Windows XP Tips

Disk Tools to Speed Up your PC
Every month or two you should do a little disk maintenance to optimize the performance of your computer.

1 - Disk Cleanup - Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove, and click OK.
2 - Run Scan Disk - Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, ScanDisk.(run Standard and check Automatically fix errors)
3 - Run Disk Defragmenter - Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. (note this may take a long time to run the first time.)

Disabling Error Reporting
By default, Windows XP will request to report application errors to Microsoft.
To turn this off:
Right click on the My Computer icon on the desktop
Select Properties / Advanced
Click on the Error Reporting tab
Check Disable error reporting

Speeding Up the Display of Start Menu Items
An easy way to speed up the display of the Start Menu Items is to turn off the menu shadow.
Right click on an open area of the Desktop
Select Properties
Click on the Appearance tab
Click on the Effects button
Uncheck Show shadows under menus

Setting System Time Over the Internet
You can set your system clock to a time server on the Internet.
Double-click the time on your taskbar
Click the Internet Time tab
Check Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server
Click on the Update Now button

Creating a Password Recovery Disk
In case you forget your password, you can create a password recovery floppy disk beforehand to help you out of this problem.
Single-click Start menu
Go to the Control Panel / User Accounts
Click the User Account
On the left hand side, click on Prevent forgotten password
You will need to know your password to create the disk.
If you don't remember your password sometime in the future, click on the green arrow like normal at the login and you will be prompted to insert the password recover disk.

Changing the Default Search Settings
By default, when you start a search,
you are prompted for what you want to search for.
(eg. Pictures, Documents, Files, Computers)
To change the preferences, simply click on Change preferences
From here you can:
Turn off the animated screen character
Change files and folders search behavior (setting it to Advanced changes the default search screen to be for simply files)
Internet search settings
Turn off balloon tips

SAMSUNG ML-2240 Reset to Refill old Toner

I will give you the download link and how to do this. Instead of giving you the whole package, I provide them in 2 packages for each printer model, the raw package and the simple package.

 

The Raw Package contains the original firmware upgrades from Samsung with the patches and firmware downloads. With this package you’ll need to run the complete steps as I did.

 

The Simple package contains only the patched version of firmware so you only need to do the final step as I did.

 

Feel free to use whichever package you prefer.

But before you begin, Please read the facts carefully:

1. The Patches are NOT made by me, all credit goes to the original creator which I unfortunately don’t know him.
2. The firmware upgrades included in the raw package are official version downloaded from SAMSUNG website.
3. The firmware file included in the simple package are the patched version.
4. I’ve run the patches for a Samsung ML-1640 and it works fine till now, but I never test the fix for ML-2240, however I also supply the file because it’s provided by the same patches.
5. My operating system is Windows XP SP2.

Raw Package for ML-2240

You will find 5 files in this package:

• ML-2240_V1.01.00.83.exe is the official firmware upgrade
• downl2240.bat is the firmware downloads (to printer)
• fix2240.bat is the firmware patches
• fixml40.exe is the tools run by the patches
• usbprns2.exe is the tools run by the downloads

Click here to download Raw Package for ML-2240

 

How to do with the Raw Package?

Please follow these steps if you use the Raw Package:

1. Extract the package, by default it will go to a new folder with the same name as the package
2. Run the official firmware upgrades (ML-XX40 _V1.01.00.83.exe)
3. Choose which connection is used for the printer (USB/Network), this printer model is only available with USB connection.
4. See the temporary folder used for the firmware on 2nd panel “Select Downloaded Firmware” in File Name field. Open the specified folder and copy the specified file name (with fls extension) to the package folder
5. Now close the firmware upgrades
6. Run the firmware patches (fixXX40.bat) and you will find new firmware file in the same folder with prefix “FIX_”, press any key to exit the patches
7. Make sure your printer is turned on and is properly connected to your computer.
8. Run the firmware down-loader (downlXX40.bat), DO NOT turn off or disconnect the printer/computer during this process
9. That should be it, now press any key to exit the down-loader, turn off your printer for about 10 seconds and turn it back on.

Simple Package for ML-2240

You will find 3 files in this package:

 

• FIX_ML2240_V1010083.fls is the patched firmware
• downl2240.bat is the firmware downloads (to printer)
• usbprns2.exe is the tools run by the downloads

Click here to download Simple Package for ML-2240

 

How to do with the Simple Package?

You only need to run the firmware down-loader (downlXX40.bat), DO NOT turn off or disconnect the printer/computer during this process. That should be it, now press any key to exit the down-loader, turn off your printer for about 10 seconds and turn it back on.

Drop your comments and feedback below if you do thanks for this useful post.

SAMSUNG ML-1640 Reset to Refill old Toner

I will give you the download link and how to do this. Instead of giving you the whole package, I provide them in 2 packages for each printer model, the raw package and the simple package.

 

The Raw Package contains the original firmware upgrades from Samsung with the patches and firmware downloader. With this package you’ll need to run the complete steps as I did.

 

The Simple package contains only the patched version of firmware so you only need to do the final step as I did.

 

Feel free to use whichever package you prefer.

 

 

Raw Package for ML-1640

 

You will find 5 files in this package:

• ML-1640_V1.01.00.83.exe is the official firmware upgrade
• downl1640.bat is the firmware downloads (to printer)
• fix1640.bat is the firmware patches
• fixml40.exe is the tools run by the patches
• usbprns2.exe is the tools run by the downloads

 

 

 

Click here to download Raw Package for ML-1640

 

 

 

 

 

How to do with the Raw Package?

Please follow these steps if you use the Raw Package:

• Extract the package, by default it will go to a new folder with the same name as the package
• Run the official firmware upgrades (ML-XX40 _V1.01.00.83.exe)
•  
• Choose which connection is used for the printer (USB/Network), this printer model is only available with USB connection.
• See the temporary folder used for the firmware on 2nd panel “Select Downloaded Firmware” in File Name field. Open the specified folder and copy the specified file name (with fls extension) to the package folder
• Now close the firmware upgrades
• Run the firmware patches (fixXX40.bat) and you will find new firmware file in the same folder with prefix “FIX_”, press any key to exit the patches
• Make sure your printer is turned on and is properly connected to your computer.
• Run the firmware down-loader (downlXX40.bat), DO NOT turn off or disconnect the printer/computer during this process
• That should be it, now press any key to exit the down-loader, turn off your printer for about 10 seconds and turn it back on.

 

 

Simple Package for ML-1640

 

You will find 3 files in this package:

FIX_ML1640_V1010083.fls is the patched firmware

• downl1640.bat is the firmware downloads (to printer)
• usbprns2.exe is the tools run by the downloads

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to download Simple Package for ML-1640

 

 

How to do with the Simple Package?

 

You only need to run the firmware down-loader (downlXX40.bat), DO NOT turn off or disconnect the printer/computer during this process. That should be it, now press any key to exit the downloads, turn off your printer for about 10 seconds and turn it back on.

 

Do Drop your comments and feedback below if you thank this post.

All in one Messenger for your PC & Mobile

NIMBUZZ the all in one messenger for your mobile and your PC. I am using this messenger for my mobile and also for my PC, because we can connect all you Google, yahoo, hotmail, face book, MySpace, Skype accounts by handling one single Nimbuzz account.

 

Nimbuzz for PC

 

Nimbuzz for PC gives you free and low-cost calls, free instant messaging and puts all your friends in one place!

Click here to Download!

1.2.1 for Window XP, Vista and 7
File size: 14.3 MB

Looking for Nimbuzz Mac?

 

Connect with all your friends at once

IM your friends across all popular instant messaging and social networks and have a real chat, in real time, for free!

 

With one secure log-in you can access Windows Live Messenger (MSN), Yahoo, ICQ, AIM, Google Talk, Facebook, MySpace, Gadu-Gadu, Hyves and many more. Plus, you'll never forget a name or number by storing all your important contacts in the Nimbuzz Phonebook.

Call your friends for free

Use Nimbuzz to call your friends for free no matter where they are and enjoy unbeatable audio quality and ease-of-use, powered by the latest state-of-the art audio engine.

 

Nimbuzz for Mobile

 

Stay in touch: Join your friends online. Whenever you have something on your mind. Show them your mood, presence, location or start communicating with them.

Save Money: Instead of calling minutes, Nimbuzz uses the internet to let you make free international calls to your buddies.
Friends or family not online...? No problem. Buy NimbuzzOut credits to call landlines and mobile phones against low rates. Saves you a lot of money on international calling!

Locate your Friends: Share your location and retrieve the location of your buddies on a map. Great for arranging face to face meetings.

Never lose your Contacts: Use the Phonebook to back up and restore your contacts. Contacts will be backed up online. Comes in handy when you have lost your mobile phone.

So what are you waiting for?

 

Click here to Download Nimbuzz for your phone now!

 

Nimbuzz Mobile free to download and use: Nimbuzz will not charge or bill you for anything. However, since Nimbuzz uses your internet connection, incremental data charges from your provider will apply. We therefore strongly recommend to use the mobile client only with a flat-rate data plan or free Wifi connection.

 

Check out this cool stuff in your mobile and your PC as well and submit your review here.

If you are using any other messenger like this? Do post your comments?

Set Hibernate feature in your PC

Firstly what is hibernate?

Hibernate mode is a special form of shutdown in which the current state of the computer is saved to disk, and the computer is completely turned off.

 

When a computer resumes from hibernation, it reads the  saved state data and restores the system to the same state.

 

Programs that were open are restarted and network connections are restored without you losing any kind of data that you left opened (saved or unsaved) The hibernate feature is not enabled by default.

 

To enable hibernate feature:

1) Go to Control Panel

2) Double click 'Power Options'

3) In the Power Options Properties window select the 'hibernate' tab

4) Select 'Enable hibernation' and then click on Apply.

 

OR

 

Desktop-> Properties-> Screensaver-> Power- > Hibernating-> Enable Hibernating-> Ok.

 

Note: Some computers do not support hibernate feature. If the Hibernate tab is not available, your computer does not support hibernation.

General PC Disassembly

You must keep a few basic in mind when disassembling computers, because your small mistake can do unrecoverable losses.

For example, if you forgot to backup the hard disk it will result into loss of data.

While going to start the disassembling of your PC please keep following thing in you mind :-

• Be sure that disassembling is necessary and for that apply all possible general troubleshooting techniques first to get the problem removed. Also check all the device drivers and software’s to ensure that problem is not due to their fault. Some times damage of device drivers may cause problems. So check them too properly along with general troubleshooting methods.
• For disassembly you need enough work space so that you can keep the components separate and safe. So make sure that you have a separate room with enough space on table top to disassemble the PC. Be sure that the room is not humid or raise the air humidity to 50 % or so. Also touch some metal to remove static charge before starting the disassembly.
• Take a cup, tray or bag to three different types of screws in your PC it is to store them separately so that you can easily get them during assembly.
• Before opening the system back up the configuration. Normally the configuration information is stored on CMOS chips which is kept alive through a battery. But when you disassembly the PC it loses whatever information it has. So it is better to check and keep the setup information. With you so that if it is lost, you can restore it. Record the CMOS information and proceed with the next step.
• Just turn everything off i.e. your PC and all associated peripherals. Check the power switch and put it off. Disconnect the wire from wall socket and disconnect the computer power cable from CVT & UPS whatever you are using. Now power switch for all peripherals and PC itself is off so no peripheral gets power now i.e. Printer, monitor, modem etc.
• Task the monitor off the PC and set it aside. Carefully loose the connector of your display unit from back of the CPU and disconnect it. You can put the monitor on floor with the tube facing into room. Its cover glass is very thick and safe.
• Remove all cables from back of your CPU so that you can fern the cover. Place the printer and any other device, if attached to computer, off and set all of them aside including your key board, mouse, speakers, mike arrangement etc. And when there is no connection left on it remove screws of the cover and remove the cover carefully. Keep the screws carefully in the bags or trays you have selected for.
• There are four to six screws that hold the case in place and four others that hold the power supply in place. When you remove the screws, take care of power supply screws and also keep all the screws that you remove in proper trays or bags so that you can keep track of them during reassembling.
• Two styles of PC cases are available. It contains four screws at all corners at backside to hold the cover. Remove these screws and pull the cover back, then up, to remove it. If the PC has a typical tower case style then it contains six screws to hold the cover.
• Remove the ribbon cables very carefully. See carefully how the cable is connected to the board and device. You can also mark them with different colors and also mark the connector with the same color so that while reassembling you can have easy track of what to connect where. You can also note the current position of cables.
• Remove the boards correctly after detaching all the connectors from the board. Keep the connectors and cables carefully and just do not assume that you can get and connect. Remove remaining screws from the board and keep them safely. Don't touch the gold edge connectors on bottom part of the board, as oil and dust on your fingers corrode the connector or, at least, make the connection less efficient.

For removing any circuit board follow these steps :-

1. Diagram the board first.
2. Remove any connectors on it.

Common PC Problems With Solution

Computer Doesn't Start :-

This can be one of the most serious problems that you can encounter however the solution can be easiest also. For example: If the power cable of your computer gets damaged or the fuse is damaged your computer will not start at all. However the problem can be as serious as the damage of CPU, Motherboard, RAM or any other important component. Follow these steps to trouble shoot the system.

1.  Make sure that power cable is connected both to your PC and UPS/CVT or wall socket. Make sure that wall outlet has power and the power switch is on.

2. Check the power cable and its connectivity and continuity. Also check the system using another power cable to detect any fault if in it.

3. If the system unit light ups and makes noise but nothing appears on the screen then check the monitor connections and make sure that cables are Ok and the monitor is getting the power. If you suspect that you actually have a monitor problem rather than system unit problem then try to connect your PC to another monitor.

4. Sometimes the system starts up but it is not booted because of an invalid no system disk or some problem in boot sector of the hard drive. You can boot the system from a bookable disk and locate the problem by checking the hard disk software’s.

5. If the system tries to start but then locks up then a possibility of damage to hard disk is there. Start the system with emergency boot disk and check the problem.

6. Sometimes system tries to start but then gives a series of beeps then the problem can be in your video card. Check video card and ensure that it fits properly in its slot. You can replace the case with a new one and test. The beeping can also be caused because of incorrect setting of CMOS parameters or a weak or dead CMOS battery. Check and replace the battery and make CMOS settings correct.

Note : Reinstalling the RAM chip from the mother board, solves the problem in most cases.
The Computer Locks Up :-

Sometimes it happens that your system locks up or hangs suddenly and none of your acts or key presses are responded. There can be one of the following reasons and they can be removed respectively.

Follow these steps :-

1. It is very much possible that whole system is not locked rather keyboard or mouse are not responding. Check connections for both and also check that cables are properly connected on their ports.

2. Sometimes misbehaving software’s can generate these problems. Press ctrl+alt+del and select end task. You can also restart the computer.

3. Sometimes many programs running at a time also result in freezing of the system. In such case try to close two to three programs and see the results.

4. Remove files from memory and result in freezing of system.

Emergency Troubleshooting Tips :-

1. Have an emergency took kit ready all the times.

2. Keep your operating system installation CD and emergency boot diskettes in your took kit.

3. Start the system with full confidence and be vigilant.

4. As soon as you see the problem, stop and try to analyze the reason of problem.

5. After analyzing conclude what can be faulty.

6. Try to remove the problem if you batch it, otherwise don't get frustrated. Stop for a while and restart.

7. Also you can use diagnostics software’s to locate the fault.

Google Search Tips and Tricks

1. You can get the definition of any word, like definition of computer then type
define:computer
2.You can use Google search as a Calculator, type
2^10 + 7*98 + 500%13
3.Want to know the currency of country like Indonesia, type
currency of Indonesia
4.Want to do Currency conversion then type
usd to inr
usd to pounds
usd to yen
5.Weight conversions type
kg to lb
kg to gram
6. To know how many seconds in a week type
seconds in a week
7. To know how many seconds in a year
seconds in a year
8.Want to know the time in New York then type
Time New York or What time is it in New York
9. Know the Airline flight status - for eg American Airlines
type american flight 47
10. If you are looking for any educational, government or organisational space travel site
For educational, type space travel site:edu
For organisational, type space travel site:org
For government, type space travel site:gov
11. Want to know the weather condition of any city
For Mumbai, type weather Mumbai
For London, type weather London
For more details, visit www.google.com

Growth of Information Technology

Technology :

Technology can refer to objects used by and for the human race, such as machines, equipment or apparatus. It also wraps broader areas, including systems, methods, organizational and governmental techniques. This term can be applied generally or exclusively like construction technology, medical technology and information technology etc,.

Effect of Technological Growth on human race :

The use of technology by the human race began with the conversion of natural resources in simple tools. The primitive discovery of the ability to control fire improved the available sources of food and the discovery of the wheel helped humans in travel and control of their environment. Recent technological developments, including the press, the media, the telephone and the Internet have reduced the physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to network on a global scale.

Information Technology :

Information technology and computers have reached a vital position in the world today is becoming a global village. Some 200 years back, an incident happened in one part of the world would have reached the other part after some months or years. But today we can know the happenings of the world in minutes. The field of computers is a huge sea and there are many features and choices available to pick from.

Internet :

Internet remains a steady growing source of information on a broader spectrum. Now people do not just use Web browsers to obtain information, but can get any piece of knowledge required from anywhere in the world with a few clicks on the web. Technology grows exponentially. A product took 4 or 5 years to reach the audience and gain popularity before some 2 decades. But now every month and year a newer technology is being introduced. As information is becoming much easier access, web sites need more sources of knowledge and are increasing rapidly. New trends in web hosting, web publishing and content of blogs are taking a larger role in the Internet world.

Evolution of IT:

The concept of information technology was first used in November 1981, the renovation of the old fashioned phrase "data processing". It covers a wide area and not just the domain of science related, but even professionals in the arts and aesthetics of using the brilliance of this new source of hyperbole.

Role of Computers on IT :

The first general purpose computers were made so that they could easily be reprogrammed to perform different tasks involving the plugging of the switches and rerouting wiring. A number of principles of design software and integrated circuits made sure the wires do not fuse. The need for convenience finally allowed programmers to develop and build systems based drilling cards. Even then, technical teams worked together to determine where were the holes to be drilled to determine properly the change of function of the hardware of computers.
Now, developers produce software development more complex applications using microprocessors, the power cycle softer consumer hardware capable with increasing amount of memory storage and processing power.

Services Offered by IT:

In recent decades, computers have become a model for using the technology covered by different services. These include office productivity applications to process and maintain documents and records, various web portals to view and share videos pictures and songs, social networking sites to interact with other network users around the world and even the services network instant messaging to converse in real time. This list just keeps growing.
Today, information technology is the core of modern society and the growth and its hub is the software development, management of all transactions by individuals or groups to challenge the professionals.

The run commands of Windows XP

To execute a command, go Start -> Run -> Type any command and press enter.
These command helps to execute a program quickly, saves the time of finding it!
Here's is it...
Accessibility Controls
access.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools
certmgr.msc
Character Map
charmap
Check Disk Utility
chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer
clipbrd
Command Prompt
cmd
Component Services
dcomcnfg
Computer Management
compmgmt.msc
Date and Time Properties
timedate.cpl
DDE Shares
ddeshare
Device Manager
devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)
directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter
dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility
cleanmgr
Disk Defragment
dfrg.msc
Disk Management
diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager
diskpart
Display Properties
control desktop
Display Properties
desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility
verifier
Event Viewer
eventvwr.msc
File Signature Verification Tool
sigverif
Findfast
findfast.cpl
Folders Properties
control folders
Fonts
control fonts
Fonts Folder
fonts
Free Cell Card Game
freecell
Game Controllers
joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game
mshearts
Iexpress Wizard
iexpress
Indexing Service
ciadv.msc
Internet Properties
inetcpl.cpl
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid
Java Control Panel (If Installed)
javaws
Keyboard Properties
control keyboard
Local Security Settings
secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups
lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows
logoff
Microsoft Chat
winchat
Minesweeper Game
winmine
Mouse Properties
control mouse
Mouse Properties
main.cpl
Netstat
netstat
Network Connections
control netconnections
Network Connections
ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard
netsetup.cpl
Notepad
notepad
Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
nvtuicpl.cpl
Object Packager
packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator
odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard
osk
Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)
ac3filter.cpl
Password Properties
password.cpl
Performance Monitor
perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor
perfmon
Phone and Modem Options
telephon.cpl
Power Configuration
powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes
control printers
Printers Folder
printers
Private Character Editor
eudcedit
Quicktime (If Installed)
QuickTime.cpl
Regional Settings
intl.cpl
Registry Editor
regedit
Remote Desktop
mstsc
[/indent]Removable Storage
ntmsmgr.msc
[/indent]Removable Storage Operator Requests
ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras
sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks
control schedtasks
Security Center
wscui.cpl
Services
services.msc
Shared Folders
fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows
shutdown
Sounds and Audio
mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game
spider
SQL Client Configuration
cliconfg
System Configuration Editor
sysedit
System Configuration Utility
msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)
sfc /cachesize=x
System Properties
sysdm.cpl
Task Manager
taskmgr
Telnet Client
telnet
Traceroute
tracert
User Account Management
nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager
utilman
Windows Firewall
firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier
magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure
wmimgmt.msc
Windows System Security Tool
syskey
Windows Update Launches
wupdmgr
Windows XP Tour Wizard
tourstart