05 Jun 00 - 09:50 PM (#238633) Subject: Computer Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm a computer cretin. If it doesn't have step by step instructions laid out for me I'm lost. Recently I have experienced 2 problems that I really need help with. 1. For some unexplained reason, my Internet Explorer no longer displays graphics. I have to right click on the box and then left click on "Show Picture". Please, can anyone help me to get my Graphics back? 2. Whilst typing a response to a thread here, (believe it or not I do touch type) I inadvertantly hit a couple of wrong keys somewhere down on the right hand lower part of the keyboard and my toolbar/address bar has changed dramatically. Can anyone please help me restore it to it's former format? Yours in anticipation, Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 09:53 PM (#238638) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST Try right-clicking on the top of the toolbar and check what toolbars are available; if you have to, click customize. If you cant see any toolbar hit F11, just incase you accidentally full-screened it. |
05 Jun 00 - 09:55 PM (#238639) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST Sorry, I misunderstood you, I think. Tools/Internet options/Advanced Mulitmedia - Show pictures (tick this one), and hit apply!! |
05 Jun 00 - 10:01 PM (#238644) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST On your 'links' toolbar, you have a 'toggle images exe' button. You can use this to help in reloading pages that you already know the graphic content of, or don't want to know!!! Hit 'Toggle Images.exe' then hit 'refresh' or F5 |
05 Jun 00 - 10:02 PM (#238645) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy GUEST, I have a toolbar but it only shows the following: Links, Back, file, edit, view, favourites, tools, help, and the address box. I have to click on a little double arrow next to "Back" in order to bring up a scroll which show all the other options that were on my original toolbar, ie: forward, history, home, search, mail, print, stop etc. I tried your suggestions but to no avail. Cheers Bugsy ps. When I said I was a computer cretin, I wasn't joking. |
05 Jun 00 - 10:03 PM (#238646) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul For your toolbars, if F11 doesn't bring it back then hit F11 again to switch back, right-click the toolbar area, and check the ones you want (probably Standard Buttons, Address Bar and Links). PA |
05 Jun 00 - 10:05 PM (#238647) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Sorcha Bugs, try holding the mouse over the bottom of the address bar until you get a veritcal line with an arrow point on each end. Then, left click/hold down and drag your address bar towards the bottom of your screen until the rest of the tool bar shows up. Can't help with the graphics. Have you tried re-booting? Meaning, shut down and re start? |
05 Jun 00 - 10:06 PM (#238648) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy done all that, no change.
cheers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:07 PM (#238649) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST What version of explorer have you, or are you a Netscape man. Either way try following the 'links' for a while, to see where they go. Either way, the 'Advanced' internet options should restore the pictures. That's IE5, anyway (can't remember now what 4 was like!!) |
05 Jun 00 - 10:08 PM (#238650) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy Sorcha, THANK YOU!!!!! the toolbar is now back to normal. Only the graphics to go. You don't think it might be a VIRUS!?!?! do you???
Cheers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:10 PM (#238652) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy I'm using Microsoft Internet Explorer. I also have netscape and that is showing graphics ok. It's just a lot slower than Explorer. Maybe I should go to Microsoft page and update my Explorer.?? CHeers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:10 PM (#238653) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST Also, Bugsy, on a side note. Defragment the disk regularly. It's surprising how quickly the computer forgets where it put things. Bit like us really!! |
05 Jun 00 - 10:14 PM (#238654) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST I have no probs with IE5 (exvept Outlook Express!!), but it is an improvement on earlier versions (IMHO). If you have Win 98, in your System information, you have an internet explorer repair tool. Either way I would recommend you fix the problem first before you install something over the top of it. Just my suggestions. |
05 Jun 00 - 10:15 PM (#238655) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul To repeat Guest's question, what version do you have? You can check under Help-About Internet Explorer. Might your hard drive be drastically low on space? PA |
05 Jun 00 - 10:15 PM (#238656) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy DEFRAGMENT THE DISC??!!! wha..who... HOW???
Cheers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:17 PM (#238657) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy I have Explorer 5. How do I check out if I am low on space?? Cheers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:18 PM (#238659) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter I'd reboot first. If you haven't done it before it will take awhile. Also in system tools you'll find Scandisk. I recommend running it first. |
05 Jun 00 - 10:20 PM (#238660) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST I forget win 95, but on win98 it's Start/Programs/System Tools/ Disk defragmenter. Hell, if it's that bad, do the 'Maintenance wizard', or at least 'Scan Disk' before Defrag. |
05 Jun 00 - 10:20 PM (#238661) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy Ok - I'll log off and try what you suggest Pene. and thank you all for your help to date. See you soon Cheers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:21 PM (#238662) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul Check that hard drive space. If you're very low you're system might not have enough to use as virtual memory, which might be causing your problem. Open "My Computer", right click C: and click properties (provided that C is your HDD which it probably is). |
05 Jun 00 - 10:25 PM (#238665) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy no problem with hard drive, still have only 25% of space used, 5.29 gigs left, Cheers Bugsy |
05 Jun 00 - 10:26 PM (#238666) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST Low on space?: My Computer/Hard Disk (C?). Right click on HD and click Properties. Either way, empty the Temporary Internet files folder regularly. |
05 Jun 00 - 10:28 PM (#238668) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST Talkin' over ourselves Pene? *BG* I'm glad you don't have to run Drive Space anyway. That could have been a nightmare!!! |
05 Jun 00 - 10:28 PM (#238671) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul Definitely not the HDD space. Did you try both suggestions that Guest gave, through Tools and the >> next to links? |
05 Jun 00 - 10:34 PM (#238674) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul I think we're just about singing in unison, Guest :^) They shouldn't even include Drive Space any more--can be big trouble. |
05 Jun 00 - 10:42 PM (#238680) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST,Starfish Agreed. When I clean installed Win 98 at first, I inadvertently turned everything to FAT32. Program failures all over the place. There should be a health warning about 'optimizers' |
05 Jun 00 - 10:44 PM (#238683) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Jon Freeman I'm just watching (sorry Bugsy - but it looks to me you have got 2 good advisors and probably better than me already). Pene, I have had first hand experience of drive space and trouble. I knew better but didn't back up and when it screwed, I lost 2 years worth of personal writing and thousands of lines of (mainly) Pascal code that I had written. Jon |
05 Jun 00 - 10:45 PM (#238684) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST,Starfish I can just see Bugsy's little black boxes and white spaces, turn glorious dark blue. That should be the image for the evening!! |
05 Jun 00 - 10:49 PM (#238685) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST,Starfish "You should never go anywhere without your Floppy" James Dean 1952 |
05 Jun 00 - 11:27 PM (#238701) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST,Starfish Bugsy, Just another 'recommendation' if I may. If you are going off to 'Windows Update', they will 'analyse' your system to see what you HAVEN'T got in the line of updates etc. |
06 Jun 00 - 12:13 AM (#238732) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Sorcha Bugs, they forgot to tell you that after you de-frag your computer, you need to shut down and re start for the de frag to take effect. |
06 Jun 00 - 12:34 AM (#238747) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul I don't think you really have to reboot for it to take effect, but I always reboot before and after. (Actually I use Norton Speedisk instead.) Also, don't run any other programs while you're defragging. Nice goin' on the toolbar thing, Sorch. PA |
06 Jun 00 - 01:24 AM (#238781) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: WyoWoman The only time I tried to defrag my hard drive was the day before my laptop went belly up. It is now at the computer techs getting a new hard drive. I know the two probably are not connected, that the little Presario died because I plunked it down too hard on the floorboard of my car when I was moving. But ... I just don't have the nerve to try to defrag again. I'm a'feered I'll screw up something essential again and I can't afford, in time or money, to be without my computers again... So, if I be a good grrrrl and defrag, what are the ways I can really screw myself up and how do I avoid them? WW |
06 Jun 00 - 01:42 AM (#238791) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul You should definitely run Scandisk (or similar) on your computer and defragment on a regular basis. If you don't you're asking for trouble. I've been thinking about posting some tips. One of these days I'll organize some thoughts and post 'em. We have quite a few computer savvy 'catters who I'm sure could contribute. I don't consider myself an expert. I recommend being very leery of self-proclaimed experts. My dad always taught me that "an expert is someone who learns more and more about less and less until knowing everything about nothing." That might be a paraphrase from someone famous. Anyone know? PA |
06 Jun 00 - 01:49 AM (#238795) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: WyoWoman Yeah, my dad. |
06 Jun 00 - 02:18 AM (#238802) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul Always regularly back up your data, including favorites/bookmarks, address books and anything else that you don't want to lose. I always back up important stuff at least twice. If possible, back up your entire system. Your computer could crash any time--treat your data as such. Also, make sure you know where your system and/or recovery, applications, and device driver (like video, sound, printer, scanner, etc.) disks are. Some device drivers may be on your recovery and/or system CD. When possible, make backup copies. A couple of important ones for now. PA |
06 Jun 00 - 02:35 AM (#238808) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy Well, - I defrag'd my disc, unscumbled my snudger, and twanked my dillo. AND IT ALL WORKS!!!!!!!!!! So how often do i Defrag my Doodad in future? Cheers Bugsy. |
06 Jun 00 - 02:43 AM (#238813) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul Great, Bugsy. It's still possible that you have a problem that could come back, but I'm glad it's working now. If you download or save and erase stuff frequently, you might want to defrag a couple of times a week. I'd say at least every other week in any case. Always run scandisk before you defrag and follow the advice above. Let me know if you have more trouble. PA |
06 Jun 00 - 02:46 AM (#238815) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy Thank you everyone for your swift and effective advise. I know where to come if I have any more trouble. CHeers Bugsy |
06 Jun 00 - 07:21 PM (#239120) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: GUEST,Starfish Pene is absolutely right when he says that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Self proclaimed, and non self proclaimed 'experts' abound. To avoid such confusion, a subscription to some of the FREE newsletters at, for example, Winmag.com is a valuable addition to anyone's inbox. There they have 'windows tips' newsletters, The famous 'Langa List', Broadband forums, etc. I'm sure Pene would agree that these kind of newsletters provide probably the best kind of information. It is always better to have one 'expert' to explain these things, than to receive a potential conflicting set of instructions from several non-experts. |
06 Jun 00 - 08:23 PM (#239142) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: WyoWoman I didn't even know you COULD back up your bookmarks. How does one do that? ww |
06 Jun 00 - 08:53 PM (#239156) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Pene Azul If your using relatively new versions in Win 95 or 98 and you installed in the default directories in drive C (as is usually the case): In Netscape: Open the folder c:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\default If you created a different user profile substitute that user name for default Back up the file bookmark.htm In IE5: Back up the folder c:\windows\Favorites If you're using floppies, it might be too big for one, so you might need to copy some folders to another floppy. On the Mac, you should be able to "find" bookmarks or favorites and proceed similarly. PA |
06 Jun 00 - 09:23 PM (#239167) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: little john cameron Jings guys an' gals,mah heids fair birlin' noo' Ye've got me feart tae touch oney o' the keys in case ah screw up. John McParanoid Cameron. |
06 Jun 00 - 10:34 PM (#239173) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: WyoWoman Funny. I was feeling strangely empowered ... Thanks, guys. ww |
06 Jun 00 - 10:53 PM (#239179) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: catspaw49 The first time I dumped all those temp files, history folder, ran scan, and defragged, I felt like a wizard!!! I still have no idea what I'm doing most times, but its like washing your car or something........Ever notice how much better your car "runs" after a good wash job? Bugsy, you, me, and WW will never be computer whizzes, but its a great feeling to think you've kicked its virtual ass isn't it? Spaw |
06 Jun 00 - 10:56 PM (#239181) Subject: RE: BS: Computor Cretin Needs HELP!!! From: Bugsy Sure is! Cheers Bugsy |