Dreamweaver FTP Problems
I've had problems with the Dreamweaver ftp feature ever since I started using the program 5 or 6 years ago. The latest problem I had with the CS4 version was particularly annoying since it would work sometimes and not other times. It was one of those problems I tried multiple solutions for before I found my answer. I use Avast anti-virus and something about it was causing the Dreamweaver ftp client to fail, sometimes. I had no such problem with Filezilla. Now, when I work with Dreamweaver, I turn off Avast resident protection.
Preventing Duplicate Records in Access
I have a situation where I need to prevent duplicate record entry based on two fields. I found this solution here:

In table design, open the indexes Window, and add a new index. To
indicate that it is a single index with multiple fields, enter the fields on
consecutive rows, and leave the index name blank on all but the first row.
With the first row selected, set the Unique property to Yes.


Fling Auto Upload FTP
I've found a new ftp client that has a great feature; it uploads changes to specified directories as they occur. This makes it super easy to keep online backups up to date, and gives you a little visual confirmation as well. You can download this tiny utility here.

What Happens When Someone Helps You With Your Network
Recently, while I was on vacation, one of my users had problems logging in to the network and he called an IT guy he knew from where he worked previously. Since the guy was across the street, he came over and started doing some troubleshooting. During the course of his visit he connected one of our access points to our backup ISP. Later he found that the user's computer simply needed to be restarted. However, as a result of his work, the access point acquired a local address from the backup ISP and started handing out addresses in that range to clients who logged into the wireless access point. Needless to say, they were disappointed that they were unable to access the internet or the local network they were used to. A reboot of the access point cleared up the problem.

Limited or No Connectivity
Here is a solution to a problem with Limited or No Connectivity when trying to connect wirelessly. If you can get the unit to connect over ethernet, but not wirelessly, try reseting TCP/IP to the defaults. Using the command line:

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reboot the machine.

On File Printer Problem
Here's one I had never encountered. I had set up a laser printer for use as a USB device but mistakenly plugged the USB cable into the ethernet port on the printer (the back was very difficult to get to). When trying to print from this printer, the dropdown printer list had it with an "On File" suffix to the printer name. Now I know.

Converting Videos to iPod Format
Here's a great little program that can convert most video formats to the iPod format (mp4). It also has support for subtitles. Be aware that you must have the .Net framework installed to run this program. Follow this link to download:

http://nodadev.wordpress.com/pc-projects/ipodme/

Use Windows to Open a Browser on a Schedule
This is how I run a notification page indepentendly from my web host.

Creating a Scheduled Task

   1. Open Scheduler
   2. Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks
   3. Double-click Add Scheduled Task
   4. The Scheduled Task Wizard will appear. Click Next.
   5. Select the program to run. Choose your browser from the list (for example, Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox). Click Next.
   6. Give the task a Name, such as Open My Notification Page, and choose the Frequency with which to perform the task (for example, Daily)). Click Next.
   7. Choose specific date and time options (this step will vary, depending on the option selected in the previous step). When finished, click Next.
   8. Enter your password if prompted. Change the username if required (for example, you'd like the task to run under a user with fewer privileges security reasons). Click Next.
   9. On the final page, select the checkbox Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish and click Finish.

Configuring the Task
   1. Go to the task's setting page either by checking the checkbox at the end of the last step, or by double-clicking on the task.
   2. In the Run box, after the text that is there now (for example, C:PROGRA~1MOZILL~1firefox.exe), enter a space and then type the address to your website's notification page in double quotations (for example, C:PROGRA~1MOZILL~1firefox.exe http://www.example.com/notify.cfm
   3. To set a frequency more often than Daily (for example, hourly), click the Schedule tab, then click Advanced. Here you can set options such as Repeat task, every 1 hour for 23 hours. Click Ok when finished.
   4. Change the start time on the task to one minute from the current time. This will allow you to test the task and make sure that it is working.
   5. When all settings have been configured to your liking, click Apply and OK (note: you may be prompted for your password)
.

Fix Slow Network Browsing Problem
In Windows XP everytime you open My Computer to browse folders XP automatically searches for network files and printers. This causes a delay in opening networked folders and displaying files. The delay can be especially severe if one of your network shares is offline. To fix this problem:

1. Open My Computer
2. Click on the Tools menu and select Folder Options...
3. Under Folder Options select the view tab.
4. Uncheck the very first box that reads "Automatically search for network folders and printers".
5. Click "Apply" or "OK"
Turn Off User Account Control in Vista

If you are a capable Windows OS user, you will probably want to turn off User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista. Most users will find the constant interruptions everytime you want to install or open a program very annoying. To turn of UAC, go to Start, click on Run, type in msconfig and press Enter. The System Configuration window opens. Click on the Tools tab. Scroll down till you find "Disable UAC" . Click on that line. Press the Launch button. A CMD window will open. When the command is done, you can close the window. Close msconfig. You need to reboot the computer for changes to apply.


Defrag Pagefile and Registry

One of the limitations of the Windows NT/2000 defragmentation interface is that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them. Paging and Registry file fragmentation can be one of the leading causes of performance degradation related to file fragmentation in a system.

PageDefrag uses advanced techniques to provide you what commercial defragmenters cannot: the ability for you to see how fragmented your paging files and Registry hives are, and to defragment them. In addition, it defragments event log files and Windows 2000/XP hibernation files (where system memory is saved when you hibernate a laptop).

 

Installing and Using PageDefrag

When you run PageDefrag (pagedfrg.exe) you will be presented a listbox that tells you how many clusters make up your paging files, event log files, and Registry hives (SAM, SYSTEM, SYSTEM.ALT, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, .DEFAULT), as well as how many fragments those files are in. If you feel that these files are fragmented enough to warrant a shot at defragmenting them, or if you want to defragment them at every boot, select the appropriate radio button choice and click OK.

When you direct PageDefrag to defragment, the next time the system boots it will attempt to do so. Immediately after CHKDSK examines your hard drives PageDefrag uses the standard file defragmentation APIs to defragment the files. As it processes each file PageDefrag will print on the boot-time startup screen the file name and its success at defragmenting it. If it is successful at reducing the fragmentation it will tell you the number of clusters the file started with and the number it consists of after the defragmentation.

Download PageDefrag


Controlling Anonymous FTP Access

FTP can also use DNS (Domain Naming System) addresses, as seen on the World Wide Web. For example: ftp://ftp.PCSTATS.com would make Internet Explorer attempt to connect to port 21 of the computer 'ftp' in the domain PCSTATS.com.

If you are connecting to an FTP site that has anonymous access disabled, meaning that you will have to enter a username and password to connect successfully, you must put your username into the address. For example: ftp://me@67.68.255.65 or ftp://me@ftp.PCSTATS.com

Assuming the username is correct, a password window will open so you can authenticate yourself and then enter the FTP site.

If the FTP site you are trying to connect to uses an alternate port instead of the default port 21, you will also have to specify this. For example, if the server were using port 1056 you would enter: FTP://67.68.255.65:1056 or ftp://me@ftp.PCSTATS.com:1056

Essentially, FTP addresses can be entered into the IE address bar just as you would WWW addresses, with the only catch being that you must put the ftp:// before the rest of the address, otherwise Internet Explorer will assume that you are trying to connect to a website and not an FTP server. Websites use port 80 by default.

Once you have connected to the FTP site, you are presented with a directory window of its contents, which you can manipulate as if it was a directory on your local computer (subject to the permissions you have in the FTP site, of course). You can open files, copy and paste into your other directories, and copy from your computer to the FTP site if you have write permission. Very simple.

Setting up an FTP site Using Windows XP Professional

Windows XP professional (as well as Windows 2000) includes Microsoft's IIS (Internet Information Server) which can be used to create an FTP site on your computer. It's a fair bit less complicated and less flexible than using some third-party FTP server software packages, so we will give you guides for setting up both. If you are using XP Home you will need to use third-party software. There is no way to publish an FTP site with the Home Edition of XP.

The first step is to check that IIS (Internet Information Services, Microsoft's web-server application) is configured properly.

Go to start'control panel''add/remove programs' choose the 'add/remove windows components' button from the bar on the left. Highlight the item 'Internet information services (IIS)' If it is unchecked, check it, then click 'details.'

PCSTATS

The components you will need are: 'common files,' 'file transfer protocol (FTP) service' and 'internet information services snap-in.' Uncheck any others then click next. IIS will configure itself, and you may be prompted for the XP CD.


iPhone Battery Problems

If you have updated your iPhone to software version 1.1.4, you may experience battery problems. To fix it:

If you?re on a Mac, sync your iPhone, then go to:

User Library > Application Support > MobileSync > Backup

Inside that folder should be your iPhone backup files. Move them out to the desktop before you do the below restore in iTunes. After completing the steps listed below, move the backup files back into the MobileSync > Backup folder, then you should be able to do a restore and use your own backup.

The result is an iPhone that has had a complete, clean restore, and then has all your data restored on it.

? To do a clean restore, open Username/Library/iTunes/iPhone software update folder and delete or move the 1.1.4 file to another folder. This will force iTunes to download a new one. PC users, just do a search for *.ipsw files.
? Connect the iPhone and load up iTunes.
? Do a restore, but do not let it ?restore from backup?. The only way to get better battery life back is to do a clean and factory fresh restore. You?re only backing up for the sake of backing up.

Once it finishes you will be back at 6hr+ battery life.


Copying Error Messages
Manually typing in Windows error messages to Google is a pain in the neck. Some of the error messages are really long and contain hard-to-read code and diagnostic information. Windows doesn't allow you to highlight the text in an error message to copy it. Luckily, there is a way. The shortcut key is CTRL+C. Unfortunately this method doesn't copy all error messages, just Windows error messages.
Ten Ways to Live Longer

Make every Monday the day you recommit to living your healthiest life. A healthy lifestyle doesn't have to mean treadmills and salads everyday. Many activities that are fun and pleasurable are also good for you. By understanding how these activities can help you live longer and what to do to get the most benefits, you'll be putting some fun into healthy living.

1. Drink Red Wine

Red wine is packed with resveratrol, an antioxidant. These work to protect your body against the effects of aging. One or 2 glasses of red wine a day can help keep your body young.

2. Eat Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a wonderful food that contains a large amount of antioxidants that protect your body from aging. Find good quality dark chocolate, learn to appreciate it, and have a bit of it each day. Eating chocolate may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol while providing an energy boost.

3. Smile

Smiling is a great way to change your attitude, connect with people and give benefit to your body. Like relaxation, smiling can work to counteract the effects of stress. By forcing ourselves to smile, we "trick" our body into believing that everything is good, thereby reducing stress. Like a switch, smiling can actually change your mood. So put a smile on, even if you don't feel like it, and pretty soon you'll be smiling for real.

4. Have More Sex

Sex and touching are thought to be essential parts of health. Sex releases an assortment of beneficial chemicals in the body. Sex and touching help us bond with others, strengthens relationships, and increases our own self-worth. Frequent sex may even extend your life by years.

5. Relax

Relaxation is the opposite of stress. While stress brings harmful health effects, relaxation helps our bodies to rest, heal and function better. By practicing daily relaxation techniques, you can train yourself to turn off your stress and replace it with calm energy. This will improve your blood pressure, heart rate and ability to cope with life's challenges.

6. Make Exercise Play

Physical games and sports are a great way to keep both your body and mind healthy. Simple exercise routines are great for maintaining balance, flexibility, endurance and strength. Group games and sports can give your mind a workout as well, as you anticipate other people's actions and how to work together. Find a game and activity that suits your level of physical ability and play often.

7. Sleep

Sleep is an essential body function. Most Americans do not get enough sleep. Medications, stress, illness and poor sleep habits all can prevent you from getting between 7 and 9 hours a night. The health benefits of sleep include more energy, better immune function, and more.

8. Spend Time With Loved Ones

Relationships are an important part of health. Not only do strong bonds with other people mean you will have help when you need it, being connected also means protection from loneliness, depression, and mental illness. Spend time cultivating your relationships with friends and family to improve your health and your life.

9. Solve Puzzles and Play Brain Games

Mind games are a great way to stay involved and engaged in the world. Games can exercise different parts of your mind and entice your curiosity. If possible, choose social games like chess or bridge that exercise your brain while keeping you connected with others.

10. Be Positive

Having a positive attitude about aging can add more than seven years to your life, according to researchers. Avoid the cultural push to glorify youth and regret each passing year. Find ways to to pleasure in your increasing age and enjoy greater learning, experience, and control in your life.

How to Freeze Your Credit Reports

A freeze means no one can access your credit report unless you "thaw" your report. This means no new credit cards, loans, or mortgages, either by you, or by a potential identity thief. You will need to freeze the report with each bureaus. Not surprisingly, after fighting with Congress for four years against allowing for consumer freezes, the bureaus have made it difficult, requiring the mailing of certified letters, utility bills, different kinds of personal information, and charging fees. Here's the step by step:

Equifax
General info
State-by-state information
To get a freeze, Equifax wants you to send a certified letter with seven specific elements to Equifax Security Freeze/P.O. Box 105788/ Atlanta, Georgia 30348. The elements are spelled out clearly on the general information page, but they are, basically -- name, address, date of birth, SSN, utility bill for proof of address, payment and a police report if you are a victim.

Experian
General info and state-by state information
To get state-specific information, scroll to the bottom of the page and pick your state from the drop-down menu.
Before giving you the information you need, Experian will warn you that a security freeze may make your credit life very difficult. Take that with a grain of salt, and then pick your state. You'll send the request by certified or overnight mail to Experian/ P.O. Box 9554/ Allen, TX 75013. Again, the recipe is listed on the firm's Web site, but it will call for a name, SSN, date of birth, current and past addresses dating back two years, a copy of your driver's license, and one utility bill.

TransUnion
General info and state-by-state information
Send your freeze requests to Trans Union/Fraud Victim Assistance Department/ P.O. Box 6790/ Fullerton, CA 92834. A few state residents can call instead of write -- check the link above. Trans Union wants the following on the letter: name, address, Social Security Number, a copy of your driver's license and payment.

Freezes will cost usually $10 per bureau, depending on your state. Also, if you want to take out a new line of credit, you'll have to pay to unfreeze your report, and then again to refreeze it. Credit report freezes are free for identity theft victims. For everyone else, it's a preventative measure, that, considering the possible monetary and psyhic and time cost of untangling identity theft, could be a wise investment.


Extending the Life of Your iPhone Battery

The iPhone uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery. It?s resistant to overcharging and doesn?t need to be fully drained and then recharged (cycled) with any type of frequency.

Use shallow charges ? for the most part You should generally use a shallow charge with your iPhone to extend battery life. Avoid draining the battery entirely (a ?deep discharge?) before recharging if at all possible. That said, the battery indicator can become inaccurate if the device is never fully cycled. If your iPhone starts shutting off prematurely (without any low-charge warning, or while the indicator still measures significant charge), try draining the device completely ? until it shuts off ? then charge it back to full capacity.

Avoid extreme temperatures As noted on this Apple page, the battery works best works best in a temperature range of 32° to 95° F, and should be stored in environments of -4° to 113° F. This means you should avoid leaving the iPhone in a hot car or in areas exposed to direct sunlight.

Also, note that while the iPhone?s battery is largely resistant to overcharging, leaving the device connected to external power for extended periods of times can cause it?s temperature to rise significantly, potentially reducing overall battery life.

Apple: ?use the iPhone regularly? Apple recommends that iPhone owners use the device regularly, saying ?it?s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally.?

Make sure your battery isn?t defective We?ve received reports from some users reporting that their iPhones do not fully charge or take an extraordinarily long time to fully charge. Note that the iPhone has a ?quick charge? feature, whereby the battery will charge from 0% to 80% in the same time that it takes to go from 80% to 100%. Both periods should be about 2 hours, for a 4 hour total charge time, on average. Also, note that a plug icon should be displayed when your iPhone is fully charged. If your iPhone takes 10 or more hours to fully charge and never displays a plug icon, first try restoring the device. Failing that, you may want to considering contacting Apple for possible repair, maintenance or replacement.

Extending the time between charges (reducing power consumption)

Use Airplane mode when appropriate If you don?t need phone or Internet access (when you?re simply listening to music or watching a movie and don?t want to be interrupted, for instance), consider put your iPhone in Airplane mode. This will shut off several internal components, dramatically increasing overall battery life.

Check settings, turn off functions Use the Settings application to turn off any features you aren?t using. If, for instance, you?re in an area without accessible Wi-Fi hotspots, tap on Wi-Fi and drag the slider to Off. If you?re not using Bluetooth, tap General, then Bluetooth and slide the function to Off.

Reduce brightness, use Auto-Brightness The iPhone?s beautiful screen is its biggest power glutton. Tap the Settings application, then tap Brightness. Use the slider to reduce overall brightness to an acceptable level, and turn the Auto-Brightness function On ? this will automatically adjust screen brightness based on ambient light conditions.

Don?t persistently check for mail The Monday after the iPhone?s launch (three days of usage), one of our staff members? unit still had a remaining charge, while the other?s had been recharged several times already. The primary difference? The latter individual?s iPhone was checking email from several account every 15 minutes. Reducing this interval to every hour (In Settings, choose Mail then tap Auto-Check) or Manual significantly increased battery life. If you are going to use a short mail-checking interval, tap the Sounds pane of Settings and turn the option for New Mail off.

Turn off keyboard clicks If you frequently use your iPhone?s keyboard, navigate to the Sounds pane of Settings and turn the option for Keyboard clicks off.

Set a low Auto-Lock Go to Settings then select General, then Auto-Lock. The lower this setting (in minutes) the sooner your iPhone will go into locked mode, which turns off the screen and other functions, saving significant battery power.

Turn off the equalizer Apple recommends turning off the music equalizer if you don?t use it. ?Adding EQs to playback uses more of your processor, since they aren?t encoded in the song. If, however, you’ve added EQ to tracks in iTunes, you’ll need to set EQ to ?flat? in order to have the effect of ?off,? because iPhone keeps your iTunes settings intact.? You can access the equalizer option by tapping iPod in Settings, then tapping EQ. Select the option Flat to reduce power consumption.


RunScanner

Spyware, viruses and trojans that have infected a computer must have an autostartup entry somewhere, either in the registry, Windows services, startup folder, etc... There are far too many places that they can plant themselves so that they can run whenever Windows is starting up. Manually analyzing all startup methods is nearly impossible. That's why there is HiJackThis and also HiJackFree, both with similar powerful capabilities for analyzing, detecting and removing malwares.

There's an even better tool that covers everything that HiJackFree and HiJackThis has to offer.

RunScanner is a free windows system utility which scans your system for all configured running programs.

You can use RunScanner to detect autostart programs, spyware, adware, homepage hijackers, unverified drivers and other problems.

RunScanner Features
1. Scanning of 80+ hijack locations
2. HOSTS file editor
3. Process Killer
4. Online Malware/Whitelist Analysis.
5. FREE

Startup analyzer utilities are hard to use for novice computer users, but this one is easier because it has online malware analysis, MD5 hash calculation of files + online file rating and online lookup of scanned entries. All this makes RunScanner easier to use to determine which entries are likely to be malicious.

RunScanner can be used in Beginner or Expert mode.
Using htaccess

Here are 5 sets of htaccess directives every webmaster should know:

1 - Redirect Visitors While You Update Your Site

Update and test your site while visitors are redirected to the page of your choice:

order deny,allow  deny from all  
allow from 123.123.123.123
ErrorDocument 403 /page.html
<Files page.html> allow from all </Files>

Replace 123.123.123.123 with your IP address. Also replace page.html with the name of the page you want visitors to see.

2 - Display a Custom 404 Error Page

Your server displays a ?404 File Not Found? error page whenever a visitor tries to access a page on your site that doesn?t exist.

You can replace the server?s default error page with one of your own that explains the error in plain language and links visitors to your home page. Here?s how to use your own page:

ErrorDocument 404 /404.html

Replace 404.html with the name of the page you want visitors to see.

3 - Handle Moved or Renamed Pages

You?ve moved or renamed a page on your site and you want visitors automatically sent to the new page when they try to access the old one. Use a 301 redirect:

Redirect 301 /old.html http://yoursite.com/new.html

Using a 301 redirect also ensures the page doesn?t lose its search engine ranking.

4 - Prevent Directory Browsing

When there?s no index page in a directory, visitors can look and see what?s inside. Some servers are configured to prevent directory browsing like this. If yours isn?t, here?s how to set it up:

Options All -Indexes

5 - Create User Friendly URLs

Which of the two URLs below looks friendlier?

http://yoursite.com/about  http://yoursite.com/pages/about.html  

When it comes to URLs, as long as the meaning is clear, shorter is always better.

With htaccess and an Apache module called mod_rewrite, you can set up URLs however you want. Your server can show the contents of ?/pages/about.html? whenever anyone visits ?http://yoursite.com/about?. Here are a few examples:

RewriteEngine on  
RewriteRule ^about/$ /pages/about.html [L]
RewriteRule ^features/$ /features.php [L]
RewriteRule ^buy/$ /buy.html [L]
RewriteRule ^contact/$ /pages/contact.htm [L]

There?s a lot more to mod_rewrite and htaccess. Check out the links below for more details and tricks.

Additional Resources

Comprehensive guide to .htaccess
mod_rewrite, a beginner?s guide (with examples)
Stupid htaccess Tricks


How to Mount a Windows Shared Folder On Your Mac

So you've made the switch to Mac, but kept your old PC, and now you've got both connected to your home router. How do you access your Windows files from OS X?

Sure you could set up an FTP or SSH server, but that's overkill for a regular home network. Turns out that Mac OS X can connect to Windows shared folders very easily. Read on to find out how.

Set up sharing on your PC. To get this going, make sure your PC is set up for file sharing. In Windows, choose the folder you want to access from your Mac, and right-click to get to its Properties dialog box. From the sharing tab, turn on sharing, and choose a name for the shared folder. (This is the name you'll see on your Mac.)

windows-share-folder1.png

If you try to use a name more than 12 characters long, Windows will warn you about some operating systems not being able to grok it. To be safe, stick with something less than 12. Here, I'm sharing the "My Documents" folder as "PC - My Docs." Also, check the "Allow network users to change my files" if you want to save files to this share from your Mac.

Determine your PC's IP address. You'll need to give your Mac an address to look for this shared folder, so get your PC's local IP address from the command line by running ipconfig. In my setup (shown below), that address is 192.168.1.102. Write that number down.

windows-get-local-ipaddress.png

NOTE: You can use your PC's name versus its IP address to connect to it. Using the name is a better method than IP address because the IP can change if it's assigned dynamically, but the name won't unless you change it.

Connect to the server on your Mac. Now, on your Mac, from Finder's Go menu, choose "Connect to Server." Enter the IP address you just obtained from your PC, preceded by smb://, as shown:

connect-to-server.png

NOTE: To use your PC's name instead of IP address, replace the number with the name. So if your PC's name is "MyWindowsBox", you'd use smb://mywindowsbox (not case-sensitive).

If it finds your server, you'll get prompted to enter your network credentials - by default, your Windows username and password:

smb-auth.png

Once you're in, you'll get to choose which shared folder you want to mount on your Mac. In this case, we're going to choose the "PC - My Docs" share:

smb-choose-share.png

And you're done! Now the "PC - My Docs" folder will be mounted on your Mac, and accessible from your desktop and in Finder. If you've allowed reading and writing to the shared folder in Windows, you can drag and drop and save files to it as if it were any disk.

This technique comes in very handy for backing up your Mac's data to a PC, too - just set your Mac's backup software destination to the Windows drive.

NOTE: You can automatically mount your Windows drive every time you login to your Mac by adding it to your Login items. In System Preferences, Accounts, choose the "Login Items" tab and add the Volume to the list of apps that automatically start up.


Slow WiFi
If your Wi-Fi network is slow, and it's not due to a network outage, you likely have interference. Try relocating your router to shield it from disruptions such as microwave use or calls from a cordless phone. Or you may be on a crowded channel. Change this via your router's configuration page; look for a 'Channel' section and try 1, 6, or 11.
Winsock XP Fix

Ever uninstalled a program that spitefully took your Internet connection with it? Ever run an antispyware program and end up with sporadic Web access?

Here's a LAST option if you've tried all other ways to fix the internet connectivity issue. It has worked for many people and of course, that doesn't mean that it will automatically fix the problem. But it's worth a try...

WinSock XP Fix will offer a last option if your Internet connectivity has been corrupted due to removed or invalid registry entries. It can often cure the problem of lost connections after the removal of Adware components or improper uninstallation of firewall applications or other tools that modify the XP network and Winsock settings.

winsockfix

It can create a registry backup of your current settings, so it is fairly safe to use.

Remember, ALWAYS use the "ReG-Backup" before clicking the "Fix" button so you can restore your settings if something goes wrong.

[ Download Winsock XP Fix ]


Speed Up Web Access With a HOSTS File

There's another way to speed up DNS -- by creating or editing a local HOSTS file on your own PC that contains URLs (also called hostnames) and their corresponding IP addresses. Windows will first look there to see whether there's an entry for the hostname, and if it finds it, it will resolve the address itself. That way, you won't have to go out to a DNS server and wait for the response before visiting a Web site.
 
The HOSTS file is a plain-text file you can create or edit with a text editor like Notepad. You should find an existing HOSTS file in C:WindowsSystem32DriversEtcHOSTS in both Windows XP and Windows Vista. (In some versions of Windows, it may be located in C:WinntSystem32DriversHOSTS). The file has no extension; it is named only HOSTS. If you don't find one, create it in Notepad.

Open the HOSTS file in Notepad and enter the IP addresses and hostnames of your commonly visited Web sites, like this:
65.221.110.98 computerworld.com

Each entry in the file should be on one line. The IP address should be in the first column, and the corresponding hostname in the next column. At least one space should separate the two columns. When you're finished editing the file, save it to its existing location.

Make sure to check your HOSTS file regularly and keep it up-to-date, or else you might deny yourself access to certain Web sites. For example, if www.computerworld.com were to change its IP address but your HOSTS file kept the old, incorrect address, your browser would not be able to find the site.


Switching Between Applications
We often have several applications and folder windows open on our desktops. You can switch between them by using the keyboard (<Alt><Tab>). When you have several copies of a single application open, things get tricky because Windows sticks the taskbar buttons together in pop-ups. This requires extra clicks of the mouse and keystrokes on the keyboard to navigate to the window you want. To stop Windows XP from placing your taskbar buttons in groups, right-click an empty spot on the tasbar and choose Properties. Uncheck Group similar taskbar buttons under the Taskbar tab, and click OK.
Disable Delete Dialog
Do you get tired of Windows asking you, "Are You Sure?" whenever you delete a file? If you're always sure, right-click on the Recycle Bin, select Properties, and uncheck Display delete confirmation dialog. Now you'll save yourself another annoying step in a common task.
Delayed Email
Microsoft Outlook provides an easy way to email yourself reminders. Open a new message, click on the Options... toolbar icon (sometimes to have to click on the Toolbar Options arrows to show all the tools, but once you've chosen the Options... icon, it will appear in the Toolbar by default), and choose the "Do not deliver before:" checkbox. Enter the date and time you want your reminder delivered, enter your own email address in the "To:" field, write your message and send it to yourself.
Disable Network Bridge
Sometimes an older wireless network will create a network bridge on Windows XP. This will usually cause the wireless network to stop responding. To fix this problem, go to your Control Panel, choose Network Connections and remove the Network Bridge. Next, disable any Local Area Connections by right-clicking and choosing Disable (assuming you want to use the Wireless Connection). Sometimes you will have to re-start your computer to establish your wireless connection.
Notepad Timestamp
When calling a company's help line, it's a good idea to take notes . The program NOTEPAD has a handy feature you can use for this purpose. Open a new Notepad document and type .log in the first line. Save the file for future use. Now when you open the file it will automatically insert the date and time, saving you an extra step when you're taking notes.
Getting Rid of Paste Options
When using Miscrosoft Excel 2003 and earlier, you will sometimes see a little box hovering next to cells. These little helpers are labeled "Insert Options" or "Paste Options". They can sometimes get in the way of your work. To turn them off, go to the Tools menu, select Options, and make sure the Edit tab is selected. Then simply disable "Show Paste Options buttons" and "Show Insert Options buttons".


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