Computer Support Knowledge

Archive for the 'Tips & Tricks' Category

How to Change the Default Icons for Folders in Windows XP

You cannot customize the default icon for a folder in Windows; however, you can make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon. To make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon:
• Open My Computer and browse to the folder that you want.
• […]

How to Change Column Settings in Windows Explorer

This article describes how to change the column settings in Windows Explorer. To change which columns are displayed, or change the width or order of the windows and folders in Windows Explorer:
• In Windows Explorer, click the folder, and then click Choose Details on the View menu.
• Click to select the check box of […]

Automatically Log On a User Account in Windows XP

This article describes how to automatically log on a user account during the Windows startup process. Note: This process only works if the computer is not joined to a domain.

Requirements
• The Welcome screen must be available.
• Guest account access must be turned off.
• There must be only one user account on the computer.
• The […]

How to Rename Multiple Files with Windows Explorer

• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
• Press and hold down the Ctrl-key while you are clicking files.
• After you select the files, press F2.
• Type the new name, and then press ENTER.
Note: When you complete the preceding steps, the highlighted state of all files except one disappears, so it […]

Long Pause During Windows Startup Process

Symptoms
After you choose to start Windows from the Boot menu, you may experience a long delay (or pause) before your computer finishes starting. Note that this delay may range from 10 seconds to a minute. Also, this delay occurs before the Starting Windows progress bar appears, and your computer may appear to stop responding […]

How to Disable Error Reporting

Disable Error Reporting You can get rid of the Windows XP error report messages if you don’t want to send another one in.
• Click Start, and then click Run.
• Type msconfig to open the System Configuration Utility.
• Click the Services tab.
• Clear the Error Reporting Service check box, and then click OK.
• Hit Restart […]

How to Fix Movie Interference in AVI Files

If you have any AVI files that you saved in Windows 9x, which have interference when opened in Windows XP, there is an easy fix to get rid of the interference:
• Open Windows Movie Maker.
• Click View and then click Options.
• Click in the box to remove the check mark beside Automatically create […]

How to Fix Slow Hard Disk Performance

Symptoms
After you install Microsoft Windows XP, hard disk performance may be slower than you expect.
Note: Hard disk performance may be even slower when your computer performs many small hard disk read/write operations.
Cause
This behavior may occur in the following situation:
You use Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) hard disks in the computer. -And-
The hard disks […]

How to Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition

This article describes how to create a Windows boot disk to access a drive with a faulty boot sequence on an Intel x86-processor-based computer. This Windows boot disk can access a drive that has the Windows NT file system (NTFS) or File allocation table (FAT) file system installed. The procedures in this article can be […]

Disable Automatic Windows Update

Windows XP is configured out of the box to routinely scan for and download updates to Windows XP automatically. While this can be somewhat convenient for those with very fast Internet connections and those who would otherwise forget to check for updates, it can be a nuisance for the rest of us, who are still […]

@ Ezotek 2007 Computer Support Knowledge