| | Copyright |
| | Preface |
| | | Who Should Read This Book |
| | | What's in This Book |
| | | Using Code Examples |
| | | Safari® Enabled |
| | | Conventions in This Book |
| | | We'd Like Your Feedback! |
| | | Acknowledgments |
| | Chapter 1. Introduction |
| | | Section 1.1. Approach to the Book |
| | | Section 1.2. At Least Three Ways to Do It |
| | | Section 1.3. Where to Find the Tools |
| | | Section 1.4. Running Tools with Alternate Credentials |
| | | Section 1.5. A Brief Word on Windows Scripting |
| | | Section 1.6. Where to Find More Information |
| | Chapter 2. Operating System Installation and Maintenance |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 2.1. Preparing to Install Windows XP |
| | | Recipe 2.2. Installing from a CD or DVD |
| | | Recipe 2.3. Installing from a Network Share |
| | | Recipe 2.4. Installing from an Unattended Installation |
| | | Recipe 2.5. Cloning Windows XP Installations |
| | | Recipe 2.6. Installing from Remote Installation Services (RIS) |
| | | Recipe 2.7. Troubleshooting Installation Problems |
| | | Recipe 2.8. Upgrading to Windows XP |
| | | Recipe 2.9. Creating a Multiboot Installation |
| | | Recipe 2.10. Troubleshooting Multiboot Problems |
| | | Recipe 2.11. Activating Windows XP |
| | | Recipe 2.12. Viewing the Installed Service Pack and Hotfixes |
| | | Recipe 2.13. Installing a Hotfix |
| | | Recipe 2.14. Installing a Service Pack |
| | | Recipe 2.15. Slipstreaming a Service Pack or Hotfix into a Build |
| | | Recipe 2.16. Configuring Automatic Updates |
| | | Recipe 2.17. Disabling the Windows Firewall After Installation |
| | | Recipe 2.18. Keeping an Installation Process Worm- and Virus-Free |
| | Chapter 3. Managing Hardware and Devices |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 3.1. Adding Hardware |
| | | Recipe 3.2. Resolving Unknown Devices |
| | | Recipe 3.3. Repairing a Missing Modem |
| | | Recipe 3.4. Recovering from a Bad Device Driver Update |
| | | Recipe 3.5. Using the Last Known Good Configuration to Resolve Hardware Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.6. Running Windows in Safe Mode |
| | | Recipe 3.7. Using System Restore to Recover from a Hardware-Induced Problem |
| | | Recipe 3.8. Resolving Device Conflicts |
| | | Recipe 3.9. Resolving USB Bandwidth Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.10. Resolving Hung USB Devices |
| | | Recipe 3.11. Keeping USB Devices from Disappearing |
| | | Recipe 3.12. Curing Stubborn USB Devices |
| | | Recipe 3.13. Revealing Hidden Devices |
| | | Recipe 3.14. Checking Drivers with the Driver Verifier Tool |
| | | Recipe 3.15. Resolving Printer Timed-Out and Not Ready Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.16. Troubleshooting Local Printing Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.17. Printing to a USB Printer from DOS |
| | | Recipe 3.18. Resolving Failed Network Printing with Internet Connection Sharing |
| | | Recipe 3.19. Interpreting Device Manager Error Codes |
| | | Recipe 3.20. Troubleshooting Sound Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.21. Troubleshooting Video Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.22. Troubleshooting Video Monitor Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.23. Stopping LCD Monitor Resolution Messages |
| | | Recipe 3.24. Interpreting Windows INF Files |
| | | Recipe 3.25. Figuring out AUTORUN.INF Files |
| | | Recipe 3.26. Correcting Parameters in BIOS |
| | | Recipe 3.27. Troubleshooting CD Autorun Software Installation Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.28. Troubleshooting CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Reading Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.29. Resolving DVD Reading and DVD Movie Problems |
| | | Recipe 3.30. Restoring Access to CD-ROMs |
| | Chapter 4. Installing, Uninstalling, and Working with Applications |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 4.1. Uninstalling "Unremovable" Components |
| | | Recipe 4.2. Removing Unruly Applications |
| | | Recipe 4.3. Removing Stubborn Uninstall Entries from Already Uninstalled Programs |
| | | Recipe 4.4. Changing the Default Location for Installing Applications |
| | | Recipe 4.5. Launching Applications with Keyboard Shortcuts |
| | | Recipe 4.6. Customizing the Way Applications Open Using Switches and Parameters |
| | | Recipe 4.7. Running Older Applications |
| | | Recipe 4.8. Using the Application Compatibility Toolkit to Solve Compatibility Problems |
| | | Recipe 4.9. Troubleshooting Application Compatibility |
| | | Recipe 4.10. Running DOS Programs in Their Own Optimized Environments |
| | | Recipe 4.11. Forcing Older Programs to Use Windows XP Common Controls |
| | | Recipe 4.12. Using Keyboard Application Shortcuts |
| | | Recipe 4.13. Moving a New Microsoft Application to Another Windows XP System |
| | | Recipe 4.14. Remotely Installing a Microsoft Application Using Group Policy |
| | | Recipe 4.15. Remotely Redeploying a Microsoft Application Using Group Policy |
| | | Recipe 4.16. Remotely Uninstalling a Microsoft Application Using Group Policy |
| | Chapter 5. Customizing the Interface |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 5.1. Getting Rid of Undeletable Desktop Icons |
| | | Recipe 5.2. Changing "Unchangeable" Desktop Icons and System Objects |
| | | Recipe 5.3. Showing Your XP Version on Your Desktop |
| | | Recipe 5.4. Turning Off Balloon Tips |
| | | Recipe 5.5. Cleaning Your Desktop Automatically |
| | | Recipe 5.6. Adding an Address Bar to the Taskbar |
| | | Recipe 5.7. Adding a Shortcut to a Disk, Folder, or Internet Address to the Taskbar |
| | | Recipe 5.8. Hiding Specific Icons in the Notification Area |
| | | Recipe 5.9. Hiding All Icons in the Notification Area |
| | | Recipe 5.10. Controlling the Start Menu's Frequently Used Programs List |
| | | Recipe 5.11. Customizing the Start Menu's Pinned Programs List |
| | | Recipe 5.12. Displaying Control Panel Applets in a Cascading Menu |
| | | Recipe 5.13. Hiding and Recategorizing Control Panel Applets |
| | | Recipe 5.14. Customizing Right-Click Menu Choices in Windows Explorer |
| | | Recipe 5.15. Changing the Resolution of Thumbnails in Windows Explorer |
| | | Recipe 5.16. Improving Laptop and LCD Resolution with ClearType |
| | | Recipe 5.17. Converting to the Classic Windows Interface |
| | | Recipe 5.18. Using TweakUI |
| | | Recipe 5.19. Using Group Policy Editor to Alter the Interface |
| | | Recipe 5.20. Saving Your Desktop Settings |
| | | Recipe 5.21. Fixing the Start Shortcut Menu |
| | | Recipe 5.22. Troubleshooting My Recent Documents |
| | Chapter 6. System Properties, Startup, and Shutdown |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 6.1. Automatically Setting the Time on a Domain-Connected PC |
| | | Recipe 6.2. Automatically Setting the Time on a PC Not Connected to a Domain |
| | | Recipe 6.3. Changing the System Name |
| | | Recipe 6.4. Create a Multiboot Menu |
| | | Recipe 6.5. Using Virtual PC to Run Multiple Operating Systems Simultaneously |
| | | Recipe 6.6. Performing a Clean Boot |
| | | Recipe 6.7. Shutting Down Unnecessary Programs and Services that Run on Startup |
| | | Recipe 6.8. Speeding Up Shutdown Time |
| | | Recipe 6.9. Changing Your Boot Screen |
| | | Recipe 6.10. Personalizing Your PC's Sounds |
| | | Recipe 6.11. Creating Power Schemes |
| | | Recipe 6.12. Extending Battery Life on a Laptop |
| | | Recipe 6.13. Changing the Location of Your Startup Folders |
| | | Recipe 6.14. Disabling Error Reporting |
| | | Recipe 6.15. Creating Environment Variables |
| | | Recipe 6.16. Creating a Reboot or Shutdown Shortcut |
| | | Recipe 6.17. Scheduling a Reboot |
| | | Recipe 6.18. Speeding Up System Startup |
| | Chapter 7. Disks, Drives, and Volumes |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 7.1. Viewing the Disk, Drive, and Volume Layout |
| | | Recipe 7.2. Converting a Basic Disk to Dynamic |
| | | Recipe 7.3. Enabling Disk Performance Statistics |
| | | Recipe 7.4. Formatting a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.5. Setting the Drive Letter of a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.6. Setting the Label of a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.7. Cleaning Up a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.8. Defragmenting a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.9. Compressing a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.10. Checking a Volume for Errors |
| | | Recipe 7.11. Making a Disk or Volume Read-Only |
| | | Recipe 7.12. Mapping a Network Drive |
| | | Recipe 7.13. Creating a Virtual Drive to Another Drive or Folder |
| | | Recipe 7.14. Finding Large Files and Folders on a Volume |
| | | Recipe 7.15. Enabling Disk Quotas |
| | | Recipe 7.16. Limiting a User to a Specified Disk Quota |
| | | Recipe 7.17. Viewing Disk Quota Usage |
| | Chapter 8. Files, Folders, and Shares |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 8.1. Creating and Deleting a File |
| | | Recipe 8.2. Creating and Deleting a Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.3. Undeleting a File |
| | | Recipe 8.4. Securely Deleting a File |
| | | Recipe 8.5. Viewing the Properties of a File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.6. Creating a Shortcut |
| | | Recipe 8.7. Creating a Link or Junction Point |
| | | Recipe 8.8. Creating a Program Alias |
| | | Recipe 8.9. Searching for Files or Folders |
| | | Recipe 8.10. Copying, Moving, or Renaming a File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.11. Comparing Files or Folders |
| | | Recipe 8.12. Hiding a File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.13. Making a File or Folder Read-Only |
| | | Recipe 8.14. Compressing a File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.15. Encrypting a File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.16. Replacing a File That Is in Use |
| | | Recipe 8.17. Taking Ownership of a File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 8.18. Finding Out Who Opened or Modified a File Last |
| | | Recipe 8.19. Finding Open Files |
| | | Recipe 8.20. Finding the Process That Has a File Open |
| | | Recipe 8.21. Viewing File Activity |
| | | Recipe 8.22. Performing an Action on Several Files at Once |
| | | Recipe 8.23. Creating and Deleting Shares |
| | | Recipe 8.24. Viewing Shares |
| | | Recipe 8.25. Restricting Access to a Share |
| | | Recipe 8.26. Enabling Web Sharing |
| | | Recipe 8.27. Publishing a Share in Active Directory |
| | Chapter 9. The Registry |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 9.1. Creating and Deleting a Key |
| | | Recipe 9.2. Setting a Value |
| | | Recipe 9.3. Setting Keys or Values Using Group Policy |
| | | Recipe 9.4. Exporting Registry Files |
| | | Recipe 9.5. Importing Registry Files |
| | | Recipe 9.6. Searching the Registry |
| | | Recipe 9.7. Comparing the Registry |
| | | Recipe 9.8. Restricting Access to the Registry |
| | | Recipe 9.9. Backing Up and Restoring the Registry |
| | | Recipe 9.10. Creating a Registry Link |
| | | Recipe 9.11. Monitoring Registry Activity |
| | | Recipe 9.12. Viewing Processes That Have a Registry Key Open |
| | Chapter 10. Processes, Tasks, and Services |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 10.1. Viewing the Running Processes |
| | | Recipe 10.2. Viewing the Properties of a Process |
| | | Recipe 10.3. Viewing the Resources a Process Is Using |
| | | Recipe 10.4. Suspending a Process |
| | | Recipe 10.5. Killing a Process |
| | | Recipe 10.6. Running a Task with Alternate Credentials |
| | | Recipe 10.7. Running a Task on a Remote System |
| | | Recipe 10.8. Running a Task Automatically via the Registry |
| | | Recipe 10.9. Running a Task Automatically via Login Scripts |
| | | Recipe 10.10. Running a Task via Group Policy |
| | | Recipe 10.11. Viewing All Automatic Tasks |
| | | Recipe 10.12. Scheduling a Task |
| | | Recipe 10.13. Viewing Scheduled Tasks |
| | | Recipe 10.14. Deleting a Scheduled Task |
| | | Recipe 10.15. Troubleshooting Scheduled Tasks |
| | | Recipe 10.16. Starting and Stopping a Service |
| | | Recipe 10.17. Running Any Program or Script as a Service |
| | | Recipe 10.18. Setting the Startup Type of a Service |
| | | Recipe 10.19. Setting the Account and Password of a Service |
| | | Recipe 10.20. Performing an Action Automatically When a Service Fails |
| | | Recipe 10.21. Viewing the Antecedent and Dependent Services for a Service |
| | | Recipe 10.22. Viewing the Service Load Order |
| | | Recipe 10.23. Viewing the Startup History of a Service |
| | | Recipe 10.24. Granting Permissions to Manage One or More Services |
| | Chapter 11. Digital Media |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 11.1. Ripping Digital Music |
| | | Recipe 11.2. Creating a Playlist |
| | | Recipe 11.3. Burning a CD |
| | | Recipe 11.4. Troubleshooting CD Burning |
| | | Recipe 11.5. Playing Internet Radio Stations |
| | | Recipe 11.6. Protecting Your Privacy in Windows Media Player |
| | | Recipe 11.7. Searching Through Digital Media Collections Using Metadata |
| | | Recipe 11.8. Capturing Video to Your PC |
| | | Recipe 11.9. Making Your Own DVDs |
| | | Recipe 11.10. Converting Images Easily Between Graphics Formats |
| | | Recipe 11.11. Processing Images for Email and the Web |
| | Chapter 12. Network Configuration |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 12.1. Viewing the Network Configuration |
| | | Recipe 12.2. Disabling a Connection |
| | | Recipe 12.3. Configuring an IP Address |
| | | Recipe 12.4. Renewing or Releasing a DHCP IP Address |
| | | Recipe 12.5. Configuring DNS Settings |
| | | Recipe 12.6. Registering DNS Records or Flushing the DN Cache |
| | | Recipe 12.7. Finding a Computer's Active Directory Site |
| | | Recipe 12.8. Managing Routes |
| | | Recipe 12.9. Viewing the Open Ports and Connections |
| | | Recipe 12.10. Troubleshooting Network Connectivity Problems |
| | | Recipe 12.11. Configuring TCP/IP Filtering |
| | | Recipe 12.12. Measuring Link Speed and Latency Between Two Hosts |
| | | Recipe 12.13. Installing the IPv6 Stack |
| | Chapter 13. The Internet |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 13.1. Using a HOSTS File to Speed Up Web Access |
| | | Recipe 13.2. Troubleshooting DNS Problems |
| | | Recipe 13.3. Installing Internet Information Services (IIS) |
| | | Recipe 13.4. Using the IIS MMC Snap-in to Manage Your Internet Servers |
| | | Recipe 13.5. Setting Up and Configuring a Telnet Server |
| | | Recipe 13.6. Use the Telnet Administrator to Manage a Telnet Server |
| | | Recipe 13.7. Customizing Internet Explorer's Logo and Titlebar |
| | | Recipe 13.8. Blocking Pop Ups |
| | | Recipe 13.9. Protecting Your Privacy by Handling Cookies Properly |
| | | Recipe 13.10. Protecting Yourself Against Spyware |
| | | Recipe 13.11. Customizing Internet Explorer Security Settings |
| | | Recipe 13.12. Allowing Programs to Bypass the Windows Firewall |
| | | Recipe 13.13. Tracking Firewall Activity with a Windows Firewall Log |
| | | Recipe 13.14. Protecting Yourself with the ZoneAlarm Firewall |
| | | Recipe 13.15. Surfing the Web Anonymously |
| | | Recipe 13.16. Finding and Reading RSS Feeds |
| | Chapter 14. Wireless Networking |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 14.1. Installing a Wireless Adapter |
| | | Recipe 14.2. Installing a Wireless Router |
| | | Recipe 14.3. Connecting to Your Wireless Network |
| | | Recipe 14.4. Troubleshooting WiFi Network Connections |
| | | Recipe 14.5. Speeding Up a WiFi Network |
| | | Recipe 14.6. Keeping Your WiFi Network Secure |
| | | Recipe 14.7. Setting Up WiFi Encryption |
| | | Recipe 14.8. Mixing 802.11b and 802.11g Devices |
| | | Recipe 14.9. Setting Up an Ad Hoc Wireless Network |
| | | Recipe 14.10. Connecting to a Hotspot |
| | | Recipe 14.11. Sending Email from a Hotspot |
| | | Recipe 14.12. Stopping Hotspot "Stuttering" |
| | | Recipe 14.13. Protecting Yourself at Hotspots |
| | Chapter 15. User, Group, and Computer Accounts |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 15.1. Creating a User Account |
| | | Recipe 15.2. Unlocking a User |
| | | Recipe 15.3. Troubleshooting Account Lockout Problems |
| | | Recipe 15.4. Viewing and Modifying the Account Lockout and Password Policies |
| | | Recipe 15.5. Enabling and Disabling a User Account |
| | | Recipe 15.6. Setting a User's Password |
| | | Recipe 15.7. Setting a Domain User's Account Options |
| | | Recipe 15.8. Setting a Domain User's Profile Attributes |
| | | Recipe 15.9. Finding a Domain User's Last Logon Time |
| | | Recipe 15.10. Creating a Group Account |
| | | Recipe 15.11. Viewing the Members of a Group |
| | | Recipe 15.12. Viewing a User's Group Membership |
| | | Recipe 15.13. Adding and Removing Members of a Group |
| | | Recipe 15.14. Creating a Computer Account |
| | | Recipe 15.15. Joining a Computer to a Domain |
| | | Recipe 15.16. Renaming a Computer |
| | | Recipe 15.17. Resetting a Computer Account |
| | Chapter 16. Event Logs and Log Files |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 16.1. Creating an Event |
| | | Recipe 16.2. Viewing Events |
| | | Recipe 16.3. Creating a New Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.4. Viewing the Size of an Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.5. Setting the Maximum Size of an Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.6. Setting the Event Log Retention Policy |
| | | Recipe 16.7. Clearing the Events in an Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.8. Restricting Access to an Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.9. Searching an Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.10. Searching the Event Logs on Multiple Systems |
| | | Recipe 16.11. Archiving an Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.12. Finding More Information about an Event |
| | | Recipe 16.13. Triggering an Action When an Event Occurs |
| | | Recipe 16.14. Troubleshooting a Corrupt Event Log |
| | | Recipe 16.15. Enabling Boot Logging |
| | | Recipe 16.16. Enabling User Environment Logging |
| | | Recipe 16.17. Enabling NetLogon Logging |
| | | Recipe 16.18. Enabling Windows Installer Logging |
| | | Recipe 16.19. Enabling Windows Time Service Logging |
| | | Recipe 16.20. Enabling Outlook Logging |
| | | Recipe 16.21. Troubleshooting Application Failures with the Dr. Watson Logs |
| | Chapter 17. Security and Auditing |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 17.1. Analyzing Your Security Configuration |
| | | Recipe 17.2. Enabling Auditing |
| | | Recipe 17.3. Renaming the Administrator and Guest Accounts |
| | | Recipe 17.4. Disabling or Removing Unused Accounts, Services, and Software |
| | | Recipe 17.5. Enabling Screen Saver Locking |
| | | Recipe 17.6. Disabling Storage of the LM Password Hash |
| | | Recipe 17.7. Requiring Strong Passwords |
| | | Recipe 17.8. Getting Notified of New Security Vulnerabilities |
| | Chapter 18. Performance Tuning |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 18.1. Speeding Up System Performance with the Task Manager |
| | | Recipe 18.2. Tracking System Performance with the Performance Console |
| | | Recipe 18.3. Using Memory More Efficiently |
| | | Recipe 18.4. Balancing System Performance and Visual Effects |
| | | Recipe 18.5. Optimizing Page File Size |
| | | Recipe 18.6. Cleaning Up Your Hard Disk |
| | | Recipe 18.7. Converting Your Hard Disk to NTFS |
| | | Recipe 18.8. Disabling Startup Services and Programs |
| | | Recipe 18.9. Removing Unnecessary Items from the Notification Area |
| | | Recipe 18.10. Improving Startup Performance |
| | Chapter 19. Backup and Recovery |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 19.1. Performing a Backup |
| | | Recipe 19.2. Restoring from Backup |
| | | Recipe 19.3. Using Automated System Recovery |
| | | Recipe 19.4. Creating an ASR Disk "After the Fact" |
| | | Recipe 19.5. Using System Restore to Revive a Broken Machine |
| | | Recipe 19.6. Disabling System Restore Remotely |
| | | Recipe 19.7. Retrieving a Shadow Copy of a Corrupted or Deleted File |
| | | Recipe 19.8. Using XCOPY for Interim Backups |
| | | Recipe 19.9. Using the Recovery Console During Boot Failures |
| | | Recipe 19.10. Creating a Password Reset Disk |
| | | Recipe 19.11. Recovering and Decrypting an Encrypted File or Folder |
| | | Recipe 19.12. Backing up and Restoring Activation Data |
| | | Recipe 19.13. Auditing Backup and Restore Actions |
| | | Recipe 19.14. Caring for Backup Media |
| | Chapter 20. Crashes and Errors |
| | | Introduction |
| | | Recipe 20.1. Using Safe Mode |
| | | Recipe 20.2. Using Last Known Good Configuration |
| | | Recipe 20.3. Using Boot Log to Trace Problems |
| | | Recipe 20.4. Using VGA Mode to Solve Video Problems |
| | | Recipe 20.5. Using Recovery Console |
| | | Recipe 20.6. Repairing AUTOEXEC.NT or CONFIG.NT Errors |
| | | Recipe 20.7. Fixing Cryptographic Services Error |
| | | Recipe 20.8. Fixing NTOSKRNL Errors |
| | | Recipe 20.9. Fixing a HAL Error |
| | | Recipe 20.10. Fixing Corrupted or Missing \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG Errors |
| | | Recipe 20.11. Fixing NTLDR or NTDETECT Not Found Errors |
| | | Recipe 20.12. Configuring Error Reporting |
| | | Recipe 20.13. Troubleshooting Blue Screen Error Messages |
| | | Recipe 20.14. Setting Up and Using Dr. Watson to Troubleshoot Errors |
| | Appendix A. Summary of Windows XP Versions and Service Packs |
| | | Section A.1. Introduction |
| | Colophon |
| | Index |