pinball.inf error

The Problem:-When I select Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Add/ Remove Windows Components, a message box opens up with the message "Please Wait", followed by an error box with the following message: -

"Setup was unalbe to open information file pinball.inf. Contact your system administrator. The specific error code is 0x2 at line 2088999411. [OK]"

Resolution:-

Start>Run>msconfig>ok
Click Expand File... under the General tab.
Write pinball.inf in the box File to restore.
Insert Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM Drive.
Restore from>Click Browse From Point to the Windows XP CD's "I386" folder
Save file in: C:\Windows\inf\

WINIPCFG.EXE

This command is actually not available in Windows XP.It launches a graphic IP configuration.But still you can use it in XP.To do this,visit:-

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/existing/wntipcfg-o.asp

Download and install:-WntIpcfg_setup.exe it's a 152 kb file.

Now after this, locate where you have downloaded the file eg. it may be under the C:\Program Files\Resource Kit.Create a shortcut of WINIPCFG.EXE by right clicking Send To Desktop option(create shortcut).Now double click on it to launch it.

Removing One Of Two XPs

The Problem:-I have two xp os on my computer. the first was left after I had a new hard drive installed. How do I get rid of it?

Resolution:-

Start > Run >MSCONFIG>OK.
Click on the BOOT.INI tab and then click on "Check All Boot Paths" to delete incorrect boot paths

Startup and Shutdown sounds are missing

Problem:-The system is missing Startup and Shutdown sounds.

Resolution:-

start>run>regedit>ok

now navigate to the following location:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound\Beep
put Yes instead of No

If you have TweakUI:-

TweakUI/General/Beep on errors (verify that the box is checked). http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Launch Command-line references

To launch Command-line references:-

Start>Run>hh.exe ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\ntcmds.chm::/ntcmds.htm>OK

Booting without Windows XP logo

To do this:-

Start>Run>msconfig>ok

Click on BOOT.INI tab and put a tick mark against the /NOGUIBOOT option;click Apply/OK.

Restart the machine.

True vector service won't start

The Problem: After installation of latest version of Zone Alarm I am getting true vector service won't start.

Resolution:- Check the settings here. Start>Run>Services.msc>Ok Locate TrueVector Internet Monitor.Double click on it and make the Startup type to Automatic>apply.Make sure service staus is 'Start' enabled.Restart.

If the above doesn't help then you have to reinstall Zone Alarm.

Thumbnail view doesn't work

Problem:-If you double click on a thumbnail image nothing happens.

Resolution:-To enable it:-

Start>Run>regsvr32 shimgvw.dll>ok

Antivirus Softwares that support 64bit Windows XP

Here is the list of antiviruses that support 64bit platform:-

Avast!
Nod32
AVG (but not Free AVG)
eTrust 7.1 (CA)
McAfee Enterprise 8.x
Symantec Corp (10.1?)

Kindly tell me if I miss something.

Disk Defragmenter won't Analyze or Defragment

The Problem:-When I open disk defragmenter tool and try to analyze or defragment the selected derive nothing happens.I have XP SP2.

Cause:-It happens if the DCOM Server Process Launcher service is not running or disabled.

Resolution:-

Start>Run>Services.msc>ok Scroll down to DCOM Server Process Launcher.Double click on it and set Startup type to Automatic.Restart your computer.

Further Help:-

Services Utility: DCOM Server Process Launcher Service
http://www.vernalex.com/tools/services/?info=DCOM%20Server%20Process%20Launcher

DCOM Server Process Launcher
http://smallvoid.com/tweak/winnt/service/def.html

Driverquery

Driverquery command displays a list of all installed device drivers and their properties.

Start>Run>cmd>ok

In the command prompt window type Driverquery and press the Enter key.

C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop>Driverquery>Enter

Driverquery/?: Displays help at the command prompt.

How To Disable Built In ZIP Support

If you use a third party software like WinZip to open Zip files then you can easily disable the in-built zip support.

To disable this:-
Start>Run>regsvr32 /u %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll>ok

If you wish to enable it then do the following:-
Start>Run>regsvr32 %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll>ok

How to stop Autoplay on USB Drives

Download and install Tweak UI:- http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx You will find Autoplay under My Computer section in Tweak UI.There you can configure it.

How to uninstall specific windows updates

Go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.At the top, check the box "Show Updates"Look for the specific update.Double click it and follow prompts to uninstall.

Related topic:-
Remove Hotfix Backup Files
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm