Simple Fixes for Hard Drive and Folder Annoyances

Boot unbootable drives, silence annoying start-up folders, and speed up Windows Explorer.

(pcworld) -- You hit your PC's power button, and instead of seeing the familiar Windows logo, you get a boot-failure message. You could throw yourself in front of a moving truck-or maybe just read my quick fix. I also show you how to repair dopey folder icons and how to cleanly uninstall unwanted programs.

My PC Won't Boot (OMG!)

The Hassle: I booted my laptop only to see this message: "Boot Failure: System Halted." I've tried every partition recovery program under the sun, but my notebook still won't boot. H-e-l-p!

The Fix: Stay calm. Somehow the laptop's BIOS isn't able to identify your hard drive's partition. But chances are good you can fix it. First, boot to the BIOS (press Del or F10 as you boot) and jot down the current settings. Then find the option to set the BIOS back to the de­-fault. It's usually the menu item on the far right. Reboot and keep your fingers crossed.

If that doesn't work, grab a copy of the free DTIData NTFS Recovery Repair tool. It lets you repair the boot sector and make the drive bootable again. Before you start, however, it's essential to read the in­-structions found here and here.

Program Folder Opens at Startup

The Hassle: When I boot my system, an Explorer folder pops open on the desktop for the VMWare virtualization app I recently in­stalled. Where's this folder coming from--and how do I stop it?

The Fix: You'll need to go on a treasure hunt to find where the program's folder is loading. The first spot to look is in Scheduled Tasks (from Control Panel). Not there? See if a shortcut with the program's folder resides in the Startup folder (Start, Programs, Startup). No luck? Then use WinPatrol, a free utility for re­-moving background programs, and see if it's listed. If it is, use WinPatrol's Remove feature. (Click here to download WinPatrol.)

My guess, though, is that Windows is trying to read a Registry entry with an incorrect value, likely a string that contains spaces but is not surrounded by quotation marks. Windows is reading only part of the path, so it opens up a folder on the desktop.

You can manually massage this Registry entry by opening RegEdit (Start, Run, type regedit, and press Enter). Next, use Control-F to search for the path you see in the Explorer folder that appears on your desktop. This path will look similar to 'C:\Program Files\VMware Workstation\vmware.exe' with a space separating other characters, such as '%1', if they appear. In the right-hand panel, double-click the item and add quote marks to the start and end of the path. You may have additional flawed Registry entries if the problem is not resolved.

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How to Reduce Shadow Copy on Windows Vista

Shadow Copy, or Volume Snapshot Device (VSS), is an application interdependent with System Restore that is unique to Windows Vista. The Shadow Copy is the disk space used by System Restore (up to 15% of of disk volume) which makes up the registry for backed up files on a computer. This article will give a guideline on how to reduce this space to afford some much-needed disk space.

Steps

Reviewing Shadow Copy

1. Click Start>Computer and on Local Disk (C:) you'll see the available disk space you have left on the hard drive of your Windows Vista desktop/notebook computer.
   
2. Click Start>All Programs>Accessories.
   
3. Select Command Prompt (make sure you right click on Command Prompt first, and select Run as administrator).
   
4. Type in vssadmin list shadowstorage
   
5. Press Enter/Return. Command Prompt will show the allocated space towards Shadow Copy. This can be reduced to allow more free hard drive space.

Reviewing Shadow Copy

1. Click Start>Computer and on Local Disk (C:) you'll see the available disk space you have left on the hard drive of your Windows Vista desktop/notebook computer.
2. Click Start>All Programs>Accessories.
   
   
   
3. Select Command Prompt (make sure you right click on Command Prompt first, and select Run as administrator).
4. Type in vssadmin list shadowstorage
   
   
   
5. Press Enter/Return. Command Prompt will show the allocated space towards Shadow Copy. This can be reduced to allow more free hard drive space.

Reducing Hard Disk Space Allocated for Shadow Copy

1. Exit Command Prompt and backtrack to Step 3 in Reviewing Shadow Copy. Open Command Prompt, again selecting the Run as administrator option when right-clicking.
2. Type in vssadmin resize shadowstorage /On=C: /For=C: /Maxsize=[here add the maximum space you will allow for Shadow Sorage, e.g. 3GB].
3. Press Enter/Return. The results will be displayed in Command Prompt.
   
   
   
4. Click Start>Computer and once again review the available disk space for Local Disk (C:).

Tips

• If you are not the administrator of the computer, permission from them to reduce the Shadow Copy is recommended.
• It is best to not reduce all of the disk space allocated for Shadow Copy; reduce as much as you prefer and feel comfortable about.
• If, after several weeks or months of using your Windows Vista computer, the disk space on your computer is dropping or being 'eaten away at' for no known reason, then this article is for you.

Things You'll Need

• A computer
• An operating system (OS) of Windows Vista
• Permission from computer administrator (unless you are one)

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How to Bypass Windows Vista SP1 X86 (32BIT) 4/28/2008

Update 4/28/2008

Steps

1. Download the following hack/patch, I have verified it has virus free, if you would like to ensure security, scan it yourself.

2. install vista sp1 build6001 (root-boot from dvd install)
(setting up Drivers,and Utils,PROGRAMS...)

3. unzip "----------.zip"

4. install "Activation" justa as "ADMiN"

5. reboot

6. after reboot, windows vista will crash [ yes! pretty BLUESCREEN ]
..( Critical-memory dump error)

7. "ok! ...now start real Activation session"

8. insert VISTA RTM or RETAIL (build 6000) DVD ,then boot from DVD

9. click " Repair computer" -> click "advance option"

10. click "restore computer" ........................[important]

11. start restore session -> click 15~20 min earlier time restore point
(yes the point that before "Activation" install)

12. after "Recovery computer" completed ,windows will reBoot.

13. Yes Done.

[NOW VISTA SP1 BUILD 6001 ACTIVATED PERMANENTLY , AND THE COPY IS"GENUINE"]



WINDOWS UPDATE WILL WORKING COMPLETELY( pass WGA? yes)

NOTE: THIS "ACTIVATION" WILL INSTALL "BOOTLOADER"
-> MEANS "BOOT SCREEN NOT CLEAN".

Tips

• Download Stand alone Service pack 1 from thepiratebay.
  
• Close all applications before running patch to ensure success.
  
• Works with Vista x86 (all versions)
  

Warnings

• Has not been tested in x64
• Use at your own risk

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How to Download a Web Page Without Visiting It

Want to go to your favorite website without even having to log on to the Internet? Read on!

Steps

1. Go to your desktop and right-click anywhere.
   
2. Click on properties.
   
3. Click on the desktop tab.
   
4. Then at the bottom of that window there should be a button that says Customize Desktop. Click It.
   
5. A new window should pop up. Click on the Web tab.
   
6. Click where it says New to the right.
   
7. Where it says location enter the URL of your favorite website or any website. A new window should pop up saying you have chosen to make this site available offline and a bunch of other stuff. Just click OK.
   
8. It will then download the webpage you entered, including images and additional files, straight to your desktop.
   

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How to Make Life Easier on Your Computer (Windows)

Steps

1. Download Mozilla Firefox or Opera browser, they are two of the best browsers out there - fast, pop-up free, tabbed browsing, themes, and more!
   
2. Make sure your anti-virus is up to date, if you have not already purchased McAfee or another non free service I suggest using AVG's free anti virus software, it's amazing...
   
3. Install anti-spyware/adware software. Spybot, Ad-aware provide good protection, and are both free for private use. They keep your computer clean of keyloggers and other spyware.
   
4. Get organized, although many people believe that using many folders to categorize all your things on your desktop can be a pain (clicking in and out of each folder), it really helps when you have many icons, use folders for, Music, Games, Websites (written sites that you wrote), and if you have a family computer, use folder like "Mom's Things" or "Sara's Folder" etc.
   

Tips

• Make use of the Defragmentation on your computer:
  
• Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools
  
• It will speed up your computer a lot when it's running sluggishly
  
• Always use a Anti-Virus software
  

Warnings

• Always watch what you are downloading! Spyware is out there!
  

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How to Make Windows Xp Have the Look and Feel of Windows Vista

Do you want your computer to have the look and feel of Windows Vista, but not want to go through the trouble of paying its expensive price and installing it? Here's how you can make Windows XP look like Vista totally for free.

Steps

1. Right click on a blank space on the desktop and click "Properties". Go to Appearance and set "Windows and Buttons": to "Windows XP Style", and Color Scheme to Silver.
   
2. Click here for the background and save the image to your hard drive.
   
3. Right click on the Desktop. Left click on Properties >> Desktop, and click Browse. Find where you saved the image, select "Stretch", and click OK. This will set the desktop to that picture.
   
4. Download the Visual Task Tips program from HERE
   
5. Download the Aero Internet Explorer, from HERE(note: only in beta)
   
6. Download the Vista Start Menu Emulator. Search it on Google by putting "Vista Start Menu Emulator" into the search bar. This will require .NET Framework 2.0.5474 or higher. Once downloaded and unzipped, move the Orb button over the Start Button.
   
7. Go HERE for the Yahoo Widget homepage. Download the Yahoo! Widget Engine, then download widgets.
   
8. Download the "Vista Side Panel" by Richard Kyle widget, and set the positioning to "Right Align". Add widgets onto the Side Panel, such as "Vista Clock RF" and the "RSS Reader" by Ramon Fernandez. Be sure to download the "Vista Meter" widget as well.
   
9. Keep adding Widgets of your choice.
   
10. Change background of your choice.
    

Tips

• You can also download Google Desktop, which essentially does the same thing as the Yahoo! Widget Engine.
  
• Remove as many icons from your desktop as possible.
  
• Run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter before doing the steps above (optional.)
  

Warnings

• Do not run to many downloads at once; it could freeze your computer and cause you to lose everything you have done.
  

Things You'll Need

• A computer
  
• Basic computer skills
  
• A little extra memory on your computer.
  
• Time
  
• Windows XP Home, Professional, Media Center, or higher.
  

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How to Recover a Dead Windows Machine

Bring your Windows PC back from the dead. This process may take up to one or two days of exasperating labor. Try the following steps in the order given to complete tasks ranked by easiest and least likely to lose data, all the way to challenging, with high risk of data loss.

Steps

1. Back up your work before troubleshooting. The first step in any restore is to back up your data from the hard drive. If your machine runs well enough attempt recovery, then you may be able to plug a USB2 hard disk and back up your files. You'll have peace of mind and a safety net if the a process below fails, leaving your PC in a state of limbo. A failing hard drive may work intermittently enough to copy data from it, but is at continually at risk of a critical failure.
2. Create a new user account to use. Sometimes a system that partially boots and/or misbehaves badly, or has a 'dead' application that can't be run anymore can be 'recovered' simply by creating a new user account and logging in as that new user. A corrupted registry is the most common culprit for 'dead' Windows machines, and a large subset of these potentially corrupt entries are in your user profile.
   
   1. Click on the "Start" button and go to the "Control Panel" ("Settings" -> "Control Panel"), then select "User Accounts".
      
   2. Create a New Account and give it a name.
      
   3. Give it 'Administrator' privileges.
      
   4. Reboot or log out and login as the 'new' user.
      
   5. Verify that the system is stable. If the system is stable, you will still have to restore all of the settings you had on the old account, and move the 'My Documents' contents from the old account to the new one.
      
   6. Back up your work.
      
   7. Avoid using the old account. Windows will just try to re-use the same corrupted data again.
      
   
   
3. Use System Restore if available. Windows Me, XP, and later have a System Restore feature that will recover your system configuration (drivers, settings, and shared files) from the last configuration that worked. This feature must be enabled prior to encountering a configuration problem in order to use it. To enable it, right click on "My Computer", select "Properties", and click on the "System Restore" tab.
   
   • If you're unable to boot into Windows:
     
     1. Boot your PC. If Window recognized that it was unable to load and if System Restore has a valid restore point, you'll have a chance of recovery.
        
     2. Press the key prompted by Windows when you receive the message "Boot to last known, good configuration".
        
     3. Follow the advice given, and Windows will restore your Windows to a last known, good configuration, then automatically reboot your PC.
        
     4. Try booting to "Safe Mode", then following the steps below. Do this by repeatedly pressing F8 immediately before Windows will start to load (after your hardware information is displayed). When you see a boot menu for Windows XP, select either Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking for network and Internet access.
        
     
     
   • If you're able to boot to the Windows desktop:
     
     1. Click on the "Start" button and go to "Programs" or "All Programs", "Accessories", "System Tools", then select "System Restore".
        
     2. Leave the radio button on 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'.
        
     3. Click on 'Next'.
        
     4. Pick a date before the bad system behaviors began.
        
     5. Reboot and see if it works better.
        
     6. If it does not, try again with an earlier restore point.
        
     7. Go through your documents and files. You'll discover 'versioned' file names of various files that were modified between now and your restore point.
        
     8. Delete or remove the 'old' files and make sure the 'newest' or most correct versions of files exist. Windows XP does not come with a tool to browse the old restore point files to individually recover them, even though that would be super handy. The Windows XP boot disk does not have a 'System Restore' tool to restore Windows to earlier states like this, so your computer must boot to use this method. If the machine does not boot, try one of the methods below to recover your data and your machine.
        
   
   
4. Perform a reinstall from a Microsoft retail or OEM Windows disc. This is only possible if your computer came with a shiny Windows CD or DVD that has a hologram-like surface. Also, this will not work for CDs create using nLite. A Windows reinstall will only replace system files. Your data, settings, and installed applications should remain untouched.
   
   1. Verify that your PC attempts boots to the optical drive by default. Enter your BIOS and look under a "Boot" menu or "Advanced Settings" section to find the system's boot order. Set the first device to "ATAPI CD", "Optical", or similar selection. Exit the BIOS and save your settings.
      
   2. Insert the Windows disc into your optical drive.
      
   3. Press any key if prompted to do so when your PC prompts you to boot from a disc. Some will boot to an optical disc without any user interaction.
      
   4. When prompted by the Windows installer, select "Reinstall". Make sure you don't accidentally select "Recover Console" prior to this menu.
      
   5. Perform Windows updates once you've completed the reinstall. You may also need to update your hardware drivers as well.
      
   
   
5. Use an OEM recovery partition of a Windows installation.
   
   1. Many manufacturers don't give you a Windows boot disc anymore instead you get a 'Recovery Disc' or a 'Recovery Partition' that contains an image of the boot partition in the state hey shipped the machine.
      
   2. Put the disc in (or boot off the 'recovery partition'), follow the prompts, and the version of Windows with all the right drivers and all of the default unlicensed bundleware that came with the PC will be restored and ready to go and need licensing (or deletion) again. These restores will not restore other applications, licenses, or drivers that were installed since the system was initially used. This restore will most likely wipe any data on the Windows partition, including including personal information, documents, and settings, which includes your 'My Documents' and anyone else's 'My Documents' on the computer.
      
   
   
6. Boot with Linux to to correct major issues with a Windows installation such as a corrupted partition or boot table.
   
   1. Download and burn a Linux boot disk from your favorite Linux distribution. You may need to use another computer if you have not done this already. As an alternative, use a GParted LiveCD image which includes a very basic copy of the Gentoo Linux distribution.
      
   2. Boot from the Linux CD.
      
   3. Mount the Windows partition.
      
   4. Using Linux, back up your data from the damaged partition onto a USB drive, or the network, or burn a CD.
      
   
   
7. Use a third party boot disk to perform maintenance and clean-up a Windows installation.
   
   1. Try 'UBCD' (see link below), a free ISO of a self-booting CD image accompanied by a big pile of tools and utilities.
      
   2. Various hard disk tools like 'Partition Magic' or 'Norton Utilities' come on a bootable CD that will let you tinker with 'bad' drives. It is best to back up any intact data before attempting to 'recover' lost data.
      
   
   
8. Remove the hard drive and troubleshoot it on another PC.
   
   1. Pull the hard drive out of the dead PC if the computer can't be made to boot, restore or install its operating system.
      
   2. Install the drive in an external hard drive enclosure (USB, Firewire, and/or eSATA), then attaching in to anther computer. Nearly every external hard drive enclosure can be used temporarily if needed. Otherwise, purchase or find an unused external hard drive enclosure.
      
   3. Try installing the drive into another computer. Make sure to change any settings in the BIOS to avoid booting to this drive.
      
   4. Backup the data from the mounted drive. If the drive won't mount, then try data recovery software or professional data recovery services. If that doesn't help, the data on the drive may be permanently lost.
      

Tips

• Back up your work! When the hard disk physically crashes, your work is probably lost, no matter what. Even investing thousands of dollars for data recovery might not get much more than file fragments back. Back up early, back up often. An ounce of backup is worth a TON of re-creating things from scratch.
  
• Get some real system recovery software, like Norton Ghost (formerly PowerQuest Drive Image), and make hard drive image backups of your own boot drive with ALL of your software and drivers installed. It turns a day-long, maybe even week-long ordeal into a mere 45 minute cuss-fest when ANY version of Windows self-destructs and croaks on you. Especially useful if your living is based on your PC. It also means that you don't have to "live with" a Windows installation that has gone 'senile' from all the viral and spyware junk that crawled into it, or got wrecked when you bought a new piece of hardware that installed 100 megs of buggy garbage into the OS to 'extend it', instead of a simple device driver.
  
• You really should have backed up the data very routinely on your own, every month or so, or whenever you did "important work", but almost no normal computer user ever does. Tragic.
  
• If you have system restore, be sure to save everything, and create a new, named checkpoint just before you install a new piece of hardware or a new driver. There will usually be a lot less mess to back out of when you need to.
  
• Save your passwords, registration codes, receipts, etc. When you make logins/passwords, or receive registration codes, record them somewhere safe.
  
• A text file on a cheap little USB thumb drive can be used for saving information like logins, passwords, utility company addresses, online accounts, etc. and whatever other 'private' things, like tax records. It can sit in a box, or a safe only to come out when you NEED it, and keep all those private things will be off-line and unavailable to the various frightful things that get into Windows. Anyway, if the computer takes a dump all over you, then all that stuff you lazily and insecurely left on the PC for anyone ELSE to steal will not die with it. Grow a carpal tunnel and type those passwords when you're prompted. You won't forget them so much.
  
• Make two partitions when you partition and format a hard disk, or buy a second hard disk. One partition gets Windows and the software installations. One partition gets the data and work files, like the contents of 'My Documents'. When you need to STOMP the Windows partition, the other data can remain safe and relatively untainted. A second hard disk can even be UNPLUGGED so the Windows install or other system recovery software can't "accidentally" reformat it "for you".
  
• To a degree, the 'two partitions or two drives' thing applies to Linux and other operating systems. For straight-forward recovery after a little mishap or major disaster, you seriously don't want OS/programs and your personal documents and work intermixed.
  
• The partition (or separate hard disk) with your data and work files should be formatted 'FAT32' and have 'System Restore' turned OFF. That way, if you have to mess with or re-format or restore a backup copy of a mangled Windows partition, you don't have to overwrite all of your current work, and you can get that drive mounted by nearly any other OS.
  
• What drives 'System Restore' operate on can be configured from "Start->Settings->Control Panel->System", then picking the 'System Restore' tab.
  
• Nothing you do with the software can really damage modern hardware. However, sometimes things like the CMOS memory can be overwritten, and (if you leave jumpers set the wrong way) even EEPROM BIOS on the motherboard can be stomped.
  
• CMOS is relatively easy to 'fix', just go into the BIOS settings for the motherboard and reset it and then set the time and reconfigure it back the way it used to be.
  
• EEPROM BIOS being clobbered, well you'll have to order a new chip from the manufacturer and swap it out. Some flash-able BIOS chips have a ROM backup that they can always revert to. If not, and it's soldered to the motherboard, then the motherboard will need to be replaced. If the BIOS can be flashed, find out which jumper (if any) disables flashing the BIOS and make sure that's disabled, and you should never have this problem.
  
• A USB2 backup drive that's probably twice as big as the hard drive in your computer can be had dirt cheap. It's a good investment for backing up data. After the initial, time consuming backup, incremental backups take only a few minutes. Then the backup drive can be unplugged and put away somewhere safe, preferably where the same kinds of physical disasters that kill your computer won't get it, too.
  

Warnings

• Only when the documents, internet shortcuts, mail, work files, etc. that the user used to have are safely and securely backed up onto another hard drive and/or burned to a CD or DVD, should you attempt to format or reinstall Windows.
  
• Don't get carried away. Think first, and evaluation your situation and the consequences before continuing. Is your data more important than getting the PC to boot?
  

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How to Solve the Svchost.exe 100% Cpu Utilization Problem

SVCHOST.EXE 100% CPU utilization is a bug that seems to affect more than a few Windows computer users, causing their computers to slow down significantly.
Microsoft says that this is a rare problem, however, judging by the number of forum posts about this problem, quite some people are affected by this.

Steps

1. Click on Start->All Programs->Windows Update.
   
2. In the Windows Update screen, click on "Change Settings" in the grey column (look on the left-hand side of the screen).
   
3. Disable Microsoft Updates. You will see a warning message but you can ignore that.
   
4. A wizard will guide you through the uninstall procedure.
   
5. All set. You will be free from the svchost.exe 100% cpu utilization bug.
   

Tips

• Alternatively, you may want to find out about the svchost.exe 100% cpu utilization patch that Microsoft has released.
  

Warnings

• Try to refrain from completely disabling the update mechanism, because that will make your computer more vulnerable to internet threats
  

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How to Uninstall All Windows Updates

Do you have several updates that failed to install and are wondering how to reinstall them? This procedure will allow you to start over and install every available update by Microsoft. Your computer will not be harmed in the process.

Note: The following steps apply to Windows Vista. Earlier versions of Windows require you to use the web-based version of Windows Update.

Steps

1. In the Start menu search box, type "services.msc" and press Enter
   
2. Stop the Windows Update service (leave the window open - you will restart the service in step 4)
   
3. Navigate to your Windows folder (C:\WINDOWS) and delete the folder named "SoftwareDistribution"
   
4. Restart the Windows Update service
   
5. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start Button and entering "Windows Update" in the search box
   
6. Ta-da! Windows Update states that you have never checked for updates! Simply click "Check for Updates" and you're ready to begin installing updates!
   
7. After the initial updates have been installed, you will be required to restart your computer - save any open documents!
   

Warnings

• Avoid installing updates while your computer is running. Use the option to install updates when shutting down your computer instead (the yellow Sleep button will turn red).
  

Things You'll Need

• Windows Vista
  

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How To Shutdown Faster on Windows

Windows XP

1. Go to Start and click on run
   
2. In the blank Field type Regedit hit the enter button
   
3. Now expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
   
4. Expand SYSTEM
   
5. Expand ControlSet003
   
6. Now click on Control DO NOT EXPAND
   
7. On the right side click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout
   
8. Has default it should be set to 20000 (this means that it would Shutdown in around 20 seconds)
   
9. Set it to 5000 (This should cut down your shutdown time)
   

Windows Vista

1. Go to Start and type Regedit and hit the enter button
   
2. A Windows needs your Permission to continue should prompt up
   
3. Click continue Registry Editor should come up
   
4. Now expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
   
5. Expand SYSTEM
   
6. Expand ControlSet003
   
7. Now click on Control DO NOT EXPAND
   
8. On the right side click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout
   
9. Has default it should be set to 20000 (this means that it would Shutdown in around 20 seconds)
   
10. Set it to 5000 (This should cut down your shutdown time)
    

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How to Restart Windows Explorer Without Rebooting Computer

Windows Explorer, also known as the shell (desktop) may freeze and become unresponsive while other applications still run without any problems. Instead of rebooting, follow these steps to restart Windows Explorer.

STEPS

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager.
   
2. Look for explorer.exe in the "Image Name" column.
   
3. Right click on it and select "End Process".
   
4. Click File from the menu.
   
5. Click New Task (Run...).
   
6. Type explorer in the Open field.
   
7. Click OK. Windows Explorer shell will restart.

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Avoid Win XP Re-activation

The time may come that you'll need to reinstall your Windows XP. It could happen. Maybe you'll add a new motherboard or hard drive. Maybe you'll get constant errors and problems that just won't go away. Or perhaps you're a neat freak who wants to rid yourself of clutter and start fresh with a clean operating system. If you do reinstall Windows XP, then you'll need to re-activate it too—that is, unless you keep this tip handy ;-)

See, the first time you activated XP it created a file called "wpa.dbl" that lives in the WINDOWS\system32 folder. By creating a backup of this file on disk, you can simply put it back into the folder after reinstalling XP and avoid the whole re-activation hassle. Here's how...

Go to My Computer then select your Hard Drive (usually drive C). Go to the WINDOWS\system32 folder and scroll way down until you find the wpa.dbl file.

Right-click and choose "Send To" then either Floppy Drive (make sure you have a disk in) or CD-R/RW.

Now, when you reinstall Windows XP you'll come to the activation screen—decline to activate and let the install finish.

Restart your computer in Safe Mode (keep hitting F8 at start-up then when the Advanced Boot Options menu appears arrow down to Safe Mode).

Find your way back to the WINDOWS\system32 folder. It's a good idea to rename the wpa.dbl file you're replacing just in case you run into problems, so call it something like "wpa.nothing".

Get the backup disk and copy the old wpa.dbl file back to the WINDOWS\system32 folder and reboot.

There you go—XP is up and running again.

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IE 7 Cache Limit

Do you use Internet Explorer 7 for all of your Web browsing needs? Are you a new Internet Explorer 7 user? Either way, among other things, you have probably noticed some changes in IE 7's cache size, compared to version 6. And that makes sense, because there is a huge difference! Microsoft basically revamped the cache feature in IE 7 and they did it all for your own good. Keep reading and I promise I'll explain everything!

First of all, in Internet Explorer 6, the default cache limit was set to 10 percent of your overall hard drive size. I know that may not seem like a whole lot, but when you consider how big hard drives are made these days, it adds up rather quickly. If you have a large hard drive, your 10 percent will also be a big number and the more you fill up that space, the more it will slow down your computer. Do you now see where I'm going with this? Luckily, you can set your own cache limit in IE 7 so that you won't ever have to worry about any slowdowns.

To create your own default cache size in Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools, Internet Options and then click on the General tab. Next, click on the Settings button, located under the Browsing History section. You can then set your cache limit under the heading of "Disk space to use." You can tap out at 1 GB, but it's recommended that you don't go higher than 250 MB. Microsoft suggests you set it to 50 MB, but that's up to you. Just remember, the bigger your cache limit, the more you put yourself at risk for slowdowns and corruptions. Reset yours today!

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Close your non-responsive programs automatically

Normally you end tasks the non-responsive programs manually using windows task manager with (CTRL + ALT +DELETE) keys. Sometimes these non-responsive programs creates problem to run windows and others programs properly. You can configure your computer to manage these non-responsive programs automatically. Windows has a feature that will close all non responding program automatically. If you have little knowledge about editing windows registry then you can configure your computer for this purpose.

Follow the given steps to configure windows registry for auto end task:


1. First click on Start button then type Regedit in Run option. Here locate the location to:


2. Go to Hkey_Current_User\Control Panel\Desktop


3. Here in right side panel, double click on AutoEndTasks and here its default value is 0. Now change it to 1. Now windows will close your all non-responsive programs automatically.






4. Now close the registry editor and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

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How to set auto shutdown for your computer?

A cool tip to manage your computer shutdown process automatically. You can set your computer to shutting down at any convenient time (daily, weekly and when my computer starts) when you are not there.

A simple shutdown command set your computer to close all running applications and shutdown properly after predefined time. This tip is very useful to save energy and time. After the execution of command, a small window will appear to count time of system shutdown. You can cancel this auto shutdown process using same command.

1. Follow the given steps to schedule the shut down process:

2. Click on start button then go to Run option.

3. Type shutdown.exe -s -t yyyy then press ok button.

4.
Here yyyy mean time in second, for example if you want your computer will shutdown automatically after 5 minute then the command will be shutdown -s -t 300.




5.
But after execution you can cancel this command any time, simple type shutdown.exe -a in Run option and Press ok. Your auto shutdown command will remove and your computer will work properly. (www.computerfreetips.com)

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How to enable the advance performance setting in windows vista?

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

First right click on My Computer icon then select
the option Manage.










Here small windows will appear with title Computer Management, now select the Device Manager option, then locate the SATA Disk under the Disk Drives.



Here select the enable advanced performance
sittings on the SATA disk.










Now click on Ok button to apply the setting and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect. (www.computerfreetips.com)

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Five Smart Fixes for Dumb PC Annoyances

Say good-bye to annoying red (and yellow) Windows warnings, stop USB device problems, replace your Clipboard, and Webify your mail.

Is Windows bugging you about USB devices that aren't even plugged in anymore? Or harassing you with bogus security alerts? Or popping up lots of unnecessary notifications? I have all the fixes--plus a cool, free Clipboard substitute.

Safely Remove External Devices

The Hassle: I disconnected an external USB drive, but I can still see it in Windows Explorer. And every few seconds I get a 'Delayed Write Failed' error message. It's a pain in the neck--and confusing.

The Fix: The case of the phantom flash drive, eh? The Safely Remove Hardware tool (the green arrow in the system tray) is meant to complete any reads or writes and then flush disk buffers on the device. Not using it--and just disconnecting the device--is a game of high-tech Russian roulette that can result in corrupted files.

You probably know the safest way to disconnect such hardware: Click the green arrow icon, highlight the device, and click Stop.

If you're constantly swapping flash drives and other USB external add-ons, you might want some extra help. USB Safely Remove--a handy, $20 program--gives you more ways to handle multiple USB devices. For instance, the tool allows you to stop peripherals via keyboard shortcuts and lets advanced users employ command-line batch files to stop multiple gadgets.

End Windows Security Alert Nags

The Hassle: I update my antivirus program daily, but the red Windows Security Alert still warns that my system is at risk. Why?

The Fix: Windows sometimes wacks out with warnings; the one that you're talking about can appear if you disable a component of your antivirus. As long as you're positive your antivirus program (or firewall, for that matter) is working and updated, zap the Windows alert: Click the pop-up balloon warning to open the Windows Security Center. Choose Recommendations in the Virus Protection panel and check I have an antivirus program that I'll monitor myself.

Stop Yellow Balloon Alerts

The Hassle: When I send anything to my networked printer, Windows XP pops up a yellow confirmation bubble telling me the item printed. How can I turn that annoying option off?

The Fix: In Control Panel, choose Printers and Faxes. Click File, Server Properties, and select the Advanced tab. Near the bottom, uncheck the box for Notify when remote documents are printed. In Vista, follow the same steps, but uncheck Show informational notifications for network printers. (On your network, you may have to right-click the printer involved and click Run as Administrator first.)

Make E-Mail Programs Recognize Web Links

The Hassle: I tried another browser, didn't like it, and uninstalled it. But now that I'm back to using Internet Explorer, none of the links that I click in e-mail or on a Web site work.

The Fix: When you uninstalled the other browser, it didn't restore default rights to Internet Explorer. From the Control Panel, open Internet Options, select Programs, and choose Internet Explorer as the default browser. If the links still don't work, use SetBrowser to reset your browser through brute force.

Note: Despite the warning posted on the creator's site, the SetBrowser program works fine with Firefox.

Quick Tip: Get Your Product Key

One day you might need to retrieve your product key--the CD key--for your Windows installation or for Microsoft Office. Save yourself a headache by running Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder. The utility is free but is supported by donations.

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Five Quick Fixes for Internet Connection Hang-Ups

Dead Net connection? Use the power of the Windows command prompt to get back online fast.

When you start up Firefox or Internet Explorer, the last thing you want to see is a plain, white screen declaring 'The page cannot be displayed'. But if you ever do encounter one, we have the fix. Whether you work in Windows XP or Vista, tracking down connection failures can be a simple, methodical process.

Both XP and Vista are supposed to be advanced, graphical operating systems, but when your connection goes down, you'll find the solution in the command prompt--specifically, the Ipconfig command. Short for "Internet Protocol configuration," Ipconfig is key to establishing and reestablishing your Internet connectivity. Invariably, this command, with its array of appended parameters, is what your ISP's tech support rep will tell you to try when you're having difficulty getting online.

Here are five ways that you can raise your IP IQ and troubleshoot your connection yourself.

Web Connection Woes? Refresh Your IP Address

If you use DSL or cable broadband, you probably have a dynamic IP (Internet Protocol) address, which means that your PC's In­­ternet address changes each time you log on. Your IP address should be assigned by DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol).

From time to time, however, this process doesn't be­­have as dynamically as its name implies: Sometimes it doesn't assign a new address at boot-up, and you're stuck with the previous address. Since a fresh IP address is necessary to reach the Internet, when you open your browser, all you see is an error screen stating that the PC cannot establish a connection to the Internet.

Whether your system connects directly through a modem or via a router, the first step in getting an IP address assigned is to right-click the network icon in the system tray. From the resulting menu, select Repair. Windows will automatically flush the old ad­­dresses and request new ones from your router or Internet service provider, depending on how your PC is connected.

Most of the time, this op­­eration works like a charm. But when it doesn't, you'll have to troubleshoot the situation manually, and this is where knowing the ins and outs of Ipconfig can help you get your connection up and running.

Click Start, Run and type cmd. In Vista you can save a step simply by typing cmd in the Start Search box.

At the command prompt, type ipconfig to see your currently known IP address, the subnet mask, and the default gateway for all adapters. Other adapters might in­­clude Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards, although they may be listed as disconnected.

By itself, Ipconfig does nothing more than display information. (Click the image here for a detailed view of Ipconfig's output.) To make it actually do something--like refreshing your IP address--you must add parameters preceded by a space and a forward slash. The two parameters that do the most effective job of repairing your Internet connection are '/release' and '/renew'.

Typing ipconfig /release in­­structs the DHCP server to erase the existing IP address for all adapters, be they ethernet or wireless. The process should take a few seconds, confirmed with a display in the DOS box showing all zeros for the IP address and subnet mask.

Now type ipconfig /renew. If the command is successful, a new IP address, a subnet mask, and the default gateway will appear along with the DNS suffix (basically your ISP's address, such as comcast.net).

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How to Disable Auto-Start Applications on Startup?

Follow the given steps to disable the windows auto run applications. To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

1. Click the Start button, click Run, and type msconfig in and press Enter.

2. A small System Configuration Utility dialog box will appear with many options like General, System.ini Win.ini, Boot.ini, Services, Startup and Tools.

3. Click on the Startup tab and uncheck the applications that you want to disable from your Windows startup.

4. Now click on Apply button to implement the changes, then click the OK button to end the configuration process.

5. Restart your computer so the changes you made will go into effect.

Voila! Doing this on your computer will give you the best gains in startup and system performance.

Using this tip, you can minimize the startup time of Windows XP and Vista also. You can disable some optional windows applications like Windows messenger, Yahoo messenger, QuickTime and many others auto startup programs that run automatically when you start your computer.

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Understanding Browser Hijacking

If you are an Internet junkie and surf nearly 24 hours a day, it may be to your benefit to understand how Web Browser hijacking works and what you can be to prevent it as well as get rid of this nagging problem should you experience it.

The web contain sites that will override your browser's homepage setting and then replace it with their own. You can correct this by opening Internet Options in Control Panel and under Home Page, click either use blank or you specify a site of your choice.

But correcting a hijacked home page is much easier than correcting a hijacked Web Browser it self. This happens when your Web Browser is taken over by software with you having little and sometimes no control over its actions.

This happens when you are hit by such browser hijacking programs as CWS or CoolWebSearch. This software appeared in 2003 and is now one of the most invasive browser hijackers.You know you have been struck when you experience the following actions in your browser.

There is a noticeable decrease in overall PC performance. User's homepages are Smartsearch or other hijacked files and attempts to remove these are blocked. Suddenly there appears a new toolbar in your browser.

You are bombarded with porn ads and porn is now being bookmarked in your favorites.Your Internet Explorer browser quickly slows to a crawl. All web searches are redirected to other sites, in nearly all cases they will be porn. You will have little and sometimes no control over your web browser. Watch the files you download.

These programs may sometime arrive via a download. If this happens, you need to pay attention to where you are on the Internet and avoid these locations. Try to avoid downloading free screensavers for example.

Free screensavers or screensaver samples are often loaded with spyware, adware, and who knows what other insidious files that lurks within. If you do perform such download do a good virus, spyware scan.

What would be the remedy to get rid of this nightmare. You would not want porn pop-ups appearing on your PC when little Mary or David is nearby.

First go to http://www.helptogo.com and click on the link for a program named Hijackthis. Having this or other hijack removal files on disk will be your first line of defense.

And try to download CoolWebShredder to see if it will remove the program. However, even this may not work. http://www.softpedia.com is where you can learn more and download this program.

If CoolWebShredder don't work, you will have to do a complete reformat of your hard drive followed by a clean installation of Windows XP.

If you're computer is working fine now, take the time to backup your critical files. If you have to perform a clean installation of Windows XP, you will lose programs you installed.

Web Hijacking is growing and fast becoming a real pain in the "you know what" and removing them are becoming more and more a big headache.

You can also go to Google and do a search for the term "web browser hijackers" and find other files you can get to be ready you should run into this annoyance.

Download the file and copy it on a cdrom or floppy disk, depending on the file size. Make two copies of the file and store it a safe place should you need it.

When you visit a site, you may be watched by what is known as a Web bug. This is a tiny graphic which sends information to another computer. It will have your IP and web site address and other data about you.

As you spend time on the Internet, stop and take time to learn as much as possible about these Web Bugs.This bugs may transmit your web site and email address, for example to the web bug's main computer.

But being in the know ahead of time can save you lots of downtime using the Internet. Have that backup handy, and prepare an XP Recovery Kit and place in a safe and very secure place.

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