Ways of speed up Windows XP

Since defragging the disk won't do much to improve Windows XP performance, here are 23 suggestions that will. Each can enhance the performance and reliability of your customers' PCs. Best of all, most of them will cost you nothing.

1.) To decrease a system's boot time and increase system performance, use the money you save by not buying defragmentation software -- the built-in Windows defragmenter works just fine -- and instead equip the computer with an Ultra-133 or Serial ATA hard drive with 8-MB cache buffer.

2.) If a PC has less than 512 MB of RAM, add more memory. This is a relatively inexpensive and easy upgrade that can dramatically improve system performance.

3.) Ensure that Windows XP is utilizing the NTFS file system. If you're not sure, here's how to check: First, double-click the My Computer icon, right-click on the C: Drive, then select Properties. Next, examine the File System type; if it says FAT32, then back-up any important data. Next, click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then click OK. At the prompt, type CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS and press the Enter key. This process may take a while; it's important that the computer be uninterrupted and virus-free. The file system used by the bootable drive will be either FAT32 or NTFS. I highly recommend NTFS for its superior security, reliability, and efficiency with larger disk drives.

4.) Disable file indexing. The indexing service extracts information from documents and other files on the hard drive and creates a "searchable keyword index." As you can imagine, this process can be quite taxing on any system.

The idea is that the user can search for a word, phrase, or property inside a document, should they have hundreds or thousands of documents and not know the file name of the document they want. Windows XP's built-in search functionality can still perform these kinds of searches without the Indexing service. It just takes longer. The OS has to open each file at the time of the request to help find what the user is looking for.

Most people never need this feature of search. Those who do are typically in a large corporate environment where thousands of documents are located on at least one server. But if you're a typical system builder, most of your clients are small and medium businesses. And if your clients have no need for this search feature, I recommend disabling it.

Here's how: First, double-click the My Computer icon. Next, right-click on the C: Drive, then select Properties. Uncheck "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching." Next, apply changes to "C: subfolders and files," and click OK. If a warning or error message appears (such as "Access is denied"), click the Ignore All button.

5.) Update the PC's video and motherboard chipset drivers. Also, update and configure the BIOS. For more information on how to configure your BIOS properly, see this article on my site.

6.) Empty the Windows Prefetch folder every three months or so. Windows XP can "prefetch" portions of data and applications that are used frequently. This makes processes appear to load faster when called upon by the user. That's fine. But over time, the prefetch folder may become overloaded with references to files and applications no longer in use. When that happens, Windows XP is wasting time, and slowing system performance, by pre-loading them. Nothing critical is in this folder, and the entire contents are safe to delete.

7.) Once a month, run a disk cleanup. Here's how: Double-click the My Computer icon. Then right-click on the C: drive and select Properties. Click the Disk Cleanup button -- it's just to the right of the Capacity pie graph -- and delete all temporary files.

8.) In your Device Manager, double-click on the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers device, and ensure that DMA is enabled for each drive you have connected to the Primary and Secondary controller. Do this by double-clicking on Primary IDE Channel. Then click the Advanced Settings tab. Ensure the Transfer Mode is set to "DMA if available" for both Device 0 and Device 1. Then repeat this process with the Secondary IDE Channel.

9.) Upgrade the cabling. As hard-drive technology improves, the cabling requirements to achieve these performance boosts have become more stringent. Be sure to use 80-wire Ultra-133 cables on all of your IDE devices with the connectors properly assigned to the matching Master/Slave/Motherboard sockets. A single device must be at the end of the cable; connecting a single drive to the middle connector on a ribbon cable will cause signaling problems. With Ultra DMA hard drives, these signaling problems will prevent the drive from performing at its maximum potential. Also, because these cables inherently support "cable select," the location of each drive on the cable is important. For these reasons, the cable is designed so drive positioning is explicitly clear.

10.) Remove all spyware from the computer. Use free programs such as AdAware by Lavasoft or SpyBot Search & Destroy. Once these programs are installed, be sure to check for and download any updates before starting your search. Anything either program finds can be safely removed. Any free software that requires spyware to run will no longer function once the spyware portion has been removed; if your customer really wants the program even though it contains spyware, simply reinstall it. For more information on removing Spyware visit this Web Pro News page.

11.) Remove any unnecessary programs and/or items from Windows Startup routine using the MSCONFIG utility. Here's how: First, click Start, click Run, type MSCONFIG, and click OK. Click the StartUp tab, then uncheck any items you don't want to start when Windows starts. Unsure what some items are? Visit the WinTasks Process Library. It contains known system processes, applications, as well as spyware references and explanations. Or quickly identify them by searching for the filenames using Google or another Web search engine.

12.) Remove any unnecessary or unused programs from the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel.

13.) Turn off any and all unnecessary animations, and disable active desktop. In fact, for optimal performance, turn off all animations. Windows XP offers many different settings in this area. Here's how to do it: First click on the System icon in the Control Panel. Next, click on the Advanced tab. Select the Settings button located under Performance. Feel free to play around with the options offered here, as nothing you can change will alter the reliability of the computer -- only its responsiveness.

14.) If your customer is an advanced user who is comfortable editing their registry, try some of the performance registry tweaks offered at Tweak XP.

15.) Visit Microsoft's Windows update site regularly, and download all updates labeled Critical. Download any optional updates at your discretion.

16.) Update the customer's anti-virus software on a weekly, even daily, basis. Make sure they have only one anti-virus software package installed. Mixing anti-virus software is a sure way to spell disaster for performance and reliability.

17.) Make sure the customer has fewer than 500 type fonts installed on their computer. The more fonts they have, the slower the system will become. While Windows XP handles fonts much more efficiently than did the previous versions of Windows, too many fonts -- that is, anything over 500 -- will noticeably tax the system.

18.) Do not partition the hard drive. Windows XP's NTFS file system runs more efficiently on one large partition. The data is no safer on a separate partition, and a reformat is never necessary to reinstall an operating system. The same excuses people offer for using partitions apply to using a folder instead. For example, instead of putting all your data on the D: drive, put it in a folder called "D drive." You'll achieve the same organizational benefits that a separate partition offers, but without the degradation in system performance. Also, your free space won't be limited by the size of the partition; instead, it will be limited by the size of the entire hard drive. This means you won't need to resize any partitions, ever. That task can be time-consuming and also can result in lost data.

19.) Check the system's RAM to ensure it is operating properly. I recommend using a free program called MemTest86. The download will make a bootable CD or diskette (your choice), which will run 10 extensive tests on the PC's memory automatically after you boot to the disk you created. Allow all tests to run until at least three passes of the 10 tests are completed. If the program encounters any errors, turn off and unplug the computer, remove a stick of memory (assuming you have more than one), and run the test again. Remember, bad memory cannot be repaired, but only replaced.

20.) If the PC has a CD or DVD recorder, check the drive manufacturer's Web site for updated firmware. In some cases you'll be able to upgrade the recorder to a faster speed. Best of all, it's free.

21.) Disable unnecessary services. Windows XP loads a lot of services that your customer most likely does not need. To determine which services you can disable for your client, visit the Black Viper site for Windows XP configurations.

22.) If you're sick of a single Windows Explorer window crashing and then taking the rest of your OS down with it, then follow this tip: open My Computer, click on Tools, then Folder Options. Now click on the View tab. Scroll down to "Launch folder windows in a separate process," and enable this option. You'll have to reboot your machine for this option to take effect.

23.) At least once a year, open the computer's cases and blow out all the dust and debris. While you're in there, check that all the fans are turning properly. Also inspect the motherboard capacitors for bulging or leaks. For more information on this leaking-capacitor phenomena, you can read numerous articles on my site.

Following any of these suggestions should result in noticeable improvements to the performance and reliability of your customers' computers. If you still want to defrag a disk, remember that the main benefit will be to make your data more retrievable in the event of a crashed drive.

U Torrent settings - To set the maximum speed

Follow these instructions carefully to achieve maximum speed / power when downloading torrents.

1 Configure the port of arrival, more than 45,000, 47 532 I found a good choice.

2 Next you must set the maximum charging current less than half the increase in link speed (which are loaded faster) due to high freight rates are the main cause for the slow downloads.

3 Do not use the random port in every home, because there are problems with your firewall, and it is very necessary.

4 Select the correct number of maximum connections are connections to slow your download speed instead of speed. For best results, use the speed is the speed of u Torrent Options Guide> contacts and recommend the best settings. For users with a maximum load of 256 Kbps u Torrent suggests 35 connections per torrent and 60 overall. See full speed guide for your type of connection here.

5 Do as little as possible floods, this means that your connection can handle and run with the maximum speed of torrents. I suggest if you are running 2 torrents a connection with 256 kbit / s speed and the torrent have a while if you have a connection with 128 Kbps upstream.

6 When selecting a similar torrents select one of the best seeds of the relationship between peers and the speed of the swarm. Here are tips for a torrent should be perfect.

7 If you have a DSL router and then enable the port forwarding on the router. If it is a DSL modem is not required.

8 Enable UPnP port mapping and NAT-PMP port mapping (in Preferences> Options> Connection. If you manually sending the port to keep out of control, but if you do not know what are the shipping ports, or you're not the gear? Port checked manually.

9 Do not use the Windows Firewall, Windows Firewall simply hates torrents and a truck with the speed problems with it loaded. Permanently to clear it, and a secure firewall, like Comodo Firewall and Eset.

10 Manage your upload slots per torrent should be approximately 2-3 per torrent. More than that will slow your downloads torrents.

11 Foster links Net.max_Halfopen 50-60 in u Torrent configuration the "Advanced", there is also a patch for Windows XP to increase this limit. In Windows XP to increase the upper limit of 100 connections.

12 Enable the following options to significantly improve the download speed.

mobile secret codes

Siemens Mobile Secret Codes:

C25:

SP unlock *#0003*(secret code 8 digits)#

*#0606# shows you Secret Code, but only without SIM Card.

*#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

Resets language to automatic selection : * # 0000 # then Green button

Pin Out (electrical connections)

1- GND
2- SB
3- POWER
4- NC
5- TX
6- RX
7- CLOCK
8- DATA
9- GND MIC
10- HF MIC
11- AUDIO
12- GND AUDIO


Languages:

*#0000#+green phone - choose automaticaly
*#0001#+green phone - English
*#0030#+green phone - Greek
*#0031#+green phone - Netherlands
*#0032#+green phone - French
*#0034#+green phone - Spanish
*#0039#+green phone - Italian
*#0049#+green phone - German
*#0090#+green phone - Turkish

How to change PIN:

**04*old PIN*new PIN*new PIN#

How to check simlock status

*#0606# and then press left soft-key, you will see strange characters, then text ("brak blokad"). If you see for example 260-02, it means the phone is locked to Era GSM. In older models you can use *#06# and see the same information after clicking on left key (you will see IMEI and software version).

S4:

Monitor Mode - how to activate:

Press left soft-key, then 9 (SET UP) 8 (Phone Status). You will see IMEI number, then press left soft-key and in order 7684666 and red phone at the end (monitor mode has been activated). To read information from Monitor Mode - press left soft-key, then 5 (GSM SERVICE) and 6 (Monitor). Monitor mode turns off when you switch off the phone. You must activate it again if you want.

How to see date of software:

Press left soft-key, then 9 (SET UP) 8 (Phone status). You will see IMEI number, then press twice left soft-key, 98, left soft-key, 7684666, red phone (activates Monitor Mode), left soft-key, 56 (turns on Monitor Mode), left soft-key, 98, left soft-key, 7684666, hang up (red phone) >abck to "normal" and then left soft-key, 56.

S6, S8:

If you add to phonebook under 'own phone number' +12022243121 with namez (for example MMI), then you will see something smile.gif

S10, E10:

In phonebook enter +12022243121 as your own phone no. You will see a picture with sun, two palms and greetings.

S15e:

Monitor Mode:

Code: *#7436267*8378# (*#SIEMENS*TEST#)
Hold red phone button until it code disapears.
Menu 3.3.4 Choose frequency.
Menu 3.3.4.1 Automaticaly.
Menu 3.3.4.2 Choose GSM-900
Menu 3.3.4.3 Choose GSM-1800

Menu 10.1 MS info
Menu 10.2 Soft date
Menu 10.2.1 Software version.
Menu 10.2.2 EEProm version.
Menu 10.3 Tst and product info.
Menu 10.3.1 Handware data.
Menu 10.3.2 Date of manufacture
Menu 10.3.3 Service date
Menu 10.3.4 Date of repair.

S25:

Enhanced Full Rate
*#3370# turns on
#3370# turns off

Haft Rate Mode
*#4720# turns on
#4720# turns off.

Languages:

*#0000#+green phone - choose automaticaly
*#0001#+green phone - English
*#0030#+green phone - Greek
*#0031#+green phone - Netherlands
*#0032#+green phone - French
*#0034#+green phone - Spanish
*#0039#+green phone - Italian
*#0049#+green phone - German
*#0090#+green phone - Turkish

How to change PIN2?

**04*old PIN2*new PIN2*new PIN2#

What is my software version?

Menu 8-8-2 press left-softkey when you see IMEI number, or *#06# and then green phone button and then press left soft-key.

How to extend battery life:

IrDA - turn on only when you need.
Turn off automatic network search (6-3)Turn off Vibration alarm.

SP unlock *#0003*(secret code 8 digits)#

*#0606# shows you Secret Code, but only without SIM Card.

*#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

Resets language to automatic selection : * # 0000 # then Green button



S25, M35, S35, C35

SP unlock *#0003*(secret code 8 digits)#

*#0606# shows you Secret Code, but only without SIM Card.

*#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

Resets language to automatic selection : * # 0000 # then Green button

Secret Codes Of Nokia Mobiles:

Below we present secret codes of nokia mobile phones which are very useful for people who unlock phones and for amateurs of this topic. These special key sequences entered fromkeyboard of phone allow you to get some important information like IMEI number, release date, software version and much more. You can also choose default language, activatenetmonitor ect.

1610/1630

*#170602112302# (software version)

1610/1611

IMEI number: -*# 0 6 #
Software version: -* # 1 7 0 6 0 2 1 1 2 3 9 2 #
Simlock status: - # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #

2110

*#9999# (software version)

2110i/2110e

*#170602112302# or (depends on model)*#682371158412125# (software version)

NOKIA3110

*#06# -IMEI

*#3110# -Software version

##002# - allows to turn off voice mail.

*#7780# - restore factory settings

*#746025625#(or *#sim0clock#) - to check if clock of sim (SIM-Clock) can be stopped (SIM-Clock-stop is akind of standby mode which saces battery)

*#92702689# (or *#war0anty#) -"warranty code:"- you have to enter one of the following codes:

6232 (OK)displays month and year of production date (ie "0198")

7332 (OK) - displays date of last repair - if there is (ie. "DATE NOT SAVED")

7832 (OK) - displays date of purchase - if there is (ie. "DATE NOT SAVED")

9268 (OK) -displays serial number

37832 (OK) -sets purchase date in format MMYY (MM - month, YY - year)- attention: you can set it only once, so beware !

87267 (OK)-displays message "Confirm Transfer?" - meaning is unknown (?)

* # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 # -Simlock info

*#31# (call) -sets if your phone no. will be hidden or not (works only in some networks)

*#76# (call) -sets if target phone number when you call should be displayed (works only in some networks)

*#77# (call) -(work s only in some networks)

*#33/35# (call -displays message "Service not active".

**31# (call) -your no. will not be showed to others when you make a call

3210

*#06# -IMEI

*#0000# -software version

*#92702689# (or *#war0anty#)- enters service mode.

*3370# -Turns on sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.


#3370# -Turns off sound encoding system Enhanced Full Rate .

*4720# -Turns on battery save mode - saves about 30 % of energy.

#4720# -Turns off battery save mode.

xx# -Replace xx with desired phonebook entry - press # and you will see it on display.


51XX


*#06# -IMEI

*#0000# - Software version

*#92702689#( or *#war0anty#) Enter service mode.

*3370# -Turns on sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

#3370# -Turns off sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

*4720# -Turns on battery save mode - saves about 30 % of energy.

#4720# -Turns off battery save mode.

#pw+1234567890+1 -provider lock status

#pw+1234567890+2 -Network lock status

#pw+1234567890+3 -Provider lock status

#pw+1234567890+4 - SimCard lock status


NOKIA 61XX


*#06# -IMEI

*#0000# ;-*#99 99# (Nokia 6130)


*#92702689# (or *#war0anty#) Software versionEnter service mode.

*3370# -Turns on sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

#3370# -Turns off sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

*4720# -Turns on battery save mode - saves about 30 % of energy.

#4720# -Turns off battery save mode.

NOKIA8810

*#06# - IMEI

*#0000# -Software version

*#92702689# (or *#war0anty#) Enter service mode.

*3370# -Turns on sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

#3370# -Turns off sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

*4720# -Turns on battery save mode - saves about 30 % of energy

#4720# -Turns off battery save mode - saves about 30 % of energy

NOKIA99OO

*#06# -IMEI

*#682371158412125# -Software version

*#3283# -Displays week and year of manufacture, ie. 1497 means 14th week of 1997.

NOKIA 911O


*#06# IMEI


*#0000# SOFTWARE VERSION

*3370# Turns on sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

#3370# Turns off sound encoding system - Enhanced Full Rate.

*4720# Turns on battery save mode - saves about 30 % of energy.

#4720# Turns off battery save mode.



NOKIA 81XX


*#06# IMEI
*#8110# Software version
xx# Replace xx with desired phonebook entry - press # and you will see it on display

*#92702689# (or *#warOanty#)

"Warranty code:" - you have to enter one of the following codes:

9268 (OK) displays IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identification)

6232 (OK) displays date of manufacture in format MMYY (MM - month, RR - year)


7832 (OK) displays date of purchase

7332 (OK) displays date of repair or upgrade

37832 (OK) sets date of purchase in format MMYY (MM - month, RR - year) - attention: you can set it only once, so beware !!!

87267 (OK) transmits user data/move data do service PC




Motorola Codes:



Motorola 920
---------------


Press menu and type one of these numbers and press OK:

11 = Status Review
13 = Available Networks
14 = Preferred Networks
22 = Select Keypad Tones
25 = Require SIM Card PIN
26 = Language Selection
32 = Repetitive Timer
33 = Single Alert Timer
34 = Set IN-Call Display
35 = Show Call Timers
36 = Show Call Charges
37 = Call Charge Settings
38 = Reset All Timers
43 = Reset All Timers
45 = Show Last Call
46 = Total For All Calls
47 = Lifetime Timer
51 = Change Unlock Code
52 = Master Reset
53 = Master Clear (Warning!! May result in deleting the Message Editor!!!)
54 = New Security Code
55 = Automatic Lock
63 = Battery Saving Mode

Free call tip

1 Enter the phone number
2 Enter OK
3 Type *#06#
4 Press Button C
5 And finally press the button for power off.

You should now be able to talk without being billed.


The 54# Tip:

Type 1#, 2#........54# on the keypad (when you're not in the menu) to get the phone number used for with this key when speed dialing.





Motorola 930
--------------


Press menu and type one of these numbers and press OK:

11 = Status Review
13 = Available Networks
14 = Preferred Networks
22 = Select Keypad Tones
25 = Require SIM Card PIN
26 = Language Selection
32 = Repetitive Timer
33 = Single Alert Timer
34 = Set IN-Call Display
35 = Show Call Timers
36 = Show Call Charges
37 = Call Charge Settings
38 = Reset All Timers
43 = Reset All Timers
45 = Show Last Call
46 = Total For All Calls
47 = Lifetime Timer
51 = Change Unlock Code
52 = Master Reset
53 = Master Clear (Warning!! May result in deleting the Message Editor!!!)
54 = New Security Code
55 = Automatic Lock
63 = Battery Saving Mode

Free call tip

1 Enter the phone number
2 Enter OK
3 Type *#06#
4 Press Button C
5 And finally press the button for power off.

You should now be able to talk without being billed.


Motorola 930

The 54# Tip:

Type 1#, 2#........54# on the keypad (when you're not in the menu) to get the phone number used for with this key when speed dialing.





Motorola 6200
--------------



(Note: pause means the * key held in until box appears)
To activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 1 [pause] [ok]
You now have to press the [MENU] and scroll to the 'Eng
Field Options' function with the keys, and enable it.

De-activate RBS

To de-activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 0 [pause] [ok]
This only works with some versions of software.

These countries has been reported working:

UK (Orange)
AU

What's the use of RBS:

Get Distance From Base Station - Place a call, when it
is answered, press [MENU] until 'Eng Field Option' is
displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell', press [OK],
press [MENU] until 'Time Adv xxx' appears, where xxx is
a number. Multiply this number by 550, and the result is
the distance from the RBS (Radio Base Station), in
meters.

Get Signal Quality - press [MENU] until 'Eng Field
Option' is displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell',
press [OK], press [MENU] until 'C1' appears. This is the
signal quality. If it becomes negative for longer than 5
seconds, a new cell is selected.

Pin Outs

Numbered left to right, keypad up, battery down

1. Audio Ground
2. V+
3. True data (TD) (input)
4. Downlink - Complimentary data (CD) (input)
5. Uplink - Return data (RD) (output)
6. GND
7. Audio Out - on/off
8. Audio In
9. Manual Test - ???
10. Battery Feedback
11. Antenna connector






Motorola 7500
-------------



(Note: pause means the * key held in until box appears)
To activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 1 [pause] [ok]
You now have to press the [MENU] and scroll to the 'Eng
Field Options' function with the keys, and enable it.

De-activate RBS

To de-activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 0 [pause] [ok]
This only works with some versions of software.

These countries has been reported working:

IT (model: F16 HW: 5.2 SW: 2.1)


What's the use of RBS:

Get Distance From Base Station - Place a call, when it
is answered, press [MENU] until 'Eng Field Option' is
displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell', press [OK],
press [MENU] until 'Time Adv xxx' appears, where xxx is
a number. Multiply this number by 550, and the result is
the distance from the RBS (Radio Base Station), in
meters.

Get Signal Quality - press [MENU] until 'Eng Field
Option' is displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell',
press [OK], press [MENU] until 'C1' appears. This is the
signal quality. If it becomes negative for longer than 5
seconds, a new cell is selected.

Pin Outs
Numbered right to left, keypad up, battery down looking

1. Gnd
2. Pos
3. True data (TD) (input)
4. Complimentary data (CD) (input)
5. Return data (RD) (output)
6. Audio gnd
7. Audio out
8. Audioin




Motorola 8200
--------------



(Note: pause means the * key held in until box appears)
To activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 1 [pause] [ok]
You now have to press the [MENU] and scroll to the 'Eng
Field Options' function with the keys, and enable it.

De-activate RBS

To de-activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 0 [pause] [ok]
This only works with some versions of software.

These countries has been reported working:

ES, AU, NL, BE


What's the use of RBS:

Get Distance From Base Station - Place a call, when it
is answered, press [MENU] until 'Eng Field Option' is
displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell', press [OK],
press [MENU] until 'Time Adv xxx' appears, where xxx is
a number. Multiply this number by 550, and the result is
the distance from the RBS (Radio Base Station), in
meters.

Get Signal Quality - press [MENU] until 'Eng Field
Option' is displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell',
press [OK], press [MENU] until 'C1' appears. This is the
signal quality. If it becomes negative for longer than 5
seconds, a new cell is selected.

Pin Outs

Numbered right to left, keypad up, battery down looking

1. Audio Ground
2. V+
3. True data (TD) (input)
4. Downlink - Complimentary data (CD) (input)
5. Uplink - Return data (RD) (output)
6. GND
7. Audio Out - on/off
8. Audio In
9. Manual Test - ???
10. Battery Feedback
11. Antenna connector





Motorola 8400
-------------



(Note: pause means the * key held in until box appears)
To activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 1 [pause] [ok]
You now have to press the [MENU] and scroll to the 'Eng
Field Options' function with the keys, and enable it.

De-activate RBS

To de-activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 0 [pause] [ok]
This only works with some versions of software.

These countries has been reported working:

ES, AU, NL, BE


What's the use of RBS:

Get Distance From Base Station - Place a call, when it
is answered, press [MENU] until 'Eng Field Option' is
displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell', press [OK],
press [MENU] until 'Time Adv xxx' appears, where xxx is
a number. Multiply this number by 550, and the result is
the distance from the RBS (Radio Base Station), in
meters.

Get Signal Quality - press [MENU] until 'Eng Field
Option' is displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell',
press [OK], press [MENU] until 'C1' appears. This is the
signal quality. If it becomes negative for longer than 5
seconds, a new cell is selected.

Pin Outs

Numbered right to left, keypad up, battery down looking

1. Audio Ground
2. V+
3. True data (TD) (input)
4. Downlink - Complimentary data (CD) (input)
5. Uplink - Return data (RD) (output)
6. GND
7. Audio Out - on/off
8. Audio In
9. Manual Test - ???
10. Battery Feedback
11. Antenna connector





Motorola 8700
--------------



*#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

Activate RBS

(Note: pause means the * key held in until box appears)
To activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 1 [pause] [ok]
You now have to press the [MENU] and scroll to the 'Eng
Field Options' function with the keys, and enable it.

De-activate RBS

To de-activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 0 [pause] [ok]
This only works with some versions of software.

These countries has been reported working:

AU, IT, SG, DE, ES, ZA

What's the use of RBS:

Get Distance From Base Station - Place a call, when it
is answered, press [MENU] until 'Eng Field Option' is
displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell', press [OK],
press [MENU] until 'Time Adv xxx' appears, where xxx is
a number. Multiply this number by 550, and the result is
the distance from the RBS (Radio Base Station), in
meters.

Get Signal Quality - press [MENU] until 'Eng Field
Option' is displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell',
press [OK], press [MENU] until 'C1' appears. This is the
signal quality. If it becomes negative for longer than 5
seconds, a new cell is selected.





Motorola CD 160
---------------



Press menu and type one of these numbers and press OK:

11 = Status Review
13 = Available Networks
14 = Preferred Networks
22 = Select Keypad Tones
25 = Require SIM Card PIN
26 = Language Selection
32 = Repetitive Timer
33 = Single Alert Timer
34 = Set IN-Call Display
35 = Show Call Timers
36 = Show Call Charges
37 = Call Charge Settings
38 = Reset All Timers
43 = Reset All Timers
45 = Show Last Call
46 = Total For All Calls
47 = Lifetime Timer
51 = Change Unlock Code
52 = Master Reset
53 = Master Clear (Warning!! May result in deleting the Message Editor!!!)
54 = New Security Code
55 = Automatic Lock
63 = Battery Saving Mode

Free call tip

1 Enter the phone number
2 Enter OK
3 Type *#06#
4 Press Button C
5 And finally press the button for power off.

You should now be able to talk without being billed.





Motorola CD 520
----------------



Press menu and type one of these numbers and press OK:

11 = Status Review
13 = Available Networks
14 = Preferred Networks
22 = Select Keypad Tones
25 = Require SIM Card PIN
26 = Language Selection
32 = Repetitive Timer
33 = Single Alert Timer
34 = Set IN-Call Display
35 = Show Call Timers
36 = Show Call Charges
37 = Call Charge Settings
38 = Reset All Timers
43 = Reset All Timers
45 = Show Last Call
46 = Total For All Calls
47 = Lifetime Timer
51 = Change Unlock Code
52 = Master Reset
53 = Master Clear (Warning!! May result in deleting the Message Editor!!!)
54 = New Security Code
55 = Automatic Lock
63 = Battery Saving Mode

Free call tip

1 Enter the phone number
2 Enter OK
3 Type *#06#
4 Press Button C
5 And finally press the button for power off.

You should now be able to talk without being billed.





Motorola d460
--------------



#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

Activate RBS

(Note: pause means the * key held in until box appears)
To activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 1 [pause] [ok]
You now have to press the [MENU] and scroll to the 'Eng
Field Options' function with the keys, and enable it.

De-activate RBS

To de-activate RBS type: [pause] [pause] [pause] 1 1 3
[pause] 0 [pause] [ok]
This only works with some versions of software.

What's the use of RBS:

Get Distance From Base Station - Place a call, when it
is answered, press [MENU] until 'Eng Field Option' is
displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell', press [OK],
press [MENU] until 'Time Adv xxx' appears, where xxx is
a number. Multiply this number by 550, and the result is
the distance from the RBS (Radio Base Station), in
meters.

Get Signal Quality - press [MENU] until 'Eng Field
Option' is displayed, press [OK], select 'Active Cell',
press [OK], press [MENU] until 'C1' appears. This is the
signal quality. If it becomes negative for longer than 5
seconds, a new cell is selected.





Motorola V3688
---------------



#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFR):

To Enable EFR press [][][] 119 [] 1 [] OK.
To Disable EFR press [][][] 119 [] 0 [] OK

NOTE: Nothing appears on Screen.





Ericsson Mobile Secret Codes:


T10

*#06# for checking the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

>*<<*<* for checking the firmware revision information (software release) >*<<*<*>> n-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.

Shortcut for Last Dialed call menu

If you for some reason don't want to enter the 'Last Dialed calls menu' by using the 'YES' key you can use the following key
stroke instead: First '0' then '#'.

Access menu without Sim card

To access to the menu in your phone without having a card inside do the following: type **04*0000*0000*0000# When display say "Wrong Pin" press NO and you have access to the all menus: Info, Access, Settings, Calculator, Clock, Keylock On?, Mail, Phone book. NOTE if you try this on your phone may stop at Keylock On? menu and you´ll have to take your battery out to turn the phone on again. And this will not care about Phone lock!

A way to (un)lock your cell phone on to the network(subset):
1. Press <**< tac =" Type" fac =" Final" snr =" Serial" sp =" Spare">*<<*<* for checking the firmware revision information (software release) >*<<*<*> 1-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.

>*<<*<*>> n-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.

The Service Provider (SP) Lock

The Service Provider (SP) Lock menu is used to lock the cell phone to the SP's SIM card. Once the cell phone is locked to a specific operator, if one inserts a SIM card from a different operator the phone will refuse to accept it! The cell phone will however accept another SIM card from the same operator.

To activate/deactivate this lock one needs a special secret code that is not available to the end user.

Here is how to activate the menu:

<**<>*<<*<* for checking the firmware revision information (software release) >*<<*<*> 1-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.(298 entries)

>*<<*<*>> n-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.(160 entries?)

The Service Provider (SP) Lock menu is used to lock the cell phone to the SP's SIM card. Once the cell phone is locked to a specific operator, if one inserts a SIM card from a different operator the phone will refuse to accept it! The cell phone will however accept another SIM card from the same operator.

To activate/deactivate this lock one needs a special secret code that is not available to the end user. (not even to you... or is it ? in case please let me know!)

<**<>*<<*<* for checking the firmware revision information (software release) >*<<*<*> 1-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.(298 entries)

>*<<*<*>> n-row text strings. if pressing yes you can check the phones text programming in currently selected language.(160 entries?)

The Service Provider (SP) Lock

The Service Provider (SP) Lock menu is used to lock the cell phone to the SP's SIM card. Once the cell phone is locked to a specific operator, if one inserts a SIM card from a different operator the phone will refuse to accept it! The cell phone will however accept another SIM card from the same operator.

To activate/deactivate this lock one needs a special secret code that is not available to the end user.

Here is how to activate the menu:

<**<> key for a second or two The option Menu size turns up Choose 'yes' and go from there.

An alarm clock turned up too but it never rang. I think this was because there is no clock in the phone.

Free phone calls using the GA628

This trick has only been reported working on PREPAID GSM CARDS and in some countries and with some sw versions.
The prepaid GSM SIM CARD is a kind of "SIM card" which only has a sertant amount of credit on it (like a normal phonebox telecard)... if it can be traced? - we don't know...

Well..here's the trick you dial the no. normally and press YES. While "connecting" is shown on the screen, the following procedure should be carried out: Press CLR then 0 then # and then NO (twice) so as to switch OFF the phone. You can then still speak on the phone while it is switched off but the SIM card does not record your calls which will lead to FREE phone calls in some countries.. we hope!!

Another variant of the code

Make a Call, while the phone says Connecting type 083# (the position 83 must be empty! ), when phone says Pos Emtpy, press the NO key and turn off the phone.

If you can make the call with the phone turned off you will face a problem when you need to hang up the phone...the only way for you to do that is remove the battery...???>

Change Your Ip In Less Then 1 Minute

How To: Change Your Ip In Less Then 1 Minute

1. Click on "Start" in the bottom left hand corner of screen
2. Click on "Run"
3. Type in "command" and hit ok

You should now be at an MSDOS prompt screen.

4. Type "ipconfig /release" just like that, and hit "enter"
5. Type "exit" and leave the prompt
6. Right-click on "Network Places" or "My Network Places" on your desktop.
7. Click on "properties"

You should now be on a screen with something titled "Local Area Connection", or something close to that, and, if you have a network hooked up, all of your other networks.

8. Right click on "Local Area Connection" and click "properties"
9. Double-click on the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list under the "General" tab
10. Click on "Use the following IP address" under the "General" tab
11. Create an IP address (It doesn't matter what it is. I just type 1 and 2 until i fill the area up).
12. Press "Tab" and it should automatically fill in the "Subnet Mask" section with default numbers.
13. Hit the "Ok" button here
14. Hit the "Ok" button again

You should now be back to the "Local Area Connection" screen.

15. Right-click back on "Local Area Connection" and go to properties again.
16. Go back to the "TCP/IP" settings
17. This time, select "Obtain an IP address automatically"
tongue.gif 18. Hit "Ok"
19. Hit "Ok" again
20. You now have a new IP address

With a little practice, you can easily get this process down to 15 seconds.

P.S:
This only changes your dynamic IP address, not your ISP/IP address. If you plan on hacking a website with this trick be extremely careful, because if they try a little, they can trace it back

20 Great Google Secrets

Google is clearly the best general-purpose search engine on the Web (see

www.pcmag.com/searchengines

But most people don't use it to its best advantage. Do you just plug in a keyword or two and hope for the best? That may be the quickest way to search, but with more than 3 billion pages in Google's index, it's still a struggle to pare results to a manageable number.

But Google is an remarkably powerful tool that can ease and enhance your Internet exploration. Google's search options go beyond simple keywords, the Web, and even its own programmers. Let's look at some of Google's lesser-known options.

Syntax Search Tricks

Using a special syntax is a way to tell Google that you want to restrict your searches to certain elements or characteristics of Web pages. Google has a fairly complete list of its syntax elements at

www.google.com/help/operators.html

. Here are some advanced operators that can help narrow down your search results.

Intitle: at the beginning of a query word or phrase (intitle:"Three Blind Mice") restricts your search results to just the titles of Web pages.

Intext: does the opposite of intitle:, searching only the body text, ignoring titles, links, and so forth. Intext: is perfect when what you're searching for might commonly appear in URLs. If you're looking for the term HTML, for example, and you don't want to get results such as

www.mysite.com/index.html

you can enter intext:html.

Link: lets you see which pages are linking to your Web page or to another page you're interested in. For example, try typing in

link:http://www.pcmag.com


Try using site: (which restricts results to top-level domains) with intitle: to find certain types of pages. For example, get scholarly pages about Mark Twain by searching for intitle:"Mark Twain"site:edu. Experiment with mixing various elements; you'll develop several strategies for finding the stuff you want more effectively. The site: command is very helpful as an alternative to the mediocre search engines built into many sites.

Swiss Army Google

Google has a number of services that can help you accomplish tasks you may never have thought to use Google for. For example, the new calculator feature

(www.google.com/help/features.html#calculator)

lets you do both math and a variety of conversions from the search box. For extra fun, try the query "Answer to life the universe and everything."

Let Google help you figure out whether you've got the right spelling—and the right word—for your search. Enter a misspelled word or phrase into the query box (try "thre blund mise") and Google may suggest a proper spelling. This doesn't always succeed; it works best when the word you're searching for can be found in a dictionary. Once you search for a properly spelled word, look at the results page, which repeats your query. (If you're searching for "three blind mice," underneath the search window will appear a statement such as Searched the web for "three blind mice.") You'll discover that you can click on each word in your search phrase and get a definition from a dictionary.

Suppose you want to contact someone and don't have his phone number handy. Google can help you with that, too. Just enter a name, city, and state. (The city is optional, but you must enter a state.) If a phone number matches the listing, you'll see it at the top of the search results along with a map link to the address. If you'd rather restrict your results, use rphonebook: for residential listings or bphonebook: for business listings. If you'd rather use a search form for business phone listings, try Yellow Search

(www.buzztoolbox.com/google/yellowsearch.shtml).

Extended Googling

Google offers several services that give you a head start in focusing your search. Google Groups

(http://groups.google.com)

indexes literally millions of messages from decades of discussion on Usenet. Google even helps you with your shopping via two tools: Froogle
CODE
(http://froogle.google.com),

which indexes products from online stores, and Google Catalogs
CODE
(http://catalogs.google.com),

which features products from more 6,000 paper catalogs in a searchable index. And this only scratches the surface. You can get a complete list of Google's tools and services at

www.google.com/options/index.html

You're probably used to using Google in your browser. But have you ever thought of using Google outside your browser?

Google Alert

(www.googlealert.com)

monitors your search terms and e-mails you information about new additions to Google's Web index. (Google Alert is not affiliated with Google; it uses Google's Web services API to perform its searches.) If you're more interested in news stories than general Web content, check out the beta version of Google News Alerts

(www.google.com/newsalerts).

This service (which is affiliated with Google) will monitor up to 50 news queries per e-mail address and send you information about news stories that match your query. (Hint: Use the intitle: and source: syntax elements with Google News to limit the number of alerts you get.)

Google on the telephone? Yup. This service is brought to you by the folks at Google Labs

(http://labs.google.com),

a place for experimental Google ideas and features (which may come and go, so what's there at this writing might not be there when you decide to check it out). With Google Voice Search

(http://labs1.google.com/gvs.html),

you dial the Voice Search phone number, speak your keywords, and then click on the indicated link. Every time you say a new search term, the results page will refresh with your new query (you must have JavaScript enabled for this to work). Remember, this service is still in an experimental phase, so don't expect 100 percent success.

In 2002, Google released the Google API (application programming interface), a way for programmers to access Google's search engine results without violating the Google Terms of Service. A lot of people have created useful (and occasionally not-so-useful but interesting) applications not available from Google itself, such as Google Alert. For many applications, you'll need an API key, which is available free from
CODE
www.google.com/apis

. See the figures for two more examples, and visit

www.pcmag.com/solutions

for more.

Thanks to its many different search properties, Google goes far beyond a regular search engine. Give the tricks in this article a try. You'll be amazed at how many different ways Google can improve your Internet searching.

Online Extra: More Google Tips

Here are a few more clever ways to tweak your Google searches.

Search Within a Timeframe

Daterange: (start date–end date). You can restrict your searches to pages that were indexed within a certain time period. Daterange: searches by when Google indexed a page, not when the page itself was created. This operator can help you ensure that results will have fresh content (by using recent dates), or you can use it to avoid a topic's current-news blizzard and concentrate only on older results. Daterange: is actually more useful if you go elsewhere to take advantage of it, because daterange: requires Julian dates, not standard Gregorian dates. You can find converters on the Web (such as

CODE
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/JulianDate.html

excl.gif No Active Links, Read the Rules - Edit by Ninja excl.gif


), but an easier way is to do a Google daterange: search by filling in a form at

www.researchbuzz.com/toolbox/goofresh.shtml or www.faganfinder.com/engines/google.shtml

. If one special syntax element is good, two must be better, right? Sometimes. Though some operators can't be mixed (you can't use the link: operator with anything else) many can be, quickly narrowing your results to a less overwhelming number.

More Google API Applications

Staggernation.com offers three tools based on the Google API. The Google API Web Search by Host (GAWSH) lists the Web hosts of the results for a given query

(www.staggernation.com/gawsh/).

When you click on the triangle next to each host, you get a list of results for that host. The Google API Relation Browsing Outliner (GARBO) is a little more complicated: You enter a URL and choose whether you want pages that related to the URL or linked to the URL

(www.staggernation.com/garbo/).

Click on the triangle next to an URL to get a list of pages linked or related to that particular URL. CapeMail is an e-mail search application that allows you to send an e-mail to google@capeclear.com with the text of your query in the subject line and get the first ten results for that query back. Maybe it's not something you'd do every day, but if your cell phone does e-mail and doesn't do Web browsing, this is a very handy address to know.

Some Tips And Tricks For Your Windows XP

Stop noise in copying audio CD

When using 3rd party burning software (eg, Nero Burning Rom) to copy audio CD,some noise may be heard at the end of each track. To prevent this,try the following method:
1. Enter System Properties\device manager
2. Select IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
3. Double click on thee CD writer IDE channel
4. Select advance setting
5. Change the transfer mode to 'PIO Only'
6. Restart Computer

Disabling the unsigned Driver Dialogs

This option wll disable the screen wich keeps popping up when you try to install 'digitally unsigned drivers'. Normally you can choose to continue the install anyways, but I have had situations where you cannot continue the install.. very annoying.. This is how to fix it:
Click Start - Run
then type: gpedit.msc
then hit enter.
Browse the folder tree to the following location:
User Configuration - Administrative Templates - System
now right-click Code signing for Device drivers and select Properties.
On the Settings tab, either select
- enable, and then select ignore from the appearing listbox..
- or click the disable option. Click apply and Ok and your set!
Alternatively especially for XP Home users:
Open "System" properties (Windows key + pause or Right click 'My Computer' - properties or Control Panel - System).On the Hardware tab click the "Driver Signing" button. In the dialogue that comes up choose "Ignore" to install the new driver anyway.

DMA mode on IDE deviced views

Just like Windows 2000, Windows XP still fails to set the DMA mode correctly for the IDE device designated as the slaves on the primary IDE and secondary IDE channels. Most CD-ROMS are capable of supporting DMA mode, but the default in XP is still PIO. Setting it to DMA won't make your CD-ROM faster, but it will consume less CPU cycles. Here's how:
1. Open the Device Manager. One way to do that is to right click on "My Computer", select the Hardware tab, and Select Device Manager.
2. Expand "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and double-click on "Primary IDE Channel"
3. Under the "Advanced Settings" tab, check the "Device 1" setting. More than likely, your current transfer mode is set to PIO.
4. Set it to "DMA if available".
Repeat the step for the "Secondary IDE Channel" if you have devices attached to it. Reboot.

RESTORING MEDIA PLAYER

To restore Windows Media Player insert the the XP CD into the CD drive (if it auto starts click exit). Open a command window and type the following :
rundll32.exe setup api, Install HinfSection InstallWMP7 132 c:\windows\inf\wmp.inf

RESTORING ACCESS TO CD ROM'S

If you removed CD Burning software, or for some other mystical reason, can not longer access your CD ROM's, in most cases following registry keys needs to be deleted: Locate and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values under the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

INTERNET EXPLORER SPEED UP.

Edit your link to start Internet Explorer to have -nohome after it. For Example: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" -nohome
This will load internet explorer very fast because it does not load a webpage while it is loading. If you want to go to your homepage after it is loaded, just click on the home button.

10 reasons why PCs crash you must Know

Fatal error

The system has become unstable or is busy," it says. "Enter to return to Windows or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart your computer. If you do this you will lose any unsaved information in all open applications."

You have just been struck by the Blue Screen of Death. Anyone who uses Microsoft Windows will be familiar with this. What can you do? More importantly, how can you prevent it happening?

1 Hardware conflict

The number one reason why Windows crashes is hardware conflict. Each hardware device communicates to other devices through an interrupt request channel (IRQ). These are supposed to be unique for each device.

For example, a printer usually connects internally on IRQ 7. The keyboard usually uses IRQ 1 and the floppy disk drive IRQ 6. Each device will try to hog a single IRQ for itself.

If there are a lot of devices, or if they are not installed properly, two of them may end up sharing the same IRQ number. When the user tries to use both devices at the same time, a crash can happen. The way to check if your computer has a hardware conflict is through the following route:

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager.

Often if a device has a problem a yellow '!' appears next to its description in the Device Manager. Highlight Computer (in the Device Manager) and press Properties to see the IRQ numbers used by your computer. If the IRQ number appears twice, two devices may be using it.

Sometimes a device might share an IRQ with something described as 'IRQ holder for PCI steering'. This can be ignored. The best way to fix this problem is to remove the problem device and reinstall it.

Sometimes you may have to find more recent drivers on the internet to make the device function properly. A good resource is www.driverguide.com. If the device is a soundcard, or a modem, it can often be fixed by moving it to a different slot on the motherboard (be careful about opening your computer, as you may void the warranty).

When working inside a computer you should switch it off, unplug the mains lead and touch an unpainted metal surface to discharge any static electricity.
To be fair to Mcft, the problem with IRQ numbers is not of its making. It is a legacy problem going back to the first PC designs using the IBM 8086 chip. Initially there were only eight IRQs. Today there are 16 IRQs in a PC. It is easy to run out of them. There are plans to increase the number of IRQs in future designs.

2 Bad Ram

Ram (random-access memory) problems might bring on the blue screen of death with a message saying Fatal Exception Error. A fatal error indicates a serious hardware problem. Sometimes it may mean a part is damaged and will need replacing.

But a fatal error caused by Ram might be caused by a mismatch of chips. For example, mixing 70-nanosecond (70ns) Ram with 60ns Ram will usually force the computer to run all the Ram at the slower speed. This will often crash the machine if the Ram is overworked.

3 BIOS settings

Every motherboard is supplied with a range of chipset settings that are decided in the factory. A common way to access these settings is to press the F2 or delete button during the first few seconds of a boot-up.

Once inside the BIOS, great care should be taken. It is a good idea to write down on a piece of paper all the settings that appear on the screen. That way, if you change something and the computer becomes more unstable, you will know what settings to revert to.

A common BIOS error concerns the CAS latency. This refers to the Ram. Older EDO (extended data out) Ram has a CAS latency of 3. Newer SDRam has a CAS latency of 2. Setting the wrong figure can cause the Ram to lock up and freeze the computer's display.

Microsoft Windows is better at allocating IRQ numbers than any BIOS. If possible set the IRQ numbers to Auto in the BIOS. This will allow Windows to allocate the IRQ numbers (make sure the BIOS setting for Plug and Play OS is switched to 'yes' to allow Windows to do this.).

One way around this problem is to enter the BIOS settings and increase the wait state of the Ram. This can make it more stable. Another way to troubleshoot a suspected Ram problem is to rearrange the Ram chips on the motherboard, or take some of them out. Then try to repeat the circumstances that caused the crash. When handling Ram try not to touch the gold connections, as they can be easily damaged.

Parity error messages also refer to Ram. Modern Ram chips are either parity (ECC) or non parity (non-ECC). It is best not to mix the two types, as this can be a cause of trouble.

EMM386 error messages refer to memory problems but may not be connected to bad Ram. This may be due to free memory problems often linked to old Dos-based programmes.

4 Hard disk drives

After a few weeks, the information on a hard disk drive starts to become piecemeal or fragmented. It is a good idea to defragment the hard disk every week or so, to prevent the disk from causing a screen freeze. Go to

* Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter

This will start the procedure. You will be unable to write data to the hard drive (to save it) while the disk is defragmenting, so it is a good idea to schedule the procedure for a period of inactivity using the Task Scheduler.

The Task Scheduler should be one of the small icons on the bottom right of the Windows opening page (the desktop).

Some lockups and screen freezes caused by hard disk problems can be solved by reducing the read-ahead optimisation. This can be adjusted by going to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System Icon-Performance-File System-Hard Disk.

Hard disks will slow down and crash if they are too full. Do some housekeeping on your hard drive every few months and free some space on it. Open the Windows folder on the C drive and find the Temporary Internet Files folder. Deleting the contents (not the folder) can free a lot of space.

Empty the Recycle Bin every week to free more space. Hard disk drives should be scanned every week for errors or bad sectors. Go to

* Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-ScanDisk

Otherwise assign the Task Scheduler to perform this operation at night when the computer is not in use.

5 Fatal OE exceptions and VXD errors

atal OE exception errors and VXD errors are often caused by video card problems.

These can often be resolved easily by reducing the resolution of the video display. Go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-Display-Settings

Here you should slide the screen area bar to the left. Take a look at the colour settings on the left of that window. For most desktops, high colour 16-bit depth is adequate.

If the screen freezes or you experience system lockups it might be due to the video card. Make sure it does not have a hardware conflict. Go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager

Here, select the + beside Display Adapter. A line of text describing your video card should appear. Select it (make it blue) and press properties. Then select Resources and select each line in the window. Look for a message that says No Conflicts.

If you have video card hardware conflict, you will see it here. Be careful at this point and make a note of everything you do in case you make things worse.

The way to resolve a hardware conflict is to uncheck the Use Automatic Settings box and hit the Change Settings button. You are searching for a setting that will display a No Conflicts message.

Another useful way to resolve video problems is to go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Performance-Graphics

Here you should move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the left. As ever, the most common cause of problems relating to graphics cards is old or faulty drivers (a driver is a small piece of software used by a computer to communicate with a device).

Look up your video card's manufacturer on the internet and search for the most recent drivers for it.

6 Viruses

Often the first sign of a virus infection is instability. Some viruses erase the boot sector of a hard drive, making it impossible to start. This is why it is a good idea to create a Windows start-up disk. Go to

* Start-Settings-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs

Here, look for the Start Up Disk tab. Virus protection requires constant vigilance.

A virus scanner requires a list of virus signatures in order to be able to identify viruses. These signatures are stored in a DAT file. DAT files should be updated weekly from the website of your antivirus software manufacturer.

An excellent anti-virus program is McAfee Virus Scan by Network Associates ( www.nai.com). Another is Norton Anti Virus 2000, made by Symantec ( www.symantec.com).

7 Printers

The action of sending a document to print creates a bigger file, often called a postscript file.

Printers have only a small amount of memory, called a buffer. This can be easily overloaded. Printing a document also uses a considerable amount of CPU power. This will also slow down the computer's performance.

If the printer is trying to print unusual characters, these might not be recognised, and can crash the computer. Sometimes printers will not recover from a crash because of confusion in the buffer. A good way to clear the buffer is to unplug the printer for ten seconds. Booting up from a powerless state, also called a cold boot, will restore the printer's default settings and you may be able to carry on.

8 Software

A common cause of computer crash is faulty or badly-installed software. Often the problem can be cured by uninstalling the software and then reinstalling it. Use Norton Uninstall or Uninstall Shield to remove an application from your system properly. This will also remove references to the programme in the System Registry and leaves the way clear for a completely fresh copy.

The System Registry can be corrupted by old references to obsolete software that you thought was uninstalled. Use Reg Cleaner by Jouni Vuorio to clean up the System Registry and remove obsolete entries. It works on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE (Second Edition), Windows Millennium Edition (ME), NT4 and Windows 2000.

Read the instructions and use it carefully so you don't do permanent damage to the Registry. If the Registry is damaged you will have to reinstall your operating system. Reg Cleaner can be obtained from www.jv16.org

Often a Windows problem can be resolved by entering Safe Mode. This can be done during start-up. When you see the message "Starting Windows" press F4. This should take you into Safe Mode.

Safe Mode loads a minimum of drivers. It allows you to find and fix problems that prevent Windows from loading properly.

Sometimes installing Windows is difficult because of unsuitable BIOS settings. If you keep getting SUWIN error messages (Windows setup) during the Windows installation, then try entering the BIOS and disabling the CPU internal cache. Try to disable the Level 2 (L2) cache if that doesn't work.

Remember to restore all the BIOS settings back to their former settings following installation.

9 Overheating

Central processing units (CPUs) are usually equipped with fans to keep them cool. If the fan fails or if the CPU gets old it may start to overheat and generate a particular kind of error called a kernel error. This is a common problem in chips that have been overclocked to operate at higher speeds than they are supposed to.

One remedy is to get a bigger better fan and install it on top of the CPU. Specialist cooling fans/heatsinks are available from www.computernerd.com or www.coolit.com

CPU problems can often be fixed by disabling the CPU internal cache in the BIOS. This will make the machine run more slowly, but it should also be more stable.

10 Power supply problems

With all the new construction going on around the country the steady supply of electricity has become disrupted. A power surge or spike can crash a computer as easily as a power cut.

If this has become a nuisance for you then consider buying a uninterrupted power supply (UPS). This will give you a clean power supply when there is electricity, and it will give you a few minutes to perform a controlled shutdown in case of a power cut.

It is a good investment if your data are critical, because a power cut will cause any unsaved data to be lost.

Ways of booting damaged operating system

Fix the damaged `Boot.ini’ File

Windows starts to load the program `Ntldr’ which directs `Boot.ini’ file about the direction of operating system files. We also can know which option should be enabled so that operating system can be started. So if any problems in `Boot.ini’ file is built permanently, the windows cannot be booted perfectly .

If you think your booting files are damaged and only for this reason you are not able to boot operating system in that case you should use special type of recovery console. I prefer `Bootcfg’ tool

Firstly you must boot system from windows Xp CD. Then use the `Bootcfg’ tool. T bt from the Cd just follow the steps

Firstly put the XP Cd in the cd rom and press ctrl+Alt+del.

tips and tricks about IDM

Many of us face the problem of download speed. There are many software to increase download speed. But among them most of the software are not effective.Internet download manager(IDM) is the most effective software to increase download speed. We all may have heard about the internet download manager(IDM). But often we face many problems about it. Today I will tell you about the solution of these problems. There are many problems. I will describe the solution in easy words.

download IDM full version (no update needed):

First of all, We all have the irritating problem of installing IDM again and again, after the trail period is over. So i am gonna tell you how to get your idm fully free registered, then you won't need to install it again unless you reinstall your windows.

**Step1--------------------

Go to this link
IDM full version

**Step2--------------------

Download the file which the link contains


**Step3--------------------

The file you have downloaded is a RAR file. So extract the files found in the downloaded RAR file.


**Step4--------------------

Then go to the location you have extracted the files. Then install the software by clicking the "IDM514.exe" file. Then restart your PC.


**Step5--------------------

Open the folder "Cracked.EXE" from the folder where you have extracted th downloaded RAR file. And cut/copy the file named "IDMan" and paste it into the folder where you have installed the software (in step 4)


**Step6--------------------

Open the file "Serial" from the folder where you have extracted the downloaded RAR file. And copy any of the number.

Then open your IDM software.

Click on the "Registration" tab. then click on the registration option. Now fill up the form along with the serial number you copied.


Now you have the fully registered IDM. Enjoy it. To be sure about that. Open your IDM Software, click on the "Help" tab. Now click on the "About IDM" tab. See your IDM is a full version now.

Recovering after virus attuck in XP

Opening the hidden files:

Sometimes our computers get attacked by the viruses. They usually create harms to our computers. If the viruses attack, sometimes we see that our valuable files are crashed or damaged. But the most dangerous thing is that many viruses disable the 'Folder Option'. As a result we can not see or open the hidden files. In this situation you should follow the following steps:

1. Firstly go to Start->Run and type regedit.
2. Then from the explorer go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\ Advanced\Hidden.
   
3. Then click the file to Open.
4. Then put 1 in the Box- Value Data.
5. Click OK button .

Now you can See all the hidden files and folders easily without folder option.

Going to previous state in Windows Xp:

In Windows Xp we can go to previous state of previous days,hours even several month. Sometimes we remove programs from Add or Remove Programs of control panel by mistake which was very important. Sometimes after virus attack, some system files become damaged or deleted. The "file is missing" message is shown. In this situation the windows face some running problems. In this situation we should change windows Xp date with previous date when computer was all right. To do this change we should follow the following steps:

1. Firstly go to C:\Windows\System 32\Restore and double click the rstrui.exe file.
   
2. Then a new window appear from where we have to select "Restore my computer to an earlier time" and click Next.
3. Then a calendar will appear. From the calendar we have to select date when the computer was all right.
   
4. Then Click the Next button. Finally our work has been done. Then just restart the computer. You will see that your computer is fine.

Make genuine all windows version(XP,Vista)

We who use computer usually use Windows operating system of Microsoft. Many use Linux.

Many of us use pirated windows though it is not right. Because it needs lot of money to buy an original version of windows.We see that it costs more than a computer costs. So there is no way except using the pirated windows. Moreover, we have opportunity so we do not want to buy a original version of windows. But these pirated copies are not genuine it is known to all. As they are not genuine, user can not run most of the software of microsoft co. The version of windows can not be updated. So we always try to make it genuine. There are many ways to make it genuine. But many of them do not work, so i will give you right way to make pirated version genuine

Windows XP:

Just follow the following rules and enjoy.

Firstly download a zip file named Windows XP activator from the following link and unzip the zip file after downloading it.
Windows XP Activator

• After unzipping, if you open the unzipped folder, you will see two files. One is a registry file, another is text file. There are also two ways to make your XP genuine.
  

First way:

Open the registry named "Add License To Your Windows". If it is opened click the yes button and then click "OK" button.

Finally you have to restart your PC. And you will see that your xp is genuine.



Second way:

• Another way is that when you install windows xp, you need a serial number. You just copy the serial number from the text file:"Windows XP Key".

• When it is installed you will see that your installed windows version is genuine.

Windows Vista:
First of all please download the"Windows Vista Activator"
file from the following link . After downloading unzip the file.
Windows Vista Activator

After unzipping the folder you will see the "activation"file. Just open this file.
When the file is opened, just click the continue button.

• Then a window will be appeared. From this window, select the correct version of your vista.

• Then click continue and after that click OK.

• Then please wait for sometime and pc will be automatically restarted.
  

This version of Vista will not need any activation farther. So enjoy you genuine version of Windows.

How to use pendrive properly

More or less most of the computer users use pendrive. But sometimes this popular medium of data transportation becomes a very annoying problem for the users. This problem can be easily solved . I will try to solve some problems of pen drive here.

Recover crashed or deleted file from pen drive:

If our pendrive is attacked with virus, we may not open many file or folders. Then we scan the pendrive with antivirus. Sometimes after finishing the scan, we cannot find out some files because these files are deleted as antivirus points these files as virus. To recover these file and folders, go like this
My computer->Tools->folder option.
Then click on View option. Put the tick mark in the box:”Show hidden file and folders”
Then remove tick mark from the box”Hide extensions…..” and “Hide protected” .
Now we can see file and folders

Download your browsers’ full version easily

We know that all of the net users must need an internet browser. It may be Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari etc. Most of them face the problem of downloading them. I tried to gather all the browser and its full and latest versions here. You can easily find out your favorite browser.

Mozilla Firefox :

Firefox 3.6 for windows:

Download form here

Firefox 3.6 for linux:

Download form here Internet explorer: download form here Opera: Opera 10 After downloading if u need winrar: downlaod Winrar