Microsoft Windows XP Tips and Tricks

Windows XP Operating System is one of the most successful Windows operating system. Millions of users world wide using Windows XP. And I myself also like XP very much. Here are some Windows XP Tips and Tricks which I would like to share with all of you. These tips and tricks are useful to improve your computer performance and helps you to customize your computer.

You comment will be highly appreciated…

Protect Your Valuable Data being Stole through USB drive From Your Computer

Improve Processor Speed In Computers

Auto Shutdown The Non-Responding Application

Hide Hard Drive In Windows XP

Editing Right-Click Menu in Windows XP

Improve System Performance in XP

Remove the Recycle Bin from the Desktop

Increase Bandwidth by 20% in Windows XP

Protect Your Valuable Data being Stole through USB drive From Your Computer

USB is one of the wonderful device through which we can transfer data from one computer to another computer. Many people are using USB flash drive to transfer data. It can transfer data from 1 GB to 65 GB. It is a plug and play device. Unlike other devices, we don’t need any type of drivers to be installed on computer before using it.

USB flash drive has many uses but there is one side effect of USB flash drive is that anybody can stolen data from your computer using it. Suppose if you are working in a News Paper office or in any Educational Organization, there are plenty of data or Information present in Computers. Such as Student information which can be easily taken by any company employee using USB drive. Some times these type of data stolen method becomes the tremendous loss for company.


Here is one of the nice method through which nobody can copy any data from your computer using USB flash drive.

Note:- As these steps involve the changes in Windows Registry. These steps might cause some issue. So, I recommend to back up the registry before performing the changes. Here are the steps to back up the registry.

I. Backing up the registry:

1. Click Start, Run.
2. In the “Open” field type “REGEDIT” (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Click “Registry” in the menu.
5. Click “Export Registry” from the drop down menu this will open a new box.
6. Click the down arrow beside “Save In” and select “Local Disk (C.”
7. In the File Name field type BACKUP.REG.
8. Verify that under the “Export Range”, that the radio button is beside “All”.
9. Click Save.
10. Close the window.

The registry is now backed up.

II. Making changes in the registry to not allow USB data transfer from your computer.

1. Click Start, Run.
2. In the “Open” field type “REGEDIT” (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Click the plus sign (+) beside HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
5. Click the plus sign (+) beside SYSTEM.
6. Click the plus sign (+) beside CurrentControlSet.
7. Click the plus sign (+) beside Control.
11. Right click the Control and Select New >> KEY and give its name as Storage Device Policies.
10. Select the Storage Device Policies and in the right pane, right click on empty space and Select New >> DWORD Value and give its name as Write Protected.
12. Right-click the Storage Device Policies value and choose Modify. The default value will be Zero, change it to 1.
14. Click OK to close the dialog box.
15. Close the registry editor window.
16. Now, Restart the Computer.

Now, nobody can transfer data from your through USB flash drive including you. This technique is very useful in Internet Cafes and various companies.

Improve Processor Speed In Computers

This technique is basically for those persons who are still using the old and very slow processor in their computers. There are many ways by which you can increase you computer performance in Windows. One the way is msconfig. Which is very useful method. However, I would like to share a very nice and effective method by which you can very easily improve your computer’s processor speed. It is a very easy task.


1. Click Start, and click on Run.
2. In the “Open” field type “Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll, processidle Tasks” (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Now, Restart the Computer.
After performing this step, computer will turn off all the idle programs and services which is running in background.

Auto Shutdown The Non-Responding Application

Generally when any application become Non-Responding in Windows Operating System, we open the task manager by using the Keyboard buttons Alt+Ctrl+Del and perform End Task to close the particular program. However, some times the issue becomes so serious that the application won’t terminate just by using Task Manager. And complete system becomes Non Responsive. To resolve this issue, we generally press the Restart button and Restart the Computer. If there is any un-save data then restarting a computer becomes very expensive in the means of un-save data. When we restart the computer, the data will be lost.

There is one very nice way to resolve this issue. In this method, the computer will terminate the program which becomes non-responsive automatically. This is the Windows Registry method to perform this task.

Note:- As these steps involve the changes in Windows Registry. These steps might cause some issue. So, I recommend back up the registry before performing the changes. Here are the steps to back up the registry.

I. Backing up the registry:

1. Click Start, Run.
2. In the "Open" field type "REGEDIT" (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Click "Registry" in the menu.
5. Click "Export Registry" from the drop down menu this will open a new box.
6. Click the down arrow beside "Save In" and select "Local Disk (C:)."
7. In the File Name field type BACKUP.REG.
8. Verify that under the "Export Range", that the radio button is beside "All".
9. Click Save.
10. Close the window.

The registry is now backed up.

II. Making changes in the registry to do Auto terminate the Non-Responsive Programs.

1. Click Start, Run.
2. In the "Open" field type "REGEDIT" (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Click the plus sign (+) beside HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
5. Click the plus sign (+) beside CONTROL PANEL
6. Click the plus sign (+) beside DESKTOP.
7. In the right pane, double click the AUTO END Task.
8. It will open the Property of Auto End Key which contains the default value.
9. In the dialog box that appears, change to 1.
10. Click OK to close the dialog box.
11. Close the registry editor window.
12. Now, Restart the Computer.

Now, you will be surprise, whenever any application in Computer becomes non-responsive the computer will terminate it automatically without causing you to restart it.

Hide Hard Drive In Windows XP

This is a very interesting topic. I would like to share a trick to hide the hard drive in your computer system. After performing this trick, when you open the My Computer then you will find that there is no hard drive exists in My Computer.

As we all know the operating system divides all the devices in computer system with different names. It gives some specific alphabet for CD/DVD drive, alphabet A for Floppy disk drive. Some times, you want to hide the information and data which is saved on your hard drive. To perform this task usually we use some specific software like Folder Lock or hide files by using the Hide option.

Now, I want to share a ultimate method to hide your documents to avail security. Please perform the following steps to hide your hard drive in Windows XP.

Note:- As these steps involve the changes in Windows Registry. These steps might cause some issue. So, I recommend to back up the registry before performing the changes. Here are the steps to back up the registry.

I. Backing up the registry:

1. Click Start, Run.
2. In the "Open" field type "REGEDIT" (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Click "Registry" in the menu.
5. Click "Export Registry" from the drop down menu this will open a new box.
6. Click the down arrow beside "Save In" and select "Local Disk (C:)."
7. In the File Name field type BACKUP.REG.
8. Verify that under the "Export Range", that the radio button is beside "All".
9. Click Save.
10. Close the window.

The registry is now backed up.

II. Making changes in the registry to hide computer’s hard drive.

1. Click Start, Run.
2. In the "Open" field type "REGEDIT" (without quotes.)
3. Click OK.
4. Click the plus sign (+) beside HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
5. Click the plus sign (+) beside Software.
6. Click the plus sign (+) beside Microsoft.
7. Click the plus sign (+) beside Windows.
8. Click the plus sign (+) beside Current Version.
9. Click the plus sign (+) beside Policies.
10. Click the plus sign (+) beside Explorer and Select Explorer.
11. In the right pane, right click on empty space and Select New >> DWORD Value and give its name as NoDrives.
12. Right-click the value and choose Modify.
13. In the dialog box that appears, enter the value as 3FFFFFF and select the Radio Base button to Hexadecimal because this is a Hexadecimal Value.
14. Click OK to close the dialog box.
15. Close the registry editor window.
16. Now, Restart the Computer.

Now, you will be surprise, the complete hard drive will be hide. However, if you like to bring it back, just delete the created key in the registry i.e. NoDrives.

Faults/Errors Rectifications in Computer System

Computer System is not the absolute device. There are many issues computer has. Some of them are very easy to rectify but there are many issues which needs some troubleshooting steps to resolve. I have tried and list out some troubleshooting steps which might resolve the issue. Give is the list of faults/errors and methods are given to rectify those errors. I hope you will find this article very useful.

Error 1 :- SET DEAD (No indicators glowing):

Steps to perform:-

Check power supply cable
ON/OFF switch
Power supply
Power supply output units

Explanation:- Check power supply input cable condition and ON/OFF switch position. Cable may be internally open or ON/OFF switch may be defective. If the input path (cable and switch) is normal check power supply condition. The power supply inside may be effective. Check power supply line filters, rectifier unit, SMPS output transistor ,transformer and input/output voltage fuse condition.

Error 2 :- NO DRIVE DETECTION(HDD)

Steps to perform:-

Check Hard disk,
Cable,
Supply and I/O cards condition,

Explanation:- Check hard disk condition, Hard disk may be internally fai¬lure or hard disk primary slave jumpers may be misplaced, if the jumpers and hard disk condition is normal check hard disk supply. The hard disk supply may be disconnected or supply may be bsent. If the supply is normal check hard disk BUS cable continuity and condition. Cable may be internally open or cable connection may be reverse posi¬tion, if the cable condition and connection is normal check ID card condition, ID card may be defective or ID card Jumpers may be misplaced. Check and replace ID card. If the ID card Built-in mother board (PCI mother board) check CMOS setup, ID card address. If the address is normal, check ID card connectors. If the connectors, address and jumpers condition is normal insert new ID card in I/O port.



Error 3 :- NO COMPORTS WORKING

Steps to perform:-

Check comport connections,
Comport jumpers,
ID card condition.

Explanation:- Check comport connections, the comport connections may be in reverse or comport address may be defective in CMOS setup. If the address and connections is normal check I/O card condition, I/O card may be defective or I/o card jumpers may be defective. If the I/O card is built-in motherboard, check comport address and comport connections. If the address and connections is normal insert new I/O card in I/o port and disable on-board comports in CMOS setup.


Error 4 :- NO LPT WORKING

Steps to perform:-

Check LPT port cable,
LPT port address,
BUS cable,
I/O card condition.

Explanation:- Check LPT port cable continuity and condition, port cable may be internally failure or cable may be in reverse, if the port cable is normal check LPT address in CMOS setup. The address may be defective correct the address. If the address and cable is normal, check I/O card condition and I/O card LPT jumper setting. I/O card LPT jumper setting may be misplaced or I/O card may be defective, check and replace I/O card.

Error 5 :- SERIAL AND PARALLEL PORTS DEAD

Steps to perform:-

Check I/O card,
I/O card jumpers,
I/O card condition.

Explanation:- Check ports connection, port address and port jumpers settings, port address jumper settings may be defective or port cabling may be defective. If the jumpers and cabling is normal check and replace ID card.


Error 6 :- NO LIGHTNING (display information) BUT BEEPING SOUND IS NORMAL

Steps to perform:-

Check monitor,
Monitor supply cable,
Video display card,
Display card condition.

Explanation:- Check monitor indicator is glowing or not, if it is not glowing check monitor ON/OFF switch, monitor supply cable and monitor power supply path. If the indicator is glowing check video display card connection and condition. The display card connection may be defective or display cable may be internally failure. If the display cable and connection is normal, check display card condition. The display card may be loose contact or card may be defective or the video display card memory may be failure (VRAM).

Error 7 :- FDD NOT WORKING

Steps to perform:-

Check floppy drive,
Cable, Supply,
I/O card condition.

Explanation:- Check floppy disk condition, Floppy disk may be inter¬nally failure, Check floppy disk supply. The floppy disk supply may be disconnected or supply may be absent. If the supply is normal check floppy disk BUS cable continuity and condition. Cable may be internally open or cable connection may be reverse position, if the cable condition and connection is normal check ID card condition, ID card may be defective or ID card Jumpers may be misplaced. Check and replace ID card. If the ID card Built-in mother board (PCI mother board) check CMOS setup, ID card address. If the address is normal, check ID card connectors. If the connectors, address and jumpers condition is normal insert new ID card in I/O port.


Error 8 :- NO CD-ROM DETECTION

Steps to perform:-

Check CD-ROM supply,
CD-ROM condition,
BUS cable,
CD-ROM driver software.

Explanation:- Check CD-ROM supply condition and cable connection, the cable connection may be in reverse or the cable connector may be internally failure. If the cable and supply path is normal, check CD-ROM condition. CD-ROM may be internally failure. If the CD-ROM path is normal, check CD-ROM drivers software. The driver software may be improper installation or CD-ROM accessible MSCDEX.EXE file may be corrupted or AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files may be defected.

Error 9 :- MEMORY IMPROPER CHECKING

Steps to perform:-

Check memory,
CMOS setup

Explanation:- Check memory condition and socket connections. The socket connections may be defective or memory type may be mis¬matched. If the RAM and socket Connections is normal check CMOS setup memory parity check condition.

Issue 10 :- AUTOMATIC REBOOTING

Steps to perform:-

Check reset switch,
Reset jumper,
System file condition,
System files may be affected with virus.

Explanation:- Check system reset switch, the reset switch may be loose contact or switch may beinternally affective. If the switch connections and condition is normal, check reset switch jumper in mother board. The reset switch jumper may be in ON condition. Change the jumper connection from reset mode to normal mode. If the reset jumper condition is normal check the system files and software files. In the files may be defective. Scan all files (including system files) by using any virus scanner software.

Issue 11 :- SYSTEM HANGING

Steps to perform:-

Check system bootable files,
CMOS setup.
Mother board,
CPU heat shrink fan.

Explanation:- Check system files condition, the system files may be affected with virus or IO.SYS or MSDOS.SYS files may be corrupt¬ed. If the both system files is normal check COMMAND.COM file area. The COMMAND.COM area may be modified. Scan all files by using any virus scanner software. If the system files and COMMAND.COM is normal, check CPU, Heat shrink fan. The heat shrink fan may not be working.

Issue 12 :- SYSTEM SPEED BECOME A LOW

Steps to perform:-

Check system bootable files,
CMOS setup,
Mother board,
CPU heat shrink fan.

Explanation:- Check system files condition, the system files may be affected with virus, IO.SYS or MSDOS.SYS files may be corrupt¬ed. If the both system files is normal check COMMAND.COM file area. The COMMAND.COM area may be modified, scan all files and COMMAND.COM area is normal, check CPU, heat shrink fan, heat shrink fan is not working.

Issue 13 :- FLICKERING INFORMATION

Steps to perform:-

Check monitor connection,
Supply cable,
Monitor control card (display card).

Explanation:- Check monitor signal cable, the signal may be defective or monitor brightness control may be loose contact. If the monitor and cable condition is normal check input supply cable. The input supply cable may be loose contact. Check and replace supply cable. If the supply path is normal check video display card connections, check video display card connected I/O slot. The connected I/O slot may be loose connection or the I/O card may be defective. Check and replace display card. Before replacing the display card, check VRAM condition.

Issue 14 :- SYSTEM NOT BOOTING (system files and COM files is normal condition)

Steps to perform:-

Check hard disk partition tables,
CMOS setup,
CMOS setup boot sequence.

Explanation:- Check CMOS setup boot sequence condition and hard disk mode. If the mode and sequence is normal check hard disk condition. The hard disk may be affected with virus. Boot the system from externally (through fresh bootable floppy). After booting the system scan the hard disk and hard disk partition tables by using any virus scanner, the partition tables may be affected with virus. After scanning the hard disk and partition tables, restart the system by using power ON/OFF switch.


Issue 15 :- FDISK COMMAND NOT WORKING

Steps to perform:-

Check hard disk,
Fdisk (Format Disk) command, (using any format disk usage)
Hard disk partition table condition.

Explanation:- Before using FDISK command scan the hard disk by using any virus scanner, after completing the scanning check hard disk partition by using FDISK command, after scanning also FDISK command is not working check FDISK command and hard disk mode in CMOS setup.

Issue 16 :- FLOPPIES NOT READING BUT NO FDD ERROR

Steps to perform:-

Check floppy disk condition,
CMOS setup FDD reading setup.

Explanation:- Check floppy drive condition, the floppy drive reading head motor may be failure or reading head may be defec¬tive. If the reading head motor and head is normal, check floppy drive drum motor. The drum motor may be not rotating. Check and replace floppy disk drive. Before replacing the floppy drive, check CMOS setup floppy reading address.

Issue 17 :- SET DEAD BUT ALL INDICATORS GLOWING

Steps to perform:-

Check mother board supply,
CPU condition,
Pulse goods signals (P.G signals).


Explanation:- Check power supply output P.G signals and mother board input supply connections ( +5v, 12v, -5v, -12v, P.G sig¬nals and ground). In this input connections any one supply connection may be absent. If the supply condition is normal check CPU and BUS control IC's. The CPU may be internally fai¬lure. Check and replace CPU. Before replacing the CPU check BUS control IC's and memory IC's.

I know the issues or errors are not the complete error list. There are many errors which are not addressed in this article. If your computer showing any error or if you are experiencing any issue which is not addressed in this article then please contacts me. I will do my best to help you.

Thanks,


******

Windows XP Trick

Editing Right-Click Menu in Windows XP

It is a common problem in windows XP. Whenever you install any new program that themselves put or add it to right click menu of your files. Like Winrar or any text editor softwares. I have seen some people have right click menu so long that we can’t see the properties and rename option. And it takes some time to load this long list. I have one nice and easy way to remove those unwanted items from your right click menu. Here are the steps to remove the context menu of win rar. Like this way you can remove other software items also.

1. Click Start

2. Click Run

3. Type REGEDIT in the box provided next to "Open:"

4. Click OK.

5. Browse for the following path.Mycomputer\HKEY_ClASSES_ROOT\ * \shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

6. Now you will some of the programs added to your right click menu.

7. Select the program folder(in this case WinRar) and simple double click the default value of the program on the right hand pane and rename the value by placing a period or dash in front of it.

8. Now, exit the registry, refresh and right click a file to see if the item was removing from the menu.