Beginners Guide to going Wireless - the Basics - Part-1

In this guide, we'll discuss the basics of connecting your computer to the internet wirelessly. It's easier to grasp what's happening if we concentrate on connecting just one computer. We'll then move on to adding more PCs. (It is assumed that you have a Broadband connection, and not a slower Dialup connection plugged straight in to your phone line.)

 

An ADSL Broadband Setup - Without Wireless

In the image below, you'll see a typical scenario of one PC connected to the phone line via a ADSL modem. (ADSL broadband is the one that goes down your BT phone line, if you're in the UK. If you have cable broadband then it won't.)

The image shows a red wire and a blue wire. The red wire goes from the PC to the modem. The blue wire goes from the modem to the phone line. Because it's ADSL, the blue wire first plugs into something called a Filter. The Filter then goes into the phone socket.)

If you request a web page from your computer, the signal goes down the red wire to the modem. It then travels through the blue wire, and down your phone line. The image below shows this (the yellow signal):

When the web page is found on the internet, it is sent down the blue wire, through the modem, then the red wire, and to your PC. Here's a new image:

To go wireless, the bit you get rid of is the ADSL modem (the one on the floor in the image, with the red and blue wires plugged in to it). You'll swap this with something called a Wireless Router. This can have the ADSL modem built in.

 

An ADSL Broadband Setup - Wireless

In the next image, the red wire is gone. It's wireless! You are requesting a web page from the internet. Notice the yellow signal. Now it doesn't need to travel down the red wire. (It still needs to travel through the blue wire, though.) It travels through the air to the modem (now a ADSL wireless router), and then down the blue wire:

When the web page is found on the internet, the signal travels through the blue wire, and then to the modem (or ADSL wireless router, as we're now calling it). After the modem, the signal travels through the air to your PC.

The great thing about wireless is that the PC doesn't need to be as close to the wireless router as it is in the image above. It can be right across the room, in another room entirely or, if you're really lucky, at the bottom of the garden! There is something else you do need, however, as well as the wireless router - a wireless adaptor. We'll see what these are in the next part.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Beginners Guide to going Wireless - Wireless Adaptors - Part-2

If you look at the image above, you'll see that the yellow signal is travelling from the wireless router to the PC. However, the computer can't do anything with the wireless signal if it hasn't got a device to detect it. The device you need is called a Wireless Adaptor.

For PCs, Wireless Adaptors come in two varieties - ones you plug in to a USB port on your computer, and ones that you fit inside of the computer. Here's a Wireless Adaptors that plugs in to a USB port:

And here's one that fits in to the computer:

If you're nervous about opening up your computer, then go for the USB variety. But notice the antenna on the one that fits in to the computer (called a PCI card). These screw out so that you can fit bigger and more powerful antennas.

If you have a fairly modern laptop, the chances are it will come with a wireless adaptor inside of it. If it's not modern, then you can add a wireless adaptor to it. These are called PCMCIA cards. They look like this:

You probably have a slot for a card like this in your laptop. If you don't, then you can always use one of the USB adaptors.

But to go Wireless for your Internet, you'll need some form of Wireless Adaptor for your PC or laptop.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Beginners Guide to going Wireless - the Basics

In this guide, we'll discuss the basics of connecting your computer to the internet wirelessly. It's easier to grasp what's happening if we concentrate on connecting just one computer. We'll then move on to adding more PCs. (It is assumed that you have a Broadband connection, and not a slower Dialup connection plugged straight in to your phone line.)

 

An ADSL Broadband Setup - Without Wireless

In the image below, you'll see a typical scenario of one PC connected to the phone line via a ADSL modem. (ADSL broadband is the one that goes down your BT phone line, if you're in the UK. If you have cable broadband then it won't.)

The image shows a red wire and a blue wire. The red wire goes from the PC to the modem. The blue wire goes from the modem to the phone line. Because it's ADSL, the blue wire first plugs into something called a Filter. The Filter then goes into the phone socket.)

If you request a web page from your computer, the signal goes down the red wire to the modem. It then travels through the blue wire, and down your phone line. The image below shows this (the yellow signal):

When the web page is found on the internet, it is sent down the blue wire, through the modem, then the red wire, and to your PC. Here's a new image:

To go wireless, the bit you get rid of is the ADSL modem (the one on the floor in the image, with the red and blue wires plugged in to it). You'll swap this with something called a Wireless Router. This can have the ADSL modem built in.

 

An ADSL Broadband Setup - Wireless

In the next image, the red wire is gone. It's wireless! You are requesting a web page from the internet. Notice the yellow signal. Now it doesn't need to travel down the red wire. (It still needs to travel through the blue wire, though.) It travels through the air to the modem (now a ADSL wireless router), and then down the blue wire:

When the web page is found on the internet, the signal travels through the blue wire, and then to the modem (or ADSL wireless router, as we're now calling it). After the modem, the signal travels through the air to your PC.

The great thing about wireless is that the PC doesn't need to be as close to the wireless router as it is in the image above. It can be right across the room, in another room entirely or, if you're really lucky, at the bottom of the garden! There is something else you do need, however, as well as the wireless router - a wireless adaptor. We'll see what these are in the next part.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Microsoft: Lots to turn off in Windows 7 | Beyond Binary - CNET News

t turns out it is not just Internet Explorer that users will be able to turn off in Windows 7.

In a blog posting on Friday, Microsoft noted that, with Windows 7, customers will have the option of disabling a number of features of the operating system, should they so choose.

Testers had noticed that users of recent Windows 7 builds could turn off the Web browser, in addition to many other things that were already part of a "Windows Features" dialog box. However, in its blog, Microsoft noted that there are a number of things that users could not turn off in Windows Vista, but will be able to in the final version of Windows 7. Among the new options, users will now be able to turn off things such as Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, Windows Search, the XPS Viewer and several others.

Build 7048 of Windows 7 includes Internet Explorer as one of many Windows components that can be turned on or off via a Windows Features dialog box.

(Credit: Chris123nt.com)

"If a feature is deselected, it is not available for use," Microsoft said in the blog. "This means the files (binaries and data) are not loaded by the operating system (for security-conscious customers) and not available to users on the computer. These same files are staged so that the features can easily be added back to the running OS without additional media. This staging is important feedback we have received from customers who definitely do not like to dig up the installation DVD."

Microsoft declined to comment on what role, if any, antitrust and regulatory issues played in the decision to expand the number of Windows components that can be disabled. However, a number of the programs on the list are things that have drawn regulatory ire, such as the browser and media player, as well as the XPS technology which has been seen as a rival to Adobe's PDF.

With Windows 7, Microsoft has also stripped several programs out of the operating system entirely. The photo gallery, e-mail, and movie-making programs that had been part of Windows will now be available only as separate Windows Live downloads. With Windows Vista, Microsoft included a version in the operating system, but then offered for download an optional Windows Live service-connected version.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Chart Advisor : Suggests you which chart represents your data better

Creating charts is always tough when it comes which type need to be selected to give an exact idea out of the data you have. Micrsoft Office Labs has one project running, Chart Advisor, which helps you to generate charts depending on your data. Its an auto analysis engine which sits in Microsoft office excel after installed.

Chart Advisor

This app works on well defined heuristics which scans your data and find the relevant chart you can use. You can preview it , tweak it and get to the point which says yea this is what I wanted. This makes sense and even if you don’t get the exact it gets you very close and then you can modify as per your requirement.

• Automatic pivoting to generate more useful charts
• Hidden rows and columns are ignored in the spreadsheet
• Totals for columns or rows are ignored in the charts so as not to skew the data plotted
• Ability to quickly change the data displayed in the chart through the Modify chart pane
• Ability to filter data
• Intelligent mapping of data to the axes
• Scoring of charts to show the best charts first
• Chart formatting (legend on/off/location, chart style) is rules-based - e.g., no legend if only one value series

Using operators in Search : Windows Vista

In this post I have discussed how you can use operators to use the integrated search in windows. This will be working for windows vista and seven where the search is integrated in the core of windows operating system. I have given examples of Folder search, size search, Date search. There can be many more options just keep trying. !!!

Morning I had bee playing with windows vista search and something came up which I never expected. Windows Vista Integrated search is much more powerful than you can think of. I was trying find the largest file in one of my folder using the Size column and then I did something different. I typed in Size = 2000 KB in the search box and this was OMG it works!!!

Vista Search : Equal to operator

Searching with Size hack

It was doing an operator search i.e. =, + - and then i tried > 2000 kb, > 2000 kb <>

Vista Search : Greater than operator

Vista Search : Less than and Greater than operator

How is this working. In my view you can search by passing arguments here 2000 KB was the argument to any column name which is displayed in the details view. Here is what I did with date.

Searching with Date hack

Just type in date = 07-03-2009 and you can find all files which had been modified or created on that day. Now if you are searching for birth day pics I Guess you should use this instead of names.

Vista Search Date hack

Searching with Folder hack

Next is displaying only folders. All you need is just type in folder in the searhcbox and you will see only folder listed there. However I saw a zip file also listed not sure why but no files for sure.

Vista Search : Displaying only folders

Now we will display files in aprticulr folder. Type in folder “foldername” . Replace foldename with your folder name like I did for folder em ( I have a embed folder and em is initial for that ) and this is what I got.

Vista Search : Displaying files of particular folder

If you are wondering that em is in my files also I just checked , the third file in the list above doesnt have em string any where in the file.

Now you turn, try this on your computer and lets use know what else you can search like this.!! Who says Vista doesnt work ? We should also know how to use it.

Microsoft: Lots to turn off in Windows 7

t turns out it is not just Internet Explorer that users will be able to turn off in Windows 7.

In a blog posting on Friday, Microsoft noted that, with Windows 7, customers will have the option of disabling a number of features of the operating system, should they so choose.

Testers had noticed that users of recent Windows 7 builds could turn off the Web browser, in addition to many other things that were already part of a "Windows Features" dialog box. However, in its blog, Microsoft noted that there are a number of things that users could not turn off in Windows Vista, but will be able to in the final version of Windows 7. Among the new options, users will now be able to turn off things such as Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, Windows Search, the XPS Viewer and several others.

Build 7048 of Windows 7 includes Internet Explorer as one of many Windows components that can be turned on or off via a Windows Features dialog box.

(Credit: Chris123nt.com)

"If a feature is deselected, it is not available for use," Microsoft said in the blog. "This means the files (binaries and data) are not loaded by the operating system (for security-conscious customers) and not available to users on the computer. These same files are staged so that the features can easily be added back to the running OS without additional media. This staging is important feedback we have received from customers who definitely do not like to dig up the installation DVD."

Microsoft declined to comment on what role, if any, antitrust and regulatory issues played in the decision to expand the number of Windows components that can be disabled. However, a number of the programs on the list are things that have drawn regulatory ire, such as the browser and media player, as well as the XPS technology which has been seen as a rival to Adobe's PDF.

With Windows 7, Microsoft has also stripped several programs out of the operating system entirely. The photo gallery, e-mail, and movie-making programs that had been part of Windows will now be available only as separate Windows Live downloads. With Windows Vista, Microsoft included a version in the operating system, but then offered for download an optional Windows Live service-connected version.

Manage BIOS updates with Windows Server 2008 Core Edition | Servers and Storage | TechRepublic.com

For Windows Server 2008, the Core Edition has scenarios where its use is appropriate. In some cases, the Core Edition is even required like the free version of Hyper-V. For managing the hardware, this throws some curveballs to the Windows administrator. Here is what I have been doing to manage firmware and OEM hardware driver updates.

Install a third-party browser

The first thing I do is install Opera on my Core Edition servers — primarily because using Opera on the Core Edition will give a crude file manager function by typing C:\ in the address bar.

To install Opera, simply download it from another system and save the installation file to the C:\ drive of the Core Edition server and run the setup. From there, I can get the server’s updated BIOS firmware. Figure A shows Opera functioning as a file browser.

Figure A

Click the image to enlarge.

I prefer Opera, but other browsers may work. Remember, the Core Edition has no version of Internet Explorer, but other versions are installable on Core.

Get drivers and updates

For the hardware updates, you can get them from a local resource or the server support page and download them like you would on a full installation version. I recently updated an HP ProLiant ML350 G5 server to the latest BIOS, version D21 on a Windows Server 2008 x64 Core Edition system. The online flash tools for HP will run in the same fashion as they would on a full installation version. Figure B shows the installation of the update after the download.

Figure B

Click the image to enlarge.

Legacy mechanisms such as floppy-based flashing are still possible, but they are archaic and more time-consuming than some of the online mechanisms available. It is worth going through the learning curve on Core Edition to maintain the same flexibility levels as the full installation versions of Windows Server 2008.

Share your hardware management tricks for Windows Server 2008 Core Edition in the discussion.

More resources about Windows Server 2008 Core Edition

• Getting started with Windows Server 2008 Core edition
• Configure the screen saver timeout in Windows Server 2008 Core Edition
• Disabling the firewall in Windows Server 2008 Core Edition
• 
  

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Manage BIOS updates with Windows Server 2008 Core Edition

For Windows Server 2008, the Core Edition has scenarios where its use is appropriate. In some cases, the Core Edition is even required like the free version of Hyper-V. For managing the hardware, this throws some curveballs to the Windows administrator. Here is what I have been doing to manage firmware and OEM hardware driver updates.

Install a third-party browser

The first thing I do is install Opera on my Core Edition servers — primarily because using Opera on the Core Edition will give a crude file manager function by typing C:\ in the address bar.

To install Opera, simply download it from another system and save the installation file to the C:\ drive of the Core Edition server and run the setup. From there, I can get the server’s updated BIOS firmware. Figure A shows Opera functioning as a file browser.

Figure A

Click the image to enlarge.

I prefer Opera, but other browsers may work. Remember, the Core Edition has no version of Internet Explorer, but other versions are installable on Core.

Get drivers and updates

For the hardware updates, you can get them from a local resource or the server support page and download them like you would on a full installation version. I recently updated an HP ProLiant ML350 G5 server to the latest BIOS, version D21 on a Windows Server 2008 x64 Core Edition system. The online flash tools for HP will run in the same fashion as they would on a full installation version. Figure B shows the installation of the update after the download.

Figure B

Click the image to enlarge.

Legacy mechanisms such as floppy-based flashing are still possible, but they are archaic and more time-consuming than some of the online mechanisms available. It is worth going through the learning curve on Core Edition to maintain the same flexibility levels as the full installation versions of Windows Server 2008.

Share your hardware management tricks for Windows Server 2008 Core Edition in the discussion.

More resources about Windows Server 2008 Core Edition

• Getting started with Windows Server 2008 Core edition
• Configure the screen saver timeout in Windows Server 2008 Core Edition
• Disabling the firewall in Windows Server 2008 Core Edition

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Options For Troubleshooting Windows Vista Operating Systems

Windows Vista is the hot new operating system for people and their PCs but many users still have questions. With something new comes change and with change comes questions about how to make it work properly.

By Mr. Miyagi

Windows Vista is the hot new operating system for people and their PCs but many users still have questions. With something new comes change and with change comes questions about how to make it work properly.

Whether you are new to Vista or new to personal computers altogether, there are some great resources that can help you. When it comes to troubleshooting Windows Vista, the first thing you need to be concerned with is what your problem is.

These resources can help anyone new at using computers in general or people who are just new to using the Windows Vista systems. If you determine that you need help with personal settings, parental controls or other basic operating systems, then you can use the manual for Windows Vista to help solve this type of problems.

Don’t get worried if you are having problems that can’t be fixed by using the manual. There are all types of help available including technical support that you can use to help with any problems you may be having.

If you still have access to the Internet or can get your computer with Vista to work so that you are online, you can read online tutorials and visit online help desks to determine what is wrong.

There are a lot of people that are familiar with the Windows Vista system that have user-submitted sites online that provide tips and suggestions on troubleshooting problems for this system. These sites are not endorsed by Microsoft or any of its affiliated companies.

If you decide to use one of these sites just be careful. You are searching for good information that can help you with your problems. Using information that is submitted by someone who does not understand the system could create even more problems.

When you need help with your new Vista operating system you have a variety of options available for troubleshooting Windows Vista. You should also receive a telephone number in which you can call for technical assistance in the event you cannot get online. All these options make it easy and fun for you to learn how to use your new system.

Further reading

http://it-tutor.co.cc/speedup-overall-performance/
http://it-tutor.co.cc/windows-xp-tweaks-for-optimizing-and-speedup-performance/
http://it-tutor.co.cc/how-to-speedup-windows-performance/
http://it-tutor.co.cc/reduce-visual-effects-to-speedup-windows/


http://itlinks.co.cc/10-quick-tips-to-speedup-windows-xp/

http://itlinks.co.cc/top-8-ways-to-speed-up-your-computer/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speedup-windows-vista-2/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speedup-vista/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speeding-up-the-hard-drive/

http://itlinks.co.cc/vista-speed-up-vista-bootup-bypass-unused-hardware/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speedup-overall-performance/

http://itlinks.co.cc/better-speed-at-startup-and-shutdown-disable-tmm/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speed-up-disable-start-menu-search/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speed-up-flip3d/

http://itlinks.co.cc/how-to-increase-hard-drive-speed/

http://itlinks.co.cc/how-to-increase-hard-drive-speed-2/

http://itlinks.co.cc/speed-up-flip3d-2/

Windows XP's Backup utility | TechRepublic.com

Windows XP’s Backup utility does not allow you to directly select any type of recordable optical media (i.e., CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, or DVD-RW) as a backup destination — even though you can copy files to recordable optical media from within Windows Explorer. However, there is a workaround that will allow you to indirectly make the Backup utility use recordable optical media as a backup destination.

This blog post is also available in the PDF format in a TechRepublic Download.

How it works

In this workaround, you direct the Backup utility to save the backup file in the CD Burning spool folder. You can then burn the backup to your recordable optical media. Here’s how:

• Launch Backup.
• Select the Backup tab and choose the files that you want to back up.
• Choose File from the Backup Destination drop-down list.
• In the Backup Media or File Name text box, type the following path:

  C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning\Backup.bkf

Where <user name> is the name of your user profile folder and Backup.bkf is the name of the backup file.

As soon as the backup starts, you’ll see a balloon appear in the notification area that alerts you that you have files waiting to be written to the CD. Once the backup is complete, click the balloon to open Windows Explorer and then click the Write These Files To CD command in the CD Writing Tasks section of the task pane.

Note: The only drawback to this technique is that you cannot make Backup span large backup files across multiple CDs. As such, you’ll need to ensure that your backup file will fit on one CD.

http://it-tutor.co.cc/speedup-overall-performance/

http://it-tutor.co.cc/windows-xp-tweaks-for-optimizing-and-speedup-performance/

http://it-tutor.co.cc/how-to-speedup-windows-performance/

http://it-tutor.co.cc/reduce-visual-effects-to-speedup-windows/

Windows Vista Tip Guide

Folder Navigation

1.      Getting around your PC - Folders look visually different, but with more choices navigation is even easier. Using the Navigation pane you can visually see the folder hierarchy and quickly find your destination. 

2.      Address bar - The arrows on the Address Bar open a fly-out to specific folders on your PC or network.

3.      Classic Menus – If need you can return to the classic views just hit the ALT key.  However, stay with the Windows Vista default configuration for better productivity.

Running you Applications

1.      Find them, and then run them – You might use the Start menu Search box to type an application’s name, and then press enter to run it, no need to go looking.

2.      MS-DOS command prompts – Type ‘command’ in the Start menu Search box, press Enter and you can return to command land. You can also use the Start menu Search box in place of the Run dialog box.

Finding Your Files

1.      Simple Search – Use the Start menu Search box to type part of a file’s name and see a list of the matching files. Use a similar Search box at the top right of every folder window to search down through subfolders.

2.      Advanced Search – From the Start menu, choose Search, type what you need to find and Windows Vista will show you all the files matching your criteria.

3.      Advanced Search Filters – Use + to add filters using keywords, author, title or just about any of the information available in properties.

4.      Saved Search – A few clicks of the mouse and you can save a search to revisit later.

Control Panel

1.      Search the Control Panel – Consistent with the other tools and folders, the Control Panel provide a Search box to quickly find available tools.

2.      Classic View – Return to your glory days with just a click and you will find the familiar Control Panel View, however the updated Windows Vista Control Panel is so much more useful you may never need that Classic View.

3.      Offline Files – Away from the network?  You can take files with you and make sure you have the information you need.

4.      Sync Center – Make sure you have the latest version of those offline files with the Sync Center; you can even make sure the files are up-to-date automatically and on a schedule.

5.      Mobility Center – Windows Vista does a better job of collecting resources that are appropriate for certain tasks; the mobility center is just one example. Here you will manage the resources appropriate for laptops, such as battery status, wireless network, external monitor, and presentation settings.

Internet Explorer® 7

1.      IE Appearance – IE allows you to zoom in or out on web pages – use Ctrl+(+) and Ctrl+(-), You can even generate a print preview that scales the page to your paper size.

2.      Classic Menus – To stick with tradition, the ALT key or the Tools menu provides easy access to those familiar classic menus of IE.

3.      Web Search – Use the search engine you prefer through one familiar search box, and change search providers on the fly from a handy drop-down menu.

4.      Tabbed Browsing – How often do you open a number of web pages with a similar theme?  Well you can group these together under the same Internet Explorer window with tabbed browsing. A simple ctrl-click will open a link in your current window to a new tab.

5.      Quick Tabs – Once you have the tab group, Quick Tabs allows you to view all your tabbed pages as thumbnails, allowing you to quickly pick the page you want.

6.      Favorites (Groups) – Favorites are even easier, and you can even save those same tab groups you created for later use.  Simply use the star to access saved pages or tab groups, or + to add the page or tab group to favorites.

Changes to Discover

1.      Windows® Shared View – Windows Shared View is easier to connect with others, share information and collaborate on projects.

2.      Windows Defender – To ease the worry about viruses and other malicious software, Windows Defender increases the security level for your PC.

3.      Windows Sidebar – You will see a new generation of applications, more accurately called gadgets. These gadgets can be used on the desktop or with the Windows Sidebar, a desktop location or corral to access them.

4.      Turn off and start up more quickly. When you click the power button on the Start menu, Windows saves your work and programs just as they are, and then puts the computer to sleep. When you use Sleep, your computer typically wakes up in one or two seconds.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Microsoft Vista voted tech world's top "Fiasco": Scientific American Blog

It's official, Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system gets the prize for being the most overhyped, underperforming information and communication technology (ICT) project. Windows Vista garnered 5,222 of 6,043 votes (86 percent) entered via the Web to snag top honors in the first-ever Fiasco Awards announced in Barcelona, Spain, today, beating out other contenders, including Google's Lively virtual world, the One Laptop per Child computer (developed by the Nicholas Negroponte-chaired One Laptop Per Child Association, Inc.) and Second Life. Second prize went to SAGA, the oft-malfunctioning administration and academic management system developed by Spain's Catalan Education Department for public school teachers in Catalonia.

Vista was announced in July 2005 and hit the market in January 2007 after a mega PR blitz by Microsoft, which promised it would be a slick, secure successor to the company's popular Windows XP operating system. Vista came with an eye-catching graphical user interface, and Microsoft positioned the operating system's Windows Media Center software as a tool that would make the PC the new hub of home entertainment systems. What Microsoft made less clear was that many customers couldn't run Vista without upgrading their PCs.

What's more, the Fiasco Awards Web site points out, the new operating system was complicated to navigate and had compatibility problems with many programs and hardware drivers, leading many people to just stick with Windows XP. Vista was such a dismal failure that many PC makers even recommended that consumers steer clear of it.

The company's recent introduction of Windows 7—Vista's successor after only two years—indicates that even Microsoft views Vista with disappointment, according to the awards organizers. The lesson, they said: more testing should be done to check reliability and performance before rolling out major product-marketing campaigns.

The purpose of the Fiasco awards is to "promote critical spirit and a positive attitude towards failure, which is a necessary stage in the road to success," say the award's organizers, who are identified on the Web site only as a "group of people linked to the ICT (information and communication technology) sector." The site  notes that Thomas Edison made more than 1,000 attempts before inventing the light bulb, "so he learned how not to do it in more than 1,000 different ways."

Other finalists: Second Life (the virtual world's Web software must be downloaded on one's PC, which excludes people who don't own their own computers), One Laptop per Child (a plan hatched by the developed world to bring computers to the developing world at $100 a pop, only they it ended up costing nearly twice that), and Google Lively (a virtual world that relied more on the company's brand than on any interesting features to compete with Second Life; it was put out of its misery at the end of 2008, after just five months of operation).

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Windows Vista Services

������ You will notice that Vista has some of the same old Services as XP. Along with many new Services to control and maintain Windows operating system. Here are some Services in Vista that we really don�t need.

 

Some of these services are already set to manual.� So completely disabling them really won�t make too much of a difference. And may be better in the long run to leave them as is.

�But, if you don�t want them to start up if they may be needed. Then just set them to �Disabled�.

   1. First let�s go to �Start� and then click on �Run�.

   2. When the Run box opens, just type in �services.msc� and press �OK�. Next the Services applet will load.

   3. How to stop and disable a service? Just right click on a service and select Properties.

   4. Then, in the properties box. Stop the service if it is running, then change the Startup type to �Disabled� and hit �OK�.

������� Repeat this step for each service you wish to disable

������� Finally, restart your computer and the service will no longer be able to start.

  

 

Disabling these following services can help to decrease RAM usage, and help to improve your systems performance:

Base Filtering Engine

Disable if you don't use the Windows Firewall

Diagnostic Policy Service

Digital ID Management Service - Listens for Digital ID related events and invokes the registered Providers to perform their tasks. The order that the Providers are invoked is specified by the dependency settings. If this service is stopped or disabled, this computer and all logged on users will be unable to use the automated functionality. This sounds like a fancy service, but your probably don't have a use for it unless you use any DRM technologies.

Distributed Link Tracking Client - Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network.

Function Discovery Provider Host

Function Discovery Resource Publication

Group Policy Client - The service is responsible for applying settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If the service is stopped or disabled, the settings will not be applied and applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not be functional if the service is stopped or disabled. Are you using any of the new account restrictions in Windows Vista, if not, and if this computer is not on a enterprise network, disable this service to free up some bytes.

Human Interface Device Access

Disable if you don't use/need hotkeys on your keyboard.

IKE and AuthIP IPSec Keying Modules

Disable to improve network performance and decrease RAM usage.

Disabling will have a negative impact on network security. . Unless you are doing crazy VPN stuff, home users have little use for this service.

Infrared monitor service - Supports infrared devices installed on the computer and detect other devices that are in range. Still have any infrared device sitting around? Yeah right!, disable this unless you are still using any legacy devices that require infrared. If so, consider upgrading sometime in the future to this thing called Blue tooth.

Internet Connection Sharing

Disable if you don't need to share your internet connection.

IP Helper

Disable to improve network performance and decrease RAM usage.

Will also disable IPv6 connectivity over IPv4. Might be useful in the future.

IPSec Policy Agent

Disable to improve network performance and decrease RAM usage.

Disabling will have a negative impact on network security.

KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Disable if you don't use MSDTC and/or KTM.

Messenger Sharing Folders USN Journal Reader service

This service is only available if Messenger Live is installed.

Disable if you don't use Messenger�s Live sharing folders.

Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider

Disable if you don't use MS Shadow Copy.

Disabling will have a negative impact on system redundancy.

Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service

Disable if you don't use the Net.Tcp protocol (from .NET framework).

Disabling will make .NET applications using this protocol not to function properly.

Network Access Protection Agent - Allows windows clients to participate in NAP. If you have no use for NAP or don't know what it is, disable this. You probably don't need it.

Network List Service

Disable if you aren't connected to a LAN with multiple computers or if you don't share files or printers through your LAN.

Network Location Awareness

Disable if you aren't connected to a LAN with multiple computers or if you don't share files or printers through your LAN.

Offline Files

Disable if you only use local profiles and aren't connected to a domain.

Peer Name Resolution Protocol - Enables Serverless Peer Name Resolution over the Internet. DNS lookups without a DNS server? Possibly, but still no use for it.

Peer Networking Identity Manager - Provides Identity service for Peer Networking. P2P service that performance users don't need. Unless you are using the new P2P networking features.

Pen Service - Tablet PC Pen Input Service. This service is running by default on my laptop which is not a tablet PC!

PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator Service - The PnP-X bus enumerator for network connected devices. If you do not have any devices that use this feature (I don't know of any, if any of you do, post a comment!) consider disabling it.

Portable Device Enumerator Service

Disable if you don't need to synchronize data with removable storage (such as mp3 players. This will not affect third party applications such as iTunes, only applications using this service, e.g. Windows Media Player).

Program Compatibility Assistant Service

Disable if you don't care about compatibility issues. (Running applications in compatibility mode will still function.)

ReadyBoost

Disable if you don't use this feature.

Remote Access Connection Manager

Disable if you don't use dial-up connections and/or VPN-networks.

Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, only users on this computer can modify the registry. I do not understand why Microsoft always decides to have this service started by default in Windows. This service is really only useful for system administrators in enterprise environments. Although my faith in Microsoft security is growing, for home users and most power users this service is just waiting to be exploited by the latest virus/Trojan. It provide no useful functionality to us so just disable it.

Routing and Remote Access

Disable if you don't need to route network data within a LAN or WAN.

Secondary Logon

Disable if you don't need to login two users at once.

Security Center

Disable if you can take care of the system security manually.

Server

Disable if you don't share files and/or printers through LAN.

Shell Hardware Detection

Disable to remove autoplay functionality on removable media.

SL UI Notification Service

Disable. You can manually run this if it's needed for activation or other software licensing issues.

SSDP Discovery Service - Discovers networked devices and services that use the SSDP discovery protocol, such as UPnP devices. Also announces SSDP devices and services running on the local computer. If this service is stopped, SSDP-based devices will not be discovered. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. Do you have any UPnP devices? No, then disable this.

Tablet PC Input Service

Disable if you don't have a Tablet PC.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Disable. Totally useless if you don't use NetBIOS (NetBT).

Telephony

Disable if you don't use dial-up connections.

Terminal Services

Disable if you don't use Remote Desktop.

Disabling will improve system security.

UPnP Device Host - Allows UPnP devices to be hosted on this computer. If this service is stopped, any hosted UPnP devices will stop functioning and no additional hosted devices can be added. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. Do you have any UPnP devices? No, then disable this as well.

Virtual Disk

Set as manual if you don't use Disk Management in the Computer Management console.

You can manually start this service at any time if you need to use Disk Management.

Volume Shadow Copy

Disable if you don't use MS Shadow Copy.

Disabling will have a negative impact on system redundancy.

WebClient - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. This service is used for things like web folder and WEB DAV. If you are like me and don't use these services, then disable them.

Windows Error Reporting Service - Enables error reporting and solution delivery for application failures (crashes and hangs). If this service is stopped, error reporting might not work correctly. This service has always been a favorite for power users to disable. I'm not going to lie, it will give you a slight performance gain if you disable it since less overhead = more resources for your apps. However, Windows Vista is in Beta! Why wouldn't you want Microsoft to hear about the problems you are having. Don't you want them to have a chance to be fixed?

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) - Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras. Disable if you don't use a scanner and/or digital cameras.

Windows Management Instrumentation - Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. This service is used a lot in the enterprise environment in scripting events on computers. In the home area, there is no use for it and can be disabled. If in the future you ever have any problems with installing programs. Try re-enabling this service again since some, not all, tend to use it.

Windows Defender

Disable if you don't want to use it. Though, consider using third party anti-malware application if you disable it.

Windows Error Reporting Service

Disable if you don't use error reporting.

Windows Firewall

Disable if you don't use the Windows Firewall. Though, consider using third party firewall (hardware, software or router w/ firewall).

Windows Media Center Extender Service

Disable if you don't use Media Center extensions.

Windows Search

Disable if you don't want to use the advanced windows search feature with indexing (Normal search will still function, but is allot slower).

Windows Time

Disable if you don't want the clock to synchronize automatically.

WinHTTP WebProxy Auto-Discovery Service

Disable if you don't use applications, which use the WPAD protocol (most applications don't). Manually enable if you need it.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

JSKYs - XP Tips & Tricks

XP Tips & Tricks

 

NOTE: Always turn off system restore, and reboot into safe mode when removing viruses and spyware. This is the safest way to completely remove unwanted viruses and spyware utilities installed on your pc.

Always be sure to go to the Microsoft update site and download the security updates. And any other downloads deemed necessary!

 

To turn off System Restore:

 Open your start menu, and then go to My Computer. R-click mouse button, click on properties. Go to the System Restore Tab, put a check mark in "Turn off System Restore on all Drives. (Restart your pc to clear out old files saved in system restore) Repeat processes to re-enable System Restore.

 

To boot into safe mode:

 

 Open your start menu, go to "Run� Type in "msconfig"(without quotation marks). This will open your System Configuration Folder. Select the BOOT.INI tap, put a checkmark in /SAFEBOOT. Click apply, you will be asked to reboot for these settings to take effect. You will now reboot into safe mode. When you are done doing your virus and spyware scans and removals, repeat the processes and uncheck /SAFEBOOT. And on the �General Tap� Click �Normal Startup�.

 

Booting into your BIOs

To change your start-up device

 

 

You will need to change the boot order in your BIOs setup. To boot from the Floppy or CD-ROM.

�

�It would depend on your computer manufacture.� Assuming that your PC is from about 1985 or later, it should have an integrated setup program.� You've probably seen a notice on your PC's screen at start-up about the BIOS setup many times. When your computer is getting itself going, the BIOS usually places a brief message on the screen telling you how to activate the BIOS setup menu to show up. The message might say something like this: "Press F2 for setup." (F2 is just used as an example.)

Try the following key combinations, which I have listed approximately in order of popularity in today's system (there may be others as well): You would need to do this as your system is booting-up. If it doesn't work the first time, just keep trying it over and over until you get into the BIOs setup screen.

 

*{Delete} (modern Award and AMI BIOS)

*{F2} (modern Phoenix BIOS)

*{Ctrl}+{Alt}+{Esc}

*{Ctrl}+{Esc}

*{Alt}+{Esc}

*{Ctrl}+{Alt}+{S}

*{Insert}

*{F1}

*{F8}

*{F9}

*Or consult your system manufacturer for the key combination.

 

�Once in the BIOs screen, look for boot devices, Boot order, boot-up devices. (You should see something similar). As each type of motherboard is slightly different.

�It will say something along the lines of Boot Order.

Kinda like this

Boot Device 1 - HHD (or Hard Drive)

Boot Device 2 - CDROM

Boot Device 3 - Floppy

Etc.

You will need to set the first boot device as Floppy Disk.

�

But be sure to set which ever was your floppy drive to your Hard Drive.

 

Enable XP Firewall:

 

 When you're online, your computer passes information to and from the Internet through ports, or open connections. A port's number identifies the type of information passing through it. For example, port 80 is used for HTTP traffic, so page requests and WebPages being downloaded all come through port 80.

 Hackers usually try to sneak into your computer through an unguarded and open port. Luckily, Microsoft's Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall helps you close ports you aren't using.

Here's how to enable the XP firewall:

1. Log into XP with an owner account.
2. Click the Start button and select Control Panel. Double-click the Network Connections icon.
3. In the Network Connections window, click to highlight the connection you want to protect. In the left panel, under Network Tasks, click "change settings of this connection."
4. When the connection status dialog box opens, click the Properties button.
5. In the Properties dialog box, click the advanced tab. Check the box beneath "Internet Connection Firewall." If you leave it unchecked, the firewall is off. If you aren't running any servers on your computer, just click OK. If you run an FTP or Web server, you need to change the advanced settings.
6.  

Enable or Disable XP SP2 Firewall:

Here is how to enable or disable the new firewall in SP2

1. Log into XP with an owner account.
2. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
3. Select Network And Internet Connections.
4. Click the �Windows Firewall� Icon.
5. Now you can enable or disable the Windows Firewall.
6. Click OK and your done.

 For those who prefer the �Classic� look.

1.     Log into XP with an owner account.

2.     �Click the Start button and select Control Panel.

3.       Here you will see the �Windows Firewall� Icon.

4.     �Click the �Windows Firewall� Icon.

5.       Now you can enable or disable the Windows Firewall.

6.     �Click OK and your done.

 (it is not advised to disable the firewall unless you have another firewall application installed).

XP Repair:

(Also called a dirty install by some).

 There are two types of repair on XP.  When you boot with the XP disk. You will come to the first part that asks if you want to install or do a repair. This first repair is a command prompt type for a specific repair.

 AT THIS POINT! If you click on install XP instead, you will see XP load files as it get ready to install the OS. When it gets done loading files, you will again be asked to install XP or to repair your current OS. At this second repair option, click to repair and sit back. XP will go through your whole system searching and repairing parts that have been changed or need to be replaced. BUT REMEMBER!! With any repair, you will need your CD KEY. And you MUST go to windows update and re-download some of the updates because the repair will remove some of them.

 

System File Check:

 

If you have your XP CD, do a system file check. This way you will have all damaged or missing dlls and system files replaced.

Put your XP install cd in your cdrom drive and go to start > run and type
sfc /scannow
hit enter.

It will start windows file protection and compare all files to the original install or update patches (The $NTuninstall files in windows).

If it says failed, hit retry, it just means something is using it and you have to hit retry to pause the process. It may take two or three clicks of retry to get through.

Restart computer.

 

Using �chkdsk /r�

 

If you have a XP CD, boot to it, like you are going to install, then there is a choice to go to the repair console, when you get to the command prompt type "chkdsk /r" without quotes, make sure to have a space between the "k" and the "/r". It may take an hour or more for it to complete the repair. See if it helps your problem.

 

Fix MBR:

(Master Boot Record)

Fix the Master Boot Record on NTFS Partitions

Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Windows Server 2003 users having problems accessing or booting from an NTFS disk can use the FIXMBR program to rewrite a new Master Boot Record on the hard drive.

Boot from the windows XP CD, press the "R" key in the setup in order to start the restoration console. Select your windows XP installation from the list, and enter the administrator password.
Enter the command: "FIXMBR" (without the quotes) at the input prompt and confirm the next question with a "Y" (without the quotes). Use exit to restore the computer.

Defragging the Prefetch File:

 Go to run, and then type in �cmd�, (without the quotes). And a black window will pop up with the c:\ prompt. On that line just type in �defrag c: -b� (without the quotes) and it will defrag the prefetch file for you. When it is done just type exit and the window will close and you are done.

 If the file was really fragmented you will notice a difference in the time it takes to boot up Windows, usually faster.

 

Turn Off Error Reporting:

 

�When a system error occurs in XP, a little dialog box appears asking if you want to report the error to Microsoft. Click the message box to make it disappear. You don't have to report the error if you don't want to.

To disable error reporting, follow these directions:

1. Right-click My Computer and choose Properties.
2. Click the Advanced tab on your System Properties dialog box.
3. Click the Error Reporting button on the advanced tab.
4. Place a checkmark next to "Disable error reporting."
5. Leave the other radio button unchecked next to the text labeled, "But notify me when critical errors occur."
6. Click OK.

 

Disable Driver Signing:

Getting a warning about that driver your installing?

 Disable the driver signing error by going to your start menu, then to your "My Computer" icon. R-Click, and then down to properties. Click on properties, and then open the "Hardware Tab". In the Device Manger section, click on Driver Signing. Check the "ignore" section. Then click OK.

 

How to start and run the �Help and Support Center�

 

To start the Help and Support Center, press the F1 Key.

To run Help and Support, go to your �Start Menu� and click the �Help and Support� Icon.

(If you don�t see the H&P icon, open your start menu. On the top where it lists your user name, r-click and it will show �properties�. Click on properties. Go to customize then customize start menu, then to advanced. Scroll down the list of start menu items until you see �Help And Support�. Place a check in the box, click apply and exit. It will now show in your start menu.

 

Cleaning out the Prefetch File:

More on the prefetch 

XP Activation:

 

To see if your copy of XP is activated;

Type this into �Run� on your Start Menu to see if your copy of windows is activated.

oobe/msoobe /a

 

Key Finder - Windows activation key

 

The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping

 

Password Restore Disk:

 

 XP's Forgotten Password Wizard, your conscience will be free and clear should your mind happen to accidentally misplace your user password.

 Here's how to launch the Forgotten Password Wizard to create your very own password recovery disk.

1. Click Start menu, Control Panel, and User Accounts.
2. Click your user account name.
3. Under Related Tasks on the left, click "Prevent forgotten password" to launch the wizard.

 Now that you've launched the wizard, let it walk you through creating the recovery disk. Make sure the disk you use is formatted and in the drive. After it's finished creating the disk, label it and stash it away for an emergency.

 If you happen to forget your password, all you need to do is click your user icon at the logon screen. Even though you don't have your password, go ahead and click the green arrow just like you would to finish logging on to your computer. This will launch a little yellow dialog box directing you to use your password recovery disk.

 Don't lose the disk, however, or you're out of luck.

XP Tips & Tricks

Blogged with the Flock Browser