Saturday, November 7, 2009
Windows7 Tricks and Keys:Desktop Magnifier
Press the Windows Key and the Plus Key to zoom in or Windows Key and the Minus Key to zoom out. You can zoom anywhere on the desktop and you can even configure your magnifier. You can choose to invert colors, follow the mouse pointer, follow the keyboard focus, or the text insertion point.
Windows7 Tricks and Keys:Activate The Quick Launch Toolbar
The Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows XP and in Vista seems a very good idea that you might miss when using Windows 7. Fortunately though, you can get it back in a quick few steps. Right click the taskbar, go to Toolbar -> New Toolbar and type “%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch” into the folder box, then click Select Folder. To make it look like it would in Windows Vista, right click the taskbar, uncheck “Lock the Taskbar”, then right click the divider and uncheck “Show Title” and “Show Text”. Then right click the taskbar and check “Show Small Icons” and you should be done.
Windows7 Tricks and Keys: Multi-threaded File Copy
If you are a more advanced user, you’ve heard already about Robocopy. Now it’s included in Windows 7 and lets you perform multi-threaded copies from the command line. You can choose the number of threads like this “/MT[:n], which can be from 1 to 128.
Sharing Your Own Computer's Stuff with the Network
To share a file or folder with your fellow computer users, move the file into your Shared Documents folder, which lives in your My Computer window. (You must move or copy a file into the Shared Documents folder; shortcuts don't always work.)
After you place your file or folder into your Shared Documents folder, it appears in the Shared Documents folder of everybody else using your computer.
Administrators can share folders without having to move them into the Shared Documents folder. The trick is to follow these steps:
1. Right-click on a folder you'd like to share and choose Sharing and Security from the pop-up menu.
Open My Computer and right-click on the folder you'd like to share. When the menu appears, select Sharing and Security. A window appears, showing the Properties for that folder. It opens to the Sharing tab.
Right-click on a folder and choose Sharing and Security to share the folder on the network.
2. Click the box marked Share This Folder on the Network.
A check mark in that box lets everybody peek at, grab, steal, change, or delete any of the files in that folder. To let visitors look inside the files but not change them, remove the check mark from the box marked Allow Network Users to Change My Files.
3. Click OK.
Now that particular folder and all its contents are available for everybody on the network to share.
Sharing a lot of folders isn't a good idea because it gives network visitors too much control over your computer. Even if you trust people, they might accidentally mess something up. To be safe, only share files by placing them in the Shared Document folder.
Inside Shared Documents live two more folders, Shared Music and Shared Pictures. Those two folders are also available to any user. So, if you want to share documents with any user of your computer, store them in the Shared Documents folder. When you make MP3s from your CDs, store them in the Shared Music folder, too, so that everybody can enjoy them.
Script from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00152.shtml
After you place your file or folder into your Shared Documents folder, it appears in the Shared Documents folder of everybody else using your computer.
Administrators can share folders without having to move them into the Shared Documents folder. The trick is to follow these steps:
1. Right-click on a folder you'd like to share and choose Sharing and Security from the pop-up menu.
Open My Computer and right-click on the folder you'd like to share. When the menu appears, select Sharing and Security. A window appears, showing the Properties for that folder. It opens to the Sharing tab.
Right-click on a folder and choose Sharing and Security to share the folder on the network.
2. Click the box marked Share This Folder on the Network.
A check mark in that box lets everybody peek at, grab, steal, change, or delete any of the files in that folder. To let visitors look inside the files but not change them, remove the check mark from the box marked Allow Network Users to Change My Files.
3. Click OK.
Now that particular folder and all its contents are available for everybody on the network to share.
Sharing a lot of folders isn't a good idea because it gives network visitors too much control over your computer. Even if you trust people, they might accidentally mess something up. To be safe, only share files by placing them in the Shared Document folder.
Inside Shared Documents live two more folders, Shared Music and Shared Pictures. Those two folders are also available to any user. So, if you want to share documents with any user of your computer, store them in the Shared Documents folder. When you make MP3s from your CDs, store them in the Shared Music folder, too, so that everybody can enjoy them.
Script from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00152.shtml
Mapping Network Drives in Windows XP
If you use Windows XP on a local area network (LAN), and you save and open files in shared folders as part of a workgroup on a server, you can create a virtual drive whose drive letter appears in the My Computer window along with those of your local drives — a process referred to as mapping a network drive. To map a network drive, follow these steps:
1. Click Tools-->Map Network Drive on the My Computer menu bar to open the Map Network Drive dialog box.
2. Click the Drive drop-down list button and select the drive letter you want to assign to the virtual drive containing this network folder (note that the list starts with Z: and works backwards to B:) from the pop-up menu.
3. Type the path to the folder on the network drive in the Folder text box or click the Browse button and select the folder directly from the outline of the network drives and folders shown in the Browse For Folder dialog box. Now click OK to close the Browse For Folder dialog box and return to the Map Network Drive dialog box (where the path to the selected folder now appears).
4. If you want Windows to recreate this virtual drive designation for the selected network folder each time that you start and log on to your computer, leave the check mark in the Reconnect at Logon check box.
If you only want to use this drive designation during the current work session, click the Reconnect at Logon check box to remove the check mark.
5. If you're mapping the network drive for someone else who uses a logon different from your own, click the Different User Name hyperlink and enter the user name and password in the associated text boxes in the Connect As dialog box before you click OK.
6. Click the Finish button in the Map Network Drive dialog box to close it and return to the My Computer window.
The network folder that you mapped onto a virtual drive now appears at the bottom of the contents area under a new section called "Network Drives" and Windows automatically opens the folder in a separate window.
After mapping a network folder onto a virtual drive, you can redisplay the contents in the My Computer window by double-clicking that drive icon.
To remove a virtual drive that you've mapped onto My Computer, click Tools-->Disconnect Network Drive; next click the letter of the virtual drive in the Disconnect Network Drives dialog box and then click OK. Windows then displays an alert dialog box warning you that files and folders are currently open on the virtual drive and that you run the risk of losing data if files are open. If you're sure that you have no files open on that drive, click the Yes button to break the connection and remove the virtual drive from the My Computer window.
If you use Windows XP on a local area network (LAN), and you save and open files in shared folders as part of a workgroup on a server, you can create a virtual drive whose drive letter appears in the My Computer window along with those of your local drives — a process referred to as mapping a network drive. To map a network drive, follow these steps:
1. Click Tools-->Map Network Drive on the My Computer menu bar to open the Map Network Drive dialog box.
2. Click the Drive drop-down list button and select the drive letter you want to assign to the virtual drive containing this network folder (note that the list starts with Z: and works backwards to B:) from the pop-up menu.
3. Type the path to the folder on the network drive in the Folder text box or click the Browse button and select the folder directly from the outline of the network drives and folders shown in the Browse For Folder dialog box. Now click OK to close the Browse For Folder dialog box and return to the Map Network Drive dialog box (where the path to the selected folder now appears).
4. If you want Windows to recreate this virtual drive designation for the selected network folder each time that you start and log on to your computer, leave the check mark in the Reconnect at Logon check box.
If you only want to use this drive designation during the current work session, click the Reconnect at Logon check box to remove the check mark.
5. If you're mapping the network drive for someone else who uses a logon different from your own, click the Different User Name hyperlink and enter the user name and password in the associated text boxes in the Connect As dialog box before you click OK.
6. Click the Finish button in the Map Network Drive dialog box to close it and return to the My Computer window.
The network folder that you mapped onto a virtual drive now appears at the bottom of the contents area under a new section called "Network Drives" and Windows automatically opens the folder in a separate window.
After mapping a network folder onto a virtual drive, you can redisplay the contents in the My Computer window by double-clicking that drive icon.
To remove a virtual drive that you've mapped onto My Computer, click Tools-->Disconnect Network Drive; next click the letter of the virtual drive in the Disconnect Network Drives dialog box and then click OK. Windows then displays an alert dialog box warning you that files and folders are currently open on the virtual drive and that you run the risk of losing data if files are open. If you're sure that you have no files open on that drive, click the Yes button to break the connection and remove the virtual drive from the My Computer window.
Script from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00159.shtml
1. Click Tools-->Map Network Drive on the My Computer menu bar to open the Map Network Drive dialog box.
2. Click the Drive drop-down list button and select the drive letter you want to assign to the virtual drive containing this network folder (note that the list starts with Z: and works backwards to B:) from the pop-up menu.
3. Type the path to the folder on the network drive in the Folder text box or click the Browse button and select the folder directly from the outline of the network drives and folders shown in the Browse For Folder dialog box. Now click OK to close the Browse For Folder dialog box and return to the Map Network Drive dialog box (where the path to the selected folder now appears).
4. If you want Windows to recreate this virtual drive designation for the selected network folder each time that you start and log on to your computer, leave the check mark in the Reconnect at Logon check box.
If you only want to use this drive designation during the current work session, click the Reconnect at Logon check box to remove the check mark.
5. If you're mapping the network drive for someone else who uses a logon different from your own, click the Different User Name hyperlink and enter the user name and password in the associated text boxes in the Connect As dialog box before you click OK.
6. Click the Finish button in the Map Network Drive dialog box to close it and return to the My Computer window.
The network folder that you mapped onto a virtual drive now appears at the bottom of the contents area under a new section called "Network Drives" and Windows automatically opens the folder in a separate window.
After mapping a network folder onto a virtual drive, you can redisplay the contents in the My Computer window by double-clicking that drive icon.
To remove a virtual drive that you've mapped onto My Computer, click Tools-->Disconnect Network Drive; next click the letter of the virtual drive in the Disconnect Network Drives dialog box and then click OK. Windows then displays an alert dialog box warning you that files and folders are currently open on the virtual drive and that you run the risk of losing data if files are open. If you're sure that you have no files open on that drive, click the Yes button to break the connection and remove the virtual drive from the My Computer window.
If you use Windows XP on a local area network (LAN), and you save and open files in shared folders as part of a workgroup on a server, you can create a virtual drive whose drive letter appears in the My Computer window along with those of your local drives — a process referred to as mapping a network drive. To map a network drive, follow these steps:
1. Click Tools-->Map Network Drive on the My Computer menu bar to open the Map Network Drive dialog box.
2. Click the Drive drop-down list button and select the drive letter you want to assign to the virtual drive containing this network folder (note that the list starts with Z: and works backwards to B:) from the pop-up menu.
3. Type the path to the folder on the network drive in the Folder text box or click the Browse button and select the folder directly from the outline of the network drives and folders shown in the Browse For Folder dialog box. Now click OK to close the Browse For Folder dialog box and return to the Map Network Drive dialog box (where the path to the selected folder now appears).
4. If you want Windows to recreate this virtual drive designation for the selected network folder each time that you start and log on to your computer, leave the check mark in the Reconnect at Logon check box.
If you only want to use this drive designation during the current work session, click the Reconnect at Logon check box to remove the check mark.
5. If you're mapping the network drive for someone else who uses a logon different from your own, click the Different User Name hyperlink and enter the user name and password in the associated text boxes in the Connect As dialog box before you click OK.
6. Click the Finish button in the Map Network Drive dialog box to close it and return to the My Computer window.
The network folder that you mapped onto a virtual drive now appears at the bottom of the contents area under a new section called "Network Drives" and Windows automatically opens the folder in a separate window.
After mapping a network folder onto a virtual drive, you can redisplay the contents in the My Computer window by double-clicking that drive icon.
To remove a virtual drive that you've mapped onto My Computer, click Tools-->Disconnect Network Drive; next click the letter of the virtual drive in the Disconnect Network Drives dialog box and then click OK. Windows then displays an alert dialog box warning you that files and folders are currently open on the virtual drive and that you run the risk of losing data if files are open. If you're sure that you have no files open on that drive, click the Yes button to break the connection and remove the virtual drive from the My Computer window.
Script from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00159.shtml
Keeping Windows XP Up-to-Date
The Windows Update feature notifies you of the latest updates and bug fixes for the Windows XP operating system directly from the Microsoft Web site. To launch the Windows Update, you click the Start menu, point at the All Programs button, and then click Windows Update in the Programs menu.
As soon as you click select Windows Update on this menu, Windows gets you online and connects you to the Windows Update Web page on the Microsoft Web site.
To have your computer checked out to see whether you're in need of some updated Windows components, follow these steps:
1. On the Microsoft Windows Update Web page, click the Scan for Updates hyperlink.
When you click this hyperlink, the Windows checks your system for needed updates. After checking your system, the number of updates appears in the list of three types of updates (Critical Updates, Windows XP, and Driver Updates) in the pane on the left side of the window.
2. To have the Update Wizard install particular updates in one or more of the various categories, click the check boxes in front of each update name and description.
3. After you have all the updates that you want selected, click the Review and Install Updates hyperlink in the pane on the left side of the window.
4. Click the Start Download button on the Download Checklist page.
A license agreement dialog box then appears. Choose the Yes button to sell your soul to the devil (just kidding) and start the download.
After you click the assent to the license agreement, the Microsoft Windows Update page downloads and installs the updated files for the component(s) you selected. When the download and installation are complete, the message Download and Installation Successful appears on Windows Update Web page.
5. Click the Close box in the upper-right corner of the Windows Update Web page to close this browser window.
Just in case you're the type who would never think to use the Windows Update command on the Start menu, Windows XP turns on an AutoUpdate feature that automatically starts bugging you about new Windows features that you can download and install.
AutoUpdate indicates that Windows updates that could benefit your computer are available by placing an Install Reminder icon (with the picture of the Windows logo above a tiny globe) in the Notification area of the Windows taskbar. From time to time, a ScreenTip appears above this Install Reminder icon, telling you that new updates are available.
To get the Windows updates downloaded or to silence the Install Reminder, click that icon in the status bar. Windows then displays an Updates dialog box with three buttons along the bottom: Settings, Remind Me Later, and Install.
To go online and have Windows download and install the new updates (using the procedure outlined in the steps in the preceding section), choose Install. To be reminded to update at a later time, choose the Remind Me Later button and then select the time interval that must pass before the Install Reminder starts prompting you again in the drop-down list box of the Remind Me Later dialog box that appears.
To turn off the AutoUpdate features so that it never bugs you again, follow these steps:
1. Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
2. Click the Switch to Classic View button at the top of the Control Panel navigation pane on the left side of this window.
3. Double-click the System icon to open the Systems Properties dialog box.
4. Click the Automatic Updates tab and then in the Notification Settings section, click the Turn Off Automatic Updating, I want to Update My Computer Manually radio button.
5. Click OK or press Enter to close the System Properties dialog box.
Script from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00157.shtml
As soon as you click select Windows Update on this menu, Windows gets you online and connects you to the Windows Update Web page on the Microsoft Web site.
To have your computer checked out to see whether you're in need of some updated Windows components, follow these steps:
1. On the Microsoft Windows Update Web page, click the Scan for Updates hyperlink.
When you click this hyperlink, the Windows checks your system for needed updates. After checking your system, the number of updates appears in the list of three types of updates (Critical Updates, Windows XP, and Driver Updates) in the pane on the left side of the window.
2. To have the Update Wizard install particular updates in one or more of the various categories, click the check boxes in front of each update name and description.
3. After you have all the updates that you want selected, click the Review and Install Updates hyperlink in the pane on the left side of the window.
4. Click the Start Download button on the Download Checklist page.
A license agreement dialog box then appears. Choose the Yes button to sell your soul to the devil (just kidding) and start the download.
After you click the assent to the license agreement, the Microsoft Windows Update page downloads and installs the updated files for the component(s) you selected. When the download and installation are complete, the message Download and Installation Successful appears on Windows Update Web page.
5. Click the Close box in the upper-right corner of the Windows Update Web page to close this browser window.
Just in case you're the type who would never think to use the Windows Update command on the Start menu, Windows XP turns on an AutoUpdate feature that automatically starts bugging you about new Windows features that you can download and install.
AutoUpdate indicates that Windows updates that could benefit your computer are available by placing an Install Reminder icon (with the picture of the Windows logo above a tiny globe) in the Notification area of the Windows taskbar. From time to time, a ScreenTip appears above this Install Reminder icon, telling you that new updates are available.
To get the Windows updates downloaded or to silence the Install Reminder, click that icon in the status bar. Windows then displays an Updates dialog box with three buttons along the bottom: Settings, Remind Me Later, and Install.
To go online and have Windows download and install the new updates (using the procedure outlined in the steps in the preceding section), choose Install. To be reminded to update at a later time, choose the Remind Me Later button and then select the time interval that must pass before the Install Reminder starts prompting you again in the drop-down list box of the Remind Me Later dialog box that appears.
To turn off the AutoUpdate features so that it never bugs you again, follow these steps:
1. Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
2. Click the Switch to Classic View button at the top of the Control Panel navigation pane on the left side of this window.
3. Double-click the System icon to open the Systems Properties dialog box.
4. Click the Automatic Updates tab and then in the Notification Settings section, click the Turn Off Automatic Updating, I want to Update My Computer Manually radio button.
5. Click OK or press Enter to close the System Properties dialog box.
Script from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00157.shtml
Joining a Network
If you want to connect to a network during Setup, you must have the correct hardware installed on your computer and be connected to your network.
If you will be using a network, first determine whether your computer is joining a domain or a workgroup.
If you're not sure, select Workgroup when you are prompted during Setup. (You can always join a domain later, after Windows XP Professional is installed.) Any computer user can join a workgroup—you don’t need special administrative permissions. You must provide an existing or new workgroup name, or you can use the workgroup name that Windows XP Professional suggests during Setup.
If you select Domain ask your network administrator to create a new computer account in that domain or to reset your existing account. Joining a domain requires permission from the network administrator.
Joining a domain during Setup requires a computer account to identify your computer to the domain you want to join. If you’re upgrading, Setup uses your existing computer account; or if there isn’t one, Setup prompts you to provide a new computer account. Ask your network administrator to create a computer account before you begin Setup. Or, if you have the appropriate privileges, you can create the account yourself and join the domain during Setup. To join a domain during Setup, you need to provide your domain user name and password.
Unless you're an advanced user, it's recommended you use the default settings.
Script from this link
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00156.shtml
If you will be using a network, first determine whether your computer is joining a domain or a workgroup.
If you're not sure, select Workgroup when you are prompted during Setup. (You can always join a domain later, after Windows XP Professional is installed.) Any computer user can join a workgroup—you don’t need special administrative permissions. You must provide an existing or new workgroup name, or you can use the workgroup name that Windows XP Professional suggests during Setup.
If you select Domain ask your network administrator to create a new computer account in that domain or to reset your existing account. Joining a domain requires permission from the network administrator.
Joining a domain during Setup requires a computer account to identify your computer to the domain you want to join. If you’re upgrading, Setup uses your existing computer account; or if there isn’t one, Setup prompts you to provide a new computer account. Ask your network administrator to create a computer account before you begin Setup. Or, if you have the appropriate privileges, you can create the account yourself and join the domain during Setup. To join a domain during Setup, you need to provide your domain user name and password.
Unless you're an advanced user, it's recommended you use the default settings.
Script from this link
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00156.shtml
Using Remote Assistance in Windows XP
It's late at night, and your computer is acting weird. What did you do wrong? Luckily, your co-worker's kid across town just got Windows XP, and he's already mastered it. But his parents won't let him out at night. If only he could fix your computer for you. . . .
With Windows XP's Remote Assistance, he can. If you turn on Remote Assistance, another person can log onto your computer and control it, just as if they were sitting in front of it. They can tweak your computer, setting up what needs to be done, and your computer will run as good as new. (At least, that's the concept.)
To load Remote Assistant, click the Start button, choose Help and Support and choose Remote Assistance. Choose Invite Someone to Help You from the program's screen, and send a message using Outlook Express or Microsoft MSN Messenger. The recipient accepts your request, and he or she sees your computer's screen on their monitor. You two chat back and forth, typing messages, and the helpful soul moves around your mouse, clicking the right things, until the situation is fixed.
Expect to see it used by technical support staffs in the future.
script from this link
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00140.shtml
With Windows XP's Remote Assistance, he can. If you turn on Remote Assistance, another person can log onto your computer and control it, just as if they were sitting in front of it. They can tweak your computer, setting up what needs to be done, and your computer will run as good as new. (At least, that's the concept.)
To load Remote Assistant, click the Start button, choose Help and Support and choose Remote Assistance. Choose Invite Someone to Help You from the program's screen, and send a message using Outlook Express or Microsoft MSN Messenger. The recipient accepts your request, and he or she sees your computer's screen on their monitor. You two chat back and forth, typing messages, and the helpful soul moves around your mouse, clicking the right things, until the situation is fixed.
Expect to see it used by technical support staffs in the future.
script from this link
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00140.shtml
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings
pying files and settings from your old computer to a new computer. It is intended for home users, small office users, or users in a "lightly managed" corporate environment.
Introduction
Getting a new computer often requires repeating much of the same setup configuration you originally did with your old computer. And even after all the reconfiguration, you still don't have your data from the old computer. Locating this data and figuring our how to move it can be a significant challenge. The Windows® XP operating system streamlines this process with the new Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. By providing clear instructions at each step, the wizard walks you through the process of automatically gathering your files and settings from your old computer and transferring them to your new computer.
The wizard is designed for users in a home or small office environment. The wizard is also useful in a corporate network environment for employees who get a new computer and need to migrate their own files and settings without the support of an IT department or Helpdesk.
The wizard provides a rich set of options that walk you through the process of migrating to a new computer.
You can:
" Choose how to store files and settings that are migrated. The wizard supports copying old files and settings via:
" 3.5 inch disks or other removable media.
" A direct cable connection from your old computer to your new computer.
" A drive on a home network.
" Customize which files and settings get migrated. If you already know exactly which files and settings you want to migrate, you can add or remove files directly in the wizard.
Copying files to a home network drive is the fastest method. If you don't have a home network, try using a direct cable connection between your computers. Because the wizard uses auto detection to configure ports for the cable, you don't need to go through any complicated setup procedures.
Finally, using 3.5-inch disks takes the most time as you will usually need one-two disks to migrate settings and five-ten disks to migrate files and settings. The wizard prompts you for each disk as it collects and saves your files and settings on your old computer. When you run the wizard on your new computer, the wizard prompts you to insert the disks in order. Despite the extra time involved, floppy disks remain a viable, low-tech solution that you may wish to use.
This guide walks you through this process using the following scenarios:
" Migrating to a new computer.
" Migrating to a new computer on your home network.
" Migrating to a new computer using a direct cable connection.
" Migrating to a clean installation of Windows XP.
When migrating files and settings for multiple computers in a corporate environment, administrators should use the User State Migration Tool, a command line tool. For more information, see the white paper, "User State Migration in Windows XP."
What Gets Migrated?
This section summarizes the types of files and settings that are migrated.
Migrated Settings
The settings fall into four major groups:
" Appearance. This includes items such as wallpaper, colors, sounds, and the location of the taskbar.
" Action. This includes items such as the key repeat rate, whether double-clicking a folder opens it in a new window or the same window, and whether you need to double-click or single-click an item to open it.
" Internet. These are the settings that let you connect to the Internet and control how your browser operates. This includes items such as your home page URL, favorites or bookmarks, cookies, security settings, dial-up connections, and proxy settings.
" Mail. This includes the information you need to connect to your mail server, your signature file, views, mail rules, local mail, and contacts. The mail clients supported are Outlook® and Outlook Express.
Application settings
The wizard currently supports migrating specific application settings including Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook®, PowerPoint®, and Word). Support for migrating additional applications will be included when Windows XP is released.
Note that only applications settings are migrated; actual applications are not migrated. You will need to re-install applications on your new computer.
Summary of migrated settings
Migrated setting groups include:
" Internet Explorer settings
" Outlook Express settings and store
" Outlook settings and store
" Dial-Up connections
" Phone and modem options
" Accessibility
" Screen saver selection
" Fonts
" Folder options
" Taskbar settings
" Mouse and keyboard settings
" Sounds settings
" Regional options
" Office settings
" Network drives and printers
" Desktop folder
" My Documents folder
" My Pictures folder
" Favorites folder
" Cookies folder
" Common Office file types
Migrated Files
Files are migrated by file type (.DOC), folder (C:\My Documents), or specific name (C:\Important\money.mny). The wizard moves many of the common file types and folders by default and gives you the option of adding or removing folders, file types, or specific files.
Migrating to a New Computer
In this scenario, you migrate files from an old computer to a new computer. The old computer contains your current settings that you would like to have on your new computer.
Starting the wizard on your new computer
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. Ensure New Computer is selected and click Next.
3. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
4. Insert a blank and formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk into your new computer's floppy drive. The wizard creates the disk and prompts you to go to your old computer. If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page.
Starting the wizard on your old computer
1. Insert the wizard disk into your old computer. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. When the Select a transfer method page appears, select Floppy drive or other removable media and click Next. The What do you want to transfer page appears.
If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page.
This page lets you select settings only, files only, or both files and settings. Details of each option appear in the right pane.
3. For the purposes of getting started with this wizard, select Settings only and click Next.
4. Prepare your 3.5-inch disks. For settings, you may need only one disk. For files and settings, you usually need no more than five or ten 3.5-inch disks for this. When your 3.5-inch disks are ready and formatted, click Next.
The wizard scans your old computer and collects all of the settings you requested to migrate. This usually takes a few minutes, depending on the speed of your computer.
5. When prompted for the first 3.5-inch disk, select one of the blank 3.5-inch disks you have prepared, label it Migration 1, insert it, and click OK.
6. If you are prompted for additional 3.5-inch disks, select another blank 3.5-inch disk, label it the next disk, and so on until the wizard completes.
7. When the Completing the Collection phase page appears, click Finish and collect all of the 3.5-inch disks you just made.
8. Return to your new computer and continue with the wizard.
Resuming the wizard on your new computer
1. The wizard that you left running on your new computer should still be on the page as shown in Figure 1 earlier. Click Next.
2. When the Where are the Files and Settings page appears, select Floppy drive or other removable media and click Next.
3. Insert the disk labeled Migration 1 (the first disk you created) into the 3.5-inch disk drive. Select Floppy Drive (if not already selected) and click Next.
4. The wizard reads the collected files and settings from the 3.5-inch disks and applies them to your new computer. Insert each disk as prompted.
5. When all of the disks have been inserted and the settings and files have been applied, the wizard will reach the Finished page. Click Finished. For the changes to take effect, you are prompted to restart your computer.
Migrating to a New Computer on Your Home Network
A home network is a faster and simpler way to migrate your files and settings from your old computer to your new computer. This scenario assumes you have two computers-an old computer and a new computer-on a home network. This means that, before migrating, you will need to ensure that your new computer running Windows XP can "recognize" your old computer on the network. The old computer contains your current settings and files that you want have on your new computer.
Starting the wizard on your new computer
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. Ensure New Computer is selected and click Next.
3. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
4. Insert a blank and formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk into your new computer's floppy drive. The wizard creates the disk and prompts you to go to your old computer.
Starting the wizard on your old computer
1. Insert the wizard disk Into your old computer.
2. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
3. When the Select a Transfer Method page appears, select Home or small office network, and click Next .
Selecting a transfer method.
4. When the What do you want to transfer page appears, select Both Files and Settings. Click Next.
5. The wizard scans your old computer and collects all of the settings you requested to migrate. This usually takes a few minutes.
6. You are prompted to enter the password displayed on your new computer. Enter the password and click OK. When the files and settings are collected, they are automatically transferred to your new computer. The new computer will then apply those settings.
7. When the wizard finishes collecting and transferring the files and settings, it reaches the completion page. Click Finish and return to your new computer.
Resuming the wizard on your new computer
1. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your new computer is already applying your files and settings to your new computer. Wait until it is finished.
2. When all the settings and files have been applied, the wizard reaches the Finished page. Click Finished. For the changes to take effect, you need to restart the computer.
This is a much faster and more complete way to migrate your files and settings than using a 3.5-inch disk, but it does require you to have a home network. Another way to transfer files and settings is via a direct cable connection explained below.
Migrating to a New Computer Using a Direct Cable Connection
A simple way to migrate files and settings is to use a direct cable that connects your computers via the serial ports. You will need a serial PC to PC file transfer cable, available from most computer stores. If you don't know the exact type of cable you need, ask for assistance at a computer store.
Starting the wizard on your new computer
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. Ensure New Computer is selected and click Next.
3. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
4. Insert a blank and formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk into your new computer's floppy drive. The wizard creates the disk and prompts you to go to your old computer
Starting the wizard on your old computer
1. Insert the wizard disk Into your old computer.
2. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
When the Select a Transfer Method page appears, select Direct Cable and click Next.
Direct cable connection.
When the Set up your serial connection page appears, complete the following steps.
o Connect your computers with a serial PC to PC file transfer cable.
o Go to the other computer and advance the wizard to the Set up your serial connection page.
o Click Autodetect on both wizards to select the serial port setting.
When the wizard shows a successful connection, click Next.
The wizard automatically transfers your files and settings to your new computer. You will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Although both of the preceding scenarios did copy your files and settings, these defaults don't cover all situations and file types. The following scenario describes how to customize the selection of what is migrated.
Migrating to a Clean Installation Of Windows XP
This advanced scenario assumes you have only one computer and are going to perform a clean installation of Windows XP side-by-side with an existing installation of Windows. First, you need to complete a clean installation of Windows XP on your computer, at a different location on your hard drive than your current installation. (It is important you do not choose upgrade, but a clean installation.) You also want to be sure not to overwrite your old installation. The computer will need to be able to boot into either operating system. This scenario assumes that you have already completed this dual installation. For more information, see Multibooting with Windows 2000 and Windows XP at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/administration/management/mltiboot.asp.
Starting the wizard on your old operating system
1. Start your computer by booting into your old operating system. Insert the Windows XP CD.
2. When the Windows XP Welcome screen appears, click Perform Additional Tasks, then click Transfer
Files and Settings
3. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
4. When the Select a transfer method page appears, select Other, and then click Browse to select a folder that has enough room to store the collected files and settings. You will probably need at least 150 megabytes (MB). Note that later you will need to locate the folder in which you stored the files and settings. Click Next.
The What do you want to transfer page appears allowing you to select settings only, files only, or both files and settings. When you select an option, the page displays a list of what will be migrated.
5. Select Both Files and Settings and select Let me select a custom list of files and settings when I click Next .
Specifying files and settings for migration
6. Click Next. The Select custom files and settings page appears.
Customizing files and settings for migration.
On the Select custom files and settings page, you can add or remove known settings, file types, folders, or specific files. In this scenario, you will want to migrate the default folders, because these are located in a different place in Windows XP; however, you don't need to migrate any of the file types. You can access those files where they are now.
7. Select each of the items in the File Type's tree and click Remove. Leave all of the settings. When all of the File Types have been removed, click Next.
The wizard now scans your existing Windows installation and collects all of the settings you requested to migrate. This usually takes a few minutes.
8. When the wizard finishes collecting the files and settings, the completion page appears. Click Finish.
Starting the wizard on Windows XP
1. Start your computer by booting into Windows XP. Open the File and Settings Transfer Wizard.
2. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I don't need the Wizard Disk. I have already collected my files and settings from my old computer. Click Next.
3. When the Where are your files and settings page appears, select Other and click Browse. Go to the folder share drive where you stored your files.
The wizard begins reading the collected files and settings and applies them to your new installation.
4. When the settings and files have been applied, the completion page appears. Click Finished. For the changes to take effect, you need to restart your computer and boot into your Windows XP installation.
Your files and settings from your old installation should now be applied on your new installation of Windows XP. Some files are duplicated between the two installations, such as files on your desktop, in Favorites, or in My Documents. Other items, such as your mail store, are also duplicated.
Summary
This guide walks you through the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard and explains all the steps needed to successfully use this powerful tool. The wizard streamlines the process of using a new computer by making it easy to duplicate your old computing environment and keep all your settings such as Favorites in Internet Explorer.
Copying your files is also made easier. Although uising a home network is the fastest way to copy files, 3.5 inch disks remain a viable option for many users who don't have a network at home.
Furthermore, the wizard can also be useful in a "lightly managed" corporate environments where users are expected to migrate their own files and settings without very much assistance from IT support professionals.
For large scale automated migrations, IT professionals should employ the User State Migration Tool, explained in the companion paper User State Migration in Windows XP at http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/usermigr.asp.
Script copied from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00130.shtml
Introduction
Getting a new computer often requires repeating much of the same setup configuration you originally did with your old computer. And even after all the reconfiguration, you still don't have your data from the old computer. Locating this data and figuring our how to move it can be a significant challenge. The Windows® XP operating system streamlines this process with the new Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. By providing clear instructions at each step, the wizard walks you through the process of automatically gathering your files and settings from your old computer and transferring them to your new computer.
The wizard is designed for users in a home or small office environment. The wizard is also useful in a corporate network environment for employees who get a new computer and need to migrate their own files and settings without the support of an IT department or Helpdesk.
The wizard provides a rich set of options that walk you through the process of migrating to a new computer.
You can:
" Choose how to store files and settings that are migrated. The wizard supports copying old files and settings via:
" 3.5 inch disks or other removable media.
" A direct cable connection from your old computer to your new computer.
" A drive on a home network.
" Customize which files and settings get migrated. If you already know exactly which files and settings you want to migrate, you can add or remove files directly in the wizard.
Copying files to a home network drive is the fastest method. If you don't have a home network, try using a direct cable connection between your computers. Because the wizard uses auto detection to configure ports for the cable, you don't need to go through any complicated setup procedures.
Finally, using 3.5-inch disks takes the most time as you will usually need one-two disks to migrate settings and five-ten disks to migrate files and settings. The wizard prompts you for each disk as it collects and saves your files and settings on your old computer. When you run the wizard on your new computer, the wizard prompts you to insert the disks in order. Despite the extra time involved, floppy disks remain a viable, low-tech solution that you may wish to use.
This guide walks you through this process using the following scenarios:
" Migrating to a new computer.
" Migrating to a new computer on your home network.
" Migrating to a new computer using a direct cable connection.
" Migrating to a clean installation of Windows XP.
When migrating files and settings for multiple computers in a corporate environment, administrators should use the User State Migration Tool, a command line tool. For more information, see the white paper, "User State Migration in Windows XP."
What Gets Migrated?
This section summarizes the types of files and settings that are migrated.
Migrated Settings
The settings fall into four major groups:
" Appearance. This includes items such as wallpaper, colors, sounds, and the location of the taskbar.
" Action. This includes items such as the key repeat rate, whether double-clicking a folder opens it in a new window or the same window, and whether you need to double-click or single-click an item to open it.
" Internet. These are the settings that let you connect to the Internet and control how your browser operates. This includes items such as your home page URL, favorites or bookmarks, cookies, security settings, dial-up connections, and proxy settings.
" Mail. This includes the information you need to connect to your mail server, your signature file, views, mail rules, local mail, and contacts. The mail clients supported are Outlook® and Outlook Express.
Application settings
The wizard currently supports migrating specific application settings including Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook®, PowerPoint®, and Word). Support for migrating additional applications will be included when Windows XP is released.
Note that only applications settings are migrated; actual applications are not migrated. You will need to re-install applications on your new computer.
Summary of migrated settings
Migrated setting groups include:
" Internet Explorer settings
" Outlook Express settings and store
" Outlook settings and store
" Dial-Up connections
" Phone and modem options
" Accessibility
" Screen saver selection
" Fonts
" Folder options
" Taskbar settings
" Mouse and keyboard settings
" Sounds settings
" Regional options
" Office settings
" Network drives and printers
" Desktop folder
" My Documents folder
" My Pictures folder
" Favorites folder
" Cookies folder
" Common Office file types
Migrated Files
Files are migrated by file type (.DOC), folder (C:\My Documents), or specific name (C:\Important\money.mny). The wizard moves many of the common file types and folders by default and gives you the option of adding or removing folders, file types, or specific files.
Migrating to a New Computer
In this scenario, you migrate files from an old computer to a new computer. The old computer contains your current settings that you would like to have on your new computer.
Starting the wizard on your new computer
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. Ensure New Computer is selected and click Next.
3. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
4. Insert a blank and formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk into your new computer's floppy drive. The wizard creates the disk and prompts you to go to your old computer. If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page.
Starting the wizard on your old computer
1. Insert the wizard disk into your old computer. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. When the Select a transfer method page appears, select Floppy drive or other removable media and click Next. The What do you want to transfer page appears.
If your browser does not support inline frames, click here to view on a separate page.
This page lets you select settings only, files only, or both files and settings. Details of each option appear in the right pane.
3. For the purposes of getting started with this wizard, select Settings only and click Next.
4. Prepare your 3.5-inch disks. For settings, you may need only one disk. For files and settings, you usually need no more than five or ten 3.5-inch disks for this. When your 3.5-inch disks are ready and formatted, click Next.
The wizard scans your old computer and collects all of the settings you requested to migrate. This usually takes a few minutes, depending on the speed of your computer.
5. When prompted for the first 3.5-inch disk, select one of the blank 3.5-inch disks you have prepared, label it Migration 1, insert it, and click OK.
6. If you are prompted for additional 3.5-inch disks, select another blank 3.5-inch disk, label it the next disk, and so on until the wizard completes.
7. When the Completing the Collection phase page appears, click Finish and collect all of the 3.5-inch disks you just made.
8. Return to your new computer and continue with the wizard.
Resuming the wizard on your new computer
1. The wizard that you left running on your new computer should still be on the page as shown in Figure 1 earlier. Click Next.
2. When the Where are the Files and Settings page appears, select Floppy drive or other removable media and click Next.
3. Insert the disk labeled Migration 1 (the first disk you created) into the 3.5-inch disk drive. Select Floppy Drive (if not already selected) and click Next.
4. The wizard reads the collected files and settings from the 3.5-inch disks and applies them to your new computer. Insert each disk as prompted.
5. When all of the disks have been inserted and the settings and files have been applied, the wizard will reach the Finished page. Click Finished. For the changes to take effect, you are prompted to restart your computer.
Migrating to a New Computer on Your Home Network
A home network is a faster and simpler way to migrate your files and settings from your old computer to your new computer. This scenario assumes you have two computers-an old computer and a new computer-on a home network. This means that, before migrating, you will need to ensure that your new computer running Windows XP can "recognize" your old computer on the network. The old computer contains your current settings and files that you want have on your new computer.
Starting the wizard on your new computer
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. Ensure New Computer is selected and click Next.
3. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
4. Insert a blank and formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk into your new computer's floppy drive. The wizard creates the disk and prompts you to go to your old computer.
Starting the wizard on your old computer
1. Insert the wizard disk Into your old computer.
2. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
3. When the Select a Transfer Method page appears, select Home or small office network, and click Next .
Selecting a transfer method.
4. When the What do you want to transfer page appears, select Both Files and Settings. Click Next.
5. The wizard scans your old computer and collects all of the settings you requested to migrate. This usually takes a few minutes.
6. You are prompted to enter the password displayed on your new computer. Enter the password and click OK. When the files and settings are collected, they are automatically transferred to your new computer. The new computer will then apply those settings.
7. When the wizard finishes collecting and transferring the files and settings, it reaches the completion page. Click Finish and return to your new computer.
Resuming the wizard on your new computer
1. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your new computer is already applying your files and settings to your new computer. Wait until it is finished.
2. When all the settings and files have been applied, the wizard reaches the Finished page. Click Finished. For the changes to take effect, you need to restart the computer.
This is a much faster and more complete way to migrate your files and settings than using a 3.5-inch disk, but it does require you to have a home network. Another way to transfer files and settings is via a direct cable connection explained below.
Migrating to a New Computer Using a Direct Cable Connection
A simple way to migrate files and settings is to use a direct cable that connects your computers via the serial ports. You will need a serial PC to PC file transfer cable, available from most computer stores. If you don't know the exact type of cable you need, ask for assistance at a computer store.
Starting the wizard on your new computer
1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
2. Ensure New Computer is selected and click Next.
3. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
4. Insert a blank and formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk into your new computer's floppy drive. The wizard creates the disk and prompts you to go to your old computer
Starting the wizard on your old computer
1. Insert the wizard disk Into your old computer.
2. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
When the Select a Transfer Method page appears, select Direct Cable and click Next.
Direct cable connection.
When the Set up your serial connection page appears, complete the following steps.
o Connect your computers with a serial PC to PC file transfer cable.
o Go to the other computer and advance the wizard to the Set up your serial connection page.
o Click Autodetect on both wizards to select the serial port setting.
When the wizard shows a successful connection, click Next.
The wizard automatically transfers your files and settings to your new computer. You will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Although both of the preceding scenarios did copy your files and settings, these defaults don't cover all situations and file types. The following scenario describes how to customize the selection of what is migrated.
Migrating to a Clean Installation Of Windows XP
This advanced scenario assumes you have only one computer and are going to perform a clean installation of Windows XP side-by-side with an existing installation of Windows. First, you need to complete a clean installation of Windows XP on your computer, at a different location on your hard drive than your current installation. (It is important you do not choose upgrade, but a clean installation.) You also want to be sure not to overwrite your old installation. The computer will need to be able to boot into either operating system. This scenario assumes that you have already completed this dual installation. For more information, see Multibooting with Windows 2000 and Windows XP at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/administration/management/mltiboot.asp.
Starting the wizard on your old operating system
1. Start your computer by booting into your old operating system. Insert the Windows XP CD.
2. When the Windows XP Welcome screen appears, click Perform Additional Tasks, then click Transfer
Files and Settings
3. When the Welcome to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard page appears, click Next.
4. When the Select a transfer method page appears, select Other, and then click Browse to select a folder that has enough room to store the collected files and settings. You will probably need at least 150 megabytes (MB). Note that later you will need to locate the folder in which you stored the files and settings. Click Next.
The What do you want to transfer page appears allowing you to select settings only, files only, or both files and settings. When you select an option, the page displays a list of what will be migrated.
5. Select Both Files and Settings and select Let me select a custom list of files and settings when I click Next .
Specifying files and settings for migration
6. Click Next. The Select custom files and settings page appears.
Customizing files and settings for migration.
On the Select custom files and settings page, you can add or remove known settings, file types, folders, or specific files. In this scenario, you will want to migrate the default folders, because these are located in a different place in Windows XP; however, you don't need to migrate any of the file types. You can access those files where they are now.
7. Select each of the items in the File Type's tree and click Remove. Leave all of the settings. When all of the File Types have been removed, click Next.
The wizard now scans your existing Windows installation and collects all of the settings you requested to migrate. This usually takes a few minutes.
8. When the wizard finishes collecting the files and settings, the completion page appears. Click Finish.
Starting the wizard on Windows XP
1. Start your computer by booting into Windows XP. Open the File and Settings Transfer Wizard.
2. When the Do you have a Windows XP CD page appears, select I don't need the Wizard Disk. I have already collected my files and settings from my old computer. Click Next.
3. When the Where are your files and settings page appears, select Other and click Browse. Go to the folder share drive where you stored your files.
The wizard begins reading the collected files and settings and applies them to your new installation.
4. When the settings and files have been applied, the completion page appears. Click Finished. For the changes to take effect, you need to restart your computer and boot into your Windows XP installation.
Your files and settings from your old installation should now be applied on your new installation of Windows XP. Some files are duplicated between the two installations, such as files on your desktop, in Favorites, or in My Documents. Other items, such as your mail store, are also duplicated.
Summary
This guide walks you through the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard and explains all the steps needed to successfully use this powerful tool. The wizard streamlines the process of using a new computer by making it easy to duplicate your old computing environment and keep all your settings such as Favorites in Internet Explorer.
Copying your files is also made easier. Although uising a home network is the fastest way to copy files, 3.5 inch disks remain a viable option for many users who don't have a network at home.
Furthermore, the wizard can also be useful in a "lightly managed" corporate environments where users are expected to migrate their own files and settings without very much assistance from IT support professionals.
For large scale automated migrations, IT professionals should employ the User State Migration Tool, explained in the companion paper User State Migration in Windows XP at http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/usermigr.asp.
Script copied from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00130.shtml
Dual Boot XP
A computer can be configured to let you choose between two or more operating systems each time you restart the computer. With multibooting, you can choose which operating system to run or specify a default OS if no selection is made during the restart process.
Computers Containing Multiple Windows 2000 or Windows XP Partitions
Before installing Windows 2000 and Windows XP on the same machine, you need to prepare your system with different partitions (a process that divides a hard disk into separate sections that can be formatted for use by a file system. Partitions typically have different drive letters such as C or D).
One OS per partition
It’s important to install each operating system on a different partition and install the applications used with each operating system on the same partition as the OS. If an application is used with two different operating systems, install it on two partitions. Placing each operating system in a separate partition ensures that it will not overwrite crucial files used by the other OS.
Install Latest OS Last
In general, you should install the most recent OS last—after you have installed all other operating systems on the target computer. In this case, you should install Windows 2000 and then install Windows XP.
Unique Computer Name
You can set up a computer so that it has multiple installations of Windows XP on multiple partitions. However, you must use a different computer name for each installation if the computer participates in a Windows 2000 Server domain. Because a unique security identifier (SID) is used for each installation of Windows XP on a domain, the computer name for each installation must be unique—even for multiple installations on the same computer.
Checklist Summary
To configure a computer containing Windows 2000 and Windows XP, review the following guidelines:
Install each operating system on a separate drive or disk partition.
Install Windows XP after you have installed Windows 2000.
When you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), by default, the installation is placed on a partition on which no other operating system is located. You can specify a different partition during Setup.
Don’t install Windows XP on a compressed drive unless the drive was compressed with the NTFS file system compression feature.
On any partition where you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), you will need to re-install any programs, such as word processing or e-mail software, after Setup is complete.
Install the programs used by each operating system on the partition with that system. If you want your programs to run with multiple operating systems, you need to install separate copies of the programs in each of the operating system partitions.
If the computer is on a Windows 2000 Server domain, each installation of Windows XP on that computer must have a different computer name.
Computers Containing Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP
Setting up a computer to run Windows XP as well as an earlier operating system such as Windows NT Workstation 4.0 requires addressing compatibility issues among different file systems: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32.
Normally, NTFS is the recommended file system because it supports important features, including the Active Directory™ service and domain-based security. However, using NTFS as the only file system on a computer that contains both Windows XP and Windows NT is not recommended. On these computers, a FAT or FAT32 partition containing the Windows NT 4.0 operating system ensures that when started with Windows NT 4.0, the computer will have access to needed files. In addition, if Windows NT is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, it is recommended that the system partition also be formatted with FAT. This is because earlier operating systems, with one exception, can't access a partition if it uses the latest version of NTFS. The one exception is Windows NT version 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later, which has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with some limitations.
Even the latest Service Pack does not provide access to files using the new features in NTFS. Windows NT 4.0 cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS features that did not exist when Windows NT 4.0 was released. For example, a file that uses the new encryption feature won’t be readable when the computer is started with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, which was released before the encryption feature existed.
Note: If you set up a computer so that it starts with Windows NT 3.51 or earlier on a FAT partition, and Windows XP on an NTFS partition, when that computer starts with Windows NT 3.51, the NTFS partition will not be visible.
Checklist Summary
To configure a computer containing Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP, review the following guidelines:
As explained above, using NTFS as the only file system on a computer containing both Windows XP and Windows NT is not recommended.
Make sure that Windows NT 4.0 has been updated with the latest released Service Pack available for download before installing Windows XP.
Install each operating system on a separate drive or disk partition.
When you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), by default, the installation is placed on a partition on which no other operating system is located. You can specify a different partition during Setup.
Don’t install Windows XP on a compressed drive unless the drive was compressed with the NTFS file system compression feature.
On any partition where you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), you will need to re-install any programs, such as word processing or email software, after Setup is complete.
Install the programs used by each operating system on the partition with that system. If you want your programs to run with multiple operating systems, you need to install separate copies of the programs in each of the operating system partitions.
If the computer is on a Windows NT Server or Windows 2000 Server domain, each installation of Windows XP on that computer must have a different computer name.
Computers Containing MS-DOS or Windows 9x and Windows XP
As explained above you need to address file system compatibility to ensure a multibooting configuration with these earlier operating systems and Windows XP. Remember to install the latest operating system last otherwise important files may be overwritten.
Checklist Summary
To configure a computer containing Windows XP and Windows 9x or MS-DOS, review the following guidelines:
On computers that contain MS-DOS and Windows XP:
MS-DOS must be installed on a basic disk on a partition formatted with FAT. If MS-DOS is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, the system partition must also be formatted with FAT.
Windows XP must be installed last. Otherwise important files needed for starting Windows XP could be overwritten.
On computers that contain Windows 95 and Windows XP:
As in the case above, Windows 95 must be installed on a basic disk on a partition formatted with FAT. (For Windows 95 OSR2, FAT32 may be used.) If Windows 95 is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, the system partition must also be formatted with FAT (or FAT32 for Windows 95 OSR2).
Compressed DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes won’t be available while you are running Windows XP. It is not necessary to uncompress DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes that you will access only with Windows 95.
Windows XP must be installed last. Otherwise important files needed for starting Windows XP could be overwritten.
On computers that contain Windows 98 (or Windows ME) and Windows XP:
As in the cases above, Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition (ME) must be installed on a basic disk on a partition formatted with FAT or FAT32. If Windows 98 or Windows ME is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, the system partition must also be formatted with FAT or FAT32.
Compressed DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes won’t be available while you are running Windows XP. It is not necessary to uncompress DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes that you will access only with Windows 98.
Windows XP must be installed last. Otherwise important files needed for starting Windows XP could be overwritten.
Installation and How to :
The order of installation is critical if you want a successful multiboot installation. In general terms, install non–Microsoft operating systems and earlier versions of the Windows operating system first. This would mean installing UNIX or Linux operating systems first; then Windows 95 or Windows 98 or Windows Me; then Windows NT; and finally, Windows 2000 and/or Windows XP. (In the unlikely event that you’re installing MS–DOS, you can install that either before or after UNIX– or Linux–based operating systems, and generally I’d opt for before.) It’s also important to understand that, without using a third–party product to help out, you can’t install non-Microsoft operating systems, or Windows 95 and Windows 98 on the same computer, and that you can install only a single version of Windows95/98/Me. But you can install as many different versions of Windows NT and later versions of the Windows operating system as you have available logical drives, with the sole caveat that you must install all Windows NT versions before you install any Windows 2000 or Windows XP versions.
Let’s take a typical installation. Our target computer must be able to boot into Windows 98, Windows NT 4 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional. We have a 2–GB partition to hold our programs and the whole thing must fit on a single 10–GB hard drive. No problem. First, we partition the hard drive into two partitions: a 2–GB primary partition, and an 8-GB extended partition using FDisk. In the extended partition, we’ll create four logical volumes—D, E, F and G—to hold our remaining operating systems and our programs.
After the disk is partitioned, format the primary partition using the FAT16 file system and install Windows 98 on it. So far so good. Now, format your D drive with FAT16 as well. Eventually, you’ll install your programs on D drive.
Next, install Windows NT 4 Workstation. You will install this on any of the logical volumes not already used (either E drive, F drive or G drive) and choose NTFS as your file system. Leave D drive alone, because your applications go there where they’re visible to all operating systems. When you install Windows NT, it recognizes that you already have Windows 98 on the computer. Then it automatically sets up for dual booting between Windows 98 and Windows NT by creating a boot.ini file, which creates a menu of available operating systems. After you have Windows NT 4 installed, immediately apply Service Pack 6, before you install Windows 2000.
Finally, install Windows 2000 and Windows XP, each in its own logical volume. Again, choose NTFS as the file system. As you install them, they are automatically added to the boot.ini file on your C drive, which lets you choose operating systems at start up.
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Computers Containing Multiple Windows 2000 or Windows XP Partitions
Before installing Windows 2000 and Windows XP on the same machine, you need to prepare your system with different partitions (a process that divides a hard disk into separate sections that can be formatted for use by a file system. Partitions typically have different drive letters such as C or D).
One OS per partition
It’s important to install each operating system on a different partition and install the applications used with each operating system on the same partition as the OS. If an application is used with two different operating systems, install it on two partitions. Placing each operating system in a separate partition ensures that it will not overwrite crucial files used by the other OS.
Install Latest OS Last
In general, you should install the most recent OS last—after you have installed all other operating systems on the target computer. In this case, you should install Windows 2000 and then install Windows XP.
Unique Computer Name
You can set up a computer so that it has multiple installations of Windows XP on multiple partitions. However, you must use a different computer name for each installation if the computer participates in a Windows 2000 Server domain. Because a unique security identifier (SID) is used for each installation of Windows XP on a domain, the computer name for each installation must be unique—even for multiple installations on the same computer.
Checklist Summary
To configure a computer containing Windows 2000 and Windows XP, review the following guidelines:
Install each operating system on a separate drive or disk partition.
Install Windows XP after you have installed Windows 2000.
When you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), by default, the installation is placed on a partition on which no other operating system is located. You can specify a different partition during Setup.
Don’t install Windows XP on a compressed drive unless the drive was compressed with the NTFS file system compression feature.
On any partition where you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), you will need to re-install any programs, such as word processing or e-mail software, after Setup is complete.
Install the programs used by each operating system on the partition with that system. If you want your programs to run with multiple operating systems, you need to install separate copies of the programs in each of the operating system partitions.
If the computer is on a Windows 2000 Server domain, each installation of Windows XP on that computer must have a different computer name.
Computers Containing Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP
Setting up a computer to run Windows XP as well as an earlier operating system such as Windows NT Workstation 4.0 requires addressing compatibility issues among different file systems: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32.
Normally, NTFS is the recommended file system because it supports important features, including the Active Directory™ service and domain-based security. However, using NTFS as the only file system on a computer that contains both Windows XP and Windows NT is not recommended. On these computers, a FAT or FAT32 partition containing the Windows NT 4.0 operating system ensures that when started with Windows NT 4.0, the computer will have access to needed files. In addition, if Windows NT is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, it is recommended that the system partition also be formatted with FAT. This is because earlier operating systems, with one exception, can't access a partition if it uses the latest version of NTFS. The one exception is Windows NT version 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later, which has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with some limitations.
Even the latest Service Pack does not provide access to files using the new features in NTFS. Windows NT 4.0 cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS features that did not exist when Windows NT 4.0 was released. For example, a file that uses the new encryption feature won’t be readable when the computer is started with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, which was released before the encryption feature existed.
Note: If you set up a computer so that it starts with Windows NT 3.51 or earlier on a FAT partition, and Windows XP on an NTFS partition, when that computer starts with Windows NT 3.51, the NTFS partition will not be visible.
Checklist Summary
To configure a computer containing Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP, review the following guidelines:
As explained above, using NTFS as the only file system on a computer containing both Windows XP and Windows NT is not recommended.
Make sure that Windows NT 4.0 has been updated with the latest released Service Pack available for download before installing Windows XP.
Install each operating system on a separate drive or disk partition.
When you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), by default, the installation is placed on a partition on which no other operating system is located. You can specify a different partition during Setup.
Don’t install Windows XP on a compressed drive unless the drive was compressed with the NTFS file system compression feature.
On any partition where you perform a new installation of Windows XP (as opposed to an upgrade), you will need to re-install any programs, such as word processing or email software, after Setup is complete.
Install the programs used by each operating system on the partition with that system. If you want your programs to run with multiple operating systems, you need to install separate copies of the programs in each of the operating system partitions.
If the computer is on a Windows NT Server or Windows 2000 Server domain, each installation of Windows XP on that computer must have a different computer name.
Computers Containing MS-DOS or Windows 9x and Windows XP
As explained above you need to address file system compatibility to ensure a multibooting configuration with these earlier operating systems and Windows XP. Remember to install the latest operating system last otherwise important files may be overwritten.
Checklist Summary
To configure a computer containing Windows XP and Windows 9x or MS-DOS, review the following guidelines:
On computers that contain MS-DOS and Windows XP:
MS-DOS must be installed on a basic disk on a partition formatted with FAT. If MS-DOS is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, the system partition must also be formatted with FAT.
Windows XP must be installed last. Otherwise important files needed for starting Windows XP could be overwritten.
On computers that contain Windows 95 and Windows XP:
As in the case above, Windows 95 must be installed on a basic disk on a partition formatted with FAT. (For Windows 95 OSR2, FAT32 may be used.) If Windows 95 is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, the system partition must also be formatted with FAT (or FAT32 for Windows 95 OSR2).
Compressed DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes won’t be available while you are running Windows XP. It is not necessary to uncompress DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes that you will access only with Windows 95.
Windows XP must be installed last. Otherwise important files needed for starting Windows XP could be overwritten.
On computers that contain Windows 98 (or Windows ME) and Windows XP:
As in the cases above, Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition (ME) must be installed on a basic disk on a partition formatted with FAT or FAT32. If Windows 98 or Windows ME is not installed on the system partition, which is almost always the first partition on the disk, the system partition must also be formatted with FAT or FAT32.
Compressed DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes won’t be available while you are running Windows XP. It is not necessary to uncompress DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes that you will access only with Windows 98.
Windows XP must be installed last. Otherwise important files needed for starting Windows XP could be overwritten.
Installation and How to :
The order of installation is critical if you want a successful multiboot installation. In general terms, install non–Microsoft operating systems and earlier versions of the Windows operating system first. This would mean installing UNIX or Linux operating systems first; then Windows 95 or Windows 98 or Windows Me; then Windows NT; and finally, Windows 2000 and/or Windows XP. (In the unlikely event that you’re installing MS–DOS, you can install that either before or after UNIX– or Linux–based operating systems, and generally I’d opt for before.) It’s also important to understand that, without using a third–party product to help out, you can’t install non-Microsoft operating systems, or Windows 95 and Windows 98 on the same computer, and that you can install only a single version of Windows95/98/Me. But you can install as many different versions of Windows NT and later versions of the Windows operating system as you have available logical drives, with the sole caveat that you must install all Windows NT versions before you install any Windows 2000 or Windows XP versions.
Let’s take a typical installation. Our target computer must be able to boot into Windows 98, Windows NT 4 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional. We have a 2–GB partition to hold our programs and the whole thing must fit on a single 10–GB hard drive. No problem. First, we partition the hard drive into two partitions: a 2–GB primary partition, and an 8-GB extended partition using FDisk. In the extended partition, we’ll create four logical volumes—D, E, F and G—to hold our remaining operating systems and our programs.
After the disk is partitioned, format the primary partition using the FAT16 file system and install Windows 98 on it. So far so good. Now, format your D drive with FAT16 as well. Eventually, you’ll install your programs on D drive.
Next, install Windows NT 4 Workstation. You will install this on any of the logical volumes not already used (either E drive, F drive or G drive) and choose NTFS as your file system. Leave D drive alone, because your applications go there where they’re visible to all operating systems. When you install Windows NT, it recognizes that you already have Windows 98 on the computer. Then it automatically sets up for dual booting between Windows 98 and Windows NT by creating a boot.ini file, which creates a menu of available operating systems. After you have Windows NT 4 installed, immediately apply Service Pack 6, before you install Windows 2000.
Finally, install Windows 2000 and Windows XP, each in its own logical volume. Again, choose NTFS as the file system. As you install them, they are automatically added to the boot.ini file on your C drive, which lets you choose operating systems at start up.
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Use Offline Files When You're off the Network
Offline Files in Windows XP Professional can help you be more productive. You can use this feature on a portable computer, or on a desktop computer that occasionally connects to your workplace network. For example, this feature is useful if you are working at home on a desktop computer, and need to automatically get files off the network whenever you connect.
The files that you select are automatically downloaded from shared folders on the network and stored on your computer. When you disconnect, the files are available to use. When you reconnect to the network, your changes are added to the files on the network in a process called synchronization. If someone else on the network made changes to the same file, you can save your version, keep the other version, or save both.
To set up your computer to use offline files
1. Open My Computer. (Click Start, and then click My Computer.)
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. On the Offline Files tab, make sure that the Enable Offline Files check box is selected as shown below.
4. Select Synchronize all offline files before logging off to get a full synchronization. Leave it unselected for a quick synchronization. A full synchronization ensures that you have the most current version of every shared network file that you work with offline. A quick synchronization ensures that you have complete versions of your offline files, although they may not be the most current versions. You might select a quick synchronization if you are the only person working on a file or if you do not need the most current version of a file.
If you want to control which offline files are synchronized, when they are synchronized, and whether Windows prompts you before synchronizing your files, you can use Synchronization Manager.
Enable Offline Files
To make a file or folder available to you offline
After you set up your computer to use offline files, you need to make shared network files available to you offline.
1. Open My Computer. (Click Start, and then click My Computer.)
2. Double–click a network drive to view its contents. If My Computer does not contain links to any network drives, you need to assign a drive letter to a shared network resource.
3. Click the shared network file or folder that you want to make available offline.
4. On the File menu, click Make Available Offline. This option appears on the File menu only after you set up your computer to use offline files as described above.
5. To make a network file or folder unavailable offline, right–click the item, and click Make Available Offline again to clear the check mark.
To view a list of all of the shared network files that are available offline
1. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
2. On the Offline Files tab, click View Files.
Script copied from the link below
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The files that you select are automatically downloaded from shared folders on the network and stored on your computer. When you disconnect, the files are available to use. When you reconnect to the network, your changes are added to the files on the network in a process called synchronization. If someone else on the network made changes to the same file, you can save your version, keep the other version, or save both.
To set up your computer to use offline files
1. Open My Computer. (Click Start, and then click My Computer.)
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. On the Offline Files tab, make sure that the Enable Offline Files check box is selected as shown below.
4. Select Synchronize all offline files before logging off to get a full synchronization. Leave it unselected for a quick synchronization. A full synchronization ensures that you have the most current version of every shared network file that you work with offline. A quick synchronization ensures that you have complete versions of your offline files, although they may not be the most current versions. You might select a quick synchronization if you are the only person working on a file or if you do not need the most current version of a file.
If you want to control which offline files are synchronized, when they are synchronized, and whether Windows prompts you before synchronizing your files, you can use Synchronization Manager.
Enable Offline Files
To make a file or folder available to you offline
After you set up your computer to use offline files, you need to make shared network files available to you offline.
1. Open My Computer. (Click Start, and then click My Computer.)
2. Double–click a network drive to view its contents. If My Computer does not contain links to any network drives, you need to assign a drive letter to a shared network resource.
3. Click the shared network file or folder that you want to make available offline.
4. On the File menu, click Make Available Offline. This option appears on the File menu only after you set up your computer to use offline files as described above.
5. To make a network file or folder unavailable offline, right–click the item, and click Make Available Offline again to clear the check mark.
To view a list of all of the shared network files that are available offline
1. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
2. On the Offline Files tab, click View Files.
Script copied from the link below
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Use the Internet Connection Firewall to Secure Your Small Network
A firewall is a security system that acts as a protective boundary between a network and the outside world. Windows XP includes Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) software you can use to restrict what information is communicated between the Internet and your home or small office network. ICF also protects a single computer connected to the Internet with a cable modem, a DSL modem, or a dial–up modem.
If your network uses Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to provide Internet access to multiple computers, you should use ICF on the shared Internet connection. However, ICS and ICF can be enabled separately. You should not enable the firewall on any connection that does not directly connect to the Internet, and ICF is not needed if your network already has a firewall or proxy server.
You must be logged on to your computer with an owner account in order to complete this procedure. You should not enable Internet Connection Firewall on virtual private networking (VPN) connections or on client computers because ICF will interfere with file and printer sharing. ICF cannot be enabled on the private connections of the Internet Connection Sharing host computer.
To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall
Open Network Connections (Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double–click Network Connections.)
Click the Dial–up, LAN or High–Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following:
To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.
To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box. This disables the firewall, your computer and network are then vulnerable to intrusions
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If your network uses Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to provide Internet access to multiple computers, you should use ICF on the shared Internet connection. However, ICS and ICF can be enabled separately. You should not enable the firewall on any connection that does not directly connect to the Internet, and ICF is not needed if your network already has a firewall or proxy server.
You must be logged on to your computer with an owner account in order to complete this procedure. You should not enable Internet Connection Firewall on virtual private networking (VPN) connections or on client computers because ICF will interfere with file and printer sharing. ICF cannot be enabled on the private connections of the Internet Connection Sharing host computer.
To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall
Open Network Connections (Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double–click Network Connections.)
Click the Dial–up, LAN or High–Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following:
To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.
To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box. This disables the firewall, your computer and network are then vulnerable to intrusions
Script copied from the link below
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Getting MP3 ripping to work in Windows Media Player 8 in XP
Enter the following in the registry :
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMediaPlayerSettingsMP3Encoding]
"LowRate"=dword:0000dac0
"MediumRate"=dword:0000fa00
"MediumHighRate"=dword:0001f400
"HighRate"=dword:0002ee00
This corresponds to 56, 64, 128 and 192 Kbps.
You can change this to your liking using the following dword hex values :
320 Kbps = dword:0004e200
256 Kbps = dword:0003e800
224 Kbps = dword:00036b00
192 Kbps = dword:0002ee00
160 Kbps = dword:00027100
128 Kbps = dword:0001f400
112 Kbps = dword:0001b580
64 Kbps = dword:0000fa00
56 Kbps = dword:0000dac0
Script copied from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00038.shtml
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMediaPlayerSettingsMP3Encoding]
"LowRate"=dword:0000dac0
"MediumRate"=dword:0000fa00
"MediumHighRate"=dword:0001f400
"HighRate"=dword:0002ee00
This corresponds to 56, 64, 128 and 192 Kbps.
You can change this to your liking using the following dword hex values :
320 Kbps = dword:0004e200
256 Kbps = dword:0003e800
224 Kbps = dword:00036b00
192 Kbps = dword:0002ee00
160 Kbps = dword:00027100
128 Kbps = dword:0001f400
112 Kbps = dword:0001b580
64 Kbps = dword:0000fa00
56 Kbps = dword:0000dac0
Script copied from the link below
http://www.freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00038.shtml
WinXP Clear Page file on shutdown
Go to Control panel Administrative tools, local security policy. then goto local policies ---> security options.
Then change the option for "Shutdown: Clear Virtual Memory Pagefile"
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Then change the option for "Shutdown: Clear Virtual Memory Pagefile"
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How To Enable Hibernation
Under Windows 98, Me, or 2000 there was an option in the shutdown dialog box to enter the computer into hibernation (where all the content of the RAM is copied to the hard disk). The shutdown dialog box of Windows XP doesn't offer any longer the hibernation button. Some users may get confused about how to enable the hibernation mode. If this mode is supported by your motherboard (ACPI) you have to do the following:
1.
Click Start and Shut Down,
2.
Point the standby button and maintain the shift key pushed,
3.
A new hibernation button appears: click it while still holding the shift key: voila your PC will hibernate.
1.
Click Start and Shut Down,
2.
Point the standby button and maintain the shift key pushed,
3.
A new hibernation button appears: click it while still holding the shift key: voila your PC will hibernate.
20 things you didn't know about Windows XP
You've read the reviews and digested the key feature enhancements and operational changes. Now it's time to delve a bit deeper and uncover some of Windows XP's secrets.
1. It boasts how long it can stay up. Whereas previous versions of Windows were coy about how long they went between boots, XP is positively proud of its stamina. Go to the Command Prompt in the Accessories menu from the All Programs start button option, and then type 'systeminfo'. The computer will produce a lot of useful info, including the uptime. If you want to keep these, type 'systeminfo > info.txt'. This creates a file called info.txt you can look at later with Notepad. (Professional Edition only).
2. You can delete files immediately, without having them move to the Recycle Bin first. Go to the Start menu, select Run... and type 'gpedit.msc'; then select User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Explorer and find the Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin setting. Set it. Poking around in gpedit will reveal a great many interface and system options, but take care -- some may stop your computer behaving as you wish. (Professional Edition only).
3. You can lock your XP workstation with two clicks of the mouse. Create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click, and enter 'rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation' in the location field. Give the shortcut a name you like. That's it -- just double click on it and your computer will be locked. And if that's not easy enough, Windows key + L will do the same.
4. XP hides some system software you might want to remove, such as Windows Messenger, but you can tickle it and make it disgorge everything. Using Notepad or Edit, edit the text file /windows/inf/sysoc.inf, search for the word 'hide' and remove it. You can then go to the Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel, select Add/Remove Windows Components and there will be your prey, exposed and vulnerable.
5. For those skilled in the art of DOS batch files, XP has a number of interesting new commands. These include 'eventcreate' and 'eventtriggers' for creating and watching system events, 'typeperf' for monitoring performance of various subsystems, and 'schtasks' for handling scheduled tasks. As usual, typing the command name followed by /? will give a list of options -- they're all far too baroque to go into here.
6. XP has IP version 6 support -- the next generation of IP. Unfortunately this is more than your ISP has, so you can only experiment with this on your LAN. Type 'ipv6 install' into Run... (it's OK, it won't ruin your existing network setup) and then 'ipv6 /?' at the command line to find out more. If you don't know what IPv6 is, don't worry and don't bother.
7. You can at last get rid of tasks on the computer from the command line by using 'taskkill /pid' and the task number, or just 'tskill' and the process number. Find that out by typing 'tasklist', which will also tell you a lot about what's going on in your system.
8. XP will treat Zip files like folders, which is nice if you've got a fast machine. On slower machines, you can make XP leave zip files well alone by typing 'regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll' at the command line. If you change your mind later, you can put things back as they were by typing 'regsvr32 zipfldr.dll'.
9. XP has ClearType -- Microsoft's anti-aliasing font display technology -- but doesn't have it enabled by default. It's well worth trying, especially if you were there for DOS and all those years of staring at a screen have given you the eyes of an astigmatic bat. To enable ClearType, right click on the desktop, select Properties, Appearance, Effects, select ClearType from the second drop-down menu and enable the selection. Expect best results on laptop displays. If you want to use ClearType on the Welcome login screen as well, set the registry entry HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop/FontSmoothingType to 2.
10. You can use Remote Assistance to help a friend who's using network address translation (NAT) on a home network, but not automatically. Get your pal to email you a Remote Assistance invitation and edit the file. Under the RCTICKET attribute will be a NAT IP address, like 192.168.1.10. Replace this with your chum's real IP address -- they can find this out by going to www.whatismyip.com -- and get them to make sure that they've got port 3389 open on their firewall and forwarded to the errant computer.
11. You can run a program as a different user without logging out and back in again. Right click the icon, select Run As... and enter the user name and password you want to use. This only applies for that run. The trick is particularly useful if you need to have administrative permissions to install a program, which many require. Note that you can have some fun by running programs multiple times on the same system as different users, but this can have unforeseen effects.
12. Windows XP can be very insistent about you checking for auto updates, registering a Passport, using Windows Messenger and so on. After a while, the nagging goes away, but if you feel you might slip the bonds of sanity before that point, run Regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/Advanced and create a DWORD value called EnableBalloonTips with a value of 0.
13. You can start up without needing to enter a user name or password. Select Run... from the start menu and type 'control userpasswords2', which will open the user accounts application. On the Users tab, clear the box for Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer, and click on OK. An Automatically Log On dialog box will appear; enter the user name and password for the account you want to use.
14. Internet Explorer 6 will automatically delete temporary files, but only if you tell it to. Start the browser, select Tools / Internet Options... and Advanced, go down to the Security area and check the box to Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed.
15. XP comes with a free Network Activity Light, just in case you can't see the LEDs twinkle on your network card. Right click on My Network Places on the desktop, then select Properties. Right click on the description for your LAN or dial-up connection, select Properties, then check the Show icon in notification area when connected box. You'll now see a tiny network icon on the right of your task bar that glimmers nicely during network traffic.
16. The Start Menu can be leisurely when it decides to appear, but you can speed things along by changing the registry entry HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop/MenuShowDelay from the default 400 to something a little snappier. Like 0.
17. You can rename loads of files at once in Windows Explorer. Highlight a set of files in a window, then right click on one and rename it. All the other files will be renamed to that name, with individual numbers in brackets to distinguish them. Also, in a folder you can arrange icons in alphabetised groups by View, Arrange Icon By... Show In Groups.
18. Windows Media Player will display the cover art for albums as it plays the tracks -- if it found the picture on the Internet when you copied the tracks from the CD. If it didn't, or if you have lots of pre-WMP music files, you can put your own copy of the cover art in the same directory as the tracks. Just call it folder.jpg and Windows Media Player will pick it up and display it.
19. Windows key + Break brings up the System Properties dialogue box; Windows key + D brings up the desktop; Windows key + Tab moves through the taskbar buttons.
20. The next release of Windows XP, codenamed Longhorn, is due out late next year or early 2003 and won't be much to write home about. The next big release is codenamed Blackcomb and will be out in 2003/2004.
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1. It boasts how long it can stay up. Whereas previous versions of Windows were coy about how long they went between boots, XP is positively proud of its stamina. Go to the Command Prompt in the Accessories menu from the All Programs start button option, and then type 'systeminfo'. The computer will produce a lot of useful info, including the uptime. If you want to keep these, type 'systeminfo > info.txt'. This creates a file called info.txt you can look at later with Notepad. (Professional Edition only).
2. You can delete files immediately, without having them move to the Recycle Bin first. Go to the Start menu, select Run... and type 'gpedit.msc'; then select User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Explorer and find the Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin setting. Set it. Poking around in gpedit will reveal a great many interface and system options, but take care -- some may stop your computer behaving as you wish. (Professional Edition only).
3. You can lock your XP workstation with two clicks of the mouse. Create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click, and enter 'rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation' in the location field. Give the shortcut a name you like. That's it -- just double click on it and your computer will be locked. And if that's not easy enough, Windows key + L will do the same.
4. XP hides some system software you might want to remove, such as Windows Messenger, but you can tickle it and make it disgorge everything. Using Notepad or Edit, edit the text file /windows/inf/sysoc.inf, search for the word 'hide' and remove it. You can then go to the Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel, select Add/Remove Windows Components and there will be your prey, exposed and vulnerable.
5. For those skilled in the art of DOS batch files, XP has a number of interesting new commands. These include 'eventcreate' and 'eventtriggers' for creating and watching system events, 'typeperf' for monitoring performance of various subsystems, and 'schtasks' for handling scheduled tasks. As usual, typing the command name followed by /? will give a list of options -- they're all far too baroque to go into here.
6. XP has IP version 6 support -- the next generation of IP. Unfortunately this is more than your ISP has, so you can only experiment with this on your LAN. Type 'ipv6 install' into Run... (it's OK, it won't ruin your existing network setup) and then 'ipv6 /?' at the command line to find out more. If you don't know what IPv6 is, don't worry and don't bother.
7. You can at last get rid of tasks on the computer from the command line by using 'taskkill /pid' and the task number, or just 'tskill' and the process number. Find that out by typing 'tasklist', which will also tell you a lot about what's going on in your system.
8. XP will treat Zip files like folders, which is nice if you've got a fast machine. On slower machines, you can make XP leave zip files well alone by typing 'regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll' at the command line. If you change your mind later, you can put things back as they were by typing 'regsvr32 zipfldr.dll'.
9. XP has ClearType -- Microsoft's anti-aliasing font display technology -- but doesn't have it enabled by default. It's well worth trying, especially if you were there for DOS and all those years of staring at a screen have given you the eyes of an astigmatic bat. To enable ClearType, right click on the desktop, select Properties, Appearance, Effects, select ClearType from the second drop-down menu and enable the selection. Expect best results on laptop displays. If you want to use ClearType on the Welcome login screen as well, set the registry entry HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop/FontSmoothingType to 2.
10. You can use Remote Assistance to help a friend who's using network address translation (NAT) on a home network, but not automatically. Get your pal to email you a Remote Assistance invitation and edit the file. Under the RCTICKET attribute will be a NAT IP address, like 192.168.1.10. Replace this with your chum's real IP address -- they can find this out by going to www.whatismyip.com -- and get them to make sure that they've got port 3389 open on their firewall and forwarded to the errant computer.
11. You can run a program as a different user without logging out and back in again. Right click the icon, select Run As... and enter the user name and password you want to use. This only applies for that run. The trick is particularly useful if you need to have administrative permissions to install a program, which many require. Note that you can have some fun by running programs multiple times on the same system as different users, but this can have unforeseen effects.
12. Windows XP can be very insistent about you checking for auto updates, registering a Passport, using Windows Messenger and so on. After a while, the nagging goes away, but if you feel you might slip the bonds of sanity before that point, run Regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/Advanced and create a DWORD value called EnableBalloonTips with a value of 0.
13. You can start up without needing to enter a user name or password. Select Run... from the start menu and type 'control userpasswords2', which will open the user accounts application. On the Users tab, clear the box for Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer, and click on OK. An Automatically Log On dialog box will appear; enter the user name and password for the account you want to use.
14. Internet Explorer 6 will automatically delete temporary files, but only if you tell it to. Start the browser, select Tools / Internet Options... and Advanced, go down to the Security area and check the box to Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed.
15. XP comes with a free Network Activity Light, just in case you can't see the LEDs twinkle on your network card. Right click on My Network Places on the desktop, then select Properties. Right click on the description for your LAN or dial-up connection, select Properties, then check the Show icon in notification area when connected box. You'll now see a tiny network icon on the right of your task bar that glimmers nicely during network traffic.
16. The Start Menu can be leisurely when it decides to appear, but you can speed things along by changing the registry entry HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop/MenuShowDelay from the default 400 to something a little snappier. Like 0.
17. You can rename loads of files at once in Windows Explorer. Highlight a set of files in a window, then right click on one and rename it. All the other files will be renamed to that name, with individual numbers in brackets to distinguish them. Also, in a folder you can arrange icons in alphabetised groups by View, Arrange Icon By... Show In Groups.
18. Windows Media Player will display the cover art for albums as it plays the tracks -- if it found the picture on the Internet when you copied the tracks from the CD. If it didn't, or if you have lots of pre-WMP music files, you can put your own copy of the cover art in the same directory as the tracks. Just call it folder.jpg and Windows Media Player will pick it up and display it.
19. Windows key + Break brings up the System Properties dialogue box; Windows key + D brings up the desktop; Windows key + Tab moves through the taskbar buttons.
20. The next release of Windows XP, codenamed Longhorn, is due out late next year or early 2003 and won't be much to write home about. The next big release is codenamed Blackcomb and will be out in 2003/2004.
article copied from the website below
http://freepctech.com
Install/Enable NetBEUI Under WinXP
If for some reason you need to install NetBEUI then follow these instructions.
**Note - You will need the WinXP CD in order to to this!
Support for the NetBIOS Extended User Interface protocols (also called NetBEUI or NBF) in Windows XP has been discontinued. If your configuration requires temporary use of NetBEUI for Windows XP, follow these steps:
To install the NETBEUI protocol:
- Locate the Valueadd/msft/net/netbeui directory on your Windows XP CD.Copy nbf.sys into the %SYSTEMROOT%SYSTEM32DRIVERS directory.
- Copy netnbf.inf into the %SYSTEMROOT%INF directory.
- In Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections and then click Network Connections.
- Right-click the connection you want to configure, and then click Properties.
- On the General tab, click the INSTALL button to add the NetBEUI protocol.
This is just a free publishing trick.I hope you will be happy wit this trick and magic.
**Note - You will need the WinXP CD in order to to this!
Support for the NetBIOS Extended User Interface protocols (also called NetBEUI or NBF) in Windows XP has been discontinued. If your configuration requires temporary use of NetBEUI for Windows XP, follow these steps:
To install the NETBEUI protocol:
- Locate the Valueadd/msft/net/netbeui directory on your Windows XP CD.Copy nbf.sys into the %SYSTEMROOT%SYSTEM32DRIVERS directory.
- Copy netnbf.inf into the %SYSTEMROOT%INF directory.
- In Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections and then click Network Connections.
- Right-click the connection you want to configure, and then click Properties.
- On the General tab, click the INSTALL button to add the NetBEUI protocol.
This is just a free publishing trick.I hope you will be happy wit this trick and magic.
How to use Windows Update Properly
If you want to save your files to your hard drive, so after a format you dont have to download them all again, here's How:
- Logon to Windows Update
- Choose Windows Update Catalogue (left hand pane)
- Choose Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems (right hand pane)
- Choose your version and language then Search
- Choose one the following:
- Critical Updates and Service Packs
- Service Packs and Recommended Downloads
- Multi-Language Features (0)
- Once chosen simply click on what you want to download and then back at the top click Review Download Basket
- You are taken to the next page where at the top you can specify where the downloads are to be saved.
- Click Download now. Each patch will make a directory under the root of the folder you saved them to.
Once finished you need to go to where you saved the file (s) to and then simply install all your patches
This script was copied from the third party website,any point related to this script is a free source,I am not responsible for any error.
- Logon to Windows Update
- Choose Windows Update Catalogue (left hand pane)
- Choose Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems (right hand pane)
- Choose your version and language then Search
- Choose one the following:
- Critical Updates and Service Packs
- Service Packs and Recommended Downloads
- Multi-Language Features (0)
- Once chosen simply click on what you want to download and then back at the top click Review Download Basket
- You are taken to the next page where at the top you can specify where the downloads are to be saved.
- Click Download now. Each patch will make a directory under the root of the folder you saved them to.
Once finished you need to go to where you saved the file (s) to and then simply install all your patches
This script was copied from the third party website,any point related to this script is a free source,I am not responsible for any error.
Speed up your browsing of Windows 2000 & XP machines
Here's a great tip to speed up your browsing of Windows XP machines. Its actually a fix to a bug installed as default in Windows 2000 that scans shared files for Scheduled Tasks. And it turns out that you can experience a delay as long as 30 seconds when you try to view shared files across a network because Windows 2000 is using the extra time to search the remote computer for any Scheduled Tasks. Note that though the fix is originally intended for only those affected, Windows 2000 users will experience that the actual browsing speed of both the Internet & Windows Explorers improve significantly after applying it since it doesn't search for Scheduled Tasks anymore. Here's how :
Open up the Registry and go to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace
Under that branch, select the key :
{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
and delete it.
This is key that instructs Windows to search for Scheduled Tasks. If you like you may want to export the exact branch so that you can restore the key if necessary.
This fix is so effective that it doesn't require a reboot and you can almost immediately determine yourself how much it speeds up your browsing processes.
Trick copied from the website below
http://freepctech.com
Open up the Registry and go to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace
Under that branch, select the key :
{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
and delete it.
This is key that instructs Windows to search for Scheduled Tasks. If you like you may want to export the exact branch so that you can restore the key if necessary.
This fix is so effective that it doesn't require a reboot and you can almost immediately determine yourself how much it speeds up your browsing processes.
Trick copied from the website below
http://freepctech.com
Sunday, November 1, 2009
WINDOWS 7:Background Photo Slideshow
If you are like me, lazy and bored, then you will want to change the background from time to time, wasting a lot of time. Now you don’t have to do this anymore, because you can set up a slideshow. Right click on the desktop then go to Personalize -> Desktop Background and hold the CTRL key while choosing the images. Then you can choose the time intervals between images and opt to display them randomly or in a row.
Dock The Current Windows To The Left Side Of The Screen
This new feature seems useful because sometimes it’s disturbing that windows seems to float like crazy on the screen and it’s hard to attach them to one side of it. Now this can easily be done using a keyboard shortcut. Press the Windows key + Left key to dock it to the left side of the screen.
WINDOWS 7:Display Empty Removable Drives
Windows 7 will not show empty drives by default, so if you connect an empty drive to your PC, don’t worry, just go to Tools -> Folder Options -> View and uncheck “Hide empty drives in the computer folder”. This doesn’t seem like a good idea and it should not be default setting, because it will be hard for inexperienced users to figure it out. I bet a lot of users will return their newly bought drive thinking it’s broken.
WINDOWS 7:Burn Images
We all had trouble with image burning in Windows, because it couldn’t do it itself, a standalone software being needed. With Windows 7 this will not be a problem anymore. All you have to do is double-click the ISO image and burn it on the CD or DVD that’s inserted in the drive.
WINDOWS 7:AppLocker
If you are usually sharing your computer with someone else, then you might want to restrict their access to your applications, files or documents. Using the AppLocker tool, you have a few options to do this by blocking other users to access Executables, Windows Installers, Scripts, a specific publisher or path. You can simply do this by pressing the Windows key then typing Gpedit.msc. Then go to Computer Navigation -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Application Control Policies -> AppLocker. Right click on one of the options ( Executables, Installers, or Script ) and create a new rule. That should save you from a lot of headaches.
WINDOWS 7:Screen Calibration
Fortunately, Windows 7 comes with a display calibration wizard that lets you set up the screen brightness properly, so you won’t have any problems viewing photos or text. The problem was that on one PC a photo could look sharp and bright and on another it looks awful. Now the problem can be fixed by pressing the Win key and then typing “DCCW”.
link from the given below
http://gnoted.com/70-fantastic-windows-7-tips-tricks-for-better-functionality/
link from the given below
http://gnoted.com/70-fantastic-windows-7-tips-tricks-for-better-functionality/
WINDOWS 7:PC Safeguard
I rarely let anyone use my PC because I’m afraid he will mess it up, but it seems Microsoft has been thinking at me and came with a solution. The PC Safeguard doesn’t let anyone mess your PC settings, because after the user logs off, the configurations are reset back to normal. Of course it will not restore the configurations changed by you, but only the ones done by other users you define.
To use PC Safeguard, go to Control Panel -> User Accounts and create a new account, then select “Set Up Pc Safeguard” and switch it on. Then you can stay relaxed when others use your computer, because you won’t find anything changed, including configurations, downloaded software, installed programs.
Script was copied from the link below
http://gnoted.com
To use PC Safeguard, go to Control Panel -> User Accounts and create a new account, then select “Set Up Pc Safeguard” and switch it on. Then you can stay relaxed when others use your computer, because you won’t find anything changed, including configurations, downloaded software, installed programs.
Script was copied from the link below
http://gnoted.com
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