Windows XP Tips and Tricks

If you intend to get a copy of Windows XP, one of the first things we do is create a new user. Why not go and change your account image to one you want? That is correct, if you don’t want to use an image of your own, Windows XP is already associated with a minimum of 20 photos to choose from.

This is a way to change your accounts image.

Simply click on the Start menu and click Control Panel.
Simply click on the user icon.
Find the user account that you want to change the image on and click it.
Click on the text that says: “Change Picture.”
You have the option of one of the predefined icons or you can choose one of your own.
If you like, one of the predefined icons, just select the ones you love, and then click the “Change picture”.
To use the image, simply click on the magnifying glass or the text “for more photos.” This opens a dialog box where you get to the point where the image is stored. Once you have identified, just click Open to view the new changes.

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You should always take a good set of measures to prevent the loss of user level passwords.

Whether or not you remember a password in Windows, it doesn’t really matter. With Windows XP Wizard for forgotten password, your conscience will be free and clear – in case you accidently forgot your password.

I suggest that you create a restore disk with all of your passwords to your account. Why? Because creating a restore disk is simple with the following directions, and if you ever do forget your password, you will have it on a disk. This is a lot easier than any other way there is.

Proceed as follows to the Forgotten Password Wizard:

Simply click on the menu “Start, Control Panel, User Accounts.
Click on your user name.
Under Tasks on the left side, click “Prevent forgotten password” to start the wizard.

Now that you have wizard open, it will take you through the creation of the password restore disk. Make sure the disk is formatted and in your drive. Upon completion of the disk, label and store it somewhere in case of an emergency.

If you have forgotten your password, the only thing you need to do is click your user name in the connection icon on the screen. Even if you are don’t know your password, go ahead and click on the green arrow. It will open a small yellow dialog box that will direct you to use your password recovery CD.

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Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) is a technology that allows a computer to use more than one processor. The most common configuration of a Symmetric Multiprocessing computer is one that uses two processors. The two processors are used to perform the functions for the calculation faster than one processor. (Two of them are not necessarily, but they are twice as fast as a single processor.)

A computer that has more than one processor, the software must be written for an SMP system. If a program is not written for the Symmetric Multiprocessor, it will not take any advantage that the SMP offers. Not every program is for the SMP. SMP applications, such as programs for image editing, video, and databases are usually CPU demanding.

SMP in Windows XP

Operating systems are also written for Symmetric Multiprocessing so they can use multiple processors. In Windows XP, only XP Professional supports SMP, not XP. If you are a consumer with a dual-processor PC at home, you need to have XP Professional installed. Windows XP Advanced Server supports SMP as well.

In the big scheme of Microsoft, XP Professional is meant to replace the old Windows. In fact, XP Professional uses the same kernel of Windows 2000. XP Home is a replacement for Windows ME, and Windows Millennium Edition does not support SMP.

The difference between XP Professional and Windows XP Home is a lot more than just about $ 100 and SMP. XP Professional has many other features that are not in XP Home. Some of them you may use, but others you might know now about or not even want to use them.

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Do you want to know whether your favorite games are still going to run under Windows XP. Remember what happened when we tried our games to start the Windows 2000-based computers? Sometimes we were a little disappointed. Windows 2000 was more for the use of “Quake,” but true techno-geeks know that they are not to sacrifice death – at least not anymore.

Windows XP displays an impressive game compatibility. We have a number of games like “Tiger Woods Golf,” “NHL 2001″, “Max Payne” and “Unreal” on our Windows XP Professional machine. Some of these games have been specially programmed for Windows 95 and 98 and are not supported on Windows 2000. The installation of Windows XP was as smooth as silk. The games are quick and easy – no problem in view (except my shock Chip – Tiger was hanged, his head in shame).

Some programs less demanding in may not work so well, and we’ve found that some applications, such as Atari 2600 Classic Game Collection, didn’t quite work with Windows XP. In this case, you can use the wizard with the application compatibility that is in the Accessories menu. XP includes integrated compatibility layers for example, older versions of Windows, if your program does not work on Windows XP, the compatibility wizard guides you through the process of getting some of your favorite games for DOS. In this case, it is a collection of classic Atari games in the environment of Windows 95 in 256 colors and a screen resolution of 640×480. Then we still have XP for our Atari application in this environment, and everything was fine, after the sailing.

One last tip for compatibility: You shouldn’t use the compatibility of your program if the wizard seems to work well in the normal environment, or else you will see an error message. In general, XP has a high compatibility of the programs so that you can use your operating system, without renouncing all the old favorites.

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These measures are for a new installation of XP. Read this article for the steps to update your XP.

First, you need to change your BIOS in order boot from the CD-ROM. Once you do that then you are in a position to upgrade your computer from the installation CD.

After you change the boot order in your BIOS, save your changes and restart the computer. Make sure that the installation CD is in the CD-ROM. If you are prompted to press the spacebar to start directly from the CD-ROM, press it as soon as you see this message.

Wait a few minutes while the installation begins copying the files before you install on your computer. When you are ready, then you are ready for the orientation of the installation.

You will be asked if you want a new installation, repair an existing installation or exit. In this case you want to have a new installation. Press the button right to a new facility.

Please read the terms of the EULA, press F8 to.

The next phase of the installation is real similar to Windows 2000. Therefore, if you know how to install Windows 2000, then this should be a breeze.
Basically, you need to decide on the partition on the hard disk that you install Windows XP. You have the possibility to create and/or delete partitions or the available space for a partition. However, when trying to hold the partitions in a reasonable size.

We recommend using multiple partitions 4-8 GB, preferably on more than one hard disk. This allows you to secure your data and optimize the performance of the system. Once you have discovered that the XP partition is installed, it is time for the format.

Select the format of the partition or FAT32 or NTFS (recommended for the installation of OS). There are two options to perform a quick format of each option. Stick with one of the options. Once you have determined what is good for you, press the right button to format the partition.

Now this will be a good time to pause and then come back within few minutes. The setup program starts automatically after the files on the partition is formatted.
From this moment you will notice that all the filenames on the disk will be copied into the lower left corner. As the names of the files are from A to Z, from the installation rate will increase.

Select your region and your language.

Enter your name and organization.

Enter your license key.

Also enter the name of the computer and enter an administrator password. Do not forget your administrator password. Once the installation is complete, it would be highly desirable to provide a password reset CD when you forget your password for an administrator talent.

Enter the date and time.

Select your network configuration. Do you have a DHCP server for automatic IP address? If you have an IP address for the broadband access, enter your ISP.

Choose workgroup or domain name.

Report this copy of Windows XP, if you have all the hardware on your computer. Otherwise, wait until you have to install the additional hardware, before you activate your copy of XP.

Add the user to the computer.

Sign in and update drivers.

Driver Installation

All of the XP drivers for all hardware on our test computer was added. Update all drivers that have updates to download.

It takes about 30 minutes to complete this installation. Then there are some settings for personalization and then you will be on your Windows XP experience way! With a little use, the graphical user interface even begins to grow with you.

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There are three reasons why it is necessary for you to install a new copy of Windows XP:

Your current operating system does not support an upgrade to Windows XP Professional.

Your current operating system supports an upgrade to Windows XP Professional, but you do not want the existing files and configuration.

The computer does not have the operating system.
The installation process is for new installations and updates, with few exceptions. For example, with a new installation, the options for converting files, you have to create a new partition to install Windows XP.

Important
A new installation deletes all programs or system files from a previous installation.

Special options
Under special options, you will have the opportunity, language, education and accessibility to the settings during installation.

Please note: If you live in a country which has recently adopted the euro as currency, you may have to change the settings to the amounts in the currency correctly.

For more information, visit the Help and Support center and use the word “euro” in the search box.

The language and regions for Windows XP, which in turn affects the default settings for the date, time, currency, numbers, font and the keyboard.
Also, different you need to select the right language because different languages use different fonts and keys that are needed to for programs that run on Windows XP.

Change the default location for the setup files.
Store the file in another directory than the default (Windows)-Folder
Copy the installation files from the CD to the hard disk.

Use Narrator or Magnifier during installation.

Important
Unless you are an experienced user, we recommend that you use the default settings.

Select a file
In a new installation of Windows XP, you can choose what file type you want on your computer. Windows XP Professional supports:

FAT32: An enhanced version of the File Allocation Table (FAT), the default on all Windows operating systems from the latest (32-bit) versions of Windows. FAT32 can be on large hard drives, 512 megabytes (MB) to 32 gigabytes (GB).
NTFS: The NT file system (NTFS) is compatible with Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. NTFS offers a higher reliability, stability and security, and supports large hard drives up to 2 terabytes (TB).

Important
You can find the file at any time, even after you install Windows XP without changing your data.

The conversion to NTFS is only one step, if you have FAT or FAT32, you cannot change your NTFS hard drive back into FAT or FAT32.

If you are not sure which file system to use, then you should use the defaults on your computer during installation. To change your file system, here are some recommendations:

Use FAT32 if your hard drive is 32 GB or smaller.
Use FAT32 if you have multiple operating systems on your computer.
Use NTFS if your hard disk has more than 32 GB and is running only one operating system on your computer.
Use NTFS if you have a greater security for files.
Use NTFS if you have a better compression of the disk.

Disk Partitions
You can partition the information, example: for backup or installation of more than one operating system on your computers. A hard disk can hold up to four partitions.

When you create a new installation, the partition of the hard disk is automatically installed when you install Windows XP if you click Advanced and put in your requirements.

More information about the configuration, size, performance, or converting partitions, see the Help Center on the screen before the installation or upgrade to Windows XP Professional.

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If you have any problems with older programs originally designed for earlier versions of Windows, you may think that you have no chance. Fortunately for consumers, Microsoft XP has a compatibility mode. In compatibility mode, you can create a program to do the same thing the original was designed to.

Here is how to make a program in Windows XP to compatibility mode:

Find the icon for the executable file or shortcut to run the program.
Click the right mouse button on the icon and select Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab and add a checkmark next to the text “to the program in compatibility mode.
Select the operating system, originally for the operation.
You may have to resolve the three areas under the “Display Settings” if an old program requires a resolution of 640×480 and 256 colors.
Click Apply.

Try to start the program after making these changes. If you still have problems, try a different operating system. If the program has been written for Windows 95 and is in Windows 98, there’s nothing that says that it still does not work with Windows 98.

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The files and permissions in Windows XP seem complex.

Microsoft has released an article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base, but after reading that, it describes in detail the infinity of a security system based on a 1-5 scale. However, if you are looking for this scale, 1 to 5 in the settings of your interface, you can get a little confused. These figures can be found everywhere.

1 to 5 to Microsoft means nothing for the user and is in no way in practice to secure their facilities. Enter the screen saver. We are here for you to explain.

The security settings of the user is in fact in the context of access to reading, writing, shared folders and password protection. These features are in Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional, but the functions work only if the operating system is installed with the NTFS file system. FAT32 is not compatible with the permissions for files that are described here.

You can install Windows XP in NTFS, but you must use a FAT32 file system, when used with a dual-boot and want the contents of your Windows 95, 98, Me or XP partition. Your file is not carved in the installation of Windows XP. You can always use your FAT32 file system to NTFS without losing data, but the transition is only one stage.

There is nothing reproduced from NTFS to FAT32, if you have a copy of Partition Magic. Microsoft recommends that you install Windows XP Home with FAT32 if you have multiple operating systems on your computer or your hard drive less than 32 GB.

If you have Windows XP Home or Professional, NTFS works, you can hide all of your files and folders from prying eyes. When setting up multiple user accounts on a computer, any user with administrator access can see the documents in other folders in “My Documents”. To protect a folder, click the right mouse button, select Properties, click on the tab that says “Sharing” and then select “make this folder/file private.” Nobody, not even a system administrator can limit access to most of these records and they are kept secret.

Each file or folder in the folder you changed the settings of, they will be hidden inside the folder. If the administrator does not have a password, Windows XP will ask you to make a password on the user or risk the danger of their private work to the public’s eyes. No password for the Windows XP user means that none of your files are protected.

A person who is a guest or a user without administrator privileges cannot view the contents of another user in the folder “My Documents”, even if not explicitly private. The user with limited privileges can also to protect their documents from the eyes of the Administration. Windows XP is all about the user’s privacy.

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Windows XP configures the setup on the login screen to be user friendly and the shutdown buttons, if the installation on a personal computer (a computer where a domain is not specified).

This Windows XP tweaks article describes how you can change the logon screen to the classic logon screen of Windows XP Server is as follows:

Sign into Windows:

User name: _____________
Password: _____________

To temporarily use the classical login screen, press Ctrl + Alt + Del twice at the Welcome page.
To configure Windows XP to the classic login and shutdown screen for all application screens (for this Windows XP tweaks), proceed as follows:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click User Accounts.
Click to change how the user open and close it.
Click to view the use of the Welcome page of the check box.

Please note: If you use the classical welcome screen also disable Fast User Switching. So there you have it! You have completed a windows xp tweaks!

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Want to speed up Mozilla Firefox some more in Microsoft Windows XP? It won’t take long at all, so hang on!
The first thing you need to do, of course, is to open Mozilla Firefox. In the address bar, type in ‘about:config.’ Now find ‘network.http.pipelining’ to ‘true.’ Next, find ‘network.http.pipelining.maxrequests’ and set it’s value to ‘100.’ Then find ‘network.http.proxy.pipelining’ and set it’s value to ‘true.’ And finally, find ‘nglayout.initialpaint.delay’ and set it’s value to ‘0.’

This last thing to find, may not be available in the newer versions of Mozilla Firefox for Windows XP.

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