WINDOWS XP TRICKS

Microsoft Windows XP: Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity

2011-12-25T02:40:00.000-08:00

This WebCast provides an overview of Internet connectivity support in Microsoft
Windows XP, along with information about how to troubleshoot an Internet
connection. This discussion includes the use of Modem Diagnostics, Network
Diagnostics, IPConfig, Ping, and other troubleshooting tools to test the connection,
as well as some general guidance about sharing an Internet connection with other
computers on a home or small office network.

The Owner Account Is Displayed As "Account Unknown" in Profiles on Windows XP Home Edition-Based Computers

2011-12-25T02:39:00.001-08:00

The Owner account may not be removed correctly when you run Setup on computers
that are running Windows XP Home Edition. The Owner account is displayed as
"Account Unknown" when you view profiles on the computer. Also, the Owner folder
is not removed because the profile is not removed. Note that other problems occur if
an Owner account is used or created during the remainder of setup or Out of Box
Experience (OOBE).
This problem occurs because the OOBE code does not delete the Owner account
during Setup.

A Logon Error Occurs After an Unattended Installation Is Completed

2011-12-25T02:38:00.001-08:00

After an unattended installation of Windows XP Home Edition is completed, Windows
may not be able to log on to the desktop the first time. When this problem occurs,
you receive an error message that indicates that "Administrator" cannot log on. An
"Owner" dialog box is displayed in the background, and you can log on as "Owner."

Msconfig.exe Stops Responding if User Is Not an Administrator

2011-12-25T02:37:00.002-08:00

When you try to apply changes in the Msconfig.exe tool, Msconfig.exe may stop
responding (hang). However, an administrator may be able to complete the same
operation without any problems.
This problem can occur if you do not have sufficient permissions to make the change
in the Msconfig.exe tool. Msconfig.exe still tries to save the changes even if you do
not have the appropriate permissions, and then retries this process after it receives
an access denied error.

Microsoft Windows XP Fast User Switching

2011-12-25T02:37:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Windows XP is a new operating system based on Windows 2000
technology. Fast User Switching is a new feature in Windows XP that leverages the
data separation technology of Windows NT® profiles and provides a fast and
convenient mechanism for switching between user accounts.
Windows XP is a personal system; each user of the computer gets a separate
Windows account. So, in a family of three, Mom, Dad, and Billy each get an account.
Individual Windows accounts represent a departure from Windows 95 and Windows
98, in which all users in a household typically shared one account.
Windows XP introduces the Fast User Switching feature. In Windows XP, it is not
necessary for a user to log off the computer. Instead, the user's account is always
logged on and the user can switch quickly between all open accounts. For example,
Dad comes home and starts using his machine. He opens Microsoft PowerPoint® and
starts working on a document. Billy then comes up to him and asks to use the
computer. Billy goes to the Welcome screen, clicks Billy Smith, logs on, and starts
playing a game. Meanwhile, Dad remains logged on; Dad's PowerPoint presentation
is open and his Internet connection is preserved. If Dad wants to, he can switch to
his open account without logging off Billy. In essence, with Windows XP many users
can simultaneously use the computer

Using Windows XP Visual Styles

2011-12-25T02:36:00.001-08:00

Using Microsoft Windows XP, you can now define the visual style or appearance of
controls and windows from simple colors to textures and shapes. You can control
each defined part of a control as well as each part of the non-client (frame and
caption) area of a window. The user can then use the Appearance tab in the
Windows Control Panel to switch between the classic visual style and other available
styles.
A visual style is included with the Windows XP release. Using helper libraries and
application programming interfaces (APIs), you can incorporate the Windows XP
visual style into your application with few code changes. For more information, see
the Platform SDK documentation in the MSDN Library.

Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

2011-12-25T02:35:00.003-08:00

The System Restore feature of Microsoft Windows XP (the operating system
previously known as Microsoft Whistler) enables administrators to restore their PCs,
in the event of a problem, to a previous state without losing personal data files (such
as Word documents, drawings, or e-mail). System Restore actively monitors system
file changes and some application file changes to record or store previous versions
before the changes occurred. With System Restore, users never have to think about
taking system snapshots as it automatically creates easily identifiable restore points,
which allow users to revert the system back to a previous time. Restore points are
created at the time of significant system events (such as application or driver install)
and periodically (every day). Additionally, users can create and name their own
restore points in Windows XP at any time. System Restore has an automatic restore
point space-management feature that purges the oldest restore points to make room
for new ones, so that a rolling safety net is always kept under the user, enabling the
user to recover from recent undesirable changes.
System Restore is enabled by default and will run upon the successful completion of
either the Windows XP Professional or Personal x86 version installation. It requires a
minimum of 200 MB of space available on the system partition. If there are not 200
MBs available, System Restore will install disabled and will enable itself automatically
once the required disk space is created.

HOW TO: Move the Paging File in Windows XP

2011-12-25T02:35:00.001-08:00

This article describes how to change the location of the paging file in Windows XP.
The paging file is the area on the hard disk that Windows uses as if it were random
access memory (RAM) This is sometimes known as "virtual memory." By default,
Windows stores this file on the same partition as the Windows system files. You can
increase the performance of Windows, and increase free space on the boot partition,
by moving this file to a different partition.

How to Use the SPCheck Tool in Windows XP

2011-12-25T02:34:00.002-08:00

You can use SPCheck to determine the service pack level of various installed
components on Windows XP-based computers. SPCheck generates a report that lists
the origin of each file for each installed component. SPCheck reports the current
service pack level for the following components:
• Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
• NWLink (IPX/SPX)
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• Client for Microsoft Networks
SPCheck examines each component, one file at a time. SPCheck must run under a
security context that is equivalent to the local Administrator account. If SPCheck
does not run under this security context, files may be reported as missing even
though they are installed. SPCheck searches for files by using the PATH system
environment variable. If files are reported as missing (although they are installed),
make sure that the folder or folders in which the component is installed are included
in the PATH system environment variable.

Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown

2011-12-25T02:34:00.000-08:00

When you shut down your computer, Microsoft Windows XP may stop responding
(hang) while the following message is displayed:
Saving your settings.
When this occurs, you may be able to move the mouse pointer, but when you press
CTRL+ALT+DEL, nothing happens. This issue may occur only occasionally.
This behavior can occur if the Input Method Editor (IME) is installed on your
computer and is enabled for use in the Welcome Screen.

Managing Windows XP in a Windows 2000 Server Environment

2011-12-25T02:33:00.001-08:00

Deploying clients running the Windows XP operating system into a Windows 2000
Server environment provides administrators with new options, policy settings, and
capabilities to manage desktops throughout an organization.
Intended for organizations that have already deployed or are planning to deploy the
Active Directory service, this article helps administrators manage policy settings for
computers running Windows XP, the successor to Windows 2000 Professional. Many
new features of Windows XP—such as Remote Assistance, Windows Media Player,
and Error Reporting—come with their own Group Policy settings that administrators
can use to customize and standardize configurations for users and computers across
the network.

One-Click Shutdown

2011-12-25T02:32:00.003-08:00

If you have Clean Sweep Deluxe, Mike recommends that you disable it before
proceeding. Follow these directions to create a one-click shutdown shortcut:
1. Navigate to your desktop.
2. On the desktop, right-click and go to New, then to Shortcut (in other words,
create a new shortcut).
3. You should now see a pop-up window instructing you to enter a command line
path.
4. Enter one of these as the path:
o Use this path if your operating system is Windows 95, 98, or Me:
C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows
o Use this path if your operating system is XP:
SHUTDOWN -s -t 01
If the C: drive is not your local hard drive, then replace "C" with the correct
letter of the hard drive.
5. Click the "Next" button.
6. Name the shortcut and click the "Finish" button.
Now whenever you want to shut down, just click on this shortcut and you're done.
Also, if you want to make life better and faster, you can right-click the new shortcut
you just made, go to Properties, and type in X (or whatever letter) in the Shortcut
Key box.

HOW TO: Enable Windows XP Automatic Wireless Network Configuration

2011-12-25T02:32:00.001-08:00

This step-by-step article describes how to enable Windows XP automatic wireless
network configuration. Windows XP makes it easy to set up your computer for
wireless networking on any 802.11b standard wireless network.
Wireless networking is integrated into Windows XP and can be set up quickly with the
Windows XP automatic networking Setup. All you need is a 802.11b wireless adapter
installed on the mobile device, and an operating 802.11b standard wireless network.

You Cannot Log On to Windows XP After Running the Out-of-Box Experience

2011-12-25T02:31:00.001-08:00

You may not be able to log on to your new Windows XP-based computer, or a
computer in which Windows XP was installed from an installation source created by
your administrator with Sysprep, after you run the Wizard, also called Out-of-Box
Experience (OOBE), that runs when you first turn on the computer. You may also
receive the following error message
System error lsass.exe:
When trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided
as the current password is not correct.
This problem occurs if your computer is restarted during the Wizard (OOBE). If this
occurs, OOBE cannot flush the Machine registry key before the computer is restarted.

MIRC Trojan-Related Attack Detection and Repair

2011-12-25T02:30:00.003-08:00

UPDATE: As of September 6, 2002, reports of malicious activity that follow the
particular pattern that is outlined in this article have lessened significantly. The
Microsoft Product Support Services Security Team has modified this Microsoft
Knowledge Base article to reflect this information and to refine suggestions for
detection and repair criteria.
Microsoft has investigated an increase in malicious activity that tries to load code on
Microsoft Windows 2000-based servers. This activity is typically associated with a
program that has been identified as Backdoor.IRC.Flood.
By analyzing computers that have been compromised, Microsoft has determined that
these attacks do not appear to exploit any new product-related security
vulnerabilities and do not appear to be viral or worm-like in nature. Instead, the
attacks seek to take advantage of situations where standard precautions have not
been taken as detailed in the "Prevention" section of this article. The activity appears
to be associated with a coordinated series of individual attempts to compromise
Windows 2000-based servers. As a result, successful compromises leave a distinctive
pattern.

Stop 0x000000D1 Error Message When You Turn Your Computer Off

2011-12-25T02:30:00.001-08:00

When you shut down your computer that has one or more universal serial bus (USB)
devices attached to it, you may receive the following error message on a blue
screen:
Stop 0x000000D1 (0x00000040, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0xfc96a9dc)
This problem may occur because the OHCI endpoint is unable to find the transfer
descriptor in the list.

XP Service Pack Said to Fix Major Flaw

2011-12-25T02:29:00.000-08:00

Security boards are buzzing with warnings of a serious hole, but Microsoft is simply
urging users to upgrade.
Microsoft always urges users to update programs when it ships a Service Pack, but
an easily exploited Windows XP flaw makes it especially important that users of the
operating system download and install the newly released SP1 promptly, several
security experts warn.
The Win XP flaw is described as a still little-known but critical vulnerability, and is
described as "trivially easy" to exploit by some who have studied it. It could allow
files on any PC running Windows XP to be deleted simply by clicking on a malicious
URL, according to bug hunter's reports.
An exploit could be distributed by e-mail as a URL the recipient is invited to click, or
posted in a newsgroup or on a Web page.

Patch Plugs Win XP Hole Without SP1

2011-12-25T02:27:00.001-08:00

Third-party program rescues Win XP users having trouble installing Microsoft's
update to fix serious flaw.
Windows XP users unable to successfully install the operating system's first service
pack face a bad choice: an unstable system or a vulnerable one with an extremely
serious hole that the newly released SP1 corrects. Now, a software developer has
released a freeware tool to block exploits of the previously undisclosed flaw--even
without SP1.
The flaw, described on a handful of security message boards and revealed earlier this
week, relates to the operation of Windows XP's Help and Support Center's "self
healing" function. It could let a malicious cracker delete files by remote access. The
exploit could be easily distributed as a URL in an e-mail or on a Web site.

Windows XP Update Crashes Some PCs

2011-12-25T02:08:00.002-08:00

Users who forgo recently released SP1 risk a major vulnerability, as well as missing
numerous small fixes.
Some Windows XP users are having trouble installing the operating system's first
service pack, bulging with bug fixes and updated drivers--and are judging the cure
worse than the disease.
Although SP1 plugs a major hole in the OS, the fix has been painful for a tiny but
vocal few of the estimated 1 million users who have downloaded the update, which
Microsoft posted on September 9. For the vast majority, the download and
installation has gone well, according to a Microsoft spokesperson, who calls the
process "smoother than a lot of previous releases."
But Internet support forums and e-mail to PC World from disgruntled users show
that many people continue to have serious problems with the update. The chief
complaint: PCs that run like molasses after installing SP1. Running a close second
are reports that PCs refuse to restart after installation or become highly unstable.
Some systems continuously reboot. Other users complain that applications won't
start or now crash repeatedly, including Microsoft's own programs.

Messenger Spam

2011-12-25T02:08:00.000-08:00

If you've received some anonymous messages popping up on your windows XP or
2000 systems, it may be messenger spam, people are taking advantage of the
messenger service that allows administrators to monitor servers and send out
service messages over corporate networks. Friends of mine have been complaining
about it, but now that we know where it's coming from, we can stop it.
open the Control Panel, and then double-click Administrative Tools icon and then
double-click the Services entry. In the list of services listed in the resulting Services
dialog box, locate the messenger entry, and double-click it. Click the Stop button in
the service status section and then in the same dialogue box, change the start-up
type to Disable. If you are on a corporate netwrok, check with your administrator
before making any changes, and if you are behind a firewall, at work, or at home
with some of the cable/dsl routers, then you probably won't have to worry about it at
all.

Network File Errors Occur After You Install Windows XP SP1

2011-12-25T02:07:00.001-08:00

After you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may see a variety of errors
relating to Windows XP SP1 client computers. These errors may include, but are not
limited to the following errors:
When you open Microsoft Office files, they are opened as read-only (you have to
click Save As to save a file).
You cannot copy files.
The file or the network path no longer exists.
Network paths are not accepted by any network provider.

Maintain Security with Windows XP

2011-12-25T02:06:00.002-08:00

Windows XP comes with improved security features that help you protect your
computer and your information. However, you must maintain your computers by
regularly installing the latest security updates from Microsoft.

Focus On: Printers and Windows XP

2011-12-25T02:06:00.000-08:00

Installing a Plug and Play printer in Windows XP is usually as easy as plugging it into
your computer and waiting a few seconds for the Found new hardware message to
be displayed. However, if you run into printing problems, whether you’re adding a
printer that isn’t a Plug and Play device, setting up a shared printer, or updating a
printer driver to work with Windows XP, these links can lead to solutions.

HOW TO: Change the Volume Licensing Product Key on a Windows XP SP1- Based Computer

2011-12-25T02:05:00.001-08:00

This article describes how to change the Windows XP product key in a Volume
Licensing installation.
Because of changes in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows XP-based
computers that use a leaked product key that is known to be available to the general
public may not be able to install SP1 or automatically obtain updates from the
Windows Update Web site.
There are two methods that you can use to change the product key with volume
licensing media after installation. You can use either the Windows Activation Wizard
graphical user interface (GUI) or a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
script.
The easier method to use is the Use the Activation Wizard method. Use this method
when you only have a few computers on which to change the product key. The Use a
Script method is best when you have a number of computers on which you have to
change the product key.

The FLUSH CACHE Command Is Not Issued and the Hard Disk May Become Corrupted When You Enter Standby or Hibernate

2011-12-25T02:04:00.002-08:00

The flush cache command is not issued to a large hard disk that has a 48-bit logical
block address (LBA) enabled. As a result, the hard disk may become corrupted when
you enter either the Shutdown state or the Hibernate state.