Dennis Faas

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)

Infopackets Reader Brandon 'SpongeBoob' writes: " Dear Dennis, I have 2 hard drive partitions: the C drive, and the D drive. I always keep my data stuff like music, photos, and other downloaded files onto the D drive. I recently decided to format ... and reinstall Windows on my computer. When I click on start menu, is there a way to link the My Music and My Pictures folders to d:\my music and d:\my pictures (respectively)? I don't seem to be given the choice on whether I can change the targets. Any ideas? " My response: The folders you are referring to are called Shell Folders. ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Robert H. writes: " I am running Windows 98 Second Edition on a HP Omnibook XE2 laptop, which has 64.0 MB of RAM. I was wondering if I can add 256 of RAM in order to install Windows XP? PS: Thanks for a great newsletter and your ... eBooks, I have bought several and they have been a real help." My response: Memory configurations for laptops vary from machine to machine. Most laptops have 2 memory banks and have a limit as to how much memory they can recognize. In my experience, I've found Kingston's web site to be a great resource when researching memory ... (view more)