With almost enough
readers to guarantee offending someone, it's -
-=+ NOISES FROM THE BASEMENT +=-
Vol. 2, Issue 10 May 23,
2001 ISSN 1531-5258
1) Windows Tips - "MSCONFIG, Part II"
2) File Find! - "Proftray"
3) Sites-Seeing - "Wunderground\Body Mods"
4) Email Funny - "Fetch"
5) MOUS Tips - "Resize Around the Center"
6) They Said It - quotes to give one pause
7) Hodgepodge - that what fits no where else
~ ~ ~
First-timers here, glad to see you!
Veterans, welcome back once again! ~and~
AOL users - see the newsletter end for your links!
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1) Windows Tips -
"MSCONFIG, Part II"
The MSCONFIG utility, first discussed in this spot last week,
is a great tool to use to diagnose Windows configuration and
startup problems. If you're experiencing
persistent problems
with your computer, you can use MSCONFIG to perform a
"clean boot" (one with only the basic required Windows
drivers) - then selectively add back those programs that are
in your Startup process to find out exactly where the potential
source(s) of problems lie.
KEEP IN MIND - These files control the basic "guts" of Windows.
While MSCONFIG is the safest way to modify these files,
any changes should be approached with caution.
This tool
can be used to track down and eliminate problems; however
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it" - if you don't know why a
particular program is installed then use extreme caution
before removing it permanently.
To perform a "clean boot":
I)
Use Start | Run | type MSCONFIG | OK to open MSCONFIG.
II)
On the General tab, click the Selective Startup option,
and then click to clear the
following check boxes:
~ Process Config.sys File
~ Process Autoexec.bat File
~ Process Winstart.bat File (if
available)
~ Process System.ini File
~ Process Win.ini File
~ Load Startup Group Items
Windows will modify each file when you clear the check boxes,
placing a "troubleshooting" remark in each to indicate they have
been modified by MSCONFIG, and copying the original to a file
with a different name. In addition, any
icons in the Startup
folder are moved to a Disabled Startup Items folder on your
Start Menu\Programs menu. These changes
will be reversed
when you reselect the checkboxes in MSCONFIG.
III) Click OK, then restart your
computer when prompted.
You may notice upon rebooting that your video display is
altered; this is a result of Windows loading a generic video
driver rather than one particular to your system.
Test your system now, most likely your previous configuration
problem is no longer present. You'll now
want to use MSCONFIG
to selectively add back your startup files - begin adding back
each file group, restart, and test until you're able to locate
your problem file. Once you've located
where the problem
lies, deselect all but a single item in that file; then repeat
the selective addition of items until you track down the exact
one that's causing your problems!
-=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=++=-
2) File Find! -
"Proftray" [115 Kb/EXE]
Take a look at your Desktop wallpaper.
Remember when
you last changed it? No? How would you like a utility that
sits in the Systray and let's you change your wallpaper and
screensaver setups with a single click?
Copy Proftray.exe to your Startup folder for continuous access,
then each member of your family can have their choice of
backgrounds/screensavers, without setting up a separate
Windows User Profile for each. Or, cycle
through your installed
backgrounds to quickly find one that matches your mood.
Easy to set up, easy to use - the quickest way to hang new
wallpaper is with Proftray!
http://www.basementnoises.com/free4u/dl94.htm
-=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=++=-
3) Sites-Seeing -
"Wunderground\Body Mods"
As a lad, I was a voracious reader of science fiction novels.
I eagerly fed on the authors' descriptions of voice-controlled
machinery, wrist-worn communicators, and various weather-
control devices.
Well, many of those "futuristic" wonders of Heinlein, Asimov,
and Brunner are now everyday tools we take for granted...
but control of the whims of Mother Nature still eludes our
grasp. That's why a site such as Weather
Underground
can be a great help when nasty weather conditions threaten.
You can get a real-time radar map of your neck of the woods;
a wide-ranging variety of current weather-related data; short-
and long-term forecasts; astronomy, ski, and marine reports;
and much more! With extensive worldwide
coverage and
support for 56 languages (including Latin!), and the ability to
link directly to your own local weather (as I have with the
link below) you should find WU a great addition to your
Favorites list! Check out the weather in
my part of the
world, then use the search box to find your own area:
http://www.wunderground.com/radar/station.asp?ID=ILN19
~ ~ ~
I'm definitely in the minority in my family in holding the
belief that additional holes should not be placed in the
human body, unless one is giving blood.
Piercing, tattooing,
and other body modifications are all currently in favor as a
means of expressing one's "individuality". I'm glad long hair
was my generation's way was accomplishing the same
purpose; it was certainly less painful to implement - and
less permanent!
Modifications to the human canvas have been practiced
worldwide, for as long as there has been recorded history.
The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology has put together an interesting site that displays
and discusses modifications and beliefs
from many cultures
and times.
Whether you're an admirer of the art of tattooing, or you
cringe at the sight of a tongue stud, you'll find this site an
intriguing glimpse into human behavior:
http://www.upenn.edu/museum/Exhibits/bodmodintro.html
-=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=++=-
4) Email Funny -
"Fetch" [969 Kb/MPG]
It's the simple pleasures that make life worth living -
a walk in the woods, stargazing at night, playing fetch
with man's best friend...
http://www.basementnoises.com/free4u/dl96.htm
-=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=++=-
5) MOUS Tips -
"Resize Around the Center"
When you resize a picture in MS Publisher with the handles,
you'll then have to move it if you want the graphic in the
same relative position it was before resizing.
Avoid the "move" operation by using Publisher's "Resize
Around the Center" option - hold your CTRL key down before
click-and-dragging the handles. You’ll
then change the size
of your picture proportionally, without changing its relative
location in the publication.
-=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=++=-
6) They Said It
"Do you know how important now is? Enjoy it as much as you
can, because no matter how much you want to hold on to 'now',
it's going to be 'was'." - Sid Caesar
-=++=- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=++=-
7) Hodgepodge
Last Wednesday was not the best of days for The Basement,
as server problems left some of you staring at blank pages
when you clicked on links in the newsletter.
The hamsters
that power the server have been replaced, and service appears
to be fine now. Thanks for your
patience!
~ ~ ~
See this week's Photo Funny for a glimpse at what happened
to Goldilock's belongings after her hosts got home... And,
one country recently decided that their armed forces should
only bear arms during daytime hours; pay a visit to the
Basement for these and other great tidbits today!
http://www.BasementNoises.com
G'nite, and thanks for
reading!
=====================================================
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compliments to:
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=====================================================
My standard "Your Mileage May Vary" Caveat:
NFTB does not assume responsibility for your use of
information given. Tips are tested on a
machine with
Windows 98 and Office 2000 Professional installed.
As I am firmly convinced that all systems are unique little
creatures in and of themselves, any given tip or suggestion
might just not be available to you. Why?
Murphy Rules!
All advice should be weighed against your own abilities
and circumstances and applied accordingly.
It is up
to you, the reader, to determine if advice is safe and
suitable for your current situation.
Any product or brand names mentioned in this ezine
and associated website are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
NOISES FROM THE BASEMENT is a BTB Management Services
publication e-published every Wednesday and always
delivered directly to your e-porch, rain or shine!
Noises From The Basement
ISSN: 1531-5258 - Library Of Congress, Washington D.C., USA
Copyright (c) 2001, Dave Gretz
All Rights Reserved.
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