Add the Run command to the Start Menu

In Windows XP:

Right-click on the Start Button and select Properties, click Customize, scroll down and check the Run command check box, click OK, click Apply and OK.

In Windows Vista:

-right click on the Start Menu button. Click ‘Customize’, and scroll down to the checkbox next to ‘show Run command’. Then click ok, and ok again. In Vista, however, the Run command isn’t necessary. any command can be typed into the ‘Search’ field in the Start Menu as well.

You can use the Start Menu Search box to launch programs like the Run dialog box.

source: techguylabs.com

Enable the Aurora boot screen

If you are tired of the default boot screen in Windows Vista, there is a better looking one hidden away:

1) Press the Windows button, type msconfig and press Enter.
2) If User Account Control prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue.
3) In the “System Configuration” window, click on the Boot tab.
4) Select your Windows Vista installation and under “Boot options”, check “No GUI boot”.
Press OK.
5) In the dialog that appears, check “Don’t show this message again”, and then click on Restart.
6) Your computer will now reboot, and you will see the Aurora boot screen with text that says “Starting Windows Vista”.

source: techguylabs.com

Make User Account Control (UAC) Stop Blacking Out the Screen

Windows Vista Business/Ultimate Users:
1. To get to the configuration screen for this, type in security to the start menu search box.
2. You should see the Local Security Policy as the top search item.
3. In the Local Security Policy window, browse down to Local Policies \ Security Options.
4. Over in the right hand part of the window, scroll down near the bottom and find the item titled “User Account Control: 5. Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation”
6. Double-click on the item, and change it to disabled and then click OK.
Note: This does make your system slightly less secure, so be warned.

Windows Vista Home Users:
1. Press the Windows key, type regedit and press Enter. Browse down to this registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
2. You should see a key called PromptOnSecureDesktop. Double-click this and change the value to 0 (zero)

source: techguylabs.com

Configuring User Account Control (UAC)

If you want to reduce your mouse clicks by at least 25%, here’s how to turn it off: Open the Start Menu and click on your User Picture, click Turn User Account Control on or Off, clear the “Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer” check box, click OK and restart your computer.

source: techguylabs.com

Enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in Internet Explorer 7

Because browsers can host plug-in extensibility, security settings within the browser can make plug-ins fail. This is why in Internet Explorer 7 Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is off by default. Two of the most well-known and commonly used browser plug-ins, the Adobe Acrobat/Reader browser helper object and the Adobe Flash Player, now run when DEP is enabled. You can enable DEP by navigating to the following dialog and checking the highlighted option shown below (note, you must elevated to admin first, otherwise the option is grayed out).

source: techguylabs.com

When should I upgrade to Vista…

If you’re buying a new PC Vista is a good choice. It’s the future of Windows, it is more secure, and it’s pretty, but it does demand more hardware than XP, and as usual with a major operating system upgrade, there are compatibility issues with old hardware and software. For that reason I don’t recommend upgrading an existing XP system just yet, as long as it’s working well for you. Wait a few months until compatibility issues have been resolved.

source: techguylabs.com

Outlook rules stopped working

You can run them manually if they no longer run automatically. You may be able to fix the problem with the following command, but you may lose your rules in the process.

outlook.exe /cleanprofile

source: techguylabs.com

Here’s another method from techyforums.com…

If your rules have stopped working or are working inconsistently then it could me due to a corruption in your data file. Luckily there are a couple of built in tools that should be able to fix this problem.

Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\1033 and there should be to exe’s:

• scanpst.exe
• scanost.exe

Close down Outlook and make sure that any Outlook processes are also closed then put the above exe’s one at a time.

Using Compressed Air

Sounds like something was broken on the motherboard. It’s probably not the best way to clean dust from a PC. Maybe something gentler like canned air (but do keep it locked up and away from the kids – the propellant is hazardous).

source: techguylabs.com

Dubbing VHS tapes to DVD

a combo VHS-DVD Recorder is a good way to go. Absolutely – that’s the best way to do many tapes. I like the Panasonic recorders.

 source: techguylabs.com

Windows is not seeing all memory

You want to make sure that the memory is installed in pairs. Try putting in a single memory stick and see if the memory is being properly reported. Make certain that the memory (RAM) is compatible with the motherboard and is properly seated. Also make sure both sticks are from the same manufacturer