Trick your computer out of its wits

Life is full of secrets, some of them sweeter than others. So are computers, DVDs and CD ROMs.

What are these secrets? They include features, treasures and even mistakes in the program or media. Sometimes, software developers may leave them in their programming codes intentionally, sometimes they happen out of abnormal program circumstances.

More recently, they are included as extra content on DVDs and movies. We’ve got so far some consumers now even expected them – and look for them. These are very similar to cheat codes found in many – if not all video games.

In the case of computer surprises, you can uncover and experiment with them using simple commands within programs. A quick example is a way to force a win at Solitaire.

Launch Solitaire, click on Start, then click Programs, Accessories, and finally Games. Play a few hands of Solitaire, then press Alt + Shift + 2. You win! There are other such Windows XP shockers that you can find using your search engine.

In the case of DVD movies, you can reveal countless secrets. You will access them using your DVD remote control. You must proceed through the codes exactly, or it will not work. This is a bit of a challenge which makes it more rewarding once you find the secret, and actually get it to work.

One example we can use is from Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. It’s called – Hip Hop Yoda, and it shows a video of Yoda rapping. To access this secret, using your DVD remote, put Disk 1 into your DVD player. Wait for the main menu to load, then select Options. Once the options menu loads, press 1, 1, 3, 8.

Here you go … and for the rest of the secrets, try finding them on your own, it’s much more fun that way.