COASTWEEK - - This week we complete the windows tips which - I am sure have been both interesting and educative, writes VIPUL PATEL.

save system settings - the System Information utility has a feature that lets you save all your system settings and information to a text file ... select File | Export...it's a good idea to always keep a current copy of your settings if your computer starts acting weird then this file can help you figure out what's changed.

scan for viruses - viruses can cause the most bewildering problems of all ... use a good antivirus program (preferably from a write-protected bootable floppy disk) to scan for viruses.

screen resolutions - you can change the amount of information that can fit on your screen ... lower resolutions display larger images on the screen ... to quickly change screen resolution for different applications right-click any-where on the desktop click Properties and then click the Settings tab ... under Screen area move the slider to the desired resolution.

search system info - the System Information utility doesn't have a search function, but here's a simple workaround ... export your information to a text file using File | Export then open the file in WordPad and use WordPad's search function.

sharing your computer - go to Start + Settings + Control Panel and from the menu that appears double-click the Network icon ... on the Configuration tab click the File and Print Sharing button ... check what items you want to share with the rest of the Network ... click OK ... click OK again.

shrink your folders - open any folder window and choose view/ toolbars and uncheck Text Labels.

shutdown - close all open programs and click the Start button and then click Shut Down ... from the menu that appears click the "Shut down" option from the list ... click the OK button ... remember to remove all disks before you shutdown your computer.

startup disk - create a Win98 Startup disk in case you may have start-up problems ... Start + Control Panel + Add/Remove Programs + Startup Disk.

Taskbar Clock - place the mouse pointer over taskbar clock to view the date ... double-click the taskbar clock to set the system time, date and time zone ... to remove the clock from the taskbar, right-click the taskbar and then click Properties ... click Taskbar Options and then click to clear the Show Clock option.

Tiling and Cascading Windows - if you would like to see all of the Title bars of your open windows you can cascade your windows ... to do this right-click the Tas-kbar (the grey bar at the bo-ttom of the screen), and click "Cas-cade Win-dows" from the menu that appears ... if you need to see all your windows at once you can tile your windows ... to do this right-click the Taskbar and click "Tile Windows Horizontally" or "Tile Windows Vertically" depending on how you want to see your windows.

tmp files - these files are safe to delete ... go to start + find + files or folders ... type in *.tmp + find now.

looking for trouble - using the System Information utility click through each item in the Components section and look for the message, "This device has a problem."

(It's usually coloured red so it's hard to miss.) ... if you see that message check into the details of the problem.

users - to customize your computer for different users click the Start button, point to Settings and click Control Panel...from the menu that appears double-click the Users icon.

venders of hardware - to find right-click on My Computer ... click Properties then Device Manager Tab ... double click on device.

volume icon - go to Start + Settings + Control Panel and from the menu that appears double-click the Multimedia icon and check Show volume control on the taskbar.

 • VIPUL PATEL is Sales and Marketing Executive with AfricaOnline Mombasa.