• Windows XP

    Starting Windows in Safe Mode

    For computers with one operating system installed, you can boot into safe mode, which Windows with a limited set of files and drivers and disables startup programs. This is pretty helpful when troubleshooting Windows problems. To start into safe mode, hold the F8 key down while rebooting a Windows computer. If you see the Windows logo appears, reboot and try again. This should load the Advanced Boot Options screen. Here, use the arrow keys to highlight safe mode option and then Enter. That’s it. Hope this helps!

  • Windows XP

    Office 12 – A New Look

    I originally posted this at http://www.318.com/TechJournal Microsoft has released the beta version of Microsoft Office, version 12. This new version is packed with new features and of course, a new look for documents. Office 12 no longer has drop down menus. This has been a hallmark of Microsoft Office since the first version. Nearly every other productivity suite has been built around drop down menus on every platform since the days before point-and-click. Microsoft has replaced drop down menus with a new concept that they are calling the ribbon. When you click on what were once drop down menus, the toolbars change to include only the features relevant to that…

  • Windows Server,  Windows XP

    Reserved File/Folder Names in Windows

    You cannot use the following names with regards to files and folders in Windows without manually creating them in DOS using the md command followed by \.\ and then the path to the files/folders to be created. Reserved names: AUX COM1 COM2 COM3 COM4 COM5 COM6 COM7 COM8 COM9 CON LPT1 LPT2 LPT3 LPT4 LPT5 LPT6 LPT7 LPT8 LPT9 NUL PRN You also can’t use Clock followed by other characters with NT4 and older.

  • Windows XP

    Malware: the Cat and Mouse Game

    I originally posted this at http://www.318.com/TechJournal Spyware is software that covertly gathers user information through the user’s Internet connection without their knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Adware refers to any software application or program displaying advertising banners or Pop-up. Adware is often considered spyware (although not always) and is typically installed without the user’s knowledge. Malware is a general term that encompases both of these and often viruses and trojan horses, which can cause computers to become slow due to the amount of processing power that these applications can take and the number of them that can infect computers. Malware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of shareware…

  • Windows Server,  Windows XP

    Windows: Use the share Command to List Shares

    List all the assets on your system that you are sharing using the share command.  Just type share /L to see them all.  Create a new one with share /C and delete one of them with share /d.  Also, /n allows you to specify a name, /p a path, /v a description, /t a type, /s a server, /u a username and /w a password.  Finally, if the command is automated or really long then use /o to indicate some kind of output file…