Windows

..:: Disclaimer ::..

Some tricks and tips that I learned and would like to share with others as well as a reminder for myself. This are things that worked for me but it may not work for you.

Note: I do not bear any responsibilities for any results that you (may) experience. Try my tips on your own risk!

Account name error for Task Scheduler.

I was editing a task and when i wanted to save it, this error occurred:

"An error has occurred for task "taskname". Error message: The specified account name is not valid.

The password is correct and the user is an admin.

The solution:

Change the username to the full name consisting of "ComputerName\Username".

You can find the full name at the "AUTHOR" section of the task.

Start-up folder in Windows 8.1

  1. Click Start
  2. Find for "Run" in the list of apps
  3. Type is "Shell:startup" or open the following location:
  4. C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Disable Auto-Restart for Automatic Update

  1. Click Start -> Run
  2. Enter “gpedit.msc”
  3. Go to Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update
  4. Double-click on “No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Update installation”
  5. Enable it!
  6. To "delay" repeated pop-ups to remind you to restart, set the "Reprompt for restart with scheduled installations" to the max: 1440 mins (24 hours).
  7. Reboot the computer

This doesnt seem to work anymore. My computer is still restarting after and update. Tried something else. Hope it works...

  1. Open regedit
  2. Go to >> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  3. Create a new Key: WindowsUpdate
  4. Create a new Key under WindowsUpdate: AU
  5. Create a new DWORD Value: NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers
  6. Set NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers to 1
  7. Close and reboot.

Internet Connectivity Disappears

So, everything was working fine and suddenly, I lost my internet connection without installing anything or modifying any settings. Neither the WLAN nor two LAN cables were able to connect.

The typical ipconfig /renew and /release did not work.

Not sure what happened, I reinstalled the drivers. But it did not work.

When I check the TCP settings using "netsh int ipv4 show config", only the "Loopback Pseudo-Interface 1" appeared. My normal "ethernet adapter" settings did not appear.

I tried this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

using the manual method, it did not work.

Next I tried the automatic program provided in that website and that did not work too.

I am pretty sure this problem is because of Windows since I plugged in a USB-LAN adapter and that did not work too.

So I reinstalled Windows and it works again.

Limited access for Wireless Connection

Well I recently was exploring a few software that acts as a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation remote using my iphone. After installing a bunch of stuffs, my WiFi could not access the internet. It seems like the connection was established but limited. The symptoms:

  • IPv4 connectivity: Not connected
  • IPv6 connectivity: Not connected
  • Media State: Enabled
  • SSID: xxxx
  • Duration: time "connected"
  • Speed: 65 Mbps
  • Signal Quality: 100%
  • Sent/Received packets: 0/0

I have another laptop and my iphone connected to the router and works perfectly. So I know the problem is localized to my notebook.

I suspect it is Bonjour and mDNSresponder.exe, one of the bundled software that came during installation. Found some info from here:

  1. http://www.linuxgurru.com/2011/03/windows-7-unidentified-network-no-internet-access-problem/
  2. http://www.linuxgurru.com/2009/10/windows-network-limited-connectivity/

So I did the following corrective actions but all of them failed

  1. Reset the TCP/IP manually (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357)
  2. Restore Windows to the point before i installed the software but it failed.
  3. Ran the windows network troubleshooting option - it says that the network adapter driver is not working.
  4. Deleted the driver and allow it to reinstall after restarting
  5. I stop the Bonjour services, uninstalled it, Bonjour Print services and Apple auto updater.
  6. I downloaded and ran the auto fix program (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357)
  7. I deleted the driver and files and re-installed using original driver

I will try to use a cable and connection was fine. That means the problem is localized to the wireless system on my computer.

So, i began playing around with some services.msc and also by comparing the wireless adapter properties with a working computer.

Solution:

"Network Activity Hook Server Lightweight Filter Driver" was disabled in the working computer. The description says "Network activity hook server LWF Packet Interception Driver". I wonder if all of the packets that I received was being intercepted, and hence causing problems with my setting

When I disabled it, my WiFi started working again!

Hell Yeah!! now I can get back to actual work!

One of the programs that I installed must have enabled it..

Changing Keyboard Layout in Windows 7

Here's my situation: I have a USB japanese keyboard with english windows and I've changed the keyboard layout to Japanese > Microsoft IME, It used to work until my windows 7 updated and now, it is following the normal standard layout.

So, after a long hunt, I found this article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927824/en-us

Basically, one has to modify the registry to match the following and make sure that your regional keyboard setting is uses "Japanese > Microsoft IME".

Then located this:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt\Parameters

Windows Key

The windows key replaces the old [Ctrl] + [Esc] button and adds more Windows functionality. In windows 7 (for notebooks) these combo can be handy:

[Windows Key] + P : Changes the display with a projector/ext monitor/dual display

[Windows Key] + X : Brings up Windows Mobility Center. Here you can change the brightness, volume, etc.

I recently stumble upon this method while trying to figure out the suitable driver for a Sony Vaio notebook. Upon a clean installation, the [Fn] key was not working anymore. So, instead, I explored around and the fastest method is to use the windows key :)

To sync folders in Windows

Try SyncToy from Microsoft. It allows one to create folder pairs and sync them whenever necessary. Multiple pairs can be created and the type of "relationship" is variable: contribute, echo.. etc.. etc..

To disable autorun in Windows 7

Click Start and in the Search box, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Now browse to Computer Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Windows Components\ Autoplay Policies\ Turn off Autoplay.

"Command-prompt Here" in Windows 7

In Windows 7, by holding [Shift] + "Right click" a file/folder and extended right-click menu would appear. An interesting option is "Open Command Window Here" - where users can initiate command prompt in this directory. This sort-of replaces the previous features of "Command-prompt Here" in windows vista or xp.

Search Within Files in Windows 7

Open any folder, hit [Alt] key once. Goto "Tools" > "Folder Options" and click on the "Search" tab. Enable "Always search file names and contents".

Text Cursor Maneuvering in Windows

Holding [Ctrl] + Arrow keys or [Delete] or [BackSpace] moves the cursor word by word instead of character by character.

Change Title Length in Windows 7 Taskbar

  1. Run Registry Editor (RegEdit).
  2. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
  3. Right click on a blank space on the right pane, select New, then String Value. Name the new string value as MinWidth. Note: If “MinWidth” already exists, skip this step.
  4. Double click on “MinWidth”, and change the value data according to the preferred size (I prefer 70). By default, Windows 7 has the following MinWidth value (estimated), when MinWidth is not defined or not created:
  5. Button with standard or normal icons: 56
    1. Button with small icons: 40
  6. Restart the computer, or log off and log on again.