Dennis Faas

Infopackets Reader Patricia A. writes: " Dear Dennis, I really enjoy reading your newsletter, and was wondering if you can help me. I have so many Favorites (bookmarks) in my Internet Explorer that my list is getting out of control. Is there any way ... I can transfer them somewhere or clean up the list some how? " My response: Absolutely! To backup your favorites, you will have to transfer (export) them to a separate file so that you can store it / access it at a later time. Note that exporting your favorites will not remove them from your favorites list in Internet Explorer -- so you ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Darren F. writes: " Dear Dennis, I was watching Tech TV recently, and there was reference made to a program that is capable of making a 'preinstalled environment' bootable Windows XP CD-ROM. I decided to do some research on the ... topic, and kept coming across discussion boards where people constantly made reference to something called 'Windows Embedded'. I don't quite understand what this is and was wondering if you could explain it the term? " My response: From what I understand, the Windows Embedded technology automates the installation of Windows. Basically, this ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader John B. writes: " Dear Dennis, In Windows XP, right-clicking on a photograph used to give me the option to send the image via email, or allow me to retain its original size using an image resizer button. For some reason, this ... dialogue box no longer appears when I place my mouse over top of images. I have not downloaded any other photograph programs so it is a mystery why this function no longer works. I have searched for a solution on Google without success, and would be very grateful for your expert advice in resolving this issue. " My response: What you are ... (view more)

Recall -- Last week, Infopackets Reader Justin S. asked if there was a way to make Windows Explorer remember the Most Recently Used (MRU) folder: " Every time I open windows explorer, the folder window displays the same directory. I always end up ... having to click on 'My computer', then navigate to C drive, then to Program files, then to the folder I finally need to get to. Is there any way to make Windows remember the folder I was recently visiting so that I don't have to go through this torment? " Unfortunately, I couldn't find any freeware programs capable of injecting MRU folders ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Beverley P. writes: " Dear Dennis, When I right click a folder, there are a number of options under the Send To heading. I would like to add some other applications into the Send To area, but am not sure how to do this? PS: I love ... your news letter! " My response: If you own Windows ME, 2000, or XP, the absolute easiest way to access the SendTo folder for the current user logged in is to: Click Start -> Run. Type in "sendto" (no quotes) and press Enter. An Explorer window will appear; simply drag and drop shortcut icons over and they will appear in the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Ric J. writes: " Hi Dennis, I recently tried to install a new PCI modem card in my system. The modem is Plug and Play (PNP) and should automatically configure itself once the drivers are installed. Unfortunately, the modem won't ... properly install on my machine. I went into Device Manager and found that the modem assigned itself to COM1, which was already in use. So my question is: how do I change the COM port so that the modem won't conflict with COM1? " Side note: PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect, or 'personal computer bus'. A COM port is short ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Justin S. writes: " Dear Dennis, Every time I open windows explorer, the folder window displays the same directory. I always end up having to click on 'My computer', then navigate to C drive, then to Program files, then to the ... folder I finally need to get to. Is there any way to make Windows remember the folder I was recently visiting so that I don't have to go through this torment? " My response: I know exactly what you mean. When I compile this newsletter, I typically bounce from one application to the next. By doing so, I save files in different directories -- ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Guillaume G. from Melbourne, Florida writes: " Dear Dennis, I recently stumbled upon an article that claims to cease the propagation of email viruses if a certain entry is added to your address book (contact list). The original ... article was written in French, and roughly translates to the following: ' In your address book, create a new contact with the name 0000 or 000*0 or 0_00 without letters, without an address and without any other details. This contact will be installed as the first on your list. If a virus should attempt to send a message to all addresses on your ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Brandon 'SpongeBoob' writes: " Dear Dennis, Much thanks for your article on changing paths to the My Documents / Pictures folder -- however, this time I have a new question! Do you have any idea on how to change a login user name ... for Windows XP? For example: I want to modify my user account name in the Documents and Settings folder, as well as the Start menu and logon / log off screen names. Any ideas? " My response: You can change your login screen name, as well as password, picture, account type, and .NET passport options though the Control Panel. To do this: ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Pat M. writes: " Dennis, how do I get rid of the 'iSearch toolbar' which has attached itself to my Internet Explorer web browser? I have attempted to use the automated uninstaller from the isearch web site, but my computer refuses ... to download the software. I have also tried the Add / Remove Programs in Control Panel, but have had no luck. Any ideas?" My response: Although many would disagree , the iSearch web site claims that their toolbar is not Spyware because it "in no way tracks you or the web sites that you visit." (Source: iSearch.com FAQ ). ... (view more)