Monday, February 14, 2011

Windows SLOW START UP/SHUTDOWN

Windows SLOW START UP/SHUTDOWN


SLOW START UP/SHUTDOWN

Does starting up and shutting down your computer take a long time, you probably can find a solution within the services section. Third party software (like security software) run services, which slow down your computer. Check the non-Microsoft services, whether they are all needed. Most mentioned service which slows shutting down Windows, is the NVIDIA Driver Help Service (switch this service to manual).
Possible other cause of a slow shutting down process of Windows is cleaning the pagefile (if turned on, by default this option is disabled). Disabling cleaning the pagefile is done in the registry: change the DWORD value ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 0.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

Access "Private" Doucments on WinXP Profile



WinXP Pro
First you need to disable Simple File Sharing if it is not already:
My Computer -> Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab -> Scroll to the bottom of the list of advanced settings and un-check Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended) -> Click OK.
Next go to the drive and right click on it and select Properties -> security tab -> Advanced button -> Owner tab -> Select the username account from the list and put a check in Replace owner on sub containers and objects -> Ok -> Ok
For WinXP HOME
You must be logged on to the computer with an account that has administrative credentials. If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an account that has Administrative rights to have access to the Security tab

Find Model Number and Serial Number Of Your Computer Using DOS Commands

Find Model Number and Serial Number Of Your Computer Using DOS Commands


Handy tip for finding info for OEM Computers..

Find Model Number and Serial Number Of Your Computer Using DOS Commands.


Extra TIP: To lauch directly from the RUN command ( Windows Key + R), and type cmd /k followed by the command.
Exapmle to PING www.google.com until stop requested type cmd /k ping www.google.com -t
Desktops and Laptops purchased from manufactures like DELL, IBM, etc comes with a serial number(or service tag) and a model name. If you ever loose this information, then you can use MS DOS commands to retrieve the information
To retrieve serial number of the computer run the following command
wmic bios get serialnumber
To retrieve model name of the computer run the following command
wmic csproduct get name

Australian Wireline (POTS) Dial to Discover Numbers

Australian Wireline (POTS) Dial to Discover Numbers

  • Phone : 127 22 123 to discover the Phone Number

  • Phone 127 11 to discover the Current Service provider.

  •  Phone 1300 368 999 for the Telstra Fax Test Service

Reinstalling Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Printer back after being removed

Adding Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Printer back after being removed







     Paste the following into a CLI window ( or start - Run - cmd /k and the following CLI command.)

cscript c:\windows\system32\prnmngr.vbs -a -p "Microsoft Office Document Image Writer" -m "Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Driver" -r "Microsoft Document Imaging Writer Port:"

Windows CPL and CLI lauch list

Windows CPL and CLI lauch list






Windows CPL and CLI lauch list






Accessibility Controls  access.cpl
Accessibility Wizard  accwiz
Add Hardware Wizard  hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs  appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools  control admintools
Adobe Acrobat (if installed)  acrobat
Adobe Designer (if installed)  acrodist
Adobe Distiller (if installed)  acrodist
Adobe ImageReady (if installed)  imageready
Adobe Photoshop (if installed)  photoshop
Automatic Updates  wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Transfer Wizard  fsquirt
Calculator  calc
Certificate Manager  certmgr.msc
Character Map  charmap
Check Disk Utility  chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer  clipbrd
Command Prompt  cmd
Component Services  dcomcnfg
Computer Management  compmgmt.msc
Control Panel  control
Date and Time Properties  timedate.cpl
DDE Shares  ddeshare
Device Manager  devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)*  directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter  dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility  cleanmgr
Disk Defragment  dfrg.msc
Disk Management  diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager  diskpart
Display Properties  control desktop
Display Properties  desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)  control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility  drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility  verifier
Event Viewer  eventvwr.msc
Files and Settings Transfer Tool  migwiz
File Signature Verification Tool  sigverif
Findfast  findfast.cpl
Firefox (if installed)  firefox
Folders Properties  control folders
Fonts  control fonts
Fonts Folder  fonts
Free Cell Card Game  freecell
Game Controllers  joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)  gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game  mshearts
Help and Support  helpctr
HyperTerminal  hypertrm
Iexpress Wizard  iexpress
Indexing Service  ciadv.msc
Internet Connection Wizard  icwconn1
Internet Explorer  iexplore
Internet Properties  inetcpl.cpl
Internet Setup Wizard  inetwiz
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)  ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)  ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)  ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)  ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)  ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)  ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)  ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)  ipconfig /setclassid
Java Control Panel (If Installed)  jpicpl32.cpl
Java Control Panel (If Installed)  javaws
Keyboard Properties  control keyboard
Local Security Settings  secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups  lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows  logoff
Malicious Software Removal Tool  mrt
Microsoft Access (if installed)  access.cpl
Microsoft Chat  winchat
Microsoft Excel (if installed)  excel
Microsoft Frontpage (if installed)  frontpg
Microsoft Movie Maker  moviemk
Microsoft Paint  mspaint
Microsoft Powerpoint (if installed)  powerpnt
Microsoft Word (if installed)  winword
Microsoft Syncronization Tool  mobsync
Minesweeper Game  winmine
Mouse Properties  control mouse
Mouse Properties  main.cpl
Nero (if installed)  nero
Netmeeting  conf
Network Connections  control netconnections
Network Connections  ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard  netsetup.cpl
Notepad  notepad
Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)  nvtuicpl.cpl
Object Packager  packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator  odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard  osk
Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)  ac3filter.cpl
Outlook Express  msimn
Paint  pbrush
Password Properties  password.cpl
Performance Monitor  perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor  perfmon
Phone and Modem Options  telephon.cpl
Phone Dialer  dialer
Pinball Game  pinball
Power Configuration  powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes  control printers
Printers Folder  printers
Private Character Editor  eudcedit
Quicktime (If Installed)  QuickTime.cpl
Quicktime Player (if installed)  quicktimeplayer
Real Player (if installed)  realplay
Regional Settings  intl.cpl
Registry Editor  regedit
Registry Editor  regedit32
Remote Access Phonebook  rasphone
Remote Desktop  mstsc
Removable Storage  ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests  ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)  rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras  sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks  control schedtasks
Security Center  wscui.cpl
Services  services.msc
Shared Folders  fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows  shutdown
Sounds and Audio  mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game  spider
SQL Client Configuration  cliconfg
System Configuration Editor  sysedit
System Configuration Utility  msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)  sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)  sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)  sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)  sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)  sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)  sfc /cachesize=x
System Information  msinfo32
System Properties  sysdm.cpl
Task Manager  taskmgr
TCP Tester  tcptest
Telnet Client  telnet
Tweak UI (if installed)  tweakui
User Account Management  nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager  utilman
Windows Address Book  wab
Windows Address Book Import Utility  wabmig
Windows Backup Utility (if installed)  ntbackup
Windows Explorer  explorer
Windows Firewall  firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier  magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure  wmimgmt.msc
Windows Media Player  wmplayer
Windows Messenger  msmsgs
Windows Picture Import Wizard (need camera connected)  wiaacmgr
Windows System Security Tool  syskey
Windows Update Launches  wupdmgr
Windows Version (to show which version of windows)  winver
Windows XP Tour Wizard  tourstart
Wordpad  write

How to Prevent Screen Dimming on Mac









Caffeine is a tiny program that puts an icon in the right side of your menu bar. Click it to prevent your Mac from automatically going to sleep, dimming the screen or starting screen savers. Click it again to go back. Right-click (or ⌘-click) the icon to show the menu.

http://lightheadsw.com/caffeine

Add Windows Printer to Mac via CUPS



Using your browser, go to http://localhost:631 -- this is the CUPS page. The Common UNIX Printing System is used as the underlying print system. Configure your printer there, and it "magically" appears in Leopard. CUPS can do Windows, even if Leopard cannot, including accessing the workgroup. You will need an administrator login/password to your Mac. [This is the same username / password as when the Mac was originally configured].

Defrag the Windows PageFile



Linkage:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897426.aspx

Command-Line Options

You can run PageDefrag non-interactively by specifying a command-line option for the setting you want:
Usage: pagedefrag [-e | -o | -n] [-t ]
-e Defrag every boot.
-o Defrag once.
-n Never defrag.
-t Set countdown to specified number of seconds.

Managing Teredo Tunnels in Vista and Win 7



To manage the Toredo Tunnels ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teredo_Tunnels) in Vista and Windows 7

Navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\tcpip6\Parameters\

Create a new DWord : DisabledComponents

The value can be the combination (logical or) of the follwoing values:
1  Disable tunnel interfaces
2  Disable 6to4
4  Disable ISATAP
8  Disable Teredo
16  Disable LAN and PPP interfaces
32  Set preference of IPv4 over IPv6
255  Disable IPv6 completely

Reboot.

Finding a Brother Printer IP address when no LCD on Printer



For the Brother LAN based printer WITHOUT configuration LCD the IP configuration page is printable by Pressing the Blue (Start) Button 3 times

Finding Drivers for Unknown Devices

Every device has a Vendor and Device id associated with it. If you can find this ID, you can find the manufacturer. In Windows it's easy to find the vendor and device id.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  1. Open Device Manager (Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager)
  2. The hardware whose drivers are missing will appear as Unknown device, so it's easier to locate the device.
  3. Right click on the unknown device and click on Properties.
  4. Under the Properties window click on Details tab and select Device Instance Id from the drop down box.
  5. You should see a code similar to this PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27DC&SUBSYS_30868086
    &REV_01\4&1E46F438&0&40F0

  6. The portion of the code highlighted in RED is the Vendor ID and the portion highlighted in GREEN is the Device ID. In this example: Vendor ID = 8086
    Device ID = 27DC

  7. Once you have obtained both the IDs, proceed to PCI Database.( http://www.pcidatabase.com/)  There you can either search for the vendor from the vendor ID or directly get information about the device along with the vendor name by searching with the device ID.

Easily find your Mac's Serial Number in Mac OS X

Easily find your Mac's Serial Number in Mac OS X





Easily find your Mac's Serial Number in Mac OS X 


Go to Apple ▸ About This Mac and click on the version number (the one below big Mac OS X title) twice. You will see your Mac serial number

How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder

How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder


In case you need it here is the Microsoft article for reverting a Win-7 Upgrade to the previous installation, now we know why we have the Windows.old folder ...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971760/

Steps to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install a version of Windows 7

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

Step 1: Determine whether there is a Windows.old folder and whether there is sufficient free space on the Windows hard disk

  1. Click Start
    Collapse this imageExpand this image
     Start button
    , and then click Computer.
  2. On the View menu, click Details.
  3. In the Free Space column, note how much space is available for Local Disk (C:) under the Hard Disk Drives area.
  4. In the Hard Disk Drives area, double-click Local Disk (C:), and then determine whether the Windows.old folder exists.

    Important If the Windows.old folder does not exist, you cannot follow the steps in this article to restore the previous Windows installation to this computer. You must backup and restore or transfer your files to the previous operating system.
  5. Right-click the Windows.old folder.
  6. Windows 7 will determine the size of the folder after several seconds.
Determine whether the Windows.old folder is smaller than the free space that is available for Local Disk (C:) in step 1.2.

Note If the Windows.old folder is two times as large as the free space that is available for the Local Disk (C:) entry, you may be unable to restore the previous Windows installation.

Step 2: Start the Windows Recovery Environment

  1. Put the Windows 7 installation disc in the DVD drive, and then restart the computer.
  2. Press a key when you are prompted to restart from the disc.
  3. In the Install Windows window, select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard input method or other input method, and then click Next.
  4. In the Install Windows window, click Repair your computer.
  5. In the System Recovery Options window, click the version of the Windows 7 operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
  6. In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
The Command Prompt window opens, and it displays the command prompt. The command prompt is where you will type the commands that are described in the following steps.

Step 3: Move the Windows 7 folders to a new Win7 folder

Note When you type one or more of the commands at the command prompt in the following steps and press ENTER, you may receive the following message:
The system cannot find the file specified.
If you receive this message, go to the next step in this section, and then type the command in that next step.

Type the following commands and press ENTER after each command:
C:

Md Win7

Move Windows Win7\Windows

Move "Program Files" "Win7\Program Files"

Move Users Win7\Users

Attrib –h –s –r ProgramData

Move ProgramData Win7\ProgramData

Rd "Documents and Settings"

Step 4: Copy the contents or move the contents of the Windows.old folder

Note When you type one or more of the commands at the command prompt in the following steps and press ENTER, you may receive the following message:
The system cannot find the file specified.
If you receive this message, go to the next step in this section, and then type the command in the next step.

Type the following commands and press ENTER after each command:
move /y c:\Windows.old\Windows c:\

move /y "c:\Windows.old\Program Files" c:\

move /y c:\Windows.old\ProgramData c:\

move /y c:\Windows.old\Users c:\

move /y "c:\Windows.old\Documents and Settings" c:\

Step 5: Restore the boot sector for the previous Windows installation

Type one of the following commands at the command prompt, as appropriate for your situation.

Note In the following commands, D: represents the DVD drive. If the DVD drive on the computer is represented by a different letter, such as E:, use that letter in the command.
  • When the previous Windows installation was Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Microsoft Windows 2000

    Type the following command, and then press ENTER:
    D:\boot\bootsect /nt52 c:
  • When the previous Windows installation was Windows Vista

    Type the following command, and then press ENTER:
    D:\boot\bootsect /nt60 c:

Step 6: Restore the Boot.ini file for the previous Windows installation of Windows XP or of Windows 2000

Note Follow these steps only when the previous installation is Windows XP or Windows 2000.

Type the following commands and press ENTER after each command:
Attrib –h –s –r boot.ini.saved

Copy boot.ini.saved boot.ini

Step 7: Close the Command Prompt window, and then click Restart

  1. Type the following command at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:
    exit
  2. Click Restart to restart your computer.
Note After you have verified that Windows XP is functional, you can remove the C:\Win7 folder if it is not needed for data recovery

How to disable the Windows Security Warning for Remote Network Drives

How to disable the Windows Security Warning for Remote Network Drives

To disable the warning :

Windows Security Warning
"are you sure you want to copy or move files to this folder"
You should only copy files from trusted sites
Yes No

for network drives ( and .zip  files)

Summary: Add remote machine's IP address to Local Intranet Trust Group in "Internet Options"

Start --> Run -> inetcpl.cpl -> Security --> Local Intranet --> Sites -->

Uncheck "Automatically detect intranet networks" ; check other 3  fields

Select Advanced and Add the REMOTE computer in the following format : file://ipaddress

IEEE 802.1x authentication greyed out

IEEE 802.1x authentication greyed out

IEEE 802.1x authentication grayed out:





















 To erenable IEEE Authentication first
change Authentication type to "Open" and "WEP"with the Wireless Network Properties.







And now it is possible to
Uncheck " Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication ..."

Remember to Change the Wireless Security back to the prior settings

Remove Shortcut Arrow from Windows desktop Icons

Remove Shortcut Arrow from Windows desktop Icons



From : http://windowsxp.mvps.org/arrow.htm

This tweak removes the shortcut arrow
  • Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
  • Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Shell Icons
  • Backup the key by exporting it to a file
  • In the right-pane, create a new String value named 29
  • Double-click 29 and set its Value data as:
C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll,50
(shell32.dll,50 is a empty icon)
  • Close Registry Editor.
To apply the changes instantly, follow this
  • Right-click Desktop, choose Properties
  • Click the Appearance Tab.
  • Click Advanced button
  • Choose Icon from the drop-down list
  • Set it's size to 31 and press OK, OK.
The changes will be applied now. Repeat the above steps and then set the Icon size back to 32 (defaults). The above steps are required to force Windows to redraw the icons. Even Tweak UI does this.