They install as a background feature in Windows and don’t interfere with normal computer activities. They do replace whatever you are currently using so before you try a Theme be aware of the change. Nothing is deleted so it ends up as swapping one picture or background for another. Don’t like a Theme? You can download another or go back to what you had.

Before you install a Theme there’s one thing you must do and that is turn off your screen saver if you are using one. It turns out that these two visual features in Windows can clash with each other. To turn off the screen saver, open the Control Panel by right clicking the Start button. The Start button is the 4 pane white icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Then, left click Control Panel. When the Control Panel opens look at the “View by:” field, in the upper right part of the window and select “Large icons”. Next, click Personalization. If necessary, highlight Unsaved Theme. At the bottom right, click “Screen Saver”. In the Screen Saver window, select “(None)” and OK the window.

Here’s how to download a Theme. With the Personalization window open, at the right side click “Get more themes online”. You will then be taken to Microsoft’s Desktop Theme web site. Don’t worry they work on laptops too! Some Themes even come with sounds if you like that feature. You can scroll down the page and select any Theme that stirs your interest.

Once you have downloaded the Theme, go to your Downloads folder in File Explorer. Do this by clicking the yellow icon on the Taskbar that is shaped like a folder. Double click the Downloads folder then double click your new Theme download. It will load automatically and take you to the Personalization window in the Control Panel. Highlight, if necessary, “Unsaved Theme” by clicking once. To time the slide show click “Desktop Background” at the bottom. Select 1 Minute in the “Change picture every” field. You can select other times as well. Select “Shuffle On” to select the pictures randomly. To Delete a Theme you must save it first. Highlight it then click “Save theme” to the right then right click the theme and click Delete. However, it’s not necessary to do this to have it work properly.

Themes are a great way to beautify the screen and get rid of a boring manufacturer’s logo.

Please come to the PC Club meetings. We’ll show you how to install and adjust Themes. Also, there will be time for your general questions. We meet on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Community Center.

Technology Tips – Published January 2018 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

First, let me explain what computer networking is. For home use it’s connecting 2 or more computers together in a way that they can share files and printers. Sharing files allows you view or edit files that are on another computer. The computers can be connected either wired (Ethernet cable) or wirelessly. The wireless method that follows is the most popular.

Windows 10 makes it easy to accomplish this networking task but one thing you must do is to copy the files you want to share and paste them, depending on the type of file, in special network folders called “Public Documents”, “Public Pictures”, “Public Music”, etc. You can do this on both computers or just one depending on your needs. For example, you may have a Word file in the regular Documents folder in “computer #1” that you want to share on “computer #2”. To  allow access to that file from “computer #2”, you must first copy that file to the “Public Documents” folder on “computer #1”. Networking 2 computers only works across these “Public” folders.

To start the sharing process open the File Explorer app, a yellow folder icon located on the Taskbar.  Click the “Documents” folder, locate the file you want to copy, right click it and click “Copy”. Scroll down, if necessary, until you see “Network” at the bottom on the left side. Open the “Network” folder and click “computer #1”. Click “Users”, Click “Public”, click “Public Documents” to open that folder. Right click a blank area of this folder then, in the pop-up menu, click “Paste”. For convenience you can make a Desktop shortcut icon on either computer for access to the “Public” folders.

One note is that “computer #1” and “computer #2” are used as examples in this text. Your actual computer names will obviously be different. Also, since this is a home scenario, you can turn off password sharing. Open the Control Panel by typing “co” (no quotes) in the “Type here to search” box at bottom left, click “Network and Sharing Center” or choose “View network status and tasks”, then click “Change advanced sharing settings” at the upper left. Next, across from “All Networks”, click the little down arrow. At the bottom click “Turn off password protected sharing”.

Networking will be discussed at our January 16 session at 7 PM upstairs in the Community Center’s Ardmore room. There also will be time to answer any other questions you may have about Windows 10. Also, make sure to visit our website http:\\\\www.hersheysmill.org/ to read about the latest FIOS transition information. Type telecommunications in the Search field at upper right to see past and present information regarding the transition.