Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows

Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows

by Scott Mueller, Brian Knittel
Released November 2005
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780789734037

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 0789736950 ISBN-13: 9780789736956

Fans of Upgrading and Repairing PCs, your call has been answered. Scott Mueller, author of the best-selling Upgrading and Repairing PCs, is now bringing you an equally in-depth guide to Windows troubleshooting. Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows explains how Windows works and how to fix it when things go wrong. This comprehensive resource includes information on:

  • Installation

  • Managing security

  • Optimizing performance

  • Recovering data

  • Configuring settings and the registry

  • Protecting Windows from viruses and spyware

    • Scott also includes references to helpful tools and scripting commands for maximum system controls. A DVD is included that provides you with additional resources and unique how-to video that brings Scott right to you. Find out how to make Windows work with you and not against you with Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows.

    Table of contents

    1. Copyright
      1. Dedication
    2. About the Authors and Contributors
    3. Acknowledgments
    4. We Want to Hear from You!
    5. Introduction
      1. Is This Book for You?
      2. Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown
      3. Getting the Most From This Book
      4. Scott’s Website—www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com
    6. 1. Windows Version History
      1. A Brief History of PC Operating Systems
        1. DOS History
        2. Evolution of DOS
        3. MS-DOS Versus PC DOS
        4. DOS Versions
          1. DOS 1.x
          2. DOS 2.x
          3. DOS 3.x
          4. DOS 4.x
          5. DOS 5.x
          6. MS-DOS 6.x
          7. PC DOS 6.x
          8. Windows 9x/Me DOS
        5. MS-DOS Alternatives
      2. The Evolution of Microsoft Windows
        1. 16-Bit Windows
          1. Windows 1
          2. Windows 2
          3. Windows 386
          4. Windows 3
          5. Windows 3.1
          6. Windows for Workgroups
          7. Windows 3.11
        2. The Windows 9x Family
          1. Windows 95
          2. Windows 95 OSR2
          3. Windows 98
          4. Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
          5. Windows Me
        3. The Windows NT Family
          1. Version 3.1
          2. Windows NT 3.5
          3. Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
        4. Windows 2000 Professional
        5. Windows XP
          1. ...and beyond
        6. Alternative CPU Versions: Intel, Alpha, MIPS, and Motorola
          1. Windows XP 64-bit Editions
        7. Service Packs, Hotfixes, and Rollups
    7. 2. Installing Windows
      1. Preinstallation Considerations
        1. System Requirements
        2. Checking Hardware and Software Compatibility
        3. Known Compatibility Issues
          1. Easy CD Creator
          2. NetBEUI
          3. Other Known Issues
        4. Migrating Files and Settings to New Installations
          1. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
          2. The User State Migration Tool
        5. Getting the Network Configuration
        6. Choosing a File System
      2. Installation Types
        1. Upgrade Installations
        2. Clean Installations
        3. Multibooting with Other Operating Systems
      3. Clean Install Procedure
        1. Installing the OS
        2. Product Activation
          1. Retail Box Purchases
          2. OEM Installations
            1. System Locked Preinstallation
            2. Using Standard Product Activation
            3. No OEM Product Activation
          3. Volume Licensing
          4. How Product Activation Works
          5. Number of Changeable Items
        3. Using Installation Switches
          1. Winnt32.exe
          2. Winnt.exe
        4. Clean Install Summary
      4. Automated System Recovery
      5. Automated Deployments
        1. Licensing Issues
        2. Adding and Using the Deployment Tools
        3. Using Interactive Answer Files for Installation
          1. Creating an Answer File
          2. Customizing the Answer File
          3. Putting an Answer File to Use
        4. Local and Network-Based Unattended Installation
        5. Unattended Install from the Bootable Windows XP CD
        6. Remote Installation Services
        7. Systems Management Server
        8. Using the User State Migration Tool
    8. 3. Upgrading Windows
      1. Windows XP Upgrade Installations
        1. Deciding Whether an Upgrade is Worthwhile
          1. Available Upgrade Paths
          2. Verifying System Compatibility
        2. Upgrade Scenarios
          1. Before Upgrading to Windows XP
          2. Upgrading a Windows NT 4.0 or 2000 Computer
          3. Upgrading a Windows 98 Computer
        3. Troubleshooting a Failed Upgrade
        4. Uninstalling Windows XP
      2. Migrating Existing Installations
        1. Moving to a New Drive
          1. Installing a New Hard Disk
          2. Using Norton Partition Magic
        2. Moving Data to a New System
          1. User State Migration Tool (USMT)
          2. Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
            1. Collecting Files and Settings from the Source PC
            2. Applying Files and Settings to the Target Computer
        3. Moving Applications
          1. Including Applications with New Installations
            1. Sysprep
            2. RIS
          2. Using Group Policy
          3. Third-Party Tools
      3. Installing Service Packs
        1. Manual Installation of SP2
        2. Using Automatic Updates or Windows Update to Download SP2
        3. Using Group Policy to Deploy SP2
        4. Using WSUS to Deploy SP2
        5. Uninstalling SP2
    9. 4. Windows Startup
      1. System Layers
        1. Hardware Layers
        2. BIOS
        3. Device Drivers
        4. File Systems and Filters
        5. Services
      2. The Startup Process
        1. BIOS Startup
        2. Bootstrap Loaders
        3. Windows XP/2000/NT Startup
        4. The Windows NT Kernel
        5. The Logon Process
          1. The User Profile
          2. Policy
          3. The User Environment
          4. Startup Programs
      3. Windows Boot Options
        1. Boot.ini and the Boot Menu
          1. Boot Loader Options
          2. Operating System Options
          3. Selecting a Default Operating System
          4. Editing boot.ini Manually
        2. Windows Advanced Options Menu (Safe Mode)
          1. Safe Mode
          2. Safe Mode with Networking
          3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt
          4. Enable Boot Logging
          5. Enable VGA Mode
          6. Last Known Good Configuration
          7. Directory Services Restore Mode
          8. Debugging Mode
          9. Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure
          10. Start Windows Normally
          11. Reboot
          12. Return to OS Choices Menu
        3. Installing a Multibooting System
      4. Windows Services
        1. List of Windows Services
        2. Using the Services Manager
        3. Managing Services from the Command Line
        4. Device Drivers and the sc Command
    10. 5. Managing Windows
      1. Managing Users
        1. Domain and Workgroup Environments
        2. Account Types
          1. Guest Accounts
          2. Computer Administrators
          3. Power Users
          4. Limited Users
        3. Default Accounts and Groups
        4. Security Principals
        5. Account Permissions
        6. Adding and Deleting User Accounts from the Control Panel
          1. Adding Users to Your Computer
          2. Setting Local Security Policy
          3. Local Accounts and Password Reset Disks
        7. Managing Users from the Management Console
        8. The Windows 2000 User Manager, for XP, Too
        9. Managing Users from the Command Prompt
        10. Automating User Management
        11. Managing User Profiles
          1. Configuring a Default User Profile
          2. Roaming User Profiles
        12. Controlling How Users Log On and Off
          1. The Welcome Screen Versus the Logon Dialog
          2. Logging on as Administrator from the Welcome Screen
          3. Showing and Hiding Accounts on the Welcome Screen
          4. Fast User Switching
          5. Enabling Automatic Logon
        13. Dealing with a Lost Password
      2. Managing Hardware
        1. Using Device Manager
          1. Viewing Devices
          2. Configuring Devices Manually
        2. Forcing Detection and Reinstallation
        3. Dealing with the Blue Screen of Death
        4. Updating Device Drivers
          1. Selecting an Older Device Driver
        5. Replacing Hardware
        6. Troubleshooting Problem Devices
          1. Bad Driver or Incorrect Driver
          2. Bad Bus Detection
          3. Resource Conflict
          4. Failed Hardware, Missing Hardware, or Incorrect Driver
          5. Restart Required
          6. Device Driver Shutdown Problem
          7. Disabled Device
          8. Incomplete Windows Setup
          9. Device Disabled by BIOS
          10. Disabled Service
          11. Manual Device Configuration Required
          12. Device Reported Problems
          13. Device Prepared for Removal
          14. Registry Size Limit Exceeded
        7. Using Driver Rollback
      3. Disk Management
        1. Creating New Partitions and Logical Drives
        2. Creating New Simple Volumes
        3. Formatting Disks and Volumes
        4. Creating Mounted Drives
        5. Converting Basic Disks to Dynamic Disks
        6. Extending Dynamic Volumes
        7. Resizing Basic Disks
          1. Converting FAT16/FAT32 File Systems to NTFS
          2. Converting the NTFS File System to FAT16/FAT32
        8. Hard Drive Cleaning
          1. Temporary Files—To Be Eliminated at Any Cost
          2. Using the Disk Cleanup Utility
        9. Defragmenting for Greater Speed
        10. Backing Up Your Disk
          1. Volume Shadow Copy
          2. Automated System Recovery
        11. Using Windows Backup
          1. Creating the Backup Configurations
          2. Excluding Files from Backups
          3. Scheduling Your Backups
          4. After a Disaster: Performing the Restoration
      4. System Restore
        1. What Restore Points Actually Restore
        2. Creating Restore Points
        3. Restoring a Point
    11. 6. Tweaking and Tuning Windows
      1. Configuration Settings
        1. Display Settings
          1. Adjusting Resolution and Refresh Rate
          2. Resolution Issues on LCD Monitors
          3. Adjusting Text, Icon, and Window Element Sizes
          4. Configuring Multiple Monitors
          5. Getting the Highest Quality Drivers
          6. Font Smoothing and ClearType
          7. Updating DirectX
          8. Menu Accelerator Keys
        2. Start Menu Settings
          1. Organizing Menus for Efficient Use
          2. Creating QuickLaunch Icons
          3. Internet and Email Options
        3. Tuning System Properties
          1. Application Performance Settings
          2. Virtual Memory and Page File Settings
          3. Data Execution Prevention
          4. Setting Environment Variables
          5. System Startup Options and Crash Recovery
          6. Error Reporting
          7. Configuring Automatic Updates
        4. Managing Startup Programs
          1. msconfig
          2. Antispyware and Antivirus Programs
        5. Internet Explorer
      2. TweakUI
        1. Obtaining and Installing TweakUI
          1. TweakUI PowerToy for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
          2. TweakUI Control Panel for Windows 2000, Me, and 9x
        2. TweakUI Categories and Adjustments
        3. Using TweakUI to...
          1. Speed Up XP’s Menus
          2. Set Mouse Sensitivity
          3. Set Scroll Wheel Sensitivity
          4. Hide or Show Desktop Icons
          5. Hide or Show Document Templates
          6. Perform Instant Searches from Internet Explorer
          7. Enable Filename and Directory Completion
        4. Other Useful PowerToys
      3. The Windows Registry
        1. Structure of the Registry
        2. Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
          1. Registry Backup and Recovery with Windows Backup
          2. Exporting and Importing Registry Files with the Registry Editor
          3. Backing Up with System Restore
          4. Command-Line Backup and Restore Using reg.exe
        3. Editing the Registry
        4. Editing the Registry Remotely
        5. Editing a Hive File
        6. Deploying Registry Settings
          1. Deploying Registry Settings with .REG Files
          2. Deploying Registry Settings with VBScript
      4. Managing Windows Services
        1. Managing Services with the GUI
          1. Current Status and Startup Options
          2. Log On Account
          3. Crash Recovery Options
          4. View Dependencies
        2. Managing Services on Another Computer
        3. Managing Services from the Command Line
        4. Running Your Own Program as a Service
      5. Monitoring Your System to Identify Bottlenecks
        1. Using the Task Manager
        2. Reading the Event Log
          1. Security Logging and Auditing
        3. Using the Performance Monitor
          1. Using System Monitor
          2. Using Performance Logs and Alerts
      6. Tuning for Maximum Performance
        1. Installing Sufficient Memory (RAM)
          1. How Much Memory Is Enough?
        2. Placing the Page File
        3. Defragment the Disk
        4. Disk Interface Tuning
        5. What to Enable and Disable
          1. Graphical Niceties
          2. Unnecessary Services
    12. 7. Networking Windows
      1. Setting Up a Network
      2. Wireless Networking
        1. Joining an Existing Wireless Network
      3. Configuring a Workgroup Network
        1. Using the Network Setup Wizard
          1. Select a Connection Method
          2. Select Your Internet Connection
          3. Give This Computer a Description and Name
          4. Name Your Network
          5. File and Printer Sharing
          6. Ready To Apply Network Settings
          7. You’re Almost Done...
        2. IP Addressing Options
          1. Configuring Dynamic (DHCP) IP Address Assignment
          2. Configuring Static IP Addresses
        3. Configuring Additional Useful Network Services
          1. Internet Gateway Device Discovery and Control Client
          2. Universal Plug and Play
        4. Networking with Windows 9x and Me
          1. Installing NetBEUI on Windows XP
          2. Installing SPX/IPX
        5. Designating a Master Browser
      4. Simple File Sharing
      5. Sharing Resources
        1. Sharing Folders and Drives
        2. Sharing Printers
          1. Installing Extra Printer Drivers
          2. Setting Printer Permissions
          3. Notifying Users When Printing Is Complete
        3. Sharing Fax Modems and Other Devices
        4. Avoiding Firewall Issues
      6. Providing Shared Internet Access
        1. Adding a Connection Sharing Router
        2. Using Windows Internet Connection Sharing
      7. Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance
        1. Making Your PC Available for Remote Desktop Connection
          1. Step 1—Enable Remote Desktop
          2. Step 2—Open Your Firewall
          3. Step 3—Set a Static IP Address
          4. Step 4—Enable Port Forwarding
          5. Step 5—Establish a Permanent Connection
          6. Step 6—Obtain a Domain Name Service (DNS) Name
          7. Providing Access to More than One Computer
        2. Connecting to Your Computer with Remote Desktop
    13. 8. Protecting and Securing Windows
      1. Windows Passwords
        1. How Windows Implements Passwords
        2. Recovering a Lost Password
          1. Using a Floppy Boot Disk to Change Passwords
          2. Using a Bootable CD-ROM to Change Passwords
      2. Windows Update
        1. Using Windows Update
        2. Configuring Automatic Updates
      3. Firewalls
        1. How Software Firewalls Protect Your PC from Attacks
        2. Windows Firewall
          1. Individual Connection Settings
          2. ICMP Settings
          3. Limitations of the Windows Firewall
        3. Third-Party Firewalls
          1. Norton Personal Firewall 2005
          2. Using Tiny Personal Firewall Professional 2005
          3. Using Sygate Personal Firewall
      4. Viruses
        1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
        2. Norton AntiVirus 2005
      5. Spyware
        1. LavaSoft Ad-Aware
        2. Spybot Search & Destroy
        3. Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
        4. Recovering from Browser Hijacks
        5. What to Do When the Automated Utilities Fail
    14. 9. Windows Commands and Scripting
      1. The Windows Command Prompt
        1. What the Command Prompt Really Does
        2. Environment Variables
        3. Executable Program Types
        4. Program Subsystems
        5. MS-DOS Emulation
        6. Interpreting Command-Line Syntax
        7. Environment Variable Substitution
        8. Input and Output Redirection
        9. Command Pipelines
        10. Command Separators
        11. Command-Line Quoting
        12. Escaping Special Characters
        13. Editing Command Lines
        14. Name Completion
        15. Copy and Paste in Command Prompt Windows
        16. DOSKEY Macros
        17. Command Extensions
        18. Printing in the Command-Line Environment
        19. Stopping Runaway Programs
      2. Configuring the Command-Line Environment
        1. Console Window Properties
        2. Changing the Search Path
        3. Predefined and Virtual Environment Variables
        4. Setting Default Environment Variables
        5. The Adjustable Prompt
        6. AutoRun
        7. Configuring the MS-DOS Command Environment
          1. Window and Memory Options
            1. Program Settings
            2. Font Settings
            3. Memory Settings
            4. Screen Settings
            5. Miscellaneous Settings
            6. Compatibility Settings
          2. CONFIG.NT
          3. AUTOEXEC.NT
          4. MS-DOS Environment Variables
      3. Important Commands
        1. cd
        2. pushd and popd
        3. dir
        4. more
        5. runas
        6. control
        7. net
          1. net view
          2. net use
          3. net share
          4. net start and net stop
        8. findstr
      4. Batch Files
        1. Creating and Editing Batch Files
        2. Batch File Programming
        3. Argument Substitution
        4. Argument Editing
        5. Conditional Processing with if
          1. The Basic if Command
          2. Checking for Files and Folders
          3. Checking the Success of a Program
          4. Grouping Commands with Parentheses
          5. Extended Testing
        6. Processing Multiple Arguments
        7. Working with Environment Variables
          1. Environment Variable Editing
        8. Processing Multiple Items with the for Command
          1. Using Multiple Commands in a for Loop
          2. Delayed Expansion
        9. Using Batch Files Subroutines
        10. Prompting for Input
      5. Scripting
        1. Script Languages
        2. Creating and Editing Scripts
        3. Security Issues
        4. Running Scripts
        5. Scripting and COM Objects
        6. Sample Scripts
          1. Listing Network Printer Connections
          2. Reading and Writing Registry Values
          3. Sending Email from a Shortcut
        7. Learning More About Scripting
    15. 10. Windows File Systems
      1. Disks, Partitions and Volumes
        1. Basic Disks and Volumes
        2. Dynamic Disks and Volumes
      2. Creating Partitions
        1. Assigning Drive Letters to Volumes
        2. Running FDISK
        3. Drive Partitioning and Formatting with Disk Management
        4. Drive Partitioning with Aftermarket Utilities
        5. High-level (Operating System) Formatting
        6. File System Tool Limitations
        7. Drive Capacity Limitations
      3. Boot Sectors
        1. Master Boot Record
        2. Primary and Extended Partitions
        3. Windows DiskProbe
          1. FIXMBR
          2. Undocumented FDISK
        4. Volume Boot Records
        5. The Data Area
      4. File Systems
        1. Clusters (Allocation Units)
      5. File Allocation Table (FAT)
        1. FAT12
        2. FAT16
        3. VFAT and Long Filenames
        4. FAT32
          1. FAT Mirroring
          2. Converting FAT16 to FAT32
        5. File Allocation Table Tutorial
        6. Directories (Folders)
        7. FAT File System Errors
          1. Lost Clusters
          2. Cross-Linked Files
          3. Invalid Files or Folders
          4. FAT Errors
      6. NTFS
        1. NTFS Architecture—The MFT
        2. NTFS 5 (NTFS 2000)
          1. NTFS Changes in Windows XP
          2. NTFS Compatibility
        3. Creating NTFS Drives
        4. NTFS Tools
      7. File System Utilities
        1. CHKDSK Operation
        2. The RECOVER Command
        3. SCANDISK
        4. Disk Defragmentation
        5. Third-Party Programs
          1. Norton Utilities and Norton SystemWorks
          2. File Systems and Third-Party Disk Utilities
    16. 11. Windows Data Recovery
      1. The Windows Recycle Bin and File Deletion
        1. Recovering Files That Are Not in the Recycle Bin
          1. Norton UnErase and Norton Protected Recycle Bin—Win9x/Me
          2. Norton UnErase and Norton Protected Recycle Bin—Win 2000/XP
        2. Alternatives to Norton UnErase
        3. Undeleting Files in NTFS
      2. Retrieving Data from Partitioned and Formatted Drives
        1. Norton Unformat and Its Limitations
        2. Retrieving Lost Data to Another Drive
      3. Using the Norton Disk Editor
        1. Using Disk Editor to Examine a Drive
        2. Determining the Number of Clusters Used by a File
        3. How the Operating System Marks a File When It Is Deleted
        4. Undeleting an Erased File
        5. Retrieving a File from a Hard Disk or Flash Memory Card
      4. Data Recovery from Flash Memory Devices
      5. FAT File System Troubleshooting
      6. NTFS File System Troubleshooting
    17. 12. Windows Troubleshooting
      1. Troubleshooting Basics
        1. What You’ll Find in This Chapter
        2. A Word About Viruses and Spyware
        3. Windows “Sickbed” Symptoms
      2. Windows Installation Troubleshooting
        1. Legacy/Unsupported Hardware Devices
        2. Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
        3. Updating Computer Firmware
        4. Other Common Windows Installation Issues
      3. Pre-Windows Startup Troubleshooting
        1. Common Boot Error Messages and Solutions
          1. Missing Operating System
          2. No Rom Basic—System Halted
            1. Boot Error Press F1 to Retry
            2. Invalid Drive Specification
            3. Invalid Media Type
            4. Hard Disk Controller Failure
      4. Windows Startup Troubleshooting
        1. Windows Advanced Options Menu
          1. Last Known Good Configuration
          2. Starting Windows in Safe Mode
          3. Device Driver Rollback
          4. Uninstalling Software Through the Windows Control Panel
        2. Using the System Restore Tool
          1. System Restore in Safe Mode
          2. System Restore in Safe Mode with Command Prompt
        3. Recovery Console
          1. Recovery Console Access Restrictions
          2. Installing Recovery Console on Your Hard Disk
          3. Starting Recovery Console from your Setup CD
          4. Using the Recovery Console
            1. Repair the Boot Loader
            2. Disable a Buggy Driver or Service
            3. Disable Spyware, Adware, or Viruses
            4. Replace a Missing boot.ini
            5. Back Up boot.ini
          5. Recovery Console Command Summary
            1. attrib—Change Attributes on a File or Directory
            2. batch—Execute Commands from a Text File
            3. bootcfg—Modify boot.ini Startup and Recovery Options
            4. cd and chdir—Display or Change Current Directory
            5. chkdsk—Check Disk Format for Errors
            6. cls—Clear the Screen
            7. copy—Copy a File
            8. del and delete—Delete a File
            9. dir—List Files and Subdirectories
            10. disable—Disable a Service or Device Driver
            11. diskpart—Manage Hard Disk Partitions
            12. enable—Enable a Service or Device Driver
            13. exit—Quit the Recovery Console and Reboot
            14. expand—Expand or List a Compressed .CAB File
            15. fixboot—Rewrite the Boot Sector of the Boot Drive
            16. fixmbr—Rewrite the Master Boot Record of the Boot Drive
            17. format—Format a Disk Volume
            18. help—Print Help Information
            19. listsvc—List All Device Drivers and Services
            20. logon—Select a Windows Installation
            21. map—Display Disk Devices and Drive Letter Mappings
            22. md and mkdir—Create a Directory
            23. more and type—Display a Text File on the Screen
            24. net—Torment Users with False Hopes
            25. rd and rmdir—Delete a Directory
            26. ren and rename—Rename a File
            27. set—Enable or Disable a Recovery Console Option
            28. systemroot—Change to the Windows Folder
        4. Automated System Recovery
      5. Parallel Windows Installation
      6. The Blue Screen of Death: Interpreting STOP Error Messages
        1. Make a Record of STOP Errors
        2. Common STOP Errors
      7. Windows XP Troubleshooting Tools
        1. CHKDSK
        2. DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DXDIAG.EXE)
        3. Dr. Watson
        4. Program Compatibility Wizard
        5. System Configuration Utility
        6. Windows Troubleshooters
        7. Installing Additional Windows Support Tools
      8. Using the Microsoft Knowledge Base (MSKB)
    18. A. Windows Tool Reference
      1. Windows Management Tools
      2. Standard Commands
      3. Support Tools
        1. Application Compatibility Toolkit
        2. Deployment Toolkit
      4. Value-Added Tools
      5. PowerToys
        1. PowerToys for Windows XP
        2. TweakUI for Windows 9x, NT, and 2000
      6. Resource Kits
      7. Services for UNIX
    19. B. Windows Command Reference
      1. Programs Provided with Windows
        1. Running Applications and Components
        2. Command-Line Syntax
        3. Legend
      2. Built-In Commands
      3. Control Panel Applets
      4. MMC Management Snap-Ins
      5. Screensavers

    Product information

    • Title: Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows
    • Author(s): Scott Mueller, Brian Knittel
    • Release date: November 2005
    • Publisher(s): Que
    • ISBN: 9780789734037