Windows Secrets

To fully reap this Manual you need to have a basic understanding of the Windows Registry If you wants to know the basic of registry then go to Registry Tips page of this site.
Important Note: Before you read on, you need to keep one thing in mind. Whenever you make changes to the Windows Registry you need to Refresh it before the changes take place. Simply press F5 to refresh the registry and enable the changes. If this does not work Restart your system.
1) Disabling Display of Drives in My Computer :
This is yet another trick you can play on your geek friend. To disable the display of local or networked drives when you click My Computer go to :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Now in the right pane create a new DWORD item and name it NoDrives. Now modify it's value and set it to 3FFFFFF (Hexadecimal) Now press F5 to refresh. When you click on My Computer, no drives will be shown. To enable display of drives in My Computer, simply delete this DWORD item. It's .reg file is as follows:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDrives"=dword:03ffffff
2) Pop a banner each time Windows Boots :
To pop a banner which can contain any message you want to display just before a user is going to log on, go to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinLogon
Now create a new string Value in the right pane named LegalNoticeCaption and enter the value that you want to see in the Menu Bar. Now create yet another new string value and name it: LegalNoticeText. Modify it and insert the message you want to display each time Windows boots. This can be effectively used to display the company's private policy each time the user logs on to his NT box. It's .reg file would be:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"LegalNoticeCaption"="Caption here."
3) Secure your Desktop Icons and Settings :
You can save your desktop settings and secure it from your nerdy friend by playing with the registry. Simply launch the Registry Editor go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
In the right pane create a new DWORD Value named NoSaveSettings and modify it's value to 1. Refresh and restart for the settings to get saved.
4) Deleting System Options from the Start menu :
You can actually remove the Find and Run options from the start menu by performing a simple registry hack. Again like always Launch the registry editor and scroll down to the below key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Right-click on the right pane and select New, DWORD Value. Name it NoFind.(To remove the RUN option name it NoRun). Double-click the newly create DWORD to edit it's value and enter 1 as its value. This will disable the FIND option of the Start Menu and will also disable the default Shortcut key(F3 for Find.)
To restore the Run or find command modify the value of the DWORD to 0 or simply Delete the DWORD value.

5) Cleaning Recent Docs Menu and the RUN MRU :

The Recent Docs menu can be easily disabled by editing the Registry. To do this go to the following Key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Now in the right pane, create a new DWORD value by the name: NoRecentDocsMenu and set it's value to 1. Restart Explorer to save the changes.

You can also clear the RUN MRU history. All the listings are stored in the key:

HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU

You can delete individual listings or the entire listing. To delete History of Find listings go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Doc Find Spec MRU and delete.

6) Other Similar Useful Tricks :

Launch Regedit and go to the following Registry Key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/CurrentVersion/Policies

Under this key, there will definitely be a key named explorer. Now under this explorer key we can create new DWORD values and modify it's value to 1 in order to impose the restriction. If you want to remove the Restriction, then you can simply delete the respective DWORD values or instead change their values to 0. The following is a list of DWORD values that can be created under the Explorer Key-:

NoDeletePrinter: Disables Deletion of already installed Printers

NoAddPrinter: Disables Addition of new Printers

NoRun : Disables or hides the Run Command

NoSetFolders: Removes Folders from the Settings option on Start Menu (Control Panel, Printers, Taskbar)

NoSetTaskbar: Removes Taskbar system folder from the Settings option on Start Menu

NoFind: Removes the Find Tool (Start >Find)

NoDrives: Hides and does not display any Drives in My Computer

NoNetHood: Hides or removes the Network Neighborhood icon from the desktop

NoDesktop: Hides all items including, file, folders and system folders from the Desktop

NoClose: Disables Shutdown and prevents the user from normally shutting down Windows.

NoSaveSettings: Means to say, 'Don't save settings on exit'

DisableRegistryTools: Disable Registry Editing Tools (If you disable this option, the Windows Registry Editor(regedit.exe) too will not work.)

NoRecentDocsHistory: Removes Recent Document system folder from the Start Menu (IE 4 and above)

ClearRecentDocsOnExit: Clears the Recent Documents system folder on Exit.

Nolnternetlcon: Removes the Internet (system folder) icon from the Desktop

Under the same key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/CurrentVersion/Policies you can create new subkeys other than the already existing Explorer key. Now create a new key and name it System. Under this new key, system we can create the following new DWORD values(1 for enabling the particular option and 0 for disabling the particular option):

• NODispCPL: Hides Control Panel
• NoDispBackgroundPage: Hides Background page.
• NoDispScrsavPage: Hides Screen Saver Page
• NoDispAppearancePage: Hides Appearance Page
• NoDispSettingsPage: Hides Settings Page
• NoSecCPL: Disables Password Control Panel
• NoPwdPage: Hides Password Change Page
• NoAdminPaqe: Hides Remote Administration Page
• NoProfilePage: Hides User Profiles Page
• NoDevMgrPage: Hides Device Manager Page
• NoConfigPage: Hides Hardware Profiles Page
• NoFileSysPage: Hides File System Button
• NoVirtMemPage: Hides Virtual Memory Button

Similarly, if we create a new subkey named WinOldApp, we can add the following DWORD values under it(1 for enabling the particular option and 0 for disabling the particular option):

Disabled: Disable MS-DOS Prompt

NoRealMode: Disable Single-Mode MS-DOS.

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Tricks To Improve PC Performance Hardware

Tricks To Improve PC Performance -Hardware

1.)  Tips and Tricks For Hardware Configuration

A well-configured PC by itself offers great performance. The key lies in the choice of the components and their arrangement.

• Choice of CPU
  My suggestion for a CPU would be one from AMD. I choose AMD for the following reasons
1. Price-to-performance ratio: Athlon processors beat the best from the Intel's equally clocked processors. Besides, they are cheaper than Intel's. Because they support DDR-RAM, the overall system cost is lower.
2. True FSB speed of 200 MHz: Though Intel advertises an FSB of 800 MHz, its true FSB is only 200 MHz, which is the same as the latest AMD Athlon XP processors. This is because not all subsystems of a PC can work at 800 MHz.
3. DDR-RAM support: DDR-RAM allows two data fetches per clock cycle. The newer dual-channel DDR-RAM does four data fetches per clock cycle, which is the same number as RDRAM. RDRAM however has higher latencies. Besides, you cannot upgrade RDRAM easily. If you add another module of RDRAM to an existing one, you will only increase the total latency because RDRAM is serial in nature. Compared to this, because DDR-RAM is parallel in nature, you can easily add additional modules of DDR RAM as and when you have the money, and expect the throughput to multiply. Because RDRAM technology is proprietary and difficult to make, it is expensive. DDR-RAM on the other hand is cheaper because its specification is made by a nonprofit standards organization. Even Intel seems to moving towards DDRRAM, as many Pentium-4 chipsets now support DDR-RAM.
4. HyperTransport: This technology was developed by AMD to upgrade the PCI bus of its limited capacity and all its other deficiencies. HyperTransport has been used in nVidia's nForce2 chipset. It beats all other PCI-based systems in terms of performance.

• Choice of motherboard
  There was a time when integrated motherboards meant lower performance and limited functionality. Not anymore. With the nForce and the forthcoming chipsets from ATI, this feeling will definitely undergo a change. The nForce currently supports not only AMD processors, DDR-RAM, and HyperTransport, but also carries a GeForce GPU and a Dolby^® 5.1 onboard sound processor. Other things to look for in a motherboard would be support for ATA 133, USB 2.0, AGP 8x, CNR, enough memory slots, space for larger heatsink/fan combination, etc.

• IDE drives setup: A motherboard usually has 2 IDE connectors each capable of connecting 2 devices in a master/slave combination for a total of 4 devices. If you have just a single hard disk and a single CD drive, set them as separately as masters in each IDE connector. If you have a CD drive and CD-RW drive, set the CD-RW as the master and the CD drive as its slave.

• ATX (cabinet): When buying the ATX, make sure it supports your CPU/motherboard/AGP combination. Intel Pentium IV processors and motherboards require a special kind of ATX that conforms to their standard (ATX 2.03). Do not buy an ATX with less than 300 W power supply. Also, make sure the cabinet has provisions for two extra fans (one in the front and one in the back). The power supply comes with a fan, which also tries to takes some hot air off the CPU through a grill placed just above the CPU. This grill needs to big enough and properly placed and spaced out to provide effective cooling. Another thing to look for in an ATX is a socket for the monitor. Some cabinets do not come with them. So, these have to be connected directly to the mains and cannot be switched off with the rest of the system when the PC is shutdown.
  With Windows Me/2000/XP, there is an option in Control Panel » Power Options called Hibernate. Hibernate is used to quickly shut down the PC and restart it with the same programs you had kept open when you shut down the system. This option is possible with ATX cabinets only. Hibernate does not function properly if you have devices that do not use Win32 ^® Driver Model (WDM) drivers.

• COM ports: If you are using a serial mouse, connect it to the COM1 port as the OS first checks this port for a mouse. You can connect your modem to the COM2.

• CNR port: This port (known as Audio Modem Riser or AMR in older motherboards) can be used to add a specially made low-cost peripheral replacement. The replacement is far cheaper than a separate sound card or modem.

• Fans: If your cabinet allows it, install additional fans for extra cooling.

• Dust: Remove dust regularly from the insides of your cabinet and prevent them from forming a coating over the motherboard and other parts.

• Driver updates: Check the websites of the various hardware vendors for updates and install them. Most important among them would be those of the motherboard chipset.

2.  Tips and Tricks For BIOS

• Standby BIOS: After you had just assembled or just bought your PC, make sure to take a copy of your BIOS in a floppy. Do not forget to copy the software program required to flash the BIOS with it. For instructions regarding this, refer to your motherboard manual or the manufacturer's website.

• Do not detect absent IDE drives: As mentioned earlier, you can connect 4 IDE devices to your MB. During bootup process, the BIOS will try to detect all of them. If you have just a hard disk and a CD drive, you can set the BIOS to detect just these devices and bypass checking the absent ones. This will save some precious microseconds when booting up.

• Supervisor password: To prevent your BIOS settings from being changed by anyone else, set a Supervisor password in the BIOS and do not set the user password.

• User password: If you want to prevent access to anyone else, then set the User password.

• Remote access: You can make a telephone call to your PC from outside or send a fax to it even when the machine is switched off. This is possible with ATX standard cabinets. In the power settings section of the BIOS, allow the PC to wake up on LAN or external modem act. Keep the power supply to the ATX and the modem on, while the system itself is powered off. When the modem receives a call, it will wake up the power supply and boot up the PC to handle the call.

• Boot sequence: After you have installed your OS, set your hard disk first in the boot-up sequence with the CD drive and the floppy following it in that order.

• Quick Power On Self Test: Keep this enabled and save on boot-up time.

• Boot Up Floppy Seek: Keep this disabled.

• BIOS updates: Check the motherboard's website or that of the BIOS manufacturer for BIOS updates and use the BIOS update program mentioned above to flash the BIOS. Many problems faced initially with hardware are likely to be solved after the updates.

3.)   Tips and Tricks For Device Manager

• Keyboard shortcuts: There may have been times when your mouse was not detected and you had a hard time getting around the device manager. Here are the navigation keys with Device Manager. If you are in the desktop, press the TAB key repeatedly until My Computer is selected. Then press the context MENU key, which is between the left Ctrl key and the Windows Key. This opens up the context menu for the My Computer. Now select Properties from this menu. Now you see the System Properties window. This has several tabs, one of which is the Device Manager. Press Ctrl+TAB repeatedly to move to Device Manager. Now you see all the devices listed. Press TAB to move to them. To open up any particular device, press the RIGHT ARROW and to shrink it up press LEFT ARROW. To open up the properties of any particular device, press ALT+ENTER or the MENU key.

• DMA: Most of the hard disks that have come in the past few years support DMA. Make sure this option is checked in the Disk Drive Properties.

• Autostart CDs: If you do not want CDs to autostart as soon as it is inserted, then uncheck the box Autostart Notification. Without this setting, if you do not want to autostart with a particular CD, then hold down the SHIFT key for some time as you insert the CD.

• Ports: If you have a 56 kbps modem, then set its port speed to 1,15,200. This can be set in the Communication Port Properties

• Modem: Most modems that are available in India use American-made chipsets. They do not recognise Indian dial tones. So, set the modem to blind dial using an initializing string ATX3. Modems usually come with a manual that has a list of AT commands you can use with your modem.

4.)  Tips ∓ Tricks For Disk Partitions

• Primary Partitions, Extended Partitions and Logical Partitions
  A hard disk can have a maximum of only 4 partitions, which are called PRIMARY PARTITIONS. This limit was thought to be sufficient in the early days of the PC. To go over this limit, in place of a primary partition, a special kind of partition called EXTENDED PARTITION is used. Inside this EXTENDED PARTITION, any number of smaller partitions called LOGICAL PARTITIONS can be created.

• Multiple OS and partitions: Some people recommend just one primary partition and the rest inside an extended partition. But, some OS like the Linux require a primary partition for proper booting up. Others, such as Windows 2000 will be happy to get installed in a logical partition while Windows 95/98/Me installs in the first primary partition.

• My recommendation is two primary partitions (one for Win 9x/Me and one for Linux) with the rest inside an extended partition.

• Partitioning tool: Windows 9x/Me supplies a partition tool called FDISK. It does not recognize partitions created by Linux installations. So, use something like Ranish Partition Manager.

• Boot loader: If you have multiple operating systems, you might want to use a GUI-based boot loader such as Extended Operating System Loader (XOSL)

5.)   Tips and Tricks For Disk Swap

• GUI-based operating systems use a swap file for the sake of virtual memory. In Linux, you create a separate partition for the swap. There are advantages in doing the same for Windows too.
  When you let Windows to manage the swap file, it remains in the C drive along with other files and becomes fragmented as Windows resizes the swap file over time. To avoid this, create a partition at the end of all your other partitions about 2.5 times the size of your installed RAM and format it.
1. In Windows 9x/Me: Right-click on My Computer, click on Properties, choose the Performance tab, and click on Virtual Memory. Here, check the Let me specify my own virtual memory settings and chose the new partition. Set the Minimum and maximum size to something below the total size of the partition.
2. In Windows 2000: Right-click on My Computer, click on Properties, click on the Advanced tab, click on Performance Options, and click on Change. Here, choose the drive where the swap resides and remove the settings in the Initial Size and Maximum Size boxes. Now, choose your swap partition and set the initial and maximum sizes to the new partition's full capacity minus 20 MB.
   If you run heavy duty applications such as Oracle, you may need a swap greater than 500 MB. For all others, a 300-MB partition should be more than enough.
• If you have two hard disks, then this swap partition could be placed on the second disk. This hard disk should be connected to a different IDE channel. Preferably, place the swap file on the first partition in the second disk and follow the method shown previously. When two disks start working instead of just one, there is a perceivable increase in performance. People doing DV recording should have their programs, swap, and media files in three separate disks for best results.

6.)   Tips and Tricks For Cache Setting

Windows has the same cache setting for all machines. Most often, this is not optimal. As a result, the system exhausts all its free memory and appears very sluggish. You can get the true value of your system by optimising the cache to your system's needs.

• In Windows 9x/Me, you have to modify a system file. A software called Cacheman will do this for you. In Windows NT/2K, you should change the I/O page size. To do this, you can use Xteq Systems X-Setup. Choose the appropriate setting under System » Memory.
  The above-mentioned programs do not stay in memory all the time. They just simply modify a setting under which Windows works.

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Repair Windows XP 2

Tips & Tricks to Repair Windows XP

I will not assume any responsibility for problems that may occur to your system from using any of these suggestions. It is always prudent to backup important data before you make any changes to your operating system.

1.)  How to access Safe Mode:

Reboot your computer while holding down the F8 Key. At the Advanced Options Menu select the option for Safe Mode and press Enter.

2.  How to access Last Known Good Configuration:

Reboot your computer while holding down the F8 Key. At the Advanced Options Menu select Last Known Good Configuration.

3.  How to access the Recovery Console:

The Recovery Console is a set of tools which run from a Command prompt. If your system is formatted as NTFS then these tools can help you manage the partition. You can learn more about the Recovery Console through Help and Support or
Click here for information about the different commands and their functions .

To run the Recovery Console from CD boot with the Windows XP CD (or with the optional 6 floppy disk set) and select "R" at the Welcome Screen.

The screen will switch to black and you will be asked which installation to log on to. If you only have one installation you will press "1". Remember that numlock is off at this time.

Next you'll be prompted to enter your Admin password. By default it is created blank so just press Enter.

At the C:\Windows command prompt type "Help" for a list of commands you can use.

4.  How to Repair the Boot Sector:

If XP won't start it may be due to a damaged boot sector or a missing or corrupt ntldr or ntdetect.com files.

To replace damaged ntldr and ntdetect.com you can copy fresh files from the XP CD using the COPY command. Boot with the XP CD and enter the Recovery Console (as above). At the Command Prompt type the following (where "X" is your CD-Rom drive letter) allowing the files to overwrite the old files

COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C:
COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:

To repair a damaged Boot Sector at the command prompt type FIXBOOT and press Enter. Then answer "Y"

5.  How To Format using the Recovery Console :

format drive : /Q /FS:file-system

Use the above command (where /Q performs a quick format of the drive, drive is the drive letter of the partition to format /FS:file-system specifies the type of file system to use [FAT, FAT32, or NTFS]) to format the specified drive to the specified file system. For example the following quick formats C partition as NTFS

FORMAT C: /Q /FS:NTFS

the following will do a full format of C as FAT32

FORMAT C: /FS:FAT32

*** Note: If a file system is not specified, then the existing file system format is retained.

Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart your Computer

6.  How Partition using the Recovery Console:

At the command prompt type DISKPART and press Enter.

An interface is displayed which you can move through with the Arrow Keys. Press "C" to create a partition in unused space. Pressing "D" will delete the highlighted partition.

7.  How To Exit the Recovery Console:

You can not use Ctrl+Alt+Del to quit the Recovery Console. Instead type "EXIT" at the command prompt and Windows will be started.

8. How to Repair Install: ***Also removes Service Packs***

Sometimes the only way to repair XP is to reinstall. You do not have to wipe your partition and start over. Just as with previous versions of Windows you can install over top of an existing setup. This has the advantage of retaining your installed applications, data and settings. You will lose previously saved System Restore Points but System Restore will begin creating new restore points again immediately following the Repair Install. You will need to reinstall SP1a and any Critical Updates from the Windows Update Site. Be aware that a Repair Install will leave your system vulnerable to the Blaster and Welchia worms. Do not go on line until you have enabled XP's firewall first. Then visit the Windows Update Site to patch your system It is always prudent to backup important data before you make changes to XP.

There are two approaches. The first one should be used if you can still boot to your Windows Desktop. Simply pop the XP CD into the CD-Rom drive and select Install->Upgrade[recommended]. This will install XP overtop of itself in the same way as upgrading from a previous setup. However if your version is an OEM version then you will not have this option. If you do not see the option to Upgrade[recommended] DO NOT choose New Install as that will either overwrite your current setup completely or give you a dual boot setup.

If you cannot boot to the Desktop or you have an OEM version of XP then the following should be used to complete a Repair Install.

Boot with the Windows XP CD and at the Setup Screen press the Enter Key

You will be taken to the Windows XP Licensing Agreement. After reading the agreement press F8 to proceed.

The next screen gives you the option to do a fresh (clean) install or to repair the selected Windows XP installation. To run a Repair Install Press "R" at this time.
***CAUTION*** if you do not see the option to repair the selected Windows XP installation DO NOT choose the option to continue installing a fresh copy without repairing as that will overwrite your data and cause unrecoverable data loss.

Windows XP will copy the necessary files to your Hard Drive to begin the installation and will then reboot. You will see the message that informs you to "Press any key to boot the CD". Do not press any keys this time just wait a few seconds and the Windows Startup Screen will be displayed. Following this you will be greeted by the Windows XP Setup Screens.

When Setup has completed you should find all of your previously installed apps and settings are intact.

9.  How To Determine If XP was Activated?

You installed XP and then can't remember if you activated it. Go to Start->Run and enter the following

oobe/msoobe /a

10.  View Product Key XP

If you have more than one system running XP you have obviously purchased more than one copy of the Operating System. However you may have forgotten which Product Key you used for which system. It happens. I have 5 systems and have had all of them running XP at times. XP does not store the Product Key in a recognizable format in the registry.
Click this link and select "Open" and your Windows XP Product Key will be displayed
Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key. has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, .NET, Office 97, and Office XP. It even has the ability by using Mcft's own script to change the Windows XP, 98, and ME installation key. See the Mcft Knowledgebase article here Q328874
If your version of XP came pre-installed on your computer the revealed Product Key could be that of an image used by the manufacturer. If this is the case you will likely be unable to use it to install another version of Windows XP such as one purchased separately from the computer. Find an alternate location for ViewKeyXP if my link is broken.

11.  How to access the Recovery Console:

Fix Switch Identities in Mcft Outlook Express After Service Pack 1
HP/Compaq SP1 Notice - The System Restore feature in these computers seriously conflicts with SP1
Cannot Start Windows XP After Installing Service Pack 1 and Then Performing a System Recovery OperationFix for SP1 Problems and Compaq Pressario 6330

Mcft Knowledgebase Articles Pertaining to Windows XP SP1
Setup Could Not Verify the Integrity of the File" Error Message Occurs When You Try to Install SP1
'The Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to Recovery Console in Windows XP

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Windows Repair

HOW TO PERFORM AN 'IN PLACE UPGRADE' / SYSTEM REPAIR
Is your system unable to boot into Windows XP/2000 or even Safe Mode? Whether you get a blue screen or XP/2000 just hangs, then this information is for you. This will allow you to repair your Windows XP/2000 installation (hopefully) without having to losing your data or settings.

Indications:

• May allow Windows to load properly if there are critical driver, software or registry problems which have rendered the system unbootable. (Blue screens, hanging, errors etc..)
• May repair/reinstall missing Windows components or solve otherwise quirky behavior
• May allow drive to be installed on another system or motherboard with different chipset
• May allow you to install new motherboards or make other large hardware changes that XP may not readily accept with PnP.

Note: The system repair function will remove any updates you have previously installed that are not included on the CD. Drivers will also be reverted to their original XP versions, as well as some settings (Including by not limited to network & performance settings). It may be necessary to reactivate your Windows XP as well.

Step 1: Determine the problem

• 
  First, figure out what CAUSED the problem. Often times, when Windows is rendered unbootable, there is a good reason. This can often be due to hardware failure (bad hard disk, memory or CPU for example). In these cases, the system repair function will not work. System repair will only repair your software.
  
  I strongly recommend you run a disk utility on your hard drive before performing a system repair. You can find more information about disk utilities here:
  http://www.techspot.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7602
  
  Memory can also cause these problems. A good memory test can be found here: http://www.memtest.org

Step 2: Begin the repair process

• You must boot from your XP or 2000 CD. Please make sure it is the same version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer (ex. XP Home cannot repair XP Professional). Place the CD in your CDROM and start your computer. Newer versions will work as well (ie. Windows XP Pro SP2 CD will work on an older WinXP Pro SP1 installation)
  
  Before the Windows logo appears, you will be asked to press any key to boot from CD, so do just that.
  
  If you are unable to boot from the XP/2000 CD, then please check the last step in this short guide.

Step 3: System repair steps

• A blue screen will appear and will begin loading XP setup from the CD.
  
  RAID/SCSI/Unsupported UDMA users:
  You will be prompted to "press F6 to install any third party SCSI or RAID drivers". Most users will not have to press F6, but if you are running RAID, SCSI or unsupported ATA controllers, then you need your controller drivers on a floppy disk. If you are unsure whether you have RAID/SCSI, then simply let the CD load without pressing F6.
  
  Once completed, you will be confronted with "Windows Setup". You will be asked to setup up Windows, or repair Windows with the recovery console. Choose the FIRST option, NOT recovery console.

Choose F8 to continue.

• Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP/2000 installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation or install a fresh copy of Windows XP/2000.
  
  If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.

• That should be it. Windows XP/2000 will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all of your data and settings. Just follow the prompts, have your CD-KEY handy and hope for the best!

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Registry tips and tricks

The Registry

DEFINITION: The Windows 9x/NT/2000/ME/XP Registry is a complex, unified, system wide, continually referenced during operation database, used for centrally storing, locating, editing and administering system, hardware, software and user configuration information, following a hierarchical structure.

It was introduced to replace the text/ASCII based MS -DOS configuration (.BAT, .SYS) and MS Windows initialization (.INI) files.

Structure of Registry in windows 9X is Different from that of Windows NT,2000 and XP.

Windows 95/98/ME :In these operating systems Registry is stored in these 5 files, with the Hidden, Read-only attributes for write-protection purposes, usually located in the %WinDir% folder (default is C:\Windows) .

• SYSTEM.DAT = stores persistent hardware and software settings related to the system it resides on, contained in the (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT = Windows 95 and 98 only) and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Hive keys.
• USER.DAT = stores user specific and software settings contained in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Hive key. If more than one user, then multiple user profiles enable each user to have their own separate USER.DAT file, located in %WinDir%\Profiles\%UserName%. When a user logs on, Windows OS (down)loads both USER.DAT files: the one from the local machine %WinDir% (global user settings), and the most recent one from the local machine %WinDir%\Profiles\%UserName%, or from the central (host) server if user profiles reside on a network (local user settings).
• CLASSES.DAT = stores persistent data contained in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Hive key, found only on Windows ME.
• SYSTEM.DA0 and USER.DA0 = automatically created backups of SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT from the last successful Windows GUI startup, and found only on Windows 95

Windows NT/2000/XP :Registration Database is contained in these 5 files located in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder (default is C:\Winnt\System32\Config for Windows NT/2000 or C:\Windows\System32\Config for Windows XP):

• DEFAULT = stores the HKEY_USERS\.Default key.
• SAM = stores the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Sam key.
• SECURITY = stores the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Security key.
• SOFTWARE = stores the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software key.
• SYSTEM = stores the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System key and the HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG Hive key,
  
  these files located in the %SystemRoot%\Profiles\%UserName% folder:
• NTUSER.DAT and USRCLASS.DAT (Windows XP only) = store the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Hive key,

Editing Registry

Always make sure that you know what you are doing when changing the registry or else just one little mistake can crash the whole system. That's why it's always good to back it up!

To view the registry (or to back it up), you need to use the Registry Editor tool. There are two versions of Registry Editor:

:To modify the Registry, you need to use a Registry Editor:

• Regedit.exe (Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP) = located in %WinBootDir% (%SystemRoot%) has the most menu items and more choices for the menu items. You can search for keys and subkeys in the registry.
• Regedt32.exe (Windows NT/2000/XP) = located in %SystemRoot%\System32,enables you to search for strings, values, keys, and subkeys. This feature is useful if you want to find specific data.

Registry Structure

For ease of use, the Registry is divided into five separate structures that represent the Registry database in its entirety. These five groups are known as Keys, and are discussed below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER
This registry key contains the configuration information for the user that is currently logged in. The users folders, screen colors, and control panel settings are stored here. This information is known as a User Profile.

HKEY_USERS
In windowsNT 3.5x, user profiles were stored locally (by default) in the systemroot\system32\config directory. In NT4.0, they are stored in the systemroot\profiles directory. User-Specific information is kept there, as well as common, system wide user information.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
This key contains configuration information particular to the computer. This information is stored in the systemroot\system32\config directory as persistent operating system files, with the exception of the volatile hardware key.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
The information stored here is used to open the correct application when a file is opened by using Explorer and for Object Linking and Embedding. It is actually a window that reflects information from the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software subkey.

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
The information contained in this key is to configure settings such as the software and device drivers to load or the display resolution to use. This key has a software and system subkeys, which keep track of configuration information.

REG Files

.REG file, which can be in:

• plain text/ASCII format in Windows 95/98/ME and NT/2000/XP or
• binary format in Windows 2000/XP.
  
  Text .REG files can be easily viewed/created/edited by hand using any text/ASCII editor, like Notepad

Their purpose is to add, modify or delete Registry (Sub)Keys and/or Values.

Writing .Reg Files

1.) Header line: this FIRST line is mandatory. MUST contain only these exact words (case sensitive = character capitalization required!):

• REGEDIT4 = for Windows 95/98/ME and NT 4.0 or
• Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 = for Windows 2000/XP.
  This is the only way Windows OS can recognize, validate and run a .REG file.

2.) Empty (blank) line: this second line is optional. Similar to inserting a carriage return (CR).

3.) Remarked (comment) line(s): optional. MUST begin with a semicolon (;) which may be followed by a space (optional). May be inserted anywhere in the .REG file, but NOT before the header, which MUST be present as FIRST line.

4.)(Sub)Key line: MUST be preceded and terminated by square parenthesis ([]). (Sub)Key name MUST start with the Hive Key name (left end) and MUST contain entire Subkey pathway leading to the current Subkey name (right end). Consecutive (Sub)Key names MUST be separated by SINGLE backslash marks (\).
(Sub)Key names not present in the Registry will be automatically created when the REG file is merged into the Registry. Exception: new Hive (Root) Keys can be created ONLY in Windows NT4/2000/XP, but NOT in Windows 95/98/ME.

5.) Value line: MUST contain these elements in this exact order:

• Value name: MUST be preceded and terminated by quotation marks ("").
• Equal mark (=): separates Value name from Value type.
• Value type: MUST be specified (Dword [REG_DWORD], Binary [REG_BINARY], etc) if Value type other than String [REG_SZ].
• Colon mark (:): MUST exist if Value type other than String.
• Value data: MUST be in the same format as defined by Value type: text/ASCII, Unicode/ANSI, (alpha)numeric (decimal, hexadecimal or binary) etc. MUST be preceded and terminated by quotation marks ("") ONLY IF Value type is String.
  Value Data syntax
• String Value [REG_SZ] (API Code 1):

"ValueName"="ValueData"
Value Data is expressed here in Unicode or ANSI formats: simple text/ASCII, expanded or extended.

• Dword Value [REG_DWORD] (API Code 4):

"ValueName"=ValueType:ValueData
Value Data is expressed here in Double WORD (4 bytes = 32 bits) formats: decimal, hexadecimal or binary.

• Large Binary (hex) Value (any Binary Value API Code):

"ValueName"=ValueType(API Code):ValueData,ValueData,\
ValueData,ValueData

Large Values can span onto more than one line. Each line (except the last one) is terminated by a comma (,) followed by a SINGLE backslash mark (\). Consecutive lines are separated by carriage returns (CR).

Separators and delimiters used in REG files on path name lines to separate drive letters, directory (folder) names and file names, or used on command line parameters lines etc... MUST be typed as DOUBLE backslash marks (\\).

6.) Empty (blank) line: this LAST line is mandatory for proper operation. Similar to inserting a carriage return (CR) at the end of file.

This is how a generic text/ASCII .REG file looks like:

-----Begin cut and paste here-----
REGEDIT4
; Comment line:
[HKEY_KEY_NAME\SubkeyName1\SubKeyName2]
; String Value format:
"ValueName"="ValueData"
; Dword or Binary Value format:
"ValueName"=ValueType:ValueData

------End cut and paste here------

Example of actual .REG file:

-----Begin cut and paste here-----
REGEDIT4
; First Value below displays MS Windows version:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
; String Value format:
"Version"="Windows ME"
; Dword Value format:
"CacheWriteDelay"=dword:00000320
; Binary Value format:
"OldWinVer"=hex:00

------End cut and paste here------

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