XP Tricks

Run As Administrator:

    • Allows you to run as an administrator without logging the end user off.
  • Launch the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.
  • Go to Process Tab and highlight explorer.exe. Click End Process button. This will kill Windows Explorer.
  • Go back to the command prompt window. Type (without quotes) "runas /user:administrator explorer". This will prompt for the administrator password.
  • The administrator explorer will appear. You are now logged in as an administrator.
  • Close the command prompt and Task Manager.
    • To log out of the run as administrator
  • Launch the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.
  • Go to Process Tab and highlight explorer.exe. Click End Process button. This will kill Windows Explorer.
  • Go back to the command prompt window. Type (without quotes) "runas /user:cc\[username] explorer". This will prompt for the user's password.
  • The user's explorer will appear. You are now logged back as the user.
  • Close the command prompt and Task Manager.

Reset Winsock:

    • Used when there are network connectivity problems such as limited or no connectivity
  • Login in as administrator
  • Launch the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)
  • Type (without quotes) "netsh winsock reset catalog"
  • Restart PC

Remotely Restart PC:

  • Launch the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)
  • Type shutdown -m \\"computername or IP" -r (without the quotes)
  • Ping the computer to make sure it has restarted. It will say "Request Timed Out" for no network connectivity.

Disable Offline Files (Sync) using Reg Key:

  • Launch the registry editor (Start > run > regedit)
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Service\MRxSmb\Parameters
  • Create a new registry value with the name CSCEnabled and of type REG_DWORD
  • Set the value of this new registry to 0
    • If CSCEnabled exists, set value to 0
  • Reboot the computer.

Error 1772 - Problems with Windows Installer Package:

  • Launch the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)
  • Type (without quotes) "msiexec /unregister" and press enter
  • Type (without quotes) "msiexec /regserver" and press enter
  • Restart PC
  • Try to reinstall the application

Alternative solution

  • Login as administrator
  • Go to Services (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services)
  • Right click on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service and click on properties
  • Select Log In tab
  • Select Log As "Local System Account" and check "Allow service to interact with desktop"
  • Restart PC
  • Try to reinstall the application

Alternative solution (if last 2 solutions don't work).

  • Login as administrator
  • Put Windows XP installation CD into the CD-ROM Drive
  • Launch the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)
  • Type (without quotes) "sfc /scannow
    • If missing or corrupted system files are found, Windows XP will locate and register the missing files from the Windows XP installation CD.
  • Restart PC
  • Try to reinstall the application

Changing the LCD on a HP LaserJet 4200n:

  • Start --> Run --> telnet IP Port
  • The telnet session appears in a blank box. Type:
    • .%- 12345X@PJL RDYMSG DISPLAY="PIRNTER RADEY" (where this can be any random message)
    • .%- 12345X
  • Type CTRL+] to end the session, then type quit to completely log out.

Killing Beep Sound (Internal Speaker XP):

Not sure if this works for all Window versions.

  • Right-click My Computer and select Manage.
  • Expand System Tools and select Device Manager.
  • From the View menu, select Show hidden devices.
  • Expand Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
  • Right-click Beep, and select Properties.
  • Select the Drivers tab.
  • Click Stop. You can also change the start-up type to Disabled so the beep service never starts.

Stop Auto Updates:

net stop wuauserv