*~M~* *Make Folders Private - To Set the My Documents Folder to Private * On the Start menu, right-click My Documents, and then click Properties. Click the Sharing tab, and then click to select the Make this folder private so that only I have access to it check box. Click Apply, and then click OK. *Note:* You cannot make your folders private if your drive is not formatted as NTFS. You Cannot Select the "Make This Folder Private" Option Home Edition: Set Permissions for Shared Files and Folders. Boot into safe mode and logon to the 'Administrator' account. Right click the folder in question/Sharing and Security/Make Folder Private. To view the Security tab for a file or folder in XP, hold down the Ctrl key while right-clicking the file or folder, and select Properties. If you are in a domain instead of a workgroup, this approach is unnecessary. *Tip:* Hide Files and Folders inside of Windows XP Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View/Show Hidden Files and Folders. Right click the folder to be hidden/Sharing and Security/General Tab/Hidden/Apply Changes to.../ *Tip:* Hide Your Private Folders with Folder Guard Hide your private files and folders from other users. Restrict access to important system files and be in full control of the way your files and programs are used by other users of your computer. http://www.winability.com/folderguard *McAfee* Windows XP: TCP/IP Functionality and Internet Connectivity Are Disrupted When You Uninstall McAfee Personal Firewall * Media Player * Windows Media Player Rollup Available 26 June 2002 Cumulative Patch for Windows Media Player * *Windows Media Player for Windows XP KB Articles Windows XP Programs Cannot Connect to the Media Player * Tip:* Set as Default - Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/File Types/Audio CD/Advanced/Edit/Aplication used: "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:3 /device:AudioCD "%L" * Tip:* Although Windows XP comes with Windows Media Player 8.0, the older Windows Media Player 6.4 is installed, too. It's at C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe. Change the MP3 Encoding Rates in Media Player (All Versions). These settings allow you to change the MP3 encoding rates in Windows Media Player. The default is 56Kbps which is quite low quality, this tweak allows you to add higher rates such as 128Kbps or 192Kbps. Go to Start/Run/Regedit (Reference ) You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'LowRate, MediumRate, MediumHighRate, HighRate' and edit the value according to the settings below. Registry Editor Example | Name Type Data | | (Default) REG_SZ (value not set) | | HighRate REG_SZ 0x0004e200 (320000) | | LowRate REG_SZ 0x0000fa00 (64000) | | MediumHighRate REG_SZ 0x0002ee00 (192000) | | MediumRate REG_SZ 0x0001f400 (128000) | - | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\M... | - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding Value Name: LowRate, MediumRate, MediumHighRate, HighRate Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: Rate in Bits per Second (bps) Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. Troubleshooting Playback in Media Player for Windows XP Troubleshooting with Windows Media Player Error Code Page http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_resources.htm Windows Media Player for Windows XP KB Articles http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_specific.htm#xp_video Media Player 8 Reinstall Windows Media Player: WMP mini FAQ Windows Media Player FAQs Windows XP Cannot Enter Standby Mode When Window Media Player Is Paused Windows Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP * Media Player Library - Delete/Repair * * *If you have moved your music around on your hard drives, Windows Media Player continues to add new entries into it's library instead of modifying the existing ones. This means that you will now have multiple entries for the same song, half of which will not work now because you have moved the files to their new location. To delete the current library and build a new one, do the following: 1. Close Windows Media Player, wait about 3 seconds for the database to close. 2. Using "My Computer", navigate to the following folder: F:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index 3. Delete the "wmplibrary....db" file here. This is not your actual music, only the database which Windows Media Player uses as a listing. 4. Start Windows Media Player. 5. Hit "F3" and enter the location where you have moved your music to. If it is on multiple drives, check "All Drives". Let it finish. All the old listings will now be gone, and you will only have the new accurate ones. *Media Player - Change/Remove 3rd Party Branding* Close Media Player. Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer Right click in the right pane and select New, String value. Name the value TitleBar. Double click the value you just created and enter the text you want to appear on the Title Bar. Value Name: TitleBar, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value). Create a new string value called "TitleBar" and set it to the text you would like display in the title. Restart Media Player for the change the take effect. If you want to get rid of the branding entirely, right click on the TitleBar value and select Delete. *Media Player - Disable Update Message* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade. Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or "no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. *Media Player - DVD* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Settings. Value Name: EnableDVDUI, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: yes or no. Create a new string value called "EnableDVDUI" and set it to "yes" to enable DVD functionality. *Media Player - Play List* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\RecentFileList. Delete RecentFileList, or manually remove them in the right pane. NOTE: This registry key is re-created the next time you open a file in Media Player. * Tip:* To Keep Media Player from maintaining the Recent Files List. Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences. Look in the right pane for the value called: AddToMRU. Double click this item and set the value to 00 (two zeros). Clear Media Player Recent Files List Disable Media Player Recent Files List Both of these links are to VB Script files. Download and save the file, then double click the file to run it. VB Script files can be viewed in Notepad by right clicking them and selecting Edit. *Media Player - Reinstall and CD Burning Issues* Media Player 8 Reinstall Procedure Windows Media Player: WMP mini FAQ Windows Media Player FAQs *Tip: *Although Windows XP comes with the cool-looking Windows Media Player 8.0, the older Windows Media Player 6.4 is installed, too. It's at C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe. Try it when playing movies, it usually plays them more smoothly than WMP8. Troubleshooting Playback in Media Player for Windows XP Troubleshooting with Windows Media Player Error Code Page http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_resources.htm Windows Media Player for Windows XP KB Articles http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_specific.htm#xp_video *Media Player - Disable Update Message* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade. Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or "no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. *Media Player - User Identifier* This setting controls whether Windows Media Player will send a globally unique identifier (GUID) when communicating with a remote media source. Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences Value Name: SendUserGUID Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value) Value Data: (00 00 00 00 = disabled, 01 00 00 00 = default) You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value, called 'SendUserGUID' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. *Memory Dump * Log Files, Memory Dump Information and Regedits Gathering Blue Screen Information After Memory Dump Blue Screen Preparation Before Contacting Microsoft Memory Tweaks *Menu Display - Speed Up * Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop In the right pane select, "MenuShowDelay". Right click, modify and set the value to 0. Reboot. *Tip:* TweakUI/Mouse/Menu Speed/Move glider to fast/Reboot. *Messenger * Windows Messenger: Get Started with Real-Time Communication Find out about using Windows Messenger to communicate with instant messaging Windows Messenger: Instant Messaging Find out about using Windows Messenger for voice communication Windows Messenger: Voice Communications Find out about using Windows Messenger to communicate with video Windows Messenger: Video Communications Find out about using Windows Messenger to send files or photos Windows Messenger: Send a File or Photo Find out about controling your online status when using Windows Messenger Windows Messenger: Control Your Online Status Find out about sharing applications and the whiteboard with Windows Messenger Windows Messenger: Applications and Whiteboard Sharing *Remove Messenger from XP* Start/Run/RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove *Stop Windows Messenger from Auto-Starting * Simply delete the following Registry Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MSMSGS *Uninstall Messenger* You have to edit sysoc.inf (located in /WINDOWS/inf). Under [Components] you should see the following line: msmsgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7. Take the word 'hide' out of the line, and it should look like this: msmsgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7. Exit and save. Go to Add or Remove Programs, and click on Add/Remove Windows Components. There you should now be able to uncheck the MSN Messenger Service, and by clicking Next it will uninstall. *Remove MSN Messenger from Outlook Express * Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express. Value Name: Hide Messenger, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (2 = remove messenger). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'Hide Messenger' and set the value to 2. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. *Hotmail is slow after disabling/removing Messenger* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Messenger.MsgrObject Right click on the Messenger.MsgrObject key and select rename. Rename it to Messenger.MsgrObjectold This will prevent Messenger from loading when you access your account via the Hotmail web page, it will also prevent the delay when Messenger has been removed or disabled. *Tip: *When you sign in to Messenger, it remembers every email address/.net passport that you signed in under. To remove an item from the list of remembered names: Start/Run/control userpasswords2. Advanced/Manager Passwords. *Tip: *Preventing Messenger from Automatically Signing in*: *Start/Run/control userpasswords2/Advanced tab. Manage Passwords/Delete (Passport) Entries. Open MSN Messenger (click here to sign in) enter passport e-mail address and password and leave the Sign Me In Automatically unchecked. *Tip: * Easiest method to disable Messenger: C:\Program Files\Messenger and either rename the Messenger folder to something like "MessengerOLD" or just move it. How to Disable, Remove, Issues (OE and Hotmail), Tweaks & Fixes *Tip: *Change the MSN Messenger Background Image * *This tweak allows you to change the background bitmap image in the MSN Messenger service. Locate the installation directory for MSN Messenger on your system (e.g. "C:\Program Files\Messenger"). This location can also be found in the registry in the "InstallationDirectory" value at [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MessengerService]. Rename the "lvback.gif" file in the installation directory to "lvback.old". Then copy and rename the new background GIF file to the same directory as "lvback.gif". Restart MSN Messenger for the change to take effect. *Tip: *Getting rid of ads in MSN messenger* *Find its default folder (search for Messenger). Open LINKS.TXT and clear its contents. When finished, save the file and pull up its properties from the Windows Explorer. Place a checkmark in the "Read-only" field. Error Message in Windows Messenger During an Automatic Upgrade *Microsoft Platform Support Reporting Tool - (Reference )* Are you having a tough time with Microsoft Windows XP and feel like lost ! If this is the case and you are working with Microsoft Support team, Ask them about MPS reporting tool. This tool can create a LITE or FULL version of a CAB file that could be useful for Microsoft Support person or even you. Learn more about MPSRPT_XP.exe. *Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP* They're back! PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released to manufacturing. They add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. *Note:* We've taken great care to ensure that PowerToys operate as they should, but they are not part of Windows and are not supported by Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/home/downloads/powertoys.asp http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp *Microtek* In keeping with industry developments and ensuring that its scanners remain on the leading edge of technology, Microtek is pleased to announce that its scanners are compatible with the newly released Microsoft Windows (TM) XP operating system. Download the drivers here . *Microsoft Personal Security Advisor * HOW TO: Use the Microsoft Personal Security Advisor Web Site in Windows *Microsoft and Wugnet - Best Choice Shareware Pick of the Week * *Power Drawers* Want Windows® to be faster and easier? Get Power Drawers, a unique must-have enhancement to boost Windows productivity! It lets you organize and access files much faster. Includes popup graphics & text previews, allows multiple apps associated with file types, folder printing, eliminates desktop clutter and many other powerful features! Show me the pick! *Directory Toolkit* An award winning utility from Funduc Software, Directory Toolkit is a multi-purpose file manager and path comparison/synchronize utility with archive functions and dozens of extra features. This is an established program that is useful to anyone who needs to compare and synchronize two or more paths. Show me the pick! *ThumbsPlus by Cerious Software * ThumbsPlus is a multi-talented application that will help you organize, view, edit, print, catalog and find all of your graphic files. With ThumbsPlus, you make thumbnails of your graphics files and organize them on your hard disks and in the built-in MS Access database. You can print catalogues, generate contact sheets, make slide shows, build thumbnail web pages, edit multiple files in batch mode, and more. Image editing features include color adjustment, rotating, resampling, digital filtering, histogram stretching, specialized image processes, and others. *Express Assist by AJSystems, Inc. * Express Assist is a very easy to use utility to backup all of your Outlook Express mail folders (including all attachments) as a single compressed, backup file. You can easily restore one, all, or any selection, of the mail folders saved in your backup file. In addition, you may synchronize your current Outlook Express message folders with message folders saved in the Express Assist backup. Express Assist provides full support for Outlook Express 4, 5, 5.5 and 6.0. It operates on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, Windows 2000 and XP. *Backup Plus by AVANTRIX, Inc. * Backup Plus allows you to easily and quickly backup all of your important data. Features include the ability to include files, full folders, wildcards and exclusions in your backup set. Backup to just about any removable device, span multiple disks if required and even write to CDR/CDRW drives with your existing packet writing software. Make backups easy with Backup Plus. *Modem* Windows XP Modem Tweak Guide Connecting to the Internet via Modem (Windows XP) *Modem* Modem, Com Ports and Dialup Issues: Resources for Troubleshooting Modem Problems in Windows XP "Error 692: Hardware Failure in the Modem" Error Message When You Dial an RAS Server A Computer May Hang During a Heavy Load with an Ericsson HIS Modem Why does my modem abruptly disconnect sometimes? What causes modem disconnects ? Troubleshooting: Disconnects * How do I troubleshoot modem disconnects? * Q: Why I often get modem disconnects? A: Generally, there will probably always be an occasional disconnect. After all, we are dealing with phone lines being pushed to their limits with V.32 and V.34 modems. Phone lines were designed for voice, not for data transmission. But if you're getting a lot more than the occasional disconnect, something is wrong and you should methodically follow the steps below. Disconnections may be caused by momentary drops of DTR (Data Terminal Ready). By default, most modems respond to a drop of DTR by hanging up. With US Robotics and other modems, add S25=200 to your Modem String. This sets the duration, in hundredths of a second, that DTR must be dropped so that the modem doesn't interpret a random glitch as a DTR loss. A similar possibility to the one above is that your modem could not distinguish between a line hit, or other disturbances that momentarily break the connection, from a true disconnect by the remote modem. Add S10=100 to the Modem String to set the duration, in tenths of a second, that the modem waits after loss of carrier before hanging up. If you have call waiting and a call comes in while you are connected, your modem might interpret the second signal as a disconnect by the remote modem. Ask your phone company how to temporarily disable call waiting. Also, keep in mind that many ISP set their sites having an idle timeout. If there is no modem activity on your end for a certain length of time, say 15 minutes, you will be disconnected. If you're disconnected shortly after logging in, you may be attempting simultaneous logins on the same account. Make sure no one is logged-in to your account such as a family member at home. If this isn't the case, try to add a Modem String to make your connection stronger. Check your modem's instruction manual for specific information about settings. Troubleshooting Internet Service Provider Logon Problems http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q161986 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314455 Troubleshooting Modem Problems in Windows XP Troubleshooting TCP/IP Connectivity with Windows Troubleshooting Problems Communicating on the Internet Troubleshooting Internet Service Provider Logon Problems Troubleshooting a Connection to the Internet in Windows XP Troubleshooting Connection Speeds in Windows XP http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_resources.htm *Modem - Auto Dials* Network Connections/Advanced/Dial-Up Preferences/Enable Auto-Dial by Location/Uncheck all locations and Always ask me before Auto-Dialing and Always ask me before autodialing. *Disable Automatic Modem Connections at Startup * If remote connections are enabled in Windows, the system may try to initiate an Internet connection at Windows startup or at the start of many applications. This setting disables that behavior. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole. Value Name: EnableRemoteConnect, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "Y" = enable automatic connections, "N" = disabled. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'EnableRemoteConnect' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. *Modify the Internet Auto-Dial Settings * Windows has the option to automatically dial your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to establish an Internet connection. This option can be controlled using this tweak. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings Value Name: EnableAutodial Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value) Value Data: (00 00 00 00 = disabled, 01 00 00 00 = enabled) Create a new binary value named "EnableAutodial", and set the new value to equal "01 00 00 00" to enable autodial or "00 00 00 00" to disable it. *Note:* This restriction can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. *To view the list of names and addresses recorded by AutoDial, type the following command at a command prompt: rasautou -s * To delete a name or address entry from the list: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\RAS Autodial\Addresses You can delete any TCP/IP addresses that you see under this key. Note that AutoDial can use IP addresses, DNS fully qualified domain names (FQDN), and NetBIOS names. How to Use the Rasdiag.exe Support Tool in Windows XP How to View and Remove Information from AutoDial *Modem - Auto Disconnect (Turn Off)* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess\Parameters Name: AutoDisconnect Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0-1000 minutes Sets the time interval after which inactive connections are terminated. Inactivity is measured by lack of NetBIOS session data transfer, such as copying files, accessing network resources, and sending and receiving electronic mail. You might want to set this parameter to 0 minutes if clients are running NetBIOS datagram applications. Setting this parameter to 0 turns off AutoDisconnect. Default=20 minutes. *Modem - Disconnects* *ASDL Modems Disconnect* Disable Hibernation and Disable Windows Messenger. *DSL Modem Disconnects* Right click My Computer Icon/Properties/Hardware/Device Manager. Expand USB Controllers/Double Click USB Root Hub. Select Power Management and uncheck, Allow the computer to turn off the device to save power. *Tip: *Stop connection from timing out on Web Pages. Sometimes when trying to connect to a Web site, that connection attempt "times-out" due to the slowness of response, and you get a "Could not connect to ... ". Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net. In the left pane, locate the 0000 Key (or 0001, 0002, or 0003) that represents your modem or NIC. Under that Key, locate the Value name called "SLOWNET" (right pane). Double click on SLOWNET, and change "Value data = 01" (zero & 1), to "00" (2 zero's). Close RegEdit, and reboot. Troubleshooting Problems Communicating on the Internet Cable Modem and DSL Speed Tweak to Increase Performance Windows XP Internet Programs Cannot Connect to the Internet Through Broadband Connection Troubleshooting Modem and Connection Issues: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_oe.htm http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_modem.htm Troubleshooting Modem Problems in Windows XP Troubleshooting TCP/IP Connectivity with Windows Troubleshooting Problems Communicating on the Internet Troubleshooting Internet Service Provider Logon Problems Troubleshooting a Connection to the Internet in Windows XP Troubleshooting Connection Speeds in Windows XP http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_resources.htm Modem Does Not Work on Compaq Armada 7800 and Device Manager Reports "Code 10" *Modem - Keep Connection Between Users* The following entry will stop the prompt to shut down the connection when changing users under Windows XP. This enables a permanent internet connection with multiple users on your PC under Windows XP. Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Then right-click the right-hand pane, select New/String Value. Name the value KeepRasConnections and set it to 1. Keep Ras Connection within Fast User Switching http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm *Modem - Performance* Test your internet connection. Click here . Web based tool for testing download performance using text, graphics and streaming video. Click here . A large section of SpeedGuide.net is dedicated to Cable Modems and DSL technology, stressing on improving TCP/IP performance over high speed/latency networks. Click here . Speed Test - Bandwidth Testing. Click here . What affects modem performance? Click here . Troubleshooting 56k Modems. Click here . How fast is your 56K modem? Click here . Cable Modem and DSL Speed Tweak to Increase Performance - Click here . Download Internet Accelerators. Boost Internet Speed. Click here . Boost your Internet Speed! Enhance your internet connection and Boosts your Internet speed up to 300%! with Modem Booster's a proprietary, patent-pending PING technology! Click here . Get a faster internet connection and increase modem speed with webROCKET Internet Optimizer. Optimize your modem, computer, and windows system for optimal performance and speed. Click here . Increase Modem Speed - Click here . Increase Internet Speed - Click here . *Modem - Persistent Connections* This setting controls whether new network mappings should be created as persistent connections that are automatically reconnected at logon. Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network\Persistent Connections Value Name: SaveConnections Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: yes or no You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'SaveConnections' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. *Modem - Silence Your Modem * Go to Start/Control Panel/Modem/Connection/Advanced. In the extra settings box type: M0, ( 0 being a zero ). or... Open the Control Panel--select Start, Control Panel--and assuming you're in the Classic View, double-click Phone and Modem Options. (From Category View, select Network and Internet Connections, and in the left pane, click Phone and Modem Options.) Click the Modems tab, and with your modem selected, click Properties. Click the Modem tab (again), move the lever under Speaker volume all the way to the left and click OK. *Tip: *Open Network Connections, right click your dial-up connection and select Properties, then click "Configure..." and uncheck "Enable modem speaker". *Modem - Won't Disconnect *When you quit Internet Explorer, you may not be prompted to disconnect even if the Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed option is enabled. The following registry value also verifies that the option is enabled: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\RemoteAccess\Profile\"Connection Name"\EnableExitDisconnect The value should be 01 00 00 00. This behavior can occur if the Easy CD Creator Adaptec starts automatically at startup. To prevent the Easy CD Creator program from starting automatically, remove the entry for Easy CD Creator from the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Contact Adaptec Technical Support for additional information about resolving this issue. *Workaround:* Start/Run/net config server /autodisconnect:30 (30 being an example). To disable Auto-Disconnect set it to -1. Setting Autodisconnect to 0 does not turn it off and results in very fast disconnects, within a few seconds of idle time. (However, the RAS Autodisconnect parameter is turned off if you set it to a value of 0.) *Morpheus - Max Downloads * The max downloads limit in Morpheus is 50, follow these steps to change your downloads limit to anything you like, this will also speed up your downloads. 1. Start/Run/Regedit 2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Morpheus/Transfer 3. Right click on Concurrentdownloads and select Modify 4. Click on Decimal and change the limit to anything you like. *Tip: *Stop the Ads. To stop the ads from popping up when you open up Morpheus: Go to IE/Tools/Internet Options/Security/Restricted Sites/Sites/Add: ads.musiccity.com Morpheus.exe Causes an Error Message in Windows XP *Mouse* Troubleshooting with Microsoft Pointing Devices Frequently Asked Questions *Move Folders* My Documents Folder in Windows XP http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_mydocs.htm How to Move Shell Folders and Contents http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_shell_folders.htm *Movie Maker* Get started enjoying music on your computer Movies: Get Started with Windows Movie Maker Copy tracks from a CD Movies: Transfer Video to Your Computer Download music from the Internet Movies: Edit Movies *Moviemk.Exe* Problems When You Are Using an Out-of-Date Version of the C-Media Cmaudio.ax Driver File *MP3* Getting MP3 ripping to work in Windows Media Player 8 in XP. Start/Run/Regedit and 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 *MP3 and WMA *Information here. *MPREXE Error * If you have a system that has multiple passwords, and have ever gotten an error that states "MPREXE Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Kernel32.dll" then you have a corrupted password file. One not-so-pleasant solution is to delete the .PWL files. This will eliminate the errors, but force you to re-key all the passwords. *MS Support* If you have a retail version of Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, you are eligible for unlimited no-charge Installation Support and 2 no-charge Personal support incidents by phone or online. Personal Support is designed to provide support for everyday product usage to help U.S. consumers, home users and home office customers using Microsoft consumer products. (425) 635-3311 (long distance charges may apply) *Msbb.Exe* Msbb.exe May Cause an Error Message in Windows XP *Msconfig* Msconfig and Troubleshooting Tools for Windows XP *Msconfig - Corrupt* To extract: Open a command prompt window. Insert your XP CD into the drive and enter the following command: EXPAND -R X:\I386\MSCONFIG.EX_ Z:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\BINARIES. This will extract a new copy of the MSCONFIG.EXE from the CD. *Msconfig - To Remove Entries: * These values are stored in the Registry. Click Start/Run/Regedit *For items that were in the Start menu, Programs, Startup folder:* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupfolder. You'll find a subkey for each disabled item. *For items loaded from the Registry: * HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. Again, you'll find a subkey for each disabled item. *Msconfig - Stops the Selective Startup screen* Download the xp_nomsconfig.vbs file: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_nomsconfig.htm and save it to your Desktop (you may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double-click the xp_nomsconfig.vbs file after closing MSConfig. You will not see the Selective Startup screen on the next boot. Or... Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run In the right pane, delete the value for MSConfig. Alternatively, you can use a small VB Script file to do this for you as well. Copy the following three lines to a Notepad file and save as No_MSCONFIG.VBS On Error Resume Next Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") WshShell.RegDelete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MSConfig" After running MSConfig, run the VBS file and this entry will be removed automatically. *Msinfo32 - System Information (Error or Missing)* Testing here has determined that breaking Help and Support (the same way Easy Cleaner does), also prevents System Information from running. Fix: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/fixwinxphelp.htm *Tip: *Shortcut to msinfo32 - Start/Run/winmsd *Msmsgs.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. * Ole32.dll May Cause an Error Message in Windows XP *MSN Explorer - Outlook Express Doesn't Access POP3 accounts* From: http://www.explorer.msn.com/setuphelp.htm MSN Explorer uses a new e-mail program. This program is based on MSN Hotmail, a Web-based e-mail service. When you upgrade to MSN Explorer, your e-mail Inbox will be converted automatically from POP3 e-mail to Web-based e-mail. All of your new e-mail will come to you in MSN Explorer. Important details about your e-mail and newsgroups are: You will not lose any e-mail. Your e-mail address will not change. You will receive all your new e-mail in MSN Explorer instead of Outlook Express. Your old e-mail will remain in Outlook Express, and you will be able to see it there. Your address book will be copied to MSN Explorer. It will also remain in Outlook Express. You can access your newsgroups through Outlook Express. You can access your e-mail from a computer connected to the Internet anywhere in the world. You cannot switch your e-mail account back to your previous program by uninstalling MSN Explorer and reinstalling a prior version of MSN Internet Access. Click here to learn how to set up Outlook Express to access your new e-mail account. (Note: there is no link here as you must be an MSN user to access this page) Web based e-mail does not require Outlook Express, so some e-mail features have changed. For example, your address book is now web-based so you can access information on your contacts from any computer. *MSN/MSN Explorer *MSN Help and Support Adding Additional MSN Internet Access Accounts With Microsoft Windows XP Cannot Compose a New E-mail Message in Internet Explorer If MSN Explorer Is the Default E-mail Client Cannot Remove MSN Explorer User Tile(s) In Windows XP--Deleted Tiles Reappear On Welcome Screen Cannot Set MSN Explorer as Default E-mail Client MSN Explorer Version 6.0 No Longer Supported Error Message Cannot Use MSN EXPLORER or AOL To Send a Remote Assistance Invitation via Email Option Can't Type In Body Of E-mail Window in MSN Explorer Can't Add New User In MSN Explorer--Account Manager Password Not Accepted Err Msg: File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It How To Disable The Internet Connection Firewall In Windows XP How to Locate Your Version of MSN Explorer MSN Explorer Sign In Screen Activates Unexpectedly MSN Explorer Dials But Does Not Connect MSN Explorer Hangs When Outlook XP Requests Data From The Server Offline E-mail Features in MSN Explorer--For MSN Internet Access Subscribers OL2000: Outlook Does Not Receive MSN E-mail Messages (also applies to OE and other Outlook versions) Reset To POP3 E-mail From A Web-based E-mail Account In MSN Explorer Transition From MSN E-mail To MSN Explorer E-mail MSN/Windows Messenger Resources Tips, Help and Support for MSN and Windows Messenger *Multi-Boot* Multibooting with Windows XP: Introduction Multibooting with Windows XP: Introduction Multibooting: Windows XP and Windows 2000 Professional Multibooting with Windows XP: Introduction Multibooting: Windows XP and Windows NT Workstation Multibooting with Windows XP: Introduction Multibooting: Windows XP and Windows Me or Windows 9x How to Multiple Boot Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, and MS-DOS HOW TO: Create a Multiple-Boot System in Windows XP How to Enable Dual Boot After You Install Windows Me on a Windows 2000-based Computer How to Install Windows 98 after Installing Windows XP How to Install W2K to its Own Partition after Installing Windows XP Multibooting with Windows XP Multibooting with Windows 2000 and Windows XP BootIt NG is a partition and multi boot manager with a powerful and simple to use set of tools for partitioning, imaging, and multi-booting your computer. It combines the features of several standalone products costing hundreds of dollars more. *Multi-Media* Get started enjoying music on your computer Music: Get Started Enjoying Music on Your PC Copy tracks from a CD Music: Copy Tracks from a CD Download music from the Internet Music: Download Music from the Internet Create playlists Music: Create Playlists Create your own CDs Music: Create Your Own CDs Transfer music from your computer to a portable device Music: Using Portable Devices Tune in the globe Music: Tune In the Globe Give your player a new face Music: Give Your Player a New Face *Multi-Monitor* Multiple Monitor Settings May Change After Upgrade to Windows XP Troubleshooting and Configuring Multiple Monitors in Windows XP *My Briefcase* HOW TO: Use the Briefcase Feature in Windows XP *Tip: *How to get "My Briefcase" in Windows XP - Go to C:\WINDOWS\System32\dllcache. Look for a file named "syncapp". Double click it. An icon should appear on your desktop that says "My Briefcase". Double click it. *My Computer* How to make My Computer' open in Explore mode with folder list. In My Computer click Tools menu, and then click Options. Click the File Types tab. In the list of file types, highlight "(NONE) Folders". Click Advanced button, In the Actions box, highlight "Explore" Click "Set Default" *My Computer Information* Start/Help and Support/Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems. "View general system information about this computer" "View the status of my system hardware and software" "Find information about the hardware installed on this computer" "View a list of Microsoft software installed on this computer" "View detailed system information (Msinfo32.exe)" "View running services" "View Group Policy settings applied" "View the error log" "View information for another computer" Description of My Computer Information Tool in Help and Support *My Computer Icon - Displays My Documents Folders of Other User* Create a NoSharedDocuments string value in the following registry key and set the data value to 1. For All Users: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer For Only Users That Are Logged on to the Computer: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer *My Computer - Incorrect Message* Incorrect "Prevent Access to Drives from My Computer" Informational Message *My Computer - Rename* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}. Data Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ (Expanded String Value). Rename the value named "LocalizedString" to "LocalizedString.old". Create a new REG_EXPAND_SZ value named "LocalizedString", and set the value to "%USERNAME% on %COMPUTERNAME%". Exit the registry editor, click on your desktop and press F5 (for refresh). The "My Computer" icon should now be rename to "Username on Computername". *My Computer - System Information *Quick access to your whole system. Simply click and drag your My Computer icon onto the Task Bar near the right side icons next to the clock. This will create a cascading menu from where you can easily access just about anything on your system. *My Documents - Cascade* This tweak makes the 'My Documents' folder on the Start Menu into a cascading folder, which then give you direct access to sub-folders without having to open the main 'My Documents' directory first. Start/Run/Regedit. You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'CascadeMyDocuments' and edit the value according to the settings below. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced Value Name: CascadeMyDocuments Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: "Yes" or "No" Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. Note: This setting can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. *My Documents Folder - Opens Upon Boot* To Stop Windows Explorer from opening My Documents: Check your settings here: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon In the right pane under Userinit - Change the key that reads: C:\Windows\System32\Userinit.exe,C:\Windows\System32\Userinit.exe To: C:\Windows\System32\Userinit.exe , And also here: Start/Run/Regedit Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. In the right pane, check your settings under Load. This problem can be caused by the DlDer Trojan. More information here: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.dlder.html *Tip:* This utility lists everything that opens on startup with an undo: http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/powertools.shtml *My Documents Folder - Move* In Explorer right click on "My Documents", and select "Properties", then in the target box enter your new location. Another option is TweakUI - XP Powertoys Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder How to Move Shell Folders and Contents *My Documents Folder - Change the Windows Explorer Default Startup Folder* To change the default startup folder for Windows Explorer: Click Start, point to All Programs , point to Accessories , and then right-click Windows Explorer. On the menu that appears, click Properties. In the Target box, append the "/root" command-line switch to the "%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe" command, using the startup location that you want. For example, if you want Windows Explorer to start at the root of drive C, edit the command to the following: %SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\. To have C open expanded: explorer /n,/e,c:\. An additional tip, the command line EXPLORER.SCF works just as well. And/or: Start/Run and enter: ""explorer.exe/n,/e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"" from command, or make a shortcut. HOW TO: Customize the Windows Explorer Views *My Documents Folder - Limit Number of Documents Listed (and others options)* If you want to limit the Documents list: MaxRecentDocs. Specifies the number of shortcuts displayed on the Recent Documents submenu. Note: use Dword - decimal value (default=15). Start/Run/Regedit [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoRecentDocsHistory"=dword:00000000 "NoRecentDocsMenu"=dword:00000000 "ClearRecentDocsOnExit"=dword:00000000 "NoRecentDocsNetHood"=hex:01,00,00,00 "MaxRecentDocs"=dword:00000014 *My Documents Folder - Remove From Desktop* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder Value Name: Attributes Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0xf0500174 = Hidden, 0xf0400174 = Default) Modify the value called "Attributes" and set it to either "0xf0500174" to hide or "0xf0400174" to display My Documents. Click on a blank area of desktop and press F5 to refresh for the change to take effect. *Note:* This tweak can also by used on a system wide basis by entering the same values under the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] hive. *My Network Places - Display on Desktop - Start/Run/Regedit* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ NewStartPanel. Once there, locate {208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D} in the list on the right. Right click on it and select Modify. Change the value equal to 0. Reboot your computer. *My Pictures* Windows XP KB Articles About Working With Pictures *My Pictures - Change My Pictures Link Into Menu *Right-click a blank area of the taskbar and select Properties. Select the Start Menu tab, and with "Start menu" selected, click the Customize button. Click the Advanced tab, and under Start menu items, scroll down and select the "Display as a menu" radio button under My Pictures. Click OK, and now you can open any My Pictures image right from the Start menu: Select Start, My Pictures, [subfolder(s), if applicable], [filename]. *My Pictures - Delete Images in the My Pictures Folder * If you receive an error message which says: Cannot Delete Filename, Access Is Denied, The Source File May Be In Use, you may have tried to delete an image from the My Pictures folder or from another folder. Microsoft notes that if Web view is enabled, and you open the My Pictures folder or any customized folder that uses the Image Preview template, selected images display in the Image Preview window and are considered in use. So, while the image is being drawn, a Generating Preview...message displays in the Image Preview window, and the file locks up so you cannot delete it. To disable Web view, select Folder Options from the Tools menu, then click the General tab's Use Windows Classic Folders option. *My Pictures - Film Strip *Filmstrip view allows you to see the contents of a My Pictures folder one at a time, as if you were viewing a filmstrip. When the first picture appears at the top of the file list, use the Next Image and Previous Image buttons to rotate through all images in the folder. When you’re finished, choose another View option to make the filmstrip disappear. *My Pictures - Slide Show* Want the full-screen view instead? On the left side of the screen, under Picture Tasks, select ‘View as a slide show.’ Click the screen to advance to the next picture (or wait -- the pictures advance automatically every five seconds), and when you’re finished, press the Esc key on your keyboard. *My Pictures - Slideshow Screen Saver * Do you have some favorite photos in the My Pictures folder? How would you like to view a slide show that displays them every time your screen saver kicks in? Right-click the desktop, select Properties and click the Screen Saver tab. Under Screen Saver, click the down arrow and select My Pictures Slideshow. Adjust the minutes of inactivity before the show kicks in, then click OK. *Tip: *Want to use photos in a folder other than My Pictures (for example, if you have your favorites in a subfolder of My Pictures)? Follow the steps above, but before clicking OK, click the Settings button. Click Browse, select the folder in which the pictures are stored, then click OK twice. If you'd prefer a plain show, turn off the special effects. Follow the steps above, but before clicking OK, click the Settings button. Deselect "Use transition effects between pictures," then click OK. Want a bit of control over the slide show? Once the screen saver kicks in, use the right or left arrow keys on your keyboard to move forward or backward, respectively, one picture at a time. (Tip: If these keys don't work, go to the Screen Saver tab of the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings button, select "Allow scrolling through pictures with the keyboard," then click OK.) *My Pictures and My Music* My Pictures and My Music Not Created in XP Upgrade from W98SE HOW TO: Arrange Files Using Folder Views *My Recent Documents* *Remove Recent Documents from the Start Menu * This setting can be used to remove the recent Documents folder from the Start Menu. Open your registry (Start/Run/Regedit) and find the key below. [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] Value Name: NoRecentDocsMenu Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = display, 1 = remove) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoRecentDocsMenu' set the value to equal '1' to enable the restriction. Exit your registry, you may need to restart for the changes to take effect. *Clear Recent Documents on Exit* Go to - Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key. Once there, change the value to 1. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\ClearRecentDocsOnExit HOW TO: Display, Use, and Clear "My Recent Documents" on the Start Menu in Windows XP *_Related Tweaks_* * *Disable Recent Documents History* /(All Versions)/ * *Clear Recent Documents When Windows Exits* /(All Versions)/ * *Remove My Documents from the Start Menu* /(Windows 2000/Me/XP)/ * *Remove Favorites from the Start Menu* /(All Versions)/ * *Remove My Pictures from the Start Menu* /(Windows 2000/Me/XP)/ * *Remove My Music from the Start Menu* /(Windows 2000/Me/XP)/ * *Change the Number of Recent Documents to Display* /(Windows 2000/Me/XP)/ Powered by FreeFind /Note: This compilation of information are from various sources. All credit due to its authors. Home Page Win98 - 09/15/2002 11:06 PM - Home Page WinXP © Copyright Kelly Theriot MS-MVP(DTS) 2002 All rights reserved./