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| Windows XP Tip: Turn Off Error Reporting |
| Saturday, May 5, 2007 |
If error reporting in XP is bugging you then turn it off.
When a system error occurs in XP, a little dialog box appears asking if you want to report the error to Microsoft.
Click the message box to make it disappear. You don't have to report the error if you don't want.
To disable error reporting, follow these directions:
1. Right-click My Computer and choose Properties.
2. Click the Advanced tab on your System Properties dialog box.
3. Click the Error Reporting button on the Advanced tab.
4. Place a checkmark next to "Disable error reporting."
5. Leave the other radio button unchecked next to the text labeled, "But notify me when critical errors occur."
6. Click OK.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
posted by Admin @ 12:25 PM   |
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| AdSense Give Ad Units a Spring Clean |
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AdSense have today announced that they’ve given their AdSense units a ’spring clean’. They write that this is a result of testing and research and that the new look ads should lead to better performance for both publishers and advertisers.
The new look ads will be rolled out in the coming days and will incorporate the same colors and fonts that existing ads have.
AdSense also notes that you cannot opt out of the new designs but also hint at more format options ‘in the future’.
Here’s how the new ads look (click to enlarge)…. it’s not a massive change as you can see.
 Labels: Adsense Tips |
| posted by Admin @ 11:47 AM |
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| Task Manager Disabled |
| Friday, May 4, 2007 |
Windows XP Tips:
Reinstalling Windows - The Ultimate Solution
How to stop Windows XP hiding the 'not recently used' items in the Classic Start Menu
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Blank Explorer Bar
My Recent Documents
Password is going to change in 14 days. How to disable this.
Accounts
How to make XP dial-up like Windows 95/98/ME
Product Activation after a Reinstall
Product Activation after a Hard Disk failure
Windows XP logs off immediately after entering the password
Windows XP Indexing Service
Windows XP starts up with the “Classic” logon prompt like Windows NT
Releasing Disk Space
Windows Genuine Advantage
Pop those Balloons!
Can you downgrade from XP Professional to XP Home?
How to stop an application being listed in the “recently used programs” above the Start button.
Desktop Cleanup Wizard
Desktop Icons
XP Product Activation
Put Program Icons on your Desktop
Rename a Desktop Icon
Rename and number files
Corrupt Local Profile
Stop having to enter User Name and Password
Speed-up Startup
My Pictures Slideshow
Task Manager Disabled
Dangerous Windows Administrator Accounts
How to open an Administrator program in a Limited Account
Device Manager
Super Search (or Fast Find!)
Control Panel Options
To Standby or to Hibernate?
Move the Swap file to another disk
On-Screen Keyboard
Keyboard Shortcuts
Desktop Icons Disappeared?
Can I give away my old XP?
How to Logon as Administrator
How long can I run XP?
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The Ultimate Solution!
When you take a faulty PC to that big shop in the out-of-town shopping centre or phone up the supplier’s help line they may eventually resort to the Ultimate Solution - Reinstall Windows.
This is the quickest way for them to solve most problems other than faulty hardware. They don’t have to waste time trying to find the causes of your problem because reinstalling will solve them all.
Most new PCs don’t come with a Windows disk - instead they have a hidden partition on the hard disk that contains an image of the original disk contents when it left the factory.
So if you have to resort to reinstalling from the hidden partition you will loose everything that has happened since the day you got the PC. But at least your PC will work properly again!
I like to try to solve the particular problem, but after a while it is no longer cost or time effective to continue. Rather than go for The Ultimate Solution I like to resort to what I call:
The Penultimate Solution
Microsoft calls this an “in-place upgrade” and all it means is that you overwrite your existing Windows files with an undamaged set.
This is not guaranteed to cure all problems because it does not, for instance, replace the Registry, but in many cases it does work and you do not loose any of your work or programs.
But to do it you need a Windows CD for the appropriate version of Windows with the correct service pack built in. And nerves of steel!
Before you begin you should run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard and transfer the resulting file somewhere safe, just in case the whole thing goes belly up and you have to resort to The Ultimate Solution.
It’s also advisable to take and store a copy of wpa.dbl - see Product Activation after a Reinstall. And note down your Windows Registration number off the side of your PC. You might need them both if it all goes wrong.
Rather than me repeat it here, the method is well documented by Microsoft. Go to www.microsoft.com and put 315341 into the search box.
Good Luck!
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How to stop Windows XP hiding the 'not recently used' items in the Classic Start Menu
I use the “Classic” start menu because I prefer it to the Windows XP one. (I’m just an old fashioned guy!)
But I got fed up with it hiding items that I hadn’t used recently (I want them there for when I do want to use them!).
So this is how to stop it:
Right click Start, select Properties,
Select "Start Menu" tab
Against "Classic Start Menu", click Customize button
Deselect "Use Personalized Menus"
Click OK button
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Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
This is an excellent tool to help transfer all your stuff from an old PC to a new XP PC.
Briefly, you put the XP CD into your old PC and run the wizard. It finds and compresses all your documents, pictures, music, etc. and either saves it to a medium that can then be connected to your new PC or does the transfer through a network (or cable) connection.
You go to your new PC, put the CD in and run the wizard again to copy the data from the transfer medium to the new PC.
Nowhere in the help files or on the Microsoft web site does it spell out that the Wizard operates on a per-user basis, not on a per-computer basis. In other words:
IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE USER ACCOUNT ON A PC THEN YOU NEED TO USE THE WIZARD ON EACH ACCOUNT.
So four users means 4 file transfers - and you need to ensure that you don’t muddle them up!
If a PC is really messed up I often wipe a customer’s hard drive and reinstall their copy of Windows - this solves a multitude of sins. But if they want their Files and Settings transferred I have to run the wizard for each user - both before I wipe it and then after I have reinstalled.
One or two things to remember.
1. The Wizard will not transfer passwords.
2. The Wizard expects your stuff to be stored in the Microsoft way - in My Documents, etc. If you have stuff in other folders it may well ignore it.
3. Most people don’t get the XP CD with their new PC - so how do they run the wizard?
Fire up the new PC and go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools where you will find a copy of the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Run the wizard and tell it that this is your new PC. It will then offer to create a Wizard Disk for you to use in your old PC. (Providing both PC’s have got floppy drives!).
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Blank Explorer Bar
I have only come across this problem once, but I have heard of it elsewhere.
When Explorer is opened the right hand panel displays the files and folders as selected, but there is no information in the left hand explorer bar.
(If "Search", "Media", "Favorites" or "History" is selected (View, Explorer Bar,) then the corresponding info is displayed but if "Folders" is selected -there is only a blank panel with an "X" to close it).
Correcting this needs a mod to the Registry - always save a copy of the Registry before you make any changes.
Here is the location of the faulty Registry entry: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\
{EFA24E64-B078-11D0-89E4-00C04FC9E26E}\
InProcServer32]
Faulty registry points to BROWSEUI.DLL but should point to SHDOCVW.DLL.
Use REGEDIT to find this key and change it to SHDOCVW.DLL.
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My Recent Documents
If you share your computer you may want to prevent the “My Recent Documents” option on the Start menu. It can be awkward if your kids notice your Santa’s shopping list in there!
So if you use the normal Windows XP Start menu, this is what to do:
Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
On the Start Menu tab, click Start menu, and then click Customize.
On the Advanced tab, at the bottom of the box, unselect the “List my most recently opened documents check box”.
If you want, whilst on the Advanced tab, click “Clear List” (at the bottom right) to empty the My Recent Documents folder.
(None of the above deletes any documents from the computer - you just have to remember where you saved them).
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Windows XP Password is going to change in 14 days. How to disable this.
Right-click My Computer and select "Manage."
Expand the Local Users and Groups folder and click on Users.
Right-click the appropriate User and select "Properties"
Place a check mark next to the text labelled "Password never expires" and click Apply.
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Windows XP Accounts
“I was wondering if you could help me with the following:
I have just loaded a handset (mobile phone) management program on my PC for my son's new phone, it would not let him load it on through his account on the PC due to him not being an administrator.
So I loaded it on through my account, however he cannot access the program from his account, it has loaded all right as I can see it under programs in my account but it does not show up in his account.
How can I allow him to have access to this program from his account?”
The quickest way to solve this one is to:
a) temporarily change son's account to an Administrator account,
b) install the program through his account,
c) change his account back to a Limited account
He should then have full access to the program.
You can do a) and c) by logging in to your (Administrator) account and going:
Start,
Control Panel,
User Accounts,
Pick an account to change,
Change Account Type
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How to make XP dial-up like Windows 95/98/ME:
This will restore the "dialing" box for Firefox or any other applications, also will enable Auto Disconnect for Internet Explorer.
1. Go to settings, Control Panel. Administrative Tools, Services Shortcut.
2. Scroll down to Net Logon. Right click Properties, Set to Automatic.
3. Do the same for Network Connections, Remote Access Auto Connection Manager and Remote Access Connection Manager.
4. Return to Settings. Select Network Connections. Click Advanced -at the Top- Click Dial-up Preferences. -Make sure "Always ask..." and "Disable autodial..." at the bottom are unchecked.
5. Go to Control Panel,Internet Options
6. Connections,Settings,
7. Properties,Options.
8. Under "Dialing Options",check the first one "Display progress while dialing" and the third one, "Include Windows Logon Domain".
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Windows XP Product Activation after a Reinstall
This is a way that users of a valid and already activated copy of Windows XP can avoid having to reactivate the software after a full reinstall onto the same hardware to which it was originally installed.
The trick is to copy and reuse the c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl file. It's small, so it will easily fit on a floppy or you can copy it to another safe location on your hard drive. Do that, then do the reinstallation in the normal way.
After you've reinstalled XP, either boot to a DOS floppy or start in XP's Safe Mode/Command Prompt (i.e. hit the F8 key when your system "beeps" during the boot process). Then copy your original wpa.dbl from its safe location back into the c:\windows\system32 folder, and then reboot.
WARNING - don’t do the above copy operation when Windows is running normally - do it in DOS or safe mode. If you do it when Windows is running you will end up having to reinstall from scratch again.
Because nothing on your system has changed (it's the same BIOS, CPU, RAM, etc.) and because you're installing the same copy of XP that was previously installed, the "old" WPA key should be accepted as valid, saving you the hassle of reactivating the software.
Note that this won't work if you try moving the file to a different machine, so it's not a way to pirate Windows.
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Product Activation after a Hard Disk failure
You can successfully reinstall and activate Windows XP on a new hard disk (without having previously created a full disk backup).
But before you begin you will need:
A Windows XP CD of the same version (Home or Professional or Media Centre) and same Service Pack as on the original hard disk.
The original Product Key.
A copy of the c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl file from the old hard disk. (Take a copy of this NOW, and store it away safely - you will be glad of it when your hard disk fails)
Physically install the new hard disk.
Boot from the Windows CD and install Windows - using the original product key.
Boot from a DOS floppy/CD or start in XP's Safe Mode/Command Prompt (i.e. hit the F8 key when your system "beeps" during the boot process). Then copy your original wpa.dbl file from its safe location back into the c:\windows\system32 folder, and then reboot.
WARNING - don’t do the above copy operation when Windows is running normally - do it in DOS or safe mode. If you do it when Windows is running you will end up having to reinstall from scratch again.
Your newly installed copy of windows will probably still need activating but this will be just like activating a newly purchased copy of Windows. Just go online and follow the prompts. No conversation with Microsoft required, no new copy of XP to buy.
But if you have changed anything more than the hard disk this will not work.
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Windows XP logs off immediately after entering the password
Has a spyware removal program just been run?
The userinit value may have been corrupted by the removal of Blazefind. It adds wsaupdater.exe to the logon value in the Registry.
Some anti-spyware programs detect and remove wsaupdater.exe, but don't then correct the Registry damage
This is the Registry key that may be damaged:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Window s NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit string value should be:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
In a corrupted Registry it's one of these:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wsaupdater.exe,
or
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\wsaupdater.exe,
The solution is to boot to the Recovery Console. At the command prompt, type:
cd c:\windows\system32
then type:
copy userinit.exe wsaupdater.exe
then restart normally.
Once back in Windows you should change the registry value back to C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe, and delete wsaupdater.exe.
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Windows XP Indexing Service
The Indexing Service indexes your files to shorten the time needed to search your hard drive for a specific file or part of a phrase inside a file.
In return for speeding up an occasional search from 10 seconds to 5 seconds this service noticeably slows down your computer for the rest of the time.
I always switch it off and I haven't noticed any greater delay when I do my searches - but I do notice the improvement of having more processor capacity available.
To disable the Indexing service:
Left click Start
Left click Control Panel,
Left click Performance and Maintenance,
Left click Administrative Tools
Left double click Services,
Left double click Indexing Service to bring up Properties, General Tab,
Left click Stop to stop the service.
Then from the Startup type box select Disabled.
Left click OK
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Windows XP starts up with the “Classic” logon prompt like Windows NT
To return to a normal XP startup:
Settings, Control Panel, User Accounts, Change the way users log on or off, Switch on: Use the Welcome screen and Use Fast User Switching.
(Applies even when there is only one user - they won't see the "Click your name" screen.)
Start, Run, control userpasswords2, Switch on: Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
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Releasing Disk Space
My daughter is using an old Laptop with a very small (by today’s standards) hard disk. She has filled it up with music to load onto her iPod, and it keeps complaining that it’s running out of space.
She has done Disk Cleanup -
Open My Computer
Right click on the C:/ drive
Left click Properties
Select the General tab
Left click Disk Cleanup
but after the first time it doesn’t help much.
But there is a further option here that can release a lot of space if you are confident that you are not going to want to restore your computer to an earlier state.
After you have opened Disk Cleanup you can select the More Options tab and then go down to the System Restore section. Left click on Clean up and then left click Yes to delete all but the most recent restore point.
ONLY DO THIS IF YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU NO LONGER BEING ABLE TO RESTORE YOUR PC TO AN EARLIER STATE.
This released a lot of space on my daughter’s PC - but it will fill up with restore points again if you don’t reduce the maximum amount of space that System Restore can use:
Hold down the Windows key and press Pause/Break.
System Properties will open.
Left click the System Restore tab
Move the Disk space usage slider to the left.
How far you move it is up to you - but my previous warning also applies here!
Back in the More Options part of Disk Cleanup you might also want to investigate the other two sections - Windows components and Installed programs.
There could be more savings to be made here, but be aware of what you are doing - if you haven’t got the installation disks then you will not be able to restore the components and programs that you delete.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Again!
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Windows Genuine Advantage
This is Microsoft’s new weapon against counterfeit software. It installs itself as though it is a normal Windows update but starts flashing up messages if it finds that your copy of Windows XP is a “Pirate”.
Of course, it also advises you how to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows - this is good business for Microsoft in this slack period before the launch of Windows Vista.
Some commentators are spitting feathers about this - the “update” cannot be uninstalled and it checks that your Windows is genuine every 24 hours. They say that it qualifies as Spyware in every possible way. Lawsuits are apparently being prepared.
Anyway, Microsoft have backpedalled on this one, and after a lot of unofficial uninstall instructions were published on the Internet they have now published their own OFFICIAL unistall instructions. Read them here.
http://www.support.microsoft.com/kb/921914
To see some of the comments on this, go to these articles on the Windows Secrets web site:
http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/060615/ and http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/060629/
My tips for implementing the procedure are as follows:
Follow the instructions and check your spelling fastidiously before entering each command.
The first 4 steps in "Manually remove" are identical to the "Disable" section, so you don't have to do them twice.
Don't bother with step 2 - the procedure also works for later versions of WGA (so far), so there's no point in wasting time finding out which version you have got.
%Windir% usually means c:\Windows for most PC's, but %Windir% will pick up the minority of installations that are not on the C: drive or not in the Windows folder.
Sometimes there can be several copies of WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe - there may be WgaLogon(2).dll etc. You need to rename them all in step 3 and delete them all in step 8.
After step 8 search the windows\system32\ folder for any remaining files starting with "wga" to make sure that you have deleted all the copies. If any remain just delete them with Shift Delete
If you are removing WGA because you have what MS thinks is a pirate version of Windows then you are likely to get WGA notifications again when MS decide to release a new version. So switch off Automatic Updates in the Security Center in Control Panel. (Or change it to just notify and then be very careful about which updates you select to install - MS aren't likely to tell you which is really just a new version of WGA are they?)
If the nags from the Security Center about Automatic Updates are going to annoy you, then whilst in the Security Centre click "Change the way Security Center alerts me" and untick "Automatic Updates".
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Pop those Balloons!
Do those information balloons (speech bubbles) annoy you? Well you can get rid of them, but it requires a Registry edit, so the usual warnings apply.
IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT TO EDIT THE REGISTRY, DON’T TRY. MAKING A MISTAKE CAN WRECK YOUR WINDOWS SETUP. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Start, Run, type: regedit, OK
Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Right click in the right-hand pane, select New, then DWORD value. Name the key EnableBalloonTips and leave it set to zero.
Reboot and the bubbles are burst!
You can always switch them on again by setting the DWORD value to one, or deleting it completely.
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Can you downgrade from XP Professional to XP Home?
No.
You can go the other way by just buying Professional and running the disk and answering the questions, but it’s not that easy to upgrade downwards!
But why would you want to?
Thanks to the Windows Genuine Advantage program a lot of people are finding that they have “counterfeit” Windows XP Professional on their PCs (the cowboys used corporate CDs to install the OS, hence they are mainly the Professional version). And the cheapest way to get legal is to buy an OEM copy of XP Home.
The way to do it is to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to get all your stuff off the PC onto a portable disk, then install Home (wiping your disk in the process), and then put your stuff back using the F&STW again. And then reinstall all of your applications of course.
If your Windows is dodgy the chances are that your Office is to, so why not take the opportunity to try OpenOffice.org instead? It works for me.
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How to stop an application being listed in the “recently used programs” above the Start button.
This requires a Registry edit, so the usual warnings apply.
IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT TO EDIT THE REGISTRY, DON’T TRY. MAKING A MISTAKE CAN WRECK YOUR WINDOWS SETUP. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Start, Run, type: regedit
Navigate to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
Find the name of the application’s program in the list, left click it to select it then right click in the right hand pane.
New will come up. Left click String Value and change the key’s name from New Value #1 to NoStartPage
Close the Registry editor and then reboot the PC to check that the entry has been deleted.
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Desktop Cleanup Wizard
When you install a new copy of Windows XP there are no icons on the desktop other than the recycle bin.
(Which is empty. So why is it there? What can you do with it?)
Anyway, what’s the point of a desktop without any icons on it? Isn’t that what it’s there for? I can honestly say that I have never seen a PC with an empty desktop (other than those that I have just installed XP on).
Some geek in Microsoft decided that everyone should strive for an empty desktop, so he created the Desktop Cleanup Wizard and switched it on by default.
So every 60 days it asks you if you want to clean up your desktop. And if you say yes it puts unused icons away - into a folder - ON THE DESKTOP! I think he might need treatment!
Everybody (except him) likes to have shortcuts on their desktop, and they are all quite capable of highlighting an icon that they don’t want any more and hitting delete.
So how do you switch off the Wizard?
Right click on an empty part of the desktop
Left click Properties
When the Display Properties box opens, left click the Desktop tab
Left click the Customize Desktop button
Deselect Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days
Left click OK
Left click OK
I wonder if the Wizard ever cleans up its own Unused Icons folder? If so, where does it put it?
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Desktop Icons
Windows XP was designed by someone who didn’t like icons on his desktop. But there was one icon that he considered to be so important that he allowed it to be shown on the default desktop. It’s the recycle bin. WHY?
Anyway, if you buy a new PC from any supplier they will have put loads of icons on the desktop - links to ISPs, trial versions of software, the user manual, etc.
But the icons that most people want still aren’t there.
I’m talking about My Computer, My Documents and Internet Explorer.
So, right click on an empty part of the desktop
Left click Properties
Left click the Desktop tab
Left click Customize Desktop...
At the top of the General tab you will see Desktop Items.
Left click to select the ones that you want
Left click OK
Left click OK
Now you will see those icons on your desktop, but they probably won’t be where you want them.
So, left click and hold down on the icon that is in the space where you want to put My Computer and drag it to a bit of empty space.
Then left click and hold down to drag My Computer into the vacated space.
Move the other icons around in the same way until it’s just how you want it.
I did come across someone the other day who wanted his icons in alphabetical order - and believe it or not there is a similar pedant in Microsoft, so the way to do that is to:
Right click on an empty part of the desktop
Left click Arrange Icons By
Left click Name
Personally I just want My Computer in the top left hand corner, followed by My Documents. But then I suppose I’m a pedant too!
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XP Product Activation
Windows XP and Office XP use Product Activation to reduce piracy.
On installation (of non corporate editions) they create a snapshot of the PC’s hardware which covers:
Boot disk volume serial number
Network adaptor MAC address
CD-ROM drive ID data
Graphics card ID data
IDE adaptor ID data
SCSI adaptor ID data
Hard disk ID data
Processor Model and serial number
Amount of RAM
Dockable (laptop) or not (desktop)
This information is stored in the wpa.dbl file
Each time that the system starts up it compares the installed hardware with the wpa.dbl data and if a significant change is detected the system will need reactivation.
“Significant” in this case means over six changes or a network card and three other changes. (Why?)
You can change any one item over and over again and it will still count as only one change.
So you can do a large amount of upgrading before reactivation is required.
But if you do exceed the number of allowed changes (by installing a new motherboard and processor for instance) your system will tell you that you need to reactivate within 3 days. When you try do do that over the internet the reactivation will fail and ask you to either key in a new Product Key or telephone Microsoft to speak to a representative.
In fact when you telephone Microsoft you don’t have to speak to a representative - only press your telephone buttons in response to an automated system. Carefully answer the questions, including:
Have you made significant changes recently? - Yes.
Was you copy of Windows pre-installed or purchased separately? - You must say purchased separately (even if it is a little white lie).
How many machines have you installed your copy of Windows on? Press 1 for more than 1, press 2 for only 1. (How sneaky is that!)
Get the answers right and the automated system will give you a long string of numbers to enable you to reacivate your system.
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Put Program Icons on your Desktop
Some programs put icons everywhere - on the desktop, in the notification area and/or in the Quick Launch area.
But others remain coy and only put their icons in the All Programs list.
If you want to put a shortcut to a program on your desktop, this is what to do:
Left click Start, then hover over All Programs until the list opens.
Hover over the fly-out names to get to the program you want.
Instead of left clicking on the program to open it, hold down the left mouse key and drag the programs name onto an empty part of the desktop. Keep holding down the mouse button while you press and hold down the Ctrl key. Now release the mouse button and then the Ctrl key.
You now have a shortcut to your program on your desktop. You can drag it to a better positon with your left mouse button.
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Rename a Desktop Icon
Right click the desktop icon that you want to rename.
Left click Rename.
Type the name that you want to appear under the icon.
Left click on an empty part of the desktop
Done!
You can use any letters, numbers, spaces, and some punctuation marks in desktop icon names. But you can’t use the following characters in icon names:
\ : / * ? " > < |
You can also rename an icon by slowly clicking the name twice and then typing the new name.
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Rename and number files
Suppose you have a group of files in a folder and you want to rename them all with just a different number at the end of each file name.
Maybe you have collected together the best digital photos of your friend’s wedding from a number of different photographers who were there. You have them all in a folder, but they have all sorts of names, i.e.:
image34.jpg
scan37.jpg
TedsWed97.jpeg
Pic22.jpg
Doesn’t look very professional does it?
Open the folder in Windows Explorer.
Ensure that all the files that you want to change are of the same file type (i.e. jpg in this example).
Make sure that you are in Details view (left click View then Details).
Left click to highlight the first file that you want to change.
Hold Shift and left click on the last file that you want to change so that all the interim files are highlighted.
Right click on any of the highlighted files and left click on Rename.
The blinking cursor will be on the end of the first file name.
Type your new file name (including the suffix) for all the files and hit Return.
Your files will be renamed like this:
Edward and Jessica’s Wedding.jpg
Edward and Jessica’s Wedding (1).jpg
Edward and Jessica’s Wedding (2).jpg
Edward and Jessica’s Wedding (3).jpg
Much better.
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Corrupt Local Profile
If Windows XP says it cannot load your profile because it may be corrupted - then it probably is.
You will need to recreate an uncorrupted copy of your user profile, and to do that you need to logon as another user with administrative privileges (or as the Administrator).
Open My Computer then Tools then Folder Options then View. Select Show hidden files and folders.
Now you need to find and rename the corrupt profile - the folder is usually c:\Documents and Settings\Usersname. Just change Usersname to OldUsersname.
Log off from the administrators account and log in to the original name of the account that was corrupt. Windows will create a new profile for that name.
Having recreated the profile you should log off and log in to the administrators account again.
Now you will need to copy all the folders and their contents from c:\Documents and Settings\OldUsersname to c:\Documents and Settings\Usersname. But don’t copy the files beginning ntuser in that directory.
Your user profile should now be restored.
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Stop having to enter User Name and Password
If you are fed up with clicking your user name and entering your password then you can change the way Windows XP boots up.
Left click Start, then Run
In the box beside Open: type control userpasswords2 and left click OK.
Deselect (untick) the box marked Users must enter a user name and password to user this computer.
Left click Apply.
If there is more than one user account on your computer it will then ask you which user you want to be automatically logged on at startup, so select that user.
If that user has a password set it will ask you to type their password and then confirm it.
Left click OK all the way out and you should find that you start up without any hassle next time.
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Speed-up Startup
Windows XP keeps a list of frequently/recently used programs in the Prefetch folder. This is used at startup to load program components into memory so that when you start that program it loads fast.
But if you have only ever used a program once and will probably never use it again, why load its components at every startup?
Open Explorer/My Computer and navigate to C:\windows\prefetch.
Open the folder and see how many programs it contains!
Highlight them all and delete them all.
You should find that your Windows startup time improves. (But the opening time for each new program that you start will be increased until Windows has regenerated the contents of the prefetch folder).
In a few weeks time the prefetch folder will have filled up again - so delete its contents frequently.
If you are confident enough to edit the Registry then you can switch off Prefetch completely by opening Regedit and going to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Co ntrol\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
and setting the DWORD value for EnablePrefetcher to 0 (zero).
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My Pictures Slideshow
This has been part of Windows XP since it was launched, but I have never come across anyone else that uses it as their screen saver.
Like most other people I now take digital photographs and I store them in different folders for each year. When I get time I scan my old slides and negatives so that I am building up files for the years before digital.
I very rarely print any of my digital photographs because I use the My Pictures Slideshow screen saver. This allows me to select a folder and display a random selection from that folder as my screen saver.
Every time I get fed up with the current folder of photos I change it. So over time I get to see all my photos and don’t need an album!
Right click an empty area of the desktop
Left click Properties.
Left click the Screen Saver tab
Left click the down arrow and left click My Pictures Slideshow
Left click the Settings button and, in the middle of the box, Browse
Navigate to and select the folder of pictures that you want to display
Left click OK
Make any other adjustments to the Settings that you fancy
Left click OK twice.
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Task Manager Disabled
You open Task Manager by right clicking the task bar and then left clicking Task Manager, or by using the “three finger salute” (Control, Alt, Delete).
But if you get the message “Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator” - and you haven’t got an administrator, then you need to change a registry setting as follows:
IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT TO EDIT THE REGISTRY, DON’T TRY. MAKING A MISTAKE CAN WRECK YOUR WINDOWS SETUP. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Start, Run, type: regedit, OK
Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Change the value for DisableTaskMgr from 1 to 0 (zero)
OK out and you should find that you can open Task Manager.
If you can’t find that Registry entry then search the entire Registry for DisableTaskMgr and if you find it make the change.
If you can’t find it at all in the Registry then either your Task Manager is not disabled or your PC is subject to "Local Group Policy" or "Domain Group Policy". Visit http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555480.
Or see your administrator!Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:23 PM |
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| Speed-up Startup |
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Windows XP keeps a list of frequently/recently used programs in the Prefetch folder. This is used at startup to load program components into memory so that when you start that program it loads fast.
But if you have only ever used a program once and will probably never use it again, why load its components at every startup?
Open Explorer/My Computer and navigate to C:\windows\prefetch.
Open the folder and see how many programs it contains!
Highlight them all and delete them all.
You should find that your Windows startup time improves. (But the opening time for each new program that you start will be increased until Windows has regenerated the contents of the prefetch folder).
In a few weeks time the prefetch folder will have filled up again - so delete its contents frequently.
If you are confident enough to edit the Registry then you can switch off Prefetch completely by opening Regedit and going to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Co ntrol\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
and setting the DWORD value for EnablePrefetcher to 0 (zero).Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:22 PM |
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| Can you downgrade from XP Professional to XP Home? |
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No.
You can go the other way by just buying Professional and running the disk and answering the questions, but it’s not that easy to upgrade downwards!
But why would you want to?
Thanks to the Windows Genuine Advantage program a lot of people are finding that they have “counterfeit” Windows XP Professional on their PCs (the cowboys used corporate CDs to install the OS, hence they are mainly the Professional version). And the cheapest way to get legal is to buy an OEM copy of XP Home.
The way to do it is to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to get all your stuff off the PC onto a portable disk, then install Home (wiping your disk in the process), and then put your stuff back using the F&STW again. And then reinstall all of your applications of course.
If your Windows is dodgy the chances are that your Office is to, so why not take the opportunity to try OpenOffice.org instead? It works for me.
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How to stop an application being listed in the “recently used programs” above the Start button.
This requires a Registry edit, so the usual warnings apply.
IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT TO EDIT THE REGISTRY, DON’T TRY. MAKING A MISTAKE CAN WRECK YOUR WINDOWS SETUP. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Start, Run, type: regedit
Navigate to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
Find the name of the application’s program in the list, left click it to select it then right click in the right hand pane.
New will come up. Left click String Value and change the key’s name from New Value #1 to NoStartPage
Close the Registry editor and then reboot the PC to check that the entry has been deleted.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:20 PM |
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| Windows Genuine Advantage |
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This is Microsoft’s new weapon against counterfeit software. It installs itself as though it is a normal Windows update but starts flashing up messages if it finds that your copy of Windows XP is a “Pirate”.
Of course, it also advises you how to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows - this is good business for Microsoft in this slack period before the launch of Windows Vista.
Some commentators are spitting feathers about this - the “update” cannot be uninstalled and it checks that your Windows is genuine every 24 hours. They say that it qualifies as Spyware in every possible way. Lawsuits are apparently being prepared.
Anyway, Microsoft have backpedalled on this one, and after a lot of unofficial uninstall instructions were published on the Internet they have now published their own OFFICIAL unistall instructions. Read them here.
http://www.support.microsoft.com/kb/921914
To see some of the comments on this, go to these articles on the Windows Secrets web site:
http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/060615/ and http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/060629/
My tips for implementing the procedure are as follows:
Follow the instructions and check your spelling fastidiously before entering each command.
The first 4 steps in "Manually remove" are identical to the "Disable" section, so you don't have to do them twice.
Don't bother with step 2 - the procedure also works for later versions of WGA (so far), so there's no point in wasting time finding out which version you have got.
%Windir% usually means c:\Windows for most PC's, but %Windir% will pick up the minority of installations that are not on the C: drive or not in the Windows folder.
Sometimes there can be several copies of WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe - there may be WgaLogon(2).dll etc. You need to rename them all in step 3 and delete them all in step 8.
After step 8 search the windows\system32\ folder for any remaining files starting with "wga" to make sure that you have deleted all the copies. If any remain just delete them with Shift Delete
If you are removing WGA because you have what MS thinks is a pirate version of Windows then you are likely to get WGA notifications again when MS decide to release a new version. So switch off Automatic Updates in the Security Center in Control Panel. (Or change it to just notify and then be very careful about which updates you select to install - MS aren't likely to tell you which is really just a new version of WGA are they?)
If the nags from the Security Center about Automatic Updates are going to annoy you, then whilst in the Security Centre click "Change the way Security Center alerts me" and untick "Automatic Updates".Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:18 PM |
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| My Recent Documents |
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If you share your computer you may want to prevent the “My Recent Documents” option on the Start menu. It can be awkward if your kids notice your Santa’s shopping list in there!
So if you use the normal Windows XP Start menu, this is what to do:
Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
On the Start Menu tab, click Start menu, and then click Customize.
On the Advanced tab, at the bottom of the box, unselect the “List my most recently opened documents check box”.
If you want, whilst on the Advanced tab, click “Clear List” (at the bottom right) to empty the My Recent Documents folder.
(None of the above deletes any documents from the computer - you just have to remember where you saved them).Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:17 PM |
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| Files and Settings Transfer Wizard |
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This is an excellent tool to help transfer all your stuff from an old PC to a new XP PC.
Briefly, you put the XP CD into your old PC and run the wizard. It finds and compresses all your documents, pictures, music, etc. and either saves it to a medium that can then be connected to your new PC or does the transfer through a network (or cable) connection.
You go to your new PC, put the CD in and run the wizard again to copy the data from the transfer medium to the new PC.
Nowhere in the help files or on the Microsoft web site does it spell out that the Wizard operates on a per-user basis, not on a per-computer basis. In other words:
IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE USER ACCOUNT ON A PC THEN YOU NEED TO USE THE WIZARD ON EACH ACCOUNT.
So four users means 4 file transfers - and you need to ensure that you don’t muddle them up!
If a PC is really messed up I often wipe a customer’s hard drive and reinstall their copy of Windows - this solves a multitude of sins. But if they want their Files and Settings transferred I have to run the wizard for each user - both before I wipe it and then after I have reinstalled.
One or two things to remember.
1. The Wizard will not transfer passwords.
2. The Wizard expects your stuff to be stored in the Microsoft way - in My Documents, etc. If you have stuff in other folders it may well ignore it.
3. Most people don’t get the XP CD with their new PC - so how do they run the wizard?
Fire up the new PC and go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools where you will find a copy of the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Run the wizard and tell it that this is your new PC. It will then offer to create a Wizard Disk for you to use in your old PC. (Providing both PC’s have got floppy drives!).Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:17 PM |
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| How to stop Windows XP hiding the 'not recently used' items in the Classic Start Menu |
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I use the “Classic” start menu because I prefer it to the Windows XP one. (I’m just an old fashioned guy!)
But I got fed up with it hiding items that I hadn’t used recently (I want them there for when I do want to use them!).
So this is how to stop it:
Right click Start, select Properties,
Select "Start Menu" tab
Against "Classic Start Menu", click Customize button
Deselect "Use Personalized Menus"
Click OK buttonLabels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:15 PM |
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| The Ultimate Solution! |
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When you take a faulty PC to that big shop in the out-of-town shopping centre or phone up the supplier’s help line they may eventually resort to the Ultimate Solution - Reinstall Windows.
This is the quickest way for them to solve most problems other than faulty hardware. They don’t have to waste time trying to find the causes of your problem because reinstalling will solve them all.
Most new PCs don’t come with a Windows disk - instead they have a hidden partition on the hard disk that contains an image of the original disk contents when it left the factory.
So if you have to resort to reinstalling from the hidden partition you will loose everything that has happened since the day you got the PC. But at least your PC will work properly again!
I like to try to solve the particular problem, but after a while it is no longer cost or time effective to continue. Rather than go for The Ultimate Solution I like to resort to what I call:Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:14 PM |
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| How to delete old Restore points in Windows ME |
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1. Right click the "My Computer" icon and then left click "Explore".
2. At the top of the window left click "Tools" and then "Folder Options..."
3. Left click the "View" Tab
4. Left click to select "Show hidden files and folders"
5. Left click to UNselect "Hide extensions for known file types"
6. Left click "OK"
7. At the top of the window left click "View" and then "Details".
8. At the top of the window left click "View" and then "Refresh".
9. In the left hand pane, left click the "C:" drive and then "_RESTORE".
10. Left click to select any folders within the "_RESTORE" folder that are dated earlier than you want and then delete them with the "Delete" key.
11. At the top of the window left click "Tools" and then "Folder Options..."
12. Left click the "View" Tab
13. Left click to select "Do not show hidden files and folders"
14. Left click to select "Hide extensions for known file types"
15. Left click "OK"
16. At the top of the window left click "View" and then select the view that you usually prefer.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:13 PM |
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| Remove Network Neighborhood Icon |
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If you haven’t got a network then you don’t need a Network Neighborhood Icon.
But you’ve already tried to delete it and found that you can’t - that’s why you are reading this.
(This tip only applies to Windows 98 - Windows XP has a My Network Places icon which can be deleted in the usual way.)
You need to add a Registry key. You can do it by editing the Registry, but that can be catastrophic if you make a mistake, so the safest way is as follows:
If you are using Internet Explorer in Windows 98, REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoNetHood"=dword:00000001 Type this matter in notepad and save as NoNetHood.reg. (Windows may warn you that the file could harm your computer - ignore that and left click the Run button.)
(If you are using Firefox in Windows 98 then left clicking on the HERE link above will not download the file, but will open the file for you to read. Just left click through: File, Save Page As..., and Save. Remember where you saved the file, go to it and double left click on it.)
Windows will ask if you are sure that you want to add the information to the registry. Left click the Yes button.
Windows will tell you that the information has been successfully entered into the registry. Left click the OK button.
When you restart the computer the Network Neighborhood Icon should have goneLabels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:10 PM |
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| Reinstall Windows 98 |
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Reinstalling Windows 98 is a useful tool to solve those problems that you can’t seem to pin down.
Set your BIOS so that your PC will boot from your CD drive.
Put your Windows 98 CD in the drive and boot from it.
If you ensure that you reinstall to the original Windows location (usually C:\Windows but yours may be different) then you should not lose anything and you should not need to reinstall all your applications. But don’t blame me if it goes wrong - read carefully before clicking to proceed.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:09 PM |
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| WinPatrol |
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In situations where you know that users aren’t going to bother updating and running conventional Anti-virus and Anti-spyware programs there is a useful alternative.
WinPatrol alerts the user to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to the computer without permission.
WinPatrol uses a heuristic approach to detect attacks and violations. Traditional security programs scan the hard drive searching for previously identified threats, but WinPatrol takes a snapshot of the critical system resources and alerts the user to any changes that occur without their knowledge.
WinPatrol also has enhanced functionality - visit www.winpatrol.com to read all about it and download it.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:08 PM |
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| File Synchronization |
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If you work with more than one PC - maybe one at work and one at home, or a desktop and a laptop, then you will have come across synchronization problems. If you are working on a project you need to know that the file you are starting to work on is the latest version.
I know people that religiously email their files to home/work at the end/beginning of the day so that they always have the latest versions.
Many people transfer their files on a USB thumb drive. But if the only up-to-date copy of your vital file is on a thumb drive and you lose it......!
Ideally you should have duplicate copies of your files on each PC (for security) and keep them synchronized.
Microsoft tried to solve the problem with the Briefcase application which is still part of Windows. But no-one could really understand how to use it - the instructions appeared to be clear, but were anything but.
Someone mentioned a program called Allway Sync in a forum that I was browsing so I have had a quick look at it.
Allway Sync is free file and folder synchronization software for Windows. It uses synchronization algorithms to synchronize data between desktop PCs, laptops, USB drives, etc.
It has a clear interface and good diagrammatic instructions in the help file.
It has won a lot of awards and has rave reviews on its web site “Quotes” page.
If I tell you everything that it can do I will only be repeating the information on the web site so have a look at it here: http://allwaysync.comLabels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:08 PM |
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| Check your Hosts file |
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There is a file on your computer called “hosts” with no suffix. Usually it is in:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
but yours may be in another folder - use search to find it.
The purpose of this file was to provide a quick way of converting a domain name (like pctips.org.uk) into a true internet address (like 82.165.69.182), without having to use a remote DNS (Domain Name Server).
But spyware can insert entries into your hosts file that can take you to another site. So when you want to go to www.yourbank.com it could send you to www.aclonedversionofit.com where thieves could steal your userid, password, etc and then steal your money.
So when search has found your hosts file you should double click it and scroll down to Notepad to open it.
It should look like this:
# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host
127.0.0.1 localhost
The lines starting with # don’t do anything so the lines starting with an IP address are the ones to check.
You should delete all entries other than the 127.0.0.1 localhost one.
There is really no useful value in having this file, but if you delete it Windows will recreate it, so just make it look like the example above and then save it.
And check it every now and then - it might get hijacked!Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:07 PM |
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| Test your Firewall |
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The leading firewall testing tool is the free web based ShieldsUP! from Gibson Research.
You can find it at www.grc.com - scroll down to the Hot Spots section and do the File Sharing and Common Ports tests.
If your PC passes both tests don’t get too complacent - the test is only for hacking probes. There are still viruses, spyware, trojans and worms out there waiting to attack!
(The biggest enemy is from within - TEENAGERS. In my experience the majority of malware infection comes from teenagers doing file sharing. Give them their own limited user account and don’t tell them your administrator account password. And then don’t let them talk you into downloading and installing ANY file sharing programs.)Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:06 PM |
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| Vital Information |
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magine the situation - your computer dies so you decide to buy a nice new one. You know that you can install the old hard drive into the new PC as a slave, so you can get at all your documents and stuff.
But it’s very difficult to get at the following bits of vital information. So write them down NOW and file them somewhere safe and memorable:
Internet Service Provider Name
Internet Service Provider Telephone numbers (for dialling up and for enquiries).
Your ISP Username
Your ISP Password
Any special settings for your dial-up/broadband connection
Your e-mail addresses
Your e-mail passwords
Your Home network name
How to connect to your Router (URL, username, password)
All of the above are relatively easy to get from a running main system drive but are much harder to get from a drive running as a slave.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:06 PM |
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| Old Hard Disks |
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When I take away someone’s old computer for re-cycling/scrapping they are sometimes quite concerned about the security of the data on the hard disk.
My usual solution is to take the hard disk out of the old PC and instal it as a slave into the new PC.
Then they know that their old data is secure because they’ve still got it.
And if they need to access old documents or files then they are all still available from the old disk in their new PC.
But I recommend that they try to copy all their data onto the new disk as soon as possible because the old disk is likely to be the first thing to fail.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:05 PM |
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| Wireless Network - Limited or no connectivity |
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When a wireless network connection has a status of "Limited or no connectivity", that means that the wireless is working on both the devices, but they can't talk to each other.
This is usually because the network key has been typed incorrectly on the computer that can’t connect.
When you set up the wireless router you should have carefully written down the network key. If not you need to access the router through it’s web page and write it down.
Now, on the computer that you are trying to connect, right click on the wireless network icon in the notification area, left click on Open Network Connections, right click on the Wireless Network Connection and left click Properties.
Left click the Wireless Networks tab, left click the name of the network involved and then left click the Properties button, then the Association tab. Carefully type in the correct network key for the router (you wrote it down just now) and then repeat it in the box below, left click the OK button and then again for the next box.
In a few moments you should get a balloon to tell you that the network is connected.
Close the Wireless Network Connections box.
If that didn't work, try this tip.Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:03 PM |
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| Router playing up? |
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Some computers are required to run all day every day - or as the Americans say, “24/7”. Most of these computers are servers (the ones that form the Internet) and don’t run the domestic versions of Windows. In fact most of them don’t run Microsoft at all, they run Unix/Linux.
That’s because the domestic versions of Windows won’t run 24, let alone 24/7, without needing a reboot to clear accumulated errors from memory and start afresh.
Even servers will eventually need a reboot - there are always bugs that will cause problems to accumulate until they start misbehaving.
Routers are computers too, and although much simpler, they also need a reboot now and again.
Domestic Wireless Modem Routers are sometimes left on permanently, but in my experience they will eventually start playing up. And a reboot normally sorts them out.
The best way to keep them going is just to switch them off at night (mine is on a time switch). When they boot up in the morning they are refreshed and ready to face another day!
Sometimes Routers can be affected by electrical storms or other factors that cause spikes through the mains supply. They only have cheap and basic power supplies which can’t stop spikes like the bigger PC PSUs can.
The all powerful IT solution of “Have you tried switching it off then switching it on again?” definitely applies to Domestic Wireless Modem Routers.
Sometimes, if that doesn’t work, they can be sorted out by resetting to factory defaults (it’s one of the options in the Router control settings). But before you do that make sure that you write down the settings that you will need to reinstate (ADSL user name & password, wireless channel and encryption settings).
I had one the other day that was connected to one PC wirelessly but wouldn’t connect to any others wirelessly.
Resetting to factory defaults sorted it out.
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Laptop won’t connect to home Wireless Network
My friend’s daughter had a new Dell laptop to take to University.
Her daughter had it set up by a new student friend to connect to the University wireless network. But when she brought the laptop home the daughter couldn’t get it to connect to her family’s wireless router.
I tried all the obvious things but couldn’t get the router to allocate an IP address to the laptop. Even though there was another laptop in the same house that was connected quite happily to the router! I thought it might be a weird fault with the router that I had never come across before.
But it wasn’t - when I rebooted the laptop I noticed a “splash screen” saying Odyssey during startup. Although I could not find an Odyssey entry in All Programs I eventually noticed an Odyssey Icon on the desktop. And when I clicked on it I discovered Odyssey Access Client.
This is a piece of software (from Juniper Networks) that had been put on by the friend at University to enable a connection to the University servers. It is an extra layer of software on top of the normal wireless connection software. And it was stopping the connection to the home network.
All I had to do to get the thing to connect was to set up a new “home” connection within the Odyssey Access Client, and put in the router’s security key.
I just wonder how many other “freshers” will have trouble connecting their laptops to their home wireless networks?Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:02 PM |
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| Checklist for Troubleshooting a Wireless Network |
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This is not for beginners - it is to ensure that absent minded old engineers like me don’t forget a step!
1. Has each PC got an IP address? -
i. Win9X - run, winipcfg
ii. WinXP - cmd, ipconfig or Network Connections,
Local Area Connection, Status, Support, Details
2. Check connections - ping IP address of Router/other PCs
3. Check Internet, ping 194.70.234.209
4. Check DNS, ping www.computershopper.co.uk
5. Network:
i. Win9X -Network Neighborhood, Properties,
Configuration - Client for Microsoft Networks?
File and Printer Sharing on?
ii. WinXP - Network Connections, Local Area
Connection, Properties - Client for Microsoft
Networks? File and Printer Sharing?
6. Computer name and Workgroup:
i. Win9X -Network Neighborhood, Properties,
Identification.
ii. WinXP - System Properties.
7. Firewall should be off for Network, on for Internet connection:
i. WinXP - Network Connections, Local Area
Connection, Properties, Advanced.
ii. Checkout third party firewalls
8. Make sure that something unique and identifiable is shared on each computer - else it won't show in Network Neighborhood.
9. NET VIEW - to list PCs in workgroup
10. NET VIEW \\PCNAME - to view shared resources - "Access Denied" - check user accounts.
11. Spyware damage - use WinsockxpFix or LSPFixLabels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 12:01 PM |
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| Mobile phone codes, nokia nd other |
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NOKIA
Nokia Universal Codes
Code Description :
These Nokia codes will work on most Nokia Mobile Phones
(1) *3370# Activate Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFR) - Your phone uses the best sound quality but talk time is
reduced my approx. 5%
(2) #3370# Deactivate Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFR) OR *3370#
(3) *#4720# Activate Half Rate Codec - Your phone uses a lower quality sound but you should gain approx 30%
more Talk Time.
(4) *#4720# Deactivate Half Rate Codec.
(5) *#0000# Displays your phones software version, 1st Line : Software Version, 2nd Line : Software Release
Date, 3rd Line : Compression Type.
(6) *#9999# Phones software version if *#0000# does not work.
(7) *#06# For checking the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI Number).
(Cool #pw+1234567890+1# Provider Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w"
and "+" symbols).
(9) #pw+1234567890+2# Network Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w"
and "+" symbols).
(10) #pw+1234567890+3# Country Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w"
and "+" symbols).
(11) #pw+1234567890+4# SIM Card Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w" Go to Top
and "+" symbols).
(12) *#147# (vodafone) this lets you know who called you last.
(13) *#1471# Last call (Only vodofone).
(14) *#21# Allows you to check the number that "All Calls" are diverted to
(15) *#2640# Displays security code in use.
(16) *#30# Lets you see the private number.
(17) *#43# Allows you to check the "Call Waiting" status of your phone.
(1Cool *#61# Allows you to check the number that "On No Reply" calls are diverted to.
(19) *#62# Allows you to check the number that "Divert If Unreachable (no service)" calls
are diverted to.
(20) *#67# Allows you to check the number that "On Busy Calls" are diverted to.
(21) *#67705646# Removes operator logo on 3310 & 3330.
(22) *#73# Reset phone timers and game scores.
(23) *#746025625# Displays the SIM Clock status, if your phone supports this power saving feature "SIM Clock Stop
Allowed", it means you will get the best standby time possible.
(24) *#7760# Manufactures code.
(25) *#7780# Restore factory settings.
(26) *#8110# Software version for the nokia 8110.
Go to Top
(27) *#92702689# Displays - 1.Serial Number, 2.Date Made, 3.Purchase Date, 4.Date of last repair (0000 for no
repairs), 5.Transfer User Data. To exit this mode you need to switch your phone off then on again. ( Favourite )
(2Cool *#94870345123456789# Deactivate the PWM-Mem.
(29) **21*number# Turn on "All Calls" diverting to the phone number entered.
(30) **61*number# Turn on "No Reply" diverting to the phone number entered.
(31) **67*number# Turn on "On Busy" diverting to the phone number entered.
(32) 12345 This is the default security code.
press and hold # Lets you switch between lines
NOKIA5110/5120/5130/5190
Go to Top
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 0 0 0 #
Simlock info: * # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #
Enhanced Full Rate: * 3 3 7 0 # [ # 3 3 7 0 # off]
Half Rate: * 4 7 2 0 #
Provider lock status: #pw+1234567890+1
Network lock status #pw+1234567890+2
Provider lock status: #pw+1234567890+3
SimCard lock status: #pw+1234567890+4
NOKIA 6110/6120/6130/6150/6190
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 0 0 0 #
Simlock info: * # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #
Enhanced Full Rate: * 3 3 7 0 # [ # 3 3 7 0 # off]
Half Rate: * 4 7 2 0 #
NOKIA3110
Go to Top
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 0 0 0 # or * # 9 9 9 9 # or * # 3 1 1 0 #
Simlock info: * # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #
NOKIA 3330
*#06#
This will show your warranty details *#92702689#
*3370#
Basically increases the quality of calling sound, but decreases battery length.
#3370#
Deactivates the above
*#0000#
Shows your software version
*#746025625#This shows if your phone will allow sim clock stoppage
*4370#
Half Rate Codec activation. It will automatically restart
#4370#
Half Rate Codec deactivation. It will automatically restart
Restore Factory Settings
To do this simply use this code *#7780#
Manufacturer Info
Date of Manufacturing *#3283#
*3001#12345# (TDMA phones only)
This will put your phone into programming mode, and you'll be presented with the programming menu.
2) Select "NAM1"
3) Select "PSID/RSID"
4) Select "P/RSID 1"
Note: Any of the P/RSIDs will work
5) Select "System Type" and set it to Private
6) Select "PSID/RSID" and set it to 1
7) Select "Connected System ID"
Note: Enter your System ID for Cantel, which is 16401 or 16423. If you don't know yours,
ask your local dealer for it.
Cool Select "Alpha Tag"
9) Enter a new tag, then press OK
10) Select "Operator Code (SOC)" and set it to 2050
11) Select "Country Code" and set it to 302 for Canada, and 310 for the US.
12) Power down the phone and power it back on again
ISDN Code
To check the ISDN number on your Nokia use this code *#92772689#
Ericsson Go to Top
Ericson T65
*#05# Fake Insert puk screen Press no to exit
Ericsson T20
MENU tecnichal Info
[type] >*<<**<<***<<* |
| posted by Admin @ 11:56 AM |
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| Access restricted web sites or Blocked sites using, google |
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Ok, let's start from the beginning. We all know that Google is more than a search engine; we do use it as provider for email, mapping, news and many other services. Google is now also a free proxy service. Proxy is a device that stands between a PC and the internet, providing all the connections to the world wide web. What a proxy does is to receive all data from a requested site, so when you access web pages all data come from proxy.
What's the purpose for Google as a proxy? We often use office/school/university connections, usually those services are set to provide more safety, blocking the access to undesidered web sites (the "black list"). What you can do now is use Google translator service (language tools) as a proxy to bypass the restrictions set for our connection!
You just need to type the following URL:
http://www.google.com/translate?langpair=en|en&u=www.forbiddensite.com
(www.forbiddensite.com stands for the URL you need to go to...)
What you'll get is the translation (english to english!) of the page you want to see... your connection is directed to a google.com page so this page won't be blocked (would be blocked only with google.com on the black list), no matter what's the content.
Notice that the URL has been a little hacked because the parameter "langpair"(1) is set to "en|en" (english/english) so the page is processed by Google but you can keep the original language of the page (no need to translate!). If you need another language (e.g. french) you just need to set the parameter langpair to "fr|fr" and you'll be able to read french pages in french!
Last but not least: if you use this trick, you're not sure to protect your privacy, this kind of connection lets you see blacklisted pages but doesn't hide your IP address. Just go to http://www.google.com/translate?langpair=en|en&u=www.whatismyip.com to see your IP is not hidden...Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 11:56 AM |
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| Eye Test!!!(Funny!) |
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Cant read what is written ?
Now Get up from your chair and Go about 3 meter away far from the Monitor while looking at the image .
Magic! No its an illusion!
!
awesome
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*
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Conclusion:No sex causes bad eyes !Labels: Tips |
| posted by Admin @ 11:49 AM |
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| Sweet Dreams: 13 Tips for a Great Night Sleep |
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Seeking sound sleep ? Try these tips for good night sleep:
» Throw your TV set and the computer out of the bedroom.
» Take a cool shower before jumping into the bed.
» Wear loose cotton clothes (preferable white) - no denims or trousers please.
» Fix a sleeping schedule and stick to the routine honestly.
» Is the pillow good enough ? In a lot of cases, pillows and incomforable mattress may lead to sleep disorders.
» Reduce intake of spices, chocolates and caffeine, especially after lunchtime.
» The old granny's trick - take a glass of warm milk just before going to bed.
» If you are worried about something that preventing your from sleeping, try to think of ways to resolve it. Opening a discussion with the partner may help.
» Do some physical work or Yoga exercises some 3-4 hours before the sleeping time.
» There should be a healthy gap between your dinner and sleeping time.
» Sex with your partner before bedtime will also aid in getting a good sleep.
» If your mind is flooded with ideas and tasks for the next day, jot them down on a piece of paper so that you get relaxed.
» When nothing helps, tune in to some Worldspace Radio station for soft, slow, relaxing music like jazz, folk or orchestral pieces.
I hope these sleeping tricks will help you sleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed next day. Sweet Dreams.Labels: Tips |
| posted by Admin @ 11:46 AM |
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| Setting up an Adhoc Wireless Network - Part 4 |
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| Setting up the Host PC Right click the wireless icon in the taskbar and left click Open Network Connections
The Network Connections Window will open Right click Local Area Connection (NOT the wireless connection) in the list
Left click Properties
Left click the Advanced tab
Put a tick against Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection
Left click OK
Close the Network Connections window. A box will tell you that “....your LAN adaptor will be set to use IP address 192.168.0.1.......” - left click the Yes button. Close the Network Connections Window. Now boot up the other PC(s) and watch as the little wireless icons lose the red cross and tell you that your PC’s are connected. If they don’t connect, left click the wireless icon and left click Repair. If they say that they are connected but the connection doesn’t actually work, left click the wireless icon and left click the Support Tab. If the Address Type is “Automatic Private Address” then click the Repair button and check again when it has finished. The Address Type should then be “Assigned by DHCP”. Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 10:31 AM |
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| Setting up an Ad Hoc Wireless Network - Part 3 |
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Setting up each PC
There should be an icon in the notification area (rhs of taskbar) for the wireless connection (with a red cross on it). Right click it and left click View Available Wireless Networks. Left click Change advanced settings
Left click Wireless Networks tab
Make sure that there is a tick against Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings Left click the Advanced button (not the Advanced tab)
Select Computer to Computer (Ad Hoc) networks only
Make sure that there is no tick against Automatically connect to non-preferred networks
Left click Close Left click the Add button
Type a Network name (SSID)
Network Authentication should be set to Open
Set Data encryption should be set to Disabled
Make sure that there is no tick against The key is provided for me automatically.
Make sure there is a tick against This is a computer-to-computer (Ad Hoc) network; wireless access points are not used (this should be grayed out) Left click the Connection tab
Make sure that there is a tick against Connect when this network is in range
Left click OK
Left click OK You need to repeat the above procedure for each PC, ensuring that you type exactly the same Network name for each one. And don’t worry that you still have the red cross on the Wireless icon in the notification area - you haven’t finished yet. Once you have setup each PC as above, shut them all down except for the main PC - the one that is probably connected to the internet. I will call this the Host PC. Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 10:30 AM |
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| Setting up an Ad Hoc Wireless Network - Part 2 |
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| Installing Wireless Adaptors If a PC running Windows XP needs to have a wireless adaptor installed, don't follow the instruction book and install the software first. This will load additional proprietary software that is not required - Windows XP has its own Zero Configuration utility. Just connect the adaptor, wait for Windows XP to try to install the drivers and when Windows asks for it, insert the CD that came with the adaptor. The PC will then just load the drivers and not the extra software. But you will need to load the manufacturers software for earlier versions of Windows. Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 10:30 AM |
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| Setting up an Ad Hoc (peer to peer) Wireless Network - Part 1 |
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| Overview An Ad Hoc Wireless Network does not need a Wireless Router but it does need a Wireless Adaptor for each participating PC. An Ad Hoc Wireless Network might be suitable for someone with a cable broadband connection to their desktop PC who wants to be able to connect their laptop to the internet and perhaps share files between the two PCs as well. The restriction is that the laptop can only connect to the internet if the desktop PC is running. Any number of PCs can be connected together with an ad hoc wireless network.
Each PC needs a wireless adaptor. In a desktop PC these can be either an internal PCI card or an external USB adaptor. A laptop can also use an external USB adaptor or an external PC Card (PCMCIA) adaptor or can have a factory installed internal card.
One of the PCs needs to have some other network adaptor (ethernet, broadband, Dial-up, Firewire, or even another wireless adaptor) and acts as the Host computer.
If the host computer is connected to the internet through the other adaptor then all the members of the ad hoc wireless network can share that internet connection.
Curiously the network will still work if the host computer is not actually connected to the other network, it just needs to have that network adaptor installed and shared.
The basic procedure is as follows:
a) Install wireless adaptors and drivers in each participating PC
b) Use Windows to configure the wireless network on each PC -give the network the same name and settings on each PC.
c) Switch on Internet Connection Sharing on the host PC.
d) Make sure that each PC is connected to the network correctly by rebooting the wireless connection as necessary
e) When you are happy that the network is working, switch on encryption, starting with the Host PC.
f) Ensure that the Host PC is always switched on first and off last, otherwise the others will get confusedLabels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 10:28 AM |
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| What’s needed to share Broadband wirelessly? |
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| ou have your desktop online through a broadband modem and you want to connect a laptop by wireless. There are 3 ways to set up what you want -
a) Wireless adaptor in laptop and wireless adaptor in main PC. Main PC connected to internet by modem. This is called an Ad Hoc Wireless Network b) Wireless adaptor in laptop, network card in main PC. Main PC connected by network cable to wireless modem router connected to internet. This is called an Infrastructure Wireless Network c) Wireless adaptor in laptop, wireless adaptor in main PC. Wireless modem router connected to internet. This is also an Infrastructure Wireless Network
a) is cheapest but means that the laptop can only connect to the internet if the main PC is running.
b) is dearer but allows either PC to connect to the internet at any time (so long as the router is on) and allows for future expansion of laptops or fixed PCs all of which can access the internet at any time. c) is a little bit dearer still, gives you all the benefits of b), but also allows you to move your desktop around without worrying about network cables. The wireless adaptors can be either:
a) built-in (most new laptops, some new desktops)
b) PC Card (for laptops only)
c) USB adaptors (for laptops or desktops)
d) PCI adaptors (for internal installation in desktops) Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 10:24 AM |
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| XO Laptop: Child's Play |
| Sunday, April 29, 2007 |
One Laptop Per Child product deemed basic but useful, as initiative to spread affordable technology.
The hardest thing about learning to use the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project's XO notebook PC is finding the right way to twist its antenna ears and open the display. Once you can see the screen, just follow the icons to write a note, snap a photo or compose a tune. OLPC invited analysts and reporters to play with the B2 version of its computers during a press conference at their Cambridge, Massachusetts, offices last week. The group plans to begin mass production in September despite announcing they will now charge $ 175 for each of what had been the ballyhooed "hundred-dollar laptops." That price is still far below the $500 price tag on the most basic commercial notebook in U.S. retail shops, a discount that OLPC hopes will allow in mass quantities and supply them to rural school children. Simplified Computing With its curved surfaces, bright green plastic shell and puppy-ear WiFi antennas, the physical design of the XO is easy to carry. OLPC President Walter Bender held his 3-pound XO aloft as he spoke to reporters, his fingers wrapped around the laptop's integrated suitcase-type handle. Even generating electricity for this laptop feels like a game. OLPC designers have cut out the iconic hand-crank that was attached to the side of earlier versions like the engine starter on a Model T Ford. But they still offer that charger mounted on a USB cable as an optional accessory for users without access to reliable electrical sockets. Other power choices include a pull-cord that delivers an hour of use for 6 minutes of pulling, a foot pedal, a car battery adapter and a solar panel the size of a cafeteria tray. In addition to finding creative power sources, OLPC designers have traded computing speed for lower cost and longer battery life. Instead of Microsoft Windows Vista they use Red Hat's Fedora Linux; instead of an 80GB hard drive they use a 1GB NAND flash drive; and instead of a 3GHz dual-core processor, the B2 XO uses a 400MHz Geode GX 533 from Advanced Micro Devices. Intro to Apps In practice, the Geode chip provides plenty of power to launch applications like paint, calculator and newsreader RSS feeds. A user can click on the drum-shaped icon, launching the TamTam music composition program and producing a symphony of duck quacks, infant giggles and car horns. Once the laughter stops, he can click on the camera icon, and snap photos and videos by pointing the laptop at subjects. A mosaic-shaped icon starts a quick game of Tetris, and the laptop screen be rotated and used as a tablet for reading an illustrated children's book written in Farsi. However, with all those applications running at once, the XO can begin to respond sluggishly. The experience can be disorienting for a user accustomed to the speed of a business notebook, but a quick reboot returns the XO to its original state. Future versions may perform better, since OLPC will use a faster, 433MHz Geode LX 700 in the B2-2 and future versions. Instead of the hierarchical drop-down menus familiar to Windows users, the Sugar interface on the XO lists applications as icons on the screen, arrayed like numbers around a clock face. And a grown man could find it difficult to type a 500-word story on the cramped keys. The keyboard keys are very close together -- rendered on the XO, that sentence came out as "the keybosrd keysare very clsetogether." Promote Communication OLPC replies to that criticism by pointing out that the XO is not designed for modern office use, but for three universal traits that every kid has in common: learning, socializing and creating, Bender said. That is why the XO's desktop page shows a graphic map of WiFi signals up to 2 kilometers away, allowing all the XO laptops in a village to share drawings, notes, photographs, and musical compositions. The mesh of laptops could also share a single Internet connection, allowing them to use a distant ISP or a single schoolhouse server. Labels: PC Tips N Tricks and Tweaks |
| posted by Admin @ 7:48 AM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Admin
Home: India
About Me: I had completed my Graduatation and now in search of Job,
See my complete profile
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