|
|
|
Tips and tricks: Windows ME explained
Windows ME is mostly in use as a secondary operating system, along with Window XP, or as a primary one on relatively low-end machines. Here are a few quick tips and tricks, which are handy in an age when most users prefer XP.
Securing the login process
One of the limitations of Win ME is that any one can login into the system — if a user profile doesn’t exist, it can be created by entering a new user name, or by pressing Cancel at the logon prompt and entering in the default profile. To deny this free entry, here’s what you can do.
Go to Start>Run. Type ‘regedit’. Browse to the key: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. On the right hand side, right-click and select New>String Value. Name it “Restrict,” for example. Once created, double-click on it and the Edit String dialog box is displayed. Enter “rundll.exe user.exe,EXITWINDOWS” in Value Data. Exit and restart. Now, only users whose profile is exists in the system will be able to login. Users pressing Cancel or entering a user name of their choice will see Win ME shutting down itself.
If you have to add a new user profile, first delete “Restrict” from the above registry path and recreate it, after creating the user profile.
Backup registry
Registry is at the heart of Win ME operating system. As you install programs and make changes to existing ones, the registry gets modified. A corrupt registry can cause all sorts of problems, which is why you should make it your habit to backup registry at regular frequencies. Windows ME registry is saved in following files:
1. C:\Windows\System.dat
2. C:\Windows\User.dat
3. C:\Windows\Profiles\
Copy these files before you install a program that you suspect can temper with your registry settings, or before you carry out changes in registry. For restoring these files, you can reboot your computer in the DOS mode and simply copy (and thus overwrite) these files to the original locations.
You can also use the ScanReg program for this purpose. Go to Start>Run. Type “scanreg” to create a backup. To restore a particular backup, Go to Start>Run. Type “scanreg /restore.”
Owner and organization
When you right-click My Computer and select Properties. The registered owner name appears, followed by an organization name. This could be some default, or name of some computer vendor. To change this information, go to Start>Run. Type “regedit.” Browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion. From the right-hand side, double-click RegisteredOwner and change the Value Data to the text of your liking. Do the same for RegisteredOrganization.
Time change
Go to C:\Windows\System and delete the file TIMEDATE.CPL. Now double-click date and time in system. Don’t forget to copy the file (TIMEDATE.CPL) to a safe location first, or you can place it in a password protected zip file. This method of restricting date and time tampering comes in handy, if you are running an attendance system on a WinMe machine.
Installation checks
While installing Win ME, use the following switches to achieve desired results:
1. /im - skip the check for low conventional memory.
2. /is - do not run ScanDisk.
3. /ie - skip the Startup Disk screen.
This is particularly helpful, when a problem with the disk prevents the setup from running.
Graphic options
For a faster menu, access and over-all running, turn off Visual Effects. Right-click on desktop, select Properties and then, select the Effects tab. Uncheck all items under Visual Effects.
Tweaking and diagnosis tools
You can master WinME, by exploring the collection of utilities whose shortcuts are not present in default menus. Go to Start>Help. Select Assisted Support from the navigation bar at top. From the left-hand side, select View System Information, under More Resources. In system information, a toolbar appears at the top, with the Tools menu. This gives you access to tools like WMI Control, Network Diagnostics, Direct X Diagnostics, Update Wizard, Registry Checker, System Configuration Utility, etc.
The writer works as an analyst at a software house. He can be contacted at: HYPERLINK "mailto:nizar.ali@gmail.com"
