Windows 95 Tips #8



*1.   BE A DOS EXPLORER          
          
March 22nd, 1999          
          
Last time, we showed you how to open a folder window from a DOS prompt.
Today, how about we show you how to open an Explorer window from the
DOS prompt? 

We thought you'd be interested. 

1. At the command prompt, type "start ." (without the quotation marks;
	be sure to put a space between "start" and the period). 
2. Press Enter. 

Windows opens an Explorer window, focussed on the current directory. DOS
and Windows, working in concert. If these two can get along, world peace
can't be far off.


*2.   SAVED BY THE *.REG FILE--PART 1 OF 2      
  
Frequently, we run tips that involve editing the Windows 95 Registry. And
whenever we do, we stress that it's a good idea to back up your Registry
files--System.dat and User.dat, which are hidden files on the root of
your hard drive--first. Another way to back up the Registry involves using
the Registry Editor to export all or part of the Registry to a *.reg file.
This information can then be restored to your system quite easily. In
today's tip, we show you how to perform a complete or partial
Registry backup. 

Open the Registry Editor--select Start, Run, type 

regedit 

and click OK. Assuming you want to back up the entire Registry, select
Registry, Export Registry File, navigate to wherever you'd like to store
the backup file (for example, the desktop, for easy access) and type a name
for the file. Select All under Export Range, then click Save. The result
is a *.reg file in the location you specified. 

If you'd prefer to back up only part of the Registry--for example, the key
you'll be editing--you can do that, too. It takes a little less time than a
full backup, and the result is a much smaller *.reg file. Assuming you've
already navigated to and selected the key you'll be working on, select
Registry, Export Registry File, navigate your way to a destination folder,
name the file, and click Save. (You'll notice that Selected Branch will be
selected for you, under Export Range.)


*3.   SAVED BY THE *.REG FILE--PART 2 OF 2      
  
In our last tip, we showed you how to use the Registry Editor to make full
or partial Registry backups: Open the Registry, select Registry, Export
Registry File; navigate to wherever you'd like to store the backup file;
type a name for the file; select All or Selected Range under Export Range;
and click Save. 

Now let's suppose you've made a mistake while editing the Registry, or
 you've made a change you want to undo. Rather than messing around trying
to correct your mistake, simply restore the backed up information from the
*.reg file. Double-click the *.reg file, click Yes to confirm that you want
to restore this information, then click OK when the operation is complete.
Or, if you're already inside the Registry Editor, select Registry, Import
Registry File under Registry, select the *.reg file, and click Open.


*4.   FASTER, CD, FASTER          
          
March 23rd, 1999          
          
You've still got a double-speed CD-ROM drive--which wouldn't be so bad if
you didn't have to wait so darn long to install programs from the drive. Or
endure choppy multimedia performance. Or have to listen to your friends
say, "Why don't you loosen up and get a new CD-ROM drive, for the love
of Mike?" 

Okay, so it IS bad. But you can make the thing go faster without
spending a cent: 

1. Right-click the My Computer icon and choose Properties from the
	shortcut menu. 
2. Click the Performance tab. 
3. Click the File System button. 
4. Click the CD-ROM tab. 
5. Set Optimize Access Pattern For to Quad Speed or Higher. 
6. Click Apply and Close; click OK. 
7. Click Yes to restart your computer. 

Your CD will run faster. Trust us.


*5.   LEARN WHAT THE INTERNET IS ALL ABOUT          
          
March 24th, 1999          
          
How many Internet servers do you have to pass through to connect to a
particular Web site? Windows 95 includes a slick little program called
Trace Route that lets you find out. To use Trace Route: 

1. Make sure you're connected to your Internet service provider (ISP). 
2. Click the Start button and choose Programs + MS-DOS Prompt. 
3. At the prompt, type "tracert" (without the quotation marks), followed by
	a space, followed by the URL of the site you want to trace
	(for example, www.snap.com). 
4. Press Enter. 

Now sit back and watch as Trace Route lists every server connection--and
the time it takes to establish the connection--from your ISP to the site
itself. Not only is Trace Route cool, but it also shows you whether any of
the servers in the chain are down, thereby preventing access.


*6.   IT'S A WRAP     
 
If you open Notepad--Start, Programs, Accessories, Notepad--and start
typing, you'll notice that the text just keeps going (and going... and
going...) to the right. Why? Because Notepad's Word Wrap option is turned
off by default. If you want Notepad to start your text at the beginning of
the next line whenever you reach the right edge of the window,
just select Edit, Word Wrap. 

(Note: Once the Word Wrap option is on, feel free to size your Notepad
window up or down. Notepad adjusts the text inside so that you can see it
all, regardless of the size of the window.)


*7.   GO TEAM WINDOWS!       
  
Have some time to kill? Heard about Easter Eggs (hidden tricks inside
software programs), but never actually experienced one? Make sure your
speakers are on and try this: 

Right-click the desktop, select New Folder, type 

and now, the moment you've all been waiting for 

then press Enter. Right-click this new folder, select Rename, type 

we proudly present for your viewing pleasure 

and press Enter. Right-click this folder, select Rename, type 

The Microsoft Windows 95 Product Team! 

Double-click this folder and presto! You'll see the names of the people on
the Windows 95 Product Team flying by to music. Neat-o, eh? (Note: If it
doesn't work, try again. You may have made a typo. Also, the last step
is case-sensitive.)


*8.   WHO STOLE MY WINDOWS 95?          
          
March 25th, 1999          
          
It all seemed innocent enough--after all, you just went to lunch. But when
you came back, the Windows desktop you left was replaced with a dark
screen. You KNOW you didn't shut down the computer; the power light is
still on. What's going on? 

The Automatic Power Management feature of Windows 95 has shut down your
monitor--and many of your computer's other components--while you were gone.
Why, you ask? To conserve energy and reduce unnecessary wear on your
system. (Now, isn't that nice?) 

To turn everything back on again, just press Esc OR move your mouse on the
mousepad. After a little clicking and whirring, everything comes back.


*9.   RECYCLE YOUR FLOPPIES--PART 1 OF 2      
  
If you discover a floppy disk full of files you'll never use again, don't
throw it away. Assuming you know the disk is still in good condition (if
you aren't sure, stay tuned for our next tip), recycle it. 

With the disk in your floppy drive, double-click My Computer, then
right-click your floppy drive icon and select Format. Select Quick
(Erase) and type a label for the disk, if you want (up to 11 characters).
Click OK, wait for a message telling you the operation is complete, click
OK, then click Close. Now stick a fresh, clean label on that disk.
It's good as new! 

In our next tip, performing a full format....


*10.   RECYCLE YOUR FLOPPIES--PART 2 OF 2      
  
In our last tip, we showed you how to wipe a floppy disk clean of all
files for easy recycling: With the disk in your floppy drive,
double-click My Computer, right-click your floppy drive icon and select
Format, Quick (Erase), and click OK. If you aren't sure that the disk is
error-free, or if you have a disk that you know needs complete
reformatting (such as one that was formatted for a Macintosh system),
you'll want to perform a full format to ensure that the disk is
safe to use. 

Follow the steps above, but inside the Format dialog box, select Full
under format type. Type a label for the disk, if you want (up to 11
characters) and click OK. Windows 95 will now wipe the disk clean, check
it for errors, and prepare it for file storage.
