Top 10: 2011

Create a Shortcut to Lock Your Computer

Leaving your computer in a hurry but you don't want to log off? You can double-click a shortcut on your desktop to quickly lock the keyboard and display without using CTRL+ALT+DEL or a screen saver. To create a shortcut on your desktop to lock your computer:

1. Right-click the desktop. Point to New, and then click Shortcut. The Create Shortcut Wizard opens.

2. In the text box, type the following: rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

3. Click Next. Enter a name for the shortcut. You can call it "Lock Workstation" or choose any name you like.

4. Click Finish.

You can also change the shortcut's icon (my personal favorite is the padlock icon in shell32.dll). To change the icon: Right click the shortcut and then select Properties. Click the Shortcut tab, and then click the Change Icon button. In the Look for icons in this file text box, type: Shell32.dll. Click OK. Select one of the icons from the list and then click OK You could also give it a shortcut keystroke such CTRL+ALT+L. This would save you only one keystroke from the normal command, but it could be more convenient.

Creating a Logon Banner

If you want to create a Logon Banner: A message box to appear below your logon on.

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go To
For Windows 9x and ME -
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon
For Windows 2000 XP 2003 Vista -
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon

3.Create a new String value"LegalNoticeCaption "
4. Enter the Title of the window. What is displayed in the Title Bar.
5. Create a new string value "LegalNoticeText"
6. Enter the text for your message box that will appear even before the Logon window.

Disable and Delete
thumbs.db file from Folders

Thumbs.db is is a cache file of the current thumb picture in that directory. To remove it, go for following steps:
1. Open Any Folder
2. Go to Tools Menu
3. Click On Folder Options
4. Go to “View” tab
5. In the section “Files And Folders” Click on “DO NOT CACHE THUMBNAILS”

Hide Hard Drive Partitions In Windows

If you want to hide any partition of your hard disk just follow these simple steps.

1. Goto Start > Run and type diskpart

A DOS window will appear with following description

DISKPART>

2. Then type list volume

All partitions will be listed, there will be also a volume number for each partitions

3. Suppose you want to hide drive E:, type select volume 3 (Here 3 is the volume number of E:, in your pc it may vary). A message will now appear in the window saing "Volume 3 is the selected volume".

4. Now type remove letter E . You may have to reboot the computer. Diskpart will remove the letter. Since Windows XP doesn't have the capability to identify the unknown volume, it won't display or show results from it. To access the content of the hidden drive, repeat the process, but in the foruth step, replace remove to assign, ie., assign letter E .

Hide all Desktop icons (9x/XP)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoDesktop (DWORD value):
Set to 1 to hide all icons.
Delete NoDesktop to undo.
Hit F5 to refresh the desktop.
Hide Network Neighborhood, My Network Places (9x)
Run Poledit.exe (You may have to install it: It is on your Windows CD in\tools\reskit\netadmin\poledit).
File > Open Registry > (double click) Local User > Shell > Restrictions
Check Hide Network Neighborhood or/and My Network Places
OK > File > Save
Reboot.

How to Rename the Recycle Bin

To change the name of the Recycle Bin desktop icon, open Regedit and go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/CLSID/{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

and change the name "Recycle Bin" to whatever you want (don't type any quotes).

To change drive letters

To change drive letters (useful if you have two drives and have partitioned the boot drive, but the secondary drive shows up as "D")

Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management, Disk Management, then right-click the partition whose name you want to change (click in the white area just below the word "Volume") and select "change drive letter and paths." From here you can add, remove or change drive letters and paths to the partition.

Use a Shortcut to Local Area Network Connection Information

Something new in Windows XP-instead of using the command line program and typing ipconfig to find local area network information, you can use the following shortcut:

1.Click Start, point to Connect to, and then click Show All Connections.

2.Right-click the connection you want information about, and then click Status.

3.In the connection Properties dialog box, click the Support tab.

For even more information, click the Advanced tab. To automatically enable the status monitor each time the connection is active, in the connection Properties dialog box, select the Show icon in taskbar notification area when connected check box

Watch Any Movie In Paint (100%) Working

* First start a movie in any player.
* Then open Paint.
* Now, in the player when the movie is being played, press "Print screen" button on your key board.
* Now, Press ctrl+v in Paint
* Leave the movie player open and don't minimize it.
* Open Paint now and see the movie in the Paint
*you can edit it also

Configure FAX Services In Windows XP

If you are using windows XP, you can use sending and receiving option for fax service built into windows XP. You can enjoy free facilities of fax from your computer, because buying a dedicated fax machine for home or small office may not be a feasible option. Using windows XP based fax services; you can read, save, forward, delete the fax messages. By default fax service is not installed in your windows XP, but if you have windows XP CD, you can install fax feature using Add or Remove Program option.

Follow the gives steps to install fax components:

•    To install this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.
•    Make sure, you have installed modem driver on your computer before running fax components setup.
•    Now click on Start button and go to System Control Panel then double click on Add or Remove Program.
•    Select the Fax services check box under Add or Remove Windows components.
•    Now click Next to finish the fax installation wizard and close it.
After the fax components installed, now configure the fax setting before using it.
•    First click on Start button, go to All Programs> Accessories> Communications then click on Fax Console.
•    Now in fax configuration wizard, type the fax cover page information then click on Next.
•    Select the suitable modem for fax and also enable others send and receive options.
•    Now type the TSID (Transmitting Subscriber Identification) and click Next then type here CSID (Called Subscriber Identification) and again Next.
•    At the end select the printer to be automatically printing the fax and click to finish.

Hack Admin Password From User Mode

Disclaimer: Use this article for eductational purpose ONLY.

Follow these steps:

1. Open command prompt (Start->Run->cmd),
2. Enter the following command, then press ENTER
3. Enter the followin command, then press ENTER:compmgmt.mscThis should open the computer management console.
4. Go to local users & groups->users. Right click on any user and select "set password".
If you get a "access denied" do the following:

start>run>cmdthen use following commands
1) net user test /add (this command will make test named user)
2) net localgroup administrators test /add (this command will make test user as administrators rights)and use net user command to reset your admin. password

Gtalk -Tips & Tricks

•    Wumpus Game : - First noted by a GoogleRumors commentor, if you add the buddy wumpus.game@gmail.com you can play the classic text-based game. Wumpus is an easter egg game that came with Google Talk (unfortunately, he didn't’t accept my invitation, so I can’t play).
•    Change the font size - While holding the control key, move the scroll wheel on your mouse either up or down. This trick works while being focused in either the read or write area.
•    Insert line breaks - If you want to have a message that spans multiple paragraphs, just hold shift and hit enter. You can add as many new lines as you want to create.
•    Bold Text - To write something bold, you can use an asterisk before and after the word, like *this* .
•    Italic Text - To use italics, use an underscore before an after the word, like _this_ .
•    Switch windows - Hitting tab will cycle through open windows. It will select minimized conversations, to expand them just hit enter. If you just want to cycle through IM's and don't care about the buddy list, control-tab will do that and will automatically expand a minimized conversation if you settle on one.
•    Invitation Tips - You don’t need to say Yes or No when someone wants to add you as a friend; you can simply ignore it, the request will go away. (On the other hand, someone with whom you chat often will automatically turn to be your friend, unless you disable this in the options).
•    Show Hyperlinks - You can show your homepage or blog URL simply by entering the it in your away message (at the top of the main window). It will automatically turn to a link visible to others.
•    Google Talk Game - “Google Talk” also was the name of a word game which uses Google.
•    A message can be 32767 characters long.

Keyboard Shortcuts
•    Ctrl + E - It centralizes the selected text, or the current line.
•    Ctrl + R - It justifies to the right the selected text, or the current line.
•    Ctrl + L - It justifies to the left the selected text, or the current line.
•    Ctrl + I - The same thing does that Tab.
•    Tab - It is giving the area to each of the windows opened by Google Talk.
•    Ctrl + Tab - The same thing does that Shift + Tab .
•    Shift + Tab - The same thing does that Tab but in reverse.
•    Ctrl + Shift + L -Switch between points, numbers, letters, capital letters, roman numbers and capital roman numbers
•    Ctrl + 1 (KeyPad) - It does a simple space between the lines.
•    Ctrl + 2 (KeyPad) - It does a double space between the lines.
•    Ctrl + 5 (KeyPad) - A space does 1.5 between the lines.
•    Ctrl + 1 (NumPad) - It goes at the end of the last line.
•    Ctrl + 7 (NumPad) - It goes at the begin of the last line.
•    Ctrl + F4 - It closes the current window.
•    Alt + F4 - It closes the current window.
•    Alt + Esc - It Minimize all the windows.
•    Windows + ESC - Open Google Talk (if it's minimized, or in the tray)
•    F9 - Open Gmail to send an email to the current contact.
•    F11 - It initiates a telephonic call with your friend.
•    F12 - It cancels a telephonic call.
•    Esc - It closes the current window.

Gtalk Emotions
•    :-|
•    :-O
•    :-x
•    :-P
•    :-D
•    ;-)
•    :-(
•    :-)
•    B-)
•    :'(
•    :|
•    :O
•    :x
•    :P
•    :D
•    :)
•    :(
•    :)

Conference Calls
What you need to do to have conference calls: Open up a copy of Google Talk on all computers with which you wish to conference. After one copy is opened make a new shortcut for Google Talk but at the end of it add /nomutex. If you installed it to the default folder then your shortcut should read "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe" /nomutex. Open 2nd instances of the software on every user's computer. After this start a chain: User 1 should connect on one instance to user 2. User 2 will connect on his second instance to user 3. User 3 will connect using his second instance back to user 1. With this chain everyone is connected to everyone.

How to organize computer files
and create new folders in Windows Vista

Free computer Help

Watch this video tutorial on how to create folders, organize files, cut, copy, and paste. It also shows you how to select multiple files at the same time so you can move them. You should read How to organize your computer filing system before watching this video.
This will also apply to Windows XP.

http://www.tips4pc.com/Articles/Windows%20Vista/how_to_organize_computer_files_a.htm

Extra Tips
•    To view your computer files in a folder by the date they were last modified, open a folder and on the View menu click Details. On the top of the column, click Date Modified.
•    Choose to Arrange by File type to put all the similar computer files together. This is handy when you want to move files around as it makes it easy to select them all together.
•    If you're backing up your information to a CD or DVD, be sure to create labels for your CDs that in some way describe their contents. For example, you might title the CD "2007 backup of my documents" or be more specific with something like "2007 Email contacts, my docs, xmas photos, resume, downloads"
•    After you delete an email, be sure to also clear out the deleted folder.
•    In Microsoft Word, you can change the default folder to where files will be saved.
On the Tools menu, click Options, and click File Locations
In the list, click Documents, and then navigate to your main directory; in this example, C:/My Documents/word documents
•    Hold down CTRL and click the mouse on the files you want to select. As long as you hold the CTRL key down you can keep adding files to your selection.
•    When you create new folders you should name them with something that describes what will be kept in that folder. Naming new folders, new folder 1 and new folder 2 will not help with organizing your computer files.

Media Player shortcuts keys

How to enjoy Windows Media Player using shortcuts keys?

In Windows Media Player, you can use the combination of different keyboard keys to accomplish routine task. By using these keys, you can increase the working speed in media player, otherwise require a conventional mouse to select menus and buttons options. Basically keyboard shortcuts keys help you to save time and you can perform any tasks without leaving the keyboard keys.

Shortcut keys Action

ALT+1 Adjust zoom to 50 percent
ALT+2 Adjust zoom to 100 percent
ALT+3 Adjust zoom to 200 percent
ALT+ENTER Display the video in full mode
ALT+F Go to media player File Menu
ALT+T Go to media player Tools Menu
ALT+V Go to media player View Menu
ALT+P Go to media player Play Menu
ALT+F4 Use to close media player

CTRL+1 Display media player in full mode
CTRL+2 Display media player in skin mode
CTRL+B Use to play the previous item in media player
CTRL+F Use to play the next item in media player
CTRL+E Use to Eject CD or DVD from CD or DVD drive
CTRL+P Use to Play or Pause the item in media player
CTRL+T Use to Repeat the items in media player
CTRL+SHIFT+B Use to Rewind a file in media player
CTRL+SHIFT+F Use to Fast Forward a file in media player
CTRL+SHIFT+S Use to play items slower than a normal speed
CTRL+SHIFT+ G Use to play items faster than a normal speed
CTRL+SHIFT+ N Use to play items at normal speed in media player
F8 Use to mute the volume in media player
F9 Use to decrease the volume in media player
F10 Use to increase the volume in media player
ENTER or SPACEBAR Use to play an item

Microsoft PowerToys to Customize Windows XP

PowerToys add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. What are they? PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa-3a5yAKZOZH1FnIWlMri2YFfdHMXOVyHDOZ0E2rz2TGqA3UX9nDeE8GSwYV2XHLTmjHzwE3fecSKyNT3mWjGHSXIHNyQZ_-dv9nSLt6NmeSGtn9joj89Iik9N_nt1bYhNNBpv3qkeM/s200/task_switch_power_toy.PNG
Alt-Tab Replacement
With this PowerToy, in addition to seeing the icon of the application window you are switching to, you will also see a preview of the page. This helps particularly when multiple sessions of an application are open.
Down

Virtual Desktop Manager
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqJZ-rI2vELs9WO6hU_TCWC7-Lun7gZcfbbryHilkwclen1kZk3XZjzqhfeHmIc2xby9tlSqhX5BNRH9QvVNhKEsgZcbVG4xaQAk16nyuIDXcB80fO_fWpfttA9wnSK6R7tjEZk1_IyU/s200/powertoy.gif
Manage up to four desktops from the Windows taskbar with this PowerToy.
Download

Webcam Timershot
This PowerToy lets you take pictures at specified time intervals from a Webcam connected to your computer and save them to a location that you designate.
Download

Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

Download

Moving The Taskbar
I bet you didn't know that you could move your taskbar if you wanted. Mostly I leave mine at the bottom, like the rest of the population, but occasionally I feel like going wild and have the taskbar at the top of my computer. The Taskbar is that thin bar at the bottom where you can see all your open programs, the start menu, the clock, etc. Now, in WinXP they made it very nice to move it. This is how:
•    Right Click on the Taskbar
•    Click, Lock the Taskbar, until there is no check there
•    Left Click on the task bar and move it to where you want it...it will always rest up against an edge, so top, left or right.
•    Then click, Lock the Taskbar, again and it won't move from that spot.
These are the same instructions for Windows 98, ME, 2k, only you don't have to unlock the taskbar, you just left click on it and move...this was easier, but also you sometimes accidentally moved the task bar when you didn't want it to move, ugh. Well, there you have it, now put your taskbar to the top and see if you like it.

How to log off, restart and shutdown, connected computer from one location?

Windows XP has a built-in feature (shutdown tools) that is used to shutdown any connected computers from any one computer. Using this feature, you can log off, restart and shutdown any computer in your network. This tip is very useful for you, if you are a Network Administrator at your company, because if you have experience to shutdown all connected computers daily in your local area network one by one, definitely that job is annoying responsibility for you.

Follow the given steps to configure shutdown tool on your computer:

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

To perform this task, first make sure your both computers are directly connected or connected to network.

Click Start button then type shutdown -i in Run option then press Enter for next.

A small windows dialog box will appear with the title "Remote Shutdown Dialog".

Here first click on "Add" button to add computer, a small Add computers window will open, here type the name or IP address of the computer (you can add many computer for same action) that you want to turned off, then press OK for next.

Now select the action "What do you want these computers to do (log off, restart or shutdown)". If you want to warn your users about this action, select the check box "Warn users of the action" then set time, display warning for 30 seconds or more.

Now select the option that describes the reason to shutdown the computers and also type some comments for users.

Now when you press the OK button, the users will see a "System Shutdown Windows "with time and comments that you had

Enable and disable Windows support for ZIP files (XP)

Click Start, then Run and type:
Enable: regsvr32 zipfldr.dll
Disable: regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
You may have to reboot.

Create a Shortcut to Lock Your Computer

Create a Password Reset Disk

If you're running Windows XP Professional as a local user in a workgroup environment, you can create a password reset disk to log onto your computer when you forget your password.

To create the disk:

1.Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.

2.Click your account name.

3.Under Related Tasks, click Prevent a forgotten password.

4.Follow the directions in the Forgotten Password Wizard to create a password reset disk.

5.Store the disk in a secure location, because anyone using it can access your local user account.

How to organize computer files and create new folders in Windows Vista

Free computer Help

Watch this video tutorial on how to create folders, organize files, cut, copy, and paste. It also shows you how to select multiple files at the same time so you can move them. You should read How to organize your computer filing system before watching this video.

This will also apply to Windows XP.

http://www.tips4pc.com/Articles/Windows%20Vista/how_to_organize_computer_files_a.htm

Extra Tips

•    To view your computer files in a folder by the date they were last modified, open a folder and on the View menu click Details. On the top of the column, click Date Modified.

•    Choose to Arrange by File type to put all the similar computer files together. This is handy when you want to move files around as it makes it easy to select them all together.

•    If you're backing up your information to a CD or DVD, be sure to create labels for your CDs that in some way describe their contents. For example, you might title the CD "2007 backup of my documents" or be more specific with something like "2007 Email contacts, my docs, xmas photos, resume, downloads"

•    After you delete an email, be sure to also clear out the deleted folder.

•    In Microsoft Word, you can change the default folder to where files will be saved.

On the Tools menu, click Options, and click File Locations

In the list, click Documents, and then navigate to your main directory; in this example, C:/My Documents/word documents

•    Hold down CTRL and click the mouse on the files you want to select. As long as you hold the CTRL key down you can keep adding files to your selection.

•    When you create new folders you should name them with something that describes what will be kept in that folder. Naming new folders, new folder 1 and new folder 2 will not help with organizing your computer files.

How to: Install themes on XP

Although this is an easy process, many people don’t know how to do it and I hope this guide will provide an easy method to install custom themes in XP. Here are some examples of what you can change your custom interface into:

You will need:

* Any version of XP installed – most custom versions are already patched
* One small file
* Less than 5 minutes

Step 1

Download uxthemedll (218kb) : Download Here
For Xp Sp1 Users : http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Themes/UXTHEMEDLL-Pack-DLL-for-SP1-included.shtml
For Sp2 Users : http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Themes/UXTheme-Patch-For-Windows-XP-SP2-Final.shtml

Step 2

Navigate to C:\ WINDOWS\ System32

Step 3
Once there, there will be a file called: uxtheme.dll

Rename it to this:
uxtheme.dll.old
If you can’t delete or rename uxtheme.dll read this tutorial : How to replace File used By Windows
Note: this is important because if your new theme file becomes corrupt, you can use this one as a backup

Step 4
Now copy and paste the file you downloaded in Step 1 into the same directory:
C:\ WINDOWS\ System32
Note: At this point you may recieve warnings that you are replacing system files, this is normal and just cancel any windows trying to stop you. You may have to be an Administrator for this to work

Step 5
Reboot and you’re done, you can now install 3rd party theme files which you can find here:
Windows XP Themes: http://www.guimods.com/category/windows-xp-themes/

Step 6
After Downloading custom theme unzip or copy it to C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes . Now change your theme and have fun.

Another type of installation:

How to Install XP Themes Tutorial

Prepare Your Computer

1.   Because Micro$oft wants you buy everything from them, Windows XP wants theme files to be digitally signed. If they aren't then XP won't let you use the themes. You must first patch your uxthemes.dll file in your C:\Windows\System32 directory. This can be easily done using the Uxthemes Patch which you can download here. The patch supports Windows XP, SP1, SP2, XP 64 bit and Windows Server 2003. Run the patch, it will "fix" your uxtheme.dll file so you can use 3rd party visual styles. Disregard any warnings about files being changed, that is what we want to do. After you run the patch reboot your computer. Note: We recommend you create a restore point before running the patch just for good measure. We did not author this file we have used it our selves with no problems, use it at your own risk.

Install the XP Theme Files

1.   Themes are usually downloaded as a .zip file which must first be scanned using a virus scanning program, then unzipped to a temporary folder you can create on your desktop. Inside that folder you will most likely find a wallpaper image, .msstyles file, a .theme file and possibly a font file. it all depends on what the author has chosen to include in their theme package.

2.   If your theme package contains one or more font files (.ttf) copy them to your C:\Windows\Fonts\ folder.

3.   You may also find one or more .theme files (like axis.theme. Copy it/them to your C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ folder. You will see a folder called Luna already in there, leave that alone, it is your existing Micro$oft XP Theme.

4.   Locate the .msstyles file, create a folder in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ folder, I usually name it what the .msstyles file is named (like axis.msstyles so the folder would be axis).

5.   If you find a file called ShellStyle.dll, create a folder called Shell inside the first folder you created. Create another folder inside that called NormalColor. Copy ShellStyle.dll into the NormalColor folder.

6.   Most of the time you will unzip the file and everything will be properly ordered and only need to be copied to your C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ folder.

7.   To install the wallpaper copy the wallpaper image file to your My Pictures folder.

How to Use the XP Theme

1.   While in your My Pictures folder that contains your wallpaper, click on the wallpaper file once to highlight it. In the menu on the left side of the window you will see at the top Picture Tasks. Click on Set as desktop background. You should see the wallpaper on your desktop.

2.   If the wallpaper needs to be stretched to fill the screen close the My Pictures window. Right click on the desktop, select Properties. The Display Properties window comes up, choose the Desktop tab. Your wallpaper should be highlighted in the list, using the Position box choose if you want it Tiled, Centered or Stretched.

3.   While in Display Properties if your theme had a .theme file select the Themes tab and select your theme from the list. If your theme only had a .msstyles file go to the Appearance tab and select your theme from the Windows and Buttons list.

4.   After you are done making your choices you can go to the Themes tab and save your theme by clicking Save As..., and then name it something.

5.   That's all there is to it and all without buying any programs.

How to make your Desktop Icons Transparent

Go to ontrol Panel > System, > Advanced > Performance area > Settings button Visual Effects tab "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the Desktop"

How to enjoy Windows Media Player using shortcuts keys

In Windows Media Player, you can use the combination of different keyboard keys to accomplish routine task. By using these keys, you can increase the working speed in media player, otherwise require a conventional mouse to select menus and buttons options. Basically keyboard shortcuts keys help you to save time and you can perform any tasks without leaving the keyboard keys.

Shortcut keys Action

ALT+1 Adjust zoom to 50 percent
ALT+2 Adjust zoom to 100 percent
ALT+3 Adjust zoom to 200 percent
ALT+ENTER Display the video in full mode
ALT+F Go to media player File Menu
ALT+T Go to media player Tools Menu
ALT+V Go to media player View Menu
ALT+P Go to media player Play Menu
ALT+F4 Use to close media player

CTRL+1 Display media player in full mode
CTRL+2 Display media player in skin mode
CTRL+B Use to play the previous item in media player
CTRL+F Use to play the next item in media player
CTRL+E Use to Eject CD or DVD from CD or DVD drive
CTRL+P Use to Play or Pause the item in media player
CTRL+T Use to Repeat the items in media player
CTRL+SHIFT+B Use to Rewind a file in media player
CTRL+SHIFT+F Use to Fast Forward a file in media player
CTRL+SHIFT+S Use to play items slower than a normal speed
CTRL+SHIFT+ G Use to play items faster than a normal speed
CTRL+SHIFT+ N Use to play items at normal speed in media player
F8 Use to mute the volume in media player
F9 Use to decrease the volume in media player
F10 Use to increase the volume in media player
ENTER or SPACEBAR Use to play an item

Make A Autorun File For any Cd

Did You Notice, whenever You Insert any game 0r software cd, or simply consider Windows Xp Operating system cd. As soon as You Insert the disk in CD-ROM, It automatically runs the cd.

If you want to make a autorun file for that CD you are ready to burn just read this...

1) You open notepad
2) now you writ: [autorun]
OPEN=INSTALL\Setup_filename.EXE
ICON=INSTALL\Setup_filename.EXE

Now save it but not as a .txt file but as a .inf file.

But remember! The "Setup_filename.EXE" MUST be replaced with the name of the setup file. And you also need to rember that it is not all of the setup files there are called '.exe but some are called '.msi

3) Now burn your CD with the autorun .inf file included.

4) Now set the CD in you CD drive and wait for the autorun to begin or if nothing happens just double-click on the CD drive in "This Computer"

Watch Any Movie In Paint (100%) Working

* First start a movie in any player.

* Then open Paint.

* Now, in the player when the movie is being played, press "Print screen" button on your key board.

* Now, Press ctrl+v in Paint.

* Leave the movie player open and don't minimize it.

* Open Paint now and see the movie in the Paint

*you can edit it also

How to log off, restart and shutdown, connected computer from one location?

Windows XP has a built-in feature (shutdown tools) that is used to shutdown any connected computers from any one computer. Using this feature, you can log off, restart and shutdown any computer in your network. This tip is very useful for you, if you are a Network Administrator at your company, because if you have experience to shutdown all connected computers daily in your local area network one by one, definitely that job is annoying responsibility for you.

Follow the given steps to configure shutdown tool on your computer:

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

To perform this task, first make sure your both computers are directly connected or connected to network.

Click Start button then type shutdown -i in Run option then press Enter for next.

A small windows dialog box will appear with the title "Remote Shutdown Dialog".

Here first click on "Add" button to add computer, a small Add computers window will open, here type the name or IP address of the computer (you can add many computer for same action) that you want to turned off, then press OK for next.

Now select the action "What do you want these computers to do (log off, restart or shutdown)". If you want to warn your users about this action, select the check box "Warn users of the action" then set time, display warning for 30 seconds or more.

Now select the option that describes the reason to shutdown the computers and also type some comments for users.

Now when you press the OK button, the users will see a "System Shutdown Windows "with time and comments that you had

Restore Previously Open Folders After Shutdown

If you need to access lot of folders on your home computer or on the network regularly, then you can set them re-open automatically, when you will login, shutdown or restart your computer next time. There is no need to open regularly used folders manually, just configure the simple sitting, your computer will automatically reload all the previously opened windows.
By default windows XP disables this option to reload automatically all the previously opened windows, when you login on, shutdown or restart your computer.
Follow the given steps to configure your computer to reload previously opened folders automatically after shutdown.
•    To edit this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.
•    First click on Start button then go to Control Panel.
•    Open the “Appearance and Themes” option in control panel then click on Folder Options.
•    A small windows dialog box will appear with the title “Folder options”, click on View tab.
•    Under the Advanced setting section, scroll down to bottom and click the “Restore previous folder windows at logon” option and then click Ok button to save sitting.
•    Now when you log off, restart or shutdown, your computer will automatically open the previously opened folders from the same location as before.

Hack Admin Password From User Mode

Disclaimer: Use this article for eductational purpose ONLY.

Follow these steps:

1. Open command prompt (Start->Run->cmd),
2. Enter the following command, then press ENTER
3. Enter the followin command, then press ENTER:compmgmt.mscThis should open the computer management console.
4. Go to local users & groups->users. Right click on any user and select "set password".
If you get a "access denied" do the following:

start>run>cmdthen use following commands
1) net user test /add (this command will make test named user)
2) net localgroup administrators test /add (this command will make test user as administrators rights)and use net user command to reset your admin. password

Shortcut to Safely Remove Hardware:

To create a new shortcut

1.Right click on your desktop and select New->Shortcut

2.In the location of the item paste RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll. and click next and then give a Name to your shortcut and click finish.You are done with a new shortcut in your desktop now

Set up and Use Internet Connection Sharing:

To enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection You must be logged on to your computer with an owner account in order to complete this procedure. Open Network Connections. (

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.)

2. Click the dial-up, local area network, PPPoE, or VPN connection you want to share, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.

3. On the Advanced tab, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.

If you want this connection to dial automatically when another computer on your home or small office network attempts to access external resources, select the Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet check box.

If you want other network users to enable or disable the shared Internet connection, select the Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection check box.

Under Internet Connection Sharing, in Home networking connection, select any adapter that connects the computer sharing its Internet connection to the other computers on your network. The Home networking connection is only present when two or more network adapters are installed on the computer.

To configure Internet options on your client computers for Internet Connection Sharing Open Internet Explorer. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.)

On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
On the Connections tab, click Never dial a connection, and then click LAN Settings. In Automatic configuration, clear the Automatically detect settings and Use automatic configuration script check boxes.

In Proxy Server, clear the Use a proxy server check box.

Network Troubleshooting Commands

Troubleshooting computer network is among the most important job descriptions of the network administrators, system administrators, network technicians and the IT consultants. A computer network can have different kinds of problems such as it can be infected with virus and spyware, attacked by hackers, accessed by unauthorized users and may face connectivity failure issues due to the faulty network devices or configurations.

Following is a list of the basic network troubleshooting commands that are built-in the Windows based operating systems and UNIX etc. The right use of these troubleshooting commands can helps a lot in diagnosing and resolving the issues with your computer network.
PING

Ping is the most important troubleshooting command and it checks the connectivity with the other computers. For example your system’s IP address is 10.10.10.10 and your network servers’ IP address is 10.10.10.1 and you can check the connectivity with the server by using the Ping command in following format.
At DOS prompt type Ping 10.10.10.1 and press enter

NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM Not Found

or Missing Error Message

If you get an error that the NTLDR is not found during boot up there can be a number of causes. People automatically think this is a terrible error that cannot be fixed. Sometimes this is true, however most times it can be solved.

First thing I do is check where the computer is trying to boot from. If it is trying to boot from the cd rom and not the hard drive, of course the file would be missing. If this is the case you should change your boot sequence in the bios.

This message also comes up when I leave my external usb hard drive connected to the computer. I am too lazy to change the settings in bios, so I restart the computer with the external drive off. Then it boots as normal.

Another rumor is that this error message comes up when you use a copied version of Windows. Sometimes I think this is also true.

If it is definitely trying to boot C: drive then try the following steps below.

For FAT32

If you have FAT32 partitions, it is much simpler than with NTFS.
Just boot with a Win98 floppy and copy the NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM files
from the i386 directory to the root of the C:\ drive.

For NTFS:
1.    Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.
2.    At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3.    Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
4.    Enter in the administrator password when requested
5.    Enter in the following commands (X: is replaced by the actual drive letter that is assigned to the CD ROM drive.
COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C\:
COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\
6.    Take out the CD ROM and type exit
Another way is to put your hard drive into and external drive and copy the file from the cd that way.

Removing the Shortcut Icon Arrows

1.Open RegEdit
2.Open the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
3.Open the Key LNKFILE
4.Delete the value IsShortcut
5.Open the next Key PIFFILE
6.Delete the value IsShortcut
7.Restart the Windows

Creating a desktop shortcut for locking your computer

If you use your computer in an area where others may have access to it, and there are things on your system you would rather have kept confidential, locking your desktop when you leave the computer is an essential task. Here's a recipe for a desktop shortcut that will lock your computer in two easy clicks:

Right click on an empty area of the desktop and choose 'new' then 'shortcut.' The create shortcut wizard will open; in the first text box, type '%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation' and then give your shortcut an appropriate name on the next page, and hit 'finish.'

You will notice that the shortcut you created has a blank icon. To select a more appropriate one, right click on the shortcut and hit 'properties.' In the 'shortcut' tab, click the 'change icon' button.

In the 'look for icons in this file' box, type '%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll' then click 'ok' to see a range of icons for your new shortcut. Choose an appropriate icon. Your desktop locking shortcut is now ready for use. Test it out.

Changing drives icon

First of all copy a icon file to the root of the drive.
example: c:\icon.ico

Then create a file called: autorun.inf in c:\autorun.inf

then open that file and type the following:

[autorun]
icon=icon.ico

save and close the file.

Now open my computer and refresh.. and woh! icon changed....
you can apply to other drives too.

be careful:

"autorun.inf" and "ico.ico" must be in the root of the drive.

example: c:\autorun.inf and c:\icon.ico.

same on the root.

How to remove the text from the Desktop icon?

Desktop is the interface of Windows, which contain the icons, taskbar etc. that allow the user to interact with the computer to perform different operations. Usually the picture of icon represents its purpose so if you want your desktop looking very clean then you can remove the title under the desktop icons. May be you are thinking it is so easy, just go to rename option and set blank name or single spacebar entry but the problem is this, windows will not allow you to set blank name or name with single spacebar entry. Here interesting thing is this; window will allow you to use the ASCII code for a space, which is 0160.

First clear all the text from that icon

Now type the ASCII code, simply hold the Alt key,

type the number 0160 from the number pad

and release the Alt key

then press Enter button to finish the process.

But if you want to remove the text of multiple icons, then repeat the above process with adding one extra ASCII code for second icon, (for example for second icon you type the 0160 twice and for third icon type 0160 three times with Alt key.

How to show a banner at each startup in Windows

There is a hidden feature in Windows and not many users know anything about it. You can setup a banner with a message in it. Each time your Windows boots up the same banner will pop up. The message can be anything from a welcome message to some important information. You can use it in the way you want.

Follow the simple steps given below to setup a banner for your Windows system :

• First of all, go to “start” –> “run”.

• Type “regedit” and hit Enter.

• A new window will open named “registry editor”. In the left panal of the “registry editor”, go to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionpolicies system

• Now right click on the right panel, choose “new”,Select “string value”. A new “string value” will be created.

• Right click on it and choose “rename”. Type “LegalNoticeCaption” .

• Right click on that “string value” and choose “modify”. On the “value data:” area, type the text or value that you want to see in the title bar of the banner.

• Now create yet another new “string value” in the right panel and “rename” it to “LegalNoticeText”.

• Right click on that “string value” and choose “modify”. On the “value data:” part, type the message you want to display each time windows boots.

• Now, close the “registry editor”.

• Restart your computer.

Now, after the “boot screen” and just before the “welcome screen” a new banner will pop up which contains your message and an “OK” button. The users have to click on the “OK” button to proceed.

Hide all Desktop icons (9x/XP)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoDesktop (DWORD value):
Set to 1 to hide all icons.
Delete NoDesktop to undo.
Hit F5 to refresh the desktop.
Hide Network Neighborhood, My Network Places (9x)
Run Poledit.exe (You may have to install it: It is on your Windows CD in\tools\reskit\netadmin\poledit).
File > Open Registry > (double click) Local User > Shell > Restrictions
Check Hide Network Neighborhood or/and My Network Places
OK > File > Save
Reboot.

How to change the windows default identity?

In windows XP, you can change the windows default identity (Computer Manufacturer Logo and other information's) and share your own private identity there. First you right click on My Computer then click on Properties, here may be you will see computer manufacture logo or empty area. So add your own logo there to make your computer more private.

Follow the given steps to change the system default Properties identity:

First click on Start button and type notepad in Run option then press Enter.

Now type the following text in notepad.

[General]

Manufacturer="www.ComputerFreeTips.com"

Model=" Computer Free Tips and Tricks!"

[Support Information]

Line1="We offer various help topics including A to Z Computer Free Tips and Help."

Line2="Visit daily for new tips www.ComputerFreeTips.com"

There are some standard keywords, for example Manufacturer, Model, Line 1, Line 2; you can not change these keywords. Now save this notepad file in c:/windows/system32 folder with file name, OEMINFO.INI.

Now choose your favorite picture to set as logo, using any picture editor resize the picture size approx. 150X150 pixels then save it in c:/windows/system32 folder with file name OEMLOGO.BMP.

Now close the all files and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect. To verify these changes, right click on My Computer and open Properties.

Under General tab, verify the system properties with new settings.

Now click on Support Information for more detail

How To Enable Hibernation

Under Windows 98, Me, or 2000 there was an option in the shutdown dialog box to enter the computer into hibernation (where all the content of the RAM is copied to the hard disk).

The shutdown dialog box of Windows XP doesn't offer any longer the hibernation button. Some users may get confused about how to enable the hibernation mode. If this mode is supported by your motherboard (ACPI) you have to do the following:

Click Start and Shut Down,

Point the standby button and maintain the shift key pushed,

A new hibernation button appears: click it while still holding the shift key: voila your PC will hibernate.

USB storage devices

How to disable/enable the usage of USB storage devices?

USB drives (also known as flash drive, mobile disk or pen drive) are becoming the most popular standard in these days to store and move data. USB support is available in PCs of both IBM-compatible and Apple computers. USB port support hot plugging and plug & play. The USB allows up to 127 devices to be connected to the bus via a single port. The driver name "usbstor.sys" is used to communicate any USB drives to the operating system.

USB drives are indeed very useful in these days but a user can easily use to transfer any confidential information from your computer to others and can also upload viruses affected files to your computer by accidentally or deliberately. But you can prevent the users to connect any USB drives in the computer by disabling the ability of "usbstor.sys" (USB driver) to load in system. It will block the USB storage devices only and your system USB keyboard, mouse and others USB devices will work properly.

Perform the following steps to block the USB storage devices:

• To edit this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

• First click on Start button to open "Run" and type "regedit" then press Ok button to open the Registry Editor.

In registry editor locate the given path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR

Here select the "USBSTOR" folder and in right side of the registry editor panel find the value with name "Start".

Double click on "Start" and then set its value 4 under "Value data" section.

Close the Registry editor and restart your computer for changes to apply.

Now when you want to restore the default setting, open the Registry Editor and set its value back to 3.

Now again close the Registry editor and restart your computer for changes to apply.

Customize Internet Explorer
Title bar tip:

This tip won't make your computer any faster but may help personalize your computer experience. Open Registry by going to START-RUN and typing REGEDIT. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet. Explorer\Main. In right hand panel look for string "Window Title" and change its value to whatever custom text you want to see.

Enable and disable Windows support for ZIP files (XP)

Click Start, then Run and type:

Enable: regsvr32 zipfldr.dll
Disable: regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
You may have to reboot.

Download Rapidshare Files Without Delay

Downloading from RAPIDSHARE often becomes a headache due to the time delay for FREE downloaders!!!

———————————————————–

>> Click a Download link for Rapidshare !

>> Click the Free button on Rapidshare Page !

>> Now as usual the timer starts !!!

>> Now, go to the address box of your browser.

(Address Box >> Where you type the websites !)

>> In the address box type: javascript:alert(c=0)

>> Click OK on the alert box that arises.

Creating a Logon Banner

If you want to create a Logon Banner: A message box to appear below your logon on.

1.Open RegEdit

2.Go To

For Windows 9x and ME -

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon

For Windows 2000 XP 2003 Vista -

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon

3.Create a new String value"LegalNoticeCaption "

4. Enter the Title of the window. What is displayed in the Title Bar.

5. Create a new string value "LegalNoticeText"

6. Enter the text for your message box that will appear even before the Logon window.

Disabling Drives in My Computer

To turn off the display of local or networked drives when you click on My Computer:

1.Open RegEdit

2.Go toHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\ Explorer

3.Add a New DWORD item and name it NoDrives

4.Give it a value of 3FFFFFF

5.Now when you click on My Computer, none of your drives will show.

Gtalk

-Tips & Tricks

• Wumpus Game : - First noted by a GoogleRumors commentor, if you add the buddy wumpus.game@gmail.com you can play the classic text-based game. Wumpus is an easter egg game that came with Google Talk (unfortunately, he didn't’t accept my invitation, so I can’t play).

• Change the font size - While holding the control key, move the scroll wheel on your mouse either up or down. This trick works while being focused in either the read or write area.

• Insert line breaks - If you want to have a message that spans multiple paragraphs, just hold shift and hit enter. You can add as many new lines as you want to create.

• Bold Text - To write something bold, you can use an asterisk before and after the word, like *this* .

• Italic Text - To use italics, use an underscore before an after the word, like _this_ .

• Switch windows - Hitting tab will cycle through open windows. It will select minimized conversations, to expand them just hit enter. If you just want to cycle through IM's and don't care about the buddy list, control-tab will do that and will automatically expand a minimized conversation if you settle on one.

• Invitation Tips - You don’t need to say Yes or No when someone wants to add you as a friend; you can simply ignore it, the request will go away. (On the other hand, someone with whom you chat often will automatically turn to be your friend, unless you disable this in the options).

• Show Hyperlinks - You can show your homepage or blog URL simply by entering the it in your away message (at the top of the main window). It will automatically turn to a link visible to others.

• Google Talk Game - “Google Talk” also was the name of a word game which uses Google.

• A message can be 32767 characters long.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl + E - It centralizes the selected text, or the current line.

• Ctrl + R - It justifies to the right the selected text, or the current line.

• Ctrl + L - It justifies to the left the selected text, or the current line.

• Ctrl + I - The same thing does that Tab.

• Tab - It is giving the area to each of the windows opened by Google Talk.

• Ctrl + Tab - The same thing does that Shift + Tab .

• Shift + Tab - The same thing does that Tab but in reverse.

• Ctrl + Shift + L -Switch between points, numbers, letters, capital letters, roman numbers and capital roman numbers

• Ctrl + 1 (KeyPad) - It does a simple space between the lines.

• Ctrl + 2 (KeyPad) - It does a double space between the lines.

• Ctrl + 5 (KeyPad) - A space does 1.5 between the lines.

• Ctrl + 1 (NumPad) - It goes at the end of the last line.

• Ctrl + 7 (NumPad) - It goes at the begin of the last line.

• Ctrl + F4 - It closes the current window.

• Alt + F4 - It closes the current window.

• Alt + Esc - It Minimize all the windows.

• Windows + ESC - Open Google Talk (if it's minimized, or in the tray)

• F9 - Open Gmail to send an email to the current contact.

• F11 - It initiates a telephonic call with your friend.

• F12 - It cancels a telephonic call.

• Esc - It closes the current window.

Gtalk Emotions

• :-|

• :-O

• :-x

• :-P

• :-D

• ;-)

• :-(

• :-)

• B-)

• :'(

• :|

• :O

• :x

• :P

• :D

• :)

• :(

• :)

Conference Calls

What you need to do to have conference calls: Open up a copy of Google Talk on all computers with which you wish to conference. After one copy is opened make a new shortcut for Google Talk but at the end of it add /nomutex. If you installed it to the default folder then your shortcut should read "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe" /nomutex. Open 2nd instances of the software on every user's computer. After this start a chain: User 1 should connect on one instance to user 2. User 2 will connect on his second instance to user 3. User 3 will connect using his second instance back to user 1. With this chain everyone is connected to everyone.

FAT32 vs. NTFS On USB Stick [How-To]

When formatting a USB stick in Windows (something many of us do from time to time), in XP you usually only have two file system options, FAT or FAT32. "FAT", by the way, means "File Allocation Table".

If you were wondering which to pick, the answer is FAT32 because it overcomes certain limitations of FAT.

However if you have a USB stick that’s over 4GB in size, you may want to consider formatting with NTFS instead.

The reason? FAT32 can only recognize a maximum individual file size of 4GB (or to be exactly specific, 4GiB minus 1 byte). If a single file is any larger than that, FAT32 won’t "understand" it and you’ll get an error on attempt to copy that big file over.

For those wondering "What file could possibly be that large?" Video and ISO disc images (such as some big-big Linux distros) can easily go over 4GB in size – and yes, some people will push these files to USB sticks if they have the space. Why not, right?

In XP (but not Windows 2000), the problem that presents itself is that if you have a USB stick that holds over 4GB of data, how do you format it using NTFS instead of FAT32?

One way to do it is via the Device Manager.

1. Go to Control Panel.

2. Double-Click System icon.

3. From the window that appears, click the Hardware tab.

4. Click the Device Manager button.

Under "Disk Drives", if the USB stick is plugged into your computer, it will show up under there, like this:

What we need to do here is change the policy to "Performance" instead of "Quick Removal".

The way we do this is by right-clicking the USB drive listing, selecting Properties and then from the window that appears select the Policies tab.

It looks like this:

Click Optimize for performance and click OK.

Go to format your USB stick (you will have to format it), and…

Success! Now we have the NTFS option!

DRAWBACK:

Yes there is a drawback to this and a rather large one.

When you have your USB stick set up in this mode, you absolutely must use the "Safely Remove Hardware" method before disconnecting the stick from the computer and you absolutely CANNOT forget to do this. If you do, the data is sure to get corrupted in short order.

If you can deal with that "Safely remove" stuff, go ahead with an NTFS file system on a USB stick larger than 4GB so you can write bigger-than-4GB files to it.

And remember, there’s no need to do this unless you specifically intend to push 4GB+ files on a USB stick.

Folder Options Missing

Open Run and then type "gpedit.msc".

Now goto User Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Component > Windows Explorer.Click on Windows Explorer

you will find the 3rd option on the right side of screen "Removes the Folder Option menu item from the Tools menu"

Just check it, if it is not configured then change it to enable by double clicking on it and after applying again set it to not configured.

I hopes that you will find the option after restarting windows.

Error Message

"Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator"

This error is caused if the DisableTaskMgr restriction is enabled. To enable Task Manager, try one of these methods:

Method 1
Click Start, Run and type this command exactly as given below: (better - Copy and paste)
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Method 2
Download and run this REG fix and double-click it.

Method 3
Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
Navigate to the following branch:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies\ System
In the right-pane, delete the value named DisableTaskMgr
Close Regedit.exe

Method 4:
Using Group Policy Editor - for Windows XP Professional
Click Start,
Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Navigate to this branch:
User Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options / Remove Task Manager
Double-click the Remove Task Manager option.
Set the policy to Not Configured.

Disable Error Reporting

1. Open Control Panel

2. Click on Performance and Maintenance.

3. Click on System.

4. Then click on the Advanced tab

5. Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.

6. Select Disable error reporting.

7. Click OK

8. Click OK