Table of content
Progs
Progs
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Favourites
My favourite little proggies aside the space hogging standard stuff:
OS
98lite cut down windows to the real needs http://98lite.net
Rambooster for PCs lower than 128MB ram http://www.sci.fi/~borg/rambooster/index.htm
All the wonderful tools from http://www.sysinternals.com/
FileManager I mean the old one still in windows, winfile.exe
filesync compare directory structures http://www.fileware.com/index.htm
Inctrl4 look what's really installed and changed from http://www.pcmag.com
ptpruner remove orphaned dlls from registry http://www.winmag.com/karen/ptpruner.htm
cacheman adjust your virtual cache settings(w95) http://www.outertech.com
Registry
TweakUi 2000 http://www.pcforrest.co.uk/tweakui.htm
scanreg /opt defragment registry from dos level
Reglean4.1a remove failures from MS
EasyCleaner remove dead links http://www.saunalahti.fi/tonihele/
RegCleaner remove leftovers from installs http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/
Add/Removepro complement to Regcleaner http://www.superwin.com/
Cleanreg for advanced tweakers http://www.cleanreg.com/
OLEclean removes a bunch of uninstalled but left references http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,0015UT,.html
Internet
Ispeed test and correct modem settings http://www.hms.com
WS_FTP95LE http://www.ipswitch.com
AOLpress2.0 Html-editing http://www.aolpress.com/press/
Desktop
LogMon the better automated taskmanager http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/4436/Eng/
TclockEX individual date/time and ressource monitor http://users.iafrica.com/d/da/dalen here an example http://www.webwi.de/images/Tclockex.gif
Traymenu The better Startmenu http://www.iglyph.com/
Shutz the fastest shotdown of the world http://www.jthz.com/puter/
Tray Command Line replacing comfortable the Run-command http://www.tau.ac.il/~gokhman/
MP3
mp3trim and wavtrim http://www.jps.net/kyunghi/mp3encod.htm
MPEGSuite http://ec2000.xperiment.net/ this doesn't work under W2K, the link is dead no project closed
MIR tagger http://home.t-online.de/home/sensai/
Simple Tray Player STP http://SysTrayPlay.chat.ru/ the lowest ressource hoggar on players
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Background
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Defrag
This was posted at annoyances.org time ago by someone who stole it from somewhere enhanced for my purposes
To understand Defrag and learn ways to speed it up
Command line options:
defrag [drive: | /all] [/F | /U | /Q] /noprompt] [/concise | /detailed]
Parameters
drive: Drive letter of the disk to be optimized.
/all Defragment all local, nonremovable drives.
/F Defragment files and free space.
/U Defragment files only.
/Q Defragment free space only.
/concise Display the Hide Details view (default).
/detailed Display the Show Details view.
/noprompt Unattended mode; do not stop and display confirmation messages.
The Disk Defragmenter (also called a disk optimizer) is used to defragment information on a disk. The Disk Defragmenter tool optimizes the performance of your computer by reorganizing the files on your hard disk into contiguous blocks.
Windows 98 monitors applications that you launch and creates a log file for each application in the \Windows\Applog directory. Disk Defragmenter uses the log files to arrange program files in the order they are accessed when the program starts, causing the program to start more quickly.
When Disk Defragmenter (Defrag.exe) runs, it calls Cvtaplog.exe to gather information from all the lgn files and build an Applog.dtn file, one for each drive.The Applog.dtn file contains information about cluster placement optimization instructions which are read by Defrag.exe. Defrag uses this information to place disk clusters in the optimized order so that programs start up faster. When a program is installed on your computer, the program's files may be broken up over multiple locations on your hard disk. OK---waiting on this are you ??
We'll Fine-Tune the Program Start-Order: ok.
The Cvtaplog.exe file is called by Defrag.exe to determine the program optimization order and to build the optimization cluster list. The optimization order is recorded in Optlog.txt, which is located in the \Windows\Applog (hidden) folder on your system. The log file lists programs that were used and not optimized, and explains why (see Flags for Ineligible Programs). It also records values of various control parameters.
Note that Programs Eligible for Optimization are optimized in the order of most used to least used. The program with the highest use is optimized first. A flag (reason) is given for each of the Programs Ineligible for Optimization.
Flags for Ineligible Programs:
S = Log size smaller than
U = Program not used for more than
P = No profile for program
E = Associated program no longer exists
D = Log deleted (may be combined with one of the above)
They are displayed when running Defrag via the Task Scheduler, in the "Status" column of the Scheduled Tasks window. You can view the Result Codes at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Plus!\SystemAgent\SAGE\DiskDefragmenter\Result Codes
To prevent screen savers from running during defragmentation, run a regfile.
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Defrag\Settings]
"DisableScreenSaver"="yes"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Defrag\Settings\method]
@="FULLNOAPPLOG"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Defrag\Settings\scandisk]
@="TRUE"
Correct Steps for Disabling Screen Saver During Defrag.exe
If your dang Disk Defragmenter restarts frequently and cannot complete then,
Restart in Safe Mode, and run Defrag. Safe Mode disables programs running in the Startup.
or Run Disk Defragmenter before Windows displays the logon prompt. Some programs are always running in the background of Windows 98 and are difficult to close. If you closed all programs and Disk Defragmenter still restarts frequently and cannot complete, you may want to run Disk Defragmenter before Windows displays the logon. Subsequent computer restarts will not cause Disk Defragmenter to run again. Putting this command line under the RunServiceOnce key takes effect only once. On the Win98 CD in the: \Tools\Mtsutil folder, locate defrag.inf, right-click and select Install. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer. Or (if you have an OEM CD)
Open Registry Editor.Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce Create a new string value named Defrag. Set the value to defrag.exe
Disk Defragmenter runs before the Windows logon prompt with minimal interruptions.
If Defrag still hangs, the problem may be due to a corrupt file in your Windows\Temporary Internet folder(s), or the Windows\Applog folder may be corrupt.
1. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart In MS-DOS Mode, and then click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command, and pressing Y if you are prompted to confirm folder deletion:
cd\windows
smartdrv
deltree /Y cookies
deltree /Y applog
deltree /Y history
deltree /Y tempor~1
exit
NOTE: If you have a cookie that stores a password for a particular Web site,copy the contents of the Cookies folder to a new folder before deleting the Cookies folder. To do so, type the following commands at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each command
md anyname
copy c:\windows\cookies\*.* c:\windows\anyname
where "anyname" is the folder to which you want to copy the contents of the Cookies folder.
Restart your computer.
While your computer restarts, press down and hold the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears.
Choose Command Prompt from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.
From C:\> (type) scandisk | when prompted select yes (Y) for the option to run a surface scan.
Restart your computer.
While your computer restarts, press down and hold the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears.
Choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.
Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Defragmenter.
Restart your computer.
All control parameters are DWORD values under the;
HKLM\software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Defrag\AppStartParams key.
In the absence of control parameter settings in the registry, the default value for the parameter is used. The default value and the meaning of each parameter is as follows:
Use app profile = Yes (1)
0 means do not use task monitor's app profile. When profile is not used, programs are optimized in FindFirst/FindNext order of the Application.lgn files in the \Windows\Applog folder, and the following parameters are ignored.Already set up as System.dat\User.dat\System.ini\Win.ini. A list of files excluded from program start optimization. Certain files, such as System.dat, are better organized contiguously than fragmented for program start optimization. File names are separated by a backslash in this string.
Minimum log size = 1000
Minimum log file size in bytes to qualify for optimization. Programs with log files smaller than this value are not optimized. If UseProfile is 0, this parameter is ignored.
Maximum no use days = 90
Programs not used for longer this many days do not qualify for optimization. If UseProfile is 0, this parameter is ignored.
Maximum apps = 50
Maximum number of apps to be optimized. Programs are optimized in descending order of usage counts, up to this max number. If UseProfile is 0, this parameter is ignored.
NOTE: always back up the Dang registry--ok.
Reducing the amount of Fragmentation
Because Windows 98 relies heavily on keeping your drive optimised, so that files are not broken up across non sequential clusters on your drive, you can reduce the amount of fragmentation that occurs by increasing the size of free space that Windows 98 searches for before using that space to store files. This should reduce the amount of time that the Maintenance Wizard and the Scheduled Tasks have to take when tuning up your puter. The default size searched for is 512Kb, but if you have a modern machine with plenty of space, you can increase this by changing a key in the Registry.
In Regedit go to the:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
section. Right click and enter a new DWORD value. Change the name to: ContigFileAllocSize then enter a value: 1024 for 1Mb.(Hex) This will mean that a lot of space is ignored on your drive until it is de-fragmented, which Windows 98 will have been set up to do automatically in the Maintenance Wizard, but that large files are not split.
My Note on this: Change the Dword to 4096 and you will have faster results on preparing a CDRW-Image when encoding and rearanging MP3-files.
Make a new shortcut with defrag drive: /F /noprompt edit the properties for working directory set to windows/system and minimized execution. This is the fastest way to get a proper Image drive for burning CD's
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INFs
.INF Structure copied from a thread at http://www.regedit.com
.INF files are standard ASCII files viewable in almost any text editor. They must have the extension .INF to be recognized as such (Wipe.inf, sample.inf, and so forth) and generally are case-insensitive. Comments can be placed in the file by preceding them with semicolons (;). The semicolon can be the first character in the line, or at any other location--symbolizing that from this point on, the line becomes a comment.
Section names must be unique to the file and identified by surrounding the text in square brackets ([]). The first section should be "version" in order for the file to properly execute. A "signature" line identifying which operating system it is to run on follows it. If the operating system is Windows 95 or Windows 98, the signature is "$Chicago$" since the code name for the Windows 95 beta was Chicago and this part of the code was never changed. If the operating system in question is Windows NT Server or Workstation, then the signature is "$Windows NT$", though you'll find that "$Chicago$" works in most cases as well.
An example would be:
;This file will be used to delete entries for
;the ABC utility when it is no longer used
[version]
signature="$Windows NT$" ;to work on Windows NT clients
[DefaultInstall]
In many cases, there is a great deal of flexibility in what names you use for the sections--DefaultInstall, however, is not one of those situations. When you execute an .INF file, the terminology applied is "installing" it. Thus, it is this section that identifies the execution that will take place by means of keywords. Included in the many possible defined keywords are:
Renfiles - renames files on the system
Delfiles - deletes files from the system
AddReg - adds entries to the registry
DelReg - removes entries from the registry
In all cases, what must follow the keyword is an equal (=) sign and the name of one or more other sections in the file where the defined actions are held. Every entry in the other section defines a single value name or subkey that will be deleted. If the entry is a subkey, then all the values (and any other subkeys) beneath the one specified also are deleted.
An example thus becomes:
[DefaultInstall]
DelReg=FilesToRemove
[FilesToRemove]
;here is where the actual deletions are specified
Line Syntax
The lines in the removal section must explicitly point to what will be removed. Any errors in the syntax in this part of the file have serious repercussions. As is true any time you are dealing with the registry, double-check all syntax and run the file on a limited number of machines first to be certain it works properly before rolling it out on a larger scale. The syntax for the line is:
{root key/hive}, {path}, {valuename},
The root key (alternatively referenced as the root hive) can be one of four values:
HKCR - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKU - HKEY_USERS
HKLM - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
HKCU - HKEY_CURRENT_USER
In reality, the latter two hold values for all else (HKCR is a link to a subkey in HKLM, and HKU is meaningless except for HKCU). For that reason, try to avoid using the first two in all situations and focus on the latter two.
The path defines the subkeys one must traverse in the registry to reach the location where the deletion takes place. If there are no embedded spaces in the path, then quotation marks don't need to be used. If there are embedded spaces, then the use of quotation marks is mandatory. For example:
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
"Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion"
Since using question marks where they are not necessary does not adversely affect the outcome, it is best to always use quotation marks.
The valuename is optional. If used, it specifies the name of the value to be deleted. On Windows 95 and 98 clients, this can be a String, Binary, or Dword (double-word) value. On Windows NT clients, it can be any of the preceding three, an Expanded String, or a Multiple Line String. If the valuename is not specified, then all valuenames beneath the path are deleted as well as the subkey that held them.
When the valuename is used, then a stray comma should be used at the end of the line. Many times, the command will execute properly without the comma, but it always will execute properly with the comma there.
For example:
[FilesToRemove]
HKCU,"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer", NoRun,
This removes the Dword restriction NoRun from any Microsoft client and lets the user use this feature (in many cases, they will need to log out and back in, however, to see the menu choice).
The other possible option is:
HKCU,"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Junk"
This removes all values beneath the Junk subkey, as well as the subkey itself.
Executing The File
To this point, we have talked about the almost limitless power contained within the .INF and how it can be created. Now, for the bad news: files with this extension are not automatically executable in the way those with .EXE, .CMD, .BAT, and .COM extensions are on Microsoft clients. In a sense, this is helpful as it may prevent a user from accidentally running it, but from the standpoint of what we
are trying to accomplish, it is a burden to overcome.
The default action on .INF files is OPEN. When a user on a Microsoft client double-clicks on an .INF file, it opens the file in Notepad or WordPad to let him edit it. If he right-clicks on the file, a menu of choices appears with OPEN being the first (and highlighted) choice. The next choice in the list is Install--the option we want.
Thus, in order to run an .INF file on a client, you have several possibilities:
1. Tell your users where to find it, have them single-right-click on it, and choose Install. The file can be on their hard drive, on a floppy, or on the server.
2. Have an administrator or assistant run from machine to machine doing step #1.
3. Find out what actually takes place when someone selects Install and write to that.
The latter choice holds the most possibilities for an administrator. Perusing through the registry, it is possible to find that files with an .INF extension are referenced internally as being "inffile." Examining the possibilities for "inffile," the shell subkey holds descriptions for install, open, and print. The command associated with install on Windows 95 and Windows 98 clients is:
Rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection
DefaultInstall 132 %1
On Windows NT Workstation and Server clients it is:
Rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection
DefaultInstall 132 %1
There are two differences between these two clients: the executable they call, and the dynamic link library used. Windows 9x clients call a 16-bit .EXE and use the SETUPX library. Windows NT clients call a 32-bit .EXE and use the SETUPAPI library. Aside from those differences, the remaining syntax is the same--looking for the DefaultInstall section in the file and executing it.
Windows NT systems do not contain the Rundll.exe file. Windows 9x systems, however, contain both Rundll.exe and Rundll32.exe. Most Windows 9x systems also contain Setupapi.dll. To make a long story short, if you want to guarantee that the file will execute without error, you must use a different syntax for 9x and NT clients.
Lastly, the %1 at the end of the command will be replaced by the name and path of the .INF file you create. It is very important that the path also be included or else errors are likely to occur.
Putting It All Together
Now that we know what .INF files are, the power behind them, and how they work, let's look at a couple of real-world examples as to why they should be used.
Situation #1
A large defense contractor uses UNIX servers (HP and Sun) with 2,000 Windows NT Workstations. The operating system and software is installed on the NT Workstations through a stock "image" that an administrator made some time ago. The image includes a program called "ABC," which was a trial version of a database-access program that was being evaluated.
A bigger defense contractor purchases this one. When its employees conduct their evaluation of procedures, they uncover the ABC software on every single workstation--realize that it was a trial version only and the time to use it without purchase has passed. The new company does not want to purchase the software, and deleting the files still leaves entries in the registry-- enough so to raise a flag during an audit. The administrators need to get ABC's settings out of the registry of 2,000 machines.
Fortunately, the site was using system policies. It was coded in the install image that when each of the clients logged on, an NTCONFIG.POL file would be found and configure the clients to take away the Run command, the Find command, and limit other operations on their desktop.
To solve the problem, the following .INF file was created and placed on the server where NTCONFIG.POL existed:
[version]
signature="$Windows NT$"
[DefaultInstall]
DelReg=RemoveABC
[RemoveABC]
HKCU, "Software\ABC"
Within the system policy, an entry was made beneath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
That entry was named GetRidofABC, and the value associated with it was
Rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall
132 \\server\path\INF
where server was the name of their server, path the location to the file, and INF the name of the .INF file created. This removed the entry from the registry of all 2,000 clients the next time a user logged in. One miscellaneous note they unearthed: RunOnce works differently in a system policy than in a hard-coded registry setting (rather than only running once, it runs each time someone logs in).
After one week, they were satisfied all the clients had been affected and removed the entry from the system policy.
Situation #2
A UNIX-based company used a mixture of Windows 95 (mostly) and Windows NT Workstation (a few) clients to interact with their servers. The company was faced with a high turnover of employees and new employees always inherited the workstations from departed employees. Security was not the primary concern and unfortunately, the employees would often inherit such items as the last user's set of URLs for Web sites visited, the list of most recently run documents, and executables accessed through the Run command.
To address this problem, they created an .INF file located on one server in a directory accessible only to administrators. The file contained the following lines:
[version]
signature="$Chicago$"
[DefaultInstall]
DelReg=CleanUp
[CleanUp]
HKCU, "Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLS"
HKCU, "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs"
HKCU, "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU"
This file referenced keys shared by Windows 9x and Windows NT, and thus worked on both platforms. Rather than automating its operations, when new a employee would start, an administrator would show him to his cubicle and explain the network setup. During the course of that orientation, the administrator would access the .INF file, choose Install from the pop-up menu, and effectively clean the machine.
If contemplating something similar, other settings to consider removing include:
HKCU, InstallLocationsMRU -keeps track of the media used for the last software installs
HKCU, Software\Netscape\Netscape Navigator\ URL History - if you are using Netscape Navigator rather than Internet Explorer as a browser
HKCU, Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Doc Find Spec MRU - the specifications formerly fed into the Find utility for locating documents
HKCU, Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\FindComputerMRU - the specifications formerly fed into the Find utility for locating hosts
Miscellaneous
If you want to remove more than one type of software at a time, you can make your .INF files more readable by placing entries related to them in different section names. More than one section name can be specified on the DelReg line--and the result looks like:
[DefaultInstall]
DelReg=ABC, DEF
[ABC]
{lines to remove relevant to ABC software}
[DEF]
{lines to remove relevant to DEF software}
A [Strings] section can be used in the .INF file to hold long values, which variables can then represent. If used, this must be the last section of the file, and the variable must be surrounded by percent signs. For example:
[CleanUp]
HKCU, %URLS%
HKCU, %DOCS%
HKCU, %RUN%
[Strings]
URLS="Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLS"
DOCS="Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\RecentDocs"
RUN="Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\RunMRU"
During execution, the variables are translated into their corresponding strings. This makes little sense for small .INF files, but can be useful when creating (and later interpreting) larger ones.
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PrintFiles
Question: I use my laptop on the road alot and frequently have to print something, but I don't need the actual hard copy immediatly. Is there a way to "print" documents to a holding area of sorts, then actually print them when I connect to a printer?
Usually any Printer dialog has a checkbox to print to a file. When you check it you get asked for any filename you want.
Later with your printer attached, you use a dos command:
copy /B myfile.prn prn
note: the last prn can read also LPT1 or whatever your printer is connected to.
You find the file in your default documents folder, however when the box asks for a file name you can specify a full pathname like:
C:\PRNFiles\myfile.prn
Open a dos-Window and type the following command when the printer is hooked up:
copy /B C:\PRNFiles\myfile.xyz prn
There is also the possibility to work with a batch-file but not with windows right click print function. The right click print function works with registered applications only. The already prepared binary file would be printed as plain text, funny results and a lot of pages and at least you've to completely reset your printer. The same is valid for SendTo.
Those documents are final form binary, eg. PCL5 printer language, they cannot be opened again, only copied binary to the assigned printer.
That's comfortable eg. for formsheets with corresponding database variables or actual dates to be kept fixed at the current location, save the thing as print-file, and print them straight away when at home. No further need for editing, not even the application is needed, just the printer setup must fit.
Extended according my postings at http://ph.nowonder.com/ultimate/Forum2/HTML/007081.html [link is dead]
There are 2 options how to deal with it from batch-files
1.Make a default directory eg:
c:\PRNfiles
The batch could read than:
copy /B C:\PRNFiles\*.* prn
Make a shortcut to the batch wherever you want to have it
2.Make a shortcut in the SendTo Folder to the batch file
The batch could read than:
copy /B %1 prn
You can send than the file wherever you have stored it to the printer.
2nd extension
One may also establish a right click feature for explorer by:
Add a registry this key called prnPrint
HKCR\directory\shell\prnPrint
"Command"= "copy /B %1 prn"
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Rundll
Run commands, note that not all may work on different configurations, if in trouble in win98 leave the 32 off to read it only rundll.exe.
Where appropriate for handy usage subpanel functions are mentioned also
rundll32.exe AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere | New shortcut here wizard
rundll32 user,tilechildwindows | all open windows tiled on the desktop
rundll32 user,cascadechildwindows | all open windows cascade on the desktop
rundll32 krnl386.exe,exitkernel | kills windows without asking, deadly abort
rundll32 msprint2.dll,RUNDLL_PrintTestPage | opens selection box for printers and send a test page
rundll32.exe sysdm.cpl, |call any Sys Ctrl Pan
rundll32.exe user,exitwindows | Windows shutdown
rundll32.exe user,exitwindowsexec | windows restart
rundll32.exe user,wnetconnectdialog |dialog Netdrives connect"
rundll32.exe user,wnetdisconnectdialog |dialog Netzlaufwerk disconnect"
rundll32.exe user,disableoemlayer |get a really nice GPF
rundll32.exe user,repaintscreen |as <F5>
rundll32.exe user,setcursorpos |Mouse-Cursor to upper left
rundll32.exe diskcopy,DiskCopyRunDll |dialog Diskette copy"
rundll32.exe rnaui.dll,RnaWizard /1 |dialog DUN (/1 = without startpicture)
rundll32.exe shell,shellexecute |open Explorer
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL |dialog open with"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHFormatDrive |dialog Diskette format"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,ShellAboutA |Info-Box memory/ressources
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx |Windows 98 logoff
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 0 |Windows 98 restart
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 1 |Windows 98 shutdown
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 2 |Windows-98-reboot
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 4 |Windows 98 Logoff, and start Explorer after relogon
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx -1 |Windows-98-Explorer restart
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx 8 |Windows-98-Power off
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL |SystemControlPanel (SCP) start
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL access.cpl |SCP "handicaped functions"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,1 |SCP "Install/Uninstall"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,2 |SCP "Windows Setup"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,3 |SCP "Startup Disk"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl |SCP "Display"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL findfast.cpl |SCP "Find Fast Properties"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL inetcpl.cpl |SCP "Internet Properties"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl |SCP "Regional settings"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL joy.cpl |SCP "Joystick"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @0 |SCP-"Mouse"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @1 |SCP-"Keyboard"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @2 |SCP-"Printers"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @3 |SCP-"Fonts"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mlcfg32.cpl |SCP-"Mail"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl |SCP-"Multimedia"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL modem.cpl |SCP-"Modem"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL netcpl.cpl |SCP-"Network" (win9X)
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL ncpa.cpl |SCP-"Network" (NT)
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL odbccp32.cpl |SPC "ODBC"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL password.cpl |SPC "Password" (win9x)
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl |SPC "System Properties"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,1 |SPC "Device Manger"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl @1 |SPC "Add new Hardware wizard" (win9X)
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl |SCP "Date/Time"
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL tweakui.cpl |SCP "TweakUI"
Hint: "rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL" can be replaced by simply typing "Control" at the run command, all parameters work the same way.
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL AddPrinter |SCP "Add new Printer wizard" (win9X)
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHFormatDrive |Start GUI diskette format program
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Scanreg
SCANREG.EXE comes with Win98 and is installed by default, it's purpose is working under pure DOS
/BACKUP forces a new cab-backup-file
/RESTORE pops a menu to select one of the last five days backups
/FIX repairs the registry, I found nearly exactly the same way as regclean4.1a does
/COMMENT=yxz addded to the cab-files, displayed in the menu
/opt undocumented removes all the empty space left by key deletions, this option is automatically invoked by /fix, if the wasted space is larger than 500KB
A companion to this is SCANREGW.EXE which works from windows only with limited automated function. /Fix starts automatic and with /Backup you get asked, if you want it to do or not.
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XCOPY
Copy files and directory trees.
XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/W] [/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U] [/K] [/N]
source Specifies the file(s) to copy.
destination Specifies the location and/or name of new files.
/A Copies files with the archive attribute set, doesn't change the attribute.
/M Copies files with the archive attribute set, turns off the archive attribute.
/D:date Copies files changed on or after the specified date. If no date is given, copies only those files whose source time is newer than the destination time.
/P Prompts you before creating each destination file.
/S Copies directories and subdirectories except empty ones.
/E Copies directories and subdirectories, including empty ones. Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
/W Prompts you to press a key before copying.
/C Continues copying even if errors occur.
/I If destination does not exist and copying more than one file, assumes that destination must be a directory.
/Q Does not display file names while copying.
/F Displays full source and destination file names while copying.
/L Displays files that would be copied.
/H Copies hidden and system files also.
/R Overwrites read-only files.
/T Creates directory structure, but does not copy files. Does not include empty directories or subdirectories. /T /E includes empty directories and subdirectories.
/U Updates the files that already exist in destination.
/K Copies attributes. Normal Xcopy will reset read-only attributes.
/Y Overwrites existing files without prompting.
/-Y Prompts you before overwriting existing files.
/N Copy using the generated short names.
/V Undocumented verify after copy, may slow down the process enormous
User preferences are "RICHKEY", "SCHERK", "KREISCH", discussions are widely about it, I use:
xcopy c:\*.* d:\ /r/i/c/h/k/e/y
Use it from Windows run command or DOS-Box not from a DOS-Boot or you will loose all the longfilenames.
It will not copy the swap file, but that is useless anyway.
When you add /m it will reset the archive attribute, so allowing faster repetitive incremental backups. With this parameter the active open user.dat and system.dat are not copied.
However the backup.cabs are, which is sufficient enough.
If your current installation blows off and you need the backup, you need either a thirdparty tool to copy under DOS longfilenames or setup a basic windows installation to get the things back.
Though a lot of people insist on xcopy32, calling xcopy32 is useless, if an 32bit environment is available, it's automatically invoked. See the headline while copying in a dos-box.
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Hints
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Backup
If you have MS Backup installed, you will have two drivers in c:\windows\system\iosubsys called drvwppqt.vxd and drvwq117.vxd. These load during boot and search for a tape drive using the floppy disk controller (dont ask why).
If you dont have a tape drive then they can be disabled. Simply move/rename/delete the files and they will not load during boot. These drivers load just before the startup sound plays, so the boot sequence will go faster.
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DirPrint
Print the contents of a folder as a right click option
Add a registry this key called DirList
HKCR\directory\shell\DirList\Command
@="c:\windows\dirlist.bat %1"
Create a dirlist.bat in the windows directory that has the specific info you want.
@echo off
dir %1% /ogn /a /v /s >c:\windows\dirlist.txt
notepad c:\windows\dirlist.txt
Create a dirlist.pif in the windows directory that has Run minimized and close on exit checked.
Now, when right click on a folder it has an option called DirList. When selected it, a notepad window pops up with the directory contents.
/ogn = sortorder by directoires than names
/a = shows attributes
/s = subdirectories included
/v = long winded display
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MediaPlayer+M3U
MediaPlayer6.4 (don't know 7 yet) can read m3u lists, though not documented.
To produce a M3U list use a batch like:
dir /b/s c:\*.wav >sounds.m3u
dir /b/s c:\*.mp3>>sounds.m3u
etc.
/b supresses all random information of directories and leaves only the fileinfo
/s calls all subdirectories as well
This works also with videos, the order is'nt important, Mediaplayer plays them as they appear. You can even point to a full internet-url.
Just open the list with media-player.
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Sysmon
You can use the System Monitor C:\WINDOWS\SYSMON.EXE for watching out your critical ressources.
In the System Monitor choose -EDIT
Here some specific points of interest, which are little known, but helpful for configuring your setup:
To monitor your real need of disk cache, add item - Memory Manager - Disk cache size
To monitor your tranfer rates on the internet, add Item - DialUp Adaptor - Several options but D/L bytes is the best
To monitor your real need of virtual memory, add item - Swapfile usage
I recommend to watch only one at a time, not to clutter up the thing to much, disable the titlebar and place it above the systray, but not to the far right corner, to prevent it from hiding slider bars when always on top.
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PSP
Application used to perform an action:
"Open"
C:\PROGRA~1\PAINTS~1\PSP.EXE /dde
check the Use DDE checkbox
DDE Message:
[open("%1")]
That opens another psp image in the same, already open, psp window.
It doesn't open another window to view the new image.
TIP, try clicking the help button/question mark thingy at the top right and then click the "dde message:" text, it will explain a bit
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Misc
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BootBatch
Windows-Tip: Record the PC-starts in a file, integrate this in your autoexec.bat
@echo off
echo ***** Protocol *****
echo. | date | find /v "News" >> %windir%\winboot.log
echo. | time | find /v "New" >> %windir%\winboot.log
echo. >> %windir%\winboot.log
From time to time you can delete winboot.log not to have it to big.
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Deltree TMP
CleanTMP.bat.
Make a shortcut to this file (pif) and put the shortcut in wherever you want. Open the properties of the pif-file and chose the checkbox "Close on exit"
@echo off
if exist c:\windows\temp\*.* deltree /y c:\windows\temp\*.*
if exist c:\windows\temp\* deltree /y c:\windows\temp\*
First line deletes files, second deletes folders.
Warning: Don't call such a thing by autoexec.bat or automated shut down programs, as it might hamper installation routines requiring a reboot
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MultipleBatch
This batch is how to start several programs at once
START [options] program [arg...]
START [options] document.ext
/m [inimized] Run the new program minimized (in the background).
/max [imized] Run the new program maximized (in the foreground).
/r [estored] Run the new program restored (in the foreground). [default]
/w [ait] Does not return until the other program exits.
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NS-Hecks
Copied from Bruce Jensen, who copied it somewhere else(sorry URL is gone).
Below are custom entries that you can add to your prefs.js NS4X file which is located in the root of your user directory. To edit the file just open it up with notepad or your favorite text editor.
Note: Some of them aren't available in the navigator only versions anyway.
This entry hides the 'My Shopping' button:
user_pref("browser.chrome.disableMyShopping", true);
This entry removes the Netscape Radio menu item:
user_pref("browser.chrome.disableNetscapeRadio", true);
This entry replaces the 'My Netscape' button with the original 'Guide' button:
user_pref("browser.chrome.useGuideButton", true);
This entry disables the Full Circle debugging feature:
user_pref("general.fullcircle_enable", false);
This entry will cause Netscape to load images after it has loaded text. This setting doesn't seem perfect... but it does help:
user_pref("images.incremental_display", false);
This entry sets the maximum number of simultaneous connections that Communicator can have open. The default is 4. For 56K modem users suggest 6 and for Cable+ users I suggest a setting of 8 or more, I'd made up with ISDN already 10:
user_pref("network.max_connections", 6);
This entry will give priority to updating the UI over a network connection. Can be quite handy when a 'dead/troublesome' link in a page is making Communicator unresponsive:
user_pref("network.speed_over_ui", false);
This entry sets the size, in kilobytes, of the TCP buffer in Communicator. The default is 32. For 56K modem users I suggest a setting of 64 and for ISDN/Cable+ users I suggest a setting of 128 or more:
user_pref("network.tcpbufsize", 64);
This entry specifies the number of seconds that will elapse before Communicator automatically fails the connection:
user_pref("network.tcptimeout", 30);
This entry disables the annoying startup page in Netscape Messenger:
user_pref("mailnews.start_page.enabled", false);
This entry, if the above is set to true, will load the specified URL as the startup page in Netscape Messenger:
user_pref("mailnews.start_page.url", "http://your.url.here");
This entry will cause Communicator to ask you again to be the default browser if it currently isn't and you had earlier told Netscape to not ask you again:
user_pref("browser.wfe.ignore_def_check", false);
You can use these entries to specifiy a custom 'throbber'... normally the animated 'N' in the upper right-hand corner of Netscape Communicator. The firsty entry specifies the number of total frames in the throbber animation. The second and third entries specify the paths to the large and small animation bitmaps, respectively. Each frame in the large bitmap is 32x32 pixels and 16x16 pixels for the small bitmap. The bitmaps are horizontal, so for the large bitmap you'd have an image with a width of numframes * 32 and a height of 32 and for the small bitmap you'd have an image with a width of numframes * 16 with a height of 16. (Note the use of double backslashes in the paths to the custom bitmap):
user_pref("toolbar.logo.frames", 33);
user_pref("toolbar.logo.win_large_file", "c:\\mythrobber\\large.bmp");
user_pref("toolbar.logo.win_small_file", "c:\\mythrobber\\small.bmp");
If you install Outlook Express/98/2000 on top of a ROM II system and would like to use Outlook Express/98/2000 as your default mail client from within Netscape Communicator then visit the NSOutlook home page, download and install the mail plug-in, and make the following entries (Be sure to read the readme file included with the NSOutlook mail plug-in):
user_pref("mail.use_altmail", true);
user_pref("mail.altmail_dll", "nsoutlook.dll");
Undocumented Keyboard Tricks for Communicator
<CTRL><ALT><S> - Toggles the status bar on or off.
<CTRL><ALT><T> - Displays a dialog showing the current connection status.
<CTRL><ALT><F> - The 'Fish Cam'.
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Speed bat
If you want to speed up any batch file process, do this:
CTTY nul
<commands>
CTTY con
Ensure your batch never needs an keyinput and errors don't terminate the batch right in the middle, or you have to type in blind the last command line.
Do you have a lot of remarks in your batch, don't use REM, just use ::
This leads to a label interpretation and discards the reading of the whole line.
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Sysbackup
This folder contains loads of stuff never used. How to deal with it?
You can delete most everything off it. Compare the system and sysbckup directories with WinDiff.exe
(from the Windows CD in X:\tools\reskit\file\).
Any that are duplicates in the sysbckup dir can get deleted. There will be 2 or 3 that Windows will be using and
won't let you delete, just leave them there along with the Registry CAB backup files. If a program ever calls for a missing or corrupted file just use Extract or SFC to get it from the Windows CD.
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Toggle printer
You want immediate access to 2 printer settings?
Create a new printer and take all settings from your existing one, but the "name" and the "orientation". Overwrite it with some cluefull short like "HPland".
Highlight your Standard printer and Rename it like "HPport"
Now open Notepad and create one file:
REGEDIT4
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Config\0001\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
"Default"="HPport"
Save it as "port.reg" Remind after the last line to have an additional carriage return (one more empty line)
Now edit this file to make the value looking:
"Default"="HPland"
Save this file as "land.reg"
Link both files either on your desktop for just double clicking or call one of your choice as first line in a batch, which invokes your application.
Remind the setting sets it as Default standard printer until you chose another.
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Win98 freebies
posted from Lance1 at nowonder board, who copied it from data1, who copied it somewhere else
ASD.EXE = Automatic Skip Driver
CLEANMGR.EXE = Disk Space Cleanup Manager
CVT1.EXE = FAT32 Drive Converter tool
DEFRAG.EXE = Disk Defragmenter (includes application optimizer)
DRWATSON.EXE = Dr. Watson Diagnostic tool
HWINFO.EXE = Hardware Information (saves your hardware info on disk)
REGEDIT.EXE = Registry Editor
RSRCMTR.EXE = Resource Meter
SCANDSKW.EXE = Scan Disk
SCANREGW.EXE = Registry Checker
SIGVERIF.EXE = Signature Verification tool
SMTIDY.EXE = Tidy Start Menu tool (cleanup Start Menu)
SYSMON.EXE = System Monitor
TASKMAN.EXE = Task Manager
TUNEUP.EXE = Maintenance Wizard
VCMUI.EXE = Version Conflict Manager
WINIPCFG.EXE = TCP/IP Configuration tool
WINPOPUP.EXE = WinPopup network messaging tool
WINREP.EXE = Problem Report tool (if you contact Microsoft support)
WINVER.EXE = Windows Version
WSCRIPT.EXE = Windows Scripting Host
WUPDMGR.EXE = Update Manager (Internet connection required)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In your \Windows\System subfolder:
IESHWIZ.EXE = Customize Folder tool
INTERNAT.EXE = Keyboard Language Indicator Applet
MKCOMPAT.EXE = Make Compatible App tool
MSCONFIG.EXE = System Configuration tool
MSTASK.EXE = Task Scheduler
SFC.EXE = System File Checker
SYSEDIT.EXE = System Editor tool (edit: Autoexec.bat, Config.sys, System.ini, Win.ini)
WALIGN.EXE = WinAlign tool
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the \Program Files folder, in the...
\Program Files\Accessories\Backup subfolder:
MSBACKUP.EXE = Backup tool
\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Msinfo subfolder:
MSINFO32.EXE = System Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On your Windows 98 cd-rom, in the...
\Tools\Msutil\Fat32ebd subfolder:
FAT32EBD.EXE = FAT32 Emergency Boot Disk
\Tools\Reskit\Config subfolder:
FAT32WIN.EXE = FAT32 Conversion Information
TZEDIT.EXE = Time Zone Editor
\Tools\Msutil\Pmtshoot subfolder:
PMTSHOOT.EXE = Power Management Trouble Shooter
\Tools\Reskit\Netadmin\Poledit subfolder:
POLEDIT.EXE = Policy Editor
\Tools\Reskit\Desktop subfolder:
CLIPTRAY.EXE = Clipboard Tray (add selected text to the Clipboard)
CHKLNKS.EXE = Links Check Wizard
QUIKTRAY.EXE = Quick Tray (add programs to the Tray)
\Tools\Reskit\File subfolder:
TEXTVIEW.EXE = Text File Viewer
WINDIFF.EXE = File Comparison tool
\Tools\Reskit\File\Lfnback subfolder:
LFNBK.EXE = Long File Names Backup tool
\Tools\Reskit\Powertoy subfolder:
TWEAKUI.INF = TweakUI Power Toy Information file: right-click on it and select Install. When done, open Control Panel and
(double)-click TweakUI.
------------------------------------
Some of them are installed by default, others need to be added with the winsetup, others are just to be extracted from the CD
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Troubleshooting
-
Help
To solve a hampered Help file system (if you need it anyway):
In explorer check view>folder options>file types
"Compiled HTML Help Files" properties and make sure command open is associated with hh.exe.
Check "HELP File", you should see ext is HLP and open with winhlp32
In addition check for this / or extract with sfc:
hh.exe in \windows
hhcntrl..ocx in \windows\system
itrcl.dll in \windows\system
itss.dll in \windows\system
windows.chm in \windows\help (This is the chm file that opens from the start menu help icon) Plus all the other files that should be in your \windows\help already, to many to list.
Register the following:
regsvr32 c:\windows\system\itss.dll
also register itircl.dll and hhctrl.ocx in same manner
Locate and run hhupd.exe
98lite users with chm-file problems may drill down Registry / Fixes / HelpFileFix
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INF lost
The right click option for inf-files is gone?
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.inf
@="inffile"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\inffile\shell\install\command
@="C:\WINDOWS\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %1"
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MSINFO
No information displayed in MSINFO?
If you try to view information on your system using Microsoft System Information (MSINFO), you may not see any information (blank fields) for all or some of the categories.
You can start MSINFO by typing msinfo32 in the Run box on your Start menu, or by selecting Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information.
One culprit can be the Microsoft IntelliPoint mouse driver. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and end the task Point32.
Another source is the sleek installation of 98lite.
1.Load your Windows 98 CD-ROM
2.Type the following commands in the Run box on the Start Menu:
rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection Msinfo.reg 64 C:\WINDOWS\INF\msinfo.inf
rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection Msinfo2.reg 64 C:\WINDOWS\INF\msinfo.inf
rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection CDM.base 64 C:\WINDOWS\INF\msinfo.inf
rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection Sigver.Base 64 C:\WINDOWS\INF\msinfo.inf
3.Restart Windows
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Netscape
Continous problems keeping connections with netscape 3.X?
Edit NETSCAPE.INI.
In the "Network" section of NETSCAPE.INI, change the
"Use Asynch DNS" line to "No".
Some configurations of Windows networking software may fail using asynchronous DNS.
Set "Max Connections" to "1".
This is really decreasing the browsers performance, but might help in some cases.
-
Password rebuild
Search for *.pwl and delete all files ending with that extension.
Control Panel>Passwords, under User Profiles ensure that you have selected "all users of this PC use the same settings".
Control Panel>Network, under the Configuration tab ensure that for your primary network logon, it's set to Windows Logon and NOT Client for Microsoft Networks.
Reboot and when it asks for a user name and password, type in a user name only. Click OK when it asks to confirm the blank password.
You should be able to now remove logoff from the start menu and DialUp will keep password settings.
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PIF-File
Recover from not workink pif-files (posted by Plansdowne in the windows-help.net forum)
That is how it should look like:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile]
@="Shortcutto MS-DOS Program"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,00
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shell]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shell\open]
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\"%*"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E9-08002B30309D}]
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex\IconHandler]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\TargetContext]
@="{90A756E0-AFCF-11CE-927B-0800095AE340}"
-
Screen Resolution
You don't know how to do the things, with monitor and grafic card?
Everything except the last step is done via the device control pan.
Drill down to the grafics cards, double click it and chose the card displayed, double click it and chose the driver tab. Chose driver update, confirm continue up to the tab were a path is requested and give it the path of your card-driver. Continue to confirm everything until your'e back on the devices-tab. Click ok and reboot.
When up again, go again into the device ctrl pan and drill down to monitor, open the tree and highlight whatever monitor is shown there. Press the del-button and confirm the deletion. Click ok and reboot.
Windows will install a generic montior on bootup (I would be surprised if PnP works, never seen one:D ). Go again in the device control pan, open the monitor properties, go to driver update and chose the correct location of the driver, confirm everything and reboot.
Now call in the system pan the Monitor icon and go through the tabs to chose your settings. Reboot, that's it.
CAUTION: if you go to high with settings (color depth, resolution, frequenzy), either your monitor or card can't deal with, you'll be stucked with a black or wildly colored screen.
If you encounter such a situation, reboot into dos and run a scanreg /restore to get back a previous working registry.
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