If you have other software like Roxio….You should use that software to backup rather than the CD Writing Wizard that come with Windows Xp. I highly recommend purchasing an External Hard drive: It could save you hours of frustration and make backups much easier than backing up to CDs. 1.Insert a blank CD-R into Your CD Writer Drive. 2.Click cancel if any popup windows open. 4.Go to the folder or file you wish to backup (for example: if you want to backup your my documents folder, click start, then my documents) select the files you need to back up. To select all files in this folder, click edit menu in the upper left side of your screen, click on select all. To select only a few in a row, click once on the first file folder, the press and hold down the shift key and click on the last file folder in a row to select a all in between the files you clicked. 5.Click File 6.send to 7.Then CD drive (D:) (Your CD Drive Letter May be different, depending on how many drives you may have. Click start, My Computer to check the drive letter for your CD Writer. 8.Wait for the files to copy (If you get a “Confirm Stream Loss” Popup window, about thumbs checkmark “repeat my answer each time this occurs”, then click yes. 9.When you see the pale yellow pop up balloon on the lower right side of the screen, click on “You have files waiting to be written to the CD” (not the X in the upper right or it will close the balloon popup.) Wait for the copying to complete (Note: if you lose the little pale yellow cartoon balloon and don’t see “You have files waiting to be written to the CD” before you have a chance to click on it…no biggie…just open my computer [Start, my computer, double left-click on the CD Drive (D:)] 10.The files will look faded (Note: if the files Don’t look faded, and it doesn’t say Backing up files Using the Windows XP CD Writing Wizard”, then you are in the wrong window. Close all the windows and click on start, my computer, then click on the drive letter for your CD Writer. The Files will look faded…you should now be in the temporary CD writing file folder. Now you should have files waiting to be written to the CD.) 11.Check the file size to be sure they will fit on the CD by clicking on edit, then select all, then click on file, properties. The properties window will popup. File size must be under 680-685mb. click OK to close properties window. Even if your CD Rom drive says it will hold 700mb there are some files needed to close the CD so, I recommend staying under 680mb to ensure your copy will be successful. 12.Again. be sure it says files ready to be written to the CD at the top, this way you can be sure that you are not deleting your actual files just the temporary CD Burning Files. Delete any of the files that won’t fit onto the CD (right-click once on any one of the files, left-click once on delete-repeat until all the files that won’t fit have been deleted…you can always go back and copy those files later) 13.When finished deleting any files you don’t wish to burn, check the size of the files again. Click edit, select all. Click file, properties. If the size is no more than 680MB (if it is larger, you will have to delete one or more of the files)Then click OK 14.Over on the left side under CD Writing Tasks 15.Click on “Write these files to CD” 16.You can leave it the date, or type a new name for it 17.Then click next 18.Wait for the CD to burn 19.When complete the CD will eject 20.Click finish (or you can insert another CD and “make another”) 21.Re-insert the CD and verify that the files did copy—When the CD Window pops up, scroll down and click on “Open folder to view files” (Note: if you don’t see this popup window, click on start my computer or open my computer from teh desktop, then double-click on your CD Rom Drive letter. 22.Then click OK 23.Your files you burned should be there. Yeah! You did it. Now. put them in a jewel case to protect it. Label the jewel case and keep it in a safe place. <:3)~

If the mouse is still not working I would ask if you have a wireless mouse or a mouse with a wire or cord? If your answer is a wireless mouse then the first thing you should try is replacing the batteries. After you replace the batteries with fresh ones, then make sure you press the reset button on the receiver and on the mouse, some mice just need to be turned back on and or reconnected.

Can’t find the reset button on your wireless mouse? If you can’t find the documentation that came with your mouse, then look on the bottom of the mouse. You may also have a reset/connect button on the remote or receiver that came with your wireless mouse. You may have to use a pencil or a pen to push in the reset button. If you have mouse with a tail (wire/cable) then make sure it is plugged in and in the correct port. If it is a ps/2 (usually with a green round connection, then make sure it is in the green ps/2 port on your computer, if it is a USB connection, be sure it is plugged in a USB port. When unplugging and or plugging in a ps/2 type, turn the computer off, make sure it is plugged in all the way and then turn back on the computer. USB mice are safe to unplug and plug in when the computer is still on.

This is what a USB mouse connection looks like

Do you use the mouse touch pad on your laptop or notebook? If so, many laptops have a disable button usually located just above the mouse touch pad area. If you cannot move the mouse and you have a button just above the mouse touch pad, then press and release it one time only because if you press it twice, it will just re-deactivate it. Some mouse touch pads activate/deactivate buttons have a light that changes in color when they are activated or deactivated.

This is what a ps2 connection looks like

Have a mouse with a ball that won’t move freely? Some mice have balls that drag lint, hair and debris up into the rollers from all that rolling around. This is the most important part to clean. You just need to rotate the mouse ball lock on the bottom of the mouse, then turn it at an angle and the ball will fall out. You don’t have to use alcohol to wash the ball, just remove or wipe off any lint on the ball, remove any loose lint from the mouse by flipping it over and tapping it out in your hand and if you see lint that is stuck on the rollers carefully use your finger, or some tweezers to remove any other visible lint. Place the ball back into the mouse and relock the mouse ball lock. Try it out…if it is still giving you troubles and won’t move freely, its probably just worn out. Buy a new optical mouse, you can buy them for $10-$20 now…optical mice work much better and don’t wear out as fast.

Mouse still won’t work?

Then you may be experiencing some other computer hardware or software problems…maybe low on Ram, too many programs running in the background or adware, spyware, malware, or trojans could be the culprit. Seek out a geek friend or call computer expert to help you get your system up and running again. If you live in Brookings-Harbor, OR area give me a call. Contact Me

Hope your mouse is up and working again!

Outlook Express or Windows Mail Email Lost your create mail, reply, forward, print and delete buttons in the top toolbar?

Try changing the layout in outlook Express or Windows Mail Email

1.outlook express

2.In the first window that comes up; Click on view (menu at the top)

3.Then click on layout from the view drop down list

4.Checkmark “toolbar”

5.Be sure to click OK

What to do if you lost the buttons on the top of the new message window (like send, cut, copy, paste, etc…)

1.Start a new email message (create mail button)

2.Click on view

3.Then click on toolbars

4.Standard buttons

Lost the formatting bar ( no font size, color, or font style)?

1.Start a new email message (create mail button)

2.Click on view

3.Then click on toolbars

4.Formatting Bar

Many fear that their identities will be used in the wrong way. However, one can help protect themselves from succumbing to online identity theft in several ways.

1. Do NOT download PUP or file sharing programs – There’s several file sharing sites that are available for free. However, free comes at a cost which makes it so easy for thieves to get a hold of your personal information from these file sharing sites. Never, ever download any file sharing program or PUP program unless you clearly know the companies privacy policy on sharing and security.

2. Stay away from phishing frauds -  If you ever receive emails stating, “You have won a GaZillion Trillion Dollars!”, beware! These are all scams to entice you to give away your personal information. Do not reply to such mails. Do not give your personal details like bank details, credit card details, PIN codes, etc. Let me repeat that: DO NOT EVER give your personal details like bank details, credit card details, etc. in an email message.

3.Never ever, ever, ever click on a link from inside an email to visit a web site.  Open up your browser and type in the address directly into the address bar and go to that site yourself.  Let me repeat that: NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER click on a link from inside an email to visit a web site.  Open up your browser and type in the address directly into the address bar and go to that site yourself. It’s so easy for a business to look legit online.  If you are ever in doubt about a business online or off, verify the company with the Better Business Bureau

4. Do NOT use simple easy to remember passwords like your birthday, your Mother’s maiden name, your pet’s name, abc, 123, #1grandma, #1mom, #1grandpa, or the last four digits of your Social Security number, or any of those spelled BACKWARDS!   Your password needs to contain special characters such as @#$%^&-?!.  Your password must be at least 8 characters in length nor should it be any word in the dictionary (including the word “password”) . Your password must contain both lowercase and capital letters and have at least a couple of numbers.  You password must be totally unique for each and every online account.  Never use the same password for different online accounts. This is to ensure that if one of your accounts is ever hacked into, your other accounts won’t be!  You must be asking yourself how you’re ever going to come up with and remember all these passwords? Well, you will have to get a spiral notebook and write them all down and keep them in a safe place. Here is an example of how to create strong passwords.

1. Think of an event or phrase that has at least eight words in it. For Example: My Dogs Name is Sasha and was born October, 2001.
2. Take the first letter of every word in your sentence
3. mdnisawbo,01 (We’ll use 01 for 2001) & O for October
4. Capitalize the first letter and or every other letter (optional, but recommended to not have two lowercase letters in order.)
5. Leave the comma if allowed in your online account login.
6. Also, replace the a with @
7. Replace the S with $
8. Replace the 0 (zero) with the Capital letter O.
9. Replace “i” with ! (an upside down i)
10. Replace the “o” with “0” (Zero).
11. This is my example password:  MdN!$@wB0,O1 (This is also known as “Salt (cryptography)”
12. Go to Password Meter and test the strength of your password. If your password is not strong enough, you will see a list of items that you can improve on.

This is the result of the above password example from Password Meter:

Exceptional: Exceeds minimum standards. Additional bonuses are applied.

5. ALWAYS HAVE A SECURITY PROGRAM INSTALLED AND UP TO DATE - Your computer must have security program installed in it. Lots of people neglect this basic principle of using the Net. These people have increased risks of online identity theft. Virus protection, Malware, Spyware & Adware protection and firewalls are available in free or paid versions that you can install on your computer.

The internet is a medium that can be used as well as misused. This is a world where you are alone, and it is your responsibility to be cautious about yourself. Take care of the way you interact with people in the virtual world and your online identity will stay protected.

Report online fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at http://ftc.gov/complaint

To Learn more about Identity Theft and how to deter, detect and defend against it, go to: http://ftc.gov By Phone: 1-877-438-4338.

Reduce the amount of marketing material and credit applications you receive via mail or email by contacting the Direct Marketing Association.  Note: The Direct Marketing Association may charge a fee for this service. http://www.dmachoice.org/

If you think you have become a victim of Identity Theft, report the incident as quickly as possible to each of the credit reporting agencies and ask that a fraud report be placed on your file.

Experian                 888-397-3742

Equifax                   800-525-6285

TransUnion             800-680-7289

You can also contact these credit reporting agencies to receive a copy of your credit report.  Go to: www.AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling any of the credit reporting agencies.

Experian                 888-397-3742

Equifax                   800-685-1111

TransUnion             800-916-8800

Test your knowledge and Click below to Play “The Case of The CYBER Criminal”

Identity theft. Credit fraud. Medical fraud. TrustedID offers a $1,000,000 warranty to keep you safe. Try it free.

Please note that this page is being provided as helpful information.  The Working Mouse cannot guarantee the effectiveness of any of the services mentioned.

1. First, Turn off the power to the printer (Note: if it won’t turn off unplug it )
   
2. Then click on start
3. Then click on printers and faxes (if you don’t see printers and faxes, click on start control panel or start, settings, control panel, then Click on printers and faxes)
4. Double-click on the Name of your Printer

1. Then click on printer

1. click on “cancel all documents”
2. click Yes
3. Wait for the print queue to clear
4. Then turn the printer back on and try to print again.
5. Sometimes it will take a couple of minutes to clear the print queue (if you have waited a couple of minutes and the printer queue still will not delete the print jobs, restart the computer. Leave the printer off during computer restart, check the print queue again to be sure it has cleared.) Once the print queue is clear and no jobs are present; turn back on the printer and try once again to print again.

How to backup email messages in Outlook Express :

1. Open Outlook Express

2. Click on Tools menu at the top

3. Click to select options from the tools drop down menu.

4. The Options window will open – Click on the maintenance tab

5. Just to the right of “click store Folder to Change the Location of Your message Store“, click on the Store Folder button

6. The Store Folder window will open. Press the Tab key on your keyboard a few times until the entire line of text just under “Your Personal Message Store Is Located in the Following Folder” are selected (highlighted). Note: This is the location of where your email messages are stored.

7. Press and hold down the ctrl (control) key on the keyboard, then while still holding down the ctrl key, press on the C key, then let up off the keys (this will copy the selected text)

8. Click on the start button on the far lower left side of the screen

9. Click on Run

10. The run window will open on the bottom left side of the screen

11. Press and hold down the ctrl (control) key on the keyboard, then while still holding down the ctrl key, press on the v key, then let up off the keys (this will paste the text you copied from the store folder window)

12. Press the enter key on your keyboard once (or you can use your mouse and left-click once on the OK button.)

13. The folder that opens is where your email messages are stored. You will not be able to open and read your messages from this window. They are special files with .dbx file extension.

14. Check the size of your outlook express messages. Press and hold down the ctrl (control) key on the keyboard, then while still holding down the ctrl key, press on the a key, then let up off the keys (this will select (highlight) all the files in this Outlook Express Store Folder. Click on the file menu in the far upper left corner of the screen, then click on properties. If the file size is under 680mb. Then it will easily fit on a CD-R. If you have an external USB flash drive, check how many MB or GBs your USB flash drive will hold, back your email messages to an external USB flash Drive. Copy these files to an External Hard Drive, CD or DVD and store in a safe place. It is recommended to backup to two other places and keep a copy at someone elses home or your bank safety deposit box. For more information on backing up, See: Backing up Files To CD using Windows XP CD writing wizard, or Backing up Files to External Hard Drives or Flash Drives. Please Back up Regulary! <:3)~ The Working Mouse Recommends:

Purchase an External Hard Drive

Try changing the layout in outlook Express or Windows Mail Email

1.outlook express

2.In the first window that comes up; Click on view (menu at the top)

3.Then click on layout from the view drop down list

4.Checkmark “toolbar”

5.Be sure to click OK

What to do if you lost the buttons on the top of the new message window (like send, cut, copy, paste, etc…)

1.Start a new email message (create mail button)

2.Click on view

3.Then click on toolbars

4.Standard buttons

Lost the formatting bar ( no font size, color, or font style)?

1.Start a new email message (create mail button)

2.Click on view

3.Then click on toolbars

4.Formatting Bar