*~S~* *Safe Mode * A Description of the Safe Boot Mode Options in Windows XP *Safe Mode - Boot Switches* Safe-Mode Boot Switches for Windows Boot.ini File *"Safely Remove Hardware" *If you have an USB device attached to your system, you will notice an icon in the Notification area, which - when clicked - will give you the option to Stop your hardware, before you unplug it. It is possible that you never unplug this hardware. So how do you get rid of the icon? Right-click the notification area, and selecting Properties. Under the Notification area heading, click Customize. Find the Safely Remove Hardware icon and select Always hide in the Behavior column next to it (press OK and Apply to back out). Computer Does Not Respond After You Use "Safely Remove Hardware" to Remove External Hard Disk Drive *Save Target As* When you right-click a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) link in Microsoft Internet Explorer, the Save Target As and Print Target commands may be unavailable. In addition, when you click Print on the File menu, the Print All Linked Documents check box may be unavailable. This behavior can occur if Content Advisor is enabled. More information here . Save Target As and Print Target Commands Are Unavailable *Scanner* "Could Not Enable TWAIN Source" or "There Is No Scanner Found" Problems Using UMAX Astra 2200 USB Scanner with Windows XP Windows XP: List of Scanners That Are Supported by Windows Image Scanner Resolution Limits When You Use WIA Drivers Problems Using SCSI Scanner Without an Updated ASPI Layer Scanner Does Not Work After Computer Returns from Standby After You Install a Visioneer USB Scanner CPU Usage May Be High Found Hardware Wizard Identifies Kodak DS 4500 Scanner as 4000 When You Install Scanner Install Program Cannot Locate Driver Device Manager Displays Multiple Scanners When Only One Exists Scanner and Camera Wizard Continues to Show Deleted Pictures Programs May Not Work with a Scanner or a Camera in Windows XP Plug and Play Devices Don't Appear in Add Scanner and Camera Wiz Scanner Not Found - * Lexmark * *HP Scanjet Scanner* - USB Scanner Quits Working, Scanner not Found or Scanner Could not be Initialized Error Message, or Scanner Is Listed as an Unknown Device in Microsoft (R) Windows 95, 98, Me and XP. Suggested fix here . HP Scanjet - USB Devices Quit Working Unexpectedly in Microsoft(R) Windows XP *Tip:* AGFA scanner and probably all other AGFA scanners using the FotoLook software package. This software installs the TWAIN drivers in a new directory called "/windows/twain_32", unlike the system directory "/windows/twain32" normal users are not given "change" or "write" access to this directory and thus the scanner only works for administrators. Changing the access rights and everyone can use the scanner. [UZ] *Scheduled Tasks - Disable in IE* IE 6.0 wants to run a scheduled task every time it connects to a server. This results in slower browsing. To disable this delete the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace\ {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}. *Scheduled Tasks - Running without a password* For Pro: Go to Start/Administrative Tools/'Local Security Policy/Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only. This is enabled by default, disable it. For Home: (Keith Miller) Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa Value name: limitblankpassworduse Type: REG_DWORD Data: 0 (disabled) 1 (enabled) It is enabled by default. Disable it and scheduled tasks should run. HOW TO: Modify Scheduled Tasks in Windows XP Task Scheduler Does Not Run Tasks When "Run As" User Account Has No Password *Screen Savers - * *Active Authentication for Unlock *This setting controls whether a full login should be performed when a workstation is unlocked or a password is used with the screen saver. Normally Windows will not check some settings such as whether the account has been locked out. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Value Name: ForceUnlockLogon Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: 0 = default authentication, 1 = online authentication You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'ForceUnlockLogon' 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. *Note:*/ / For Windows XP this behavior only happens when you have Fast User Switching disabled. *Screen Savers - Delete* They're considered operating system files and are protected from being deleted or overwritten. If you really want to delete them, delete the copy in Windows\System32\dllcache first, then the one in Windows\System32. You'll be given a warning that the files are missing/corrupt. Tell it not to replace them. *Screen Saver - Hibernate and Standby* The Computer Cannot Enter Standby or Hibernate If a Direct3D-Based Screen Saver Is Running *Screen Saver - Make Screen Savers from Web Channels * Some channels (specialized Web-based content sources) provide content in the form of a screen saver. These channels usually offer to install their screen saver when you install their channel. If they don't, you can install a screen saver for any channel installed on your system yourself. To activate the screen saver, right-click your desktop, then click Properties. Click the Screen Saver tab. In the Screen Saver list, click Channel Screen Saver. Click Settings, and then choose the settings you want. *Screen Saver - Preventing the Screen Saver from Becoming Active * Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop. Value Name: ScreenSaveActive, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 =enabled). Change the value of 'ScreenSaveActive' to '0' to disable the screen saver. Restart Windows for the change to take effect. Note: Windows has a default screen saver called login.scr, which runs even if no screen saver has been selected. *Screen Saver - Replace * Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop Locate the SCRNSAVE.EXE entry in the right pane and modify it to the one you desire. SCR files are located in Windows\System32 by default, but you may have some add-on screen savers in the Windows folder. *Screen - Refresh *Click Start, click Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes, and then click Display. Alternatively, right-click the desktop, and then click Properties. Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced. Click the Monitor tab, and then click the screen refresh rate that you want to use. *NOTE: * The default refresh rate setting is 60 Hertz (HZ); however, your monitor may support a higher setting. Check your manufacturer's documentation for information about the settings that your monitor supports. If you use a higher refresh rate, you can reduce the rate that your screen flickers; however, if you specify a refresh rate that is too high for your monitor, your screen may become unusable and your hardware may be damaged. Changes to the refresh rate affect all users that log on to the computer. HOW TO: Change the Screen Refresh Rate of Your Monitor in Windows XP *Script Debugger* IE/Tools/Internet Options/Advanced and check off: Disable script debugging and uncheck: Display a notification about every script error. *Control the Internet Explorer Script Debugger * Create a new string value, or modify the existing value, named "Disable Script Debugger" and set it to either "yes" to disable the debugger or "no" to enable it. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] Value Name: Disable Script Debugger Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: yes or no *Search - All File Types* Start/Run/Regedit - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\ Change the value of (Default) to: {5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb} *Search - Doesn't Work* Open Explorer and go to the Windows\Inf folder. Locate the srchasst.inf file. Right click it and select Install. You'll need your XP CD or the files from the I386 folder. (This fix will require you to have your Win XP CD). The Windows\Inf folder is a hidden folder. You can adjust your Explorer Folder Options (View tab) to Show hidden files and folders. You can also click Start, Run and enter %SystemRoot%\Inf to open directly to the Inf folder. *Error: "A file that is required to run Search Companion cannot be found. You may need to run setup". * The file that is missing, or corrupt, is one of two. BAR.XSL or BALLOON.XSL (and/or other files in the same folder), depending on your search preferences. These files are both normally located in the Windows\srchasst\mui\0409 folder on your hard drive. These files may be locally cached in the Temporary Internet Files, so this may explain why some users have this problem "intermittently". Error Message: "A File That Is Required to Run Search Companion Cannot Be Found" (Q315330) Windows XP Search Companion Does Not Work Because of File Corruption (Downloadable Fix) The problem stems from Search Assistant being unable to connect to http://sa.windows.com. This can be caused by proxy servers, firewalls and some "ad blocking" software. *Yellow Triangle with Exclamation Point* Option 1. Depending on your version of TweakUI, run it, go to the Desktop settings and put the check mark back in Search Results. Option 2. If you don't have TweakUI installed, or this option isn't available in your version, copy and paste the following lines into a Notepad file and save the file with an REG extension. Make sure to add a blank line at the end of the file. Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\ {e17d4fc0-5564-11d1-83f2-00a0c90dc849}] @="Search Results Folder" Locate the file you just saved and double click it. Answer yes to the import prompt. Option 3: If manually editing the Registry is not to your liking, visit the web site at www.dougknox.com and visit the Windows XP section. In Tweaks and Fixes, follow the link for Fix Windows XP Search (error) and follow the instructions. *Search Assistant - Change Default Search Order* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer. Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = unselected, 1 = selected). Modify the following values, setting them to "1" to select the parameter as a default or "0" as unselected. CaseSensitive, IncludeSubFolders, SearchHidden, SearchSlowFiles, SearchSystemDirs. Restart or logoff Windows for the change to take effect. *Stop Search from Scanning ZIP files:* Un-register the zip and cab file dlls, then re-register them after that. Before Search: regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll regsvr32 /u cabview.dll After Search: regsvr32 cabview.dll regsvr32 zipfldr.dll *Tip: * Windows XP keeps a record of all files on the hard disk so when you do a search on the hard drive it is faster. There is a downside to this and because the computer has to index all files, it will slow down normal file commands like open, close, etc. If you do not do a whole lot of searches on your hard drive then I suggest turning this feature off: Open My Computer/Right click your hard drive/properties. Uncheck "Allow indexing service to index this disk for faster searches". Apply to all folders and subfolders. HOW TO: Disable Automatic Search for Network Printers and Folders in Windows XP *Search Assistant - Disable* Start/Run/Regedit - Windows Explorer HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState. In the right pane, look for or create a string value called: Use Search Asst set the value to: no Start/Run/Regedit - Internet Explorer HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. Same value: Use Search Asst and the same setting. Restart Internet Explorer for the change to take effect. *Search Companion* All Errors, Issues and Fixes *Search Engine - Change to Google* Go to Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main "Search Page"="http://www.google.com" "Search Bar"="http://www.google.com/ie" HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL ""="http://www.google.com/keyword/%s " HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search "SearchAssistant"="http://www.google.com/ie" *Search History - Clear* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru. Delete the key. To prevent keeping a history altogether, right click ACMru/Permissions/Deny all users and groups listed. You can also download a small VB Script that will automatically clear the Search History here . *Searching Help and Support - Disable the Search Word from Being Highlighted in Blue* When searching for a topic in the Help And Support Center, the search feature automatically highlights the word you searched for every time it occurs in the help topic text. This can be obnoxious. For example, when we searched for the word “Registry” and then displayed the Windows Registry help topic, the word Registry occurred twelve times in the text, and each time was highlighted in blue. To turn this off, click Start, Help And Support, and Set Search Options. Under Set Search Options, click the Turn On Search Highlight checkbox to deactivate that feature. While you’re still using Set Search Options, notice the line that reads, Return Up To 15 Results Per Provider. This means that of all possible search results, up to 15 results will appear from each of three categories: suggested topics, full-text search matches, and the Microsoft Knowledge Base. To display more or fewer results for each search, highlight the number 15 and type the number of maximum results you want to see. *Search MRU* Use the DelExplorerMRU.inf to remove the Most Recently Used file list, such as: Paint, Wordpad, Internet Explorer URL's, Search keywords, Wallpaper selections etc. DelSearchMRU [Mike Burgess MVP] http://mywebpages.comcast.net/winhelp2002/download.htm http://mywebpages.comcast.net/winhelp2002/DelExplorerMRU.inf *Search - Text* Windows® XP has a known issue for not finding a number of File Types when you do a Search for Files "containing text" or using the "A word or phrase in the file" option. This can be remedied for many file types, but not all. The cause is the lack of a PersistentHandler value in the Registry for this type of file. Fix: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_bad_search.htm Search Tool Does Not Search for Some Words or Phrases in Text Files The "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search Criterion May Not Work Content Search Does Not Search All File Types for a String *Security and Maintenance* Use Windows Update to Keep Your Computer Current Use Windows Update to Keep Your Computer Current Use access control to restrict who can use files Use Access Control to Restrict Who Can Use Files Use Backup to protect data Use Backup to Protect Data Copy Files and Folders to a CD Copy Files and Folders to a CD Encrypt Your Data to keep it safe Encrypt Your Data to Keep It Safe Use Hibernate and Standby to conserve batteries Use Hibernate and Standby to Conserve Batteries Use security and privacy features in Internet Explorer 6 Use Security and Privacy Features in Internet Explorer 6 *Security Tab* To Display the Security Tab: Start/Settings/Control Panel/Appearance & Themes/Folder Options. View/Advanced and clear "Use Simple File Sharing". *Security Shortcut* In Internet Explorer, the traditional way to adjust your browser's security settings is to click on Tools / Internet Options / Security -- but there's a faster way: look for a green globe at the bottom right-hand corner of your browser. Double-click on it, and now you can change your security settings on the fly! *SENDMAIL.DLL FIX - (Reference )* "When you right-click on a graphic file to e-mail it via "Mail Recipient" from the SendTo menu, you have to deal every single time with that annoying dialog box: "Do you want to keep the original size or change the size?", and you are given 3 options to choose from. Also right-clicking on a file sending places "Emailing:" in the Subject box. In the Compose mail window you must also delete "Your files are now attached and ready to send." But I eliminated all these nuisances by altering WinXP's * SENDMAIL.DLL * [26 KB, zipped]. Place the "fixed" file into BOTH your %systemroot%\System32 and %systemroot%\System32\DllCache folders (default XP %systemroot% directory is C:\Windows), overwriting the original ones. You may have to go to DOS to actually be able to perform these replacements: see "MS IE 5.5 SP2 + 6.0 FIX " *step 6 (SOLUTION + UPDATE)*, also in MYTIPS95.TXT (part of W95-11D.ZIP ), to learn how to replace Windows 2000/XP system files already in use. Reboot when done. When trying to e-mail a pic, Windows XP may balk and refuse at first, but just click on the red X to exit the error box, and then when asked if you are sure, just say Yes. BACKUP your unmodified SENDMAIL.DLL FIRST!" SendMail.dll - XP Fix Mail (Annoyed with Windows XP mail quirks? ) This fixes the inability of Outlook Express to send text URLs to other mail users from your Internet Explorer web browser. After some investigation even though other IE6/OE6 users have normal functionality, their sendmail.dll file is at version 5.5, as opposed to Windows XP users having version 6.0. This little routine automatically replaces sendmail.dll with version 5.5. This routine also backs up your XP V6 sendmail.dll, and the entire procedure can be reversed using the standard Add/Remove programs from your control panel. The program is called XPfixMail, and as always, is FREE software courtesy of FrazierWare (A wholly owned imaginary subsidiary of a non-existent corporation that has no known commercial customers). Download Fix Here . *Sendmail.dll* - TweakXP.Com Fix bug in IE 6.0 sendmail.dll file (Functionality of Menu/Send/Link by Email) In IE6 when trying to Send/File/Link by Email from the menu bar, IE6 prevents the loaded Web Address from being copied into the email message area of either OE6 or Outlook XP. This does not occur in IE 5.5. This is specifically regarding the IE feature, which allows the convenient quick paste of the Web Address into an email message area without having to manually copy and paste. (This does not address OE or Outlook security blocking of misc. attachments.) To fix this, a copy of IE 5.5 sendmail.dll file is required, located in the Windows/System folder. Delete or rename and/or backup the IE 6.0 sendmail.dll file, which is located in the Window/System32 folder (Windows XP). Paste the IE 5.5 sendmail.dll into the Windows/System32 folder. This will allow you to use the Menu/Send/Link by Email function on the IE 6.0 menu bar. *Send To* Windows Explorer/Documents & Settings/User Name/SendTo or Start/Run/SendTo How to Add Items to the "Send To" Menu in Windows XP *Sent To - Desktop* Send to Desktop Fix Open notepad, and create a blank text file named 'Desktop (create shortcut). DESKLINK' Save it in the %userprofile%/sendto folder. *Send To - Add to Context Menu (Right Click). * Add SendTo the right click. Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Send To] Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called "(Default)" and set it to this value data: "{7BA4C740-9E81-11CF-99D3-00AA004AE837}". Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. * Tip: Add a Menu Option to Move and Copy Folders. *Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: * * [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers] To enable the *Copy To Folder* menu option create a new subkey called "Copy To" and set the (Default) value to "{C2FBB630-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}". To enable the *Move To Folder* menu option create a new subkey called "Move To" and set the (Default) value to "{C2FBB631-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}". Changes should take effect immediately, right click on folder to view the new options. *Send To Toys* is an enhancement of the Send To system menu: Screenshot and download . - "Add to Send To menu" and "Remove from Send To menu" allow you to personalize the Send To system menu for drives, folders, and programs. - Send To "Clipboard (as name)" copies the name of the file or files to the clipboard. Hold down the CTRL key to change the settings for this extension. - Send To "Command Prompt" opens a DOS console window, setting the current directory to the selected folder. - Send To "Favorites" adds a shortcut to your Favorites list. Hold down the CTRL key for the Add Favorites system dialog. - Send To "Folder..." sends a file or files to another folder, you will be shown a dialog box that lets you choose where the files should be copied. To move the files press and hold down the SHIFT key. - Send To "Run..." sends a file or files to the Run command dialog. *Send To - Show "Send to" Context Menu* This setting allows you to control whether the "Send to" context menu is displayed when a file or directory object is right-clicked in explorer. Open your registry (Start/Run/Regedit) and find the key below. You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Send To] Value Name: (Default) Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: (empty = disabled, "{7BA4C740-9E81-11CF-99D3-00AA004AE837}" = enabled) Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called '(Default)' 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. *Serious Error Message* The system has recovered from a serious problem. A log of this error has been created. When you view the System Log in the Event Viewer, you may notice an Event ID 1003. This behavior can occur if the Windows XP System Restore feature is corrupted. To resolve this issue, turn off the System Restore feature, and then turn it back on. To do this, follow these steps. *NOTE:* You must turn on the System Restore feature after you turn it off to resolve this issue. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View, and then double-click System. Click the System Restore tab, and the click to select the Turn off System Restore check box. Click OK, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to turn off the System Restore feature. Restart the computer. You may receive the following error message when you restart Windows: The system has recovered from a serious problem. A log of this error has been created. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System. Click the System Restore tab, and the click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box. Click OK, and then restart the computer. *Use of these options to rid of the error message:* Windows XP Patch: System Recovery Error Appears After Every Reboot: You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After Every Restart 1. Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Settings/Advanced/Change. Set Page File to 0, ok your way out and reboot. Then follow the same procedure and reset the Page File to System Managed File. 2. Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Advanced/Virtual Memory/Change/No Page File. Reboot. Then delete C:\Pagefil.Sys then revert the page file setting. 3. Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Advanced/Virtual Memory/Change. Set the swap file size to zero, reboot. Re-set to System Managed, reboot. Reset the Custom setting, reboot. *Note:* In order to hopefully speed up a resolution to this issue, MVP Doug and I are working with Microsoft to gather relevant information about the systems that are experiencing problems after applying the patch, referenced in: You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After Every Restart http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q317277 Please take a few minutes to visit: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_serious_error.htm and provide some information about your hardware and software. No personal information will be used or sent to Microsoft. Only your hardware information will be collected and sent to Microsoft as needed. Thank you for your cooperation. *Report Error's to Microsoft Automatically* Start/Run/gpedit.msc/Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/Error Reporting. Right click Report Errors/Properties. Check off Enable and then check off, Do not display links to any MS provided more information web sites. Apply, ok. *Services - Disable *(Source Unknown) To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the "Services" Admin Tool (Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services). If you are a single user of a non-networked machine, you can disable the following items, with no ill effect. Alerter Clipbook Computer Browser Fast User Switching Human Interface Access Devices Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down) Messenger Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain) Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security) Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security) Remote Procedure Call Locator Remote Registry (disabled for extra security) Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security) Server SSDP Discovery Service ("Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open) TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Telnet (disabled for extra security) Universal Plug and Play Device Host Upload Manager Windows Time Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks) Workstation *Services - Listed and Explained* * Windows XP Services * *Services - Here is a way to figure out which services to set as Automatic and which to set as manual or disabled.* Step1: Set ALL your services to *manual* setting. Step2: Reboot computer and wait for windows XP to load. XP will boot pretty slowly, since it has to turn on each service separately. Use your computer for a bit, doing what you normally do during a computing session. This will allow any other services to activate (such as DHCP or other services that didn't load during the boot process). Step3: Go back to the list of services, and see which ones are Started. Change the services that are marked as Started, to *Automatic*. This way windows will automatically load all of the services that you normally use, and the ones that you don't use will stay unloaded. *Tip:* Services Running - Alter to Improve Performance DNS Client - Automatic / Manual - This service is responsible for DNS lookup so disable at your own risk! IPSEC Services - Automatic / Manual Messenger - Automatic / Manual Remote Registry - Automatic / Manual Automatic Updates - Automatic / Disabled Computer Browser - Automatic / Manual Distributed Link Tracking Client - Automatic / Manual Portable Media Serial Number - Automatic / Disabled Task Scheduler - Automatic / Manual *Service Packs and Components* You can use the SPCheck to determine the service pack level of installed components on computers. The SPCheck tool generates a report that lists the origin of each file for each installed component. Download XPSP Chk.exe Which fixes are included in Service Pack 1? *Setup * Get Ready to Set Up Windows XP Professional Setup Issues and Conflicts http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_conflicts.htm Setup Stops Responding (Hangs) During File Copy Error Msg: Cannot find file: \Windows\System32\hal.dll Cannot Install Windows XP from a Folder That Is Not Named i386 "NTLDR Is Missing" Error Message When You Upgrade or Install Windows XP Over Win95/98, or Win Me Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup "Path Specified in Setup Is Invalid" Error Message When You Try to Install Windows XP Error Message "Setup Cannot Upgrade..." When You Upgrade to Windows XP Pro Message About Pressing ESC to Restart Your Computer During Windows XP Setup Error Message: Setup Cannot Continue. Please Contact Microsoft Technical Support. (Error: 3E6h) *Tip: *Since Win2K, it has been possible to hit Shift-F10 during setup to get a console window. This can be great to see what's hanging up an install or look up info left in a text file, but it has obvious limited usefulness - it's too darned hard to do some operations from a console window! What you can do, however, is use "Winfile" from the very moment that setup starts. It needs to be the NT version - either NT 4 or 3.51 will work, and presumably earlier versions also. The WfW3.11 or Win9x version *will not* work on 2000/XP. Since Winfile is only 244 K, it can be carried around comfortably on a tech floppy or burned onto a tools CD. Not an everyday need, but when you do need file browse ability during an XP setup, you really need it. *Setup and Installation* Triple Boot Win9x/Win2K/Win XP Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings *Setupp.ini - (Reference )* *How to verify XP software you bought is OEM/UPGRADE/RETAIL? * I am sure we all have noticed Microsoft product marketing strategy. Whenever they launch any new product line, there are various flavors of it available right from day one. Some are given adjectives like UPGRADE version or FULL, others RETAIL v/s OEM and then of-course we have various categories of the product like HOME, PRO , SERVER , ADVANCED SERVER etc etc. Well ever wondered what you bought is same as what was advertised ? How to tell the difference. Here comes the help. Look for a file called *Setupp.ini* that is present on your Windows XP CD and double click on it and browse its content. There is a field called PID=. This PID is what would tell us exactly what we have got.First 5 bytes of PID decide whether (it is OEM or RETAIL or is an UPGRADE ) and last three digits determine what kind of CD KEY will it accept. Here are some of the typical PID values: Retail = 51882 335 Volume License = 51883 270 OEM = 82503 OEM *Shell Icon Cache - Clear/Delete* In Case you are having problems with the ShellIconCache file and deleting it does not help, a quick method for fixing these problems is to boot the computer in the SAFE mode, and after windows has finished loading completely, reboot the computer into the regular mode. Also worth a try is right-click on the desktop and choose Properties. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Appearance tab. From the Item drop-down list, choose Icon. Click the up arrow in the Size box to increase it by one pixel. Click Apply, click the down arrow in the Size box to return the icons to their previous dimensions, and click OK. Also another solution I read, was to change your color settings down to 256 hit apply , then reset them back. *SFC - System File Checker - (SFC /Scannow) * /SCANNOW Scans all protected system files immediately. /SCANONCE Scans all protected system files at the next boot. /SCANBOOT Scans all protected system files at every boot. /REVERT Windows XP: Return to default settings. *Tip:* SFC sets the following registry value: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SFCScan *Tip:* SFC Creates a log - Start/Run/Msinfo32/Tools/File Signature Verification Ulitity *Shared Documents - Remove* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\My Computer\NameSpace\ DelegateFolders Delete this key {59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}. The Shared Documents folders (which are normally under the group called "Other Files Stored on This Computer") will be gone. *Shortcut to....- Remove the 'Shortcut to...' Prefix on Shortcuts* Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: Per User [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer] Per System [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer] Create a new BINARY value name 'link', modify the existing value, to equal '00 00 00 00' to have the Shortcut text disabled (00 00 00 00 = No Shortcut Text). Restart Windows before creating any new shortcuts. *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. *Short Cuts - Add Shortcuts To Start Menu * When you click Start to display Windows XP's new Start menu, you'll see a list of six most-frequently-used programs on the left side of the menu (below Internet and Email). Want to squeeze a couple more in there? Right click the Start button (or a blank area of the Start menu) and select Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click the Customize button next to Start Menu. Under Programs, use the up and down arrows to adjust the number of programs in the list--the max is 30, although you'll only be able to see up to eight with the default large icon size--then click OK twice. *Short Cuts - Broken *(Reference ) *Have You seen those annoying searches for broken shortcuts/links? * Well there is are couple of ways to solve this problem. If You are comfortable with Registry manipulation, Open registry editor by going to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. Add a new key by the name "NoResolveTrack" (without quotes) and sets its value to 1. This can be achieved by group policy editor as well. Open group policy editor by opening START-RUN and entering gpedit.msc. Navigate to User Configuration\AdministrativeTemplates\Start Menu and Taskbar group policy and selecting "Do not use the tracking-based method when resolving shell shortcuts". * Show Desktop Icon is Missing* Copy and paste the five lines below into Notepad. [Shell] Command=2 IconFile=explorer.exe,3 [Taskbar] Command=ToggleDesktop Then save it as Show Desktop.scf and drag it to your quick launch bar. Restore Missing Show Desktop Icon to Quick Launch How to Re-create the Show Desktop Icon on Quick Launch Toolbar *Show Hidden Files and Folders is Missing from Folder Options *Go to:* *Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden. Modify the string value "Type" and enter "group" as value data. After the edit is complete hit F5 to refresh. *Shutdown* Windows XP Boot Problems & Edits Windows XP Shutdown & Restart Troubleshooter Computer Does Not Shut Down Properly if Selective Suspend Is Enabled Gizmo *Shutdown Command - Disable* Start/Run/GPEDIT.MSC Computer Configurations/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/User Rights Assignment/Shut Down the System/Users/Remove. There may be certain machines that you do not want to be shut down; for instance, a workgroup print server, or a machine in a kiosk. With this Registry edit, you can take away that option: Start/Run/Regedit Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER Key: \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer Name: NoClose Data Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 *Shutdown Shortcuts* Shutdown.exe for Windows XP Copy the line below to Notepad: Name it and save with a JS extension. (new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindows(); *Shutdown Tracker* The Shutdown Event Tracker provides a simple and standard mechanism you can use to consistently document the reasons for shutting down or restarting your computer. The information provided is recorded in the system log in Event Viewer. Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Reliability Create a new DWORD value or modify the existing value named "ShutdownReasonUI" and set it to "1" to enable shutdown event tracking. When enabled an additional drop-down option box will be displayed with various planned and unplanned shutdown reasons. Restart Windows for the change to take effect. *Shutdown Troubleshooters* Windows XP Boot Problems & Edits Windows XP Shutdown & Restart Troubleshooter Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown While Saving Your Settings *Slingo2.Exe* Slingo2.exe May Cause an Error Message *Software * Software Compatibility Site for Windows XP *Sort Order - Incorrect* Files and folders whose name contains 10 or more consecutive digits are not sorted correctly in Windows Explorer. For example, assume that you have folders with these names: 1111111111 2222222222 3333333333 4444444444 5555555555 In Windows Explorer, these folder names are sorted as: 2222222222 3333333333 4444444444 1111111111 5555555555 To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 14-Mar-2002 08:32 6.0.2600.37 391,168 Shlwapi.dll The sorting method is changed in Windows XP. The method that is used for sorting is described at the following MSDN Web site: StrCmpLogicalW Function Incorrect Sort Order in Windows Explorer in Windows XP *Sort Order - Reversed A-Z is Z-A* This behavior can occur if the sort order in Windows Explorer is changed from the default order. Right-click Start, click Explore, and then click drive C. On the View menu, click Details. Click the Name column to sort items by name, press and hold down the CTRL key, and then quit Windows Explorer by clicking Close in the upper-right corner of the screen. Release the CTRL key. Restart your computer. Note: You must perform these steps exactly as they are listed. For example, do not quit Windows Explorer by clicking Exit on the File menu. *Sort Start Menu and Favorites in Alphabetical Order* Start/Run/Regedit - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder] To sort the *Favorites* menu hightlight the "Favorites" sub-key and delete it. To sort the *Start Menu* hightlight the "Start Menu" sub-key and delete it. Changes will take effect after you restart Windows and Internet Explorer. *Sort Start Menu Programs* To sort the Programs menu, the Documents menu, or the Favorites menu, right-click any item on the menu, and then click Sort by Name. To use your keyboard to sort the menu items by name: Use the arrow keys to select the item on the menu that you want to sort. Press SHIFT+F10 to view the shortcut menu. Use either the DOWN ARROW key or the UP ARROW key to click Sort By Name, and then press ENTER. Start Menu and Favorites Menu Not Listed in Alphabetical Order *Sound * Windows XP KB Articles About Working With Sound *Sound Troubleshooters* Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP Articles List of Sound and Gameport Drivers in Windows XP Troubleshooting Games and Multimedia in Windows XP Startup Sound Plays Irregularly After Upgrade to Windows XP USB Speakers Make a "Pop" Sound When You Play Audio Troubleshooting Playback in Windows Media Player for Windows XP *Sound Blaster Live - Speaker Problem Fix* 1) Locate the file called ctsurmix.exe in your Creative SoundBlaster folder. 2) Right click it and select properties and then compatibility. 3) Select win2000 compatible mode and it should work again. *Source Path* Copy the contents of the I386 folder from your XP CD to your hard drive. Then go to Start/Run/Regedit. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In the right pane, change SourcePath to reflect your settings. *SP1 for Windows XP* Order the Windows XP Service Pack 1 CD Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 1 Service Pack 1 Changes to Product Activation *SP1 - Add or Remove Error after Installing SP1 (*"Parser Message: Value creation failed" at line 472" error) If you are using Style XP: Right click the Desktop/Properties/Desktop/choose Windows XP and try again. Style XP also has an update available for SP1 If you have renamed the uxtheme.dll (patch) you could try running SFC /Scannow to restore the original MS version. Or check in the root directory for "UxTheme.dll.tqtbak" and rename it to UxTheme.dll and replace the copy in "C:\windows\system32" with the new renamed copy. The original MS Version - 6.0.2800.1045 (1.98 kb) The patch can be downloaded here: http://www.tgtsoft.com/downloads/uxthemepatcher.zip Another workaround posted by: WinBeta.org This is a problem with the file shellstyle.dll, which is included in most visual styles. Use the following steps to fix the problem: http://www.winbeta.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=252 *SP1 - AutoDial is Disabled or You Can't Add a Dialup Connection after installing SP1* To force automatic dialing when a program requires a TCP/IP connection: Go to Start/Administrative Tools/Services. Set these three to "Automatic": Remote Access Connection Manager, Remote Access Auto Connection Manager, Telephony. Now you can even set "Never dial a connection" in Internet options, the dial out process is independent to this option. You will notice that the interface for dialing out is different than the standard IE interface. For DSL: Disable TCP/IP for the DSL network card, since it only serves as a virtual modem for the DSL connection. If you have a LAN connected to your PC be careful not to deactivate TCP/IP for the local area network: If you have DSL and LAN you should have two network cards in your PC, one is for the DSL, the other for the LAN, so make sure you deactivate TCP/IP for the right card (the DSL card, for example "LAN Connection 1" or "LAN connection 2"). and follow the instructions. New Connection Wizard is Greyed Out (Two Methods) Check the rasapi32.dll file. The "rasapi32.dll" file is located in the "c:\windows\system32" folder by default. If this file is also located in the "c:\windows" folder and this file is an old version, similar issues will occur. Check if "rasapi32.dll" file is only located in the "c:\windows\system32" folder. If not, rename other "rasapi32.dll" files to the "rasapi32.old" files. Reboot the computer and check if this issue still occurs. If this issue still occurs, try the following method to overwrite the current "rasapi32.dll" file: 1. Insert into the Windows XP CD (I assume that the drive letter of CD-ROM is E). 2. Click the Start Menu and choose the "Run…" menu. Input the command: expand e:\i386\rasapi32.dl_ c:\windows\system32\rasapi32.dll 3. Restart the computer and check if this issue still occurs. Method 2:========= 1. From Start, go to Run, type Regedit in the Open box, and then press Enter. 2. Make a backup copy of the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Telephony 3. Delete the following value: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Telephony\Cards\NexxtID 4. Quit and then restart the Make a Connection Wizard. All of the network connection options should now be available. Dial-up Modem or PPPoE Option in New Connection Wizard Is Unavailable *SP1 - Bootable CD* How to create a bootable CD for XP with SP1 Microsoft added the ability to Slipstream a Service Pack to Windows XP. It not only has the advantage that when you reinstall your OS, you'll don't have to apply the Service Pack later, also if you update any Windows component later, you'll be sure that you get the correct installation files if Windows needs any. Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack 1 You can also go here and follow instructions and make a new XP CD and have this SP/1 integrated into it. This way if you ever have to do a clean install of XP, the Service Pack will also be installed for you during the install. *SP1 - Internet Explorer (Can't view websites that use JavaScript) by Weston Wheat Problem:* After installing ServicePack1(SP1) for Win XP pro and Explorer 6.0 SP1, the browser with not open web pages that were link by a JavaScript. A good example was www.tvguide.com go to the listing web and try to open the information window for a show. The child window will not open and the browser would return a error icon in the bottom bar. After playing with the security settings and even try to reinstalling Microsoft Java Virtual Machine for Win XP, still the browser still would not respond to JavaScript links.* The Fix:* Out of desperation, I un-installed the SP1 for Win XP Pro by going to the Control Panel, Add/Remove programs window. And selected Service Pack 1 for XP to be un-installed. Followed the on screens instructions and rebooted the computer with ask to. Still, however the browser would not respond to JavaScript links. So again, out of desperation I un-installed Explorer 6.0 by going to the Control Panel, Add/Remove programs window, Click on Add/Remove Windows Components and de-selected Explorer. Click next and followed the on screen instructions until finished. The Explorer icon was still there on the desk-top after running the un-install for Explorer. So I rebooted the computer and upon reboot the icon was missing. Now, I wanted to re-install Win XP SP1 for all the security updates, I was considering running without the service pack, but change my mind when I saw how many security issues there were to install without the service pack.* *I ran the downloadable executable file version of the service pack (130 megs file size). Followed the on screen instructions. Note: Always use the backup old files option. And rebooted when I was ask to do so. Next, came the re-install of Explorer 6.0 . I went to the Control Panel, Add/Remove programs window, click on Add/Remove Windows Components and selected Explorer. Clicked next and followed the on screen instructions. Rebooted at the end of the process. When the computer come up, I opened Explorer and check the reversion level and it was at SP1. I know, weird!, but I decided to test the browser and it worked on the www.tvguide.com page. All was then well. My browser now works great and it does seem a little faster. *Conclusion:* I think by running the executable file version of the service pack to install the SP1 for Win XP Pro and not the express method as I had the first time when the problem began, it replaced the problem dll's/files. Then by installing Explorer on top of XP Pro SP1, the browser had a good footing. *The short of it is: *Un-installed XP SP1. Un-installed MS Explorer 6.0. Then re-installed XP SP1 and finally re-installed MS Explorer 6.0. I hope this helps someone.* Weston Wheat* *SP1 - Outlook Express (Can't Switch Identities)* There are currently two workarounds and one option:* *Click on File/Identities/Manage Identities and remove the checkmark in "Use this identity when starting a program". You Cannot Switch Identities in Outlook Express After You Install Windows XP SP1 Another option: Before changing identity, Press F1. The Outlook Express "Help" window will open (and leave it running in the background). Now click on FILE > SWITCH IDENTITY and select your other identity. Outlook Express will ask the question "Do you wish to keep the same connection". Answer "YES". It will go to the identity you select. *Option:* Put a shortcut to msoe.chm in the Startup folder and leave the default ID active.* SP1 - Removing Archived/Backup Files: * If you selected "yes" and did a backup it should be listed in Add/Remove. If not, check here: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall If you no longer wish to uninstall SP1 you can remove those extra files, to do so: Set your folder options to show hidden files then go to: C:\Windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$ and delete it. After uninstalling the folder go to Add or Remove, choose uninstall and it will fail and then the listing will be removed. *SP1 - System Restore (Highlights of System Restore fixes included in SP1) *1. Fix for SR not launching due to the framedyn.dll error you all have been reporting. 2. No calendar available in the SR wizard to select restore points due to the the .htc file association being knocked out in the registry has been fixed. 3. A fix for SR failing restores. A lot of you were seeing failed restores when restoring to any restore point. Although some of it was attributed to SR data store corruption, in most cases it was possibly due to locked file issues causing the restore process to fail, especially in scenarios where fast user switching was used. This was a known issue which is now fixed in in SP1. This will hopefully resolve all cases for failed restores and it would be great if all of you running into this problem could upgrade to SP1 and provide us feedback on this issue, whether it has resolved the problem for you or not. 4. Fix for drive table inconsistency on a machine causing SR to not create restore points. 5. Security fixes for SR to keep away those terrible hackers and viruses. So upgrade to SP1 and provide us with some feedback on your issues with SR and whether they are now resolved, especially when dealing with failed restores. Anshul Rawat [MS] - System Restore, Windows XP *SP1 Troubleshooting. * You Cannot Use the "Start Windows Using Last Known Good Configuration" Feature to Remove SP1 *SP1 Uninstall* Repairing the Windows XP Installation removes SP1 Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, please refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer. Insert your Windows XP compact disc (CD) into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. (You can also boot with a Windows 98/Me Startup disk with CD support and run WINNT.EXE in the I386 folder on the CD) When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD. When you see the following message displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER: To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER. At this point an option to press R to enter the Recovery Console is displayed. Do not select this option. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press the R key to repair Windows XP. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup. *SPCheck.Exe* How to Use the SPCheck Tool in Windows XP *Special Folders* *Question:* One of my special folders (e.g. My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, Shared Documents, etc) has lost its name, lost its icon, or has the wrong Task Pane template, how can I get it back? *Answer:* This problem can occur if the hidden /desktop.ini/ file in the special folder is corrupt or missing. Here are the steps to fix this problem: Illustrated, detailed instructions here: http://computers.douglasthrift.net/winxpfaq.html#faq3 *Speech Recognition Reminder - Disable* Control Panel/Regional and Language Settings/Language Bar/Details/Preferences/Turn off Advanced Text Services. *Speech Recognition - Troubleshooting* HOW TO: Install and Configure Speech Recognition in Windows XP HOW TO: Configure and Use Text to Speech in Windows XP HOW TO: Use Speech Recognition in Windows XP *Speed-Up Share Viewing* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace. Delete the key called {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} and reboot. *Spell Checker - Error Message or Doesn't Function* Start/Run/EXPAND X:\i386\CSAPI3T1.DL_ C:\CSAPI3T1.DLL (Where X is your CD-Rom drive letter). And then copy it to: Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof. Or download the file here . Related Issues, Fixes and Information An error occurred while the spelling was being checked. Cannot Spell Check Messages in Outlook Express 5 Spell Checker or Custom Dictionary Errors in Outlook Express Add full-featured, automatic spell checking to Outlook Express without the need to purchase Microsoft Office! http://www.spellchecker.com/personal/. Download here . Spell Checker for Edit Boxes - http://www.quinion.com/mqa/spell.htm *Splash Screen for Windows XP - Disable* Right click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Startup and Recovery, Edit. Edit BOOT.INI. Add "/SOS" right after "/fastdetect" with a space between. The line will look something like this: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /SOS. When you're finished. The first part, multi(0)..... may not be the same on your machine. Upon restarting, the splash screen will be gone. It can be re-enabled by removing the new switch. *Splash Screen for Windows XP - Remove *Right click My Computer, go to Properties, Advanced, Startup and Recovery, click the Edit button. Add the following to the line that loads XP: /SOS The results should look something like this: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /SOS *Tip: Disable Status Messages - *Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System Right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value. Name the new value DisableStatusMessages. Double click the new value and set it to 1. Status messages will no longer show during boot/shutdown/logon/logoff. A value of 2 will give you Verbose status messages. *SSL* SSL Connection Does Not Work on Windows XP *Standby* Troubleshooting Standby Issues in Windows XP Computer Does Not Resume When You Press a Key on Your USB Keyboard (Q314293) To automatically put your computer on standby 1.. Open Power Options in Control Panel. 2.. In Power Schemes, click the down arrow, and then select a power scheme. The time settings for the power scheme are displayed in System standby, Turn off monitor, and Turn off hard disks. 3.. To turn off your monitor before your computer goes on standby, select a time in Turn off monitor. 4.. To turn off your hard disk before your computer goes on standby, select a time in Turn off hard disks. Notes a.. To open Power Options, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Power Options. b.. You might want to save your work before putting your computer on standby. While the computer is on standby, information in computer memory is not saved to your hard disk. If there is an interruption in power, information in memory is lost. c.. To create a new power scheme, specify the time settings you want, and then click Save As. d.. If you're using a portable computer, you can specify one setting for battery power and a different setting for AC power. e.. To put your computer on standby, you must have a computer that is set up by the manufacturer to support this option. f.. Using Power Options in Control Panel, you can adjust any power management option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports. Because these options may vary widely from computer to computer, the options described may differ from what you see. Power Options automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you can control. To manually put your computer on standby 1.. Open Power Options in Control Panel. 2.. On the Advanced tab, under When I press the power button on my computer, click Standby. If you are using a portable computer, click Standby under When I close the lid of my portable computer. 3.. Click OK or Apply, and then turn off the power or close the lid of your portable computer. Notes a.. To open Power Options, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Power Options. b.. You can also put your computer on standby by clicking Start and then clicking Shut Down. In the What do you want the computer to do drop-down list, click Stand by. c.. You might want to save your work before putting your computer on standby. While the computer is on standby, information in computer memory is not saved on your hard disk. If there is an interruption in power, information in memory is lost. d.. To put your computer on standby, you must have a computer that is set up by the manufacturer to support this option. e.. Using Power Options in Control Panel, you can adjust any power management option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports. Because these options may vary widely from computer to computer, the options described may differ from what you see. Power Options automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you can control. *Start Menu* Add a Website link to Start menu Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP Frequently Used Programs Not Automatically Added to Start Menu HOW TO: Prevent a Program from Being Displayed in the Most Frequently Used Programs List in Windows XP *Start Menu - Add Shortcuts To Start Menu * When you click Start to display Windows XP's new Start menu, you'll see a list of six most-frequently-used programs on the left side of the menu (below Internet and Email). Want to squeeze a couple more in there? Right click the Start button (or a blank area of the Start menu) and select Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click the Customize button next to Start Menu. Under Programs, use the up and down arrows to adjust the number of programs in the list--the max is 30, although you'll only be able to see up to eight with the default large icon size--then click OK twice. *Tip: *Windows XP can only display up to eight most-often-used programs on the left side of the new Start menu. If you'd like to see more at a time (up to 14), decrease the size of the icons displayed there. Right click the Start button (or a blank area of the Start menu) and select Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click the Customize button next to Start Menu. On the General tab, select Small icons, then click OK twice. *Start Menu - Add/Remove Items On Right Side Of Start Menu * When you open the Windows XP Start menu, you notice a shaded row of options on its right side--My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, Favorites and so on. See anything there that you don't need or want? Remove it. While you're at it, you can change certain links (without arrows to expand them) into pop-out menus, or vice versa. Right-click the Start button or a blank area of the Start menu and select Properties. On the Start Menu tab, next to 'Start menu,' click the Customize button. Click the Advanced tab and you'll see certain items selected under Start menu items. To remove an item from the Start menu, de-select it or choose its 'Don't display this item' option. To display a commonly-used item, such as the Control Panel or My Documents folder, as a pop-out menu, select 'Display as menu' below that item. When you're through making changes, click OK. *Start Menu - Clean* At the top there are links to the Internet and E-mail programs; these default to the Microsoft programs. Under those two shortcuts, we find the "Most frequently used" programs list. But when you start using other programs, you'll notice that Microsoft has given its own an apparent "head start", as they will be slow to disappear from the list. It is, however, easy enough to remove a program from this list: just right-click on the program you want to remove, and from the menu select Remove from This List. When you right-click, you might also note that Pin to Start menu is an option. When you select that option, the shortcut will be moved to the top of the Start menu, directly below the E-mail link. You can also remove a program that was pinned to the Start menu by right-clicking, and choosing Unpin from Start menu (which will restore it to its position on the lower part of the start menu), or choosing Remove from This List, which will remove it completely from the Start menu. Next you will notice a great number of links on the right side of the Start menu such as My Documents, My Recent Documents, My Pictures and My Music. Well, I don't know about you, but that's nothing that I need there! Just right-click an empty space on the Start menu, click Properties, click Customize and select the Advanced tab. Now you can customize the look & feel of your Start menu in whatever way you want! There are a number of items (Control Panel, My Computer, My Documents, My Music, and My Pictures) for which you have these three options: Display as link Display as menu Don't display this item It is especially useful to have the Control Panel as menu, as this will create faster access to the individual Control Panel applets. One other option that deserves mention is the Highlight newly installed programs. This is another annoyance you will want to switch off quickly! Not only will newly installed programs be listed with a yellowish highlight in the All Programs menu, you will also receive a pop-up when you open the start menu that tells you New programs installed. On the General tab (after pressing Customize on the Taskbar and Start Menu properties), you can also change the Internet & E-mail programs listed on the Start menu. The drop-down boxes should contain all programs installed on your system. Also you can change the number of shortcuts listed on the (left side) Start menu, as well as clear the whole list of programs in one shot. On the Taskbar and Start Menu properties itself, you can also choose Classic Start menu. Choosing this option will make your start menu look like the Windows 2000 Start menu. Start Menu Policy Settings *Start Menu Scrolling - Enable* When there are more items on the Start Menu than can fit on the screen, Windows can either create a second column of items or it can create a scrolling menu. This tweak controls that functionality. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: StartMenuScrollPrograms, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "Yes" or "No". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'StartMenuScrollPrograms' 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. *Note:* This 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. *Start-Up Files* The Complete List of Startup Locations in Windows When Windows starts up, it automatically launches a number of programs for you. Some of these come from the Startup folder. Windows also looks in six other locations for files that should be launched at startup. Startup Cop helps you handle problems with programs that are automatically launched at startup by listing them and letting you disable, enable, or delete them. http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2344-10059235.html *Startup Folder on the Desktop *Go to Start/Run/Regedit. Navigate to each key. In the right pane, scroll down to Startup and make sure they read accordingly: User Shell %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Shell C:\documents and setting\[User Name]\Start Menu\Programs\Startup HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders* *HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders *Startup Problems - Troubleshooting with Advanced Startup* If your computer doesn’t start correctly, you can use advanced Startup options to run Windows XP Professional to troubleshoot your problem. To start your computer by using an advanced Startup option: Click Start, click Shut down, click What do you want the computer to do? and then click Restart. Click OK. When the list of available operating systems appears, press the F8 key. On the “Advanced Options” screen, select the advanced Startup option you want, and then press ENTER. Before using Advanced Startup, go to Help and Support Center and type “Safe Mode Options” in the Search box. *Startup Programs - Disable Unnecessary Programs at Startup* How to Modify the List of Programs that Run at Startup Start/Run/Msconfig/Startup Start/Run/Regedit. Right Click/Delete unnecessary programs listed here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Disable Run Commands Specified in the Registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer Value Name: DisableLocalMachineRun, DisableLocalMachineRunOnce, DisableCurrentUserRun, DisableCurrentUserRunOnce Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = enable run, 1 = disable run) Create a new DWORD value for each of the optional values above depending on which Run function to stop and set the value to "1" to disable. Restart Windows for change to take effect. *To remove programs that are listed in the Start Menu:* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage - Right Pane - Favorites. *Or to ban them: Start/Run/Regedit* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\FileAssociation\ Right-click the String Value AddRemoveApps, and select Modify Add the name of the programs executable at the end of the Value data, make sure that the name is preceded by a semicolon (;). Exit/Reboot. *Tip:* For a detailed list of all installed software: http://www.belarc.com/Download.html In the Software Versions section you'll see all of your installed software. At the end of each entry is a clickable asterisk that will take you to the folder the software is installed in. *To Clear Add/Remove:* Removing Invalid Entries in the Add/Remove Programs Tool. Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall You may have to contact the manufacturer of the program that you want to remove if you need to clean up the disk and registry entries. The procedure described in this section does not remove all the files and registry entries used by the program; it removes only the reference in the Add/Remove Programs tool. *Startup Programs - Without the Startup Folder* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Data Type: REG_SZ. Value: path to program. *Startup Services - Remove/Disable* To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the "Services" Admin Tool (Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services). If you are a single user of a non-networked machine, you can disable the following items, with no ill effect. Alerter Clipbook Computer Browser Fast User Switching Human Interface Access Devices Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down) Messenger Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain) Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security) Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security) Remote Procedure Call Locator Remote Registry (disabled for extra security) Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security) Server SSDP Discovery Service ("Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open) TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Telnet (disabled for extra security) Universal Plug and Play Device Host Upload Manager Windows Time Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks) Workstation *Status Bar - Disappear* Windows Explorer/View/Status Bar. Then go to Tools/Folder Options/View/Apply to all folders. *Status Messages - Disable* You can disable the Status messages that appear on the screen when you're booting, logging on, logging off or shutting down the system (Starting Windows, Loading Personalized Settings, etc.). Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System Right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value. Name the new value, DisableStatusMessages. Double click the new value and set it to 1 to disable these messages, 0 to enable them. *Stop Errors - Troubleshooting* Stop Messages Troubleshooting Stop Errors in Windows XP Possible Resolutions to STOP 0x0A, 0x01E, and 0x50 Errors Troubleshooting "Stop 0x0A" Messages in Windows How to Troubleshoot a Stop 0xC0000218 Error General Information on STOP 0x0000000A How to Debug a Stop 0xC2 or Stop 0x000000C2 Error Microsoft Debugging Tools When you use volumes that use the NTFS file system on integrated device electronics (IDE) drives with caching enabled, you may receive the following error message during startup: Download the fix here . Stop 0x000000ED Unmountable_Boot_Volume Stop 0x000000ED Error Message When Volume on IDE Drive with Caching Enabled Is Mounted * Storage * 1394 Storage Device Does Not Work After You Insert or Remove 1394 Device *Support* Microsoft Product Support Services for Windows XP Professional *Sysinternals* Monitoring, Performance Tools and Utilities *Sysprep.Exe* Event ID 7005 When You Use Sysprep.exe with the -mini Switch How to Use Sysprep.exe to Automate Windows XP Deployment Sysprep May Result in "Stop 0x7b (Inaccessible Boot Device)" Preventing Sysprep from Removing Desktop Icons and Shortcuts How to Use Cmdlines.txt File During Sysprep.exe Setup Wizard Sysprep w. Windows Product Activation or Volume License Media System Preparation Tool and Answer File Usage Cannot Log On to Recovery Console After Running Sysprep *Tip: Sysprep Resizes PageFile - *Add this to the [Unattended] section of your sysprep.inf. KeepPageFile = 1. The value of 0 allows sysprep to delete the current pagefile and revert to system default settings. A value of 1 is supposed to keep the current pagefile settings and sizes. *System Backup* System Backup for Windows XP *System Beeps - Disable* Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound In the right pane, right click "Beeps", modify, set the value to no. Exit, reboot. *System Information (Msinfo32)* Description and Uses of the System Information Tool *System32 - Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM * *Suggestion:* To fix the "windows\system32\config\system file is missing or corrupt" where XP wont boot, go to recovery console and type: cd system32\config ren system system.old ren system.alt systemalt.old copy c:\windows\repair\system copy c:\windows\repair\regback\system exit Cannot Start Windows XP if the System or Software Hive Is Missing or Damaged How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry How to Troubleshoot a Stop 0xC0000218 Error *System32 Folder* System32 Folder Opens When Logging on to Windows *System Performance - Some overall suggestions to increase system performance* 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. Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Advanced, Startup and Recovery, System Startup/Display Recovery...set the timeout to 0. Right click My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Visual Effects Tab/Adjust for Best Performance/Uncheck everything from: Animate Windows when....all the way down. 1: Right Click on My Computer and select properties. 2: Click on the "Advanced" tab 3: See the "Performance" section? Click "Settings" 4: Disable the following: Fade or slide menus into view Fade or slide ToolTips into view Fade out menu items after clicking Show Shadows under menus Slide open combo boxes Slide taskbar buttons Use a background image for each folder type Use common tasks in folders *System Processor - View Information *These values contain information about the system processor, including speed, brand and model. Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\ CentralProcessor\0 Value Name: ~MHz, Identifier, VendorIdentifier *System Restore* Unable to use system restore due to the error: "missing framedyn.dll. Please reinstall the application to fix this problem". A temporary fix to address this issue is to make the user copy the framedyn.dll file from \Windows\System32\WBEM directory to the \Windows\System32 directory. We are currently working to determine why this is occurring, one possible case is due to windows path corruption. System Restore Information, Issues and Tweaks Create System Restore Points Troubleshooting System Restore in Windows XP System Restore Tool Displays a Blank Calendar in Windows XP System Restore "Restore Points" Are Missing or Deleted _ _ Registry Keys and Values for the System Restore Utility *Tip: *Restore points are saved in under x:\system volume information\_restore{558C94FD-3C7F-4954-A02D- 26679E6D849E}. Each restore point's files are saved in a folder named RPXX where XX is a two digit number corresponding to the restore point. *Single Click System Restore Point* - VB Script to run unattended Restore Point Creation as a Scheduled Task. The Restore point will be identified as Automatic Restore Point with the date and time the script was run. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_sysrestorepoint.htm * Tip: System Restore Does Not Restore Your Wallpaper or Background * *System Restore Tab Missing *Check your settings here: For Pro: Start/Run/gpedit.msc. Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, System Restore. *System Settings - Edit Hidden System Settings using Group Policy Editor * Windows XP has a great program called Group Policy Editor that allows system administrators to modify the settings to a great number of windows features. TO start the program up follow the directions below. 1. Open the start menu and click Run 2. Type gpedit.msc 3. The Group Policy MMC appears 4. Click through the different nodes of the tree to see all the hidden features of Windows XP that you can edit without touching the registry. Examples: Changing IE displays, Clearing the pagefile at shutdown, boot-time defrag settings, and many many more. Another tip is to add this to your Administrative Tools by adding the shortcut to gpedit.msc *Startup or Shutdown - No System Sounds* If you are using TweakUI go to the General section and check Beep on Errors. *Stop Errors* Stop Messages Troubleshooting Stop Errors in Windows XP "STOP 0x0000008e" Error Message During Windows XP Setup Possible Resolutions to STOP 0x0A, 0x01E, and 0x50 Errors Troubleshooting "Stop 0x0A" Messages in Windows General Information on STOP 0x0000000A "STOP:0xD1" Error Message When You Start Your Windows XP-Based Computer *Svchost.Exe* Error Message When You Try to Dial a Connection: "Svchost.exe Has Generated Errors and Will Be Closed by Windows" *System Volume Information - Where is it?* Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View/Show Hidden File and Uncheck Hide Protected Operating System Files. Powered by FreeFind /Note: This compilation of information are from various sources. All credit due to its authors. Home Page Win98 - 09/30/2002 10:56 PM - Home Page WinXP © Copyright Kelly Theriot MS-MVP(DTS) 2002 All rights reserved. /