WINDOWS TRICKS & SHORTCUTS

to find out more information about your XP system

runbox command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste this in slot: msinfo32.exe
- press: enter

msinfo32.exe target paths are:
%programfiles%\common files\microsoft shared\msinfo\msinfo32.exe
C:\i386\msinfo32.exe

to make a shortcut for a usb key(for external use)
- right hand click open area of desktop
- choose: shortcut
- browse to: C:\i386\msinfo32.exe
- click: C:\i386\msinfo32.exe
- click: next
- click: finish
(shortcut made but not ready, a little bit more to do)
- right hand click the shortcut you have just made
- choose: properties
- change targetpath to: %systemdrive%\i386\msinfo32.exe
(means that even if c: is not the system's drive the shortcut with find it)
- click: apply
- close window
- transfer shortcut to USB key
end

an error message(bsod) tells one what the error is, whereas auto reboot doesn't,
therefore it's best to turn off auto reboot

turn off auto reboot:

runbox command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r button
- paste this in slot: sysdm.cpl @0,3
- press: enter
- find in blue: startup and recovery
( just above the line: system startup, system failure, and debugging infomation)
- click button: settings
- unclick box: automatically restart

once done
the error message can be understood here
http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.php

to block unwanted sites from XP

runbox command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste this in slot: c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
- press: enter
- open with: notepad
(the host file opens)
- click in the bottom of the window
(in order to write that is)
- press: enter
(for new line)
- paste in the new line you have just made: 127.0.0.1
- type in same line after the numbers you have pasted the site name
(example: 127.0.0.1 http://www.blockthiswebsite.com)
- close window
- press: save

Hi Vicky911,
Can you explain this hint? Hold the ALT key while doing?

Interested in disabling the right click feature (or context menu).
Thank you

when you type ALT + a number with 3 or 4 characthers (using the numbers on the numPad) you get a symbol. Is there anyone who has a list of any symbols that are ofthen used. Like copyright, trademark or something similar?

party jan, there are quite a few lists on the internet outthere, also runcommand charmap.exe offers many too.

Ok as promised, the problem is that my site was deleted, the server says by mistake, doesn't matter and now I am going to backup my stuff here so please excuse if some to the tuts are dead easy as the goal was to cut/paste them in replying to forums, for safety's sake I will not link my site here, just the tuts and xp and only a few at a time and comments are always welcome, here goes.

a check list before clean installing XP

check list
- have you gathered the drivers
- do you have cds of the programs
- have you copied files you want to keep

to gather drivers if you don't have them saved
------------------------------------------------------------
- use third party tool, example, drivermagician
http://www.drivermagician.com/download.htm
(just install thirty day version uninstall later)

- use everest to find out which driver they are then
download them form maker's site
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=everesthome
(old version is free)

- download them from maker's site

to copy files
---------------
- crossover cable
- burning to cd
- network file sharing
- slaving to another computer
- using extenal harddrive
- other ways too

to back up programs licence keys
-----------------------------------------
- XP licence key, office lincence key, etc.,
belac advisor
http://www.belarc.com/
- XP lincence without installing(stand alone)
magicjellybean = licernce key reader
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

once the above is cleared
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/wi ... _clean.asp

this is a rough idea of the sounds between boot and post, mobos can differ

No Beeps = Short,No power, Bad CPU/MB, Loose Peripherals
One Beep = Everything is normal and Computer POSTed fine
Two Beeps = POST/CMOS Error
One Long Beep, One Short Beep = Motherboard Problem
One Long Beep, Two Short Beeps = Video Problem
One Long Beep, Three Short Beeps = Video Problem
Three Long Beeps = Keyboard Error
Repeated Long Beeps = Memory Error
Continuous Hi-Lo Beeps = CPU Overheating

use only if happy with regedit

manual steps to delete the upperfilters and lowerfilters registry values that can cause cd access problems

to manually delete the upperfilters and lowerfilters registry values:
(back up registary before any registary editing)

runbox command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste this in slot: regedit
- press: enter
- press keyboard button: left arrow
(keep pressing until regedit tree is nealty folded back)
- open these folders on regedit tree:
hkey_local_machine\system\currentcontrolset\control\class\{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
- top of regedit window click: edit
- click: delete
- press keyboard button: left arrow
(keep pressing until regedit tree is nealty folded back)
- open these folders on regedit tree:
hkey_local_machine\system\currentcontrolset\control\class\{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
- top of window click: edit
- click: delete
- click: ok.
- quit registry editor.
- restart your computer

to update the driver
- press: winkey + r button
- type: devmgmt.msc
- press: enter
- doubleclick on the device in question
(opens the properties window of the device)
(if it opens a tree, continue down the tree to the one you want)
- click tab: driver
- click box: update driver
(may have to browse to the where the driver is stored)

to return to previous driver(rollback the driver)
- press: winkey + r button
- type: devmgmt.msc
- press: enter
- doubleclick on the device in question
(if it opens a tree, continue down the tree to the one you want)
- click tab: driver
- click box: roll back the driver
- click at prompt: agree

to delete an invalid bootpath:
run command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r button
- paste this: msconfig
- press: enter
- click tab: boot.ini
- click button: check all boot paths
(computer checks the boot paths and removes invalid ones)
- restart the computer

idea: editing favorites in a normal 'windows' window from the runbox


process;
runbox command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste to slot: %userprofile%\Favorites
- press: enter

400 bad request
(there's something wrong with the address you entered, you may not be authorized to access the web page, or maybe it no longer exists)
- check the address carefully, make sure that the slashes are correct forward slashes and that all the names are properly spelled. web addresses are case sensitive too

401 unauthorized
(you can't access a website because you're not on the guest list, your password is invalid or you have entered your password incorrectly)
- type password again
(passwords are case sensitive)
- return later

403 forbidden
(essentially the same as a 401)
- try entering your password again or move on to another site.

404 not found
(either the web page no longer exists on the server or it is nowhere to be found)
- check the address carefully and try entering it again.
- see if the site has a search engine. (if so, use it to hunt for the document)
- delete everything after the domain name and hit the enter or return key
(it's not uncommon for pages to change their addresses when a website is redesigned)

503 service unavailable
(your internet service provider (ISP) or your internet connection may be down)
- return later
- phone your ISP or system administrator

bad file request
(your web browser may not be able to decipher the online form you want to access. There may also be a technical error in the form)
- consider sending a message to the site's webmaster, providing any technical information you can, such as the browser and version you use.

connection refused by host
(you don't have permission to access the page or your password is incorrect)
- retype your password
- try later

failed DNS lookup
(DNS stands for the Domain Name System, which is the system that looks up the name of a website, finds a corresponding number (similar to a phone number), then directs your request to the appropriate web server on the Internet. When the lookup fails, the host server can't be located.
- try clicking on the Reload or Refresh button on your browser toolbar
- check the address and enter it again.
- try again later.

file contains no data
(the site has no web pages on it)
- check the address and enter it again.
- try again later.

host unavailable
(the web server is down)
- try clicking on the reload or refresh button.
- try again later.

host unknown
(the web server is down, the site may have moved, or you've been disconnected from the net)
- try clicking on the reload or refresh button
- check to see that you are still online
- try using a search engine to find the site
(it may have a new address)

network connection refused by the server
(the web server is busy)
- try again in a while.

unable to locate host
(the web server is down or you've been disconnected from the net)
- try clicking on the reload or refresh button
- check to see that you are still online.

unable to locate serve
(the web server is out-of-business or you may have entered the address incorrectly)
- check the address
- try typing it again.

Windows shortcuts. Some of them might have being posted here or people already know them. I collected them throughout the internet. Don't know if this is allowed (legal ) Sorry if I'm breaking the rules. I just thought I'll post all of the shortcuts and tricks I can find on the internet and post them here for reference.
( Call me cheater. Whatever! :

(All of these apply to Windows XP and some others that work for others as well.)

General keyboard shortcuts
• CTRL+C (Copy)
• CTRL+X (Cut)
• CTRL+V (Paste)
• CTRL+Z (Undo)
• DELETE (Delete)
• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
• CTRL+A (Select all)
• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
• ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
• CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
• F5 key (Update the active window)
• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• ESC (Cancel the current task)
• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.
• CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
• TAB (Move forward through the options)
• SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
• ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
• ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
• SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
• Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
• F1 key (Display Help)
• F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
• BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.
• CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
• TAB (Move forward through the options)
• SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
• ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
• ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
• SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
• Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
• F1 key (Display Help)
• F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
• BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts
• Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
• SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
• NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
• Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
• END (Display the bottom of the active window)
• HOME (Display the top of the active window)
• NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
• LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
• RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Shortcut keys for Character Map
After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:
• RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line)
• LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line)
• UP ARROW (Move up one row)
• DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
• PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
• PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
• HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
• END (Move to the end of the line)
• CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
• CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
• SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts
• CTRL+O (Open a saved console)
• CTRL+N (Open a new console)
• CTRL+S (Save the open console)
• CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
• CTRL+W (Open a new window)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
• ALT+F4 (Close the console)
• ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
• ALT+V (Display the View menu)
• ALT+F (Display the File menu)
• ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)

MMC console window keyboard shortcuts
• CTRL+P (Print the current page or active pane)
• ALT+Minus sign (-) (Display the window menu for the active console window)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item)
• F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• CTRL+F10 (Maximize the active console window)
• CTRL+F5 (Restore the active console window)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)

Remote desktop connection navigation
• CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
• ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
• ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
• ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
• ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
• CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
• ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
• CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
• CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation
• CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
• CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
• CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
• CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
• CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
• CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
• CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
• CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
• CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
• CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
• CTRL+W (Close the current window)

Firefox
• F2 (New Window)
• F3 (Open File)
• F4 (Save As)
• F5 (History)
• F6 (Turns Caret Browsing on/off)
• F7 (Erases somethings. Don't understand it )
• F9(Refresh page [Saves text in textareas in such])
• F10 (Refresh page [Lose your typed info in textarea and such {Learned it the bad way }])
• F11 (Find)
• F12 (Menu bars [On top] {Supposed to open Firebug})

Tricks for Windows XP could be found at the following web sites:

http://freepctech.com/pc/xp/xpindex.shtml
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/
http://www.dougknox.com/
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

And some commands for the Command Prompt (I don't know about you but I consider it a trick )

http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/usef ... ricks.html