Computer Troubleshooting

Here are the preventative measures that you can take to reduce problems with your computer.

1. Keep current with the Windows Updates
2. Keep current with your anti-virus software updates
3. Keep current with your anti-virus virus definitions (also called virus fingerprints)
4. Defrag the hard drive

To fix problems in general, run the following applications which are available from download.com:

1. Spybot
2. Adaware
3. Spyware Blaster
4. Windows Defender

FAQ

Question 1: When click the Start menu button on the Windows Desktop, not all the options are listed in the various menus. I have to click the chevron (two stacked “V”s) at the bottom of the respective menu to expand it to show all the menu options. How can I just see all the options and not just the most recently used options?

Answer

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Properties”.
2. On the “Start Menu” tab, click the “Customize” button.
3. In the “Advanced Start menu options” list box at the bottom of the tab, scroll until you find the “Use Personalized Menus” option.
4. Remove the check mark from the “Use Personalized Menus” option.
5. Click the “OK” button to close the “Customize Start Menu” dialog box.
6. Click the “OK” button to close the “Taskbar and Start Menu Properties” dialog box.
7. Done.

Question 2: How can I see all the menu options within computer programs and not just the most recently used options?

Last updated: 3/5/07