Ravindra Kulkarni
Set My Computer to work like a menu for easier access to the drives you need.
By default, the My Computer item on the Start menu is configured to work like a standard folder window. If you need to access a specific drive, select My Computer from the Start menu, wait a moment for the window to appear, and then double-click the icon for the drive you need to access.
When you’re in a hurry, this two-step procedure can be time-consuming and frustrating—especially if My Computer contains a large number of drive icons. However, Windows XP makes it easy for you to configure My Computer so it works like a menu, with each drive listed as a menu item.
Here’s how.
1. Right-click the Start button, and select Properties.
2. Click Customize, which is adjacent to the Start Menu radio button, and select Advanced.
3. Scroll through the Start Menu Items list box until you see My Computer.
4. Select Display As A Menu, and click OK twice.
Now, when you select My Computer from the Start menu, you’ll see a menu of individual drives. To access the contents of that drive, just select the drive letter from the menu.
Archive for August, 2009
Use registry shortcuts to disable and enable screensavers in Win XP
Posted: August 18, 2009 in Registry, System Tricks, Windows XPUse registry shortcuts to disable and enable screensavers in Win XP:
The steps in this tip will show you how to edit the registry for a time-saving shortcut for enabling and disabling your screensaver.
When you perform maintenance operations such as defragmenting or backing up the hard disk, you probably disable your screensaver before you begin to prevent it from interfering with the maintenance operation. However, disabling your screensaver manually is a multistep operation that involves accessing the Display Properties dialog box, navigating to the Screen Saver tab, and setting the screen saver to None. Then, you need to re-enable the screen saver after you complete the maintenance operation.
Fortunately, you can automate the disabling and enabling screen saver procedures with a couple of registry shortcuts. Note: Editing the registry is risky, so make sure you have a verified backup before making any changes.
Here’s how.
1. Launch Notepad and type the following four lines. (Note: The second line must be blank.)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
“ScreenSaveActive”=”0”
2. Save the file to your desktop with the name Disable Screen Saver.reg.
3. Change the 0 to a 1 in the fourth line.
4. Save the file to your desktop with the name Enable Screen Saver.reg.
Now, when you need to disable the screen saver, just double-click the Disable Screen Saver.reg shortcut. To enable the screen saver, double-click the Enable Screen Saver.reg shortcut.
When you run either of these files, the Registry Editor will display two confirmation prompts—one before making the change and one after making the change.
Maybe you don’t use Microstfts Instant Messenger (MSN) like many people but you will notice that it loads into memory when you fire up your operating system. It sits in the task bar stares at you. This is annoying to me at least, specially when i don’t need any service from it. Well in this kinda situation, you better choose to read on [:-D]….. This worked in WinXP, but may work on others….
So, go to START–>RUN copy and paste the following:
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
Click ok. No more msn process.
open notepad dump the following lines into it and save it with the name OEMINFO.INI in the c:\windows\system32 directory:
————————————————————————————-
[General]
Manufacturer=Your Name Here
Model=Your Model Here
[Support Information]
Line1=Your Name Here
Line2=Your Address Here
Line3=Your Email Address Here
————————————————————————————-
1. Save the file.
2. Then make a right click on my computer select properties, in the general tab a button will be highlighted (support information) make a click on it, you will be able to see the changes.
3. Now if you want to display some more information then simply increase the line in the file.
ex: Line4=Your Working Hours Here
1) Navigate to:
HKEY USERS\ .DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop
2) Double click the wallpaper value, and type in the full path of your image and the filename.
3) To tile the image set “TileWallPaper” to 1
4) To Stretch the wallpaper set “WallPaperStyle” to 2
5) Close the registry editor and the changes will take place when you Log off.
This could be your favourite image or picture as long as it is a .bmp or .jpg.
Try it at your own Risk.
It works for me !! Not sure about your computer ..
This is a simple registry tweak which adds a website link to your Start Menu…..its very handy for quick access to your favourite website.
To Install : Copy the code below to notepad and save it as link.reg then just right click on it and choose “merge”.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@=”nidokidos.org”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon]
@=”%SystemRoot%\\system32\\shell32.dll,-47″
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance\InitPropertyBag]
“CLSID”=”{13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}”
“method”=”ShellExecute”
“Command”=”nidokidos.org”
“Param1″=”http://www.nidokidos.org”
To uninstall : Copy the code below to notepad and save as rem.reg and right click and choose merge.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@=””
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon]
@=””
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance\InitPropertyBag]
“CLSID”=”{13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}”
“method”=”ShellExecute”
“command”=””
“Param1″=””
Registry: it is hierarchical database which contains information of software /hardware and user profile setting .
Files responsible for making registry:
1)user.dat
2)system.dat
User.dat:this file is responsible for updating user information in registry.
System.dat: this file is responsible for updating hardware /software information in the registry.
How to open registry:
Start—run—regedit.
Registry structure:
Registry is made up of hives.
There are six hives:
1)HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
2)HKEY_CURRENT_USER
3)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
4)HKEY_USERS
5)HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
6)HKEY_DYN_DATA.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT:—THIS HIVE CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAM ASSOCIATED WITH FILE TO OPEN.
HKEY_CURRENT _USER:–THIS FILE CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT USER WHO IS CURRENTLY LOGGED ON .
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE:—THIS HIVE CONTAINS INFORMATION OF ALL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
HKEY_CURRENT_ CONFIG:–THIS FILE CONTAINS INFORMATION CURRENT HARDWARE PROFILE LOADED
HKEY_USERS:–THIS FILE CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT DEFAULT USERS.
HKEY_DYN_DATA:–THIS FILE CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS WHICH ARE LOADED INTO MEMORY ALWAYS.
how to restore registry:
scanreg:this is a registry tool which is used to restore registry
of previous dates
how to use this command:
1)open the computer in dos mode:
2)scanreg /restore.
3)select the date.
how to export or import registry:
start–run –regedit—registry—export/import.
Block USB in Windows XP
Posted: August 18, 2009 in Registry, System Basics, System Information, System Tricks1. Start -> Run -> regedit ->Find the Hkey_Local_Machine>System>Current Control set>Services>USBStor.
2. Look at the right pain and find out the Start where value of the start would be 0000000(3) edit the value by double mouse click and type 4 and save.
3. Restart your computer.
It works for XP and Yes it also Works in Windows Vista
Do the Following
• Control Panel.
• Regional and Language Options.
• Click the Customize button.
• Select Time
• Highlight AM and type the name you want to display . Repeat with PM.
• click apply and than ok
Automatically Kill Programs At Shutdown
Posted: August 18, 2009 in Registry, System Basics, System TricksAutomatically Kill Programs At Shutdown
don’t you hate it when, while trying to shut down, you get message boxes telling you that a program is still running? Making it so that Windows automatically kills applications running is a snap. Simply navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop directory in the Registry, then alter the key AutoEndTasks to the value 1.
IgNiTeD SoUL 