Win95&NT

This file is maintained and located at URL: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/ger/documents/Where95&NT.htm

SOME WINDOWS 9X/Me/NT/2000/XP INFORMATION SOURCES, FREEWARE, UTILITIES,
ADDITIONAL HELP FILES, KEY WEB PAGES,
NETWORKING CLIENTS,
DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS,
SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE UPDATE SOURCES
AND MAINTENANCE /DEBUGGING HINTS

Where to Get What
Academic Services and Emerging Technologies
Graduate Education and Research Services
Outreach Services

05 May 2008
see: http://www.personal.psu.edu/hdk/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT, INTRODUCTION

GENERAL SEARCH HELPS

HARDWARE

SYSTEM INTERNALS, FILE SYSTEM COMPARISONS, MULTIBOOT, MS KNOWLEDGE BASE

VIRUS INFORMATION

NETWORKING

SECURITY

GENERAL SOFTWARE/DRIVER, FAQ, TIPS, OPERATING SYSTEM SOURCES, UNIX TOOLS UNDER WINDOWS

Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 9x

FREEWARE/SHAREWARE/COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE

SOME TCP/IP WINSOCK COMPLIANT CLIENTS FOR WINDOWS

SOME WINDOWS BUILT-IN TOOLS

Diagnostic Tools

SOME RECOMMENDED ROUTINE MINIMAL MAINTENANCE FOR WINDOWS 9x/Me/2000

WINDOWS FREEZE-UPS OR CRASHES OR PROTECTION FAULTS - CHECKLIST

MICROSOFT OPERATING SYSTEM AND OFFICE UPDATES

FIRMWARE, DATA RECOVERY, SPECIFIC DRIVERS, PARTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Technical information, and general personal instruction of James L. Forkner is gratefully acknowledged. Information sources provided by Peter M. Weiss, Chet Smith, Dan Bernitt, Kevin Fagley, John Kalbach, David S. Knoble I, Jim Leous, Jeff Nucciarone, Carmine Prestia, Chris Sacksteder Craig Watkins, and Geoff Wilson are gratefully acknowledged. I also gratefully acknowledge our Directors, Russ Vaught and Kevin Morooney who foster the academic atmosphere of excellence that facilitates and enables computational collections like this to happen and be maintained for the common good. Finally, I am grateful to the CAC Graduate Students staffing our Helpdesk whose questions prompted us to provide more concrete and accurate information.

INTRODUCTION

General Sources of Information are given that are platform independent; some of these are very well done and quite useful in general. The software cited here are freeware and, unless noted otherwise, apply to Windows 95/98 and/or Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP.

Part of this document also describes built-in TCP/IP Utilities Common to the above Windowssystems; these typically reside in the Windows directory, C:\WINDOWS or C:\WinNT\System32 .

Unless otherwise stated, it is assmumed that the default browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or above.

GENERAL SEARCH HELPS

Fast Search: http://www.alltheweb.com/
Good General Multi-engine Search Engines:
Google: http://www.google.com/ , Catalog search: http://catalogs.google.com/ , Google Toolbar: http://toolbar.google.com/
Metacrawler: http://www.metacrawler.com/
Search IQ: http://www.searchiq.com/
Vivissimo: http://www.vivissimo.com/

Acronyms, Dictionaries, Glossary of Terms, Encyclopedias, Specialized Search Engines and other neat Information Sources: http://www.personal.psu.edu/hdk/jargon.html
Fortran and Scientific Computing Pages: http://www.personal.psu.edu/hdk/fortran.html
Recycling Computers in Pennsylvania: http://www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/Pennsylvania.html

HARDWARE

About.com "CD Writing Gets Easy": http://peripherals.about.com/compute/peripherals/library/weekly/aa062899.htm
Adaptec's prose on the PCI Bus: http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/markeditindex.html?docType=Whitepapers&cat=/Technology/SCSI.

BIOS Information
     BIOS - Entering BIOS or Setup Key sequences: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
     Entering BIOS: http://www.techadvice.com/tech/B/BIOS_Enter.htm
     BIOS Mini FAQ: http://www.sysopt.com/biosdef.html
     PC BIOS Guide: http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/mbsys/biosSetup-c.html
     BIOS Information: http://venus.spaceports.com/~canada/webhq/bios.html
     Build your own PC (extensive): http://www.pcmech.com/show/build/282/21/ and   http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/109/22/
     Backdoor BIOS passwords: http://www.elfqrin.com/docs/biospw.html, http://www.labmice.net/articles/BIOS_hack.htm,
                                            http://www.pwcrack.com/bios.shtml, http://www.cgsecurity.org/index.html?cmospwd.html
<>Building a Computer and Component Choices: http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/guides/build_computer/   and
       http://www.daileyint.com/build/build.htm
   Tom's Guides to Motherboards, CPU's, etc.: http://www17.tomshardware.com/mainboard/index.html#guides
   Guide to buiding your own PC, Adaptors, etc.: http://www.building-your-own-computer.com/sound_card.shtml
Cable Select for IDE Fixed Disks Explained: http://www.firmware.com/support/bios/cablesel.htm and http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/faq/ata_cable_select.html
Burning CD's Using Windows XP by Alex Nichol: http://www.aumha.org/a/xpcd.htm
Creating a bootable CD Image from ISO files: http://www.petri.co.il/how_to_write_iso_files_to_cd.htm
<>Care and handing of CD-ROMs and DVDs: http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub121/pub121.pdf
CD-RW Drives: http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2634299,00.html
CD-R FAQ: http://www.cdrfaq.org/ or actua text of this FAQ at:   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/comp.publish.cdrom.hardware/ Also see: http://www.cd-info.com/refs/faqs.html
CD Information Center: http://cd-info.com/
CD-R Archival Properties: http://www.delkin.com/pdf/user_guides/archivalgold_whitepaper.pdf
DVD FAQ: http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
CD-R/RW tools: http://www.roxio.com/ and http://www.cdrom-prod.com/
Clock - Windows 9x/Me Clock on Taskbar and in Date/Time Tool Loses Time: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q189/7/06.asp
             Troubleshooting the Motherboard - CMOS Memory or Real-Time Clock: http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/mbsys/cmos-i.htm
Computer hardware tutorials: http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/.
CPUID information tool works on most any PC 386 and above. Free. (follow Download link then WCPUID): http://www.h-oda.com/
CPUID Utility by Intel for most Intel processors: http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/
Craig Hart's prose on the PCI Bus: http://home.hyperlink.net.au/~chart/index.htm
Data Integrity and Your PC: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/ger/documents/DataIntegrity.htm
Display Options and Settings: http://www.algor.com/service_support/hints_tips/display_settings.asp
Firewire: http://www.1394ta.org/Technology/About/
Fixed Disks - New Hard Drives: http://www.techcomplete.net/drive.htm, http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/New_Users/Q_10017191.html
Friendly Expert Computer Help in Plain English (PC911, Lots of How To's): http://www.pcnineoneone.com/index.html
Good Reference for Hardware Components: http://www.hardwarebible.com/
Intel Application Accelerator: http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/iaa/

Laptops - All Cheap Laptops - Good Information on all aspects of Laptops: http://www.all-cheap-laptops.com/
Link your PC to Anything (Hardware/Software): http://flexipclink.com/

Macintosh media processing (read-write) under Windows: http://www.dataviz.com/products/macopener/index.html
MadeIt Technology Resources: http://www.Made-IT.com/
Master Boot Record:   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q69013, http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/structMBR-c.htm
                            and http://www.geocities.com/thestarman3/asm/mbr/MBR_in_detail.htm
Memory - The Ultimate Memory Guide:   http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/default.asp
     Windows 9x/ME - Specifying (large) Amounts of RAM Available:
           http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q181862
           http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q304943
           http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q181594
Microsoft's page on PCI IRQ Routing Table: http://agent.microsoft.com/hwdev/busbios/pciirq.htm
Motherboard Home World: http://www.motherboards.org/index.html
PC Hell - Hardware, Software, Networking, On-Line Support help and more: http://www.pchell.com
PC Lube and Tune (includes a Hardware section):   http://pclt.cis.yale.edu/pclt/default.htm
Utilities for Windows: http://www.utilitygeek.com/
Windows 98 Multiple Monitor Support won't necessarily work with any two (arbitrary) adaptor/monitors will work as Windows 98 as dual (multiple) monitors. See Windows 98 file: C:\windows\display.txt, section titled "Required Hardware for Multiple-Monitors". Also, see: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q182/7/08.aspandhttp://www.wireball.com/2monitor.htm and http://www.optimas.com/support/win98mon.htm and http://www.languru.com/multimon.htm .

PC Tech: http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/pctech/index.html
Printers - Fix your own Printer: http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/
Power Supply Technical Page: http://www.epanorama.net/links/psu_computer.html
Advanced Configuration Power softeare Interface (ACPI): http://www.geocities.com/~budallen/acpi.html

SIMMTESTER, CST - Memory FAQ, free SIMM testing software: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp ,
http://www.simmtester.com/ , www.memtest86.com and some related sites:
"Soft" (HPC, Winmodem) Modems: http://www.56k.com/reports/winmodem.shtml
Tom's Hardware Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/
Upgrading PC's Hardware: http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/upgrade/sb5.html and http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/01q4/011005/index.html
What you Should Know About Modems: http://www.kku.ac.th/htmodems.html

SYSTEM INTERNALS, FILE SYSTEM COMPARISONS, MULTIBOOT, MS KNOWLEDGE BASE

Startup - Programs and Tasks run at Startup
For Windows 98, click Start/Run=msconfig.exe. The Startup tab will show you what is being started. You can then check or uncheck items. Two places to see what could be starting up are http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm , http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
and http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php . Another excellent source is Startup Inspector: http://www.windowsstartup.com/
(Windows 95 does not have such a built-in tool; but a Shareware one is available at: http://members.aye.net/cgi-bin/dfs_components.cgi?fw_startupmanager ). In general, Windows 9x/NT startup programs may be launched from one or more locations. These are: various Startup folders, c:\autoexec.bat, c:\config.sys, c:\windows\dosstart.bat (windows 95), c:\windows\win.ini (run= and load=); use Start/Run=sysedit to view/change all of these; make sure you make backup copies of any files that you intend to change. Startup also occurs in the Registry at locations: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and/or ...\RunOnce and/ ... \RunOnceEx and/or ...\RunServices, and/or ...\RunServicesOnce. Some of these may also be at: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run; carefully use Start/Run=regedit to find and change these; backup your Registry before making any changes to the Registry. Windows 98 users see SCANREGW below.

Task List (via Alt-Ctrl-Del) descriptions: http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Boot Menu, Safe Mode
Note that the Windows 95 Bootup F8 key may or may not work with Windows 98 or Me. If not, after BIOS is done, hold down the LEFT CTRL KEY to get this menu. There are also other methods for starting in Safe Mode; please see: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q180/9/02.ASP.
Also note that Windows 98 and Me have several important utilities (like SCANDISK and DEFRAGMENTER) on the START/Programs/Accessories/System Tools menu. See: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q186/3/65.ASP. For instructions on how to make a boot disk for a variety of situations see:
http://www.bootdisk.com/. For Windows Me, please see the following:
Description of the Windows Me Safe Mode Trouble Shooter: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q274/1/55.ASP
Windows Me - How to Troubleshoot Startup Problems: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q273/7/38.ASP
Windows Me - How to Perform a Clean Boot: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q267/2/88.asp
For Window XP when you see the message "Select the operating system to start", press F8.

Microsoft Knowledge Base is a good place to start searching for information. Click "Knowledge Base" bullet at the Web page: http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 and/or http://search.microsoft.com/us/default.asp. Then type in your search phrase. Also see the Index of Microsoft
TIP:    To display the Microsoft Knowledge Base Web page using IE 5 or above, in the Address: section enter: MSKB
            To display a particular Microsoft Knowledge Base Web page using IE 5 or above, in the Address section enter: MSKB artical#
            E.g., MSKB Q273738

Knowledge Base Links: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q242/4/50.ASP
Microsoft Support Page: http://support.microsoft.com/

Microsoft Personal Support Options: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;Prodoffer31
A good page that summarizes much information, including error messages in the MS Knowledge Base is: MS Knowledge Base - Errors by Categories by James A. Eshelman: http://www.aumha.org/kberrmsg.htm . Also for Windows 98/Me pleae see Windows 98/Me Error Message Resource Center: http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/topics/errormsg/emresctr.asp .

Google Search for Microsoft Related Information: http://www.google.com/microsoft.html

Microsoft Bug Reporting
After you ARE SURE that the error message or problem you experience is not already a know problem in the MS Knowledge Base, after collaboration with someone at least as experienced as yourself, you could report the problem as a bona fide bug. To report bugs to Microsoft, start with the Web page: http://support.microsoft.com/support/Feedback/default.asp

Windows 98 - Which Version
By clicking Start/Settings/Control Panel and double-clicking the System Icon the version of Windows 98 will be showing. Version 4.10.1998 is Windows 98, first edition, sometimes called "Win98 Gold". The version of Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) is 4.10.2222 .

General Topics

AUTORUN.INF - How to make one: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/Shell/Shell_basics/Autoplay_works.asp
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/ARCHIVE/en-us/dnarmulmed/html/msdn_autoplay.asp
   http://www.microsoft.com/msj/defaultframe.asp?page=/msj/0499/win32/win320499.htm&nav=/msj/0499/newnav.htm
   and http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/apcguide/htm/distrib_6.asp
Advanced Registry Tracer: http://www.elcomsoft.com/
Annoyances, Tips, Trick, and more - Windows All Versions: http://www.annoyances.org/
    100 Windows Tips by Ziff Davis: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,570867,00.asp
Binary Tools - Decompilers, Disassemblers, exe modifiers, spy tools, etc: http://vit.smolensk.ru/tools/
Bootable CD-ROM - How to Make one: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q167/6/85.asp and http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd/
How to Make a Bootlog.txt file Every Time Windows starts up: http://www.aumha.org/a/bootlog.htm .    Also see:
    http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q127/9/70.asp   and http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/fastboot/
Boot Log Analyzer (free): http://www.vision4.dial.pipex.com/files/bla.zip
Boot Disks described for various situations: http://www.bootdisk.com/   and you also need: http://www.winimage.com/winimage.htm
Windows XP Bootable CD: http://www.chez.com/neochris/pages/winxp.htm    and     http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd/
        Note: Windows 98, 98SE, Me or Win2K can be installed over the 8G line. Windows 95, DOS, Win3.1, NT4 must be booted below the 8G line.
           For cases where Windows 98 installed after Windows 2000/NT and Windows 2000/NT won't start, please see:
           http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q293/0/89.ASP
       Boot Partition Tool for Windows NT/2000, BOOTPART: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/gvollant/bootpart.htm
       Configuring Multiboot PC's: http://www.nick.rozanski.com/multboot.htm
       Full Guide to OS Dual Booting: http://www.3dspotlight.com/articles/dualboot/index.shtml
       How to Multiple Boot Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, and MS-DOS:
               http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q217210
       Windows 2000 and other operating systems: http://www.budja.com/w2k/uninstall_w2k.html
           How to Enable Dual Boot After You Install Windows Me on a Windows 2000-based Computer (Q293401):
           http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q293401
       Mastering Multibooting Madness -http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/periodic/period99/multiboot.htm
       BOOT.INI File with Windows XP/2000/NT: http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q99743
       BootMagic (PowerQuest product) - http://www.powerquest.com/bootmagic/bmdetail.html
       BootIt Next Generation - Partition, Imaging, and boot manager: http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html
       BootIt NG boot and partition manager: http://www.bootitng.com/
       Windows 2000 Advanced Setup - http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/win2000/win2kpro/manuals/progs/pgsch03.asp
        How to Setup a Dual Boot with MS-DOS After You Install Windows NT: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q153/7/62.asp
        Linux Gazette on Multiboot: http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue47/deblende.html
--> Reuel's Guide to Multibooting: http://www.xperts.co.za/reuel/multiboot/multiboot.htm
        Smart Computing: http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/isslist.asp
        Wininternals boot diskettes for Windows 2000: http://www.winternals.com/

Command Line Tools for Power Users: http://www.jpsoft.com/
DOS 7 (Windows 9x DOS) Documentation and Examples:
      For Winows 9x, the file C:\WINDOWS\MSDOSDRV.TXT contains official documentation on DOS device drivers. In fact in general, when looking for   documentation that is not in HELP, do a FIND on C:\WINDOWS for *.TXT files.
      A Guide to CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT: http://home.worldonline.dk/~petermad/con_auto/index-uk.htm
      DOS 7 Commands: http://www3.sympatico.ca/rhwatson/dos7/
      DOS Software (Free):   http://members.cox.net/dos/softlib1.htm
      DOS 6.22 BATCH Examples: http://2dos.homepage.dk/batutil/help/INDEX.HTM
DOS Prompt (Windows), Which One, What is it: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/access/win95/PennStateStuff/DosMode.rtf
DOS Prompt (Windows), Hangs when using DOS Prompt: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q232/6/57.ASP

DOS Prompt under Windows Me: 1) The file c:\windows\command\cmdinit.batis run each time one invokes an "MS-DOS Prompt."
   2) To effect FILE= for the "MS-DOS Prompt" under Windows Me, in System.ini in the [386Enh section add the line
              PerVMFiles=nnn
       where nnn is the number of files needed (in true DOS, the FILES= number).

Disk Editor - Winhex - for files, disks, RAM:   http://www.winhex.com/winhex/index-m.html
Data (Disk) Recovery: http://www.ontrack.com/EasyRecovery/   and http://www.dtidata.com/ and http://www.driveservice.com/ and   http://www.bitmart.net/
Drive Rescue - Hard Drive Emergency Tool: http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/amd/887/rescue/e_index.html
DLL File Archive - provides downloads: http://dllstar.hypermart.net/
Doug Knox's Windows Pages (excellent): http://www.dougknox.com
Dr. Keyboard - General Computing Answers: http://www.drkeyboard.com/latest/ and   http://www.drkeyboard.net/
Eric's Place: http://www.pe.net/~eric545/
Euro - Microsoft Euro Currency Center: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/itsolutions/techsol/euro/default.asp
Extracting Compressed Windows System files (Cabinet or .CAB files): http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q129/6/05.ASP
FAT Directory Structure:   http://averstak.tripod.com/fatdox/dir.htm
FAT32 File Specification: http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/hardware/fatgen.asp
File Extension Search - Meaning/notation for particular file extensions: http://www.icdatamaster.com/f.html
File Recovery: http://www.datadepo.com/repo2000.htm and Directory Snoop: http://www.briggsoft.com/dsnoop.htm
File System Comparisons:
Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32:   FAT and NTFS Performance: http://www.digit-life.com/articles/ntfs/index3.html
   Also see: http://windows.about.com/library/weekly/aa001231a.htm
Microsoft sites: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/partbook/win98dh/fatfat32ntfsfilesystems.htm, http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q100/1/08.asp, http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/winnt/filesyst.asp
Also see: FAT16 Versus FAT32:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/index.htm, http://www.yale.edu/pclt/BOOT/IFS.HTM and
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/cdr/filesystems.html . Optimizing NTFS: http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=4875
Fonts - Scholar’s Press Fonts Homepage: http://rosetta.atla-certr.org/TC/fonts/
Friendly Expert Computer Help in Plain English (PC911, Lots of How To's): http://www.pcnineoneone.com/index.html

Keyboard & Mouse Record/Playback tools: WinKey (free): http://www.copernic.com/winkey/   and AutoIt: http://www.hiddensoft.com/AutoIt/
Others are: http://www.mjtnet.com/index.mv?msched6.html, http://www.americansys.com/ezmacros.htm Macro Magic: http://www.btsoftware.com/products/macmagic.htm,
Automate: http://www.unisyn.com/automate/, Katronic Mouse and Key recorder: http://www.kratronic.com/recorder/   and Macros tool: http://macros.com/
A rather good one is Macro Express:   http://www.macros.com/
Buzof generates replies to POP UP windows: http://www.basta.com/ProdBuzof.htm
Keyboard Layouts FAQ (including language options):   http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/faqs/keyboards.asp
Keyboard Use - Including International - Charts and Tips: http://www.umass.edu/langctr/keyboardhelp.html
Keyboard Shortcuts - Windows: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q126449
                                     Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q301583
                                     Internet Explorer: http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306832

Laptops - All Cheap Laptops - Good Information on all aspects of Laptops: http://www.all-cheap-laptops.com/

Link your PC to Anything (Hardware/Software):   http://flexipclink.com/
Linux Portal - A directory of Linux Resources: http://www.all-linux.net/
Log File - Extended Log File Format:   http://www.w3.org/TR/WD-logfile.html
Logon, Login - How to Prevent Windows 9x/Me Logon Prompt at Startup: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q152/1/04.asp
MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) Web Sites: http://www.mvps.org/links.html
Microsoft Support on-line sources and newsgroups: http://www.jsiinc.com/newsgroup_document.htm
MS-DOS-Based Programs under Windows - Trouble Shooting: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314106
MSDOS.SYS file - Contents of and How to Edit: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q118/5/79.asp
The MSDOS.SYS file contains many options including one to automatically run SCANDISK when the system was not shutdown normally.
Windows Optimization Tool by Ascentive: http://www.ascentive.com/
Outlook Express - How to backup/restore and where files are stored: http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/
Partition manipulation without loosing data:
Partition Magic: http://www.powerquest.com/
   BootitNG: http://www.terabyteunlimited.com
PCForest Technical Pages: http://www.pcforrest.freeserve.co.uk/swapfile.htm
Print text to a PDF file: http://www.pdf995.com/
Printing Problems under Windows 9x/Me: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q128/3/45.asp
Product Key Finder (for MS Windows, Office, etc.): http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.html
Ram Disk: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q257405
   Commercial utility: http://www.cenatek.com/product_ramdisk.cfm
    Free Utilities: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/bergert/NTutil/help/diskram.htm and    http://www.tweakxp.com/article37232.aspx
Registry - Definition of files, and formats: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q256/9/86.ASP
Resources versus Memory FAQ: http://www.aumha.org/a/resource.htm
SETUP - Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup Switches (Q186111):
       http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q186111&ID=KB;EN-US;Q186111
Speed Guide.Net: http://www.speedguide.net/
Supporting Microsoft Desktop Systems by James A. Eshelman(use Internet Explorer): http://www.aumha.org/
Tweaking, Diagnostics, BIOS backup, etc.: http://www.tweakfiles.com/
Universal Data Access (by Microsoft): http://www.microsoft.com/data/prodinfo.htm

How to Upgrade a Fixed Disk: http://www.techbuilder.org/recipes/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=60403842&printableArticle=true

Video Problems: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q127/1/39.asp
Web based TCP/IP utilities: http://www.webdevelopersjournal.com/lookup_tools.html
Windows 5 Support Center by James Eshelman: http://aumha.org/win5/index.htm
Windows Drivers: http://www.windrivers.com/ and http://www.bestdata.com/tech/tech.htm
Windows FAQ's Trouble Help, etc.: http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech/
Windows Explorer: How to Add a Print Directory Feature to: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q272/6/23.asp
Windows Magazine: http://www.winmag.com/columns
Windows Newsgroups - MSDN Managed Newsgroups: http://msdn.microsoft.com/newsgroups/managed/
Windows Resource Kits: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/reskits/rktmain.asp
Windows Scripting: http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/
Windows Scripting Center: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx
Windows Scriptting Repository (thousands of examples): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/scripts/default.mspx

Windows 95/98/NT Internals, Sources, Utilities: http://www.sysinternals.com/ ; this includes NTFSDOS, a utility to read NTFS from DOS or Windows 9x. Also for other utilities see especially Power and Kernel Toys at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/
Windows 9x/NT/2000 Device Manager Error Codes: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q125/1/74.asp
Windoes 98/Me Resource Management: http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/
Windows 9x/Me: How to trouble shoot Spool32 "Fault" Error Messages: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q191949
Windows 9x/Me True Type Font Limits: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q131/9/43.asp
Windows 9x and Me: "Out of Memory" error with more than 512MB RAM: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/9/12.asp
Windows 9x/Me On-Line Help Computer Service: http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/tips.htm
Windows 9x/NT Performance Information: http://www.pureperformance.com/, http://www.teamcti.com/pview/prcview.htm and http://www.iarsn.com/
Windows 9x DLL Help Database (what does this DLL do, where does it come from?): http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/dllinfo.asp
Winternals software (e.g., product to access NTFS from Windows 9x): http://www.winternals.com/ and http://www.sysinternals.com/sitemap.shtml
Windows 98 System File Details: http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/win98/Reskit/Part7/wrkappb.asp
Windows Support for Large IDE Fixed Disk: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q126/8/55.asp

VIRUS INFORMATION

For a more complete list of Virus related links, please see the Web page: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/ger/documents/virus.htm#VirusLinks

Free for Personal Use Windows 9x/NT AntiVirus Packages

Note: No virus remover is any better than it's virus definition files ("signature files") which must be kept up to date by regular downloading; suggest checking at least monthly.

AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System Free Edition - for Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP: http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_downl.htm
Antivirus Personal Edition (free): http://www.free-av.com/copy.htm .

F-PROT for Windows 95/98 recognizes long file names but runs as a DOS program (using a file protected boot diskette) since it's not safe to run a virus checker from a potentially infected system. See ftp://ftp.complex.is/pub/ and get any fp-???.zip and macrdef*.zip files (if present). F-PROT is free only for personal use. For institutional/commercial use see the zip file member, ORDER.TXT. The latest version of F-PROT and it's companion virus signature files is also available from the PSU FTP server at: ftp://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/dos/virus . Directions for making an independent boot diskette to run F-Prot may be found at: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/dos/virus/fpd.txt.

NETWORKING

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - Instructions and Troubleshooting

Dial-up Internet Connection Sharing: To enable Internet Connection Sharing on-demand dialing:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/hnw_dc_dialup_establish.asp

Dux Computer Digest: http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/win98se/client.htm
PC Magazine: http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/pctech/content/18/15/tu1815.001.html
Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q234/8/15.ASP
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/Webcasts/WC111899/WC111899.asp (This is a multimedia tutorial and is a bit long).

How to Build a Home Network from Scratch: http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Sections-article62-page1.php

WindowsNetworking.com: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/

About the Human Internet: http://windows.about.com/compute/windows/cs/connectionsharing/index.htm
InternetShare: http://www.internetshare.com/
Infinisource Techfile: http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/ics.html
Windows 98 Annoyances: http://www.annoyances.org/win98/features/ics.html

Some Microsoft KB articles related to ICS under Windows 2000/XP
How to Configure Active Directory on a Home Network [Q260362]:http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q260/3/62.ASP
ICS May Not Function Properly with DNS or DHCP Server Services [Q250603]: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q250/6/03.ASP
ICS Articles and Fixing Problems: http://www.homenethelp.com/ics/index.asp
Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/index.htm
Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Windows 2000: http://support.microsoft.com/support/win2000/tips.asp

   Home Networking and Internet Connection Sharing tutorials at HomeNetHelp: http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/index.asp
   Internet Connection Sharing Software for other than Windows 98 SE: http://WinGate.deerfield.com/
Macintosh Internet Connection Sharing Products: Friendly Share:IP Net Router: http://sustworks.com
Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics
          Manual Server Setup - Broadband Connection:    http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/serverbroadband.htm
          Network Bridge - Connecting multiple networks to be seen as one: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networkbridge.htm
           More Details: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/TechNet/columns/cableguy/cg0102.asp
   Alternatives to ICS: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/
Alternative to ICS (which is a proxy server of sorts) is WINPROXY: http://www.WinProxy.com/
Alternative to ICS is an Instant Broadband Cable Hub/Router, by LinkSys: http://www.linksys.com/, RT314 by Netgear: http://www.netgear.com/
    and SMC Routers: http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=home_pageAlso see SMC Barricade evaluation and specs:
     http://www.awaremag.com/hardware/SMC/barricade/barricade_1.html   and PC Magazine article, Hub + Router Does it All: http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/netkits/sb-hub00.htm
   Alternative to ICS, Software (Virtual) Router:   http://www.nat32.com/
   Alternative to ICS, Sygate Home Network: http://www.sybergen.com/products/gate_ov.htm

Broadband Forum and Reports: http://www.dslreports.com and http://www.broadbandreports.com/
Broadband Tests (some on-line) and Tools:   http://www.dslreports.com/tools
Broadband and other TCP/IP speed considerations:   http://www.speedguide.net/
The Cable Guy: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/columns/cableguy/cgarch.asp
Cable Modem/DSL Tuning Guide: http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/
Cable Modem Trouble Shooting Tips:   http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.h.walker/cmtips.html
Cable Modem Sharing Information (vendor): http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/sharingcable.htm
Cable Modem FAQ: http://www.cablemodemhelp.com/
Cable Modem FAQ (Earthlink):   http://help.earthlink.net/techsupport/cable/faq/faq_index.html
Cable Modem - IcomSoft: http://www.vicomsoft.com/knowledge/reference/cable.modems.html
Cable Modem Knowledge Base - 3COM: http://knowledgebase.3com.com
Cable Modem Performance Tips: http://www.speedguide.net/
Complete Guide to Broadband (Ziff Davis): http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,805816,00.asp

Computer Networking (hub, switch, router use): http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/internetworking/

Direct connect any Windows platform to any other: http://www.kime.net/directcc/index.html and www.wown.info
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/sampchap/1476.asp, http://www.tecno.demon.co.uk/dcc/dcc.html and http://www.kevin-wells.com/net/
Also see: Parallel, Serial, USB Port Central: http://www.lvr.com/parport.htm
Direct Parallel (including Windows XP): http://www.lpt.com/Support/DCC-SetUp/dcc-setup.htm and http://www.lpt.com/
Also see USB below.

D-Link Products and Services (including pocket printer server adapters, routers, ...): http://www.dlink.com/
PSU Install Instructions: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/ger/documents/dlink.html
DSL FAQ: http://www.dslreports.com/faq
DSL Reports: http://www.dslreports.com/

DOS Network Client: http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/msdos/technote/dosnet.asp
DOS System Connections to NT/2000/XP Server: http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/Doscltcp.htm,
and http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/Dosservr.htm
Also see Helmig's general pate: Connecting from a DOS-system to an NT4 Server or to Windows 9x from a DOS-system using TCP/IP, DOS-based Microsoft Network Server: http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/dosclien.htm

10 Gigabit Ethernet Standard: http://www.10gea.org/10GEA%20White%20Paper_0502.pdf

FAQs and Tips - Windows Network:   http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech/ and http://www.80211-planet.com/tutorials/
FTP - Active versus Passive:   http://slacksite.com/other/ftp.html
How to Network Your PC: http://www.compunotes.com/ArticleSection/patrickprimer/networkhomepcs/networkingbasics.htm   and http://hwfaq.overclockersonline.com/dbase.php?catid=24
Internet Bandwidth Computation via Web: http://msn.zdnet.com/partners/msn/bandwidth/
                                                              and: http://www.pcpitstop.com/
                                                              also see: http://www.broadbandwizard.net/
                                 and Broadband Tools: http://www.dslreports.com/tools

Internet Call Waiting for Dialup Networking:   http://www.pagoo.com/cc.asp
   Verizon Internet Call Manage (requires home phone Verizon feature):
        https://www22.verizon.com/foryourhome/CustomerSupport/Guides/Product_Guide.asp?File=UG_InternetCallMgr_P_1.html
      ActionTec Call Waiting Modems: http://www.actiontec.com/products/modems/cwusb/cwusb_overview.html
Linux - Easy Steps to Samba: http://www.linuxorbit.com/howto/sambahowto.php3
Macintosh - Peer-to-Peer (Lan) Sharing between PC's and Mac's: http://www.thursby.com/products/dave.html
         and http://www.miramar.com/
Macintosh Remote Desktop - Client for MAC OS X (MACTOPIA): http://www.microsoft.com/mac/
Manual Dialup via Windows Dialup Networking: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/access/win95/PennStateStuff/ManualDial.rtf
MTU SIZE - Troubleshooting in PPPoE Dialin Connectivity: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/794/router_mtu.html
My Network Places - Windows XP - Alternatives and Performance: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/slowbrowse01.htm
NetBIOS(NetBEUI) Friend or Foe: http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/Content/386/10/1.html
Networking.com - Search for Networking definitions, white papers, etc.: http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/
Network Diagnostics for Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/pro/techinfo/administration/diagnostics/default.asp
Networking FAQS and Tutorials: http://windows.about.com/compute/windows/cs/networkingfaqs/index.htm
Network Monitoring:    Ethereal (Unix, Linux, Windows), Free: http://www.ethereal.com/
        Netmon (Windows), Free: http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/core/fneg_net_zrgm.asp
        Description of the Windows XP Network Monitor Capture Utility: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310875
        NetScan Pro: http://www.netscantools.com/Network Sniffer(Unix, Linux, Windows) free: http://windump.polito.it/
        N-View - Network Managment Tool (Windows & Linux): http://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/misc/n-view/index_en.html
Network monitoring (and other) tools:   http://www.tamos.com/products/
Network Switcher:   http://www.netswitcher.com/   also see Multinetwork Manager: http://www.globesoft.com/software_products.html
Networking tools via Web (nslookup, ping, tracert, dig, etc.): http://network-tools.com/and http://www.solarwinds.net/
Next Generation Networking: http://special.northernlight.com/networking/index.html
On-line Network Utilities (free):   http://centralops.net/co/
Patch Cables - CAT5 (including a Cross Patch Cable to connect 2 PC's without a Hub): http://www.startech.com/structuredwiring/patchcable.htm and http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable1.htm
Steve DeRose's guide to CAT5 computer network wiring: http://www.derose.net/steve/guides/wiring/
CAT5 Crossover Adaptor: http://www.twstore.com/c5xover.html . Also see:
Simple Ethernet Network for two computers using a crossover cable: http://www.homenethelp.com/web/diagram/crossover.asp
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/qa/qa20030213.shtml

Port Number (TCP and UDP) List - List and description of ports under Windows: http://www.elfqrin.com/docs/hakref/portlist.html
and http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers and http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/techinfo/reskit/en/CNET/cnfc_por_gdqc.htm
Practically Networked How To's: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
Practically Networked Networking: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/
Practically Networked Trouble Shooting Guides: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/troubleshoot_index.htm

Printer Ports, TCP/IP, Copying from One Windows 2000 system to another: http://www.ibizznet.com/tcpip/CreateTCP-IPPrinter.htm

Build your own Server, a Tutorial: http://serverwatch.internet.com
Remote Control of Windows Systems: Remote Administrator (Radmin): http://www.famatech.com/
Virtual Network Computing (Free): http://www.realvnc.com/ and for some more information and comparisons see: http://www.sunworld.com/sunworldonline/swol-08-1999/swol-08-vnc.html.
PC Remote - connect two PC's across a network, Internet, Serial Ports, and Modem Connection: http://www.americansys.com/pcremote.htm
PC Anywhere: http://www.symantec.com/product/Net Support Manager: http://www.netsupport-inc.com/ GoToMyPC: http://www.gotomypc.com/
Also see Windows XP Remote Desktop Computing

Server Watch - evaluation of all kinds of servers: http://serverwatch.internet.com/ftpserver-wsftp.html

Understanding TCP/IP Addressing and Subnetting Basics: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q164015 and
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/samesubnet.htm and
http://www.networkcomputing.com/shared/printArticle.jhtml?article=/unixworld/tutorial/001.html&pub=nwc

TCP/IP Name Resolution Process: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000pro/reskit/part4/proch22.asp
Click on the link titled: Configure TCP/IP Name Resolution, then scroll down to section titled: Overview of TCP/IP Name Resolution

Tom's Networking : http://www.tomsnetworking.com/

For USB info, cables, etc. see USB Gear at: http://www.usbgear.net/index.html
USBman: http://www.usbman.com/
USB to USB File Transfer Cable and USB FAQs: http://www.harddrives4less.com/bususbtousbf.html, http://www.aten-usa.com/products/product.php?ITEM=UN161
USB File Transfer Cables (and Directions): http://www.buslink.com/ver2/usbtousbcable.htm, http://www.usbcable.com/, http://catalog.belkin.com/usbpopup.process?pc_id=20963&Catalog_ID=1
and http://www.usbstuff.com

USB Flash Drives, Understanding them as a portable infrastructure: http://www.infosecwriters.com/text_resources/pdf/flashdriveinfrastructure.pdf

USB Fixed Disk: http://www.usbgear.net/usa/USB_HARD_DRIVES.html
Install Instructions for USB Direct (Belkin): http://www.belkin.com/
USB Cable Networking: http://www.lfchosting.com/helmig/j_helmig/usbmain.htm

Virtual PC for the MAC (run PC software on the MAC): http://www.connectix.com/products/vpc4m.html
Virtual Private Networks: http://www.networkcomputing.com/817/817colmoskowitz.html and http://www.networkcomputing.com/905/905colmoskowitz.html
and VPN PPP-SSH Mini-HOWTO: http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/mini/ppp-ssh/index.html
VisualRoute and other networking tools by Visualware: http://www.visualware.com/

Troubleshooting Modem Internet Access: http://users.iafrica.com/c/cq/cquirke/dundebug.htm

World of Windows Networking (trouble shooting, faq, etc.): http://www.helmig.com/
Step-by-Step Networking Procedure (by J. Helmig):http://www.wown.info/j_helmig/guide.htm

Windows Networking, many topics - Practically Networked: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/index.htm
Windows Network FAQs, How to, Tips & Troubleshooting: http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech/
Windows NT/2000/XP Monitoring Tools: http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/utilities.shtml
Windows 2000 Network: http://www.win2000mag.net/

Windows XP TCP/IP and NBT Configuration Parameters, MTU, etc.: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314053
Windows 2000/NT TCP/IP and NBT Configuration Parameters, MTU, etc.: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q120/6/42.asp
Windows 98/ME TCP/IP Configuration Parameters, MTU, etc.: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q158/4/74.asp

Windows 98/ME Slow Transfer Rates with ICS and High-Bandwidth Devices: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q230/1/16.asp
Windows 9x/NT Small Home/Office Windows Networking and Sharing Files: http://www.911networks.com and http://www.sohointer.net/, http://www.helmig.com/.

WINS Server: http://www.j51.com/~sshay/tcpip/wins/wins.htm
Adding Windows XP to an existing Network: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/addxp.htm
Windows XP Pro File Shareing: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
Windows XP Network Troubleshooting: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/

The Wireless FAQ: http://allnetdevices.com/faq/
How to gather information to troubleshoot a wireless connectivity problem in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=894568&SD=tech
Wireless Librian: http://people.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/wireless/
Wireless Networking and Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/focuson/wirelessnetworking.asp

SECURITY

Pete Weiss and Skip Knoble's Security Links: http://ftp.aset.psu.edu/pub/ger/documents/security.html

Password Resetter (offline) for Windows NT/2000/XP: http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
RockXP - Passworsd and Product Key recovery for Windows XP: http://aumha.org/freeware/freeware.htm
Protected Storage PassView - Passwords recovery for Windows: XP: http://aumha.org/freeware/freeware.htm

Practically Network Security: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/security/
Protect your PC - Microsoft Security/Privacy Recommendations: http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Remote Desktop Hosting by Orange Networks: http://www.orange-networks.com/remoteoverview.htm

SANS Institute 10 Most Critical Internet Security Threats:http://www.sans.org/topten.htm
Securing Office Desktops Resource Guide: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=236980
Securing Windows XP Desktops Resource Guide: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=236982
Security Patch Managment Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/topics/patch/secpatch/default.asp
Shields Up - Internet OnLine Security Tests and Products and SpinRight Data Recovery tools: http://grc.com/
Sunbelt Security/Recovery Software: http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/search_category.cf
The Ten Immutable Laws of Security: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/columns/security/10imlaws.asp
The Universal Troubleshooting Process (UTP): http://www.troubleshooters.com/tuni.htm

Windows Security Checklist - Part 16: The Checklist Review: http://castlecops.com/article-5803-nested-0-0.html
WinWhatWhere, Records almost everthing under Windows: http://www.winwhatwhere.com/
Windows XP Security Checklist: http://www.labmice.net/articles/winxpsecuritychecklist.htm

Windows Server 2003 Security Guide:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8A2643C1-0685-4D89-B655-521EA6C7B4DB&displaylang=en
Best Practices for Preventing DoS/Denial of Service Attacks:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bestprac/dosatack.asp
Windows 2000 Security Technical Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/library/howitworks/security/sectech.asp
Windows 2000 Security:   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/wn2ksec.asp
Windows 2000 Server - Security Operations Guide:   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/windows/windows2000/staysecure/default.asp
      Microsoft Solution for Securing:
       http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/prodtech/Windows/SecWin2k/default.asp

Windows NT/2000 Security Adviser Web Application: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/mpsa/start.asp
Inside Windows 2000 EFS, Part 1: http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=5387
Inside Windows 2000 EFS, Part 2: http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=5592
Windows 2000 EFS, Public Key Infrastructure: http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=4691
Windows XP Security Checklist: http://labmice.net/articles/winxpsecuritychecklist.htm

Starting your Password Protected Screen Saver Via Desktop Icon

When leaving your terminal for an undetermined amount of time, if you are running Windows 9x or Me (not NT or 2000), you can set up an Icon on the desk top to run your (password "protected") screen saver as follows:

1) Right-click the desktop and choose: Properties and choose the "Screen Saver" tab.

2) If you have a "Password protected" screen saver, note the name of the "Screen Saver" (e.g., Mystify your Mind, Star Fields, etc.) If you don't have a "Password protected" screen savor, set one up on this screen by choosing a "Screen Savor" and checking the "Password protected" box.

3) Click Start/Find and on the C: drive look for the files: *.SCR Find the one from Step 2 above. Right-click it and choose: Copy Let the Find window open.

4) Right-click the desktop and choose: Copy Shortcut

5) Close the Find screen.

6) Right-click the shortcut you just created and choose: Properties

7) Click the Shortcut tab and append on the end of that line the three-character string: " -s" (without the double-quotes). Click OK.

This shortcut, when launched, will now start your "Password protected" "Screen Saver". To gain access again to the desktop one must type the companion screen saver password. If your BIOS does not support a power-up password, you could copy this shortcut to your Windows Startup folder which in effect would prompt for a password before the system could become usable; this Startup trick is not fool proof, but perhaps better than nothing.

GENERAL SOFTWARE/DRIVER, FAQ, TIPS, OPERATING SYSTEM SOURCES, UNIX TOOLS UNDER WINDOWS

UPDATING SYSTEM FILES MANUALLY - SIMPLE TRICK

If a Windows 9x/NT system file is being used, and you want to update it with a carefully chosen update copy, Windows won't let you copy it to the target file because the target file is "in use". One easy way to effect the update is to RENAME the existing system file (which Windows will let you do). Then COPY the update to the target file location; on next boot, the updated copy will be used and you can then stage the original renamed copy to be deleted at any time you feel safe deleting it.

Another trick to know about is that Windows 9x/NT updates the Registry with information placed in the WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI files. Thus, for example,
if you carefully edit WIN.INI for example, after next boot the Windows Registry will be updated with those changes.

RESTORING WHAT PROGRAM OPENS FILES WITH A GIVEN FILE TYPE
Sometimes Installing software will change what application or program that will open files with a given file extension(type). This can be changed at any time as follows:
1) Pick a file with a given file type using Windows Explorer. Single-click to highlight it.
2) Press and hold Shift, right-click the same file, and select "Open with...", and release the Shift key.
3) In the "Open with" dialog, make sure the little "Always" box is checked. Then scroll through the list and pick the program you want to open this file type. Click OK. At this point, files with that filetype will open with the program that you picked.

HOW TO reSET YOUR DEFAULT INTERNET BROWSER

Windows XP

Click Start/Control Panel and double-click thie icon: Add/Remove Programs.
Click "Set Programs Access and Defaults".
Select the bullet front of desired default browser name

Windows 9x/NT/2000

If Intenet Explorer is NOT the Default Browser, for Internet Explorer 5.x and above:
1) Launch (Double-click) Internet Explorer.
2) While IE is open, click Tools and choose: Internet Options
3) Click the Programs tab near the top of that screen.
4) Check the box at the bottom labeled: "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser".
5) Click OK.
6) Next time you invoke Internet Explorer, it will ask if you want it to be the default browser.

Netscape 7.x:
1) Click Edit/Preferences; in the Navagator section, click the button: Set Default Browser.

Netscape 6.x:
1) Set IE as the default browser as shown above
2) Invoke Netscape 6.x and it will ask to become the default browser. Click YES.
3) Invoke IE, Reply NO to the prompt, uncheck the box at Step 4 above, and exit IE.

Netscape 4.x and above (if Netsape does not ask to be the default browser):
1) Make sure that the box for IE (see step 4 above) is NOT checked.
2) Close all occurrences of Netscape.
3) Start/Find the Netscape file: prefs.js
4) Make a backup copy of this file by copying it to a known (different) folder.
5) Use Notpad or another ascii editor to edit the prefs.js file. Change the line reading:
    user_pref("browser.wfe.ignore_def_check", true);
    to:
    user_pref("browser.wfe.ignore_def_check", false);
   (change the value of: true    to: false)
   Save the file with this change
6) Launch Netscape 4.x and it will ask to be the default browser. Reply YES and Netscape will then be the default Internet browser.

Activation/Deactivation of Microsoft Products Phone Number: 1 800-936-5700 press 0
An Excellent General Help site from Microsoft's Most Valueable Professionals (MVPS): http://www.mvps.org
Annoyances, Tips, Tricks, and more - Windows All Versions: http://www.annoyances.org/
HOW TO EXTRACT ORIGINAL COMPRESSED WINDOWS FILES: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q129/6/05.ASP
Product Key Finder (for MS Windows, Office, etc.): http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.html
Tech Rebublic (tutorials, etc.): http://www.techrepublic.com/index.jhtml
UNIX tools for Windows 9x/NT/2000: http://www.research.att.com/sw/tools/uwin/, http://winfiles.cnet.com/apps/nt/unix.html
Port UNIX Applications to Windows: http://list.winnetmag.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eQUV0CXCjp0CB108fH0Ap
Visual Basic run-time libraries (type in Visual Basic Run-time library name in search box (e.g. cmdialog.vbx): http://files.simracingworld.com/
Windows 3.x, 9x/NT Euro Currency Update:   http://www.microsoft.com/windows/euro.asp
Windows 9x/NT/2000 Free Utilities by Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/default.asp
Windows 9x/NT/2000 Free Updates by Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/default.asp
and also: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads,http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/exec/vendors/freeshare/maintnce.asp.
and for Shareware downloads: http://www.wugnet.com/
For the Microsoft Windows 9x/NT Media Player see: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/default.asp and http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/download/default.asp.
Windows NT/2000/XP: ERU style registry backup and optimization: http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt
Windows 2000/XP Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender: http://www.beyondlogic.org/consulting/processutil/processutil.htm
WinDrivers.com - Resource for Windows Support/Drivers: http://www.windrivers.com/
Windows Scripting: http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/ , Scripting Guy: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/resources/qanda/hsgarch.mspx
    and Microsoft Script Center (all versions of Windows): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/scriptcenter/default.asp
Windows Trouble Shooting Tips: http://www.windowstrouble.com   and   Woody's Watch:   http://www.woodyswatch.com/

Windows Server 2003: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/default.mspx
Windows Server 2003 Technical Articles: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/articleindex.mspx
Windows Server 2003 Resources: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/Default.asp
Microsoft Virtual PC (now free): http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx