Frequent Solutions
This area may always be
under construction since the dynamics of computing are mercurial at best. The
solutions offered are those we have used with success. No warranty, or guarantee, of
any type is made regarding these solutions. Any user applying one, or all, assumes
the risk that they may lose data as a result. We urge every computer user,
regardless of the nature of what is stored on your hard drive, to back up your data files
regularly and often. Backup before you apply any of the solutions below!!
Remember, there are only two types of computer users in the world, those that have lost
data, and those about to.
Table of Contents
- Microsoft® Windows XP® Service Pack 2 - Should a business deploy it?
- My Computer is Behaving Strangely...What Do I Do?
- Lost Mouse, how do I close ... ?
- Where can I find information on S.CO.O.P.S.?
- How do I know if I am using licensed software?
- Who are "the authors" referenced in S.CO.O.P.S.?
- What is a cursor?
- When is it appropriate to just turn off a PC?
Microsoft® Windows XP® Service Pack 2 - Should a business deploy it?
Service Pack 2 for Windows XP® represents a major overhaul of the operating system. We recommend waiting two months before deploying Service Pack 2 in your network. This will allow the corrections to be integrated to the 260+MB download. We have authored two documents that you should read and keep at hand. The documents are available in PDF and Word 97 formats. A new window will open when you click on the respective link.
- Windows XP SP2 Impact & Recovery
Links You Should Have for SP2
Acrobat Reader® Acrobat Reader®
Microsoft® Word Microsoft® Word
Note: The links in the PDF documents are inactive.
My Computer is Behaving Strangely...What Do I Do?
In today's Internet environment the reasons can be many. Fixes can be easy on one hand and terribly complex on the other. Hopefully our document will make fixing it a little easier. My Computer is Behaving Strangely PDF.
Lost Mouse, how do I close ... ?
Microsoft® has seen to it that there is a way out. Hold down the ALT key and press the F4 key. This will close the window that has focus. Continue until you get the shutdown window.
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Where can I find S.CO.O.P.S.? Click the icon below.
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How do I know if I am using licensed software?
There is no way to tell from the software itself. Proper licensing of Microsoft software products is proven by the license certificate that accompanied the product, or that was purchased as a multi-user license. Other products require that the software be registered by mail or the Internet. New PCs should be accompanied by the original manuals and CDs and diskettes that contain the software installed on the PC. If you don't receive them, there is a good chance the software is not properly licensed.
Under no circumstances should you accept a vendor's explanation that your licenses are covered by their "umbrella" or distributor's license. None of the major software manufacturers have such a licensing program. Be safe - insist that you receive originals for software and manuals. You will need them if you need to restore the software to your computer.
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Who are "the authors" referenced in S.CO.O.P.S.?
Mike Stanek and Mac McDowell
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What is a cursor ?
A cursor is usually a vertical line (|) or i-beam (I) that appears in an input field. You can move the cursor within a field with the arrow keys on the keyboard. You can relocate the cursor to another field by putting the mouse pointer on the desired field and clicking the left mouse button. You can use the tab key on the keyboard to jump from one field to the next.
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When is it appropriate to just turn off a PC?
The mouse pointer does not move, there is no response to ALT + F4 key combination and the num-lock light does not go off and on by pressing the num-lock button on the keyboard. Be sure to give the system enough time to complete a task - no less than two minutes.