Windows Watcher

I'm on vacation ... by Tom S. Bair Jr.

My wife and I are on vacation. We worked hard the week before to get caught up on computer repairs, and have several jobs yet to do when we return. I even managed to get all the tips for this month's column tested and written. But I ran out of time before I found myself on vacation.

So here I am at the beach, writing the opening paragraph for this column while watching my wife play in the surf. The feel of sand and salt water rushing over her bare toes as she listens to the waves crashing on to the beach brings a wide smile to her face. Yet while my other half gleefully kicks water everywhere, I sit here working.

I've thought of leads such as being able to watch a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean while working on my laptop. Or of being away from home, yet still being in touch with the world when I choose.

But these topics just didn't seem to excite me at all. So I called out to my wife, "Help me! I can't think of an opening for my column."

"Tell them you're on vacation," she yells back. Then she squeals in delight as a wave rolls in and kisses her knees. I can't help but smile. I'm on vacation.

Specify A Download Directory

[W95][W98][SE][NT4] Have you chosen not to be prompted for a location to which to save a file type when downloading the file? Did you accidentally uncheck the "Always ask before opening this type of file" box during the start of a download? Are you exasperated that files are being downloaded to your Temporary Internet Files folder and then opened, instead of being saved to a folder of your specification? Do you want that ability back, but don't know how to get it? Follow the steps below:

1. Double-click on the 'My Computer' icon on your desktop.
2. Left-click on 'View' in the window's menu bar.
3. Click on 'Folder Options'.
4. Click on the 'File Types' tab.
5. In the "Registered File Types" box, scroll down and click on the file type you wish to be prompted for a download folder destination.
6. Click the 'Edit' button.
7. Click on the check box next to "Confirm Open After Download" so that a check mark appears in the box.
8. Click on the 'OK' button.
9. Click once more on the 'OK' button in the next window.

Hide Font Variations

[W95][W98][SE] A Computer Bits reader asked me if there might not be a way to hide all the variations of each font listed in the Fonts folder in Control Panel. She often needs to change her font, and finds it distracting to be presented with more than just the font names.

You can hide the variation clutter (bold, italic, bold italic) and show only the names of the fonts you have by:

1. Click on Start|Settings|Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the 'Fonts' icon.
3. Click on 'View' in the window's menu bar.
4. Click on 'Hide Variations'.

You will see a less cluttered font folder from now on. If you ever need to get the font variations back, just repeat the above steps.

Check W95 For Corrupted Files

[W95] I've had several complaints from readers about the lack of a Windows 98 System File Checker in Windows 95. Although you cannot run the W98 SFC in W95, you can check for changed or corrupted files in Windows 95 by doing the following:

1. Insert the Windows 95 Installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Click on 'Start'.
3. Click on 'Run'.
4. In the dialog box, type X:\setup. Replace the X with the letter of your CD-ROM drive.
5. Click the 'OK' button.
6. A routine check of your system will be performed, and then you will see the "Run Setup Again?" dialog box.
7. Click on the first option, "Restore Changed or Corrupted Files".
8. Click on the 'Next' button.

The Setup Wizard will check the files on your PC. If any are faulty, you will be presented with a prompt to either replace or ignore the file. Click on the 'Replace' button. Once finished, reboot your PC several times to insure that no ill effects have developed from replacing the files.

Register Without Registering

[W98][SE] I've been asked by readers over the past few years how to make Windows 98 think it is registered. I have been reluctant to give out such information for fear of dishonest people using the technique to pirate Microsoft's operating system.

Recently I was asked by a reader how to use the Microsoft Windows 98 Update Site to download files marked "for registered users only" without having to go through the long process of registering. After considering the fact that I use this method frequently because I am often formatting and re-installing Windows 98 on my test PCs, I've decided to share the procedure with my readers. I trust you will not use this information for any illegal purposes.

1. Left-click on the 'Start' button.
2. Click on 'Run'.
3. In the dialog box, type regedit and press the 'Enter' key.
4. In the left pane of the RegEdit window click on the plus (+) box to the left of 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'.
5. In the sub listing which now appears under 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE', click on the + box next to 'Software'.
6. Click on the + box next to 'Microsoft'.
7. Locate and click on the + box next to 'Windows'. You may need to scroll down a bit in the sub listing to find it.
8. You will see 'CurrentVersion' listed twice in the 'Windows' sub listing. Only one of them has a + box to the left of it. Click on the folder icon which appears between the + box and the registry name.
9. In the right pane, locate and click on the name 'RegDone'.
10. Click on 'Edit' in the window's menu bar.
11. Highlight and click on 'Modify' in the drop-down commands menu.
12. In the "Edit String" box, type 1 in the dialog box beneath "Value Data:".
13. Click the 'OK' button.
14. Verify that a numerical one (1) appears in parentheses under the "Data" section next to the "Name" key of "RegDone".
15. Click on 'Registry' in the window's menu bar.
16. Click on 'Exit' in the drop-down commands menu.