TechMan Help

If you want to shutdown your computer on Windows Vista, you have to click on the start button, and then select the dropdown box and click shutdown.

However, there is an easier way to do this. Just type “power options” into the search bar and click on Choose what the power button does on the left hand side, or go to Control Panel –> Hardware and Sounds – > "Change what the power buttons do”.

Where it says “When I press the power button: select “Shutdown”

Then you are done. So now it’s just two clicks to shutdown your Windows Vista computer.

If for whatever reason you think someone may be using your home network because your internet is being slowed because you are capped , your shared computer files are being modified, or your router log shows other computers have accessed the network, here's what you can do to kick them out of your network.

The most common reason how people access your network is because you have an unsecured router. By securing your router with WPA key, this will block everyone out who doesn’t know this key.

To do this, enter your routers IP address into a web browser and search through the settings to you find the wireless settings. Each router is different, so I cannot tell you the exact steps.

If you are noticing that your your ISP download usage is appearing higher then what you think it should be, then it may be wise to see what packets are entering and exiting your computer. There are two great programs that I recommend for you to use.

The first program is Wireshark. Wireshark is free and is simple to use. It allows you to see information about packets that enter and exit your network and computer. You can also see the source and destinations of these packets to determine what and where your packets going. Wireshark is very easy to use, just install and click on “Start Capture” and packets are captured in real-time for you to view.

Don’t know what copy and paste is? Well here are 5 steps quick and easy steps to help you.

1. Use your mouse to highlight the text you want to copy by holding the left mouse button down while dragging your cursor over the selected text.
2. Right click on mouse and select copy
3. Click on where you want to paste the text
4. Right click on mouse and click on paste
5. The text that you just copied copied will be pasted.

Now try to copy the content of the post and paste it in the below textbox.

Got some cash lying around? Do you need to buy yourself a new laptop or if your like me, another laptop to add to the collection? Don’t know what to get or which brand? I know, there are heaps to choose from. But when you have finished reading this, you should be able to understand computer jargon, how to choose a laptop that is value for money, how to make sure you choose a laptop that suits your need and to be aware of sites to help you compare specs and read reviews.

If I say Mhz, Ghz, Megabyte, Petabyte, Ram, Central Processing Unit, Cache, dual and quad core and you have no idea what I am talking about, please read on. The bigger is not always better.

Understanding Computer Jargon (specs)

Taking screenshots can be an important thing to do. It might be that you are blogging, trying to show someone something or even there’s an image that you want to save.

Taking screen shots is not an as easy as you think. In XP and Vista, there is not a one click button that takes a screen shot. You then have to somehow save it. So here is a quick tutorial on how to take a screenshot.

In Vista

There is a nice nifty program in Windows Vista that can take screenshots quite easily. All you have to do is search for Snipping Tool in the Vista start menu search. Or you can find it under all programs –> accessories.

Have you ever noticed that you change the view settings on folder from thumbnail to list, when you re-open that folder, it is back to what it was before? If you don’t want that to happen, here is how you can change it.

Open folder options by either searching for folder options in the Vista start menu search.

Or by clicking on organise in the folder and choose folder and search options

Once it opens, click on remember each folders view settings, click ok and apply. This post will help you know the difference between OK and Apply

When you open that folder from now on, what ever view you set to any folder, it should stay like that until you change it.

What is an IP Address

An IP Address is a bunch of numbers that look similar to this: 124.136.56.164. IP Addresses are used to connect computers to each other. This IP Address is assigned by your ISP when you are connected to the Internet. Their is also another IP Address that usually starts with: 192.168. and will look like 192.168.0.165. This number is for your home or local network computers to talk to each other.

What is the difference between a static and dynamic IP address?

The simple answer is yes. But to get it can be quite difficult. For those who are unaware of what an IP Address is, you can read an the Introduction to an IP address post.

If someone wants to find out where you live, they will need to know your IP address to start off with and the date and time you accessed something. Every time you visit a website, the chances are high of them recording your IP address. Although some sites do not, but only record your IP address if you sign up to something, login to a site or purchase something only.

If you have modified your computer theme in XP before and you want to change it back, here is a short tutorial on how to change your theme back.

Firstly, on the desktop, right click on the desktop and click on properties.

Then click on the theme tab if it’s not already selected. In the drop down box, select

Click Apply, then OK.

Your computer will then configure the new changes and then you have successfully changed your computer theme.

Tip: To know the difference between Apply and Ok, click The Difference between “Apply” and “Ok”.