Since Windows Vista came with a lot of new features, it's normal to have more useful keyboard shortcuts that you'll have to remember. Obviously, I can't tell you about all of them in a single article, and nobody can acquire so much information at once, so I'll start with the basic things, like opening the Computer window, showing the desktop or cycling through open programs by using the new Flip 3D mode. Are you ready?

<-120x240 Vertical Banner - left->Some of the following shortcuts are the same as in Windows XP, while some have changed, but I am sure you'll be able to handle things right, so let's start our tour...

1. To open or close the Start menu, there are two shortcuts, and they are not new to the Windows environment - Ctrl+Esc or just the Windows key.

2. If you want to display the desktop and take a look at that beautiful wallpaper you got from the Web yesterday, simply tap the Windows key+D.

3. To minimize all open windows and achieve the same effect as before, you can use the Windows key+M.

4. Unlike displaying the desktop, where the same combination can be used to bring back your windows, you need to press the Windows key+Shift+M to restore all minimized windows.

5. To open the Computer window, the keyboard shortcut to use is Windows key+E.

6. Alt+Tab has the same part in the play as always, helping you to switch before open programs, but...

7. ... to browse open programs using the new Flip 3D mode, you have to press the Windows key+Tab. Why would you use this mode instead of the classic one? Well, take a look below to find out!

8. To browse through the open applications, in the same order as they were started up, use Alt+Esc.

9. Good bye, old Ctrl+Alt+Del! To open Vista's task manager in a snap, you have to use Ctrl+Shift+Esc now. Don't ask why, just try to remember it, all right?

These being said, I'll leave you practice what I have just shown you, but prepare for more tips and tricks tomorrow!

As time passes, hardware producers release more and more drivers fully compatible with Vista for their products, but what about people having various devices that won't get new drivers? Since this is a problem that a lot of computer users have, but I wasn't able to see any interesting solutions, let me share with you a bit of my recent experience...


Just like many people I know, in the last decade I used only one network interface card, an excellent Compaq Netelligent adapter, with an Intel chipset (no intention to advertise, but I had to tell you this). On my old computer, I had just enough memory to install Vista (512MB), so I installed it, more to see how it looks and feels, because I had already in mind the configuration of my new Vista system. All went fine, apart from setting up the network... and the reason is obvious: Vista didn't find any compatible driver for my card!

In most cases, using Vista's troubleshooter won't take you anywhere, so you'll have to find a solution, and for some people, dropping the old hardware isn't an option. Next, I will tell you how I solved my problem, but this is not a solution for every piece of hardware in the wild - you'll have to try for yourselves.

After completing the troubleshooting procedure without success a few times, you have to retrieve a driver compatible with your hardware for Windows 2000. If that's not available, look for the latest driver compatible with the Windows NT-family of operating systems.

Choose to install this driver, and disregard the warning you'll get from the operating system (notice the screenshot above). When you finish, reboot, but only if you're asked to do it. In the most fortunate case, your hardware device should start working properly as soon as the drivers have been installed.In my case, the network adapter worked like a charm. Unfortunately, placing it in my new computer would have a negative impact on my video card's cooling, so I chose to use the on-board NIC.

Feel free to experiment with your old hardware that's not ready for the junkyard yet, and get back here and report your results. It will be my pleasure to find out that my hints helped other people keep their old devices running on Microsoft's last operating system!

When moving from a computer to another, the settings that you fine tuned for months, maybe even years, are the hardest part when it comes to backup and restauration. Since Opera is a top Web browser, I am sure a lot of people are looking for solutions to move their settings from a computer to another.

When I say "settings", I am not thinking about the bookmarks, but especially about the saved passwords and other information that's not so easy to retrieve. Just think about this - when you open Opera, it loads 30 sites, and apart from that, the browser is the safe that keeps your passwords and personal data, and all that you can do is export your bookmarks... but having exactly the same Opera setup on your new computer is much easier than you ever imagined!


<-234x60 Half Banner - left->First of all, you have to save your old Opera folder, or at least have it close at hand. For example, browse to your Program Files folder, and copy to a USB stick the entire Opera folder. If space is a problem, then you should check the About screen of browser, because it contains very useful information. Just look below...

Did you notice the precise locations of your settings? Now, let me explain... All that you need to switch from a computer to another your entire Opera setup is to keep the old "profile" folder, and copy it into the program's folder as soon as you install the browser on your new computer!

If you are using the Mail feature, then you also need to copy the "mail" folder to your new computer. Incredibly easy, don't you think? I'll be waiting for your feedback and questions, as usual, so don't be shy and fill in the text box below with your comment!