book

Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks, 2nd Edition

Name: Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks, 2nd Edition
Author: David A. Karp
ISBN: 9780596553067

by David A. Karp

November 2004

Intermediate to advanced

672 pages

19h 43m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks, 2nd Edition
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Preface
What IS an Annoyance?Thinking Inside the Box
How This Book Came to Be
Organization of This Book
Getting the Most Out of This Book
Software Depository
Using Code Examples
Conventions Used in This Book
Request for Comments

Acknowledgments
1. Getting Started with Windows XP
1.1. A Brief History of Time, Re: MS Windows
1.2. Windows Editions and Service Packs
1.3. What You Get with Windows XP
1.4. Installing Windows XP
1.4.1. Installing on a New (Clean) System1.4.2. Upgrading from a Previous Version of Windows1.4.3. Installing from the Command Prompt1.4.4. Reinstalling Windows XP1.4.5. Dealing with Potential Problems During Setup1.4.6. Setting Up a Dual-Boot System1.4.6.1. Editing the Boot Manager configuration file (boot.ini)1.4.7. Activating Windows XP
1.5. Migrating to Windows XP
1.5.1. Casualties of the Upgrade1.5.2. Adjusting Windows XP to Smooth Out the Migration1.5.2.1. Where to find it in Windows XP
2. Basic Explorer Coping Skills
2.1. Working with Explorer2.1.1. Exploring Basic Explorer Settings2.1.2. Force Explorer to Remember Its Own Settings2.1.3. Helpful Explorer Keystrokes2.1.4. Convince Explorer to Start with the Folder You Want2.1.4.1. Launch Explorer from a shortcut2.1.4.2. Exploring in context
2.2. Handling Files and Folders
2.2.1. Take Charge of Drag-Drop2.2.2. Copy or Move to a Specified Path2.2.2.1. Solution 1: Drag patiently2.2.2.2. Solution 2: Use cut, copy, and paste2.2.2.3. Solution 3: Use the Explorer toolbar2.2.2.4. Solution 4: Use a third-party add-on2.2.3. Make a Duplicate of a File or Folder2.2.4. More Ways to Rename Files2.2.4.1. Solution 1: Select multiple files in Explorer2.2.4.2. Solution 2: Use the Command Prompt2.2.4.3. Solution 3: Use a third-party add-on2.2.5. Make It Easier to Delete Files2.2.6. How to Delete or Replace In-Use Files2.2.6.1. Solution 1: Close the application2.2.6.2. Solution 2: Use the Command Prompt2.2.6.3. Solution 3: Brute force2.2.6.4. Solution 4: Use the Safe Mode with Command Prompt2.2.6.5. Solution 5: Use the Recovery Console2.2.6.6. Solution 6: Use Wininit.ini2.2.7. Fix the Search Tool2.2.7.1. Part 1: The new Search interface2.2.7.2. Part 2: The Search pane in Explorer2.2.7.3. Part 3: Search tips2.2.8. A Crash Course on File Organization2.2.9. Working with ZIP Files2.2.10. Clean up Windows Shortcuts2.2.10.1. Part 1: Remove the "Shortcut to" prefix2.2.10.2. Part 2: More complete control
2.3. Customizing the Interface
2.3.1. Dealing with Themes, Schemes, Styles, and Skins2.3.1.1. Part 1: Schemes2.3.1.2. Part 2: Themes2.3.1.3. Part 3: Styles and skins2.3.1.4. Solution 1: Create your own styles with WindowBlinds2.3.1.5. Solution 2: Poor-man's custom styles2.3.1.6. Special case: When an application ignores your selected style2.3.2. Make the Control Panel More Accessible2.3.2.1. Part 1: Categories2.3.2.2. Part 2: Make shortcuts to Control Panel icons2.3.2.3. Part 3: Search tips2.3.2.4. Solution 4: Remove unwanted Control Panel icons2.3.2.5. Part 5: Add a cascading Control Panel menu to the Start Menu2.3.3. Massaging the Start Menu2.3.3.1. Customizing the new XP-style Start Menu2.3.3.2. Customizing the Classic Start Menu2.3.3.3. Sorting Start Menu items2.3.3.4. Dealing with overflow: scrolling vs. multiple columns2.3.3.5. Alternatives to the Start Menu2.3.4. Refresh the Desktop Without Restarting Windows2.3.4.1. Solution 12.3.4.2. Solution 22.3.4.3. Solution 32.3.5. Customize the Windows Startup Logo
3. The Registry
3.1. The Registry Editor
3.2. The Structure of the Registry
3.2.1. The Meat of the Registry: Values
3.3. Registry Procedures
3.3.1. Backing Up the Registry3.3.2. Finding the Right Registry Key3.3.3. Search the Registry Effectively3.3.4. Search and Replace Registry Data3.3.5. Using Registry Patches3.3.5.1. Create a Registry patch3.3.5.2. Edit a Registry patch3.3.5.3. Apply a Registry patch3.3.5.4. Solution 1: From Explorer3.3.5.5. Solution 2: From within the Registry Editor3.3.5.6. Solution 3: From the command line3.3.5.7. Using Registry patches on earlier versions of Windows3.3.6. Create an Interface for a Registry Setting3.3.7. Using INI Files3.3.7.1. Searching INI files for settings3.3.7.2. Special case: System.ini and Win.ini
4. Tinkering Techniques
4.1. Customizing Your Desktop4.1.1. Cleaning Up Desktop Clutter4.1.1.1. Special case: the Recycle Bin4.1.1.2. Special Case: really stubborn icons4.1.1.3. Hide all desktop icons4.1.2. Customizing My Computer and Other System Folders4.1.2.1. Renaming My Computer, My Documents, and My Network Places4.1.2.2. Choosing icons for desktop objects4.1.2.3. Customize the contents of My Computer4.1.2.4. Customize the contents of My Network Places4.1.2.5. Redirect the My Computer desktop icon4.1.2.6. Redirect the My Documents Desktop icon4.1.2.7. Getting rid of the Shared Documents folder
4.2. Covering Your Tracks
4.2.1. Taming Recent Documents4.2.1.1. Choose how many recent documents are shown in the Start Menu4.2.1.2. Clear out the Recent Documents folder4.2.1.3. Turn off the Recent Documents menu in the Start Menu4.2.1.4. Permanently disable the Recent Documents folder4.2.2. Thinning Out Explorer's New Menu4.2.2.1. Solution 1: Using the Registry Editor4.2.2.2. Solution 2: Using TweakUI4.2.2.3. Solution 3: Prevent recurring entries (advanced users only)4.2.3. Customize the Tray/Notification Area4.2.3.1. Remove common items from the tray4.2.3.2. Hide stubborn icons4.2.3.3. Hide the tray completely4.2.3.4. Add your own programs to the tray
4.3. File Types: The Link Between Documents and Applications
4.3.1. Customize Context Menus4.3.1.1. Use file types to add, remove, or edit context menus4.3.1.2. Link a filename extension to an existing file type4.3.1.3. Choose a file-type association on the fly4.3.1.4. What to do when the Advanced button is missing4.3.2. Understanding File Types4.3.3. Protect Your File Types4.3.4. Customize Context Menus for Drives, Folders,and Desktop Icons4.3.5. Print Out a Folder Listing4.3.6. Turn File Icons into Thumbnail Previews4.3.6.1. Solution 1: Icon previews for bitmap (.bmp) files4.3.6.2. Solution 2: Use built-in icon previews for all graphic files4.3.7. Disable the Automatic Display of Thumbnails in Certain Folders4.3.7.1. Solution 1: Modify the assumptions made about a given folder4.3.7.2. Solution 2: Change the way thumbnails look (requires TweakUI)4.3.7.3. Solution 3: Relocate your system folders4.3.8. Turn off the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
4.4. Cool Things You Can Do with Drives and Folders
4.4.1. Customize Drive and Folder Icons4.4.1.1. Solution 1: Customize drive icons4.4.1.2. Solution 2: Customize individual folder icons4.4.1.3. Solution 3: Customize all folder icons4.4.1.4. Solution 4: Just about any system object4.4.1.5. Solution 5: Applications (.exe and .dll files)4.4.2. Mirror a Folder with Folder Shortcuts4.4.2.1. Create a Folder Shortcut4.4.2.2. Dismantle a Folder Shortcut4.4.3. Customize the Places Bar4.4.3.1. Solution 1: Places Bar for most applications4.4.3.2. Solution 2: Places Bar in Microsoft Office XP and later versions4.4.3.3. Solution 3: Places Bar in Microsoft Office 2000 and later versions4.4.4. Curb AutoPlay for CDs and DVDs4.4.4.1. Solution 1: Disable AutoPlay on the fly4.4.4.2. Solution 2: Choose AutoPlay preferences on a per-content basis4.4.4.3. Solution 3: Selectively control AutoPlay actions, or disable it altogether4.4.4.4. Solution 4: Turn off CD polling
5. Maximizing Performance
5.1. Trimming the Fat5.1.1. Tame Mindless Animation and Display Effects5.1.2. Speed Up Menu Responsiveness5.1.3. Speed Up System Startup5.1.3.1. Add more memory5.1.3.2. Make more free disk space5.1.3.3. Clean out your Temp folder5.1.3.4. Thin out your fonts5.1.3.5. Tame antivirus software5.1.3.6. Eliminate autostart programs5.1.3.7. Nitpicking5.1.4. Start Windows Instantly5.1.4.1. Hibernate vs. Stand by5.1.4.2. Troubleshooting Stand by and Hibernate modes5.1.5. Speed Up System Shutdown5.1.5.1. Part 1: Reduce the hung application timeout5.1.5.2. Part 2: Use the User Profile Hive Cleanup Service5.1.5.3. Part 3: Have Windows power down your computer automatically5.1.6. Eliminate Unwanted Windows Components5.1.7. Get the Most Out of Your Games, Speed-Wise
5.2. Hard Disk
5.2.1. A Defragmentation Crash-Course5.2.1.1. Enable automatic boot defragments5.2.2. Increasing Disk Space (or What to Throw Away)5.2.2.1. Windows XP files that can be deleted5.2.2.2. Files found elsewhere on your system5.2.2.3. Files NOT to delete5.2.2.4. If in doubt5.2.2.5. Special consideration: hidden files5.2.2.6. Special consideration: System File Protection and System Restore5.2.3. Optimize Virtual Memory and Cache Settings5.2.3.1. Part 1: Virtual memory settings5.2.3.2. Part 2: Defragment the paging file5.2.3.3. Part 3: Clear the paging file on shutdown5.2.3.4. Part 4: Advanced settings for the adventurous5.2.4. Choosing the Right Filesystem5.2.4.1. Convert your drives to NTFS5.2.4.2. Understanding cluster sizes5.2.5. Advanced NTFS Settings5.2.6. What to Look for in a New Hard Disk5.2.7. Transfer Windows to Another Hard Disk or System5.2.7.1. Solution 1: Using a disk-cloning utility5.2.7.2. Solution 2: Use a backup device5.2.7.3. Solution 3: Transferring data manually5.2.8. Working with Partitions5.2.8.1. The Disk Management tool5.2.8.2. Customizing Disk Management5.2.8.3. Mounting volumes5.2.8.4. Creating and deleting partitions5.2.8.5. Resizing and moving partitions
5.3. System Hardware
5.3.1. Managing IRQ Priority5.3.2. Overclock Your Processor
6. Troubleshooting
6.1. General Troubleshooting Techniques6.1.1. Where to Go from Here
6.2. Specific Software Issues
6.2.1. Patching Windows with Windows Update6.2.2. What to Do when Windows Won't Start6.2.3. Error Messages During Startup6.2.3.1. Silence the error messages altogether6.2.4. Programs Run by Windows when It Starts6.2.5. Viruses, Malware, and Spyware6.2.5.1. How malware spreads6.2.5.2. Protecting and cleaning your computer6.2.5.3. The perils of auto-protect6.2.6. Check Your Drive for Errors with Chkdsk6.2.6.1. Special case: dirty drives and automatic Chkdsk6.2.7. Error Messages and Crashing Applications6.2.7.1. Error messages resulting from application crashes6.2.8. Closing Hung Applications6.2.8.1. Solution 1: Close the program window6.2.8.2. Solution 2: Use the Windows Task Manager6.2.8.3. Special case: Change the "Not Responding" timeout6.2.8.4. Special case: Choose how Windows closes hung applications when you shut down6.2.9. Programs Commonly Running in the Background6.2.10. What to Do when Windows Won't Shut Down6.2.10.1. Part 1: Power management issues6.2.10.2. Part 2: Look for shutdown scripts6.2.10.3. Part 3: Virtual memory problems6.2.10.4. Part 4: Other causes6.2.11. Blue Screen of Death6.2.11.1. Alphabetical List of BSoD Errors
6.3. Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting
6.3.1. Looking for a Driver6.3.2. Updating and Verifying Drivers6.3.2.1. Watch out for driver installer inconsistencies6.3.2.2. The importance of .inf files6.3.3. Handling Misbehaving Drivers6.3.4. Interpreting Device Manager Errors6.3.5. Working with Restore Points6.3.6. Understanding Version Control6.3.7. Firmware: Software for Your Hardware6.3.8. Resolving Hardware Conflicts6.3.8.1. Tips for installing new hardware6.3.9. The Trials and Tribulations of Plug and Play6.3.9.1. Special case: Stop Plug and Play from detecting devices6.3.10. Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager6.3.11. Using Multiple Hardware Configurations6.3.12. Which Slots to Use for Internal Devices
6.4. Fixing Device-Specific Problems
6.4.1. Video Cards (Display Adapters)6.4.2. Monitors6.4.3. Motherboards6.4.4. Processors6.4.5. Memory6.4.6. USB Controllers and Devices6.4.6.1. USB power management issues6.4.6.2. What about FireWire?6.4.7. Hard Disks6.4.8. IDE Controllers6.4.9. SCSI Controllers6.4.10. CD and DVD Drives, Recordable and Otherwise6.4.11. Tape Drives6.4.12. Flash Cards and Other Removable Drives6.4.13. Modems6.4.13.1. Getting the right driver for your modem6.4.13.2. Diagnosing slow or unreliable modem connections6.4.14. Network Interface Cards (NICs)6.4.15. Wireless NICs and Routers6.4.16. Sound Cards6.4.17. Printers6.4.18. Scanners and Cameras6.4.19. Keyboards6.4.19.1. Ergonomics6.4.19.2. The Num Lock, Scroll Lock, and Caps Lock keys6.4.20. Mice and Other Pointing Devices6.4.21. Power Supplies
6.5. Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery
6.5.1. Quick, On-the-Fly Backups6.5.1.1. Solution 1: Simple copy6.5.1.2. Solution 2: Simple ZIP6.5.2. Back Up Your Entire System6.5.3. Installing Microsoft Backup6.5.4. Tips for a Better Backup6.5.5. Recovering Your System After a Crash6.5.6. Protecting Your Hardware6.5.7. Create a Boot Disk6.5.7.1. Make a Windows XP boot disk6.5.7.2. Make a DOS boot disk6.5.8. Using the Windows Recovery Console6.5.8.1. Windows Recovery Console commands6.5.8.2. Lifting Recovery Console restrictions
7. Networking andGoing Wireless
7.1. Getting Started with Networking7.1.1. Terminology Primer7.1.2. Planning Your Network7.1.2.1. Adding Internet to the Mix7.1.3. Configuring Network Connections7.1.3.1. Part 1: Adding new connections7.1.3.2. Part 2: Working with connection properties7.1.3.3. Part 3: Connection status and other ways to manipulate network connections
7.2. Build a Workgroup (Local Area Network)
7.2.1. Building a Peer-to-Peer Workgroup7.2.2. Troubleshooting Your Workgroup
7.3. Connect to the Internet
7.3.1. Connection Types7.3.1.1. DSL, cable, or other high-speed connection with a static IP address7.3.1.2. DSL, cable, or other high-speed connection via PPPoE7.3.1.3. Connection provided by a router or another computer via Internet Connection Sharing7.3.1.4. Dial-up connection, including analog modems over standard phone lines7.3.2. Sharing an Internet Connection7.3.2.1. Setting up Internet Connection Sharing7.3.2.2. Troubleshooting Internet Connection Sharing7.3.2.3. Alternatives to Internet Connection Sharing7.3.3. Fix Your Shared Internet Connection with a New MTU7.3.4. Test Your Throughput
7.4. Stuff You Can Do with a Network
7.4.1. Virtual Private Networking7.4.1.1. Part 1a: Set up the tunnel server (Windows XP Professional only)7.4.1.2. Part 1b: Set up the tunnel server (Windows 2000 Server/Advanced Server only)7.4.1.3. Part 1c: Set up the tunnel server (Windows NT 4.0 Server/Advanced Server only)7.4.1.4. Part 2: Set up the VPN client (Windows XP)7.4.2. Accessing an FTP Site in Explorer7.4.2.1. Solution 1: Open a temporary FTP folder7.4.2.2. Solution 2: Create a more permanent "place" in My Network Places7.4.2.3. Solution 3: Another way to create an FTP folder7.4.2.4. Notes7.4.3. Controlling Another Computer Remotely(Just Like in the Movies)7.4.3.1. Part 1: Enable the Remote Desktop server7.4.3.2. Part 2: Connect to a remote computer7.4.3.3. Notes7.4.3.4. Alternatives to Remote Desktop Connection7.4.4. Managing the Nameserver (DNS) Cache7.4.4.1. Part 1: Increase the size of the DNS cache7.4.4.2. Part 2: Add a permanent entry to the DNS cache
7.5. Go Wireless
7.5.1. Set Up a Wireless Router7.5.2. Sniff Out WiFi Networks7.5.2.1. Sniffing hidden networks7.5.2.2. Configuring WiFi networks7.5.2.3. Troubleshooting7.5.2.4. Other WiFi sniffers7.5.3. Connect to a Public Wireless Network7.5.3.1. Scenario 1: Single-serving Internet7.5.3.2. Scenario 2: The long haul7.5.4. Add Wireless Support to Any Device
7.6. Securing Your System on a Network
7.6.1. Closing Back Doors in Windows XP7.6.2. Using the Windows Security Center7.6.2.1. Setting up the Windows Firewall7.6.2.2. Poking holes in the firewall7.6.2.3. Alternatives to the Windows Firewall7.6.3. Scan Your System for Open Ports7.6.3.1. Using an external port scanner
8. User Accounts and Administration
8.1. Managing Users
8.2. Permissions and Security
8.2.1. Setting Permissions for an Object8.2.1.1. Inheritance and other advanced options8.2.1.2. Adding new users to the Permissions window8.2.1.3. Notes8.2.2. Protecting Your Files with Encryption8.2.2.1. Highlighting encrypted files8.2.2.2. Allowing others to view encrypted files8.2.2.3. The ins and outs of folder encryption8.2.2.4. Add Encrypt/Decrypt commands to context menus8.2.2.5. Using the NTFS Encryption Utility and working with keys8.2.2.6. Securing free space
8.3. Logon Options
8.3.1. Use the Traditional Log On DialogInstead of the Welcome Screen8.3.2. Customize the Welcome Screen8.3.2.1. Choose new pictures for users8.3.2.2. Create a new Welcome screen8.3.2.3. Turn off the mail notification8.3.3. Customize the Log On Screen8.3.3.1. Customize the appearance of the Log On dialog and the desktop background8.3.3.2. Hide the last-typed username8.3.3.3. Customize the logon message (Log On screen only)8.3.4. Logging on Automatically8.3.4.1. Prevent users from bypassing the automatic login8.3.4.2. Limit automatic logins8.3.5. Logging in as the Administrator8.3.5.1. Notes8.3.6. Hiding User Accounts8.3.7. Prevent Users from Shutting Down8.3.8. Working with User Folders8.3.8.1. Modifying folder locations8.3.8.2. Consolidating user folders
8.4. Sharing Files and Printers
8.4.1. Sharing Folders8.4.2. Accessing Shared Resources Remotely8.4.3. Sharing Printers8.4.4. Stop Sharing Scheduled Tasks
9. Scripting and Automation
9.1. Building a Script with VBScript9.1.1. Using Variables to Store and Manipulate Information9.1.2. Giving Your Scripts an Interface with the InputBox and MsgBox Commands9.1.3. Creating Interactive Scripts with Conditional Statements9.1.4. Using Loops, Using Loops, Using Loops9.1.5. Making Building Blocks with Subroutines and Functions
9.2. Object References
9.2.1. Running Applications from Scripts9.2.2. Accessing the Registry from Scripts9.2.3. Manipulating Files from Scripts9.2.4. Creating Windows Shortcuts and Internet Shortcuts in Scripts9.2.5. Networking with Scripts9.2.6. Manipulating Internet Explorer from Scripts9.2.7. Using Command-Line Parameters in Scripts9.2.8. Managing Services with Scripts9.2.9. Writing CGI Scripts for a Web Server
9.3. Development Tips
9.3.1. Deciphering Script Errors9.3.2. Finding a Better Editor9.3.3. Further Study9.3.4. Making a Startup Script9.3.5. Automating Scripts with Scheduled Tasks
9.4. Wacky Script Ideas
9.4.1. Quick Floppy Backup Tool9.4.2. Internet Fish Tank9.4.3. Smart Phone Dialing9.4.4. Quick SendTo Shortcut Creator9.4.5. Rename Files with Search and Replace9.4.6. Mirror a Folder with Folder Shortcuts
10. The Command Prompt
10.1. DOS Commands
10.2. Batch Files: The Other Way to Do It
10.2.1. Variables and the Environment10.2.2. Flow Control10.2.3. Command-Line Parameters10.2.4. Conditional Statements10.2.5. Loops10.2.6. Simulating Subroutines
10.3. Command Prompt Integration
10.3.1. Turn the Address Bar into a Command Prompt10.3.2. Open a Command Prompt window in any folder10.3.3. The Path Less Traveled
A. Setting Locator
A.1. Alphabetical Listing of All Windows XP Settings
B. BIOS Settings
C. TCP/IP Ports
D. Class IDs (CLSIDs) of System Objects
About the Author
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Acknowledgments

I'd like to start by thanking the folks at O'Reilly Media, Inc. It's a supreme pleasure to work with people who are dedicated to quality and are passionate about their work. Special thanks to Tim O'Reilly for his enthusiasm, support, and commitment to quality. Thanks to Robert Luhn for helping me get this edition together and out in time.

Thanks also to everyone on the team who worked on this book.

I'd like to thank my family, friends, and well-wishers (in that they didn't wish me any specific harm), all of whom put up with my deadlines and late-night writing binges. Additional thanks to Ruth Kampmann. Finally, my immeasurable gratitude to Torey Bookstein, the love of my life.

And, as always, I thank you for your continued support. Without the people who read this book, it's nothing more than a test subject for Newton's first law of motion.

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