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How to Fix the Biggest PC Annoyances

Computing hassles driving you bonkers? We feel your pain. And we have solutions--for hardware, software, and the Web.

By Steve Bass, PCW Print   

RealOne Running Amok

The Annoyance: Near the top of my list of irritations is RealNetworks' RealOne Player. It's infuriating how RealOne salts my PC with desktop icons and browser links. The program also lights my fuse when it offers me confusing choices for audio and video file associations. Quick, get me my blood-pressure meds.

The Fix: If you're installing RealOne from scratch, pay close attention to each screen. Always choose a custom installation to see more options. On the Program Location and Desktop Settings screen, uncheck the locations you think are nonessential. I unchecked all of them; I knew that a RealOne icon would end up in my Start menu anyway. At the Default Media Player screen, choose Customize, scroll through the choices, and carefully select which of the 14 audio and video file types you want to associate with RealOne.

Already have RealOne (or RealPlayer) on your PC? Dump all of the program's icons except the one you use most often, such as the one on your desktop. Next, remove the RealOne shortcut from your system tray. (You don't need it, since the player loads automatically whenever you open an associated file.) See " Remove Unwanted Icons From Your System Tray" for more help.

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