Creating a Personalized Desktop Background Slideshow in Windows 7

You want to have a desktop background that changes like a slideshow from your own pictures.

1. Right-click on your desktop then select Personalize.
   
   
   
   
   
2. In the lower left of the Change the visuals and sounds of your computer window click on Desktop Background to open the Choose your desktop background window.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. If the pictures you want to use are not displayed, click the Browse button to navigate to the location of the folder containing the pictures. Once you have the correct folder selected, click OK. The pictures will be displayed in the Choose your desktop background window.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. If you want to use all the pictures in the folder click the Select all button.
   
   
   
   
   
5. If you only want to use certain pictures, click the box to the upper left of the pictures you want to use.
   
   
   
   
   
6. In the lower left of the Choose your desktop window is the Pictures position selections. This determines how your pictures will be displayed. For pictures, you will generally want to choose Fit. You can use Center if the pictures are all the correct size for your desktop.
   
   
   
   
   
7. To the right of Picture Position is the Change picture every: drop down list. Click the currently selected time interval and choose the time interval the background should change at.
   
   
   
   
   
8. If you want to display the pictures in a random order, click the box next to Shuffle to place a check in it.
   
   
   
   
   
9. If you want to change the background color, click Change background color. For any unfilled space around the picture, this will be the color displayed. Click OK after selecting your background color to return to the Choose your desktop background window.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. If you are satisfied with your changes, click Save changes.
    
    
    
    
    

How to add a User Account in Windows 7

This article details how to add a limited user or administrator account to a Windows 7 system. This can be useful when adding users to the system and will allow each of them to have their own customizable interface.

1. Log on to an administrator account.
NOTE: If unsure which is an administrator account, follow the next two steps.
2. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
   
   
   
   
   
3. In the Search Programs and Files box, type Add user.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the Add or remove user accounts option at the top.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Click on Create User Account in the middle of the newly opened screen.
   
   
   
   NOTE: If this option is not available, that means the account that is in use is a limited user account.
   
6. Enter the name for the account (usually the name of the user, but it can be whatever is preferred.)
   
   
   
   
   
7. Select Standard User or Administrator. Read the criteria on the page to determine which should be used.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Click on Create Account in the bottom right.
   
   
   
9. The Account is now created. If a password is desired, click on the newly created account.
   
   
   
   
   
10. Click on Create a Password and fill in the information.
    
    
    
    
    

How to Install an Add-In Card

Increasing the productivity and functionality of your desktop computer doesn’t have to be limited to how many devices you can plug into the ports. Many motherboards and cases provide expansion slots that can be used to install additional capabilities like updated Graphics, TV-Tuners, Hi-Def Audio cards, and Video capture.

This guide will show you how to install an add-in card to your computer.

Note: Opening up a computer is not without some risk. Before beginning, make sure to completely power off and disconnect your computer from the wall and all other devices including the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Also remember to use an anti-static wristband, or mat to avoid Electro Static Discharge (ESD) which can damage your components.

1. Locate the slot in which you want to install the card. The diagram below shows a general location for PCI slots, and it may vary by motherboard. There may also be PCI-Express slots on the system, which will be labeled on the motherboard and in the manual.

2. Remove the metal expansion slot guard from the back of the case. Some are attached by soft metal and can be bent and removed, while others are attached with a screw at the top and will need to be removed that way. For more information, consult the manual that came with your computer case.
3. Align the card with the notches in the slot and insert the card vertically in to the slot, with the external ports aligned with the expansion slot on the back of the case. Moderate force may be necessary to get the card all the way in to the slot.
4. Screw in the metal bracket on the end of the card using the notch on the top aligned with the hole in the computer case. Some computer cases use a plastic latch system to hold the card in place. If this is the case, consult the manual that was attached with your computer case.

That’s it! Your add-in card is now installed.

Remember to consult the card manufacturers information on installing any software that came with the add-in card when you get back in to Windows.

Desktop Computer Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Recovery Disc or an Operating System Disc?
A: The Recovery Disc or Operating System Disc is used when the Operating System has become unusable, due to file corruption, virus or hardware malfunction.

Q: Are any of the pre-installed applications removable?
A: Yes, any software is removable by accessing the Add or Remove Programs control in Windows XP, or Programs and Features control in Windows 7.

Q: Is Up-To-Date Security Software Necessary?
A: Security software is recommended to prevent data loss, as well as theft of personal information. If this security is not kept up to date, newly created Viruses, Worms, Trojans and other threats will have easy access to the system. We recommend ESET NOD32 or ESET Smart Security to keep your computer secure.

Q: What is DVD-RAM?
A: DVD-RAM is a re-writable DVD that can be rewritten hundreds of thousands of times. Typically DVD-RAM discs will not play in standard DVD Players. It is often used in Video Cameras.

Q: Why are Back-Ups necessary?
A: Keeping an up-to-date back-up of your computer is critical if you have files on the system that you do not want to lose. If your computer gets hit by a bad virus or the hard drive fails, you may lose all information on the computer. Keeping information saved on an external hard drive, or other storage media using backup software ensures that it will always be available.

Q: What is a HomeGroup?
A: A HomeGroup is an easy way to share files, printers and other resources when multiple Windows 7 computers are connected to one router.

Q: Where is the Microsoft Office product key?
A: To obtain the Microsoft Office product key, activate the trial by clicking the 60-day trial icon located on the desktop, or Activation Assistant icon in the Microsoft Office folder found in the Start Menu.

Creating Recovery Media for Gateway Computers

This article shows how to create the recovery media for a Gateway-brand computer.

Before you begin:
If your computer experiences problems that are not recoverable by other methods, you may need to reinstall the Windows operating system and factory-loaded software and drivers. To reinstall using discs, you must create the set of recovery discs before you have a problem. To ensure that you have recovery options available, you should create a set of recovery discs as soon as possible.

If you are creating recovery discs, ensure that you have several blank DVD±R discs. Note that you cannot use DVD±RW or DVD±R Double-Layer discs to create the recovery media.

Close all open applications on the PC. You will not be able to use the computer while it is creating the recovery media.

Create a set of operating system recovery discs by following these steps:

1. Click on Start » All Programs » Gateway, then click on Gateway Recovery Management. This will open Gateway Recovery Management.

2. Choose the recovery media you wish to create.

OPTIONS:
- Create factory default disc. This creates recovery discs for the hard drive's entire original contents, including Windows and all factory-loaded software and drivers.
- Create driver and application backup disc. This option creates recovery discs for only the factory-loaded software and drivers.

Note: It is recommended that you create each type of disk as soon as possible.

3. The Create Backup Disc dialog box opens. This dialog box tells you the number of blank, recordable discs you will need to complete the recovery. Be sure to have the required number of blank discs ready before going on.

4. Insert a blank disc into the drive indicated in the Burn to list, then click Next. The first disc begins recording, and you can watch its progress on the screen. When the disc finishes recording, the drive ejects it.

5. Remove the disc from the drive and mark it with a permanent marker.

Note: Be sure to label each disc. We recommend that you pick a unique name for each disc such as Recovery Disc 1 of 2 or Apps/Drivers Recovery disc.

If multiple discs are required, insert a new disc when prompted, then click OK. Continue recording discs until the process is complete.

Creating Recovery Media for Dell Computers

This article shows you how to create recovery media for Dell-brand computers.

Before you begin:

If your computer experiences problems that are not recoverable by other methods, you may need to reinstall the Windows operating system and factory-loaded software and drivers. To reinstall using discs, you must create the set of recovery discs before you have a problem. To ensure that you have recovery options available, you should create a set of recovery discs as soon as possible.

If you are creating recovery discs, ensure that you have several blank DVD±R discs. Note that you cannot use DVD±RW or DVD±R Double-Layer discs to create the recovery media.

Close all open applications on the PC. You will not be able to use the computer while it is creating the recovery media.

Create a set of operating system recovery discs by following these steps:

1. Click Start. In the Search Programs and Files box located just above the Start button, type "Dell Backup and Recovery Manager" (without the quotes) and press the Enter key.

2. On the left side of the window that opens, click Dell Recovery Tools.

3. Click Create a Recovery Disc or Device.

4. Select DVD and Factory Image and Recovery Tools and click Next.

5. Select your optical drive and insert a DVD±R and click Next.

The recovery files will then be written to disc. You may be asked to insert an additional disc after the first one. Follow the on-screen instructions until the recording is complete.

Note: Be sure to label each disc. We recommend that you pick a unique name for each disc such as Recovery Disc 1, 2, 3..etc.

Creating Recovery Media for Acer Computers

This guide shows how to create the recovery media for an Acer-brand computer.

Before you begin:

If you are creating recovery discs, ensure that you have several blank DVD±R discs. Note that you cannot use DVD±RW or DVD±R Double-Layer discs to create the recovery media.

Close all open applications on the PC. You will not be able to use the computer while it is creating the recovery media.

To create recovery media:

1. Click on Start and then All Programs.

2. Click on the Acer folder and then on the Acer Recovery Management. This will launch the Acer Recovery Management application.

3. Click on Create Factory Default Disc. The Create Backup Disc dialog box will appear and provide information on the number of blank media that is needed for the recovery media.

4. Insert a blank disc into the drive indicated in the Burn To list and click Start. The Acer Recovery Management application will be in the process of creating the recovery media.

5. The disc will be ejected whenever it has completed burning, if multiple discs are required insert a new disc when prompted and click Ok.

Virus Alert: ThinkPoint Removal

A new malware tool called "ThinkPoint" has been affecting both Windows 7 and Windows XP systems. This "free" software poses as a virus scanner but actually disables your Windows taskbar and desktop icons. ThinkPoint is also known as "hotfix.exe".

To disable the ThinkPoint application:

1. Press CRL + ALT + DEL to launch the Windows Task Manager.

2. Click on the Processes tab.

3. Find the process called "hotfit.exe". Select the program and click End Process.

This will temporarily disable the ThinkPoint application, but you will need to permanently remove the program from your system. Follow these instructions from Microsoft Support to run a Full Service Scan »

Reference:
Microsoft Support. How to remove ThinkPoint from your computer.
http://bit.ly/fSVIby

PC Tools. Remove ThinkPoint.
http://bit.ly/fLPcYL

Creating Recovery Media for HP Computers

Before you begin:
If you are creating recovery discs, ensure that you have several blank DVD±R discs. Note that you cannot use DVD±RW or DVD±R DL discs to create the recovery media.

Close all open applications. You will not be able to use the computer while it is creating the recovery media.

You can use HP Recovery Manager to create a personal set of recovery discs. When you select the Recovery disc creation process, the HP Recovery Manager examines the PC and determines how many blank DVD discs will be required. Depending on the model, you will need up to three DVD-R or DVD+R discs. The creation process can take up to an hour or more. Do not interrupt the creation process.

Create a set of operating system recovery discs by following the steps below.

1. Click Start and type "recovery" without the quotes in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list to open the HP Recovery Manager window. Alternatively you can click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager.

2. When the Recovery Manager application opens, click Recovery Disc Creation. The computer will restart and launch the Recovery Manager again.

3. Select Recovery Disc Creation again to start the process. The program will appear to pause for about ten minutes while it examines the computer and calculates how many DVD-R or DVD+R discs are needed. Do not interrupt this process. The discs must be either DVD-R, or DVD+R. Do not use DVD-R/W read/write type discs because the creation process will fail.

4. When prompted, put a blank disc in the DVD drive and follow the on-screen instructions to create the recovery discs.

5. After all of the recovery discs are created, label the discs and store them in a safe place.

Reference:
HP Support. Creating the Recovery Disc Set in Windows 7.
http://bit.ly/ftJRKW

HP Support. Creating the Recovery Disc Set in Windows XP.
http://bit.ly/evR90I

Creating Recovery Media for eMachine Computers

This week, we are going to focus on creating recovery media for different systems. For Day 1, this article shows you how to make backup discs for eMachine-brand desktops and notebooks.

Before you begin:
If you are creating recovery discs, ensure that you have several blank DVD±R discs. Note that you cannot use DVD±RW or DVD±R Double-Layer discs to create the recovery media.

Close all open applications on the PC. You will not be able to use the computer while it is creating the recovery media.

To create recovery media:

1.  Click on Start and then All Programs.

2. Click on the eMachines folder and then on the eMachines Recovery Management. This will launch the eMachines Recovery Management application.

3.  Click on Create Factory Default Disc. The Create Backup Disc dialog box will appear and provide information on the number of blank media that is needed for the recovery media.

4. Insert a blank disc into the drive indicated in the Burn To list and click Start. The eMachines Recovery Management application will be in the process of creating the recovery media.

5. The disc will be ejected whenever it has completed burning, if multiple discs are required insert a new disc when prompted and click Ok.

Reference:
eMachines Support. FAQs.
http://bit.ly/evR90I