681 + Interview Questions in Windows NT/2000 in Microsoft Windows Page 2 InterviewSolution

51.	Solve : Windows TEMP Environment Behaving Strangely?
Answer» [Edited from the original posting] I see this has been looked at a couple of times since I posted it, so I didn't want to delete it after (I hope) solving the problem. It's curious enough so that it might be applicable to someone else some day. See my solution at the end of the descrption of the problem. ------------- I'm not sure what better way to describe this. I have what I assume is a pretty standard Windows 2000 Professional installation. It came on the computer and I don't fool with it any more than I need to. I picked up a virus last week, and think I've sufficiently cleaned it, but maybe not. Possibly coincident with the virus (or maybe not) I encountered a problem with Mozilla Thunderbird (my mail program of choice). What I finally traced this to was that when the program needed to write a temporary file TMP to the temporary directory as set in the Windows environment (c:\winnt\temp), instead of aiming for c:\winnt\temp, it was trying to write to c:\[the directory in which the program is INSTALLED\\winnt\temp - in other words, it was appending the TMP directory to the program's installed (and starting) directory. I confirmed (and temporarily fixed) Thunderbird by creating the directory that it wanted to USE. Then, today, I tried to update another program. The installer wouldn't run. After downloading a few DIFFERENT copies (from different sources) and being reasonably confident that I had a good veresion, I recalled this TMP issue. Seeing as how many installers write temporary files, I tried creating the directory c:\[directory from which I was running the installer]\winnt\temp and that made it work. From this, I concluded that there's something wrong with Windows. It's not going back to the root when looking for the temporary TMP directory set in the environment. but rather, it's appending that to the path where the program is running. Anyone got a clue as to how I can straighten this out? ----------- What I did was go to the Windows Control Panel, open up the Environment window, and changed the path for the TMP environment variable to something else, saved it, then changed it back to what it's supposed to be. I deleted the "temporary" directories that I created to fix the problems, tried the programs again, and they indeed seem to be working as normal. I suspect that something in the registry got changed. I wonder how long it will take me to find out what ELSE got changed. Something in the registry might be messing things up. Click here -> http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=googleB and then click on Start Registry Scan now to download Registry Mechanic and do a full scan for errors. The downside of this program is that you may find more errors than expected, so it can be difficult to find which ERROR coincides with your problem. Good luck. [glb]Gizmo73[/glb]Yes, I suppose I should invest in a good registry repair tool. I looked at Registry Mechanic a whlie back when I realized how large the registry had become on a computer that was starting to get sluggish, but figured that I needed a better backup solution (like the ability to clone the entire drive in bootable state) before I'd try any major changes to the registry. The sluggishness turned out to be the famous WinXP "disk slips into PIO mode and won't come out" problem. The trial version of the program identified about a thousand useless entries, but those were nearly all files that I had downloaded and then deleted. I didn't realize that was stored in the registry, and then not cleaned out when deleting a file. Windows really should take better care of itself, or tools such as this should be provided as part of the package rather than aftermarket products. I guess certain registry problems aren't quite as bad as some people make them out to be, but then one never knows. SFC - System File Checker - (SFC /Scannow) /SCANNOW Scans all protected system files immediately. /SCANONCE Scans all protected system files at the next boot. /SCANBOOT Scans all protected system files at every boot. /REVERT Windows XP: Return to default settings. ^Typed in the cmd prompt^SFC scans for missing essential system files and when it finds a hole, fills it with a copy from the installation disk, but how is this relevant to my problem? The solution didn't involve a file that wasn't there. I think I remember from Win98 that this program actually told you what it's doing, but the newer version just runs and eventually stops. I actually did have a problem most likelly related to this virus attack (based on the time that things quit working) that I fixed using SFC. The AUTOEXEC.NT file had disappeared and the old DOS applications that I use wouldn't run. SFC gave me a fresh copy. I didn't even know of its existence, but now I understand why it's there. The great thing about Windows is that you can learn so much from it. Now only if I ever had the same problem twice I could feel like a genius. type reg in the cmd prompt to compere any reg changes.... Quote type reg in the cmd prompt<list appears> to compere any reg changes.... Sorry, you're losing me here. You'll have to be more specific. Do you mean the DOS prompt? Typing REG there tells me that it's not a program. Or do you mean adding it as part of the command line to SFC? Where does the list appear? And what does it compare registry changes to? There's probably a change to the registry several times a day. Sorry, if you want to teach me anything, you'll have to go a little slower. I learn the inner workings of Windows when the opportunity (which is usually that something breaks) presents itself. I don't study it or fix it for a living, or a hobby.ok... start again before confusion creeps in?.....if you type reg after the command prompt c:\> it should display a list like reg query /? reg restore /? reg compare /? etc.......cmd list>http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds.mspx you could do this >>http://www.windowsreinstall.com/windows2000/emergencymanualrepairno/index.htm Quote ok... start again before confusion creeps in?.....if you type reg after the command prompt c:\> it should display a list like reg query /? reg restore /? reg compare /? etc....... Aha! That's in WinXP (on the other computer in the room - now I see what you're talking about). Win2000, at least my installation, doesn't have that command. Being the smartypants that I am, I copied it from the XP machine to the 2K machine and by golly, it works there, too. Thanks for the pointer on restoring Windows 2000. I'll bookmark that (on the other computer).

51.

Solve : Windows TEMP Environment Behaving Strangely?

Answer»

[Edited from the original posting]

I see this has been looked at a couple of times since I posted it, so I didn't want to delete it after (I hope) solving the problem. It's curious enough so that it might be applicable to someone else some day. See my solution at the end of the descrption of the problem.

-------------
I'm not sure what better way to describe this.

I have what I assume is a pretty standard Windows 2000 Professional installation. It came on the computer and I don't fool with it any more than I need to.

I picked up a virus last week, and think I've sufficiently cleaned it, but maybe not. Possibly coincident with the virus (or maybe not) I encountered a problem with Mozilla Thunderbird (my mail program of choice). What I finally traced this to was that when the program needed to write a temporary file TMP to the temporary directory as set in the Windows environment (c:\winnt\temp), instead of aiming for c:\winnt\temp, it was trying to write to c:\[the directory in which the program is INSTALLED\\winnt\temp - in other words, it was appending the TMP directory to the program's installed (and starting) directory.

I confirmed (and temporarily fixed) Thunderbird by creating the directory that it wanted to USE.

Then, today, I tried to update another program. The installer wouldn't run. After downloading a few DIFFERENT copies (from different sources) and being reasonably confident that I had a good veresion, I recalled this TMP issue. Seeing as how many installers write temporary files, I tried creating the directory c:\[directory from which I was running the installer]\winnt\temp and that made it work.

From this, I concluded that there's something wrong with Windows. It's not going back to the root when looking for the temporary TMP directory set in the environment. but rather, it's appending that to the path where the program is running.

Anyone got a clue as to how I can straighten this out?
-----------

What I did was go to the Windows Control Panel, open up the Environment window, and changed the path for the TMP environment variable to something else, saved it, then changed it back to what it's supposed to be. I deleted the "temporary" directories that I created to fix the problems, tried the programs again, and they indeed seem to be working as normal.

I suspect that something in the registry got changed. I wonder how long it will take me to find out what ELSE got changed.
Something in the registry might be messing things up. Click here -> http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=googleB and then click on Start Registry Scan now to download Registry Mechanic and do a full scan for errors.

The downside of this program is that you may find more errors than expected, so it can be difficult to find which ERROR coincides with your problem. Good luck.

[glb]Gizmo73[/glb]Yes, I suppose I should invest in a good registry repair tool. I looked at Registry Mechanic a whlie back when I realized how large the registry had become on a computer that was starting to get sluggish, but figured that I needed a better backup solution (like the ability to clone the entire drive in bootable state) before I'd try any major changes to the registry. The sluggishness turned out to be the famous WinXP "disk slips into PIO mode and won't come out" problem.

The trial version of the program identified about a thousand useless entries, but those were nearly all files that I had downloaded and then deleted. I didn't realize that was stored in the registry, and then not cleaned out when deleting a file. Windows really should take better care of itself, or tools such as this should be provided as part of the package rather than aftermarket products. I guess certain registry problems aren't quite as bad as some people make them out to be, but then one never knows.
SFC - System File Checker - (SFC /Scannow)

/SCANNOW
Scans all protected system files immediately.
/SCANONCE
Scans all protected system files at the next boot.
/SCANBOOT
Scans all protected system files at every boot.
/REVERT
Windows XP: Return to default settings.

^Typed in the cmd prompt^SFC scans for missing essential system files and when it finds a hole, fills it with a copy from the installation disk, but how is this relevant to my problem? The solution didn't involve a file that wasn't there.

I think I remember from Win98 that this program actually told you what it's doing, but the newer version just runs and eventually stops. I actually did have a problem most likelly related to this virus attack (based on the time that things quit working) that I fixed using SFC. The AUTOEXEC.NT file had disappeared and the old DOS applications that I use wouldn't run. SFC gave me a fresh copy. I didn't even know of its existence, but now I understand why it's there.

The great thing about Windows is that you can learn so much from it. Now only if I ever had the same problem twice I could feel like a genius. type reg in the cmd prompt to compere any reg changes.... Quote

type reg in the cmd prompt<list appears> to compere any reg changes....

Sorry, you're losing me here. You'll have to be more specific.

Do you mean the DOS prompt? Typing REG there tells me that it's not a program. Or do you mean adding it as part of the command line to SFC?

Where does the list appear?

And what does it compare registry changes to? There's probably a change to the registry several times a day.

Sorry, if you want to teach me anything, you'll have to go a little slower. I learn the inner workings of Windows when the opportunity (which is usually that something breaks) presents itself. I don't study it or fix it for a living, or a hobby.ok... start again before confusion creeps in?.....if you type reg after the command prompt c:\> it should display a list like reg query /? reg restore /? reg compare /? etc.......cmd list>http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds.mspx

you could do this >>http://www.windowsreinstall.com/windows2000/emergencymanualrepairno/index.htm Quote

ok... start again before confusion creeps in?.....if you type reg after the command prompt c:\> it should display a list like reg query /? reg restore /? reg compare /? etc.......

Aha! That's in WinXP (on the other computer in the room - now I see what you're talking about). Win2000, at least my installation, doesn't have that command. Being the smartypants that I am, I copied it from the XP machine to the 2K machine and by golly, it works there, too.

Thanks for the pointer on restoring Windows 2000. I'll bookmark that (on the other computer).

52.	Solve : how to format a hard drive, and reinstall 2000?
Answer» Can someone PLEASE tell me how to reformat a HARD drive, and reinstall Windows 2000, in the easiest way POSSIBLE? Your help will be greatly be APPRECIATED. Please Email me instructions. Cody Johnson How to install Microsoft Windows 2000

53.	Solve : Windows 2000 hangs when network path is not found?
Answer» Hi, I use mapped drives in two Windows 2000 machines in order to do batch runs in DOS prompt accessing and launching from either machines . However, sometimes one of the machines is off and I WANT to turn on only one machine. Then, Windows 2000 ALWAYS prompts a message when initializing: error when trying to reconnect X: to \\mymachine\workfolder The network path is not found And then ASKS if I want it to continue making the connections. This does not happen in Windows XP. Anybody has an Idea on how to suppress this message in Windows 2000? Thank you Eduardohttp://www.chicagotech.net/pathnotfound.htm

55.	Solve : Setup.exe will not run?
Answer» Cannot install programs on Win 2000 prof SP4. Setup.exe can be seen in Windows TASK Manager PROCESSES window but is using no CPU time & does not run. Totally baffled any help appreciatedIs this with all programs or just one. are you running it from C.D or HD. has this problem just occured. did you change anything before the problem,Are you the admin..Tried to install Visual FoxPro 8 from CD but it failed to install SOAP which is required before FoxPro is installed. Then copied disk to hard drive but had same problem. Rebooted and then found Winfax had stopped receiving and MESSAGE manager would not open properly & froze. Rebooted again but still the same so tried to reinstall from CD which is when setup.exe failed. Have just tried installing Piant SHOP Pro 5 and this ran OK ?Tried to install Visual FoxPro 8 from CD but it failed to install SOAP which is required before FoxPro is installed. Then copied disk to hard drive but had same problem. Rebooted and then found Winfax had stopped receiving and message manager would not open properly & froze. Rebooted again but still the same so tried to reinstall from CD which is when setup.exe failed. Have just tried installing Piant Shop Pro 5 and this ran OK ?http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/winfax/winfax_1002_tasks.html

56.	Solve : ms Office 2000?
Answer» When I print an envelope with clip art on it, the printer STARTS to print, then stops. It restarts the computer and tries to CONTINUE from where it left off. Then the computer restarts again and this happens REPEATEDLY until I CANCEL the print job. I am running XP Pro. This is the only time it happens. I have the latest driver for my printer. What can be the problem? [email protected]sounds like a driver/hardware issue.....not msoffice.....what is the printer......usb.....hp// and do your self a FAVOR..ok:)....dont display email address.......spam.....

59.	Solve : help!! lost important outlook emails?
Answer» my computer had viruses so i reinstalled windows 2000...not formated but installed a copy in another directory so i have 2 copies on windows on my hard drive....i THOUGHT that would save all my files and i guess it did because i have all my files but my outlook emails because i forwarded my COMCAST email to outlook and it DIDNT keep a local copy on comcast so i tried going BACK to the old copy of windows 2000 but it tells me i need to install it and if i install it then it would erase any chances of me getting my emails back...so what do i do? is there anyway to recover them??Yolanim: Have you tried this? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q287497/ Regards, Doc

60.	Solve : Deleted mian user?
Answer» Ive deleted the main user and withit Windows 2000, ive tried to reinstall but it says that it is already on the PC how do i access it???OK we have two options here. The first is to shut off the machine, and start it in safe mode. To do that, turn on the machine and then begin to tap the F8 key rapidly. Instead of the Windows boot screen, you will get the Boot Option screen. If you have the option of using the last known functioning configuration try that. Hit enter, let the machine boot. If it does not, then restart the machine, go into safe mode, and choose, Safe Mode. If the machine boots, log in as administrator, and create a new user that will be used in regular mode. There must be a user of some kind because an ACCOUNT cannot delete itself, unless you accessed the machine using an alternate operating system. If this still does not work, go through the re-install, but accept the fact that the installer is GOING to reinstall to the same directory, and overwrite all of your existing DATA. Win2K will warn you about this, but it will not prevent you from performing a re-install. Remember to go get all of your updates from Microsoft if you do this! Hope this helps! MONTY Palmer President Paltechs [email protected] www.paltechs.com

61.	Solve : Windows XP sp2 does not run DOS based programs?
Answer» I had to revert to an old scanner while my scanner is being repaired, so I loaded a Windows 2000 driver in a compatability mode as I did before for this scanner that does not have an XP driver. Soon after, I could not run the CMD.exe file and got a message "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. choose 'close' to terminate the application." It appears as if my computer thinks it is running windows NT. I removed the scanner driver and related software. No change. I ran system restore four times at various points and failed to restore. otherwise all programs run fine except one that gives me the same message as if it is a DOS based program, YET it is not. Any IDEAS on how to fix this one?From the command prompt type.... copy c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32\ thank you Gary...but the issue is how do I get my command prompt back...can not load cmd.exe or go to DOS mode..If you can't use the cmd box use the GUI and do the copy with Windows Explorer. Hope this helps. Thanks Gary. It worked. The program now RUNS and I can start DOS mode if I go to the programs accessories dos prompt, but if I go to start, run, cmd.exe I get a blank screen that quickly disapears, with no other action. If there is a solution, fine, otherwise I can live without it. MUCH appreciated.http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds.mspx

62.	Solve : inaccessible_boot_device?
Answer» Platform: Windows 2000 Professional Make: Dell Dimension L800CXE Ram: 512 Processor: Intel Megahertz: Pentinum III Hard Drive: 20 GB After the possible POWER surge, my computer WOULD not BOOT up. When I turn on the computer, I can see the Windows 2000 splash screen, pressing F8 is no use, and then I get to this BLUE screen with this ERROR and it just stops. I can only power down. ***STOP: 0x0000007B (0x818A8B0,0xc000009c,0x00000000,0x00000000) Diagnose/troubleshooting: I try to boot from the Dell reinstallation CD but no use. I'm not sure how to boot from the CD. I put the CD in, press F2 when Windows is starting, but no use, I get the same blue screen. Please help! Thanks http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=122926

63.	Solve : How do I change compatibility mode in Windows 2000?
Answer» I'm trying to install some educational software on a Windows 2000 machine for another teacher in my SCHOOL. The software is older and was designed for Win 95/98 machines and either won't run (1st program -- Millie &AMP; Bailey Kindergarten) or won't install (2nd program -- School House Rock). I know in Windows XP that I can CHANGE the compatibility mode in the Properties dialog box, but that tab doesn't appear in Windows 2000. Does anyone have any ideas on how I COULD get these programs to run in Windows 2000?Ther is a windows assesory in xp called compatablilty wizad. Does 2000 have a counterpart?No compatibility mode in Windows 2000. Check here to learn how to enable compatability mode. I've never needed it but it LOOKS easy enough. http://fox2k.net/2ktweaks/game_tuning_guide.htm#Enable%20Application%20Compatibility-Mode%20in%20Windows%202000%20Service%20Pack%202

64.	Solve : Win 2K(Pro) missing IRQ's 9,10,11..??
Answer» I'm having trouble INSTALLING the sound (ALS) on my Soyo SY-5EMM mobo. Windows 2k shows errors in device manager for the sound DEVICES, saying that not enough resources are available and that the IRQ's are the culprit(s). When viewing my IRQ's (including "view hidden devices" option), IRQ 2 (which I believe that is normal to be unshown[reserved]) along with: IRQ's 9, 10, and 11 -are not listed. The troubleshooter for windows' hardware recommends disabling other devices that are CURRENTLY in use; but when I have tried to do that, the newly disabled device's IRQ also DISAPPEARS. Can anyone help? Hope this is not too stupid a question here.. ::)I'm new to Win 2000 and am sure there is probably a simple answer. Could you possibly be trying to install the incorrect driver? SY-5EMM This is not the proper driver: als-driv.zip 1998-09-14 ALS sound driver These are the proper drivers: (They may or may not contain the ALS Sound driver) via4in1446vp6.exe 2003-04-14 VIA 4 in 1 Driver Package for Win 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP ver:4.46 BTW, how much memory do you have installed? What CPU is installed (AMD K6 or ??)

73.	Solve : drive is listed in blue text in my computer?
Answer» Hi! This is probably a very silly question but I recently ADDED a 250 gb slave drive to my SYSTEM. I partitioned the drive into 3 approximately 77 gb sections When I look in "My Computer", the first PARTITION on the drive (D drive) is listed in blue text while everything ELSE in My Computer remains in black text. Why is this?Blue normallly means "compressed" in NT, 2000, and XP. (You don't mention your OS). But that is in explorer view. Since I don't normally compress entire drives I am not positive the drive would show that way in My Computer is the whole drive was compressed.

82.	Solve : MIGRATING MAILBOXES IN EXCHANGE 2000 SERVER?
Answer» question is im trying to migrate the mailboxes from one exchange server to another....there both exchange 2000 servers, both have service pack 2 installed, both working fine as far as mailboxes be set up with them and workig.....but when i use the migration wizard, and i enter the source server, it comes up with the message :" unable to perform the migration. Please enter a source Exchange server outside of the target exchange organization"....dont understand y its saying that for...any help would be appreciated....thanks in advance..Why do you want to migrate mailboxes from one exch2000 to another since both are Exch2000? The migration tool is for moving from e.g exch5.5 to exch2000 or exch2003. Anyway to use the migration wizard (migwiz), you need to use the sp3 VER but you are on sp2. I assume you are on at least AD 2000 domain as exch2000 requires AD. Do you mean you want to move mailboxes from one administrative group to another exch2000 server hosting a different administrative group? wanna move mailboxes from one server to another...reason is we have gotten a better server so we want all the mailboxes and user data from the old server to be migrated onto the new one...i already have the new one set up with 2000 advanced server, SP4, office 2000, gettin ready to promote it, install exchange w/ SP3....do they need to be in the same doamin or does it make a differnce???Ok, I understand why you want to do this now. Will you be removing the old Exch2000 server from AD? You use the 3 step process: 1. Move public folders & system folders(offline address book, Schedule.. ETC..) to your new server in the same routing group 2. Move the mailboxes to same new server 3. Delete the old server from AD How to 1: Exch sys manager to replicate folders to new server. confirm replica folders are synchronised with the source (from old server) 2: Use Exch sys manager or exch TASK wizard in Active Directory Users & Computers to move all mailboxes to new server. 3: RUN the Exch setup program to uninstall the server and remove it from AD, you may want to keep the Exch200 install but just remove it from AD for a rainny day.

84.	Solve : Disk Cleanup via system tools lagging?
Answer» Anyone know why my disk cleanup would keep lagging. It gets to "SEARCHING yada yada" and NEVER comes up with the figues of what all can be cleaned out... I can let it sit there for hours... I am running windows 2000. Same for XP and 2000... The Disk Cleanup utility frees up space on a volume. To access the utility, open My Computer, right-click the drive you want to work on, click Properties, then select Disk Cleanup from the General TAB. If the program hangs the system, the problem is most likely caused by the Disk Cleanup WIZARD checking for all files older than 50 days that it can compress. Disabling this behavior might improve the performance. To disable the behavior, perform the following steps: Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe). Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Compress old files registry subkey, then select it. From the File menu, select Export. Enter a filename and location, then click Save. Delete the "Compress old files" registry subkey. Close the registry editor. Try running CCLeaner over your system to remove JUNK files.

65.	Solve : Windows XP domain???
Answer» I have searched and nothing can answer me for certain but I would like to know if I can use XP professional to set up a DOMAIN? I DONT want to have to purchase Server 2003 or anything like that. I did read though that maybe Windows 2000 professional can be used as a domain CONTROLLER. Not for sure though.http://www.wown.com/The answer is No. XP can participate in a domain but it cannot be the domain controller and every domain must have a controller.Gussery is correct. You may, however, set up a peer-to-peer Local Area Network (LAN) with one Windows XP acting as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. The other computers in your LAN will then be able to SHARE a connection to the Internet through this server (as long as they have Windows 98 SE or a later version of Windows installed). The nodes on your LAN would have to be connected through an inexpensive hub, network interface cards (NICs), and CAT 5 or 6 cables. Regards, Doc

66.	Solve : Modified Message - Computer won't shut down?
Answer» I thought I should explain a bit better what is happening (already posted message). When windows 1998 is trying to shut down my computer I get a "Notification Wnd for RNA Admin" screen which gives me 3 options: It says "This program is not responding . It may be busy, woiting for a response from you or it may have stopped running" -Click cancel to ignore -To close this program click end task -To give 20 seconds to finish what it is doing click wait The only option that furthers the closing down PROCESS is "end task". The computer then shows the Microsoft Windows "98 screen which says windows is shutting down but no matter how long I wait it will not shut down. I have to pull out the battery and unplug the computer. P.S. I have a laptop. Any advice is appreciatedJoshe: The original release of Windows 98 had a bug that could prevented the operating system from properly shutting down, but i know the link to a Microsoft patch to fix it. Do you have Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second EDITION? Its Windows 98...not the second edition. Any help is appreciated. Your RIGHT about the second posting...I just didn't know how to keep it going...SorryJoshe: This just might cure what ails your computer: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=196008#appliesto I don't think Microsoft is supporting Windows 98 any longer, so you may have to use the work around described at the above link. That is, you may enable fast shutdown so: 1. Click Start, POINT to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System tools, and then click System Information. 2. On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility. 3. On the General TAB, click Advanced. 4. Click the Disable Fast Shutdown check box to clear it, click OK, and then click OK again. 5. Click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer. Let us know if that treatment doesn't work. DocFollowed the instructions but didn't work. Installed Windows 2000 and that solved the problem. Thanks anyway for your help.....appreciate it. joshe, don't forget to update the service packs & patches. Get a firewall, AV & antispyware stuff. if you want an all in one solution panda titanium is pretty good atmJoshe: U R Welcome

67.	Solve : Problems installing msn messenger?
Answer» Everytime i download msn messenger 7.0 i have the same problem installing it. I select the install icon and i get so far then about half way through the installation my computer decideds to restart. I have tried installing it about 30 times now and its extremly frustrating please help. Does it have anything to do with wextract, and if so how can i REMOVE it?What operating SYSTEM, are you using!Im on windows MeAAAAH help me! with this! have you checked Msn Forums? although it sounds like a problem that will only be solved by a repair of windows. Did 6.0 work? if so use that. 7.0 has nothing perticularly greatWhen it restarts, do you see a blue screen for a split second before it restarts? [glb]Flame[/glb]Wextract cleanup is a valid Windows process USED for cleaning up files created by installers. It will run once on BOOT after a program installation. Does your system meet the minimum requirements? * Multimedia PC * Pentium 233-MHz processor or better (500MHz recommended) * Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium, or Windows XP operating system * Minimum 64MB of RAM (128MB recommended) * Up to 50MB of hard disk space needed to install — after install, up to 15MB may be needed * 256-color VGA or higher resolution graphics card (SVGA recommended) * Minimum 800x600 screen resolution * Microsoft® Internet Explorer version 6 SP1 or later must be installed on your computer, though it does not need to be your default browser Just a thought. I dont even get a blue screen. It just shuts down and restarts. I cant actually install anything at the mo not just messenger.Run a virus scan... Sounds like a virus possibly... [glb]Flame[/glb]MMM yes. it does sound like a virus. try that, if it does not work then just use www.iloveim.com its a web based messenger... Also i would say stay away from MSN Messenger 7 as it has problems sending files. Jason

68.	Solve : Disk Mirroring in Windows XP Pro?
Answer» Can disk MIRRORING be done in WIN XP Pro. If so, how? ThanksYes you can. You will need more than one disk and they will have to be dynamic, you do this in disk management. ok, I know you can do this in Windows 2000, but the only thing I found in XP Pro is that you need 3rd party software to do this?This article may HELP you out: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314343 Good LUCK.

69.	Solve : Missing icons in network connections?
Answer» I have a pentium 3 with 128 mg sdram 13gb seagate have recently WIPED the hard drive and reformatted the drive installing WIN 2000 pro.Everything works fine but when I go to install the software from the adsl disk I have the icons are missing in the network connections thus not being able to get on the net. Did notice though some noise from the hard drive, although the os installed farily well without bother and there has been no other incidents concerning the hard drive. Anyone have any ideas any help appreciatedHave you installed all the network devices etc?. check DEVICE manager and check for any exclamation marks/ question marksYes I went into the device manage via my computer and there were no yellow icons with BLACK exclamation marks its just a total mysteryMalfoye: Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If their software doesn't install properly, it's up to them to make it right, isn't it? Regards, Doc

71.	Solve : Multiple IRP Requests Blue Screens?
Answer» I am running Win XP SP2. I have Norton AV and Spybot on the machine. I image OS partition with Ghost. I have had ongoing problems with this machine having Multiple IRP Requests Blue Screens (known as Stop 44s). System Restore never works - I always have to restore an image. This happens any time I attempt to do windows updates or install/update most (but not all) software. I was running SCSI till I removed them yesterday. In the recent past have twice done a low level FORMAT and clean windows install only to eventually reach the same point of getting blue screens. I have seen this same blue screen on other machines quite a number of times but this one is horrible. I have an Agfa USB scanner on the machine but have tried disabling it duringa windows update but it made no difference. But I am a bit suspicious of it any WAY. Anybody with any thoughts?Paul: You need to contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix, as this knowledge base ARTICLE recommends: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=867774 The phone number is 1-800-MICROSOFT. Tell Gate's support team that Doc sent you. Regards, DocThanks for your input Doc, The KB article describes the problem but indicates Win 2000. I am running Win XP SP2. Also, the problem deteriorated to the point where reinstalling an image previously restored and functional no LONGER worked as it resulted in the same stop 44 blue screen. Having HIT the "end of the trail" I am reinstalling everything from scratch as I have before in the past. I removed my SCSI and modem cards in case they are a conflict. Also have a USB Agfa scanner E52 that I thought may have been an issue, but I am not sure - they ceased making scanners shortly after I bought it. I updated the Bios on the ATA100 card on the machine too. Any other thoughts?Paul: Sounds like you are doing the right thing by removing all but the essential hardware to install the operating system. Let me know how it goes.

72.	Solve : Microsoft Win 2000 pro password?
Answer» I need to install a NEW password , so that I can open Win 2000 pro. How can I do that ? I'm not understanding.... Can you even get into your account? Do you want to just change the password? Set one? [glb]FLAME[/glb]http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/ Go to the above URL and DOWNLOAD this utility. This will ALLOW you to change the Windows 2000 password without having to know the original, which I am assuming you do not! speedypc.... THANKS. does this work on any nt/2000/xp system?

75.	Solve : Windows 2000 won't finish booting?
Answer» I shut down my Dell Optiplex at work to reboot - was getting lots of WordPerfect 8 crashes. (Had also recently (a few weeks ago) loaded Word 2003 and EXCEL 2003 - no real problems with them.) When I turned the PC back on, it got all the way to the Windows 2000 splash SCREEN with the blue status bar at the bottom. The status bar made it all the way ACROSS to the right .... and then nothing happened. After awhile, I turned off the PC and TRIED again - same thing. Repeated several times - no luck - got to same point and it sat there. Tried to boot into SAFE mode - wouldn't boot. Used the boot-up floopy and the Windows CD and got to DOS c:\winnt. Tried chkdsk - no problems. I'm stuck - trying to avoid reloading the OS but out of ideas. Can anyone help? (We've got Norton Anti-virus and a firewall on our network. Six other PCs on our small network - no problems with them. Think we're virus clean.) Thanks!

78.	Solve : startup disk?
Answer» lost my windows 98 START up disk. all I have is upgrades. is there a way to download one? and where?Yata: Click on the Windows 98 SE OEM or Windows Me OEM link at this Web page: http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm Regards, Docactually need the windows 98 operating system not a bootdisk. I had one but the dog chewed it up. Is there used ones out there that one could buy for cheap. being it is antique now you would think its not that big of issue anymore. I have been asking around to friend if they still have one but haven't found anybody yet with one LAYING around.yata, yata: Yeah, i also hate it when my dog eats my homework! Try calling computer repair shops in your area. Many people are installing Windows XP and simply give their Windows 98 installation CDs to the shops. You may expect to pay around $70.00, or maybe less, for a Windows 98 SE installation CD. Or, you might try buying one from eBay.com or Amazon.com. Regards, Docunless you have wiped/erased the hard-drive the operating system........is still on there??as far as this subject goes I found a windows 98 cd but the numbers are gone. Is there a generic number to use if the original one is lost?oh by the way this is a different computer and has a new hard drive. no system is on it yet.yatabata.......If its a new pc , why would you even consider putting Win 98 on it ....even if you dont have the O/S ? let us know dl65 its a dell g1 350Mhz and with home studio 2004, which on that computer it isn't hot enough to go to xp but will work enough for what I want to use it for. I know because I have used home studio with the same computer with windows 2000 pro. my other computer downstairs is hot plus but is the family computer. So for now until I build my own when I GET the money will just go with this.m$oft eula allows you to have two pc ........running the same o/s install disk:) info here if NEEDED>>http://www.geek.com/tipstrix/w98tpman.htmEver wonder if the dog was trying to tell you something? Maybe it was just boredom. Don't be tempted to install ME the dog will probably CHEW you up!

79.	Solve : VPN disables wireless?
Answer» My company had me install Fiberlink VPN. It worked fine as LONG as I was running Windows XP, but then the company re-imaged all the computers with Windows 2000 to cure a software problem. After that, two things happened. The first was that the wireless card built in to the Dell C560 BECAME permanently disabled. I TALKED to every support desk I could think of, downloaded patches, etc., but nothing worked. To get back onto wireless I had to buy a Netgear USB transceiver. Now I can get onto wireless, BUT, the Fiberlink VPN software will not recognize my (or anyone else's) wireless router. I talked to the folks at Fiberlink and they told me 1) they don't support end users, and 2) there is a known issue with Fiberlink sometimes DISABLING Windows 2000's ability to manage wireless networks. There is a cure, but they don't know what it is. And yes, I have uninstalled and reinstalled Fiberlink (3 times, 2 DIFFERENT ways). Does anyone know how to restore Windows 2000's ability to manage wireless networks? ThanksBluke: Have you discussed the issue with your company's IT administrator? Perhaps someone else has had the same problem and they've found a fix. I have discussed it with our IT people several times. Their position is "we don't support wireless connections" - this despite the fact that they spec'ed the computer with a built-in wireless card.

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Solve : changing the pic while moving mouse?

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Solve : Windows 2000 Annoying Issue?

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80.	Solve : Revert OS back to ME from XP?
Answer» Hey I hope somebody can help me. I loaded Windows XP, but I don't like it and want to revert to my old operating system which is ME. I have the system recovery cd's for my computer but I cannot run them. Well XP won't run them. I have also not activated XP and have a couple of DAYS to activate or not. What happens if I don't activate it? Any help would be GREAT!!hdmitch.... Activation is required in 30 days from the first day that you start Windows XP. If you want to activate Windows on a day that is later than the day that you install it, a Windows Activation icon appears in the notification area. This icon periodically displays notifications to remind you about how much time remains before you must activate. After the 30 days has expired, you must activate Windows to continue using Windows. I'm just a bit curious as to why you would want to go back to using Win ME ......? When you loaded XP did you load it over ME or do a clean install? let us know dl65 W2K Hi dl65 HD: Try this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q303661/XP is a much better OS than ME. XP does not have a system resource problem for one thing and as long as your system has enough RAM, XP will outperform ME everytime. This sounds like an XP Upgrade CD. Does it have SP2? I used to have ME on this computer, which was originally made for Windows 2000 and all the time it only had 256Mb of RAM. As soon as I fitted another 256Mb the overall performance and ability of the computer increased. The mainboard will take 3 x 512 Mb RAM modules but 3 x 256Mb is sufficient for my needs. When changing from ME to XP I re-partitioned, using the maximum four partitions, and fully reformatted the drive to NTFS. Upgrading to XP by adding XP is not a good way to go. Better to do a clean install IF your Recovery Media can be used as proof of previous Windows operating system ownership. I only have a 1·0GHz PIII and use an 80Gb HDD. How do your system specifications compare? Windows XP will not run your System Recovery CDS. You will probably have to boot directly to the first one in the set. Do you have a HANDBOOK which tells you what to do? If not tell us the Make and Model of your computer so that we can help you better. If you elected to keep the uninstall information then you should be able to uninstall XP from the Add-Remove programs panel. This is not always successful though, so back up any data you have OFF the drive in case you have to re-install. XP Clean Installing XP Compatability Test XP Partition Management XP Installing Recovery Console RAM Knowledge Base RAM And What it Does RAM Virtual Memory Paging RAM Reseating & Fitting PDF File Processor Temperatures Service Pack Slipstreamer Power Supply Wattage Calculator Everest Home Edition Computer Diagnostic Program http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q250456/ or load a winme boot disk and format the drive.....the drive image should be still intact.........bomb proof you could dual boot .......winxp can be tweaked......to improve it.....using powertoys....etc....but its win3.1 > w2k anyway........what is this problem slow......is it?

81.	Solve : Windows 2000 Pro & Works Suite 2001?
Answer» Hello everyone. I am having problems with my Microsoft Works Suite 2001 after installing Windows 2000 Professional. Works Suite is stating: "The Works task launcher cannot access the task you selected. Files needed to start the program may be missing, corrupted or may have been deleted. To restore or REPLACE the files, reinstall the program and then try STARTING the program again." I did remove and then reinstall the program (3 times!) and still no LUCK! Any suggestions and or ANSWERS would GREATLY be appreciated! Brian: No Prob. One of these eight links should help you resolve your Works woes: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22The+Works+task+launcher+cannot+access+the+task+you+selected%22+site%3Amicrosoft.com Regards, DOC

83.	Solve : SBS2003 TCP Ack Delay??
Answer» Hello, We are trying to install older accounting software onto SBS2003 Prem. The software works fine under Windows 2000 and it WORKS under SBS2003. However the problem is, the time it takes for data to be transferred to one computer from the server is exceptionally long. I've tried all the Tcp registry tweaks (maybe I did them wrong, I don't know anymore heh) but nothing is working. When I do a SNIFF of the network I notice that there is a small delay and then 15 second gap of data flow after a TCP ACK from the server. I'll put links at the bottom for reference with the sniff of the 2000 and SBS 2003 network. It takes roughly 3 seconds for the 2000 server/client to log in, but it takes about 16 for the 2003. The software we are trying to use, Smart Shop MANAGER, is no longer SUPPORTED and it uses Interbase 5.6, that is no longer supported either. One thing I noticed is that if File and Print Sharing is on, the 2003 server/client communicate with the SMB protocol, but if its not they communicate with the IB protocol, either way the same thing happens so I don't THINK that it is a software/Interbase problem, but I wouldn't rule it out. The 2000 server communicates with the IB protocol. Any hints, HELP, or even some motivation would help, I've already put a week into this. Thank You, Chase Wright the 2000 sniff is here: http://www.wrightprec.com/s2k%20show the SBS2k3 sniff is here: http://www.wrightprec.com/s2k3%20show

85.	Solve : changing the pic while moving mouse?
Answer» hey, i want to change the picture of hand to something else in the computer screen while i move my MOUSE over IMAGES and links. Does anyone know about it? if yes, then please help me.First, download the .CUR or .ani cusor file you want to use for links and images. Then if you are using win 95 - 2000 click Start then point to Settings and click Control Panel. If you are using XP you should just be able to click Start then Control Panel. Once you are in Control Panel double-click "Mouse" and then click the "Pointers" tab. You'll see a box with all the cursors like "Arrow" etc... scroll until you FIND one called "Link Select" and it has the picture of the hand. Click it once and then click the "Browse" button. Then select the cursor file you want to use and click "Open". Make sure it shows the cursor you want in place of the hand. Click "OK" and close Control Panel. You MAY have to restart web browsers. Hope this helps! -riccbhard You can do a Google (http://www.google.com/) search for free cursors.thanx so much. i needed that.

86.	Solve : Boot Problem Windows Files Corrupt?
Answer» Can anyone please help. I shut my PC down after USING it with no problems, when i next booted up i got the following message: {windows root}\system32\hal.dll file missing re-install copy of corrupt file to continue. However I had a look at the hdd using my other PC and found that all the windows files had no extensions and the windows folders were un-reconised and all about 32kb in size. However the disk usaged is still about 10gb. Any help in restoring this drive would be very welcome.What OS are you running? XP or 2000steve: According to Microsoft, "This behavior can occur if any or some of the following conditions are true: • The Default value in the [Boot Loader] section of the Boot.ini file is missing or invalid. • Windows XP is not installed in the location SPECIFIED in the Boot.ini file. • The Ntoskrnl.exe file is missing or damaged. • The partition path in the Boot.ini file is not set correctly. • General hardware failure." The suggestions for fixing the problem are found here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314477 Let drewdown or i know if you need more help. Thanks, OS is winXP. The problem is that all of these files mentioned 'missing'. I can't copy any new files to the system32 folder on c: because it's no longer seen as a folder? Is this problem to do with the table of contents?? when i boot my computer up i get a message(insert system diskette and press ENTER key to reboot. I dont know what a system diskette is,could someone tell me what it is.when i boot my computer up i get a message(insert system diskette and press Enter key to reboot. I dont know what a system diskette is,could someone tell me what it is.Steve: Try "METHOD 4" LISTED in the above link.

87.	Solve : start up menue?
Answer» I am running WIN 2000. I loaded MSN Messanger, and chose none of the automic selections. The install WENT fine, but everytine I start my computer the MSN Messanger sign-on screen opens. I have looked through my start menue folder, but cannot find it. Could anyone SUGGEST how I can set it so that it only opens when I select it from my program files. Thanks PatPat, Open MSN Messenger (you don't NEED to sign in). Choose Tools, Options from the menu. Click the General tab, Uncheck "Automatically run Messenger when I log into WINDOWS" Thank you very much for the help. I really appreciated it. I knew it was somewhere but could not find it. Have a great weekend Thanks again Pat

88.	Solve : Windows 2000 Annoying Issue?
Answer» You may know that in WINDOWS 2000 Pro, when you click a media file it loads the player to the left of the explorer window. This is VERY ANNOYING when you're using a 333Mhz 160MB RAM laptop, SOMETIMES even CRASHING explorer. Is there a way to turn this 'feature' off? In your folder options.

89.	Solve : Problems with Control Panel?
Answer» My o/s is Windows 2000. My problem is I can open Control Panel but once I click on a Icon such as Modems or Add/Remove programs..nothing happens. Any suggestions. Would my security settings have any impact. I got a prompt SAYING a ActiveX Security SETTING may not allow a certain PAGE to be veiwed properly. Thanks in advance.Have you scanned for viruses? Also, are you registered as the computer administrator? [glb]Flame[/glb]I have the same problem in Me. How do I register as a computer adminstator? Also, when I right click on the desktop and then click on properties I get the same error message. I have no program icons in middle toolbar. Where do I GO?

90.	Solve : No access to second hard drive. (permissions)?
Answer» Hello, I'm looking for help if possible. I had windows 2000 on my COMPUTER with two hard drives the first drive had the OS. The second drive I set permisions for, so only the administrator can access the drive. WITHOUT THINKING at all I did a CLEAN install of xp pro on the first drive. Now I can not access the second drive at all. I am using the administrator account on xp also? Any ideas? Thanks in advance

91.	Solve : Auto.exe?
Answer» Hey! I have a problem with my comp....when I try to install something on my comp, I get this message: C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminage the application. I also have the choice to ignore, but both options do NOTHING and just close the SETUP. What should I do? ???Any suggestions are welcome! THANKS! -compguy4hireWhat OS are you running? :-/2000i had that thing to and i fixed it http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767 you better thank me it took me like 2 weeks to find [GLB]THANKS! I WILL TRY TO DO ALL OF THAT SOON![/glb][/i][/u] YOU THE MAN, CHAN!