Answer:
On your computer two files that are in the same folder cannot have the same name. However with the default settings in Windows you can have several files appear as if they have the same name. In actuality they have a different extension (last part of name that comes after the period that is usually two or three characters long that says what type file it is) and thereby a different name.

There are a couple ways to determine what the type of the file is or what the extension is.

First you can look at the icon (the picture) beside the file and if you know the different icons you will know the type of file. However most people don't know what each icon is used for.

Second you could right click with your mouse on each file and choose properties and Windows will tell you the full name.

Third you can change the setting in Windows that hides extensions on most files. Here are directions for Windows Vista and Windows XP.

In Windows Vista you will click on Organize at the top of the window showing the files. Then choose Folder and Search Options. Now choose the second tab called View. Then about the 10th line down uncheck the box beside Hide Extensions for Known File Types, then click OK. Now all extensions will show and you will see you do not have two files with exactly the same name in the same folder.

In Windows XP you will click on Tools in the menu bar at the top of the window showing the files. Then choose Folder Options. Now choose the second tab called View. Then about the 10th line down uncheck the box beside Hide Extensions for Known File Types, then click OK. Now all extensions will show and you will see you do not have two files with exactly the same name in the same folder.

Send me your questions about computers to me at the paper or to my e-mail dwight@dwightwatt.com and tell me you read this in the paper. I will pick a question to answer each week.