By KIM KOMANDO
Q. I heard you on your national radio show talking about Windows 7’s GodMode. This sounds useful. Do you have more information about it?
A. “GodMode” gives users access to all control panels in a single folder. GodMode works in 32-bit Windows 7 and Vista. People using 64-bit Vista should not try it; it causes severe crashes. Creating GodMode is easy. Right-click on your desktop or in Windows Explorer. Select New>>Folder. Replace the name with the following: “GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}” (minus quotes). Press Enter. The folder is given a special icon.
Q. I set up a user account for my grandson on my computer. But I’d like to prevent him from downloading anything.
A. Use a limited account. With it, he won’t be able to make system changes. Nor will he be able to install software. Limited accounts can still download software. But you can prevent this, too. Use the parental-control tools in Vista or Windows 7. You can also schedule access, block sites and monitor usage. Setting up parental controls isn’t hard. Get all the instructions you need at Komando.com/news.
Q. I’m setting up my new iMac. My slide shows and home movies, created in Windows Movie Maker, won’t play. How can I play WMV files?
A. WMV is a Windows video format. Macs include QuickTime for watching videos. Unfortunately, QuickTime doesn’t support WMV files. You’re not out of luck, though. One solution is Flip4Mac. It lets you play Windows Media files in QuickTime. Use the free player. Another solution is VLC media player. It will handle the WMV format, along with most others. You can find both of these free programs at Komando.com/news.
Q. I start my Mac every morning. Then I launch the same five applications. I would like them to start automatically.
A. You can have any application launch when you log in. And you can start different applications in each account. Click the Apple logo>>System Preferences. Select Accounts. Choose your account from the menu. Click the Login Items tab. You’ll see a list of applications that open automatically when logging in. To add an application, click the + button. Navigate to the application and click Add. You can also hide application windows after launch. Check the box labeled Hide next to any application.
Copyright 2010, WestStar TalkRadio Network. All rights reserved.
Kim Komando hosts the nation’s largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. To get the podcast or find the station nearest you, visit: http://www.komando.com/listen.
