There was a total of three service packs that were issued for XP the later being quite general meaning there was no major issues resolved. Autoupdate was able to solve most issues and if you know you have SP2 installed you do not need the SP3 which wastes your time downloading it and installing it to your system.
Should you have no Service Packs installed like with a fresh install, then you can go straight to downloading SP3 from the Microsoft website which contains all of the updates necessary contained within the previous ones. You do not need all three to ensure your computer is updated(unless you have a bootleg copy of the OS which would be very unlikely) for the updates sent though the internet may be sufficient to keep you safe online.
XP’s Hidden More than Admin Mode
Well except for the fact that the admin is the highest rated user to have access to the computer but have you ever wanted a way to modify your XP installation without having to use regedit and doing it manually (that can be so confusing and a mistake can send you running out of the room pulling out your hair).
The program that is available on professional versions of XP is called gpedit.msc (Group Policy Editor) that allows you to modify most of the settings in the OS. This way, you get down and serious with getting the things you need where you want them and things you don’t need to not bother loading at all making for a streamlined computer OS. You can access the program by using the Run Command and then edit your preferred changes.(Be sure to know what the hell you are doing for making a big mistake can result in the same situation mentioned above!!)
Locking a Desktop with a Shortcut
People in offices and even at home do a lot of small things that can have grave consequences such as leaving your desk without locking out your computer’s access to the internet or network. It can give a co-worker/other users access to the system with your credentials being the logged in user thus are most likely the liable party should any problems arise from your actions.
Use the create shortcut wizard and type “%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe
user32.dll” LockWorkStation in the TYPE and then give a name for your shortcut and click next(the LockWorkStation part is case sensitive so be precise). Select the shortcut tab and click change icon, enter “%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll” and then click on okay. Select your icon that would be known to employees as the auto lock button.
To gain access, use the ctrl-alt-del keys and login again to gain access to your workstation.
Update Dilema
Windows XP has been retired by the developer/maker Microsoft for quite sometime and they have limited their updates on their auto update website. You may be surprised to see updates being installed automatically which is part of their continuing limited support to users of the OS that still amounts to a huge number of computers worldwide.
You could let windows update itself through the autoupdate feature but going to the website for a specific driver would be best. For driver issues you could try the installer cd’s that came with the device or use the built-in program that is designed to auto install itself along with all the programs necessary for it to operate with your computer whatever OS you may have. Go to the manufacturer’s site and search for drivers you need, download and install. Should you not find them, try searching for retired models as part of your search to get more results. Knowing what to do when the norm is almost two generations ahead is quite hard but keeping your head and searching for valid resources online can help you a lot indeed.
Change Double-click To Single-click
When you browse the Internet, the links open with a single click. When you browse My Computer or My Documents, a single click lets you select a file or folder, but you have to double-click to open it. Don’t you think this is too tiring especially when you are in a hurry locating your files?
Rather than single-click to open files and folders, you can actually make things a lot easier by setting it on your mouse: Here’s how to change it:
- Click Start, and then My Computer.
- Click Tools, and then click Folder Options.
- Click Single-click to open an item. Click OK.
- You can now navigate folders and open files with a single click rather than wasting your time double clicking each item. If you need to select a file, simply hold your mouse over the file for a few seconds without clicking.
Being a Miner of Business Emails in Chile!
Chile extends from the parched desert by San Pedro de Atacama to enormous icy fields. The far-reaching desert isolation, rocky mountain and the verdant jungle of the fjords— lot to enjoy here! Nonetheless, amidst all these pleasures, you need to be in touch with your mails. And that’s what Microsoft Exchange Server exactly helps you with! Continue reading →
Personalize Your Desktop Background
Are you tired of seeing the default wallpaper set by Windows XP? Don’t worry, you can personalize your desktop background by using your own photos. It’s very easy. Locate the photo that you would like to use in your file, right click on it, set as desktop background. Wait for a moment and you’ll find it displayed right on your desktop. No sweat! You now have your own background.
Or there’s another way to do it. Right click on your desktop, then click on properties.
As A User
Windows XP is generally user friendly compared to other Windows programs. Thus, it is easy to operate and when you need tips and guides, all you need to do is click on the help button and everything is stated there. As a Windows XP user, I will recommend it to beginners so they would be able to explore really well the functionalities and just shift on a more advanced Windows programs later on. No wonder when Windows XP was launched, it was a big hit among pc users. Though it is still have to capture the remaining market, in no time, it will have a more sophisticated version.
Monitor your page load performance using SharePoint 2010 Developer Dashboard
I’ve been continuously saying that SharePoint Server 2010 and SharePoint Foundation has been launched with some really great features and when saying that I cannot afford to forget its yet another cool feature Developer Dashboard. The Developer Dashboard allows you to monitor page load performance on SharePoint. Simply put, you can see how each element on the page loads! Now isn’t that really cool?
The Developer Dashboard in SharePoint Server displays diagnostic information gathered during the loading and rendering of the SharePoint content. The dashboard, in conjunction with FireBug or the IE Developer Toolbar, helps developers and designers identify issues in their custom projects. This can be set to always display or to only display on demand. The Developer Dashboard has three different states—On, OnDemand, or Off. When the Dashboard is set to On, it will always be shown on every page. When it is set to OnDemand, you have the ability to show and hide the Dashboard. When it is set to Off, it is, as you may have guessed, not available. OnDemand is the best setting when troubleshooting a page or during development since a Site Collection Admin can turn it on or off and for a particular site only. The cool thing about this is that the Site Collection Admin who turned it on will be the only one to see the Developer Dashboard output. Everyday users won’t see the Developer Dashboard output even if it is turned on by a Site Collection Admin.
The Developer Dashboard contains more configuration options than just to turn it on or off. With this feature you can configure all of the options available for the dashboard:
o Display mode (On, Off, On Demand)
o Auto Launch of Developer Dashboard when critical events are tracked
o Enable the ASP.NET tracing output
o Configure the maximum amount of SQL queries traced
o Configure the maximum amount of critical events traced
o The required permission to view the Developer Dashboard (Full, None or Custom)
Summary
The Developer Dashboard is an effective tool that you can use to gain a better understanding on how your various SharePoint components are performing. Take advantage of features available in SharePoint product line of SharePoint 2010, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and associated free SharePoint templates and web parts.
SharePoint Server 2010 Access Services
Another SharePoint Server 2010 feature which cannot go unnoticed is the Access Services. Access Services is a service in SharePoint Server 2010 that allows administrators to view, edit, and configure a Microsoft access application within a Web Browser. Access Services settings support backup and recovery, regardless of whether there is a UI setting in Central Administration. However, backup and recovery only apply to service-level and administrative-level settings; end-user content from the Access application is not backed up as part of this process. Access Services has Windows PowerShell functionality that can be used to provide the service that uses settings from a previous backup; configure and manage macro and query setting; manage and configure session management; and configure all the global settings of the service.
Key Benefits of SharePoint Server Access Services
Easier Access to right tools: The enhanced, customizable Ribbon in Access 2010 makes it easy to uncover more commands so you can focus on the end product. The new Microsoft Office Backstage™ view is yet another feature that can help you easily analyze and document your database, share, publish, and customize your Access 2010 experience, all from one convenient location.
Helps build database effortlessly and quickly: Out-of-the box templates and reusable components make Access Services the fastest, simplest database solution available. It helps find new pre-built templates which you can start using without customization or select templates created by your peers in the Access online community and customize them to meet your needs. It builds your databases with new modular components. New Application Parts enable you to add a set of common Access components, such as a table and form for task management, to your database in a few simple clicks. Database navigation is now simplified. It creates Navigation Forms and makes your frequently used forms and reports more accessible without writing any code or logic.
Create Impactful forms and reports: Whether it’s an inventory of your assets or customer sales database, Access 2010 brings the innovative tools you’d expect from Microsoft Office. Access Services easily spot trends and add emphasis to your data. It quickly create coordinating database forms and reports and bring the Web into your database.
Obtain a centralized landing pad for your data: Access 2010 offers easy ways to bring your data together and help increase work quality. New technologies help break down barriers so you can share and work together on your databases, making you or your team more efficient and productive.
Add automation and complex expressions: If you need a more robust database design, such as preventing record deletion if a specific condition is met or if you need to create calculations to forecast your budget, Access 2010 empowers you to be your own developer. The enhanced Expression Builder greatly simplifies your expression building experience with IntelliSense®. With the revamped Macro Designer, it’s now even easier for you to add basic logic to your database. New Data Macros allow you to attach logic to your data, centralizing the logic on the table, not the objects that update your data.
Key features of Access Services 2010
o Access database content through a Web browser: Newly added Access Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 enables you to make your databases available on the Web with new Web databases. Users without an Access client can open Web forms and reports via a browser and changes are automatically synchronized.
o Simplify how you access the features you need: The Ribbon, improved in Access 2010, helps you access commands even more quickly by enabling you to customize or create your own tabs. The new Microsoft Office Backstage view replaces the traditional File menu to provide one central, organized location for all of your document management tasks.
o Codeless navigation: Use professional looking web-like navigation forms to make frequently used forms and reports more accessible without writing any code or logic.
o Easily reuse Access items in other databases: Use Application Parts to add pre-built Access components for common tasks to your database in a few simple clicks. You can also package common database components, such as data entry forms and reports for task management, and reuse them across your organization or other databases.
o Simplified formatting: By using Office themes you can create coordinating professional forms and reports across your database. Simply select a familiar and great looking Office theme, or design your own, and apply it to your database. Newly created Access objects will automatically match your chosen theme.
Advanced features in SharePoint line of products including SharePoint Foundation 2010, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and free SharePoint templates or web parts encourage adoption by companies.