PC Doctor February 24, 2010

Have your computer questions answered here! Search the PC Doctor archive or submit a question of your own at info@athollibrary.org

Dear PC Doctor:

            I have saved up to buy a new laptop and finally was able to purchase it.  It’s very nice and I like it a lot but it keeps talking to me.  I found the way to mute it but is there a way to turn it off?

            Andy

Dear Andy:

            I assume you have Windows 7 and that the accessibility option called Microsoft Narrator is turned on.  To turn it off, just go to the Start button and at the very bottom where it says ‘start search’ type in ‘narrator’ (no quotes).  On the list that opens under Programs, click on Narrator.  A box will open and you want to click on ‘control whether Narrator starts when I log on’.  When the next box opens just remove the check in the box next to ‘turn off Narrator’.  Finally click the OK button and silence will be golden!

            PC Doctor

Dear PC Doctor:

            I’ve kind of been experimenting with my laptop now that I’ve figured out how to use it and I notice one of the features listed was that it has wireless.  What is that for?

            Bob

Dear Bob:

            Wireless is so that you can access the Internet provided you have a router signal for the computer to pick up.  This means that you can go to the library where they have free wireless and connect to their Internet connection with your laptop.  Many other locations also have it such as coffee shops, schools, etc.  Some of the connections may be ‘open’ or ‘unsecured’ which means you can access them freely or they may be ‘secured’ which means you would need a key code or password to connect. 

            You can also set up wireless in your home if you have an Internet account and a router.  That way you could use your laptop sitting in bed or in another room away from the actual equipment. 

            To hook up to that wireless connection, the easiest way is to look in your bottom right system tray and find an icon that looks like a TV or monitor screen.  Right click on it and from the list that opens up; choose ‘connect to a network’.  You can then scroll the list looking for the wireless connection that you want, highlight and click ‘connect’.  Often the names of the wireless networks identify the business, etc.  For example, the library connection is called AtholLibrary. 

            PC Doctor

Until next time… happy computing!