Customize easily your Ubuntu Login screen with different cool themes. The website to get the GDM Themes from is:
www.gnome-look.org then click on the GDM Themes link on the left to get a list of themes you can download.
This quick video tutorial shows you how to download and install a new theme
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If you want to play a trick on someone in Windows XP, you can prevent them from shutting down thier PC by disabling the shutdown button.
This PCWizKid video tutorial shows you how.
Notes from video:
- In the Registry Editor and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Win dows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- Create a new DWORD value named NoClose with a data value of 1.
- Exit the Registry and reboot in order for the change to take effect.
Remember! You won't be able to shut down Windows in the normal manner from now on, use the shutdown -r or -s command instead from the run field.
If you want to re-enable normal shutdowns, delete the NoClose value from the registry and restart your computer using the shutdown -r.
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This tutorial shows you how to create a hidden folder in Windows XP. Do you have have something to hide from view?
Note you need to use the Number Pad on the keyboard and not the regular numbers under the special characters. Also, this has been tested to work on Windows XP only.
Notes from video:
Hold down the ALT key and using the Number Pad (not the numbers where the special characters are) press 0160 for a blank folder name.
In order to delete the folder you’ll need to rename it in a command prompt by typing:
ren " " foldername
That’s not a space in between the quotes. You need to press ALT+1060. You’ll then be able to delete the folder.
This Windows XP TIP shows you how to create a shortcut which quickly shuts down or can restart your PC.
Video Notes:
For a Restart Shortcut shutdown.exe -r
For a Shutdown Shortcut shutdown.exe -s
Additional Options:
-t xx (used for time delay)
-c "Enter a message to display"
-l (used to logoff the current user)
Example used in video shutdown.exe -r -t 30 -c "Thanks for Watching PCWizKids Tech Talk"
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If you havent hacked your iPhone yet, or are wondering is this all iPhone has to offer? Well today is your lucky day. Below is an essential set of iPhone applications you should have installed by now! First you need to unlock or jailbreak your iPhone. you might want to read my previous article or watch the video below. Basically you need an Installer.app , it's the tool that allows you to install third party apps. When jailbreaking your phone, most programs also install Intaller.app aswell.
If you already have an unlocked iPhone and have the installer.app, take a look at the what the latest set of apps you can install. The main repository for installing these apps is located here.
TimeCapsule
Allows you to Backup and Restore states of different applications.
Wallpaper 2.x
Allows you to not only share wallpaper and download other peoples wallpapers, but also lets you comment on the set of shared wallpapers.
Kate (aka Caterpillar)
This application adds another section in your settings area, such as Calendar and Events/Todo List on the Sleep/Wake screen (the slide to unlock screen) and a facelift with a 5-icon dock with reflections.
Customize
This is the tookit that lets you change the icons to what you want. Don’t like the battery icon? Customize it. Don’t like the wifi/edge/power icons? Change them to your own.
Capture
Twinkle
Bosstool
Make Windows XP bootup faster with a quick registry tweak.
I created a quick and easy video tutorial on how to do this tweak.
Notes from video:
Navigate and expand in the registry
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControl Set\Control\ContentIndex
Change the Decimal value of the Startupdelay key to 40000 and restart the PC. You should notice a bootup that takes less time.
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In 60 seconds you can create a shortcut for Suspending Your PC running Windows XP.
Video Notes, the shortcut information to enter is:
rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState
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You can easily tweak and modify many hidden options in windows XP Professional without touching the registry directly or installing anything. In the Professional edition of Windows XP their is a utility called the Group Policy Editor. It has the means to do changes easily.
Note: This is not available in XP home editions.
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If your a Windows user you've probably had the occasional desktop freeze. In most cases you would just restart your PC losing any unsaved data in open programs. However, you maybe able to salvage what your working on without restating your PC.
This tip shows you how to restart the Windows Vista Explorer Shell without restarting Windows Vista. This tip also applied to Windows XP, though the screens vary a little, the steps are basically the same.
1. Next time you find yourself in this scenario with a desktop freeze and becomes unresponsive, press Ctrl+Alt+Del. If you get the Task Manager window proceed with step 2.
2. Click the Start Task Manager button, as shown here
3. Click the Processes tab, then scroll down to find the explorer.exe process.
| |
Make Windows XP shutdown faster with a quick registry tweak.
In less than 60 seconds you can do a registry change that decreases the waiting period that Windows XP takes when you initiate the shutdown command.
I put a quick video tutorial together which shows you the steps
Notes from Video:
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControl Set/Control.
Click on the "Control" Folder.
Select "WaitToKillServiceTimeout"
Double click on it and set a value lower than 1000.
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The latest service pack for Windows XP is out, well officially you can get it now using the Online Windows Update option. If you rather download the standalone sp3 package get it directly here.
For a list of what Service Pack 3 fixes read it here. Among the updates a feature called Network Access Protection that's borrowed from the newer Windows Vista operating system. NAP automatically validates a computer's health, ensuring that it's free of bugs and viruses before allowing it access to a network.
Prior to installing SP3, Microsoft recommends that you do the following:
| Start your computer, and then log on as an administrator. Note Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the operating system and to its settings. You can use the Administrator user name to log on, or you can use another account that is a member of the Administrators group. To determine the groups to which you belong, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts. | |
| 2. | If your computer is running on battery power, plug it in so that your computer does not lose power during the installation. |
| 3. | If you use Fast User Switching, make sure all other users are logged off. For more information, see "Fast User Switching" in Windows XP Help and Support Center on your computer. |
| 4. | We recommend that you perform a full backup of the files that you have on your computer to an external location, such as an external hard disk, DVD, CD, USB flash drive, or network folder. You can use the Backup and Restore Wizard to back up documents, pictures, and other files. For more information, see "Backing up files and folders" in Help and Support Center. |
| 5. | If your computer is running Windows XP Professional, we recommend that you create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set before you begin the installation. This will help you repair your setup if the installation fails. For more information, see "To create an Automated System Recovery set using Backup" and "To recover from a system failure using Automated System Recovery" in Help and Support Center. Note If your computer is running Windows XP Home Edition, ignore this step. ASR is not available for Windows XP Home Edition. |
| 6. | Exit all open programs. |
| 7. | Install Windows XP SP3. For more information about how to obtain Windows XP Service Pack 3, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322389 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack NOTE: SP3 will not be shrink-wrapped for store shelves. "Windows XP SP3 is available to OEMs as an option for some of their product lines [and] for Volume License customers to simplify maintenance of their Windows XP machines," Microsoft said. Other Tips Users have watched |
A major upgrade of your OS is always a leap of faith. In this case my upgrade from Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) to 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) was a smooth transition with no worries. Below is my walkthrough upgrading the OS which I have dual boot with Windows XP. Hardy Heron is indeed a slicker version of what is already a great linux distribution. Here is the step by step process in upgrading.
As always keep in mind the following before you do an upgrade of this magnitude:
Gradually more buyers are either purchasing vista or are stuck with it as part of their new laptop or desktop purchase. Below are the actual Windows Vista features which are not available in all editions. Check to see if you are getting the features you need before you buy the Vista Edition of your choice. A common feature not available in the Home editions of Vista is the “Windows Fax and Scan” support. So if your looking some common and no so common features you might want to get
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Fancy Windows transparency (”See through glass style”) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Windows Flip 3D | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Taskbar Thumbnails | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Parental Controls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
NOTE: Also it is important to note that the ability to access advanced areas to control security features manually for example such as the “Security Policies” secpol.msc is not available in the Home editions.
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Maximum RAM (64-bit version) | 8 GB | 16 GB | 128+ GB | 128+ GB | 128+ GB |
| Physical processor support | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Scheduled backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Windows ShadowCopy | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| System image backup and recovery | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Encrypting File System (EFS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Windows BitLocker Full Drive Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Added games | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Windows Media Center | Yes | Yes | |||
| Windows Media Center HDTV and CableCard support | Yes | Yes | |||
| Xbox 360 Media Center Extender compatibility | Yes | Yes | |||
| Windows Movie Maker | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Windows Movie Maker HD format support | Yes | Yes | |||
| Windows DVD Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Number of supported simultaneous peer network connections | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Network Projector support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Presentation Settings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Remote Desktop | Client only | Client only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Join domain (Windows Server/SBS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Offline files and folder support | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| IIS Web Server | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Windows Mobility Center | Partial | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sync Center | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tablet PC functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Touch screen support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Windows SideShow (auxiliary display support) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Windows Ultimate Extras | Yes | ||||
| Windows Fax and Scan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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