Viruses

What is a virus?
A computer virus is a program that can make copies of itself. Most computer viruses do nothing more than this and are more of an annoyance than a danger. Some computer viruses, though, may also harm data and programs stored on a computer.

What types of viruses are there?

Program viruses infect computer programs and become active when the
infected program is run. Boot sector viruses infect diskettes and hard disks and become active when an infected disk is used to start the computer. (On a Macintosh, merely inserting an infected disk can activate a virus.) Macro viruses infect documents (files) through the macro programming capabilities of some newer programs. Macro viruses become active when an infected document is opened, and the program opening the document has its macro capabilities turned on (enabled). As of late 1997, only documents created with Microsoft Word version 6 or later (Windows and Macintosh versions), Excel (5.0 for Windows 3.x and Windows NT, and 7.0 for Win95), and Lotus Ami Pro have seen infections. However, in the future, it is likely that viruses will be created that can infect other types of documents.

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What is not a virus?
Trojan horse programs are designed to do something (usually something malicious) other than their supposed purpose. Trojan horse programs are sometimes classified with viruses. However, because they don't make copies of themselves, they are not true viruses. Some programs are designed as a joke, or prank, but are not viruses. For instance, warnings of a virus incorporated in a mail message with the phrase "Good Times," "Join the Crew," or "Penpal Greetings" in the header have, at times, been rampant. The only thing that spreads, however, with these "viruses," is the messages warning people to look out for the supposed virus in their e-mail. And, it's the person sending the message, not the computer, that causes the message to be copied and spread.

Windows XP Tips and Tricks Disable Error Reporting

As many of you would have noticed - every time a Microsoft program crashes in Windows XP - and Error Report comes up allowing you to send some information on the crash to Microsoft. Well this can get quite annoying, so here is how you disable it.


Open Control Panel Click on Performance and Maintenance. Click on System. Then click on the Advanced tab Click on the error reporting button on the bottom of the windows. Select Disable error reporting. Click OK Click OK

On Screen Keyboard
Want to use an on screen keyboard? Well it is this simple - Click on the start button and select run. Then type in osk in the box and click OK.

Services You Can Disable
There are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically. This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources. They are only suggestions so I suggestion you read the description of each one when you run Services and that you turn them off one at a time. • • • • Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel Click Performance and Maintenance Click Administrative Tools Double click Services

Some possibilities are:


Alerter - Sends alert messages to specified users that are connected to the server computer. Application Management - Allows software to tap directly into the Add/Remove Programs feature via the Windows Installer technology. Background Intelligent Transfer Service - The Background Intelligent Transfer service is used by programs (such as Windows AutoUpdate) to download files by using spare bandwidth. Clipbook - ClipBook permits you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network. Error Reporting Service - Allows applications to send error reports to Microsoft in the event of an application fault. Fast User Switching - Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts, without requiring them to log off. Help and Support - Allows the XP Built-in Help and Support Center to run. IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - You don't need this if you have other software to create CDs. Indexing Service - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language. IP SEC - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. If you are not on a domain, you likely don't need this running. Messenger - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing on your desktop. Net Logon - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain. If you are not on a domain, you don't need this running Network DDE - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. NT LM Security Support Provider - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes. Performance Logs and Alerts - Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If you don't need to monitor your performance logs, then you don't need this service. Portable Media Serial Number - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer QOS RSVP - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets. Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If you are not using Remote Desktop you don't need this service. Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. Routing & Remote Access - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments. Allows dial-in access. Secondary Login - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. This is what allows you to run an application as another user.


Smart Card - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. Smart Card Helper - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer. SSDP Discovery Service - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network. TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution. This should not be needed in today's network environment. Telnet - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients. Uninterruptible Power Supply Service - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer. Universal Plug and Play Device Host - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices Upload Manager - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. Volume Shadow Copy Service - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. Web Client - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify non-local files across the Internet. Wireless Zero Configuration - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters WMI Performance Adapter - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.

Opening an Explorer Window to the Directory You Want
Added 9/4/01 If you want to create a shortcut for the Explorer to a specific directory, include the directory you want in the Target. For example: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, d:\internet would open the Explorer to the D:\INTERNET directory

Fixing Your Internet Connection

The following instructions tell you how to find your IP address under Windows 2000 and Windows XP. These instructions will also help you find your MAC (hardware) address, DHCP server, DNS server and other useful information. They might help you troubleshoot a bad ResNet connection too. If you have Windows 95, 98 or Me, check out the instructions for using winipcfg instead. Go to the start menu and select Run.... Then type cmd in the box and click OK.

At the C:\> prompt type ipconfig . Then press Enter. Your IP address, subnet mask and default gateway will be returned to you. If your IP address is 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x, then you are receiving an internal IP address from a router or other device. The IP address that the world sees is that of the router. If you are receiving a 169.254.x.x address, this is a Windows address that generally means your network connection is not working properly.

If you want more detailed information about your network connection, type ipconfig /all at the prompt. Here you can get the same information as ipconfig with the addition of your MAC (hardware) address, DNS and DHCP server addresses, IP lease information, etc. If your IP address is 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x, then you are receiving an internal IP address from a router or other device. The IP address that the world sees is that of the router. If you are receiving a 169.254.x.x address, this is a Windows address that generally means your network connection is not working properly.


If you are having trouble with your ResNet connection, it may be fixed by releasing and renewing your IP address. Type ipconfig /release at the prompt and press enter. Then type ipconfig /renew and press enter again. If your connection is okay, a valid IP address, subnet mask and default gateway will be returned to you after a few seconds.

Manual steps to use Registry Editor

you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that result from incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. Editing the registry involves the following six types of procedures: • Locating a subtree, key, subkey, or value • Adding a subkey • Adding a value • Changing a value • Deleting a subkey or a value • Renaming a subkey or a value

Locating a subtree, key, subkey, or value

There are five top-level registry subtreesEach of them starts with "HKEY." In the following example, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is the subtree, SOFTWARE is the key, and Microsoft is the subkey. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft In Registry Editor, you can search through the keys and subkeys in the same way that you search through your folders in Windows Explorer. The keys and the subkeys are listed in a folder tree in the left pane of Registry Editor. If you click a key or a subkey in the left pane, information about the value name, the value type, and the value data appears in the right pane. As in Windows Explorer, each folder may be expanded by clicking the plus sign (+) that is next to it. After a folder is expanded, the plus sign changes to a minus sign (-). Note When this article says to expand an item, click the plus sign next to that item.

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To locate the Microsoftsubkey that is mentioned earlier in this section, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. 2. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. 3. Expand SOFTWARE. Click Microsoft. 4. Note When you click the Microsoft subkey, its values appear in the right pane. To view the next lower level of subkeys, expand the Microsoft subkey. To locate a value, click the subkey that contains the value, and then view the contents of the right pane.

Adding a key

To add a new subkey named TestSubkey to the Microsoft subkey, follow these steps: 1. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. 2. Expand SOFTWARE. 3. Click the Microsoft subkey. 4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. 5. Type TestSubkey, and then press ENTER.

Adding a value

To add a new DWORD Value named TestDWORD and to set its value data to 1 in the TestSubkey key, follow these steps: 1. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. 2. Expand SOFTWARE. 3. Expand Microsoft. 4. Click the TestSubkey subkey. 5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. 6. Type TestDWORD and then press ENTER.. 7. Right-click the TestDWORD DWORD Value, and then click Modify. 8. Type 1, and then click OK.

Changing a value

To change the value data for the TestDWORD DWORD Value to 0 in the TestSubkey key, follow these steps: 1. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

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2. Expand SOFTWARE. 3. Expand Microsoft. 4. Click the TestSubkey subkey. 5. Right-click the TestDWORD DWORD Value, and then click Modify. 6. Type 0, and then click OK.

Manual steps to rename a key or value

To rename the TestSubkeysubkey to Test, follow these steps: 1. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. 2. Expand SOFTWARE. 3. Expand Microsoft. 4. Right-click the TestSubkey key, and then click Rename. 5. Type Test, and then press ENTER.

Deleting a key or value

To delete the TestDWORD DWORD Value in the TestSubkey subkey, follow these steps: 1. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. 2. Expand SOFTWARE. 3. Expand Microsoft. 4. Click the TestSubkey subkey. 5. Right-click the TestDWORD DWORD Value, and then click Delete. 6. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the value. For more information about editing the registry, follow these steps in Registry Editor: 1. On the Help menu, click Help Topics. 2. On the Contents tab, double-click Registry Editor. 3. Double-click How To. 4. Double-click Change Keys and Values, and then click the topic that you want.

Manual steps to edit the registry

Use the Windows user interface
We recommend that you use the Windows user interface to change your system settings instead of manually editing the registry. However, editing the registry may sometimes be the best method to resolve a product issue. If the issue is documented in the Microsoft Knowledge Base, an article with step-by-step instructions to edit the registry for that issue will be available. We recommend that you follow these instructions very exactly.

Manual steps to back up the whole registry

To back up the whole registry, use the Backup utility to back up the system state. The system state includes the registry, the COM+ Class Registration Database, and your boot files. For more information about using the Backup utility to back up the system state, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 308422 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422/) How to use Backup to back up files and folders on your computer in Windows XP 320820 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320820/) How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders in Windows XP Home Edition 326216 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326216/) How to use the Backup feature to back up and restore data in Windows Server 2003

Manual steps to export registry subkeys

You can follow these steps to export a registry subkey before you edit it. Note Do not follow these steps to export a whole registry subtree. (HKEY_CURRENT_USER is an example of such a subtree.) If you must back up whole registry subtrees, back up the whole registry instead. 1. Click Start, and then click Run. 2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK. 3. Locate and then click the subkey that contains the value that you want to edit. 4. On the File menu, click Export. In the Save in box, select a location where you want to save the Registration Entries 5. (.reg) file, type a file name in the File name box, and then click Save.

The Registry

What is the Registry? Windows Registry is a central database in Windows. The database contains most of the "pointers" and "settings" for Windows, programs, hardware and users. Pointers tell Windows or programs where to find the resources required to perform specific actions. The ways that many actions are (or are not) performed are controlled by settings. Just about any setting that you change -- either in Windows or a program -changes the registry. There are some notable exceptions. Firefox, Thunderbird and many other "wiser" programs avoid the Registry entirely by saving settings, etc. in their own file folders. Almost any time you are using your PC there are a swarm of things going on behind the scenes in the Registry, almost like bees around a hive. (In fact, the major elements of the Registry are called hives.)

Hives
The (last known good) Registry is stored in Registry Hives: Six of them are located in C:\Windows\System32\Config\ default SAM SECURITY software system userdiff There is one more hive for each user located in C:\Windows\\Documents and Settings\\ ntuser.dat However, the hives are not the Registry: The Registry hive files are, strictly speaking, not the Registry. The registry is a dynamic thing that exists in memory only. The Registry only exists when Windows is running. It is built by Windows from the Hives, and other hardware information, during the startup process. The Registry Editor makes the structure of the actual Registry visible as keys and values, in much the same way that Windows Explorer makes folders and files visible. You can also "edit" the keys and values with the Registry Editor, which is similar to editing folders and files with Windows Explorer.

Root Keys
Root Keys: Keys are like folders for files. Each key -- and in turn, each sub-key -- can contain sub-keys, one default value, and as many other values as needed.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -- (HKLM) contains information about hardware, and settings that apply globally. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT -- (HKCR) contains file associations, OLE information and other system settings. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG -- settings specific to the current hardware configuration. HKEY_USERS -- (HKU) contains settings specific to all "logged on" users of the machine. HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU) -- contains settings specific to the current user (the one with control).

Notice that there are really only 2 root keys. The others are sub-sets or pointers for sections of the 2 root keys. Do not confuse root keys with Registry hives. Hives are where the registry information is stored when Windows is not running. In a sense, the Directory is a dynamic thing that exists only in memory. Building the Registry Windows builds most of the Directory when it boots up, and the rest when you log on. Windows gets most of its information from the registry hive files. Information about hardware is obtained from the hardware and hardware drivers (files) when Windows boots. The registry is dynamic. Changes are retained in memory and recorded in *.log files. Windows also uses the *.log files to write the changes to the hives when you restart Windows. The Registry is primarily there to coordinate the operation of Windows, hardware and the installed programs. Editing is merely a subsidiary aspect of the Registry.

The text on Web pages is too small to read

Some Web designers love to torture the public by putting up Web pages with small text. Or, perhaps that's just my excuse for my aging eyes. Thankfully, Internet Explorer contains a useful setting to change Web page text on the fly. Solution #1: Make the text larger on a single Web page To enlarge the text on the Web page you're currently viewing 1.On the View menu in Internet Explorer, point to Text Size, and then click Larger.

Enlarge the text on a single Web page 2.If the text still seems small, go to the View menu, point to Text Size, and then click Largest. This choice works only on a page-by-page basis. The solution enlarges the text only on the page you're currently viewing. The next Web page you go to will have the text back to the original size. If you're finding all Web pages difficult to read, you may want to change your monitor settings. Check out the next solution for more information on this. Solution #2: Bump up your monitor display size To increase your screen resolution 1.1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel. 2.2. In Control Panel, double-click Display. The Display Properties dialog box appears. 3.3. Click the Settings tab. Adjust the Screen resolution slider to one of the following screen settings (see Figure 5): •800 x 600 •1024 x 768 •1280 x 1024 Adjust your screen resolution 4. Click Apply. The Display Properties dialog box remains open, in case you need to tweak your screen resolution some more. When you're satisfied, click OK.

How to Disable Internet Explorer Error Reporting

To disable Internet Explorer Error Reporting, use one of the following methods, depending on your computer.

Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP
1. Click Start, click Run, and then type sysdm.cpl in the Open box. 2. Click Advanced, and then click Error Reporting. Click Disable error reporting to disable both user and kernel-mode error 3. reporting, or click to clear the Programs check box. 4. Click OK two times.

Internet Error Messages
It happens to all of us. We're surfing along, and up comes an error (usually 404). What do all those error codes mean? Here's a quick rundown of the most common.

Error numbers and what they mean

400 - Bad Request - You probably typed in a URL wrong, the server has no clue what you're looking for, or you aren't allowed to have access. Usually, it's a matter of the URL being typing in wrong. Maybe you mixed upper and lowercase letters or something. 401- Unauthorized Request - you tried to get to something on the web server you're not allowed to play with. In other words, you ain't on the party list. 403 - Forbidden - You can't access the page. You may not have access (it may require a password), or it may be blocked from your domain. 404- Not Found - The page you were trying to look at was not found on the server. This is probably the most common error you'll come across. What has probably happened is that the web page you were going to has been removed or re-named. Keep going backwards in the URL and you'll usually come up with the site you're after. Then you can look for the lost page from there. Another possibility is that your Internet connection has gone dead. Try re-logging on. 500 - Internal error - Usually caused by a CGI error. You fill out a form, but the script used to process it is not working properly.

You get annoying pop-ups when you surf the Internet
Maybe this sounds familiar? You're surfing the Internet and access a Web page. Suddenly, you're bombarded with a slew of blinking pop-up advertisements all over your screen. Sometimes there are so many, you can't even see the original Web page you wanted to view. Adware (a form of spyware) causes these pop-ups. Adware is software that displays Web-based advertisements. Adware often installs onto your PC without you realizing it. For example, simply clicking on a hyperlink can load adware onto your PC. Not only are pop-ups annoying, but they use system resources, thus slowing your PC down. The following solutions provide methods for both blocking and removing adware from your PC. 74


Solution #1: Install anti-spyware software The best way to keep pop-ups off your PC is to install and run some anti-spyware software. Available for free, the following are all great products that remove spyware off your PC: •Microsoft Windows Defender •Spybot •Ad-Aware •X-Cleaner When running any of these programs, make sure you check for updates. (These programs all have some "Check for Updates" functionality.) If after running any one of the programs you still find pop-ups coming up, try installing and running all of these programs. One of these programs may catch certain types of spyware better than the others. Between all four programs, you should be able to catch any spyware that may find its way onto your PC. Solution #2: Block pop-ups with Internet Explorer Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer. Installing this service pack will prevent many pop-ups from bombarding you as you view Web pages. Learn about Windows XP SP2 and what you need to know to install it. To change the pop-up blocker settings 1.On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, point to Pop-up Blocker, and click Pop-up Blocker Settings.

Access the Pop-up Blocker Settings dialog box 2.In the Address of Web site to allow box, type the addresses of the Web sites for which you'd like to allow pop-ups. Then, click Add. 3.You can increase (or decrease) the pop-up filter level using the Filter Level box. 4.Once you've made the appropriate changes to the pop-up blocker, click Close. Here are two notes to keep in mind with the Pop-up Blocker: •Hold down the CTRL key while a pop-up opens to temporarily disable the Pop-up Blocker. (This allows you to see a blocked pop-up.) •The Pop-up blocker will not block pop-up windows containing confirmation details (such as confirming an online order you've just made). Top of page

You receive error messages on the Web pages you view
How many times have you been surfing the World Wide Web and received some strange error message.

Error message from a Web page The good news is that this message isn't caused by anything that's wrong with your PC. The error is with the Web page you're viewing. The Web designer who created the Web page made an error in the JavaScript—the programming language used to automate certain areas of a Web page. You can't fix the Web page. The best you can do is contact someone at the Web site and let them know the page has errors. However, you can prevent this message box from being displayed. Unless you're a Web designer working with JavaScript, you have no reason to see if Web pages have errors. Solution: Turn off JavaScript Error Messages 1.On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, point to Internet Options. The Internet Options dialog box is displayed. 2.Select the Advanced tab. 3.Scroll down the list. Click to select the Disable Script Debugging (Internet Explorer) check box.


Turn off the disable script debugging functionality 4.Press OK. You won't see these error messages again. This doesn't turn off the JavaScript—only the error messages that are displayed when there's a problem with JavaScript on a Web page.

MORE INFORMATION

After you install Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 or 6, Windows XP, or the Internet Explorer Error Reporting tool for Internet Explorer 5.x and restart your computer, you can immediately report errors to Microsoft over the Internet if Internet Explorer experiences an unrecoverable error. When an unrecoverable error occurs, you see the following dialog box instead of the standard fault dialog box:

This dialog box contains the following information: Microsoft Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. If you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on might be lost. Restart Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Please tell Microsoft about this problem. We have created an error report that you can send to help us improve Microsoft Internet Explorer. We will treat this report as confidential and anonymous. To see that data this error report contains, click here. Click Send Error Report to report the problem to Microsoft over the Internet, or click Don't Send to not report the problem. At the time of reporting, the Internet Explorer Error Reporting tool checks to see if the issue you have encountered has already been fixed. If a patch or workaround exists for the specific issue you reported, the Internet Explorer Error Reporting tool directs you to the appropriate Web site where you can download the patch or workaround by displaying the following message: Thank you for taking the time to report this problem. Please follow the link below for information that may prevent this problem in the future. Click More Information to view information about the patch or workaround. If you are not prompted to download a patch or workaround and you need support for the issue that you reported, view the following Microsoft Web site for Internet Explorer support options: http://support.microsoft.com/directory (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=http%3a%2f%2fsupport.microsoft.com%2fdirectory) Note Because all error reports are confidential and anonymous, Microsoft Support Professionals do not have access to any error report that you have sent to Microsoft over the Internet. To view the data-collection policy for Microsoft's Error Reporting service, view the following Microsoft Web site: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/dcp20.asp (http://oca.microsoft.com/en/dcp20.asp)

Internet Troubleshooting INTRODUCTION

You can use the Internet Explorer Error Reporting tool to report unrecoverable errors in Microsoft Internet Explorer (there are more user-mode faults, such as, general protection faults or invalid page faults) to Microsoft over the Internet for analysis. You can view details about the problem and then choose whether to submit the fault information to Microsoft over the Internet and restart Internet Explorer. If a known problem occurs, a link is provided to a service pack, hotfix, or to a Microsoft Knowledge Base article after sending the error report to Microsoft. If Microsoft has not previously found or addressed the problem, the necessary information can be transmitted to a Microsoft problem database for investigation. This information can help determine potential problems that Microsoft needs to fix in future Internet Explorer service packs. The Internet Explorer Error Reporting tool is included with all versions of Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 and 6 and is available from the following Microsoft Web site if you are running Internet Explorer 5 or later on Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows 2000 and XP http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) Steps to download the Internet Explorer Error Reporting tool if you are running Internet Explorer 5 - 5.5 SP1 on Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows 2000: 1. On the Windows Update main page, select Product Updates. 2. Scroll down the page to find Internet Explorer Error Reporting. 3. Check the corresponding box, and then click Download at the top of the page. Note The Internet Explorer Error Reporting (IEER) tool does not work in Windows XP or later versions. Windows Error Reporting (WER) is used instead. If WER is disabled and Internet Explorer encounters a fault, no notification will be displayed.

Moving Files: Cut and Paste Option

1. Select the file that you want to move 2. From the Edit menu, select Cut OR Right click » select Cut OR Press [Ctrl] + [X] 3. Select the drive/folder that you want the file moved to 4. From the Edit menu, select Paste OR Right click » select Paste OR Press [Ctrl] + [V] 5. If necessary, adjust the filename (see Renaming Files)


Renaming Files: Menu Option
1. Select the file that you want to change the name of 2. From the File menu, select Rename 3. Type the new file name 4. Press [Enter]

Renaming Files: Mouse Option
1. Select the file that you want to change the name of 2. Click again on the filename OR Right click » select Rename


A box appears around the filename.

3. Type the new filename 4. Press [Enter]

Deleting Files
Deleting files is an easy way to free up space on your diskettes and disk drives. Any file that is no longer needed should be deleted. If you are deleting files from a floppy diskette, you need to make sure you are deleting the correct file. You will see a confirmation dialog box, but you cannot recover the file once it is deleted. If you are deleting files from the hard-drive, they are placed in the Recycle Bin and remain there until the Recycle Bin is emptied. You can recover files from the Recycle Bin before it is emptied.

Deleting Files: Menu Option
1. Select the file that you want to delete 2. From the File menu, select Delete 3. If you receive a confirmation dialog box, verify that the correct file is being deleted: a. To confirm, click YES b. To cancel, click NO

Deleting Files: Keyboard Option
1. Select the file that you want to delete 2. Press [Delete] 3. If you receive a confirmation dialog box, verify that the correct file is being deleted: a. To confirm, click YES
b. To cancel, click NO

Copying Files: Copy and Paste Option

Files copied through Windows Explorer cannot be pasted into files (e.g., a Microsoft Word document).
NOTE:

1. Select the file that you want to copy 2. From the Edit menu, select Copy OR Right click » select Copy OR Press [Ctrl] + [C] 3. Select the drive/folder where you want the new copy placed 4. From the Edit menu, select Paste OR Right click » select Paste OR Press [Ctrl] + [V] 5. If necessary, adjust the filename (see Renaming Files)

Copying Files: Drag and Drop Option
1. Locate the file that you want to copy 2. Adjust the Folders/Drive listing so you can see the new location for the file 3. Do one of the following: a. If the new location is on a different drive (e.g., hard-drive to floppy), drag the file to the new location b. If the new location is on the same drive (e.g., hard-drive to another location on hard-drive), hold down [Ctrl] and drag the file to the new location

Moving Files
Moving files is useful when you want to rearrange your files to create better file organization.
To move files, you can use a method similar to copying text. The process is similar if you are moving files to the hard-drive or to another floppy diskette.

COPYING Files in Windows XP

To copy files and folders to a CD

1. Insert a blank, writable CD into the CD recorder.

2. Open My Computer.

3. Click the files or folders you want to copy to the CD. To select more than one file, hold down the CTRL key while you click the files you want. Then, under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file, Copy this folder, or Copy the selected items. If the files are located in My Pictures, under Picture Tasks, click Copy to CD or Copy all items to CD, and then skip to step 5.

4. In the Copy Items dialog box, click the CD recording drive, and then click Copy.

5. In My Computer, double–click the CD recording drive. Windows displays a temporary area where the files are held before they are copied to the CD. Verify that the files and folders that you intend to copy to the CD appear under Files Ready to be Written to the CD.

6. Under CD Writing Tasks, click Write these files to CD. Windows displays the CD Writing Wizard. Follow the instructions in the wizard.
Notes:
•

To open My Computer, click Start, and then click My Computer.

•

Do not copy more files to the CD than it will hold. Standard CDs hold up to 650 megabytes (MB). High–capacity CDs hold up to 850 MB.

•

Be sure that you have enough disk space on your hard disk to store the temporary files that are created during the CD writing process. For a standard CD, Windows reserves up to 700 MB of the available free space. For a high–capacity CD, Windows reserves up to 1 gigabyte (GB) of the available free space.


After you copy files or folders to the CD, it is useful to view the CD to confirm that the files are copied. For more information, click Related Topics.

To stop the CD recorder from automatically ejecting the CD 1. Open My Computer.

2. Right–click the CD recording drive, and then click Properties.

3. On the Recording tab, clear the Automatically eject the CD after writing check box.

Shutdown Windows XP Fast

While Windows XP is certainly no slouch in the speed stakes it does, like previous versions, have a tendency to drag its heels when it comes to shutting down. The reason for this is that the system has to close down all of the services running in the background. Unfortunately, they don’t always close down as quickly as they should. To give them time to do so, Win 2k is configured to wait a specified period before shutting down. The amount of time given is set in the registry and by modifying it Windows can be forced to shutdown more quickly.

THE WINDOWS DESKTOP AND FUNCTIONS

Click the start button to get the main menu.

CREATING A SHORTCUT ON THE DESKTOP

To create a shortcut on the Windows XP desktop from the start menu, do the following: Click the Start button Select All Programs Click Accessories Right-click Windows Explorer to open the short cut menu Click Desktop (to create short cut) And the shortcut now appears on the desktop!

CUSTOMIZING THE START MENU
You can customize the Start menu for easy access to your favorite programs. The left side of the Start menu is separated into two parts. The programs displayed above the separator line comprise the pinned items list; the programs below the separator line comprise the frequently used programs list. The programs on the pinned items list remain there and are always available. By default, Netscape and Netscape Mail are currently included, but

you can change these to a different browser and e-mail reader. You can also add more programs to this list. To display a program in the pinned items list: 1. On the Start menu, click All Programs, then Standard Software. 2. Right-click the selected program from the Standard Software list. Click Pin to Start menu. The program will appear on the Start menu. 3. You can remove a program from the pinned items list by right-clicking the program and then clicking Unpin from Start menu. To change your Internet browser and e-mail program: 1. Right-click the Start menu button, then select Properties. The Taskbar and Start Menu properties dialog box will appear. 2. Select the Start Menu tab. Select the Start menu radio button, then click the Customize button. The Customize Start Menu dialog box will appear. 3. Select the General tab. In the Show on Start menu box, select Internet: and Email:, then select the appropriate browser or reader from the pull-down menus. Click OK. NOTE: Changing your Internet and E-mail options in the Start menu does not change the behavior of the default browser.

To search for a file or folder:
1. Click Start, and then click Search. 2. In the Search Companion dialog box, click All files and folders. 3. Type part or all of the name of the file or folder, or type a word or phrase that is in the file. 4. In the Look in box, click the drive or drives, folder, or network location that you want to search. 5. Choose one of the following options: 1. Click When was it modified to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates. 2. Click What size is it to look for files that are specific size. 3. Click More advanced options to specify additional search criteria. 6. Click Search. Show hidden files and folders (XP) Views: 9,502 / Last Updated: September 21, 2002 Double Click on My Computer.Click on Tools > Folder Options... in the menus.

Click on the View tab. Select Show hidden files and folders under Hidden files and folders. Click the OK button. Note: If you are an advanced user you may want to remove the check from Hide protected operating system files.

How to perform a repair installation of Windows XP

Performing a repair installation of Windows XP can fix many serious startup problems. While you should not lose any of your important documents, you might lose settings, and you will need to reinstall many updates. Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have both your Windows XP CD and your product key available. To perform a repair installation of Windows XP 1.Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer. 2.Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.3.When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press ENTER on your keyboard.
4.On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then, press F8.5.When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by reinstalling important Windows components.The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour. Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were installing Windows XP for the first time. For detailed instructions, read Install Windows XP.

How to troubleshoot a computer that won't turn on

If your computer does not turn on—you press the power button and no lights appear, and there are no beeps or other sounds—you should: 1.Verify that your computer's power cord is connected. 2.Unplug your computer and connect a different electrical device (such as a lamp, a fan, or a radio) into the same electrical outlet. If the device does not work, the problem is the electrical outlet, not the computer. 3.Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. Most likely, the computer's power supply has failed. While replacing a part is a nuisance and may be costly, your documents, pictures, and e-mail should be safe and will be there when your computer is fixed.

How to troubleshoot Windows startup problems

Sometimes Windows begins to load but then stops responding during the startup process. In most cases, the problem is a new piece of hardware, a new program, or a corrupted system file. Follow the instructions below to troubleshoot the problem. Try to start your computer after each step. Continue to the next step only if Windows continues to fail during startup. To troubleshoot startup problems 1.Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start.If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly. 3.Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode and press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.

4.Additional troubleshooting is possible, but it can be complicated and may require reinstalling Windows XP. Contact technical support for further troubleshooting assistance. Alternatively, you can perform a repair installation of Windows XP. It might solve your problem. However, you will lose some settings and need to reinstall updates.

How to troubleshoot logon problems

After you click your user account or type your password, immediately press the SHIFT key and hold it until your desktop and taskbar are visible. Holding down the SHIFT key stops programs from loading automatically, and it is probably one of these programs that is causing your problem. Once you are able to log on successfully, you can change the programs that run automatically and remove the program that is causing the problem.

How to fix a computer that won't start

A computer that won't start is frustrating, but the problem is often easy to fix. The steps you take to troubleshoot the problem depend on your symptoms. Because different problems require different troubleshooting steps, it’s not necessary to read all of these instructions. Instead, click on the link that best describes your problem: •You log on by clicking your user account, but then you can't open any programs. •Your computer displays the Windows logo, but fails before you can log on. •You see "Non-system disk or disk error," or a similar message. •Your computer stops immediately after you turn it on or displays nothing on your monitor. •Your computer does not turn on. •You need to perform a repair installation of Microsoft Windows XP.

Printer Won't Print

There's nothing more frustrating than a printer that botches the job. The printer might completely refuse to print a document, or it may print only a portion of the document or print a bunch of strange looking symbols instead of the text or graphic you were expecting. If you run into printer problems, you probably have to do more fiddling than Nero. Look for the following:
•

Is your printer plugged in and turned on? Make sure your printer is plugged in. If it is plugged into a power strip or surge suppressor, make sure the power strip or surge suppressor is turned on. If the printer has a power switch or button, turn it on. (Many printers have no power switch.) Does your printer have paper? Is the paper tray inserted properly? Is the printer's online light on (not blinking)? If the online light is off or blinking, press the On Line button to turn on the light. Is your program set to print to a file? Many Print dialog boxes have a Print to File option, which sends the document to a file on your disk instead of to the printer. Make sure this option is not checked. Is the print fading? If so, your printer might need a new toner or ink cartridge. If your inkjet cartridge has plenty of ink, check your printer manual to determine how to clean the print head. Inkjet cartridges have some sensitive areas that you should never clean, so be careful. If you have an inkjet printer, check the print head and the area next to the print head for tape, and remove the tape. Ink cartridges usually come with two pieces of tape on them. You must remove both pieces before installing the cartridge. Is your printer marked as the default printer? In My Computer, double-click the Printers icon. Right-click the icon for your printer and make sure that Set as Default is checked. If there is no check mark, select Set as Default. Is the printer paused? Double-click the Printer icon in the taskbar, open the Printer menu and make sure Pause Printing is not checked. If there is a check mark, click Pause Printing. Is the correct printer port selected? In My Computer, double-click the Printers icon and double-click the icon for your printer. Click the Details tab and make sure the correct printer port is selected—LPT1 in most cases. Did you get only part of a page? Laser printers are weird; they print an entire page at one time, storing the entire page in memory. If the page has a big, complex graphic image or a lot of fonts, the printer might be able to store only a portion of the page. The best fix is to get more memory for your printer. The quickest fix is to use fewer fonts on the page and try using a less complex graphic image. Is it a printer problem? If you have a standard printer that's connected to your computer's parallel port, try printing a simple file list outside of Windows. Go to the DOS prompt (choose Start, Programs, MS-DOS prompt or Start, Programs, Accessories, MS-DOS prompt), type dir > lpt1 and press Enter. This prints the current directory list. If it prints okay, the problem is in the Windows printer setup. If the directory does not print or prints incorrectly, the problem probably is the printer. (Many printers have a button combination you can press to have the printer perform a self test. Check your printer manual.) If error messages keeps popping up on your screen, Windows might be sending print instructions to the printer faster than your printer can handle them. In My Computer, double-click the Printers icon, right-click your printer's icon, and choose Properties. Click the Details tab and increase the number of seconds in the Transmission Retry text box. Use the CD that came with the printer or download the printer driver from the manufacturer and reinstall the print driver. To do this, plug in the printer, when windows finds it as new hardware, put in the cd and follow instructions or if you downloaded it, execute the program form your desktop and let it find your printer.

How to Monitor Your Computer's Performance

Click the Performance tab to view a dynamic overview of the performance of your computer, including the following measures: • Graphs for CPU and memory usage. • The total number of handles, threads, and processes that are running. • The total number of kilobytes (KBs) used for physical, kernel, and commit memory.

How to use Windows Task Manager

This article describes how to use Windows Task Manager. It also explains how to perform some frequently used procedures, such as how to start programs, end processes, and monitor the computer's performance. Task Manager displays information about the performance of your computer and the programs and processes that are running on your computer. You can use Task Manager to start programs, start or end processes, and view a dynamic display of your computer's performance.

How to Start Task Manager
To start Task Manager, do any of the following: Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager. • -orPress CTRL+SHIFT+ESC. • -or• Right-click an empty area of the taskbar, and then click Task Manager.

How to Quit, Switch to, or Start a Program
The Applications tab displays the status of the programs that are running on the computer. To quit, switch to, or start a program, follow these steps: 1. Click the Applications tab. Do one of the following, as appropriate to the action that you want to perform: Quit a program. To quit a program, click the program that you want to quit, and then click End • Task. 2. NOTE: When you quit a program in this manner, any unsaved data in that program is lost. Switch to another program. • To switch to another program, click the program that you want to switch to, and then click Switch To. Start a program.To start a program, click New Task. In the Create New Task dialog box, click Browse, locate and select the program that you want to start, click Open, and then click OK. NOTE: This procedure is quite similar to starting a program by using the Run command on the Start menu.

How to End a Process
The Processes tab displays information about the processes that are running on the computer. To end a process, follow these steps. NOTE: Proceed with caution when you end a process. If you quit a program in this manner, data that has not been saved will be lost. If you end a system process, a system component may no longer function properly. 1. Click the Processes tab. Do one of the following, depending on the action that you want to perform: If you want to end a single process, click the process that you want to end, and then click End Process. • 2. -orIf you want to end a process and all processes directly or indirectly related to it, • right-click the process that you want to end, and then click End Process Tree.

How to Monitor Your Computer's Performance
Click the Performance tab to view a dynamic overview of the performance of your computer, including the following measures: • Graphs for CPU and memory usage. • The total number of handles, threads, and processes that are running. • The total number of kilobytes (KBs) used for physical, kernel, and commit memory.

What To Do When . . .Your PC Freezes

Take These Steps To Defrost Your PC
You're merrily plugging away at your computer when suddenly everything stops. Your system freezes in its tracks and, try as you might, you can't get it to respond. You have no choice but to shut down the system, which means you'll lose all your unsaved data. This is a vexing and all-toocommon computer problem. Nearly every system will lock up now and again, but if your system freezes on a regular basis, you need to pinpoint the cause. This is usually easier said than done because there are so many potential sources of PC freezes. The freezes could be the result of either a hardware or software problem, or possibly a combination of the two. But with a little perseverance and patience (and perhaps a lot of experimentation), you should be able to determine what's causing your system to misbehave. We'll show you how. The first thing you should do when your system freezes is restart it and see what happens next. Almost no PC is immune to the occasional lockup, so it's entirely possible that a particular occurrence may be the exception rather than the rule. If you restart your system and suffer no further freezes or ill effects, chalk it up to an unusual glitch, count your blessings, and don't worry about it. If your system suffers from PC freezes on a regular basis, even after you reboot your system, clearly there's something going on inside your PC. If the freezes appear to occur randomly and do not seem to be associated with a particular program, chances are your PC's hardware is the source of the problem. Hardware Troubles. There are several ways your system's hardware can contribute to or cause PC freezes, so let's look at some likely possibilities and ways to resolve them. Feeling the heat. Most users don't think about the amount of heat their PCs generate. Processors and other components continue to get smaller, and smaller chips generate more heat. The heat from your PC's internal components builds up inside your system's case, and if it gets too warm in there, your PC can freeze up. Your system's internal components may even become damaged if they're exposed to too much heat for too long. You can combat excessive heat problems by making sure your PC is properly ventilated. Make sure your system is not pressed against a wall or a desk, as this can stifle airflow from the case. Every PC case should have at least one exhaust fan, or barring that, a few exhaust holes in the case that hot air can pass through. One of the easiest ways to reduce heat inside your PC's case is to replace the system's IDE (Integrated Device Elec-tronics) and floppy diskette drive ribbon cables with rounded cables. Rounded cables usually cost no more than $10 apiece and are easy to install. Simply remove the ribbon cables from your hard drive, floppy diskette drive, and optical drive (or drives, as the case may be) and plug in the rounded cables. Rounded cables allow for much better airflow inside the case, which will help keep your components cool. You also can add a couple of fans to your system's case, which will draw in more cool air and help expel hot air. Case fans, like rounded cables, are inexpensive. Although a case fan is a little more difficult to install than rounded IDE cables, it's not beyond the ability of most users. Check your drives. If your system is cool and well ventilated, you can assume that excess heat is not at fault for your system's freezes. Old drivers can be the source of many PC problems, including PC freezes, so it's a good idea to update hardware drivers on a regular basis. Windows users can use the Windows Update feature to check for new hardware drivers. You should also go to the support Web page for your PC manufacturer to check for driver updates. If you've built your own system, you should stop by the Web site of each manufacturer of the major components (including the motherboard, video card, and sound card, if applicable) in your system to check for updates. Maybe it's the memory. Your system's memory is another usual suspect when PC freezes occur, so we'll check that next. If you have two memory modules installed in your system, remove one of them and see if your system continues to freeze up. If it does, replace the memory module currently in use with the one you removed earlier and try again. If your system starts working properly, you know that the memory module you removed is at fault and should be replaced. If you still experience PC freezes after using both memory modules independently, the freezes are probably the result of another problem. It's very unlikely that both memory modules are defective. If you only have one memory module installed in your system, you'll have to secure a second one to determine if the module you're using is defective. There's also a possibility that you're simply not using enough memory. If your system only uses 64MB of RAM, and you like to run a lot of programs at once, you should expand your memory to at least 128MB. In the best-case scenario, you'll have a spare memory module or a second PC that uses the same type of memory as the system you're troubleshooting (for example, PC2700 DDRSDRAM as opposed to PC133 memory), but that isn't always the case. Try to borrow a compatible memory module if possible, but if that's not an option, you may have to buy another memory module and replace the one your system is currently using. Check your power supply. We'll suggest one more hardware-based fix for PC freeze-up problems. An inadequate power supply is an oft-overlooked source of PC frustrations. Most manufacturers outfit their systems with relatively inexpensive OEM power supplies that may have enough juice to power your system when they ship it to you, but may not provide enough power when you add more components to your system. Underpowering leads to system instability. You can buy a beefier, high-quality power supply for about $60 to $90. A 350watt power supply should be adequate for most home users, and a 450-watt power supply should provide more than enough energy even for extreme computing needs. Software On Ice. Software problems are pretty common events, but most software issues usually result in an error message that provides some clue as to the nature of the problem. You won't have that advantage when your PC freezes, but with a little detective work you can usually pinpoint the software issue that's causing your system to lock up. For example, if you notice that your PC freezes whenever you use a specific application and doesn't freeze when you're not using that application, it's pretty clear where the problem lies. The program may have a conflict with another program you're running in the background, or it may have a conflict with one of your system's hardware components. When you narrow down freeze-ups to a particular program, you should go to the software manufacturer's Web site and download the latest program updates and patches for the software. The company's support Web page may also have some specific information regarding the program and PC freezes and tips for how to resolve the problem. You may also want to shut down programs that are running in the background. Programs running in the background can occasionally interfere with a program you're currently using. Close any programs you're not using and see if your system remains stable. If it does, you may have to update the programs you frequently run in the background, as well as the program that seems to be the source of the PC freezes. There are times when a particular program simply does not get along with a specific brand of hardware. As we mentioned earlier, you should update your hardware drivers regularly. Hardware and software manufacturers usually have information on their support Web pages regarding conflicts between specific hardware components and programs and will either provide a downloadable patch or step-by-step instructions to resolve those problems. Keep Your PC Freeze-Free. We've mentioned a couple of maintenance tips that may help you resolve PC freezes, namely keeping your hardware drivers and software updated. If you do this on a regular basis, you can prevent some PC freezes from occurring in the first place. You should also update Windows regularly to keep your system in top shape. Go to http://www.microsoft.com and click Windows Update on the Microsoft home page. Microsoft will scan your system and provide a list of updates you can download for your version of Windows. You should also defragment your PC on a regular basis. Whenever you use your PC, your system moves files from place to place on your hard drive. After awhile, the files can become so scattered across your hard drive that your PC's performance will suffer. Defrag-menting your PC will fix that problem by realigning your system's files in a neat and orderly fashion. However, if you use Windows XP, your system may, ironically enough, freeze up when you run the OS's disk defragmenter utility. If you experience this problem, restart your system in safe mode and then run the defragmenter utility. It seems as though there are nearly limit-less potential causes for PC freezes, which is why troubleshooting this problem can make you pull your hair out.Unlike many PC issues, either hardware or software (or a combination of the two) can result in a freeze. But you can thaw out PC freezes if you follow our tips.

Troubleshooting Hardware with the Device Manager

Windows XP works with countless different printers, scanners, digital cameras, and other devices. It does so with the help of drivers, unique software programs that help your operating system communicate with individual pieces of hardware. If your computer starts to freeze, crash, or if a hardware device stops working, you can troubleshoot the problem with the Device Manager. Device Manager shows you how the hardware on your computer is installed and configured, and how the hardware interacts with your computer's programs. You'll typically use Device Manager to check the status of your hardware and update device drivers on your computer. Advanced users who have a thorough understanding of computer hardware might also use Device Manager's diagnostic features to resolve device conflicts and change resource settings. Note You may need to be logged on as an administrator or be a member of the Administrators group in order to use some or all of the features in Device Manager. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.
To access Device Manager: •Right–click My Computer, click Manage, and then click Device Manager. The Device Manager opens as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Opening the Device Manager To view the status of a device: 1.Open Device Manager. 2.Double–click the type of device you want to view. 3.Right–click the specific device you want, and then click Properties. 4.On the General tab, under Device status is a description of the device status

Figure 2. Checking status of a device If the device is experiencing a problem, you’ll see the type of problem in the Device status box. You might also see a problem code and number and a suggested solution. If you call a support line, this number can be useful for determining and diagnosing the problem. For information on how to resolve hardware device problems, click Troubleshoot to start the Hardware Troubleshooter. To install a new driver from Device Manager: 1.Open Device Manager. 2.Double-click the type of device you want to update or change. 3.Right-click the specific device driver you want to update or change. 4.Click Update Driver to open the Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the wizard instructions. Note If you install a new driver and your system becomes unstable, you can easily uninstall the driver and reinstall the old driver with Driver Rollback

Using the System Configuration Utility

The Windows System Configuration Utility (Msconfig) is a system tool that allows you to temporarily change the way Windows starts by disabling startup programs and services. We continue the discussion of controlling what programs are allowed to run automatically that was begun on the previous page. Here we show how to use Msconfig.

This useful accessory is present in Windows 98/Me/XP but is not listed in the Start|Programs menu. The easiest way to access it is to go to Start|Run and enter “msconfig” (without quotes).

In the window that comes up there is a tab “Startup” .
Click that and you get a list of things that are loaded automatically when you turn on your computer. On the left of each entry is a check box. Unchecking this box will remove the item from startup at the next boot of your computer. It does NOT remove the item from your computer. In the figure below , you can see examples of some unnecessary functions such as Quicken "Billminder" that have had their checks removed. The user can still choose to run the process whenever desired. Also, if you find that you really do want the thing to load at startup, you can always put the check back.Many PC users are reluctant to make use of Msconfig, however, because they are afraid of removing something essential. As a general rule, it is my personal opinion that very few programs are essential at startup. Every system is different but power management, system tray, anti-virus program, and firewall are pretty close to all that many people need. I feel that most people will miss nothing by removing any references to Quicken, Microsoft Office, RealPlayer, or AOL. Fortunately, there are excellent references that explain the function of almost anything you are likely to see in the startup list and give recommendations on whether it is safe to remove. Several are given on the previous page. In addition to the program modules that may be running at startup, there are a variety of processes called "services" and there is also a tab for displaying these.

There are many essential Windows services and it is may be convenient to look at only the non-Microsoft services. There is a box where a check can be placed by the setting "Hide All Microsoft Services", as shown below.
You may notice that there are a lot of services from Symantec, which is one reason why Norton software (and other anti-virus programs) can measurably slow down your machine.(Personally, I disable many of these but the average PC user should not follow my example without understanding their function and unless you take all the other precautions that I follow to defend my machine.) Actually, for the purpose of managing services, it may be better to use the "Services Console" and that is discussed on the next page.

Unique features of Virtual Server

To support the requirements of an enterprise environment, Virtual Server provides features that are not available (or needed) in Virtual PC. This section describes those features as well as the operating systems that Virtual Server supports.
Supported operating systems
For Virtual Server, supported host and guest operating systems are all server operating systems, except for Windows XP Professional, which is supported as a host operating system.
The following are the supported host operating systems:
• Windows Server 2003 (Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter Editions)
• Windows Small Business Server (Standard and Premium Editions)
• Windows XP Professional
Note:
You should use Microsoft Windows XP Professional as a host operating system only in a non-production environment.
Supported guest operating systems include those just listed, plus the following:
• Windows 2000 Server, all editions except Enterprise
• Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition SP6a
See the Virtual Server documentation for more information.
Note:
The beta version of Virtual Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) includes support for x64-based versions of Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
Administration
• Remote management. You can administer Virtual Server remotely by using the Web-based Administration Web site. You can also access and administer virtual machines remotely by using Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC).
• Scripted management. You can manage Virtual Server and its virtual machines by using the Component Object Model (COM) application programming interface (API). For more information, see the Virtual Server Programmer’s Guide included with the product.
• WMI integration. Virtual Server provides Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) counters to the host operating system. These counters can be integrated into a non-Microsoft management solution, or they can be passed to Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) for monitoring and alerting.
• Compatibility with Windows Server System management products. You can use Windows Server System products such as Automated Deployment Services (ADS), Systems Management Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 to deploy and manage virtual machines. A MOM management pack is available for Virtual Server 2005.
• Delegated administration. With Virtual Server, you can delegate administration and provide secure, authenticated guest access.
• System event logging. Virtual Server logs events on the host operating system event log. Logged events can be integrated into a non-Microsoft management solution, or passed to MOM for alerting. Virtual Server can also send event notices—such as when a virtual machine session stops functioning—to external scripts.
Scalability
• SCSI support. Virtual Server supports virtual SCSI drives up to 2 terabytes in size.
• Host multiprocessor support. Virtual Server scales across multiple processors on the host computer—up to 32. Each running virtual machine can take advantage of up to one CPU. For example, on a 32-processor host computer, you could allocate your CPU capacity so that 31 simultaneously running virtual machines would each use up to one CPU, leaving a CPU free for the host operating system.
• Multithreading. Virtual Server 2005 is a multithreaded application that runs as a system service, with each virtual machine running in its own thread of execution. In contrast, Virtual PC is a single-threaded application in which all simultaneously running virtual machines run on the same processor.
• Large RAM support. Virtual Server supports up to 3.6 gigabytes (GB) of RAM per virtual machine.
Security
• Support for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) security. For access to the Administration Web site and the Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC) client, Virtual Server supports SSL security, as well as NTLM and Kerberos V5 authentication.
• Configurable user context for virtual machines. By default, a virtual machine runs under the account of the user who turned it on. For added security, you can configure each virtual machine to run under a specified user account. Virtual machine scripts can also run under this account. The account must be configured before virtual machine scripts can run, however.
Resource management
• Flexible memory and CPU allocation. Virtual Server supports flexible memory configuration and dynamic CPU resource allocation for each virtual machine.
Other enterprise features
• Virtual networking. With Virtual Server, you can create an unlimited number of virtual networks, each with its own virtual Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. You can also configure Domain Name System (DNS) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) servers, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and IP address lease time.
• Two-node clustering. Virtual Server provides simple two-node failover from one virtual machine to another. You can use this feature for testing and development only; it is not supported for use in a production environment.
Note:
The beta version of Virtual Server 2005 SP1 supports creating a Microsoft Cluster Service cluster that uses shared storage on iSCSI and includes from two to eight virtual machines.

Unique features of Virtual PC

To meet the requirements of desktop users, Virtual PC provides some features that are not available in Virtual Server. This section describes those features as well as the operating systems that Virtual PC supports.
Supported operating systems
For Virtual PC, both the host operating system (the one on which you install Virtual PC) and the guest operating systems (the ones running inside virtual machines) must be desktop operating systems.
Supported host operating systems include:
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Supported guest operating systems include those just listed and the following:
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Service Pack 6 (SP6) or higher
• Windows Millennium Edition
• Windows 98
• MS-DOS® 6.22
• OS/2 Warp 4, OS/2 Fixpack 15, OS/2 Warp Convenience Pack 1, and OS/2 Warp Convenience Pack 2
Emulated sound card
Both Virtual PC and Virtual Server provide integration with the physical computer's mouse and keyboard. However, only Virtual PC provides an emulated sound card to support the needs and expectations of desktop users.
Extensive host-guest integration
Virtual PC is designed to provide user convenience in a desktop environment. This results in the following benefits to users:
• They can switch between operating systems as easily as they switch between applications by simply clicking on the window that contains the virtual machine.
• With a simple drag-and-drop operation, users can move or copy and paste items from a guest operating system to the host operating system, and vice versa.
• Users can dynamically resize the guest operating system desktop when resizing the virtual machine window.
• Users can share folders between operating systems.
Shared networking
Virtual PC offers shared networking through network address translation (NAT). This makes it easy for users to configure a connection to an external network that is shared with the host computer.

Shared Features

Virtual PC and Virtual Server share a number of features in common. These include the following:
• Basic file architecture. Both Virtual PC and Virtual Server use the same file types for configuration and resource files. For example, virtual machine configuration files are .vmc files, virtual hard disk files are .vhd files, and saved state files are .vsv files. This common file architecture allows virtual machines (within certain limitations) to be shared between Virtual PC and Virtual Server.
• Networking. Both Virtual PC and Virtual Server allow networking between virtual machines and physical machines. With Virtual Server, however, you can also create and configure virtual networks.
• Virtual machine control options. Options for controlling virtual machines, such as starting, stopping, shutting down, and saving state are the same for Virtual PC and Virtual Server.
• Disk features. Undo and differencing disks are available in both Virtual PC and Virtual Server.

Usage Scenarios for Virtual Server

Virtual Server is designed for running enterprise server operating systems and applications. Some primary scenarios for using Virtual Server include the following:
• Test and development for server applications. You can use Virtual Server in situations that require rapid and frequent server reconfiguration. For example, you can use it for development and testing, product demonstrations, or training. You can create a library of virtual machines in different server configurations without needing to dedicate a physical computer to each configuration. You can then easily deploy your virtual machines from this library with a few mouse clicks. You can also set up the virtual machines to use undo disks so that changes can be discarded, or you can use differencing disks to create a variety of configurations from one base disk. This is useful in situations where you must test software or certain software configurations before you actually deploy them. You might use this approach to test the effect of a software update before deploying it to your organization. In addition, you can quickly create virtual networks that simulate physical networks. You can then test real-world scenarios in your virtual network.
• Server consolidation. Many companies have departmental and branch office servers that are underutilized. This is often because different departmental or branch office applications were written for different operating systems or different versions of the same operating system. To reduce the number of physical servers you must maintain, you can migrate these applications and operating systems into virtual machines running under Virtual Server on a single physical server.
• Application migration. Many companies have server applications that require an older operating system, such as Microsoft Windows NT® Server 4.0. To upgrade to a newer, more resilient system would require rewriting the applications. But this can be very costly. A more manageable and cost-effective approach would be to move older operating systems and server applications into virtual machines running under Virtual Server and a Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 operating system.

Usage Scenarios for Virtual PC

As already mentioned, Virtual PC is designed for running desktop operating systems and applications. Some primary scenarios for using Virtual PC include the following:
• Support for running legacy desktop applications. For example, you might have applications that were designed to run on Microsoft Windows® 98 that will not run on your new computer that is running a Microsoft Windows XP operating system. With Virtual PC, you can run Windows 98 and your applications in a virtual machine on your new computer.
• Help desk. If you are a help desk technician, you can use Virtual PC to set up a variety of desktop environments inside virtual machines. You can then duplicate the desktop environments of your clients and reproduce and troubleshoot the problems clients present to you.
• Desktop application testing. If you are a developer, you can use Virtual PC to set up virtual machines so you can test desktop applications in a variety of operating system environments.
• Training. If you are a trainer, you can use Virtual PC to set up your training programs to run inside virtual machines. This way, you can offer a variety of different classes without needing to use a separate computer for each one. In addition, you can set up the virtual machines to discard changes that were made during a class. This can dramatically reduce your class set-up time.
These scenarios are described in detail in the Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 Technical Overview white paper, available at the Microsoft Web site at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45404.
In addition to these scenarios, there are a number of other ways you might want to use Virtual PC, depending on your situation and computing needs. For example, you might use Virtual PC at home so your family can use it to browse the Internet. This can eliminate worries about applications or files your family might download—those downloaded materials will not affect the host operating system. If the virtual machine becomes corrupted or infected with a virus, you can simply delete the virtual machine and start over.

Fundamental Differences Between Virtual PC and Virtual Server

The most fundamental difference between Virtual PC and Virtual Server is that Virtual PC is designed for desktop (also known as "client" or "PC") operating systems, and Virtual Server is designed for server operating systems.
The two products have many features in common, but because they are designed to serve different purposes, there are crucial differences between them. For example, because it supports desktop applications, the Virtual PC user interface is designed with the typical desktop user in mind. The configuration options are relatively simple and easy for the average computer user to understand and use. Virtual Server, on the other hand, is designed for running enterprise server operating systems and applications. It provides the configuration and management options that are required for server management. These necessarily make the user interface more complex. As a result, making effective use of Virtual Server requires some knowledge of server technologies.

Virtual PC vs. Virtual Server: Comparing Features and Uses

Microsoft® Virtual PC 2004 is a virtual machine solution for desktop operating systems. Microsoft Virtual Server 2005, on the other hand, is a solution for server operating systems. Although Virtual PC and Virtual Server share many features in common, they are designed for different purposes. As a result, some of their features are also quite different. This white paper explains the differences between Virtual PC and Virtual Server, and discusses the scenarios in which it is appropriate to use one or the other.
Virtual PC is designed to provide an optimal experience for a desktop user who wants to run one or more additional desktop operating systems on a single computer. The user interface is fairly simple, and there is extensive integration between the host operating system running on the physical computer and the guest operating systems running in virtual machines. For example, users can easily drag and drop data between virtual machines and their host. In addition, the sound and display features of virtual machines are much the same as those of physical computers.
Virtual Server is different from Virtual PC in that, instead of being designed for simplicity of use for the desktop user, it provides features that support the more complex requirements of enterprise server applications and administration. Virtual Server includes additional features that support greater manageability, scalability, and extensibility. These are important aspects of server management that are not appropriate to the intended uses of Virtual PC.

New Network Card

I Am not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these advises

# If you can't connect to a server or if Windows reports an error after you double-click Network Neighborhood, try the following first:

* Make sure you're using the drivers that are on the drivers disk that ships with the network interface card (NIC).
* Make sure the driver is loaded and the protocols are bound. Check the Device Properties list for trouble indicators (an "X" or "!" symbol).
* Test the NIC adapter with the diagnostic utilities that often came with the driver installation.
* Check with your LAN administrator - you may need to install additional networking software.

# If the problem persists, follow these guidelines:

* Make sure the cable is installed properly. The network cable must be securely attached at both RJ45 connections (adapter and hub). The maximum allowable distance from adapter to hub is 100 meters. If the cable is attached and the distance is within acceptable limits but the problem persists, try a different cable. If you're directly connecting two computers without a hub or switch, use a crossover cable.
* Try another network cable.
* Check the LED Lights on the NIC. Before the LEDs can be used for troubleshooting, the network interface card (NIC) must be connected to the network and the network driver must be installed. Most NICs come with LEDs near the connection. The meaning of the LED signals may be different from one manufacturer to the other. Here is a common LED description for 3COM 10/100BT dual speed NIC. Please consult your NIC manual for any difference.


3. The computer hangs when the drivers are loaded.
* Change the PCI BIOS interrupt settings. See your NIC and system manuals for more details.
* If you are using EMM386, it must be version 4.49 or newer.
4. Diagnostics pass, but the connection fails or errors occur.
* At 100BT, use Category 5 wiring and make sure that the network cable is securely attached.
* At 100BT, connect to a 100BT hub/switch (not 100Base-T4).
* For NetWare, make sure you specify the correct frame type in your NET.CFG file.
* Make sure the duplex mode setting on the adapter matches the setting on the switch.
5. The LNK LED doesn't light.
* Make sure you've loaded the network drivers.
* Check all connections at the adapter and the hub/switch.
* Try another port on the hub/switch.
* Make sure the duplex mode setting on the adapter matches the setting on the hub/switch.
* Make sure you have the correct type of cable between the adapter and the hub. 100Base-TX requires two pairs. Some hubs require a crossover cable while others require a straight-through cable.
6. The ACT LED doesn't light.
* Make sure you've loaded the correct network drivers.
* The network may be idle. Try accessing a server.
* The adapter isn't transmitting or receiving data. Try another adapter.
* Make sure you're using two-pair cable for TX wiring.
7. The adapter stopped working without apparent cause.
* Run the diagnostics program that came with the NIC.
* Try reseating the NIC in its slot, or try a different slot if necessary.
* The network driver files may be corrupt or missing. Remove the drivers and then reinstall them.
8. The Wake on LAN (WOL) feature is not working.
* Make sure the WOL cable is attached and that power is being applied to the computer.
* Check the BIOS for its WOL setting. Some computers may need to be configured for WOL.
* Make sure the network cable is fully attached to the adapter.
9. Crossover cable troubleshooting tips.
When you work with network cabling, concentrators (hubs or switch), and NICs from different venders, it is possible to connect everything and still have no communication between file servers and workstations.
When there are several unknown variables, it is difficult to determine which component is broken. Use these tips to isolate the problem.
* Determine whether your equipment complies with the 10Base-T or 100Base-TX standard. This is particularly important for hubs and switches.
* Connect a straight-through cable from the PC to the hub. The hub performs an internal crossover so that the signal can go from TD+ to RD+ and TD- to RD- (see How to Make Network Cables). When you look at an RJ-45 connector from the front, pin 1 is identified on the left-hand side when the metal contacts are facing up.
* Make sure that the TD+ and TD- wires are twisted together , and that the RD+ and RD- wires are twisted together. Using wires from opposing pairs can cause signals to be lost. For a 100Base-TX cable, pins #1 and #2 , and #3 and #6 must be on the same twisted strand.
10. When there is doubt whether a hub is performing correctly, or if the impedance settings are in question, a crossover cable can help you isolate the failing component:
* Connect a file server and a client PC back to back with a crossover cable to verify that the NIC and network operating system are properly configured.
* To make a crossover cable, simple connect TD+ to RD+ and TD- to RD-. The cable performs the crossover that is usually performed by the hub. Make sure that two twisted-pair wires are used. If the file server and client PC function together as a small network, then either the existing cabling or the hub is the problem.
* If there is a proper crossover, the appropriate LED comes on. If there is a straight-through connection, the LED does not light. A blinking LED indicates that there is a polarity mismatch (that is, TD+ to RD- instead of TD+ to RD+).