April 24 2006
Q: When I try to log on to my bank website using Internet Explorer, I get a blank screen and the technical support at my bank hasn’t been able to help.  Is there anything I can do?

A: This problem usually stems from a security feature called the Pop-up blocker which is a new security feature included in the Windows SP2 update.  When the SP2 update is downloaded to your computer (usually automatic) it installs itself into your Internet Explorer.  This feature is designed to suppress unwanted windows from popping up uncontrollably if you land on a less-than-scrupulous website, but it sometimes it suppresses the ones we need to access.

What we need to do is to add the friendly websites to the Allowed list for Pop-ups.  Here’s how:

In Internet Explorer:
1. Tools > Pop-up Blocker > Pop-up Blocker Settings…
2. Type in the website you want to allow in the ‘Address of Website site to allow:’ field (be sure to include the ‘www’ & ‘.com, .net, etc’
3. Click the ‘Add’ button
4. Click the ‘Close’ button

Note:  If you have installed a Toolbar plug-in from Yahoo, Google or another search site into your Internet Explorer and are still having the same problem, you have to turn-off the Pop-up blocker that is included with the respective plug-in (Yes, these Toolbar plug-ins have their own pop-up blocker that runs separately from the one in Internet Explorer).

Each one of these differs slightly, but what you want to do is look for the Tools > Options menu that is on the specific Toolbar or look for a button that has cross-hairs or a target icon and click on it.  Once there, you will see an option to turn-off the pop-up blocker.  Select this option since Explorer already is doing the Pop-up blocking duty.
 

April 3 2006
Q: I am faster using my keyboard than using a mouse and I frequently create spreadsheets in Excel.  Can you share some keyboard short-cuts that may help me maneuver through the spreadsheets?

A: Here are a few:

CTRL + (any) Arrow key

-Moves you to the next non-blank cell

CTRL + Home

-Moves you to cell A1

CTRL + End

-Moves you to the last cell in your spreadsheet (lower, right hand side)

CTRL + Page Down or Page Up

-Moves to the next (previous) Worksheet

CTRL + BACKSPACE

-Displays the cell your cursor is currently located (handy if you are currently viewing another part of your spreadsheet and need to revert back)

-CTRL + SPACEBAR

-Selects the entire column

-SHIFT + SPACEBAR

-Selects the entire row

April 10 2006
Q: Is deleting my personal files all I need to do before I sell or donate my computer?
A: No, there are a few extra steps you have to take

Today, I want to talk about a tip that may not save you time, but perhaps will save you some frustration.  If you are planning on giving away or selling your computer, you may have deleted you sensitive files, purged your Recycle Bin, or even reformatted your hard drive to try to eliminate any sensitive information that you may not want others to gain access to.  This is not enough.  There are several software programs that can be purchased at any computer store that can recover these files.  You need to take an extra step.

Before you sell or give away your computer, you need to install and run a program that will delete your files then overwrite them with random data making them unrecoverable.  Some of the programs are: Symantec Wipe Info (comes with Norton System Works), Disk Wipe, and Window Washer to name a few.  These programs are available at retail stores or even on-line. 

Some of these programs will even search all the nooks and crannies of your computer to find and delete shortcuts related to sensitive files and even websites that you have visited.

When you run any of these programs, it will take some time so plan accordingly.  It may be best to start the process at the end of the day and have it run through the evening.