Creating a Suspend Shortcut
Submitted 3/2/05
If you would like to create an icon to
suspend your computer,
- Right click on the Desktop
- New / Shortcut
- Enter in rundll32.exe
PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState
- Give it whatever name you want
- Now when you click on that
shortcut, your computer will shutdown and suspend
Submitted by
Gabe
Changing the User Type
Added 3/2/05
Normally in XP Pro, through the Control
Panel / User Accounts icon, you are only allowed to create
administrators or limited users.
If you want to create
- Right click on My Computer
- Manage
- Local Users and Groups
- Users
- Right click on the user you want
to change
- Properties
- Member of tab
- Add button
- Advanced button
- Find Now button
- From here you see the full list of
possibilities (e.g. Power User, Backup Operator etc.)
Determining Which Services are
Associated with SVCHOST
Added 3/2/05
Since so many critical services are run
with each svchost,
You can see which ones are being used by opening a cmd prompt
and running:
tasklist /svc /fi "imagename eq
svchost.exe"
Note: This is available only with XP
Pro
Identify Faulty Device Drivers
3/2/05
If you are having problems with
lockups, blue screens, or can only get to safe mode,
often the problem is due to a faulty device driver.
One way to help identify them is
through the use of the Verfier program
- Start / Run / Verifier
- Keep the default of Create
Standard Settings
- Select the type of drivers you
want to confirm
- A list of drivers to be verified
on the next boot will be shown.
- Reboot
- If your computer stops with a blue
screen, you should get an error message with the problem
driver
- To turn off the Verifier, run
verifier /reset
Viewing Installed Drivers
Added 3/2/05
If you want to see a list of installed
drivers, you can run the driverquery program
There are a lot of available switches to view different types of
information.
On use can be to export to a CSV file for viewing in Excel
An example would then be:
Driverquery /v /fo
csv > drivers.csv
Operation Was Attempted on
Something That Is Not a Socket Error
Added 11/19/04
If you get this error when you try and
renew your IP address,
Likely the winsock2 registry entries are corrupted.
The basic steps to fix this are:
- Remove the old registry entries -
Download Reg file
- Import the correct registry
entries -
Download Reg file
- Reboot the computer
Opening Ports or Adding Allowed
Programs with SP2's Firewall
Added 9/30/04
- Click on Start / Run
- Enter in firewall.cpl
- Click on the Exceptions tab
Adding a Port for Internet Access:
- Click on the Add Port
button
- Name it whatever you want
- Enter in the ports you want to
open
Adding a Program for Internet Access
- Click on Add Program...
button
- A list of all installed programs
will be displayed
- Highlight the one you want to
include for Internet access
- Click on the OK button
Autoexec.nt or Config.nt Errors
Added 9/17/04
If you are getting errors similar to:
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and
Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the
application.
Try copying the file from
\windows\repair directory to the one that is in the
\windows\system32 directory.
Common Control Panel Applets
Added 9/17/04
The follow are some common Control
Panel Applets that are located in the \windows\system32
directory.
If you find yourself using any of these frequently, then you can
simply make shortcuts to them on your desktop.
| appwiz.cpl
|
Add/Remove Programs
|
| desk.cpl
|
Display Properties
|
| firewall.cpl
|
Firewall Settings
|
| inetcpl.cpl
|
Internet Options |
| mmsys.cpl
|
Sound and Audio
|
| ncpa.cpl
|
Network Connections
|
| nusrmgr.cpl
|
User Accounts
|
| powercfg.cpl
|
Power Options
|
| sysdm.cpl
|
System Properties
|
| wscui.cpl
|
Security Center
|
| wuaucpl.cpl
|
Automatic Updates
Configuration |
Windows Explorer Opens Search
Companion Rather than the Folder
If the Windows Explorer opens up the
Search Companion rather than opening up the actual folder, the
default setting for opening a folder is changed.
To correct this:
- Start Regedit
- Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \
Directory \ shell and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Drive \ shell]
- Edit the default value to be
explorer or none
Download reg file
Running SFC without a CD ROM
Added 6/9/04
If you run sfc /scannow and get
prompted to insert a CD,
there are a couple of changes you might need to make.
Slipstream your copy of WindowsXP with
the latest service pack you have applied.
For detailed unstructions on how to do this see:
SlipStreaming a Service Pack into Windows
XP
Once these files are on your hard
drive, you can simply make a few registry changes to point to
those locations.
Start Regedit
Go to the follow locations and change
the path to wherever you copied the source files.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\ServicePackSourcePath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\SourcePath
the last one might not be necessary
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\SourcePath
Guest Only Network Access
Added 4/11/04
If you try and connect to an XP
computer and are shown a logins screen with only the
computername/Guest,
You may need to change one of the Local Security Policies:
- Got to Control Panel -
Administrative Tools
- Go to Local Policies - Security
Options
- Check teh Network access:
Sharing and security model for local accounts
- Set it to Classic - local users
authenticate as themselves
Repairing Damaged Winsock2
Updated 6/26/04
The symptoms when Winsock2 is damaged
show when you try to release and renew the IP address using
IPCONFIG.
And you get the following error
message:
An error occurred while renewing interface 'Internet': An
operation was attempted on something that is not a socket.
Also Internet Explorer may give the
following error message:
The page cannot be displayed Additionally, you may have no IP
address or no Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address,
and you may be receiving IP packets but not sending them.
There are two easy ways to determine if
Winsock2 is damaged:
From the XP source files, go to the
Support / Tools directory
Winsock Test Method 1
Run netdiag /test:winsock
The end should say Winsock test .....
passed
Winsock Test Method 2
- Run Msinfo32
- Click on the + by Components
- Click on the by Network
- Click on Protocol
- There should be 10 sections if the
Winsock2 key is ok
MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
RSVP UDP Service Provider
RSVP TCP Service Provider
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
If the names are anything different
from those in this list, then likely Winsock2 is corrupted and
needs to be repaired.
If you have any 3rd party software installed, the name MSAFD may
be changed.
There should be no fewer than 10 sections.
To repair Winsock2
- Run Regedit
- Delete the following two registry
keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
Download Reg file
to delete these entries
- Restart the computer
- Go to Network Connections
- Right click and select
Properties
- Click on the Install button
- Select Protocol
- Click on the Add button
- Click on the Have Disk
button
- Browse to the \Windows\inf
directory
- Click on the Open button
- Click on the OK button
- Highlight Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)
- Click on the OK button
- Reboot
Or
Download Reg file
to add the correct registries back in
Not Displaying Previous Network Share
Shortcuts
Added 3/26/04
By default, when you go to Network
Places, it will scan and show shortcuts to previous network
shares.
To turn this off and remove any current shortcuts
- Open up the Windows Explorer
- Go to Tools / Folder Options /
View
- The top section should be Files
and Folders
- Uncheck Automatically search for
network folders and printers
- Then go into Network Neighborhood
Select all the previous netowork connections Delete them
- Next time you look at the Network
Neighborhood, they should not repopulate
Hiding a XP Computer from Network
Neighborhood
Added 3/26/04
If you want to share files from a XP
computer,
yet want to remove it from showing up in the Network
Neighborhood,
Run net config server /hidden:yes
Easy Way to Share Multiple Folders
Added 3/26/04
If you need to share multiple folders,
running the program SHRPUBW.EXE will bring up a
simple dialog box to let you:
- Browse to the folder you want to
share
- Enter in a Share name
- Ender in a Share description
- Set permissions. Several choices
are available
- Restart the process from within
the same program
System32 Folder Opens When Logging On
Added 3/26/04
If the System32 folder shows on the
desktop, there may be an invalid entry in the Registry
- Start Regedit
- Go to both:
-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Double check that the values do
not have incorrect, incomplete, or blank entries
Not Viewing Zip Files as Folders
Added 3/4/04
If you want to turn of WindowsXP
showing Zip files as folders,
just run:
regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
Setting Capslock, Numlock, Scroll Lock
Added 3/4/04
If you want to set the startup state
for any or all of these keys,
you just need to edit the registry.
- Start Regedit
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \
Control Panel \ Keyboard
- Open InitialKeyboardIndicators
- Change the value to one of the
following numbers
0 - All Keys off
1 - Caps Lock on
2 - Num Lock on
4 - Scroll Lock on
For multiple keys, add their values:
3 - Caps Lock and Num Lock on
5 - Caps Lock and Scroll Lock on
6 - Num Lock and Scroll Lock on
7 - Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock on
- Log off and back on again
Running Network Diagnostics
Added 3/4/04
Network Diagnostics scans your system
to gather information about your hardware, software, and network
connections.
Start / Run / NETSH DIAG GUI
The following is the type of
information that can be displayed:
- Ping
- Connect
- Show
- Verbose
- Save to Desktop
- Mail Service
- News Service
- Internet Proxy Server
- Computer Information
- Operating System
- Windows Version
- Modems
- Network Clients
- Network Adapters
- Domain Name System (DNS)
- Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP)
- Default Gateways
- Internet Protocol Address
- Windows Internet Naming Service
(WINS)
DOS Tips in XP
Submitted 3/4/04
Windows XP cmd tip (DOS isn’t dead...
it just smells funny) Some command-line folder creation
examples:
To create multiple folders at once, add
them directly to the "md" command:
C:\> md this is a test
To create a folder several folders
deep, use:
C:\> md this\is\a\test
Creating a folder with a long name
requires the double-quote at the beginning:
C:\> md "this is a test
Bonus tip: Windows XP supports the
forward slash "/" as a folder divider. Unix/Linux users: don't
let the DOS environment get you down. Use a Unix-style CD
command to change your present working directory:
C:\> cd Windows/system32/drivers/etc
Submitted by
Bob and Tina
Restoring Desktop Icon to the
Quicklaunch Bar
Added 12/26/03
If you mistakenly deleted the icon for
the Desktop on the Quicklaunch toolbar
Go to C:\Documents and
Settings\user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Quick Launch
(where user_name is replaced by your login name)
Create a Text file called
ShowDesktop.SCF with the following contents:
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
You can also
DOWNLOAD
a file, uncompress it, and copy to the toolbar or wherever you
would like.
Network Access After Norton Anti-Virus
Install
Added 12/9/03
Sometimes you can't access a WinXP
computer after installing Norton Anti-Virus.
There might be a variety of errors at the other computer
depending on the operating system.
On the XP computer, in the Event Viewer / System log, there will
be the following error:
The server's configuration parameter "irpstacksize" is too small
for the server to use a local device.
- Start Regedit
- Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters
- Edit the IRPStackSize
- Give it a value of 15
- Reboot the computer
Fixing Cryptographic Services
Error
Added 12/8/03
If you get an error about the
Cryptographic services when trying to apply the Security Updates
or Service Pack 1,
run the following from Start / Run - note, you might want to
just cut and paste the text.
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc
regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 dssenh.dll
regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32 sccbase.dll
regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll
Fixing Explorer Searching Rather Than
Opening Directories
Added 11/30/03
Sometimes after adding the right click
with the Explorer, the default setting for opening a folder is
changed.
To correct this:
- Start Regedit
- Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \
Directory \ shell
- Edit the default value to be
explorer or none
Download reg file
Configure for Auto-Logon
Added 11/28/03
If you are the only person using the
computer and what to have it automatically log you on,
- Start / Run / "control
userpasswords2" - no quotes
- Uncheck User must enter a user
name and password to use this computer
Services You Can Disable
Updated 10/30/03
There are quite a few services you can
disable from starting automatically.
This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources.
They are only suggestions so I suggestion you read the
description of each one when you run Services
and that you turn them off one at a time.
Some possibilities are:
- Alerter - Sends alert
messages to specified users that are connected to the server
computer.
- Application Management -
Allows software to tap directly into the Add/Remove Programs
feature via the Windows Installer technology.
- Background Intelligent Transfer
Service - The Background Intelligent Transfer service is
used by programs (such as Windows AutoUpdate) to download
files by using spare bandwidth.
- Clipbook - ClipBook permits
you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network.
- Error Reporting Service -
Allows applications to send error reports to Microsoft in
the event of an application fault.
- Fast User Switching -
Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts,
without requiring them to log off.
- Help and Support - Allows
the XP Built-in Help and Support Center to run.
- IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
- You don't need this if you have other software to create
CDs.
- Indexing Service - Indexes
contents and properties of files on local and remote
computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible
querying language.
- IP SEC - Manages IP
security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the
IP security driver. If you are not on a domain, you likely
don't need this running.
- Messenger - Transmits net
send and Alerter service messages between clients and
servers. This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing
on your desktop.
- Net Logon - Supports
pass-through authentication of account logon events for
computers in a domain. If you are not on a domain, you don't
need this running
- Network DDE - Provides
network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange
(DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on
different computers.
- NT LM Security Support Provider
- Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs
that use transports other than named pipes.
- Performance Logs and Alerts
- Collects performance data from local or remote computers
based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the
data to a log or triggers an alert. If you don't need to
monitor your performance logs, then you don't need this
service.
- Portable Media Serial Number
- Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player
connected to your computer
- QOS RSVP - Provides network
signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for
QoS-aware programs and control applets.
- Remote Desktop Help Session
Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If you
are not using Remote Desktop you don't need this service.
- Remote Registry - Enables
remote users to modify registry settings on this computer.
- Routing & Remote Access -
Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide
area network environments. Allows dial-in access.
- Secondary Login - Enables
starting processes under alternate credentials. This is what
allows you to run an application as another user.
- Smart Card - Manages access
to smart cards read by this computer.
- Smart Card Helper - Enables
support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used
by this computer.
- SSDP Discovery Service -
Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper -
Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and
NetBIOS name resolution. This should not be needed in
today's network environment.
- Telnet - Enables a remote
user to log on to this computer and run programs, and
supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply
Service - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
connected to the computer.
- Universal Plug and Play Device
Host - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play
devices
- Upload Manager - Manages
synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients
and servers on the network.
- Volume Shadow Copy Service
- Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for
backup and other purposes.
- Web Client - Enables
Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify
non-local files across the Internet.
- Wireless Zero Configuration
- Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters
- WMI Performance Adapter -
Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf
providers.
Stopping the Messenger Service
Added 6/21/03
To remove the ability for anyone in the
world to pop up messages on your computer,
you can disable the Messenger service.
- Click Start->Settings ->Control
Panel
- Click Performance and Maintenance
- Click Administrative Tools
- Double click Services
- Scroll down and highlight
"Messenger"
- Right-click the highlighted line
and choose Properties
- Click the STOP button
- Select Disable or Manual in the
Startup Type scroll bar Click OK
Submitted by
Thomas
Bitner Olson
Faster DOS Printing
Submitted 6/21/03
If you are experiencing slow printing
for DOS programs with Windows2000
- Go Start | Run | Regedit
- Click Hkey_Local_Machine
- Click on System
- Click CurrentControlSet
- Click Control
- Go to the bottom of this part of
the list and click WOW
- Click LPT timeout and change it to
a 3
Submitted by
Steve
Cohen
Cleaning the Prefetch Directory
Added 3/2/03
WindowsXP has a new feature called
Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs.
However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.
To clean this periodically go to:
- Star / Run / Prefetch
- Press Ctrl-A to highlight all the
files
- Delete them
Not Displaying Logon, Logoff, Startup
and Shutdown Status Messages
Added 3/2/30
To turn these off:
- Start Regedit
- Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
- If it is not already there, create
a DWORD value named DisableStatusMessages
- Give it a value of 1
Download a reg file
Accessing Non-Listed Display
Configurations
Added 3/2/03
If you want to access display
configurations not normally listed (e.g. 256 colors)
- In the Display Properties dialog
box, click the Settings tab.
- Click the Advanced button.
- Click the Adapter tab,
- Click the List all modes button.
- Select the resolution, color
depth, and refresh rate that you want and click OK.
Repair Install
Added 2/9/03
If XP is corrupted to the point where
none of the previous solutions get it to boot,
you can do a Repair Install that might work as well as keep the
current settings.
Make sure you have your valid WindowsXP key.
The whole process takes about half an hour depending on your
computer
If you are being prompted for the administrator's password, you
need to choose the 2nd repair option, not the first.
- Insert and boot from your
WindowsXP CD
- At the second R=Repair option,
press the R key
- This will start the repair
- Press F8 for I Agree at the
Licensing Agreement
- Press R when the directory where
WindowsXP is installed is shown. Typically this is
C:\WINDOWS
- It will then check the C: drive
and start copying files
- It will automatically reboot when
needed. Keep the CD in the drive.
- You will then see the graphic part
of the repair that is like during a normal install of XP (Collecting
Information, Dynamic Update, Preparing Installation,
Installing Windows, Finalizing Installation)
- When prompted, click on the Next
button
- When prompted, enter your XP key
- Normally you will want to keep the
same Workgroup or Domain name
- The computer will reboot
- Then you will have the same
screens as a normal XP Install
- Activate if you want (usually a
good idea)
- Register if you want (but not
necessary)
- Finish
- At this point you should be able
to log in with any existing accounts.
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