Advice
This page contains links to articles I’ve written over the past few years. It used to contain links to my old collection of tips that originally appeared on another site more than five years ago. However, most of those tips were completely outdated for anyone running Windows XP, so I’ve removed those pages completely. Don’t worry, though - I’ve saved the tips that were still worthwhile, updated those that were worth updating, and began publishing a new collection of daily (more or less) tips on the main site.
You’ll find all entries in the Tips category here.
I’ve also added links to feature articles from the Microsoft.com Expert Zone (relatively recent and mostly quite useful). I’ve removed articles I originally wrote for About.com and the now-defunct TechSanity. The latter were originally written in 2000 and 2001, so their content was out of date.
If you like what you see and you want to learn more about Windows and Office, please buy my books! You can find direct links to all my books (at generously discounted prices) on this page.
Articles
Windows XP Support Secrets
My all-time favorite collections of Windows expertise, plus advice on how to seriously search the newsgroups for answers to your Windows XP questions. (March 1, 2004)
Set Up a New PC
Provides a checklist to make sure your new PC is secure and that your data and settings are well organized. (December 22, 2003) (Alas, Microsoft seems to have pushed this column down the memory hole without telling me about it. The article is excerpted from my book Ed Bott’s Your New PC; it’s somewhat outdated now, as it was written before XP Service Pack 2, but most of the basic principles are still valid.)
Moving Files and Settings to a New PC
The follow-up to my article on setting up a new PC, this article covers the Windows XP automated tool, the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. (February 2, 2004)
CD Burning Secrets
Goes beyond the basics of CD burning with some not-so-intuitive troubleshooting tips and a checklist to help you decide when it’s time to switch to a third-party CD burning program. (September 16, 2003)
Backup Made Easy
How to back up essential files and specify an automatic backup schedule so Windows XP does most of the work. (July 14, 2003)
Share Digital Photos
I explain how to reduce photo file size, use a Windows XP PowerToy to convert a batch of picture files to a smaller size, and find alternatives to e-mail for sharing photos. (May 12, 2003)
Master Your Music Library
Windows Media Player 9 Series has everything you need to create perfect digital copies of your favorite tunes. This article includes tips on choosing the right bit rate, getting song details from the Internet, and creating auto playlists. (May 5, 2003)
Manage Your Windows Messenger Contacts
Provides tips on organizing Windows Messenger contacts, setting privacy options, and integrating Windows Messenger contacts with Outlook Express. (April 7, 2003)
am trying to email photos in 300 dpi, for printing. when i send a 300 dpi photo, it automatically changes to 72 dpi and is unusable for printing. can you help me?
Can anyone explain why I get a access denied error when I try to enable a bootlog in msconfig? I am logged in in a computer_administrator account.
I had this article bookmarked: Set Up a New PC. I’ve relied on it as a great guide when helping others set up new computers. Unfortunately, it is no longer there, and your link to it ends up in the same place. Is it still online somewhere? Thanks so much for all of you help in the past.
Teresa,
Sorry, I can’t find that piece online either, and I don’t have a copy handy. I’ll see if I can dig it up, but it may be lost for good.
For what it’s worth, the piece was adapted from a book called Ed Bott’s Your New PC, which is available from used sellers at Amazon. It’s somewhat outdated now because it was written before XP Service Pack 2, but it would be at least as helpful as the original article.
Ok I am new to this process and I stumbled onto your blog by putting in the google search engine “owning my own domain name”. I hope you can help me. I began to start my “new business” website on microsoft office live but to me it wasn’t user friendly for novices like me. The presentation was pretty but once I got into the “free website and domain name” then it was time to create my web pages and I was clueless. They don’t have a “go to support” site that is until you start paying the monthly fee, but they do have email and each time I send something I get no return emails. I just new Microsoft would be different. Maybe I did something wrong.
Anywho….I looked at your A2hosting website and it looked like it had a clearer understanding as to “how it all works”. It actually gives you the breakdown of putting it all together. I haven’t researched all the way through but so far so good.
Now my next or should I say main point I wanted to address was….I set up the website but didn’t do my homework to find out that someone in my state was already using this name so therefore I couldn’t use it. I just new the name wouldn’t be taken. Long story short….I have no idea how to move the data I put into that website or domain name to a new one that I am looking to get started with. Should I just click and paste and then when I create a new domain name and website post it or is there another way? I hope what I am asking doesn’t confuse you. I just want to learn this process but getting started has been quite challenging. Thanks!
hi
have just purchased new computer with vista and i HATE IT!!!
HELP!!! It is so SLOW . i am really sorry i didnt stick with xp which i loved.
any explainations advice re: poor speed ?
What kind of computer is it, Mary?
It is not Vista causing the problems, but a configuration problem or a program that is to blame. Do you know anyone who can help you troubleshoot?