Windows Tips & Tricks

How to change the product key for Office XP, for Office 2003, and for the 2007 Office system

2009-11-08T04:12:00.000-08:00

To resolve this issue, follow the steps in this section.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Note If you try to open any Office programs after you complete the steps, you receive a message that prompts you for a valid product key. Make sure that you have a valid product key before you start these steps.

   1. Close all Office programs.
   2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
   3. Locate and then click the following subkey, depending on your version of Windows and of Office:

      32-bit versions
      2007 Office system
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Registration

      Office 2003
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Registration

      Office XP
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Registration
      64-bit versions
      2007 Office system
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Registration

      Office 2003
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Registration

      Office XP
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Registration
   4. Export the Registration subkey.

      You can make a backup of the values under the Registration subkey if the new product key does not work. To do this, follow these steps:
         1. Right-click the Registration subkey, and then click Export.
         2. In the Save in list, select a location to save the registration entries.
         3. In the File name box, type a name for the .reg file that you want to export, and then click Save.

      Note In steps 4a through 4c, you created a backup of the Registration subkey. You can restore the Registry settings of the Registration subkey by double-clicking the .reg file that you saved in step 4c. The contents of the .reg file are automatically exported to the Registry.
   5. Under the Registration subkey, there may be several Globally Unique Identifiers (GUID) that contain a combination of alphanumeric characters. Each GUID is specific to a program that is installed on your computer.

      Click a GUID. Then, view the version of Office that is listed in the right pane for the Productname registry entry. After you find the GUID that contains the version of your Office program, follow these steps:
         1. Right-click the DigitalProductID registry entry, click Delete, and then click Yes.
         2. Right-click the ProductID registry entry, click Delete, and then click Yes.

            For more information about how to identify the correct GUID for the version of the Office suite or program that you have installed on your computer, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
            928516 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928516/ ) Description of the numbering scheme for product code GUIDs in 2007 Office suites and programs
            832672 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832672/ ) Description of numbering scheme for product code GUIDs in Office 2003
            302663 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302663/ ) Description of the numbering scheme for product code GUIDs for Office XP programs
   6. Close Registry Editor.
   7. Open an Office program, such as Microsoft Word. When you receive a message that prompts you for the product key, type the correct product key, and then click OK.

2009-10-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

What do system beeps Mean?

2009-09-19T09:47:00.001-07:00

One Beep :DRAM refresh failure
This may be due to
- Bad memory chips
- A bad DMA Chip
- Bad memory addressing chips on the motherboard

Two Beeps :Parity error or Parity Circuit failure
-Your memory may not be seated properly on the mother board.-Unplug and plug it properly

Three Beeps :Bad memory or bad mother board

Four Beeps :Timer failure in the RAM.

Five Beeps :CPU chip may be dead

Six Beeps :Keyboard controller may have failed

Seven Beeps :CPU is dead. Retry the connections and test.
-Replace the whole motherboard.

Eight Beeps :Video card is missing or Bad.

Nine Beeps :Damaged ROM BIOS.
-BIOS chip has to be replaced if it persists.

Ten Beeps :CMOS shutdown.
-Replace CMOS memory and associated chips.

Eleven Beeps :Cache memory test has failed.
-To enable cache memory try CTRL+ALT+SHIFT++.

One long Beep and Three short Beeps:Memory failure

One long Beep and Eight short Beeps :Video card failure.
-Try to install video card in another slot.

No Beeps :Check Power supply
-Check mother board connections
-Remove all cards except video card and check for system power up
-Insert all cards one at a time and check their operation.
-If system hangs on the installation of a particular card, then it is the cause for the problem and replace it with another of that type and
check

General keyboard shortcuts

2009-09-19T09:46:00.001-07:00

Shortcut	Command
CTRL+C	(Copy)
CTRL+X	(Cut)
CTRL+V	(Paste)
CTRL+Z	(Undo)
DELETE	(Delete)
SHIFT+DELETE	(Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
CTRL while dragging an item	(Copy the selected item)
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item	(Create a shortcut to the selected item)
F2 key	(Rename the selected item)
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW	(Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
CTRL+LEFT ARROW	(Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
CTRL+DOWN ARROW	(Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
CTRL+UP ARROW	(Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	(Highlight a block of text)
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	(Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
CTRL+A	(Select all)
F3 key	(Search for a file or a folder)
ALT+ENTER	(View the properties for the selected item)
ALT+F4	(Close the active item, or quit the active program)
ALT+ENTER	(Display the properties of the selected object)
ALT+SPACEBAR	(Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
CTRL+F4	(Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
ALT+TAB	(Switch between the open items)
ALT+ESC	(Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
F6 key	(Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
F4 key	(Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
SHIFT+F10	(Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
ALT+SPACEBAR	(Display the System menu for the active window)
CTRL+ESC	(Display the Start menu)
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name	(Display the corresponding menu)
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu	(Perform the corresponding command)
F10 key	(Activate the menu bar in the active program)
RIGHT ARROW	(Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
LEFT ARROW	(Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
F5 key	(Update the active window)
BACKSPACE	(View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
ESC	(Cancel the current task)
SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive	(Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC	(Open Task Manager)

Making Internet Explorer As Fast As Firefox

2009-09-19T09:43:00.001-07:00

I heard from my friends that their loading speed of Internet Explorer is very slow compared to that of Internet Explorer(IE), but trust me guys we can make Internet Explorer load the sites as fast as Firefox. This is a simple trick to be followed to do the task of faster loading of the sites on you IE. After trying this trick you will say your friends that your IE is loading the sites faster than that of Firefox. Check it out. All the Best!!!

1.Open registry editor by going to Start -> Run -> type ”regedit”(without double quotes).

2. Once in registry, navigate to key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\microsoft\Windows\ Current
Version \InternetSettings.

3.Right click on the right windows -> New -> DWORD. Type MaxConnectionsPerServer ->You can set value (the more higher the no, the more good speed eg:100).

4.Create another DWORD ->type MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server. Then set a high value as mentioned above.

5.Restart I.E and you are done.

Fasten your BroadBand Speed up to 20%

2009-09-19T09:39:00.001-07:00

If you are using a BroadBand connection at your home and using Windows Xp as your Operating System, and you feel that your BB speed is a bit less, then in that case you have the option to increase your Broadband speed upto 20%.

1. First of all make sure you are logged in as Administrator.
2. Go to Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc, press OK.
3. Then go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> QOS packet Scheduler.
4. On the right it will give you the option of Limit Reservable bandwidth, open and and select Enabled, and change the value to 0.

Simple Run Commands to make life easier

2009-09-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

These are just some of the commands i have which work on OS starting Win2k & above, sorry dont have any idea if they work on the OS before Win2k

Accessibility Controls - access.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard - hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools - control admintools
Automatic Updates - wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Transfer Wizard - fsquirt
Calculator - calc
Certificate Manager - certmgr.msc
Character Map - charmap
Check Disk Utility - chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer - clipbrd
Command Prompt - cmd
Component Services - dcomcnfg
Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Date and Time Properties - timedate.cpl
DDE Shares - ddeshare
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)* - directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter - dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility - cleanmgr
Disk Defragment - dfrg.msc
Disk Management - diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager - diskpart
Display Properties - control desktop
Display Properties - desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected) - control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility - drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility - verifier
Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
File Signature Verification Tool - sigverif
Findfast - findfast.cpl
Folders Properties - control folders
Fonts - control fonts
Fonts Folder - fonts
Free Cell Card Game - freecell
Game Controllers - joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof) - gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game - mshearts
Iexpress Wizard - iexpress
Indexing Service - ciadv.msc
Internet Properties - inetcpl.cpl
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration) - ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents) - ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents) - ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections) - ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections) - ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS) - ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID) - ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID) - ipconfig /setclassid
Java Control Panel (If Installed) - jpicpl32.cpl
Java Control Panel (If Installed) - javaws
Keyboard Properties - control keyboard
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows - logoff
Microsoft Chat - winchat
Minesweeper Game - winmine
Mouse Properties - control mouse
Mouse Properties - main.cpl
Network Connections - control netconnections
Network Connections - ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard - netsetup.cpl
Notepad - notepad
Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed) - nvtuicpl.cpl
Object Packager - packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator - odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard - osk
Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed) - ac3filter.cpl
Password Properties - password.cpl
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor - perfmon
Phone and Modem Options - telephon.cpl
Power Configuration - powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes - control printers
Printers Folder - printers
Private Character Editor - eudcedit
Quicktime (If Installed) - QuickTime.cpl
Regional Settings - intl.cpl
Registry Editor - regedit
Registry Editor - regedit32
Remote Desktop - mstsc
Removable Storage - ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests - ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof) - rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras - sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks - control schedtasks
Security Center - wscui.cpl
Services - services.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows - shutdown
Sounds and Audio - mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game - spider
SQL Client Configuration - cliconfg
System Configuration Editor - sysedit
System Configuration Utility - msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately) - sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot) - sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot) - sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting) - sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache) - sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x) - sfc /cachesize=x
System Properties - sysdm.cpl
Task Manager - taskmgr
Telnet Client - telnet
User Account Management - nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager - utilman
Windows Firewall - firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier - magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure - wmimgmt.msc
Windows System Security Tool - syskey
Windows Update Launches - wupdmgr
Windows XP Tour Wizard - tourstart
Wordpad - write

Converting File systems

2009-09-19T09:36:00.001-07:00

Guys, I tried this interesting and would like to share this with you.

Click Start > Run > OK

The command prompt opens.

Now type “convert d: /fs:ntfs”

This command would convert your d: drive to ntfs.

If the system cannot lock the drive, you will be prompted to convert it during next reboot.

Normally you should select yes.

Conversion from fat/fat32 to ntfs is non-destructive, your data on the drive will NOT be lost.

Be aware that converting to ntfs will make that partition of your drive unreadable under dos unless you have ntfs utilites to do so.

How to delete recycle bin from the desktop?

2009-09-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Guys! here I show you a small trick you find interesting, how to delete the recycle bin from the desktop.
start>run>gpedit.msc>user configuration>Administrative Templates>Desktop
then change the value of “Remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop” to enable.
Hope you find this interesting and funny. Try it out and have fun.

Free up RAM to make windows run faster without any Software

2009-09-13T10:16:00.001-07:00

Here is a method you might like to use to free up RAM to make Windows run faster.
When programs run in Windows XP, they frequently use what are called DLLs (Dynamic-Link Libraries).
These contain shared programming instructions and other files like icons, graphics, sounds, etc. that different applications use in order to run. DLLs are stored in RAM whenever the applications load them; when you quit a program, XP is supposed to release the DLL from memory. But some DLLs can get stuck.
Here is the method to mend this up.
Step 1: You can force Windows XP to release DLLs by adding a Registry key.
Step 2: Select Start > Run >Enter regedit >Hit Ok
Step 3: This will open the Registry Editor and navigate to
My Computer -> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Explorer.
Step 4: Right click on EXPLORER in the Left Pane, Select New > Key.
Step 5: Name it as AlwaysUnloadDLL and set the default value to 1.
Step 6: Restart Windows to activate the change.

Mergin Video files with simple DOS command

2009-09-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Click start > run
type cmd > OK.
This will open the command prompt.
In the command prompt, type
(Suppose that, you have videos to be merged in drive D: )
copy /b “D:\video1.flv” + “D:\video2.flv” “D:\FullMovie.flv”
where the video1.flv and video2.flv are the video files to join and fullmove.flv is the resultant combined file.
You can specify any number of files to join.
Also notice I have typed the entire file path in the above command.
Press enter and the files will be joined.

Using notepad as a Diary

2009-09-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

Windows provides many features in using its applications, have you ever tried of using notepad as your diary. You can do this on following the below steps, its amazing.
1. Open a blank Notepad file
(Tip: Start>All Programs>Accessories>Notepad
OR
Start>Run>Type “Notepad“(without double quote)
2. Write .LOG as the first line of the file, followed by a enter. Save the file and close it.
3. Double-click the file to open it and notice that Notepad appends the
current date and time to the end of the file and places the cursor on
the line after.
4. Type your notes and then save and close the file.
5. Each time you open the file, Notepad repeats the process, appending
the time and date to the end of the file and placing the cursor below it.
Hoping this tips helps you a lot for your daily use of diary for personal and professional use.

Folder Options missing

2009-09-03T11:36:00.001-07:00

Many of us sometimes find the folder options missing in windows explorer.
Here’s the solution:
Open Run and then type “gpedit.msc“.
Now goto User Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Component > Windows Explorer.
Click on Windows Explorer you will find the 3rd option on the right side of screen “Removes the Folder Option menu item from the Tools menu”
Just check it, if it is not configured then change it to enable by double clicking on it and after applying again set it to not configured.
I hopes that you will find the option after restarting windows.

How To Change the Windows XP Product Key Code

2009-09-03T11:32:00.001-07:00

Changing the Windows XP product key may be necessary if you discover your current key is pirated or illegal but you don’t want to reinstall Windows XP to activate your new legal key.
Note: Changes to the registry are made in these steps. Take great care in making only the changes described below. I recommend that you backup the registry keys you’re modifying in these steps as an extra precaution.If you’re uncomfortable making registry changes, check out the tip at the bottom of the page.
Time Required: Less than 15 minutes
Here’s How:
1.Click on Start and then Run.
2.In the text box in the Run window, type regedit and click OK. This will open the Registry Editor program.
3.Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder under My Computer and click on the (+) sign next the folder name to expand the folder.
4.Continue to expand folders until you reach the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents registry key.
5.Click on the WPAEvents folder.
6.In the results that appear in the window on the right, locate OOBETimer.
7.Right-click on the OOBETimer entry and choose Modify from the resulting menu.
8.Change at least one digit in the Value data text box and click OK. This will deactivate Windows XP.
9.Click on Start and then Run.
10.In the text box in the Run window, type
“%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a”
without double quotes and then click OK.
11.When the Windows Product Activation window appears, choose Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows and then click Next.
12.Click Change Product Key.
13.Type your new, valid Windows XP product key in the New key text boxes and then click Update.
14.If you’re taken back to the previous screen and prompted, choose Remind me later.
15.Restart your PC.

Starting computer in 10 seconds

2009-09-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Click on the start button then press R it will take u to Run well go to run and type Regedit
press enter
this will open Registery Editor
now look for the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex
now there find the Key Called
“Startup Delay”
Double Click On It
Now where its Base
Click Decimal
Now its Default Value Is 4800000
Change The Value To 40000
here you go.

You have done it
now close the Registry Editor and Restart Your Computer
You’ll See The Result.

Hello every one.

2009-08-25T19:50:00.001-07:00

Please be patient posts will be uploaded soon...
In the mean time visit
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