Lesson 4
Power schemes
The On-Off Buttons and more
The following symbols are from
Laptop for Dummies (Chapter 4)
Traditional Power Button Symbol
Reset Symbol (also used as power button)
Sleep Symbol (also used as power button)
Dot of Mystery (also used as power button)
Managing Power
The Battery
Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance >
Power Options
or
(Windows XP)
Start > Run powercfg.cpl
Vista?
Unknown if powercfg.cpl is the same in Vista
Start > Run > Control
gets you to the control Panel
| Try different setups, |
you may find the times you have
choosen work
okay,
and others, are just plain annoying! |
 |
|
Choosing Power Button Options
There are other options in XP
<---Do Nothing
<---Ask me what to do
If you turn Hybernate off, it won't show up in the requester!
Closing the lid on Vista
To Hybernate, or not to hybernate? *
Here's an argument for turning off the laptops Hybernation mode
this author argues it's a waste of memory & hard drive space
From
Online Tech Tips
Here's an argument in favour of using hybernation... touted as a often
ignored feature of windows XP
Hybernation...
Conserving a
Laptop's Battery
Power with Hibernation Mode
Adapted From: Laptops
For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Not just the any key...
The Fn Key
(adapted from Wikipedia)
Fn is a modifier key on PC keyboards used in a compact layout to
combine keys which are usually kept separate. It is typically found on
laptops, since a full sized keyboard would be difficult to fit in a
laptop chassis. It is also found in many full-sized 'multimedia' and
'office' keyboards, named F Lock key.
(adapted from Laptop for Dummies)
Sadly, you can't find a standard for these Fn
keys and their functions in the laptop world. But among the many
laptops out there, you can find Fn key combinations that do the
following:
- Turn the laptop's internal speaker volume up.
- Turn the laptop's internal speaker volume down.
- Mute the laptop's internal speaker.
- Increase or decrease the monitor's brightness or contrast.
- Activate an external monitor for giving a presentation.
Take a moment to peruse your laptop and look
over the Fn keys available. You may find some Fn keys fun - play around
with them and see what you find.
Also Note
If your keyboard types funny characters or the wrong ones, it maybe
that you accidentally activated the "Num LK" or "num" Key (Number
Lock Key)
Networking, Sharing, Printers, files and more
Going On line
So, you got 2 or more computers
You can make them talk to each other...wheteher they will get along is
another story...
Use a wire?
Connecting Two Computers Directly With just a Cable
Both Apple's OSX and windows have utilities built in for attaching
computer to computer for migration of settings and files.
The traditional method to network two computers involves making a
dedicated link by plugging one cable into the two systems. Several
alternatives exist for networking two computers in this manner:
- Ethernet crossover cable (Cat-5 Cross Cables are distinctly
labeled as Cross Over Cables)
- Null modem serial cable or parallel peripheral cable
- Special-purpose USB / Firewire cables
Going Wireless
About.com has a really good tutorial about
Creating
a Wi-Fi Connection
1. Install a wireless Router
3 Years ago "G" was supreme We're now up to "N"
Top 802.11n Wireless N Broadband Routers
Bonjour
If 2nd computer is a mac
use Bonjour
for windows to send documents to a Mac printer
Zero configuration, anywhere.
Even Windows PCs can take advantage of Bonjour. For free. The Bonjour
Setup Wizard makes setting up a printer in Windows as easy as in Mac OS
X (we can’t make it as beautiful, unfortunately). Bonjour for Windows
includes a plug-in for Internet Explorer, so you can set up a
Bonjour-enabled device without knowing its IP address. You can even
print to printers connected via USB to an AirPort Extreme Base Station
or AirPort Express. If you’re an open source enthusiast, you’ll be able
to download the Bonjour source code to create software for virtually
any platform.
Software bundled with Router?
D-Link (free) bundles Network Magic
Share Folder via a web page
MicroSoft Windows Live
FolderShare
machine ip or name
interactive networking guide
Building
a New Home Network
remote access
Top
5 Remote Access Software - Top Internet Remote Access Software
Top
10 Free P2P File Sharing Programs - Free P2P Software
Accessing
laptop by remote computer
Odds & Ends
Larger Pointer???
Resources
These online magazines offer reviews, lists of top 5 and top 10 of
everything computer related
They also maintain libraries of computer programs that are free,
shareware or commercial
They also have Tips and advice columns...
I've linked a few for you...
MicroSoft Support
C/Net
ZDnet
Touted as where Business and computers meet
PCWorld Magazine
PC Magazine
This Magazine is more nerdy than PC World and ZDnet.
Computer
Shopper
Here's a list of 25 free programs for maintaining your computer.
Laptop Magazine
Two really good review articles
How to Improve the performance of your
Laptop
and
11 Ways to Fix a Laptop
