Tips To Make Use of Microsoft Outlook at Its Best

 

In this blog I have tried to explain the procedure of fixing the common Microsoft Outlook issues. The methods compiled here are simple and correct until date. However, it is recommended that these should be followed and implemented carefully to avoid facing problems. This will help users save time and money that would otherwise be spent searching for Microsoft Outlook Support. 

Back up your Outlook data to avoid losing access to important emails, contacts etc. Since computer reformat is quite a common practice, data backup would help you regain access to your favorites and important information. You can either download and use a third party free or paid program to backup Outlook data or download and install Microsoft’s PST Backup tool from its official Microsoft Office website. Save the downloaded file and then install it using the automated wizard’s instructions. When done, open and run the program to start backing up your Outlook data(see also:Create backup in Outlook 2010).

You can also manually backup your .pst files by exporting them to another file\folder. To do so, open Outlook, click on the File menu and select Export. The Import and Export wizard will open up. Click to select .pst file and then hit the Next button. Name the file and save it to an easily accessible location in your computer. Follow rest of the instructions to complete the backup procedure. You can retrieve your backup by following the same procedure, choose Import instead of Export.

You can create an auto responder when you are going out of home or office for a few and want others to be informed about the same.

Steps to create an auto responder

•    Open Outlook and click on  “Tools”  and then click  “Out of Office Assistant.”
•    Click to select Send Out of Office auto-replies. Type a desired response under the Inside My Organization tab.
•    You can also select to reply to the people out of your organization using the Auto-reply to people outside my organization checkbox under the Outside My Organization tab.
•    Click to select My Contacts only\Anyone outside my organization in the Outside My Organization tab in order to determine the contacts who needed to be sent the auto reply.
•    Save the changes and exit Outlook.

Set reminders to quickly make Outlook remind you about the tasks to be performed.

Steps to Set reminders in outlook

•    Open Outlook, right click on the email message that you want to create the reminder for, select Follow Up, and then Add Reminder.
•    Select the date and time using the Due By and second list respectively to fulfill the task.
•    Use the Flag Color list to flag the message in the desired color and press the OK button.

Close Outlook properly before shutting down your computer. This is a small but very useful practice as it helps prevent unsaved data from loss caused by inadvertent shutdown. A forced shutdown causes many applications including Outlook to perform weird next time these are opened.

Regularly download and install latest updates intended to maximize performance and utility of Outlook. Use Windows Update feature to do so. You can also set Windows Updates to automatically download, install these updates.

See also: Microsoft Outlook Not Opening

Steps to Reset the BIOS Password in Dell Computer

Before we begin with the reset procedure, let’s understand what BIOS is. It is a built-in program called Basic Input\Output System (BIOS) that loads automatically when a computer is powered on. The program manages data flow and controls all the attached or built-in hardware or applications like keyboard, mouse, printer, router, serial communications, disk drives, and monitor among other things. It is usually located in the pre-integrated ROM chip (aka ROM BIOS) in a computer. The steps described here are simple and correct until date. However, it is still recommended that these should be followed carefully to avoid facing problems. This will help users save their precious time as well as money. If  you  face any problem in performing below mentioned steps, You can call  Dell technical support at their toll free No. +1-877-452-9201

Instructions:

First, locate the user manuals that originally came with your Dell computer. Search through the pages to find the component structure of your Dell PC as you will have to pull out the CMOS battery (silver colored) from the motherboard. If you are not sure what to do, open your web browser and go to Dell’s official website. Type in your computer’s model or version and navigate to the Service Manual option. Look throughout the options and locate diagram or graphics of your PC’s motherboard. Either print the information or note it down on a piece of paper as you will need this while the computer is shut down.

Now turn off your computer and detach the power cord from its back. Detach all other connected devices like USBs, printer etc. Open the case of your computer, locate the 3-pin CMOS battery and remove it. Hit the power button and hold it for 10-20 minutes to drain the leftover charge. This will clear the previous settings and make way for password reset. Close the computer case, reconnect all the devices, plug the power cord back in firmly to the computer and turn them on(see also:How to Reset BIOS Password in a Dell Laptop).

When the computer is turning on and you see the Dell logo, start tapping the F2 key on the keyboard until you see the Entering Setup message screen. Some old Dell machines may require different key combination in place of the F2. This combination includes pressing Ctrl, Alt, and Enter keys together and then the Delete key on the keyboard. When entered, make a new password as desired. Write this down on a piece of paper and keep it a safe place. This will save you from falling into such a situation again.

Also see:How to Resolve Windows 7 BOOTMGR Missing Error

Change the default operating system for startup (multiboot)

When you install two operating systems on your computer, the computer's master boot record, or MBR, notes both operating systems and allows you to choose which one boots automatically.To avoid data loss, you can create a backup of your MBR. If you do not intervene when the computer first starts, you can choose which one starts when you turn on your computer. More than one operating system installed on a computer is often called a multiboot configuration. Multi-boot or Multi-booting is the act of installing multiple operating systems on a computer, and being able to choose which one to boot when starting the computer  To change which operating system has boot priority, you must modify the settings in your system properties.

Call 1-877-452-9201(24x7) for Windows 7 Support

There are several reasons for installing two operating system on your computer

•    You want to run a "gaming machine" as well as a "business machine" on the same computer.

•    Web designers want to view their work on various operating systems and their native web browsers.

•    A piece of legacy hardware, such as a scanner, works on Windows 98, but not in Windows XP.

•    IT staff need to be able to work with older as well as new versions of Windows.

•    You want to experiment with an operating system like Linux, but need to be able to use Windows as your main operating system.

Steps to Change the Default operating system for startup

•    Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.

•    Click Advanced System Settings.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

•    Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.

•    Under System startup, in the Default operating system list, click the operating system that you want to use when you turn on or restart your computer.

See also: How to Resolve Windows 7 BOOTMGR Missing Error

How to Manually Register DLL in Microsoft Windows Vista

Dynamic link library (DLL or .dll) is a set of small programs (files) that are called upon simultaneously by various executable programs in Windows to perform certain tasks like connecting to a device etc. Sometimes, these files get corrupted and hence need repairing. The below mentioned guide will help you register these files on your own. This essentially means that you don’t need to contact Microsoft technical support for help.

Instructions:   

Before beginning with the procedure, you must know that names and path of the files that needs to be registered. If you didn’t know the names and/or path, you would not be able to register them.

•    Click on the Start menu and navigate to Run or press  the Windows and the R keys together on the keyboard.

•    Type ‘regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\Name.dll’ in the blank field (without quotes and as it is) and then click on the OK button. You must replace the location (path) as well as name of the file (Name.dll, here it should be the name of the file with .dll as the extension and not just Name).

•    Once you are done typing and clicking on the OK button, you will see a dialog box showing that the file has been successfully registered. Click on the OK button to close the message window. If the program did not launch automatically, then open it manually.

•    If you get an error message like the specified module or entry could not be found, then it indicates that you are either typing the location or file name wrong or the .dll file that you are trying to register is not compatible with your version of Windows. If none of these is the case, then try disabling the UAC (User Account Control) in Control Panel.

Additional Tips:

You may need admin privileges to run such command or tweak around with the registry.

You can also download and install Dependency Walker 2.2, an automatic tool for registering missing libraries or fix common problems. Download it from its official website (depencencywalker.com) and save the file to your desktop. Double click on its icon to open and install it using the wizard’s instructions. When the program is installed, run it to initialize the process. The program has been designed to support all the old and new versions of Windows.

Also here: How to Find Files Left Behind After a Software Uninstall

How to Backup MBR in Windows 7

When your computer first boots up, your hard drive initializes by accessing its master boot record or master boot record  MBR. The place where this information is stored is called the master boot record (MBR). It is also sometimes called the master boot sector or even just the boot sector. The Master Boot Record (MBR) is the information in the first sector of any hard disk or diskette that identifies how and where an operating system is located so that it can be boot (loaded) into the computer's main storage or random access memory. The MBR contains information on the size and specifications of your hard drive's partitions. If your MBR becomes corrupted, then your computer will not be able to identify your hard drive, and it will not be possible to access any information on the drive or initiate your operating system. To avoid data loss, you can create a backup of your MBR. Although Windows 7 does not include native MBR backup capability, you can complete this task using MBRtool, a free utility. If you find some difficulties while performing any of the below mentioned steps on your own, then you can also take help from  online technical support  at their Toll Free No +1-877-452-9201 For US/CA.

Instruction

•    Navigate your web browser to DIY DataRecovery's MBRtool download page. MBRtool is a freeware utility that can back up and restore your computer's MBR.

•    Click the blue download icon next to MBRtool on the download page. Save the MBRtool installation file to your hard drive.

•    Run the installation file to start the MBRtool setup wizard. Click "Next" to continue.

•    Read the License Agreement and click the radio button next to "I accept the agreement." Click "Next," as it appears, four times. Click "Install" to continue.

•    Insert a blank, writable CD into your computer's CD-R drive.

•    Click the radio button next to "Create Boot CD/DVD." Click " Go." MBRtool will create a bootable CD that contains the MBRtool utility.

•    Restart your computer and boot to the CD. Your computer will boot to a DOS command prompt.

•    Type "MBRtool" at the command prompt, and press "Enter." The program will start up and display the main MBRtool menu.

•    Type "2" and press "Enter" at the main MBRtool program menu to backup your MBR to a file. Type the name of the file to which you would like to save the computer's MBR and press "Enter." MBRtool will backup your MBR to the specified file.

See: Steps to Reset the BIOS Password in Dell Computer

How to Disable Windows 7 Auto-Update Restart

The auto-update feature in Windows 7 is a great convenience. Windows 7 auto update feature secures your PC with maximum security and also fixes the bugs.  Installing automatic updates as they become available helps to keep your computer secure and up to date with the latest bug fixes and security patches. However, it may be annoying sometimes, when you have to restart your PC for successful installation of Windows updates. You should have this option enabled, but it can be annoying when Windows repeatedly nags you to reboot your computer after an update. You can easily disable this Microsoft windows auto update feature by following few simple steps. If you find some difficulties while performing any of the below mentioned steps on your own, then you can also take help from  online technical support  at their Toll Free No +1-877-452-9201 For US/CA.

Steps to Disable Windows 7 Auto-Update Restart

•    Click the Windows “Start” menu. Type "gpedit.msc" (without quotes) in the Search box and press “Enter.” The Local Group Policy Editor launches.

•    Click “Computer Configuration” on the left side of the window. Click “Administrative Templates” and then click “Windows Components.” Scroll down and select “Windows Update.”

•    Double-click the option for "No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic update installations."

•    In the Properties window that appears, change the option from "Not Configured" to "Enabled." Click "OK" and close the Local Group Policy Editor window. You will no longer be prompted to restart your computer after Windows installs auto-updates.

How to Clean Corrupt Microsoft Outlook Calendar Entries

When we think of productivity tools for the modern business professional, one of the first that comes to mind is Outlook. Microsoft Outlook being one of the popularly used email client. Outlook allows users to manage virtual folders, maintain calendar and tasks, search faster, scan and download email attachments, block spam messages, and send/receive & archive mails etc. Such features enhance a user's productivity and efficiency by saving a great deal of time and money.  If the entries in your Microsoft Outlook calendar become corrupted, you may start to receive error messages when the program attempts to create appointment reminders. In order to repair the problem, you will need to start Outlook in a special calendar cleaning mode. Outlook will then automatically scan and clean all of your calendar entries to return them to normal. The below mentioned steps are very simple and if you face any problem you can also get Microsoft Outlook support from online technical support service provider companies.

Steps to Clean Corrupt Microsoft Outlook Calendar Entries

•    Close the Microsoft Outlook window and make sure the application is no longer running.

•    Open the Start menu and click on "Run."

•    Enter "outlook.exe /cleanreminders" into the "Open" text field.

•    Click on the "OK" button. Outlook will now begin loading in calendar cleaning mode.

•    Enter you e-mail username and password and hit "OK" to log in.

•    Click on the "Calendar" tab in the lower-left corner of the main Outlook window. All calendar entries and reminders should now display correctly.

How to Reformat Windows XP on a Dell Computer with No CD

The below mentioned guide will help you walk through the procedure and reformat Win XP on your own. This will essentially sideline the need of contacting Microsoft or Dell technical help.

Instructions:

Before you begin, take backup of your important data files, programs etc. If you don’t know where the product key is located, download and run a Win XP product key finder program from a trusted website. Save the downloaded file to an easily accessible location in your computer and run it from there. Once the installation has completed, open and run the file to initiate the procedure. It will hardly take some time to bring up the key. Note down the key on a piece of paper and exit all the windows. Back up all your data if you haven’t done so.

Now click on the Start menu and navigate to My Computer. Double click on the C:\ drive icon and then the Windows folder icon. Locate the folder named ‘i386’ under Windows folder and open it. If you are unable to locate it, click on the Tools tab at the top and then select Folder Options from the drop down menu. Highlight the View tab in the Folder Options window and then click to select Show hidden files and folders under Hidden files and folder heading. Click on the Apply button and then OK to exit the current window.

Double click to open the ‘i386’ folder and then on the file named Winnt32.exe. Follow the instructions and answer all the questions to erase (reformat) your hard drive and start all over again.

Unless specifically prompted or directed, do not touch any program\option or shutdown your computer. This may prove dangerous and create severe problems like system crash. When prompted, type in the product key and proceed. Ensure that you fill in all the information you are being asked for and follow all the instructions carefully.

When done, the computer will restart. Now it should be ready to run a neat and clean Win XP version. This procedure should let you reformat and reinstall Win XP without any disk.

You can alternatively choose to reformat your computer this way. Click on the Start menu and navigate to Control Panel. Locate and double click on the Administrative Tools icon in the Control Panel window. When prompted, hit the Continue button. Click on the Computer Management link and then hit the Continue button.

Click on the Storage icon and expand it by clicking on its plus sign. Click on the Disk Management icon and locate the drive (like C:\) that you want to reformat. Once located, right click on the particular drive and then select Format from the drop down options. Under the Format window, click on the dropdown menu next to File system and select NTFS. Leave other options to default and then hit the OK button.

This will initialize the formatting procedure. Follow all the instructions and wait until it finishes. Don’t shut down system when reformatting is under process. Reinstall Windows and other applications when the drive has been reformatted