Windows XP FAQs

Can't run a program on win2000/XP
Can't change the workgroup name
Can't ping computer name when using public IPs
Can I setup XP as DHCP SERVER?
Changing Background Bitmap for the Windows NT Logon Screen
How to clean files using Disk Cleanup
How to disable Windows Messenger
How to disable Automatically search for network folders and printers
How to setup Process Priority
How to use subst to map a virtual drive
How to use MMC to export computer information lists
Getting Read-Only or "Access Denied" Message When Opening from or Saving to a Network Folder
I have a difficulty to install/run a older program on WinXP
One XP can't ping others by name
Permission tab isn't showed under Sharing and Security
Prompt for logon with gray out guest
RunAs' GUI Feature
Some applications may not work on the w2k
The Security tab is not available and you cannot configure permissions on WinXP
Two XP computers can ping each other but can't see
XP Shared Documents
XP/W2K can't access to the network
Where can I find the windows shortcuts?
Who are accessing the server
Why don't I have Computer Browser/Workstation service listed on the Services?
Why is a "make this folder private" box to check in the sharing and security grayed out
WINS How to
Your network configuration is not complete

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Can't change the workgroup name

If you are the member of administrators, but can't change the workgroup name (the Network ID and Workgroup are gray out), make sure you have installed the Client For Microsoft Networks.

Can't run a program on win2000/XP

Some of the program could not execute, unless I assign them as administrator right. Even power user right also unable to do so.

A: 1) logon administrator, install the program and then test it. copy the profile to each user and default user. 2) if you can, find out the *.dll files related to the program and copy them to the program's directory. 3) Of course, gassings the users to local power user or even administrator group.

Can't ping computer name when using public IPs

Symptoms: When trying to build a home network with 2 XP boxes and a Linksys switch. Cable modem connected to the switch and so are the 2 PC. Internet works fine on both machines, and they can ping IP each other back and forth, but none of them can see the other in network places. All settings are correct. IP address is assigned by DHCP, they both 12.234.x.x and subnet mask is 255.255.x.x.

Resolutions: 1. Add a router and assign private ip instead public ip.
2. Setup ICS on one XP as host and another as client.
3. Install Netbeui on both computers.

Changing Background Bitmap for the Windows NT Logon Screen

To change background for the Windows NT/W2K/XP logon screen, run REGEDT32.EXE, locate and select the following Registry subkey: HKEY_USERS on Local Machine\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop. Select the Wallpaper value and choose String from the Edit menu. In the String field, type the full name of the bitmap, including the full path if the file is not located in the SYSTEM32 directory.

How to disable Windows Messenger

In the Windows Messenger, go to Tools>Options>Preferences, check Run This Program When Windows Starts.

How to disable Automatically search for network folders and printers

Open Windows Explorer>Tools>Folder Options; click View tab; Under Advanced Settings, un-check:
"Automatically search for network folders and printers".

How to setup Process Priority

If there are several processes competing for processor resources and you want to improve the performance for one of them, you may change process priorities. To do this, open Task Manager, right-click the software and select Set Priority if you logon the system account who is running the software. If you get "Access is denied", you may use AT command utility to launch Task Manager and then change process priority, for example, "at 10:00 /interactive taskmgr".

How to use subst to map a virtual drive

1. You can use subst to map a virtual drive like mapping local c as z.

2. subst syntax: subst drive1: drive2:\path, for example, subst z: b:\apps or subst z: \\cbgnt6\shared

3. Subst display the name of the virtual drives in effect.

4. To delete the virtual drive, use subst drive1 /d forexample, subst z: /d

How to use MMC to export computer information lists

The Windows Exporting List feature allows you to save textual computer information. To do that, in the Computer Management console, right-click Services>Exporting List, choose the saved location and file name.

Getting Read-Only or "Access Denied" Message When Opening from or Saving to a Network Folder

Symptom: When opening a network folder in Windows Explorer and then try to open a file from or save a file to that folder, the associated program may report a sharing violation, return an "access denied" message, or open the document as read-only. Typically, this problem occurs when you open a network folder and then double-click to open a Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel file. The document opens as read-only.

Resolution: To fix this problem, go to Windows Explorer, open the network folder that contains the file that you are trying to open or save. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options. Click Use Windows classic folders, and then click OK.

Getting Read-Only or "Access Denied" Message When Opening from or Saving to a Network Folder

Symptom: When opening a network folder in Windows Explorer and then try to open a file from or save a file to that folder, the associated program may report a sharing violation, return an "access denied" message, or open the document as read-only. Typically, this problem occurs when you open a network folder and then double-click to open a Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel file. The document opens as read-only.

Resolution: To fix this problem, go to Windows Explorer, open the network folder that contains the file that you are trying to open or save. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options. Click Use Windows classic folders, and then click OK.

I have a difficulty to install/run a older program on WinXP.

A: If you try to install/run an older program and are told that it's not compatible. Try follow these steps: Windows Explorer to the folder holding the program's *.exe file. Right-click the file, choose Properties>Compatible, and then check run this program in compatible mode for, and select one of the Windows OS in the drop-down list.

One XP can't ping others by name

Assuming all other computer work fine and you have correct TCP/IP settings on that computer, check the Node Type and the default should be Hybrid.

Permissions tab isn't showed under Sharing and Security

If you have Simple File Sharing enabled, the Sharing and Security won't show the Permissions tab. To give every one rights to read on the drive you need check Share this folder on the network. To give every one rights to write on the drive, check Allow network users to change my files. Or you may want to disable the Simple File Sharing.

Problem after installing software or hardware

We may want to use System Restore to restore your computer to a previous good configuration. To do that, go to Help and Support, and then follow the instruction.

Prompt for logon with gray out guest

Symptom: when trying to access a win98 shared folder from XP, it prompts for logon with gray out guest.

Cause: This is permission issue.

For the consultants, refer to 101404SO

RunAs' GUI Feature

Windows 2000/XP Professional enables you to run tools and programs with different permissions than the user's current logon provides. To run a program as an administrator: press and hold the SHIFT key, right-click the program icon, and then click Run as.

Some applications may not work on the w2k

Some applications may not work on the w2k because the application installation tries to override the windows *.dll files which are protect by the windows. If this is the case, find out the dll and copy it into the applications executive file folder because windows looks the folder first.

The Security tab is not available and you cannot configure permissions on WinXP

If the file or folder that you want to apply permissions to is not on an NTFS file system drive and Simple file sharing is enabled, you can't see the Security tab and set permissions. By default, simplified sharing is enabled in Windows XP unless you are on a domain. To work around this behavior, disable Simplified Sharing.

Two XP computers can ping each other but can't see

If two XP computers can ping but can't see each other on My Network Places, it is possible browser issue. Make sure both computer browser services are started.

XP Shared Documents

In XP, you have two options, local sharing and network sharing, to share a folder. To do this, locate the folder you want to share, and right-click on it. Then select Sharing and Security. If you want to share the folder only with people who logs on this computer (local users), drag it to the Shared Documents folder. To make the folder private so that only you have access, select Make this folder private.

To share the folder with some one on the network, check the Share this folder on the network. By default, users are given read-only access to the files in the folder.

Note: If you are connected to a domain instead of a workgroup network or if you disable Simple file shareing, the Shared Documents folder is not available. However, you can share each individual folder with the permission.

XP/W2K can't access to the network

Symptoms: You have a D-Link DI-604 router with two PC's connected to it; one runs 98SE the other runs W2K. The light on the w2k NIC is on, as is the light on the router port, but neither flashes with any activity. When you try to run IPCONFIG, it simply says MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 IP CONFIGURATION. There is not IP information listed at all.

Resolutions: 1. Disable Deterministic Network Enhancer component under Network connection if you have it enabled. 2. Check the hardware settings such as router, switch, hub and NIC.

Who are accessing the server

To show the list of all PCs connecting to the server with the corresponding current users to the server and files opened, you can: 1) use command net session and net file; 2) go to My computer>Manager>Computer Manager>shared Folders, check Sessions and Open Files.

Logon assigned computer only

If you would like to limit a user logon a particular computer only (he/she can't logon other computers) in a domain network, go to AD users & computers, right-click the user, select Account>Log on To, check The following computer and then select the computer that the user will logon.

Why is a "make this folder private" box to check in the sharing and security grayed out

A: The hard disk was formatted as FAT32. You may need to convert it to NTFS. To do that, in the command prompt window, type convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs.

Q: Why don't I have Computer Browser/Workstation service listed on the Services?

A: Make sure you enable the Client for Microsoft Network.

Your network configuration is not complete

SYMPTOMS: When you install Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on a computer that has a cable modem connection, you may receive the following error message: Your network configuration is not complete.

Resolution: Make sure that there is more than one network adapter installed in the ICS host computer. The ICS configuration for a cable modem requires two network adapters: One for connecting to the cable modem, and the other for the local peer-to-peer network.