Restore Security Database File

You can easily restore the database file to its original state using the steps outlined below:


1.Open the %SystemRoot%\Security folder, create a new folder, and then name it "OldSecurity".

2.Move all of the files ending in .log from the %SystemRoot%\Security folder to the OldSecurity folder.

3.Find the Secedit.sdb file in the %SystemRoot%\Security\Database folder, and then rename this file to "Secedit.old".

4.Click Start, click Run, type mmc, and then click OK.

5.Click Console, click Add/Remove Snap-in, and then add the Security and Configuration snap-in.

6.Right-click Security and Configuration and Analysis, and then click Open Database.

7.Browse to the %SystemRoot%\Security\Database folder, type Secedit.sdb in the File name box, and then click Open.

8.When you are prompted to import a template, click Setup Security.inf, and then click Open.

A Description of the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Command-Line Utility (Wmic.exe)

A Description of the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Command-Line Utility (Wmic.exe): "A Description of the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Command-Line Utility (Wmic.exe)"
Article ID : 290216

Network Diagnostics for Windows XP is available to help identify and fix network connection problems

Network Diagnostics for Windows XP is available to help identify and fix network connection problems: "Network Diagnostics for Windows XP is available to help identify and fix network connection problems"

CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device

CD-R drive or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device: "RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, edit the Microsoft Windows registry to identify the CD-R drive or CD-RW drive as a recordable drive. To do this, follow these steps.WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Expand the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CD Burning\Drives
4. On the File menu, click Export.
5. In the File name box, type backup of drives key, and then click Save.

Note You can restore this registry subkey by double-clicking the backup of drives key.reg file that you saved.
6. In the left pane of the Registry Editor window, click the Volume{GUID} folder under Drives, where GUID is a 32-character hexadecimal globally unique identifier.

Note If you have more than one CD-ROM drive in the computer, an additional Volume{GUID} folder is listed for each drive.
7. In the right pane of the Registry Editor window, double-click Drive Type.
8. In the Value data box, type 1 or 2, depending on the drive type,"

A description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP Pro

A description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP Pro: "This article describes Svchost.exe and its functions. Svchost.exe is a generic host process name for services that run from dynamic-link libraries (DLLs)."

Smartbro's Ups And Down: Hidden Password Generator In Windows Xp

Smartbro's Ups And Down: Hidden Password Generator In Windows Xp

HOW TO Quickie: Embedded Flickr Slideshows

HOW TO Quickie: Embedded Flickr Slideshows
http://paulstamatiou.com/2005/11/19/how-to-quickie-embedded-flickr-slideshows/

The Windoze XP IDE Transfer Mode Failback “Feature” & Fix

UDMA à PIO | DUCK’S BLOG

HAL

Reducing the Number of Master Images for Computers with Multiprocessors

If you use images as part of your manufacturing process, you can preinstall the same Windows image on both multiprocessor (MP) and uniprocessor (UP) computers, as long as the master computer and the destination computer are both Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) computers or both Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) APIC computers.

For more information, see:

• Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification (http://www.acpi.info/index.html)


• Key Benefits of the I/O APIC (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/platform/proc/IO-APIC.mspx)

This table illustrates the type of destination computers where you can install a given master image, depending on the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) type of the computer used to create the master installation.

HAL of Master Installation	HAL of Destination Computer
	ACPI APIC UP	ACPI APIC MP	Non-ACPI APIC UP	Non-ACPI APIC MP
ACPI APIC UP	X	X
ACPI APIC MP	X	X
Non-ACPI APIC UP			X	X
Non-ACPI APIC MP			X	X

Important

• The HAL type changes only if you run Sysprep in Mini-Setup mode. The HAL does not change if you run Sysprep in Factory or Reseal mode.


• Do not attempt to change from an ACPI HAL to a standard HAL or from a standard HAL to an ACPI HAL under any circumstances. Doing so will result in your computer not starting properly or possibly not starting at all. Because the device tree structures of the two HAL types are drastically different, the system is unaware of any hardware changes after the computer restarts, including the location of the boot device. Microsoft does not recommend or support this procedure because it will result in data loss.
  

  For more information on HAL options, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base, article 309283.

Notes

• Windows XP Home Edition does not support multiprocessors.


• You can install a master installation only from an ACPI PIC computer to an ACPI PIC destination computer.


• You can install a master installation only from a non-ACPI UP PIC computer to a non-ACPI UP PIC destination computer.


• An image created on a computer with a single processor (with no multiprocessor support) cannot be used on a multiprocessor computer.


• More interrupts are available with APIC systems than with Processor Interrupt Controller (PIC) uniprocessor systems. As a result, a computer with an APIC HAL:
  
  
  
  • Has faster response times.
  
  
  • Can support more hardware devices.
  
  

There are two techniques for creating images that you can use on both MP and UP systems. Choose the technique that works best for you and your manufacturing environment.

Applying a Multiprocessor Master Installation to a Uniprocessor Destination Computer

In the first technique, you create the master installation on an MP computer. You can then use this image on other MP computers or on UP computers.

Important

• The HAL type of the computer where the master installation was created determines the type of destination computer where you can use the image:
  
  
  
  • You can use a master installation created on an ACPI APIC MP-based computer on other ACPI APIC MP- or ACPI APIC UP-based computers.
  
  
  • You can use a master installation created on a non-ACPI APIC MP-based computer on other non-ACPI APIC MP- or non-ACPI APIC UP-based computers.
  
  

To create an MP to UP image

1. In Sysprep.inf, add:
   

   [Unattended]
   UpdateUPHAL = "hwid,%WINDIR%\Inf\Hal.inf"

   
   

   where hwid is either MPS_UP or ACPIAPIC_UP.

   
   

   For more information, see the UpdateUPHAL entry.




2. Install the Windows configuration set to an MP computer.


3. Run Sysprep in Mini-Setup mode with the Sysprep.inf file.
   

   For example, from the Sysprep folder run:

   
   

   C:\sysprep\sysprep -mini -quiet -shutdown




4. Make an image of the installation.


5. Place the image on comparable MP destination computers.

Applying a Uniprocessor Master Installation to a Multiprocessor Destination Computer

In the second technique, you create the master installation on a UP computer with an APIC HAL. You can then use this image to preinstall Windows on destination computers that use compatible hardware, whether the destination computer uses an APIC UP HAL or an APIC MP HAL.

Important

• All versions of Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family using an APIC HAL (either ACPI or non-ACPI) automatically install the corresponding multiprocessor HAL upon detection of a second processor. This means that the UpdateHAL entry is necessary only for Windows versions older than Windows XP.

Important

The HAL type of the computer where the master installation was created determines the type of destination computer where you can use the image:

• You can use a master installation created on an ACPI APIC UP-based computer on other ACPI APIC UP-based or ACPI APIC MP-based destination computers.


• You can use a master installation created on a non-ACPI APIC UP-based computer on other non-ACPI APIC UP or non-ACPI APIC MP-based destination computers.

To create the UP to MP image

1. Install Windows on a UP computer.


2. Make an image of the installation.


3. In Sysprep.inf, add:
   

   [Unattended]
   UpdateHAL = "hwid,%WINDIR%\Inf\Hal.inf"

   
   

   where hwid is either MPS_MP or ACPIAPIC_MP.

   
   

   For more information, see the UpdateHAL entry.



4. Run Sysprep in Mini-Setup mode with this Sysprep.inf file.
   

   Important

   
   

   For example, from the Sysprep folder run:

   
   

   C:\sysprep\sysprep -mini -quiet -shutdown



5. Make an image of the installation.


6. Place the image on comparable MP destination computers.

Important

• Do not use a Sysprep.inf file containing the UpdateHAL entry on destination UP computers because the UpdateHAL entry loads the MP HAL on the destination computer regardless of whether it is a UP or an MP computer. An MP kernel on a UP computer noticeably reduces the computer's performance.

You may use any tools that you normally use to manipulate files on the hard disk when creating new computers from an image.

Imaging machines using different HALs w/sysprep

Imaging machines using different HALs w/sysprep
One of the biggest problems with ghosting dissimilar machines is when they require different Hardware Abstraction Layers (HALs). For instance, an older Pentium 4 machine will use the Uniprocessor HAL, while a newer Pentium 4 machine likely has a hyperthreading processor or even a Pentium D Dual-Core Processor, both of which qualify for the Multiprocessor HAL.

Remote Administration For Windows - Windows administration tricks and tips.: Remove those stinkin "help balloons"

Remote Administration For Windows - Windows administration tricks and tips.: Remove those stinkin "help balloons": "Remove those stinkin 'help balloons'

I don't know about you, but those little bubbles that Microsoft displays to inform you about 'important' things are starting to drive me crazy.

'You have unused icons on your desktop'

'You have updates waiting to be loaded'

'What the hell you looking down here for?'

etc etc

I am just tired of it, and I know a quick way to fix it. There is a Microsoft KB article dedicated to this subject:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307729

The short of it is - you can disable these balloons by changing this registry key:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\EnableBalloonTips

To 0

(You might need to create this DWORD value if it does not already exist)"

Remote Administration For Windows - Windows administration tricks and tips.: Disable USB Drives

Remote Administration For Windows - Windows administration tricks and tips.: Disable USB Drives: "Disable USB Drives

Once in a while I have a friend, or customer that needs to keep people from using the USB ports to copy data off of a system.

It is easy to lock a machine down, disable the floppy, and cdrom in the bios. Many times when you try to disable USB - it disables it entirely.

This can be a real pain on newer laptops or systems that don't even have a PS2 interface for the mouse or keyboard.

There is a simple registry change that will keep the USB storage drivers from starting when the system boots. Keeps people from walking up to a PC and copying data off with a USB key, but allows you to keep your scanner, keyboard, and mouse working.

As always - back your system up before messing around in the registry.

Just open regedit and browse to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor

Notice the value 'Start'

Switch this value to 4, and USB storage devices are disabled.

Switch this value to 3, and USB storage devices are enabled."

Visual Studio Express

Visual Studio Express

the johnnyGizmo Blog: getCals 0.1 Available

the johnnyGizmo Blog: getCals 0.1 Available

List of CPU sockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List of CPU sockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

XP's Little-Known 'Rebuild' Command

InformationWeek | XP Management | Langa Letter: XP's Little-Known 'Rebuild' Command | April 17, 2006: "There's an easy fix for 'Missing HAL.DLL,' 'Invalid Boot.Ini,' and several other fatal startup errors."

Troubleshooting Windows XP, Tweaks and Fixes for Windows XP

Troubleshooting Windows XP, Tweaks and Fixes for Windows XP

Description of the startup switches for Excel

Description of the startup switches for Excel:
"excel.exe /regserver Forces Excel to register itself and then quit. Use this switch when you want Excel to rewrite all its registry keys and reassociate itself with Excel files, such as workbooks, charts, and others. Example: /regserver"

DailyTech - Apple Addresses MacBook Pro Issues

DailyTech - Apple Addresses MacBook Pro Issues

How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in Windows XP

How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in Windows XP: "In Microsoft Windows XP, the TCP/IP stack is considered a core component of the operating system, and you cannot remove TCP/IP. Therefore, when you view the list of components for a network interface, you may notice that the Uninstall button is disabled when Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is selected. In extreme cases, the best solution for this issue may be to reinstall the Internet Protocol stack. But with the NetShell utility, you can reset the TCP/IP stack to restore it to its state that existed when the operating system was installed. This article describes how to use the NetShell utility for this purpose."

No Mouse/Keyboard After Updating Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro Drivers

No Mouse/Keyboard After Updating Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro Drivers

KB257729

Download details: Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility

Download details: Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility: "The Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility helps you determine if an MPEG-2 video decoder (also called a DVD decoder) is installed on your Windows XP computer and whether or not the decoder is compatible with Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP Media Center Edition."

Viewing Hidden Devices

To view phantom devices set the variable DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES to 1. You can add this to the system environment variables.

Geek.com Geek News - Cores Duo/Solo: "My God, they're full of flaws"

Geek.com Geek News - Cores Duo/Solo: "My God, they're full of flaws"

Windows XP Fixes, Tips and Tweaks

Windows XP Fixes, Tips and Tweaks

How-To: Build a practical HTPC - Engadget

How-To: Build a practical HTPC - Engadget

File Hippo - Download Codec Pack All-In-1 6.0.3.0

File Hippo - Download Codec Pack All-In-1 6.0.3.0

File Hippo - Download Codec Pack All-In-1 6.0.3.0

Undervolting a laptop

Microsoft Research Group Shot

More ways To Speed Up Windows XP (Connected Internet News | Broadband Mobile Gaming News)