Microsoft Talk

Until Microsoft release Windows XP SP3, you will have to manually update your Windows XP installation. And if you have done a fresh install, you are doomed

Now now.. don’t despair. There is a workaround.

RyanVM’s Post-SP2 Update Pack by Ryan VanderMeulen, which automates the procedure to a high degree

Unfortunately, Post-SP2 Update Pack is only designed to update a Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD image?it doesn’t update live systems. That said, if you’re starting to build desktops with Windows XP and want the most up-to-the-second disk image you can create, this utility is fairly effective. It also ensures that the installed packages are pre-validated through Microsoft’s own code-signing mechanisms.

Using RyanVM’s Post-SP2 Update Pack

To use RyanVM’s Post- SP2 Update Pack, you need the application and the update collection (this can be downloaded directly from Microsoft and collated by the application author). After copying the contents of the installation CD to a writeable folder, you simply point the SP2 Update Pack program at the writeable folder and at the update packs to apply. Once integration is finished, all that remains is to re-burn the results to a CD or use the patched files in a network-based installation.

Other than the usual collection of hotfixes and Windows updates, you can also download update packs to add Windows Media Player 10, Windows Genuine Advantage (the most recent edition), DirectX 9.0C and other additional/optional programs (such as SyncToy and TweakUI) that do not come with Windows by default.

As a safety measure, it’s recommended that you only do this by starting with the install files from a factory-created or MSDN-downloaded XP SP2 install CD. Don’t attempt this with an install disc that has already been manually updated. Also, if you download future update packs to use with this program, they should only be applied to a factory-fresh SP2 CD. Finally, RyanVM’s Post-SP2 Update Pack should be considered an unofficial solution to the post-SP2 update situation, so it’s best to test it out before using it in any kind of production environment.

XP, SP3, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

XP, SP3, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Does this happen with you? You try to put your Windows XP into hibernation and it won’t?

This happens to be a known issue!

Microsoft has documented this failure to hibernate as a known bug. It turns up under the following circumstances:

1. You’re running Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
2. Your computer has more than 1GB of physical memory.
3. The system’s memory is currently fragmented?meaning that applications have staked out enough physical memory that a large enough contiguous block of free memory to start the hibernation process can’t be reserved. The more memory you have in the system to begin with, the bigger a block of free memory is needed.

Evidently the memory fragmentation issue is the key; many times, hibernation failed after I’d already run a number of other programs. Sometimes I was able to get hibernation to work again after logging off (i.e., after freeing up some of the memory in use), but that didn’t always work either.

Microsoft has a fix for this, ostensibly set to go into the next Service Pack for Windows XP, but if you want to address it now you can call Product Support Services and ask for a free hotfix as referenced in the above article (909095). There’s no charge for this call.

Note: Vista does not suffer from this issue.

XP, Hibernation, Bug, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

XP, Hibernation, Bug, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

If you regularly cleanup the temp files on your computer just like me, you are most likely to share the frustration with me. The Disk Cleanup utility will not remove all of the files! Disk Cleanup utility does not allow deletion of files accessed in the last seven days.

So? You need to modify your system registry to get around.

NOTE: Backup your system’s registry. I am not responsible if your system becomes inoperable after doing this reghack!

Here’s how:

1. Launch the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
2. Go to

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
   Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Files

   .

3. Locate and double-click the LastAccess value.
4. When you see the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, change the Value Data setting from 7 to 0 and click OK.
5. To complete the operation, close the Registry Editor and restart Windows XP.

Changing the value to 0 will force the Disk Cleanup utility to delete all the files in the Temp folder every time that you select the Temporary Files check box.

XP, Disk Cleanup, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

XP, Disk Cleanup, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

So you need to perform an administrative task on a user’s Windows XP without having to logoff that user and log back in as yourself?

Well, you can use Run As command to do that.

However this does not work with Windows Explorer. This is because Explorer.exe is already running and only one instance of Explorer can run at a time.

Here is a workaround to that:

Here’s how you can work around it.

Internet Explorer 6

Internet Explorer 6 will work with Run As and will allow you to tap into Windows Explorer. Here’s how:

1. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon in the Quick Launch toolbar and choose Run As. (Keep in mind that you cannot access Run As from the Internet Explorer icon that appears on the desktop or on the Start menu.)
2. Fill in the appropriate administrative account credentials in the Run As dialog box.
3. When Internet Explorer launches, type C:\ in the Address bar.

After you follow these steps, Windows Explorer will appear in the same window, and it will be running with administrative privileges.

Internet Explorer 7

If you’re using Internet Explorer 7, the steps for Internet Explorer 6 won’t work because, as part of the new security features in version 7, Internet Explorer is no longer integrated with Windows Explorer. You must use the standard method for launching Windows Explorer with administrative privileges. Here’s how:

1. Log on to the computer with the Administrator account.
2. Access the Control Panel and launch Folder Options.
3. When you see the Folder Options dialog box, select the View tab.
4. Scroll down the Advanced Settings list and select the Launch Folder Windows In A Separate Process check box, click OK, and then log off.

Windows Explorer, XP, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Windows Explorer, XP, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Have you used MSCONFIG in XP? And in VISTA? Well have you compared the two? There is a slight difference in the VISTA version of MSCONFIG.

The General tab

In XP, the General tab offers three radio-button choices: Normal Startup (the default), Diagnostic Startup and Selective Startup. However, the Selective Startup choice in Vista is missing several options.

• “Process SYSTEM.INI” and “Process WIN.INI” are no longer available, due to those system files being completely deprecated in Vista.
• “Use original / modified BOOT.INI” has also been removed, since Windows Vista no longer uses BOOT.INI to hold its startup parameters.
• The “Launch System Restore” and “Expand File” buttons are gone. The former can be launched from the Start menu (just type “Restore” in the Start Menu Search box to find it); the latter was used to expand files from within a .CAB file. Since .CAB files can now be browsed in Explorer as if they were merely subfolders, this function isn’t needed anymore.

The SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI and BOOT.INI tabs have been removed?again, because these system files are no longer required in Windows Vista. The first two were only required for 16-bit program compatibility and the last, as mentioned above, has been superseded by the hidden, binary files used by the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) block. Actually, the BOOT.INI tab is now just the Boot tab, and lets you add new boot entries and edit existing ones (something I’ll explore in detail in a future tip).

Services and Startup tabs

The Services and Startup tabs in Windows Vista’s MSCONFIG are almost exactly the same as in Windows XP. One new addition: Both tabs contain a “Date Disabled” column, which contains the last date the service or startup item in question was manually disabled. The “Hide all Microsoft services” checkbox (in Services) is still present and still works fine.

Tools tab

This tab is entirely new to MSCONFIG in Windows Vista and contains shortcuts to some commonly needed tools, each with a descriptive label: Intenet Options, Task Manager, Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, and so on.

Two other entries will specifically interest Windows Vista users: Enable UAC and Disable UAC. Both options modify the Registry so that UAC will be either enabled or disabled on the next boot. (If you’re worried about some other program trying to hijack MSCONFIG and disable UAC manually, bear in mind that MSCONFIG needs to have a UAC authorization to run in the first place, and any Registry changes cannot take place without a privilege elevation in the first place.)

VIA: TechTarget

Vista, XP, MSCONFIG, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Vista, XP, MSCONFIG, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Yep! Have you seen the cool Vista screensavers, like Bubbles, Aurora? I love them! If you haven’t seen them and are using Windows XP, this one is for you.

Grab Vista Screensavers for XP from here. You will not regret. Let me know what did you think of it!

Download

Vista, Screensaver, XP

Vista, Screensaver, XP

LocatePC is an interesting freeware software for Windows XP and Vista that runs silently in the background of your computer without displaying any icons or notifications and sends emails at specified intervals with the location details . When a computer or laptop is stolen and the person who stole it connects to the Internet, a secret email is sent behind the scenes containing the details that you need to track your hardware.

Thank you Abdul

Vista, XP, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Vista, XP, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

As reported earlier, Windows XP SP3 news is for real.

Microsoft is announcing that Windows Vista supports this protocol today and Windows Server^® 2008 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will support it as well later this year.

This has been released by Microsoft Presspass here.

It reports about Unified Access Control and Network Access Protection and Windows XP SP3 developments, due for release later this year.

WindowsXP, ServicePack, SP3, Juniper, NAP, Vista, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

WindowsXP, ServicePack, SP3, Juniper, NAP, Vista, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

How often do you use Windows Explorer for all your file management? Copying files, folders, renames. At some stage have you said to yourself “Wish I could do this in Windows Explorer?”

Well then look no furthere. So what if Microsoft did not give you everything in Windows Explorer. There are alternatives to Windows Explorer and you can better manage your file system with these.

Here is a list of few Windows Explorer alternatives/replacements that can add tabs and groups folders from a single window:

Xplorer2 Lite: Download link
TabbyFile: Download link
QT TabBar: Download link
MUcommander: Download Link
UltraExplorer: Download Link

Windows, Windows XP, Windows Explorer, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Windows, Windows XP, Windows Explorer, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Have you installed Windows Xp with SP2? Chances are that your newest installation of Windows XP is not upto date. Even though you have installed Windows XP SP2, Microsoft has since released updates every month.

Till Microsoft release SP3 for Windows XP, create your own.

Amit Agarwal of Digital Inspiration blogs about this. He has 2 options:

1. AutoPatcher XP
2. RyanVM MSFN Pack

I’d recommend option 2. It’s just good enough until the official SP3, which won’t be any different then some additional patches.

WindowsXP, Service Pack, AutoPatcher, RyanVM, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

WindowsXP, Service Pack, AutoPatcher, RyanVM, MSTalkOnline, Alpesh Nakar

Are you using multiple monitors on your Windows XP system? Then use this tip to configure separate wallpapers for each monitor!

1. Right-click the desktop and select Properties to bring up the Display Properties dialog box.
2. Select the Desktop tab and click the Customize Desktop button to bring up the Desktop Items dialog box.
3. Select the Web tab on the Desktop Items dialog box, then click the New button to bring up the New Desktop Item dialog box.
4. Click the Browse button to locate and select an image file that you want to use for wallpaper.
5. Once you locate an image file, click OK three times to close all the dialog boxes and place the image on the desktop.
6. Hover your mouse pointer over the picture. When the title bar appears, click and drag the picture over to the monitor on which you want to use this image as wallpaper.
7. Click the Maximize button.
8. Right-click the desktop, go to Arrange Icons By and select Lock Web Items On Desktop.

This is applicable to your Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional system.

If you have a dual-core processor and you discover that certain applications
max out your CPU then Window XP Professional’s Processor Affinity will do
the trick. This will ensure that applications use only one of the cores, in
the process, not freezing up your application.

1. Access Task Manager.
2. Choose the Processes tab.
3. Right-click the process associated with the problem application.
4. Select the Set Affinity command. (If you don’t have a dual-core
system, you won’t see the Set Affinity command.)
5. From the Processor Affinity dialog box, clear one of the CPU check
boxes.

If you don’t want to do this manually, check out Task Assignment Manager
(available for download< http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/05/28/getting_more_bang_out_of_your_dual_processing_buck/index.html>from
Tom’s Hardware).