Quick Tips- Defragmentation

To reduce a system's boot time and boost system performance, use frequently use built-in Windows defragmentation utility.

Method:

• Open My Computer
• Right Click C:
• Properties
• Tools
• Defragmentation
• Analyse
• Defragment

Quickly Access Control Panel - Windows XP Shortcuts

There is a quick way to open a Control Panel applet.

For example, normally you access a setting by clicking Start -> Control Panel -> Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices -> Change the Sound Scheme. But by this method, you can get there much faster.

Click on Start » Run » Type «control applet.cpl» and press enter

applet is any Control Panel applet as given in the following table:

Accessibility Options access.cpl Add New Hardware Wizard hdwwiz.cpl Add/Remove Programs appwiz.cpl Date and Time Properties timedate.cpl Display Properties desk.cpl FindFast findfast.cpl Folder Properties * folders Fonts Folder * fonts Internet Properties inetcpl.cpl Joystick Properties joy.cpl Keyboard Properties main.cpl keyboard Mouse Properties main.cpl Network Properties ncpl.cpl Password Properties password.cpl Phone and Modem options telephon.cpl Power Management powercfg.cpl Printers Folder * printers Regional settings intl.cpl Scanners and Cameras sticpl.cpl Sound Properties mmsys.cpl sounds Sounds and Audio Device Properties mmsys.cpl System Properties sysdm.cpl User settings nusrmgr.cpl TweakUI    tweakui.cpl

So, for example, to open the Sounds and Audio Device Properties dialog you click Start -> Run, type control mmsys.cpl and click OK.

You can use this method to run a command as Administrator, if you are logged in as a user, without being logged. For this purpose, click Start » All Programs » Accessories » Right Click on Command Prompt and click Run as. Now give your Administrator user name and password.

Windows 7 Without Internet Explore

Microsoft has confirmed plans to ship a version of Windows 7 without Internet Explorer. Windows 7 E, as the browserless system will be called, will be made available throughout Europe starting on October 22. The decision to pull IE from Windows comes as a result of an ongoing European Commission case surrounding anti-competition laws and Microsoft's bundling of software. Windows 7, Browser-Free Word of the browser-free Windows 7 edition first broke when an apparent memo about the plans was leaked to CNET News Thursday morning. Microsoft acknowledged the memo's authenticity -- it was sent from the company to computer manufacturers and retailers, representatives say -- and Microsoft has since gone on to elaborate about the plans. "We’re committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world, but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product," Dave Heiner, Microsoft's vice president and deputy general counsel, explains. "Given the pending legal proceeding, we’ve decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users," he says. The European Windows 7 E editions, then, will function just like the regular Windows 7 offerings sold in America -- only without Internet Explorer automatically included. With that said, new computer users may still find IE on their systems, given the options Microsoft is providing for manufacturers to preinstall the program before shipping their PCs. "Microsoft will ... make it easy and convenient for PC manufacturers to preinstall IE 8 on Windows 7 machines in Europe if they so choose," the original Microsoft memo is quoted as stating. "PC manufacturers may choose to install an alternative browser instead of IE 8, and [as] has always been the case, they may install multiple browsers if they wish." Microsoft's Windows 7 Browser Battle The browserless approach wasn't Microsoft's only option: The European Commission, Heiner says, also discussed the company including IE and other browsers within Windows 7 by default. It also suggested a concept wherein users would be presented with a "ballot screen" that would allow them to pick their browser of choice during the initial setup process. "Important details of these approaches would need to be worked out in coordination with the Commission, since they would have a significant impact on computer manufacturers and Web browser vendors, whose interests may differ," Heiner responds. "Given the complexity and competing interests, we don’t believe it would be best for us to adopt such an approach unilaterally." For now, then, Windows 7 E is the answer -- at least, for Europe. Here in the States, you'll be getting the regular ol' Windows 7, Internet Explorer and all. Current Vista users are expected to be offered a $49.99 upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium or a $99.99 upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. If you recently bought a new PC with Vista preloaded, you may also be eligible for Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Option, which would provide a cheaper or possibly even free upgrade to Windows 7. Microsoft, however, has yet to release the specific requirements of the upgrade program.

Run Windows on your G5 through WinTel

One rarely need to run a Windows-only app on Power Mac G5, but if he wants here is an interesting option. OpenOSX's web page for WinTel 1.0.1 reads as follows:

"Experience full compatibility with Pentium(R) processors, disk image and CD-ROM support. Floppy disk support may be achieved by creating a disk image with Apple's Disk Copy software. Use the Finder to transfer data between the emulator and the Mac OS X operating system."

Fully-compatible and optimized for the new PowerMac G5, with more optimizations under development.

WinTel/Bochs was successfully tested with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2K, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP Professional. Thanks to Mac OS X's advanced architecture, multiple G4 CPUs can be utilized and are emulated as a single powerful Pentium(R) processor or as dual Pentium Processors. Mac OS X is a true chameleon of operating systems, users may now run a long list of operating systems within it: Mac OS 9, Windows 95/98/2K/NT, DOS, Linux, Unix, BSD, etc. software, seamlessly.

How to Disable Other Network Connections

1. If you have more than one connections such as a Local Area Connection, it may be interferring with your wireless connection. You may need to disable the connection before you can connect to the Wireless network.
2. From the Start menu (lower-left corner of the screen), select Control Panel. Double-click on Network and Dial Up Connections.
3. To disable a connection, double-click on the connection icon. Click on the button to turn this connection off. You will need to go back to your Network and Dial Up Connections folder to enable these connections if you wish to use them at another location.

Troubleshooting Your Network Connection in Windows XP

If you are having difficulties connecting to the Internet, or are getting an error message stating that you have an "IP conflict…" the following information will help you troubleshoot this problem. These instructions are for computers running Windows XP Home or Professional editions. You will need to be connected to the ClarkNet via a network jack (on-campus) or connected to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) via modem, DSL or cable connection.
Step 1.

• Click and then click
• In the Control Panel click
• Click .

Step 2. Right-click on the Local Area Connection and click Status.

Step 3. Click on the Support tab, and note the IP Address on a piece of paper. Now click Repair and note the IP Address. Click Close.
Note: If you get an IP Address that starts with 169, then you have an invalid address refresh your address by Repair or Disabling and Enabling Network Adapter.

WINDOWS XP TROUBLESHOOTING/CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Step 1. Configure the proxy settings of your browser

• Go to control panel
  
• Click Internet Options
• Click the Connections tab
• Click LAN Settings. The Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window opens
• Click the Use automatic configuration script check box.
• In the Address field type an address: http://sisig.ateneo.net/browser.pac
• Deselect the Use a proxy server for your LAN check box
• Deselect the Automatically detect settings check box
• Click OK

Proceed to Step 2 if you still can not connect to the WiFi network.

Step 2. Configure the Network Settings of your computer

• Click Start, select Control Panel
• Click Network and Internet Connections
• Click Network Connections
• Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon
• Select Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties window opens.
• Click the General tab
• Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
• The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window opens.
• Click Obtain an IP address automatically
• Click Obtain DNS server address automatically
• Click OK
• Proceed to Step 3 if you still can not connect to the WiFi network.

Step 2. Check if you registered the correct MAC Address

a. First, determine the MAC Address of your WiFi card

• Click Start -> Run
• Type cmd and click OK
• At the command prompt window, type ipconfig /all

Look for the entry which says Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection. It should look like this:

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel<R> PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . :
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 01-23-45-67-8A-BC
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . :
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . :
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . :

In this case, the MAC or Physical Address is 01-23-45-67-8A-BC.
b. Go online to check if you registered the correct MAC Address

• On the right side of the website there is a WIRELESS LAN SYSTEM section
• Click on the CHANGE ACCOUNT INFORMATION link.
• CNG Wireless Access Page web page opens
• Type your email address (the one you used to register your WiFi account)
• You will receive an automated email shortly after. From there you'll know if you registered the correct MAC
• Address. Now compare. The email contains a link needed to change your MAC Address and it is only
• accessible within the Ateneo campus. Once you have completed this step, the new settings will take effect
• within two hours.