NordicHardware Frequently Asked Questions

[Delph1]

This is a FAQ written by Adam at our Swedish sister-site. Since it covers a lot of the more common questions around I thought it would be a good idea to post it over here as well.

Welcome to NordicHardware Frequently Asked Questions!

Here you will find the most frequently asked question here at NH.
If you think your question should be under Operating systems but you can't find it please check the other sections as well. The placement is sometimes a matter of personal taste.
If you can't resolve your problem with this information, please start a new thread. Don't ask your question in here.
And if you do start another topic you should watch this flash movie

Questions on Operating systems

Sasser has infected my computer, what to do?
1. Activate your firewall, XP's own should do just fine. (If you don't have one there are some free ones below).
2. Download these security updates:
Windows NT Workstation 4.0
Windows 2000 Pro
Windows XP
Windows 2003 Server
3. Clean you computer with this program.
4. Update your antiviral software and do a full search.
5. Run Windows Update and install all security updates.
To avoid being infected by Sasser after a fresh install;
Make sure you have a firewall (e.g. the one in WinXP - SP2) before you plug in the network cable and go online.
SP2 for WinXP

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Why does my computer reboot after only one minute all the time? or Why is RPC terminated as soon as I go online?
You have been infected by the Blaster virus.
1. To hinder the shutdown type shutdown -a in Run.
2. Download the security update:
Windows XP
Windows 2k Professional, Server, Advanced Server
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
NT 4.0 Server
3. Clean you computer with this program
FixBlast.exe
4. Reboot and run WindowsUpdate.
5. Get a FireWall to make sure this doesn't happen again. Look below for free ones.
To avoid being infected by Sasser after a fresh install;
Make sure you have a firewall (e.g. the one in WinXP - SP2) before you plug in the network cable and go online.
SP2 for WinXP

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How do I format my hard drive so that I can install a new copy of Windows 2k/XP/2003?
1. Make sure your computer is set to boot from your CD/DVD before the hard drive. You can check this in the BIOS or SETUP. Usually you press the Del-button during boot up to enter BIOS. (Check your manual.)
Make sure your CD/DVD is "first boot device" or at least has higher priority than your hard drive.
2. Reboot you computer with you 2k/XP/2003 disc in the player and press any button when asked.
3. You will now enter the Installationprogram that will guide you through the installation. When you are asked to chose partition where you want to install you highlight the one with your old OS (C: usually) and choose Delete.
4. After a confirmation you will return to the same screen, now choose the free space and create a new partition. Either create one or several smaller.
5. After having created a new partition you will return to the same screen again, highlight your new partition and choose to install. Before the installation is restarted you will have to format the drive. Choose Format with the filesystem NTFS. (NOT! Quick).
6. When the formating is done all necessary files will be copied and the computer will reboot. This time you don't press any key when asked and therefor skips the DC/DVD. Instead your new OS will start!

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I've forgotten my password to WinXP/2000. What to do?
You can use this boot diskette to delete your old password and set a new.

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How do I uninstall Windows Messenger?
Simply type:
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove in Run.

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How do I uninstall everything else that comes along with XP, e.g. games and WordPad?
The easiest way is a software called XPLite (http://www.litepc.com/). The program will turn off Windows File Protection and can after that uninstall any chosen component.
Another way is to open the file C:\windows\inf\sysoc.inf in Notepad and replace all "HIDE" with "" (I.e. nothing). then go to the Control panel --> Add/Remove software --> Windows components and there remove any components you want.
To find sysoc.inf you have to have activated "Show protected files" and "Show hidden files" in the Explorer , choose Tools --> Folder Options --> Show.
Uncheck "Hide protected files" and select "Show hidden files".
Don't forget to backup the old sysoc.inf !

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Why can't I move or delete AVI-files?
This problem surfaces when shmedia.dll tries to allocate info about the movie.
To prevent this from happening you can start Run and type regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll.
If you want to activate this again type regsvr32 shmedia.dll.

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How do I clean up old OS from the list that shows when the computer boot?
Windows XP users:
Run: msconfig. Click the tab boot.ini.
You should see the file boot.ini at the upper part of the window now. The lower lines are information on the different OS.
Delete the line that represents the malfunctioning OS!
Win2k users:
Go to Tools -> Folder options -> View, uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and check "Show hidden files and folders".
Now you should see the file boot.ini at C:\.
Open the file and remove the line that represents the malfunctioning OS! [Editors note: they appear in the same order in the file as they do in the bootlist]
Restore the settings.
Don't forget to make a backup before changing anything!

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Why are there no tabs etc in the Task manager?
To get the Task manager to look normal doubleclick somewhere around the gray area around the list of Processes.

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What can I do to save resources?
1. Turn off all visual effects effects (such as animated minimizes/maximizes) by rightclicking on "My computer" ---> Properties ---> Advanced ---> Performance ---> Settings. Pick the Best performance option.
2. There are a lot of services running even though they are not being used. You can read how and what services you can shutdown here.

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What does ***** do and do I really need it?
First of all; having several svchost.exe are completely normal.
You can read read what the different processes do below;
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Windows XP users can remove programs from the autostartlist by typing msconfig at Run and check the tabs under Services and Autostart.

To prevent a from starting process when using Win95/98/98SE/Me/2k, delete the following from the registry;
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
OBS! You shouldn't edit the registry if you don't know what you're doing!!

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How do I create a bootable diskette?
You can download complete diskettes from www.bootdisk.com or simply format a diskette with the option "Create a MS-DOS Startdiskette" checked.

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Why is the font size so big/small in Internet explorer?
You have most likely scrolled while holding CTRL.
To reduce/enlarge the size of the text you simply hold Ctrl and scroll your mousewheel.
(By Ogrebeast)

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I get tons of popups from the service Messenger, what to do?
These messages are generated by a service in your operating system but probably resides from a Spy- or Adware. Recommend searching your hard drives with Adaware SE or any other Spyware-remower: ( a selection of tools can be found here
If this doesn't help you can try deactivating the services by typing services.msc /s, find Messenger, rightclick pick Properties. Set Startmethod to Inactivated.

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Windows crashes and I get a weird message, what to do?
Most of these so called STOP-Messages are generated because of hardware-errors. To be able to locate the error you can check what the errormessage means below:.
http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

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I'm missing a lot of space on my hard drive, what happened?
1. First of all I should mention that a hard drive that claims to be 80 GB is actually only 74,5 GB. This can be explained in the simplest way as the manufacturer counts 1000 byte = 1 kilobyte, 1000 kilobyte = 1 megabyte and so forth. while the the correct way is 1 kilobyte = 1024 byte.
2. Make sure you include the hidden files and folders when you count.
3. If you have Norton installed and a so called Norton Protected Recycle Bin make sure to empty this!
4. The function System restore also takes up some space. Turn off this function by rightclicking "My computer", Properties. Pick System restore and check "inactivate"!
5. Another thing you might want to inactivate is the Indexing of your drives. Do it like this: Control panel --> Administrative tools --> Computer management--> Services. Rightclick Indexing, pick all activities --> Adjust performance. Never check.
(Indexing has to do with the search-function, turning the indexing might make searching slower)
6. WindowsXP, without SP1 or newer, and Windows 2000, without SP4 or newer, doesn't support large drives. Make sure you have the latest ServicePack installed to fix this.
SP2 for WinXP
SP4 for Win2k
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Questions regarding Drivers and software

Which is the best antivirusprogram?
This isn't an easy question.
The best thing is really to try around [Note: You can fins trials of pretty much all available Antivirus-programs in the filearchive Click here]
Two antivirusprogram that are completely free of charge are Avast! and AVG Anti-virus.
Avast! can be found here
AVG can be found here

I recommend you check out http://www.anti-virus-software-review.com/
as well

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Why doesn't my movie work? No or weird image/sound.
The problem most likely resides in that you don't have the correct codec installed.
Today having only ffdshow should be sufficient, but you might want to extend this to XviD and AC3Filter just to be sure:
ffdshow
Xvid
AC3Filter
If you still can't watch the movie try using GSpot to scan the movie to find out what codec you need.

Another good way is to download VLC Media Player (Download here).
VLC is player that has builtin support for almost all codecs!

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I've formatted the wrong hard drive, how do I get my data back? or. a partition has disappeared, how do I get my data back?
First of all: don't write any new data to the disk. You are probably going to destroy all chances of retrieving your files!
There are several programs for restoring files. Some are;
Active@ - http://www.active-undelete.com/
Easy Recovery - http://www.r-tt.com/
Get Data Back - http://www.runtime.org/
RecoverMyFiles - http://www.recovermyfiles.com/
All of these are shareware, which means they do have some limitations. There are of course similar programs that are freeware but none as good as there.

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After installing MsnPlus I have a new toolbar in IE, How do I remove it?
Uninstall MsnPlus. Clean your computer with an anti-spyware program. (link)
Install MsnPlus again, but this time rad more closely during the installation and you will see that there is an option to install ads or not.

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What firewall should I get?
There are many to chose from; from just as many manufacturers, Norton, Panda and F-secure charge users for using their firewalls but, there are at least two free and good alternatives:
Kerio Personal Firewall
ZoneAlarm
The absolutely most convenient for those with WinXP is to install SP2. Then you will have a pretty ok firewall installed and activated by default.
SP2 for WinXP

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How do I take a printscreen from a movie?
Some players have their own commands for this, check the help!
There are also several thirdparty programs that can do this. These usually have a lot convenient functions to save the image in any format and at any location.
Some are:
SnagIT 7.0 ( http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/default.asp )
Gadwin Printscreen 2.6 ( http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/ )
ACA Capture 4.11 ( http://www.acasystems.com/ )
Easy Screen Capture 1.2.3 ( http://www.longfine.com/ )

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How can I get a subtitle to work?
Alternative 1: Download VobSUB.
Name the movie and the subtitles the same with the exception of the fie ending and place them in the same folder.
E.g. C:/Film/film.avi resp. C:/Film/film.sub
Start your movie and the subtitles will load automatically!
Alternative 2: Download VLC Media Player, that has a builtin support for subtitles as well!

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I always get a load of popups when I surf the web, what to do?
1. There are loads of spyware that generate tons of popups, you should always have an updated Spy- and Adware-remover installed. (Link)
2. Install and use a browser with a builtin popupblocker. E.g. Mozilla FireFox and Opera but also upgrades to IE6 that adds functions to stop popups. E.g. Avant Browser.
3. Install a thirdparty program to stop the popups.
Freeware can be found at http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/misctools/fwpopblock.html
Shareware can be found at http://www.snapfiles.com/Shareware/misctools/swpopblock.html
6. Install the latest ServicePack for Windows XP to automatically get a PopUpBlocker for Internet Explorer.
SP2 for WinXP


Questions about internet/networking


Is it true XP steals 20% of the bandwidth?
No, there is a service in XP that by default is deactivated that can reserve a bit of the bandwidth.
To edit how much bandwidth it can reserve do this:
Start Run and type gpedit.msc. Chose Computer management, chose Administrative templates --> Network --> QoS Packet Scheduler.
Rightclick Limit bandwidth and chose properties. Chose Activated and set to 0% bandwidth!
Done!

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How do I forward a port with my router?
1. Read the manual.
2. Check this page.


Some registry tweaks


To start up the registry editor start Run and type regedit.exe.

Speed up the start menu
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.
Pick MenuShowDelay.
Edit and set to 0 for no delay.
Reboot.

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Speed up the networkbrowsing
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace.
Pick {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}.
Delete.
Reboot.

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Allow more than two downloads at a time with IE
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings.
Create a new Dword-value called MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server.
Set to 0000000a.
(a is 10 in hex)

Create a new Dword-value called MaxConnectionsPerServer.
Set to 0000000a.
Reboot.

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Minimize Microsoft Outlook to tray
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Preferences.
Create a new Dword-value and name it "MinToTray".
Set to 1.
Reboot.

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Turn off the the "Low on diskspace" notification
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
Create a new Dword-value called NoLowDiskSpaceChecks.
Rightclick and set to 1.
Reboot.

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Remove the arrow from shortcuts
Go to till HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile.
Remove IsShortcut.
Reboot.

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Clean the list from old icons in the tray
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TrayNotify.
Delete PastIconsStream and IconStreams.
Restart Explorer.exe with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Pick Explorer.exe pick kill process.
Start it again with "Archive --> New ..." and type "Explorer.exe" or just "explorer".

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Turn off mouseaccleration
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96F-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
Rightlick UpperFilters and chose to "Edit binary data".
Erase as much as possible (the first zeros can't be erased) and then type 6d006f00750063006c0061007300730000000000.
Reboot.

Since this tweak requires som work there is a reg-file that does all this work for you here

(Stolen from zcorpan)

Be aware that sometimes we don't have the most current version in our filearchive and you might have to visit the manufacturers homepage to get it, or inform us of the update and we will then addit to the archive

In some cases we have added newer versions, but forgot to update the links here
_________________
"I'm sort of a postmodern vegetarian, I eat meat ironically"
"You are our Swedish superhero "

Forget everything, knowledge is your enemy, it's only going to make you second-guess yourself."