A collection of tips and tricks that would be able to assist u in maintaining your machine, and dealing with certain issues that might arise.

Lifehacker

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Stubborn files that refuse to be deleted

I've recently had some of my video files stick in my folders and refuse to be deleted, always claiming that some program is trying to run the file. I call it the "sticky file syndrome".

I've recently found the cure for SFS! Most of the time, there's a fundamental problem with the file itself, and not that any program is trying to run it. So what I did was to copy the same file type outside the suspect folder, rename it as the file I'm trying to delete.

Copy that file (now of the same name as the one you're trying to delete) into the suspect folder. Apparently Windows has a problem with deleting their files, but it doesn't have a problem with overwriting them!

Once you've overwritten the file, all the problems with deleting the file should cease. Just delete it away and viola! Cleaner folders!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

System Restore

This is a terribly underused function inside Windows XP which would solve a whole lot of problems if only people would learn a little bit more about it!

Commonly, problems arise from changes to the system. Be it hardware or software, if you change something in the system, there is a strong chance of it malfunctioning. System Restore (SR) is an easy-to-use program that would actually solve most of your software issues.

In a nutshell, SR remembers what it was like to be working in a nice comfortable environment. It remembers what the environment used to contain, and how the computer used to function with all its existing programs. Think of it as the good old days.

However, you are bound to install new programs into your computer. New stuff without proper testing could wreak havoc onto your system! And what happens after that? Weeks of tears and pain while you frantically try and reverse what you've done.

With SR, all you need to do to prepare for a scenario like this is to run the System Restore Utility. Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.

Just create a system restore point (on a day when the computer actually works!). Name it something meaningful like "November 1st, it still works!". If you were to run a program that messes up your system, at least all you would have to do is to return it back to its original state in November.

Remember: SR remembers System Settings. Your files and email are still safely up-to-date. Nothing to worry about!