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Getting-Along-With-Your-Computer

Uh-Oh! Undo that thing

Everybody makes mistakes, like answering “Yes” when a program asks if you’re sure you want to delete that thing.

I can tell you from experience that you can be absolutely sure and at the same time completely wrong.

Also, how to fix a mouse with a mind of its own.

Quickly recover deleted files

If you delete a file and you realize right away that it was a mistake, press the CTRL and the Z key at the same time. The key combination of CTRL+Z tells Windows to “undo” the last thing it did.

If deleting the file was the last thing you did, you will probably get it back.

If you haven’t emptied your recycle bin, double-click it and see if you can locate the file. If so, you can either right-click on it and then click "restore," or just click once on it and then click "restore this item" at the top of the window.

The file will go back to its last location.

If you’ve deleted email, look in the deleted Items folder in your email program. Email doesn’t go to the recycle bin.

If you can’t find your file after all that, try Recuva from Piraform.

Restore events to Google Calendar from Google Calendar trash

Late one night I meant to change the time of an appointment on my Google Calendar, and instead of changing it, I deleted the event. Uh-oh!

It turns out there are two ways to recover from this. (Three if you count just entering the whole thing again.)

First, if you’re quick enough you can click on the Undo link at the top of the Calendar. But if enough time goes by that link fades away.

You can still get that event back.

On the left side of the Calendar window, highlight the calendar where you want to restore your event.

Click once on the down arrow just to the right of the name of the calendar.

Click on View Trash.

Locate the event you want to restore. (It’s probably at the top!)

Put a check mark in the box.

Click on Restore selected events.

When you’ve restored everything you need to, click on the Back to calendar link, and you’ll see your event again. Whew.

Bring a dead mouse back to life

If your mouse is unresponsive, try these fixes until you find the one that works.

For a wireless mouse:

Check that it is turned on.

Check that the transceiver is all the way plugged in to a USB port.

Try it in a different port.

For a Bluetooth mouse, go to the Settings in Windows and try to reconnect.

Replace the mouse batteries.

Turn the computer completely off and turn it on again. 

Replace the mouse.

For a mouse that plugs into the computer:

Plug it into a different USB port.

Turn the computer completely off and turn it on again.

Replace the mouse.

If your mouse works, but it’s too quick or slow or jerky, go to Windows Settings for Mouse and adjust as necessary.

If you have a Logitech mouse or a Microsoft mouse, use their software to give you more control over your mouse.

If clicking your left mouse button gives you unexpected results, you might have reversed the button settings.

Fix this in Windows Settings for Mouse. If, by the way, you’re left handed, you can make the right button your primary button and laugh your head off at the rest of us when we try to use your mouse.

 

We’ve almost reached our fundraising goal for the June 24 Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Ride Don’t Hide event benefiting the Canadian Mental Health Association. How about sponsoring me?

Click on this link to make your secure online contribution: https://goo.gl/WnnSd3.

Your help is much appreciated.

Cate Eales will retire June 29 from running Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers.

She welcomes your comments and suggestions for future column topics, good fishing spots, epic bike rides, and songs to learn on the ukulele. Send email to [email protected].

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

The Technology Shaman, Cate Eales, has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible, and fun for over 30 years.

Cate lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric. She owns and operates Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile computer business providing on-site service for home and small business customers.

Cate is here to help you and your home or business computer get along.

E-mail Cate at [email protected] with comments, suggestions, or questions.

Computer Care Kelowna

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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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