Computer Education and Services

  "Love grows as a spark in one's heart, just as a seed grows to be a flower in the garden.  Both need to be nourished and cared for to become as beautiful as they are."*

Windows XP Tips

Due to the size of this archive, please allow time for the page to fully load.

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

Windows Media Player

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

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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:

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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:
 

Back to Top

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.): 

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.)

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

 

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.

Back to Top
 

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.

Back to Top
 

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.

Back to Top
 

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

Play Music CDs Automatically

When you insert a music CD into your CD-ROM or DVD drive.  Windows XP asks what you