Take back control of your system startup

Often windows gets so loaded with software that over time too many programs are loaded when windows starts or there is a troublesome app that locks up the system. Having too much loading at startup is the main culprit in slow boot ups. One handy tool to help with this is the system config tool. This tool allows for choosing what services or programs windows will start automatically. I’ve even seen some programs make deselecting an auto-start tricky or impossible.

In vista or XP:
click start
click run
type in msconfig
click ok

This tool is meant for diagnosing problems. If an application is causing startup issues it’s best to uninstall it entirely via its uninstall application and don’t just uncheck it from the startup menu. Sometimes Spyware apps will be listed here!

There are options under the general tab to start normally which is to run all programs as usual or start selective which means you can choose which specific apps to allow. Diagnostics startup which is like a safe mode start up with only basic services and apps loaded. The Start up tab shows all the third party software that you can selectively startup, checked boxes indicates the program is selected to start. Be aware that sometimes some of this software may be necessary to run windows optimally (i.e a mouse driver, video card drivers). The services tab shows all windows services. Now be careful with the services because many of these are required for basic components of the system to operate. Unless you know for sure that a service isn’t needed at all it’s best to leave it as is or feel free to read Some services that can be safely disabled. Happy computing.

We all have dozens of passwords floating around in our heads for every computer or machine that we have to deal with. Windows is no exception. The administrator password is very important to remember especially if you are the computer owner and primary operator. Without administrator privileges you may be unable to load programs change system settings, access the internet or access your files. But what if you loose the password. In some cases people forget their user name and the password. Windows creates the administrator password automatically and you can always use the user name “administrator” and the password to login. But if you forget the password, then what?!

Ophcrack is the answer to your problem. This tool is a linux tool that can analyze the registry and find passwords for users of a computer. This tool is only successful with Intel hardware and strong passwords it may not be able to crack at all.

Offline NT Password and Registry Editor is an alternative tool that will reset the passwords instead of cracking them in the event that Ophcrack can’t crack a tough password.

It’s a good idea to read the latest instructions for the file release of the download before using these freeware tools because they have the ability to harm your system if used improperly.

Basically you need to download the ISO file to your hard drive then burn a CD from the ISO file, to create the bootable disk. Be aware that burning from an ISO file is not the same as copying the ISO file to a blank cd disk. The burning software must be able to create an IMAGE from the ISO file to the blank disk.

Windows Vista has a bunch of programs that load automatically every time you start windows, no matter who logs in. These programs run in the background while you work in windows. Some of you may find added system performance by disabling some of these extra services that you may not need since many people are running vista with 1 gig of ram you may need to try some of these suggestions. Ive only included some services that start automatically and I think many people may not be using.

to see the services that windows manages:

click start
click run
type “services.msc”
click ok

Now you can scroll through all the services that windows manages and you can see whether they are currently started or stopped, automatically started, manually started or disabled. Selecting a service name and double clicking will bring up a windows with options to start, stop, autostart or disable a service. Be careful what you change here because some services are critical for normal operation and can be a trick to re-enable.

Desktop window Manager Session Manager
If you are using Vista’s aero glass functionality then you need this service otherwise it can be disabled.

Print spooler
If you aren’t using a printer you can disable.

Readyboost
Provides for increased system performance using usb flash drives. If your aren’t using thumb drives for this, you can disable it.

Tablet Pc input service
Allows functionality of a Tablet PC, if no tablet pc you may disable.

Telephony
can be disable if you don’t use a modem.

Terminal services/terminal service configuration
may be disabled if you don’t use remote desktop

windows Defender
You should only disable if you have other third party antivirus and spyware protection.

Windows Media Center Service
All five of these services may be disabled if you don’t use the Windows Media Center or Media player.

Windows search
If you don’t need faster or advanced search capabilities you can disable this feature.

Internet Connection Sharing
Can be disabled if you don’t share your computers internet connection.

Security Center
Can be disabled if you don’t want to see security related notifications.
Need more tips and tricks to avoid a computer fix?!

Installing a printer is pretty easy with Vista or XP.

In XP(Vista is similar):

left Click start
left click printers
right click inside window area (or click add printer button)
choose what kind of printer connection usb or network(ethernet)

If the printer is usb, windows will auto install the correct drivers, if it doesn’t find the correct drivers it will prompt for an installation disk.

If a printer is connected to someones computer and you would like access to it. It first needs to be shared by the computer that it is connected to. The printer should be given a share name so it can be found easily. Both computers need to be connected to a network.

If the printer is not connected directly to a usb port on your computer but is connected through a LAN (ethernet cable) or wireless. you will need to configure the printers internal NIC card and then configure every computer needing access to this printer. Basically you must configure an IP address for the printer.

Having Network discovery on in Vista can automate your computer finding a networked printer

to enable network discovery:

click start
right click network
click properties

Under sharing and discovery see that network discovery is ON, click arrow to view extra menu, select turn on network discovery.

Using the add printer wizard for network printers

Windows XP will ask for an address or printer name. Here you should type the static IP address that the printer uses.

It may also ask for a port type. Choose a Standard TCP/IP port type.

Windows will begin finding a suitable driver. Or you can just locate the driver from the printers install disk or from a file downloaded from the printer manufacturers website.

After installation the wizard will ask if you wish to print a test page to verify that everything works!