Vista Tips

 

This column does not have a single author, but is submitted by a number of experts that contribute regularly to our news source.  Some are in Canada, some in the UK and one is in the far east

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MAC ads notwithstanding, Vista is quite stable.  One of the things  you have to do is make sure you allow Microsoft to update your machine automatically. 

Sometimes when you shut off your computer you will get a notice like  "Downloading changes, do not shut off your machine.  It will shut off automatically."  As these changes are going on, your computer is at its most vulnerable, so follow these directions.

If you are new to Vista and for that matter Windows XP, make sure you pay attention to the file structure that is automatically set up for you.  Vista is a little different from XP.  If you start creating folders all over the place, you will not get into trouble, but you'll be very disorganized.  Also, programs that you use that handle pictures, documents, music and videos will not be as user friendly. They want to use the standard spots for storing things.

These programs expect to store things in folders like:

  • Downloads (for some program updates)
  • My Videos
  • My Music
  • My Documents
  • Temp
  • .... and many more

(next column)

17/05/2009 12:56 AM

In servicing people who are having computer problems, we notice that they have files and folders strewn all over the place.  In other words they are disorganized, not because they are messy.  It's because they don't understand the file structure.

The best way to learn it is to traverse it by going up and down the various trees starting either on the desktop or at My Computer.  Remember the desktop is what you see on the screen when you start your machine. 

Let all the computer vendors who supply software for your machine store it in the right spot.  There is no need to get lost.  It's just like a multi-level filing cabinet

Tip of the Day:  Some software downloads do not start automatically with an install Wizard, but store the update in a .exe file (That is, the file extension is 'dot exe')  Sometimes they don't tell you where they are storing them and you have NOT installed the update, just because it has been downloaded.  You'll have to click the update .exe to start the install Wizard.  Two places to look are on your desktop and the other is in the Download folder.

Some vendors just assume you know where to look.  It's a bit messy.
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