ItsGeekToMe.co

Q: Spring cleaning is underway, and it’s time to get rid of the old desktop.  The dinosaur still works fine (Windows 98SE), along with monitor, printer and scanner that connect with serial and parallel cables.  (The computer also has 2 USB ports.)  Is there any place to donate the equipment in the Destin/Fort Walton area? 

– Marianne K.
Destin, Fla

A: This is one of those questions that pops up occasionally that I just don’t have a good answer for, Marianne.  The days of donating a still-working computer to the school system are long-gone.  Many computer vendors will accept old systems for recycling, so you might want to start there.  Some of the big box stores also offer recycling, sometimes for a fee.  Unfortunately, there is such a glut of semi-obsolete computer hardware, that just about every church and charitable organization that needs hardware has access to plenty of it.  Readers, if you know of any place accepting used computer hardware, write in, and I’d be happy to publish it.  Just remember to remove all personal data from the system before giving it away!

Q: I backed up my system last month with no problems, but this past week when I attempted to access the Task Launcher I received the message “This program cannot be accessed because of missing or corrupted files; please reload the Works program.”  Because I did make the recovery discs, I know I have the original system files, etc.  Do I use the month-old back-up or the original recovery discs to reinitiate the task launcher?  (By-the-way, word processor, spreadsheet, etc. are still working OK if I go to the program lists from the Start menu).

– Harold K.
Navarre, Fla

A: If the programs are working from the Start menu, that means they’re installed correctly, so I wouldn’t do any restoring at all, Harold.  It appears that you have a problem with your “Task Launcher” shortcuts (I assume you mean one of the toolbars located down on the taskbar).  To fix this, simply delete the non-working shortcuts by right-clicking the icons and selecting “Delete”.  Then copy new ones over by dragging them, one at a time, from the “Start” menu to the toolbar where you want them.  Be careful that you are making copies, and not actually moving them from one place to another.  Watch for a little + sign as you’re dragging, and if you don’t see one, hold the Ctrl key while you drag.

TIP OF THE WEEK: Have you updated to IE8 and suddenly find your browser filled with all kinds of stuff you didn’t ask for each time you open a new tab?  If, like me, you prefer the serenity of a clean blank page, just follow these steps.  First, in IE select Tools->Options, and select the “General” tab.  Near the bottom of the dialog, find where it says “Tabs” and click “Settings”.  In the center of the new window that opens, you’ll find “When a new tab is opened, open:” and a drop-down selection.  Set this to “A blank page” and click “OK” twice to close the dialogs.

SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE WEEK: Readers, don’t forget the “It’s Geek to Me” 100^th issue logo and slogan contest!  Send me your best logo artwork, caricature, slogan, etc, and you could receive your idea boldly emblazoned upon some cheap trifle, such as a coffee mug or soda can holder.  Hurry!  Contest ends June 13^th.