Before you install any new program, you should create a “restore point.” Doing so will enable you to undo any problems or damage caused by the software installation. Here’s how:
1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Select Accessories.
4. Select System Tools.
5. Click System Restore.
6. The System Restore window will open. Click the Create a Restore Point button
7. Click Next.
8. Under the Restore Point Description heading, type some words or sentences that will help you to remember why you are creating this restore point. For example, if you just bought a new antivirus program, you could label this restore point “Before Installation of New Antivirus Software.”
When your computer is going haywire, System Restore can be a virtual lifesaver. But what if your high-tech troubles are so severe that Windows can’t even start up? In that case, try using the Safe Mode with Command Prompt to access System Restore:
1. After turning on your computer, press the F8 key several times until the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen appears.
2. Use the up or down arrows on your keyboard to select Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and then press Enter.
3. The next screen displays the message, “Please select the operating system to start.” Assuming you only have Windows XP installed on your system, press Enter. If you have more than one operating system installed, use the up and down arrow keys to select Windows XP, and then press the Enter key.
4. Windows loads some software, which could take a minute or two. Depending on how your version of Windows is configured, a login screen or the Welcome Screen appears. If you see the login screen, type your account name and password (if you have one), press Enter. If you see the Welcome Screen, click the icon for the account labeled Administrator or an account that has administrative privileges, and then type your password (if you have one).
5. Next, a command prompt appears.Type %systemroot%\ system32\restore\rstrui.exe in the blank, and then press the Enter key.
6. After several seconds, the System Restore window appears. Click the Restore My Computer to an Earlier Time button.
7. Click the Next button, located near the lower-right corner of this window.
8. A calendar appears. In it, click a day when your computer was working properly, and then click the Next button.
9. To confirm your choice, click Next.
10. The System Restore process begins. Moments later, your computer automatically restarts itself. When it boots up, follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows Messenger starts automatically by default, but you can change this behavior.
Windows Messenger is the messaging utility that ships with Windows XP. By default, it starts automatically when you boot your computer. If you prefer MSN Messenger or another messaging program, or if you don’t do any instant messaging, you’ll want to stop Windows Messenger from booting.
The way in which you prevent Windows Messenger from starting automatically depends on whether you are using Outlook Express or Outlook.
In Outlook Express:
1. Click Tools | Options.
2. On the General tab, clear Automatically Log On To Windows Messenger. Click OK.
In Outlook:
1. Click Tools | Options.
2. On the Other tab, clear Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook. Click OK.
The way in which you disable Windows Messenger from running altogether depends on which Windows operation system you are using.
In Windows XP Professional:
1. Click Start | Run, and type gpedit.msc. Click OK.
2. Using the Group Policy Editor, under Local Computer Policy, expand Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components and select Windows Messenger,
3. Double-click Do Not Allow Windows Messenger To Be Run, and select Enabled.
4. Click OK and close the Group Policy Editor.
In Windows XP Home:
1. Start Windows Messenger.
2. Click Tools | Options.
3. On the Preferences tab, clear Run This Program When Windows Starts. Click OK and reboot.
If you are the only one who uses your computer and it’s located in a secure area, there’s no reason to continue wasting time entering your password or selecting your name from the Welcome screen each time you want to log on.
To enable autologon and bypass XP’s prompt to enter a username and password, perform the following steps:
1. Click Start | Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type control userpasswords2 and click OK.
3. Uncheck Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer and click OK, as shown in Figure 1-3.
4. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type your username and password, confirm the password, and click OK.
You can also enable autologon using a PowerToy called TweakUI. PowerToys are free utilities you can download from the Internet that allow you to easily do things you would not normally be able to do (like add the Administrator account to the Welcome screen or enable autologon).
