[BPOS]

Hopefully there's a computer expert out there....I have a very simple question.

I recently had to "restore" the hard drive on my computer due to a virus or something. The recovery disk returned the hard drive to the state it was in when I first bought the computer. It's amazing how screwed up it was - this thing is lightning fast now.

The problem I'm having is this: When I open up a window on an internet site, it opens the small window.(Example - If I click on the little house symbol in my post here, it opens it in a small window) I have to click the square to get the window to take up the full screen. I assume there is a setting somewhere that will make it so the full screen window opens automatically. Any help?

Windows XP, Home Edition.

Thanks!!

Al

[choptop]

This is an easy one! Make sure there is only one browser window open, do not use the maximize box in the upper right corner. If the window was already maximized, click the box to make it smaller. Now all you need to do is stretch the window to the size you would like it to open at next time. Drag your mouse pointer over the bottom right corner and drag the window to the right size- also use the lower edge of the window to do so. You may need to reposition the window on the desktop a few times to get maximum size.

Now close the window (red X) and open ie again- the new window should open to the size you adjusted it to before.

Simple, right?

[CA420]

Sounds like you need better anti virus software. Something else you can get for FREE is here http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html


It's Spybot Search and Destroy....god for spyware and it detected the last trojan virus that went around.

As far as your computer speed. Do you run disk clean up and defrag regularly? A hard drive is like a well stocked warehouse....you keep it neat you can get what you want and get out, keep it unorganized and it takes forever to get what you need.

If you like speed by a Western Digital Raptor Serial ATA hard drive(as long as you have a compatible motherboard). Fast seek times and and 10,000 RPMs.


Good luck and happy computing! [img]graemlins/waving.gif[/img]

[BPOS]

Choptop - Thanks! I knew it was something simple - once the thing is set
I tend to forget how I got it there. It works like a charm!

CA420 - Thanks for the link -I currently have no virus protection. As to the defrag and cleanup - I do it only occasionally.

To illustrate how much faster it is now, it used to take about 120 seconds to get online from the time I switched the computer on. Now it is around 40 seconds.

Thanks again, guys!

Al

[CA420]

No anit virus you are on a death wish. I take it you are using dial up?

The link I sent is not anit virus software but it does help get the gremlins out.

[click]

Not running anti virus puts us all at risk of infection of some gremlin on here and other sites. Please invest in Norton or McAfree right away. You will be happy you did.
[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[BPOS]

Would I be correct in assuming that the computer manufacturer installed virus protection software as part of the package? It is a commercially available computer, not a custom job.

How do I tell if I have anti-virus software?

I know I haven't added any since I got the machine...

PS I'm on a DSL...

Thanks.

[click]

Al, most new pc's come with a 3 month anti virus software, Norton or McAfree are 2 most popular. They need to be updated often and the end of the trial period you have to renew with annual contract. around $30 typically.
I update my Norton every night then it runs thru my system again. Some folks only update once a week, but during the week a new virus can do a mess on your system. Look for Norton or Symantec their company or McAfree in your program folder. Start it up and see when it was last run on your system.
Then update it, free, during your trial or 1yr paid subscription time.

[CA420]

There are lot's of antivirus software makers. I use Norton, but others use McAfee. Most packages come with trials usually only lasting a year at the most.

But if you are not getting regular updates to protect against new threats it is kind of a mute point. If you are unsure it would be best to go buy a copy.

Norton System Works http://www.symantec.com/sabu/sysworks/basic/ is a nice package that has other useful utilities like an optimizer, Windows utility, registry clean up and a few other things.

A firewall is also a good idea for defense on top of that.


Just shop around and see what fit's your budget and what seems user friendly to you.

[DjD]

Originally posted by BPOS:
The problem I'm having is this: When I open up a window on an internet site, it opens the small window.(Example - If I click on the little house symbol in my post here, it opens it in a small window) I have to click the square to get the window to take up the full screen. I assume there is a setting somewhere that will make it so the full screen window opens automatically. Any help?

Windows XP, Home Edition.

Thanks!!

Al

http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/for...;f=25;t=001206 [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[69Z28]

I think this has something to do with the original post...if you click on Windows at the top of the page (File Edit Print etc.) and then click on remember window size and position this should keep what you manually set your window size to.

[HwyStarJoe]

Or just hit F11. But that only works for the current window or if you open a new instance of IE manually.

And someone mentioned dumping Internet Explorer and going with Mozilla or Opera, as well as a good antivirus and this will also help..... http://securitytango.com/tango.php

Dance his tango and it'll walk you through everything you need in one place.
[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[CA420]

I am just trying to point him in a direction so as to not get another virus.

[HwyStarJoe]

That's like trying to find a true, unmolested Z28 for $12,000.

[CA420]

Not when he never had anti virus on his computer.