Roll The Mouse Over A Window and Scroll Works

I'm trying WizMouse. Will report back. I don't really want another thing starting with Windows but it would be nice to have the mouse scroll wheel work when the pointer is over a window without activating the window. So far so good and something that Windows should natively do.

Here is what it uses for resources:

Credit: HowToGeeks

Make Google Your Default In FireFox

Ask.com is the most irritating but others can grab your default search in Firefox. Bing and Yahoo are also a pain. Even after uninstalling Ask traces will be left. Listen, I like Google and if I want to change it I WILL TELL YOU!

Type a word or phrase into your address bar and see which search engine works. Are you happy with it ... no? Then do this.

In about:config type keyword.url and enter http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&q=
This is the original default

Check out your other browser defaults.

In your address bar, type: “about:config”
Say yes to voiding warranty (very funny)
Inside of the filter search box, type: "browser.search"
Click the unwanted entries and type "Google" (watch if url is needed sometimes)
Firefox needs to be restarted to take effect.

Disable Driver Signing in Windows 7

Disable Driver Signing in Windows 7 Using Group Policy Editor

If you want to turn off device driver signing in Windows 7 completely, do the following.

Disable Driver Signing in Windows 7
(Win7 not listed as workable)

I hope this works but not holding my breath. I think I tried it before. This driver signing crapola has been most irritating.

If it doesn't work try this. And yes, I tried that before also. How tough can it be to crack this stupidity!

Tried ReadyDriverPlus but could not boot so reverted.

Overrider may work, found here. Panda Cloud thinks it is a trojan and "neutralizes" it ... crikey. Turned Panda off and ran Overrider and selected "test mode". Now for reboot. A small
"Test Mode" script will appear on the lower right of the screen.

Now I need an unsigned driver to try ... looking ...

Vista/Win7 Network Connection Problems

You’ll discover both IPv6 and IPv4 enabled. Go ahead and uncheck the box for IPv6 and click “OK.” You’ll need to reboot your computer, but afterwards if the protocol incompatibility was your problem (and it very likely was), you’ll find that your computer can now communicate fine with the router. Maybe. There is one other complication Microsoft introduced into Vista just to encourage you that much more to upgrade your router – it’s something called “autotuning,” and it’s also the next Vista tweak. (click the link for more)

Top 5 Vista Tweaks To Increase Internet Speed

Comments:

If you have no internet DHCP may not be activated - read this.

Vista and Win7 both have trouble connecting properly to some wireless routers. This is hugely irritating when it happens. I have not proved these work but the IPv6 suggestion is common. The "autotuning" suggestion is new to me. Both are worth a try but you will need to document them locally as you will not have a connection - da!

On a fresh install of Windows it can take time for the network to establish connections. So give it time before taking a hammer to it. But this strong connection to wireless but no internet can be a maddening issue that time will not help.

If this is your home router, update firmware, update NIC drivers, soft and hard reset.
Try ping www.google.com and 203.2.75.12 (If you can ping one but not the other it's a DNS problem)
Here is a good basic network post.
This is standard stuff.

Netgear 192.168.0.1
D-Link 192.168.0.1
Linksys 192.168.1.1
Belkin 192.168.2.1

Window 7 Volume Adjustment Beep Irritation

I wonder if these people stay up at night thinking up stupid things to add to new Microsoft operating systems. Now when you adjust the volume in the lower right hand corner an irritating bell rings. How could anyone find this useful? I suppose if you are adjusting the volume without having and sound audible this beep would provide an audible level indication. I am happy interpreting the visual level and happily bid good-bye to the beep.

So how do you turn it off. Open up the "Sounds" window somehow. Right clicking the volume icon in lower right and left click "Sounds" is one way. Then turn off "Default Beep". I don't know what else this is for but I certainly do not miss it.

Office 2007 File Types (Clever Capitalism)

Microsoft's insistance on playing Were's Waldo with its menu items really out did itself with Office 2007. Some of the standard stuff is under the fancy icon in the upper left.

Especially important is the options menu. (Word and Excel)
This is were you will determine the default file type for saving files. Change this to the types used by mortal humans. If you want anything and everything to read the file use RTF.


Edit:
Novice users do not know about file extensions because Windows defaults to hide file extensions. Do yourself a favor and uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" in Control Panel > Folder Options > View. This will help you understand what is going on with file types.

5 ways to open docx files

Or:

Just use Google Documents but it will save in .doc/.xls format (a good thing in most cases).

Wordpad handles .docx also, just type wordpad in the start menu. Wordpad will not save the .docx as .doc but choosing .rtf is good.

Some educational institutions require docx which is a good way to sell software and partner with Microsoft's revenue stream. So much for fighting ugly capitalism in academia.

Edit: Office 2010 instructions for changing docx save to doc: