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Today's Tips 09/04/2006
Fix A Corrupt Master Boot Record In XP!
The master boot record occupies the first sector on the hard disk and is
responsible for initiating the Windows boot procedure.
The master boot record contains the partition table for the disk as well
as a small program called the master boot code, which is responsible for
locating the active, or bootable, partition, in the partition table.
Once this occurs, the partition boot sector takes over and begins
loading Windows. If the master boot record is corrupt, the partition
boot sector can't do its job and Windows won't boot.
If you suspect Windows XP won't boot because the master boot record has
been corrupted, you can use the Recovery Console tool Fixmbr to fix it.
First, boot the system with the Windows XP CD and access the Recovery
Console!
To use the Fixmbr tool, from the Recovery Console command prompt, type
Fixmbr [device_name]
Where [device_name] is the device pathname of the drive to which you
want to write a new master boot record. For example, the device pathname
format for a standard bootable drive C configuration would look like
this:
\Device\HardDisk0
There are 2 Reverse Slashes in the above line. 1
before Device and 1 before HardDisk0
Gary Chambers
Disable Automatic Restart In Windows XP!
When Windows XP encounters a fatal error, the default setting for
handling such an error is to automatically reboot the system. If the
error occurs while Windows XP is booting, the operating system will
become stuck in a reboot cycle—rebooting over and over instead of
starting up normally. In that case, you'll need to disable the option
for automatically restarting on system failure.
When Windows XP begins to boot up and you see the message Please select
the operating system to start or hear the single beep, press [F8] to
display the Windows Advanced Options Menu. Then, select the Disable The
Automatic Restart On System Failure item and press [Enter]. Now, Windows
XP will hang up when it encounters the error and with any luck, it will
display a stop message you can use to diagnose the problem.
Gary Chambers
Remove The Manage Context-menu Option For My
Computer In Windows 2000!
By default, when you right-click My Computer, you'll see a Manage option
on the context menu. Selecting this option starts the Microsoft
Management Console (MMC) Computer Management snap-in.
If you don't want the OS to display this option, perform the following
steps:
1. Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).
I don't publish the actual hacks in my
newsletters! You can get this one at my
Customer Support Site!
This is a Free Site that I am combining several sites to. All that
you have to do is register if you haven't already!
Even after you remove the Manage option from the My Computer context
menu, you can still use the Administrative Tools folder under the Start
menu to access the Computer Management snap-in.
Gary Chambers
Be Selective When Installing Protocols In
Windows 98!
Many IS people I have dealt with take the default configuration of
Control Panel's Network applet as installed with the shotgun approach to
connectivity--load 'em all and something will connect.
In practice, this might work in a very small environment, but when
intermittent problems start appearing or computers stop communication to
each other, it's difficult to discern what is actually at fault. The
best approach is to find out which protocols and services should be
installed to make your PCs connect to the services on the network--and
then remove the rest. This will also cut down some of the broadcast
traffic on the network.
Make a list of the protocols that are installed on the server
computers--print servers, mail servers, fax servers--and PCs that share
folders on an ad hoc basis. With this list, you'll know which protocols
are absolutely essential.
Enable protocols by binding them to NICs
Protocols are "bound" to network interface cards (NICs) by using the
Network applet in Control Panel. If a protocol is not bound to a card
(or dial-up adapter), it won't run on that transport. If a Windows PC is
having problems connecting to the network, make sure the protocol is
bound to the appropriate network card.
To query, open the Network applet in Control Panel and double-click a
NIC. Select the Bindings tab. A list of protocols that are installed on
the computer will appear, each with a corresponding check box. Selecting
the check box enables--or binds--the protocol on that transport.
Similarly, clearing the check box disables it.
Gary Chambers
Some Of The Most Highly Hit Pages On My
Website!
Made Some Changes To The Microsoft Access Database's That You Can
Download.
Take A Look!
Second Page Of Database's
Visit My
Site Index Or My
New Tips Page! They Have All The Links!
Get My "Free" Microsoft Access Searchable Database!
Keep All Your How-To Tips in One Place!
Being Prepared For The Worst Will Stand You In
Good Stead In Case Of A System Meltdown. Your preparation will save you
time and trouble during that nerve-wracking initial stage of disaster
recovery, considerably ease your tension and anxiety, and ensure a
smoother, more focused approach of the final stages.
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