"Get Back-to-Basics..." Call for Help www.techtv.com/callforhelp *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* 10 DOWNLOADS YOU DON'T HAVE We asked Martin for a list of the top 10 downloads that no one has and he enlightened us here: http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047731 UPDATE VS UPGRADE Becky explains these two terms and what you can expect from each: http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047732 WINDOWS TIP Manage your printer's queue after reading this tip: http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047733 TODAY'S LINKS Read the Show Notes for all of today's show content: http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047734 *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* ***************************Advertisement*************************** Memory PC - Memory prices have fallen substantially, and Outpost.com is passing that savings on to you! With FREE DELIVERY. OVERNIGHT. http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047735 ******************************************************************* *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* Becky's Show Notes for Friday, February 16, 2001... ******** Mystery Program Running PTSNOOP ******** Perry in Toms River, NJ writes "When I press Ctrl + Alt + Delete,I see one of the programs is Ptsnoop. What is Ptsnoop?" Ptsnoop.exe is a program installed with some brands of modem that monitors the COM ports for the modem driver. It's not a necessary to have it running to use the modem. To stop it from running, you can open C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI with a text editor such as Notepad or Word Pad. Locate and delete the reference to Ptsnoop in either the LOAD= or RUN= lines at the top of the file, and save the file. (Leave the LOAD= and RUN= references.) Check the Windows Registry by selecting Start*Run, typing RegEdit, and pressing Enter. Navigate to HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. If you see a reference to Ptsnoop in the right window, simply highlight that reference and press Del, then close the Registry. Restart Windows and you're done. ********** Test your PC's Performance ********** John in Greenville, OH writes "Is there a good program to test how well my computer is working?" I love a browser based free web service you can find at www.pcpitstop.com. PC Pitstop was started by some guys who used to be head honchos at Gateway Computers. PC Pitstop uses ActiveX controls and JavaScript to run its tests. THe service is free and a very nice resource for those wanting to evaluate a computer's performance and vulnerabilities. We have an article all about PC Pitstop, check it out http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047736 ********* Read AOL Email Offline ********* We received an email from Ron in Cleveland who wants to know how to read his AOL email, when he's not signed on to AOL. It used to be called Flash Sessions, but now AOL refers to this practice as Automatic AOL On the Mail Center menu, click Set up Automatic AOL (Flashsessions). Select the tasks you want Automatic AOL to perform (retrieve unread mail, etc.). Click Select Names. Select the screen names for which you'd like the tasks performed, and type the passwords for each screen name you select in the box provided. Click OK. To Run Automatic AOL On the Mail Center menu, click Run Automatic AOL Now. Click Begin. *********** Learn to Program *********** Ryan in Dearborn, Michigan asked how he should start the long arduous process of becoming a programming. I started with C, big mistake. The whole if/then concept was foreign, not to mention the intricate details of C. Leo always suggests starting with the Python programming language. You can learn more about it at www.python.org. I also recommend using an online learning site like www.smartplanet.com or www.learn2.com to familiarize yourself with a programming language. ******** Optimal CD Burning Speed ******** Tracy cookeville TN CD Burn Speed Tracy wants to know the optimal speed for burning CDs. He heard that burning at a lower speed will improve the quality of the CD. Unless you are experiencing buffer under-run errors that cause skips or worse, a blown disk, slowing down the burn speed will not affect the quality of the audio CD. Check out this article to get the complete story on CD buring http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047737 *********** Quesions *********** If you have any questions or comments, email me becky@xxxxxxxxxx As always, it's not your fault *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* Don't forget... If you have a netcam and a computer question... go to the Netcam Cineplex located in our chat room 45 minutes before the show starts, talk to Joshua, and you can get on TechTV. Plus we'll send you your very own Call for Help cup holder, just like the one Leo uses. *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* ***************************ADVERTISEMENT*************************** iWin.com - eXtreme lotto. Win $1 million dollars today! Win thousands of dollars, just for having friends! http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047738 ******************************************************************* *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* You are subscribed to this newsletter with the following email address: cts-newsletters-html@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx If you would like to unsubscribe at any time, please reply to this message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Or send an email to: call_for_help_daily-off@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx If you would like to update your email address visit the TechTV Newsletter hub at: http://www.techtv.com/interact/newsletters/. *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----* CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM Are you a student with a question about computers? Are you a teacher who realizes that computers aren't just a passing fad? If you answered 'Yes' to either question, then your school could appear on Call for Help. If kids at your school are into computers, and need their questions answered, contact us and you may get it answered on TV! Send all questions to CIC@xxxxxxxxxxx For more information, please visit our Cable in the Classroom homepage: http://tm0.com/sbct.cgi?s=117655167&i=304457&d=1047739 *----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*