Prevent iTunes from Opening Automatically (when you plug your device in)

Problem: When you plug in your Apple device, iTunes pops up automatically & starts syncing

Solution: Ctrl + , → Devices

Enable 'Long Document Mode' on Canon P-215

Problem: You want to scan a document that's longer than 14," but every time you try, your P-215 stops midway and says it has a paper jam.

Solution: Connect your P-215 → Open it up (& turn it on) → Control Panel → (Devices and Printers) View scanners and cameras → select Canon P-215 USB → Properties → Maintenance tab → select "Long Document mode" → OK

Disabling Monitor Speakers (HDMI)

Problem: You have a set of speakers that sound way better than your monitor's built-in speakers but the sound plays through the monitor by default (& your computer is connected to your monitor through an HDMI cable).

Solution: Plug speakers into your computer/laptop → Control Panel → (Sound) Manage Audio Devices → (Playback tab) R click on the device that is NOT "Speakers" (it might be "Digital Audio (HDMI)") → Disable
Tip: In order to re-enable or see the Disabled devices, R click on the blank space > check Show Disabled Devices 

(Temporarily) Disable Sophos

Problem: You need to disable Sophos in order to install something.

Solution: Open Sophos > Configure > Anti-Virus > On-access Scanning > Uncheck "Enable on-access scanning for this computer > Apply

Remove Bing from Firefox

Problem: You have Firefox, but you hate Bing and want to remove it.  When you type search words into the address bar, it always redirects to Bing (instead of Google).

Solution: Type "about.config" in the address bar → Enter → I'll be careful, I promise! → Type "keyword.URL" in search box → Enter → R click → Reset

Change Drive Letters in Vista

Problem: Your drive letters spontaneously changed themselves upon restart & you want to change them back.  (Or perhaps you just want to change your drive letters)

Solution: Start button > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > (on the L) Disk Management > R click on the drive you want to change > Change Drive Letter and Paths

System Specs

Problem: You want to know your computer's system specs for some reason.

Solution: Start > Run > type "dxdiag.exe" > Enter

OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts

Bulleted List: Ctrl + Shift + L

Inserting Unicode Characters

Problem: You're typing something in some Microsoft program that uses the Insert > Symbol command to insert one of those funny little characters you can't find on your keyboard, but it's a symbol you use so often that going Insert > Symbol every time w/your mouse has you royally ticked.

Solution:

1. Find the Unicode character number
2. Go back to your document & type in those numbers
3. Press Alt+X

Disable Sony Vaio Touchpad

Problem:
That dang touchpad is screwing you up by being so sensitive that when you brush it w/your thumbs while typing, it resets the cursor position to some other god-forsaken place in your Word document and screws up your paragraph.

Solution A:
C: > Program Files > Sony > Setting Utility Series > VCCPointingDevice > Uncheck the box next to "Enable"
*Create a shortcut to this program so you don't have to go through all the hassle of finding it again when you want to re-enable your touchpad.

Solution B: for when your "VCCPointingDevice.exe" is not there (like my Z-690's wasn't)
Start > Control Panel > VAIO Control Center > (on the left) Keyboard and Mouse > Pointing Device > Uncheck "Enable" > Apply
*Leave this open until you're ready to re-enable your touchpad (if you're planning to do it soon before you restart/log off/shut down). It's just easier than finding it again.
*Crate a shortcut for "VAIO Control Center" on your desktop if you plan to do this often.

Solution C: because Sony can't make up their god dang minds about where to put stuff...
Start > Control Panel > Sony Notebook Setup > Device > uncheck 'pointing device'

Changing Vista to 256 color mode

1. Find the .exe application file in your Program Files folder (or wherever you installed it)
2. R-click > Properties > Compatibility (tab) > check the box next to "Run in 256 colors" > OK
   

Tell whether your computer has the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows Vista

Problem: You don't know whether or your PC is running the 32 or 64-bit version of Windows Vista

Solution: Start > type in "msinfo32.exe" > Enter > look for "System Type"
If your system type is listed as....
x86-based PC = 32-bit version of Vista
x64-based PC = 64-bit version of Vista

Create a Restore Point in Vista

Start > Control Panel > System > System Protection (in L toolbar) > Create

Jerky video playback

Problem:
When you're playing a video w/a large resolution (or any video at all) on your computer, the playback jerks/freezes then unfreezes, pixelates a lot after resuming, etc

Solution:
Increase the video frame rate

Solution 2:
Bad news- your (laptop) monitor cannot keep up with the video being played, so the solution is to get an external monitor, hook it up and play it while viewing the monitor.

View/update a list of drivers on Vista

Start > R-click 'Computer' > Manage > Device Manager (L pane) > R-click any device and select 'Update Driver Software...'

Crackling Sound Coming from Speakers

Problem:
One day your speakers start emitting an occasional crackling/static sound.

Solution:
Download and (re)install your audio driver.

If that does not work, manually check for an updated driver online (using Microsoft's automatic driver-sensing command is not reliable in my experience - it didn't detect a Realtek HD driver update that ultimately solved my problem).

Solution Tested on:
Sony Vaio VGN-Z690
Windows Vista Business