Computer Tips
General


PROBLEM: You know how to have Microsoft Word automatically create a backup copy of any document whenever you make changes to that document (check Always create backup copy under Tools, Options, Save, then click on OK). Excel doesn't seem tohave the same feature, though.

SOLUTION: You have to set the option for each Excel workbook. To set it before a new workbook has been saved, select File, then choose Save As instead of Save. Click on the dialog box's Tools button, then click on the General Options button. Check the Always create backup box, click on OK, then Save.

To activate the option for a previously saved workbook, follow the same initial procedure. When Excel prompts "The file<filename>.xls already exists. Do you want to replace the existing file?" click on Yes. Excel then creates a backup copy in the form "Backup of <filename>.xlk".



PROBLEM: You set up Windows 98 SE's Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature, but now whenever you use NetMeeting you can't share applications, use the whiteboard, chat, or transfer files.

SOLUTION: The best workaround to this common problem is to temporarily disable ICS on the host computer. First, run the Internet Connections applet in the Control Panel. Click on the Connections tab, click on the Sharing button, and clear the Enable Internet Connection Sharing check box. Click on OK, then click on OK once more.

Use the technique to open several links in quick succession. Then, while the most recently selected pages download in their separate windows, you can review the pages you selected first.



If you want to keep files-or even folders full of files-from prying eyes, just right-click on each file and select Hidden
in the Attributes box at the bottom of the Properties dialog. To see the files you've hidden, double-click on My Computer, select View/Options, click on the View tab and select Show All Files.


You can select a bunch of files by clicking near them and dragging the mouse pointer over them. If you do that with
the right mouse button, however, you automatically get a context menu that offers the Open, Send To, Cut, Copy,
Delete, Rename, Create Shortcut and Properties commands.


If you're using the Task Scheduler to automate disk maintenance and other tasks, here's how to make sure you know if one of your scheduled tasks didn't happen. Open the Task Scheduler by double clicking on the system tray icon and select "Notify me of missed tasks" from the Advanced menu.

Comment                                       Home Page                                       Topics