SG Broadband Community

Hey,
How about we do a thread and everyone adds some tips & tricks.
Even if they may seem easy to you, perhaps someone else may not know of them. So even if they are really simple, lets post them...

If you can not delete a folder or send it to recycle bin, sometimes, you can cut and then paste it in recycle bin!

Recently, I put my new box running XP Pro online. And you guys know that I have 1000000000000000000000000 favorite sites marked. Well, in moving my 100000 GB's of favs from 98SE to XP, I had a few go bad, you know, file names too long, links that had corrupted pics of Noevo, Brembo & Immy....

Well, some links had even changed properties! I tried many things to delete some of the bad links or whatever they morphed into. (Immy's butt image caused many of the probs...) Couldn't delete them! Hmmm, Dang it Immy! Then I had a thought...See if you can cut it and then paste it in recycle bin...
YEAP! It worked! No more permanent file of Immy's butt or whatever it was!
I couldn't of hit the "Empty Recycle Bin" button faster!


No excuses! Everyone add a tip!

Great idea Ken!

Here's one:

Opening Explorer in a Different Directory

Tired of Windows Explorer always opening up with My Documents?

Customize it, by changing the properties for the Windows Explorer icon and replace the

Target field with: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, c:\yourfolder


Works great!

Here's another:

Stop Windows Explorer From Changing The Case of Filenames.


By default, Explorer changes the case of your filenames so that a file you name c:\iLikeTOTypeTHiS appears as c:\Iliketotypethis. Microsoft calls this PrettyPath, and you can disable it by performing the following steps:

Start regedit.exe.

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.

Double-click DontPrettyPath (or create this key with a type of REG_DWORD if it doesn't exist).

Set the value to 1 to keep the case as you type it or 0 to adjust the case as Explorer requires.

Click OK.

Close regedit.

Restart the machine

Free Up Some RAM! (credit goes to messiah)

If you have just run an intensive or specifically large application or game, you know about that groggy feeling your system can have. That's usually because of the leftovers taking up your valuable memory. You can free it, however, by clicking your heels together 3 times and saying: "Let my memory go." Er, I mean, using a program to free that trapped memory. There are many good programs to do this at Tweakfiles.

If you don't want to download a big fancy program, you can actually make one yourself very easily using Visual Basic runtimes (you don't even need VB to do this).

Here's what you do:
Open up Notepad (Start, Run, "notepad" (OK)). Depending on how much memory you have, put the appropriate values in...
Under 128mb Ram:
Mystring = (16000000)

128mb or More:
Mystring = (80000000)

Save it as "Memory.vbe" (including the quotes!). Close as many programs as you can, then run (double click) this handy little script to free your memory whenever your computer is feeling sluggish.

Originally posted by MadDoctor
Free Up Some RAM! (credit goes to messiah)

If you have just run an intensive or specifically large application or game, you know about that groggy feeling your system can have. That's usually because of the leftovers taking up your valuable memory. You can free it, however, by clicking your heels together 3 times and saying: "Let my memory go." Er, I mean, using a program to free that trapped memory. There are many good programs to do this at Tweakfiles.

If you don't want to download a big fancy program, you can actually make one yourself very easily using Visual Basic runtimes (you don't even need VB to do this).

Here's what you do:
Open up Notepad (Start, Run, "notepad" (OK)). Depending on how much memory you have, put the appropriate values in...
Under 128mb Ram:
Mystring = (16000000)

128mb or More:
Mystring = (80000000)

Save it as "Memory.vbe" (including the quotes!). Close as many programs as you can, then run (double click) this handy little script to free your memory whenever your computer is feeling sluggish.

Nice!!

Cheesey tips to see if your system may have a virus.

This would be pre Xp as I have not played with it enough to know if this will all work but I can check when I go to work tomorrow


There the obvious...



Right click on my computer go to properties and preformance and see if anything is running in msdos compatiblity mode

Dos prompt type in mem and look under total under 1mb should always be 640k unless you are running like powerquest or second chance


Go to safemode -- if it tells you your master boot record has be changed

Missing files or desktop icons

access denied on opening programs or other executables.

The presence of new images and software on your system

mp3s or images coming up as vbs- loveletter

moving icons second stage of magistr

Update antivirus constantly........... There are generally ways to get rid of virus's manually if you dont have antivirus software.. Google is your friend.

I would think more but I dont have to its my day off -- and I have to work for the next 8 days in a row

Originally posted by MadDoctor
Save it as "Memory.vbe" (including the quotes!). Close as many programs as you can, then run (double click) this handy little script to free your memory whenever your computer is feeling sluggish.

Hey MadDoc, why do u have to include the quotes on the filename?

Originally posted by Juggernaut


Hey MadDoc, why do u have to include the quotes on the filename?

Not sure. messiah could tell us I guess. All I know is it doesn't work (for me) if I don't. Downhill says it does work without the quotes.

OR, you could download MAXMEM from analogX

Originally posted by MadDoctor
Free Up Some RAM! (credit goes to messiah)

If you have just run an intensive or specifically large application or game, you know about that groggy feeling your system can have. That's usually because of the leftovers taking up your valuable memory. You can free it, however, by clicking your heels together 3 times and saying: "Let my memory go." Er, I mean, using a program to free that trapped memory. There are many good programs to do this at Tweakfiles.

If you don't want to download a big fancy program, you can actually make one yourself very easily using Visual Basic runtimes (you don't even need VB to do this).

Here's what you do:
Open up Notepad (Start, Run, "notepad" (OK)). Depending on how much memory you have, put the appropriate values in...
Under 128mb Ram:
Mystring = (16000000)

128mb or More:
Mystring = (80000000)

Save it as "Memory.vbe" (including the quotes!). Close as many programs as you can, then run (double click) this handy little script to free your memory whenever your computer is feeling sluggish.

Tip # 42
Never put larger than 12 oz mugs in the cup holder.

Tip # 43

A good thing to backup is your Restricted Sites Zone entries in IE.

In Regedit, export this key to re-merge later after a format or on another system:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains

Save the backup file as Domains.reg

For those of you still using Windows Explorer, goto

http://download.com.com/3000-2248-10002 ... egacy=cnet

and download PowerDesk. This program runs rings around Explorer. Two windows, drag & drop just like Windows 3.11 File Manager.

just like Windows 3.11 File Manager.

On the same note, Windows File manager is still packaged with Windows version after 3.1.

Start\Run\winfile Presto!

Win95 and Win98 OS can physically address AND USE up to 4gig of memory.

The ONLY requirement to use over 512meg of memory is that the line "maxfilecache=524288" be included in the [VCache] section of the system.ini file, to stop file name caching from creating problems.

Now go make that Win98 machine scream.....

Can someone post a good list of all of the useful "start==>run==>" programs with Windows?

For instance, like this:

winipcfg - view your IP settings and internet connection device
regedit - view and edit all of your registry entries and settings
msconfig - set-up your system configurement and add/delete start-up programs

These are the only ones I know.

If someone knows a lot and can describe them well, please make a NICE, LONG list.

Just my .02.

YoS cheap tip #1:

using TweakUI adn Xteq Xsetup are ok, but enabling teh same options in both programs can cause teh option or trick to be disabled or undone. (tested on winME and XP)

XP Command line tools:

bootcfg
View your boot loader settings, such as your default OS and selection timeout, as well as your boot entries and load options.

defrag
You probably already guessed that this defrags your hard drive. Type only "defrag" into your command prompt to get a list of possible arguments, such as the drive letter and the type of output.

diskpart
Manages your disk partitions. After you type "diskpart" into your command prompt, your prompt will become "DISKPART." Type a question mark to get a list of possible arguments. Type exit to leave diskpart.

driverquery
Will get you a nice list of your drivers and their properties.

fsutil
This is a handy command. You can do everything from managing your hardlinks to querying the free space in a volume. Type "fsutil" into your command prompt, and you'll see a list of options. I choose "fsinfo" from the list, so I type "fsutil fsinfo" into the prompt. Now I get even more options, but I choose drives by typing "fsutil fsinfo drives." It's fun, it's easy, and you'll get the hang of it. Explore this utility. There are a lot of cool features and hidden twists.

getmac
This gets the MAC (Media Access Control) address.

gpresult
Get the RSoP, user settings, and computer group policy settings.

netsh
A network configuration tool. Type "netsh" to enter the tool, or "netsh /?" to learn more about it. To exit this tool, type "exit" at the "netsh>" prompt.

openfiles
Allows an administrator to display or disconnect open files in XP professional. Type "openfiles /?" for a list of possible parameters.

recover
This command attempts to recover readable information from a damaged disk. Type "recover" to get the syntax.

reg
The console registry tool. Get syntax help when you type "reg" into the prompt. You can export the registry, copy, restore, compare, and more.

schtasks
The administrator can schedule, run, change, or delete tasks on a local or remote machine. Type "schtasks /?" without the quotes for a list of options.

sfc
The system file checker scans protected system files and replaces the ones you (or your applications) hacked beyond repair with the real, official Microsoft versions. Type "sfc" into the command prompt to get a list of options.

shutdown
You can shut down or restart your own computer, or an administrator can shut down or restart a remote computer. Type "shutdown" into your command prompt to see a list of possible arguments.

systeminfo
Basic system configuration information, such as the system type, the processor type, your time zone, your virtual memory settings, and much more.

tasklist
Want to know what's going on behind the scenes? Type "tasklist" into the command prompt, and get a list of current processes.

taskkill
Now that you know what's going on behind the scenes, maybe you want to shut a few of these extraneous tasks down. That's where taskkill comes in. Type "taskkill /?" for a quick lesson in the syntax of the command, then shut down all those random processes. I just killed my MS messenger by typing "taskkill /PID 1680." I got the PID from running tasklist, above.

Great stufferz guys, keep it up!

If you want to keep the favicons, or small icons, from sites, on your links bar, quick launch, etc..., and hate them resorting to the default IE icon everytime that you delete cookies, then this will solve that problem.

The easy way is to first clear you cookies and TIF files, then go to the site you want to have a button for, drag the link to the bar of your choice.
If the small icon doesn't show up on the bar with the short cut, just click on the link and hold it then drag it an inch and let it go. Do this a couple times if necessary...

Then head back to Inet options> Settings> view files. Look for the icon in there. Right click on it, Properties, copy, then paste in your address window. It will open a page at the site that will only have a tiny icon (favicon), Right click on the favicon and select "Save as".
Put it in a folder in your pictures such as "My Favicons" or whatever you choose that is easy for you to find and remember.

When you save it, be sure that you add a diferent number to eack favicon...
example:
The red "SG" for speedguide is in my folder, named as "SGfavicon1.ico"
For [H]OCP, it is "Hfavicon2.ico"

Note that I added the "SG....1" to "favicon.ico"

Then just Right click on the shortcut on the bar, properties, change icon, browse... Then find your favicon folder, click on the icon that you want for the link, then, OK, apply and OK again.
Batta bom, batta bing, it's a done deal! You will always have that icon represent that shortcut.

Another secrete is that you can, if you choose, have that same favicon represent what links you choose, and as many as you want. It doesn't matter...

Now come on!! Let's get some tips & tricks posted!
Hey YOU!, Yeah YOU! Quit just reading this and post a tip! I know that you know some!...

Want to keep people from accessing Windows, even as the default user. If you do not have a domain do attempt this.

1. Open RegEdit
2. got to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Network\Logon
3. Create a dword value "MustBeValidated"
4. Set the value to 1

This forced logon can be bypassed in Safe Mode

Disable Compressed Folders

Windows Me and XP include a built-in feature to manage compressed ZIP files and folders. This tweak allows you to disable it and install a third-party application.

To disable the compressed folder feature click on Start -> Run and enter the following command:

regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll

To enable ZIP folder support run this command:

regsvr32 zipfldr.dll

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

K, everyone's not playing... Am I going to have to start threatening here!

Let's go with some tips and tricks people!!!

Here's some good stuff

http://forums.speedguide.net/search.php ... descending

A good site:


Annoyances.org!

Windows XP

Logon and Shutdown

·Do you want to switch quickly between different users in your machine? Use windows key + L to go to your Welcome screen. However, if you have Fast User Switch disabled (either by your choice, or because your computer is a member of a domain), windows key + L is a fast way to lock your machine to others while you have to leave your desk.
·If you have multiple users logged on the machine and Fast User Switching enabled, you can bypass the Welcome screen to switch users by going to the User tab in Task Manager, right click on a user and choose Connect.
·To shutdown remotely your machine. Create a file called "RemoteShutdown.js" consisting of the following single line:
(new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindows();
Save it on your desktop or anywhere else convenient. When you want to shut down your machine remotely, double-click the file and select your desired shutdown option.
Working with Files

·To rename several files at once, select all of them in any folder view, or in the Windows Explorer, rename the FIRST one in the list, and the rest will follow.
·To turn off filenames, hold down the Shift key when you click to open a folder in Windows Explorer or when you switch into thumbnail view. This will turn of the file names, giving more space for the thumbnails. Doing it again turns them back on.
·Try grouping your files. In the top menu bar select View – Arrange icons by . . . - Type, and then View – Arrange icons by . . . - Show in groups.
·You can change the size and quality of the shell’s thumbnails. Start regedit, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER (only for you) or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (for all the users in this computer) and in Software – Microsoft – Windows – CurrentVersion – Explorer, add or modify the following entries:
·ThumbnailSize – Double Word, decimal value between 32 and 256
·ThumbnailQuality – Double Word, decimal value between 50 and 100
Your Music

·Set your own Album Art for folder + Media Player. If you don't like the album art or have a folder of downloaded music that you want to add art to, you can simply select any graphic from your browser and save it inside of the folder you want and call it "Folder.jpg". When you now play any music that resides in that folder, the Media Player will automatically pick it up and display it.
Internet Explorer

·You can use the Search Companion in Internet Explorer to perform many Internet related actions. Try:
·go msft
·Go yp cheesecake factory
Interface

·Get rid of balloon tips: Start regedit, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER and set EnableBalloonTips=0x00000000
·Disable the Search companion to go back to the traditional search view: Start regedit, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER and in Software – Microsoft – Windows – CurrentVersion – Explorer – CabinetState, set the value of Use Search Asst to “no”
·Turn off the low disk space notification: Start regedit, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER and in Software – Microsoft – Windows – CurrentVersion – Policies - Explorer, and set the value of NoLowDiskSpaceChecks to DWORD = 1. (This modification requires a logoff or reboot to work)
·You can force your taskbar to group windows. Any application that has any number you decide of windows open will automatically cluster, regardless of how full your taskbar is. To set this: Start regedit, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER and in Software – Microsoft – Windows – CurrentVersion – Explorer - Advanced, and create a REG_DWORD with the name TaskbarGroupSize and the value you want to reach before the windows are clustered together on the taskbar. (This modification requires a logoff to work).
Keyboard

· windows key + Break opens the Control Panel System applet.
· windows key + Tab moves through the taskbar buttons
· windows key + D shows the Desktop
· windows key + L shows the Welcome screen, or locks the machine if Fast User Switching is disabled.

SIT!
ROLL OVER!
SHAKE!
STAY!

Good computer, heres yer conditioned line, yes...good computer, good computer.

If your having problems with Windows blue screening, or application crashes, try running the system file checker. It's located under Start/programs/accessories/system tools/system information. Once in here to to the tools button and you'll see the option. This basically lets you fix corrupted files in your system and has helped me in the past.

You'll also see the internet explorer repair tool here which won't hurt to run especially if you are having browser issues.

Get Adaware from lavasoft and run it often to prevent spyware on your system....this can lead to system corruption and various errors.

Get Regcleaner from http://www.bootdisk.com under the utility files. This is a great easy ti use program that lets you adjust your start-up programs properly and remove old program fragments left in the registry.

Originally posted by Ken



No excuses! Everyone add a tip!

Don't squat with spurs on.

if you have a multi boot system......perform defrag on one os from another os......that way.....any files that would be in use can be moved.

better defrag



AMP

Originally posted by jumpinduo
Can someone post a good list of all of the useful "start==>run==>" programs with Windows?

For instance, like this:

winipcfg - view your IP settings and internet connection device
regedit - view and edit all of your registry entries and settings
msconfig - set-up your system configurement and add/delete start-up programs

These are the only ones I know.

If someone knows a lot and can describe them well, please make a NICE, LONG list.

Just my .02.

Add this to your list.

For Windows 98/ME

Microsoft Hardware Diagnostic tool

hwinfo /ui


http://support.microsoft.com/search/pre ... us;Q185956

A great thread. Let's keep it alive!

Changing Thumbnail Options in XP

You can change the size of the Thumbnails view in My Computer by opening up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigating to the following location:

Current user only:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer

All users:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer

Add a new DWORD value called ThumbnailSize and give it a hexidecimal value that is between 32 and 256, inclusive (that is, the lowest possible value is 32 and the highest is 256): A value of 32 will give you the smallest possible thumbnails, and 256 will give you the biggest. Experiment a bit to find your sweet spot.

I know this happens in win98...

The green line on top of the screen on startup and random restarts during startup...

To solve most of startup problems rename the following files so windows can't find them (these have to do with tape drives, nothing will be hurt unless you have a tape drive installed)

drvwq117.vxd
drvwppqt.vxd

Originally posted by THEshaggy
I know this happens in win98...

The green line on top of the screen on startup and random restarts during startup...

To solve most of startup problems rename the following files so windows can't find them (these have to do with tape drives, nothing will be hurt unless you have a tape drive installed)

drvwq117.vxd
drvwppqt.vxd

nice!

Keep 'em coming!

Another XP tweak.

Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs

Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is installed? If it gets in the way when you’re logging off, turn it off completely.

To do this Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu

Where your name is displayed, and then click Properties.

In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click Customize.

Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.

Click OK, and then click OK again

Tons of tips for XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expe ... retips.asp

Tons of links for XP

https://www.speedguide.net/forums/ ... adid=79383

There, I did my part.

How about you?

Alphabetize your start menu

Don't you hate how Windows adds new programs to the end of the start menu? The fix is quick and simple, right click on the menu and select sort by name. Ah isn't that better?


Or download download Q-Sort to alphabetize your favorites folder and start menu.

(Curiosity of Suzie from the Must Have Downloads thread).

Originally posted by Norm

How about you?

Nah! hehe

Get Rid of Unwanted Balloon Tips

Open up the Registry Editor and expand the tree to display the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced

Then, created a new DWORD value named EnableBalloonTips and set it to 0x00000000.

Disable zip folders

Are the ZIP folders too slow for you? Disable it by unregistering the file zipfldr.dll.

start-run-regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll

Cab files are not folders

XP treats Cab files like folders, to stop this type 'regsvr32 /u cabview.dll' at the command prompt.

To reverse it type 'regsvr32 cabview.dll'

Regedit stays expanded

When I open regedit and expand a folder and open regedit later the folder stays expanded. How can I disable this?

How can you disable it? Why, through the Registry, of course! You'll need to be in the admin account, or yours must have admin privileges.

In regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Regedit and look for the value LastKey.

Double-click it and clear the string. Then right-click the Regedit key (in the lefthand pane) and select Permissions. Set Permissions to Deny for any/all users/groups.

Voila!