Computer won’t wake up after going to sleep?

The standard power settings for Windows 7 are to put computers to sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity.  Normally this isn’t a problem but some computers refuse to let the user wake them up again after they have fallen asleep.

A workaround is to change the power settings and stop the computer falling asleep in the first place.  To do this click on the “Start” button in the bottom left, then click on “Control Panel”.  Then click on “Power Options” followed by clicking on “Change when the computer sleeps”.  Select “Never” from the drop down list labelled “Put the computer to sleep” and finally click on “Save Changes”.

File synchronisation

When working on documents saved to the university file stores using different PCs in the library there are a couple of things you can do to ensure that you see the most up-to-date version with your latest edits in place.

  • Save your file and allow a bit of time for file changes to be uploaded to the server copy before you switch your PC off or log off. This will help to counter busy periods on the network.  
  • Save your work before shutting down rather than relying on the prompt to save work as software is closed automatically as the system shuts down.
  • Run a manual sync for individual files by right clicking the file and going into ‘Properties’, ‘Offline Files’ and select ‘Sync Now’.
  • Right click on the Synchronisation icon on the Windows 7 ‘System Tray’ and select ‘Sync All’ Sync Icon

Easy screenshots

Ever wanted to embed a screenshot in a document or presentation? With Windows 7 this is now easier than ever to do.

Click on the Windows start button (bottom left of screen) and choose All Programs, Accessories and Snipping Tool. The screen will now go slightly pale and the cursor will change to a crosshair (+). Simply move the cursor to the top right of where you what to copy, then hold the left-mouse button down and drag the cursor to the bottom right.

When you release the mouse button a new window will pop up showing your screenshot. There are option to take a new screenshot (if your not happy with the results), save the screenshot (in PNG format by default) or copy the image ready for pasting into a document.

And remember if you think you’re going to use the snipping tool a lot then why not pin it to your start menu.

Quick access to regularly used programs

If you regularly use the same program every day, why not Pin it to your Start Menu or Task Bar. Locate the program in the All Programs list, Right click on the program and select Pin to Start Menu or Pin to Task Bar, easy peasy!

Start Menu

The Start Menu can be seen when you click on the Microsoft Button (Start)

 
Task Bar

The Task Bar is alongside the Microsoft button (Start) bottom left of your screen

 

Where have all my files gone?

There are several ways to access files you saved to the network or PC stores.

  • Your networked files (previously U: drive) are located in ‘My Documents’ in the ‘Document’ library. This can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Windows Explorer’ icon on the ’Task Bar’, click the expand icon alongside ‘Documents’, and then click on the ‘My Documents’ folder.
  • Notice that you also have other Libraries for organising your music, images and videos.
  • The ‘Public Documents’ library is for temporary storage on your PCs hard drive.My Documents

Alternative routes to the same location are as follows:

  • Click on the Microsoft button (aka ‘Start’) then click on your name ‘My Documents’.
  • Click on the Microsoft button (aka ‘Start’) then click on ‘Computer’ to access from the navigation pane

Please remember that unless you save your files to ‘My Documents’ you will not be able to see them on other networked PCs, and if your hard drive fails your work will be lost.

Taskbar thumbnails – or no thumbnails!

Do the thumbnail images which appear as you hover your mouse over program and system icons on the Taskbar make you feel a bit queasy? Would you rather your open programs, web pages and folders have their own icon on the Taskbar, as in Windows XP? No worries, this feature of Windows 7 is easy to adjust to your personal preference.

  • Right click on the Taskbar (bar at the bottom of your screen)
  • Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu (you should now see the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties box)
  • Make sure the Taskbar tab is selected
  • Look for the ‘Taskbar and buttons’ option
  • From the dropdown box alongside select either ‘Combine when taskbar is full’ or, if you really hate loath and detest the thumbnail previews, select ‘Never combine’
  • Click the ‘Apply’ button and notice the change to your Taskbar.

If you have a change of heart, just change the ‘Taskbar and buttons’ setting back again.

Out of Office email

If you are lucky enough to be away from the office for a length of time you might, or might not want to let people know that you are away and the date you return. So, in Outlook 2010 select the File tab and click the Automatic Replies (Out of Office) button. Enter your message for people Inside My Organization (Loughborough University Exchange Email – not students) and repeat for people Outside My Organization (including Students and Alumni). Note the additional options for My Contacts only or Anyone outside my organization when setting an out of office reply to people outside Loughborough University.

Minimize the Ribbon

If that pesky Microsoft Office Ribbon is taking up too much space on screen, don’t fret, just hide all the formatting options out of the way for a while. To do this, follow these simple steps:

Click on the Minimize Ribbon icon above the Ribbon on the right, or press Ctrl+F1.Minimize Ribbon

Note: you still have access to the formatting options by clicking on the Tab you want. To hide the formatting options again click on the Pin icon above the Ribbon on the right.Pin Icon

To reinstate all the formatting options click on the Expand the Ribbon icon  or Ctrl+F1.Expand Ribbon