TweakUI for Windows XP

To begin with tweaking, I start with TweakUI. It lets you change some of the hidden settings in Windows XP.

Tweak UI Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or above / Windows Server 2003. If you have a Windows XP system without any Service Packs installed, download Version 2.00.

tweakui

The Windows shell-development team did some extra programming and put together a set of tools called Power Toys. If you’re a power user, go ahead and try them out, but be forewarned that Power Toys aren’t supported by Microsoft because they’re not part of Windows. This group of “toys” lets you adjust your Windows user interface, including menu speed, window animation, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Version 2.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Get it here

Size: 147KB

Cannot change Homepage

Many time due to spywares or malwares you cannot change the Internet Explorer homepage. Even after running Anti-spyware like Spybot its not working. In such cases use the following trick to change it.

 In Regedit, navigate to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
In the right-hand pane, right-click the “HomePage” value, then select Modify. Change it to: 00 00 00 00

Also change either or these to zero 0 instead of 1 if present:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] – DWORD “NoSetHomePage”=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions] – DWORD “NoSetHomePage”=dword:00000001

If you don’t have this key, browse to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

and in the right hand pane, double click “Local Page” and set equal to “C:\WINDOWS\System\blank.htm” (no quotes) which will hopefully set your Home Page to blank and then allow you to subsequently modify it using Internet Options.

I’m sure this will solve the problem.

Warning:
Editing Registry may cause OS failure. Edit registry only when you are sure of it. Make a backup of registry before editing.

Tips for Windows XP

Windows. For computers this is means for user interaction and to use the power of computing. Though many hate MS Windows for the virus infections, trojans and malwares but its still the best OS. And the version XP is so far the best MS OS.

In order to run windows properly you require some tweaking. Some tips increase performance and productivity.  The dedicated “Windows Tips” section is for this. It will cover such things and all the problems I solve in many of the forums I visit. They will be posted here.

Think Nonsense..

Play Blu-ray & HD-DVD movies

Plextor is first in the market to offer a combo DVD- Rewriter that also plays Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies. The Plextor PX-B300SA is a dual-layer internal DVD drive for PCs and uses a SATA connection. It is priced highly competitively and offers an ideal entry into high definition playback for consumers. It combines all the DVD standards into one single drive.

In addition, Plextor has added extra convenience by including LightScribe technology to enable custom text and designs to be printed/burned onto discs.

PX-B300SA

 

The PX-B300SA not only plays the latest Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies , but is also a highly versatile dual-layer DVD drive that combines multiple formats – DVD R/RW and RAM – into one. Write speeds: 16x DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+/-R DL, 5x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R and 24x CD-RW.
A comprehensive range of software is included: Intervideo WinDVD8, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.5, Ulead Burn.NOw 4.5. Continue reading →

Everything is not free

Yes. Everything is not free. But most of them is. Well I’m talking about software. Many good softwares are free. When I started using PC it was loaded with many pirated softwares. I too liked some of them and still do. But I’ve tried to find some good free alternative to the paid softwares.

And my love for free softwares got a peak point when I came to know the importance of Open source softwares. Although they have crappy GUI, but they work with great performance.

If you do have some great freewares to mention then just mail me or reply in this category. I’ll review the software if its good.