By default, Windows XP will prompt the user for input if there are one or more applications which have crashed or are not responding and it receives a shut down command. This halts the shutdown process entirely until the user approves the stopping of the non-responsive app.
By altering the registry slightly, Windows XP can be set to close crashed applications automatically. While this does not technically speed up the shut down process, it does streamline it, and ensure that the user will not give the shutdown command then get up and leave, only to find the PC still powered on because Windows never received input on what to do with a hung application.
To allow Windows XP to close non-responsive applications automatically upon shutdown:
Open REGEDIT and navigate to ‘HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop’
Highlight the value ‘AutoEndTasks.’
Change the value to ‘1′
XP will now be able to close hung applications without user input during the shutdown process.
Well, that’s it for PCstats latest 99 Tips! We hope you enjoyed using this tips list as much as we enjoyed making it!
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Written by Jason on July 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
2. Make sure you’re in the Classic View of the Control Panel by clicking Classic View in the Control Panel’s left sidebar.
3. Open System.
4. Click Device Manager in the left sidebar of the System window.
5. Right-click the device you want to uninstall the drivers and then select Properties.
6. Click the Driver tab in the device properties window.
7. Click the Uninstall button.
8. Click OK in the warning box.
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Written by Jason on June 20th, 2008 with no comments.
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Most programs written for Windows XP also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn’t run correctly, use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility settings for the program. To change settings for a program manually, use the individual program’s Compatibility tab.
If changing the settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer’s website to see if there is an update for the program.
Do not use the Program Compatibility Wizard on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data loss or create a security risk.
Run the Program Compatibility Wizard
1. Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows.
2. Follow the instructions in the wizard.
If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the wizard, browse to the program’s setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.
To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab.
Setting Description
Compatibility mode: Runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program is designed for (or worked in) a specific previous version of Windows.
Run in 256 colors: Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors.
Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution: Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try this setting if the graphical user interface appears jagged or is rendered improperly.
Disable visual themes: Disables themes on the program. Try this setting if you notice problems with the menus or buttons on the title bar of the program.
Disable desktop composition: Turns off transparency and other advanced display features. Choose this setting if window movement appears erratic or you notice other display problems.
Disable display scaling on high DPI settings: Turns off automatic resizing of programs if large-scale font size is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the appearance of the program. For more information, see Make the text on your screen larger or smaller and Ways to improve display quality.
Privilege level: Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require administrator privileges to run properly. If you are not currently logged on as an administrator, this option is not available.
Show settings for all users: Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.
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Written by Jason on June 18th, 2008 with no comments.
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For most Windows XP users today, there is little to consider as far as changing your current default Windows XP Theme. You can choose between two ways:
The Traditional Way
- Go to the Control Panel and look for the Display Icon and double click on it.
- Once inside, you will immediately see the current theme which is usually the Windows XP theme. If you click on the field, you will see other default themes. Normally if it is a first time installation and you haven’t downloaded any new themes, only the Windows Classic options theme will be there for you to check out.
- If you have downloaded any other themes, just use the browse option and point it to the directory where you placed them. Then save and apply and you get a totally new makeover.
For more themes you can apply, you can go to reliable sites such as Themeworld.com which normally has a number of themes over there that you can download. A word of caution though. There will be a lot of sites offering free theme downloads. Unless you are sure that they are reliable based on recommendations, don’t think of even considering downloading them. They may give you more than a theme like a virus or spyware for your troubles.
The other way is of course right clicking on the main desktop. Once the menu comes out, select properties and you will get the same window as you did for the ones enumerated above. Follow each step as well.
Written by PC Freak on June 13th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on 1354 and 1426 and 1429 and 1673 and 169 and 2065 and 2157 and 401 and 544 and Contributors and Desktop and Windows XP and control panel and themes.
Both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 include the next-generation of Windows Firewall, which has become a standard aspect of Microsoft’s client and server operating systems. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, although not marketed as a replacement for more complex solutions designed to manage network traffic, has the advantage that it ships as a default component integrated with the platforms. On top of this, Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is not as simplistic as it might appear. This is why Microsoft has made available for download a complex design guide of the product.
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security “can filter the network traffic permitted to enter the computer from the network, and also control what network traffic the computer is allowed to send to the network. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security supports IPsec, which enables you to require authentication from any computer that is attempting to communicate with your computer. When authentication is required, computers that cannot authenticate cannot communicate with your computer. By using IPsec, you can also require that specific network traffic be encrypted to prevent it from being read or intercepted while in transit between computers,” revealed Microsoft’s Dave Bishop.
The bottom line is that Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, featured in Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista (with or without SP1) does much more than offer protection to computers against malicious network traffic. In this regard, the Design Guide will offer a wide array of recommendations set up to enable users to take advantage of everything that Windows Firewall with Advanced Security has to offer. Details such as planning for exemption lists, Isolated Domains, Boundary and Encryption Zones, as well as for Network Access Groups and many more are all described in the Guide.
“The interface for Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is much more capable and flexible than the consumer-friendly interface found in the Windows Firewall Control Panel. They both interact with the same underlying services, but provide different levels of control over those services. While the Windows Firewall Control Panel meets the needs for protecting a single computer in a home environment, it does not provide enough centralized management or security features to help secure more complex network traffic found in a typical business enterprise environment,” Bishop added.
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Design Guide is available for download here.
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Written by Jason on June 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet access in public locations as well as at home and require nothing more than a notebook PC with a wireless card. From coffeeshops to restaurants, airports to hotel lobbies, hotspots are ubiquitous. They are the de facto connection method for travelers and remote workers to access the Internet, their e-mail, and even their corporate networks.
Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library. But they all have one thing in common: These are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it’s up to you to protect the data on your PC. Here are a few tips to make working in public locations more secure.
1. Try to choose more secure connections. It’s not always possible to choose your connection type—but when you can, opt for wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. The security features of different networks appear along with the network name as your PC discovers them.
2. Make sure your firewall is activated. A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through. All Microsoft Windows operating systems come with a firewall, and you can make sure it’s turned on.
To activate the Windows XP Firewall
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. display:none
3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings. display:none
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected. display:none
To activate the Windows Vista Firewall
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, select Network and Internet. display:none
3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off. display:none
4. Ensure that On is selected.
3. Monitor your access points. Chances are, there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you’re trying to connect. These connections are all access points, because they link into the wired system that gives you Internet access. So how do you make sure you’re connecting to the right one? Simple by configuring your PC to let you approve access points before you connect.
Configure Windows XP Access Points
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. display:none
3. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties. display:none
4. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, on the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected. display:none
5. Under Preferred networks, make sure that the name of the network that you want to connect to is highlighted, and then click Advanced. display:none
6. In the Advanced dialog box, click Access point (infrastructure) network only, and then click Close. display:none
7. Click OK. display:none
Configure Windows Vista Access Points
Windows Vista takes the guesswork out of connecting to hotspots because you are automatically prompted to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you assign it a profile for future use.
4. Disable file and printer sharing: File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it’s best to disable file and printer sharing because when enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Remember, though, to turn this feature back on when you return to the office.
Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, click Security Center. display:none
3. In the Security Center window, click Windows Firewall. display:none
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab. display:none
5. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box and then click OK. display:none
Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center. display:none
3. Under Sharing and Discovery, turn File Sharing and Printer Sharing to off.
5. Make your folders private. When the folders on your mobile PC are private, it’s more difficult for hackers to access your files.
To make a folder private in Windows XP:
1. Click Start, and then click My Computer. display:none
2. In the My Computer window, double click the drive where Windows is installed, and then double click Documents and Settings. display:none
3. Double click your user folder, right-click the folder that you want to make private, and then click Properties. display:none
4. In the Properties dialog box, on the Sharing tab, click Do no share this folder, and then click OK. Repeat the steps above for each folder that you want to make private. display:none
To make a folder private in Windows Vista
Windows Vista not only makes folders private by default, but it also requires passwords for shared folders. As a result, you’re already covered! But if you want to double check, simply right click on the folder in question, and select Properties. On the Security tab, you can review the set permissions.
6. Encrypt your files. You can protect your files further by encrypting them, which requires a password to open or modify them. Because you must perform this procedure on one file at a time, consider password-protecting only the files that you plan to use while working in a public place.
7. Consider completely removing sensitive data from your notebook PC. If you’re working with extremely sensitive data, it might be worth taking it off your notebook PC altogether. Instead, keep it behind the corporate firewall and use your company’s VPN to access it when necessary. This way, you have multiple safeguards in place.
A few simple precautions can help make working in public places more secure. And by selecting the best connections and adjusting settings, you can enjoy productive and safe work sessions no matter where you are.
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Written by Jason on May 19th, 2008 with no comments.
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If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need.
1. Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking Disk Cleanup.
2. In the Disk Cleanup Options dialog box, choose whether you want to clean up your own files only or all of the files on the computer. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. If the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection dialog box appears, select the hard disk drive that you want to clean up, and then click OK.
4. Click the Disk Cleanup tab, and then select the check boxes for the files you want to delete.
5. When you finish selecting the files you want to delete, click OK, and then click Delete files to confirm the operation. Disk Cleanup proceeds to remove all unnecessary files from your computer.
The More Options tab is available when you choose to clean files from all users on the computer. This tab includes two additional ways to free even more disk space:
• Programs and Features. Opens Programs and Features in Control Panel, where you can uninstall programs that you no longer use. The Size column in Programs and Features shows how much disk space each program uses.
• System Restore and Shadow Copies. Prompts you to delete all but the most recent restore point on the disk.
System Restore uses restore points to return your system files to an earlier point in time. If your computer is running normally, you can save disk space by deleting the earlier restore points.
In some editions of Windows Vista, restore points can include previous versions of files, known as shadow copies, and backup images created with Windows Complete PC Backup. This information will also be deleted. For more information about System Restore, search Windows Help and Support for “system restore.”
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Written by Jason on April 17th, 2008 with no comments.
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User Account Control can be annoying, but it’s an extra layer of protection that protects your computer from viruses, hackers, and poorly written software.
UAC lets you know when someone or something is trying to change a setting or install/uninstall software on your computer. It also removes administrative rights from software making it harmless to critical system files and services.
Before UAC, settings could be changed and software could be installed/uninstalled without you knowing. Software running under an account with admin rights also had full admin rights which gave it full access to critical system files and services.
You must be logged in as a user with admin rights to turn UAC off.
1. Click the Start orb and select Control Panel.
2. Click Classic View on the left side of the Control Panel.
3. Open User Accounts.
4. Click Turn User Account Control on or off.
5. Uncheck Use User Account Control and then click OK.
6. Restart your computer.
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