64 Bit System Registry

The registry in 64-bit versions includes both 32-bit and 64-bit keys.Both are under one umbrella.You can view or edit both 64-bit and 32-bit registry keys and values by using the default 64-bit version of Registry Editor.

Where the 32-bit keys are displayed :-

They are displayed here:-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node

How to open the 32-bit version of Registry :-
Start >Run>In the Open box, type %systemroot%\syswow64\regedit, and then click OK.

What will you do before opening 32/64 Bit registry version?
Before opening 32 Bit registry you must close the 64 Bit registry and vice-versa.

Role of -m Switch:-

but using -m switch one can start the 32 bit version registry. For example, if the 64-bit version of Registry Editor is already running, type %systemroot%\syswow64\regedit -m in step 2 to start the 32-bit version of Registry Editor.

Reference:-How to View the System Registry By Using 64-Bit Versions of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305097/

Windows cannot find HELPCTR.EXE

Symptom:-When one presses Help and Support on the Start menu, he/she receives a message similar to Windows cannot find HELPCTR.EXE.

Cause:-These behaviors are indicative of a missing or damaged registry entry.

Resolution:-

Start>Run>Type in:cmd.exe>ok
In the command prompt window just copy and paste the following command followed by pressing the ENTER key:-

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE" /VE /T REG_SZ /D "C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe" /F

Hard Disk Space Utilization

A hard disk consumes a great deal of data, with applications and files being added, removed and reorganised all the time. Space quickly gets consumed, files become disorganised and the computer consequently takes longer to find the information it needs.
Unless the disk is kept in shape, there will be surely a condition that affects the PC's performance.

There are two items which consume the hard disk space maximum:-

1]system restore snapshots and

2]temporary internet files.

Here comes the utility of Disk cleanUp tool.

To remove all restore points except the most recent restore point, follow these steps:-

1.Click Start, and then click My Computer.

2.Right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, and then click Properties.

3.Click the General tab, and then click Disk Cleanup.

4.Click the More Options tab, and then under System Restore, click Clean up.

5.Click Yes to remove all but the most recent restore point.

6.Click OK, click Yes to proceed with this action, and then click OK.

Other things to be cleaned up by this tool are:-

•Remove temporary Internet files.

•Remove downloaded program files. For example, ActiveX controls and Java applets that are downloaded from the Internet.

•Empty the Recycle Bin.

•Remove Windows temporary files.

•Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.

•Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

Re:-Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312

'Go' Button missing in Internet Explorer

The Problem:-The Go button may be missing from the Address bar in Internet Explorer.

Cause:-May be the 'Go' button has been disabled.

Resolution:-
Open Internet Explorer>Tools>Internet Options>Advanced>Settings>Under Browsing >Check the box against Show Go button in Address bar>ok/Apply

If the above doesn't help:-
Start>Run>Regedit>ok
Now navigate to the following key:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

Change the data value of the ShowGoButton String value to Yes.

Close the registry editor and reboot.

Windows Media Player "An internal application error has occurred"

The Problem:-When you try to start Microsoft Windows Media Player, you may receive an "An internal application error has occurred" (or a similar) error message.

Cause:-This issue may occur if one or more of the Jscript registry key settings are incorrect. This behavior may also occur if the Jscript.dll file is missing or damaged.

Resolution:-

1.Click Start, and then click Run.

2.In the Open box, type regsvr32 jscript.dll, and then click OK.

3.Click OK.

4.Click Start, and then click Run.

5.In the Open box, type regsvr32 vbscript.dll, and then click OK.

6.Click OK.

If either of the files do not register as expected, or if you receive an error message, the system file may be missing or damaged. To extract the missing file in Microsoft Windows XP, follow these steps:

1.Click Start, and then click Run.

2.In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.

3.Click Expand File.

4.In the File to restore box, type the name of the file that you want to restore.

5.In the Restore from box, type the path of the Windows XP .cab file where you want to restore the file, or click Browse From to locate the Windows XP .cab file.Note The Windows XP .cab files are stored in the I386 folder on the Windows XP CD.

6.In the Save file in box, type the path where you want to extract the new file, or click Browse To to locate the folder that you want.

7.Click Expand.

8.In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click OK. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

Only Wallpaper Appears

The Problem:- My computer starts up okay with the, then the windows XP logo, then the blue "welcome" logo, but then only wallpaper appears.There is no desktop icon,no taskbar.

Resolution:- Try to determine whether a damaged or incompatible driver is the cause of this behavior. To do this, start Windows XP in Safe mode, and then use the clean boot troubleshooting method to determine whether a specific driver or file is causing this issue.

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434&sd=RMVP

Other options to resolve this issue:-

Perform a System Restore
or,
Create a New Use Account
or,
Perform a repair install
315341 How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP

How To Change Default 'Save in' Location

The problem:-Whenever I use the " Save As " option it
always open an location that I don't care to use , Now
I am curious if I could change the location.

Resolution:-you can use TweakUI.Open Tweak UI>Common dialogs>Places bar [The common dialog boxes, such as the Save As dialog box, display the places bar on the left side. These are shortcuts to common folders, which make getting around much easier. By default, you see the History, Documents, Desktop, Favorites, and My Network Places folders there. You can customize the folders that appear in the places bar by using the Common Dialogs category in TweakUI.]

Download:- Tweak UI v2.10 for XP/XP SP1


If You have XP Professional then You may use Group Policy :-

Start>Run>GPEDIT.MSC >ok

Navigate to this location:


Navigate to this location:
User Configuration >Administrative Templates >Windows Components >Windows Explorer
>Common Open File Dialog

Double-click Items displayed in Places Bar and add your places.
[Explanation:-It configures the list of items displayed in the Places Bar in the Windows File/Open dialog. If enable this setting you can specify from 1 to 5 items to be displayed in the Places Bar.
The valid items you may display in the Places Bar are:
1) Shortcuts to a local folders -- (ex. C:\Windows)
2) Shortcuts to remote folders -- (file://server/share)
3) Common Shell folders.
The list of Common Shell Folders that may be specified:
CommonDocuments, CommonMusic, CommonPictures, Desktop, MyComputer, MyDocuments, MyFavorites, MyMusic, MyNetworkPlaces, MyPictures, Printers, ProgramFiles, Recent.
If you disable or do not configure this setting the default list of items will be displayed in the Places Bar.]

Through Registry:-

Start>Run>Regedit>ok
now navigate to:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\comdlg32\PlacesBar
Note that by default Placesbar key is not present; you need to create one.
Create a String value for it named Place0. Place0 is the top-most folder, it appears on the Open/Save As dialog. Type the folder name with it's full path as the value of Place0.You can create similar keys and values upto Place4.It will be like this:-
Place0
Place1
Place2
Place3
Place4

The Bluetooth File Transfer Wizard is missing

If you use a Bluetooth device on your computer you will get an option -The Bluetooth File Transfer Wizard under Start>All Programs>Accessories

Problem:-You can't find The Bluetooth File Transfer Wizard under Accessories.

Cause:-This behavior will occur if you have a Bluetooth device and software installed on your machine and you upgrade to Service Pack 2, because the OEM files are NOT overwritten.

Resolution:-You have to update the device driver.The best option is to visit the manufacturer's website and download and install the latest driver.

otherwise:-
Start >Run >Devmgmt.msc >OK.
2. Right-click your Bluetooth device and press Properties.
3. Select the Driver tab.
4. Press Update Driver.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

browseui.dll missing

What is browseui.dll ?
It is a component of Windows that contains functions and resources for browser UI manegement.

The problem:-
On strating Windows XP an error messege pops up-browseui.dll not found.

Solution:-
Open Recovery Console:-
From the command prompt, run: C:\>CD\windows\system32 C:\>ren browseui.dll browseui.old .
Restart your computer.

Further Help:-
How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?­­kbid=307654

Strange Desktop

The Problem:-My desktop shows in the left part of the screen as if it were a common folder, but it's just the desktop! folder tasks, etc. And the quick launch bar icons are all messed up... What has happened?

Solution:-
The VB Script application developed by Doug Knox MS-MVP will correct the Registry setting that causes the Common Tasks pane to appear on the Windows XP Desktop. The correct value is: file://%userappdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop.htt And exists in: HKCR\CLSID\{00021400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\shellex\ExtShellFolderViews\{5984FFE0-28D4-11CF-AE66-08002B2E1262} Download the XP_CommonTasks.zip file and run it to overcome from this problem.

Source of the VB-Script:-
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_commtask_desktop.htm

How to move C:\Program Files to a different partition

We are all accustomed to see Program files under 'C' drive.But if you want to move it to different drive what will happen?
You should not try moving the present content-otherwise there will be trouble. I would advise rather that when you install software in future you take a Custom Install, and install it into a folder you make on the other partition. But if you still want to try,do the following:-
Start>Run>Regedit>Ok
Now navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsof\Windows\CurrentVersion­\ and change the ProgramFilesDirectory entry's data in the right column. Close the registry editor and restart the machine.
Don't forget to backup before doing the trick.