HardWare & Software

An Introduction to the Windows 2003 POP3 Service

2011-06-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

An Introduction to the Windows 2003 POP3 Service

This document is intended to give the reader a brief introduction to the Windows 2003 POP3 service - just one of the many new features offered by the Windows 2003 Server family.

Introduction

What is POP3?

POP3 is a client-server protocol in which email is received and held by a mail server. Messages are downloaded to a local computer all at once, thereby making offline reading easier. You can specify whether to keep copies of the messages on the server. The default port number for POP3 is 110.

What is the POP3 Service?

The POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) service is an email service that retrieves email messages. Administrators can use the POP3 service to store and manage email accounts on the mail server. Although the Microsoft Exchange family provides more flexibility to a mail server, the user experience on an email client (such as Outlook Express) - when sending or receiving email - is the same. The end user will not notice the difference when downloading their personal email from the server.

Pros

Very good for small sized companies who wish to setup a basic mail system.
Support for multiple domains if using either Active Directory or encrypted password file authentication.
Cheaper than the alternative method of having to buy Exchange Server.

Cons

Windows Server POP3 email should be backed up when it is offline. Having to back up while offline could lead to a service interruption for users.
The Windows Server POP3 service does not support AVAPI

Installing the POP3 Service

Navigate to the Add/Remove programs icon in the control panel and double click it. This will open the window on which you must click the Add/Remove windows components button. Tick the E-Mail Services option and press details.

A window will open allowing you to select whether or not you want the POP3 Service Web Administration facility installed as well. (This is disabled by default). Web Administration allows you to administer the POP3 Service via the web browser, using HTTP.

Press OK and Next to start the installation. Once this is complete, close all open windows.

Setting up a mailbox in the Windows 2003 POP3 Service.

After you have installed the POP3 Service, you are ready to setup and configure mailboxes. Open the main window by pressing Start > Programs > Adminstrative Tools > POP3 Service.

Before proceeding with the setup, make sure you have configured the authentication from the properties box. You can tick the Secure Password Authentication (SPA) check box for increased security.

Once that is done, the first thing you have to do is create a domain. Do this by right clicking the server name in the main window, select new > domain. Type the name of your desired domain and click OK.

Further to this, you are now able to create a mailbox by right clicking the domain, pressing New > Mailbox (as shown below).

The following screen will appear. Type the mailbox name and the password in the appropriate boxes and press OK.

A confirmation box should pop up notifying you that the mailbox was successfully added. Select the "Do not show this message again" if you do not wish to have this box appear everytime you add a mailbox.

The new mailbox you created is shown in the main window. As you can see in the following window, the "State" of the mailbox is "Unlocked" and therefore available for use. If you right click the mailbox and select "Lock", you will disable it.

That's it - you're new mailbox has been setup successfully. If you have multiple POP3 servers you can connect to them remotely by right clicking the root node in the POP3 Service MMC window and selecting "Connect..." (as shown below).

Type the name of an available server or browse to one on your network.

Press OK to establish the connection.

This document is intended to give the reader a brief introduction to the Windows 2003 POP3 service - just one of the many new features offered by the Windows 2003 Server family. The Internet Information Services manager offers SMTP, FTP, WEB server administration - these three services can be set up and configured from here. It may be of interest to you to take a look at the SMTP service as it is related to mail servers.

How do I configure LDAP on Outlook on Exchange

2011-06-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

How do I configure LDAP on Outlook on Exchange

In Outlook click Tools then Email Accounts..., then select Add a new directory or address book
Click Next, select Internet Directory Service (LDAP), and click Next.>

Enter in ldap.columbia.edu as the Server Name and then click More Settings....
Select the Search tab, and enter the Search base: o=Columbia University, c=us and click OK

Restart Outlook after adding the ldap address book

To access it, make a new email message, click on To:. Select ldap.columbia.edu from the Show Names from the: field.
Click Advanced --> Find....
Enter in the First Name and Last Name and click OK. Note: You can not use the Display Name field.

DHCP Server Installation

2011-06-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

DHCP Server Installation

Once our server can resolve names and IP addresses and already works in Active Directory mode, only the DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is missing. By default, every windows computer looks for such a server in order to pick up its IP address, the Internet gateway and various other network parameters.

After service is installed via [Control Panel] - [Software] - [Windows Components] - [Network Services], it must be managed using the management console. Here, we need an IP address range (see screenshot above).

In turn, address spaces can be excluded from the address range.

The IP lease is a time value that stands for the validity of an IP address. In networks with only a few changes, this lease can easily be a month long, while the use of shorter leases (a few days) makes more sense in frequently changing systems.

Specifying an Internet gateway is very important for the users. In small environments, this is usually the DSL router.

DHCP Server Installation, Continued

Specifying a domain name as well as the DNS server is also important. Here, many DNS servers can be specified, if they are available. For reasons of reliability, the IP address of the DSL router can be given here so that the user can still connect to the Internet if the server crashes or is restarted.

If you didn't install the WINS server, then leave the text boxes empty. Otherwise, the same thing applies as for the DNS settings.

After successfully setting up an address range (scope), the DNS server still has to be authorized in order to work in the Active Directory. A right-click and the right choice of the respective item is all you need. The procedure only takes half a minute.

Finished - DHCP works! However, make sure that only one DHCP server is providing its services in the network. DSL routers often provide similar functions, which of course have to be deactivated.

Configuring Outlook 2007 for LDAP

2011-06-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

This document describes how to configure Outlook 2007 (for Windows) to access the campus LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server for directory service information.

To Setup LDAP in Outlook 2007:

Launch Outlook.
Click on the Tools menu and select Account Settings.
Select the Address Books tab and click the New... button.

Select the item titled Internet Directory Service (LDAP), and click Next to continue.
In the Server Name: field, type ldap.services.wisc.edu and click on the More Settings...button.
Clicking the More Settings... button might cause an Add E-mail Account warning to appear. Just click OK to continue.
On the "Microsoft LDAP Directory" screen, click on the Search tab at the top.
In the Search Base section, click Custom: and enter dc=wisc,dc=edu in the text field. Click the OK button.
Click Next > and then Finish, and then close the "Account Settings" window to complete the setup.
This service is now setup. Like the warning message said we need to restart Outlook before we can use this service, so close Outlook by choosing Exit from the File menu.

To use the LDAP Directory Service in Outlook 2007:

Launch Outlook. Click on the Tools menu, and select Address Book.
Select Options from the Tools menu.
For the option entitled "Show this address list first:", choose ldap.services.wisc.edu from the dropdown menu. Also, use the up and down arrows to position ldap.services.wisc.edu at the top of the list of address books. Click OK.
Now when you're composing a new message, you can click the button to open the Select Names Window.
Type your search terms in the text box and click the Go Button to perform an LDAP query. You can use the "Advanced Find" link if you wish to perform a more specific LDAP query.
Select the recipients from the results of your search and use the , , and to add them to the message. When you have finished adding recipients to the message, click OK to return to the message window.

DNS Server Installation

2011-06-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

DNS Server Installation

The DNS service (Domain Name Service) is the Achilles heel of an Active Directory structure. Since network communication is performed by only using names for reasons of understandability (e.g. www.tomshardware.com), there must be a quasi-permanent conversion between the names and the IP addresses that are behind them - and vice versa. A forward lookup searches for an IP address based on a name, while the reverse lookup searches for a computer name based on an address.

The installation of the DNS service is over in a jiffy (screenshot above), only it usually doesn't work as desired right from the start.

Function of a Reverse Lookup. Source: Microsoft.

It is very important to install a Reverse Lookup Zone. It is only with this that the DNS server also able to establish names based on IP addresses.

DNS Server Installation, Continued

For our purposes, we need a primary zone, because we want to serve our complete local network with the DNS server. Selecting the option for Active Directory integration at the bottom of the dialog box is important.

Of course, we enter the address space of our local network as a network ID. In this case it is 192.168.1.x. We left the subnet mask at 255.255.255.0, as it was before in the properties of the network connection so that we can include 254 computers in the network. This is enough for small and medium-sized companies. Changing it to 255.255.0.0 would expand the segment to 64,516 possible computers, or more specifically, 64,516 IP addresses (254 times 254).

We only want safe dynamic updates. Manual updates take a lot of effort and therefore this option is skipped for most applications.

After confirmation, the Reverse Lookup Zone is installed.

DNS Server Installation, Continued

The last thing we still need is a pointer, which points to our subnet 192.168.1.0.

Here, the fully qualified domain name of the server must be given, which is testserver.testdomain.com in this case.

The best way to check if the DNS configuration was successful is via an nslookup, a ping. So that addresses and names outside the local network can also be addressed, we must still inform the DNS server about which server is higher-ranking than it is for external requests.

For the sake of simplicity, we enter the IP address of our DSL router as the DNS forwarder. It will automatically forward requests to the DNS server provided by the Internet provider. You could also enter this directly here.

Computer Basics

2011-06-30T06:43:00.001-07:00

1. Defining a Computer
a. Computer is a machine that
i. Takes in information
ii. Processes (calculates) the information
iii. Produces solutions (results)
iv. Outputs the resulting data
v. Stores the data for future use
2. What does a computer consist of?
a. Hardware and Software:
i. Examples of Hardware
1. System Unit
2. Monitor
3. Keyboard, Mouse
4. Printer
5. Scanner, digital camera, PC Camera
6. Speakers
ii. What are input devices?
1. Hardware used to input data (Get the information to the computer)
a. Examples of input devices
i. Keyboard, mouse
ii. Scanner, digital camera, PC Camera
iii. What are output devices?
1. Hardware used to convey the results to the user (Converts the information so that the user can understand it)
a. Examples of output devices
i. Monitor
ii. Printer, Speakers
b. Examples of Software:
i. Windows Operating System
ii. Microsoft Office (Word, excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Front page)
3. Parts of the System Unit (also called a chassis)
a. Motherboard also called system board
b. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - Carries out instructions that tell computer what to do
c. RAM (Random Access Memory) – Temporary Storage
d. Hard Drive – Storage for saved Data
e. Various cards (Audio, Video, Network, Modem) these are inserted into the motherboard
f. CD, CD-RW, DVD, Floppy drive
4. What is a computer program
a. A set of instructions that tells the computer what to do (how to perform a task)
5. What is an Operating System?
a. Programs that control the operations of the computer and its devices

2011-06-20T03:01:00.000-07:00

How can I install Windows XP Pro on my computer?

Step #1: Plan your installation

When you run the Windows XP Professional Setup program, you must provide information about how to install and configure the operating system. Thorough planning can make your installation of Windows XP Professional more efficient by helping you to avoid potential problems during installation. An understanding of the configuration options will also help to ensure that you have properly configured your system.

I won't go into that part right now but here are some of the most important things you should take into consideration when planning for your XP installation:

Check System Requirements
Check Hardware and Software Compatibility
Determine Disk Partitioning Options
Choose the Appropriate File System: FAT, FAT32, NTFS
Decide on a Workgroup or Domain Installation
Complete a Pre-Installation Checklist

After you made sure you can go on, start the installation process.

Step #2: Beginning the installation process

You can install Windows XP in several methods - all are valid and good, it all depends upon your needs and your limitations.

Manual installations usually come in 3 flavors:
Boot from CD - No existing partition is required.
Boot from the 6 Setup Boot Disks, then insert the CD - No existing partition is required.
Boot from an MS-DOS startup floppy, go to the command prompt, create a 4GB FAT32 partition with FDISK, reboot, and format the C partition you've created, then go to the CD drive, go into the I386 folder, and run the WINNT.EXE command.
Run an already installed OS, such as Windows NT 4.0 Server. From within NT 4.0 go to the I386 folder in the W2K installation CD and run the WINNT32.EXE command.
If you want to upgrade a desktop OS such as Windows 98 into Windows 2000 Professional you can follow the same procedure as above (You cannot upgrade Windows 98 into W2K Server).

There are other non-manual installation methods, such as using an unattended file along with a uniqueness database file, using Sysprep, using RIS or even running unattended installations from within the CD itself, but we won't go into that right now.

It doesn't matter how you run the setup process, but the moment it runs - all setup methods look alike.

Step #3: The text-based portion of the Setup program

The setup process begins loading a blue-looking text screen (not GUI). In that phase you will be asked to accept the EULA and choose a partition on which to install XP, and if that partition is new, you'll be asked to format it by using either FAT, FAT32 or NTFS.

Start the computer from the CD.

You can press F6 if you need to install additional SCSI adapters or other mass-storage devices. If you do you will be asked to supply a floppy disk with the drivers and you CANNOT browse it (or a CD for that matter). Make sure you have one handy.

If you want, you can press F2 to run the ASR sequence. For that you need a good backup created by the Windows XP backup program, and the ASR floppy disk. If you plan to install a new copy of XP - don't do anything.

Setup will load all the needed files and drivers.

Select To Setup Windows XP Professional Now. If you want, and if you have a previous installation of XP, you can try to fix it by pressing R. If not, just press ENTER.

Read and accept the licensing agreement and press F8 if you accept it.

Select or create the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional. Depending upon your existing disk configuration choose one of the following:

· If the hard disk is unpartitioned, you can create and size the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional.

· If the hard disk is already partitioned, but has enough unpartitioned disk space, you can create an additional partition in the unpartitioned space.

· If the hard disk already has a partition that is large enough, you can install Windows XP Professional on that partition. If the partition has an existing operating system, you will overwrite that operating system if you accept the default installation path. However, files other than the operating system files, such as program files and data files, will not be overwritten.

· If the hard disk has an existing partition, you can delete it to create more unpartitioned space for the new partition. Deleting an existing partition erases all data on that partition.

If you select a new partition during Setup, create and size only the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional. After installation, use Disk Management to partition the remaining space on the hard disk.

Select a file system for the installation partition. After you create the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional, you can use Setup to select the file system with which to format the partition. Windows XP Professional supports the NTFS file system in addition to the file allocation table (FAT) and FAT32 file systems. Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000, and Windows NT are the only Microsoft operating systems that you can use to gain access to data on a local hard disk that is formatted with NTFS. If you plan to gain access to files that are on a local Windows XP Professional partition with the Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating systems, you should format the partition with a FAT or FAT32 file system. We will use NTFS.

Setup will then begin copying necessary files from the installation point (CD, local I386 or network share).
Note: If you began the installation process from an MS-DOS floppy, make sure you have and run SMARTDRV from the floppy, otherwise the copying process will probably last more than an hour, perhaps even more. With SMARTDRV (or if setup was run by booting from CD) the copying will probably last a few minutes, no more than 5 max.

The computer will restart in graphical mode, and the installation will continue.

Step #4: The GUI-based portion of the Setup program

The setup process reboots and loads a GUI mode phase.

It will then begin to load device drivers based upon what it finds on your computer. You don't need to do anything at this stage.

Click Customize to change regional settings, if necessary.

· Current System Locale - Affects how programs display dates, times, currency, and numbers. Choose the locale that matches your location, for example, French (Canada).

· Current Keyboard Layout - Accommodates the special characters and symbols used in different languages. Your keyboard layout determines which characters appear when you press keys on the keyboard.

If you don't need to make any changes just press Next.

If you do need to make changes press Customize and add your System Locale etc.

After pressing Customize go to the Languages tab and select the "Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages".

A warning message will appear. Press Ok.

Warning: You must now press Apply!!!

Setup will copy the necessary files from the installation point.

You can now go to the Regional Options tab and select Israel in the Location drop-down list, and Hebrew in the Standards and Formats drop-down list. Click Ok.

Type your name and organization.

Type the product key.

Type the computer name and a password for the local Administrator account. The local Administrator account resides in the SAM of the computer, not in Active Directory. If you will be installing in a domain, you need either a pre-assigned computer name for which a domain account has been created, or the right to create a computer account within the domain.

Select the date, time, and time zone settings.

Setup will now install the networking components.

After a few seconds you will receive the Networking Settings window. BTW, if you have a NIC that is not in the HCL and XP cannot detect it, or if you don't have a NIC at all, setup will skip this step and you will immediately go to the final phase of the setup process.

Press Next to accept the typical settings option if you have one of the following situations:

· You have a functional DHCP on your network.

· You have a computer running Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

· You're in a workgroup environment and do not plan to have any other servers or Active Directory at all, and all other workgroup members are configured in the same manner.

Otherwise select Custom Settings and press Next to customize your network settings.

One thing you CAN do (you don't have to do it, it's your call - read more about it on the Increase Internet Connection Speed in Windows XP page) is to uninstall the Qos Packet Scheduler. Click it and press the Uninstall button. If you want to keep it you can simply remove the mark from the QoS check-box. In anyway you can later install or uninstall it if you want.

Keep the TCP/IP, Client for Microsoft Networks and the File and Print Sharing options selected.

Highlight the TCP/IP selection and press Properties.

In the General tab enter the required information. You must specify the IP address of the computer, and if you don't know what the Subnet Mask entry should be - you can simply place your mouse pointer over the empty area in the Subnet Mask box and click it. The OS will automatically select the value it thinks is good for the IP address you provided.

If you don't know what these values mean, or if you don't know what to write in them, press cancel and select the Typical Settings option. You can easily change these values later.

In the Workgroup or Domain window enter the name of your workgroup or domain.

· A workgroup is a small group of computers on a network that enables users to work together and does not support centralized administration.

· A domain is a logical grouping of computers on a network that has a central security database for storing security information. Centralized security and administration are important for computers in a domain because they enable an administrator to easily manage computers that are geographically distant from each other. A domain is administered as a unit with common rules and procedures. Each domain has a unique name, and each computer within a domain has a unique name.

If you're a stand-alone computer, or if you don't know what to enter, or if you don't have the sufficient rights to join a domain - leave the default entry selected and press Next.

If you want to join a domain (NT 4.0 domain of W2K/2003 Active Directory domain) enter the domain's name in the "Yes, make this computer a member of the following domain" box.

To successfully join a domain you need the following:

· The person performing the installation must have a user account in Active Directory. This account does not need to be the domain Administrator account.

and

· The computer must have an existing computer account in the Active Directory database of the domain that the computer is joining, and the computer must be named exactly as its domain account is named.

· The person performing the installation must have appropriate permission to create a domain account for the computer during installation.

Also, you need to have connectivity to the domain's domain controllers (only to the PDC if on an NT 4.0 domain) and a fully functional DNS server (only in AD domains). Enter the Active Directory domain name (in the form of xxx.yyy, for example: DPETRI.NET) or the NetBIOS name of the NT 4.0 domain (in the form of xxx, for example: DPETRI). Press Next.

Note: If you provide a wrong domain name or do not have the correct connectivity to the domain's DNS server you will get an error message.

A username/password window will appear. Enter the name and password of the domain's administrator (or your own if you're the administrator on the target domain).

Note: Providing a wrong username or password will cause this phase to fail.

Next the setup process will finish copying files and configuring the setup. You do not need to do anything.

After the copying and configuring phase is finished, if XP finds that you have a badly configured screen resolution it will advise you to change it and ask you if you see the new settings right.

BTW, the minimum supported screen resolution in XP is 800X600.

Setup finishes and boots Windows XP.

A Welcome screen is the first thing you see. The computer checks your Internet connectivity (required for the mandatory Activation and voluntary Registration processes).

You will be asked to register your copy of XP. You can decline if you want.

XP will ask you for the default username that will log onto this computer. You can enter as many as 5 users, but you can create more after the installation is finished.

BTW, the Administrator is not shown as a valid logon option (read more about it on the Add the Administrator's Account to the Welcome Screen in XP Pro page).

That's it! You’re done!

Now head towards the Customize a New XP Installation page.

2011-06-20T03:00:00.001-07:00

How to Setting Up A Wireless Network With Windows Vista

Step 1

First and foremost you need to make sure that your computer or laptop has a wireless device either attached to it or installed internally. A lot of new computers and laptops now come with these pre-installed. On my latop I have the wireless technology pre-installed, whereas my desktop computer hadn't, so I had to buy a wireless router to connect it to a wireless network. If you are connecting to a wireless network with your wireless router make sure that you install the drivers for the router first.

Step 2

Once you have the the router and drivers installed you need to configure you access point or router to the correct settings. To do this you should follow your manual as routers can sometimes vary. For most routers if you type 192.168.1.1 into your browser it will give the router setup page. You will be prompted for a username and password, these can be found with your manual. Once you have loaded the setup page you can click on the wireless tab and setup the networks SSID, which is the networks name i.e. Home Network, James Network, to make it easier from here on in we will use the name WLAN Home. Then set the password. When you are selecting the security type there are 2 different types WEP and WPA. If you have the option, select WPA as it is a newer and more secure form of protecting for you wireless network. Click the wireless network icon in the notification area in the task bar. You will be presented by the connect to a network window. Select the WLANHome network and click on connect.

Step 3

If your are connecting to a network that is unsecured you will get a warning screen. If you are connecting to a public network, such as in a hotel or public area that offers free wireless Internet, you are connecting to the network at your own risk as this is considered unsafe. Most public networks are like this otherwise users would not be able to connect to it. If you are sure that you want to connect to the network click "Connect anyway".

Step 4

Once you access your network you will be asked for a security key or passphrase. Enter the security key that you entered on the router setup screen. Click save this network so that the next time you power up your PC or laptop in the area it will automatically connect you. The computer will then verify the passphrase and then it will ask you if you are connected to a public network or a home network or a work network, select the option which best suits your situation. If you are in a public place select the public option as this will prevent other users from see your files. Now you are connected to the network.

2011-06-20T02:58:00.000-07:00

This simple freeware application software works pretty well, given how basic the interface is. It has two main features: to download FLV files from YouTube, and to convert them to most major formats. If there's a YouTube URL in your clipboard, it will automatically paste it for you when you click on the dialog box. From there, just hit OK and the downloading will commence. One more left-click is all it takes to load the file in the converter, which supports iPhone, iPod, PSP, cell phone, AVI, MP3, WMV, and Xvid. Surprisingly, there's also a basic video editor for cropping videos by time stamp. You can also cut out the sound when converting.

This is one of the lightest editors around, but the simplistic interface belies its functionality and it performs exactly as advertised. We'd like to see support in future editions for hunting down missing codecs, and version 2.1.5 and earlier won't work because of embed code changes on YouTube itself. Still, the YouTube Downloader is proof that not only is video-making accessible to everyone, so is video downloading and editing.

Download

2011-06-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

How to setup Internet Connection Firewall(ICF)

Windows XP is mad about the Internet. Right from the get go during installation XP works best if you have an Internet connection available to download the latest updates and drivers. This online thread extends throughout the operating system: In the presence of features such as Windows Messenger and Remote Assistance, right through to the way the Help and Support Center draws material from Microsoft's online Knowledge Base if you have an active Internet connection.

Of course, the more time you spend online, the more vulnerable you become to attempts to hack into your computer. This is especially the case if you have an always-on cable or DSL connection. But even if you're using a dial-up connection, you are at risk.

The good news is, Windows XP comes with built-in protection for your Internet connection. It's called Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) and setting it up requires no more than a tick of a box when you create your Internet connection.

What's a firewall?

In everyday terms, a firewall is a wall built between buildings to contain the spread of fire. In computing terms, it's a program (or a piece of hardware) designed to prevent the spread of unauthorised communication between computers.

Windows XP's ICF is a software firewall. It's a pretty limited one from the average user's viewpoint because there's almost no flexibility in its operation – you just switch it on and let it protect your system as it deems best. In fact, there are options for fine tuning ICF, but they're really designed for use by system administrators, and most users will want to steer clear of these settings.

You can use ICF to protect a single computer connected to the Internet or a home network of computers connected to the Internet.

If you wish to protect your home network, the simplest method is to establish a shared connection to the Internet using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and then install the firewall on the ICS host computer.

Setting up a protected connection

The easiest way to activate the firewall is to use the New Connection Wizard to create an Internet connection.

If you have an always-on cable or DSL connection, your connection should be set up already, so you won't need to do this. If you have a high-speed connection which requires a password login (sometimes called a Point-to-Point over Ethernet, or PPPoE, connection) or if you use a dial-up connection with a modem, here's how to create a protected connection:

Click Start -> Control Panel -> Network And Internet Connections -> Setup Or Change Your Internet Connection.
In the Internet Properties dialog box, click Setup to open the New Connection Wizard and then click Next.
For Network Connection Type, choose Connect To The Internet and click Next.
If you already have an ISP, select Set Up My Connection Manually. You'll need to make sure you have your username, password and – for dial-up connections – the connection number from your ISP. If you don't already have an Internet Service Provider (ISP), select Choose From A List Of Internet Service Providers. This option will, in fact, close the Network Connection Wizard and direct you to the Online Services folder, where you can create a connection from a list of ISPs. The third option (Use The CD I Got From An ISP) also closes the Network Connection Wizard. If you're setting up your connection manually continue with the following steps.
Select your type of connection, dial-up or high-speed (broadband) from the list and click Next.
On the following screens, type in your ISP's name and, for dial-up connections, phone number, and click Next to proceed.
In the Internet Account Information screen, type in your ISP-supplied username and password (you enter the latter twice to ensure it's correct). You can tick options to make this connection the default connection (in case you have multiple ISP accounts) and the connection for all users of your computer. To activate the firewall for this connection, click Turn On Internet Connection Firewall For This Connection. Click Next and then Finish.

Switching it on and off

If you want to enable or disable ICF on an existing Internet connection:

Click Start -> Control Panel -> Network And Internet Connections -> Network Connections.
Click the connection you wish to change and select the Change Settings Of This Connection task.
Click the Advanced tab and click the option in the Internet Connection Firewall section.

You can also switch on ICF logging and access advanced firewall settings from this dialog. ICF logging lets you keep track of the firewall's activities by creating a text log file, which you can examine at any time.

2011-06-18T03:03:00.000-07:00

How to Make CROSS & STRAIGHT cable

________________________________________
STEP 1: Choose the right cable…
1. To Connect PC to PC Cross Cable.

2. To Connect PC to HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER Straight Cable.

3. To Connect HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER to HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER Straight
Cable

STEP 2: Understanding CAT 5 Cables…

Wires: CAT 5 Cable has 4 pairs of copper wire inside it.

Colors: Standard cables has BROWN, BROWN WHITE, GREEN, GREEN-
WHITE, BLUE, BLUE WHITE, ORANGE, ORANGE WHITE.

STEP 3: Making Straight Cable…

Nomenclature: let us first give a number scheme for cabling which we will
follow throughout this tuto. BROWN (8), BROWN WHITE (7),
GREEN (6), GREEN WHITE (3), BLUE (4), BLUE WHITE (5),
ORANGE (2), ORANGE WHITE (1)

Requirements: Two RJ45 Connectors, Crimping tool & CAT 5 cable of desired
length(less than 250 meters).

STEP 3.1:

There are two standards adopted for Cabling EIA/TIA 568A & EIA/TIA 568B.

When you use single standard (either EIA/TIA 568A or EIA/TIA 568B) on both the end of cable then the resulting cable is STRAIGHT CABLE.

On the other hand if you use different cabling standard on the ends of cable then the resulting cable is CROSS CABLE

I’ll use EIA/TIA 568B standard for creating cross and straight cable

1. Remove the covering of CAT 5 cable.
2. Straighten the eight wires of the cable.
3. Using Crimping tool’s cutter cut the end of wires so that they are of same length
4. Arrange the wire in order 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 respectively as I have mention or as shown in the diagram.
5. Insert the arranged cable in the RJ45 connector with clip pointing down exactly as shown in the figure.
6. In crimping tool insert the head of RJ45 connector and crimp (press) it hardly.
7. Follow same step with same color order for the other end of cable too.
8. The wire you made by following these steps is a STRAIGHT cable.

STEP 4: Making CROSS Cable…

Of the Eight wires in Cat 5 not all are used for data transfer when using 100Mbps Ethernet card. Only 2 pairs of cable are used i.e. 2 wire for transmitting signal and two wires for receiving signal.

So now you can guess why we have to make CROSS CABLE for connecting same kind of devices. Because if use same color coding on both the side than transmitter of one m/c will send data to transmitter of another and data packets will lost, so we have to change wiring code so that transmitter of one connects to reciver of other and vice-versa.

Here are the Steps:
Steps 1 to 6 are same as for STRAIGHT through cables
7. Only difference is in color coding of other side of wire.
8. Wire that is on 1st number on A-side (one end) should be on 3rd number on B-
side (other side) & vice-versa.
9. Wire that is on 2st number on A-side (one end) should be on 6rd number on B-
side (other side) & vice versa.
10. Now Crimp the RJ45 connector.
11. Your CROSS wire is completed.

2011-06-18T03:02:00.001-07:00

XP expires

To reduce instances of "casual copying" (a nice name for software piracy), Microsoft has implemented a two-stage antipiracy scheme in its upcoming OS. The first stage is the installation and registration counter: this lets you install Windows XP only five times on the same system. (Note that you'll be able to install the final version of XP on only one machine, as opposed to the current beta, which can be installed on five machines for testing purposes.) The second stage creates a profile of the system to prevent you from reinstalling or registering the OS on different PCs.
To make this scheme work, you must activate your copy of Windows--over the Internet or by calling for an activation code--within 30 days of installation. Activation differs from a classic registration process in that no personal information is requested by or sent to Microsoft, just a record that a specific copy of Windows XP is installed on your specific PC. If you fail to activate your copy of the OS within 30 days, your login will fail. (Since XP is based on Windows NT-like privilege levels, you can't use your computer until you log on.)
Microsoft says the scheme should not prevent you from reinstalling your copy of XP on your PC as many times as you need to, as long as it's the same PC or close to it, allowing for some hardware changes. It's the "some" that has most folks worried. In theory, you might have to reactivate your OS if you upgrade significantly or swap out a lot of components because XP might think it's running on a new PC. So far, Microsoft isn't saying what system information the OS uses to determine the "same PC or close to it" status. That means we don't know to what degree you can upgrade your hardware before you cross the invisible line. We also don't know how much, if any, personally identifiable data Microsoft is gathering from your PC.
Microsoft says you can, of course, change at least one and possibly several hardware components--RAM, video or sound cards, CPUs, motherboards, and so on--without having to reactivate your OS. But if you try to reinstall your copy of Windows XP on what Microsoft calls a "different or significantly upgraded or changed PC" (again, the company declined to specify how different), the activation will most likely be rejected, requiring you to call Microsoft to explain and get a new (free) activation code.
Microsoft plans to set up a new call center for U.S.-based customers to expedite activation issues. Many non-U.S. customers will likely have to go through the existing, shared Microsoft technical support lines they currently use. Microsoft says it expects only 2 percent of the total installed base of Windows XP to have to reactivate the OS. Whether the anti-piracy initiative will present problems for consumers or result in fewer upgrades to XP remains to be seen. Remember, the final release is at least a few months off.

2011-06-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Intel Core i3

Intel Core i3 microprocessor family

Core i3 line of entry-level Core-branded microprocessors was introduced on January 7, 2010 at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Performance and price-wise these are middle-class CPUs, positioned between more expensive and more powerful Core i5 and Core i7 microprocessors, and budget Pentium and Celeron processor families. Based on Westmere (enhanced Nehalem) micro-architecture, Core i3 CPUs integrate dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, separate DMI interface to peripheral devices, HD-capable graphics controller, and incorporate all basic and some advanced micro-architecture features, such as per-core 256 KB level 2 cache, large level 3 cache shared between two cores, SSE4 instructions, and support for Virtualization and HyperThreading technologies. As common with entry-level and budget families, Core i3 line doesn't include advanced features, or have some of its features crippled:

Currently (February 2010), the processors include only two CPU cores, as opposed to 4 cores in more expensive Core i5 and Core i7 families.
Core i3 CPUs have Turbo Boost Technology disabled.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) instructions are not supported;
Processors do not support Virtualization for directed I/O (VT-d) and Trusted Execution Technology features.
Intel Core i3 line up currently consists of desktop and mobile Core i3 families. Desktop Core i3 microprocessors are packaged in 1156-land Land-Grid Array (LGA) package, and require socket 1156 motherboards. Mobile Core i3 CPUs are manufactured in 1288-ball BGA or 988 micro-PGA package. BGA processors are soldered on directly on motherboards, and PGA processors use socket 988

2nd Generation Intel® Core™Processor Family for Desktops

Product Overview

Selecting the right processor is key when purchasing or upgrading your business PCs. The processor must keep pace with new trends in e-commerce, complex applications, and security that are applicable to your business Meet your business needs with a processor from the 2nd gen Intel® Core™ processor family, which offers improved adaptive performance and built-in visual capabilities to bring more intelligent performance to your business PC.

The Intel® Core™ i3 processor provides the basis for an affordable PC. This dual-core processor with 4-way multitasking capability has built-in performance headroom for software upgrades, providing an excellent return on investment.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

With 2nd generation Intel Core i3 processors, you get the following features built in:

· Intel® HT Technology◊ allows each core of your processor to work on two tasks at the same time.

· Intel® Smart Cache is dynamically allocated to each processor core based on workload, which significantly reduces latency and improves performance.

Featured Technologies

Get more responsive multitasking with select processors in the 2nd gen Intel Core processor family, which feature Intel® Turbo Boost Technology12.0 and Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology1, enabling required security applications and protocols to run efficiently in the background without compromising your productivity.Information security is vital to business. Securing information and data requires complex encryption software, which slows PC performance. With Advanced Encryption Solution New Instructions (AES-NI) integrated into the processor, the encryption and decryption operation is accelerated, saving you time.

With the increase of video conferencing and social media, business communication has become more visually sophisticated. Intel® HD Graphics 2000, integrated into the 2nd gen Intel Core processors, allows PC hardware to stay in step with these new visual media needs. The need for a discrete graphics card is eliminated, reducing power consumption and system cost.

2nd gen Intel Core processors with Intel® vPro™ technology 2 can help reduce costs and increase efficiency by taking advantage of intelligent performance and unique hardware-assisted security and manageability features. Remote, automated manageabilityfeatures make PC maintenance easier and keep costs low. The system can be remotely configured or diagnosed, and an infected PC can be isolated or repaired. An Intel vPro technology-based system minimizes disruptions to daily business operations.

These 2nd gen Intel Core processors are also power efficient, enabling more energy efficient platforms which can meet ENERGY STAR* 3 and other global environmental requirements.

Intel’s technologies and innovations can increase the longevity of the computer, protecting your investment and supporting long-term business growth

Intel® Core™ i7 Processor—Best-in-Class Performance

The Intel® Core™ i7 processor delivers best-in-class performance for the most demanding applications. This quad-core processor features Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, 8-way multitasking capability, and additional L3 cache.

Intel® Core™ i5 Processor—The Next Level of Productivity

The Intel® Core™ i5 processor delivers the next level of productivity. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, this quad-core processor with 4-way multitasking capability delivers extra speed whenever you need it as well as security features to help protect information and data.

Intel® Core™ i3 Processor—Affordable Business PC

The Intel® Core™ i3 processor provides the basis for an affordable business PC. This dual-core processor with 4-way multitasking capability has built-in performance headroom for software upgrades, providing an excellent return on investment

3 Step Guide To Overclock Your Core i3, i5, or i7 – Updated!

so many users are searching around the net these days looking for advice on how to over clock their new systems but don’t know where to start. To help everyone out, I decided a how-to guide was in order. Searching around forums can be confusing and intimidating. There are so many people willing to give advice, but who can you trust? It’s hard to know, and I’ve seen many users sent on wild goose chases because they are following advice that doesn't solve or even address their specific problem. I’ve also seen too much trial and error overclocking. What I will attempt to do is create a very simple three step guide to “one-size-fits-all” over clocking.

Methodology

My goal here is for this overclocking guide to be useful for anyone with a newer Intel based system, i3, i5, i7, LGA1156 or LGA1366. With the same basic principles applying to all of them, the basic process doesn’t change whether you are planning to use your system as an everyday system, gaming or if you want to push the limits for a single benchmark.

This guide is also independent of your cooling system. Whether you are using the stock Intel cooler or if you’re pushing to the extreme with liquid nitrogen, the basic steps remain the same. One thing that is far too common is errors in mounting your cooling system, specifically the application of the thermal interface material (TIM). If you don’t have much experience mounting a cooling apparatus, please refer to this excellent guide from Arctic Silver.

Determining methods for finding a stable overclock are highly controversial, and my suggestion is that we agree to disagree. Everyone has their individual definition of a stable system, but when I refer to “stable” in this guide, I am referring to the stability of your selected “stability test.” So for a power user or gamer who wants a reliable system that won’t ever crash due to an overclock pushed too far, you’d need to test with a program that will load all of the cores and threads applicable to your CPU, OCCT and Prime95 are two popular choices. For a benching team member looking to squeeze every last MHz out of their chip for a 7 second SuperPI 1M run on liquid nitrogen cooling, SuperPI 1M would be the ideal test. In my examples below, my verbiage will obviously be geared more towards those running tests like Prime95. Super PI 1M only takes a few seconds to complete, so when I say “run your stability test for five minutes” obviously you will have to tailor that instruction for your individual situation.

So with that in mind, we will attempt to isolate each portion of the system and overclock one piece at a time. This may seem time consuming at first glance, but rest assured this can potentially save you hours of troubleshooting and frustration. So go slow, and follow each step very carefully.

Micro-architecture

The CPU micro-architecture has taken a huge leap from the 65nm Core to the new generation 45 and 32nm technology, it has brought many changes not only to the CPU’s but also to the chipset and motherboard design and functioning. This is what make overclocking the i3/i5/i7 CPU’s so much different to their predecessor LGA 775 CPU’s.

The naming convention can be a bit confusing so let us look at the various CPU and their names:

First we have the Nehalem family which are all 45 nm CPU’s that included i7 1366 Bloomfield (i7-920 i7-975) and Lynnfield socket 1156 i5/i7 (i7-750 to i7-860). These are all quad cores with HT except for the i5 which has no HT.

Then the next family is Westmere which is essentially die shrink 32 nm CPU version of Nehalem and again you have the Clarkdale (socket 1156) in flavors of i5 and i3, both dual core processors with HT.

Gulftown which is the hex-core CPU’s and not available yet are also part of the Westmere family and features 6 physical cores with HT and will be socket 1366 only.

The above are all desktop chips, then to you get the Arrandale and Clarksfield CPU’s which are mobile processors and the Gainstown which is the server equivalent of Bloomfield.

So, to summarize, we have socket LGA 1366 and LGA1156 which are essentially the board platforms that carry certain 45 and 32 nm CPU variants. Both platforms are DDR3 where the 1156 is dual channel only.

2011-06-18T02:58:00.001-07:00

How to create a System Restore point in Windows Vista

To create a System Restore point in Windows Vista

Creating a System Restore point manually
1.Right-click on the Computer icon in the Desktop, and choose Properties

2. In the left pane, click System Protection
3.Alternately, to access the System Protection tab directly, click Start and type SystemPropertiesProtection.exe.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

4.Click the System Protection tab, and then click Create.

5.In the System Protection dialog box, type a description, and then click Create.

Creating a System Restore point using a shortcut

Alternately, you may use the method below:
Copy the contents below to a Notepad document, and save it to a file name with .vbs extension (Example: createrp.vbs) and close Notepad.

set SRP = getobject("winmgmts:\\.\root\default:Systemrestore")CSRP = SRP.createrestorepoint ("Created a Restore Point now", 0, 100)If CSRP <> 0 then Msgbox "Error " & CSRP & ": Unable to create System Restore point"End if

Right-click on the Desktop and select New - Shortcut

Create a shortcut with the following target:
wscript.exe c:\scripts\createrp.vbs

Note: The above assumes that the createrp.vbs script is present in the c:\scripts folder. If that's not the case, change the Path accordingly.

Name the shortcut file name as Create Restore Point
Running the script
To create a System Restore point, run the script with elevated mode. To do so, right-click on the newly created shortcut (Create Restore Point.lnk) and choose Run as administrator. When you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. A System Restore point will automatically be created.

2011-06-18T02:57:00.001-07:00

SATA

The serial ATA (serial advanced technology attachment), or SATA computer bus, is a storage-interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. The SATA host adapter is integrated into almost all modern consumer laptop computers and desktop motherboards.
Serial ATA was designed to replace the older ATA (AT Attachment) standard (also known as EIDE). It is able to use the same low level commands, but serial ATA host-adapters and devices communicate via a high-speed serial cable over two pairs of conductors. In contrast, the parallel ATA (the redesignation for the legacy ATA specifications) used 16 data conductors each operating at a much lower speed.
SATA offers several compelling advantages over the older parallel ATA (PATA) interface: reduced cable-bulk and cost (reduced from eighty wires to seven), faster and more efficient data transfer, and hot swapping.
Features
Hotplug
All SATA devices support hotplugging. However, proper hotplug support requires the device be running in its native command mode not via IDE emulation, which requires AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface). Some of the earliest SATA host adapters were not capable of this and furthermore some older operating systems, such as Windows XP, do not directly support AHCI.
Advanced Host Controller Interface
As their standard interface, modern SATA controllers use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface), allowing advanced features of SATA such as hotplug and native command queuing (NCQ). If AHCI is not enabled by the motherboard and chipset, SATA controllers typically operate in "IDE emulation" mode which does not allow features of devices to be accessed if the ATA/IDE standard does not support them.
Windows device drivers that are labeled as SATA are usually running in IDE emulation mode unless they explicitly state that they are AHCI mode or in RAID mode. While the drivers included with Windows XP do not support AHCI, AHCI has been implemented by proprietary device drivers. Windows, Windows 7, FreeBSD, Linux with kernel version 2.6.19 onward as well as Solaris and OpenSolaris have native support for AHCI.

Cables, connectors, and ports
Connectors and cables present the most visible differences between SATA and parallel ATA drives. Unlike PATA, the same connectors are used on 3.5-inch SATA hard disks for desktop and server computers and 2.5-inch disks for portable or small computers; this allows 2.5-inch drives to be used in desktop computers with only a mounting bracket and no wiring adapter. Smaller disks may use the mini-SATA spec, suitable for small-form-factor Serial ATA drives and mini SSDs.
There is a special connector (eSATA) specified for external devices, and an optionally implemented provision for clips to hold internal connectors firmly in place. SATA drives may be plugged into SAS controllers and communicate on the same physical cable as native SAS disks, but SATA controllers cannot handle SAS disks.
There are SATA ports (on motherboards of a PC) that can use SATA data cable with locks or clips, thus, reducing the chance of accidentally unplugging while the PC is turned on. So does the same with SATA power connector and SATA data connector connected to a SATA HDD or SATA optical drive . Also, the

re are right-angled and left-angled connectors only on one end of SATA data cable, which can only be used when connecting to a SATA HDD or SATA optical drive.

Comparisons between SATA and SCSI
SCSI currently offers transfer rates higher than SATA, but it uses a more complex bus, usually resulting in higher manufacturing costs. SCSI buses also allow connection of several drives (using multiple channels, 7 or 15 on each channel), whereas SATA allows one drive per channel, unless using a port multiplier.
SATA 3 Gbit/s offers a maximum bandwidth of 300 MB/s per device compared to SCSI with a maximum of 320 MB/s. Also, SCSI drives provide greater sustained throughput than SATA drives because of disconnect-reconnect and aggregating performance. SATA devices generally link compatibly to SAS enclosures and adapters, while SCSI devices cannot be directly connected to a SATA bus.
SCSI, SAS and fibre-channel (FC) drives are typically more expensive so they are traditionally used in servers and disk arrays where the added cost is justifiable. Inexpensive ATA and SATA drives evolved in the home-computer market hence there is a view that they are less reliable. As those two worlds overlapped, the subject of reliability became somewhat controversial. Note that, generally, the failure rate of a disk drive is related to the quality of its heads, platters and supporting manufacturing processes, not to its interface.

Difference between IDE, SCSI and SATA
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is one of the oldest interfaces for hard drives, marking a new era in computer history. It was the first interface to make hard drives affordable for everyone. The most prominent feature of IDE is that there was little cabling when hooking up a hard drive to the computer, which led to a hassle-free setup. IDE was introduced in 1986 Compaq computers.

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is a standard amongst certain devices that can be connected to a computer, such as hard drives. SCSI was introduced in 1986 as a component of Apple and Amiga computers. The basic idea was to give a faster alternative to Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) and present an interface which almost any device can be designed to communicate with. Hard drives are the most popular devices that support SCSI, since it has a much higher bandwidth capacity than IDE. However, this high bandwidth capacity comes at a price. Most people do not find such hard drives worth the expense. Those who do invest plenty of money in SCSI hard drives are usually data centers and large companies that host their own servers.

The advent of Serial AT Attachment (SATA) in 2003 was successful and quickly became affordable to the public. The specific design of SATA was to beat the IDE benchmarks and render IDE obsolete. Its first release had a 1.5 GB/s throughput, and new versions of it just keep coming. The high bandwidth and affordability makes it perfect for home users and data centers alike. After SATA was introduced, motherboard manufacturers quickly put aside IDE and gave more importance to SATA technology.

2011-06-18T02:56:00.001-07:00

Difference between NTFS and FAT32
NTFS
1) Allows access local to w2k w2k3 XP win NT4 with SP4 & later may get access for some file.
2) Maximum size of partition is 2 Terabytes & more.
3) Maximum File size is up to 16TB.
4) File & folder Encryption is possible only in NTFS.
FAT 32
1) Fat 32 Allows access to WIN 95,WIN 98 win millennium win2k Win XP on local partition.
2) Maximum size of partition is up to 2 TB.
3) Maximum File size is up to 4 GB.
4) File & folder Encryption is not possible.

Differences between NTFS and FAT32

NTFS stands for new technology file system or network technology file system. In NTSF partition size can be of 2 TB or more. and file size can be 16 TB. File/folder encryption is done. and it supports file name character up to 255.FAT32 stands for File allocation table. in FAT32 partition size can be Up to 2 TB. and file size can be 4 GB. File/folder encryption is not possible in FAT32. and it supports file name character up to 8.3.

What are the differences between NTFS and FAT32?

If you are using multiple OS’s on the same computer (Windows XP and Windows 9x) and you want the two OS’s to read the drive, FAT32 is the only way to go. But, if you are planning on only using Windows XP, NTFS is the way to go. There are several reasons why NTFS is the way to go. One of the highlights of NTFS is the protection that it provides for files. To ensure reliability of NTFS, three major areas were addressed: recoverability, removal of fatal single sector failures, and hot fixing. NTFS is a recoverable file system because it keeps track of transactions against the file system. When a CHKDSK is performed on FAT or HPFS, the consistency of pointers within the directory, allocation, and file tables is being checked. Under NTFS, a log of transactions against these components is maintained so that CHKDSK need only roll back transactions to the last commit point in order to recover consistency within the file system. Under FAT or HPFS, if a sector that is the location of one of the file system's special objects fails, then a single sector failure will occur. NTFS avoids this in two ways: first, by not using special objects on the disk and tracking and protecting all objects that are on the disk. Secondly, under NTFS, multiple copies (the number depends on the volume size) of the Master File Table are kept.
In NTFS file systems the security is high compare to fat 32. In NTFS the max drive size is 2 TB. In fat 32 the max drive size is 32 GB

2011-06-18T02:55:00.001-07:00

REGISTRY EDITING HAS BEEN DISABLED BY YOUR ADMINISTRATOR

Error "Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator" when you open the Registry Editor in Windows Vista

When you attempt to start the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) in your Windows Vista system, you will get the following message:
Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator

SOLUTION
Method 1
Using Group Policy Editor
If you are using an edition of Windows Vista (Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions) which includes the Group Policy Editor, follow these steps:
1.Click Start, type gpedit.msc in the Search box, and press ENTER
2.Go to the following branch: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System
3.Double-click Prevent access to registry editing tools
4.Set it as Not Configured (If it's already set to Not Configured, set it to Enabled and click Apply. Then repeat the steps and revert the setting back to Not Configured. This removes the registry based policy if set already.)
Method 2
This method should work in all editions of Windows Vista.
1.Download reg_enable.vbs attached file and save it to Desktop
2.Click Start
3.Click All Programs
4.Click Accessories
5.Right-click Command Prompt
6. Then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
7.Switch to your Desktop directory by typing the following command, and then pressing ENTER: cd /d %userprofile%\desktop
Then, type the following command and press ENTER
wscript.exe reg_enable.vbs
8.Type EXIT to close the Command Prompt window.
The DisableRegistryTools policy should have been removed by now.Now you can able to launch Regedit.exe now.

2011-06-18T01:08:00.001-07:00

WiFi Network- Setup a WiFi Network

An Introduction to the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
Here you will learn how to setup wifi network, how wireless fidelity works, hotspot security, vpn servers. Wi-Fi or wireless fidelity is meant for to be used when referring any type of 802.11 network, whether 802.11, 802.11a and dual band. Any products tested and approved as Wi-Fi certified by the Wi-Fi alliance are interoperable with each other.
Typically, any Wi-Fi product using the same radio frequency will work with each other even if not Wi-Fi certified. Formerly the term Wi-Fi was used only in the place of the 2.4 GHz 802.11b standard in the same way Ethernet was used.
Wi-fi short for wireless fidelity refers to a set of wireless networking technologies and more specifically referred to as any type of 802.11 network, 802.11b and 802.11a and dual band. The word Wi-Fi was built by an organization named as Wi-Fi alliance. A product that undergoes the Wi-Fi alliance analyses is given the name Wi-Fi certified.
Wi-Fi rapidly gained the fame in the United States with the access point. These devices tested by the “Wi-Fi alliance” are used around the world and allow users to have Wi-Fi capable device like a PDA or Laptop to connect anywhere there is availability of Wi-Fi access point. There are currently three standards that are used to signify the speed of the connection. Both the 802.11a and 802.11b are the capable of 54 Mbps with 802.11a additional features. The most common standard is 802.11b/second because it can transmit the data at 11 Mbps.
All these Wi-Fi connections are fast enough to allow the broadband internet connection. Wireless Fidelity is a fastest growing wireless technology that will probably be as common as phone lines and electric devices. Wi-Fi adds great levels of convenience and high level of production.
Wireless fidelity is planned to be used with the wireless devices but it is most commonly used for internet access. With Wi-Fi you can connect computers in your home, office or anywhere without the need of wires. The computers can just connect to the network that uses radio waves.
How does W-Fi work?
Wi-Fi is the wireless technology to handle the networking/communication. Wi-Fi allocates internet connection globally and to be transmitted by the radio waves. Radio waves are the main cause of Wi-Fi. Radio waves are transmitted from antenna and Wi-Fi receivers pick them up. When a user receives the Wi-Fi signals, a wireless internet connection is produced and a user is prompted to provide the user name and password if required to establish a wireless connection.
What is Wi-Fi Security?
Wi-Fi maintains certain security issues. WEP or Wired Equivalent Privacy is used in the physical and data link layers. It was planned to provide the wireless security by protecting the data, while it transmits from one point to another. Wi-Fi networking usually maintained inside a building premises. The data transmission in the Wi-Fi is protected by Wireless LANs but due to the fact that data travels over the radio waves so there are chance that data can be exposed and capture.
How to secure your WiFi network?
When you buy a wireless router you might find an Installation CD by vendor that CD with guide you through a wizard on setting up router. Here are some suggestions that how can you setup security on the router without using the application software.

1. Open a new browser.

2. You may now type IP address of the router in your browser. The step here is where you can get the management system of the router. Due to different vendors, you need to lookup on your router’s manual for the IP address usually it may be 10.10.10.01, 196.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, 100.100.100.1 or something similar to those matches and the default password of the router. Every router management console is different from each other. Try exploring around and find the appropriate section to manage.

3. You should never forget this step to setup an administrative password. The step to set here is often not located in Security section; you will need to take a look at the utilities, user management or system settings. Find it and change the password immediately for any user account.

4. Enable Wireless security. To turn on your encryption look under the wireless security tab. The step over here will need you to either use WPA or WPA-PSK and this will only appropriate if the devices on your network supported it. Otherwise you will need 128-bit WEP. For WPA or WPA-PSK, you would have to type pass phrase/password into a piece of paper and transfer to thumb drive so that you can set the password in the client’s machines.

5. Change your SSID. You should not make your SSID this will be probably a default SSID, normally those who do not configure their SSID will have their router name such as “linksys”, “belkin”, “dlink” etc. Try changing it with someone menacing, which will be threat for them to connect. Like virus geek, virus spreader. Remember that you will need this SSID when you browse through the network from your client machines. You can find these settings in the section of Channel or SSID.

6. Save your configurations and settings by pressing the save changes or save settings button. You will need to save every change that you will make to the router in order to it can take effect and probably you will have to reboot your router multiple times. Congratulations, finally you have covered the basic settings for your Wi-Fi network
Wi-Fi Hotspot Security: Using VPNs
There are numerous security issues regarding the use of the public wireless networks but all of which can be overcome. One of the solutions for users, as brought up in Wi-Fi Hotspot security, is to use the VPN (Virtual Private Network) to secure the real time traffic of the Wi-Fi hot spot users. Many small to large businesses provide their employees with the VPN access.
Although this access is typically put in place for employees to have the remote access to the corporate network in order to access the files and documents remotely. If you don’t have access to any VPN servers, create your own. By doing this you can remotely access the files from your office as well as other devices such as Wi-Fi video camera to keep an eye on the things while away.
When using the software-based VPN server features in Windows XP Pro, the PC running the server has to be powered-on to access the home network from the Wi-Fi hotspot. VPN routers can cost as low as $70 to $130 and the popular models are Linksys, WRV200 and WRV5G.

2011-06-18T01:06:00.001-07:00

Block a website in internet explorer

Method 1

Open My Computer
Target to “C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers”
Open File labeled “hosts” with Notepad
Underneath the entry labeled 127.0.0.1 localhost replace with any safe IP of site.
After the IP address hit the “TAB” Button and enter the site to be blocked
Your Entry should look like this 72.14.235.147 pinkworld.com
Save hosts file.
Exit notepad
Test the blocked site. This one should point back to Google.
Method 2

Open Internet Explorer.
Click Tools, in the menubar.
Select Internet Options.
Click on the Content tab.
In the Content Advisor box, click Enable.
Put all the levels of the RSACi to what suits you.
Click the Approved Sites tab.
Enter the address of the website you want to block.
Click Never.
Click OK.
Enter a password you can remember easily with a hint

2011-06-18T01:04:00.001-07:00

Not a valid Win32 application

This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.
File is corrupt, bad, or missing.
File is not designed for your version of Windows.
File is a virus, worm, or other malware file.
Hardware incompatibility.
File is corrupt, bad, or missing
If the file or program you're attempting to run is corrupt or missing, Windows will be unable to execute the file properly and sometimes generate this error message.
Download files
If you downloaded this file and verified it is complete and compatible with your version of Windows, delete the file and try downloading and running it again. It's possible during the download that the file became corrupted.
Finally, if the second download does not work, try downloading the file from a different webpage. It is possible that the person or company maintaining the website mistakenly uploaded a corrupt version of the file you're attempting download.
Installing a program from a CD or other disk
If you're attempting to install a program and are getting this error, verify that the CD is clean. If the CD is dirty or bad, you could get this error during the install and/or get this error after the program has been installed because it was not copied properly onto the computer.
Running a program from the computer
If you're running the program from a shortcut on the computer, verify that the program is still on the computer. In some cases if the program is no longer installed on the computer you may get this error.
If the hard disk drive is corrupted or bad it can also cause working programs to fail either because not all the data can be read from the hard disk drive or because the program has become corrupted while on the drive. Run scandisk and defrag on the hard disk drive to check for any potential errors.
Long file name issue
Make sure the program or file you're attempting to run does not contain the same name as the long file name directory it is contained in. For example, executing a file named "program" in the "program files" directory can cause errors in some versions of Windows.
Additionally, if you're attempting to install a program and after the install the program does not work, you may also want to try installing the program in a different directory.
Bad file
Any file can be changed or renamed to be a .exe file. If you're downloading the file, make sure the file is supposed to be a .exe file and that it's not being changed. If you're attempting to create a .exe, file make sure you're compiling the file for Windows and never just rename a file to a .exe file. For example, renaming a .bat file to a .exe file will not make the file an executable file. For a file to become an executable file it needs to either be compiled or converted through a software program designed to convert the file.
File is not designed for your version of Windows
If you're trying to run a program that is not designed for your version of Windows you may get this error. Although many older programs designed to work in older versions of Windows will work with new versions of Windows, unfortunately, not all programs will work.
· If the program is an older MS-DOS program or early Windows program you may get this error.
· If the program is designed for a 64-bit version of Windows and you're running it in a 32-bit version of Windows, it will not work and generate this error.
File is a virus, worm, or other malware file
This error can be generated by a file that is a virus, worm, Trojan, or other type of malware file. Often, this will be caused because the virus scanner installed in the computer will not allow the file to be installed or run. Try scanning the file to verify it is not a virus and/or infected.
If the file has been checked and is clean, it is still possible that the virus protection program and/or another program installed on the computer is causing issues during the install or execution of the program. Boot the computer into Safe Mode and try running the program; booting the computer into Safe Mode will make sure nothing is running in the background that could be causing this issue.
Hardware incompatibility
If you're getting this error during the installation of a program it's also possible that the CD-ROM drive or the drive you're installing the program from is not compatible with Windows or has drivers that are not compatible with Windows.

2011-06-18T01:02:00.001-07:00

How to Lock the folders

Procedure :
1. Make a folder on the desktop and name it as “folder”
2. Now, open notepad and write ren folder folder.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} and now (Notepad Menu) File>save as.
3. In the ’save as’ name it as lock.bat and click save ! (Save it on Desktop)
4. Now, again open notepad again and write ren folder.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} folder and now (Notepad Menu) File>save as.
5. In the ’save as’ name it as key.bat and click save ! (Save it on Desktop)
6. Now, double click lock.bat to lock the folder and now if you open your folder, control panel will open up !
7. Now, double click key.bat to open the folder and now if you open your folder, you can access your data inside the folder again !
8. Lock your folder and hide the key.bat somewhere else on your hard disk !
9. Whenever you want to open your folder just paste the key.bat on desktop and open your folder using it !

2011-06-18T00:58:00.001-07:00

Network Cable Types

A network is defined as two or more computers linked together for the purpose of communicating and sharing information and other resources. Most networks are constructed around a cable connection that links the computers. This connection permits the computers to talk or to send message or to transmit data (and listen) through a wire.

Types of Networking Cables:
The three main types of networking cables are coaxial cable, twisted-pair cable and fiber optic cable.

Coaxial Cable:
Coaxial cable is made of two conductors that share the same axis; the center is a copper wire that is insulated by a plastic coating and then wrapped with an outer conductor (usually a wire braid). This outer conductor around the insulation serves as electrical shielding for the signal being carried by the inner conductor. A tough insulating plastic tube outside the outer conductor provides physical and electrical protection. At one time, coaxial cable was the most widely used network cabling. However, with improvements and the lower cost of twisted-pair cables, it has lost its popularity.

There are two types of coaxial cable.

ThickNet

ThinNet

ThickNet:
ThickNet is about .38 inches in diameter. This makes it a better conductor, and it can carry a signal about 1640 feet (500 meters) before signal strength begins to suffer. The disadvantage of ThickNet over ThinNet is that it is more difficult to work with. The ThickNet version is also known as standard Ethernet cable.
ThinNet:
ThinNet is the easiest to use. It is about .25 inches in diameter, making it flexible and easy to work with (it is similar to the material commonly used for cable TV). ThinNet can carry a signal about 605 feet (185 meters) before signal strength begins to suffer.

Name Description Type Segment Speed
10Base2 ThinNet Coaxial 185 meters 10 Mbps
10Base5 ThickNet Coaxial 500 meters 10 Mbps

Coaxial cable can only be used with a BNC (bayonet-Neill-Concelman) connector.

Twisted-Pair Cable:
Twisted-pair cable consists of two insulated strands of copper wire twisted around each other to form a pair. One or more twisted pairs are used in a twisted-pair cable. The purpose of twisting the wires is to eliminate electrical interference from other wires and outside sources such as motors. Twisting the wires cancels any electrical noise from the adjacent pair. The more twists per linear foot, the greater the effect.
There are two types of twisted pair cable.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP):

The only difference between STP and UTP is that STP has a foil or wire braid wrapped around the individual wires of the pairs. The shielding is designed to minimize EMI radiation and susceptibility to crosstalk. The STP cable uses a woven-copper braided jacket, which is a higher-quality, more protective jacket than UTP.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):
As the name implies, "unshielded twisted pair" (UTP) cabling is twisted pair cabling that contains no shielding. UTP cables can be divided further into following categories:

Category 1:-Traditional telephone cable. Carries voice but not data
Category 2:-Certified UTP for data transmission of up to 4 megabits per second (Mbps). It has four twisted pairs
Category 3:-Certified UTP for data transmission of up to 10 Mbps. It has four twisted pairs
Category 4:-Certified UTP for data transmission of up to 16 Mbps. It has four twisted pairs
Category 5:-Certified for data transmission of up to 100 Mbps. It has four twisted pairs of copper wire
Category 6:-Offers transmission speeds up to 155 Mbps
Category 7:-Category 7 is a proposed standard that aims to support transmission at frequencies up to 600 MHz

Twisted-pair cable has several advantages over other types of cable (coaxial and fiberoptic): It is readily available, easy to install, and inexpensive. Among its disadvantages are its sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), its susceptibility to eavesdropping, its lack of support for communication at distances of greater than 100 feet, and its requirement of a hub (multiple network connection point) if it is to be used with more than two computers. Twisted pair cables use RJ45 connector.

Name Description Type Segment Speed
10BaseT 100BaseT UTP .5 to 100 meters 10 Mbps
100BaseT common Twisted-pair .5 to 100 meters 100 Mbps

Fiber optic Cable:
Fiberoptic cable is made of light-conducting glass or plastic fibers. It can carry data signals in the form of modulated pulses of light. The plastic-core cables are easier to install but do not carry signals as far as glass-core cables. Multiple fiber cores can be bundled in the center of the protective tubing.
When both material and installation costs are taken into account, fiberoptic cable can prove to be no more expensive than twisted-pair or coaxial cable. Fiber has some advantages over copper wire: It is immune to EMI and detection outside the cable and provides a reliable and secure transmission media. It also supports very high bandwidths (the amount of information the cable can carry), so it can handle thousands of times more data than twisted-pair or coaxial cable.Cable lengths can run from .25 to 2.0 kilometers depending on the fiberoptic cable and network. If you need to network multiple buildings, this should be the cable of choice. Fiberoptic cable systems require the use of fiber-compatible NICs.

2011-06-18T00:53:00.001-07:00

How to Create a Password Reset Disk for computers that are part of a domain

Note that this procedure requires one blank, formatted floppy disk.

To create a password reset disk for your local user account:

Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE. The Windows Security dialog box appears.
Click Change Password . The Change Password dialog box appears.
In the Log on to box, click the local computer. For example, click Computer (this computer) .
Click Backup . The Forgotten Password Wizard starts.
On the "Welcome to the Forgotten Password Wizard" page, click Next .
Insert a blank, formatted disk in drive A, and then click Next .
In the Current user account password box, type your password, and then click Next . The Forgotten Password Wizard creates the disk.
When the progress bar reaches 100 percent complete, click Next , and then click Finish . The Forgotten Password Wizard quits and you return to the Change Password dialog box.
Remove, and then label the password reset disk. Store the disk in a safe place.
In the Change Password dialog box, click Cancel .
In the Windows Security dialog box, click Cancel.

If you forget your password, you can log on to the computer with a new password that you create by using the Password Reset Wizard and your password reset disk.
To gain access to your local user account on a computer that is a member of a domain, or has been disconnected from a domain:

In the Welcome to Windows dialog box, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type an incorrect password in the Password box, and then click OK .
In the Logon Failed dialog box that appears, click Reset . The Password Reset Wizard starts. The Password Reset Wizard lets you create a new password for your local user account.
On the "Welcome to the Password Reset Wizard" page, click Next .
Insert the password reset disk in drive A, and then click Next .
On the "Reset the User Account Password" page, type a new password in the Type a new password box.
Type the same password in the Type the password again to confirm box.
In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint that will help you remember the password if you forget it. NOTE : This hint is visible to anyone who attempts to log on to the computer by using your user account.
Click Next , and then click Finish . The Password Reset Wizard quits and you return to the Log On to Windows dialog box. The password reset disk is automatically updated with the new password information. You do not have to create a new password reset disk.
In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type your new password in the Password box.
In the Log on to box, click the local computer. For example, click Computer (this computer) , and then click OK . You are logged on to the local computer with your local account information.

2011-06-18T00:51:00.001-07:00

Troubleshooting Tips for a Network Card

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

Check whether the driver for the network interface card (NIC) is correct or not.
Check whether 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.
Try to reinstall 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.

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.
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.

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
Find 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.

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+).

2011-06-18T00:48:00.001-07:00

RAM Types and its uses

The type of RAM doesn't matter nearly as much as how much of it you've got, but using plain old SDRAM memory today will slow you down.Main types of RAM: SDRAM, DDR ,DDR2 RAM,Rambus DRAM,FPM DRAM and EDO RAM.

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)

Almost all systems used to ship with 3.3 volt, 168-pin SDRAM DIMMs. SDRAM is not an extension of older EDO DRAM but a new type of DRAM altogether. SDRAM started out running at 66 MHz, while older fast page mode DRAM and EDO max out at 50 MHz. SDRAM is able to scale to 133 MHz (PC133) officially, and unofficially up to 180MHz or higher. As processors get faster, new generations of memory such as DDR and RDRAM are required to get proper performance.

DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM)

DDR basically doubles the rate of data transfer of standard SDRAM by transferring data on the up and down tick of a clock cycle. DDR memory operating at 333MHz actually operates at 166MHz * 2 (aka PC333 / PC2700) or 133MHz*2 (PC266 / PC2100). DDR is a 2.5 volt technology that uses 184 pins in its DIMMs. It is incompatible with SDRAM physically, but uses a similar parallel bus, making it easier to implement than RDRAM, which is a different technology.

DDR2 RAM

DDR2 RAM, which stands for “Double Data Rate is a newer version of DDR which is twice as fast as the original DDR RAM. DDR2RAM came out in mid 2003 and the first chipsets that supported DDR2 came out in mid 2004. DDR2 still is double data rate just like the original DDR however DDR2-RAM has modified signaling which enables higher speeds to be achieved with more immunity to signal noise and cross-talk between signals

Rambus DRAM (RDRAM)

Despite it's higher price, Intel has given RDRAM it's blessing for the consumer market, and it will be the sole choice of memory for Intel's Pentium 4. RDRAM is a serial memory technology that arrived in three flavors, PC600, PC700, and PC800. PC800 RDRAM has double the maximum throughput of old PC100 SDRAM, but a higher latency. RDRAM designs with multiple channels, such as those in Pentium 4 motherboards, are currently at the top of the heap in memory throughput, especially when paired with PC1066 RDRAM memory.

Fast Page Mode DRAM

Fast Page Mode DRAM is plain old DRAM as we once knew it. The problem with standard DRAM was that it maxes out at about 50 MHz.

EDO DRAM(Extended Data Out RAM)

EDO DRAM gave people up to 5% system performance increase over DRAM. EDO DRAM is like FPM DRAM with some cache built into the chip. Like FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM maxes out at about 50 MHz. Early on, some system makers claimed that if you used EDO DRAM you didn't need L2 cache in your computer to get decent performance. They were wrong. It turns out that EDO DRAM works along with L2 cache to make things even faster, but if you lose the L2 cache, you lose a lot of speed.

DIMMs vs. RIMMs
DRAM comes in two major form factors: DIMMs and RIMMS.

DIMMs are 64-bit components, but if used in a motherboard with a dual-channel configuration (like with an Nvidia nForce chipset) you must pair them to get maximum performance. So far there aren't many DDR chipset that use dual-channels. Typically, if you want to add 512 MB of DIMM memory to your machine, you just pop in a 512 MB DIMM if you've got an available slot. DIMMs for SDRAM and DDR are different, and not physically compatible. SDRAM DIMMs have 168-pins and run at 3.3 volts, while DDR DIMMs have 184-pins and run at 2.5 volts.

RIMMs use only a 16-bit interface but run at higher speeds than DDR. To get maximum performance, Intel RDRAM chipsets require the use of RIMMs in pairs over a dual-channel 32-bit interface. You have to plan more when upgrading and purchasing RDRAM.

Memory Speed
SDRAM initially shipped at a speed of 66MHz. As memory buses got faster, it was pumped up to 100MHz, and then 133MHz. The speed grades are referred to as PC66 (unofficially), PC100 and PC133 SDRAM respectively. Some manufacturers are shipping a PC150 speed grade. However, this is an unofficial speed rating, and of little use unless you plan to overclock your system.

DDR comes in PC1600, PC2100, PC2700 and PC3200 DIMMs. A PC1600 DIMM is made up of PC200 DDR chips, while a PC2100 DIMM is made up of PC266 chips. PC2700 uses PC333 DDR chips and PC3200 uses PC400 chips that haven't gained widespread support. Go for PC2700 DDR. It is about the cost of PC2100 memory and will give you better performance.

RDRAM comes in PC600, PC700, PC800 and PC1066 speeds. Go for PC1066 RDRAM if you can find it. If you can't, PC800 RDRAM is widely available.

CAS Latency
SDRAM comes with latency ratings or "CAS (Column Address Strobe) latency" ratings. Standard PC100 / PC133 SDRAM comes in CAS 2 or CAS 3 speed ratings. The lower latency of CAS 2 memory will give you more performance. It also costs a bit more, but it's worth it.

DDR memory comes in CAS 2 and CAS 2.5 ratings, with CAS 2 costing more and performing better.

RDRAM has no CAS latency ratings, but may eventually come in 32 and 4 bank forms with 32-bank RDRAM costing more and performing better. For now, it's all 32-bank RDRAM.

Understanding Cache
Cache Memory is fast memory that serves as a buffer between the processor and main memory. The cache holds data that was recently used by the processor and saves a trip all the way back to slower main memory. The memory structure of PCs is often thought of as just main memory, but it's really a five or six level structure:

The first two levels of memory are contained in the processor itself, consisting of the processor's small internal memory, or registers, and L1 cache, which is the first level of cache, usually contained in the processor.

The third level of memory is the L2 cache, usually contained on the motherboard. However, the Celeron chip from Intel actually contains 128K of L2 cache within the form factor of the chip. More and more chip makers are planning to put this cache on board the processor itself. The benefit is that it will then run at the same speed as the processor, and cost less to put on the chip than to set up a bus and logic externally from the processor.

The fourth level, is being referred to as L3 cache. This cache used to be the L2 cache on the motherboard, but now that some processors include L1 and L2 cache on the chip, it becomes L3 cache. Usually, it runs slower than the processor, but faster than main memory.

The fifth level (or fourth if you have no "L3 cache") of memory is the main memory itself.

The sixth level is a piece of the hard disk used by the Operating System, usually called virtual memory. Most operating systems use this when they run out of main memory, but some use it in other ways as well.

This six-tiered structure is designed to efficiently speed data to the processor when it needs it, and also to allow the operating system to function when levels of main memory are low. You might ask, "Why is all this necessary?" The answer is cost. If there were one type of super-fast, super-cheap memory, it could theoretically satisfy the needs of this entire memory architecture. This will probably never happen since you don't need very much cache memory to drastically improve performance, and there will always be a faster, more expensive alternative to the current form of main memory.

Memory Redundancy
One important aspect to consider in memory is what level of redundancy you want. There are a few different levels of redundancy available in memory. Depending on your motherboard, it may support all or some of these types of memory:

The cheapest and most prevalent level of redundancy is non-parity memory. When you have non-parity memory in your machine and it encounters a memory error, the operating system will have no way of knowing and will most likely crash, but could corrupt data as well with no way of telling the OS. This is the most common type of memory, and unless specified, that's what you're getting. It works fine for most applications, but I wouldn't run life support systems on it.

The second level of redundancy is parity memory (also called true parity). Parity memory has extra chips that act as parity chips. Thus, the chip will be able to detect when a memory error has occurred and signal the operating system. You'll probably still crash, but at least you'll know why.

The third level of redundancy is ECC (Error Checking and Correcting). This requires even more logic and is usually more expensive. Not only does it detect memory errors, but it also corrects 1-bit ECC errors. If you have a 2-bit error, you will still have some problems. Some motherboards enable you to have ECC memory.