Thursday, November 18, 2010

Change the Behavior of the Elevation Prompt in Windows Vista


You are the administrator of your computer and you want to keep the elevation prompt from displaying when you try to make configuration changes.   How do you keep the prompt from displaying?

UAC is a new feature for Windows Vista that prevents unauthorized changes and silent installations.  The message displays to alert the user and get authorization before continuing with the configuration change.  This helps to prevent viruses from making changes to the computer without the user's permission. 

  • Open Contol Panel
  • Open Administrative Tools
  • Double click on Local Security Policy
  • On the Local Policies Tab, go to Security Options
  • Click on User Account Control:  Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode
  • In the drop down box, select Elevate without prompting
  • Click ok
Getting Started with User Account Control on Windows Vista
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

XML error message for RSS Feed

This icon, known as the "feed icon" ...Image via Wikipedia

When trying to view your RSS Feed in Internet Explorer, you receive an error message like this:


What do you do to resolve this?

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click on Internet Options
  3. Select the Content tab
  4. Open the Feeds Settings dialog box
  5. Go to Advanced and check the Turn on Feed Reading View box

This displays the feed in user-friendly content.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Prevent Tracking in Internet Explorer


Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista runs in Protected Mode which prevents Component Object Model (COM) objects such as ActiveX controls, from modifying files and settings on your computer, thus making surfing the Web much safer.  Protected Mode is enabled by default in IE7. 

To turn off Protected Mode, though it is not advisable, go to Internet Options, select the Security Tab, then select the Enable Protected Mode option.



Another way to manipulate the Protected Mode option, is to put your cursor over the Protected Mode text at the bottom of your Internet Explorer browser window and double click.




Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Working Offline in Windows Vista



You are leaving town to attend a business meeting tomorrow.  You will not have access to the network, but need to access some files in your folder at work while you are at the business meeting.


How do you configure Windows Vista to enable you to access the file in your work folder?


You do this by utilizing the Offline Files feature of Windows Vista.  Vista copies the network folders and files and places them on your computer.  When you are offline, Vista uses the local folders and syncs them with the network when you reconnect.

  • Go to Control Panel and select Offline Files - Classic View.
  • Enable Offline Files.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Open Windows Explorer (Windows button + E key) and navigate to the network file folder you are interested in.
  • Right click the folder and select Always Available Offline.
(If your internet connection is down or slow, you might want to work with the offline files stored on your computer instead of the network.  To do this, open the network file that you have made available offline, and on the Toolbar, click Work Offline.  When you are finished, click Work Online to sync and make the file available on the network again.)

Working with network files when you are offline
Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, November 15, 2010

Send and Receive Faxes

Windows Vista is one of Microsoft's latest cli...Image via Wikipedia

Below is the Microsoft link detailing the Windows Vista Fax and Scan Wizard.  If you are using a fax server, make sure you know the network address of the fax server, for example file://companyfaxserver/, and are connected to the Network.  If you are using a fax modem, make sure you have an analog phone line attached to your computer.  A digital phone will not work.  If you have an internal fax modem, Windows will detect it during setup.  If you have an external modem, connect it to the computer and turn it on before running the wizard.

Open Windows Fax and Scan
At the bottom of the left pane, choose Fax
Choose Fax Accounts from the Tools Menu
Follow the Wizard to set up a fax server or a fax modem

Set up your computer to send and receive faxes
Enhanced by Zemanta

File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista

Windows Vista is one of Microsoft's latest cli...Image via Wikipedia


You would like to set up a Windows Vista computer in your home office to host file and printer sharing. 
You need to do this while maintaining your security.

Go to the Network and Sharing Center and make sure file sharing and printer sharing is turned on.  Configure a share name for the Folder on the Sharing tab in the Folder's Properties Dialog box.  Configure Permissions in the Security tab of the Properties Dialog box.  Permissions are required to make the folder available over the network and identify who has access and what their rights are.  See the Microsoft link below to find out other ways to share files.

File Sharing Essentials
Enhanced by Zemanta

Remove Internet Explorer ActiveX Controls or Add-ons


You only want ActiveX Controls or Add-ons that are approved by Microsoft or your computer manufacturer.  How do you do manage this?

Open Internet Explorer.
Go to Tools.
Select Manage Add-ons.
In the Show list, Click Add-ons that run without permission.

Internet Explorer add-ons: frequently asked questions
Enhanced by Zemanta