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How Do I..?

This page explains how to do many common computer tasks.  For more complex tasks, a link to another page is given, and for some, both the video tutorial and the text script for that tutorial are given.
How do I find out how fast my internet is?

click here (then only click "GO"): Measure internet speed

 How do I find the cursor?
Windows will show concentric circles around the cursor to locate it when the ALT key is pressed and released. To enable/disable this feature, see these videos: Playlist Computer Basics - Windows 7 , video "3B How To Customize Windows 7", or playlist How To Upgrade Windows 7 To Windows 10 2018 , video "How To customize Windows 10".

How Do I Change How Fast The Cursor Moves On The Screen? See the videos listed above.
How to automatically execute a program or open a file when you turn on your computer (execute a program at startup).
Create a desktop shortcut to file or program you want to open at startup. 
Open the startup folder:
Click the Start button, click "All Programs", right-click "Startup", click Open.
Drag the shortcut into the folder.
To stop a program from executing at startup, delete it from the startup folder.
Enable/disable programs not listed in the Start Folder.  WARNING:  "Novices" should probably skip this topic.  Click "start", type "msconfig", press enter, select "startup".  BE VERY CAREFUL WHICH PROGRAMS YOU DISABLE THIS WAY.  (Write them down.)  If you screw up, and a program won't work, use msconfig to enable it.  If a change prevents Windows from starting properly (very unlikely), you may have to start in "Safe mode", then re-enable the programs with msconfig.
Start Windows in "Safe Mode".
While starting your computer, or restarting, hold down the F8 button.  select "safe mode", when asked.  You can do most (not all) things in safe mode, then restart and if asked, select "normal mode".

How To Pretend Your Apple Is A Windows PC
Text article describing how to install and execute the Windows operating system on an Apple Laptop.

How to test your UPS. 
Be sure to plug your computer into one of the power-protection outlets, not the outlets that just protect against surges.  To turn on your UPS, read the instructions.  Most require you to hold down a power on button for a specified number of seconds.  If you UPS automatically tests itself, ignore everything in this section that refers to testing.  Don't test your UPS by unplugging it.  That may damage it.  Follow the testing instructions.  Test it every 1-2 months.  The batteries will eventually fail, and must be replaced.

If you've lost the UPS instructions (or the instructions for anything else you own), find them by googling on the internet, then print them out.  I've done this many times for products.

Video Tutorials:The following "how-to" videos are in playlist "How Do I" :
(Self-explanatory video titles are not explained.)
Convert Audio To Text:Use Dragon Dictation to transcribe an audio file.
How To Change Font Defaults For Wordpad:Create a wordpad template file that includes user-defined format settings.
How To Connect A Second Monitor To Your Windows Computer.
Convert Mono To Stereo:Files recorded with mono mics frequently are missing the right audio channel. The video shows how to copy the left to the right channel using the Wave Editor feature in Cyberlink PowerDirector Video Editor.
How To Install And Adjust Mics For Windows Computers:How to connect common mic types to a windows computer. (USB mics with built-in preamps are particularly difficult to connect/install.)
Update Your Video Card Driver:Update your video driver to eliminate common video problems. Do this from the Video Card manufacturer's website, NOT from the Windows website.

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