Windows 98 Tips #17



*1. LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT A SCHEDULE         
     
W. Klosinski writes, "Whenever I start my computer, Scheduled Tasks starts.
 How can I turn it off? I like to run the tasks manually and don't want the
 Task Scheduler running in the background." 

You can turn off Scheduled Tasks entirely using one quick command. First,
 select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks to open
 this application. Now just pull down the Advanced menu and select Stop
 Using Task Scheduler. The program's icon will disappear from the tray of
 your Taskbar, and the scheduler will no longer start when you
 start Windows 98. 

(To turn Scheduled Tasks back on, follow the steps above, but select
 Advanced, Start Using Task Scheduler.)


*2. WHAT'LL IT BE? A SINGLE OR A DOUBLE?         
     
Do you prefer to activate your icons with a single-click, like a Web page
 link, or with a double-click, as you've always done? Regardless of your
 preference, Windows 98 makes it easy to switch back and forth. 

Open any Explorer window (single- or double-paned), select View, Folder
 Options and take a look at the options under Windows Desktop Update.
 Select Web Style if you prefer the single-click approach. Or, to stick
 with the classic double-click, choose Classic Style. Click OK, and Windows
 applies your choice immediately. 

There are other settings that go along with the Web style or Classic style
 desktop. For example, choosing Web style places an underline under each
 icon title. In our next tip, we'll show you how to combine settings from
 both of these desktop styles....


*3. WEB, CLASSIC, OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN?         
     
In our last tip, we showed you an easy way to switch between single- and
 double-click icons: Open an Explorer window; select View, Folder Options;
 and select Web style (for single-click icons) or Classic style. We also
 pointed out that there are other settings that go along with the Web style
 or Classic style desktop. For example, choosing Web style places an
 underline under each icon title. If you want to combine settings from both
 of these desktop styles, select the third option under Windows Desktop
 Update, Custom, Based On The Settings You Choose; then click
 the Settings button. 

You'll now see the Custom Settings dialog box, where you can pick and
 choose your settings. For example, if you've selected the Web style
 desktop, but don't want all your icon titles underlined, select Underline
 Titles Only When I Point At Them. Select any other settings, as desired,
 click OK, then click Close.


*4. THERE'S MORE TO CALCULATOR THAN MEETS THE EYE         
     
When you need to do some fancy calculations, do you write off the Windows
 98 Calculator in favor of a more advanced method (like that old pocket
 model in your desk drawer)? Actually, Calculator packs a lot more punch
 than you'd think. 

Open Calculator--select Start, Programs, Accessories, Calculator--and
 select View, Scientific. Whoa!


*5. Just Say No

When you hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete, you'll see a list of what's running on your
 system. Chances are, you'll discover drivers and programs running that you
 don't need or want. To find out, launch the Win98 System Configuration
 utility by typing MSCONFIG in the Run command line and pressing Enter.
 Click on the StartUp tab and deselect the items you think you might be
 able to live without. Click on OK and reboot. If you later realize you
 need one of the items you deselected, go back and reselect it.


*6. Find Problems

Launch the Microsoft System Information (MSI) utility from
 Start/Accessories/System Tools/System Information, click through each item
 and look for the message, "This device has a problem." If you see it,
 check into the problem and seek a remedy.


*7. HIGH SCHOOL MATH REFRESHER         
     
In our last tip, we showed you how to transform a seemingly simple
 calculator into a scientific tool: Select Start, Programs, Accessories,
 Calculator; then select View, Scientific. Not sure what each of these new
 buttons does? All you have to do is ask. Right-click any button and click
 What's This to display a description of that button. 

(Tip-in-a-tip: Did you know you can navigate the Calculator without any
 help from the mouse? Right-click any button, select What's This, and below
 its description, you'll see a keyboard equivalent.)


*8. MEMORIES....         
     
Just complete a calculation (in the Windows 98 Calculator), the result of
 which you'd like to insert into another? Don't waste time writing it down.
 Store it in memory, so you can insert it into the next equation at the
 click of a button. 

With the number you'd like to store in memory displayed in Calculator,
 click the MS button. (An M appears in the gray box above all the 'M'
 buttons.) Now go ahead with the other calculation, and when you need to
 insert the stored number, press the MR button. 

(Tips-in-a-tip: To clear the number in memory, press the MC button. Or,
 press MS to overwrite the number in memory with the currently displayed
 number. To add the currently displayed number to the one in memory, press

 the M+ button, then press MR to display the result.)


*9. A HANDY REFERENCE         
     
Two tips ago, we pointed out that each button in the Windows 98 Calculator
 applet (Standard or Scientific view) has a keyboard equivalent. To view
 this equivalent, right-click any button and click the What's This button.
 What we forgot to mention is that you can print a list of all Calculator
 keyboard equivalents to use as a reference (at least until you commit them
 all to memory!). 

Open Calculator and select Help, Help Topics. On the Contents tab, select
 Tips And Tricks, then select Use Keyboard Equivalents Of Calculator
 buttons. Inside the Calculator Help window, select Options, Print, and
 with Print The Current Page selected, click OK. Adjust your printer
 options, if necessary, click OK one more time, and there's your list. 

(And just by the way, you can use this command--Options, Print--to print
 any Windows 98 Help topic.)


*10. EDGE-TO-EDGE HELP         
     
If you're navigating your way through Windows Help and come across a
 fairly long topic, chances are you'll want to expand that window to a
 full-screen view. Then, you can view as much of that topic as possible at
 once and avoid all that unnecessary scrolling. 

But wait. Want a true full-screen view of that topic? Before maximizing the
 Help window, click the Hide button (in the upper-left corner). The entire
 left pane, including the Contents, Index, and Search tabs, disappears.
 Maximize that window now, and Help extends from one edge of the screen
 to the other
