BarnardRefDesk

Somehow the active desktop on the reference computer keeps getting lost. Here is how to reset it.

1. Right click on the desktop
   
2. Click properties
3. Click desktop
4. Click customize desktop
5. Click web
   
6. Click box next to the link for http://barnardrefdesk.blogspot.com

As always, if the page on the desktop is wonky, you can refresh it by right clicking the F5 key.

Labels: active desktop, computers, ref desk, stupid microsoft

Using Lois's instructions, I removed some data hogs from the reference desk computer's start up functions.

For future reference, here are the highlights of Lois's handout:

1. Set a system restore point: Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore. Create a restore point.
   
2. Start --> Run --> Type <> (without the brackets). Click the Startup tab.
   
3. Deselect programs you don't want to run on Startup (e.g. Adobe, Real, QuickTime, Google Toolbar Notifier, iTunes, etc.)
4. If you're not sure if it's safe to delete something, you can do a search for it using your favorite search engine. (e.g. nwtray.exe turns out to be Novell, so you do want to run it at Startup. Don't delete it!) Particularly useful sites for researching the necessity of functions are Neuber and BleepingComputer. In general, leave alone anything in the windows\system32 folder and anything related to Symantec.
   
5. Reboot. Don't be frightened by the warning message that will pop up once you've rebooted, "The System Configuration Utility..." Just check the box. It's okay.
   
6. Nota bene: it's really better to disable Startup in each application. Normally the control is in Options or Preferences.
   

Thanks, Lois!

Labels: computers, lois, ref desk

I just installed the new version of Symantec (anti-virus, and now pest detection, too) onto the references desk computer.

You might want to put it on your own computer(s), as well.

http://www.columbia.edu/acis/software/nav

Labels: AT, computers, CUIT, ref desk, software