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This procedure allows you to copy Microsoft Office 2003 settings (including Outlook AutoCorrect options) to another PC.
This tutorial is valid for Windows XP with Microsoft Office 2003.
It is likely that this also works on other Windows versions with other Microsoft Office versions.

On the PC you would like to EXPORT Microsoft Office settings, do this:

1. Exit any Office applications that are running.
2. Click Start, click Programs, click Microsoft Office, click Microsoft Office Tools, click Microsoft Office 2003 Save My Settings Wizard.
3. Go through the Wizard. Don’t change any settings.
4. When completed, navigate to "%userprofile%\My Documents" folder.
5. Cut and Paste the file “New Settings File.OPS” to a USB or CD.

On the PC you would like to IMPORT Microsoft Office settings, do this:

1. Place the file “New Settings File.OPS” from the USB or CD in "%userprofile%\My Documents" folder.
2. Exit any Office applications that are running.
3. Click Start, click Programs, click Microsoft Office, click Microsoft Office Tools, click Microsoft Office 2003 Save My Settings Wizard.
4. Click “Restore previously saved settings to this machine”.
5. Click Next.
6. Browse to the file “New Settings File.OPS” location.
7. Click Finish and you’re all done.

Links:

• Description and use of the Save My Settings Wizard

[Source: Wikipedia]

In February 2009, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for version 3.5 of the .NET Framework. This update also installed Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant add-on (enabling ClickOnce support).
[Microsoft may be Firefox's worst vulnerability]

The update received a moderate amount of media attention after users discovered that the add-on could not be uninstalled through the add-ons interface.
[How to remove the .NET Framework Assistant for Firefox]
[Remove the Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant (ClickOnce) Firefox Extension]

Several hours after the website Annoyances.org posted an article regarding this update, Microsoft employee Brad Abrams posted in his blog Microsoft’s explanation for why the add-on was installed, and also included detailed instructions on how to remove it.

On 16 October 2009, Mozilla blocked all versions of Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant from being used with Firefox and from the Mozilla Add-ons service.
[Mozilla Blocklist]

We provide Software and Hardware installation, repair and maintenance for computers, printers and scanners of any brand and model for home and small business users.
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• Data Recovery
  We can help you restore lost or damaged files
• Data Transfer
  We take care of moving your files to a new PC

Computer Set Up and Enhance

• PC Set Up
  A complete set up service to get your new desktop and laptop up and running
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  Get your desktop and laptop optimized for speed and performance
• Memory Installation
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• Software Installation
  Installed and set up while you wait
• Operating System Installation
  Installation and set up of a new operating system

Contact us for technical support, further information and pricing at www.zialingua.com/helpdesk.

PC Inspector File Recovery is a data recovery program that supports the FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS file systems.

Here are some of the features in PC Inspector File Recovery:

• Finds partitions automatically, even if the boot sector or FAT has been erased or damaged.
• Recovers files with the original time and date stamp.
• Supports the saving of recovered files on network drives.
• Recovers files, even when a header entry is no longer available.

PC Inspector File Recovery is so-called freeware. This means that the software does not cost you a single penny.

Get PC Inspector File Recovery at http://www.pcinspector.de/.

PC Inspector File Recovery cannot help if you have mechanical problems with the hard disk. If the hard disk is no longer recognized by the BIOS or is making unusual noises, you should contact a hardware technician.

Defraggler is a defragmentation program developed by Piriform Ltd.

Defraggler allows users to defragment individual files on their computer system.

Defraggler can defragment individual files, groups of files, or free space on any FAT32 or NTFS partition.

It also displays the location of these files on the specified partition.

Defraggler is also a portable program that can be used from a USB flash drive.

More recent versions allow Defraggler to run on computers with less memory.

Defraggler runs on Microsoft Windows. It has support for all versions since Windows 2000. It includes support for both 32- and 64-bit versions of these operating systems.

Here below Defraggler ideal configuration settings to get best results. (more…)

Spybot Search & Destroy (Spybot-S&D) is a popular proprietary spyware and adware removal program compatible with Microsoft Windows 95 and later. Spybot-S&D scans the computer hard disk and/or RAM for malicious software (Source: Wikipedia).

A good way to always stay protected against spyware is to keep your Spybot-S&D constantly updated.

Run Spybot-S&D update as soon as your computer and your internet connection are on, but before opening any other application.

Here below instructions on how to update Spybot-S&D. (more…)

CCleaner (formerly Crap Cleaner) is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool developed by Piriform Ltd.

It removes unused files from your system, allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.

It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.

Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner.

But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware.

Here below CCleaner ideal configuration settings to get best results. (more…)

This tweak allows you to set Firefox Google Search in English independently from your computer language settings and your location and allows you to clear cookies in Firefox 3+.

This tutorial is valid for Windows Operating System with Firefox 3+.

It is likely that this also works on other Operating Systems and/or in older Firefox versions than 3.

To set Firefox Google Search in English you need to modify the file “google.xml“, part of the Firefox installation.

First of all, close every Firefox instance.

Open the folder "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins\" by clicking Start, then Run, in the Open box type the folder path and then click OK.

Copy the already present file “google.xml” to “google1.xml” in the same directory "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins\".

This is to keep a back up copy of the original Firefox installation, in case you need to revert back to it.

Open the file “google.xml” with Notepad.

It would look like this “google.xml” but the long key string for the "Image" tag is different for every Firefox installation.

Add this statement “<Param name="hl" value="en"/>” to the “Param” list.

The file modified will look like this “google.xml“.

Save the file “google.xml” in the folder "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins\" and close it.
Restart Firefox and see the results.

How to Clean Outlook 2003 Cache for better Performances
Windows 2000 and XP

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open the folder "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook" by clicking Start, then Run, in the Open box type the folder path and then click OK.
   Delete all the files in this folder except the “.pst” files.
3. Outlook file extensions explained
   • .dat (Microsoft Outlook Data file) [info]
   • .fav (Microsoft Outlook Favorites file) [info]
   • .nk2 (Microsoft Outlook Nickname Cache file) [info]
   • .oab (Microsoft Outlook Offline Address Book file) [info]
   • .ops (Microsoft Office Profile Settings file) [info]
   • .ost (Microsoft Outlook Offline file) [info]
   • .pab (Microsoft Outlook Personal Address Book file) [info]
   • .pst (Microsoft Outlook Personal Folder File) [info]
   • .rwz (Microsoft Outlook Rules Wizard file) [info]
   • .srs (Microsoft Outlook Send-Receive Settings file) [info]
4. Reboot your Desktop or Laptop PC.
5. Restart Outlook by clicking Start, then Run, in the Open box type the command "outlook /cleanprofile" and then click OK.
6. Press F9 to do synchronization. All the files will be regenerated.

Laptop or Desktop PC freezes randomly or is very slow to work or has poor performance
Windows 2000 and XP

Run Check Disk [CHKDSK] from a DOS window.
To open a DOS window: click Start, Run, in the Open box type “cmd /k chkdsk %homedrive% /f /r“, click OK.

You will receive the following message:

The type of the file system is NTFS.
Cannot lock current drive.
Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process.
Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N) _

Type “y” and hit enter, then reboot your computer.

If the hard disk is healthy, CHKDSK results will report this entry: 0 KB in bad sectors.
The results of a CHKDSK conducted on restart using Windows 2000 or later operating systems are written to the “Application Log”, with a “Source” name of Winlogon and a “Type” name of Information, and can be viewed with the “Event Viewer”.
To open Event Viewer: click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer, Application Log.
If CHKDSK gives “0 KB in bad sectors”, then proceed with below troubleshooting, otherwise you need to replace the hard disk.

[Clean Computer Cache]

[Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance]

Run Disk Cleanup.

Run Disk Defragmenter.

Check if your hard disk is not full. Minimum free space required to allow a computer to work properly is 15%.

Check your RAM size: it should be minimum 512 MB, if less you also need a RAM expansion.
To check your RAM size, click Start, Run, in the Open box type “dxdiag“, click OK.
Click YES if prompted to accept data collection on the computer.

How to Automatically Run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter
Windows 2000 and XP

This file “disk-cleanup-defrag.bat” is a batch file that recall the “Disk Cleanup” (cleanmgr.exe) and “Disk Defragmenter” (dfrg.msc) utilities.

To know more on how to use Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter, please read this Microsoft document: [Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance].

1. Download the text file [disk-cleanup-defrag_bat.txt] to your C: drive.
2. Rename the file as “disk-cleanup-defrag.bat“.
3. Double click the file “disk-cleanup-defrag.bat” to run it.