Tag: administrator

Troubleshoot AutoPlay problems

September 08, 2008 by Jason

Here are solutions to some common problems with AutoPlay.

The AutoPlay options only appeared once: the first time I plugged in a device or inserted a disc. How can I find them again, so I can choose a different action?

To see the options one time, right-click the device or drive, and then click Open Autoplay. If the device isn’t plugged in, hold down SHIFT and plug in the device. You can also hold down SHIFT while inserting a disc to see the list of options.

To see the options every time you plug in a device or insert a disc, follow these steps:

1. Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking AutoPlay.

2. In the list next to the device or type of disc, click Ask me every time. Read More»

Top 10 Windows Built-In Command Line Tools

August 15, 2008 by Jason

For many Windows users, the thought of using the Command Prompt is either a scary experience or something that they will never need. But for some, the command prompt is a powerful tool that can be far more useful than many graphical tools available in Windows.

Being a System Administrator, I constantly use the command prompt, mostly because I access systems remotely and many tasks can be performed quickly with out the graphics over head (even though connecting via Terminal Server is very convenient).

So if you are an avid user of the command line, here are my top 10 built-in (non third party) command line tools for XP, Vista and WIndows server versions (remember these commands are not your typical tools, such as find, copy, move, dir, etc..).

1 – systeminfo – Have a need to display operating system configuration information for a local or remote machine, including service pack levels? Then systeminfo is the tool to use. When I need to connect to a system that I am not familiar with, this is the first tool I run. Read More»

Run Blocked Startup Programs In Vista

July 29, 2008 by Jason

Windows Vista is good for security, but sometimes it can go too far making it hard to run programs that you know are safe and not giving a way to run them in the future. The way it treats some startup programs is a classic example, frequently displaying an annoying ‘Windows has blocked some startup programs’ error message.

I’ve finally found a way to unblock startup programs in Vista and to remove the ‘Windows has blocked some startup programs’ message. To do this follow the steps below:
Read More»

How to Create Symbolic Links

July 17, 2008 by Jason

What Is a Symbolic Link?

A Symbolic Link acts (and looks) like a shortcut but provides a transparent link to the target file at the file system level instead of within explorer.

Symbolic Links are used most for backward compatibility. It can be used to trick software into thinking its accessing files at a location where the files have been moved.

Create a Relative or Absolute Symbolic Link

Relative Symbolic Links: A relative symbolic link is a symbolic link that identifies the location of its target by its location. Read More»

Windows SteadyState for Vista and XP

June 12, 2008 by Jason

Microsoft has made available for download the Windows SteadyState for the 32-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. SteadyState is a Windows management tool designed for scenarios in which access to machines is completely unrestricted. The evolution of the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP, Windows SteadyState has been designed for the specific purpose of managing shared computers, safeguarding system resourced against changes made by untrusted users, and making irrelevant unwanted software installations. Read More»

How to defragment the boot and application files in Windows Vista

June 08, 2008 by Jason

1. Open the command prompt with administrative privileges by clicking the Start orb, All Programs, Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator.

2. Type defrag c: -b (assuming you want to defragment files on your C: drive) and then press Enter on your keyboard. You could also type defrag –b to defrag boot and application files on all hard drives.

3. You won’t see any output in the command prompt during the defrag process.

4. When it’s finished defragmenting a new line will appear in the command prompt. Read More»

3 Security Features to Help Keep Your PCs Safer

May 30, 2008 by Jason

You invested in dead bolts and alarm systems to protect your business from theft of merchandise and equipment. But a cyber thief does not need access through the front door to steal the information you store on your PCs. Client credit card and bank account numbers, employee data and other confidential files are all at risk in a cyber attack.

Implementing sound security measures can greatly reduce your vulnerability to phishing (a type of Internet-based scam designed to steal your identity), spyware, and other malicious software used to steal or otherwise compromise business data. The good news is that built-in security features in Windows Vista Ultimate make it much easier to safeguard your PCs. Here are three you should know about: Read More»

Top Six Vista Application Incompatibility Reasons

May 25, 2008 by Jason

Application incompatibility is one of the aspects that have managed to deliver extensive damage to the adoption rate of Windows Vista. However, as Vista matured throughout 2007 and with Service Pack 1 in 2008, so did the ecosystem of software solutions orbiting around the operating system. Despite this, the actual perception of application incompatibility managed to survive, especially in corporate environments. If one end user can deal with a program that is incompatible with Vista rather easy, the same cannot be said about an enterprise dependent on a specific business application with tens of thousands of machines.

“Part of this is perception based on fact – Windows Vista is built on a new architecture that promises tightened security and reliability. Consequently, the applications that ride on top of Windows Vista need to communicate with the kernel in different ways. So what has helped fuel current perception around application compatibility? Why did many applications ‘break’ in the migration from Windows XP to Windows Vista?” Microsoft asked rhetorically. Read More»

Delete files using Disk Cleanup

April 17, 2008 by Jason

If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need.

1. Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking Disk Cleanup.

2. In the Disk Cleanup Options dialog box, choose whether you want to clean up your own files only or all of the files on the computer. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Read More»

How to make the writing bigger in Vista

March 18, 2008 by Jason

If you get a brand new PC with Vista, the chances are that you will also have a new screen. That screen will most likely be a flat TFT screen with a huge resolution like 1440 x 900. You should always use TFT screens at their “native resolution” but some people then find that the writing is too small to read comfortably. DO NOT be tempted to change the screen resolution like you use to do with the old CRT screens. This may make the writing bigger, but it will be fuzzier.

You can make the writing and icons bigger whilst keeping the crispness by using the following procedure: Read More»