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Disclaimer

All the tips/hints/fixes/other information posted here are at your own risk. Some of the steps here could result in damage to your computer. For example, using a Windows registry editor like RegEdit could result in unintended serious changes that may be difficult or impossible to reverse. Backups are always encouraged.

31 January 2009

Ugly Noise from Laptop Headphone Jack with AC Power

I plugged a 3.5mm stereo cable from my laptop to some speakers, and there was a horrible noise over the music I was trying to play. I thought at first that the audio cable was bad, but I noticed the problem went away if the AC adapter was unplugged from the computer. Interference from the surge protector's other plugs & transformers resulted in interference. Plugging the AC adapter into an power outlet on another wall solved the issue.

28 January 2009

Make iTunes on Windows Seem a Bit Faster

Browsing the iTunes Store within iTunes 8 on Windows is frustrating, because Apple forced slow and clunky software components only to make it look kind of like Safari and Mac OS X. In my opinion, a Mac program is confusing on Windows and it clashes aesthetically. Also, the performance stinks.

At any rate, you can improve the slow scrolling using a scroll wheel mouse and the following AutoHotkey code:
#IfWinActive ahk_class iTunes
WheelDown::Send {pgdn}
WheelUp::Send {pgup}
#IfWinActive


Also, there is an alternative and unofficial web interface for the iTunes Store: http://app-store.appspot.com/

14 January 2009

Some New "Top Tools"

Check out revisions in the sidebar for additions. (Sorry, I didn't really pay attention to what I removed from the list.. usually things that I haven't really used myself as I thought I would.)

Ctrl-RightClick to Delete Messages in Outlook

An amendment to previous posts:
#IfWinActive ahk_class rctrl_renwnd32
^RButton::
MouseGetPos, , , , pane
If pane = SUPERGRID1
Send {Click}^d
else
Click right
return
RButton::
MouseGetPos, , , , pane
If pane = SUPERGRID1
Send {Click}!q
else
Click right
return
#IfWinActive

06 January 2009

Fix Wireless Network Reconnection

If you're having problems with reconnecting to your wireless network after wake/resume from sleep/standby, or if you are getting errors upon connecting due to cancellation or timeout, or if you are having other problems with your wireless in Windows XP SP2 or Vista, try these solutions:

Norton AntiVirus 2009 is Surprisingly Good

I've been down on Norton/Symantec products in the past, but Norton AntiVirus is the best antimalware application I've ever used. It's fast, efficient, and protects Firefox. I got my copy for $20 after rebate at Staples, and there might be other good deals elsewhere.

Update: I now more fond of Microsoft Security Essentials, which is free.

Right-Click to QuickArchive in Outlook

The following AutoHotkey code makes right-clicking a shortcut for QuickArchiving in Outlook, but (helpfully) only if a message is being right-clicked. Otherwise, there is normal right-clicking behavior.

02 January 2009

White Too Harsh? Soften the Background Color

Using Microsoft Office Outlook, I noticed the background was such a bright white that it hurt to look at it. The background color is sort of customizable by adjusting the system color for windows as follows:
  1. For RGB values, use the same number between 245 and 255
You can also make a similar adjustment for Mozilla Firefox by going to about:config and changing various color options to #f8f8f8