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Table of Contents
Apple:
Administrator account - no longer valid after installing Leopard in Upgrade Mode
Blue screen while installing Leopard in Upgrade Mode
Custom icons - how to create
Data recovery tips (DriveSavers)
Date - Display the date on the Menubar
Default Application to Open a File Type - Set
Dictionary - Reuse the same window for new definitions
Drives - problem with drives formatted on a PC for use with Time Machine
.DS_Store files - prevent on network volumes
FileMaker Pro in Leopard
FireWire Target Disk Mode
Hidden Files - Show
iPod - get music off
iPod problem burning CDs after XP SP2
iPod/iTunes/Quicktime troubleshooting
iTunes - back up music
Keyboard commands
Login - Replace login prompt background in Leopard
Login - Unable to log into account after Leopard Upgrade Install
Mount shared drive on a PC
Networking - Joining Active Directory
Networking - Vista
Networking - Windows7
Office 2008
Printer - share a Mac printer with Windows without Samba
Reset OS X password
Ringtones - create with iTunes
Root (enable)
System Management Controller (SMC) - Reset
User - create new administrative user without OS X install disk
Apple URLs
Boilerplate:
Data recovery
Deleting files
Desktop background hijacking by malware (XP)
Disclaimer
Drivers
Email problems
First Question of Troubleshooting
Guest user account - security
Hardware troubleshooting
Internet connectivity troubleshooting
Installation - Failure to install operating system
Installation - physical media
Installation - restore to factory condition
Malware removal
Malware removal - Rogues
Msconfig
MS Malicious Software Removal Tool
Networking - Vista
Networking - Win7
Newsgroups and forums - how to post
Password protecting shares (not)
Quicklaunch doubles
Replace Vista with XP
Router - manually configure
Safe Mode/Hidden Administrator account (XP)
Security blurb
Shutdown problems
Slow computer
Startup file missing errors
Stop Errors
User accounts - changing name (Vista)
User accounts/file hierarchy
User accounts - forgotten password (Vista)
User accounts - forgotten password (Win7)
User accounts - recommended setup (Vista and Win7)
Webmail vs. Email Client
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Fonts:
Corrupted fonts
Fonts are symbols
Fonts disappear
IE font problems
Italics problem
Repair Fonts folder (XP)
Fonts URLs
Hardware:
CD/DVD Drives
CMOS battery
Drives using PIO mode instead of DMA
F-Lock Keyboard Fix
Intellimouse erratic pointer
NICs - manually remove from the registry (XP)
Screen rotation
Toshiba BIOS reset
USB issues (XP and Vista)
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Internet-General:
AOL exports
Can't connect to some MS websites
Mailto: does not work with Hotmail as default mail client
MSN exports
Internet-IE:
ActiveX
Branding
Can't access secure sites (re-registering .dll's) (XP & XP SP2)
Clear Type on by default (IE7)
Content Advisor
Every webpage is a Trusted Site
Font problems
Incompatible third-party toolbars (IE7)
ISP/OEM locking of homepage
Kiosk mode
No Add-ons
Printing errors
Reinstall IE
Temporary Files location (IE7)
View Source problems
Webpage images not displayed correctly
Windows Update breaks IE7
Internet-IE URLs
Internet-IE8:
Installation
Private Browsing
Internet-IE URLS
Internet-Email:
Outlook/Outlook Express
Break messages apart
Links - can't open
OE is missing from Internet Options mail clients list
OE SP2 changes
OE Spell-checking missing after installing Office 2007
Outlook - Create a new personal folder
Outlook - Disable Business Contact Manager
Outlook - Export Calendar to OS X iCal
Outlook - Export Contacts to OS X Address Book
Outlook - Importing .pst files
Outlook issues (Vista)
Outlook Personal Folders Backup in a domain
Outlook Troubleshooting
Passwords - can't remember
Repair OE
Windows Mail/Windows Live Mail
Back up messages in Windows Mail
Hide file extension for Contact file type (Vista)
Identities
Migrate OE to Windows Mail (Vista)
Unsent message, can't delete (Vista)
Windows Live Mail Migration - R. C. White
Internet-Email URLs
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Linux:
Clone hard drive
Firefox/T-bird
Frozen Bubble
Hard drive replacement
IP release/renew
NTP setup (time servers)
Password - root's forgotten password
Printing
Samba
Skull & Crossbones cursor (Kill)
Sudo (Ubuntu)
Thumbnails with ImageMagick
Update Manager and Add/Remove not working (Ubuntu)
Linux URLs
Malware URLs
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Miscellaneous:
Acer Recovery
ACT! Troubleshooting
Adobe Reader (Vista)
AT&T Yahoo email settings
Avira Free Antivirus - disable the nag and splash screens
Debug a Memory Dump
Dell MBR
Dell MediaDirect
Dell Utility Partition
Exceeded Profile Storage Space Error
Firefox/Thunderbird backup
Firefox passwords
Flash Player (Vista)
HP - Low Disk Space Error
HP - Reset Recovery Disk Creation Count
ISP Password from router
Keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft - contacts
Microsoft Office
OEM - contacts
QuickBooks issues
Starforce and DRM issues
Thunderbird - Restore Deleted Mail
Windows Desktop Search - Uninstall
Windows Media Player
Windows Update
ZoneAlarm uninstall
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Networking-General:
Administrative Shares - Access Remotely (Vista)
Alternate Configuration (Vista)
DHCP Node Type values and meaning
DHCP problem after NAV uninstall
Enable/disable Guest account
File/printer sharing (Vista)
File/printer sharing - Win98/ME (Vista)
ICS
Inbound concurrent connections limitations
IPv4 Allowable addresses for private networks
IPv6 - Unbind (Vista)
Hub wiring
Logged on - find who is and what shares are being accessed (Vista)
Metric values
MS Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool
MTU issue with ICS
Netmeeting (Vista)
Netstat
Network connection not available/dialup option not available (XP)
Network Map (Vista)
Not enough server storage available error
Peer-to-peer with crossover cable
Remote Desktop (Vista)
RestrictAnonymous Value
Set up network with ME and XP Home
Sharing root of a drive (Vista)
Simple Sharing
Slow network file copying hotfix (Vista)
Teredo Tunneling
VPNs
Windows 9x can't see shared folders
Workgroup (Vista)
XP Home networking problem
XP Home Simple Sharing (disable - unauthorized)
Networking-General URLs
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Networking-Domain:
DNS setup
General domain information
Small Business Server SBCore shutdown issue
Vista will not print to a Win2003 printer
Use domain laptop in a Workgroup
Networking-Wireless:
WPA setup
Networking-Wireless URLs
Printing:
Error 1068 - Print Spooler fails to start
Fax and Scan (Vista)
HP - installing older HP printers (Vista)
HP printer installation failure
IE printing errors
Install printer locally when it is connected to another computer
Lexmark printer problems
Local printer on Win98 (Vista)
.NET Framework 3 issue
Spooler subsystem error with network setup
Uninstall/reinstall a Printer - Cari's steps
Printing URLs
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Vista:
Accessing root and other non-public folder shares
Activation
Auditing
Autoplay
Automatic restart - disable
Auto tuning
Background - can't change
Backup Issues
Balloon tips - disable
Bitlocker command line interface
Bitlocker - general
Boot recovery using Bootrec.exe
Chkdsk
Clean Boot
Cmd - "Open Command Window Here" in the Context Menu (elevated)
Cmd - run elevated
Compatibility Mode
COM Surrogate problem
Control Panel applets and issues
Copy as Path
Dell PC Restore
Desktop background - only solid colors available
Display - change resolution, DPI
Documents folder
Drivers - SBLive Value trick
Drivers - Sonic drivers are blocked
Explorer.exe
Faxing
File Associations - reset *.exe to default
File Hierarchy
Files - Deleting Temporary Internet Files
Firewall
Folder - Cannot create New from right-click
Folder Types
Folder View - Force All Items
FTP in Vista
Help & Support
Hidden files - how to show
Hosts File
Installation - get command prompt during setup
Installation - KMS Server for Volume License Key
Installation - Partitioning
Languages
Ligos codecs problem
Logon - classic logon
Logon - create custom message
Logon - hide users
Logon/Logoff - other issues
Low Disk Space Warning - HP Recovery Partition
Mapped drives error
MBR - Fix
Multiple items - unable to select
Network & Sharing Center freezes
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OEM logo
Open Command Window here
Parental Controls
Password expiration
Password - resume on wakeup
Permissions
Photo Gallery
Pings - letting Vista respond to pings
QuickLaunch doesn't work
ReadyBoost
Recycle Bin issues
Remote Assistance
Resolution - how to change
Restore Previous Versions
Search
Security Center wrong information
Service Pack 1
Service Pack 2
Services in Vista
Shell folders display standard icon
Shortcut arrows - remove
Sidebar
Sound Schemes names missing
Start Menu issues
SuperFetch
System File Checker
System Restore
Take Ownership
Taskbar Issues
Task Manager
Troubleshooting - built-in tools
Undeletable files/folders
Upgrade Paths
Upgrading - Anytime Upgrades
Upgrading - clean install hack
Upgrading - remove Windows.Old
User Accounts - Copy
User Accounts - Corrupted
User Accounts - General
User Accounts - Forgotten Password
User Accounts - Repair corrupted profile
User Accounts - UAC
User Accounts - User Profile Failed the Login
UTC instead of Local Time
Validation issues
Windows Calendar
Windows Defender
Windows Easy Transfer (WET)
Windows Recovery Environment
Windows Update
Winlogon - repair
WINSXS directory
Zip file association - restore
Vista URLs
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Windows 7:
Action Center - Rebuild the WMI Repository
Activation
AppLocker
Automatic Restart - Disable
AutoPlay
Backup and Restore
BitLocker & Encryption
Bootable DVD from the Windows 7 Student Offer
BrancheCache
Clean Boot
DirectAccess
DirectX and Gaming
Disk Cleanup
Explorer - Open to Computer or Documents instead of Libraries
Homegroup
Installation from a USB Thumb Drive
Languages (MUI)
Libraries
Low-Resolution Video - Enable (640x480)
Minimum System Requirements
My Documents - Move
Networking
Pagefile
Previous Versions (Files)
Printers - Set Default Based On To Which Network Computer Is Connected
Sleep - Troubleshooting Sleep Issues
Start Menu
System Restore/System Protection
Take Ownership
Themes - Create and Share
Upgrade - Do a clean install with the upgrade version
User Accounts - Copy
User Accounts - Corrupted Profile
User Accounts - Forgotten Password
User Accounts - UAC
User Profile Failed the Login
Users - Run Only Specified Programs
Virtual Hard Drive (VHD)
Windows 7 Gets Stuck Applying Updates
XP Mode
Windows 7 URLs
Windows 7 URLs - Misc. Tips
XP:
16-Bit error message
1606 Error when installing
Activation
Administrative tools icons missing
Administrative tools in XP Pro
Administrator account issues
Add/Remove Programs
AMLI:ACPI BIOS error
ASP.NET
Autoplay - restore
Automatic Restart - disable
Balloon Tips - disable
Base Video (VGA)
Boot.ini
Chkdsk
CiceroUIWndFrame error
Clean Boot
Control Panel
Control userpasswords2 command
Deleting .avi files
Delphi error (not a valid date)
Desktop, Taskbar issues
Device Manager missing
Disk Cleanup hangs on compressed files
DLL file association fix
Double-clicking folder starts Search or command prompt
DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL
Encryption information
EULA - can't accept during installation with F8
Explorer.exe - open at the C:\ drive
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Fast User Switching
Find the 8.3 name
Hal.dll missing
Help & Support
HID service not started
Hidden files - show
Icon text - make transparent
Image file locations & other issues
Installation issues
Limited users can't get online
Limited users - prevent password change XP Home
Logon customization
Logon errors
Logon hours - restrict users
Logon times - set in XP Pro
Lsass.exe system error
Mount drive how-to
My Documents
Notepad - restore
Numlock
NTLDR
Open-with issues
Parser Message Value Created Failed Line 521
Permissions
Prefetch explanation
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Recovery Console
Registry - edit for other users
Registry - recover from corrupted registry
Restrict users from running specific applications
Right-click issues
Rundll32.exe - what is running
Safely Remove Hardware icon - hide
Search - reinstall
Security Center firewall/av information incorrect
Service Pack 3
Show Desktop icon - restore
Shutdown issues
Slipstreaming
Stop Errors
System32 folder opens
System Restore issues
Take ownership/Security Tab
Task Manager issues
User Accounts
Uninstall/Reinstall TCP/IP
Unmountable Boot Volume
Volume Control icon issues
Windows Firewall
Windows Installer fixes
Windows Update
Windows\system32\config\system file is missing or corrupt
Zip file integration - restore
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Apple
Administrator account - no longer valid after installing Leopard in Upgrade Mode
Some people are finding their administrator account no longer valid after upgrading to Leopard. From the Apple support forums:
1 Boot up from the install disc (hold down C key when restarting).
2 Launch the installer as if you are going to install.
3 From the Utilities menu, select Change Passwords
4 In the username field type: System Administrator
5 In the password field type the password you want to use
6 Quit the change passwords app
7 From utilities, select Start Up Disk. Choose you HD as the start up disc and restart
8 Once restarted, select accounts from the System Preferences menu
9 Click the lock at the bottom left
10 When asked for username and password, enter System Administrator as
the username and the password you changed earlier as the password
11 Click the enable user to administer computer check box for your
account. Your account should now change from Standard to Admin.
Blue screen while installing Leopard in Upgrade Mode
1. Reboot into single-user mode (hold Cmd-S while booting machine)
2. Follow the directions OSX gives you when you get to the prompt (I
think these were them - just type the two commands it tells you to):
fsck -fy /
/sbin/mount -uw /
3. Remove the following files:
rm -rf /Library/Preference Panes/Application Enhancer.prefpane
rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Application Enhancer.framework
rm -rf /System/Library/SystemConfiguration/Application Enhancer.bundle
rm -rf /Library/Preferences/com.unsanity.ape.plist
4. Exit, to continue booting normally
exit
Custom icons - how to create
Step One: Making the Icon
For this example, I used an image that I found on Google Images. If you
do the same, make sure your base image is at least 128px by 128px. You
could also draw your own icon if you are a Photoshop whiz. Anyway, once
you have your image, open it in Photoshop or a similar image editor and
eliminate the background by deleting it. You just want your subject on
top of a transparent background. Now you might want to add a subtle
drop shadow if you want, since most icons do. When you like how your
icon looks, resize it to 128 x 128 and save it as a PSD or a PNG.
Step Two: Converting the Icon
If you don’t have Apple’s Developer Tools, you will need to
install them in order to complete the next step. You can find these
tools on your Mac OS X install disk, or Apple’s website.
The tool that we will be using is Icon Composer, which can be found in
/Developer/Applications/Utilities. Open Icon Composer and drag your PSD
or PNG into every box. For the upper boxes, it will ask you a couple of
questions. Always tell it to Use Scaled Version and Extract Mask. Once
all the boxes are filled, go to File > Save As and save the icon in
a convenient place.
Icon Composer leaves us with an ICNS file, which is almost usable. We
now need to convert the ICNS to a RSRC file, which can be easily done
with Icns2Rsrc. Just open the app, open the ICNS file, and it will ask
you where to save the RSRC.
Data recovery tips (DriveSavers)
1. The flashing question mark appears during startup.
Indications - Your Macintosh cannot find the startup hard disk or any
disk with a System Folder. Use the System Installer CD-ROM to start up
the Macintosh and look for the missing hard disk icon on the desktop.
If the disk appears, run Apple's Disk First Aid program to check it.
If no problems are found, backup your critical files and reinstall the system software.
If the hard disk does not appear on the desktop, you can also try
resetting the Macintosh's Parameter RAM (PRAM) to its factory defaults
to help the computer locate the Startup Disk.
Hold down the Command, Option, P and R keys during start up.
The Macintosh should chime at least twice before you release the keys.
As a last resort, you can attempt to rewrite the device driver using a hard disk formatting program.
You must completely remove any security programs such as DiskLock,
Empower, or FolderBolt before updating/installing a new driver.
For Apple hard disks, use the Drive Setup program on the System Installer CD-ROM.
If you have a non-Apple hard disk, you must use the software that came
with the drive or a third-party formatter such as FWB's Hard Disk
ToolKit or LaCie Silverlining.
Use the "Update" or "Install driver" command in the formatting
software, being careful not to press the "Initialize" or "Format"
buttons.
2. The Sad Mac icon appears during start up.
Indications - Either the disk's device driver software is damaged, or a more serious hardware problem exists.
If the device driver software is damaged, you can attempt to
rewrite/update the driver with the software that was used to format the
disk.
You must completely remove any security programs such as DiskLock,
Empower, or FolderBolt before updating/installing a new driver.
For Apple hard disks, use the Drive Setup program on the System Installer CD-ROM.
If you have a non-Apple hard disk, you must use the software that came
with the drive or a third-party formatter such as FWB's Hard Disk
ToolKit or LaCie Silverlining.
Use the "Update" or "Install driver" command in the formatting
software, being careful not to press the "Initialize" or "Format"
buttons.
3. The error message "The disk is damaged do you want to initialize?" or "-127 error disk could not used/found" appears.
Indications - The directory structure of your disk is damaged and
cannot be accessed in its current condition. Damage such as this
typically occurs when a Mac freezes in the middle of a program and must
be restarted, or if the computer is not shut down properly.
The UnErase program in Symantec's Norton Utilities can be used to
recover drives producing these error messages. It is important that you
recover the data to a completely different drive, NOT the crashed disk
or one of its partitions.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to repair directory damage using a commercial
disk utility. They are excellent tools for preventative maintenance,
but are also capable of "fixing" problems that render your data
unrecoverable in the case of severe corruption.
Alternatives to Disk First Aid:
MacMedic, by Total Recall Software
Norton Utilities, by Symantec Corp.
TechTool Pro, by Micromat Computer Systems
Macintosh - List of Disk Recovery Tools - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2686
Troubleshooting hard drives - reformatting (Apple) - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=21103
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Date - Display the date on the Menubar
1. In System Preferences, open International and go to the Formats tab.
2. Next to Dates, click the Customize button. Arrange your date in the
format you want to appear on your menubar. Use the down arrows on each
element to choose between formats (January, Jan, 01, 1, etc.).
3. Now, select the entire date format and copy it to your clipboard (Cmd+A, Cmd+C). Hit OK.
4. Hit the Customize button next to Times. Choose the "Medium" format.
5. Paste the date format on your clipboard next to the time format, and hit OK. You're done!
Default Application to Open a Filetype - Set
Get Info>Open with>[choose the application to open that filetype]>Change All
Dictionary - Reuse the same window for new definitions
If
you'd prefer Dictionary not open a new window every time you look up a
word using Services, quit Dictionary if it's running, open Terminal,
and enter this command:
defaults write com.apple.Dictionary ProhibitNewWindowForRequest -bool TRUE
From
now on, words looked up via Services will open in the same Dictionary
window. Reverse this behavior by changing TRUE to FALSE in the above,
or if you're a purist, with defaults delete com.apple.Dictionary
ProhibitNewWindowForRequest.
Drives - problem with drives formatted on a PC for use with Time Machine
From Gizmodo - There is a problem in using PC-formatted drives with
Time Machine, even after erasing/formatting them with Disk Utility.
According to Gizmodo, do not head to the Erase tab in Disk Utility to
prep a PC-formatted drive for Time Machine. Instead:
• Go to the Partition tab. Create two partitions. Under Options, select
GUID Partition Table (what you would use to make a Mac OS boot disk)
and click OK then Apply.
• Once your partitions are in place, do it again, reverting back to
just one partition, but still keeping the GUID Partition Table option.
Click OK and Apply again, and at this point you should be cool.
• To be safe, you can then go to Erase and set formatting for Mac OS
Extended (Journaled), then format it once and for all. But when you get
there, you will probably see that your volume is already formatted in
the right way.
UPDATE: Some people have gotten this to work without creating two
partitions. If you like, try creating just a single partition, but
using the GUID Partition Table option. This may be all it takes to
break the chokehold.
.DS_Store files - prevent on network volumes
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1629
To
configure a Mac OS X user account so that .DS_Store files are not
created when interacting with a remote file server using the Finder,
follow the steps below:
Open Terminal and at the command prompt type:
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true [enter]
Either restart the computer or log out and back in to the user account.
If
you want to prevent .DS_Store file creation for other users on the same
computer, log in to each user account and perform the steps above—or
distribute a copy of the newly modified com.apple.desktopservices.plist
file to the ~/Library/Preferences folder of other user accounts.
These
steps do not prevent the Finder from creating .DS_Store files on the
local volume, and these steps do not prevent previously existing
.DS_Store files from being copied to the remote file server.
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FileMaker Pro in Leopard
To get FileMaker Pro to work with Leopard, in the International system preference pane set the region to United States Format.
FireWire Target Disk Mode
Important: Disconnect all other FireWire devices from both computers
prior to using FireWire target disk mode. Do not connect any FireWire
devices until after you have disconnected the two computers from each
other, or have stopped using target disk mode.
Tip: If you will be transferring FileVault-protected home directories
(Mac OS X 10.3 or later only), log in as the FileVault-protected user
and temporarily turn off FileVault. After transferring home directory
contents to the target computer, enable FileVault protection again if
desired.
To use FireWire target disk mode
1. Make sure that the target computer is turned off. If
you are using a PowerBook or iBook as the target computer, you should
also plug in its AC power adapter.
2. Use a FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin) to connect the
target computer to a host computer. The host computer does not need to
be turned off.
3. Start up the target computer and immediately press and
hold down the T key until the FireWire icon appears. The hard disk of
the target computer should become available to the host computer and
will likely appear on desktop. (If the target computer is running Mac
OS X 10.4 Tiger, you can also open System Preferences, choose Startup
Disk, and click Target Disk Mode. Then restart the computer and it will
start up in Target Disk Mode.)
4. When you are finished copying files, drag the target
computer's hard disk icon to the Trash or select Put Away from the File
menu (Mac OS 9) or Eject from the File menu (Mac OS X).
5. Press the target computer's power button to turn it off.
6. Unplug the FireWire cable.
If the target computer's hard disk does not become available to the
host computer, check the cable connections and restart the host
computer.
Note: You can install OS X using the host computer's optical drive if
the target machine's optical drive is broken. The target machine's hard
drive will show up as an installation choice after you restart during
the initial installation process.
Hidden Files - Show
Start Terminal (Applications>Utilities). At the command prompt type:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE [enter]
killall Finder [enter] [to restart Finder]
To make the files hidden again:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE [enter]
killall Finder [enter] [to restart Finder]
Exit Terminal.
iPod - Get Music Off (Wired How To Wiki)
Fortunately, there are many applications you can use to get your tunes
off your iPod. Some of them are even free, so they won't cost you a
thing.
What You'll Need:
1. An iPod (obviously)
2. Either a Windows or Mac machine.
The simplest method for grabbing tunes off of your iPod is also the
geekiest. Just enable the "Disk Mode" feature of the iPod from within
iTunes, which will allow you to mount the iPod as a hard drive. Then,
you can browse the disk using Windows Explorer or the Mac's Finder.
How To (Mac) - On a Mac, you'll need to enable hidden folders in the Finder.
1. Launch the Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities and double-clicking on Terminal.app.
2. Paste in these lines of code:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder
3. If you ever want to make the hidden folders disappear again, just run the code again, but change TRUE to FALSE.
How To (Windows) - Similarly, you can copy songs from an iPod onto a Windows PC by enabling hidden folders to be viewed. Here's how.
1. Open your My Computer directory.
2. Double click on your iPod.
3. Go to Tools > Folder Options > View.
4. In the Advanced Settings list, under Hidden files and folders, check
the radio button for Show hidden files and folders. Then click OK.
5. Go to iPod_Control > Music. You'll see the iPod's music organized
randomly into a bunch of folders. Copy those into your music directory.
Although the filenames of the songs will be scrambled, their ID3 tags
will be intact, so you'll be able to navigate the songs as usual on
your computer or another iPod.
While these slightly inconvenient methods work, there are plenty of
software apps that make the process of browsing and copying files much
easier.
Third Party Apps
Senuti - Senuti is a free,
open-source, Mac-only application that allows you to recover songs,
photos and movies from your iPod. Senuti features drag-and-drop
transfer of songs and playlists. Senuti also allows you to copy songs
from a Windows formatted iPod onto a Mac. The main downside to Senuti
is that it doesn't recognize duplicate tracks. If you have a playlist
with 10 songs on your iPod and the same playlist already exists in
iTunes, Senuti will add the same 10 songs again. You can stop Senuti
from duplicating the actual song files by choosing "overwrite songs" in
the preferences, but there doesn't seem to be a way to stop the
duplication of songs within playlists.
iPodRip - IPodRip works in
both Mac OS X and Windows. It has drag-and-drop support for moving
songs from your iPod directly into iTunes, as well as one-click
importing to restore a local collection. IPodRip also features a number
of nice extras not found elsewhere, such as a database integrity check
for your iPod database, an option to export your library information to
HTML or XML formats, and the ability to sync metadata between your iPod
and iTunes. IPodRip is shareware, and it costs $15. The unlicensed
version will expire after 10 uses. So, if you just need to recover from
a hard drive failure or similar one-time problem, iPodRip can do it for
free.
iPod Access - This is
another cross-platform offering. Copying songs with iPod Access is
simple: Just highlight the songs you want to copy and click "Add to
iTunes." The trial version only allows you to transfer five songs at a
time. A full license costs $20. When it comes to handling song
transfers, iPod Access gives you more options than some of the other
programs in the list, including the option to rename the songs in a
variety of formats. IPod Access will also only overwrite existing files
on your computer if the iPod copy is newer.
Anapod Explorer - This
Windows-only app raises the bar somewhat compared to the other
programs. It doesn't just recover files, it also has a whole bunch of
additional features like ID3 tag editing and other file management
tasks. The downside is that those additional features come at an
additional cost -- the full version of Anapod Explorer is $30. Anapod
Explorer includes a separate program, Anapod Xtreamer, which allows you
to browse your iPod in a web browser. Xtreamer makes it easy to
transfer files, not just from your iPod to the connected computer, but
to any computer on your network.
Podworks - Another Mac-only
program, Podworks boasts a number of ways to recover your music from an
iPod. Podworks can send the songs straight into iTunes by using the
"Send All to iTunes" option, or it can transfer songs to any other
location on your hard drive. Podworks lacks the desirable-drag and-drop
features of other applications, but it does avoid duplicating songs.
The shareware app costs $8. There is also a 30-day trail version which
is limited to 250 song transfers.
XPlay - With XPlay there is
no bulky interface, no fluff, nothing to get in the way of you and your
music. XPlay's powerful drag-and-drop ability makes transferring music
on and off the iPod quick and simple. To copy music off the iPod,
simply double click the iPod icon and navigate to the songs folder.
Once there you see a listing of all your songs. You can drag-and-drop
your music to and from the songs folder. It is that easy.
YamiPod - This is the only
tool of the bunch that supports all three major operating systems --
Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's also free. YamiPod can transfer songs
to and from an iPod, and it offers a good range of options for handling
duplicates. YamiPod also has some extra features not found in the other
programs, including the ability to create playlists and send them to
Last.fm. YamiPod can add song lyrics to your tunes, and it also
supports Mac OS X's Growl notification system.
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iPod problem burning CDs after XP SP2
Burning disc in iTunes for Windows using a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model
drive fails with 4280 error. If you attempt to burn a disc in iTunes
for Windows using a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive, you may get the
following alert: The attempt to burn a disc failed. An unknown error
occurred (4280).
If you get this error in iTunes and you are using a Sony CD-RW/DVD
CRX830E drive, you can make a small change to one configuration file to
resolve the issue.
To find out if you have a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive:
1. Open iTunes.
2. On the Help menu, click Run CD Diagnostics.
3. Put an audio CD in your optical drive.
4. Click OK. The results appear in a new window.
5. Look for this text in the results: IDE\CdRomSONY_CDRW/DVD_CRX830E
If you see this in your results, you have a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E
model drive. Follow the steps below to resolve your burning issue.
1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate the gcdrtype.cfg file in \Program Files\iTunes\CD Configuration
3. Right-click the gcdrtype.cfg file and from the shortcut menu, choose Open.
4. If you see a "Select the program from a list" option:
1. Click "Select the program from a list."
2. Click OK.
3. In the list that appears, click Notepad.
4. Click OK.
The gcdrtype.cfg file opens.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the document. The last or the next to last section of text should look like this:
[AUTODETECT CD DEVICE]{RecorderType:IDE/ATAPI}<gcdrmmc.dll>
GENERALFLAGS = READCD
MEDIACAPFLAGS = 0
READFLAGS = READCDDATA | READCDMODE2FORM2 | READCDAUDIO | READPOSTGAP
WRITETAOFLAGS = 0
WRITEDAOFLAGS = 0
DRVGENERALFLAGS = MODESEL_NOPAGE01 | MODESEL_NOPAGE05
DRVDISCINFOFLAGS + NO_READDISCINFOCMD | NO_READTRKINFOCMD | DVDINFO
DRVWRITETAOFLAGS = 0
DRVWRITEDAOFLAGS = LOPOLL_RDDISCINFO
CDWRITESPEEDS = 0
CDWRITERWSPEEDS = 0
CDREADSPEEDS = 0
CDREADRWSPEEDS = 0
DVDWRITESPEEDS = 0
DVDREADSPEEDS = 0
Add this text | NOSENDOPC
to the end of the line that starts with DRVGENERALFLAGS
Note that the text you need to add
starts with a space, then a vertical bar "|" (Shift-), and another
space. The edited line should look like this:
DRVGENERALFLAGS = MODESEL_NOPAGE01 | MODESEL_NOPAGE05 | NOSENDOPC
6. On the File menu, click Save.
You can now burn discs in iTunes without getting that error message.
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iPod/iTunes/QuickTime troubleshooting
iPod/Quicktime - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93976
Apple Support - http://www.apple.com/support/
Apple Ipod (and itunes) discussion groups - http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=150
Test your Quick Time setup here - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/troubleshooting/
iTunes 9: Troubleshooting Home Sharing - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2972
iTunes for Windows installation quits with 1607 error or while
publishing product information -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300361
iTunes error 1606 - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93976
Error 1406 or 1402 appears when you install iTunes or QuickTime for
Windows - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93865
http://retrovirus.com/incr/2005/11/quicktime-problem:
If you’re trying to install iTunes on Windows and it dies during
the Quicktime installation with a “-3″ error, or you try to
install Quicktime 7.0.3 on Windows and you get an Error 1714 or some
complaint about not being able to find quicktime.msi even though
it’s there, the way to fix it is to:
Open regedit
Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT –> Installer and select Products
Use the Find menu to find quicktime inside that part of the key. Delete
the part of the tree that you find. You should now be able to install
Quicktime and iTunes without incident.
iTunes and QuickTime for Windows cannot be installed without Visual
Basic Script (VBScript) -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304405
Symptom - In some instances, the iTunes and QuickTime Installers may
unexpectedly quit during the "Preparing to Install" stage of the
installation with the following message: The installer has encountered
an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a
problem with this package. The error code is 2738. In some cases, the
error message may read- "iTunes could not be installed because Visual
Basic Script (VBScript) is not installed or has been disabled. Make
sure VBScript is installed, turn off script blocking in anti-virus and
personal firewall software, reregister VBScript, and the install
iTunes."
Products affected
• iTunes 7.0 or later
• QuickTime 7.1.3 or later
• Windows XP
Solution - The iTunes and QuickTime Installers uses a technology called
"Windows Installer", provided by Microsoft. If you see this error, it
may be because the Windows Installer technology is unable to process
the Visual Basic Script embedded inside the iTunes and QuickTime
Installers. You may resolve this issue by installing the latest
VBScript engine from Microsoft. If the VBScript is installed, it might
not be registered within Windows. To re-enable the VBScript engine,
follow these steps:
1. On the Start menu, click Run.
2. In the "Open" field, enter the following command and click OK.
regsvr32 %SystemRoot%\system32\vbscript.dll
3. A message should appear stating
that the "DllRegisterServer in C:\WINDOWS\system32\vbscript.dll
succeeded."
4. Click OK and try installing iTunes or QuickTime again.
Note that the user needs to be logged in as the administrator or is a user with admin privileges for the step above.
The Safely Remove Hardware feature
and the Windows Explorer "Eject" command do not work correctly with an
Apple iPod that is connected to a Windows Vista-based computer - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936824/en-us
Consider the following scenario. You have an Apple iPod that is
connected to a Windows Vista-based computer through a USB connection.
Then, you disconnect the iPod from the computer. In this scenario, the
data on the iPod may become corrupted.
This problem may occur if you use one of the following methods to disconnect the iPod:
• You use the Safely Remove Hardware feature in the
notification area to disconnect the iPod. Then, you disconnect the USB
cable.
• You use the Eject command in Windows Explorer to disconnect the iPod. Then, you disconnect the USB cable.
To resolve this problem, install update 936824. Either get the file
from Windows Update or from the links provided on the KB936824 page.
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iTunes - Back up music
iTunes: How to backup and restore playlists - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93763
How to re-create your iTunes Library - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313
Keyboard commands
Switch Programs: command+Tab (hold command, click Tab to cycle)
Send to Trash: command+backspace (called the "delete" key)
Force Quit: command+option+Esc (basically the same as alt+ctrl+del)
Screen Capture: command+control+shift+4 (sends to the clipboard)
Screen Capture (Whole Screen): command+control+shift+3 (sends to the clipboard)
Login - Replace login prompt background in Leopard
Simply replace the following file with any wallpaper image you want as
the background for your login screen, the Aqua Blue wallpaper from
Tiger for instance.
/System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktop.jpg
Login - Unable to log into account after Leopard Upgrade Install
From Apple KB - Article 306840 - Mac OS X 10.5: Unable to log in to account after an upgrade install
You may not be able to log in with a user account that has a password
of 8 or more characters and was originally created in Mac OS X 10.2.8
or earlier, after performing an upgrade installation of Mac OS X 10.5
Leopard (the default installation type).
Products affected
* Mac OS X 10.5
* Mac OS X 10.5 Server
If you are unable to log in, you can use these steps instead:
1. Restart in Single User mode (hold Command-S during startup)
2. At the prompt, type: mount -uw /
3. Press Return
4. Type:
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
5. Press Return
6. Type:
dscl . -delete /Users/[username] AuthenticationAuthority
Note: Replace "[username]" with the affected user account's short name
7. Press Return
8. Type: passwd [username]
Note: Replace "[username]" with the affected user account's short name
9. Press Return
10. At the "New password:" prompt, type the user's password
Note: It is recommended that the original user's password be used to match the keychain password
11. Press Return
12. At the "Retype new password" prompt, type the same password
13. Press Return
14. Type: reboot
15. Press Return
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Mount shared drive on a PC
From Lifehacker.com - Both OS X and Windows can see each other's shared
drives over the local network. To mount a Mac's shared drive on a PC,
it's a simple matter of enabling Windows Sharing in System Preferences
and browsing to the shared folder the way you would on any other PC.
Here's a step by step rundown for accessing a Mac's files on your PC.
By default, the OS X shares only your home folder. To share out another
location on your Mac—like, say, an external drive that houses all your
media files—use the free SharePoints System Preferences pane to
configure advanced sharing.
[Note: This is no longer necessary in Leopard since shares other than the user's home directory are natively allowed.]
http://lifehacker.com/software/mac-os-x/how-to-access-a-macs-files-on-your-pc-247541.php
To go the other way around and see your PC's files on the Mac, use
Finder's built-in support for Samba, a network file-sharing protocol.
http://lifehacker.com/software/mac-os-x/how-to-mount-a-windows-shared-folder-on-your-mac-247148.php
Networking - Joining to Active Directory
Problems in joining Leopard machine to AD - solution by a poster on www.macwindows.com:
Michael Anderson provided another suggestion for working around problems with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard binding to Active Directory:
I've seen this in several iterations and with several different
symptoms. But it's been easy to fix. The problem is that the Leopard
implementation is picky.
1. Make sure your time zone is set correctly.
2. Make sure your Date/Time are auto set by the system. Or
that it is VERY close to what the AD server is set to (if it's off by
just a little it won't work).
3. Make sure your using your full domain, as in "domain.company.ext." Not just the short name for it.
4. Make sure the checkbox to allow domain administrators to administer the box is checked.
That's it. I have had a few different error messages. And if I
double-check all four of these things, it has works every time: 18 and
counting.
Networking with Vista
On OS X, make sure you have File sharing ticked in System
Preferences>Sharing. Click the Options button and select "Share
files and folders using SMB". Add shared directories as desired.
You
must create matching user accounts/passwords on both the Mac and
Windows 7. You do not need to be logged into the same account on all
machines and the passwords assigned to each user account can be
different; the accounts/passwords just need to exist and match on all
machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES. In Vista, turn Password Protected Sharing ON.
If you wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop in Vista (into
one particular user's account) for convenience, you can do this.
Start>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by UAC
Uncheck
the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on
the desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct
password for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave
it blank if there is no password (null).
You will find the automatic logon options for OS X in System Preferences>Accounts.
You also need to make sure you've correctly configured your firewalls
on both machines to allow the Local Area Network as trusted. With
Windows Firewall, setting File and Printer Sharing ON will take care of
this for those machines and if you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus/security program with its own firewall
component, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls, I
usually configure the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet. Refer to any third party security program's Help or user forums
for how to properly configure its firewall. Do not run more than one
firewall. DO NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS; CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.
The
OS X Firewall settings are in System Preferences>Security. Click the
lock to make changes and click the Advanced button to make sure SMB
Sharing is allowed. If you set it up in the Sharing module, it will be.
To enable Windows Vista to connect to Mac OS X with Windows File
Sharing enabled, you will need to change the following policy in
Windows Vista:
Vista Business/Ultimate only -
Start Orb>Search box>type: secpol.msc
When secpol.msc appears in Results above, right-click it and "run as administrator".
Click on "Local Policies" --> "Security Options"
Navigate to the policy "Network Security: LAN Manager authentication
level" and double-click it to get its Properties. By default Windows
Vista sets the policy to "NTVLM2 responses only". Use the drop-down
arrow to change this to "LM and NTLM – use NTLMV2 session
security if negotiated".
In Vista Home Premium, you won't have this tool so per MVP Steve Winograd, do:
Start Orb>Search box>type: regedit
When regedit appears in the Results above, right-click it and "run as administrator"
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
1. If it doesn't already exist, create a DWORD value named LmCompatibilityLevel
2. Set the value to 1 and reboot.
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Networking with Windows 7
On
OS X, make sure you have File sharing ticked in System
Preferences>Sharing. Click the Options button and select "Share
files and folders using SMB". Add shared directories as desired.
You
must create matching user accounts/passwords on both the Mac and
Windows 7. You do not need to be logged into the same account on all
machines and the passwords assigned to each user account can be
different; the accounts/passwords just need to exist and match on all
machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES.
If you wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop in Win7 (into one
particular user's account) for convenience, you can do this.
Start>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by UAC
Uncheck
the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on
the desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct
password for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave
it blank if there is no password (null).
You will find the automatic logon options for OS X in System Preferences>Accounts.
On
Win7, go to Control Panel>All Control Panel Items>Network and
Sharing Center. Click on "Change advanced sharing settings". You do not
want to be using Homegroup.
Turn ON network discovery
Turn ON file and printer sharing
Turn ON sharing in the Public folder sharing section
Turn ON password protected sharing
Configure
firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN) traffic
as trusted. With Windows Firewall, setting File and Printer Sharing ON
will take care of this for those machines and if you aren't running a
third-party firewall or have an antivirus/security program with its own
firewall component, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls,
I usually configure the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet. Refer to any third party security program's Help or user forums
for how to properly configure its firewall. Do not run more than one
firewall. DO NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS; CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.
The
OS X Firewall settings are in System Preferences>Security. Click the
lock to make changes and click the Advanced button to make sure SMB
Sharing is allowed. If you set it up in the Sharing module, it will be.
On
Win7, create shares as desired. I usually just share the Public folder,
users' desktops, and any additional data hard drives in the system.
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Office 2008
Prevent Adobe from installing toolbars in Office on OS X - http://www.mcgimpsey.com/macoffice/office/pdftoolbar.html
From MS - If you run across questions regarding cleaning out the Product Keys due to duplicate use,
please advise customers to resolve the problem with the method below.
While there are other ways, we are asking that we only post what is
below and not suggest removing certain files.
Here are the steps we should be recommending that customers use:
1) Remove Office 2008 either through the
Remove Office app or by manually dragging the Microsoft Office 2008
folder to the trash
2) Trash the Office 2008 preferences folder - ~/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Office 2008
3) Re-install Office 2008
Printer - share a Mac printer with Windows without Samba
Share your Mac's printer with Windows without Samba:
http://lifehacker.com/software/step-by-step/share-your-macs-printer-with-windows-without-samba-310554.php
Reset OS X Password
Boot with the OS X install CD, holding down the "C" key. Start the
Installer and on the Installer's Menu go to Utilities>Reset
Password. Reset the user's password. Do not change the System
Administrator's password.
Ringtones - create with iTunes
First, in iTunes you need to go to Prefs, then Import, then change your
import settings to mp3 (I used 112kbps, quality is less important than
compactness for my ringtones). Then, find the song you want, and go
through the song to figure out which part you want to be the ringtone
(IE: 00:30.00 to 00:42.00) and then Command-I to get info on the song.
Under the Options tab in the Get Info menu, check both start and stop
time and enter the start and stop times for the ringtone section (IE:
Start time 00:30.00 End Time 00:42.00). You may want to play it once to
make sure it's well cropped. Then, just select the song in your library
and go to Advanced -> Convert Selection to MP3. It will
automatically convert ONLY the portion of the song that you selected to
a new, cropped MP3 file, which can then be dragged onto the desktop and
used. This is infinitely easier than trying to crop and convert in
another application, and now you can have the coolest ringtone on the
block in half the time!
Use the Quick Convert script to convert the selection to mp3.
Root (enable)
To enable/disable the System Administrator (root) in Tiger:
1. Open NetInfo Manager, located in Applications > Utilities.
2. Choose Security > Enable Root User and type a
password for the root account. You may need to type an administrator
password to make these changes.
3. Choose Apple menu > Log Out.
4. Choose Other in the Login window, type root in the Name field, and the root password in the Password field.
To enable/disable the System Administrator (root) in Leopard use the Directory Utility since NetInfo Manager no longer exists.
The root user should only be used for specific administration or
monitoring tasks. After completing a task as the root user, log out of
Mac OS X and log back in using a normal or administrator user account.
Disable root access if you do not use it often.
System Management Controller (SMC) - Reset
Apple Portables (MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air) - Resetting the
System Management Controller (SMC) - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411
The System Management Controller is an integrated circuit (computer
chip) that is on the logic board of the computer. As the name implies,
it is responsible for power management of the computer. It controls
backlighting, hard disk spin down, sleep and wake, some charging
aspects, trackpad control, and some input/output as it relates to the
computer sleeping.
Over time, the settings in the System Management Controller may become
unusable, which can result in operational anomalies with the computer.
Examples include not turning on, not waking from sleep, not charging
the battery, or not recognizing the AC Adapter, among others.
Resetting the SMC is not intended for resolution of a stall or
situation in which the computer is unresponsive. An SMC reset should
not be necessary except as a last resort in cases where a hardware
issue with the power management system is suspected. Performing an SMC
reset resets the hardware power management functions.
For most situations, a restart is sufficient. If the computer has
stopped responding, try each one of these steps, one by one. Test
between each step to see if it has worked. If one step works, don't
worry about the next one. You should only reset the SMC if you've
tried all of the steps listed here and the computer still isn't working.
1. Force Quit (Option-Command-Escape)
2. Restart (Control-Command-Power)
3. Force Shut Down (press the power button for 10 seconds)
Only perform an SMC reset on the computer if none of the above steps
resolved the situation. If this is the case, see below for instructions
on locating the reset button or key combination for your model of
computer. If your computer is earlier than the models listed here, see
"Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU)" or
"PowerBook: Resetting Power Management Unit (PMU)".
MacBook (13 inch, Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008), and MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the computer's battery.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds and then release the button.
4. Reconnect the battery and AC Adapter.
5. Press the power button to restart the computer
Note: Starting with MacBook Pro (Late 2008) and MacBook (Late 2008)
models, you may instead use the reset method for MacBook Air (below) to
reset the SMC. All earlier models of MacBook and MacBook Pro must
use the method described above, which involves removing the battery.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (Late 2008 and later)
1. If the computer is on, turn it off by choosing Shutdown from the Apple () menu.
2. Connect the power adapter to a working power source.
3. On the built-in keyboard, press (left) Shift-Control-Option along with the power button once.
4. Wait 5 seconds and press the power button to start the
computer.
Note: You must use the keys on the left side of the built-in keyboard.
You should only perform an SMC reset when the MacBook Air or MacBook
Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) has been properly shutdown. This prevents
issues from occurring to the file system.
While the power adapter does not need to be connected to reset the SMC,
it may be necessary in situations where the battery needs charging or
if the computer has been without power for an extended period of time.
You can also visually check the SMC reset by observing the LED on the
adapter. It will momentarily turn off as the SMC resets.
User - Create new administrative user without an OS X install disk
1. Restart the Mac while holding down the Command and "S" keys to start in Single-User Mode. You'll see the UNIX boot sequence.
2. When you get to the command prompt, type:
mount -uw / [enter]
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone [enter]
shutdown /h now [enter]
3. The computer will shut down. Turn it back on and you'll get the
"Welcome to OS X" video and be prompted through the process of creating
a new administrative user. Other users on that machine will remain
intact.
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Boilerplate
Data Recovery
IMPORTANT - If there is any question that the drive is at fault -
it's making noises for instance - and the data is crucial DO NOTHING
FURTHER ON THE DRIVE. Every time you spin that drive up you may be
destroying data. If this is the case, send the drive to a professional
data recovery company. I use Drive Savers, but there are others. General prices run from $500USD on up. Drive Savers recovered
all the data on a failed laptop drive for one of my clients and it cost
$2,700. He thought it was worth the money; only you know what your data
is worth. I understand that some insurance companies are now covering
data recovery charges so check
with yours.
Drive Savers - http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/
IMPORTANT - If you think the drive is physically healthy, it may be
possible to retrieve the data by software methods. DO NOTHING FURTHER
ON THE DRIVE. The data is still on the hard drive but if you overwrite
it, it will be extremely difficult or impossible to recover it. If you
use data recovery software, install it on another machine and either
use it from that operating system or create a bootable cd/floppy and
work with that. If you don't have the skill and/or equipment to do
these procedures and the data is crucial, take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop that has experience in doing data
recovery. This will not be your local version of BigStoreUSA. In-shop
data recovery is usually not exactly cheap (for ex., my charges are
generally $150-350USD), but it normally costs less than sending the
drive to a company like Drive Savers. You need to make the
determination of the value of your data and decide what to do.
So, here are some things to try to recover your data. If you have an
imaging program like Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost, it is wise to
image the drive first before working on it. That way if things get
messed up, you can at least get back to where you were.
1. Pull the drive and put it in a USB drive enclosure or use a USB
drive adapter. Attach this to a computer running a working install
of XP/Vista/Windows7. Use the
working Windows Explorer to copy the data to the rescue system's hard
drive and then burn the data to cd or dvd. I prefer not to do this if I
know the drive is infected because there is a chance of infecting the
host system. In these cases, I use #2 below.
2. You can boot the target computer with a Bart's PE (if you are using XP) or a Linux live CD such as
Knoppix and retrieve the data that way. Here is general information on
using Knoppix for this:
You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is a
CD/DVD burner OR a USB thumb drive with enough capacity to hold your
data OR an external USB hard drive formatted FAT32 (not NTFS)*.
Download the Knoppix .iso and create your bootable CD. If you are doing
this in an older operating system (XP or Vista), you'll need
third-party burning software like Nero, Roxio, or the free ImgBurn
(Windows 7 can burn .isos natively). Burn as an image, not as data.
Then boot with the CD you created and Knoppix will be able to see the
Windows files. If you are using the USB thumb drive or the external
hard drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to get its
properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then click on it
to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the window manager
used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead of the
traditional MS Windows' double-click. If you want to burn CD/DVDs, use
the K3b program.
*My understanding is that you can now write to
an NTFS partition from Linux. If you wish to do this, Google for
instructions about using the NTFS driver.
http://www.knoppix.net
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - Bart's PE Builder
3. If a Bart's PE or Knoppix won't work, you can try using data
recovery software. Here are some links to various programs. I use Easy
Recovery Pro, but it is expensive. People whom I respect have
recommended R-Studio and Restoration. YMMV.
R-Studio - http://www.r-tt.com/
Recuva - http://www.piriform.com/recuva
Restoration - http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html
PCInspector File Recovery - http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/welcome.htm
Executive Software “Undelete” - http://www.undelete.com/undelete/undelete.asp
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Deleting Files
Are you trying to delete by dragging the files to the Recycle Bin? If
yes, this problem usually occurs because the hand isn't quite as steady
as one would want. You're moving the files slightly as you drag and
that is creating the extra copies.
First lower the sensitivity of your mouse from the Mouse applet in
Control Panel. Then change the way you delete. Either select files and
then right-click>Delete or select files and use File>Delete. To
select multiple contiguous files, highlight the first file in the
series and then hold down the Shift key and highlight the last file in
the series. All your desired files will be highlighted. Then use the
right-click or File menu deletion procedure. To delete non-contiguous
files, hold down the Ctrl key as you select.
Desktop Background Hijacking By Malware
Here's how to get rid of the desktop warning being displayed by
malware. Go to the Display applet in Control Panel and look on the
Desktop tab. Click on Customize Desktop, and then click on the Web tab.
You will see that there are checkmarks next to "My Current Home Page"
and probably "Lock Desktop Items". Uncheck these. By highlighting the
"My Current Home Page" and clicking on the Properties button, you will
be able to determine the name of the file that is the message. It might
be called something like "security.html" or the like.
Click Apply and OK out when you've made your changes. Then you want to find the *.html malware file and delete it.
If you can't enable desktop backgrounds after a virus, MVP Kelly
Theriot has a fix. Look under Wallpaper-Desktop-Disable Changing here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm
If Display tabs are missing, run Kelly's registry edit on line 285, right-hand side "Restore all display tabs".
Check to see if these Registry entries exist:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GroupPolicyobject\{21A7BE9D-5027-49C1-B6F7-757B707E1C94}User\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
If "GroupPolicyRefreshTime" and/or "GroupPolicyRefreshTimeOffset" are there, then delete them.
HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System. If
"GroupPolicyRefreshTime" and/or "GroupPolicyRefreshTimeOffset" are
there, then delete them and then run the reg fix from Kelly's page.
A default wallpaper called wp.bmp may be set in
HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System created by the
smitfraud.c virus. Remove that and you will be able to choose different
wallpapers.
For inability to change wallpaper after malware, here is another key:
Hkey_Current_User/software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer,
Bogus values will be set to 0. Delete or set to 1.
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Disclaimer
If you can't do the work
yourself (and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of
tea), take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your
local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
I
must stress that you should not take what I have written as a
definitive diagnosis. I cannot see or test your computer from here. I'm
giving you my opinion about your computer based on my professional
experience as a computer tech and on what you've written.
Drivers
The First Law of Driver Updates is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Normally if everything is working you want to leave things as they are.
The exception is that heavy-duty gamers will usually want to update
their video and sound drivers to squeeze every last bit of performance
out of the hardware to get the fastest frame rates. If you're not one
of those people, you don't need to update your drivers if there are no
problems you are trying to solve.
Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:
1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).
Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.
To find out what hardware is in your computer:
1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like
Belarc Advisor or System Information for Windows.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows
If you have installed drivers from Windows Update, you can roll them back:
How to Roll Back a Device Driver in Windows XP - http://tinyurl.com/86yb6
Roll Back Troublesome Device Drivers in Windows Vista from the How-To Geek - http://tinyurl.com/346lox
Roll back drivers in Windows 7 - http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/roll-back-driver-windows-7.htm
Who writes the drivers boilerplate:
Microsoft doesn't write the drivers. The hardware mftr. writes the drivers for its device(s). The hardware mftr. is the only
one who will do this, not the creator of the operating system you're
using (Windows). All the hardware drivers that come with Windows were
written by the various hardware mftrs. and provided to Microsoft for
inclusion. If the hardware mftr. has no plans to write drivers for a
particular device for a particular operating system, then that's the
end of that story.
Original
Equipment Manufacturers (Acer, Sony, Dell, etc.) usually have
proprietary hardware in their machines, made especially for them. If
you have an OEM machine, then the place to get drivers is at the OEM's
website for your specific model computer.
Email Problems
The most common problems for people having trouble sending/receiving email are:
1. You are using the wrong mail server settings. Check your ISP's
website ( or that of your web hosting company if your mail host is
other than your ISP) for the correct mail server settings for POP
(Incoming) and SMTP (outgoing). Most ISP's will also have a
"walkthrough" to show you how to set up mail using popular email
clients such as Outlook Express, Eudora, and Thunderbird. If they don't
have instructions for Windows Mail yet, use the ones for Outlook
Express.
2. You have "outgoing mail server requires authentication" checked when it does not. Or vice versa.
3. You are trying to send mail through an SMTP server that isn't your
regular ISP; i.e., you are trying to send mail through AT&T's
server when your ISP is Comcast. Some ISP's care about this and some
don't.
4. Your user name and/or password are incorrect. Yes, you do have a
user name and password for your email. It probably has just been a long
time since you set this up (or someone else set it up for you) and
you've forgotten. Look through your ISP-related documentation or
contact your ISP. They will be able to tell you your user name and
assign you a new password.
5. Your antivirus is set to scan emails and/or is one that causes
problems with your operating system (such as McAfee in Vista). Turn
this option off since it doesn't provide you any extra protection and
tends to cause problems.
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First Question of Troubleshooting
The First Question Of Troubleshooting: If the problem is new, what
changed between the time things worked and the time they didn't?
The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the
malware/virus status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what
programs (and versions) did you use to determine this?
Be sure the computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Guest User Account - Security
Do not use the Guest account you see in the User Accounts applet
in Control Panel. The Guest account is a special system account, not
one meant for when you are feeling hospitable. It is disabled by
default in Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux, Unix, and OS X for a reason.
From TechNet:
"The Guest account is intended for users who require temporary access
to the system. However, if this account is enabled, a security risk may
exist because an unauthorized user could gain anonymous access to the
system through this account."
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb418978(TechNet.10).aspx
So if you enabled Guest, disable it now and create a Standard/Limited
(Vista, Windows 7, XP Pro/XP Home) for your visitors. Call the new user account
something like "Visitor".
If you have XP/Vista/Windows 7 Home Editions, you don't have the built-in
ability to create fine-grained limitations if you want them on this account, so use either MVP Doug Knox's
Security Console for XP or the MS SteadyState program to set the
restrictions the way you want. SteadyState supports Vista now.
http://www.dougknox.com
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx
More on SteadyState: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=27570
SteadyState how-to (not supported in Windows 7 yet) - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/6520/windows-steadystate/
If you have XP Pro, Media Center, Vista Business/Ultimate, Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate you
can use Group Policy to set restrictions (gpedit.msc). Be very
careful using the Group Policy
editor; it is completely possible to lock yourself out. Questions about
group policy should be posted here:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/winserverGP/threads
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Hardware Issues
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot
A good troubleshooting step is to boot with a Linux
Live CD. I like Knoppix, but there are others. This has two advantages:
1) if the system will run, you can back up any data that missed your
last backup; and 2) running the machine with Linux helps to determine
if the problems are caused by software or hardware. If the machine is
unbearably slow and/or Linux can't run correctly, you know the hardware
is at fault. If the machine behaves perfectly under Linux, you know
that software (Windows) is at fault.
1) Open the computer and run it open after cleaning out all dust
bunnies. Observe all fans (overheating will cause system freezing
and/or crashing). This includes the fan on your video card if you have
one. Obviously you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the
fan is running and feel if the laptop is getting too hot. For a
desktop, without touching anything hold your hand close to the inside
of the case and feel how hot things are getting.
2) You can test the memory yourself. I believe that Vista has a memory
tester, but I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. Obviously, you have
to get the program from a working machine. You will download the .iso
to make a bootable cd. You will need
third-party burning software to do this such as Roxio, Nero, or the
free ImgBurn. Burn as an image, not as data. Then boot with the media you made (you may
need to change the boot priority in your BIOS so that the optical drive
is the first boot device). The test will run immediately. Let the test
run for an hour or two - unless errors are seen immediately. If you get
any errors, replace the RAM.
3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the
drive mftr.'s website or use Seagate's SeaTools For DOS. You
will create a bootable CD with the file you download. You will need
third-party burning software to do this such as Roxio, Nero, or the
free ImgBurn. Burn as an image, not as data.
http://www.imgburn.com
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools/seatooldreg
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=201271 (how-to)
Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it fails any physical tests, replace it.
4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system. The adequacy issue doesn't really apply to a
laptop, although of course the power supply can be faulty. For a
desktop, test by swapping the psu out for a known-working one. If you
have one of the higher-end video cards that requires a separate power
supply connector, make sure it is in place.
5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't. A
very good stress test is the free Prime95. You don't need to sign up to
use Prime95 as a stress test.
Prime95 - http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/
How to use Prime95 for stress testing - http://www.playtool.com/pages/prime95/prime95.html
Testing hardware
failures often involves swapping out
suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing
yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer, take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local
equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your
data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
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Installation - Failure to Install Operating System
Failure to install an operating system is usually caused by (in order of probability):
1.
Installation media that is the wrong disc for your computer. What
version of Windows is the computer licensed for and what type of
installation CD/DVD are you using?
2. You are attempting to install with other devices connected to the
computer. Disconnect them before trying to do an installation.
3. Faulty installation media. Check the installation CD/DVD for scratches, smudges. Test in another machine.
4. Faulty optical drive. Test with another bootable CD/DVD or swap it out for a known-working one.
5. Faulty RAM. Test with Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. You will
download the .iso to make a bootable cd. Burn the file with third-party
burning software* - as an image, not as data. Then boot with the media
you made (you may need to change the boot priority in your BIOS so that
the optical drive is the first boot device). The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an hour or two - unless errors are
seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.
*It is not necessary to have third-party burning software in Windows 7
since Win7 can natively burn an .iso. Other operating systems require
it. A good free choice is ImgBurn from www.imgburn.com.
6. Faulty hard drive. Test with a diagnostic utility downloaded from
the drive mftr.'s website. You will create a bootable CD with the file
you download. Burn the file with third-party burning software (unless you have Windows 7, which can burn .isos natively) - as an
image, not as data. Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of
the drive. If it fails any physical tests, replace it.
7. Other hardware components are faulty.
Installation - Physical Media
You should always have physical media so you can reinstall Windows,
particularly with OEM machines that didn't come with any. So this is a
two-part process:
1. Make restore disks. Since each OEM's method of doing this varies
(and often varies from model to model within an OEM's line), refer to
your manual, the OEM Help files, or the OEM's website for how to do
this in your particular case.
2. Unfortunately, with restore disks you don't have an actual operating
system disk which is necessary if you want to just do repair work and
not return the machine to factory condition. These people have put
together an .iso of the recovery functions for this purpose. Note that
this is *not* a full version of Vista so you couldn't use it to
reinstall the OS.
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
Note that the recovery disc downloads from NeoSmart are torrent files. You will need a torrent client such as muTorrent to download them. Then burn the .iso as an image, not as data.
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Installation - Restore to Factory Condition
Most
laptops and many OEM (HP, Sony, etc.) desktop computers come with a factory restore image on a special partition on the
hard drive. The factory restore process is normally invoked by pressing
a Function key (like F11) at computer startup. There will be a message
as to which Function key to press on the screen when you first start
your computer. You can also refer to your computer manual, or the
computer mftr.'s website, or contact its tech support to see how to
restore your computer to factory condition since each computer mftr.
does it differently - sometimes even between models.
These
machines also usually have a utility with which to create physical
recovery discs in case the hard drive needs to be replaced or the
factory restore image is somehow damaged. If you did not create the
physical recovery discs and/or damaged the recovery image, contact the
computer mftr.'s tech support to order a recovery disc set. This is
normally very inexpensive, around $20-25.
Internet Connectivity Troubleshooting
1. Answer the First and Second Questions of Troubleshooting:
First Question Of Troubleshooting: If the problem is new, what changed between the time things worked and the time they didn't?
The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the
malware/virus status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what
programs (and versions) did you use to determine this?
Be sure the computer is clean - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
2. If nothing has changed and the computer is clean, what
antivirus/security programs are you running? Have AVG 8 and/or Zone
Alarm? Both these programs have had updates that caused Internet
connectivity problems. I don't recommend either of these programs, but
if you want to keep them check on the mftrs.' support websites.
3. If #2 isn't applicable:
a. Unplug the router.
b. Unplug the modem.
c. Wait 60 seconds.
d. Plug in the modem and wait until all the lights are on.
e. Plug in the router and wait until all the lights are on.
Do you have Internet connectivity now? If not:
4. Connect your computer directly to the cable/DSL modem. Do you now
have Internet connectivity? If yes, there is a problem with the router.
They don't last forever. Replace it.
If there is no Internet when your computer is connected directly to the
cable/DSL modem, call your ISP because something is wrong with either
the cable/DSL modem or your Internet service.
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Malware Removal
General Removal
Go through these general malware removal steps systematically:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow
instructions to do all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using Multi_AV in Vista.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions
You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
Or here:
Malwarebytes malware removal guides - http://tinyurl.com/5xrpft
When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty
forums listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT POST LOGS IN THE MS FORUMS.
If you can't do the work
yourself (and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of
tea), take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your
local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware
that not all local shops are skilled at
removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be so infested
that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
HijackThis links
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Rogues
Your system is infected with a rogue security program. It is called "rogue" because it pretends to be A
Good Guy but is really Evil. Do not pay them!
Look for removal steps here Bleeping Computer removal how-to's - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
or here - Malwarebytes malware removal guides - http://tinyurl.com/5xrpft
Malwarebytes' Anti-malware (MBAM) or SuperAntiSpyware will often do the
job. Both have free versions and you do not need to purchase these
programs.
These may work for you and all may be well. However, in many cases the
computer will also be infected with other trojans and
protected by a rootkit. These machines are extremely difficult to
clean. If your machine is one of these cases, either get guided help at
one of the specialty forums listed at the link below OR take your
machine to a local computer professional OR back up your data and do a
clean install of Windows. It is your choice. I don't recommend using
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad types of places.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#HJT-links
HijackThis links
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Msconfig
It is always better to stop
programs from starting
with Windows from within the programs themselves, so look in their
Options first. If a program doesn't offer any way to control
startup from its Preferences, then use msconfig to uncheck the box
next to its name, Apply and OK out. Also take a look in your
Programs>Startup folder to see if there is an entry for the
application there.
For XP:
Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup
tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name,
Apply and OK out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next
time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just
tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".
Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services unless you really, really know what you're doing.
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
For Vista or Windows 7:
Start Orb>Search box>type: msconfig and when it appears in the
Results box above, right-click and choose "Run as Administrator".
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a
confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. Then see what is on
the Startup tab. You don't need to restart
immediately, but the next time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've
used the Utility. Usually this will be blocked by Windows
Defender and you'll need to allow it so you can then tick the box that
says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".
Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop
processes. Use Services instead and do not stop any services unless you
really, really know what you're doing.
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
How to perform a clean boot in Windows Vista or Windows 7 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
MS Malicious Software Removal Tool
When using Windows Updates or Automatic Updates, it will
automatically run and you will not get any feedback whatsoever, it runs
in quiet mode and then it just deletes itself. After it is finished, it
writes the result to a log file.
To see the log file, run the following command from Start/Run:
notepad %windir%\Debug\Mrt.log
Malicious Software Removal Tool error - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=891717
Malicious Software Removal Tool explanation - http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Vista Networking
Here are general network troubleshooting steps. Not everything may be
applicable to your situation, so just take the bits that are. It may
look daunting, but if you follow the steps at the links and suggestions
below systematically and calmly, you will have no difficulty in setting
up your sharing.
Excellent, thorough, yet easy to understand article about File/Printer
Sharing in Vista. Includes details about sharing printers as well as
files and folders:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see caveat in Item A below).
Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally
caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including
a stateful firewall in a VPN); or 2) inadvertently running two
firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party
firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on
all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating
system does not permit it.
A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network
(LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing
File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the
Network Setup Wizard on XP will take care of this for those
machines.The only "gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows
Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an
antivirus/security program with its own firewall component, then you're
fine. With third-party
firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance with an IP
range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet. Refer to any third party security
program's Help or user forums for how to properly configure its
firewall. Do not run more than one firewall. DO
NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS; CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.
B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup.
This is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.
C. In Vista, turn Password Protected Sharing ON. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do
not need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the
passwords assigned to each user account can be different; the
accounts/passwords just need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT
NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES. If you wish a
machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's
account) for convenience, you can do this:
XP - Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm
Vista - Start Orb>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by UAC
Uncheck the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use
this computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by
clicking on the desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter
the correct password for that user account (if there is one) when
prompted. Leave it blank if there is no password (null).
D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab).
E. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories or Program Files, but you can share folders inside
those directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared
Documents folder. See the first link above for details about Vista
sharing.
F. After you have file sharing working (and have tested this by
exchanging a file between all machines), if you want to share a printer
connected locally to one of your computers, share it out from that
machine. Then go to the printer mftr.'s website and download the latest
drivers for the correct operating system(s). Install them on the target
machine(s). The printer should be seen during the installation routine.
If it is not, install the drivers and then use the Add Printer Wizard.
In some instances, certain printers need to be installed as Local
printers but that is outside of this response.
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Windows 7 Networking
Here are general network troubleshooting steps. Not everything may be
applicable to your situation, so just take the bits that are. It may
look daunting, but if you follow the steps at the links and suggestions
below systematically and calmly, you will have no difficulty in setting
up your sharing.
Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally
caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including
a stateful firewall in a VPN); or 2) inadvertently running two
firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party
firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on
all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating
system does not permit it.
In
Windows 7, go to Control Panel>All Control Panel Items>Network
and Sharing Center. Click on "Change advanced sharing settings". You
don't want to use Homegroup unless you have all Windows 7 machines. If
you do and you want to use Homegroup, see Windows 7's Help &
Support. Otherwise, in the Advanced Sharing:
Turn ON network discovery
Turn ON file and printer sharing
Turn ON sharing in the Public folder sharing section
Turn ON password protected sharing
A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network
(LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, turning on Window's
File and Printer Sharing as above will take care of this for you. If
you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an
antivirus/security program with its own firewall component, then you're
fine. With third-party
firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance with an IP
range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet. Refer to any third party security
program's Help or user forums for how to properly configure its
firewall. Do not run more than one firewall. DO
NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS; CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.
B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup.
This is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.
C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do
not need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the
passwords assigned to each user account can be different; the
accounts/passwords just need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT
NEGLECT TO CREATE PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES. If you wish a
machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's
account) for convenience, you can do this:
Start>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by UAC
Uncheck
the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on
the desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct
password for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave
it blank if there is no password (null).
XP - Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm
D. If one or more of
the computers on your network is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab).
E. Create shares as desired. In Windows 7 I usually share out the user's Desktop and the Public directory.
F.
After you have file sharing working (and have tested this by exchanging
a file between all machines), if you want to share a printer connected
locally to one of your computers, share it out from that machine. Then
go to the printer mftr.'s website and download the latest drivers for
the correct operating system(s). Install them on the target machine(s).
The printer should be seen during the installation routine. If it is
not, install the drivers and then use the Add Printer Wizard. In some
instances, certain printers need to be installed as Local printers but
that is outside of this response.
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Newsgroups and forums - How to Post
Help us help you:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#how-to-write
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question
Password protecting shares (not)
XP and Vista do not use passwords to protect resources. NT-based
operating systems use permissions instead. Here is information to help
you with that:
Vista Identity Management and Access Control - TechNet - http://tinyurl.com/6fncvr
How to disable Simple Sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP (Pro only)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307874
How to configure file sharing in Windows XP (includes information about permissions):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040
By default in XP Home, you can only make files and folders under My
Documents "private". Otherwise, to see the security tab in WinXP Home,
restart in Safe mode and log on with an account that has administrator
privileges. To get into Safe Mode, repeatedly tap the F8 key as the
computer is starting up. This will get you to the menu where you can
choose Safe Mode.
Note that the file system must be NTFS, not FAT32.
Passwording of folders is not supported unless you zip them. When you
do (right click a folder, then "send to > compressed folder") and
then
open the zip file, you will find an option under file>"add a
password". Otherwise, use third-party software. Google "password
protect folders".
Quicklaunch doubles
What happens is that the end "margin" of the QuickLaunch toolbar has
gotten so far over to the right that it is now down below. Unlock the
Taskbar and then "grab" the dotted line on the bottom bar and drag it
up to immediately to the right of the QuickLaunch icons. Now you've
successfully made the QuickLaunch toolbar shorter and can "grab" the
top bar of the Taskbar and "push" it down to the regular one-tier
height.
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Replace Vista with XP
General information about replacing Vista with XP:
A. On an OEM (HP, Sony, etc.) computer:
1. Go to the OEM's website and look for XP drivers for your specific
model computer. If there are no XP drivers, then you can't install XP.
End of story. If there are drivers, download them and store on a CD-R
or USB thumbdrive; you'll need them after you install XP.
2. Check with the OEM - either from their tech support website or by
calling them - to see if you will void your warranty if you do this. If
you will void the warranty, you make the decision.
3. If the OEM does support XP on the machine, call them and see if you
can have downgrade rights and have them send you an XP restore disk.
This will be far the easiest and best way of getting XP on the machine.
4. If XP is supported on the machine but the OEM doesn't have an XP
restore disk for you, understand that you'll need to purchase a retail
copy of XP from your favorite online or brick/mortar store.
5. Also understand that you will need to do a clean install of XP so if you have any data you want, back it up first.
6. If none of the above is applicable to you because you can't run XP
on that machine (see Item #1 above), return the computer and purchase
one running XP instead.
B. On a generic/home-built computer (from non-OEM company) - You will
need drivers for all your hardware. See the second link below for more
details:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What you will need on-hand
Router - manually configure
Setting up a router is quite simple. Normally you run the CD that came
with the router and follow the instructions. If you're running Vista
perhaps the CD that came with the router won't work; I don't know this.
But you can set up the router without a CD. Note that if you have cable
Internet, for the connection you just set the router to do DHCP (or
there may even be a choice of cable for you to select). If you have DSL
Internet, you usually select PPoe and enter the username and password
which you chose when originally setting up the DSL connection. So:
1. Turn off the power to your cable modem.
2. Attach a cat5e ethernet cable (usually provided with the router)
going from the router's Internet/WAN port to the cable modem's ethernet
port.
3. Attach a cat5e ethernet cable going from your computer's network
adapter to one of the ports on the router. If you don't have an
ethernet cable (because you were using USB), you will need to go to the
store and buy one.
4. Turn on the cable modem. After all the lights are on, turn on the router.
To configure the router:
Have a computer connected to the router with an ethernet cable.
Examples given are for a Linksys router. Refer to your router manual or
the router mftr.'s website for default settings if you don't have a Linksys. Open a browser
such as Internet Explorer or Firefox and in the addressbar type:
http://192.168.1.1 [enter] (this is the router's default IP address, which varies from router to router so check your manual)
This will bring you to router's login screen. The default username
is left blank and the Linksys default password is "admin" without the
quotes.
Enter that information. You are now in the router's configuration
utility. Your configuration utility may differ slightly from mine. The
first thing to do is change the default password because *everyone*
knows the default passwords for various routers.
Click on the Administration link at the top of the page. Enter your new
password. WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT. Re-enter the
password to confirm it and click the Save Settings button at the bottom
of the page. The router will restart and present you with the login box
again. Leave the username blank and put in your new password to get
back into the configuration utility.
Now click on the Wireless link at the top of the page. Change the
Wireless Network Name (SSID) from the default to something you will
recognize. I suggest that my clients not use their family name as the
SSID. For example, you might wish to name your wireless network
"CastleAnthrax" or the like. ;-)
Click the Save Settings and when you get the prompt that your changes
were successful, click on the Wireless Security link which is right
next to the Basic Wireless Settings link (where you changed your SSID).
Most computers purchased within the last 4 years have wireless hardware
that will support WPA2-Personal (also called WPA2-PSK). This is the
encryption level you want. If your wireless hardware is older, use WPA.
Do not use WEP as that is easily cracked within minutes. So go ahead
and set the Security
Mode to WPA2-Personal. Do that and enter a passphrase. For example, you
might use the passphrase, "Here be dragons, beware you scurvy dogs!".
The passphrase
is what you will enter on any computers that are allowed to connect to
the wireless network. WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT.
At this point, your router is configured and if the computer you were
using to configure the router is normally going to connect wirelessly,
disconnect the ethernet cable and the computer's wireless feature
should see your new network. Enter the passphrase you created (exactly
as you wrote it with all capitalization and punctuation) to join
the network and start surfing.
Safe Mode/Hidden Administrator account (XP)
If you have forgotten your password, if you have another user account
with administrative privileges you can log into that account and change
your original user account's password from the User Accounts applet in
Control Panel. If you don't have another account like this set up or
don't have the password to it, you'll need to log into the built-in
Administrator account. In XP Home, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do
this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up.
This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key;
the mouse will not work here. Once in Safe Mode, you will see the
normally hidden Administrator account. The default password is a blank.
In XP Pro, you do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome Screen,
do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic Windows logon box. Type in
"Administrator" and whatever password you assigned when you set up
Windows.
If
you have XP Pro or Media Center and were using the built-in
Administrator account for your regular work and it is therefore the
only user account on the system, there are ways to change the password
for that account to a blank. Microsoft doesn't permit us to tell you
how in these forums. Their house, their rules. Use Google or ask a
local computer tech (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).
If you reset the built-in Administrator account's password in Home or
have Pro and don't remember the password, use NTpasswd to change the
built-in Administrator account's password to a blank. Download the
bootable CD .iso, burn with third-party burning software such as Roxio, Nero, or the free ImgBurn. Burn as an image,
not as data. Boot with the media you created. You may need to change
the boot order in the BIOS or get a temporary boot order menu with a
special keypress. NTpasswd will run. Follow the instructions carefully.
http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
Then go to the User Accounts applet in Control Panel and set passwords
that you will remember and make other desired changes. WRITE THE
PASSWORDS DOWN AND PUT THEM SOMEWHERE YOU WON'T LOSE THEM.
To change the built-in Administrator account in XP Pro if you can
log into another account with administrative privileges reset the
password in the Local Users and Groups snap-in in Microsoft
Management Console (MMC):
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type "mmc" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK to start MMC.
3. Start the Local Users and Groups snap-in.
4. Under Console Root, expand "Local Users and Groups", and then click Users.
5. In the right pane, right-click Administrator, and then click Set Password.
6. Click Proceed in the message box that appears.
7. Type and confirm the new password in the appropriate boxes, and then click OK.
Vista - Corrupted User Account
Vista - Forgotten Password
General Recommendations for Setting Up User Accounts in Vista
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Security blurb
Any computer running any operating system can be accessed by someone
with 1) physical access; 2) time; 3) skill; 4) tools. There are a few
things you can do to make it a bit harder though:
1. Set a password in the BIOS that must be entered before booting the
operating system. Also set the Supervisor password in the BIOS so BIOS
Setup can't be entered without it.
2. From the BIOS, change the boot order to hard drive first.
3. Set strong passwords on all accounts, including the built-in
Administrator account in XP (it is disabled by default in Vista).
4. If you leave your own account logged in, use the Windows Key + L to
lock the computer (and/or set the screensaver/power saving) when you
step away from the computer and require a password to resume.
5. Make other users Limited accounts in XP Home, regular user accounts
in XP Pro. All users should be on a Standard account in Vista with an
Administrator account only used for elevation purposes.
6. Set user permissions/restrictions:
If you have XP/Vista/Windows 7 Home, you don't have the built-in
ability to create fine-grained limitations. In XP and Vista you can use
either MVP Doug Knox's
Security Console or the MS SteadyState program to set the
restrictions the way you want. SteadyState supports Vista now but not
Windows 7. Mr. Knox's Security Console may still work in Win7.
http://www.dougknox.com
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx
More on SteadyState - http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=27570
SteadyState support - http://social.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/windowssteadystate/threads/
SteadyState how-to (not supported in Windows 7 yet) - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/6520/windows-steadystate/
If
you have XP Pro, Media Center, Vista Business/Ultimate, and Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate you
can use Group Policy to set restrictions (gpedit.msc). Be very careful
using the Group Policy
editor; it is completely possible to lock yourself out. Questions about
group policy should be posted here:
microsoft.public.windows.group_policy
Vista and Windows 7 have the Parental Controls feature which can be useful on home
computers. There are also third-party programs that can restrict what
users can do locally (installed on the computer) and Internet filtering
that can be done.
Please understand that these are technical responses to what is
basically a non-technical problem and there are ways around all of
these precautions. This is a family/interpersonal issue that can't be
solved by technical means.
Shutdown Problems
Shutdown issues are generally caused by a program and/or process that
is refusing to exit gracefully. The program and/or process can be from
malware or can be legitimate (such as an invasive antivirus like Norton
or McAfee). If you are using a Norton or McAfee product,
uninstall it and replace with a better program such as NOD32,
Kasperksy, or Avast (free). The Windows Firewall is adequate for most
people. Shutdown issues can also be caused by old/poorly
written drivers so make sure all drivers are updated, particularly on Windows Vista and Windows 7.
A.The first step is always to make sure your computer is virus/malware free.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
B. If the computer is virus/malware-free, drivers are current, and no
Norton or McAfee programs are installed, then do clean-boot
troubleshooting to see which program/process is the culprit:
How to perform a clean boot in Vista and XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796
How to perform a clean boot in Windows Vista or Windows 7 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
C. If you need more information, here is an excellent shutdown troubleshooter - http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm
Standard caveat: If troubleshooting the issue is too difficult - and
there is absolutely no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea -
take the machine to a computer repair shop. This will not be your local
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. Get recommendations from
family, friends, colleagues.
Slow Computer
If a computer running XP, Vista or Windows 7 is well-maintained and suffers no
hard drive/motherboard failure, the operating system never needs to be
reinstalled. The "lore" about this stems from Win9x/ME times when it
actually was true. This "lore" hasn't been applicable since Windows XP.
I have XP boxen that haven't been reinstalled in many years and they
are just as fast as the day I installed the OS, despite being heavily
used by teenaged boys.
Some reasons for computer slowness:
1. Computer hasn't been maintained - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Maintenance
2. Computer is infected with malware - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
3. Hard drive is too full. Remove unnecessary stuff, uninstall unused programs. Don't forget to back up!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Backing_Up
4. Flaky third-party software. Toolbars and add-ons are particular
culprits in this area. Uninstall toolbars (Google, Yahoo, ISP-branded,
etc.) and look carefully at what add-ons are in use in your browser(s).
5. Computer has too many unnecessary programs/processes running in the background. Manage your Startup:
For XP - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
For Vista/Windows7 - Start Orb>Search box>type: msconfig and when it
appears in the Results box above, right-click and choose "Run as
Administrator". Autoruns is also very useful.
6. User is running a bloated/invasive antivirus program such as ones
from Norton and McAfee. Replace with a better program. I recommend
either NOD32 (commercial) or Avast (free). Avira is also good but the
free version has an unpleasant nag screen (Google for instructions as
to how to disable this). User may also be running more than one
real-time antivirus/firewall/security program.
7. User has installed new programs that are processor and/or
memory-intensive (Photoshop, AutoCAD, Mathmatica or the like) and
doesn't have the necessary hardware power.
8. Hard drive is failing and is in PIO Mode. This is very dramatically
slow (like being back in 1985). See Hans-Georg Michna's information
here - http://winhlp.com/?q=node/10
In addition to the above, also see http://miekiemoes.blogspot.com/2008/02/help-my-computer-is-slow.html
Note: If computer has always been slow, in addition to items above user
may have purchased a machine with a less powerful processor and not
enough RAM (memory). For normal computer use, 512MB-1GB is usually
sufficient for XP; Vista should have a minimum of 2GB; Windows 7 is
less demanding than Vista but the minimum of 2GB should also be used.
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Startup File Missing Errors
A Google search for "[insert name of file]" brought up nothing. When
you don't get any hits for a file name on Google, chances are high that
it is a malware file. Either you uninstalled the malware program or
your antivirus/antispyware program did. In any case, a reference was
left to the file in Startup. You can remove the reference by managing
your Startup.
Because you had one piece of malware, the chances are also high that
you had others. It would be a good idea to scan. I recommend
downloading and installing MalwareBytes' Antimalware (MBAM) from
http://www.malwarebytes.org. The program is free. (There is a paid
version but you don't need to buy it to remove malware.)
Manage Startup:
(for XP) Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup
tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name,
Apply and OK out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next
time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just
tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
(For Vista) Start Orb>Search box>type: msconfig and when it
appears in the Results box above, right-click and choose "Run as
Administrator".
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a
confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. Then see what is on
the Startup tab. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next
time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Usually
in Vista this will be blocked by Windows Defender and you'll need to
allow it so you can then tick the box that says in effect, "don't
bother me about this again".
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
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Stop Errors
1. Stop the automatic restarting so you can get a Stop Error (blue
screen). Once you get the Stop Error, you can research it at the link
below. Looking at the information at the link will also show you what
details of the Stop Error to include in a newsgroup post if you need
more help with it.
http://www.aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm - Stop Errors
For XP:
Control Panel>System>Advanced tab>Startup and
Recovery>Settings and under System Failure uncheck "Automatically
Restart".
For Vista:
Start Orb>Control Panel
Or Start Orb>Search box>type: System
Click on System that appears in the list of results.
In Control Panel Vista-style - click on System and Maintenance.
In Control Panel Classic View - double-click the System applet.
In the task pane on the left, click the Advanced system settings link.
Locate the Startup and Recovery area and click on the Settings button.
In the Startup and Recovery window, locate and uncheck the check box next to Automatically restart. OK your way out.
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User accounts - changing name
You cannot change a user account by just changing the name. Just
changing the name will make a cosmetic change only and not affect the
underlying files/folders in the profile.
1.
Rename the misnamed user account back to what it was. Create a new
administrative account. Call it "CompAdmin" or "Tech" or the like.
2. Create a new Standard* user account for your daily work. Log into it once.
3. To copy the old user account's settings to the new correctly named account**, log into CompAdmin and:
a. Control Panel>All Control Panel Items>Folder Options
b.
Click the View tab, click Show hidden files and folders, clear the Hide
protected operating system files check box, and then click OK.
c.
Using Windows Explorer ("Computer"), locate the C:\Users\Old_Username
folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed, and
Old_Username is the name of the profile you want to copy files from.
d. Select all of the files and folders in this folder, except the following files: Ntuser.dat, Ntuser.dat.log, and Ntuser.ini.
e. Click the Edit menu, and then click Copy. If you don't see the Edit menu, press ALT.
f.
Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, where C is the drive that
Windows is installed, and New_Username is the name of the new user
profile you created.
g. Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste. If you don't see the Edit menu, press ALT.
Log off, and then log back on as the new user.
If
you have e-mail messages in an e-mail program, such as Windows Live
Mail or Thunderbird, you must import your e-mail messages and addresses
to the new user profile before you delete the old profile. If
everything is working properly, you can delete the old profile.
*Running
as a Standard user is best practice for security purposes and will help
protect your computer from infection. You don't want to run as an
administrator for your daily work.
** If you don't want to bother
copying the old misnamed account settings, you can skip this bit and
just copy your data to the new user account instead.
If you wish to log into your new, correctly-named account automatically, do this:
Start Orb>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by UAC
Uncheck
the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on
the desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct
password for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave
it blank if there is no password (null).
User accounts/file hierarchy
Vista, like XP, is a multi-user operating system, no matter if only one
person is using it. In all multi-user operating systems - NT, Win2k,
XP, Vista, Unix, Linux, Mac OSX - there is the one built-in account
that is "god" on the system. In Windows terminology, that is
"Administrator". In the *nix world, it is "root". This is a necessary
account and is not normally used in everyday work. You cannot delete
the built-in Administrator account nor would you ever want to. In
Vista, Mac OS X, and some Linux distros, the built-in Administrator is
disabled by default. In Vista, even though you may be logged into an
account with administrative privileges, you still need to elevate to
"superuser" in order to accomplish some tasks. This is a security
feature. Also in Vista, while you can work from a user account with
administrative privileges, it is safer not to. You should be working
from a Standard User account instead. Because the built-in
Administrator account is disabled, it is wise to create one or two
extra user accounts with administrative privileges. With luck, you'll
never need to log into them.
My Computer (XP) and Computer (Vista) - represents your entire
computer, showing drives and directories on hard drives. Shared Folders
(XP) and the Public directory (Vista) are folders where you can put
files you wish to share with other users on the system. You don't need
to use these folders if you don't want to, but leave them alone!
Documents and Settings (XP only) - The "container" for all user
settings. Each user will have [username] My Documents, My Music, My
Videos, My Pictures.
In Vista, the Documents and Settings directory has been replaced with
the Users directory - just like in the rest of the grownup operating
systems (Unix, Linux, Mac OS X). You will still see Documents and
Settings in Vista, but it is a virtual directory only, there just to be
backwards-compatible with older software that expects it to exist. So
if you click on it, you will get "access denied". You can't "take
ownership" of a virtual directory nor would you ever want/need to.
Under Vista's Users directory you will see home directories (with
subdirectories like Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.) for all the users
in the system.
Administrator - Built-in account - Leave alone! Do not use! Do not
worry about it! You won't see this in Vista (see explanation above). In
XP, the built-in Administrator account is only visible in Documents and
Settings if you have XP Pro/Media Center. In XP Home, it can only be
accessed in Safe Mode.
All Users - Section where items common to all users go. You have to
"Show Hidden Files and Folders" (not recommended) in order to see the
All Users directory in Vista, but it is a virtual directory and
therefore not accessible.
Default User (XP) and Default (Vista) - This is the template from which
new user accounts are made. You will never put anything in any of those
folders but they are needed to create new users. In Linux we use "skel"
("skeleton" - get it?). In Windows, the less-colorful term "Default
User/Default" is used. Leave it alone! As with All Users, you need to
"Show Hidden Files and Folders" in Vista to see Default. You will also
see Default User, but like All Users it is virtual only and therefore
not accessible.
Your user account and other user accounts that *you've* created are in
the Users directory. Sometimes there will be an Owner account, or
something like "HP Administrator". This is the generic user created by
the OEM ("Original Equipment Manufacturer; i.e., Dell, HP, Sony, etc.)
when installing the operating system. After all, the OEM doesn't know
who is going to buy the computer. If you aren't using this OEM user
account, you can delete it from the User Accounts applet in Control
Panel. It is not the same account as "Administrator".
You will also see the Windows directory and the Program Files
directory. If you "Show Hidden Files and Folders" and also uncheck
"Hide protected operating system files" in Vista, you'll see a lot of
other directories, too. The ones with the "shortcut arrows" are virtual
directories. Again, the virtualization is there for
backwards-compatibility with older software.
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User accounts - Recommended Setup (Vista and Win7)
You absolutely do not want to have only one user account. Like XP and
all other modern operating systems, Vista and Windows 7 are multi-user operating
systems with built-in system accounts such as Administrator, Default, and Guest. These accounts should be left alone as they are
part of the operating system structure.
You particularly don't want only one user account with administrative
privileges on Vista and Windows 7 because the built-in Administrator
account
(normally only used in emergencies) is disabled by default. If you're
running as Administrator for your daily work and that account gets
corrupted, things will be Difficult. It isn't impossible to activate
the built-in Administrator to rescue things, but it may require more
work than you want to do. Best not to get into a bad situation to begin
with.
The user account that is for your daily work should be a Standard user,
with the extra administrative user (call it something like "CompAdmin"
or "Tech" or the like) only there for elevation purposes. Running as a
Standard user is best practice for security purposes and will help
protect your computer from infection. After you
create "CompAdmin", log into it and change your regular user account to
Standard. Then log back into your regular account.
If you want to go directly to the Desktop and skip the Welcome Screen
with the icons of user accounts, you can do this:
Start Orb>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by UAC
Uncheck the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use
this computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by
clicking on the desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter
the correct password for that user account (if there is one) when
prompted. Leave it blank if there is no password (null).
Webmail vs. Email Client
When you sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) like AT&T
or Comcast, they give you email addresses, like YourName@comcast.net or
YourName@att.net. When someone sends an email to you at that address,
the email goes and lives on one of your ISP's computers. This computer
is called a mail server. Now you have a choice as to how to get that
email.
A. You can access it by reading it online in your browser (Internet
Explorer, Firefox, etc.), using your ISP's mail program. This is called
webmail.
1. The advantage of webmail is that you can read your mail from any
computer that's on the Internet. You just need to open a browser, go to
the ISP's website, login, and go to your Inbox. The email still lives
on the ISP's mail server, not on your computer and it stays there until
you delete it from the webmail's Inbox. It is scanned for viruses by
the ISP's antivirus software. Since your email and your addressbook are
on the ISP's mail server, you don't need to back anything up unless you
want to change ISPs.
2. The disadvantages to webmail are a) if you have dialup and/or pay
for Internet access by the minute, you have to be online to read your
mail; b) you might not like the ISP's webmail interface.
B. The alternative to webmail is accessing your email by using an email
program (called an email client) like Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows
Mail, Thunderbird, etc. Using an email client downloads the email onto
your computer. The email has been scanned for viruses by the ISP's
antivirus software and again by the antivirus software you have
installed on your own computer when you download it. Unless you choose
to keep the messages on the ISP's mail server and remember to delete
them from webmail regularly, once downloaded onto your computer those
email messages are gone from the ISP's mail server. You can no longer
access your email from anywhere except on your own computer in the
email client you use. Since your mail and addressbook are on your
computer in your email client, backing up regularly is your
responsibility.
So if you don't want to use the ISP's webmail, you need to set up an
email client. Go to the ISP's website and they will have instructions
for doing this with whatever email client you chose. No matter which
method you choose - webmail or email client - it's the same email
account. One method isn't inherently "better" than the other; it's a
matter of personal preference.
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Fonts
Corrupted fonts
In Print Preview in XP Wordpad or Paint the control
buttons for Print, Close etc: have corrupted Text. Per Ramesh - See if
there is a file named "MFC42LOC.DLL" in the Windows\System32 folder. If
present, rename it.
Fonts are symbols
Windows
uses the Wingdings or Webdings font as its default display font when
you install updates with antivirus software running on a Windows
XP-based computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919752
Note: I had to do a combination of things. From Kelly on how to
repair fonts folder - Make a work folder - say C:\Tempfont. Put the CD
in the drive and exit from the auto-run.
Start - Run - CMD.EXE and in that give the letter of the CD drive (say Z:) - so
Z:
CD i386
EXPAND *.TT_ C:\TEMPFONT
EXPAND *.FO_ C:\TEMPFONT
C:
CD \TEMPFONT
REN *.TT_ *.TTF
REN *.FO_ *.FON
EXIT
That will extract all 298 fonts to C:\TEMPFONT. You can then go to the
Fonts folder, Browse to C:\Tempfont, and select the ones you need.
Check the 'Copy to fonts folder' box before OK. Once you are sure
you have everything you need, you can delete the work folder.
Another thing - Move the contents of the Fonts folder to an empty
folder. By opening the Fonts folder, select all the fonts, copy them,
and paste them to a new folder. Open your registry and find the key
below:
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts
(note: I often find this is completely missing. Export it from a
working registry. Afterwards, go in and remove non-working fonts
because they aren't really installed in there.)
Highlight the key and press DELETE. Once the key has been deleted
create a new key to replace it, by selecting Edit -> New -> Key
and name the new key [Fonts].
Restart the computer, then re-install the fonts by opening the Control
Panel, double-click on 'Fonts'. And from the File menu select 'Install
New Fonts...' adding the fonts that were previously copied to the
temporary directory.
Show only TrueType fonts - open Fonts in the Control Panel. Select
Tools, Folder Options and go to the True Type Fonts tab. Find the
setting to "Show only TrueType fonts in the programs on my
computer." Make sure that isn't checked. If remove the
check, reboot needed before the change is picked up.
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Fonts disappear (Alex Nichol)
Problem from newsgroup: "My Windows XP has gotten into a state where I
cannot keep fonts installed. When I reboot the machine, Windows
comes up with symbols of some kind instead of English fonts. All
of the font files are still there in the appropriate folders in the
Windows hierarchy, but if I open up the Fonts Control Panel applet, it
is empty."
This may have arisen through corruption of the desktop.ini file in the
Windows\Fonts folder. Make a new one in Notepad. It should be a simple
text file containing just:
[.ShellClassInfo]
UICLSID={BD84B380-8CA2-1069-AB1D-08000948F534}
so copy that into Notepad and save it as windows\fontdesk.txt (making
sure the Save as box uses ANSI coding at the bottom, not Unicode).
Now use All Programs - Accessories - Command Prompt - and give
CD \WINDOWS\FONTS
ATTRIB -H -R -S DESKTOP.INI
DEL DESKTOP.INI
COPY WINDOWS\FONTDESK.TXT DESKTOP.INI
ATTRIB +H +R +S DESKTOP.INI
IE font problems
This problem occurs because Microsoft Outlook (Outlook XP here
but not sure about other versions or Outlook Express) will change your
browser font size when
you compose or read HTML messages to Outlook's Default size. To
change this in Outlook, go to Tools -> Options. On the Mail
Format Tab, choose the "Fonts"
button in the Middle of the screen. Click the "International
Fonts" Button (don't know why it is there, but it is). There is
an option for Font Size. Choose the Font Size you want IE to default to
and this should solve all of your problem.
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Italics problem
When a rogue program decides to install its own version of system
fonts, it may replace the original version of the font file with a
shortcut in the font folder. Once this program is uninstalled,
the shortcut may now point to a font file that no longer exists.
Windows XP in turn reacts by turning all unspecified fonts into italics
upon next reboot.The simple way to fix this is to delete all shortcuts
in the font folder and replace them with the actual font file. By
going to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Fonts],
you can also double check the path of each font and look for any
suspicious paths.
*****
If Arial (and possibly other system fonts) will only show in italics
after installing XP SP3, it is because SP3 replaced them with a newer
version. Go into the /Windows/$NTServicePackUninstall$ folder to find
the older versions and replace them.
Repair Fonts folder (XP)
If the "Install Fonts" option is missing, open a terminal (or
MS-DOS prompt in older os's) and cd c:\Windows\fonts and then type
"attrib fonts +s +r". If this doesn't do it, replace the fontext.dll by
extracting it.
Alternately, type this command in Start, Run:
cmd /c attrib +s +r %windir%\fonts
See if the "Install new font" option is restored.
Missing Menu Commands in the Fonts Folder - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/133725
Hardware
CD/DVD Drive Issues
HOW TO: Troubleshoot Issues That Occur When You Write Data to a CD-R or CD-RW Optical Disc in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q324129
CD-R Drive or CD-RW Drive Is Not Recognized As a Recordable Device
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316529
CD-ROM Drive or DVD-ROM Drive Missing After You Install Windows XP or Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320553
Optical drives do not work as expected after you upgrade a computer to Windows Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929461/en-us
Vista - Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060
CD-ROM Access Is Missing and Messages Cite Error Code 31, Code 32,
Code 19, or Code 39 After You Remove Easy CD Creator in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314060
This Knowledge Base article has an automatic Fix It and also the manual steps.
Afterward, use the following repair: Autoplay Repair Wizard - http://tinyurl.com/5s4x7
Only One CD-R or CD-RW Disk Drive Can Be Used to Create Compact Discs in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=294652
"Incorrect Function" Error Message When You Access the CD-ROM Drive, DVD-ROM Drive, or CD-RW Drive
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q315350
How to Troubleshoot Issues with Reading CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD Discs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q321641
CD-ROM Drive May Not Be Able to Read a UDF-Formatted Disc in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q321640
Files are displayed in the staging folder when you search a CD-RW drive
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325218
Alex Nichol on cd burning in XP - http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.htm
What You Need for Lightscribe - http://www.lightscribe.com/index.aspx
Which CD or DVD format should I use? MS Vista Help webpage - http://tinyurl.com/2mybuf
Vista disk burning FAQ - http://tinyurl.com/2en525
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CMOS battery
How To Replace The CMOS Battery In Your PC - http://www.liverepair.com/encyclopedia/articles/cmosreplace.asp
How to replace the CMOS battery - http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000239.htm
Drives using PIO mode instead of DMA
If you can't change the IDE controller to use DMA instead of PIO,
follow Hans-Georg Michna's advice here - http://winhlp.com/?q=node/10
Briefly, to renable DMA, do this in Regedit, go to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
It has subkeys like 0000, 0001, 0002, etc. Normally 0001 is the primary
IDE channel, 0002 the secondary, but other numbers can occur under
certain circumstances. Check the DriverDesc value to see which one it
is.
Delete MasterIdDataChecksum or SlaveIdDataChecksum, depending on
whether the device in question is attached as master or slave, but it
can't actually hurt to delete both. Reboot. The drive DMA capabilities
will be redetected.
Open Device Manager again and check whether the device is now actually
using DMA mode. If so, congratulations, you've made it (at least until
the next time Windows disables DMA).
After running through his troubleshooting and rebooting, change the number of resets as follows (Microsoft):
1. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0001
2. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
3. Type ResetErrorCountersOnSuccess, and then press ENTER.
4. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
5. Type 1, and then click OK.
Follow these steps, and then quit Registry Editor:
1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0002
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type ResetErrorCountersOnSuccess, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. Type 1, and then click OK.
Note The numbered subkeys that are listed earlier correspond to the
primary and secondary IDE channels on a computer that contains a single
IDE controller. If your computer contains two IDE controllers, the
numbered subkeys for the primary and secondary IDE channels for each of
the two controllers may be:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0002
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0003
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0004
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0005
To verify that you have located the correct subkey, verify that the
DriverDesc value for the subkey contains the string value "Primary IDE
Channel" or the string value "Secondary IDE Channel."
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F-Lock Keyboard Fix - http://jtsang.mvps.org/flock.html
Intellimouse erratic pointer
The Mouse Pointer Moves Erratically or Does Not Respond with Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321122&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH
shorter alternative - http://tinyurl.com/56nmh
NICs - manually remove from the registry (XP) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/147797/EN-US/
Screen rotation - Ctrl-Alt-Up Arrow or check video card settings in Display applet or video card Control Panel applet
Toshiba BIOS reset
1. Hold down the left Shift key during boot.
2. If #1 doesn't work, you can create a key-disk. I don't know if this
will work with a bootable cd-r; you may need to buy/borrow a usb floppy
drive and hope your system allows booting from a usb device.
To create the key-disk, get a floppy disk and then use a hex editor
such as Hex Workshop to change the first five bytes of the second
sector (the one after the boot sector) and set them to 4B 45 59 00 00
(note that the first three bytes are the ASCII for "KEY" :) followed by
two zeroes). Once you have created the key disk put it into the
notebook's drive and turn it on, then push the reset button and when
asked for password, press Enter. You will be asked to Set Password
again. Press Y and Enter. You'll enter the BIOS configuration where you
can set a new password or disable this function.
3. If you can't do any of those things, call Toshiba tech support. They may want proof of purchase so have that available.
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USB issues (XP and Vista)
General USB Troubleshooting in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310575
Universal Serial Bus Devices Do Not Work in Safe Mode - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310496
USB port may stop working after removing or inserting USB device (MS KB) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817900/en-us
Reliability update for the USB stack in Windows Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925528
The Care and Feeding of USB Storage Devices in XP - Bill Castner - http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=28888
Troubleshooting USB by Uwe Sieber - http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html
Uwe Sieber's USB Drive Letter Manager - http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html
USB thumb drives - U3 versions below 1.4 do not work with Vista.
In Vista for resolving problems with USB devices not being recognized, locate the file INFCACHE.1 in C:\Windows\inf
Right click on the INFCACHE.1 file, select Properties
>Security>Edit, and give your account full control. Delete
INFCACHE.1 or rename it to INFCACHE.1.BAK or temporarily move it to
your desktop. Reboot. If this works for you, you can delete the
INFCACHE.1 file. Windows will not
recreate it.
Internet-General
AOL exports
How to Copy America Online (AOL) Favorites to Internet Explorer - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=241198
Tip: Exporting the AOL Address Book - http://journals.aol.com/adamkb/blog/entries/148
To export your AOL address book and favorites, click "Key Word" on the
"Menu Bar" and type "Intellisync for AOL". That will get you to a page
where you can download a program that will copy your information to M/S
Outlook Express.
Can't connect to some MS websites - (Steve Winograd)
This is a common problem with shared DSL connections that use PPP Over
Ethernet (PPPoE). Here are some possible fixes. Any one of
them should solve the problem:
1. Install Windows XP Service Pack 1 or 2 on the ICS host computer.
2. Find the right MTU setting on the client computer, as shown here:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article04-107
and then make the setting manually on the client computer, or use DrTCP to make it:
http://www.dslreports.com/front/drtcp.html
3. Download the free RASPPPoE program and install it on the host
computer. Use it instead of XP's PPPoE program. Details at
these sites:
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/adslpoe2.htm
http://www.raspppoe.com
See these sites for more information:
Connectivity Problems on ICS Clients When You Use a PPPoE Connection on
a Windows XP ICS Host
-http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;319661
Troubleshooting MTU Size in PPPoE Dialin Connectivity - http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/794/router_mtu.html
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Mailto: does not work with Hotmail as default mail client
If you're using Hotmail as the default mail handler, when you
type the mailto:mymail@abc.com to compose message to an email address,
the following screen appears with HTTP 404 error:
Server Error in '/' Application. The resource cannot be found.
Description: HTTP 404. The resource you are looking for (or one of its
dependencies) could have been removed, had its name changed, or is
temporarily unavailable. Please review the following URL and make sure
that it is spelled correctly.
Requested Url: /secure/start
Workaround:
The address bar shows this entry:
http://www.hotmail.com/secure/start?action=compose&to=mymail@abc.com
Changing the above to the following line helps:
http://www.hotmail.msn.com/secure/start?action=compose&to=mymail@abc.com
To make this permanent, try these steps:
Open Regedit and navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail\Hotmail
Create a new REG_SZ value named posturl. Double-click posturl and set its value exactly as given below:
http://hotmail.msn.com/secure/start
MSN exports
MSN Favorites Export Toolkit - http://www.mainsoft.fr/en/downloads.htm
Oddly enough, Internet Explorer cannot import your MSN Explorer
favorites. This toolkit does the job by transforming the MSN favorites
file (favorites.xml) into a Netscape favorites file (bookmark.htm) that
is (ironically) suitable for import into IE.
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Internet-IE
ActiveX
"Your current settings prohibit running ActiveX controls on this page" error, either try:
re-registering the following .dll files
Softpub.dll
Wintrust.dll
Initpki.dll
Urlmon.dll
Start>Run>regsvr32 name.dll [enter]
or
Download the file OLEfix.zip available here (it is a registry file that
originates from MS Support, and it has fixed the ActiveX problem for
several people getting this problem after installing KB896688) -
http://patch-info.de/IE/Downloads/OLEfix.zip
Extract it and double click the contained OLEfix.reg file. Click Yes on
the dialog box that asks you if you are sure to add the information in
OLEfix.reg to the registry. You may have to reboot your machine
afterwards.
Doug Knox also has a utility to fix this - http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/kb896688_fix.zip
ActiveX controls may not load as expected in Internet Explorer due to
defense-in-depth changes introduced in cumulative security update 896688
(MS05-052) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909889
A Web page that contains a custom ActiveX control may not load as
expected in Internet Explorer due to defense-in-depth changes
introduced in
cumulative security update 896688 (MS05-052) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909738
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Branding
Type the following in the Run dialog box to remove any IE and OE branding from ISPs:
rundll32 iedkcs32.dll,BrandCleanInstallStubs
Can't access secure sites (re-registering .dll's) (XP & XP SP2)
You have to re-register the following dll's at the command prompt (cmd).
If you have SP2, you can do it all in one go:
Start>Run cmd [enter]
iexplore.exe /rereg [enter]
Without SP2:
Start>Run cmd [enter]
regsvr32 mshtml.dll [enter]
Click OK when you get the message that DLLRegisterServer in FileName succeeded and type "exit" to quit cmd.
Repeat the same with:
regsvr32 mshtmled.dll
regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 dssenh.dll
regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32 sccbase.dll
regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll
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Clear Type on by default (IE7)
IE7 turns on clear type by default. You can try the clear type
tuning tool at
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/Step1.aspx.
If after running that you are still not happy with the results, you can
turn this off in IE. In IE7 go to Tools->Internet Options,
Advanced tab. Under Multimedia remove the check from "Always use
ClearType for HTML". You will need to shut down IE in order for
the change to be picked up.
Incompatible Third-Party Toolbars
If you are having problems with Internet Explorer 7 hanging, crashing,
silently closing or other bizarre behavior, an incompatible toolbar or
other add-on maybe involved. The fastest way to determine if an add-on
is causing the problem is to run Internet Explorer 7 with no add-ons.
You can do this by going to Start, clicking All Programs, click
Accessories, click System Tools and click Internet Explorer (No
add-ons). This disables all add-ons from loading in that instance of
Internet Explorer. If the problem goes away, you can manually disable
specific add-ons to find the specific one causing the problem. Below
are instructions on how to manually disable a specific toolbar and a
list of known incompatible toolbars that can cause serious issues with
Internet Explorer 7.
To disable a toolbar open Internet Explorer 7, follow these steps:
1. In Windows, click the Start button.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Click Accessories.
4. Click System Tools and then click Internet Explorer (No add-ons).
Once you determine the toolbar causing the issue, you should uninstall
the toolbar through Add or Remove Programs in Windows Control Panel and
then check the toolbar’s website for an updated version.
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Content Advisor
The following steps will remove any password set in the Internet
Explorer Content Advisor and allow you to reset the program to its
original state.
1) Click on Start and choose Run.
2) Type in RegEdit and select OK.
3) Now click on the little plus sign to the left of H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
4) Continue to drill down, always clicking on the plus sign at the left
of the named key, through Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version
and Policies.
5) Now click on the Ratings folder.
6) In the right pane of the RegEdit window, you'll see an icon called Key. Click on it and press Delete.
7) Next, choose Registry and then Exit to exit RegEdit. You've just deleted your original Content Advisor password.
8) Restart the computer and run Internet Explorer again.
9) Choose View and then Internet Options (or Options for version 3.x). For IE 5 or greater, Click on Tools, Internet Options.
10) Click on the Content tab and click on Disable. When asked for a
password, don't enter anything; just click on OK. This will disable
Content Advisor because there's no longer a password.
How to Fix Problems with Content Advisor Missing Information - In most
cases, this problem occurs when the Ratings.pol file is damaged, follow
the instructions below to fix this issue.
1) Quit Internet Explorer
2) Open My Computer, click on Tools, Folder Options
3) Click on the View tab and make sure "Show hidden files and folders"
is selected, you may also want to uncheck the box next to "Hide
extensions for known file types" and click Ok
4) Double click on Drive C in My Computer
5) Double click on the Windows folder and then double click on the System folder
6) Search for the file RATINGS.POL and right click on it and choose Rename. Rename it to RATINGS.OLD
7) Close out of the open Windows and then reopen Internet Explorer
8) Click on Tools, Internet Options
9) Click on the Content tab, then click on Settings
10) Type in the Supervisor password if necessary and click Ok
11) Select the Ratings options you would like and click Ok and close out of Internet Explorer
12) When you reopen Internet Explorer, everything should work.
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Every webpage is a Trusted Site
After malware removal, opening any website shows that Trusted
Sites with the little white checkmark in a green circle is on every
page. However, using Internet Options and checking the Trusted
Sites reveals there are no sites listed. In another instance, a green
checkmark with "Trusted sites" appears in the lower-right-hand corner
of the browser window, even though no sites have been place in the
Trusted Zone (in Tools - Internet options). To correct this:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/InternetSettings/ZoneMap/Protocol
Change http value from (2) to (3).
Font problems
This problem occurs because Microsoft Outlook will change your
browser font size when you compose or read HTML messages to Outlook's
Default size. To change this in Outlook, go to Tools ->
Options. On the Mail Format Tab, choose the 'Fonts' button in the
Middle of the screen. Click the "International Fonts"
Button. There is an option for Font Size. Choose the Font Size you
want IE to default to.
Incompatible third-party toolbars (IE7)
If you are having problems with Internet Explorer 7 hanging, crashing,
silently closing or other bizarre behavior, an incompatible toolbar or
other add-on maybe involved. The fastest way to determine if an add-on
is causing the problem is to run Internet Explorer 7 with no add-ons.
You can do this by going to Start, clicking All Programs, click
Accessories, click System Tools and click Internet Explorer (No
add-ons). This disables all add-ons from loading in that instance of
Internet Explorer. If the problem goes away, you can manually disable
specific add-ons to find the specific one causing the problem. Below
are instructions on how to manually disable a specific toolbar and a
list of known incompatible toolbars that can cause serious issues with
Internet Explorer 7.
To disable a toolbar open Internet Explorer 7, follow these steps:
1. In Windows, click the Start button.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Click Accessories.
4. Click System Tools and then click Internet Explorer (No add-ons).
Once you determine the toolbar causing the issue, you should uninstall
the toolbar through Add or Remove Programs in Windows Control Panel and
then check the toolbar’s website for an updated version.
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ISP/OEM locking of homepage
If the feature is disabled (greyed out), go to Doug Knox's site and download this script:
http://www.dougknox.com/security/scripts_desc/nosethomepage.htm
Usage: Download nosethomepage.vbs and save this file to your hard
drive. Navigate to where you saved it and double click the file. The VB
Script file will check for the appropriate value and if not found will
create it. You will be notified whether the option is enabled or
disabled.
To manually make the change: Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel\HomePage
In the right-hand panel, right-click the HomePage value and select Modify. Change the value to: 00 00 00 00
Also see these keys:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] "Start Page"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] - DWORD "NoSetHomePage"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Restrictions] - DWORD "NoSetHomePage"=dword:00000001
Change the values to 00 00 00 00.
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Kiosk mode
How to put IE in Kiosk Mode: http://tinyurl.com/45mjl
No Add-Ons
MS webpage explaining add-ons: http://tinyurl.com/2tro8f
Right-click on the blue IE desktop icon and select Start without Add-ons; or
Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (No add-ons).
Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer’s (No Add-ons) Mode - http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/07/25/678113.aspx
Printing errors
User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
Value Name: Use StyleSheets
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Find the value named "Use StyleSheets" and either delete it, or set it to equal "Yes".
HTML Code May Be Printed Instead of Web Page or Message - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;175322
Start>Run>regsvr32 /i mshtml.dll [enter]
Start>Run>regsvr32 /i shdocvw.dll [enter]
IE print script error - Start>Run>regsvr32 iepeers.dll [enter]
Also from Robear - Start>Run>regsvr32 ole32.dll [enter]
IE7 under Vista - "Cannot find
'file:///C:/Users/[username]/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/somefilename.htm'.
Make sure the path or Internet address is correct."
From Bill Castner - An example of why the problem comes about, and its solution:
In Vista when you run CCleaner, it deletes the
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\Low folder. This causes Internet
Explorer 7 to give you an error message when attempting to print. I
have found a work around which must be done every time you are done
running CCleaner. First you have to go to
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\
and recreate the Low folder. Then you have to run the following command:
icacls C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\Low /setintegritylevel (OI)(CI)low
The issue is one of protected mode. FIrefox does not run in
protected mode and does not show an error. IE 7 runs in protected
mode and cannot access the Low folder if you create one unless you set
its integrity level to low.
1. Make sure this path exists - C:\Users\Lee\AppData\Local\Temp\Low
2. Start, Run, and enter in the box:
icacls C:\Users\Lee\AppData\Local\Temp\Low /setintegritylevel (OI)(CI)low
Hit Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run the command with Administrator priviliges.
Reinstall IE (Rick Rogers)
Click start/run, then copy/paste this line in and click ok to reinstall the application:
rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir%\Inf\ie.inf
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Temporary Files location (IE7)
The location of the TIF is specified here in XP and Vista in the Registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
The Cache value specifies the TIF location, which in Vista is:
D:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files
To see what's in the IE cache, then you have to put in the subdirectory
\Content.IE5\ (which doesn't show if you just look at the above
directory), so its:
D:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\
and that will show the subdirectories.
View Source problems
View Source - Restore Notepad as Default (Line 183) - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
View Source Not Working in Internet Explorer - http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/1246/
Source Code Is Not Displayed When You Click Source on the View Menu in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q306907
Webpage images not displayed correctly
This can occur if value of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.gif\Content_Type
or HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jpg\Content_Type are set incorrectly. Quit IE,
run regedit and find the 1st key: double-click Content Type value in
right pane and type "image/gif" without quotes in Value Data box. Do
the same (only "image/jpg") for the other key.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283807
Windows Update breaks IE7
See 'Known issues with this security update > Controls that prompt
before they are loaded' section of
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931768
1. Try opening IE in No Add-ons mode & see if this behavior
persists. If it doesn't, change your IE home page to "blank" then
close IE7 and reopen normally (i.e., with all Add-ons enabled) and see
if the behavior returns.
2. If still no joy, reopen in No Add-ons mode, reset IE settings
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737), close IE, open normally and
see if the behavior still persists.
This is all related to a cross-site security vulnerability addressed by MS07-027/KB931768: http://secunia.com/advisories/24535/
Also try this fix, courtesy of MVP Robert Aldwinckle:
Start > Run > Type or copy/paste the following into the box:
iexplore.exe -nohome -extoff
[Note the spaces in the line above!]
Internet-IE URLs
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Internet-IE8
Installation
IE8 System Requirements - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/support/system-requirements.aspx
HOW TO solve IE8 installation problems - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949220
Per MVP PA Bear - I would
strongly recommend disabling your anti-virus application and any
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) before installing (or
uninstalling) an IE upgrade. If you're running a third-party
firewall, I would recommend disabling it and then enabling the Windows
Firewall before installing (or uninstalling) an IE upgrade.
Tip: Reboot twice after installing IE8 Final. Make certain that
your anti-virus application, any anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender), and your third-party firewall (if any)
is supported in IE8 Final before you decide install it.
No-charge support for Internet Explorer 8 installation, set-up and usage
(only) is available via the phone based on your locale through 31
December 2009. Customers must be running Windows XP or Windows Vista in
a non-domain environment.
US & CA Residents: 866-234-6020. Other: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=13043
Uninstall IE8 - Click
Start> Control Panel > System Maintenance > Windows Update>
View Installed Updates> Click on it there> Uninstall.
Private Browsing
IE 8 InPrivate Browsing FAQ - http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/help/dbd3b48a-4244-4dd6-9aba-546cdbd2ad211033.mspx
Internet-IE URLs
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Internet-Email
Outlook/Outlook Express
Break Messages Apart
Tools>Accounts
Highlight your email account.
Click Properties and go to the Advanced tab.
Make sure "Break apart messages larger than __ KB" is not checked.
OK>Close.
Links - can't open
For OE: Credit to the late and very lamented MVP Frank Saunders
Open Windows Explorer.
Go to Tools | Folder Options | File Types.
Scroll down to URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol and select it.
Click Edit or Advanced, depending on your Windows version.
Select 'open'.
Click Edit.
"Application used to perform this action" should read:
"C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\iexplore.exe" -nohome
(Check the path to iexplore.exe to make sure that is correct and use the double quotes.)
DDE should be checked and in the boxes below it you should have:
#1:
"%1",,-1,0,,,,
#2
IExplore
#3 (blank)
#4
WWW_OpenURL
URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy should be the same.
Sometimes it is necessary to uncheck Use DDE. If that doesn't fix it,
go to Start>Run and type
regsvr32 urlmon.dll [enter]
For Outlook: Open
Internet Explorer, Tools, Internet Options, Programs tab. Choose Reset
Web Settings. Click OK and close the dialog. Then, from Start/Run, type
this command and press Enter: regsvr32 /i shdocvw.dll
If nothing helps, inspect the htmlfile and http associations in the registry, as per KB310049:
OL2002: Error Message: This Operation Has Been Cancelled Due to Restrictions in Effect on this Computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=310049
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OE is missing from Internet Options mail clients list
Outlook Express missing from the Internet Options mail clients list - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/oemissing.htm
When you open Internet Options Programs tab, Outlook Express may not be
listed in the drop-down. Also, Outlook Express Does Not Start from the
Mail Button in Internet Explorer. This is caused if the following
key/sub-keys or it's (default) value is missing in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail\OutlookExpress
To resolve the problem, follow any of the methods:
Method 1:
Click Start, Run and type the following commands one by one:
MSIMN.EXE /REG
regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Outlook Express\msoe.dll"
This restores Outlook Express under the email clients list. The
above-said registry key is now recreated. The second command registers
the DLL Path for Outlook Express, as it's a requirement for MAPI calls.
Method 2:
Apply the registry fix and follow the solution given in the Microsoft
Knowledgebase article: OLEXP: Outlook Express Does Not Start from the
Mail Button in Internet Explorer
(Applies to Windows XP as well)
IMPORTANT: Once you completed any of these methods, select Outlook
Express as the default mail client (from Internet Options > Programs
tab) and click Apply.
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OE SP2 changes
Outlook Express now has picture handling facilities similar to Outlook
2003. This prevents senders of spam e-mail from determining whether a
recipient opens a message. It does this by preventing the automatic
display of pictures from Internet servers. The user is presented with
placeholders and the Information Bar gives the user the option to
display the picture.
[Pictures and images embedded in HTML e-mail messages can be adapted to
secretly send a message back to the sender. These are often referred to
as Web beacons. Spammers rely on information returned by these images
to confirm active e-mail addresses. Some spam messages contain Web
beacon images so small that they are invisible to the human eye-but not
to Outlook Express.
An improved defense against Web beacons is to stop pictures from
downloading until you've had a chance to review the message. Outlook
Express in Windows XP SP2 will now block images automatically in
messages from people who are not in your address book. This goes a long
way in preventing the verification of your e-mail address for spammers.
It makes your e-mail name less useful to spammers and may result in
your getting less spam over time.
This feature also minimizes a common annoyance for those using dial-up
network connections. In earlier versions of Outlook Express, if you
read an HTML e-mail message with a picture embedded in it, Outlook
Express would automatically try to connect to the Internet to retrieve
any reference images. With image blocking in Outlook Express, this will
no longer happen -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/ieoeoverview.mspx
Plain text mode is now the default setting with Outlook Express in
Windows XP Service Pack 2. In plain text mode, Outlook Express uses the
rich edit control rather than the MSHTML control. This avoids some
security issues that result from the use of MSHTML by using the rich
edit control. You can reduce the attack surface by operating in Plain
Text Mode.
The following Outlook Express features are not available when running in plain text mode:
- Changing text size
- Full text searching through the body of a mail message
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2email.mspx
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OE Spell-Checking Missing After Office 2007
Bruce Hagen MVP OE - You no longer have spell checking capabilities in
some languages in Outlook Express 6.0 after you install the 2007
Microsoft Office system
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932974
Office 2007 breaks OE's spell check. Downloading a free spell check is
the simplest way around this. Some free spell check programs:
Vampirefo - http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2952
TinySpell - http://www.tinyspell.m6.net/ (Checks the spelling as you type).
Outlook - Create a New Personal Folder - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/286146
A. When Outlook is Open - How to Create a New Personal Folders (.pst) File from the File Menu
1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Outlook Data File.
2. Under Types of storage, click Personal Folders file
(.pst), and then click OK. The Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog
box appears.
3. Accept the Outlook folder as the default save location or provide a custom save location.
4. In the File Name box, create a custom name for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default name. Click OK, and
then the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box appears.
5. In the Name box, you can type a custom title for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default title of Personal
Folders. This name appears on the Folders List, and is applied to any
shortcuts made for the personal folders (.pst) file on the Outlook Bar.
You can select a custom Encryption Setting and/or a Password for the
personal folders (.pst) file. After you enter your desired settings,
click OK.
6. The personal folders (.pst) file that you created is
added to your Folder List. To view the Folder List, click Folder List
on the View menu.
B. When Outlook is Open - How to Create a New Personal Folders File from the Tools Menu
1. While in Outlook, click Tools, and then click E-Mail Accounts to open the E-Mail Accounts dialog box.
2. Under the E-Mail section, click View or Change Existing Email Accounts, and then click Next.
3. In the E-Mail Accounts dialog box, click the New Outlook Data File button.
4. Under Types of Storage, click Personal Folders File
(.pst), and then click OK. The Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog
box appears.
5. Accept the Outlook folder as the default save location or provide a custom save location.
6. In the File Name box, create a custom name for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default name. Click OK, and
then the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box appears.
7. In the Name box, you can type a custom title for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default title of Personal
Folders. This name appears on the Folders List, and is applied to any
shortcuts made for the personal folders (.pst) file on the Outlook Bar.
You can select a custom Encryption Setting and/or a Password for the
personal folders (.pst) file. After you enter your desired settings,
click OK.
8. In the Outlook Data Files dialog box, an entry appears
for the personal folders (.pst) file. Click Close to close the dialog
box.
9. Click Finish.
10. The new personal folders (.pst) file is be added to your Folder List.
C. When Outlook is Closed - How to Add a Personal Folders File When You Use a Single Profile
1. Quit Outlook.
2. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel,
and then double-click the Mail icon. This opens the Mail Setup dialog
box that provides the messaging profile that Outlook is currently using.
3. In the Data Files section, click the Data Files button, and the Outlook Data Files dialog box appears.
4. Click the Add button, and the New Outlook Data File dialog box appears.
5. Under Types of Storage, click Personal Folders File
(.pst), click OK, and the Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog box
appears.
6. Accept the Outlook folder as the default save location or provide a custom save location.
7. In the File Name box, create a custom name for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default name. Click OK, and
then the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box appears.
8. In the Name box, you can type a custom title for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default title of Personal
Folders. This name appears on the Folders List, and is applied to any
shortcuts made for the personal folders (.pst) file on the Outlook Bar.
You can select a custom Encryption Setting and/or a Password for the
personal folders (.pst) file. After you enter your desired settings,
click OK.
9. In the Outlook Data Files dialog box, an entry appears
for the personal folders (.pst) file that you created. Click Close to
close the dialog box.
10. Click Close. The new personal folders (.pst) file is available for use in Outlook.
D. When Outlook is Closed - How to Add a Personal Folders (.pst) File When You Use Multiple Profiles
1. Quit Outlook.
2. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click the Mail icon.
3. In the Mail Setup dialog box, click the Show Profiles button.
4. On the General tab, click the name of the profile that
you want to add the personal folders (.pst) file to, and then click
Properties.
5. In the Mail Setup dialog box, click the Data Files, and the Outlook Data Files dialog box appears.
6. Click the Add button, and the New Outlook Data File dialog box appears..
7. Under Types of Storage, click Personal Folders File
(.pst), and then click OK. The Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog
box appears.
8. Accept the Outlook folder as the default save location or provide a custom save location.
9. In the File Name box, create a custom name for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default name. Click OK, and
the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box appears.
10. In the Name box, you can type a custom title for the
personal folders (.pst) file, or accept the default title of Personal
Folders. This name appears on the Folders List, and is applied to any
shortcuts made for the personal folders (.pst) file on the Outlook Bar.
You can select a custom Encryption Setting and/or a Password for the
personal folders (.pst) file. After you enter your desired settings,
click OK.
11. In the Outlook Data Files dialog box, an entry appears for
the personal folders (.pst) file that you created. Click Close to close
the dialog box.
12. Click Close. The new personal folders (.pst) file is available for use in Outlook.
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Outlook - Disable Business Contact Manager
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/903094
Note that the first place to look is in Add/Remove Programs (XP) or
Programs/Features (Vista). If that doesn't work or the client doesn't
want to remove the Contact Manager:
1. Quit Outlook.
2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.OutlookAddIn.Connect.1
4. Right-click LoadBehavior, and then click Modify.
5. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.
7. Start Outlook.
To enable Business Contact Manager after you have disabled Business Contact Manager, follow these steps:
1. Quit Outlook.
2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.OutlookAddIn.Connect.1
4. Right-click LoadBehavior, and then click Modify.
5. In the Value data box, type 3, and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.
7. Start Outlook.
Outlook - Export Calendar to OS X iCal
To export Outlook Contacts to OS X Addressbook, save the Outlook Contacts as Vcards.
Outlook - Export Contacts to OS X Address Book
To export Outlook Calendar to iCal, in Calendar view Save As
.ics. For older versions of Office (pre-2007) use the program I've got.
Outlook - Importing .pst files - From MVP Hal Hostetler about importing .pst files.
1. When you copy the .PST file from your old HD to the new one, place
it in a folder where it will NOT overwrite any existing .PST files;
overwriting a .PST file that's in use can cause profile corruption.
2. One should NEVER use Outlook's Import and Export functions with .PST
files. This feature is broken and has been for some time. Using
it often results in profile corruption, plus you lose the following
data:
1. Custom Forms
2. Custom Views
3. Connections between contacts and activities
4. Received dates on mail
5. Birthdays and anniversaries in calendar
6. Journal connections
7. Distribution Lists
All you need to do is open Outlook on the new machine, go to
'FIle|Open|Outlook Data File', navigate to your old .PST and click
OK. You now have access to all your old data; you can make this
.PST file the default and continue to use it, or drag and drop its
contents into the new one Outlook 2007 created when installed.
Outlook issues (Vista)
Outlook XP is not compatible with Vista. It will run, but it will not remember passwords. See MVP Diane Poremsky's site:
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/vista.htm
Her general Outlook site - http://www.outlook-tips.net/index.html
Outlook Personal Folders Backup in a domain
Make Outlook Personal Folders Backup Utility work in a domain for regular users:
1. Run cmd as local Administrator (Runas). Navigate to c:\program
files\microsoft office\office11\Addins - be sure and check whether this
is office 10, 11, or 12.
regsvr32 outbak.dll [enter] and you should get the "successful" dialog box.
2. Open Outlook>Tools>Options>Advanced>COM addins and
Add outbak.dll by browsing to the same location as above.
Now the Backup option will appear in the File menu.
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Outlook Troubleshooting - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2000071 General Outlook troubleshooting
1. Try the Diagnose & Repair from Microsoft Office Tools
2. Do all Office Updates
3. Try a new profile:
A. Control Panel-> Mail-> button Show Profiles (If you are using
a 64-bit edition of Windows, Control Panel-> Additional
Options-> View 32-bit Control Panel Items-> Mail-> button Show
Profiles). Press the Add button.
* Do NOT use Copy, not even when you want to
recreate your mail profile or you'll end up copying the corruption as
well.
* Do NOT delete your old profile, not even when it
is corrupted, before you verified that the new one works. You might
want to look up some account settings afterwards.
B. Enter a name for your profile.
C. Select to add a new mail account - do all the normal setup for a new mail account.
D. Adding back your previous emails and archives - When you are done
creating the mail profile you might want to add a pst-file to it like
your original pst-file or an archive file. To do this open Outlook and
choose File-> Open-> Outlook Data File.
E. Deliver your email to your original pst-file. If you want new
e-mails delivered to another pst-file you must change the default
delivery location.
*To do this in Outlook 2002/XP and Outlook 2003:
1. Tools-> E-mail Accounts> button Next
2. At the bottom there is a dropdown
list where you can select the name of the pst-file you want mails
delivered to
3. Restart Outlook.
*For Outlook 2007:
1. File-> Data File Management
2. Select the name of the pst-file you
want mails delivered to and press the "Set as Default" button
3. Restart Outlook.
F. Remove empty pst-file - When you reconnected your original pst-file
to Outlook and set it as the default delivery location you might want
to remove the empty pst-file you created during the profile
configuration. Don't start with deleting the pst-file or youíll end up
corrupting the profile. Instead disconnect the pst-file first:
1. In Outlook choose File-> Data File Management
2. Remember the path to the pst-file you want to remove
3. Press Remove
4. Close Outlook
5. Go to the location of the pst-file
6. Delete it
G. Remove old profile - Now that you've fully configured your new
profile and verified it that it works you might want to remove the old
one:
1. Go to Control Panel-> Mail-> button Show ProfilesÖ
2. Select the profile the old profile
3. Press Remove
4. Also look in Outlook.exe folder
to make sure no outlook.exe.manifest files are there (delete)
4. Try starting Outlook in Safe Mode
When you start Outlook in Safe mode, many of the customizations you
have made to Outlook are not loaded. Instead, they are temporarily
replaced with default settings. Also, COM add-ins and Exchange Client
Extensions are not loaded so you significantly reduce the number of
.dlls that interact with Outlook and your data.
To start Outlook in Safe mode, use the /Safe command-line switch. You
can tell you are running in Safe mode because the Outlook title bar
indicates you are in Safe mode. Or if you are offered the option after
a crash, use it.
A. What to do if Outlook STOPS crashing in Safe Mode:
1. If the problem no longer occurs in Safe
mode, then you need to look through the above list of disabled items to
see if they are related to the steps you take to cause a crash. For
example, if Outlook crashes when you click a menu or toolbar button in
the main Outlook window (not an e-mail message that uses the Ribbon),
the Outcmd.dat file may be causing the problem. Since this file does
not load in Safe mode, it makes sense to rename this file to Outcmd.old
and then start Outlook in normal mode. A new Outcmd.dat file will be
created with a default configuration.
2. Because Safe mode does not load COM add-ins
or Exchange Client Extensions, you should definitely see if you have
any third-party add-ins or extensions loaded in Outlook if the problem
goes away in Safe mode. Please use the following steps to check for
third-party COM add-ins and Exchange Client Extensions and to disable
them if installed in Outlook.
a. On the Tools menu click Trust Center.
b. In the Trust Center click Add-ins.
c. Select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down and then click Go.
d. Clear the checkbox for any add-in you want to disable.
e. Exit and restart Outlook.
3. If you can't start Outlook to disable COM
add-ins, do it with regedit. Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins and rename
every subkey under the \Addins key by adding "-disabled" to the end of
the key name. Example: AccessAddin.DC-disable
5. If Outlook still crashes in Safe Mode, scope the problem:
1. Try an Outlook profile that does not contain any e-mail accounts. Outlook
can be launched with a profile that contains no e-mail accounts. This
is a great test to see if Outlook is crashing due to functions
typically performed while sending and receiving e-mail or synchronizing
with your Exchange mailbox. Use the following steps to create an Outlook profile without any e-mail accounts.:
a. Exit Outlook if running.
b. Open the Mail control panel and click Show Profiles.
c. Click Add in the Mail dialog box.
d. Enter PIM for the name of your profile and click OK.
e. In the Add New E-mail Accounts dialog box click Cancel.
f. Click OK when prompted to create a profile with no e-mail accounts.
g. Configure the
PIM profile to be your default profile (enable "Always use this
profile" and then select PIM).
h. Click OK to close the Mail control panel.
i. Start Outlook.
j. In the Outlook 2007 Startup dialog box click Next.
k. In the E-mail Accounts dialog box select the No option and then click Next.
l. In the Create Data File dialog box select "Continue with no e-mail support" and then click Finish.
At this point, Outlook is running without
any e-mail accounts. So, you cannot send or receive e-mail. However,
you can add any existing .pst files you may have to the PIM profile to
see if they may be causing your crash. If
the crashing problem goes away with your PIM profile, you should
probably continue troubleshooting by creating a new Outlook profile
(with your e-mail accounts included this time). If the crashing problem continues with the PIM profile, try with a new Windows user account.
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Passwords - can't remember
Outlook Express keeps prompting for your password - http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_oe_passwords.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;264672
Password Is Not Saved in Outlook or Outlook Express - http://www.theeldergeek.com/save_passwords_in_outlook.htm
When you run Outlook using Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows
XP and connect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to retrieve
e-mail messages from a Post Office Protocol (POP) server, your password
is not retained even though you have chosen to save your password. The
registry contains incorrect information for the Protected Storage
System Provider registry subkey for your account. To save your password
you must back up your registry, remove the user account information,
and then re-enter your password.
Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider
and Save Key, naming it something memorable.
Now click the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider.
On the File menu, click Export, and type a unique name for the key.
Now that you've saved the original keys, you have to remove the user
account information. Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider.
On the Security menu, click Permissions.
Click the registry key for the user that is currently logged on and
ensure that Read and Full Control are both set to Allow. Click the
Advanced button, ensure that user that is currently logged on is
selected, that "Full Control" is listed in the Permissions column, and
that This Key and Subkeys is listed in the Apply to column. Click to
select the Reset permissions on all child objects and enable
propagation of inheritable permissions check box. Click Apply, and then
click Yes when you receive a prompt to continue. Click OK, and then
click OK again.
Double-click the Protected Storage System Provider key to expand the
key, click the user subkey folder that is directly below the Protected
Storage System Provider key, click Delete on the Edit menu, and then
click Yes in the warning message dialog box. The user subkey folder
looks similar to the following example:
S-1-5-21-124525095-708259637-1543119021-16701
NOTE: For every identity that you have, there may be a subkey under the
Protected Storage System Provider key. To resolve this issue in all of
your identities, you must delete all of the user subkey folders under
the Protected Storage System Provider key. On the Registry menu, click
Exit, and then restart your computer.
Now: How to Re-Enter Your Password NOTE: These steps work for both
Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Click Start, point to Settings, and then
click Control Panel. Double-click Mail, and then click the Mail tab. In
the Account column, click to select the ISP account, and then click
Properties. Click Server, type your password in the Password box, and
then click Remember password. Click OK, and then click Close. Close
Control Panel, and then start Outlook. On the Tools menu, click Send to
test whether your password is retained. NOTE: If other Windows 2000 or
Windows XP users are having password retention issues, re-enter the
password, and then click to check the Remember Password check box for
those profiles. Each user may need to log on for his password to be
retained.
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Repair OE - (Tom Koch)
Most crashes and failed starts are the result of one or more of OE's
*.dbx files being damaged, or being marked as Read-only. So begin
trouble-shooting by verifying none are marked as Read-only.
1. Close OE and open the store folder in Windows Explorer.
2. Select all files (Edit| Select All, or CTRL-A), then right-click on
any selected file and select Properties. Clear the checkbox for the
Read-only attribute.
If OE will start, try compacting all your folders as this often repairs minor damage.
1. Click File| Work Offline so that no new messages will be arriving.
2. In the Folder list, click on Outlook Express so that no folder or
newsgroup is open, then close the Folder list (View| Layout).
3. Click File| Folder| Compact All Folders. Do not use your computer
until the process is complete, which might take several minutes. If an
error occurs, close OE, re-open it, and begin the process again from
the top. If the same error occurs again, close OE, restart your
computer (or logoff and then logon again), open OE and then begin the
whole process again.
If Outlook Express will not start, move the *.dbx files from your store folder and into a new empty folder.
1. Download this small script that will open the store folder of the
currently logged-on Identity. Alternatively you can find it be
searching in Windows Explorer for files named *.dbx. Be sure to include
hidden files in your search, as OE user files are marked as hidden by
default.
2. On your desktop, right-click and point to New| Folder.
3. In the store folder window, click Edit| Select All, or press CTRL-A.
4. Drag the selected files and drop them into the New Folder on your desktop.
Try opening OE again. If it starts without error, try importing your mail folders.
1. Click File| Import| Messages| Microsoft Outlook Express 6.
2. Select Import from a store folder and click Browse.
3. Navigate to the New Folder on the Desktop.
If OE cannot import the mail folders, it means the file Folders.dbx is
probably damaged. In that case, close OE and move all the other *.dbx
files back into the store folder. When you re-start OE, it will build a
new index of all the *.dbx files it can read, and create a new
Folders.dbx. Understand though that you will lose the mail tree
structure, all lists of newsgroups, and all synchronization options,
and that message rules will likely need to be edited.
If any *.dbx file fails to be imported, you can buy DBXtract or
download the free Macallan Outlook Express Extraction in order to
extract individual *.eml files for each message it finds in the damaged
*.dbx file. You can then drag those *.eml files and drop them into an
OE mail folder in the OE Folder list.
If you still cannot start OE, your Identity in the registry is probably damaged.
1. Download the Force Identity Logon script.
2. Run the script to access the Identities Manager.
3. Create a new Identity, then switch to it when prompted.
4. If you have previously exported your accounts settings to Internet
Account files (*.iaf), cancel the Add Account wizard that will start
automatically. Then click Tools| Accounts and use the Import button to
import each of your exported *.iaf files.
5. If you have not previously exported your account settings, follow the wizard to set up your basic email account.
If you cannot run the Identities Manager and OE still will not start,
the damage in the registry is more extensive and requires more drastic
steps. Open Regedit and export the entire HKCU\Identities key, then
delete it. Double-click the saved *.reg file you exported and then try
opening OE. If OE still fails to open, export each sub key
HKCU\Identities\{GUID} sub-key to its own *.reg file, then delete the
entire HKCU\Identities key again. Double-click each of the GUID *.reg
files and then Open OE. The New Account wizard will begin, but just
click cancel, as you are going to bypass this first default Identity.
Click File| Identities| Manage Identities and try switching to your old
Identity. If this is successful, you can then delete the new empty
Identity from the Manage Identities dialogue. If this fails and
OE will still not start, you will have to again delete the
HKCU\Identities key, open OE, set up a new Identity and import your
mail folders from the previous Identity. More information, including
detailed instructions, can be found in the MS Knowledge Base article
Cannot Start Outlook Express.
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Windows Mail/Windows Live Mail
Back up messages in Windows Mail
If Windows Mail is
operational, use its Export/Import function. The default hidden system
folder where the Windows Mail store is:
C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Local Folders
Hide file extension for Contact file type (Vista) - http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/184/1/
Identities
Windows Mail no longer has identities. MVP Steve Cochran has written a
utility to restore this ability -
http://www.oehelp.com/WMIDs/Default.aspx
Migrate OE to Windows Mail (Vista)
1. Address Book - Start OE in XP and go to File>Export>Address Book
2. Export as a Text File (.csv)
3. Select saving location and all the contact details you want to export and click Finish.
4. Mail Settings - Still in OE, go to Tools>Accounts>Mail tab.
Click on the correct account and click Export. Select saving location
and click Save.
Repeat the procedure for all the email accounts you want to export to Windows Mail.
5. Email - Still in OE, go to Tools>Options>Maintenance tab.
Click on the Store Folder button. A window showing the location will
appear. Navigate to that location and copy all the contents somewhere
safe (like where the other items are being saved). Make sure you copy
the parent folder.
Make sure none of the exported files are read-only.
B. After all the exporting is done, copy everything to the user's
Documents in Vista. Then start Windows Mail. Run WinMail as
administrator.
1. Address Book - File>Windows Contacts. In the Import to Windows
Contacts window, select CSV and press Import. Browse to where the
correct file is located. Then press Next and choose the fields you want
to import. Then click Finish.
2. Mail Settings - Now go to Tools>Accounts. In the Internet
Accounts window, press Import. Browse to the correct file and finish
the procedure.
3. Email - File>Import>Messages. In the Windows Mail Import
window, select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 and click Next. Select
"Import mail from an OE6 store directory" and press OK. Now browse to
the correct file and finish the wizard. Make sure you browse to the
parent folder and not just the one containing the .dbx files.
By default, all the imported messages will be placed in the Imported Folder. You can move them to other folders as you like.
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Unsent message, can't delete (Vista) (MVP Steve Cochran)
First thing is to remove McAfee or Norton AV and antispam from the
computer if they exist. You may need to visit their website to
fully uninstall the product. Then get something less
invasive. There are a number of free antivirus programs, but with
any you have to disable email scanning. See
www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3
After that, the only solution so far is to wipe out the database.
So go to Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance | Store Folder to
find the message store location. Then move everything under that
Windows Mail directory to another directory. Then restart WinMail
and it will open fresh with nothing in the database. You can then
add your accounts and if they work correctly then you can use File |
Import | Messages and choose WinMail format and point to the directory
to which you moved the files.
Steve Cochran wrote a utility to automate the above, WMUtil - http://www.oehelp.com/WMUtil/Default.aspx
Windows Live Mail Migration - MVP R. C. White
WLM
is like OE in many ways, but there are significant differences, too.
One major difference is in the way they store messages. OE stores
messages in .dbx files that OE calls "folders". There is one
Folders.dbx which acts as the index for all the others. The
others have names that you create, such as "Family.dbx". If you
get 1,000 emails from your kids, they might all be in Family.dbx; a
single corrupted byte in any one of those mails might cost you the
whole folder. WLM will store those emails as 1,000 separate
files, each with a cryptic long numeric name and the .eml extension.
If one file is corrupted, you will lose only that one message.
Because of this basic difference, OE and WLM cannot share message
stores; other consequences flow from this as well.
WLM will run
"side by side" with either OE (in WinXP) or WM (in Vista), and many of
us used that technique to ease the transition to WLM. You can, if
you like, download WLM now and install it in your WinXP. It will
automatically Import and Convert your OE Accounts and messages (and
hide - but not delete - your shortcuts to OE). You can set both
OE and WLM to "leave messages on the server"; that's the default
setting in WLM, but you will want to set ONE of them to delete messages
after a reasonable time (14 days) to keep your mailbox on the server
from getting full and blocking further incoming mail. Use both
apps for a few days or weeks until you are familiar with WLM.
When you are ready, just stop using OE (you can't delete it) and
let WLM become your only mail/news client.
Then, when you
transition to Win7 (or Vista), you can use WET (Windows Easy Transfer -
included with both Vista and Win7) to export all your WLM and other
settings from WinXP to a temporary holding area, and then import them
into WLM after you install it on your new Windows.
Just remember
that a few OE (and WM) store folders do NOT get duplicated
automatically when you run OE/WM and WLM side by side. Sent
Items, in particular, will reside only in the app that sent those
items, so you will need to export/import that folder from your OE in
addition to all the messages that are duplicated in OE's Store Folders
and WLM's Message Store. You MAY want to also carry forward OE's
Drafts, Junk and Deleted items folders, which won't be handled
automatically.
So you can choose between two transition paths from WinXP to Win7:
1.
Download and install WLM into WinXP now and transition to
it in WinXP. After you get WLM installed into Win7, use WET to transfer
your files and settings from WLM to WLM.
2. Wait
until Win7 arrives and you've downloaded and installed WLM. Then
use WET to transfer your files and settings from OE to WLM.
Windows Live Mail replaces Outlook Express, Windows Mail (Vista), Hotmail, and Wndows Live Mail Desktop.
Windows Live Mail Support - http://wlmailclient.spaces.live.com/
Internet-Email URLs
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Linux
Clone hard drive
Attach the second (backup) hard disk to the second IDE port as Master
(this will make it hdc). If you know how to boot to runlevel 1 do so --
it is a bit faster. Then from a command line, do (as root):
fdisk -l
to verify that you have an hda and hdc (may be different if you plugged it in other than what I said).
hdparm /dev/hda
hdparm /dev/hdc
to see if DMA is enabled. If not, try enabling it with:
hdparm -d1 /dev/hda
hdparm -d1 /dev/hdc
as needed. Then do:
dd if=/dev/hda of=/dev/hdc bs=64K
This will copy drive hda to drive hdc, bit-for-bit, so make absolutely
sure that hdc is as big as, or bigger than, hda. IME, an 80GB drive
takes about 40 minutes depending on system.
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Firefox/T-bird
Get Firefox To Open Thunderbird As Default Mail Application
1. Open the url "about:config"
2. In about:config create the entry "network.protocol-handler.app.mailto" with the value "path/to/Thunderbird".
1. Right click --> new --> string
2. Paste in "network.protocol-handler.app.mailto" for preference name.
3. Paste in "path/to/Thunderbird"as the string value
3. Restart Firefox
If all went well, Thunderbird should now be your default application to open up "mailto" links
Open Firefox From Thunderbird As Default Browser
1. Following the instructions earlier for installing an
extension not on update.mozila.org (adding the site to the whitelist,
etc) Install the extension "about:config" from here
1. Right click the install link and select "save as".
2. Save it to a place you will remember and open up Thunderbird.
3. From the menu, select Tools --> Extensions
4. In the extensions window select "install" from the bottom left
5. This will ask you
to point Thunderbird towards the path to the extension ***.xpi, select
it and hit "open"
6. A new window will
now pop up, (similar to the Firefox install window), it will make you
wait two seconds, then select "install" from the bottom right.
7. Restart Thunderbird
2. Now that About:config is installed we have easy access
to some of Thunderbird's hidden preferences. So, from the menu go to
Tools --> About:config
3. This will take you to a new window, from here create
the entries listed below, and add the paths as the values listed.
1. Right click --> new --> string
2. Paste in "network.protocol-handler.app.http" for preference name.
3. Paste in "path/to/Firefox"as the string value
4. add
"network.protocol-handler.app.https" with a value of "path/to/Firefox"
the same way.
Now if all has gone according to plan when you click on a link in Thunderbird it should open up Firefox.
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Frozen Bubble
To start Frozen Bubble at whatever level you want, do - /usr/bin/frozen-bubble --level 70 (whatever level you want)
Hard drive replacement
1 Mount the new drive and create the same partitions (up to you about the size)
2 Make temporary mount points for each partition (e.g. /mnt/hdb5)
3 Mount the new partitions to the temporary mount points
3 copy the contents of each of the existing partitions except
/ to the temporary mount points using cp -a as root.(if /home is
on /dev/hda5 then cp -a /home/* /mnt/hdb5)
4 Boot into a rescue system so that your normal / is not mounted
5 Mount both your normal / (e.g. as /mnt/hda1) and the
equivalent partition on the new drive and again copy it using cp -a
6 Switch the two drives so that the new one is /dev/hda and reboot
Should do the trick. Some prefer to use dd.
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IP release/renew
Here are the commands to release / renew an IP address:
dhcpcd eth0 -k
dhcpcd eth0 -B
and if that doesn't work try, as root, 'rcnetwork stop; sleep 5; rcnetwork start
That may be required, depending on hardware particulars, to allow the
eth0 to fully disconnect and be restarted where it will be looking to
get a new address by broadcast, rather than a previously configured
"dhcp server" entry in the old lease.
I occasionally have to do that... and on other, fewer occasions I have
to do an 'ifconfig eth0 down' and wait until doing an 'rcnetwork
restart'.
NTP setup (time servers)
/usr/sbin/ntpd - This should already be installed on your system. If
not, just install it via YaST. Next you need to configure your
/etc/ntp.conf. The only thing you would need to do is to add 2 server
lines. There is a web site that has a list of public time servers.
(http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~mills/ntp/servers.html). If you are on the
east coast, then the two servers, below might be ok.
##
## Outside source of synchronized time
##
## server xx.xx.xx.xx # IP address of server
server 128.4.40.12 # louie.udel.edu
server 130.126.24.24 # ntp-0.cso.uiuc.edu
The next step is to use the YaST run level editor to turn on the ntp
daemon. Click on run level properties, then scroll to the bottom for
xntpd, and turn it on for run levels 3 and 5.
US CA clock.sjc.he.net (216.218.254.202)
Location: Hurricane Electric, San Jose, California
Synchronization: NTP V4 primary (CDMA), Endrun Praecis CNTP
Service Area: all areas
Access Policy: open access
Contact: support@he.net
US CA clock.fmt.he.net (216.218.192.202)
Location: Hurricane Electric, Fremont, California
Synchronization: NTP V4 primary (GPS), Symmetricom NTS-150
Service Area: all areas
Access Policy: open access
Contact: support@he.net
US CA ntp1.sf-bay.org (207.126.97.57)
Location: San Jose, CA
Synchronization: NTP secondary (stratum 2), FreeBSD
Service Area: North America: Northern California and Pacific Northwest
Access Policy: open access, please send a message to notify
Contact: Scott Hazen Mueller (clockmaster@sf-bay.org)
Alternative is to use us.pool.ntp.org and put servers in:
server 0.us.pool.ntp.org
server 1.us.pool.ntp.org
server 2.us.pool.ntp.org
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Password - root's forgotten password
If you've forgotten your root password, from Novell (posted 25 Jul 2005)
Boot from your first install CD and press F1 at the first screen. Then choose "Rescue System" from the menu. At the prompt type:
# root
*note* - You do NOT need a password.
edit the "passwd" file
At the next prompt, enter:
# cd /etc
# vi passwd
Scroll down to the "root" line. In the passwd file look for root line. It should looks something like this:
root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash
Delete the "x" after "root:". It's important to leave the colons.
To delete letter under the cursor press ESC key and "x" -> so you are deleting letter "x" by pressing sequence ESC key "x"
After the modification above, the line should look like this:
root::0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash
Now, save the file and exit by pressing ESC then "wq" and "enter". Now we're going to edit the "shadow" file.
edit the "shadow" file
Next edit:
# vi shadow
Press ESC then "x" (x will delete letter under cursor)
change root line from something like:
root:$2a$05$sin5i458ghsdfg8076t5ymp4y;jgslkdbvffd bshmRK:12856:0:10000::::
to this:
root::::
*note* - four colons should be left!
Save the file by pressing ESC and "wq".
If something goes wrong during the editing process, press ESC followed by "q!".
Log out, reboot, set your new password. Reboot your computer, log in as your normal user, and from the console window enter:
$ su
# passwd
And here you'll set the new root password. Log out of root, and in as your normal user, and you're done!
Addendum - If you have lost user password: log in as a root and type
#passwd user_name
enter a new user password. You're done.
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Printing
lppasswd -g sys -a root to set root user/pwd in CUPS (linux)
Kill a job that won't die if using CUPS:
1) ps aux | grep parallel
then kill that pid number
2) ps aux | grep cups
then kill that pid number[s]
Print to Windows Printers
1) Start YaST
2) Select "Hardware"
3) Select "Printer"
4) Select "Other (not detected)" then press "Configure..."
5) Select "Print via SMB Network Server", then click "Next"
6) Enter the Windows Workgroup name, Windows Printer Server
name (or IP address), printer's Share Name as "remote queue",
and an appropriate Windows userid/password. Click the
"Test remote SMB access" button to ensure the connection
works. If it doesn't, then use the Windows machine's IP
address in the "Host name" field. Press the "Next" button
when all is setup OK.
7) Enter the printer's name as it will be know on your linux
box in the "Name for printing" field. Enter the appropriate
info in the "Description" and "Location" fields.
MAKE SURE THE "Do Local Filtering" CHECKBOX IS CHECKED.
Click the "Next" button.
8) Select the correct printer manufacturer in the left-hand panel.
Select the correct printer model in the right-hand panel.
Click the "Next" button.
9) Click the "Test" button and follow the prompts. When the test
is successful, click the "OK" button.
10) Click the "Finish" button to save the new printer's config.
Yes, in step #7 (see my earlier post) there is a "Test" button on the
panel, BUT this button does NOT work when the "Do Local Filtering"
checkbox is checked. Yet the "Do Local Filtering" MUST be checked when
accessing a Windows printer; so you have to wait until you've selected
the correct printer make/model in step #8, then use the "Test" button
on the panel in step #9 to test it.
Note that the "Test" button on the panel in step #6 tests the network
connection to the Windows machine, but NOT the printer setup. The
"Test" button on the panel in step #9 actually tests the printer setup.
The 2 "Test" buttons together allow testing the network connection and
the printer setup separately. So, you don't leave the panel in Step #6
until that panel's "Test" button advises that the network connection is
working OK.
It may also be necessary to disable bi-directional printing on the Windows machine's printer port.
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Samba
1. On Windows boxen, make sure all accounts are properly named
(no damned spaces) and there are no null passwords. Configure any
firewalls to allow lan traffic. Create shares as desired. Note that if
any boxen are XP Pro, you should disable Simple Sharing (Folder
Options>View).
2. On Linux, create identical user account/passwords with your distro's configuration method.
3. Make sure you've installed Samba server/client with your distro's configuration method.
4. Configure run levels so that the nmb and smb daemons start at bootup.
5. Now add your users to Samba. Make these match the ones on Windows. I
think the easiest way is from the console, so open one, su to root, and
type:
smbpasswd -a username [enter]
(enter password)
(enter password again)
6. Go to your distro's configuration method and set your Samba server and client Identity to match your Windows Workgroup name.
7. I use KDE, so if you use Gnome or another window manager you'll need
to figure this next bit out yourself. Open up the Control Center and go
to Internet/Network and then Samba. Click on the Administrator Mode
(enter root password). I use User security level. Check to make sure
Shares (these are for the Linux box of course) are the way you want
them. Apply and close that part.
8. Click on File Sharing and enable Administrator Mode. Check "Enable
local network file sharing". I have mine set on "Advanced sharing".
Check the box for "Use Samba" rather than NFS.
And that's pretty much it. Now if you want to make a new share - say a
folder that isn't in your /home, you can right-click it to set Sharing
Properties. If all you want to share is your /home, you're done. Since
9.3, SUSE has a useful Network icon on the desktop (at least in KDE it
does) where you can find your Windows Workgroup and see all the smb
shares. Perhaps your distro does, too.
Note: To use a Linux firewall w/Samba - If you do not have WINS on the
network, then your network is relying on broadcasted browser
announcements for NetBios resolution. Configure your firewall to allow
NetBios broadcasts, with UDP and TCP ports 137-139 open.
This site has an excellent firewall how-to - http://www.tweakhound.com/linux/samba/page_5.htm
Problems with Samba printing - from newsgroups:
> On the Windows (2000) side, I install the printer as an Apple
Laserwriter 12/600 PS. It goes through the installation, but if I
select it, the status says "Access denied, unable to connect."
>I had the same problem with Windows boxes and an HP5P printer on a
Linux box. By adding "use client driver = Yes" in my printers section I
got rid of the 'Access denied' problem.
[printers]
path = /var/tmp
printable = Yes
read only = No
use client driver = Yes
Samba Ports
You can get the list of ports from /etc/services. Here are ports that
need to be open for two-way Samba communication with Windows and Linux
desktop systems.
netbios-ns - 137/tcp # NETBIOS Name Service
netbios-dgm - 138/tcp # NETBIOS Datagram Service
netbios-ssn - 139/tcp # NETBIOS session service
microsoft-ds - 445/tcp # if you are using Active Directory
Other ports
Port 389 (TCP) - for LDAP (Active Directory Mode)
Port 445 (TCP) - NetBIOS was moved to 445 after 2000 and beyond, (CIFS)
Port 901 (TCP) - for SWAT service (not related to client communication)
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Skull & Crossbones Cursor (Kill) - Ctrl-Alt-Esc brings up skull&crossbones kill icon in Linux.
Sudo (Ubuntu)
When
you set up Ubuntu, it automatically adds the first user to the sudo
group. As it doesn't automatically add additional users to the sudo
group and if you want to give someone else superuser privileges on your
shared system, you'll have to give them sudo access. To add new users
to sudo, you need to use the usermod command. Run sudo usermod -G
admin username . However, if the user is already a member of other
groups, you'll want to add the -a option, like so: sudo usermod -a -G
admin username .
But you can do this from the gui:
System>Administration>Users and Groups
Select the user you want to add to sudo and click Properties.
Under the User privileges tab, check the box that says "Administer the system" and click on OK. Now this user can use sudo.
http://www.zolved.com/synapse/view_content/28019/How_to_add_an_additional_Super_User_DOSUDO_in_Ubuntu
Thumbnails with ImageMagick
convert name-of-image.jpg -thumbnail 200x150 tn_name.jpg [enter]
Update Manager and Add/Remove Not Working (Ubuntu)
Update
Manager and Add/Remove not working - make sure the sources lists are
correct. If you need to edit them, gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
For
instance, one post had [resource url] dapper-commercial where it should
be [resource url] dapper commercial (no hyphen). Another way to handle
this is to go to System>Administration>Software Sources and
select sources. Then run Terminal and do
sudo apt-get update
You can also try Synaptic Package Manager and its Edit>fix broken packages.
Linux URLs
Malware URLs
Miscellaneous
Acer Recovery - Acer recovery on machines with a hard drive (not SSD) and a recovery partition is Alt+F10
ACT! Troubleshooting
From
a post I read somewhere .....Since you said the backup was not working,
I'm going to assume that you physically copied the database over to the
other computer. An ACT! database has 4 files: .ADF, .ALF, .PAD and
"database files" folder. When you copy over a database, you include all
files except the .PAD file. If you are trying to open the database with
the old .PAD file, then you will get an access error. Here is how to
correct:
- Delete the old .PAD file associated with the database
- From your Windows Start menu, choose "Run" and type in act7diag
- When ACT! Diagnostics opens, click Database List under Databases
- When the list comes up, see if your database is on the list.
- If it is, then highlight it, right-click on it, and select Detach Database. This will make it disappear from the list.
- Close ACT! Diagnostics
- Open ACT! and go to File/Open Database
- In the "Open Database" dialog box, change the value in the "File of Type" dropdown from ".PAD" to ".ADF"
-
Browse to the location of your database and double-click the .ADF
file...will be called (database name).ADF (ie, mydatabase.adf)
-
You should get a message that ACT! will now verify the database...click
OK. This will reattach the database to SQL and create an updated .PAD
file
Then File>Open and select the new .PAD
from
another post ....Delete the PAD file. It is just a pointer
file and is probably looking for the old computer. After you
delete the PAD file, open the ADF from within ACT!. In the open
database window, change files of type to ACT! Database (*.ADF).
another
point ....If ACT is running on the new computer, make sure to stop SQL
Server (ACT[version]) in services.msc first.
Adobe Reader (Vista)
Issue: When you install Adobe Reader 8 on Windows Vista you see the
error message, "The Temp folder is on a drive that is full or is
inaccessible. Free up space on the drive or verify that you have write
permission on the Temp folder."
Reason: You have turned off User Account Control or you are logged in using the default administrator account.
Solution:
1. In Control Panels, choose User Accounts.
2. Click "Turn User Account Control on or off".
3. Check the box to "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer" and then click OK.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Install Adobe Reader 8.
Reference: Error, "The Temp folder is on a drive that is full..." when
installing Acrobat 8 trial or Adobe Reader 8 (Windows Vista)
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=333643
AT&T Yahoo Email Settings
pop.att.yahoo.com - Port 995 and SSL checked
smtp.att.yahoo.com - Port 465 and SSL checked
Username is the full address; e.g., user@sbcglobal.net or user@att.net
Avira Free AV - Disable Nag and Splash Screens
Windows 2000/XP: (2000 & XP Pro do not require you to boot into safe mode)
1. Boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly after you restart the computer)
2. Log in using the Administrator account
3. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
4. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security-> advanced
5. Under the Permissions tab click on SYSTEM under Permission entries:
6. Edit-> Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> ok ->apply-> yes -> ok-> ok
7. Reboot the computer into Normal Mode (start-> shutdown-> restart)
Windows XP Pro & Vista Business/Ultimate/Enterprise
1. Start-> Control Panel
2. Administrative tools-> Local security policy
3. Click on Software Restriction Policy-> Action (at the top)-> create new restriction policies
4. Right-click additional rules (on the right side)-> new path rule
5. Click Browse and navigate to C:\Program
Files\(Avira)\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\ and double-click
avnotify.exe
6. Set the security level to Disallowed-> apply-> ok
Windows Vista Home Premium
1. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
2. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security->
3. Under the group or username SYSTEM click edit
4. Put a checkmark under the DENY column for "read and execute"
Disable the splash screen:
1. Open regedit and navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
2. In the right pane double-click avgnt and add /nosplash at the end of the path (ex. /min /nosplash)
Miscellaneous TOC
Back to top
Debug a Memory Dump - http://blogs.technet.com/petergal/archive/2006/03/23/422993.aspx
Here's the issue: Server is randomly rebooting about once every
4-5 days. No bluescreen, no memory.dmp. The behavior seemed
like someone was simply pulling the plug on the server! Not
good!! Well, checking System Properties -> Advanced ->
Settings for Startup and Recovery showed the server was set to "Small
Memory Dump (64k)" under "Write debugging information" and to
"Automatically restart". A quick search on the server revealed a
mini-dump of 64k dated the time of the last "crash". What this
tells me is that the server IS actually performing a bugcheck (Blue
Screen of Death or BSOD) and rebooting but since it is only configured
for a "Small Memory Dump", it dumps so quickly that the BSOD is never
presented. So, we set the "Write debugging information" to
"Kernel Memory Dump" and rebooted. Now we have to wait for the
server to crash.
After several days, it did and we now have a Memory.dmp file. Here is the steps we performed to debug the memory dump:
1. Downloaded and installed the current "Debugging Tools
for Windows 32-bit version" from
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/debugging/installx86.mspx,
choose "typical".
2. Launch the debugger via Start -> All Programs -> Debugging Tools for Windows -> WinDbg
3. Set the symbol file path: File -> Symbol File
Path. From
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/debugging/debugstart.mspx: For
example, to download symbols to c:\websymbols, you would add the
following to your symbol path:
SRV*c:\websymbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols. I
simply copied and pasted
SRV*c:\websymbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols into the
Symbol Search Path and then created a directory called "websymbols" on
the root of the C drive. You don't have to create the folder, the
debugger *should* create it for you when it connects.
4. I placed the check next to "Reload" and clicked OK.
5. Load the dump file: click File -> Open Crash Dump and browsed to the memory.dmp
6. Clicked Yes to "Save Information for Workspace"
7. Sit back and wait.
8. Take a quick look in c:\websymbols, you should see some stuff (symbols) appearing in this folder
9. After some time (one minute to 5 minutes, ymmv), the
debugger will be done loading and you will see "0: kd>" in the
small grey window at the bottom left of the screen.
Note the debugger does not *have* to be installed on the server
itself. All you have to do is have local access to the dump
file. You could copy the dump file to a Windows XP workstation
and install the debugging tools on the workstation rather than the
server.
Here's the output after loading the dump file (I did not run a single
command). Around 80% of the calls we get (PSS SBS) regarding
memory dumps are resolved by simply loading the dump in the debugger,
as illustrated below.
Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.6.0003.5
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Loading Dump File [C:\Documents and Settings\petergal\My Documents\MEMORY.DMP]
Kernel Summary Dump File: Only kernel address space is available
Symbol search path is: SRV*c:\websymbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
Executable search path is:
Windows Server 2003 Kernel Version 3790 MP (2 procs) Free x86 compatible
Product: LanManNt, suite: SmallBusiness TerminalServer SmallBusinessRestricted SingleUserTS
Built by: 3790.srv03_gdr.050225-1827
Kernel base = 0x804de000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0x8057b6a8
Debug session time: Wed Mar 22 02:59:01.750 2006 (GMT-6)
System Uptime: 1 days 9:42:01.500
Loading Kernel Symbols
.............................................................................................................
Loading User Symbols
PEB is paged out (Peb.Ldr = 7ffdf00c). Type ".hh dbgerr001" for details
Loading unloaded module list
.....
*******************************************************************************
*
*
*
Bugcheck
Analysis
*
*
*
*******************************************************************************
Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.
BugCheck D1, {8a400000, 2, 0, f77e00a9}
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for CSTDI50.sys
Probably caused by : CSTDI50.sys ( CSTDI50+10a9 )
Followup: MachineOwner
---------
Notice the "Probably caused by: CSTDI50.sys" Ok, what
the heck is that file? Find the file -> properties ->
version -> who's file is this anyway? The file belongs to
Colasoft. As soon as we determined who the file belongs to, it
was determined that this software was installed last November and a
quick scroll through Event Viewer showed the problem started around
November. A quick search on the internet for CSTDI50.sys
confirmed that Colasoft has a "known issue".
The action is to uninstall the Colasoft software.
With the steps above, you *should* be able to hopefully determine the cause of the crash!
To be really geeky, "!analyze -v" (without quotes) can be ran in the
debugger to give additional (in this case, pretty useless as we already
know the cause).
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Dell MBR
Do not do fixmbr on a Dell since Dell uses a proprietary MBR. See
"Restoring Dell's MBR Code" -
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixmbr.htm
Use mbrsaver included in Dan Goodell's utility. Note: utility is in Dell folder on usb key.
Dell uses customized boot code that diverts the boot process to the
'DB' partition when Ctrl+F11 is pressed. This boot code can easily be
overwritten by other, non-Dell applications. Note that although the
Dell MBR is specific to Dell, it is not specific to the machine or
model. It makes no difference which Dell model you have, how your hard
disk is partitioned, or which operating system you are running.
To restore the Dell MBR boot code, you must first obtain a copy of the
Dell MBR. Copyright laws prevent me from making a copy of the Dell MBR
available for download, but if you have another recent Dell desktop or
laptop, you probably already have your own copy of the Dell MBR. Then
it's just a matter of saving a backup of the MBR from the source disk
and restoring the backup to the target disk.
There are many utilities around that can save and restore the MBR,
although most seem to restore the entire MBR sector, not just the boot
code portion. I have included with dsrfix.zip my utility, MBRsaver
(mbrsaver.com), which has been specially designed to allow you to
restore just the boot code portion of the MBR sector.
WARNING: MBR backup tools save an entire sector (512 bytes), which
contains not only the boot code, but an NT Serial Number (aka, Disk ID)
and a partition table. You do not want to overwrite your partition
table! The partition table that is part of the MBR backup from another
machine almost certainly won't match your own partition table. The
partition table is the index to your hard disk's partitions.
Overwriting this index with a mismatched copy from another computer may
render some or all of your partitions unreadable. The purpose of
copying the MBR from another machine is to restore your boot code, not
your partition table.
To use MBRsaver, follow these steps:
* Begin with your computer with a known working Dell
MBR. (If your computer briefly displays the blue "www.dell.com" bar at
the top of the screen during bootup, it has a working Dell MBR.)
* Boot the source computer from a DOS boot disk and
run the command " mbrsaver /s dellmbr.bin " to save the MBR
sector.
* Move to your computer on which the Dell MBR needs to be restored.
* Boot the target computer from a DOS boot disk and
run the command " mbrsaver /s backup.bin " to save the MBR
sector. This backup copy is optional, but will allow you to recover if
something should go wrong while you are tinkering with the MBR.
Run the command " mbrsaver /r dellmbr.bin ". This will
restore your MBR sector from dellmbr.bin--the MBR saved from the other
machine. You will be given a choice of which of the three parts of the
sector you want to restore: the boot code, the Disk ID, and/or the
partition table. Do not overwrite your partition table! Normally, you
should not need to overwrite your Disk ID, either. So answer 'yes',
'no', 'no' to MBRsaver's three prompts, then confirm your choices by
answering 'yes' to the final prompt.
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Dell MediaDirect
How to install Dell MediaDirect 2.0 in XP - http://tinyurl.com/eb5b8
Dell MediaDirect FAQ - http://tinyurl.com/2u9rqm
Dell Utility Partition - Dan Goodell - Inside the Dell Utility Partition - http://www.goodells.net/dellutility/index.htm
(Covers
only computers that originally shipped with Microsoft XP. Dell
computers that ship with VISTA preinstalled do not use this type of DSR
system.)
To start the Dell recovery (XP only), do Ctrl-F11 as the computer is starting up.
Exceeded Profile Storage Space Error
This
error usually occurs after a computer has been infected so first make
sure the computer is completely virus/malware-free. Then check for disk
quotas that may have been set. If the machine is clean and there are no
disk quotas set, copy the lines between the asterisks to a Notepad
document and save as undopolicy.reg. Double-click undopolicy.reg to
merge it into the Registry.
*****
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"EnableProfileQuota"=-
"ProfileQuotaMessage"=-
"MaxProfileSize"=-
"IncludeRegInProQuota"=-
"WarnUser"=-
"WarnUserTimeout"=-
****
Firefox/Thunderbird Backup - With Firefox/Thunderbird shut down, copy the user profile(s) to external media. They are normally found here:
On Windows Vista/XP/2000, the path is %AppData%\Thunderbird\ (or Mozilla)
On Windows 95/98/Me, the path is usually C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Thunderbird\ (or Mozilla)
On Linux, the path is ~/.thunderbird/ (or Firefox)
On Mac OS X, the path is ~/Library/Application Support/Thunderbird/ (or Firefox)
To restore a backed-up profile, all you need to do is delete the
one Firefox and Thunderbird create, copy the backed-up one there
instead, and fix profile.ini to show the right profile name. On a clean
install, you must start Firefox and Thunderbird once so the default
profile and files/folders can be created.
Firefox passwords
Make Firefox remember passwords for sites that ordinarily can't be
remembered -
http://cybernetnews.com/2009/02/13/firefox-remember-passwords/
The trick requires the modification of a JavaScript file that Firefox
uses for managing login-related tasks. Once the workaround is applied
Firefox will start ignoring any attributes in the login forms that try
to tell the browser not to remember a password. You’ll still be able to
choose whether or not you want a password remembered for a particular
site, but at least now the choice will be left up to you.
First things first. We need to open the nsLoginManager.js file in a
text editor. The location of the file is a bit different depending on
what OS you’re using:
* Windows:
You’ll find the file in the components
folder where Firefox was installed - C:\Program Files\Mozilla
Firefox\components\nsLoginManager.js
* Mac - Find Firefox in your Applications
folder, right-click on it, and choose the option to Show Package
Contents. Then within the Firefox.app navigate to the file
Firefox.app\Contents\MacOS\components\nsLoginManager.js
Now you need to perform a search on the file for - _isAutocompleteDisabled
You should be taken to a section of the file that looks something like this - autocomplete before.png
You’ll notice that I’ve highlighted line number 770 (your line number may be different), and it says - return true;
You need to change that to say - return false;
It should now look like this - autocomplete after.png
Save the changes to this file, and then restart Firefox. Now when you
go to a site like Paypal you should see a prompt to save the password
just like it does for most other sites. The only downside to this trick
is that you may need to re-apply it after updating or reinstalling
Firefox.
Flash Player (Vista) - Uninstall, cleanup, and reinstall flash player - http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html
When Flash won't work (on YouTube for ex.), navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash
Right-click on both 'Flash9b.ocx' and 'FlashUtil9b.exe' and choose Properties.
In Properties choose the 'security' tab. Click on the 'everyone'
account, and the button called 'edit' and then tick the box called
'allow full control' and also choose your own Windows local account
name.
Once you have done this for both files run the FlashUtil9b.exe and it
should install and update and tell you to restart. Do so and you should
find that YouTube and other sites that use flash now work.
HP - Low Disk Space Error
HP - Error: Low Disk Space on Recovery (D:) - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01508532&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en
HP Low Disk Space Error Appears During or After Backup - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00678180&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=&product=500449
HP - Reset Recovery Disk Creation Count (to allow making more than one set of recovery disks):
Delete C:\Windows\sminst\hpcd.sys and D:\hpcd.sys (where D:\ is the recovery partition).
ISP Password from router
From MVP Joe Fawcett about discovering an ISP password from a router:
If you're talking about their password for their ISP service rather
than the router password and if it's web based interface then you can
extract the password using JavaScript. (You can often just view-source
on some or use a DOM Inspector/Power Tool on others.)
To use JavaScript open the web interface find the page and do a
view-source to search for the name of the password element, let's say
it's 'txtPassword'. In the browser address bar type the following and
press enter:
javascript:var e = document.forms[0].txtPassword;alert(e.value);
(That assumes there's only one form on the page which is nearly always
true, otherwise change the index parameter from 0 to whatever.
Keyboard shortcuts
Windows keyboard shortcuts overview - http://tinyurl.com/m8c8z
List of the keyboard shortcuts that are available in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301583
Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306832
How to Quickly Lock Your Computer and Use Other Windows Logo Shortcut Keys - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/294317
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Microsoft - contacts
The Microsoft Activation Hotline - (888) 571-2048
Microsoft Activation Centers Worldwide Telephone Numbers - http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/activation-centers.aspx
How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/950929/en=us
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html
If you have lost your Windows Product Key, the best option is to call
Microsoft. Call on Microsoft Licensing Fulfillment Center Toll Free
Number (800) 248-0655 Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Pacific time.
Contact Microsoft page - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csscontactfind
How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246
If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the PC.
800-426-9400 to replace a CD; 800-325-1233 if the OEM dealer has gone
out of business and you need to replace a CD.
How to obtain a new product key for Office program setup - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823570/en-us
Microsoft North American Retail Product Refund Guidelines - http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.asp
Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from
Microsoft Product Support Services. There is no charge for support
calls that are associated with security updates.
Contact MS - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/contactuswindows?sd=win
MS International Support - http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
Submit an online request to obtain a Microsoft hotfix - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=935195
MS phone number for hot fixes in USA - 800-936-5700
MS professional line - for hotfixes press 3 - 1-800-936-4900
Windows Live Solution Center - http://windowslivehelp.com
Windows Live Hotmail and other Windows Live services - What to do if you think your account has been stolen:
http://windowslivehelp.com/solutions/accounts/archive/2008/10/25/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-accounts-been-stolen.aspx
Microsoft Office
How to install the Microsoft
Office Compatibility Pack so that you can use earlier versions of
Excel, PowerPoint, and Word to open and to save files from 2007 Office
programs - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923505
FAQ about MS Office trial versions - http://buy20.trymicrosoftoffice.com/buyus/faq.aspx?culture=en-US
How to determine whether you have a trial edition of a 2007 Office suite or program installed - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927920/en-us
How to convert a trial version of a 2007 Office suite or program to a full retail perpetual license version - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927756/en-us
MS Office comparison chart - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101635841033.aspx
Word 2007's version of normal.dot is called normal.dotm and it is normally here in Vista:
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
*****
How to get rid of the installer /
configuration dialog when running Office 2007 and Office 2003 on the
same system - for Vista and other versions of
Windows - Installing Office 2003 and Office 2007 on the same system where once
people have removed the problem with the End User Licensing Agreement
(EULA) appearing every time they start Office they then get the dialogs
below every time they switch between Word 2007 and Word 2003. Simply
run the following commands (by pressing the Windows Key+R or typing it
into the Start/Run command box. Use the line with Office\11.0 if
you have Office 2003 installed and Office\12.0 if you have Office 2007
installed. You can use both if you have both installed :
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options /v NoReReg /t
REG_DWORD /d 1
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options /v NoReReg /t
REG_DWORD /d 1
That is it. Office 2007 might want to have one more spin round
the block with it's configuration dialog box, but that should be it.
Information about certain file formats that are blocked after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922849
In order to open files created in Word/Excel 2.0 (really old) in Office
2007 or Office 2003 SP3, you'll need to change (or create) registry
entries. The KB article above describes the issue for Office 2003 SP3.
You can manually fix the situation by hacking the registry. For Office
2003 you want to use the values Office\11.0 and for 2007 use the values
Office\12.0.
Navigate to or create: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel\Security\FileOpenBlock
and/or HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Policies\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Security\FileOpenBlock
If this doesn't exist, create new keys until it does and then highlight
FileOpenBlock and create a new DWORD called FilesBeforeVersion. Make
sure the value is 0.
This will only allow you to open the old files, not save in the
old format which is just as well. If it is really necessary to save in
the old format, create another new key under Security as above and
type: FileSaveBlock and make the Value Data 0.
How to install Office on a netbook:
1.
From a computer with an optical drive, put the Office CD in the drive.
If the Office installation starts, exit/cancel out of it. Now
double-click My Computer and see the icon for your optical drive.
Right-click it and choose "Open". You will get a window showing the
contents of the Office CD. Just move it aside or minimize it for now.
2.
Right-click on an empty area of your Desktop and choose New>Folder
to create a new folder. Name it something like "Office Install".
Double-click the new folder to open it. Bring up the Office CD window.
You now have two open windows - the one for the Office Install folder
and the one for the Office CD.
3. In the Office CD window,
Ctrl-A to Select All. Drag to the open Office Install folder window and
all the files on the Office CD will be copied to it. Once that is done,
close the Office CD window and remove the CD from your optical drive.
4.
Now drag the Office Install folder to a USB thumb drive. After the
folder is copied to the thumb drive, Safely Remove the thumb drive and
take it to the netbook. Copy the Office Install folder to somewhere you
will find it on your netbook such as your Desktop or your Documents
folder.
4a. You can also copy the Office Install folder to your
netbook over your Local Area Network if you have file/printer sharing
set up between the two computers instead of using the thumb drive.
5.
Now on the netbook, double-click the Office Install folder to open it.
You will see the Setup.exe file. Double-click it to start the Office
installation.
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OEM - contacts
2Wire - http://www.2wire.com/?p=72
Acer - Tech support - http://global.acer.com/support/index.htm
Acer Recovery Media Purchase Program - https://secure3.tx.acer.com/RCD/Main.aspx
Dell forums - http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums
Dell contact - http://tinyurl.com/78gu6
Dell spare parts - 1-800-357-3355
"System Codes and Messages: Dell Dimension XPS Txxx and Txxxr Systems Reference"
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dkub/codemess.htm
Dell's Windows 7 Support - http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/win7_support/win7_portal?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
Fujitisu - You can purchase a recovery CD by calling the technical support line on 1-800-838-5487 (U.S.)
Gateway - http://support.gateway.com/support/default.asp
HP Support - http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html
HP & Compaq Desktops - Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set - http://tinyurl.com/8k9qk
Lenovo - Information from Lenovo about BIOS/Drive passwords on Thinkpads - http://tinyurl.com/av54l
Lenovo support - http://tinyurl.com/rhvm7
Sony Electronics Inc.
Web site : http://www.sony.com/pcsupport
Telephone: 888-4-SONY-PC (888-476-6972)
Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day - Ref: http://esupport.sony.com/EN/feedback/feedback.html
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QuickBooks issues
Run as Limited User - MVP Susan Bradley has documented the process here: http://msmvps.com/bradley/archive/2005/04/23/44205.aspx
Quickbooks and Vista - http://www.quickbooks.com/Helpcenter/vista/
Installing older versions of QuickBooks which fail because the wrong (newer) version of Flash is installed:
Put
in the QuickBooks [older version] CD and when the installation starts,
exit out of it. Now go to My Computer and double-click it to open it.
You will see the icon for your CD drive with the QuickBooks CD in it.
Right-click on that and choose "Open". Find the QuickBooks.msi file and
double-click it. This will start the QuickBooks installation without
checking for what version of Flash is being used.
Starforce and DRM issues
Remove StarForce DRM protection that comes on certain games.
Uninstall the game that installed the starforce crap. This is the official response:
1. Remove these files:
%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\sfsync03.sys
%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\sfhlp02.sys
%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\sfdrv01.sys
2. Remove these registry keys:
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\sfsync03
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\sfhlp02
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\sfdrv01
Another method that works better:
1. Device removal - Go into the device manager and show non-plug and
play devices. There will be three Starforce items. Select the first one
and Uninstall -> Are you sure -> YES -> Do you wish to restart
-> No. Select the second one and Uninstall -> Are you sure ->
YES -> Do you wish to restart -> No. Select the third (final) one
and Uninstall -> Are you sure -> YES -> Do you wish to restart
-> YES.
*computer restarts*
2. File removal - open the search window (F3) and look for any of the following files on ANY drive:
sfsync*.sys, sfhlp*.sys, sfdrv*.sys - When you find any of them, remove them.
3. Registry cleanup - open the windows registry and look for any of the following items:
sfsync
sfhlp
sfdrv
Again, remove anything even related to any of these items. Be sure to
search for KEYS, VALUES and DATA. You will get more hits then just the
ones given by the Starforce crew. Remove all trace of them.
Also remove these (will probably need to change permissions)
Legacy_sfdrv01
Legacy_sfhlp02
Legacy_sfvfs02
Legacy_sfsync02
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Thunderbird - Restore Deleted Mail
The User Profile in OS X is ~/Library/Thunderbird.
Go into Thunderbird’s profile folder inside the Mail folder. Now
depending on how many email address you have set up in Thunderbird it
could be in several folders, but it will be named with either Local
Folders or with the POP address you are using. (You can find out easily
by going to Tools >Account Settings and then going under the account
you want to restore email address for and look under its Server
Settings and at the bottom look at the path for Local directory). I’d
recommend closing Thunderbird once you know where to go. Make a backup
of the file called Inbox (Note: it’s the one with out an extension,
Inbox.msf is for something else). Now open up Inbox in your favorite
Text Editor (Notepad, Crimson Editor, Notepad++, etc.), it may take a
few minutes to load depending on how big the file is, some of mine were
over 90MB. Don’t open it in WordPad, since it will add formatting to
the file, also keep in mind Notepad on Windows 98 has a file size limit
and won’t handle really huge files. Now you can search for whatever
emails you are looking to restore, or have fun looking at really old
emails. When you find one you want to restore, scroll up and change the
number after X-Mozilla-Status: to be a 0 (zero). It’s okay to just make
it a single zero rather than a four digit number. Don’t bother changing
the X-Mozilla-Status2. Do that for each email you want to restore. Then
save the file. Open up Thunderbird and it should now be in your Inbox
marked as Unread (Note: it may take awhile for it to read that Inbox).
Windows Desktop Search - Uninstall
Windows Desktop Search (WDS) Troubleshooting Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows/search/dtstshoot.mspx
When uninstalling Windows Desktop Search on individual systems, it is
recommended that the product be removed using the Add/Remove Programs
functionality provided in Windows Control Panel. When
uninstalling from Add/Remove Programs, be sure the check the Show
Updates option and uninstall the newest product or product updates
first.
While using Add/Remove programs to uninstall WDS 2.6.0 or later you may
receive a message dialog stating “Setup has detected the following
programs on your computer:” followed by a list of updates. This
dialog also states that “If Windows Desktop Search is removed; these
programs may not run properly. Do you wish to continue?”.
This is a due to the fact that WDS is installed using an update.exe
package and is listed with other Windows updates. Some products
updates are dependant on previous updates and if one is removed, it may
cause issues. This is not the case with WDS and removing WDS will
not disable or impact any other programs or updates listed.
When uninstalling Windows Desktop Search through a script or third
party product, if the Add/Remove Programs feature is not an
option, it is suggested that the uninstall package (Spuinst.exe) be
used, for the most recent versions. Although Windows Desktop
Search does create a system restore point as part of the installation
it is not the recommended method of removing the product from users
systems.
To uninstall Windows Desktop Search, use the Uninstaller package from the following locations for the following versions:
Version
Location
2.6.0.2083
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst
2.6.0.2057
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371$\spuninst
2.6.5.Beta
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB911993\spuninst
Uninstall Options:
1. Interactive – Spuninst.exe is run without any command-line arguments. Uninstaller prompts for restart at the end.
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
2. Quiet – Spuninst.exe is run using the ‘/q’ or ‘/quiet’
command-line argument. Uninstaller forcefully restarts the system
without informing the user after un-installation is complete
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe /q
Or
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe /quiet
3. Passive – Spuninst.exe is run using the ‘/passive’
command-line argument. Uninstaller prompts for restart displaying the
wait time in seconds for automatic restart.
%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe /passive
Other command-line options are available in /help message. Please run
the “spuninst.exe /help” command-line to see the other available
options.
Uninstalling versions 2.5.0.1082 and 2.5.0.1119
Note: Version 2.6.X will not install properly on a system currently
running version 02.05.0.1082 or earlier. You must first uninstall
the older version then install the newer version.
If installed with the MSN Toolbar, use the Msiexec.exe program to
uninstall. Below are two suggested methods for uninstalling these
packages.
Using the Product Code
To locate the Product code in the registry, click Start then Run and
type “Regedit” in the Open drop down box and press enter. Next
browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar Suite
The Product Code will be listed in the value of the PC key. For
example version 2.5.0.1082 PC registry value is
7d1dcbba-f6f5-42b4-b90b-f04ace4dfd6c.
Execute the following command line, listing the product code with in
brackets. For Version 2.5.0.1082 the command line would be as
noted below. Please note the brackets “{}” are required for this
method to be successful.
Note: The /x switch causes Msiexec to uninstall the product and
the /qn switch will ensure that there is no display while
uninstalling. Please see msiexec.exe help (type msiexec /? From a
command prompt) for more information regarding command line options for
Msiexec.exe.
Msiexec.exe /x {7d1dcbba-f6f5-42b4-b90b-f04ace4dfd6c} /qn
Using the MSN Search Toolbar Windows Installer (.msi) - The MSN Search
Toolbar Windows Installer (.msi) is located in the following location:
%windrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MSN Search Toolbar\<Version Number>\en-us
In the path listed above “<Version Number>” is the version of the product being uninstalled, for example 02.05.0000.1082.
Use the following command line to uninstall the product:
msiexec.exe /x "<Windrive>:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\MSN Search Toolbar\<Version
Number>\en-us\MsnSearchToolbar.msi" /qn
First method is preferred because the only required variable is the
product code that is taken from the registry. For the second method, we
need to give the <windrive> and the <version number> of the
product installed in the command-line.
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Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player FAQ - http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html#wmp9rollback
Why does my music sound like chipmunks and other problems:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/knowledgecenter/mediaadvice/0067.mspx
Windows Update
Start a free Windows Update support incident request - https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527
Support for Windows Update - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
For home users, no-charge support is
available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY (and/or 1-866-234-6020 and/or
1-800-936-5700) in the United States and in Canada or by contacting
your local Microsoft subsidiary. There is no-charge for support
calls that are associated with security updates. When you call,
clearly state that your problem is related to a Security Update and
cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB977165). (Thanks to MVP PA Bear
for this information.)
If you are not in the United States or Canada, there are local support contact numbers here: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
Updates are not installed
successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or by using
Automatic Updates after you perform a new Windows XP installation or
you repair a Windows XP installation (applies to Service Packs also)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Start>Run>cmd [enter]
net stop wuauserv [enter]
regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll [enter]
net start wuauserv [enter]
For a computer that is running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, use this command instead:
regsvr32 %windir%\syswow64\wups2.dll
Svchost/Wuauserv high CPU use (MVP PA Bear)
See http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1071
Workaround: Change the default from Microsoft Update to Windows Update.
Windows Update error 0x800A01AD - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=883821 and http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=83376
To resolve this error, register the Wuaueng.dll file with Start>Run regsvr32 Wuaueng.dll [enter]
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_hotfix_prompt.htm - Prevent Windows Update from prompting you to install a Hotfix you know is already installed
http://tinyurl.com/23lnms - MVP
Ramesh - Windows Update page says, "Thank you for your interest in
obtaining updates from our site" (wrong OS identification)
You receive an "Administrators only" error message when you try to visit the Windows or Microsoft Update websites:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316524/en-us
How to download updates and drivers from the Windows Update Catalog or from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;323166
Store Windows Updates locally for subsequent installations - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/saveupdates.htm
When you run Windows Update to
scan for updates that use Windows Installer, including Office updates,
CPU utilization may reach 100 percent for prolonged periods:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089
Stop Windows Update from Hijacking the Sleep/Shutdown Button in Win7/Vista
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/stop-windows-update-from-hijacking-the-sleep-button/
Will give you the opportunity to just shut down instead of installing updates.
Find this key or create it if it doesn't exist - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
Add a 32-bit DWORD value called NoAUAsDefaultShutdownOption with a value of 1. No reboot should be necessary.
Automatic Updates greyed out (Ramesh):
To make the Automatic Updates options configurable by the user (only
for stand-alone systems), remove the restrictions 2 & 3 above.
Click Start, Run and type REGEDIT.EXE. Navigate to this location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU
In the right-pane, delete the two values AUOptions and NoAutoUpdate
Navigate to this location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ WindowsUpdate
In the right-pane, delete the value DisableWindowsUpdateAccess
Using the Group Policy Editor - for Windows XP Professional
Navigate to the following location:
=> Computer Configuration
==> Administrative Templates
===> Windows Components
====> Windows Update
In the right-pane, double-click Configure Automatic Updates and set it to Not configured.
Then, navigate to this location:
=> User Configuration
==> Administrative Templates
===> Windows Components
====> Windows Update
In the right-pane, set Remove access to all Windows Update features to Not Configured.
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ZoneAlarm uninstall
1. Go into ZA Overview/Preferences and uncheck "Load Zone Alarm on Startup".
2. Reboot computer to remove Zone Alarm drivers from memory.
3. Temporarily shut down any other AV/security programs.
4. Click on Start >Programs > Zone Labs. RIGHT-click on
Uninstall Zone Labs Security, then select Properties. Under Target you
will see the following line (the actual drive may be different on your
system):
"C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zauninstexe" - Change it to:
"C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zauninst.exe" /clean /rmlicense (add a space and then the /clean). Click OK to save.
Say "Yes" when being prompted for the removal of all files and allow TrueVector to shut down. Reboot.
Now start in Safe Mode and delete these files in the Windows Directory:
WINDOWS\ Internet Logs
Program Files\Zone Labs
WINDOWS\system32\ Zonelabs
Now reboot into Regular Mode.
ZoneAlarm forum: http://forums.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/
ZoneAlarm customer service within North America - 1-877-966-5221
Outside the United States - +1 415 633 4588
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Networking-General
Administrative Shares - Access Remotely (Vista)
To enable access to administrative shares remotely on Vista (MVP Jimmy Brush):
Windows Vista prevents local administrators from using their
administrator powers over the network. This results in the inability to
remotely administer a computer using filesharing and tools that use
similar technology (such as the computer manager MMC snap-in and the
administrative shares, such as C$). However, this DOES NOT affect
Remote Desktop in any way.
To allow administrators local to a computer to use their administrator
powers when accessing the Vista computer remotely, please follow these
steps:
1. Click start
2. Type: regedit
3. Press enter
4. In the left, browse to the following folder:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\system\
5. Right-click a blank area in the right pane
6. Click New
7. Click DWORD Value
8. Type: LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy
9. Double-click the item you just created
10. Type 1 into the box
11. Click OK
12. Restart your computer
Alternate Configuration (Vista)
You can enable the Alternate Configuration feature in Vista using the following steps:
1. Click Start, right click Network and click Properties.
2. Select Manage network connections.
3. Right click your network connection and click Properties
4. From the list of network components, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties button.
5. From the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window select the Alternate Configuration tab.
Specify the IP parameters that should be used should the primary IP
configuration fail. If you don't see the Alternate Configuration tab,
set the IP for DHCP (automatic IP/DNS assignment) first. The Alternate
Configuration tab will then appear.
DHCP Node Type values and meaning (Steve Winograd)
Any value except 2 is OK in a workgroup:
1: Broadcast (B-node). Uses NetBIOS broadcasts for name resolution. Works on workgroups, but not domains.
2: Point-to-Point (P-node). Uses WINS server for name resolution. Works on domains, but not workgroups.
4: Mixed (M-node). Tries broadcasts for name resolution. If
that fails, tries a WINS server. Works on workgroups and domains,
better on workgroups.
8: Hybrid (H-node). Tries WINS server for name resolution.
If that fails, tries broadcasts. Works on workgroups and domains,
better on domains.
For more information, see MS KB Default Node Type for Microsoft Clients
- http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;16017
DHCP problem after NAV uninstall
You might experience a problem with the DHCP client address being set
to 0.0.0.0 if you uninstall NAV and leave the application listed as a
dependency for the DHCP service. If you check the System log, you might
see this error: "Error 7003 - DHCP service failed to start because
dependency service SYMTDI will not start". Start regedit and go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\dhcp and
double-click DependOnService. Remove SYMTDI. Reboot computer.
Enable/disable Guest account (Steve Winograd)
How are you enabling and disabling the Guest account? Doing it in
Control Panel | User Accounts has nothing to do with networking and
accessing other computers. It determines whether someone can log
in as Guest at the local keyboard.
You can enable or disable the Guest account for network access with the "net user" command:
net user guest /active:yes (enable)
net user guest /active:no (disable)
Accessing a Windows XP Home Edition computer over the network requires
that the Guest account is enabled for network access on your computer.
If it's disabled, you get the password prompt that you describe, and
there's no correct response.
By default, accessing a Windows XP Professional computer over the
network works the same. If you've explicitly disabled simple file
sharing on the XP Professional computer, the Guest account isn't used
in network access.
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File/printer sharing - (Sharon F) (Vista)
#1 - Check name of workgroup. MS changed default name from the one that was in XP (to Workgroup)
For successful discovery of computers/devices in the network
1. Ensure that network discovery is ON in Network and Sharing Center
Steps to configure a folder for file sharing
1. Right click on the folder, click 'Share'
2. a. If you want to allow only users with a user name/password on this
computer, add all such 'users' to the 'File Sharing window. Please note
that users must have a non-empty password.
b. If you want to allow anonymous access (i.e XP
style, Simple File Sharing), add 'Everyone' in the File Sharing window.
Also, in Network and Sharing Center, turn OFF password protected
sharing.
3. Verify if 'File Sharing' is ON in Network & Sharing Center.
4. Open Network and Sharing Center and click 'Show me all shared
network folders on this computer'. Now verify if all folders you had
shared earlier are listed or not.
Steps to configure Printer sharing
1. Turn on 'Printer Sharing' in Network & Sharing Center.
2. If you want to allow anonymous access (i.e XP style, Simple File
Sharing) for your printer, turn OFF password protected sharing in
Network & Sharing Center.
Accessing files/folders from XP/other Vista machines
1. Double click on the machine from 'My Network Places' in XP or 'Network' in Vista
2. If a dialog is presented to enter user name
a. If password protected sharing is ON, enter
a valid user name/password of the Vista machine. Please note that the
user must have added this user name to the list of users who can access
the folder over the network.
b. If password protected sharing is OFF, enter Guest in user name field and leave password empty.
Sharing a printer hosted locally on an XP or Vista 32-bit computer with a computer running Vista 64-bit:
1. First set up file/printer sharing on all machines.
2. On the host machine, share out the printer. Make a note of the Share name and the Computer name.
3. On the Vista 64 box, Control Panel>Printers>Add printer>Add
a local printer>Create a new port>Local port. Enter the
\\computername\printername. The Add New Hardware wizard will start so
you can add the drivers.
File/printer sharing - Win98/ME (Vista) (Steve Winograd)
Per Steve Winograd, to network Win98/ME w/Vista:
Install DSClient on the Win98 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/288358/
Then enable NTLM 2 on the 98 PC - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/239869
Per Steve (his words): Lots of people are having trouble accessing
Vista's shared folders from Me, and I don't know of a solution. I've
spoken with some networking people at Microsoft about this. As I
understand it, Microsoft doesn't support Vista sharing its folders over
a network with computers running Windows 95/98/Me. That capability
isn't part of Vista's design, they haven't tested it, and there's no
guarantee that it will work.
I've seen the following problems when trying to access Vista's shared
folders from 95/98/Me. I give a solution to #1 below. I'd
love to know if anyone has found a solution to #2 and #3:
1. Incompatible default network authentication protocols. Windows
95/98/Me uses LM and NTLM authentication. Vista uses NTLMv2
authentication. This causes a prompt for the IPC$ password on
95/98/Me when password protected sharing is enabled on Vista. There is
no valid response to the IPC$ prompt.
2. Incomplete enumeration of shares. 95/98/Me only sees some of
Vista's shared folders. The names of some shared folders are truncated,
making them inaccessible.
3. Instability. Accessing Vista's shared folders makes 95/98/Me hang or crash.
If you want to try accessing Vista's shared folders from 95/98/Me, I
recommend taking these safety measures first: make a restore point on
Vista, and back up your important data on all computers.
Here's how to configure Vista to use LM and NTLM authentication to
allow access from 95/98/Me when password protected sharing is enabled.
I'd like to thank my fellow MVP Evan Pearce, who helped me understand
and test this:
1. Click the Start button, type "regedit" in the Start Search box, and press Enter.
2. Click "Continue" in the User Account Control prompt.
3. Open this registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
4. If they don't already exist, create DWORD values named LmCompatibilityLevel and NoLmHash.
5. Set LmCompatibilityLevel to 1.
6. Set NoLmHash to 0.
7. Restart the Vista computer.
8. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts, click "Change your
password", enter your current password in the boxes for "Current
password", "New password", and "Confirm new password", and click
"Change password".
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Hub wiring (Steve Winograd)
An uplink port and a crossover cable do the same thing: connect the
send wires of one device to the receive wires of another device.
One such crossed connection is needed to connect two hubs to each other
(or two computers to each other).
So, you can connect one hub to another hub in any of these ways:
1. Straight cable from uplink port on #1 to regular port on #2.
2. Straight cable from regular port on #1 to uplink port on #2.
3. Crossover cable from regular port on #1 to regular port on #2.
4. Crossover cable from uplink port on #1 to uplink port on #2. The
two uplink ports cancel each other out, leaving one crossed connection
between the hubs.
ICS
Logon/enable issue - Steve Winograd about XP:
Enabling ICS if not logged into the account originally used on the host machine when setting up ICS:
Does the XP machine use a dial-up Internet connection? If so:
1. Open the Network Connections folder.
2. Right click the dial-up connection.
3. Click Properties.
4. Click Options.
5. Put a check mark in the box "Prompt for name and password,
certificate, etc".
6. Click OK.
7. Double click the connection.
8. Put a check mark in the box "Save this user name and password for
the following users".
9. Click "Anyone who uses this computer".
10. Click Dial.
After that, the Internet connection should work for all users. You can go back to step 5 and un-check the box if desired.
Using ICS in Vista - http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/bfd3bd31-82f0-4b9c-9cde-fb92bc2b14771033.mspx
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Inbound concurrent connections limitations
Refer to "Device Connections" in the License Terms for Microsoft Windows Vista. For more information please see:
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/
5 - XP Home/Vista Home Basic
10 - Vista Home Premium/Vista Ultimate/XP Pro
20 - Windows 7, all versions
74 - SBS 2003
Unlimited for full Server O/Ses
IPv4 Allowable addresses for private networks
10.0.0.0/8. The 10.0.0.0/8 private network is a Class A network
ID that supports the following range of valid IP addresses: 10.0.0.1
through 10.255.255.254.
172.16.0.0/12. The 172.16.0.0/12 private network can be interpreted
either as a block of 16 Class B network IDs or as a 20-bit assignable
address space (20 host bits) that can be used for any subnetting scheme
within the private organization. The 172.16.0.0/12 private network
supports the following range of valid IP addresses: 172.16.0.1 through
172.31.255.254.
192.168.0.0/16. The 192.168.0.0/16 private network can be interpreted
either as a block of 256 Class C network IDs or as a 16-bit assignable
address space (16 host bits) that can be used for any subnetting scheme
within the private organization. The 192.168.0.0/16 private network
supports the following range of valid IP addresses: 192.168.0.1 through
192.168.255.254.
IPv6 - Unbind in Vista
MVP Barb Bowman - http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ - home
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/
To unbind IPv6 from a NIC in Vista - In the start box type:
ncpa.cpl [enter]
right-click the ethernet or wireless connection you are troubleshooting
select Properties and acknowledge the UAC prompt
Uncheck IPv6 and click OK
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Logged on - find who is logged on and what shares are being accessed in Vista (Andrew McLaren)
The quickest and easiest way is to open an elevated command prompt and run the command:
C:\>net session [enter]
This will display all current sessions, including user name and remote computer. Do:
C:\net session \\somecomputer /delete [enter]
to disconnect the user from \\somecomputer.
You can see the same info via the GUI, by going to Administrative
Tools, Computer Management, Shared Folders, Sessions and Open Files. If
you do this
on a regular basis, you can reach the info quicker by creating a new
shortcut for the File Sharing snap-in, %SystemDir%\System32\fsmgmt.msc
Metric values (Steve Winograd)
When multiple Internet connections are available, WXP uses the one that
has the lowest "metric" value. If both of your DSL connections
are enabled, assign a lower metric to the one that you want to use for
Internet access, and assign a higher metric to the other one.
To assign a metric to a network connection:
1. Open the Network Connections folder.
2. Right click the desired connection.
3. Click Properties | Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
4. Click Properties | Advanced.
5. Un-check "Automatic metric".
6. Enter a number between 1 and 9999 for the "Interface metric".
MS Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/tools/igd/default.mspx
The Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool checks your Internet router
to see if it supports certain technologies. You can use this tool on a
PC running either the Windows Vista or Windows XP operating system. If
you're planning to run Windows Vista, this tool can verify whether your
existing Internet router supports advanced features, such as improved
download speeds and face-to-face collaboration using Windows Meeting
Space.
The tool is intended to be run from a home network behind a home
Internet (NAT) router. Running this tool from behind a corporate
firewall or on operating systems other than those specified above won't
produce accurate results. This tool requires administrator privileges
to run. The tests can require up to 10 minutes to complete and do not
make any permanent changes to your router. For the most accurate
results, your computer should be connected directly to your Internet
router, using a wired connection.
MTU issue with ICS
Symptoms:
1) If you're using MS ICS or Windows server as router to access the
Internet, your clients may not be able to access certain web sites.
However, the ICS host or the server doesn't have this problem.
2) After installed a new router or cable modem replacing dial-up to access the Internet, you can't access some web sites.
3) You also find that most web sites you can't access are block to ping or they are security sites using HTTPS.