Windows Watcher

Opening the mail bag ... by Tom S. Bair Jr.

This month I'd like to share some e-mail with you. It is common for readers of this column to let me know alternative methods of performing tips I've mentioned, and two excellent examples of this follow.

Benjamin expands on my advice by writing, "In regards to your advice in the Jan 01 issue regarding modems with v-mail systems. Having done dialup support for more than a year, I have run across situations where disabling the 'wait for dial tone' feature actually prevents the modem from dialing out. The modem doesn't wait for the phone line to prepare for an outgoing call and therefore the first few digits of the number don't hit an open line.

However there is hope. If you access the properties of the dialup connection in question (in the Dialup Networking folder) and enter two or three commas directly preceding the access number this places a pause (one second for each comma) before the modem starts to dial. Doing this may bypass the beeps or distinctive ring that call waiting puts on the line."

Normally commas are used to place a delay between the number used to access an outside line in a business, and the phone number to be dialed. Ben shows us a way to fix modems connected to v-mail using commas.

I mentioned in the tip 'Booting PC to MS-DOS (December 2000 issue of Computer Bits) that the latest version of TweakUI (v 1.33) does not have a Boot tab, and you would not be able to use this tip.

Mark Neuhaus has informed me of an alternative 'Boot to DOS' method for users of TweakUI v 1.33. Mark writes, "You say TweakUI v 1.33 no longer has a Boot tab? I'm sure you are aware of a simple way to boot directly to DOS. Just insert BootGUI=0 into the [OPTIONS] section of msdos.sys."

Thanks, Mark. I had forgotten that you can edit msdos.sys to boot directly to DOS.

And thanks to all of you who write to share your tips and knowledge! I really enjoy getting e-mail from readers showing me improved ways of performing tips I have published in this column.

Faster File/Folder Move

[95/98/SE/ME] Most folks will use Explorer's Drag-n-Drop method to move a file or folder from one location to another. But did you know there is an easier and faster way to do this? Use 'Send To' by:

1. Right-click on the item to be moved.
2. In the pop-up command menu, highlight the 'Send-To' option.
3. A list of locations will pop-up in a menu. Select the location you wish to use by clicking on it.

Sort Programs Alphabetically

[98/SE/ME] Do you want to have the items in your Start menu's 'Programs' folder to appear in alphabetical order? Whenever you install a new program, it gets shoved in at the bottom of this list. Soon your list becomes all jumbled up. Here's how to get that list back in order.

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Highlight 'Programs' and right-click on the word 'Accessories.'
3. Click on 'Sort By Name' in the pop-up command menu.

All your programs and folders will be arranged in alphabetical order. This is a good tip for new users to try on their PCs.

Cleanup QuickLaunch Toolbar

[SE/ME] Wendy Reed wants to know how to remove items from her QuickLaunch Toolbar. Seems she installed a program, and it decided for her that an icon was needed in her QuickLaunch Toolbar. She feels otherwise, and wants to be rid of it.

There are two ways to delete the icon. The first method is to click and drag the icon to the Recycle Bin. Then later, if you decide you really do need that icon (and you haven't emptied your Recycle Bin) you can drag it back to the QuickLaunch Toolbar.

The second method is quicker and permanent. Right-click on the icon and then click on 'Delete' in the pop-up command menu. Wham! It's gone for good.

Change Default CD Player

[95/98/SE/ME] Windows Media Player and Real Player like to duke it out to make itself the default CD Player. Yet both take longer to load than Windows' default CD Player. Have you ever just wanted to listen to your favorite CD without all the fancy graphics? Try switching back to CD Player.

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Highlight 'Settings' and click on 'Control Panel.'
3. Click on the 'Folder Options' icon.
4. Click on the 'File Types' tab.
5. Scroll down to "AudioCD" and click on it.
6. Click on the 'Advanced' button.
7. Click on the word "Play" in the 'Actions:' box.
8. Click on the 'Edit' button.
9. In the box under "Application used to perform action:" type C:\WINDOWS\cdplayer.exe
10. Click on the 'OK' button.
11. Again, click on the 'OK' button.
12. Click on the 'Close' button.

Device Manager Shortcut

[98/SE/ME] I showed you how to place a Device Manager shortcut on your Start menu in the September 1999 column. Now I'd like to show you how to place a Device Manager shortcut directly on your desktop.

1. Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop.
2. Highlight 'New' and click on 'Shortcut.'
3. In the 'Command line:" box type, C:\WINDOWS\CONTROL.EXE Sysdm.cpl, System,1
4. Click on the 'Next' button.
5. Under "Select a name for this shortcut:" type Device Manager
6. Click on the 'Finish' button.

Disable Floppy Drive Seek

[95/98/SE/ME] When you turn your computer on, Windows will scan your hardware to see if a new floppy drive was added since it last ran. You can speed up your Windows boot-up by disabling the search for a new floppy drive.

1. Right-click on the 'My Computer' icon located on your desktop.
2. Click on 'Properties' in the pop-up command menu.
3. Click on the 'Performance' tab.
4. Under "Advanced settings," click on the 'File System' button.
5. Click on the 'Floppy Disk' tab.
6. Uncheck the box that says "Search for new floppy disk drives each time your computer starts."
7. Click on the 'OK' button twice.

Clipboard Viewer on Desktop

[98/SE/ME] Clipboard Viewer is a handy utility you can use to look at what's on the clipboard before you paste its contents into a document. You can also save the clipboard contents to a .clp file for use later in other documents or e-mail.

Normally you access this utility by clicking on Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Clipboard Viewer. That's a lot of mouse clicking for someone like me who uses this utility several times a day. So let's put a shortcut on our Desktop to access Clipboard Viewer in a single click.

1. Click on the 'Start' button.
2. Highlight 'Programs', 'Accessories', and 'System Tools.'
3. Right-click the 'Clipboard Viewer' icon.
4. In the pop-up command menu, highlight 'Send To.'
5. Click on 'Desktop (Create shortcut).