What About Our Old Computer? by Greg Thomas

When you get a new computer, chances are, you don't simply throw away your old one. A church, school, daycare or even a humble student can usually put a recycled PC to good use. Additionally, whatever value the old computer may have could serve as a deductible contribution.

Legal Issues

If your computer came with Windows (there will be a Microsoft Windows sticker on the PC), you can legally transfer ownership of it with the computer itself. Include any restore discs or Windows installation discs with the computer. Retail and upgrade versions of Windows can also be transferred with the computer, but you should not use these discs to install Windows on any other computer. It is important to remember that is illegal to use the same Windows License Key to activate it the software on more than one computer.

In most cases, other software that came with the computer can also be transferred. If you bought a software package, it can either go with the machine or stay with you on another one, but it can't be on both. When in doubt, check the software's licensing agreement.

Personal Matters

It is important to remove your personal data files thoroughly and clear out basic network settings. Copy personal files off the hard drive before deleting them. The My Documents folder is where most personal files can be found, but if you’ve had multiple users, there's a My Documents folder for each one. If you use AOL, there will probably be personal files in its Downloads folder. Quicken, QuickBooks, and TurboTax put their data files in different locations, too.

From your e-mail program, delete any inbox or stored messages. Delete any contacts in the address book, and remove any log-on account information. From your Web browser, delete your bookmarks and saved passwords and delete things like your browser's history, cache, cookies, temporary files, and so forth. If you use AOL or a dial-up Internet connection, delete any accounts or connection passwords.

Leaving a Legacy that Nobody Wants

Make sure the system you're letting go isn't already infested with viruses and spyware. Use whatever updated antivirus and antispyware products you have installed to perform full system scans, and clean/fix anything they find.

Uninstall (using the Windows Control Panel) software and drivers for hardware that will no longer be used. Once their software is gone, remove any remaining printers in the Windows Printers and Faxes Control Panel, as well as software and drivers for scanners, cameras, PDAs, MP3 players, card readers, and any other peripherals that aren't moving with the computer.

Finally, collect all the books and discs that originally came with the computer, along with any discs for software you're including with it. They'll be vital if its new owner ever needs to reinstall anything or to look up technical details.

Though not as fast as a new computer, a properly restored older computer should serve well for tasks such as reading e-mail, viewing Web pages, doing homework and writing reports.

Useful Links
Centra Central

New Friday On-line schedule comes out soon! Watch for it and get signed up!

Enroll or browse upcoming events or learn more about Centra by clicking the Centra Symposium link from the EIT webpage or going directly to http://eit.tamu.edu/centra.html . Playback any of the 250+ recorded sessions from the Public Recordings link at http://centra.tamu.edu/main/tce .

Web Info

Possible URLs to link from your Websites this Month

 

Helpful Hints - compiled by Jill Hughson

  • If you visit a Web site and start hearing background music or some audio that you'd rather escape, you don't have to turn off your computer's speaker. Try just pressing the Esc key (the Escape key), which often cuts the audio. The exception to this is Flash movies, which keep playing the soundtrack no matter how hard you try to Esc.
  • When browsing websites, use the Backspace key on your keyboard to quickly return to the previous page. This works the same as using the “Back” button on the toolbar.
  • Find a really important Web site? Right-click on the page you like and choose Create Shortcut. A shortcut to the page will appear right on your desktop.
  • Address harvesting programs comb through newsgroup postings and other online forums for e-mail addresses to include in spam lists. One way to stay off such lists is to "munge" your address. Instead of putting your real reply address into your postings, set your e-mail program and browser so that they put an address that's false enough to confound dumb spam programs, but clear to any real person who wants to write you back.
    For example, youremailaddress@hold-the-spam.earthlink.net is a good munge.
  • Another way to fool email harvesters that might pull your address from places like blogs, websites, etc. is to spell it out. For example “youremailaddress at yahoo dot com” instead of “youremailaddress@yahoo.com”.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Internet Explorer
Keyboard Shortcuts for Netscape
CTRL + B = Bookmark Manager CTRL + B = Open bookmarks
CTRL + E = Open Google Search CTRL + F = Find on this page
CTRL + F = Find on this page CTRL + H = Open History
CTRL + H = Open History CTRL + M = Compose e-mail
CTRL + I = Open Favorites CTRL + N = Open new browser window
CTRL + N = Open new browser window CTRL + O = Open local file in browser
CTRL + O = Open a remote address CTRL + P = Open Print dialog box
CTRL + R = Refresh page CTRL + R = Refresh page

 

 

Tip of the Month: Video CD’s (VCD) using IrfanView - by Robert H. Jenson

IrfanView is a free program that has been distributed on the County Support CD for many years. If you have not used it to edit a graphic file or to do a quick slideshow, you may want to check it out. If you have been using it, read on to learn about one of its newer features, creating Video CD’s (VCD). For those not familiar with VCD’s they are CD’s that can be played in a DVD player.

To create a VCD in IrfanView, click on the slideshow icon and setup your slideshow. (Figure 1)

  • In the Slideshow window, click on “Burn to CD.” (Figure 2)
  • Select “Create Video CD (VCD)” and click on Start. (Figure 3)

The first time you do this, you will probably get a window explaining that it will only work if you have the Nero program and the IrfanView Plug-in for Nero. (Figure 4)

The Nero program comes on most of the newer computers. If you have a CD burner, you are likely to have Nero. Check in Start All Programs to be certain. The necessary IrfanView plug-in is included on the County Support CD. If you installed the IrfanView plug-ins, you have what you need.

The next window should have identified your CD burner. (Figure 5)

You can give your VCD a name that includes no special characters. When you are ready to create the VCD, click the Write CD button. When it is finished, you can put your CD in a DVD player and your slideshow should automatically start and play.

Slideshow hints: (1) You cannot record your slides in random order, they will be in the order they appear in the picture list. (2) You can add music to your slide show by including music files (MP3) in the list of included files.