Locking Your XP on the go!

Hello there.

Microsoft Windows XP comes with a nifty feature that allows you to lock your PC by simply pressing Windows Key + L. This will lock your workstation while you are currently unavailable to it.

Today, or rather tonight I will be teaching you how to create a desktop shortcut or even a quick launch button that will allow you to lock your XP on the go!

Step 1:

Right click your desktop, select New > Shortcut.

Step 2:

Type: %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation into the available textbox and click next. You can name the shortcut to anything you want. For purposes of this tutorial we will be calling it “Lock Workstation”.

And Walaa! Double click your new shortcut and behold your workstation will be locked!

You can then drag your new shortcut into your quick launch bar to create an easy quick launch button that will allow you to lock your workstation.

- Imraan Moosa

Windows Media Player – Sound but no video content?

Ahoy there my fellow friends.

In today’s tips and tricks, we will be discussing a simple solution to a common problem niz: “HeLPP MEee! When I play a video file/DVD I can only hear the sound but no picture/video content!!“

The first step that I would like you as the victim to do is.. Breathe. Relax. The world hasn’t come to and end. Trust me.

Your Windows Media Player is simply lacking a codec!

And so you ask..What exactly is a codec?

A codec (compression/decompression) is a mathematical algorithm that is used to encode and decode media formats such as .avi, .mpeg etc.

And then you so brilliantly ask, Where do I get this codec from?

Fortunately for us, Windows Media Player has an option built within it to automatically download codecs for us. Cool or what!?

Step 1: Fire up Windows Media Player ( Windows XP: Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Windows Media Player )

Step 2: Go to: Tools > Options and under the ‘Player’ tab, Check the “Download codecs automatically” checkbox.

Step 3: Restart your Windows Media Player and make sure that you have established an internet connection.

..That’s it. Simple, nifty and uncomplicated.

Alternatively, you could download  VLC media player which is a FREE software solution that has the ability to play lots of different video formats.

Enjoy.

- Imraan Moosa