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10 most common reasons why PCs crash, Now you know

Fatal error: the system has become unstable or is busy,\" it says. \"Enter to return to Windows or press Control-Alt-Delete to restart your computer. If you do this you will lose any unsaved information in all open applications.\"

You have just been struck by the Blue Screen of Death. Anyone who uses Mcft Windows will be familiar with this. What can you do? More importantly, how can you prevent it happening?

1 Hardware conflict

The number one reason why Windows crashes is hardware conflict. Each hardware device communicates to other devices through an interrupt request channel (IRQ). These are supposed to be unique for each device.

For example, a printer usually connects internally on IRQ 7. The keyboard usually uses IRQ 1 and the floppy disk drive IRQ 6. Each device will try to hog a single IRQ for itself.

If there are a lot of devices, or if they are not installed properly, two of them may end up sharing the same IRQ number. When the user tries to use both devices at the same time, a crash can happen. The way to check if your computer has a hardware conflict is through the following route:

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager.

Often if a device has a problem a yellow '!' appears next to its description in the Device Manager. Highlight Computer (in the Device Manager) and press Properties to see the IRQ numbers used by your computer. If the IRQ number appears twice, two devices may be using it.

Sometimes a device might share an IRQ with something described as 'IRQ holder for PCI steering'. This can be ignored. The best way to fix this problem is to remove the problem device and reinstall it.

Sometimes you may have to find more recent drivers on the internet to make the device function properly. A good resource is www.driverguide.com. If the device is a soundcard, or a modem, it can often be fixed by moving it to a different slot on the motherboard (be careful about opening your computer, as you may void the warranty).

When working inside a computer you should switch it off, unplug the mains lead and touch an unpainted metal surface to discharge any static electricity.

To be fair to Mcft, the problem with IRQ numbers is not of its making. It is a legacy problem going back to the first PC designs using the IBM 8086 chip. Initially there were only eight IRQs. Today there are 16 IRQs in a PC. It is easy to run out of them. There are plans to increase the number of IRQs in future designs.

2 Bad Ram

Ram (random-access memory) problems might bring on the blue screen of death with a message saying Fatal Exception Error. A fatal error indicates a serious hardware problem. Sometimes it may mean a part is damaged and will need replacing.

But a fatal error caused by Ram might be caused by a mismatch of chips. For example, mixing 70-nanosecond (70ns) Ram with 60ns Ram will usually force the computer to run all the Ram at the slower speed. This will often crash the machine if the Ram is overworked.

One way around this problem is to enter the BIOS settings and increase the wait state of the Ram. This can make it more stable. Another way to troubleshoot a suspected Ram problem is to rearrange the Ram chips on the motherboard, or take some of them out. Then try to repeat the circumstances that caused the crash. When handling Ram try not to touch the gold connections, as they can be easily damaged.

Parity error messages also refer to Ram. Modern Ram chips are either parity (ECC) or non parity (non-ECC). It is best not to mix the two types, as this can be a cause of trouble.

EMM386 error messages refer to memory problems but may not be connected to bad Ram. This may be due to free memory problems often linked to old Dos-based programmes.

3 BIOS settings

Every motherboard is supplied with a range of chipset settings that are decided in the factory. A common way to access these settings is to press the F2 or delete button during the first few seconds of a boot-up.

Once inside the BIOS, great care should be taken. It is a good idea to write down on a piece of paper all the settings that appear on the screen. That way, if you change something and the computer becomes more unstable, you will know what settings to revert to.

A common BIOS error concerns the CAS latency. This refers to the Ram. Older EDO (extended data out) Ram has a CAS latency of 3. Newer SDRam has a CAS latency of 2. Setting the wrong figure can cause the Ram to lock up and freeze the computer's display.

Mcft Windows is better at allocating IRQ numbers than any BIOS. If possible set the IRQ numbers to Auto in the BIOS. This will allow Windows to allocate the IRQ numbers (make sure the BIOS setting for Plug and Play OS is switched to 'yes' to allow Windows to do this.).

4 Hard disk drives

After a few weeks, the information on a hard disk drive starts to become piecemeal or fragmented. It is a good idea to defragment the hard disk every week or so, to prevent the disk from causing a screen freeze. Go to

* Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter

This will start the procedure. You will be unable to write data to the hard drive (to save it) while the disk is defragmenting, so it is a good idea to schedule the procedure for a period of inactivity using the Task Scheduler.

The Task Scheduler should be one of the small icons on the bottom right of the Windows opening page (the desktop).

Some lockups and screen freezes caused by hard disk problems can be solved by reducing the read-ahead optimisation. This can be adjusted by going to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System Icon-Performance-File System-Hard Disk.

Hard disks will slow down and crash if they are too full. Do some housekeeping on your hard drive every few months and free some space on it. Open the Windows folder on the C drive and find the Temporary Internet Files folder. Deleting the contents (not the folder) can free a lot of space.

Empty the Recycle Bin every week to free more space. Hard disk drives should be scanned every week for errors or bad sectors. Go to

* Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-ScanDisk

Otherwise assign the Task Scheduler to perform this operation at night when the computer is not in use.

5 Fatal OE exceptions and VXD errors

Fatal OE exception errors and VXD errors are often caused by video card problems.

These can often be resolved easily by reducing the resolution of the video display. Go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-Display-Settings

Here you should slide the screen area bar to the left. Take a look at the colour settings on the left of that window. For most desktops, high colour 16-bit depth is adequate.

If the screen freezes or you experience system lockups it might be due to the video card. Make sure it does not have a hardware conflict. Go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager

Here, select the + beside Display Adapter. A line of text describing your video card should appear. Select it (make it blue) and press properties. Then select Resources and select each line in the window. Look for a message that says No Conflicts.

If you have video card hardware conflict, you will see it here. Be careful at this point and make a note of everything you do in case you make things worse.

The way to resolve a hardware conflict is to uncheck the Use Automatic Settings box and hit the Change Settings button. You are searching for a setting that will display a No Conflicts message.

Another useful way to resolve video problems is to go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Performance-Graphics

Here you should move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the left. As ever, the most common cause of problems relating to graphics cards is old or faulty drivers (a driver is a small piece of software used by a computer to communicate with a device).

Look up your video card's manufacturer on the internet and search for the most recent drivers for it.

6 Viruses

Often the first sign of a virus infection is instability. Some viruses erase the boot sector of a hard drive, making it impossible to start. This is why it is a good idea to create a Windows start-up disk. Go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs

Here, look for the Start Up Disk tab. Virus protection requires constant vigilance.

A virus scanner requires a list of virus signatures in order to be able to identify viruses. These signatures are stored in a DAT file. DAT files should be updated weekly from the website of your antivirus software manufacturer.

An excellent antivirus programme is McAfee VirusScan by Network Associates ( www.nai.com). Another is Norton AntiVirus 2000, made by Symantec ( www.symantec.com).

7 Printers

The action of sending a document to print creates a bigger file, often called a postscript file.

Printers have only a small amount of memory, called a buffer. This can be easily overloaded. Printing a document also uses a considerable amount of CPU power. This will also slow down the computer's performance.

If the printer is trying to print unusual characters, these might not be recognised, and can crash the computer. Sometimes printers will not recover from a crash because of confusion in the buffer. A good way to clear the buffer is to unplug the printer for ten seconds. Booting up from a powerless state, also called a cold boot, will restore the printer's default settings and you may be able to carry on.

8 Software

A common cause of computer crash is faulty or badly-installed software. Often the problem can be cured by uninstalling the software and then reinstalling it. Use Norton Uninstall or Uninstall Shield to remove an application from your system properly. This will also remove references to the programme in the System Registry and leaves the way clear for a completely fresh copy.

The System Registry can be corrupted by old references to obsolete software that you thought was uninstalled. Use Reg Cleaner by Jouni Vuorio to clean up the System Registry and remove obsolete entries. It works on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE (Second Edition), Windows Millennium Edition (ME), NT4 and Windows 2000.

Read the instructions and use it carefully so you don't do permanent damage to the Registry. If the Registry is damaged you will have to reinstall your operating system. Reg Cleaner can be obtained from www.jv16.org

Often a Windows problem can be resolved by entering Safe Mode. This can be done during start-up. When you see the message \"Starting Windows\" press F8. This should take you into Safe Mode.

Safe Mode loads a minimum of drivers. It allows you to find and fix problems that prevent Windows from loading properly.

Sometimes installing Windows is difficult because of unsuitable BIOS settings. If you keep getting SUWIN error messages (Windows setup) during the Windows installation, then try entering the BIOS and disabling the CPU internal cache. Try to disable the Level 2 (L2) cache if that doesn't work.

Remember to restore all the BIOS settings back to their former settings following installation.

9 Overheating

Central processing units (CPUs) are usually equipped with fans to keep them cool. If the fan fails or if the CPU gets old it may start to overheat and generate a particular kind of error called a kernel error. This is a common problem in chips that have been overclocked to operate at higher speeds than they are supposed to.

One remedy is to get a bigger better fan and install it on top of the CPU. Specialist cooling fans/heatsinks are available from www.computernerd.com or www.coolit.com

CPU problems can often be fixed by disabling the CPU internal cache in the BIOS. This will make the machine run more slowly, but it should also be more stable.

10 Power supply problems

With all the new construction going on around the country the steady supply of electricity has become disrupted. A power surge or spike can crash a computer as easily as a power cut.

If this has become a nuisance for you then consider buying a uninterrupted power supply (UPS). This will give you a clean power supply when there is electricity, and it will give you a few minutes to perform a controlled shutdown in case of a power cut.

It is a good investment if your data are critical, because a power cut will cause any unsaved data to be lost.

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Guide - 10 Quick and Easy Security Tips
Author: Matt

1. Patch automatically: Ensure Windows is set to update itself. In XP, click Start, Control Panel, Security Settings (if you're in Category view), Automatic Updates. In 2000, choose Start, Settings, Control Panel, Automatic Updates. In both versions, verify that 'Automatic (recommended)' is selected. You can also have Windows notify you before it downloads an update, or you can install the update manually. (The steps and options are only slightly different in Windows 98 and Me.)

2. Don't wait for Windows: If your PC has been off for more than a few days, don't wait for Windows' automatic update to kick in. Make the Windows Update site your first Internet stop. Also, there may be a lag between when a patch is available and when Windows Update pushes it to you. Microsoft releases Windows patches on the second Tuesday of each month, so to be safe check for updates manually every couple of weeks. And don't forget to set your antivirus and anti-spyware tools to update automatically (or check weekly for updates yourself).

3. Use XP's security monitor: Windows XP Service Pack 2's most welcome addition is the Windows Security Center, which alerts you when your PC's firewall and antivirus protection are disabled or out of date. Still, XP's own firewall protects you only from inbound pests; it doesn't alert you to suspicious outbound traffic. We recommend that you disable the XP firewall and instead use Zone Labs' (ZoneAlarm) or another third-party firewall program that protects both ways.

4. Make your file extensions visible: Some viruses masquerade as harmless file types by adding a bogus extension near the end of their name, as in \"funnycartoon.jpg.exe,\" in hopes your system is set to hide such extensions (the default in Windows XP and 2000)?you see '.jpg' but not '.exe'. To make these troublemakers easier to spot, open Windows Explorer or any folder window and click Tools, Folder Options, View. Ensure that the option 'Hide file extensions for known file types' is unchecked.
Bonus Tip 1: To get the most complete picture of your Windows setup, check Show hidden files and folders and uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).

5. Keep Internet Explorer safe: Many people find IE 6's Medium security level too obliging to ActiveX controls and other small programs, or scripts, that the browser runs on your PC. ActiveX and JavaScript enable such useful Web features as order forms and security scans, but they also may run malicious code and give attackers access to your system. To make IE safer, click Tools, Internet Options, Security, Custom Level, select High from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the Security Settings dialog box, and click Reset, Yes, OK.
Unfortunately, setting IE to the High security setting can lead to the browser's unleashing a fusillade of warnings and permission pop-ups every time you visit a site. The solution is to add the sites that you access often to IE's Trusted Sites list: Choose Tools, Internet Options, Security, click the Trusted Sites icon, and then click the Sites button. Enter the Web address, click Add, and repeat as necessary (see the Trusted Sites screen below). Be sure to uncheck Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone. When you're finished, click OK twice.

6. Make Firefox more secure: The only way to block JavaScripts on a site-by-site basis in the Mozilla Foundation's free Firefox browser is to download and install the NoScript add-in that was created by Giorgio Maone. NoScript places a warning bar at the bottom of all the Web pages you visit that use JavaScript. Click the bar to see options for allowing scripts on the site (permanently or temporarily), blocking scripts, and other operations (see the NoScript screen below). The program can also stifle Flash animations and other Firefox plug-ins, but keep in mind that going Flash-less means you'll be missing out on some of the Web's richest content (along with all of those great dancing ads). Although NoScript is freeware, the author does accept donations at www.noscript.net.

7. Handle e-mail links with care: If a virus infects your PC, chances are good it arrived piggybacked on e-mail. To reduce your risk of an e-mail-borne infection, don't click links in suspicious messages (the text in the message may mask the actual Web address). Instead, enter the URL in your browser's address bar manually, or go to the site's home page and then navigate to the page in question.

8. Scan attachments for viruses: Run each of the e-mail attachments you receive through your antivirus software before you open them. Rather than double-clicking the attachment to open it instantly, save the file to a drive on your PC, open Windows Explorer, right-click the file, and choose the option to scan it for viruses. (Better yet, set your antivirus software to scan incoming and outgoing e-mail automatically.)

9. Close the preview pane: Some maleficent messages need only be opened in your e-mail program's preview window to do their dirty work. That's why we recommend that you close the preview pane in all of your inboxes. In Microsoft Outlook 2003, click View, Reading pane, Off. In Outlook Express 6, click View, Layout and verify that 'Show Preview Pane' is unchecked. In Mozilla Thunderbird, click View, Layout and confirm that 'Message pane' is unchecked (or press <F8> to toggle the preview pane on and off).

10. Read your mail in plain text: Since many e-mail pests rely on HTML code to achieve their nefarious goals, you can stop them in their tracks by viewing your messages as plain text. In Outlook 2003, click Tools, Options, Preferences, E-mail Options and check Read all standard mail in plain text. In Outlook Express 6, choose Tools, Options, Read and click Read all messages in plain text. In Mozilla Thunderbird, select View, Message Body As, Plain Text.
Via: PCWorld.com
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Windows XP Tweaks and TIPS
by: Akshat desijallad

Disclaimer: I owe no gaurantee, regarding your system but i advice you that after appling each tweak simply restart your computer and if any problem occours simply reboot again and press F8 and choose USE THE LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION.

But I'm sure this wont happen.

1) Hibernating Windows--
There are two ways to hibernate windows. One-->Open Task Manager and then click shutdown tab and click hibernate. Second Hidden Method id to Simply click Turn Off From Start Menu and Press Shift when the small box appears. Notice Standby changes to HIBERNATE.

2)Speed Up your performance in Windows XP
Some people find Windows XP slow and some find it good. But the simple way to boost up your XP is simply right click»»my computer»»click properties»»Advanced»»settings in perfomance»»Adjust for best performance.
Wait and watch. If you common tasks have gone (the boxes in each folder then go again there and check »» USE COMMON TASKS IN FOLDER.

3) Speeden up your Booting
Just edit boot.ini and remove the /fastdetect word. Another way id press win+R. Type msconfig click startup tab. End the processes you do not want. Also do the same with services tab. If BITS is started please turn it off.

4)No Messenger
Tired of MSN messenger, even after disabling it, but do not want to remove it. Simply go to C:Program Files and Rename Messenger folder to Died Messenger. And if you use outlook express, It(messenger) will not start untill yo invoke it to stat.

5)Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs
Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is installed? If it gets in the way when you?re logging off, turn it off completely. To do this:
Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and then click Properties.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click Customize.
Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
Click OK, and then click OK again.

6)Turn Off Automatic Updating.
Some people might have thought that after using pirated XP copy and Connecting to the INTERNET their copy becomes some slower. So just turn off Live Update.
How to Turn Off Automatic Updates?
Click Start , click Control Panel , and then double-click System.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click Turn off automatic updating. I want to update my computer manually.

7)Using the Ultimate Configuration Tool (Professional Edition Only)
One of the most full featured Windows XP configuration tools available is hidden right there in your system, but most people don't even know it exists. It's called the Local Group Policy Editor, or gpedit for short. It just like old Poledit.exe.
To start this editor:
Select Start and then Run, then type the following:
gpedit.msc
After you hit Enter, you'll be greeted by gpedit, which lets you modify almost every feature in Windows XP without having to go to regedit.

8)Login in Adminsitrator
today, i found a new security hole in windows XP which is very important to all
the admins of winXP.Its very easy to bypass the windows XP Admin logon window. When u started yr computer , u got a message something like that:
Admin or (whatever u make a account!!!)
Password: ..... XXX XXXX.........
some people think that its impossible to break through this, but through this article u can make it easy to break this cripy.
In order to break the Windows XP admin logon , you simply boot yr computer through Windows 2000 CD and boot up a windows XP box and start windows 2000 recivery Console, its a troubleshooting program.
Windows XP then allows us to operate victim's computer as an Administrator without a admin password, even if the Administrator account has a strong password. You can also operate other user accounts that may be present on, even if those
accounts have passwords. Finally u can do anything u want on the victim's computer, copy/delete the files whatever u want .
{Extracts frm an article by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it }

9)Remove program from your desktop
Whenever you have to remove any software/package/program you have to go to control panel then add/remove programe and for that either go to my computer or start menu. My way is the sleekest one. All you have to do is make a new shortcut on ur desktop and set its target to \"control.exe appwiz.cpl\" there id space between control.exe and appwiz.cpl and write without quotes. this simply would launch Addremove programs wizard.

10)Shutdown Button on Desktop
Right click on ur Desktop and create new Shortcut and type ?C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32Shutdown.exe ?s? without quotes in the popup box which will appear asking for a path of shortcut . Now when u will double click this shortcut it will give u shutdown message and ur computer will shutdown after some seconds. U can customize ur shutdown button with same icon which original shutdown have Just go to the properties of ur shortcut and click change icon tab select any icon u like and click apply.
Similarly u can also put restart button on ur desktop just replace ?s in above line by ?r
If u don?t want shutdown button on ur desktop u can the go to start >run and type
Shutdown ?s or ?r they will do the same job. If someone tries to shutdown u remotely on the net then u can stop shutdown process but typing shutdown ?a in Run.
Shutdown ?s = Shutdown & restart
Shutdown ?r = Restart
Shutdown ?a = To abort shutdown


11)Remove Hibernation File
If you do not use hibernation, make sure you do not have it enabled, which reserves disk space equal to your RAM. If you have a hidden file on the root directory of your C-drive called hiberfil.sys, hibernation is enabled. To remove that file:
Go to Control Panel, select Performance and Maintenance, Power Options, Hibernate tab, and uncheck the Enable hibernation box.

12)Free some disk space with XP and some fast.
If you have NTFS partistions then you should stop the indexing service. This service slows your navigation of files. Whenever you click the file the XP adds that to its database for quick search. To turn it off select your all hard disks. Then right click and go to properties. And uncheck \"Allow indexing service check Box\".

13)Turn Off AND On System Restore.
The system Restore option is useful for some people but for most people its a sheer wastage of RAM and HDD. So according to me it should be turned off. To Change system restore settings Press Win Key + Pause/Break Key (near num lock). Go to System Restore. and change your settings.

14)Prevent XP from Unauthorised Access
This is the best way to prevent un authorised access while connected to the internet. Go to my computer properties, and select Remote tab. Uncheck Both the Check Boxes. This help you to prevent your computer from unauthorized access, while connected to the net.

15)Change Drive Letters in Windows XP
When you add drives to your computer, such as an extra hard drive, a CD drive, or a storage device that corresponds to a drive, Windows automatically assigns letters to the drives. However, this assignment might not suit your system; for example, you might have mapped a network drive to the same letter that Windows assigns to a new drive. When you want to change drive letters, follow these steps:
Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
Under Computer Management, click Disk Management. In the right pane, you?ll see your drives listed. CD-ROM drives are listed at the bottom of the pane.
Right-click the drive or device you want to change, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the drive letter you want to assign, and then click OK.

16)Run safely any of downloaded EXE's.
When ever you download or copy any EXE, do not execute it straight first scan it, and then right click that exe and select Run as and then Select the current user option alongwith, protection option. This is usefull in some cases.


17)Change the Default Opening Folder in Windows Explorer
By default, Windows Explorer opens showing the My Documents folder. To change the default setting so that all top?level drives and folders are shown, follow these steps:
Click Start > Programs > Accessories, then right?click Windows Explorer, and click Properties.
Under Target field, which reads %SystemRoot%explorer.exe, add to make the line read:
%SystemRoot%explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:
Click OK.{Extracts by Mr.xp}

18) Identify a 16-bit Program
Use Windows Explorer to open the folder that contains the program's executable (.exe) file. Right-click the .exe file, and then click Properties. A 16-bit program does not have a Version tab in this dialog box. {Extracts by Mr.xp}

19)Use the Desktop Cleanup Wizard in Windows XP
To start the Desktop Cleanup Wizard:
Click Start , and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes under Pick a category.
Under or pick a Control Panel icon , click Display. The Display Properties dialog box is displayed.
In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop. The Desktop Items dialog box is displayed.
Under Desktop cleanup , click to clear the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days check box if you do not want the Desktop Cleanup Wizard to automatically start every 60 days.
Click Clean Desktop Now. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard starts.

20)Remove Unwanted Shortcuts
In the Welcome to the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, click Next. In the Shortcuts dialog box, a list of shortcuts are displayed in the Shortcut to Clean Up list. The shortcuts that you click are removed from the desktop and placed in the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on the Windows desktop.
If you do not want a shortcut to be removed from the desktop, click to clear the check box for that shortcut, and then click Next when you are finished.In the Completing the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, view the items in the Shortcuts box to confirm that you want them removed from the desktop, and then click Finish. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard moves the selected shortcuts to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder and then quits.

21)How to Pause or Resume Downloading(BUILT IN DAP)
After the download process has started, you can pause or resume downloading at any time. If you close your Internet connection or restart your computer after pausing a download process, Windows automatically resumes the download process the next time you are connected to the Internet. During the download process, click the icon that is displayed in the notification area, and then click Pause. When you are ready for Windows to start downloading again, click the Automatic updating icon, and then click Resume. Restore an Update that You Previously Declined. If you decide not to download a specific update, you can prompt Windows Update to offer that update again.
Click Start , click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click Restore Declined Updates. {EXTRACTS BY mr.xp}

22)Editing explorer in windows xp
Editing explore in windows xp is very easy with available tools its not as difficult like old dos based tedious method here u need just one tool called RESOURCE HACKER. It is a resource viewer it will show u Resources in any 32bit Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 executable files (including exe?s, dll?s, ocx?s and cpl?s) . ok go in to ur windows directory and find explorer.exe and make its two copies name them
As explorer_1 and explorer_2 .exe respectively and keep them in windows folder only. We will edit explorer_1 and will keep explorer_2 as backup copy if anything goes wrong. Open explorer_1.exe in resource hacker and go to String table and edit whatever u want to even u can change start button by ur name or anything else. After editing even a single word do not forget to click the COMPILE button. Change icon or u can change animated message such as when u install a new programs so when u go to all programs a animated message comes ?New Program Installed? u can change it by ur sentence etc. now we have edited the explore_1 now go To File menu in Resource hacker and save it as explorer_1.exe it will ask u that explorer_1.exe is already present do u want to replace it, click YES. Now we have our edited explorer. Now restart ur computer in safe mode with command prompt by pressing F8 during booting process . Now we will copy explorer_1.exe on explorer.exe by typing command Copy C:windowsexplorer_1.exe C:windowsexplorer.exe. Now restart ur computer and what u will seeing that u r working with ur edited explorer. If anything goes wrong than just copy explorer_2.exe on explorer.exe by same process. {EXTRACTS BY MR.XP}

23)Customize Windows Media Player Title Bar
Change the title bar to read Windows Media Player provided by , so if I had entered text ?Abhishek Bhuyan? , it would read: Windows Media Player provided by Abhishek Bhuyan
[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoft
Create the Key [WindowsMediaPlayer]
Create String value named [TitleBar]
Data Type: REG_SZ // Value Name: TitleBar
Double click TitleBar and Enter the text to be displayed in the title bar.
Exit Registry / Reboot.

24)Increase Menu Display Speed
When you click on the Start Menu there is some delay to display the contents , just for no reason. Effects are pretty though. The default speed can be adjusted with a quick registry entry.
The default value is 400. Set it to 0 and the delay is gone. If you are not able to adjust pick a number that suits your style and make the change.
[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
Modify/Create String value of Data type REG_SZ Named [MenuShowDelay]
Value Data: [Default = 400 / Adjust to Preference]
Exit Registry / Reboot

25)Increase Internet Download Connections
Increase Simultaneous Internet Download Connections. Increases the number of allowed simultaneous connections to ten (10).
[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings
Modify/Create DWORD Value of Data type REG_DWORD Named [MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server]
Setting for Value Data: [0000000a]
Modify/Create DWORD Value of Data type REG_DWORD Named [MaxConnectionsPerServer]
Setting for Value Data: [0000000a]
Exit Registry / Reboot

26)Create Legal Notice Logon Dialog Box
In situations where you need users to read a legal notice before logging on, this tweak will create the caption for the notice.
Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon
Modify/Create String Value of Data type REG_SZ Named [LegalNoticeCaption]
Value Data for LegalNoticeCaption: [Type the Caption for the Dialog Box]
Modify/Create String Value of Data type REG_SZ Named [LegalNoticeText]
Value Data for LegalNoticeText: [Type the Data for the Legal Notice]
Exit Registry / Reboot

27)Disable Error reporting in XP
Sometimes errors, make us very annoyed in XP so its better to disable them. Just Right click the my computer icon, click properties, go to [advance] and then [error reporting] @ the bottom, click disable error reporting, and check the check box below it.

28)Rename multiple files.
A new, small, neat feature for Windows XP deals with renaming files. I personally have always wanted the OS to include a way to do a mass file renaming on a bunch of files. You can now rename multiple files at once .Its really simple:
Select several files in Explorer, press F2 and rename one of those files to something else. All the selected files get renamed to the new file name (plus a number added to the end). Simple ;-)

29)Disable Baloon tips.
To disable Ballon tips in Windows XP do this registry tweak
Go to : HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvance d
Create a new DWORD value, name it EnableBalloonTips, and set it equal to 0. If EnableBalloonTips is already there and equal to 1, set it equal to 0. Quit the registry editor, log off, and log back on. Voila! Your computer will stop talking down to you.

30)Sort menus alphabetically
When you install a new program for a user, it doesn?t find its place in the alphabetical Start menu hierarchy right away; it hangs out at the bottom for a little while. If your users employ the Classic Start menu, they can re-alphabetize it manually by right-clicking the taskbar and choosing Properties, clicking the Customize button next to the Classic Start Menu, and clicking the Sort button. With the Windows XP style of Start menu, however, you don?t have an equivalent button. To make Windows always alphabetize the list, remove the permissions from the Registry key that controls the sort order for the Start menu. To do so, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerMenuOrd er
Choose Edit | Permissions and click the Advanced button. Deselect the Inherit From Parent The Permission Entries That Apply To Child Objects check box and then click Copy when the Security dialog box pops up. Click OK and clear the Full Control entry for your account and all security groups you are a member of. Leave only Read permission.

Happy XP-Ing
All of the above tips and tweaks have no responsibility at all. Apply that at your own risk.

Fixing Ps2 Disk Read Errors

Anyone who has got a PS2 has no doubt experienced the dreaded Disk Read Error screen weather it be a game or a dvd it happens eventually to all of us, its very annoying and can mean people fork out another peso to go buy a new PS2!!! but alas the solution is here in the form of this great guide i found on the internet when trying to solve my own DRE problems.... so if you got a spare moment and want to fix your beloved ps2 then crack on with this !!!!!

Visit this site for Step by step guide

=====================End=========================

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Photoshop
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htaccess Tutorial
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===========================End===================
HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT YOUR PC? (Guide)

The challenge with a problem is not so much the solution but figuring out what the actual problem is. For instance: if your internet connection is lost you might automatically assume it's a problem your ISP, yet the problem might actually be a cable connection problem, a corrupted software file, a conflict with another software program running at the same time, a virus or any number of other problems. By doing some basic troubleshooting you can effectively identify problems and get farther down the path to an actual solution. Also, if you need to call a manufacturers help-line, the call will be much more productive if you've done some troubleshooting before hand.

Before you do anything:

Check your mental state and don?t panic! My personal theory to computer problems is that there is a direct connection between the amount of stress a user is under and the number of times a computer will crash. Chances are that when you are in a rush to get a document out the door, you will forget to close open applications, or to save your work and you will send too many commands (like printing, spell-check, etc.) at once. If you're moving fast on the computer, it pays to take a moment, take a deep breath, close unnecessary programs and save your work. Also, if you're trying to solve a problem that your computer is having, you will need full mental capabilities. So if you're feeling frustrated and tired while trying to troubleshoot - take a break! You?ll find you?ll solve your problems much faster if you have a fresh mind and attitude. Don?t panic either. Sometimes computer problems can appear to be much more serious than they really are. Panicking can lead you to jump to a solution of a perceived problem before you?ve actually identified the real problem.

Some initial steps:

Check the component's documentation and/or the manufacturer's website: The appendix of most manuals will contain a troubleshooting guide that will identify the most common problems the component may have. Most software installations include placing a readme file in the programs directory that will list all known incompatibilities. Manufacturer websites can be extremely helpful as well, with support pages that will direct you to common problems and solutions that may include a software \"patch\" that can be downloaded directly from the site and then run on your hard drive

Check for Viruses: Any strange behavior on a computer could be due to a virus. Use an anti-viral program to scan your system - and follow the instructions on the use of the anti-viral program closely

Use diagnostic utilities: Software crashes can often be caused by corrupted files or registry conflicts. Using a program like Window's Scan Disk (found under System Tools in the Accessories folder on your program menu) can identify and fix corrupted files. Norton Utilities has a program called \"System Check\" that both checks the integrity of your files and looks for software conflicts and will repair problems

If none of those steps work - it's time to use your brain!

Ask yourself - when did the problem I?m experiencing first start? If you made any change, such as installing new software or adding hardware, to the computer and now you are having a problem, chances are the change is the cause. Also, while you're trying to identify problems and solutions remember to make only one change to your system at a time, so you can easily trace your steps.

Determine if the problem is repeatable or if it is intermittent: A repeatable problem is one that occurs all the time, or always in response to a specific user action

For example, if the computer crashes everytime you print a document - that?s a repeatable problem

An intermittent problem will appear to happen spontaneously or randomly. An intermittent problem is usually the result of a specific set of circumstances happening occasionally. With these problems it is important to try to establish a pattern involved in the problem. Keep a problem log at the computer and try to write down all the circumstances occurring when the crash occurred, including the most minute detail.

Use the process of elimination: Start to remove components from your system one at a time. After you remove a component test to see if the problem still exists. This is a great way to figure out if the problem is caused by a conflict between software programs and/or hardware. Start by removing the most recently installed stuff first

Some Final Tips:

If you call the helpline - be patient and prepared: You will have to wait on hold awhile to get to get an actual person on the phone. Like death and taxes that's just a fact of life. If you can review all the troubleshooting steps you took to identify the problem, the technical assistance operator will be able to identify the solution more quickly and effectively

Remember: if you get a technical assistance operator on the line don't hang up until you're sure the problem has been solved

If the equipment is new, send it back: Most equipment is under warranty and if there is anything severely wrong with it, you should send it back. This may not help your immediate goal, but it will save you plenty of time in the long run. If the equipment is under warranty, the vendor will deal with it

The most important thing to remember while troubleshooting is to be patient and observant. By using these steps you should easily be able to resolve even the most inexplicable problems

by TWEAKER

==========================End====================

Everything You Can Do to Boost System Performance

What follows is an enormous array of tweaks to boost system performance that I've found over time.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: Although I have used these tweaks on my system and they have worked great I will not, nor this site, be held responsible for any damages that may occur during the modifications to your system. Hope it helps..

Edge

----------------------------------------------------------------



Problem With Win2000 Shutdown Win2000

I have a little problem with Win2000. When I want to shut down first everything is all right. But when \"Saving properties\" is displayed there is a delay of about 30 seconds. Nothing happens at all and after this delay the computer continues shutting down as usually. As this delay is very annoying I would be happy if someone could give me a hint how to solve this problem. Thanks a lot! Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc Computer Configuration -> Admin Templates -> System -> Logon Change the value for \"Maximum retries to unload and update user profile\" to Enabled with a value of 5 or 10. If you want more info.... look at the right-hand pane once you're in that policy.

Submitted by jgrosz

------------------------------------------------------------

Clean Up The Add/Remove Box 2K/98/XP/ME


Sometimes, when you uninstall a program, its entry remains in the Add/remove programs listing. Or you might delete something manually and find that the entry remains in the list of uninstallable programs. You can clean up the list and remove programs that you've already uninstalled. Run Regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Mcft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. From there, you can remove any unwanted items, which are in the form of Registry keys.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Manage File Associations 2K/98/XP/ME


A file association specifies which application is the default for a particular file type. When you open a file?an MP3, for example?the associated program launches. To change the current file association for a file type, or to create an association, right-click on a file with the appropriate extension, and select Open with. (In Windows 98, you need to hold down the Shift key when right-clicking.)

In Windows 98, Me, or 2000, select the program you want to use from the list that appears, or Browse for another application. Windows XP will show you a short list of recommended programs or let you Choose Program. Check the box labeled Always use the selected program to open this kind of file, and choose OK.

If you're using Win XP and not sure which program to use, and you are connected to the Internet, click on the link called Look for the appropriate program on the Web to go to a Web page that may help you find out the correct program to use.

----------------------------------------------------------

Reboot Without Launching Programs In The Startup Folder 2K/98/XP/ME


When you're troubleshooting a problem, it helps to reboot without launching the items in the Startup folder. In some cases, the problem may go away, which indicates that the problem is a conflict with one of those applications. In cases where these items have no effect on the problem, skipping the Startup folder may still speed up the reboot considerably, which is convenient if you have to restart repeatedly. To skip loading the items in the Startup folder, hold the Shift key down during boot-up.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Control Your Desktop Icons 2K/98/XP/ME

When you temporarily change your desktop to a lower resolution?while using Safe mode, for example?Windows can wreak havoc with your careful positioning of desktop icons. A free download, available here layout.zip, lets you save and later restore your icon layout.

Download Layout.zip and unzip it to extract two files. Move Layout.dll to the Windows\System32 folder. Double-click on Layout.reg to add it to the Registry.

If you now right-click on almost any of the standard desktop icons you'll see two new items: Save Desktop Icon Layout and Restore Desktop Icon Layout. Choose the former whenever you change the layout; choose the latter when you need to restore it.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Optimize The Paging File 2K/98/XP/ME

You can reduce the annoying lag created by constant paging by increasing your paging file size and by making the file static so that Windows doesn't have to resize it all the time. If you can, place the paging file in its own partition?or, if at all possible, place it on a separate physical hard drive from the Windows drive. Frequently defrag whatever drive the paging file resides on.

To change the settings, open the Control Panel and double-click on System. Click on the Advanced tab, and then, under Performance Settings, go to the Advanced tab and click on Change. (In Windows 98 or Me, go to the System Control Panel applet, to the Performance tab, and then to the Virtual Memory settings.) Here you can change the size and drive location of the paging file.

First, if you have more than one local drive available, you can select the one that you want the paging file on. (You cannot change the file's location in Windows 98 or Me.) Next, specify the paging file's initial size in megabytes. There are many theories to determine the perfect size, but just make it as large as your hard drive can spare within reason, up to 2GB. Then enter the same number for the file's maximum size. Click Set. You'll have to reboot for the changes to take effect.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Reduce Overhead By Setting Services to Manual 2K/XP

In a home or single-workstation environment, you can set certain Windows services to Manual, meaning they will only start when called on. To change the behavior of services, right-click on My Computer, select Manage, expand Services and Applications, click on a service, and change the start-up type.

If you are currently using these services, you can change them to Manual without worry: FTP Publishing Service, Message Queuing, Simple Mail Transport Protocol, Distributed Link Tracking Client, IPsec Policy Agent, Remote Registry Service, RIP Listener, and World Wide Web Publishing Service.

-----------------------------------------------------------

XDSL/CABLE MODEM INTERNET SPEEDUP 2K

\"I have a cable modem, but this also works great with xDSL (ADSL, HDSL or VDSL) modems.
I used the Windows 2000 Registry values below (and then rebooted for the new settings to take effect) to boost my modem throughput performance over the Internet (TCP/IP).
Previously I was getting approximately 2500 kb/sec using the default Win2000 values. Current/tweaked settings [as shown in Regedit]:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
\"SackOpts\"=dword:00000001
\"TcpWindowSize\"=dword:0005ae4c
\"Tcp1323Opts\"=dword:00000003
\"DefaultTTL\"=dword:00000040
\"EnablePMTUBHDetect\"=dword:00000000
\"EnablePMTUDiscovery\"=dword:00000001
\"GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize\"=dword:0005ae4c

To benchmark the modem speed gain I used this online Speed Test.\"

-------------------------------------------------------------

SPONTANEOUS REBOOT FIX 2K/XP

This is valid for all Windows 2000/XP/2003 releases, and brought to you by Ray ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
\"I have spent 2 weeks, countless hours, and $20 on a new sound card, and then jockeying cards around trying to \"debug\" the cause of spontaneous reboots on my Win2000 Pro PC.
Turns out there is a setting in: Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Start Up and Recovery -> uncheck Automatically Reboot (on system failure), that may be the culprit.
PS: I am using WinMag Wintune video test features to torture test and attempt to cause another spontaneous reboot. Before clearing this checkbox, I could force a reboot just by loading Wintune's system and video benchmarks. Haven't gotten this to work again since I cleared the checkbox so I may be on to something.\"

UPDATES:


\"This setting only controls if your system will automatically reboot on a BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) or not, it doesn't cause or stop spontaneous reboots which are usually caused by buggy drivers.
Using this tip will just cause the system to sit there at a BSOD instead of rebooting. Useful for trying to figure out why the system crashed, but it won't stop it from happening.\"
[Thank you Asymmetric (all@biosys.net)!]

\"This doesn't turn out to be entirely helpful because it only disables the reboot and not the problem itself. The problem lies within the BIOS.
Most mainboards have an option to enable a 15-16 MB memory hole to enable faster ISA performance with older hardware devices. This prompts Windows 2000 to reboot the computer for no apparent reason.
THE FIX: Go into your BIOS CMOS Setup and disable the \"Memory Hole\".
All mobo brands are different. AWARD BIOSes have this setting located unde

======================= END ======================<br><br>Post edited by: benz, at: 2006/04/25 08:44

nice, sticky natin to...

yeah you can put it.. it's not copyright...

very good ito! Dami ko pa palang hindi nalalamam.

wow mala guru pla to c benz...nice info there.

Windows Shortcuts

Run Commands:



Run Commands to access the control panel:



Command Prompt:



Windows XP Shortcuts:



Windows Explorer Shortcuts:



Internet Explorer Shortcuts:

<br><br>Post edited by: benz, at: 2006/04/25 19:43

huwaw ngayon ko lang nakita tong thread na to ah^_^ asteeeeeeeg, salamas dito bossing!

yeah!

Sir Benz,
Thanks again for the very informative tutorials &amp; tips...

RECOMMENDS - Spywares and you!

All of this information can be easily found with a simple google search, but I have compiled a list of helpful and

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time.

Hijack This is a powerful &amp; advanced tool used to remove spyware. Under Normal

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the more common Spyware removal Tools.

Hijack this should only be used when it is evident other common spyware tools have not been successful. Before

using it, consider using one of the following Spyware Removal Tools listed below.

Adaware:
www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

SpywareBlaster:
www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Stinger
vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

SpywareGuard:
www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

Spybot Search &amp; Destroy:
www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

CWShredder:
www.intermute.com/spysubtract..._download.html

SimplyTech's EliteBar Removal Tool
virtual-grub-street.blogspot....es-to-201.html

Sysinternals Process Explorer: Used in the event Spyware(Worm) is preventing you from
using Alt-Ctrl-Del to open task manager to manually end processes. Some spyware will prevent this, or simply close the task manager once opened. Use this instead:
Code:
www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html

Tutorials for Using Adaware &amp; Spybot:


Official Spybot Tutorial:
www.safer-networking.org/en/tutorial/

Spybot Tutorial:
www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...howtutorial=43

Step-by-Step Tutorial on Adaware:
www.mrs.umn.edu/cs/security/spyware/adaware/

Adaware Tutorial:
www.howard.edu/technology/adaware/

Also consider using the following online Trojan Scanners:

Windows Security Trojan Scanner:
www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

A-Squared Online-Check:
www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

Trend Micro Online Scan - Doesn't require IE, but you need the JAVA Plugin:
uk.trendmicro-europe.com/cons...all_launch.php


Symantec Security Check:
security.symantec.com/ssc/hom...QZNIQWPYDKEXPH


Panda Active Scan:
www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan


Kaspersky Scan
www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

After exhausting aforementioned measures, and you are still having problems - Hijack this could possible be for you. Heres how to go about it.

Download Hijack This here:
majorgeeks.com/downloadget315...ebf8901da.html

To install it, simply create a folder C:\HJT and unzip it into the folder.

Before running Hijack This, you must be in normal boot mode and remember to close your

IM's, Word / Notepad programs, email clients, web browsers and any unnecessary running programs.

Now your ready to run a scan with Hijack This: Once you run the scan, you can follow this this tutorial as to what

the log means, tips for reading it yourself and what is primarily safe to remove.

Official Hijack This Tutorial:
www.spywareinfo.com/%7Emerijn/htlogtutorial.html

Suggestions for keeping Spyware off:

1. Keep your computer up to date: Visit Windows update

2. Consider running a browser other than IE such as Firefox

3. Use an antivirus program and keep it updated

4. If you install something and realize that it is spyware... try Recovering
from a Restore Point

5. Run a firewall (even the one included in SP2)

6. Tighten-up your internet connection


------1. Open your Control Panel
------2. Click Internet Options
------3. Click the Security Tab
------4. Click Internet
------5. Click Custom Level
------6. Set the following settings:

Download Signed ActiveX Controls -&gt; prompt
Download Unsigned Active X Controls -&gt; disable
Initialize and script Active X controls not marked as safe -&gt; disable
Run Active X controls and plug-ins -&gt; enable
Script Active X controls marked safe for scripting -&gt; enable
Java permissions -&gt; high safety (if available)
Access data sources across domains -&gt; disable
Launching programs and files in an IFRAME -&gt; prompt
Installation of Desktop items -&gt; prompt
Navigate sub-frames across different domains -&gt;promp

Other Useful Links:

Basic Spyware Removal Links:
forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Web Page Cannot be Displayed after Removing Spyware:
www.tech-recipes.com/windows_...e_tips765.html

Access Denied -- How to Delete Protected or Spyware Files
www.tech-recipes.com/windows_...e_tips778.html

Turning off System Restore When Cleaning Spyware That Keeps Coming Back
www.tech-recipes.com/windows_...e_tips733.html

AIM Virus/Trojan: How to Remove lockx.exe Rootkit
www.tech-recipes.com/windows_..._tips1038.html

ActiveX Tricks
www.short-media.com/review.php?r=132

Anti-Spyware Programs Feature Comparison
spywarewarrior.com/asw-features.htm

Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, HiJackers, and other Internet Nuisances
www.nomorespyware.50megs.com/

Anti-Spyware Testing
spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm

Internet Explorer Privacy &amp; Security Settings
netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm

Browser Hijack Prevention
www.computing.net/security/ww...orum/7667.html

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers
www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...howtutorial=41

KRC Anti-Spyware Tutorial
www.greyknight17.com/spyware.htm

Find and Prevent Spyware
spyware-removal.digitalcrunch...tutorial.shtml