Tech Tips
This page will be changed or added to periodically. Hopefully you will find it helpful. If there is something you would like to see here or if you have any specific questions, please send us an e-mail.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are just that, shortcuts that you can do instead of using the mouse. In some cases you will find them much quicker and easier. These are just a few of the many shortcuts.
Alt-F4 - Quit a program / shut down.
Alt-Tab - Hold down the Alt key and hit tab key to cycle through open programs.
Ctl-Escape - Displays the start menu.
Ctl-C - Highlight what it is that you want to copy, then press the 'Ctl' and the 'C' keys.
Ctl-V - Move your cursor to where you want to paste what you just copied. Then press the 'Ctl' and the 'V' keys.
Mouse Tip
If your mouse is not responding correctly, your may have a dirty mouse. This tip may help. Flip your mouse over and turn the plate to remove the ball. Inside, you will see several rollers. These rollers may have built up a bit of lint or dust. Remove the dust and lint with a Q-Tip or your finger. If these rollers are really nasty, add a bit of rubbing alcohol to the Q-Tip. Make sure any lint and dust falls out of the mouse. Replace the ball and plate. Your mouse should respond much better.
Virus Scanners
These days there is a lot of talk about viruses. You should have virus software on you computer, especially if you surf the web and send or receive e-mail. Most viruses are spread through e-mail. Sometimes people don't even know that they are passing a virus on to other people, as the virus will "attach" itself to the e-mail you send.
Once you purchase the virus software and install it, you must remember to then download the updates! This is very important! The updates are free from the software company. Go to the website of your software producer and follow the instructions to download the updates. You can manually update your software by clicking on the "Update" button in your software. This will open your Internet connection and proceed to the software site.
If you are running Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus software, it will find the updates, download them, and install them for you. Just follow the instructions on the screen.
McAfee Virus Scan update is a little more involved but is still fairly simple. Click on "Update", this will open your internet connection and proceed to the McAfee site. Click on the "Anti-Virus" tab. It will take you to another page. On this page you will find a link to "Update dat files". Click on that link, it takes you to another page to download the needed update files. You must however, know the version of your software. (To find your 'version', open the virus software and click on "Help", then click on "About". At the top of the dialog box will be the version number (Ex: 4.0.3). Close your virus software.) Now back to the web site. Find the version you need to download, 4.X or 5.X, click on it and it will take you to another page. Click on "Download now". When the next box pops up, choose "Save to disk" and click "OK". At this point it will ask you where you want to save the file. Save it in a place you can find it, as you will need it later. "My Download files" is a good spot. The file will then download. After it is downloaded, close your Internet connection. On your desktop, click on "Start", then click on "Run", then click on "Browse". Find the file you downloaded. Make sure it is highlighted, click "OK", then click "OK" again. Follow the instructions on the screen. I know this sounds complicated. It isn't that bad once you have done it. It takes about 10 minutes and will save you many headaches, should you catch a virus on your computer system.
There are many other virus scanners available as well, so the procedures may vary. Please be sure to follow the producers' upgrade instructions.
AVATAR Computer offers this advise in good faith and will not be held responsible for any problems arising from said procedure. If you have a problem Contact Us and we can help. Most virus scanners have an automatic update feature. You must configure it to do so however. Thereafter, you should update your software every couple of weeks. Don't forget to scan your floppy disks too. Here are links to two of the main producers of virus software. If you click on them it will take you to the company's download page.
