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In last week's computer tip I showed you how to backup your Outlook Express emails. This week I'll show you how to make a backup copy of your Outlook Express Address book (Outlook Express actually uses the Windows Address Book as it address book, so technically it's two separate things).

Here are the steps for Windows XP:

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Search
3. A window will appear that will give you option on what to search for. Click on All Files and Folders
4. The next option will ask you what criteria to search by. In the white box that says "All of part of the file name" type *.wab and then click on More advanced options. Put a check in the box that says "Search hidden files and folders"
5. Click on the Search button. This will start the search and soon will display all the "Windows Address Book" files.
6. Once the search has completed you will see at least one address book file. You can now right-click on this file and copy it. Then you can paste it on a USB flash drive or even burn it to a CD. If there is more than one address book file it means that these might belong to other users of this computer. You can also back these up copying them.

Hope you find this tip useful.

Next week we will cover Outlook backup.

Have you had your computer serviced recently? Call us on 0402 936 861 to schedule a time.

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If you use Outlook Express as your email client then it would be a good idea to every now and then make a backup copy of your emails. This way you can put all those emails on a USB flash drive or even burn them to CD. The benefits of this are that is if your computer crashes you will be able to restore the backup copy of your emails. Below are the steps on how to backup your Outlook Express emails. Note that this will only backup the emails for the current logged on user. If you want to backup the other user’s emails you will need to log on as them and perform the exact same procedure.

If you want to backup your Outlook Express Address Book stay tuned for next week's posting on how to do that. If you use Outlook instead of Outlook Express as your email client then stay tuned for that posting soon to come.

Step-by-step Instructions
1. Click on Start
2. Click on Run
3. Type %userprofile%
4. This will open a window
5. At the top of the window click on Tools followed by Folder Options...
6. Click on the View tab
7. In the white box below there is an option that says "Show hidden files and folders", click on it.
8. Now click on OK at the bottom of this window, which will close it and bring you back to the previous window.
9. Find the folder Local Settings and double-click on it.
10. Find the folder Application Data and double-click on it.
11. Double-click in the folder Identities
12. In most cases there will only be one folder. Double-click on this folder you will see a folder called Outlook Express. This is where your emails will be stored. You can right click on this folder and copy it. Once copied you can then paste it where you desire, for example paste it in a USB flash drive. If there are more than one folder in the Identities folder it your emails can be in either one and find out which one it is can be complicated for a basic user. At this stage ask someone who knows about Outlook Express to help you.

That is this week’s tip!

Again if you need computer help you can always call us on 0402 936 861 or log a support request here

Here is a simple tip to make a copy of all your Favorites in Internet Explorer 7. The benefits of doing this is that you can make a backup copy of your favorites and save it somewhere else. You could also save a copy of your Favorites to a USB flash drive and take it with you. With this you can plug the flash drive into another computer and have all your favorites wherever you go.

Here is how you do it.
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Press the Alt key on your keyboard.
3. Notice at the top of Internet Explorer you have File, click on it.
4. Select Import and Export...
5. This will initiate a wizard. Click on Next
6. Select Export Favorites and click Next.
7. Following screen will show all you Favorties. I would recommend you export all your Favorites, so leave it highlighted on the top folder called Favorties. Click Next.
8. You will now need to select the destination where you want to export the favorites to. Click on the Browse button. I would recommend that you save it directly to you USB flash drive or you save it to your desktop for now and copy it later. Select either and click Save.
9. You are now back at the destination screen, click Next.
10. Click Finish and you will receive a message that the export was successful.
11. You can now view the exported Favorites by going to the location where you saved them.

That's this week's tip.

If you require any computer support please call us on 0402 936 861.

Cheers!


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CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.

Here is a list of the things that it cleans:

Internet Explorer
Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat.

Windows
Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files.

Registry cleaner
Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more... also comes with a comprehensive backup feature.

Third-party applications
Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, MS Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more...

100% Spyware FREE
This software does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses.

You can download this tool from CCleaner


If you require technical support please call Rene Els on 0402 936 861

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Have you ever installed a program onto your computer and found that it causes all sorts of issues. Or your computer might not startup anymore after you have done some changes to it. There is hope for you. Windows System Restore is part of the Window XP operating system and gives you the ability to restore your computer to an earlier state. The good (or not so good) thing about it is that if you restore your computer to an earlier date (for example 10 days prior to now) you will not loose any documents, emails or pictures that has been created since then. It only sets back system settings such as program installs or system changes - not user created data. Below are the steps to start System Restore:

1. Restart your computer and press [F8] during the initial startup.
2. When you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select the Safe Mode with a Command Prompt option.
3. Select the Windows XP operating system.
4. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.
5. Type the following command at a command prompt:C:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
6. You will now see the System Restore program. Just follow the instructions on the screen.

Always remember that if you are having trouble fixing any software or hardware issues on your computer do not waste your valuable time, rather call a professional that can get straight to the point and get your issue resolved.

For technical support call Rene on 0402 936 861

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You've more than likely heard the word "defrag". But what does it mean and should you pay any attention to it. It's hard to pay any attention to it if you have no idea what it is, why you should do it and what benefits are involved. Let's have a look.

"defragmentation (or defragging) is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It does this by physically reorganizing the contents of the disk in order to store the pieces of each file close together and in order (contiguously)."

"Reading and writing data on a heavily fragmented file system is slowed down as the time needed for the disk heads to move between fragments, and waiting for the disk platter to rotate into position, is increased. For many common operations, the performance bottleneck of the entire computer is the hard disk; thus the desire to process more efficiently encourages defragmentation. Operating system vendors often recommend periodic defragmentation in order to keep disk access speed from degrading over time." - source wikipedia

So it's obvious that regular defragmentation of your hard drive is desirable. You should aim to do this every couple of months, depending on the amount computer usage. Follow the steps below to defrag your hard drive.

1. From your desktop click on the Start button and select Run
2. Type dfrg.msc in the blank field. This will open the Disk Defragmenter window.
3. On the bottom left side of this screen is a button called Defragment. Click on it. The first phase Disk Defragmenter performs is analysing your hard drive to determine whether or not your hard drive needs to be defragmented. If it does it will start the second phase automatically which is to defrag your hard drive. If your hard drive does not need defraging then a message will display so. Try again in a couple of months.
4. When defragmentation has completed put the next run in your calendar so you do not forget.

Well I hope this has increased your knowledge Disk Defragmentation and maintaining your computer in a optimum state.



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So you have the latest internet security for your computer - anti-virus, firewall, spyware protection, privacy protection, the whole kit and caboodle. Nothing is going to get to your computer network now..... or have you just overlooked one of the most easiest ways to access your computer network.

Wireless networks that have no security enabled is more open than you leaving all your doors and windows open to burglars to get in your house... it's like opening all your doors and windows and then standing in the middle of the street yelling out that all your doors and windows are open for anyone to come in - good or bad.

On the other hand you might have been told that you have security on your wireless network. But to your lack of knowledge and your technician's lack of knowledge he might have only setup WEP security on your wireless router. It might protect you from novice users that try to access your network, but to any hacker that knows a bit more, cracking your WEP security on your wireless router is not a big task at all.

As a home user you might be less of a target but you can still be in the firing line of some hackers that can plant key loggers onto your computer and then record any information you type, including passwords and credit card information. Realistically you'll need to have a person come into range of your wireless network to attempt this, but it's not a hard task - have you ever turned on your laptop and searched and found many networks in your vicinity. You probably found some unsecured network and could connect to those.

As a minimum other people will use your internet connection for surfing the net and downloading who knows what - at your expense!


If you run a business or you have friends or family that run one - it's a very good ideas to send this on!...


If you are not sure if your wireless network is secure (running WPA/WPA2) you can have some one from elscomm come out and make sure that you have the correct security protection for your wireless network. Contact us on (02) 9572 7571 or 0402 936 861 or create a support ticket here

Here's a keyboard shortcut that will make switching between programs much easier.

On your keyboard press and hold the Alt button.

Now press the Tab button... see a small box appear in the middle of your screen? You can now while holding the Alt button tap on the Tab button to the program you want to switch to and then let go of Alt.

Easy!



Have you had your computer serviced recently? Having your computer serviced regularly will pickup most computer problems that if not handled early can cause bigger problems in the future. Call elscomm to book your serviced today.

Rene Els 0402 936 861

Sometimes you need to remove a program that you installed that you do not want anymore or a program has installed itself from the internet.

Well if you need to remove this culprit here is the procedure.

1. Click on Start.
2. Click on Control Panel (or Settings first then Control Panel, depending your version of Windows)
3. Click on the icon in the control panel called Add or Remove Programs.
4. Wait a minute for the list of program to populate the screen. Here you can scroll up and down the list (usually sorted alphabetically) to find the program you wish to remove.
5. Click on this program once followed by clicking on the Remove or Change button.
6. Follow the instructions to remove the program!

Hope this makes you just that bit more able as a computer user.


For Support call Rene on 0402 936 861

Sometimes you need to remove a program that you installed that you do not want anymore or a program has installed itself from the internet.

Well if you need to remove this culprit here is the procedure.

1. Click on Start.
2. Click on Control Panel (or Settings first then Control Panel, depending your version of Windows)
3. Click on the icon in the control panel called Add or Remove Programs.
4. Wait a minute for the list of program to populate the screen. Here you can scroll up and down the list (usually sorted alphabetically) to find the program you wish to remove.
5. Click on this program once followed by clicking on the Remove or Change button.
6. Follow the instructions to remove the program!

Hope this makes you just that bit more able as a computer user.


For Support call Rene on 0402 936 861

Well it has been a while since I wrote the last computer article. I was out of action for a couple of weeks having to go to South Africa for a funeral.

Now that all is back to normal you should be getting your weekly computer tips. This week we are going to learn how to alphabetize your favorites. I thought I'd write about this as I have had a number of people ask me how-to do this.

By default as you add favorites to internet explorer they tend to be added to the top of the list. Later when you want to find a specific favorite you almost have to go through all of them to find the one you are looking for. If you had them alphabetised, well that makes things much easier.

You'll need to have Internet Explorer open. Right-click on one of your Favorites. You will now be presented with a list of options. Choose Sort by Name. There you go - all sorted alphabetically.

Look out for next week's tip. If you have any friends or family that you think would benefit from these emails you can click here

Is it time for your computer to have a service? Remember just like a car, your computer should be regularly checked to ensure it's running optimally. Call Rene today 0402 936 861.

Also note that we now accept VISA, MASTERCARD and EftPOS

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In the previous I mentioned that we will cover what tabbed browsing in Internet Explorer 7 is and how to make use of it. With tabbed browsing you can view multiple web pages inside your Internet Explorer program. This allows to flick from one webpage to another. Without tabbed browsing you had to click back and forward to view previously browsed pages. Now you can keep a web page open and then open a new tab go to another web page, allowing you to flick between the two or more if you want. You might want to print this article before continuing.

First of all you will need to have Internet Explorer 7 installed. Here is how to check what version of Internet Explorer you are running:
1. On your keyboard press and hold the Windows key While this key is pressed down, press the R key on your keyboard and let go of both buttons. This will bring up a box called Run
2.In this box type iexplore and click OK. This will open Internet Explorer.
3.Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard. While holding it down press the H key on your keyboard and let go.
4.This brings up a menu where one of the options is About Internet Explorer. Click on this.
5.This will bring up a box that will tell you whether you are running version 6 or 7 of Internet Explorer. If you are running version 6 of Internet Explorer then continue with the next step.
If however you are running version 7 then skip steps 6 - 8.
6.You will need to download and install Internet Explorer 7. Click here and when done installing Internet Explorer 7, return to this page in order to complete the rest of the steps or use your printed copy to continue on the rest of the steps.
7.If your computer needs to be restarted then you will need to open Internet Explorer again. On your keyboard press and hold the Windows key While this key is pressed down, press the R key on your keyboard and let go of both keys. This will bring up a box called Run
8.In this box type iexplore and click OK. This will open Internet Explorer.


Now that we are all on Internet Explorer 7 I will show you how to open multiple tabs and move between them. Click on the picture below.

You will see tabs inside the red circled area. You will notice that each tab has a different web page. You can click between these to view the different pages. Look at the area circled in green. If you hold your mouse over the same area you will have the option to open a new tab. Click on it to open the new tab. You will have a new blank tab where you can input a website you want to visit – simply type the website you want to visit and press Enter.

While browsing a web page and you want to keep the existing page open and open a link on that page you can do one of the following to open it in a new tab.
1.Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click on the link you want to open and watch the new page appear as a tabbed page.
2.Move your cursor to the link you want to open and press down on your mouse wheel. (not rolling it forwards or backwards but actually pressing it in.) You will see the page appear as a new tab.
If you want to close a tab, simply hold your cursor over it and a red cross will appear, click on it to close the tab.

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Happy New Year to all from elscomm. Hope the festive season had a good effect on you.
We'll start the year off with taking control of your homepage in Internet Explorer. Some of you know how to do this, other have forgotten and the rest of you don't know.

For those of you who don't know, a homepage in Internet Explorer is the web page that displays when you open Internet Explorer. Many people have Google as their home page and others might have the news like Sydney Morning Herald as their homepage. As a matter of fact you could have multiple home pages in Internet Explorer 7. What this means is when you open Internet Explorer you will have each page you specify as your homepage in a tab form.

What's a tab you ask? Inside Internet Explorer 7, when you have multiple web pages open they will display as tabs and you can click between them. (We’ll cover that in the next article)

Here's how you change your webpage: (commands apply to Windows XP and Windows Vista)
1. Click on Start
2. Click on Run
3. Type inetcpl.cpl and click OK
4. This will bring up the Internet Properties box.
5. The first section titled "Home Page" has a white box where you can type the URL (web address) of the website you want to make as your home page. If you want multiple homepages all you need to do is add each URL on a separate line.
Note: If you do not have the option to add multiple URLs then you are more than likely running a prior version of Internet Explorer. You can go to this site to update to Internet Explorer 7 (free upgrade) Download Internet Explorer 7

6. When done click on the OK button at the bottom of the Internet Properties box.
7. Close Internet Explorer if you have it open and open it again. You should now see your new homepage(s)

That's the tip for this week!

For those of you who are clients of elscomm you'll be pleased to know that we have a number of new technologies we are implementing to make your experience with us that much better and more professional. Such as being able to connect to your computer remotely weather you are in Australia or anywhere else in the world and solve your computer problems - while you watch as we do it!

Additionally we will be conducting surveys to get YOUR opinion on what you consider to be important as a home or business computer user. So if you do get a survey from us we would really appreciate if you could take the time to fill them out - as a result we'll make our service to even better!

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Happy with our service? Why not tell your friends and family about elscomm's computer services.

I was recently asked by one of my clients if there was a way that he could sort all his programs that appears in the All Programs list in Windows XP alphabetically. The reason for this was that he had many programs on his All Programs menu and trying to find a program that he needed was not easy. You might have the same problem or this might be a trick you can pull out your sleeve next time you are at your neighbours' house. The steps are simple:

1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then right-click any of the folders in that list.
2. On the menu that appears, select Sort by Name




If you require technical support please call 0402 936 861

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