Bruno's Technical Tips
WIN95/98 Starting Problems:
USE THE RESTORE YOU SAY, YOU CAN TRY THIS 1st:
System Boots but Windows 95/98 doesn't Start / or it constantly goes
into a safe mode.
a. always note error messages no matter how minor they may be.
GO TO the WINDOWS Directory. at the C Prompt type "cd \windows".
At the Windows prompt 2 files are considered important to Windows 95/98
Registry.
SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT.
There are some copies called SYSTEM.DA0 and USER.DA0 (Not DA "oh",
it is DA "Zero"). Try This:
From the C:\WINDOWS> type:
attrib -r -s -h system.dat
"Then hit Enter"
attrib -r -s -h system.da0 "Then
hit Enter"
attrib -r -s -h user.dat
"Then hit Enter"
attrib -r -s -h user.da0
"Then hit Enter"
Now type:
copy system.dat system.old
copy user.dat user.old
copy system.da0 system.dat (Overwrite Yes)
"remember it is friggen ZERO not "OH""
copy user.da0 user.dat
(Overwrite Yes)
(NOTE, IF none of the DA0 files exist, look for other backups if needed)
Try Rebooting (Go into windows and run a scandisk (Start / RUN
/ type SCANDISK OK)
at DOS Prompt you can type SCANDISK also
(If it doesn't work try typing this before retyping scandisk "set path=c:\windows\command")
If system still wants to go into safe mode.
AT C:\> EDIT CONFIG.SYS
Once in there: If you see a DOS=SINGLE change it to REM DOS=SINGLE
(Save the File "ALT+F then X Yes to Save" REBOOT)
While in the CONFIG.SYS
MAKE SURE THAT you note if you have a "Device=C:\path\himem.sys or
something like that")
Windows needs the HIMEM.SYS to boot.
TIPS
In windows 95/98, FIND a file called TIPS.TXT. Read
it.
On a win95/98 Keyboard a couple of tricks:
The WIN95/98 key "Has a little Windows Flag
on it, next to the Control Key" pressing it does the following things:
The 'Windows' Key
The Windows Key can be used for many tasks. Following are just a few of
them:
Press <WinKey> + <F> to open the 'Find Files or Folders' Dialog.
Press <WinKey> + <R> to open the 'Run...' Dialog.
Press <WinKey> + <E> to open Explorer.
Press <WinKey> + <D> to show the Desktop. Press again to undo.
Press <WinKey> + <M> to minimize all open Windows (same as Show Desktop)
Press <WinKey> + <F1> to open the Windows Help File.
Press <WinKey> + <Pause> to open the System Properties of Control
Panel.
The
'PrintScreen' Key
Press the PrintScreen Key <PrtSc> to take a snapshot of the screen and
put it on the
Clipboard as Bitmap Image. Press <Alt> + <PrtSc> to take a snapshot
of the currently
active Window. You can paste this snapshot into any Picture Editor (e.g.
Microsoft
Paint) by pressing <Ctrl> + <V> or chosing 'Paste' from the 'Edit'
menu.
How to restart Windows without rebooting the Computer
Chose 'Shut Down...' from the Start Menu to open the 'Shut Down Windows'
dialog.
Select the 'Restart' option. Hold down the <Shift> key and click 'OK'.
Release the
<Shift> key as soon as the black MS-DOS screen appears.
How to integrate System folders into the Start Menu
Open the Start Menu folder (right-click the Start button and chose 'Open'
from the
context menu). Create a new folder (right-click an empty area and chose
'New' ->
'Folder') and name it exactly as shown in the following table. You can
copy and paste
the name of the folder you want to create to avoid typing errors.
Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
History.{FF393560-C2A7-11CF-BFF4-444553540000}
(For use with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher)
Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
Recycle Bin.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Note: It is not recommended to integrate the Recycle Bin into the Start
Menu!
Scheduled Tasks.{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
Extended Drag'n'Drop
You can modify the behaviour of Drag'n'Drop by holding down the <Shift>
or <Ctrl>
key or both before you release the mouse button. The mouse cursor will
change to
reflect the action that is being performed. You can also Drag'n'Drop with
the right
mouse button. Try and see what happens.
The 'Open with...' command
If you want to open a document with another application than the one that
has been
registered for that file type (e.g. open a text document with Word instead
of Notepad)
simply hold down the <Shift> key while you right-click the file and
chose 'Open with...'
from the context menu.
File and Folder Properties
To access the properties of any File or Folder more quickly, hold down
the <Alt> key
and double-click it.
SYSTEM PROPERTIES
(For all of you who go to start, settings, control panel then system),
(Right Click the MY COMPUTER ICON, then click Properties)
(OR win95/98 KEY + PAUSE LEY)
Non WIN 95/98 keyboard Tricks
ALT+Print Scrn (Copies the current window/dialog box you are
in)
You can then go to an application like MSPAINT or
WORDPAD and choose paste.
The Alt+Print Scrn Contents will appear)
Print Scrn = Same as ALT+Print Scrn except it does the whole screen
(not just the window you are in)
DO THIS FOR YOU OWN GOOD:
"USE THE FRIGGEN RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON ON EVERYTHING"
many options appear when you simply right click
(I don't care what you Right-Click on. It doesn't hurt anything
and benefits you)
Shortcut Keys to mention then general work in most programs
Control+C = Copy (Make sure you have Friggen selected what
you want copied before hitting control+C,
Also see from Menus "EDIT, COPY" when I say Friggen, you don't forget this.
Control+X = CUT
(just like copied, accept it moves the data once
you paste)
Control+V = PASTE
(Go to any program even if you didn't copy from
the same program and
paste what you'd copied)
Control+Z=UNDO
(If you screw up and Cut something or booboo'd then
hit CONTROL+Z to UNDO
your mistake)
****************************
Don'ts:
Don't Erase Directories if you don't know what is in them
Don't Delete these files: Anything on C:\ (Root Directory)
Namely "CONFIG.SYS AUTOEXEC.BAT and COMMAND.COM"
In C:\WINDOWS Namely "WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI,
USER.DAT, SYSTEM.DAT"
Don't ever drag files or folders with the left click. USE the right click instead to list options upon your release.
Don't play with you registry files
Don't Play in the Bios
Don't Back up your entire harddrive to the same harddrive
Don't use your CD ROM Tray as a coffee holder.
**********************************************************
ADVISE
"ALWAYS CHECK YOUR CONNECTIONS FIRST"
"If you can FIND THE FOLLOWING FILES Or Know how to copy them to FLoppy diskettes then Do So" REMEMBER the WIN95/98 Key + F (Find Box, type for Example CONFIG.SYS Once found on the list below
you can RIGHT CLICK and Send to Floppy Disks. (Fundamentals) Or copy CONFIG.SYS CONFIG.ORG or any other extention to have an extra COPY." In fact many programs you install on your system will back up the C:\ (config.sys and autoexec.bat to other extentions like config.XXX and AUTOEXEC.XXX.) Sometime simply going to the C:\ and typing DIR will list a couple of CONFIG files. You could back up config.sys and then copy config.xxx to config.sys then try that. That config.xxx might be a good copy. same for the autoexec.bat. (same in the C:\WINDOWS win.ini and system.ini. Note INI is not the same as the REGISTRY DAT or DA0 Files. (Just back these 4 files up)
config.sys
autoexec.bat (both on the C:\)
go to My computer and then click on C:Hard DSrive
Icon, find file, right click send to Floppy A
win.ini
system.ini (both on the c:\windows)
go to My computer to C drive Dbl-Click
WINDOWS folder, find file, right click send to floppy A)
WHAT IF
Can't here sound?
Check Connections
Try Shutting down the system.
Turn Off and Restart.
Dbl Click Little Yellow Speaker usually on the bottom right corner
of your screen in the system tray. (Check Volume Levels)
(Make sure nothing is MUTED)
Still no Sound, Make sure sound Card is installed
(WIN95 Key+Pause then DEVICE MANAGER TAB then go to the sound system
section.
Click the Plus to the Left to expand the Sound Settings. "Does your Sound
Card Exist?"
If it does is there a conflict which
is symbolized with a YELLOW or RED Mark.
(If it is marked, click on the sound card and hit properties below), Make
sure you
glance for any conflicts and or if it is disabled.
(What was the last thing you were doing before the Sound Stopped working?)
(Last but not least, from the device manager REMOVE the sound card,
WIN95/98 will redetect and usually set up the software again.)
Reboot the system.
Display is screwed up?
Right click on an open area
of your Desktop (WALLPAPER),
then left click the Properties.
Next goto Settings. Usual setting to
ensure should be 800 X 600
(See lever to change, and 16bit or 256 colors)
(not 16 colors, but 16 bit)
(hit OK to apply settings)
Printer doesn't Print? Scanner no Communications?
Do you have an IEEE Parallel
Printer Cable? If not, Get one.
Check Connections. Is your Printer on? Is your ink cartridges
in and have ink?
Run Self Cleaning on Printer if it has one.
Go to START SETTINGS PRINTERS (find your printer, if it is there right
click on it and set it as the default printer)
(If it is not there, How about trying to INSTALL IT with the DISKS that
came with the printer)
(Also, if you have many extra printers in this ADD PRINTERS WINDOW, Right
Click and DELETE THEM)
(If every thing is set as above and still no print, Right CLICK on your
printer and DELETE it)
(Re-install the printer after Rebooting your machine.)
(Technical Note, Scanners the use the Printer port may have to have the
LPT1 Port Changed from Standard to
ECP or Bi-Directional. As described in the BIOS Setup, you must at
the initial boot of you machine go into the
BIOS and look
for Intergrated Periphrials or Printer Type, change to ECP and SAVE the
Bios Settings. When WIN95/98
Restarts it should
Detect your New ECP Printer Port for the SCANNER, fixing most of all scanner
communication problems)
Back to Printers: if you go into let's say WORDPAD (START
RUN WORDPAD) don't click the
(PRINTER ICON) to print. From the MENU, select FILE then
PRINT (usually Ctrl+P). This will bring up a
dialog box. Make sure that your printer is selected as the printer.
If not Select it from the Drop down box then hit
OK)
**************************************************************
System doesn't boot from the hard Drive.
Message: "Invalid system disk"
a. check floppy drive for disks. remove disk and reboot
b. command.com is missing from harddrive.
Get Bootup DISK (OR windows 95 Startup Disk) insert
into floppy drive and boot the System.
When the A: Prompt appears type "SYS c:"
this will copy the system files over to the C Drive.
Once that is done. Remove Floppy and
Reboot.
(If system doesn't boot from Floppy, Ensure Disk
is a bootable Disk or start up disk (Try on another machine) If it
is.
Go into BIOS setup which usually upon boot up you
can hit (F1, F2 or DEL sometimes Cntrl+Alt+ESC) to enter set up.
Ensure the Floppy is bootable in the Boot
options section.
Modem Problems
Same as sound card except
for the MIXER (see device manager.
You can go to CONTROL PANEL
MODEMS, then Click on your modem
(Note the COM PORT it is
on) Diagnostics then MORE INFO. This will say whether or not the
modem is
functioning. If so
(CHECK your internet Configuration)
Make sure Your Dial UP matches
the Proper COM PORT. (If modem isn't
functioning, REMOVE MODEM
as you did with Sound Card Notes and let windows 95/98 redetect it or try
using
STANDARD 28,8 Modem). AOL
connection Problems. "You connect but get kicked out all the time?"
Disable Call
Waiting. In the Modem
Properties From the Control Panel you will find PORT SETTINGS. SLOW
DOWN THE
COM FIFO Buffer LEVERS a
little) Note:
I hate AOL. (Use Earthlink,
1-800-94earth tell them lejon@earthlink.net sent you.
Also mention 97.1 Radio station to waive the $25.00 set up fee..)
There is more, however, (I am not responsible) but this is what I know.
Of course Donations are accepted. EMAIL
ME for instructions to send Donations.