Washington  - Experiencing Windows Explorer crashes in Vista? The answer may be to install a third-party replacement for the Windows file manager. Directory Opus, from Australian software maker GPSoft (http://www.gpsoft.com.au), can do everything that Windows Explorer can do - and much more. It can even act as a complete replacement for Windows Explorer, responding to the WinKey-E shortcut just like Windows' file manager does.

Washington (dpa) - You can do more with the Windows taskbar than you probably realize. Making it wider, for example, will not only make the minimised icons on it easier to read, but it will also expand the date and time area so you see the day as well as the date and time. Right clicking the taskbar and deselecting "Lock the Taskbar" will allow you to move the taskbar to any of the four corners of your computer monitor.

Washington (dpa) - Tired of a Favourites menu or a Start menu full of disorganised programs and folders? Bring order to the chaos with a couple of clicks. Open the favourites or Start menu, and right click. From the resulting pop-up menu, select Sort by Name. Instantly, the items in your Favourites menu or Start menu will be ordered alphabetically. In the Vista Start menu, this is no longer necessary.

Washington (dpa) - Looking at a camera with digital zoom? Know what you're getting. Digital zoom enlarges images pixel by pixel, which results in photographs that are not as crisp and detailed as those you would get by taking the same picture with a camera equipped with optical zoom. If you use a camera with digital zoom, know the point at which the zoom kicks in, and avoid it for critical images.

Washington (dpa) - Do you stock up on printer toner? Don't get more than you can use up in a couple of years. Toner has about a two- year shelf life. After that, the toner may not perform as it should, or it could start to dry up. Even when buying new toner at the store, check the expiration date. If you don't see one, make sure the toner has a warranty. (dpa)