How to use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

Recovery Console Instructions

Command Prompts for Windows

Click Here for a Listing of Command Prompts for Windows

Click here for useful Command Line Tools in Windows

Which type of memory module has 144 pins?

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A SODIMM is a 144-pin memory module designed for use in primarily laptops.  These transfer data in 64-bit chunks.  There is also a 72-pin SODIMM.  This module transfers data in 32-bit chunks.

A SIMM (Single-Inline-Memory-Module) is a 72-pin memory module designed for use in desktop computers.  These transfer data in 32-bit chunks.

A DIMM (Dual-Inline-Memory-Module) is a 168-pin memory module, also designed for use in desktop computers.  These transfer data in 64-bit chunks.

RIMM is a type of memory module that consists of Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory chips, RDRAM chips, 184 pins. They transfer data in 16-bit chunks at a 1.6 GB bandwidth.

Computer Memory Types and Memory Technology

S-video connectors

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How many pins can there be in a S-video connector?

Answer:  Four, seven, or nine pins in an S-video connector.  S-video connectors are analog video connectors that can transfer video signals to other devices.

Video Connectors

Which connectors are used with fiber-optic cabling?

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The ST and SC connectors are the two most popular connectors available for fiber-optic cabling.  Other common fiber-optic connectors are FC, FDDI, LC, D4, MU, MT, AND MT-RJ.

The following is the ST (an AT&T trademark) connector.  The ST connector, also called the Straight Tip connector, uses a push-and-turn-to-lock system.   ST is probably the most popular connector for multimode networks, like most buildings and campuses.

The following is an SC connector, also called a Square Connector or Standard Connector, or Set and Click.  The SC connector has a molded plastic plug casing and a push/pull locking system.  At first, it was not widely used because it was much more expensive than the ST.  But, now it is only a little more expensive and very common.

 The Fiber Optic Asssociation: Connector Identifier

  

Which network topology supports the longest maximum cable length?

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10BaseF networks, which operate at 10 megabits per second (Mbps), support the longest cable length with a maximum distance of 2,000 meters (m) or 2 kilometers (km).  10BaseF is also know as 10BaseFL.

Networks configured with a 10Base2 topology support a maximum cable length of 185 m.

Networks built on a 10Base5 topology support a maximum cable length of 500 m.

The 10BaseT and 100BaseT topologies support a maximum distance of 100 m between two devices.
Cable Considerations for Network Installations

Command line reference A-Z

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Command-line Reference

An A-Z list of all the command-line tools:


A-Z List
Some standard command-line tools for the Windows DOS command prompt.

Command-line reference A-Z

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Drivers

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Windows File Protection, System File Checker, and File Signature Verification

Click on the links below to learn how these work:

Windows File Protection

System File Checker   

File Signature Verification

Laptop Battery life

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Laptops have two different types of power sources: batteries or adapted power from an AC or DC source. Laptop internal components use DC power (direct current), so AC power(alternating current) needs to be converted to DC. Most laptops use an AC adapter, a "brick" with two cords on either side, one side plugging into the notebook and the other into an AC outlet. A DC adapter is often used in a car to plug into a power source to convert the AC output into the DC voltage required by your laptop. The exception is the laptop backlights. Most use a high-voltage, low-amp AC power. An inverter is used to convert the laptop DC power to AC for the backlights.

Lithium-Ion batteries are the preferred rechargeable battery used for laptops. The reason for this is the Li-Ion’s energy density.

After having to replace my daughter’s laptop battery at a cost of $100, I began to leave my laptop plugged into the power adapter at all times if anywhere near a power source, believing that the more I kept a charge on my laptop, the longer the battery would last. I also began to admonish my daughter and husband for leaving their laptops unplugged most of the time, not that it changed their behavior. In their eyes, I was just being my usual nag self.

Low and behold, I found out during my CompTIA A+ Essentials computer training, that I was actually shortening the life of my laptop battery by keeping it charged round the clock. The Lithium-Ion battery needs to have something called battery calibration. Battery calibration can be performed with the laptop battery left installed in the laptop. When the battery charge readout reaches empty, the computer is forced into sleep mode. At this point, reconnect the adapter and fully charge the computer. This can be done about once a month to recalibrate. Other than this, it is best if the battery is partially discharged on a regular basis and then recharged, kind of like what you do with your cell phone, a discharge down to about 40% is good. On the other hand, if the battery is fully discharged too often, the safety circuitry built into the battery can cause the battery not to recharge.

In summary, don’t take any special care to keep the battery charged up. Partial discharges are best. The batteries will last 2-3 years, 500 charge cycles. Don’t do what I did and leave the battery charged at maximum charge 24/7. The battery will last half as long due to the excessive heat. Don’t leave your laptop in a hot car or sitting in a sunny area, cool temps are always better.

http://www.apple.com/batteries

Common troubleshooting tools used in Windows XP

MSCONFIG

MSINFO32

CHKDSK

SFC /SCANNOW

DISK DEFRAGMENTER

Microsoft Technet Tools for Troubleshooting

Parental Controls in Vista

You need to restrict your son from playing unrated games on the computer for anyone that is 10+ or higher in age.  How do you do this?

Under Game Restrictions, select the Block Games with No Rating option.  Also, select the Everyone option.  The Everyone option allows games rated "E" for Everyone and "EC" for Early Childhood to be played.

Windows Vista Parental Controls

USB Port

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USB, Universal Serial Bus. A USB port supports up to 127 periperal devices.

USB 1.1 supports 12-Mbps data transfer.
USB 2.0 supports transfer rates up to 480 Mbps.

Connecting a USB 2.0 device to a USB 1.1 port will slow the transfer rate to the level of a USB 1.1 device.  It will also cause a number of problems and error messages.

Devices include printers, scanners, flash drives, external drives, digital cameras, PDAs, handheld devices, and PDA peripherals such as synchronization kits, charger kits, cradles, and adapter cradles.

If a USB device requires more power than a USB port can provide, it should be equipped with an AC/DC adapter and should draw power from a wall outlet.

If you have a USB 2.0 port, it is best to attach a printer to it instead of a parallel port.  The USB port will be much faster.

A USB hub increases the number of USB ports on a computer.  The hub plugs into the USB port on the computer, so the number of ports are actually minus one.  For example, if you have a hub with four ports, there are actually three available. 

There are bus-powered hubs and self-powered hubs.  Self-powered hubs should be used for high-power devices such as cameras and external hard drives.  Self-powered hubs draw power from an electrical outlet.  Bus-powered hubs draw power from the USB bus.  A keyboard and a mouse will work on a bus-powered hub.  A low-powered device, such as a mouse or a keyboard, will work on a self-powered hub.  However, high-powered devices will not work on a bus-powered hub.  Bus-powered hubs power up to 100 MA per port, and self-powered hubs power up to 500 MA per port.

Error message: The Hub Doesn't Have Enough Power Available to Operate...

Using SFC (System File Checker)/Scannow

System files can sometimes get written over or deleted.  SFC (System File Checker) scans your Windows XP system and replaces the missing files.  Missing system files can cause startup/boot problems or other operating system headaches.  SFC is part of the WFP (Windows File Protection) feature that prevents programs from writing over critical system files.

I was once working on a computer that was having a startup problem, ran the command line utility SFC /scannow, and voila!  Problem fixed.  SFC scans the system and determines if there are any missing files.  If so, the files are obtained from cache (%systemroot%\system32\dllcache).  If not in cache, SFC will obtain the files from the installation source on the network or the Windows CD-ROM.  You might be asked to insert the Windows Installation CD-ROM.

To use the SFC utility:

1. Go to Start;All Programs;Accessories;Command Prompt
2. Type SFC /scannow and press Enter (there is a space after SFC)
3. If prompted, insert your Windows XP Installation CD-ROM.
4. Wait until command finishes and your files are verified.

Using System Restore

A very good safety tool in Windows XP is System Restore.  It is seldom utilized, but is very effective and is a small step that can save you an enormous amount of trouble.  If your computer is not working properly, you can use System Restore to return it to a previous state.  If you are getting ready to install or download an application, use System Restore to back up your system so that if you have problems and the application isn't working as anticipated, you can restore your system.

Note:  To use System Restore, you must be logged onto your computer as an administrator.  If you do not know if you are logged onto the system as an administrator, check out the following link to find out:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin

To turn System Restore on or off:

1. Go to My Computer.
2. Right click.  Go to Properties.  Select the System Restore tab.
3. Clear the checkmark to turn on System Restore.  Insert a checkmark in the box indicating to turn System Restore off.

Creating a Restore Point:

1. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
2. Select the Create A Restore Point option and click Next.
3. Type a description like, "Before printer driver install", and click Create.
4. Click Close.

Revert to your Restore Point:

1. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
2. Select Restore My Computer to An Earlier Time option, and click Next.
3. Use the calendar to select the restore point you want to go to.  Days in bold contain the valid restore points.  After you select the day, select the restore point listed on the right.  Click Next.
4. Make sure this is the correct restore point and click Next.  Windows restores to the selected backup and restarts.

Problems with your mouse pointer?

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If you are having problems with your mouse pointer in Windows XP, try to adjust the hardware acceleration. Adjusting the hardware acceleration will allow you to set the way Windows works with the video card and driver.  A lower setting might be needed if the video driver cannot exchange information with the video card and the Operating System at an accelerated rate.  Go to Start/Control Panel.  Click on Display.  Then, select Settings and Advanced.  Next, select Troubleshoot and adjust Hardware Acceleration.  Hardware Acceleration should be set to Full if your computer has no problems.

You will need to experiment with the setting to see which one works best.  First, adjust the hardware acceleration one notch to the left.  This setting might resolve your mouse pointer problem.  Restart your computer and test before adjusting again.  Do not adjust all the way to the left as this could give you unpredictable results.
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