Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I get asked:

Q. I would like to use File Manager instead of Explorer in Win 95/98, where did it go?

A. It's there, just hidden, here's how to get it back:

  1. Right-click in an open area on your Desktop, click New, Shortcut
  2. In the Command line box type: C:\windows\winfile click Next
  3. In the Select a name for the shortcut box type: File Manager click Finish.

Q. How do I create a directory in File Manager?

A. In File Manager, make sure you are in the root directory (C:\) (otherwise it will create the directory inside another directory and you'll have a hard time finding it)! Click File, Create Directory..., give it a name and click OK. Use to make directories for storing graphics or your downloads off the internet.

Q. What's the easiest way to select files using File Manager or Explorer?

  1. To select a file, click on it.
  2. To select 2 or more files in a row, click on the first file, then press & hold down the Shift key and click the last file in the bunch.
  3. To select 2 or more files that aren't in a row, click on the first file, then press & hold down the Ctrl key and click the other files.

Q. How do I get 2 different directories or drives in File Manager?

A. In File Manager, to Open & Tile new windows, click on Window, New Window, to tile them click on Window, Tile Horizontally. Now you can change one of the windows to another drive or directory. This is very useful for moving or copying files from your harddrive to a floppy disk or from one directory to another.

Q. How do I move or copy files in File Manager?

Basically, to move or copy files in File Manager, you drag it from here to there. Sometimes, though, you will find yourself copying when you meant to move and moving when you meant to copy. Open & Tile a new window and change them to the directory or drive/s you wish to use.

To Move Files:

  1. If you want to move files from one directory on the hard drive to another directory on the hard drive: Just click & drag it to its new location.
  2. If you want to move files from one drive to another drive hold down the Shift key while you click & drag it there.

To Copy Files:

  1. If you want to copy files from one directory on the hard drive to another directory on the harddrive: Hold down the Ctrl key while you click & drag the file to its new location.
  2. If you want to copy files from one drive to another drive (say from C: to A:) just click & drag it there.

Q. How do I associate a file with a program using File Manager?

A. File Manager associates certain file extensions with certain programs. If the file name icon is a piece of paper with the corner turned down & little lines on it, you only need to double-click on it to start the program & open the file all at once.

But if there are no lines on the icon and you wish to open it (see what's in it) you must associate it with a program.

To do this first click on the file name to highlight it, then click File, Associate, and select the program name in the program list, then click OK. (and of course, if you don't select the right program its not going to work right.

Q. How do I use Copy, Cut & Paste?

A. To Copy, select the text (highlight) you want to copy, click Edit, Copy in the menu bar (or you can click CTRL + C). To Paste, open up a new document in a word processor (or a new email for that matter) and click Edit, Paste (or you can click CTRL + V). This stay's in your computers memory until it gets replaced by another Copy or Cut command.

The procedure is the same for Cut (just click Edit, Cut or press CTRL + X) as it is for Copy, the difference being Cut deletes the highlighted portion from the document. It too stays in your computers memory until it gets replaced by another Copy or Cut command.

Q. How do I put a Shortcut on my Desktop?

A. You can create shortcuts to your most used Win '95/98 programs by placing icons right on the Desktop. Right-click with your mouse in an open spot on the Desktop. Choose the New menu item, then left-click Shortcut. A Create Shortcut dialog box appears. Left-click the Browse button. Choose the program for which you want to create a shortcut and double left-click it. The path name will appear; left-click Next. The computer will offer a name for the shortcut (which you can change). Left-click the Finish button. A new shortcut icon will appear, now when you want to use that program, just left-click the icon.

Q. How Do I Use WinZip?

A.How to unzip a file: Start WinZip, click the Open file, and select the zipped file to decompress. Double- click the file. Compressed files are shown in the Open Archive window. Click Extract from the toolbar. From the Extra window, you can decompress any combination of files, from one to all of them. Mark the files, then click Extract. A bar shows the status of the files being decompressed. It's a good idea to run a virus check on the decompressed files.

To compress or zip a bunch of files: Select New. Enter the file name where you want the zipped files. Clicking OK takes you to an empty Archive window. Clicking Add brings up the Add Files window. Locate the files you want to add. You can either tag one or several. You can also control the type of compression, which affects the time it takes to condense files.(The more a file is condensed, the longer it takes.) When you're ready to compress, click Add.

Q. I downloaded a file off the Internet, now I can't find it!

A. Click Start, Find, Files or Folders, type in any part of the filename you can remember into the Named box. If you can't remember the name but know the date you created it, or last time you seen it, click the Date Modified tab, this narrows down the search to files created only during certain times.

If you're still not sure if it's the correct file you can take a peek inside the file by right-clicking on the filename and choosing Quick View from the menu that pops up. (This allows you to see the file without actually loading the program that created it.)

Q. How do I change the sounds that I hear when I use my Windows '95/98 computer?

A. First make sure you put the wav file you want to use in the C:\Windows\Media directory. Then go to Start, Settings, Control Panel & double click on Sounds. In Events, scroll down until you find the event you want to change the sound of, click on it. In Sound Names, scroll down til you find the wav file you want to use, then click OK. Now when you do something it'll use your new wav file instead of the current sound. Selecting the Windows Default Scheme will restore things back to normal. When you are done you can Save as a Scheme, just give it a new name.

Q. Can I make Netscape Communicator 4.0 look for new email automatically?

A. Yes you can, click on Edit, Preferences, then click the + sign in front of Mail & Groups, click on Mail Server then click More Options. Put a check in the box by Check for mail every 10 minutes. If you want it to look for mail more often then that, change the 10 to a 1. While you are there make sure you have a check in the Remember My Mail Password.

Q. Can anyone access my modem while I'm using my computer?

A. No. You would have to instruct your modem to receive a call; your modem will not just answer any call that comes over the line. Of course, if you instruct your modem through your communications software, to answer calls, then there is a very small chance that someone could try & take it over...but highly unlikely.

Q. Can someone access my modem while I'm online?

A. Your computer uses a modem to connect to another computer that has a direct link to the Internet. To directly hijack your modem while you're connected to another computer, someone would need to tap your line and manipulate the communications going back & forth. This is very unlikely! So, yes, your modem is generally safe while you are online.

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