Administrator privileges limit availability of Auto Updates option
By JOHN TORRO
Published September 29, 2003
Q. I read your column and have picked up a lot of helpful tips. But in following your suggestion about Auto Updates in Windows XP Home Edition, I must have a different version. I don't have an Automatic Updates tab under Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance, System.
A. The reason you are not seeing the Automatic Updates tab is because you are signing on to Windows XP using a limited account. To see this option, you need to be signed on as the Administrator account or an account with Administrator privileges.
If Administrator is not visible as a login account, you'll need to reboot and press the F8 key when you see the "Press F8 for more options" message under the progress dots. This will let you log in as the system account Administrator. Hopefully, you'll remember the appropriate password for this account (it gets assigned as an option during the XP installation), or it may be blank.
Once logged in as the Administrator, you should be able to set the Automatic Update options, which you also can get to by clicking the My Computer icon (if visible) and selecting Properties.
Why can't I delete photos?
Q. I use Windows 2000 and file my pictures in a folder named Pictures. When I delete a picture, a copy of that picture appears in the same folder. I changed attributes, but that didn't help. What is the problem and how can I delete the pictures that I don't want?
A. I'm not sure I understand exactly what is happening or what method you are using to delete these picture files.
Try this: In Windows Explorer, click the file name once to select it. Then while holding down the Shift key, press the Delete key. It will ask if you want to permanently delete this file. Answer "Yes." This method will not put a copy of the deleted file in the Recycle Bin.
If you are using a file mangement tool other than the regular Windows Explorer, don't. That may have something to do with this unusual action.
Speeding up startup
Q. I use Windows Me. I would like to know how to remove the boot delay time and the Windows and Gateway logos so my PC will start up faster. I have streamlined my startup through MSCONFIG.
A. I'm not sure eliminating the splash screens will speed your bootup. While they display, there is unrelated work of some sort going on in the background. Since you've streamlined your Startup group, I would look in other areas for potential time savings at bootup. Are you using Hibernation when you shut down? It will make a huge difference in boot time. If not, go to Control Panel, Power Options, Hibernation tab to enable it. It will now appear as one of the Shutdown options. Also make sure you have sufficient memory (at least 128 megabytes of RAM) and that your hard drive is sufficiently defragmented and has plenty of free space (at least 35 percent is a good rule of thumb).
Annoying Messenger popups
Q. I am running Outlook Express and Windows XP. I constantly get popup windows from Windows Messenger advertising products or services. I have not signed onto Messenger and have clicked exit on the icon on my task bar. How do I prevent these annoying messages from popping up on my screen? Do I need to disable Messenger, and if so, how do I do this?
A. There is no way to eliminate Windows Messenger completely. Check the Tools, Options, Preferences tab in Windows Messenger and make sure that the "Display alerts when an Instant Message is received" option is turned off. You also may want to turn off the "Run this program when Windows starts" option. And it would be a good idea to run a sweep of your PC with one of the antispyware tools. I recommend Spybot Search and Destroy. You can find a free download at www.download.com Search for Spybot.
