Make XP Boot faster....

Stopping Unneeded Startup Services.
Along with the core operating system and programs that Windows XP runs when it
starts, there is also a host of services involved. Many of these services are necessary
for Windows XP to operate correctly. However, many of them are for features in
Windows XP that you may not use at all. You can peruse the services and disable any
service that you do not want to run. The fewer services that run, the more quickly
Windows XP will boot.
To reduce the number of services that start on bootup, you can access two different
areas of Windows XP.
o The first is the System Configuration Utility. You can do that by entering the
command “msconfig” in the run menu.
Start Run “msconfig” (without quotes) Hit Enter
The Services tab shows you the services that start when the computer
boots. You can stop a service from starting by simply clearing the check box
next to the service and clicking OK.
o However, before you do so, there is another way to disable services that you
may prefer because the interface gives you more information about the service
in question.
Open Control Panel Administrative Tools Services or
Start Run “services.msc” Hit Enter
Take a quick look at common services you may want to live without:
Automatic Updates: This service enables Windows XP to check the Web
automatically for updates. If you don't want to use Automatic Updates, you can
disable the service.
Computer Browser: If your computer is not on a network, you don't need this service.
If you are on a network, leave it alone.
DHCP Client: If you are not on a network, you do not need this service. If you are on
a small workgroup, you can still increase boot time by configuring manual IP.
DNS Client: If you are not on a network, you do not need this service.
Error Reporting and Event Log: You don't have to use these services but they can be
very helpful, so I would leave them configured as automatic.
Fax: If you don't use your computer for fax services, you can disable this one.
Help and Support: Disable if you never use the Windows XP Help and Support
Center.
IMAPI CD-Burning COM: This service enables you to burn CDs on your computer.
If you never burn CDs, you can disable the service without any second thoughts.
Indexing Service: Your computer keeps an index of all the files. But if you rarely
search for files, the service is just a resource hog. You can stop it
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing: If you do not use these features, plz
disable.
Infrared Monitor: If you do not use infrared devices, you can disable this service.
Messenger: This service sends alert messages on a local area network (it is not the
same as Windows Messenger). If you are not on a network, you can disable this
service.
Print Spooler: If you do not do any printing from the computer, you can disable this
service. If you print, make sure you leave it as automatic.
Remote Registry: This service allows remote users to modify the Registry on your
computer. If you are not on a network, you can disable this service.
System Restore Service: This service allows you to use System Restore. If you have
turned off System Restore anyway, you do not need to turn off the service.
Themes: If you do not use themes, you can disable this service.
Windows Image Acquisition: If you do not use scanners or digital cameras, you can
disable.
Wireless Zero Configuration: If do not use wireless networking devices, you can
disable it also.

get ready to njoy the faster xperience......
john.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

Microsoft has released Virtual PC 2007 and is available for free download from their website.
Virtual PC is a brilliant piece of software; it allows you to run multiple operating systems at the same time on a single physical machine.

With Virtual PC, you can test new software and see if it works in a safe environment without interrupting your physical PC. It can seamlessly switch over to other operating system, just like your switch applications. With the new version of Virtual PC 2007, users can drag and drop, copy and paste files between guest and host. Virtual PC 2007 enables you to run any of these
operating systems along with your physical PC:

• Windows 98: 64MB memory and 500MB disk space
• Windows ME: 96MB memory and 2GB disk space
• Windows 2000: 96MB memory and 2GB disk space
• Windows XP Home/Pro: 128MB memory and 2GB disk space
• Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, and Ultimate: 512MB memory and 15GB disk space

Other features include Mouse Integration and Time synchronization between virtual and host PC. Virtual PC 2007 supports both Intel and AMD Hardware and is packed into two versions,
32-bit and 64-bit version. They have put up a small demo of Virtual PC 2007, check it out.

Njoy the Xperience of multi OS.....
john.

Hidden Windows XP Soundtrack

Windows XP has a hidden sound track which plays as background music during Windows XP installation process, but most people can’t hear this music because they have a soundcard that won’t have drivers preinstalled on XP. Here’s a way to uncover it:

Navigate to C:\Windows\system32\oobe\images, go to Tools > Folder Options > View, check Show Hidden Files and Folders options and then uncheck Hide Protected Operating System Files. You will now notice a file called title.wma, that’s the hidden sound track!!

Easier alternative is to search for title.wma, but remember to include hidden files.
hav fun.....
john.

Successor of Vista: Vienna

Close Microsoft followers must already be aware of Vienna, the next successor to Windows Vista. Reports from PCWorld suggest that Vienna might be due by 2009 (yeah, that’s just two years from now). Actually, Vista was expected to release by 2003, but that didn’t happen. In the mean time, Microsoft was forced to put more work on developing Windows XP SP2 rather than giving time to Vista. Finally, Vista ended up losing features like WinFS, native HD DVD and FireWire-B support, enhanced
speech recognition and PC-to-PC sync. Along with those lost features, Vienna is also rumored to include a brand new file system and a new user interface which eliminates start menu and toolbars. It’s also said that Vienna will break backward compatibility with existing programs and some sort of emulation to run older programs. In my
opinion, the probability of Vienna coming out by 2009 is very low. If it is really true, then upgrading to Vista doesn’t make any sense to me.

love
John.