09 October 2007:

Force Windows to Use a Different Instant Messenger

Instead of hiding or removing Windows Messenger, you can change the settings in Windows so that it recognizes another program as your default instant messenger. The advantage of this is that it keeps Windows Messenger intact and ready to use whenever you want it.

Note
This option works only on Windows XP computers that have a minimum of Service Pack 1 installed.

To designate a different instant messaging program:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click the Control Panel. (If you don’t see this option, then your Start
menu is in classic mode. In that case, click Settings, and then select
the Control Panel.)

3. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.

4. A window opens. In the left window pane, click the Set Program
Access and Defaults icon.

5. Click the Custom button.

6. Scroll down until you see the Choose a Default Instant Messaging
Program heading. Click the Use My Current Instant Messaging

Program button. Next, put a checkmark in the Enable Access to This Program box.

7. Click the OK button.

10 October 2007:

Change the Windows Registration Name

If you bought a previously owned computer, there is a good chance that Windows still says it is registered to its former owner. To remove that name and insert your own, you must edit the Windows Registry:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click Run.

3. A window will appear. Type regedit in the blank, and then click the OK button or press the Enter key.

4. The Windows Registry Editor opens. In the left window pane, double-
click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key. If you can’t find
it, do the following:

a. In the left window pane of the Registry Editor, scroll to the top.

b. If any of the HKEY registry keys are open — as indicated by a
minus sign (-) on their left side — then close them by clicking
that minus sign. When a registry key has been properly closed, it
will have a plus sign (+) next to it.

c. Repeat this process for the remaining HKEY registry keys until
the only things visible in the left window pane are the five
HKEY keys.

d. Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key.

5. A new column of registry keys appears. Double-click Software.

6. A long column of registry keys will appear. Scroll down until you find Microsoft, and then double-click it.

7. Another long list of registry keys appears. Scroll down and double-click Windows NT.

8. Click the CurrentVersion registry key.

9. In the right window pane, double-click the RegisteredOwner registry
value.

10. A window opens. Under the Value Data heading is the name of the
previous owner. Delete it, and then type your name in the blank.

11. Click the OK button.

12. Above RegisteredOwner, double-click the registry value named
RegisteredOrganization.

13. Under the Value Data heading is the name of the previous owner’s
employer or organization. Delete it, and then type the name of your
organization (or you can just leave it blank if you want).

14. Click the OK button.

15. Exit the Registry Editor by clicking the X button in the upper-right
corner.

NOTE: ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO IT

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11 October 2007:

Pop the Balloon Tips

To make your computer easier to use, Windows XP often displays balloon tips,
which are advice and hints that pop up for a few seconds, and then disappear. If you prefer not to use balloon tips, you can burst their bubble by disabling them:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click Run.

3. A window appears. Type regedit in the blank, and then click the OK
button or press Enter.

4. The Windows Registry Editor will open. In the left window pane,
double-click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key. If you can’t find it, do the following:

a. In the left window pane of the Registry Editor, scroll to the top.

b. If any of the HKEY registry keys are open — as indicated by a
minus sign (-) on their left side — then close them by clicking
that minus sign. When a registry key has been properly closed, it
will have a plus sign (+) next to it.

c. Repeat this process for the remaining HKEY registry keys until
the only things visible in the left window pane are the five
HKEY keys.

d. Double-click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key.

5. A new column of registry keys appears. Double-click Software.

6. A long column of registry keys appears. Scroll down until you find
Microsoft, and then double-click it.

7. Another long list of registry keys appears. Scroll down and double-
click Windows.

8. Double-click the CurrentVersion registry key.

9. Double-click the Explorer registry key.

10. Click the Advanced registry key.

11. Click the Edit drop-down menu located in the upper-left corner of the
Windows Registry Editor.

12. Select New.

13. Select DWORD Value.

14. In the right window pane, a new registry value appears. Rename it
EnableBalloonTips .

15. After renaming the value, double-click it to open it.

16. Under the Value Data heading, make sure there is a 0.

17. Click the OK button.

18. Exit the Registry Editor by clicking the X button in the upper-right
corner.

19. If you change your mind and want to allow the balloon tips to appear,
all you have to do is repeat these steps to locate the

EnableBalloonTips registry key. Open it, delete the 0, and type 1 in its place.

12 October 2007:



Stop Highlighting New Software

Whenever you install new software, its name will automatically become high-
lighted in your Start menu’s list of programs. The purpose of doing this is to
help you quickly find your new software in case you need to configure it. If you find this highlighting to be annoying, you can easily turn it off as follows:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click the Control Panel. (If you don’t see this option, then your Start
menu is in classic mode. In that case, click Settings, and then select
the Control Panel.)

3. If the Control Panel is in category view, click the Appearance and
Themes category, and then click the Taskbar and Start Menu icon. If
the Control Panel is in classic view, simply double-click the Taskbar
and Start Menu icon.

4. A window opens. Click the Start Menu tab.

5. Click the Customize button.

6. Another window opens. Click the Advanced tab.

7. Under the Start Menu Settings heading, remove the checkmark from the Highlight Newly Installed Programs box.

8. Click the OK button.

9. You are returned to the previous window. Click the Apply button.

10. Click the OK button.

13 October 2007:

Turn Off Error Reporting

When Windows XP crashes or hits a snag, it usually displays an error message
and asks for permission to report the problem to Microsoft via the Internet. To
prevent these messages from bothering you, turn off the error-reporting feature:

1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. If this icon is not available, then click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows and right-click My Computer. If you can’t find the My Computer icon anywhere, do the following:

a. Right-click in the empty space on your desktop.

b. Select Properties.

c. A window opens. Click the Desktop tab.

d. Near the bottom of the window, click the Customize Desktop button.

e. Another window will open. On the General tab, beneath the words Desktop Icons, place a checkmark in the My Computer box.

f. Click the OK button.

g. You are returned to the previous screen. Click the Apply button.

h. Click the OK button.

i. The My Computer icon appears on your desktop. Double-click it.

2. Select Properties.

3. A window opens. Click the Advanced tab.

4. Click the Error Reporting button located in the lower-right corner of this window.

5. Select the option to Disable Error Reporting. If you still want to be notified when serious errors occur, then put a checkmark in the But Notify Me When Critical Errors Occur box. If you want to disable all types of error reporting so that you never see any error messages, then remove the checkmark from this box.

14 October 2007:



Disable Step-by-Step Searches

Windows has an internal search companion that enables you to quickly locate
files, folders, or programs on your computer. By default, this search engine takes you through a step-by-step process designed to refine your searches and make them more successful. Some computer make their searches more streamlined and fast. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click Search.

3. The Windows Search Companion opens. Use the scroll bar to locate Change Preferences, and then click it.

4. Scroll down and click Change Files and Folders Search Behavior.

5. Click the Advanced button.

6. Click the OK button.

15 October 2007:



Disable the Search Characters

Another aspect of the Search Companion that irritates many people is the animated characters that are supposed to provide entertainment during your
searches. If you prefer, you can disable these characters:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click Search.

3. The Windows Search Companion opens. Use the scroll bar to locate Change Preferences, and then click it.

4. Click the Without an Animated Screen Character option. The character will make a humorous exit and disappear.

5. If you change your mind and want to bring back the animated character, follow the previous steps, but this time click With an Animated Screen Character.

16 October 2007:



Show Inactive Icons

If you have a large number of programs installed on your computer, you might have noticed that the right corner of Windows is jam-packed with icons that are actually shortcuts to your programs. To keep this area clean, Windows XP automatically hides the icons for any programs that have not been used recently. If you prefer to have these icons remain visible at all times, then you must disable the feature known as Hide Inactive Icons. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click the Control Panel. (If you don’t see this option, then your Start menu is in classic mode. In that case, click Settings, and then select the Control Panel.)

3. If the Control Panel is in category view, click the Appearance and Themes category, and then click the Taskbar and Start Menu icon. If the Control Panel is in classic view, simply double-click the Taskbar and Start Menu icon.

4. A window opens. Click the Taskbar tab.

5. Remove the checkmark from the Hide Inactive Icons box.

6. Click the Apply button.

7. Click the OK button.

17 October 2007:

Re-Sync the Windows Clock

If the clock in the lower-right corner of Windows ever displays the wrong time, you can synchronize it with an atomic clock on the Internet — which will ensure that your computer displays the precise time every time.

Note
This feature is not available on computers that belong to a network “domain” (usually domains are found in offices or other business settings).

To reset your clock:

1. Connect to the Internet.

2. Double-click the clock located in the lower-right corner of Windows. The Date and Time Properties window opens, displaying a clock and a calendar.

3. Click the Internet Time tab.

4. Make sure there is a checkmark in the Automatically Synchronize with an Internet Time Server box. If it is missing, restore the checkmark by clicking the box.

5. Click the Update Now button. Windows attempts to synchronize your clock with an Internet time server. If successful, this results in your computer receiving the accurate time. If it is not successful, then it is possible that it is receiving interference from another program like a software firewall. In that case, do the following:

a. Temporarily disable your firewall.

b. Repeat the steps to synchronize your clock.

c. If this does the trick, then consult your firewall’s help menu or contact its manufacturer for assistance in tweaking the firewall to give the Windows clock permission to access the Internet.

18 October 2007:



Disable Automatic Cleanup of Your Desktop

To keep your desktop free of clutter, Windows XP offers to automatically relocate any shortcuts that haven’t been used in quite a while. If you are satisfied with the layout of your desktop and don’t want it changed, then you should disable the Desktop Cleanup Wizard, like this:

1. Right-click in the empty space on your desktop.

2. Select Properties.

3. A window opens. Click the Desktop tab.

4. Click the Customize Desktop button located in the lower-left corner.

5. Remove the checkmark from the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard Every 60 days box.

6. Click the OK button.

19 October 2007:



Adjust AutoPlay

When you insert a CD or DVD disc into your computer, the Windows AutoPlay
feature springs into action and opens, plays, or displays the files on the disc. To adjust the AutoPlay settings, do the following:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. If this icon is not available, then click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows and click My Computer. If you can’t find the My Computer icon anywhere, do the following:
a. Right-click in the empty space on your desktop.

b. Select Properties.

c. A window opens. Click the Desktop tab.

d. Near the bottom of the window, click the Customize Desktop button.

e. Another window opens. On the General tab, beneath Desktop Icons, place a checkmark in the My Computer box.

f. Click the OK button.

g. You will be returned to the previous screen. Click the Apply button.

h. Click the OK button.

i. The My Computer icon appears on your desktop. Double-click it.

2. A window opens. Right-click the icon for your CD/DVD burner or other media device.

3. Select Properties.

4. A window opens. Click the AutoPlay tab.

5. You will see a drop-down menu that allows you to choose between seven categories: Music Files, Pictures, Video Files, Mixed Content, Music CD, DVD Movie, and Blank CD). Use this menu to select one of the categories, and then go to the Actions heading below it.



6. If you want AutoPlay to ask you what to do each time a disc is inserted into your CD or DVD drive, click the Prompt Me Each Time to Choose an Action button. If you want AutoPlay to automatically perform a specific action each time a disc is inserted, click the Select an Action to Perform button. Next, select one of the options below it. For example, if you want a CD full of digital photos to automatically appear as a slideshow, then do the following:

a. Click the drop-down menu and select Pictures.

b. Click Select an Action to Perform.

c. Click View a Slideshow of the Images.

There are numerous combinations to choose, so spend time deciding how best to customize AutoPlay to suit your needs.

7. When you are finished configuring AutoPlay, click the Apply button.

8. Click the OK button.

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20 October 2007:



Repair AutoPlay

If AutoPlay isn’t working like it should, it might have been turned off accidentally. You can fix it by editing the Windows Registry, like this:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.

2. Click Run.

3. A window opens. Type regedit in the blank, and then click the OK button or press the Enter key.

4. The Windows Registry Editor will open. In the left window pane, double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key. If you can’t find it, do the following:

a. In the left window pane of the Registry Editor, scroll to the top.

b. If any of the HKEY registry keys are open — as indicated by a minus sign (-) on their left side — then close them by clicking that minus sign. When a registry key has been properly closed, it will have a plus sign (+) next to it.

c. Repeat this process for the remaining HKEY registry keys until the only things visible in the left window pane are the five HKEY keys (see Figure).

[IMG]http://stickypix.*****.net/beta/out.php/i162_01.JPG[/IMG]

d. Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key.

5. A new column of registry keys appears. Double-click System.

6. Another column of registry keys appears. Double-click CurrentControlSet.

7. Double-click the Services registry key.

8. A long list of registry keys will appear. Scroll down and click Cdrom (see Figure)

[IMG]http://stickypix.*****.net/beta/out.php/i161_02.JPG[/IMG]

9. In the right window pane, look for a registry value labeled AutoRun. If it is there, then proceed to Step 10. If you do not have this registry value, then you need to create it, like this:

a. Click the Edit drop-down menu located at the top of the Windows Registry Editor.

b. Select New.

c. Select DWORD Value.

d. In the right window pane, a new registry value will appear.

Rename it AutoRun (make sure it looks exactly like Figure).

[IMG]http://stickypix.*****.net/beta/out.php/i160_03.JPG[/IMG]

10. Double-click the AutoRun value.

11. A window opens. Under the Value Data heading, delete any number you see and type 1 in its place.

12. Click the OK button.

13. Exit the Registry Editor by clicking the X button in the upper-right corner.