Sep 24

Set monitor refresh rate

Hardware, Web Technology No Comments »
Every monitor has a maximum refresh rate it is capable of displaying at a given resolution (for example, a typical 17-inch monitor of a few years ago will happily crank out 85Hz or more at a resolution of 800×600, but may only be capable of 60Hz at 1600×1200).

If this refresh rate is exceeded, the image will be distorted and unusable.

Older CRT monitors, especially 15-inch or smaller ones, tend not to be capable of a refresh rate much over 60Hz, especially at resolutions greater than 640X480. Also, setting the refresh rate does not have the same effect on LCD or flat panel monitors, as their screens are not redrawn in the same way.

To change your monitor refresh rate: Right click on an empty space on your desktop (no icons) and select ‘properties.’ Click the ’settings’ tab and choose the ‘advanced’ button. Now choose the ‘adaptor’ tab and click the ’show all modes’ button.

This presents you with a list of resolution, colour and refresh rate options that your video card\monitor combination is capable of displaying. You can experiment with these settings by using the ‘apply’ button. Note that a refresh rate of 75Hz or above is generally recommended, (keep in mind most monitors do not support settings higher than 85Hz).

After you set the refresh rate, you may feel a little uncomfortable for a short while as your eyes adjust, but rest assured you will grow to appreciate the difference in ease of viewing.
Sep 24

Use system restore when you can not boot your system

Windows No Comments »
If your system has failed to the point where you cannot access the Windows GUI either through booting normally or through safe mode, you may still have the chance to use the System Restore feature if you have it enabled, by running it form the command prompt. To do this:

Restart your computer and press F8 after the POST screen to bring up the Windows XP boot menu. Choose ‘boot in safe mode with command prompt.’

If your system gets to the command prompt successfully, type ‘%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe’ and then press enter. Follow the onscreen instructions to restore your computer to a previous saved point.
Sep 24

Create password reset disk

Tips and Tricks No Comments »
Here’s an important tip… If you are using a password protected user account in Windows XP (and you really, really should be ) you might be nervous about forgetting your password. Well here’s a way to put your mind at ease, at least a little bit. Windows XP allows users to create a password reset disk specific to their user account. This disk can be used at the welcome screen to reset your password in the event that you do forget it.

To create the disk: Go to start\control panel\user accounts. Select the account you are currently logged in as.

Under the ‘related tasks’ heading in the top left corner, click ‘prevent a forgotten password’ to open the forgotten password wizard. Insert a blank floppy disk and follow the instructions to create your password reset disk.

To use the password reset disk in case of emergency:

Once you have created a password reset disk for a specific user, the next time the password for that user is entered incorrectly at the welcome screen, a message will pop up asking if you have forgotten your password. At this point you can elect to use your password reset disk. Follow the instructions to reset your password.

Note: There are a couple of possible problems with the above procedure. For one, if you have used Windows XP’s built in encryption feature to encrypt some of your files and folders, but have not yet updated to service pack 1, do not reset your password, as you will lose access to all the encrypted data. Once you have got service pack 1, it is safe to use the disk. Also, you cannot gain access to the reset feature if you have disabled the welcome screen on XP by using tip #31 above.

Keep your reset disk in a safe location, because anyone else can also use it to reset your password….
Sep 24

Alternate method of disabling windows messenger

Windows No Comments »
If you don’t want MSN Messanger to start at startup simply logon to your accout and go to tools –> options to disable it. If you don’t have an account, as it won’t let you change the options without first logoning on to an account. Click on the Start Button –> run and type in “regedit”, then go to,

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Run

Delete the key that says,

MSMSGS - REG_SZ - “C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe” /background
Sep 24

Disabling MSN messenger at startup

Windows No Comments »
Disable Messenger MSN from running go to the start menu and select RUN. In the window that appears type regedit The Registry editor will now have opened. Navigate to the following Key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft


Now create a new key by selecting Edit from the main menu bar. Now select New then Key.

Name this new Key: Messenger

Now select the newly created Messenger Key and create another new Key. Only this time we are going to name it: Client
Next we have to create a DWORD value. So Right Click the new Client Key and select New then DWORD.

Name the DWORD PreventRun
Now we need to give it a Data Value of 1
Now restart Windows XP and you will have successfully Disabled Messenger MSN
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