Get the Most Out of Windows 2000
These tips are provided as is with no warranty. Many tips require editing the Windows
registry. It is recommended you backup the registry before making any changes.
General Facts for Windows 2000
+ Windows 2000 System Requirements
You will need a minimum system of a Pentium 133, 64Mb of ram and 1GB of available hard drive space.
+ Windows 98 knew my hardware. Why doesn't 2000?
Windows 2000 is very particular about hardware. It will run just fine on most modern off the shelf computers and servers. However, the support for video cards, sound cards, printers, scanners, and other peripherals is not as comprehensive as it is for Windows 95/98/Me. MS has a hardware compatibility list available. If your hardware isn,t on the list, check with the vendor to see if they have released any patches or updates, or if they support their products on Windows 2000 but have not taken the time to submit their hardware and drivers to Microsoft.
+ Run programs as Administrator from a user account in Windows 2000
Use the Run As functionality to do this
Hold down the Shift key and right-click any application or file you want to access as Administrator
Choose Run as, check the button beside Run the program as X/Administrator (where X is the name of the PC) and click ok.
+ Can I run older 95/98/DOS programs?
For the most part yes. 2k has an application called the Application Compatibility Program (apcompat.exe) located on the cd, that is not installed by default with setup.
The Program is available in the /support directory of the Windows 2000 cd and in the Windows 2000 Resource Kits.
+ Can I disable the Windows 2000 splash screen?
To disable the Windows 2000 splash screen you,ll need to add the text add /noguiboot to the entry in BOOT.INI that launches Windows 2000
Locate the boot.ini file on your computer. You will see the load line as seen below:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows 2000" /fastdetect
Change this to:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows 2000" /fastdetect /noguiboot
+ Can I turn off the annoying announcement that the print job printed successfully?
Open Control Panel -> Printers
Choose Server Properties
On the Advanced tab, uncheck the option Notify when remote documents are printed.
+ Where is the clipboard viewer in Windows 2000?
For easy access to the clipboard viewer, follow the instructions below.
Click Start --> Settings --> Taskbar & Start Menu.
Advanced --> Add --> Browse --> C: drive
Expand the tree by clicking the plus signs to Windows --> System32, select clipbrd.exe or clipbrd depending on your Windows Explorer View options, Click ok.
Next, select Tools in Programs, Accessories, Quick Launch or wherever you want your shortcut.
Next, enter ClipBook Viewer in the text box below where it says Type a name for this shortcut.
+ How do I access Scandisk in Windows 2000?
There are 2 ways to access Scandisk.
From Windows:
Right click My Computer --> Manage --> Storage --> Disk Management.
Right-click C: choose Properties --> Tools --> Check Now.
From the Command Prompt:
If in Windows, shut-down & restart your computer.
Press F8 as Windows is about to boot, Choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
If a second menu appears choose Windows 2000 and press enter to boot to Windows 2000.
DOS chkdsk command.
C:\>chkdsk /?
C:\>chkdsk /f /r
This will fix the C: drive/volume, if possible, do a surface scan, and attempt to recover data. You may be prompted to restart to kill any processes before it will run. This scan can take a long time.
+ How do I create a Windows 2000 boot floppy set?
There are four Windows 2000 Setup Boot floppies. The first one is bootable.
Insert the Windows 2000 CD in on any computer running Windows or MS-DOS with the drivers for cd-rom drive access.
Click --> Start --> Run
Type D:\bootdisk\ makebt32 a: where D: is your cd-rom drive letter.
You will be prompted for additional floppies.
+ Can I create an emergency repair disk (ERD) in Windows 2000?
Repair of a Windows 2000 computer that won’t boot may be possible with the Recovery Console and an Emergency Repair Disk (floppy).
Insert a floppy in a Windows 2000 computer.
Click Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Backup --> Emergency Repair Disk.
Note:
An Emergency Recovery disk is not bootable. Use Windows 2000 Setup Boot floppies to boot the computer or boot the computer to the Windows CD, if the computer has that feature, and use the Recovery Console.
+ Gain access to hidden ADD/Remove Program Applets.
Windows hides some of its components and won,t let you uninstall them. Follow the directions below to gain access to these program options.
Locate & open, C:\WINNT\inf\sysoc.inf in a text editor.
Scroll to the [Components] section, and in the entry for the program you want to uninstall.
Remove the word HIDE but leave the COMMA that follows it.
Example: to make it possible to remove the fax component changing,
Fax=faxocm.dll,FaxOcmSetupProc,faxsetup.inf,hide,7 to Fax=faxocm.dll,FaxOcmSetupProc,faxsetup.inf,,7 will allow you to remove Windows Fax in add/remove.
Save sysoc.inf.
On occasion, an application leaves behind its Add/Remove entry even though the program itself is deleted. You can remedy this by editing the Registry.
Click Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sign next to each KEY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
In the right=pane delete the key for the program you want removed the program from the list.
Note: Delete only the key for the programs you,ve already uninstalled. Deleting any others will prevent you from ever removing an installed application through add/remove.
+ Can I have a classic Start Menu in Windows 2000?
By default Windows 2000 shows the most used applications in the start menu, leaving your other programs under a scroll arrow. Use the instructions below to have a classic start menu.
Click Start --> Settings --> Taskbar & Start Menu
Clear the Use Personalized Menus check box and click ok.
Note:There are many customizable features available. The options are self-explanatory, but if you need a hint about what each does, select it and press F1 for a short pop-up description.
Click the Advanced tab, go to the Start Menu Settings section, and select or clear boxes before clicking ok.
+ Access Themes in Windows 2000
There is no Desktop applet in the Windows 2000 Control Panel. Themes may be accessed by the instructions below.
Click Start --> Run then type themes
Configure the theme you want, and then click ok.
+ Where is msconfig in Windows 2000?
Microsoft did away with msconfig in Windows 2000. The good news is you can add it yourself from either the Windows 98se or Windows XP cd.
+ How do I access Disk Cleanup in Windows 2000?
Clean your drive of Temporary Internet Files, Temp files, the Recycle Bin and more.
Click on the My Computer icon
Right click on the drive you want to clean
Select Properties
Click on the Disk Cleanup button
Select the types of files you want to remove.
+ Access Task Manager quickly in Windows 2000
To quickly access the Windows Task Manager simply press the Ctrl-Shift-Esc keys.
+ Display Administrative Tools in Windows 2000
Right click the Task Bar
Select Properties
Click the Advanced tab
Check Display Administrative Options.
+ Is SFC (system file checker) available in Windows 2000?
SFC in 2000 has a command line interface. Below you will find the commands and switches to use it effectively.
Open a command prompt.
The following shows the command-line syntax:
/SCANNOW Scans all protected system files immediately.
/SCANONCE Scans all protected system files once at the next boot.
/SCANBOOT Scans all protected system files at every boot.
/CANCEL Cancels all pending scans of protected system files.
/QUIET Replaces all incorrect file versions without prompting the user.
/ENABLE Enables Windows File Protection for normal operation.
/PURGECACHE Purges the file cache and scans all protected system files immediately.
/CACHESIZE=x Sets the file cache size.
+ Create a custom Logon Banner in Windows 2000
Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Local Security Policy.
Open Local Policies --> Security Options
Enter the Message Text and Message Title you wish to use.
+ Disable last user logon information in Windows 2000
If you never use task manager and wish to disable the process, follow the instructions below.
Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sign next to each key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Create the Dword value DisableTaskMgr
Give it a value of 0 to Enable it
Give it a value of 1 to Disable it.
+ Restore the My Documents folder desktop icon in Windows 2000
Click My Computer --> Tools --> Options.
When the Folder Options multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the View tab
Check Show My Documents on the Desktop.
Press ok to close the dialog box.
Note: If the Show My Documents on the Desktop is already selected, uncheck the box and press ok. Then repeat the above steps.
+ Rename the Windows 2000 Recycle Bin
Click Start --> Run --> type regedit.
Open the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT folder
Open the CLSID folder
Open the {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} folder
Open the ShellFolder folder
Change the "Attributes" data value from "40 01 00 20" to "50 01 00 20".
Once completed change the "CallForAttributes" dword value to "0x00000000" (double-click to change value).
Note: You must change both of these values to get the rename to appear.
After performing the above steps you will be able to rename the Recycle Bin by right clicking the icon on the desktop and choosing rename.
+ What is System Idle Process and why is it so high?
When you open Task Manager you may notice that the System Idle Process is high and be concerned about system resources.
When a computer is Idle it will have a high System Idle process under the CPU, often in the 90,s. This is completely normal for a computer as it waits for something to do. If you leave the Task Manager open and run a program, you will notice that the System Idle process decreases its CPU usage.
+ Set default folder views in Windows 2000
Open My Computer or Explorer.
Click View at the top of the window.
Select your viewing options from Icons, Large Icons, Small Icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Thumbnails to change to the type of view you wish to see. We recommend details for users not sure what to choose. Follow the steps below to set and have windows remember your custom view.
Open My Computer or Explorer.
Change the view to the way you always want it to be displayed.
Click Tools at the top of the window.
Click the View tab.
Click the Like Current Folder button.
+ Disable Messenger popups in Windows 2000
These pop-up windows are generated by users or companies utilizing the Windows net send command through Windows Messenger Service. This should not be confused with MSN Messenger.
To disable Microsoft Messenger service, Use the instructions below.
Click Start --> Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Services
Locate Messenger and double-click the icon to open Messenger Properties
Set the Startup Type to Disabled and click the Stop.
Click the apply button and close.
Note: If for any reason your computer needs messenger, the alternate solution is to disable all incoming UDP and NetBIOS on your firewall.
+ How do I back up the Windows 2000 Registry?
Start --> Run --> type regedit.
Go to File --> Export make sure under Export Range the All option is selected and that the file format is *.reg.
Name the file and save it in a safe place. If possible store your backup on another partition or cd.
Performance Tips for Windows 2000
+ Enable DMA in Windows 2000
Enabling DMA if available, on all drives will greatly increase performance.
Click Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management --> System Tools -->
Device Manager
Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
Right-click the controller --> Properties --> Advanced Settings and select the transfer mode for the device(s).
+ Turn off Windows Effects in Windows 2000.
For faster refresh rates, moving windows and more use the instructions below.
Open Display applet --> Effects.
Under visual effects, disable everything except Show icons using all possible colors.
+ Tweak Overall system performance in Windows 2000.
This tweak will give an overall system performance boost for computers with more memory 512 megs or more of memory, you can increase system Performance by having the core system kept in memory.
Click --> Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\MemoryManagement\DisablePagingExecutive
In the right-pane, double click and Set the value to 1
Reboot the computer.
+ Assign drive letters in Windows 2000
Changing your drive letters is probably one tweak that will increase your performance as you,ll be able to locate your files fast.
For a Fixed Disk:
Right Click My Computer
Select Manage
Select Disk Management
Select the drive & right click it
Select Change Drive Letter and Path
Click on the Edit button
Enter in the letter you want to use
For a Removable Disk:
In the lower, right hand panel, right click on the Disk or CD ROM #
Select Change Drive Letter and Path
Click on the Edit button
Enter in the letter you want to use
Note: If the drive letters you want to assign are already in use you must assign higher letters and work your way
back.
+ Customize the command prompt in Windows 2000
If you use a command prompt often and want to start in a particular directory in explorer, follow the instructions below.
Click Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sgin next to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
Create a new key from the menu called Command
Give it the value of the name you want to appear in the Explorer. Something like My Prompt.
Create a new key called command within the new key you just created.
Give it a value of cmd.exe cd %1
Now open Explorer, right click on a folder, select My Prompt, and a command prompt will open to the selected directory.
+ Enable Indexing Service in Windows 2000 for faster searches
Indexing Service creates a small index file to help you easily locate files for faster searches. Enable this using the instructions below.
Start a search by pressing the F3 key from the Explorer on while on the desktop.
Click on Search Options
Click on Indexing Service
Check Yes, enable Indexing Service
+ Use Hibernation in Windows 2000 to work efficiently
When enabled and selected from the Shutdown menu, Windows 2000 Hibernation allows all your applications as well as their location on your desktop come up the next time you start up your computer, enabling you to work faster.
Enable Hibernation:
Open Control Panel --> Power Options icon
Click on the Hibernate tab.
Check Enable hibernation support.
Since hibernation takes what is in memory and writes it to disk, the amount of hard drive space needed must be equal to the amount of memory you have installed.
When you logoff, select the Hibernate option.
+ Common Windows 2000 Command Console Utilities
These are utilities you can easily run from the command line.
Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Disk Managment - diskmgmt.msc
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Disk Defrag - dfrg.msc
Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Group Policies - gpedit.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Resultant Set of Policies - rsop.msc
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Services - services.msc
Component Services - comexp.msc
+ Fast DOS Printing in Windows 2000
Enable Faster DOS printing with this tip.
Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sign next to each key Hkey_Local_Machine\SystemCurrentControlSet\Control
Scroll near the bottom of the list and click WOW
Double click LPT timeout and change it to a 3
Restart your computer.
+ Manage Process Priority in Windows 2000 for better performance.
You can adjust the priority of processes (programs) running on your computer, increasing and decreasing as necessary to maximize production.
To change the settings for a particular process, just right-click on an empty area of your taskbar and choose Task Manager. On the Windows Task Manager dialog box that follows, select a process and right click it. On the popup menu that appears, select Set Priority and choose one of the following priorities, Realtime, High, Above Normal, Normal, Below Normal, or Low. The lower the priority is on the popup menu, the lower percentage of CPU time will be delegated to said priority.
Note:Changing the process priority depends on the process and your administrative rights.
+ Prevent Windows from asking for the CD during installations
You can prevent Windows 2000 from asking for the CD when installing additional Windows components. At one time hard drives were extremely small. Windows installed only what was needed for the hardware installed during installation. Use the solution below to avoid having to dig out your Windows Installation CD.
Copy the Microsoft Windows cabs and/or system files from D:\I386 * to C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS.
D being your cd-rom drive letter. When next prompted for your Windows Installation disc use Browse and point to the cabs directory.
+ Install Windows 2000 Recovery Console as Boot Option
Add the Recovery Console to you boot menu for quick access.
Insert the Windows 2000 CD.
Start --> Run --> type cmd.exe (open a command prompt)
Switch to your Windows 2000 CD (Example: If your CD-ROM is at D enter d:/ and hit enter)
Navigate to the i386 directory (Example: cd i386 hit enter)
Enter winnt32.exe /cmdcons and hit enter.
Follow the instruction on the screen.
Troubleshoot Windows 2000 Errors
+ Windows 2000 only shows APM power management
Make sure you have the most up-to-date system BIOS before you install Windows. If you added the BIOS update after the installation of Windows 2000 you will need to reinstall since Windows 2000 determines the power management scheme it uses when you first install the operating system.
+ Windows 2000 installation hangs or is broken
This Windows installation problem may be caused by ACPI power management.
Windows 2000 tries to install ACPI on any system with a BIOS dated January 1, 1999 or newer and there,s no way to disable it after Setup. To prevent ACPI from being installed, press hit the F5 key when you see the text Setup is inspecting your computer.
Choose Standard PC as your system type.
+ Internet Explorer 5 window opens Blank in Windows 2000
Re-registering the urlmon.dll will often fix this issue. To do so...
Click on Start --> Run --> type REGSVR32 URLMON.DLL
You will see dialog completed.
Open Internet Explorer
Click Tools --> Internet Options --> Programs then click the Reset Web Settings button
+ Double clicking on Windows Explorer open Windows Search
Click Start --> Run type regedit
Click the plus sign next to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
Locate the Default value (this will currently says find)
Double click the Default value and replace find with none save and exit the registry editor.
Restart your computer.
+ Windows can't find the specified device in Windows 2000
You receive the error. Windows can,t find the specified device or you,ve added additional drives and your drive letters have changed. Most program installers recall the drive letter they installed from. You can assign a new drive letter using the instructions below.
Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Sourcepath and
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Sourcepath
If your CD drive is D: the value should be D:\I386 and D:\ respectively
+ Unsigned Driver problems in Windows 2000
By default Windows 2000,s default setting for unsigned drivers is none. Hardware driver support in Windows 2k is limited, forcing the user to find a driver for installed hardware. Though there will be times when an unsigned driver is all that,s available, you can have windows warn you about an unsigned driver. This could save the user time and problems when installing a driver that may not work.
Run the Local Security Policy MMC
Start --> Run --> Programs --> Administrative Tools --> Local Security Policy Scroll down to Unsigned driver installation behavior.
The Windows default is Not Defined. You have three additional options:
Silently Succeed.
Warn but allow installation.
Do not allow installation.
+ Use 16bit programs after SP2 installation in Windows 2000
You may receive the error.
(Some Program) caused a general Protection Fault in module KRNL386.EXE at 0001:6382 Choose close. (some Program) will close.
This error is generated by a program compatibility feature within VDM ( Virtual Dos Machine ) that prevents the running of all 16 bit programs. Use the instructions below to resolve this issue.
Start --> Run --> type regedit
Click the plus sign next to each key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\SessionManager\AppCompatability\
Delete the NTVDM.EXE subkey
YES to confirmation.
Restart your computer.
+ Recover from an Explorer Crash in Windows 2000
Have you ever been working and all of a sudden lost everything? Your start Button, Desktop or more? Trying the solution below may enable you to recover without having to reboot your Windows 2000 machine.
Press CONTROL-ALT-DELETE.
When the Windows Security dialog box opens, click the Task Manager button.
If the Windows Task Manager dialog box appears as it should, select the File menu and then New Task (Run).
The Create New Task dialog box will open, just type in Explorer and press the ok.
+ Windows 2000 boot error NTLDR is Missing
This error is usually caused one of the following conditions.
Computer is booting from a non-bootable source.
Check floppy & cd-rom drives for non-bootable media.
Corrupt NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM file and/or Corrupt boot sector / master boot record.
Create the below boot.ini file on the floppy diskette drive.
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
Copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files from another computer using the same Operating System. Both of these files are located in the root directory of the primary hard disk drive.
For example, C:\NTLDR and C:\NTDETECT.COM should be the locations of these files on many computers.
Note:These files are hidden system files, Be sure you have Show hidden and system files enabled in Windows.
Once these files have been copied to a floppy diskette reboot the computer and copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files to the root directory of the primary hard disk drive.
Below is an example of what commonly should be performed from the A:\> prompt.
copy ntldr c:
copy ntdetect.com c:
Remove the floppy diskette and reboot the computer.
+ Missing or corrupt Missing Windows hal.dll in Windows 2000
This could be due to corrupt boot.ini, missing or corrupt hal.dll file. Use the following instructions to repair this file.
To recover this file boot the Windows operating system CD and choose the option to Restore, Repair, or Recover. This option will prompt you for the Windows installation to use, the administrators password and will allow you to restore the proper file. At the MS-DOS prompt type the below command.
expand x:\i386\hal.dl_ y:\windows\system32\
When complete remove your windows cd and reboot your computer.
+ Windows Explorer filename, directory name, or volume syntax errors
This error is generated when a user has a folder on the Desktop named desktop.
To resolve this issue move the folder to another partition, delete or rename the file.
+ NTOSKRNL.EXE is missing or corrupt in Windows 2000
This error can be generated by a shorted keyboard, missing or corrupt boot.ini or missing ntoskrnl.exe, use the following solution to repair it.
Boot the computer with your Windows 2000 setup disk.
In the setup menu, type R to start the repair.
When prompted for the ERD diskette insert the diskette and inspect the startup environment.
+ Error STOP: C0000221 Unknown Hard Error \SystemRoot\System32\ntdll.dll
This error is generated just after a Windows installation. The cause is usually a bad install. Check your Windows cd for scratches. Reinstall on a cleanly formatted hard drive. If that doesn,t resolve the issue it may be hardware related. Make certain the hardware is compatible. Try installing the OS with a single device on the IDE controller.
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