Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to questions frequently asked of the of the Computer Support Team.

General
Windows XP

Launch a program at startup

Programs can be added so they will launch as soon as your machine boots up. To add a program to the Start menu. Click the Start, Settings, Taskbar. Click the Start Menu Programs tab, Add, and then click Browse. Locate the program you want to add, and then double-click it. Click Next, scroll down until you find Startup, Double-click, Finish. If Windows prompts you to choose an icon, click one, and then click Finish.

Adding programs to the Start menu

You can also add a program to the top of the Start menu by dragging the program's icon onto the Start button.

Arrange Folders or Icons

Folders and icons can be arranged by name, date, type, etc. Icons on the desktop - right click a blank area on the desktop, arrange icons, select the preferred order. Auto arrange will arrange icons in date order automatically anytime changes are made. Folders - Select My Computer, Drive (c:\, d:\, etc.). Right click in the white area next to the folders, arrange icons, select the order you prefer.

Close multiple windows at once

Multiple windows can be closed (ex: open My Computer, C:\, Program Files, etc - three different windows opened) by holding the shift key while clicking on the x in the upper right hand corner.

Create a Shortcut

Shortcuts are icons on the desktop that launch programs by double clicking (without having to go to Start, Programs,...). Right click on a blank area on your desktop. New, Shortcut, Browse. Select the location of the program file (ex: c:\program files\Microsoft Office\Microsoft Word or c:\corel\suite8\Corel WordPerfect8), Open. Next, you have the option to change the name displayed - it doesn't affect the operation. Finish. Double click the shortcut and the program should launch.

Create New Folders

Folders can be created easily. Select My Computer, Drive (c:\ d:\). Double click the area for the new folder (c:\, or c:\directory, etc). Right click on the white area next to the folders, New, Folder. Enter the name for the folder and enter. The folder should now be listed.

Default Printer

Windows can be set to default to a specific printer each time a new document is created. Start, Settings, Printers. Right click on the printer you want to set as the default, click Set as default.

Delete Print Jobs

Print jobs can be cancelled if they are still in the queue. Select Start, Settings, Printers. Double click the printer that has the print job. If you want all jobs purged, Printer, Purge Print Jobs. To delete a single job, highlight the job, Document, Cancel printing.

Finding Files

Files are sometimes misplaced and you don't know where to start. Right click the start button. Select Find (or Search). Different versions may have extra boxes, but the two to access include:

  • Named - Type as much of the filename as you can remember;
  • Look in - go to the root of the drives - c:\, d:\ - delete any directories listed after :\.
  • Find now. The files with the name you placed in the "named" area will be displayed. If you are looking for an executable that ends in .exe (ex: w32- 312a.exe), you can double click the file and it will run.

Printing directory contents from Windows.

To get a complete list of all files in a certain directory, use DOS commands. Select Start, Run, type Command and enter. Change to the directory that you would like to print by using the cd\ command. If the directory name is more than one word, enclose the directory name in quotes.

(Example: cd\ruth, or cd\"program files"\accessories)

Type: dir >lpt1 (space between dir and >lpt1). This will send the directory output to your printer. You usually need to do a form feed on the printer.

Form feed.

Each printer is different. Consult the manual for your printer. Hint: take the printer off line (a button function), then give the form feed command. Place back on line.

Printer quit printing

Sometimes the link from the computer to the printer has been compromised and the setting switches to off line. To check, select Start, Settings, Printers. Right click the printer that quit, make sure there is no check next to Work Offline. If there is, click and it will remove the check.

Print Screen - Windows.

Alt+print screen places a copy of the screen into the Windows clipboard. Open any program that accepts graphics, such as WP, Word, or Pagemaker, and select paste. The screen capture will appear.

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Lamar Accounts

Retirees

Retiring faculty are entitled to Lamar accounts and use of the CSU modem pool. To find out the policy and procedures to sign up: http://www.colostate.edu/acns/modems/signup_fac.htm

Who can have a Lamar account?

Lamar accounts are free to anyone who is a CSU employee. CSU is implementing eID (Electronic Identification) to allow access to campus provided services. You can sign up for an eID and Lamar account by visiting: http://eid.colostate.edu.

When do I need one?

Lamar accounts are needed if you want to access CSU's modem pool. There is a $48/year fee associated with the modem access but no fee for the account. County offices have Internet access provided by Qwest and paid by the state. If you want to use CSU to access the Internet at home, for personal or family use, this is a very good price and the connect speeds are better than most providers.

To set up modem pool access: http://www.colostate.edu/acns/modems/signup_fac.html

Lamar accounts are also needed if you want to access the main calendar server. This service is currently offered for on-campus employees only.

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Microsoft Products

Excel

How do I copy values in Excel instead of formulas?

Highlight the area to copy, select Edit, Copy. Place the cursor where you want the new information to go. Select Paste, Paste special. A new window pops up with several choices. Select the correct choice for your situation (values).

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FireFox

Make the CSUE website my default home page

While in FireFox, go to the menu bar and select Tools, Options. Click the "Main" tab and within the "Home Page" textbox type www.ext.colostate.edu, OK.

Figuring Out Which Version You Have
The latest version of FireFox is 2.0.0.16 To determine which version you are running select: Help, About Mozilla FireFox.

Checking email away from your office go to http://mail.colostate.edu. Enter your EID ename and epassword to access your account.

What is Cache and how do I clear it?

Cache is used to keep local copies of frequently accessed documents, which reduces time connected to the network.

In FireFox, press the ctrl+ shift + delete. Or select Tools, Clear Private Data. Click "Clear Private Data Now."

History List

Firefox keeps a file that contains the history of sites you have visited. To bring up this list, Control+H opens a window with a list of all locations you have visited. Double click on any location. You can clear out your history list as often as needed. Right click on any item or folder and select delete.

Save file as text from the Web

Files can be retrieved and stripped of everything except the text when on the Web. Select the page you want to save, Select File, Save As, Select the location to save. Change the Save as type to Plain Text. The file can be retrieved into your program without any graphics.

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Updates, Patches, Fixes, and Files

A Web site is maintained with software updates, patches, registry fixes, etc. The CE Web site is: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/staffres/download/index.html

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WordPerfect

Installing and Windows Messaging Problem (setup won't complete)

Select Suite Setup after the disk has been launched. Proceed until it arrives to the Windows Messaging setup dialog. Complete the Windows Messaging setup and install all of Windows Messaging. Once this is completed it is necessary to run the WP setup again. Proceed to the Windows Messaging setup again (here arises the problem). Select Add/Remove as the installation option. Uncheck Windows Messaging and proceed with the UNinstallation of Windows Messaging. Reboot the computer. After the reboot, run the setup again and windows messaging will install correctly. Complete the setup.