Windows
Adobe Reader: Bloatware
Feb 19th
After reading Alex Verboon’s post about Adobe PDF Reader having such a huge footprint, I decided to remove the junk and go with Foxit PDF Reader. I have used Foxit before, but I think I’ve just been being ignorant lately. Look at the huge footprint for Adobe PDF Reader. 211MB compared to about 6MB for More >
Network Diagnostics in Windows XP
Feb 18th
Source: Microsoft KB914440
Microsoft offers a basic network diagnostic tool built-in to windows called “xpnetdiag.exe“.
To diagnose network connectivity status, the Network Diagnostics for Windows XP tool analyzes the following tests:
IP configuration test
Default gateway test
Winsock test
DNS test
Firewall test
Internet connectivity validation test
To run the program, simply click on Start -> Run and type: %windir%\network diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
If More >
Change Analysis Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP
Feb 18th
Source: Microsoft KB92473
Another interesting tool I came across called “Change Analysis Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP”. You can download the tool directly from Microsoft’s website. This tool provides an easy way to track changes to certain parts of the operating system. The tool lets support professionals better understand the modifications to users’ computers More >
Offline Crash Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP
Feb 18th
Source: Microsoft’s KB923800
I discovered a tool that has been around since 2007 that helps aid support professionals in determining cause of system crashes in Windows XP. The tool is called “Offline Crash Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP”. You can download it from this Microsoft link.
Note: I have XP Professional 32bit SP3 and this complained about More >
HOW TO: Save and Restore Dial-up Connections in Windows XP
Feb 9th
I recently wiped out a laptop and needed to restore Verizon Wireless Broadband Access dialup account connections and discovered this method works that was outlined in Microsoft’s KB284269.
This step-by-step article describes how to use the Remote Access Phonebook (Rasphone.pbk) file to save and later restore dial-up connections, and to copy your computer’s connections More >
How To Get The ‘Security’ Tab in Windows XP Home
Feb 5th
Method 1
The Security tab is visible in Windows XP Home only when Safe mode is used.
Start Windows XP Home in Safe Mode
Method 2
Download and install the Security Configuration Manager from Microsoft.
Click on this link, and save the download somewhere handy.
Run the downloaded file, which is a self extracting archive.
Choose a More >
Change Product Registration Code Microsoft Office 2003
Feb 1st
Found this to be handy…
Key Location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Registration\{90110407-6000-11D3-8CFE-0150048383C9}
Delete:
ProductID and DigitalProductID
After starting one Office product you have to enter the new registration key.
How to import stationery templates to Outlook
Jan 29th
What is the point?
Outlook is delivered with a set of basic stationery templates. However, most of the times they simply don’t fit your needs, so you have to create your own stationery and somehow to make Outlook to use it. If you created your stationery template using an external editor, then More >
Recuva Portable App
Jan 27th
As I mentioned in a previous post regarding undeleting with a few free utilities, Recuva is my top pick for a few reasons:
1. Installs on Servers/Workstations
2. Fast, Intuitive User-Interface
3. Portable
I have found many uses for this and even more possibilities given that you aren’t required to install this. This will help in More >
Add Local User Account Batch Script
Jan 27th
Here’s a quick script to add a user to the local computer in the administrators group and hide the user account from the logon screen. This is intended for Windows XP. Wrote this after brief research (noted in script) because I needed to add user accounts across multiple computers easily. Of course, the password More >