Computing Tips + Tricks | DMX Computers

Get The Most From Your TFT LCD Monitor

Part of my job is visiting people in their home or business to fix their computer, and one thing that surprises me is how many people have a nice flat panel TFT LCD monitor that is not set up correctly.
As a result the picture can be blurred, difficult to see and far from the optimal picture quality available to them.

I will now explain a couple of things that you can do to get the best possible picture quality from your TFT LCD monitor.

Windows XP Auto-Logon

I will explain to you how to make Windows XP automatically log you on if you are the only person using your computer.

Go to your start button -> run, now type in the run box control userpasswords2

Remove the tick from Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer

Now you will not be faced with that pesky password prompt each time you start your computer.

Access your favourite folder from the quick launch toolbar

Are you fed up with too many mouse clicks to find that favourite folder that you access a lot? Well I am going to explain how to create and customise a shortcut to that folder and place it in your quick launch bar for one click access.

1. Make sure your quick launch toolbar is activated by right mouse clicking on your taskbar -> Toolbars -> Quick Launch (make sure it has a tick next to it).

2. Open 'Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer'.

3. Find your favourite folder and right click on that folder. While holding the right mouse button down drag the cursor down to the quick launch toolbar and release. You will now have a menu where you can choose the option 'create shortcut here'.

Customising your new shortcut to open in folder view

1. Right click on your new shortcut you have just created and select Properties.
2. In the Target box remove the quotes from around the path to your favourite folder and in front of the path append the following:

Explorer /e,

Example: Explorer /e,C:\myfavouritefolder

The Windows Recovery Console

Mention the Windows recovery console to many, and you'll probably be met with an answer of 'recovery what?' It's certainly something I have never seen much written about. This little utility is perfect for partitioning, setting up dual operating systems, fixing the master boot record and quite a few other things, but we'll come to them shortly.

I could tell you lots and lots, and lots more about the program but for now I will endeavour to keep it simple. The plan here is to tell you a bit about the program, how to gain access to it and some of the most useful commands.

A word of warning, though. Before we get started I must stress that you can damage Windows by not being careful with the Recovery Console, and so everything you do is at your own risk. You will also need the administration password used to originally set up the installation of Windows XP. Basically, be warned that this program can save your bacon, but it can also burn it...