John'z PC Hut

Cannot Map a Network Drive Under Different User Credentials

If you use the Map Network Drive Wizard to connect to a network share by using different user credentials and you use the browse functionality to locate the network share, you may receive the following error message:
The network folder specified is currently mapped using a different user name and password. To connect using a different user name and password, first disconnect any existing mappings to this network share.
You receive this error message even though you are not aware of making a different connection.
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Multimedia Device Does Not Work After You Update Its Driver

After you update the driver for your multimedia hardware device, the device may not work. This issue most likely occurs with TV tuner cards or similar devices.
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Availability of the Windows XP Service Pack 1 Driver That Supports the Mobile Processor Power Management Features of Intel Pentium M Processors

Microsoft has released a processor driver for Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) that supports the mobile power management features of Intel Pentium M processors. These features include Intel Enhanced SpeedStep Technology and Intel Deeper Alert Sleep State. Without this processor driver, Windows XP-based computers that are based on the Intel Pentium M processor may experience reduced battery life, decreased performance, or increased operating temperatures.
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The FLUSH CACHE Command Is Not Issued and the Hard Disk May Become Corrupted When You Enter Standby or Hibernate

The flush cache command is not issued to a large hard disk that has a 48-bit logical block address (LBA) enabled. As a result, the hard disk may become corrupted when you enter either the Shutdown state or the Hibernate state.
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HOW TO: Change the Volume Licensing Product Key on a Windows XP SP1-Based Computer

This article describes how to change the Windows XP product key in a Volume Licensing installation.
Because of changes in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows XP-based computers that use a leaked product key that is known to be available to the general public may not be able to install SP1 or automatically obtain updates from the Windows Update Web site.
There are two methods that you can use to change the product key with volume licensing media after installation. You can use either the Windows Activation Wizard graphical user interface (GUI) or a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) script.
The easier method to use is the Use the Activation Wizard method. Use this method when you only have a few computers on which to change the product key. The Use a Script method is best when you have a number of computers on which you have to change the product key.
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Focus On: Printers and Windows XP

Installing a Plug and Play printer in Windows XP is usually as easy as plugging it into your computer and waiting a few seconds for the Found new hardware message to be displayed. However, if you run into printing problems, whether you’re adding a printer that isn’t a Plug and Play device, setting up a shared printer, or updating a printer driver to work with Windows XP, these links can lead to solutions.
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Maintain Security with Windows XP

Windows XP comes with improved security features that help you protect your computer and your information. However, you must maintain your computers by regularly installing the latest security updates from Microsoft.
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Network File Errors Occur After You Install Windows XP SP1

After you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may see a variety of errors relating to Windows XP SP1 client computers. These errors may include, but are not limited to the following errors:
When you open Microsoft Office files, they are opened as read-only (you have to click Save As to save a file).
You cannot copy files.
The file or the network path no longer exists.
Network paths are not accepted by any network provider.
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Messenger Spam

If you've received some anonymous messages popping up on your windows XP or 2000 systems, it may be messenger spam, people are taking advantage of the messenger service that allows administrators to monitor servers and send out service messages over corporate networks. Friends of mine have been complaining about it, but now that we know where it's coming from, we can stop it.
open the Control Panel, and then double-click Administrative Tools icon and then double-click the Services entry. In the list of services listed in the resulting Services dialog box, locate the messenger entry, and double-click it. Click the Stop button in the service status section and then in the same dialogue box, change the start-up type to Disable. If you are on a corporate netwrok, check with your administrator before making any changes, and if you are behind a firewall, at work, or at home with some of the cable/dsl routers, then you probably won't have to worry about it at all.

Windows XP Update Crashes Some PCs

Users who forgo recently released SP1 risk a major vulnerability, as well as missing numerous small fixes.
Some Windows XP users are having trouble installing the operating system's first service pack, bulging with bug fixes and updated drivers--and are judging the cure worse than the disease.
Although SP1 plugs a major hole in the OS, the fix has been painful for a tiny but vocal few of the estimated 1 million users who have downloaded the update, which Microsoft posted on September 9. For the vast majority, the download and installation has gone well, according to a Microsoft spokesperson, who calls the process "smoother than a lot of previous releases."
But Internet support forums and e-mail to PC World from disgruntled users show that many people continue to have serious problems with the update. The chief complaint: PCs that run like molasses after installing SP1. Running a close second are reports that PCs refuse to restart after installation or become highly unstable. Some systems continuously reboot. Other users complain that applications won't start or now crash repeatedly, including Microsoft's own programs.
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Patch Plugs Win XP Hole Without SP1

Third-party program rescues Win XP users having trouble installing Microsoft's update to fix serious flaw.
Windows XP users unable to successfully install the operating system's first service pack face a bad choice: an unstable system or a vulnerable one with an extremely serious hole that the newly released SP1 corrects. Now, a software developer has released a freeware tool to block exploits of the previously undisclosed flaw--even without SP1.
The flaw, described on a handful of security message boards and revealed earlier this week, relates to the operation of Windows XP's Help and Support Center's "self healing" function. It could let a malicious cracker delete files by remote access. The exploit could be easily distributed as a URL in an e-mail or on a Web site.
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XP Service Pack Said to Fix Major Flaw

Security boards are buzzing with warnings of a serious hole, but Microsoft is simply urging users to upgrade.
Microsoft always urges users to update programs when it ships a Service Pack, but an easily exploited Windows XP flaw makes it especially important that users of the operating system download and install the newly released SP1 promptly, several security experts warn.
The Win XP flaw is described as a still little-known but critical vulnerability, and is described as "trivially easy" to exploit by some who have studied it. It could allow files on any PC running Windows XP to be deleted simply by clicking on a malicious URL, according to bug hunter's reports.
An exploit could be distributed by e-mail as a URL the recipient is invited to click, or posted in a newsgroup or on a Web page.
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Stop 0x000000D1 Error Message When You Turn Your Computer Off

When you shut down your computer that has one or more universal serial bus (USB) devices attached to it, you may receive the following error message on a blue screen:
Stop 0x000000D1 (0x00000040, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0xfc96a9dc)
This problem may occur because the OHCI endpoint is unable to find the transfer descriptor in the list.
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MIRC Trojan-Related Attack Detection and Repair

UPDATE: As of September 6, 2002, reports of malicious activity that follow the particular pattern that is outlined in this article have lessened significantly. The Microsoft Product Support Services Security Team has modified this Microsoft Knowledge Base article to reflect this information and to refine suggestions for detection and repair criteria.
Microsoft has investigated an increase in malicious activity that tries to load code on Microsoft Windows 2000-based servers. This activity is typically associated with a program that has been identified as Backdoor.IRC.Flood.
By analyzing computers that have been compromised, Microsoft has determined that these attacks do not appear to exploit any new product-related security vulnerabilities and do not appear to be viral or worm-like in nature. Instead, the attacks seek to take advantage of situations where standard precautions have not been taken as detailed in the "Prevention" section of this article. The activity appears to be associated with a coordinated series of individual attempts to compromise Windows 2000-based servers. As a result, successful compromises leave a distinctive pattern.
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You Cannot Log On to Windows XP After Running the Out-of-Box Experience

You may not be able to log on to your new Windows XP-based computer, or a computer in which Windows XP was installed from an installation source created by your administrator with Sysprep, after you run the Wizard, also called Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), that runs when you first turn on the computer. You may also receive the following error message
System error lsass.exe:
When trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided as the current password is not correct.
This problem occurs if your computer is restarted during the Wizard (OOBE). If this occurs, OOBE cannot flush the Machine registry key before the computer is restarted.
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HOW TO: Enable Windows XP Automatic Wireless Network Configuration

This step-by-step article describes how to enable Windows XP automatic wireless network configuration. Windows XP makes it easy to set up your computer for wireless networking on any 802.11b standard wireless network.
Wireless networking is integrated into Windows XP and can be set up quickly with the Windows XP automatic networking Setup. All you need is a 802.11b wireless adapter installed on the mobile device, and an operating 802.11b standard wireless network.
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One-Click Shutdown

If you have Clean Sweep Deluxe, Mike recommends that you disable it before proceeding. Follow these directions to create a one-click shutdown shortcut:

1. Navigate to your desktop.
2. On the desktop, right-click and go to New, then to Shortcut (in other words, create a new shortcut).
3. You should now see a pop-up window instructing you to enter a command line path.
4. Enter one of these as the path:
   • Use this path if your operating system is Windows 95, 98, or Me:
     C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows
   • Use this path if your operating system is XP:
     SHUTDOWN -s -t 01

   If the C: drive is not your local hard drive, then replace "C" with the correct letter of the hard drive.

5. Click the "Next" button.
6. Name the shortcut and click the "Finish" button.

Now whenever you want to shut down, just click on this shortcut and you're done. Also, if you want to make life better and faster, you can right-click the new shortcut you just made, go to Properties, and type in X (or whatever letter) in the Shortcut Key box.
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Managing Windows XP in a Windows 2000 Server Environment

Deploying clients running the Windows XP operating system into a Windows 2000 Server environment provides administrators with new options, policy settings, and capabilities to manage desktops throughout an organization.
Intended for organizations that have already deployed or are planning to deploy the Active Directory service, this article helps administrators manage policy settings for computers running Windows XP, the successor to Windows 2000 Professional. Many new features of Windows XP—such as Remote Assistance, Windows Media Player, and Error Reporting—come with their own Group Policy settings that administrators can use to customize and standardize configurations for users and computers across the network.
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Unable to Burn a CD-ROM By Using a Samsung CD-RW Drive

When you try to write (burn) files to a CD-ROM in one of the following Samsung CD-RW drives, the files may not appear on the CD-ROM, and you may not be able to add more information to the CD-ROM:
Samsung 208F CD-RW drive
Samsung 208B CD-RW drive
Samsung 206 CD-RW drive
In addition, the CD-ROM that you made in the Samsung CD-RW drive may not be usable on other computers.
NOTE: This issue may not be limited to the previously noted CD-RW drives.
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Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown

When you shut down your computer, Microsoft Windows XP may stop responding (hang) while the following message is displayed:
Saving your settings.
When this occurs, you may be able to move the mouse pointer, but when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL, nothing happens. This issue may occur only occasionally.
This behavior can occur if the Input Method Editor (IME) is installed on your computer and is enabled for use in the Welcome Screen.
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How to Use the SPCheck Tool in Windows XP

You can use SPCheck to determine the service pack level of various installed components on Windows XP-based computers. SPCheck generates a report that lists the origin of each file for each installed component. SPCheck reports the current service pack level for the following components:

• Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
• NWLink (IPX/SPX)
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• Client for Microsoft Networks

SPCheck examines each component, one file at a time. SPCheck must run under a security context that is equivalent to the local Administrator account. If SPCheck does not run under this security context, files may be reported as missing even though they are installed. SPCheck searches for files by using the PATH system environment variable. If files are reported as missing (although they are installed), make sure that the folder or folders in which the component is installed are included in the PATH system environment variable.
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HOW TO: Move the Paging File in Windows XP

This article describes how to change the location of the paging file in Windows XP.
The paging file is the area on the hard disk that Windows uses as if it were random access memory (RAM) This is sometimes known as "virtual memory." By default, Windows stores this file on the same partition as the Windows system files. You can increase the performance of Windows, and increase free space on the boot partition, by moving this file to a different partition.
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Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

The System Restore feature of Microsoft Windows XP (the operating system previously known as Microsoft Whistler) enables administrators to restore their PCs, in the event of a problem, to a previous state without losing personal data files (such as Word documents, drawings, or e-mail). System Restore actively monitors system file changes and some application file changes to record or store previous versions before the changes occurred. With System Restore, users never have to think about taking system snapshots as it automatically creates easily identifiable restore points, which allow users to revert the system back to a previous time. Restore points are created at the time of significant system events (such as application or driver install) and periodically (every day). Additionally, users can create and name their own restore points in Windows XP at any time. System Restore has an automatic restore point space-management feature that purges the oldest restore points to make room for new ones, so that a rolling safety net is always kept under the user, enabling the user to recover from recent undesirable changes.
System Restore is enabled by default and will run upon the successful completion of either the Windows XP Professional or Personal x86 version installation. It requires a minimum of 200 MB of space available on the system partition. If there are not 200 MBs available, System Restore will install disabled and will enable itself automatically once the required disk space is created.
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Using Windows XP Visual Styles

Using Microsoft Windows XP, you can now define the visual style or appearance of controls and windows from simple colors to textures and shapes. You can control each defined part of a control as well as each part of the non-client (frame and caption) area of a window. The user can then use the Appearance tab in the Windows Control Panel to switch between the classic visual style and other available styles.
A visual style is included with the Windows XP release. Using helper libraries and application programming interfaces (APIs), you can incorporate the Windows XP visual style into your application with few code changes. For more information, see the Platform SDK documentation in the MSDN Library.
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