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Windows XP Tips

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TOPICS

What Programs are Installed on your Computer

Here's an easy way to get a list of all the Microsoft programs that are installed on your computer:

The list can be copied and pasted into another document.  It also contains the Product ID numbers that you might find useful if you lose them and have to reinstall a program.

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Using the XP SP2 Pop-Up Blocker

If you do happen to run Windows XP, the simplest thing you can do to improve IE's security and block pop-up windows is to install Service Pack 2 (SP2). This massive security update includes a major upgrade to IE.

In XP SP2, when you visit a site that attempts to display a pop-up window, IE displays below the Address Bar a small yellow pane, which is called the Information Bar. This bar reports that a pop-up has been blocked and that you can click the yellow pane to see the pop-up or view additional options. When you click the Information Bar, you'll see the following options: 

Setting your filter to High, Medium, or Low

To manage the pop-up blocker, you can also access Tools and then Pop-up Blocker from the IE menu. Here, you'll find a number of menu items similar to those displayed in the Information Bar when IE blocks a pop-up window. 

You can set the pop-up blocker to one of three "filter levels". The default setting, Medium (block most automatic pop-ups), appeared to work well in our tests. With this setting enabled, all automatically generated pop-up windows are stopped. But you can still click a hyperlink that spawns a pop-up window. 

Because of this, the understandably paranoid may opt for the High setting, which blocks all pop-ups, including those that appear when you click on a hyperlink. To use a hyperlink that spawns a pop-up window you wish to see, you must hold down the Ctrl key when you click the link. This is similar to many other pop-up blockers' functionality.

The Low setting allows pop-ups from any Web sites considered "secure", which are simply those sites that utilize the prefix "https://" in their address instead of the more usual "http://". We don't recommend using this setting.

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Microsoft is still working on a huge package of security and usability enhancements for Windows XP. Known as Service Pack 2, it had been expected this month. But it has been pushed back to August.

Among other things, Service Pack 2 will offer an improved firewall. It also will provide procedures to protect you from dangerous downloads. And (at last!) it will block pop-up ads.

Service Pack 2 is expected to be 70 to 90 megabytes in size. That's a huge download. Nonetheless, it's necessary.

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Password Reset Disk

Windows XP lets you create a reset disk so that, if you should forget your password at the logon screen, you'll be able to use the disk to reset the password.  Otherwise, you might never be able to log onto the account again.  To make the disk, you use the Forgotten Password Wizard.  Here's how (the following assumes your computer is not a member of a domain):

This places an encrypted copy of your password on the disk.  Now if you forget the password, you can use your reset disk to start the Password Reset Wizard and create a new password.  Remember that you'll need to create a new reset disk any time you change your password.

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An Incorrectly Registered Windows Update

If you find that the Windows Update Web site lists updates that you have already previously installed, it may be because the update did not register correctly.  You should delete the register key associated with the update and then reinstall the update.  Be very care in the Registry Editor.  It's a good idea to backup the Registry before making changes.  Here's how to delete the key:

This tip should work with all versions of Windows, however, Windows XP is used as an example.

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Want to see what your PC is running?

They're called processes. These are the programs that are running in your computer. One of them could be using up the system's CPU cycles and causing a system slowdown. Finding the one isn't that difficult. You just need to know where to look.

In Windows XP and Windows 2000, press Ctrl+Alt+Del. On the Windows Security window, click Task Manager. Select the Processes tab. This will show you which processes are running. Under CPU, you'll find the percentage of microprocessor time each process is taking. It should be easy to identify the hog. Make a note of its name, then click the name to highlight it. Click End Process. Then put the process name in a search engine and hunt for information about it on the Web.

Windows 98 and ME do not include process details. But you can get that information with Process Explorer 7.0, available free at:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

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Files and Setting Transfer Wizard

So you bought a brand new computer with Windows XP installed.  So, now you need to get all the files and settings from the old computer to the new one.  After all, trying to setup the new system can be a real hassle.  Have no fear.  The Windows XP CD comes with a neat program called "Files and Setting Transfer Wizard".  You can even use it as a backup utility for all you important files and documents.  Click here to read all about it.

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Top Reasons for Fatal Crashes in Windows XP and Windows 2000

Have you been experiencing random crashes in Windows XP or Windows 2000, and you can't find any reason for them? Windows XP and Windows 2000 are both supposed to be (and typically are) much more stable than Windows 9x/Me, but there are still things that can bring down the entire system in a heartbeat, displaying the BSD (Blue Screen of Death) or simply restarting. Go over this checklist and see if any of these apply to you.

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How to Disable the XP Zip Function

Windows XP includes built in zip file support so you don't have to install another program such as WinZip. However, if you want to disable XP's zip support, here's how:

This will disable XP's zip function. If you should later change your mind and decide you want it back, go back to the command prompt and type: cmd regsvr32/ zipfldr.dll to reenable it.

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Work around Windows Product Activation

Have you ever wanted to reinstall Windows XP on a particular computer but chose not to because you weren't sure what you'd encounter when it came to Windows Product Activation (WPA)?

Well, there's no need to be concerned because information about the current activation is stored in an encrypted database file named Wpa.dbl, which you can back up and then restore once you've reinstalled XP. Keep in mind that this technique allows you only to reinstall XP on the same computer--it isn't a hack to pirate the OS.

Here's how to back up the Wpa.dbl file:

You can then reformat the hard disk and reinstall XP. Once the installation procedure is complete, follow these steps to restore the Wpa.dbl file:

Since you're using the exact copy of XP that was previously installed, the original Wpa.dbl file will be accepted, and you won't have to go through all the hassle of reactivation.

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Disable the Indexing Service

The Indexing Service can create an index of all the contents and properties of thousands of files in order to make finding things much faster. While Windows XP's heart is in the right place, this sounds better than it is in practice. The Indexing Service is more effective in its ability to slow down your computer than its ability to speed file searches. Do this to disable the Indexing Service:

You don't need to restart the computer. The next time the computer starts, the Indexing Service will not run automatically.

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Adding Favorites to the Start Menu

In Windows XP, Favorites may be missing from the Start menu.  To add Favorites do this:

The Favorites item will be added to your Start menu.

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Windows Media Player

For those interested, the final release of Windows Media Player is released and can be downloaded from here.

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Upgrading to Windows XP

Windows XP comes in two versions, Home and Professional. There's not much difference in the way the two versions look or behave.

Part of the difference is mechanical. Windows XP Professional can use two central processing unit (CPU) engines inside your computer, making it run faster and more powerfully.

Much of the remaining difference centers on networking and security. Windows XP Professional includes the features of Windows XP Home, plus it adds a backup program, higher-level of security in networking, multi-language support, and more advanced features.

If you buy XP Home and decide its networking features aren't powerful enough for your needs, feel free to upgrade to XP Professional. That version installs over XP Home without problems. You can't go the other way, though: You can't install Windows XP Home over Windows XP Professional. You need to free your hard drive of Windows entirely by formatting it and then start over with a spotless, Windows-free slate.

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Back to Classic Style (Part 2)

Not only will Windows XP let you change back to a Windows 9x Classic look, you can also bring the Start menu back to a slimmer Windows 9x size by doing the following:

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Back to Classic Style (Part 1)

If you prefer a Windows 98 look to your desktop, Windows XP allows you to convert itself.  Here's how:

Now you are back to your old friend and familiar territory.

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No Shortcut Keys in Windows XP

Older versions of Windows had underlined letters in their menus.  Instead of clicking the mouse on menu items, you could press Alt and the underlined letter to activate that menu item -- a shortcut key, if you will. Although Windows XP leaves them out, here's how to turn them back on: Right-click the Desktop, choose Properties, and click the Appearance tab. Click the Effects button and remove the check mark from the line, Hide Underlined Letters for Keyboard Navigation Until I Press The Alt Key. The underlines all appear, ready for shortcuts.

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Insider Learning Center

Microsoft's Insider Learning Center offers you free interactive training to learn basic skills using Visio, FrontPage 2002, Windows XP, and Internet Explorer 6.0.  I found the courses quick and easy to follow, though abbreviated.  You may find them of some help to you.  Click here to access the site.

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Shutdown Hangs On “Saving Your Settings”

During shutdown or reboot, Win XP may hang (stop responding) at the “saving your settings” screen. During such a hang, there is no response to Ctrl+Alt+Del; the mouse may or may not work. The problem may be intermittent.

This is a known bug in Windows XP, for which Microsoft has a supported fix. To learn how to get this patch, see MSKB Q307274, “Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown.” The necessary patch is included in Windows XP Service Pack 1, and also is now available on the Windows Update site under “Recommended Updates” for Win XP Professional, titled “Restarting Windows XP.” However, to find it, you may need to reconfigure how Windows Update appears for you, by enabling the Windows Update Catalog as follows: At the Windows Update page, click Personalize Windows Update at the left, and then Enable the Windows Update Catalog. Save your settings. This adds the Windows Update Catalog link in the left box. Click this link, then click Find updates for Microsoft Windows systems. Pick Windows XP in the drop-down list, click Search, take Recommended Updates, and find the “Restarting Windows XP” patch which references Q307274.

As a workaround, one may resolved this problem by dismantling the Windows XP logon Welcome screen. In the Control Panel, click User Accounts.  Then click “Change the way users log on or off.” Uncheck the box that says “Use the Welcome screen.” This removes the initial logon screen with individual icons for each user and, instead, pops up the classic logon prompt that requires each user to type a user name and password.

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Restore Icons to the Desktop

This article describes how to restore the My Computer, My Documents, and My Network Places icons after they have been removed from the desktop.

In Microsoft Windows XP Edition and Professional, the new Start menu is enabled by default.  When the new Start menu is enabled, the My Computer, My Documents, and My Network Places icons are removed from the desktop.  To restore these icons, follow these steps:
 

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Changing the Registered Owner of Your Computer 

If you look at the properties of My Computer, you may notice that your system may be registered to someone other than you.  It may be the previous owner or the manufacturer of your computer.  This name can be easily changed by carefully following these steps.  (Please use caution and backup your Registry.  There are many articles on the Internet referring to how to do this manually.): 

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Opening a New Web Page

When surfing the Web, sometimes you might want to check out a Web page and at the same time stay on the page that gave you the link in the first place. With Internet Explorer 6 in Windows XP, that’s exactly what you can do. Simply press and hold down the SHIFT key while you click the link. The page will open in a new Internet Explorer window.

Need to look at two Web pages side by side? That’s easy too. To view any open windows side by side, right-click an empty part of the taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen), and click either Tile Windows Horizontally or Tile Windows Vertically.

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Installing the Windows XP Recovery Console

Sometimes installing new software or peripherals can really ruin your day. Things can get so bad that Windows XP won't even boot up, even if you use the Last Known Good option! There's one thing you can do before giving up, and that's to use the Recovery Console. The Recovery Console gives you access to a DOS like environment where you can try to fix things you suspect are wrong. You should definitely install the Recovery Console if you're a power user. Just do the following:

Restart the computer. The next time you start your computer, you will see a "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" entry on the boot menu.

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Windows XP Backup Utility

The Backup utility is not included in the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. The Backup icon is not present on the Start menu in Windows XP Home Edition, nor is Backup listed in Add/Remove Programs for Windows XP Home Edition. The backup program is found on the Windows XP Home Edition CD in the Valueadd folder.

To manually install Backup

Note:  This is a very basic use of backing up your important files.  There are other 3^rd party programs that you may find are better suited for your use.  However, any backup is better than no backup.

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Improve Windows XP Performance

Want to improve system performance? You can speed things up a bit by turning off all visual effects.

Right-click My Computer and select Properties to open the System Properties dialog box. Click the Advanced tab, and under Performance, click Settings. On the Visual Effects tab, select "Adjust for best performance" and click OK. The result is far from fancy-lots of gray and no bells and whistles-but if it's better performance you're looking for, this setting makes a difference.  You may also customize these settings by selecting only those visual effects you want.  At any rate, you should notice increased performance from your system.  (Note: This change affects the current user only.)

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CD Burning and Windows XP

A number of users with new XP machines and those who upgraded to Windows XP are having issues with burning or copying data and music to CDs.  There are a number of problems that can be causing these issues...the most pressing being software compatibility.  If you have been making "coasters" of your CDs or the CD-RW players are just not working at all.  I would suggest that you head over to the maker of your player and search for updates for drivers and CD burning software.  You can also go to Microsoft to a site titled Focus On CD Burning and Windows XP for more helpful information.  If you still can't find your answer, send an email to me and I will try to help.

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Access Task Manager From Taskbar

As you may know, you can open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del on your keyboard. Not wild about fancy keyboard combinations? Windows XP also provides Task Manager access from the taskbar. Right-click a blank area of the taskbar and select Task Manager.

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Remove Unwanted Shortcut From Start Menu

Is there an item in the frequently-used-programs area of the Windows XP Start menu that you don't want there-for example, a program you opened by mistake? You can remove any single item from this area. Right-click the shortcut and select Remove From This List.

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Troubleshooting Game Issues

Microsoft offers these suggestions for handling game issues on your Windows XP-based system:

1.  If you installed a game by using an administrator account, you may have to log on with an administrator account before you can play the game.

2.  Some games do not run (or do not run well) unless you install the whole game to your hard disk. You may want to install the whole game to your hard disk to see if it resolves the issue, or improves game performance.

3.  When you try to use programs (such as DVD players or games) that require support for the OpenGL standard for three-dimensional graphics display on your Windows XP-based computer, you may experience symptoms such as a jagged display, lack of a three-dimensional look and incorrect display of some or all colors. To resolve this issue, update your video adapter driver.

4.  If the program is a game that uses DirectX, ensure that you are using the latest version of DirectX. In addition, check the Web site of the manufacturer of your video adapter or sound card to see if newer drivers are available for either of them. In general, anytime you can obtain newer drivers for your devices, you may want to do so.

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Send Photos Via Email

To publish pictures to the Web, invoke the Web Publishing Wizard by accessing the My Pictures folder inside of the My Documents folder (if the file to publish is located there). Inside a folder window, select the file(s) you would like to publish; then under File and Folder Tasks, select "Publish this file to the Web."

If you have just a couple photos to share with only a few people, it's probably just as easy to e-mail them. Open the folder containing the files you want to send, select the file(s), and under File and Folder Tasks, select "E-mail the selected items."

Select whether you'd like to resize your pictures or not, click OK and up pops an Outlook Express message window, files attached. Address the e-mail, type a note, click Send and off go your pictures.

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Last Known Good Configuration

The Last Known Good Configuration is a start up option that allows you to start the computer with settings that worked. This option can be a real life saver after you've installed a wayward application that prevents your computer from starting up normally. For example, you could install the Liquid Audio player available at the www.amazon.com site and really hose your Windows XP computer. The Last Known Good Configuration also allows you to return to a working set of drivers after you install a driver that whacked out your system. To get the Last Known Good Configuration going, just do the following:

I highly recommend you use this option when you find yourself in a jam with Windows XP.

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Guest Accounts

If you have several other people using your computer and you don't want to set up separate user accounts for each of them, you can set up a standard Guest account, with its own set of limited user privileges. A guest can run programs and such, but cannot make changes to the system.

To turn on or off the Guest account, choose Start, Control Panel, User Accounts. Then click the Guest account picture in the User Accounts window. You'll be taken to a page that enables you to turn the account on or off.

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Freeing Space on a Hard Drive

Sooner or later, Windows XP will start sending messages complaining about running out of room on your hard disk. Of course, you could always install a larger hard drive. But there's a solution that's less drastic: Use the Free Up Space on My Hard Disk task that pops up when you choose the Control Panel's Performance and Maintenance category.

Or call up My Computer from the Start menu, right-click on your hard drive, and choose Properties. Click the Disk Cleanup button, and Windows calculates how much garbage it can delete.

Make sure you select Downloaded Program Files (if any, back them up if you want to save them), Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, and Temporary Files. Click OK and then click “Yes” when Windows asks whether you're sure. Windows erases the files, freeing space in the process.

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Clean Up Your Desktop

Windows XP helps you keep your desktop uncluttered. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard locates and offers to clean off desktop shortcuts you haven't used lately.

Right-click the desktop and choose Properties. Click first the Desktop tab and then the Customize Desktop button. Under Desktop Cleanup, select Clean Desktop Now. In the Desktop Cleanup Wizard, click Next. The Wizard dialog box lists the desktop shortcuts that you haven't used in the last 60 days. Uncheck the ones you want to keep on the desktop, and click Next. Click Finish to acknowledge the final list of shortcuts to be swept away.

Windows puts them in a desktop folder called (appropriately) Unused Desktop Shortcuts. If you ever want to retrieve a shortcut, just drag it out of this folder. If you're the forgetful type, check Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days to have the software prompt you. Unfortunately, the wizard works only on shortcuts--not on folders, applications, or documents.

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Close Window Group

Want to close most, but not all, open windows? Click the taskbar button of the first program you want to close, then hold down Ctrl as you click each taskbar button of the others. Right-click any of the selected buttons and select Close Group.

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Driver Rollback  

Bad drivers are the leading cause of Windows morbidity and mortality. But we have some pretty good seat belts with Windows XP, thanks to the new driver rollback feature. If you happen to install a whacked out driver that's wreaking havoc over your system, you can easily rollback to your previous version, which probably worked better than the new one. Here's how to rollback to the previous driver:

1. Log in as Administrator or as a member of the Administrator's group.
2. Click the Start button, and then open Control Panel.
3. Change to Category View, and then open Administrative Tools.
4. Open Computer Management, and then open Device Manager.
5. Right-click the device for which you want to roll back the driver, and click Properties.

On the Driver tab of the Properties dialog box, click the Roll Back Driver command, and follow the steps as instructed by the wizard.

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Play Music CDs Automatically

When you insert a music CD into your CD-ROM or DVD drive.  Windows XP asks what you want to do with this type of disk.  Tired of selecting "Play Audio CD...?" Assuming you want Windows to play music CDs every time you put them in that drive, also select "Always do the selected action." Click OK, and that dialog box won't ask you about music CDs again.

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New XP Hardware Drivers

Once you have Windows XP, you have to make sure that all your hardware has the latest drivers to make them work properly and efficiently.  You can use the Windows Update feature which may suggest some replacement drivers but only a small percentage of hardware is updated via Microsoft in this way.

More likely you'll get updates from the manufacturer’s web site.  It's worth checking since after the public release of Windows XP many hardware makers released updated Windows XP specific drivers.

This tip will take you step-by-step through the way to update drivers - since drivers are released in differing ways we can't be totally specific, but we do have some tips to make life easier.  Oh yeah, and the same basic steps apply to all recent versions of Windows.

To update the driver for an existing device, first download the latest drivers from the makers web site.  Make sure you get the download for the version of Windows you have.  Once the file is downloaded, check it with your virus program and then double click it. 

What happens next depends on what the manufacturer has done.  Occasionally they'll automatically update the drivers for you.  More likely you'll have to do it yourself. 

No biggie, the file you downloaded is a compressed version of the driver files.  Extract the files to a temporary folder. Windows will often default to an obscure folder under 'Documents and Settings' that can be hard to find so it's better to change it to something easy like c:/temp.

Then go to Start | Settings | Control Panel | System | Hardware | Device Manager, right click on the device and choose Update Driver. Then disable the automatic scan and point to the folder you extracted the files to.  See why I suggest c:/temp?  It’s much easier to find than something like c:\Documents and Settings\Ray\Application Data\Temp.  Windows will then install the new drivers.

Depending on the drivers, you may need to restart the computer -- you'll get a message on the screen if you do.  Thankfully, re-booting is less necessary under Windows 2000 and Windows XP then earlier versions of Windows.

If you want to check which drivers are running, go back to the Device Manager, right click on the device, choose Properties | Driver, and you'll see the date and version of the installed drivers plus the name of the driver supplier.

One final note:  If your device is running well under Windows XP, don’t change the drivers. When you check the manufacturer’s site for the updated driver, see if it offers new features that you don’t need.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

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The Windows XP Start Menu

Working with the new Windows XP Start menu can be a lot of fun! But you need to know where to find the gold first. Try these steps to get you started:

1. Right click an empty area of the Taskbar and click Properties.
    
2. In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, click the Start Menu tab.
    
3. I'm going to assume you're using the Windows XP Start menu. So, make sure the option button for Start menu is selected and then click the Customize button.
    
4. On the General tab, you can select small or large icons. Try them both out and see which one you like best! If you like the "all in one" approach of the Windows XP Start menu, I suggest you use large icons. In the Number of programs on Start menu text box, you can type in a number for the number of programs that will show up on the frequently used programs list. If you pick a number that's too large, they won't all show up! You can experiment with different numbers to figure out how many will fit on your computer's layout.
    
5. Click on the Advanced tab in the Customize Start Menu dialog box. I suggest that you select both the Open submenus when I pause on them with my mouse and the Highlight newly installed programs. Be aware that the highlight will remain in effect until you open the program! In the list of Start menu items, I suggest you select Display as menu. This allows you quick access to just about everything from the Start menu. For the Network Connections entry, I like to open the Network Connection Folder, so try out the Link to Network Connections Folder option. On the System Administration Tools option, select the Display on the All Programs menu and the Start menu option. That will allow you to get the Admin tools a lot faster.
    
6. Other options: Make sure you select the Scroll Programs option so that your Programs menu doesn't take over your desktop when you open it! Finally, if you don't want people to know what files you've opened up on your computer lately, remove the checkmark from the List my most recently opened documents checkbox. Click OK, click Apply and then click OK again.

Spend some time experimenting with the Start menu options. After playing with it for awhile, you'll find a setup that you'll really like!

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Windows XP Startup Boot Disk

The day will come when some files required to start you computer will become corrupted and you won't be able to boot into Windows XP. This can be a heart-sinking event or just another day in the life of a computer user. How can you make it the latter and not the former? Create a Windows XP boot disk before disaster strikes! The boot disk will allow you to start the computer and boot into Windows XP and allow you to begin your troubleshooting. Just do the following to put together your boot disk:

1. Put a floppy disk into the floppy drive. Click Start and then click the Run command. Type cmd in the Open text box and click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type format a: and press [ENTER]. Follow the on screen instructions to format the disk.
3. Open Windows Explorer and go to the C:\ drive. Copy the NTLDR and the NTDETECT.C O M files to the floppy disk.
4. Click Start and click the Run command. In the Open text box, type Notepad and press [ENTER]. In Notepad, enter the following information:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
Default= multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows="Windows XP"

These entries will work if you have a single disk with a single partition.

5. In Notepad, click File and then click the Save As command. In the File name text box, type "a:\boot.i n i" (you must include the quotes, but not the spaces). Click Save. Then click Notepad.

Test your boot disk. Restart the computer with the boot disk still in the floppy drive. You should be able to boot into Windows XP with no problems.

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Scandisk in Windows XP

Win9x/ME users have been wondering what happened to the Scandisk program. The answer is that Scandisk is gone! Scandisk has been replaced by the more powerful disk-checking tool: chkdsk. You can run chkdsk from the command prompt or from Windows. To run it from Windows, try this:

1. Click Start and then click My Computer.
2. Right click on the drive you want to check and click Properties.
3. Click on the Tools tab. On the Tools tab, click the Check Now button.
4. Select both the Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors option. Click Start.
5. You may see a dialog box that tells you that chkdsk needs exclusive access to the disk and can check the disk after a restart. Click Yes to check the disk the next time you start the computer. If you select this option, make sure you restart the computer as soon as possible. I've noticed problems when you wait to check the disk.
6. If you don't get the dialog box, chkdsk will go through a 5 phase process to clean up your disk. When the disk check is done, it will tell you the process is complete.

WARNING: Do not run chkdsk on the partition that contains your WINDOWS directory.  It can create a situation where it is nearly impossible to get back into the operating system and requires you to wipe out the partition and reinstall clean. Not fun! Wait until Service Pack 1 for Windows XP before you try chkdsk on the WINDOWS partition.

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Change Sound Scheme

Your Windows XP system makes different sounds depending on what you're doing—for example, selecting a command or exiting Windows.  Collectively, these sounds are called a sound scheme, and if you want, you can change it.

Open the Control Panel to the Classic View, launch Sounds and Audio Devices then click the Sounds tab. (From the Category view, click Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices, then click "Change the sound scheme.") Click the down arrow next to "Sound schemes," select a new scheme, then click OK.

(Tip: To preview the sounds in a selected scheme, one at a time, select an event with a speaker next to it and click the "Play sound" button.)

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Wipe out Windows Messenger 

 A nagging balloon from the tray area of the taskbar urges you to launch Windows Messenger and sign up for Microsoft's .Net Passport program. To pop it once and for all, choose Start,Run, type regedit, and click OK. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. With the Run folder (called a 'key' in Registry-ese) selected on the left, choose the MSMSGS icon on the right and press Delete. Click Yes to confirm, and exit the Registry Editor. The icon will disappear from the tray the next time you log on.

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XP Desktop Icons 

The Windows XP desktop has but a single icon: Recycle Bin. (If you installed XP over your old version of Windows, your old icons remain on the desktop.) If you miss the default desktop icons of Windows past, you can have them back in a trice. Right-click the desktop and choose Properties, click the Desktop tab, and click the Customize Desktop button. Under Desktop Icons, check the box for each icon that you want on your desktop (My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, and/or Internet Explorer); then click OK twice.

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Disable Error Reporting

Know that message that appears on your Windows XP system every time a program crashes, asking if you want to send a report to Microsoft about the error?  If you find this feature nothing but annoying, turn it off.

Right-click My Computer and select Properties to open the System Properties dialog box. Click the Advanced tab.  Then click the Error Reporting button. Select "Disable error reporting" and click OK twice.

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The Documents Folder in XP

If you're accustomed to earlier versions of Windows, you may be surprised to discover that your My Documents folder in Windows XP is no longer in the root folder of the C: drive, where it used to be. The My Documents folder is actually now under C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername. This little change is so transparent, and so well hidden, that you may not even discover it for quite a while after upgrading to XP.

The reason for the change has to do with the improved support for multiple users in Windows XP. Each user has his or her own folder within the Documents and Settings folder. That folder, in turn, contains Cookies, Desktop settings, Favorites, a My Documents folder, and more, for each user. Exactly which of those folders actually comes into play while Windows is running is determined by the user's name.

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Optimizing Video Playback

Note: This tip works in Windows XP, but it may also work in other versions of Windows with little alteration. Give it a try!

In Windows, movies don't always play back smoothly. If your computer and its modem aren't fast enough and expensive enough to keep up the fast pace, the movie looks jerky. The problem is that Windows Media Player skips part of the movie to keep up with the soundtrack. Here are a few tips for smoother sailing when watching movies:

*    Use the fastest modem available in your area. Faster computers also process videos faster. Don't be tempted to choose faster download speeds than your modem can handle.

*    Movies play back at their fastest when they are either full-screen or in a small window.

*    Right-click on a video while it plays to see different size options. Choose Fit in Window to make the video expand and contract as you change the window's size to find the best size for playback.

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Upgrading Windows to Windows XP: Clean Install

If and when you decide to upgrade your Windows operating system to Windows XP, there is another option of which you should be aware. Normally when you're upgrading, you probably just insert the new CD and run it. Windows will then change files, alter the registry and make many other changes. This is all well and good, but if you have a PC that has been acting flaky, the last thing you need is an upgrade to the next Windows OS (Operating System), which will result in even flakier problems.

In this last instance, I always recommend what is known as a Clean or Virgin Installation. This entails completely removing everything from your hard drives, installing the new version of Windows XP, and then reinstalling applications within the new OS. (Note: This procedure is not for the inexperienced or novice user. If you are uncomfortable with this, consult a professional.)

To perform a Clean install, you MUST back up EVERYTHING. First, create an Emergency Boot floppy disk. After you do so, boot from the floppy disk. Make sure you can access and read your CD or DVD drive with the new Windows version. At the DOS prompt (it looks like this C>), type Format C: /u. The /u means "unconditional" and removes everything. This procedure will completely erase your hard drive. After formatting is complete (this may take a while depending upon the size of your hard drive), install the new Windows XP. When done, reinstall all of your applications and copy all data files to wherever you want them.

Remember, this procedure is not quick, simple, or for the faint of heart. If you have doubts, don't do it! Have a professional do it for you.

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Pinning to the Start Menu

In Windows XP, the left side of the Start menu displays quick access to recently used programs. You may have noticed that items above the thin gray line within that menu never change. In Microsoft-speak, those items are "pinned" to the menu.  Items below the gray line change quite frequently to reflect programs you've used recently. You may want to put some different programs above the gray line so that they're always available on the menu. Or you may want to remove a program that you used recently, but don't intend to use again for a while. These things are easy to do. If you right-click on any program name in that menu, you see several options. Here's a rundown of the main options:

*    Pin to Start menu: Pins the item to the upper portion of the menu, so it never gets "bumped" by recently used programs.

*    Unpin from Start menu: If the item is already pinned to the menu, use this option to "unpin" it.

*    Remove from This List: Takes the item off the menu.

*    Rename: Lets you change the name that the option displays.

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Windows Update

When downloading updates to Windows from Microsoft, it is always best to close all applications and programs and allow the update to be the only running program. This way the opportunity for conflicts with the update process is minimized. It is also a good idea to turn off your virus scanner. After the update has completed, even if not required, reboot your computer. Then turn your virus software back on and scan your system.

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My Scanned Documents

You can select the folder on your computer where you want to store your scanned document.

To determine which folder you want to use, take a look at the following options:

*    My Pictures: If you want to be able to quickly access the scanned document in the future, store the document in the My Pictures folder.

*    Subfolder within My Pictures: To keep the scanned document separate from other pictures in the My Pictures folder, store the document in a subfolder within the My Pictures folder. To name the subfolder memorably, you can select the name you gave the scanned document.

*    Shared Pictures: If you want other users set up on your computer to be able to access the scanned document, store the document in the Shared Pictures folder. The Shared Pictures folder is stored in the Shared Documents folder on your computer.

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Home Networking Wizard

Windows XP supports home networking that enables your home computers to share resources (such as a single printer) and allows the networked computers to share a single Internet connection. To set up your home network (assuming that each computer is equipped with a network adapter that connects with the appropriate cable), you can use the Home Networking Wizard to configure your network. To start the Home Networking Wizard, open the My Network Places window by clicking the Start button and then clicking My Network Places on the Start menu and then click the [Set Up a Home or Small Office Network] hyperlink in the Network Task section of the My Network Places navigation pane.

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Speech and Handwriting Recognition 

Speech recognition enables you to type text or choose menu commands by speaking into a microphone. Handwriting recognition can convert handwritten text to typed text. Although Windows XP itself doesn't provide for speech and handwriting recognition, it does enable you to centrally install speech and handwriting recognition engines. When you open a program that does support speech and/or handwriting, the Language bar appears, enabling you to dictate text, bark orders, or scribble on a tablet.  

Versions 6 of Outlook Express and Internet Explorer, which come with Windows XP, both offer some speech and handwriting recognition. Programs in the Microsoft Office XP suite offer speech and recognition engines and also support recognition.

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Speeding Up the Menus  

Windows XP sometimes sacrifices speed for looks. Menus fade in and out of place, for instance, looking cool, but slowing down the job. To dump the fashion and bring back the speed, try this:
Right-click the My Computer icon, choose Properties, and click the Advanced tab. Click the Settings button in the Performance area and select Adjust For Best Performance. Click OK and enjoy that burst of speed!

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Adding Your Picture to Your User Account

Adding a picture of yourself to your User Account isn't tough, provided that you have a digital image of yourself stored on your computer.

Don't have a digital image of yourself? Then find a friend with a digital camera, have her snap your picture, and store the picture in your My Pictures folder as a JPG file. Then follow these steps to put that picture on your account.

1.   Click the Start button, choose Control Panel, and select User Accounts.

2.   Click Change My Picture.

     If you're the administrator, you might need to click Change an Account, choose an Account, and then choose Change the Picture.

3.   Choose an existing picture or choose Browse for More Pictures.  If you choose the Browse option, your My Pictures folder opens up, showing its contents.
4.   Locate your saved picture, click its name, and click Open.  Windows grabs your picture, shrinks it to thumbnail size, and sticks it on your account.

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Windows XP Activation Feature

When you install Windows XP, an annoying Window pops up, asking you to "activate" your version of Windows. When you click the Activate button, Windows XP takes a "picture" of your computer's components, links them to the serial number on your copy of Windows XP, and sends that information to Microsoft over the Internet.

Then, if you or anybody else ever tries to install that same version of Windows on a different computer, Windows XP says you're using somebody else's version of Windows XP, and it won't work.

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 Installing the Firewall

Firewall software sits between your computer and the Internet, acting as a door -- letting you decide what software can access your computer, and when. Windows XP comes with a built-in
firewall. To install it, follow these steps:

1.   Open the Start menu, right-click on My Network Places, and choose Properties.

The Internet is a huge network -- it's designed for computers to talk to each other. That's why it's important to make sure that only the friendly computers do the talking.

2.   Right-click on the connection you want to protect, and choose Properties.

If you're using a dial-up account, for instance, right-click on that icon. If you're using a network in your home or office, right-click on the Local Area Connection. Either way, choose Properties.  

3.   Click the Advanced tab and activate the firewall. Click the box to activate the Windows XP firewall.

If you're running a network and using the Internet Connection Sharing to let all the networked computers share the modem, the firewall should only be activated on the host computer─the computer that's actually connected to the Internet. It doesn't need to be activated on the client computers─the computers that share the host computer's modem.

Personally, I like to use ZoneAlarm, which is a free program that does an excellent job of protecting your computer.

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Searching with an Animated Character

When you open the Search Companion for the first time, Windows XP asks whether you'd like to search with or without an "animated character." Cartoon lovers can choose the character option: a little doggy, a gal in a spaceship, a surfing alien, or Merlin the Wizard. The joyful little character subsequently watches your moves, blinking, barking, or twitching when you click it. (It doesn't do anything more helpful than that.)

When you tire of the barks, blinks, and twitches, turn off the animated character by choosing the Change Preferences option.  When that menu appears, choose Without an Animated Screen
Character to purge the little goofball. (Or choose another character from the same page.)

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Synchronizing the Clock Automatically 

Windows XP automatically sets your computer's clock and keeps it set to the right time -- if you tell it to do so. Double-click the little clock in the bottom right corner of your computer, click the Internet Time tab, and click in the box that is labeled Automatically Synchronize With An Internet Time Server. After you're connected to the Internet, your computer checks the time and resets its clock accordingly.

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Parts Required by Windows XP
Microsoft touts the following parts as required in order to run Windows XP:

1.  A Pentium 300 MHz microprocessor. (However, a faster computer, such as a Pentium III or Athlon running at 500 MHz means you'll spend less time waiting for Windows XP to do something exciting.)

2.  64 MB of memory (RAM). (Windows XP moves much more comfortably with 128MB. Bump that to 256MB or more if you plan to run programs like Microsoft Office and multimedia tools.)

3.  2GB of free hard disk space. (20GB of free hard disk space provides more space, or 40GB or larger will allow your computer to be useful for a long time.)

4.  A 3 1/2-inch high-density disk drive. (Although the disk drive is not necessary, occasionally a Windows program still comes packaged on high-density, 3 1/2-inch floppy disks. Plus, floppy disks are a handy way to move your files to other computers.)

5.  Color SVGA card. (To view videos, look for these qualifications: 32MB or more of memory, AGP support, motion compensation support for DVD playback, and support for DVI, S-Video, and composite video output.)

6.  12x or faster CD-ROM or DVD drive. (Either drive will install Windows XP.)

7.  Internet access. (A 56K modem or faster allows for less time you'll spend twiddling your thumbs.)

8.  Any PS/2-compatible mouse.

9.  A 15-inch monitor or larger. (Although expensive, you may want a larger monitor such as an LCD monitor. The bigger your monitor, the bigger your desktop: Your windows won't overlap so much.)

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Hiding Inactive Icons

A new one for Windows XP, this option lets you hide those little icons -- like the volume control, printer button, RealPlayer, the desktop cleanup program, and other doodies -- that begin hanging out by your clock. 1st, right click the Taskbar.  2nd, in the pop-up menu, click Properties.  3rd, click the Customize button to choose which icons should show up, which should hide, and which should appear only when they're being used. For example, you can click the Customize button and choose Restore Defaults to hide everything except the sound volume. Choose Always Show for that one if you want it to stay.

(Disclaimer:  Compeds lists these tips only as suggestions.  We will not be responsible for any damage or adverse changes to your system or software in their use or misuse.)
 

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Last modified: November 16, 2007

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