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Ask the Experts -
December 2007
Q. (Email message) I have an icon on my desktop "thumbs.db". I can't make it go away ... It shows up different places. Can't tell where it came from. What is it? Do I need it? A. (The questioner uses Window XP as his operating system.) Thumbs.db is a database hidden system file created automatically by Windows XP when you view the contents of a folder in "Thumbnail" or "Filmstrip" view. It contains a copy of each of the tiny preview images generated for image files in that folder. It speeds up the showing of thumbnails when you are viewing a folder in Thumbnail view. It also stores your settings with regard to thumbnail as well as filmstrip view.
It is understandable why you are irritated with this
situation as this hidden system persistent file
"shows up in different places". To prevent them from
appearing, click Start; click Control Panel; click Tools
menu; click Folder Options; click the View tab; scroll
down and uncheck box next to remove Do not cache
thumbnails then click OK. You can remove those
thumbs.db files presently on your PC i.e. do a
Search for them and delete them. A. There are numerous ways to bring up "Windows Explorer function in Vista" as is the case in Windows XP. You will notice an Explorer's window whenever you open or save a file from just about any program. One way to get to it is to simply click Start then Computer (note the absence of "My") in the right panel. Do not confuse Windows Explorer with Internet Explorer even though you can bring up a Web page by typing the URL in its address bar. Its primary function is to manage folders and files. You will find many other useful tools in Vista's Windows Explorer. One of the strongest is the Search function. 3-D, as the name implies, uses dimensional visual depth allowing a more comprehensive orderly view of windows that are open. This allows you to manipulate files and programs more easily. Click on the "Switch between windows" icon on the Taskbar to start the process. You can then use arrow keys or the scroll wheel (mouse) to identify and select the one you want. I suggest that you try it out. I use it often. Q. (Email message) When XP first came out there was a web site which would list old programs and their compatibility with XP. Is there a similar web site for Vista? If I get a Vista machine, would I be able to install Windows Microsoft Office Professional 2000 on Vista for example? Or same program 2003?
A. Before I
had an opportunity to answer this question, the
questioner found the answer from Kim Komando October 24,
2007.
Q.
I am going
to upgrade to Windows Vista. Will I be able to load my
Office XP on Vista? Or, do I have to purchase Office
2003 or 2007?
A.
According to Microsoft, Vista supports Office XP, also known as Office 2002. It also supports Office 2000, 2003 and 2007. Microsoft says Office 2007 was developed specifically for Vista. So, it says, Office 2007 is the "recommended and best version" for Vista. I'm not sure what that means. I would install Office XP. It will probably run fine. If it's unacceptable, uninstall it and move up to 2007. We use Office 2007 on all of our office machines. We have had no problems with it. Some of my people use Office XP on home computers. The operating system on those machines is Windows XP. That version of Office and the one at the shop work equally well for them. So they don't feel compelled to buy Office 2007. Actually, Microsoft does a good job in this area. Backward compatibility has always been a Windows selling point. At least one of my employees runs ancient DOS programs on Vista. (MS-DOS preceded Windows. The last stand-alone version of MS-DOS was published in 1994.) So, I would be surprised if earlier Office versions had problems. Vista has a backup plan: the Program Compatibility Wizard. I have a tip on my site that covers that. In brief, the wizard simulates the environment of earlier Windows systems. It goes back to Windows 95. We didn't have much luck with the Program Compatibility Wizard. A better solution might be a virtual machine. With that, you could run Windows XP within Vista, along with programs developed for XP. Microsoft has a virtual machine program - Virtual PC 2007. It's free. It runs on Vista Business or Vista Ultimate. I have more information on my site. Q. (Email message) I use the Open Office software. How do I put a TITLE on the page? I am using the Calculator spreadsheet for a list of names, but I can't figure out how to get a title at the top. A. I am not sure what you mean by "TITLE". If you mean a centered name at the top of the document with the body of the spreadsheet under it, do the following: open the spreadsheet; type the title into cell A1; select the A1 cell; click the Align Center Horizontally icon on the Toolbar; select the adjacent horizontal cells across the width of your document; click the Format menu and select Merge Cells. Q. (Email message) What if any are the differences between a video card and a video capture card? A. Every computer has a video (graphics) card which connects to the monitor. It usually fits into a PCI or AGP slot on the motherboard. Many computers have the card integrated into the motherboard itself without the use of an expansion card for example in a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) or AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) slot. The video capture cards are additional cards that co-exist with the graphics card. There are many varieties. They get the pictures from cable, aerial or satellite TV sources into the computer. They will, for example, provide a socket for a camcorder. With their use, you can send and receive video clips. They usually come with video editing software. Q. How do I access previous versions of a file and folder in Vista? A. Simply right-click on the file or folder; click Restore previous versions. A list should appear of available previous versions of the file/folder. These come from both shadow copies which are saved automatically to your computer's hard drive or from backup copies. This can be a very handy tool. Q. (Email message) I mistakenly dropped (dragged and dropped) a large folder that I want to delete into a folder on the C drive that relates to the explorer function. Now that large folder is somehow protected and I can't access to move or delete. I've tried Unlocker, but that doesn't help. What next? A. (The questioner uses Windows XP. The folder is on the C:\ drive and contains graphic files etc. He is primarily interested in deleting the folder.) You might try going into MS DOS to remove the folder (directory) in question. Reboot your computer and keep tapping the F-8 key as it boots up. After a bit, you should get a menu with many choices including Safe Mode with Command Prompt which is the same as Safe mode, except that Cmd.exe starts instead of Windows Explorer. Use the arrow key to get to this choice and click Enter. At this command line e.g. C>:Documents and Settings\user name, you can make "requests" or commands. Some knowledge using DOS commands is necessary. In your situation type CD C:\. This should list all the directories (folders) on your hard drive i.e. C:\. Look for the folder (directory) that you want to delete. Type rmdir /s name of involved folder. A list of other commands e.g. MOVE is available if you type HELP at the prompt. This list is quite long but you can depress the Pause key to facilitate reading it then the Enter key to move through the list. Even with the progression through the years of all the Windows operating systems including Vista, the DOS commands are still viable. _______________________________________________________________________________________ If you have any questions and/or answers that you think might be of general interest to your fellow Computer Club members, send an email to:
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