 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
January 21, 2005
Dear CNET members! Wow, this week I received a record number of submissions to Gary's question on eliminating some of those system tray icons. In one form or another, many of you gave the same great solution, which was to jump right into Windows msconfig or the Windows Registry to eliminate certain startup programs. However, since we don't know the computer proficiency of Gary and of others who might be seeking advice on this topic, this week's winning answer by Mark F. scales the process back a couple of steps and gives an incredible explanation of the Windows system tray and how to safely trim down some of the programs lurking in them. In any case, if your computer proficiency is beyond the novice level and you're looking for a more advanced solution, by all means, please check out the honorable mentions and other recommendations by our members. You can then decide from there which approach is best for you. And, as always, if you have additional advice to offer, please join us in the discussion. Thanks, everyone!
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Question of the Week
My system tray in Windows XP is loaded with icons, which I understand means that these programs are running in the background. I went to the Startup Folder under Programs, but it is empty. How can I keep some of these programs from automatically loading (such as Windows Messenger, which according to my Add/Remove Programs window is not even supposed to be running!). Thank you.
Submitted by:
Gary H.
Hi, Gary. So, your system tray is overloaded with icons, and you want to trim their numbers down.
I don't blame you. As useful as the system tray in Windows is, it's another place for program vendors to advertise that you are using their software, and the tray can soon grow to excessive proportions.
For anyone else reading this who is not quite sure what or where the system tray, (normally shortened to systray), is, have a look at this...
Submitted by:
Mark F.
Please click the following links for this week's: For
Mark's
efforts, we're sending him his choice of any Help.com Learning CD.• Honorable mentions • Other recomendations from our members Community Buzz  Each week we take a look at topics discussed in the forums.Best regards and enjoy! Recently, member jbndhs found out that his next-door neighbor was accessing his wireless network to get onto the Internet. Finally, he had enough and came to the forums looking to our community members for help on terminating his neighbor's access. Check out what your fellow members recommended he do to keep his neighbors from tagging along on his network. More from the Networking & Wireless Forum Windows XP defrag or Norton Speed Disk? Here's the question: Is there a defragging utility better than the preinstalled Windows version? Well, another popular program is found in Norton SystemWorks. Of the two, which one is better, faster, and more efficient? Find out what people are saying in this discussion. Whether you agree or disagree with the opinions, share your views with the rest of us. More from the Windows XP Forum What is "error guard?" This week's hot buzzword: error guard! What in the world is it? Spyware, malware, good/bad utility--whatever it is, after reading through some of what our members have posted, I'm still confused. Do you have any idea what error guard is all about? We need some straight facts here, folks, so if you know the scoop on this thing, please help us out. More from the Viruses & Security Alerts Forum Windows XP: defragging freezes Member compbugs has gone through the routine of running the Windows defragging utility in safe mode, disabling the screensaver, firewall, and antivirus programs, yet his system still stalls at 50 percent. He's looking for some sound advice. Do you have any? Let's hear it. More from the Windows XP Forum Fourteen dollars for a dual-layer DVD!? Dual-layer DVD burners have definitely come down in price in the past several months. But if you want to burn a dual-layer DVD, you'd better open your wallet wide for the media. Check out this discussion about the cost of dual-layer DVDs, where this tech is heading, and if it is really worth getting into. More from the Computer Help Forum Mac nugget: iPod Mini erased This member bought an iPod Mini as a gift and personally preloaded it with 600 songs to give to the person, but when the giftee tried to install iTunes on a PC to add some additional songs, everything was erased. Any idea why this happened? More from the Mac hardware forum |
|
Check out next week's question:
I have a question that involves old, 35mm color slides and negatives. What is the best and least-expensive approach to digitizing these and storing them on my computer? Details are appreciated, for I am a complete newcomer to this practice.
--Submitted by:
Robert K.
(Note: While Robert's question is pretty open-ended to all recommendations on products, for the purpose of addressing a large audience, by all means recommend what you use to tackle this task, but also be detailed how the process is done from start to finish. Thanks!)
If you have the answer,e-mail us at messageboards@cnet.com. If we choose your response, you'll get a free Help.com CD. Click here for Q&A submission guidelines and check out our previous Help & How-to newsletters here.
Have a question? E-mail us on one of our upcoming topics:
Need help right away? Don't wait for us, come and join our lively community forums for all the tech help and how-tos.
Last week's poll results
Do you have your own small business? Have a poll you'd like to ask our members? E-mail us a suggestion. Simple question, simple answer
Help your fellow members
This week on CNET
 Insider Secrets: Speed up Windows XP Don't get bogged down by a slowpoke OS. Use these tips to kick XP in the pants. Learn more  |
||||||||||||||||
The e-mail address for your CNET Community newsletter is test.tester@cnet.com. Click here to manage your newsletters, including this one.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe. Privacy statement CNET Networks takes your privacy seriously. Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we want you to clearly understand the terms and conditions surrounding the collection and use of this information. We encourage you to review our privacy policy. |
|||||||||||||||||||
Click here to see full answer
Copyright 2005 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. CNET Networks, Inc. 235 Second Street San Francisco, CA 94105 U.S.A. |