Tips-n-TricksThe information presented here is hopefully of benefit to you. These are tips, shortcuts, nifty ideas and slick tricks we have learned in our dissection of Windows 95, 98, NT and Novell operating systems. Use them at your own risk. Many have saved us hours of tedious work. Each system is different and while each of these operations has been utilized by us, some may react differently on your system. Different hardware, different software present and different driver libraries can create conditions that might cause your system to hang or crash. We strongly advise that you back up your data and system prior to any experimentation.Microsoft Holidays Windows 98 TipsMicrosoft's New Computer "Get Up To Speed Fast Over The Holidays" Tips Windows 98 Update UtilityAfter installing the Windows 98 operating system, when you use the Windows Update feature, Microsoft wants you to register. If you do, the process sends registration and configuration files detailing your PC to Microsoft. To create the illusion Windows 98 on your system is already registered, you can change a value in the registry. Be aware that playing with the registry is dangerous at best. 1) Run the file REGEDIT.EXE. 2) Go to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Regdone 3) Edit and change the value to "1". 'Tis done! Microsoft's update server will be convinced you have already registered and not bother to peruse your machine. Windows 95/98 Installation FilesWhen installing Windows 95/98, it is a good idea to copy all the files located in the WIN95 or WIN98 directory on the CD to a directory on the hard drive and install Windows from the directory on your hard drive, not off of the CD. The unwritten standard for such a directory to hold those files is C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS. Then everytime Windows needs a file, it will automatically go to the hard drive and never prompt for the CD, or will prompt you to select the correct location in certain cases. Another good idea, though far less important if disk space is at all scarce, is to copy the actual driver files to the hard drive also, make a directory called perhaps C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\DRIVERS and then sub-directories for video, sound, modem, and misc. Windows NT Num-Lock StateOn default installation on NT systems, the NUM-LOCK is off (disabled) each and every time the computer botts up. This is a registry patch that will put the NUM-LOCK into the on (enabled) state at boot. Be careful in the registry! 1) Run the Registry Editor - REGEDT32.EXE. 2) Go to HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Keyboard 3) Change the value for Initial KeyboardIndicators from 0 to 2. 'Tis done! The system will boot NUM-LOCK on! Unknown Manufacturer of a BoardIf you don't know the maker/manufacturer and/or model of a piece of hardware, this might assist you in getting some useful information. If sold in the United States or possessions, it has to have an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) identifier. Try to locate something printed on the board, hardware or on a sticker on the board or hardware labeled "FCC ID". If you can find an ID, you can go to the FCC Certification Database Page and obtain information on that ID. As a general rule, the "grantee" is the maker/manufacturer, and the "Comments" section will often (but not always) contain the model name and/or number for that item. Good luck. This is very helpful to us. Printing From Internet WebSitesIf you find that you need to print information from an Internet or Intranet website, including ours, that may use frames or other multiple section screen technology, we suggest the following procedures so that you get what you want to print but none of the frame information or other undesirable fluff. (In certain cases, this is the ONLY way to print within some source protected frames!) Highlight what you want to print using the click and drag method. Then right click your mouse or trackball and choose print. Delete Items but Bypass the Recycle BinIf you want to delete anything such as a file or folder but do not wish to have it go to the recycle bin (you had better be certain!) via the normal procedure, highlight it as normal but press SHIFT and DELETE at the same time. GONE!... Without a trace! View the various versions of Windows 95. View the various versions of Windows 98. View the various versions of Windows NT. Co-operating Sponsors and Technology used on our Website CSG, Computer Support Group, Inc. and CSGNetwork.Com All Rights Reserved |