Computer Tips

• How to enable the Hibernation feature in windows XP

In windows environment, the hibernation is a built-in feature used to increases your work performance and also minimizes the windows startup time. For example, if you have to keep open a lot of files and windows applications then you can leave you system in hibernate mode without closing the open programs. When you restart computer after hibernation, all the running files and applications will be restore as you have left them. Windows store the all hibernated information in the Hiberfil.sys file using system root folder. The size of this file is roughly equal to the RAM of your system.

Follow the given steps to activate the hibernation in windows XP:

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

First click on Start button> Control Panel, click on Performance and Maintenance then click on Power Options.

A new "Power Options Properties" dialog box will appear, select Hibernate tab and then select the "Enable hibernation" check box to enable the hibernate feature.

• How to preview the Word documents without opening

In Microsoft Word, you can preview the document list within Word without having to open the document. This tip is very useful, if you have many word files and are not sure which file contain the information that you need. Almost all versions of Word support this feature to view all word file as preview one by one.

Follow the given steps to preview the word document without having to open the document:

First click on Start button, go to Program then click on Microsoft Word to run the word application.

Now go to File menu and click on Open option to open any word file. Here a small dialog will appear with title "Open".

• How to disable the "Turn Off Computer" button in windows XP

Today tip is very useful particularly for those users who want to restrict the common users to shutdown public computer in common areas. You can disable the "Turn off Computer" button on the start menu and a common user will not "Turn Off, Restart and Stand By" a computer. Using registry editor, you can implement this task in all windows XP versions with minimum effort.

Follow the given steps to disable Turn off Computer" button on the start menu:

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

Click Start button and type regedit in Run option then press Enter for next.

Here locate the location to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Here in right side panel, right click to create a new DWORD value with the name NoClose.

• How to delete files that are used by other programs in windows XP/Vista

Today tip will help you to delete the files and folders that are being used by another programs and applications, for example a virus affected file. You have tried to delete such kind of files or folders and received the any following messages.

• Cannot delete file: the file is in use by the other program

• Cannot delete file: There has been a sharing violation

• Cannot delete file: The file is in use by another program or user

• Cannot delete file: Disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

• Cannot delete file: The source or destination file may be in use

Normally, a windows restart will allow you to delete such files or folders that are being used by other program, but if you want to manage it without restart your computer then simply you need to download a freeware tool called Unlocker.

You can download this tool for any windows version using Unlocker link. Download it and run the easy setup.

After installation, right click on file or folder that you want to delete and select the option Unlocker.

If your requested file or folder is used or locked by other application then a small window listing of lockers will appear.

Here simply click on “Unlock All” button and now you can easily delete this file.

• A Quick way to print a Document

There are many ways to prints a document, but you can print a document quickly if you put a shortcut to the printer on your desktop and drag a document icon to it, no need to open file for printing just drag a file to printer icon and get your print.

• How you can add a Shortcut Key to Your Internet Connection

This basic and common way to dial the internet connection using giving path:

• Click on Start Button > sittings then click on Network and dial-up connections option, here you can dial your internet connection.

• Another way to dial your internet connection if you have a shortcut to your internet connection on your desktop. Simply boot your system and dial your internet connection from your desktop shortcut.

• Adding Internet Prefixes and Suffixes Automatically

Here's a cool tip for accessing a Web page from any Windows address bar. You can enter any string of characters in an address bar and then press Ctrl-Enter; Windows will automatically add both "www" and ".com", and then search for the page on the Internet. For example, if we type

computerfreetips

in an address bar and then press Ctrl-Enter, Windows will take us to the

computerfreetips

Web site at www.computerfreetips.com. Give it a try.

• Are You Ready for SP2 and why you install it

Windows XP's Service Pack 2 basically a windows update and it is very necessary to secure your windows XP from virus, worm and other security problems. Window's XP SP2 are available on Microsoft site and ready to download without any cast. If you're ready to install this major OS update, you can check out the info at:

• How to find a lost file on your Computer

Today tip will help you to enjoy the quick and easy way to find lost files on your computer. Here I recommends you, try to search a file with its file extensions (for example for word file, type *.doc, Excel *.xls, Acrobat *.pdf, *.ppt and *.exe for executable files. If you don't know the name of file but know that it contains a string of text then try to search for files containing specific text, type the text you want to find from any file or folder. This is time taking process but creates very precise result. In Look in, click the drive, folder, or network you want to search. To save time, always select the specified drive or location instead of whole computer.

Click Start Button, point to Search, and then click For File or Folders, a Search Results dialog box will appear. In Search for files or folders named, type the file name or folder name you want to find in containing text.

To specify additional search criteria, click Search Options, and then click one or more of the following options to narrow your search:

• Select Date to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates.
• Select Type to look for files of a specific type, such as a text or WordPad document.
• Select Size to look for files of a specific size.
• Select Advanced Options to specify additional search criteria.
• Click Search now.

• Windows Hot shortcut keys

Win Press windows key to open start menu

Win+R Apply to open Run dialog box

Win+M Apply to minimize all opened windows

Win+Shift+M Apply to maximize all opened windows

Win+L Press keys to lock keyboard in windows XP

Win+E Press keys to open My Computer

Win+F Apply to open search options

Win+U Apply keys to open Utility Manager

Win+D To view desktop/minimize all windows

Win+F1 To view the detail windows help page

Win+Pause To view the System Properties dialog box

Win+Tab Move through taskbar programs

Win+F+Ctrl Apply to open search for computers

Alt+Tab Move through opened windows programs

Alt+F4 Press keys to close active windows program

Alt+Enter Apply to open properties of selected item

Alt+ SPACEBAR Open the system menu of active window

Alt+ SPACEBAR +N Press keys to minimize the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR +R Press keys to restore the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR+C Press keys to close the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR+X Press keys to maximize the active program

Alt+ SPACEBAR+M Press keys to move the active program

Ctrl+Alt+Delete Apply to open windows task manager

Ctrl+Shift+Esc Apply to open windows task manager

Ctrl+Esc Press keys to open start menu

Shift Shift key to prevent CD from automatically playing

Shift+Delete To delete items permanently

• How to adding your favorite image to a folder

Dear friends here I have a very useful and interesting tip for you. Sometimes you have to face some problem to distinguish the folders because in standard configuration of window explorer each folder seems closely the similar to others.

If you want to explore your folder in windows explorer's thumbnail view and make these folders are prominent then it is easier to distinguish using text name, for example you're download audio files or digital photos. But if you want to add image to a folder to distinguish with others then you should choose that folder which you want to decorate.

First open Window Explorer and right click on the folder to display the folder menu. Now choose Properties option from the menu, here a new dialog windows will appear with title "Program Properties".

• How to restrict user's to access shutdown button

This tip is very interesting for home and some small office users, who wants to restrict user's ability to shutdown their computer. You can hide the Shutdown button from the Start menu using registry editor and also restrict access to shutdown, if a user clicks on Ctrl+Alt+Del.

Follow the given steps to hide system shutdown button from start menu:

• To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with

administrative rights.

• Click Start button and type regedit in Run option then press Enter for next.

• Here locate the location to:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer

• Here in right side panel, right click to create a new DWORD value with name NoClose.

• Now assign number 1 to its value data box.

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

• But next time, if you want to unhide the shutdown button then simply change the value data box to 0 or delete this DWORD item.

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

• How to create a System State data backup

Using System State backup technique, you can create the backup of windows critical components on any system drive and this backup file can be used if the original copy is lost, damaged, or destroyed. On windows 2000/XP/Vista, system state data wizard backed up the following components.

• Windows registry

• Windows boot files

• COM+ class registration database
  

• 
  

But if you are running domain controller, system state data wizard backed up the following components.

• Active Directory

• System volume (SYSVOL)

• Windows registry

• Windows boot files

• COM+ class registration database

Follow the given steps to run System State data backup wizard:

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

First click on Start button> All programs> Accessories> System Tools then click on Backup.

Now by default backup wizard will start, click on advanced mode option to change the backup settings.

Here a dialog box will appear with title "Backup Utility", select "Welcome" tab and click on Backup Wizard [Advanced] button to create backup of windows important components.

Click on Next button to continue backup wizard.

Now select option "Only back up the System State date" on what to back up page and click on Next button.

Here click on Browse button to specify the destination for backup file and also set backup file name under "Type a name for this backup" box then click on Next button.

Now verify your selected settings and click on Finish button to start backup process.

• How you can Automate the DIR Command

If your are using same switches frequently in Command prompt then open your system command prompt using open Run option

Click Start and open Run option then type cmd to open command prompt, here type

set dircmd=/w/o/p

then press Enter, now every time thereafter that you type

dir

the /w/o/p switches will be automatically applied and now need to type every time. If your are interested to use single switch like /w you can use it

set dircmd=/w

and press Enter.

and same if you wants to undo these switches then you can very easily by typing

dir /-switch

For example, if you wanted to do a directory with only the /w switch, you could enter

dir /-p/-o

When you exit the Command prompt window, however, the Dircmd setting returns to its default settings.

• How to set specified folder view to all Folder Views in windows XP and Vista

Today tip will help you to manage the specified view of all folders in windows XP and Vista. By default, you have options to choose the view of folders contents as thumbnails, titles, icons, list or display with details. But this change will apply on the folders that you are currently working in. On the other hand, with the just few more clicks, you can change the view of all the folders on your computer.

Follow the given steps to accomplish this task through the Folder Options dialog box.

First of all open any folder, click "View" and choose the view you would most like to use.

Now from the Tools menu, click on Folder Options" to open the Folder Options dialog box.

Here on Folder Options dialog box, select the View tab.

At the top of the dialog box, click Apply to all folders button.

Now a new confirmation message will appear as "Set all the folders on your computer to match the current folders view settings (except for toolbars and folder task)? Change will occur the next time you open them."

Click OK in the Folder Options window to save the changes.

Now all the folders on your computer should display contents in your chosen view. As before, you can still change the view in individual folders via the "View" button.

• How to enjoy Windows Media Player using shortcuts keys

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

Shortcut keys Action

ALT+1 Adjust zoom to 50 percent

ALT+2 Adjust zoom to 100 percent

ALT+3 Adjust zoom to 200 percent

ALT+ENTER Display the video in full mode

ALT+F Go to media player File Menu

ALT+T Go to media player Tools Menu

ALT+V Go to media player View Menu

ALT+P Go to media player Play Menu

ALT+F4 Use to close media player

CTRL+1 Display media player in full mode

CTRL+2 Display media player in skin mode

CTRL+B Use to play the previous item in media player

CTRL+F Use to play the next item in media player

CTRL+E Use to Eject CD or DVD from CD or DVD drive

CTRL+P Use to Play or Pause the item in media player

CTRL+T Use to Repeat the items in media player

CTRL+SHIFT+B Use to Rewind a file in media player

CTRL+SHIFT+F Use to Fast Forward a file in media player

CTRL+SHIFT+S Use to play items slower than a normal speed

CTRL+SHIFT+ G Use to play items faster than a normal speed

CTRL+SHIFT+ N Use to play items at normal speed in media player

F8 Use to mute the volume in media player

F9 Use to decrease the volume in media player

F10 Use to increase the volume in media player

ENTER or SPACEBAR Use to play an item

• How to enable/disable the compressed (zipped) folder feature in XP

Today tip will help you to enable/disable the built-in feature of compression or de-compression in windows XP. Windows display the several default frequently used shortcuts in "Send To" menu, for example Compressed (zipped) Folder and others. But if you want to use any third-party application in windows XP for compression or de-compression then you can disable this windows built-in compressed folder feature.

Follow the given steps to disable the windows built-in compressed folder feature:

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

Click Start button and then click on Run option to open run dialog box.

Now type the following command in Run box and press Ok button.

A small message will appear with title "RegSvr32" and the message is "DllUnregisterServer in C:\WINDOWS\system32\zipfldr.dll succeeded." Click on Ok button.

Now right click on any file or folder to verify the change.

Follow the given steps to enable the windows built-in compressed folder feature:

Now again click Start button and click on Run option to open run dialog box.

Now type the following command in Run box and press Ok button.

regsvr32 %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll

A small message will appear with title "RegSvr32" and the message is "DllUnregisterServer in C:\WINDOWS\system32\zipfldr.dll succeeded." Click on Ok button.

Now right click on any file or folder to verify the change.

• How to add new destinations to "Send To" menu in windows XP

In windows environment, the Send To command is used to transfer files from one location to different locations. By using this command, a user can quickly send his file between default destinations (default lists in Send To menu, for example Desktop, CD/DVD Drive, My Documents, Mail Recipient and Floppy Drive). These are the default Send To menu lists in windows XP. To increase the data transfer speed between different locations, you can add more new destination in Send To lists.

Follow the given steps to add new destinations to Send To lists:

First click on Start button and type sendto in Run option then press Ok button.

A window will appear with default Send To lists (Compressed (zipped) Folder, Desktop (create shortcut), Mail Recipient, My Documents).

Now using drag-and-drop technique (or using copy and paste method), you can move any program, folders and drives shortcuts to this folder.

Now you can verify, your new shortcut is created in Send To menu.

But next times, if you want to delete any destination, then open the Sent To folder and remove the destination shortcut.

• View previously open Folders after Shutdown or Logoff

If you need to access lot of folders on your home computer or on the network regularly then you can set them re-open automatically, when you will login, shutdown or restart your computer next time. There is no need to open regularly used folders manually, just configure the simple sitting, your computer will automatically reload all the previously opened windows.

By default windows XP disables this option to reload automatically all the previously opened windows, when you login on, shutdown or restart your computer.

Follow the given steps to configure your computer to reload previously opened folders automatically after shutdown.

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

• First click on Start button then go to Control Panel.

• 

• Open the “Appearance and Themes” option in control panel then click on Folder Options.

• 

• A small windows dialog box will appear with the title “Folder options”, click on View tab.

• Under the Advanced setting section, scroll down to bottom and click the “Restore previous folder windows at logon” option and then click Ok button to save sitting.

• 

• Now when you log off, restart or shutdown, your computer will automatically open the previously opened folders from the same location as before.

• How to change the boot Time in window XP

You can set the boot time in windows XP as your wish if you are install two operating systems on same computer, for example window 2000 with windows XP or more than two. Yow can do this with editing Boot.ini file. Here you can also set the sequence for operating system which operating system boot first.

First Right Click on My Computer option and then select its Properties. In next dialog box open Advanced tab button. Under Startup and Recovery, click on the Settings button. Use the spin box "Time to display list of operating systems" to set the number of seconds you want the system to wait before automatically starting the default operating system. Here you will set time in seconds and its range start from 0 and ends with 999 seconds.

After set the time, then click OK option to close the dialog box to save your change. The next time you restart, the new time will take effect.

• How to download the windows latest updates automatically

Friends, I hope you are enjoying the all my tips to play with your computer secrets. My today tips will help you to download the latest windows features. All Microsoft Windows versions support to run window updates automatically but today we will discuss this feature in windows XP only.

You can enable this option to run windows update automatically when your computer will be connected to the internet. Through this service you can check the Microsoft website for downloadable improvements to the operating system and security patches also. These latest updates will protect your computer from the attacks of latest viruses and potential hackers. Windows Update is free of cost and important service that is why always makes sure its running on your computer.

Follow the given steps to enable this important feature on your computer:

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

Click Start button and go to Settings then click on Control Panel option. Now system will open the Control Panel windows with different categories.

Just click on System option, a small System Properties dialog box will appear with many options like System Restore, Remote and Automatic Updates and others.

Click on Automatic Updates tab, if it is not selected already then click on “Automatic (recommended)” box. Then this will display the different setting to continually check Microsoft’s website for updates.

Here you can pick a download and installation schedule or select the option “Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed” in the section of settings. Through this option you can download updates automatically and it will install the updates immediately.

If you wait a day or two before installing an updates to make sure there are not any serious bugs reported about the latest patch you can check it through Microsoft website. Now click on Ok button to finish the process.

• How to increase your Laptop Battery's Life

Dear friends you have read many interesting tips from my site and I think you have gained more knowledge from them. Now I have a more interesting tip to increase your Laptop's battery life. There is no matter, laptop manufactures gives you the guarantee about the battery that how long it works. The battery of laptop always stops working very early at some stage in essential research, just like when you are watching a DVD movie.

Follow the few steps to increase the laptop battery's life:

Lower the backlighting on your screen.

The screen of your Laptop takes up significant amount of power and you do not require its maximum brightness. You should have to check your system and decrease the screen brightness it to a comfortable point.

Stop your wireless signal when you are not using.

After turning off your Laptop can save max. 20 minutes of your laptop's battery time because WiFi can use a considerable quantity of power. By right clicking you can stop your WiFi signal when you are not using.

Manage the correct power scheme in XP

Windows XP contain a number of predetermined power plans, which control settings like how rapidly your laptop turns off and when your screen saver boots in. You can change your laptop power scheme by choosing Control Panel > Power Options. For max. Battery life from the "Power scheme" chooses the option "Max. Battery" and decline the list. There are good choices for you just like "Low Power Mode" and Portable /Laptop. They don't conserve as much power as Max Battery. After selecting a power scheme you click Ok button to finish the process.

• How to Save a Search for future reference in windows XP

Before reading this tip you have read many tips in means of word "Search" but you will be surprised to read this tip which I have brought for you today. If you regularly execute the same search, for example you are searching for Word documents that include the phrase "command for disaster recovery" ------ you don't need to retype these words again and again when ever you are searching. Here you can save your searching words for future search. If you do advanced searches just like size of file name or date, and execute the same search over and over.

Follow the given steps to save search phrase for future search:

First click on Start button> go to Search then click on "For File and Folders..." option.

Now select the search criteria and perform the search to find any phrase, because you have to run a search before you can save it.

Go to File menu and click on "Save Search" to save search phrase, then choose where you want to save the file.

Normally, Window XP saves the search in your "My Documents" folder, But you can save it in any folder. Actually, if you plan to save a lot of searches; you might want to create a separate folder for them.

When you want to run the search again, find the file and double click on it. When you save a search, Windows XP creates a file named after named after the main criteria of your search. For example, if you search for all .doc files that contain the phrase "command for disaster recovery" and which have been modified in the past month, windows names the file "Files including text command for disaster recovery.find." You can rename the file, but make sure, always ends in the .find extension, for example, "Command for disaster recovery.find".

• How to restore the windows XP to a previous working state

Today tip is very useful to recover the windows XP problems and then restore it in previous working state. You can recover the windows critical components and return your computer to earlier state without loss of personal data using windows XP built-in system restore feature. With new programs being installed, viruses infecting and spyware creates problem in your browsers it is not unusual for your computer to suddenly stop behaving correctly. So you can perform the windows recovery process and return your computer to earlier state within a minute.

Follow the given steps to run System Restore wizard:

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

First click on Start button> All programs> Accessories> System Tools then click on System Restore.

Now a "Welcome to System Restore" wizard will start, first read the detail instruction on left side of the page.

On right side of the page, click on "Restore my computer to an earlier time" check box under "To begin, select the task that you want to perform" area and then click on Next button.

On the "Select a Restore Point" page, click on bold date option, but try to use a restore

date as close as possible to a time just before the problem started then click on Next

button.

Now a next page will appear with title "Confirm Restore Point Selection", to restore your

computer to this date and time then click on Next button to start the restore process.

Now system restore process recover the previous windows settings and your computer

will restart with "Restoration Complete" message, click Ok button to finish the process.

• How to add or remove new font in Windows XP

The font represents the physical characteristics of the letters typed into the document. By default Microsoft windows XP has different types of font, for example:

• Verdana (TrueType)

• MS Serif

• MS Sans Serif

• Arial (TrueType)

• Times New Roman (TrueType)

• Symbol (TrueType)

• Wingdings (TrueType)

If you want to add new fonts in windows XP, then first make sure, these new fonts must be TrueType fonts (Font Standard) or particularly designed for windows.

To install new fonts in your computer

• Follow the given steps to add new fonts in windows default font folder:

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

• First click on Start button and type %windir%\fonts in Run option then press Ok button.

• 

• Go to File menu and click on Install New Font option, in the drives box, select the drives (hard drive, CD-drive or Floppy drive) that contains the new fonts. Here you can also select the Network option to install the font from network location.

• 

• Select the new fonts and check the option "Copy fonts to Fonts folder" then press Ok button to finish the process.

• 

To Removing Fonts in your computer

• Follow the given steps to add new fonts in windows default font folder:

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

• First click on Start button and type %windir%\fonts in Run option then press Ok button.

• First select the font that you want to remove, Press CTRL key to select more than one font. Now go to File menu and click on Delete option.

• 

• Here a prompt will appear "Are you sure you want to delete these fonts?", then press Ok button to finish the process.

• How to Preview Windows before Switching using Alt+Tab keys

Today tips will really impress you to provide the detail preview of application window icons using the Microsoft PowerToy. Sometimes you are confused about all that files which you have opened different time and you want to preview all windows before switching to them.

Here I will tell you how you can preview windows applications before switching to them.

First press the Alt+ Tab keys to preview the icons of running windows applications. When you have done this step then window will display a box which contain all that programs and windows you have opened. You have to hold down the Alt keys to switch them. You keep tabbing when you are doing this until you have highlighted one of them.

You are flying blind when you are using Alt+Tab keys. You can’t see a window before switching to it. This will create problem for you when you have opened many windows in a program and you don’t know about that file which you will be switching to.

Here I have solution for this problem. Here is an Alt+ Tab Replacement tweak which is named as Microsoft PowerToy. Jest visit the following link to download it from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx

After you have downloaded this tweak then first run the setup to install it. After installing, when you will use the Alt+ Tab keys you will get a preview of that window which you are going to switching.

• How to use your own picture for User Account

Hi friends I have brought many surprising and useful tips for you but today my tip is very interesting. By using this tip you can use your own picture for your account. Windows XP gives you full control to manage your account information, but one of the most interesting thing is that the method you can modify it to reproduce your personality. There are many windows default pictures such as plastic frogs and rubber duckies provided by Microsoft for user accounts. All pictures are fine and good but sometimes you might desire some more private and nice-looking picture with your name.

In addition, you want to see your picture every time when you log on your computer and also every time you click on the start menu.

Follow the given steps to add any specific picture on welcome screen:

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

First of all, scan your picture and save it with .bmp, .gif and .jpg format.

Click Start button, go to Settings > Control Panel and click on User Accounts option.

Under User Accounts page, click on your account name and then click on "Change my picture" option.

After that click on "Browse for more pictures" and go to the folder that contains the picture that you have chosen.

Select the picture and then click on OK button, and your picture will come into view in place of existing Picture area of User Account screen. It also can be visible on your logon screen and on the start menu.

• How you can Change The Recycle Bin's Name

You can change the name of Recycle Bin of your system if you wish. It is very easy and interesting but it require some changes in windows registry,

• First click on Start button > click on Run option.
• Type here regedit.exe and press enter then you will find there regedit editor.
• In regedit editor you will open HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT folder, In this folder open the CLSID folder then open the {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} folder >ShellFolder folder at last.
• Here simply change the data value from "40 01 00 20" to "70 01 00 20".

After performing all above steps restart your computer then you will find option to rename Recycle name after right clicking on Recycle Bin Icon. Now you can change new name as you wish.

• How to start windows programs quickly with Run Command

The run option of Start menu is used to run a program or to open a document directly. If you do not know the exact location of the program or document then click on Start button to open Run and type the programs shortcut name to open it directly.

Run Commands

• appwiz.cpl -- Used to run Add/Remove wizard

• Calc --Calculator

• Cfgwiz32 --ISDN Configuration Wizard

• Charmap --Character Map

• Chkdisk --Repair damaged files

• Cleanmgr --Cleans up hard drives

• Clipbrd --Windows Clipboard viewer

• Control --Displays Control Panel

• Cmd --Opens a new Command Window

• Control mouse --Used to control mouse properties

Dcomcnfg --DCOM user security

Debug --Assembly language programming tool

Defrag --Defragmentation tool

Drwatson --Records programs crash & snapshots

Dxdiag --DirectX Diagnostic Utility

Explorer --Windows Explorer

Fontview --Graphical font viewer

Fsmgmt.msc -- Used to open shared folders

Firewall.cpl -- Used to configure windows firewall

Ftp -ftp.exe program

Hostname --Returns Computer's name

Hdwwiz.cpl -- Used to run Add Hardware wizard

Ipconfig --Displays IP configuration for all network adapters

Logoff -- Used to logoff the computer

MMC --Microsoft Management Console

Msconfig --Configuration to edit startup files

Mstsc -- Used to access remote desktop

Mrc -- Malicious Software Removal Tool

Msinfo32 --Microsoft System Information Utility

Nbtstat --Displays stats and current connections using NetBIOS over TCP/IP

Netstat --Displays all active network connections

Nslookup--Returns your local DNS server

Osk ---Used to access on screen keyboard

Perfmon.msc -- Used to configure the performance of Monitor.

Ping --Sends data to a specified host/IP

Powercfg.cpl -- Used to configure power option

Regedit --Registry Editor

Regwiz -- Registration wizard

Sfc /scannow -- System File Checker

Sndrec32 --Sound Recorder

Shutdown -- Used to shutdown the windows

Spider -- Used to open spider solitaire card game

Sfc / scannow -- Used to run system file checker utility.

Sndvol32 --Volume control for soundcard

Sysedit -- Edit system startup files

Taskmgr --Task manager

Telephon.cpl -- Used to configure modem options.

Telnet --Telnet program

Tracert --Traces and displays all paths required to reach an internet host

Winchat -- Used to chat with Microsoft

Wmplayer -- Used to run Windows Media player

Wab -- Used to open Windows address Book.

WinWord -- Used to open Microsoft word

Winipcfg --Displays IP configuration

Winver -- Used to check Windows Version

Wupdmgr --Takes you to Microsoft Windows Update

Write -- Used to open WordPad

• How you can Browsing Your Computer via the Address Toolbar

Here is a very cool tip to open your system drive and web page quickly. You can open any web page without opening browser, windows will automatically open your windows browser and open your web page. you can do this if you put an Address Bar on your Taskbar.

Right click on your system taskbar > go to Toolbars and then click no Address option, here you will see a mark on Address option. After this a Address Bar will appear on your system Taskbar, you can open any web page by typing URL name here and press Enter, Windows will automatically open your web page in be default set browser.

You can also browse files and folders on your computer by using the Address Bar. simply type drive letter like C:\ , D:\ in Address Bar and Press Enter.

C:\

• How to disable auto-start applications on windows startup

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.

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.

Click Start button and type msconfig in Run option then press Enter for next.

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

Now select Startup tab and uncheck the applications that you want to disable from windows startup.

Now click on Apply button to implement the changes then click on Ok button to end the configuration process.

Again close the all program and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

• How to logoff your computer automatically after a period of inactivity

Today tip will help you to log off your computer automatically after some specific period of inactivity. Because most of the users left logged on their computer may represent a security threat for the company. For this purpose, first install the Winexit.scr tools that includes in Windows 2003 Resource Kit (rktools.exe) and you can free download it from Microsoft site.

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

After installing the rktools.exe setup, locate the Winexit.scr file in the following location

C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools

Here right click no Winexit.scr file and select the Install option.

A Display Properties dialog box will appear, select Screen Saver tab and choose "Logoff Screen Saver" entry under the Screen saver area.

Now click on Setting button, again a small dialog box will appear with the title "WinExit Setup Dialog".

Here select the "Force application termination" check box under the "Force logoff" area

and type the number of seconds in "Countdown for n seconds" box under Time to logoff area.

Now type the message that appears during the logoff countdown timer in the "Logoff Message" box

and click on Ok button.

Click on "Preview" button to verify the settings.

Here a small dialog box will appear with the title "Auto logoff in progress", it displays the countdown

timer and logoff message.

Click on Cancel then Ok button to finish the process.

• 
  

• How you Changing the Icon Spacing in XP

You can manage your desktop icons in windows XP horizontally as well as vertically spacing. You can change the location, size of icons and spacing between icons manually but you can arrange these setting using windows methods.

First Right click on your windows XP desktop then click on Properties option. Here click the Appearance tab then go to Advance button and under Item you will find many options to change the desktop icons, for example choose icon spacing in both ways and then here you can change the size putting number (minimum or maximum) under size. When you finished all setting then click ok button.

• How to Choose The Sounds For Each Windows Event

Here is a cool tip to choose the sounds for each windows event, you can get these sounds files using windows special sound folders but you can add sounds from any third source

• First Click on Start button, Control Panel and then Click the Sounds and audio devices icon.

• Click on sounds option , select it and then click Browse button.

• After clicking browse option you will go c:\WINNT > Media or Sounds folder (windows default sounds folder), but you can add sounds here from any third source.

• Simply locate here the sound file you want to associate with the selected event and double-click it.

• Now you can play this sound file in preview to observe if your like the sound file or not.

• Click OK, and then Click OK again to close the dialog box.

• How you can save Energy using Energy saving feature

You can save your system energy applying these feature.

• First Right click on our your system desktop and a popup menu will appear.

• Select the Properties option from the menu.

• Click Screen Saver tab and then select Power button, here you will get Power saving sitting option for your monitor.

• Select your power scheme from available option, for example turn off monitor time, turn off hard disk and stand by your system.

• At the end Click OK button to apply the selected scheme.

Here is a cool tip to choose the sounds for each windows event, you can get these sounds files using windows special sound folders but you can add sounds from any third source.

• Graphic Card

The graphic card is one of the most important pieces of hardware in your PC. Without it, your super monitor with all the bells and whistles is just a junk box.

Make Directional Input

Most video cards come with simple frame capture programs, but you'll have to do some programming if you plan to integrate video capture with other operations on your computer, such as adding text data as an overlay or changing video-in channels on the fly. In this case you'll need good programming libraries in a language with which you are familiar for the video card. Some companies include libraries with their cards, but most charge extra. Most often libraries, when available, are for C or BASIC, and sometimes Pascal.

Choose Between 24 bit and 32 bit

For True Color mode, some graphic cards offer 24 bit while some offer 32 bit. Which is the best? When True Colour mode was first suggested, it utilizes 32 bit which was very pleasing to the eye, they realize that 24 (with less coolers) won't look much different since the human eye can only take about a certain amount of colors. On the other hand, 24 bit will run faster compared to 32 bit because it uses less colors. So if your card utilizes 24 bit, don't worry, it isn't bad.

Always Use The Latest Drivers

Yes, it is important to make sure you always have the latest drivers. The latest drivers will offer you better performance, more utilities and more compatibility (usually for DirectX or Direct3D). Take the effort to check you card manufacturer's site to look for the latest driver updates.

• CD-ROM

The maximum a floppy disk can contain is 1.44 MB. To play a game with around 200 MB you are stuck with 100 over diskettes. The CD-ROM is a revolutionary invention that allows up to 625 MB at one time. However, it is read only, which means you can't store in anything.

Buttons Fun

Although most CD-ROMs comes with only 2 buttons, do you know you can also skip, play previous track and play the next track as well with a proper combination? Check properly on your instruction manual for additional functions. You just might be surprised what it can do.

Clean Thoroughly

It is important to clean the CR-ROM at least once every month. Get a CD lens cleaner. If possible, choose one with an alcohol solution drop. This should ensure that your CD-ROM will always be able to read properly.

Clean You CDs

It is just as important to clean your CDs often. Why? Because if you have a speck of dust on the surface of one of your CDs, once spinning at high-speed in the drive, the speck of dust is enough to produce scratches on your precious CD.

Running In DOS

One of the common problems with CD-ROMs is unable to access it under DOS. This might be because the protected-mode CD-ROM driver isn't available. You'll need to add the real-mode device driver, usually included with your CD-ROM drive, in CONFIG.SYS and load MSCDEX.EXE, which is available in the Windows\Command folder. You should also make sure both files are on your startup disk.

Run List

Like those cool expensive hi-fi systems, you can customize the run list of your Audio CD, only not with the CD-ROM itself. Use Windows' CD player to customize the run list and you can have your CD running in any track order you like.

Read Ahead

The read ahead buffer is useful to speed up things. Go to Control Panel, System. Click on the Performance tab. Click on the File System... button. On the File System Properties, click on CD-ROM. Make sure you have the fullest cache. Even if you have a CD-ROM with less than Quad speed, just move ahead. You'll be surprised to find your CD-ROM running faster.

• How to backup of your computer installed drivers

You can easily create the backup of your computer installed drivers (just the particular or all drivers) and use it to troubleshoot any driver problems. This backup will be very useful when you will format your computer window due to any reason. There is no need to search the drivers from internet or drivers CD, just import the driver backup and within five minute, you will complete the driver installation process. You can move this backup from one computer to other computer for installation.
To complete the all process, we will use a simple tool called DriverMax. Using this tool, we can easily export the backup of any specific or all drivers and then import it for reinstallation later or elsewhere. You can free download (with free registration code) this tool for windows XP and Vista also. Download it and run the easy setup.

After Installation launch DriverMax, the first screen you will get with title "DriverMax - Version" and options "Export drivers, Import drivers and Installed drivers report". Just click on "Export Driver" option to start backup process.

Now after welcome screen, system will take few seconds to create the list of all installed drivers and then show you all installed drivers list.

Here you can select any specific device driver or click on "Select all" button to create the backup of entire installed drivers.

Press the Next button and in next screen you can select the export type (simple backup or in zip format) and then choose the backup location (always choose drive other than C drive).

Again press the Next and system will take some time (depend upon the size of your drivers) to finish exporting the selected drivers.

Click the "Open extraction folder button" to view the backup files or press Close button to finish it.

Now you can use this backup files (using import option) to restore drivers backup or move to any other computer. Copy the Following link to download it.

• How to solve low memory problems

Normally this warning message shows when you run many programs same time than the RAM installed on your computer is designed to support. Your can solve this problem by increasing the system paging file size also called as virtual memory. Using this virtual memory windows moving information to and from the paging file for fast processing. This will free up enough RAM for other programs to run properly.

To increase the system page file follow the give path:

Control Panel > System > Advanced > Click on Settings (Under Performance) > Advanced > Change

Here under Drive (Volume label), you have option to select any of your hard disk drive, but the best choice is, select any drive other than C drive for virtual memory.

Set the double Initial & Maximum Size of your Virtual Memory. Here set initial size 700 MB and maximum size up to 1000MB; you can change this size according to the free space available on your hard drive.

• How to uninstall hidden devices, drivers using device manager

Today tip will help you to display the hidden devices in system Device Manger. Normally windows device manager displays the information about the hardware that ever been recognized by windows, whether it is currently present in the computer or not connected to the computer (for example USB or any other removable devices). The "Show hidden devices" option on View menu would not display the all hidden information, so you can force your system to display the detail of all hidden drives.

Follow the given steps to display the all hidden information in device manager:

To edit the computer registry, first you should log onto your computer with administrative rights.

Click Start button and type CMD in Run option then press Enter for next.

At the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter button.

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

Here again type the following command at command prompt and then press Enter button.

start devmgmt.msc

Now in the Device Manager Console go to View menu and select the "Show hidden devices" option.

Now expand the different devices and drivers option in devices manger and you will find the devices which have been loaded in the past.

When you finish troubleshooting, close Device Manager and also exit from command prompt to clear the opened sessions.

• Hard Drive

Your hard drive, or also called hard disk, is a gigantic diskette in your computer. It is one disk big enough to store you Operating System, games and programs. Without it, your PC is just an empty shell.

Check Your BIOS

Better beware of older systems with large hard drives. If you have an older motherboard, your BIOS might not recognize hard drives larger than 2.1 GB. Hopefully, your BIOS is EPROM which means although read only (noticed the ROM?) it can be edited by authorized editors. Nearly all newer motherboards support that. All you need to do is to go online, go to your motherboard manufacturer's website and try to download a flash BIOS update. Install it and it should be done.

Are You FAT Enough?

If you have a large capacity hard drive with more than 2.1 GB, you might have a problem. Windows 95 itself will only recognize a partition with not more than 2.1 GB. You need FAT32. With FAT32, you can have one large capacity hard drive without partitioning. You will also save some space with FAT32. In short, larger hard drives require FAT32.

Consider Partitioning

Although you can have one big fat hard drive as one partition, you should consider partitioning as well, if you have a big hare drive. Partitioning is the method of dividing an area on a disk into smaller portions of lesser capacities that can be recognized by the operating system. Picture this: your hard drive is a cake. It is easier to eat a cake divided into pieces than to eat it whole.

Partitioning enables you to achieve greater efficiency and functionality from high-capacity disks (2.1GB or greater). You can create partitions by using FDISK on a system running in MS-DOS mode or by using a third-party disk utility. Remember that after partitioning, all data will be loss so be careful.

You can set aside a small partition for backup purposes. In case you should decided to format, just format the partition you use to store Windows. Your data in the backup partition is still there. But be careful! If you format a FAT32 partition with a FAT16 formatting utility, your partitions with data in it will all be loss! So never install DOS after formatting Windows. Because DOS utilizes FAT16, your FAT32 partition will all be gone.

Access Time or Seek Time?

If you want to buy a hard drive but are confused with the specifications of access time and seek time, remember that the key to the speed of a hard drive is the average access time. This is the time taken to access a single sector to the time when the drive's head reaches the sector. But beware, some ads quote seek time that is not the appropriate measurement. Access time is seek time plus latency (the time it takes for the chosen sector to come around to be positioned under the read/write head)

Speed, Not Space

A lot of people are confused between speed and space. If you have a Quantum Fireball with 1.2 GB and a Quantum Bigfoot with 3.5 GB surely you should put the Bigfoot as the master and Fireball as the slave right? Wrong! You should always consider speed as well as space. The Quantum Fireball has a faster access time. A faster hard drive means better performance. Make sure your operating system is store in the faster hard drive. You can use the Bigfoot to store your programs or games which makes not much difference to the speed. With speed hungry programs or games, store them in the faster drive too. You must know what to put where.

The status of the drives is determined by setting small jumpers that are usually located next to the IDE connector on the drive itself.

• How to clear all windows history files with a single click

Today tip will help you to manage the all types of user history in windows operating system. This is a built-in feature of all windows keeps track the user's history, for example the websites you have visited, the documents you have opened and the keywords or files for which you've searched. However this tip is very useful for you, if you are sharing your computer with others or you do not want that the other persons know about your last visited documents history. You can clear these kinds of user's history with a single click on desktop icon named Cleanmru.reg. There is no need to clear each history file one by one. This trick will work in nearly all of the windows versions like windows 2000, XP and 2003.

Follow the given steps for configuration to clear recently opened documents automatically:

To edit the computer registry, first you should log onto your computer with administrative rights.

Here copy the following 6 lines and paste in notepad then save with the name Cleanmru.reg on your desktop.

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLs]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\

LastVisitedMRU]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru]

When you double-click Cleanmru.reg icon to remove the windows history, a small dialog box will appear with the information "Are you sure you want to add the information in C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\desktop\Clearmru.reg to the registry?"

At the end, you will get the message "Information in C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\desktop\Clearmru.reg has been successfully entered into the registry." Click on Ok button and verify that your all history will have been clear.

• Monitor

The monitor is a television-like box except it is used in a computer for display. You can't use the computer at all without a monitor. The monitor is different from the television is many ways. It is flatter compared to the television. Television refreshes the screen by interlacing while the monitor is using non-interlaced functions. Monitors uses pixels to display, making it finer and better to display text.

Larger Resolution, Smaller Display

One thing you should know, since monitors measure by pixels, you should always set the resolution right. A larger resolution uses smaller pixels, making everything smaller but you have a larger view. The default is 640x480 but most prefer 800x600. For larger monitors, you can decide on 1024x800 or 1280x1024. Also remember, since there are more pixels, the higher the resolution, the slower the screen refreshes.

Decide On A Screen Filter

Although computer screens are just 30% of the radioactivity from the TV or less, you still might want to consider a screen filter. It helps filter up radioactivity. Never settle for a cheap screen filter. A lousy one won't filter the screen - it just darkens it. Always make sure that it won't make everything look dark. Some good screen filters provide a wire to clip it at the back of the casing to lose the radioactivity.

On the other hand, you should also make sure you don't need one. Here are a few points to guide you.

• Your computer (& monitor) is placed under a bright place and can balance with the brightness of the monitor
• Your monitor is anti-glare and non-reflective.
• Your monitor produces little static and radioactivity.
• Your monitor produces clear, crisp and not-too-bright images.
• You won't have problems staring at the monitor for a long time.

If your monitor fits that criteria, you can forget the screen filter.

Blink Your Eyes!

This is not actually a hardware tip, just to let you know how important it is to blink your eyes. Your eyes don't actually get strained staring at the monitor, just loses moisture and making the eyes dry. It has been proven that people staring at the monitor for a long time has the tendency to blink less than the normal rate. Make an effort to blink your eyes. If not, try eye moisture drops.

Degauss

Degauss is a very important function that helps you restore your monitor when colors are distorted or you noticed weird colors at the corners of your monitor. This is cause by magnetization that can be caused by jerking the monitor, shifting to a different direction or moving it across the globe (different magnetic field). The degauss control removes magnetization from your monitor

Use the degauss control lightly. You should only degauss if you see color purity problems. Otherwise, don't use it. Too much degaussing stresses the circuitry components and overheats the large coil around the CRT. If possible, when the display clears up, shut down the monitor/computer for a while to let it cool down.

Take Control

When your monitor comes, modify the factory default setting of your monitor! Get more colors or brightness. And stretch the screen to the fullest! Although this may sound trivial, a lot of people just think it's alright to follow the original setting, losing valuable screen space, you will be surprised to know how much bigger you can stretch the screen. A bigger display is always better.

• Sound Card

A world without sound is boring. The same goes to computers. Imagine playing quake with the beeps from the PC speaker. The sound card is a piece of hardware to generate high quality sound. It enables your to listen to your CD, record voices with the microphone and playing your sound files.

Don't Throw Away Your Old RAM

If you have and old PC that utilizes old 32 bit RAM, don't throw it away. If you have and AWE (advance wavetable effect) sound card, with empty memory slots, you may plug it into your soundcard to load more instruments. Very useful. If you want, you can go to computer junkyards or dealer with old computers to find some old 32 bit RAM. You can get it for almost nothing.

More, more!

If you are using an AWE soundcard, you might want to get more voices or instruments. Go to your manufacturer's website and search for sound fonts. Like fonts, they are the same instruments but produces different sounds. The amount of sound fonts you can load at a time depends entirely on how much memory you have.

No Sound From Mike

An ageing sound card probably doesn't supply the DC voltage needed to power a new electrets microphone-the kind with a mini-stereo (ring-tip-sleeve) plug on the cable. If so, you'll need either an inline battery pack to power the new microphone, or an older dynamic microphone that doesn't need DC power. But the best bet is to throw it away and get a new one.

• RAM Won't Work On New Motherboard

If you upgraded your motherboard and CPU to a brand new one, you might encounter with some RAM problems. Either the system seems slower or the total amount of RAM is displayed less than the actual amount during bootup (when you just power-up the computer).

The problem usually occur if you upgraded from a 486 to a Pentium or from non-EDO RAM to EDO. There are a few things you should know. In the older motherboards, you can slot in any RAM of any amount and run them smoothly. However, newer Pentium motherboards handle EDO RAMs differently. Every EDO RAM slots must run in pairs. For example, you can't plug in a 8 meg RAM with a 16 meg RAM and expect them to run together, producing 24 meg. Instead, you must have 2 RAM slots that contains the same amount of RAM (8 meg+8 meg or 16 meg+16 meg e.g) to have them running together.

Also a reminder, you can't plug in a single 32 meg RAM to produce 32 meg. You need 2 16 meg RAMs to produce that amount. So if you need 96 meg, you must fill the the RAM banks with a combination of (16+16 meg) + (32+32 meg). In short, every RAM must run in pairs. They must be placed side-by-side. You can't place a combination of 16+32+16+32 to get 64 meg. You need to place the same amount side-by-side like this: 16+16+32+32. Most motherboard has 4 empty banks for you to place your RAM. Newer motherboards has 6 empty banks. Still, you have to run them in pairs.

Older motherboards and non-EDO RAM don't have to run under this principle. That is why when you upgrade to a newer motherboard, it might not work. Now, back to the problem. Open the cover of your PC and check whether you RAMs are place in pairs side-by-side or not. If not, rearrange them. If you found out you have a combination of a mixture of amounts like: 4+4+8+16 meg, you have to plug one out, buy a new matching one, and replace it. (In this case, take out the 8 meg and by a new 16 meg to produce 4+4+16+16. You can take out the 16 and buy an 8 but that will be downgrading, isn't it?)

This should solve the problem. Also another reminder. SDRAMs don't have to run in pairs. Older motherboard only has 1 empty bank for SDRAM (however, newer ones have more banks). If you want 64 SDRAM, just buy one single 64 SDRAM slot, plug it out, and there you are! But, remember, SDRAM won't work together with EDO. If you plug them in together, the computer will either identify the amount of EDO RAM or SDRAM you have, not both. And it will also only utilize one of them.

More Than 64 Meg RAM On HX Motherboard

It has been a myth that Windows 95 won't work with more than 64 meg RAM. That is not true. But older motherboards do have problems with more than 64 MB RAM.

Motherboards with the Intel HX chipsets is one of them. You can upgrade to more than 64 meg RAM but you must be careful. the Intel HX chipset is built in such a way it requires an additional tag RAM chip used to cached the main memory. The main memory is cached to speed up memory access. Now the problem here is, the tag chip is only capable of handling a maximum of 64 MB. If more than 64 MB is installed, only the first (from the bottom) 64 MB is cached.

Most operating systems uses RAM from top to bottom and since only the bottom one is cached, the OS is using the top uncached memory thus slowing down your system and not utilizing your RAM to the fullest.

Some motherboards have no spare tag RAM socket so I'm sorry to say, you only have a limit of 64 RAM. Some motherboards have an extra tag RAM socket. Just order one from your computer dealer, plug it in, and you can happily increased the maximum of cached RAM to 128 MB.

In short, always check how many tag RAM chips you have before buying more RAM than the maximum allows or it might slow down your system instead of speeding it up.