Windows XP FAQ F

This information courtesy of Kellys Korner XP

Limited OEM Driver Support Is Available with F6 During Windows XP Setup

Fast Boot /Fast Resume Design

Bootvis is a Boot performance trace visualization tool for use with Windows XP systems. It gives a graphical view of what processes are doing what and when during boot and allow you to optimise your boot up. A very handy tool.

Download Bootvis: http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/performance/fastboot/default.asp
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/BTV/1.0/WXP/EN-US/bootVis-tool.exe

This is a self extracting ZIP file. Double click the file you just downloaded and unzip it to the folder of your choice. Locate Bootvis.exe click on it. You will now see the GUI of bootvis.

Now go to File/New and choose "Next boot trace" or "Next boot and drivers chase". Leave everything else as is and get ready for a reboot in 15 seconds.

Then click on the Bootvis.exe, it will now output the results, once it has finished generating the report, you will see graphs 5
or 6 graphs. They look a bit confusing at this stage.

From the main menu .. Click on Trace >> optimize system, then reboot.

You will see a message box "Please wait for bootvis to load" ... about 20 seconds later another message box will appear "Optimizing system for boot performance" basically bootvis is rearranging the boot files for a faster startup

Fast Logon

Description of Windows XP Professional Fast Logon Optimization

Fast User Switching - Modem Disconnects

In the Network Connections Folder right click the Connection Icon/Properties/Advanced/Sharing/Allow others to connect.

Tip: Allow Fast User Switching

Fast user switching allows you to quickly switch to another user account without having to close any programs. This setting controls whether fast user switching is available.

Open your registry and find the key below. You may need to create the key if it does not already exist.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'AllowMultipleTSSessions' and edit the value according
to the settings below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Value Name: AllowMultipleTSSessions
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = Disable Fast User Switching, 1= Enable)

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Fast User Switching and Internet Connection

The following entry will stop the prompt to shut down the connection when changing users under Windows XP. This
enables a permanent internet connection with multiple users on your PC under Windows XP. Go to: Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Right click in the right pane, select New/String Value. Name the value KeepRasConnections and set it to 1. Reboot.

If working in the registry is not to your liking, you can use this Regedit, VB Script or my KeepRas Utility to do it for you.

Note:

To use the Regedit: Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes to the import prompt. REG files
can be viewed in Notepad by right clicking on the file and selecting Edit.

To use the VBS Files: Download .vbs file and save it to your hard drive (you may want to right click and use Save Target
As). Double-click the vbs file. You will be prompted when the script is done.

Windows has the option to automatically dial your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to establish an Internet connection. This option can be controlled using this tweak.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
Value Name: EnableAutodial
Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value)
Value Data: (00 00 00 00 = disabled, 01 00 00 00 = enabled)

Create a new binary value named "EnableAutodial", and set the new value to equal "01 00 00 00" to enable autodial or
"00 00 00 00" to disable it.

Note: This restriction can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Difference Between Log Off and Switch User Commands
Programs Do Not Create Shortcuts for Fast User Switching Users
Windows XP Slows If Users Are Logged On with Fast User Switching

More information here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_modem.htm

Favorites

Favorites Folder Location and Saving Tips
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_favorites.htm

Tip: Locate Dead Links in Favorites
Go to Windows Explorer\C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Favorites. Change the view to thumbnails. If one is
listed 404, delete it.

Favorites - Prioritize

Elevate its priority on the Start menu by putting it at the top of the list. This ensures the program will remain on the Start
menu and cannot be bumped by other programs, even if you use the others more frequently.

Right-click the link to your favorite program on the Start menu and select Pin to Start Menu. Your program will be moved permanently to the top part of the list, just below your browser and e-mail programs.

Start Menu and Favorites Menu Not Listed in Alphabetical Order

Tip: Follow by example: http://username:password@www.whateversite.com/restricted/

Type in the URL. Add your User ID followed by a colon and then your password followed by an at sign (@) in front of
your the URL and after the http:// Example: http://username:password@www.microsoft.com

Tip: Custom icons are lost when you clean your cache. These are known as favicons.ico (Favorite Icons) and they
normally will only last until your Internet Explorer Temp files are cleared.

This program will allow you to save the favicons.ico (Favorite Icons) permanently in a different folder and re-associate
your favorites with the stored icons.

FavOrg - Restore and Save Favorite Icons (Line 108)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

FavesToGo - Save Favorites Quickly (Line 108)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Workaround:

Navigate to the Temporary Internet Files, and drag the icons to the desktop and rename them to whatever name you like.

Then, create a folder called Icon Selection. Move all of the renamed favicons to this folder placed in the root directory
of C. Right click on the Icon, select Browse and navigate to your Icon Selection folder. Choose the renamed favicon
and click ok. These icons will be permanent.

When you right click on an icon, select browse and navigate to the Icon Selection folder. Choose the renamed favicon
you want and click ok. Your customized icons will be permanent.

Favorite Icons are Missing

Custom icons are lost when you clean your cache. These are known as favicons.ico (Favorite Icons) and they
normally will only last until your Internet Explorer Temp files are cleared.

This program will allow you to save the favicons.ico (Favorite Icons) permanently in a different folder and re-associate
your favorites with the stored icons.

FavOrg - Restore and Save Favorite Icons (Line 108)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

FavesToGo - Save Favorites Quickly (Line 108)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Workaround:

Create a folder called Icon Selection. Move all of the renamed favicons to this folder placed in the root directory of
C. Right click on the Icon, select Browse and navigate to your Icon Selection folder. Choose the renamed favicon and
click ok. These icons will be permanent.

When you right click on an icon, select browse and navigate to the Icon Selection folder. Choose the renamed favicon
you want and click ok. Your customized icons will be permanent.

FAX

Fax provides you with complete fax facilities from your computer. You can configure fax settings, send and receive faxes,
track and monitor fax activity, and access archived faxes. Using Fax, you can choose to send and receive faxes with a
local fax device attached to your computer, or with a remote fax device connected to fax resources located on a network.

Fax is not installed by default during Windows Setup. To install the Fax component: Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. Click Add/Remove Windows Components. In the Windows Components Wizard, select the Fax Services check box, and then follow the instructions on your screen.

To open Fax after installation, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications, and then
click Fax Console. For more information on using Fax, click Help in Fax Console.

Troubleshooting FAX Problems in Windows XP
Windows XP KB Articles About Printing and Fax
Troubleshooting Enabling and Configuring the Fax Service
Dialing Rules May Not Be Applied to Tools Such as Fax

Features - Set by Default in Home and Pro (How to enable/disable)
http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,81996,pg,7,00.asp

File and Settings Transfer Wizard

Files and Settings Are Lost When You Use the Transfer Wizard
List of Programs Whose Settings Are Migrated When You Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
How to Troubleshoot Issues with the User State Migration Tool and the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

HOW TO: Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard with a Wizard Disk
HOW TO: Use the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard By Using the Win XP CD
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

HOW TO: Back Up Information to a CD
Recorded CD-ROM Is Missing Files or Folders, or Is Unreadable

File Associations

Fix file associations from the Command Line: Did you leave the Always Use This Program To Open This File option
turned on? Do you want to change it back so it prompts you to specify a program each time? To delete the association
with that file type, at the command prompt enter the command ASSOC.EXT= [where .EXT specifies the extension of
the file type whose association you want to delete (e.g., .WAV for wave files)].

Now whenever you double-click on the file of that type, the system will ask you what program you want to use to open
the file. For more information: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_easy_file.htm.

HOW TO: Change File Associations in Windows XP
File Association Fixes - Various File Association fixes can be found here.

File Extensions

"Every File Format in the World"

This is a list of file name extension or suffixes that indicate the format or usage of a file and a brief description of that
format. We don't really show the file format itself here. In fact, many formats are proprietary and we couldn't show
them to you. In some cases, we link to a definition of the file format or to related information.

In general, if you have the program that uses the file format, that program can be used to open or otherwise use the file.
Some file formats (for example, the GIF file format used for Web page images) are standard formats that can be opened
by any program that supports that standard format.

File Formats and Extensions

While downloading files from the Web, you will undoubtedly encounter many different types of electronic files formats.
The way to identify the file type is by looking at its extension, typically expressed as a dot followed by 2 to 4 letters
(.xxx). Why should you care? You need to identify the file type to know whether it will work on your computer, and
whether you will need a particular type of software to decompress, play, or view it.

Various File Formats and How to Deal With Them
This search engine lets you search for the meaning of 2,368 file extensions. Click here.
Filename Extensions - Tech Dictionary
File Extensions

File Extensions - Unrecognized Extension - Disable

Start/Run/Regedit
Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value. Name it NoInternetOpenWith Double click the new
value and set it to 1. You'll go straight to the Programs listing.

For a single user, while logged on to their desktop, go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. Right click in the right pane
and select New, DWord value, name it InternetOpenWith and leave the value set to 0.

File List

FileList is a command line utility that produces a list of files of the given path in the CSV format, which can be imported
in a spreadsheet or database. The list includes the file name, the size, the path, the last access and change date. Under Windows NT/2000/XP it also includes the owner of the file. Screenshot. Download.

File Missing - Cannot find a device file...

You may receive an error message if a file is missing, for example: Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a Windows application. The Windows registry or SYSTEM.INI file refers to this device file, but the device
file no longer exists. Note that the file name may or may not be included in the error message.

How to Determine the Source to a File

Files - Permission Denied When Trying to Delete Folders/Files

Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View/Unmark "Use Simple File Sharing". Right click the folder/file in question/Properties/Security/Advanced/Owner/Set Permissions.

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions

More information here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_mydocs.htm

File Protection - Disable (Reference)

Windows 2000 and XP include a feature called Windows File Protection (WFP), part of the System File Checker,
which is intended to avoid some of the common DLL consistency issues. This feature may also block valid attempts to change system files and it can therefore be disabled using this tweak.

Open your registry (Start/Run/Regedit) and find the key below.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]

Value Name: SFCDisable
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: 0 = enabled (default), ffffff9d = disabled

Change the value of "SFCDisable" to equal "ffffff9d" to disable WFS or "0" to enable it. The other valid hexadecimal
values are:

1 - disabled, prompt at boot to re-enable

2 - disabled at next boot only, no prompt to re-enable

4 - enabled, with popups disabled

ffffff9d - for completely disabled

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Additional Steps for Windows XP
This setting is disabled in Windows XP, and needs to re-enabled using a hex editor and changing SFC.DLL (or SFC_OS.DLL for Windows XP) following these instructions:

Make a backup the SFC_OS.DLL in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory.
Make an additional copy of SFC_OS.DLL called SFC_OS1.DLL and open it in a hex editor.
At offset 0000E2B8 (0E2B8h) you should find the values "8B" and "C6". Do not continue if you are unable to
find these values.
Change the values "8B C6" to read "90 90" and save the changes.
Run these commands to update the system files:

copy c:\windows\system32\sfc_os1.dll c:\windows\system32\sfc_os.dll /y
copy c:\windows\system32\sfc_os1.dll c:\windows\system32\dllcache\sfc_os.dll /y
If you are prompted to insert the Windows CD, click Cancel.
Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Once these files have been updated apply the registry setting above.

Files - Recovery

Find any lost and deleted data on your drive (e.g. hard disk) even if the partition table is lost or the drive has been
quick-formatted Lost Data, that is the result of a system crash can also be recovered. More information here.

Files - Remove/Delete

Close all open apps. Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory with the offending files. Then open the Task Manager and click on the Processes tab. select "Explorer.Exe" under Image Name. Click "End Process".

Now you will only have the command prompt and the task manager. In the Command Prompt, DEL the offending files
(DEL *.mpg, DEL mus*.avi, DEL test.wmv, etc.)

The files should now delete without a problem. Now go back to the task manager and click on the Applications tab. Click
the "New Task..." button. in the dialog, type Explorer.Exe and click OK.

Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. Use the
search function to find every handle that Explorer.Exe has open and close them (right-click on the file and choose
'close handle'). Then delete the file(s) in question.

How do I delete an "undeletable" file?

Files - Rename

How to Rename Multiple Files with Windows Explorer. Start Windows Explorer. To do so, click Start, point to All
Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer. Select multiple files in a folder. To do so, press and
hold down the CTRL key while you are clicking files. After you select the files, press F2. Type the new name, and then
press ENTER.

NOTE: When you complete the preceding steps, the highlighted state of all files except one disappears, so it may appear
as if you are only renaming one file. However, after you press ENTER, all of the files are renamed. When you rename multiple files, all of the renamed files have the same name with a number in parentheses appended to the name to make
the new file name unique. For example, if you type BUDGET as the new name, the first file is named BUDGET. All of
the remaining selected files are named BUDGET( x ), where x is a unique number, starting with (1).

File Sharing

Windows XP Simple File Sharing
Windows XP Professional File Sharing
Description of File Sharing and Permissions in Windows XP (Q304040)

File Types - Specify Unknown File Type Options

These settings allow you to specify a description and the application to launch to view files with an unknown extension.

Open your registry (Start/Run/Regedit) and find the key below. Set the "(Default)" value to equal the description you
want to use for unknown file types.

System Key: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown]
Value Name: (Default)
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)

Create a new sub-key called [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\Open\Command] and set the "(Default)"
value to equal the command used to view unknown file types. Substitute the symbol "%1" to represent the filename
in the command (e.g. "notepad.exe %1").

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Firewall Reporter

Now users of Windows XP can easily analyze and monitor the log files created by XP Personal Firewall. Using XP
Firewall Reporter makes it easy to report hackers and script kiddies to their ISPs for abuse policy infractions and
allows you to readily understand where your Internet security needs to be fortified.

Various File Formats and How to Deal With ThemThis search engine lets you search for the meaning of 2,368 file extensions. Click here.Filename Extensions - Tech DictionaryFile Extensions

Various File Formats and How to Deal With Them
This search engine lets you search for the meaning of 2,368 file extensions. Click here.
Filename Extensions - Tech Dictionary
File Extensions