If you have a group of websites you open regularly, there is a method in Firefox to automatically open a group of websites, saving you the trouble of opening each site individually. In the Firefox Bookmarks menu, create a folder. Then, put all the bookmarks you wish to open as a group inside the folder. Finally, to open all the websites contained inside the folder, right-click on the folder and select ‘Open in Tabs’. This will open all the bookmarked websites contained inside the folder in separate Firefox tabs. (more…)

I prefer the ’smallest’ text size on the internet (Explorer), but no matter how often I set this, it defaults to ‘medium’ - several times a day - which is a nuisance. Sometimes I am in the middle of something and when I return after a short break, it has reverted to ‘medium’. Can I re-set the default to ’smallest’? Or at least prevent the text size changing without my instruction to do so? The computer is running Windows XP with Microsoft Outlook 2003 for email. (more…)

Following the installation of an anti-spam program I have acquired a program called Cloudmark on the Windows desktop. While I am unsure whether it is related, whenever I open a new web page using Internet Explorer another window opens containing an advertisement. How can I get rid of the advertisements, and can you also recommend any reliable free antispam and firewall programs? (more…)

I am trying to configure a network between two computers, one running Windows XP Home Edition and another running Windows XP Professional. Both computers access the internet without problem through an 8 port router connected to a D-Link 302G ADSL modem. However, I cannot establish a connection between the two computers. Both computers are on the same workgroup, and disabling the firewalls does not make any difference. The network settings are configured to automatically obtain an IP address. How can I make the network work, so that I may use file and print sharing? Also, is it safe to use file and print sharing while on the internet? (more…)

Your column on 28th August 2006 advised that one should always use the Safely Remove Hardware facility when removing flash devices from the computer. Unfortunately, you didn’t let us know where this facility is located. I have tried under Control Panel and in the Help directory, with no success in locating this function. How can I locate this facility? The computer is running Windows XP Professional. (more…)