Friday, December 25, 2009

how to rename 'rubbish bin' in Windows XP

This is a pretty simple Windows XP tweat, what is does is change the name of the default rubbish bin found on desktop,

1. Go to registry by clicking on Start menu -> run
2. Type regedit
3. Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/CLSID/{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
or
Press CTRL+F and then at the search box type {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
4. Right click on default and click on Modify
5. Change the name of Recycle Bin to whatever you want.


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How to create a Shortcut to locking Windows

Locking your windows operating system is essential in office and home environments in order to prevent others from viewing any potential sensitive information you may have on your computer. so to help you guys/gals out I've made an easy guide for locking your windows with a double click, single click or a desktop shortcut;

1. Create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click
2. Enter rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation in the location field.
3. Save the shortcut under whatever name you want.
4. When needed just double click on it and you are done.its locked.
5. If you're truly lazy, just press Windows+L and it should lock your system

enjoy,


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Automatically Kill Programs At Shutdown

I hate it when I'm trying to shut down my windows XP and i get that annoying pop up telling me that programs are still running, so I found a way to make windows automatically kill/end the running programs on shutdown. Just open regedit by going to start>run and typing regedit and navigating to HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Control Panel>Desktop directory in the Registry, and then right click on AutoEndTasks and select modify binary data, then change the value to 1.


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How to Remove Shutdown option in Start Menu

This is for those friends that tend to get a bit annoying, if you have access to their computer, with this guide you can remove the shut down option from the start menu
1.Go to start>run
2.Type in "Regedit" (without quotation marks)
3.Once in Regedit go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
4. find "NoClose", right click and select modify binary data
5. change the data to "NoClose"="DWORD:1"
then enjoy the look on their faces when they cant shut down.


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How to display Legal notice on startup

Disclaimer: I have not written this doc :) Found it somewhere on the information highway and saved it for Archival purpose!

Display legal notice on startup:
Wanna tell your friends about the do's and dont's in your computer when they login in your absence. Well you can do it pretty easily by displaying a legal notice at system start up:
REGEDIT
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system]
"legalnoticecaption"="enter your notice caption"
"legalnoticetext"="enter your legal notice text"


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Monday, December 21, 2009

this little guide Prevents users from running the interactive command prompt, Cmd.exe. This setting also determines whether batch files (.cmd and .bat) can run on the computer.

If you enable this setting and the user tries to open a command window, the system displays a message explaining that a setting prevents the action.

Note: Do not prevent the computer from running batch files if the computer uses logon, logoff, startup, or shutdown batch file scripts, or for users that use Terminal Services....

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > SYSTEM > FIND PREVENT ACCESS TO THE COMMAND PROMPT > RIGHT CLICK > PROPERTIES > CLICK ENABLE > OK REBOOT




note: This will disable the command for all users including the local administrator. If you want to disable this for specific users only (and for XP Home users) make the change in the registry. Login to the account you want to change and create the following registry entries:



HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\

DisableCMD dword 0x00000001 to disable command prompt and batch files

or

DisableCMD dword 0x00000002 to disable command prompt but not batch files


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Command Prompt Commands 2

this is just a follow on of my previous post in regards to CMD commands, here is just some of the more advanced tricks and tips you can do with Command prompt.
------------------------------------------------------------
net user ________ * (write the username in the blank spot)

(this makes and removes passwords for any user on the computer.)
------------------------------------------------------------

net user ________ /time:M-W,10am-8pm

net user ________ /time:all (undoes the above)

(this stops people logging in to a specified account at a certain time, M= monday T= tuesday W= wednesday TH(im guessing) = thursday F= friday time can be added too EG 10am-8pm)
----------------------------------------------------------

trace an IP ADDRESS with CMD
tracrt

(this will trace any ip for you)
------------------------------------------------------------

open CMD when blocked

1: open notepad

2: type @echo off

command

@echo on

3: save as .bat file

4: run .bat file, now you have CMD even when blocked.
OR
1: open notepad

2: type command.com

3: save as cmd.bat

4: run it to open cmd
-------------------------------------------------------------

unblock a website

1: in notepad type @echo off

title web unblocker

ns lookup

2: type in name of website

3: it will give 3 lots of number

4: type those numbers into web broswer

5: kaboom! it should be unblocked
-------------------------------------------------------------

create a self extracting program (XP ONLY)

go to start>run>iexpress
-------------------------------------------------------------

Create a netmeeting (XP ONLY)

go to start>run>conf
------------------------------------------------------------

run windows media player 2 (XP ONLY)

go to start>run>mplayer2
------------------------------------------------------------
view all current ports (in/out)

netstat
--------------------------------------------------------------

.bat / batch files.. how to make them

@echo off = stops commands from being shown.
echo = sends whatever is after it to the screen
EG: echo hi ppl

del = deletes whatever file is after it, or del *.* deletes every file in the folder
EG: del example.txt

cd = changes to whatever folder is after it, or cd .. goes back one
EG: cd C:\

format = formats whatever disk is after it
EG: format A:


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Command Prompt commands

Here's a list of CMD commands i wrote back when i was still learning how to use CMD, now these arent exactly the most advanced commands, but they'll do for now, ill upload the harder, more interesting CMD commands later.

Accessibility Controls
access.cpl

Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl

Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl

Administrative Tools
control admintools

Automatic Updates
wuaucpl.cpl

Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
fsquirt

Calculator
calc

Certificate Manager
certmgr.msc

Character Map
charmap

Check Disk Utility
chkdsk

Clipboard Viewer
clipbrd

Command Prompt
cmd

Command Prompt Text Editor
edit

Component Services
dcomcnfg

Computer Management
compmgmt.msc

Date and Time Properties
timedate.cpl

DDE Shares
ddeshare

Device Manager
devmgmt.msc

Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)*
directx.cpl

Direct X Troubleshooter
dxdiag

Disk Cleanup Utility
cleanmgr

Disk Defragment
dfrg.msc

Disk Management
diskmgmt.msc

Disk Partition Manager
diskpart

Display Properties
control desktop

Display Properties
desk.cpl

Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
control color

Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
drwtsn32

Driver Verifier Utility
verifier

Event Viewer
eventvwr.msc

File Signature Verification Tool
sigverif

Findfast
findfast.cpl

Folders Properties
control folders

Fonts
control fonts

Fonts Folder
fonts

Free Cell Card Game
freecell

Game Controllers
joy.cpl

Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
gpedit.msc

Hearts Card Game
mshearts

Iexpress Wizard
iexpress

Indexing Service
ciadv.msc

Internet Properties
inetcpl.cpl

IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /all

IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /displaydns

IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns

IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /release

IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /renew

IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /registerdns

IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /showclassid

IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid

ava Control Panel (If Installed)
jpicpl32.cpl

Java Control Panel (If Installed)
javaws

Keyboard Properties
control keyboard

Local Security Settings
secpol.msc

Local Users and Groups
lusrmgr.msc

Logs You Out Of Windows
logoff

Mcft Chat
winchat

Minesweeper Game
winmine

Mouse Properties
control mouse

Mouse Properties
main.cpl

Network Connections
control netconnections

Network Connections
ncpa.cpl

Network Setup Wizard
netsetup.cpl

Notepad
notepad

Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
nvtuicpl.cpl

Object Packager
packager

ODBC Data Source Administrator
odbccp32.cpl

On Screen Keyboard
osk

Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)
ac3filter.cpl

Password Properties
password.cpl

Performance Monitor
perfmon.msc

Performance Monitor
perfmon

Phone and Modem Options
telephon.cpl

Power Configuration
powercfg.cpl

Printers and Faxes
control printers

Printers Folder
printers

Private Character Editor
eudcedit

Quicktime (If Installed)
QuickTime.cpl

Regional Settings
intl.cpl

Registry Editor
regedit

Registry Editor
regedit32

Remote Desktop
mstsc

Removable Storage
ntmsmgr.msc

Removable Storage Operator Requests
ntmsoprq.msc

Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
rsop.msc

Scanners and Cameras
sticpl.cpl

Scheduled Tasks
control schedtasks

Security Center
wscui.cpl

Services
services.msc

Shared Folders
fsmgmt.msc

Shuts Down Windows
shutdown

Sounds and Audio
mmsys.cpl

Spider Solitare Card Game
spider

SQL Client Configuration
cliconfg

System Configuration Editor
sysedit

System Configuration Utility
msconfig

System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scannow

System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanonce

System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /scanboot

System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /revert

System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /purgecache

System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)
sfc /cachesize=x

System Properties
sysdm.cpl

Task Manager
taskmgr

Telnet Client
telnet

User Account Management
nusrmgr.cpl

Utility Manager
utilman

Windows Firewall
firewall.cpl

Windows Magnifier
magnify

Windows Management Infrastructure
wmimgmt.msc

Windows System Security Tool
syskey

Windows Update Launches
wupdmgr

Windows XP Tour Wizard
tourstart

Wordpad
write


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Automated System Recovery (ASR)

Complete the steps outlined below to utilize XP's Automated System Recovery (ASR) functionality.

Scope:

Dual Partitions (C and D)
XP installed on C

Backup

1. Go to the Start button/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Backup
2. Select the Advanced Mode link within the Backup wizard.
3. Click the Automated System Restore Wizard button.
4. Point the backup media file name to the D drive rename the backup file asr (d:\asr.bkf). (*Do not point the backup to the C drive where XP is installed because during the Restore mode the C drive will be formatted) Click Next and then click Finish. ASR will start it's System State backup (which copies all system files and registry configuration)
5. After the backup of the system state is completed (approx 5-10 minutes), You will be prompted to insert a floppy disk into the A drive. Click OK. XP will complete the ASR backup.

* ASR will only backup the system state (windows folder) and registry configuration. You must return to Backup and create a separate backup of your valued data to the D drive.

Restore

In the event that your system becomes inaccessible and/or System Restore does not function properly, complete these steps.

1. Make sure the system can boot from a CD-Rom (via the bios setup)
2. Insert the Windows XP CD-Rom into the drive
3. Insert the ASR Floppy disk into the drive
4. Power up the computer
5. Press the enter key when prompted to "press any key to run from the CD-rom"
6. Press F2 on the keyboard when prompted to start the ASR recovery action.
7. XP will format the C drive
8. The computer will restart
9. Let windows XP start automatically (do not press a key to run from the CD rom).
10. XP will go through the basic plug and play discovery and copy setup files to the C drive.
11. The computer will restart and boot into XP
12. The ASR wizard will start and automatically point to the asr.bkf file on the D drive. Click OK to restore the system state and registry configuration.
13. When completed XP will either present the login screen or login to the desktop automatically (depending on the configuration at the time the ASR backup was initiated).
14. Return to the Backup wizard to restore any valued data that was saved beforehand to the D drive.

Benefits of using ASR

Timesaver = Entire restore process takes less than 30 minutes.
Configuration in tact = Desktop and user preference settings will be maintained.
Redundancy = Provides an additional restore option besides System Restore.
Registry = Backs up and restores the entire current registry configuration settings.

Drawbacks of using ASR

Does not restore any installed programs from the program Files folder.
Does not work on a single partition.

Completing an ASR backup on a regular basis will provide additional control over the outcome of a system failure.


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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Windows in a Box

Windows in a box is a really good program, it has almost every option there is for windows XP in one little easy to access program.

"Inside Windows XP are hundreds of settings that require endless clicking through the Operating System that can get really frustrating. Windows in a box was designed to eliminate all that." - windows in a box description taken fromn softpedia.com


link:

  • http://www.mediafire.com/?zmgdjnxedce


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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

How to make a SYSKEY

This is an interesting way to increase the security of your machine further.  With the help of this tip, you will need to insert a special floppy disk that you make in order to log on.  If you loose the disk, you are locked out.

Click on start run and then type in SYSKEY,
hit return
On the first window that opens you will need to click on UPDATE.
On the next window ensure the System generated password is selected. (this is what I reccomend)
Also ensure the Store startup Key on a floppy drive is selected click on OKAY (Yes, make sure there is a blank disk in the floppy drive.) follow the prompts closing out of the windows and restart.
Remove the disk and restart.

What does this do? An extra layer of security. When you reboot your XP system, you will be asked for this diskette prior to accessing you login screen. If you do not have the Disk to bad for you and the flamers that are may be trying to hack your system.

i know that floppys are a bit VERY outdated, keep in mind i made this tutorial a while back.


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Akore © 2008 TNB