http://www.bootdisk.com/ 281 January 2007
The BootLIST
Welcome to the 281st Edition of The BootLIST
INDEX
1) Change Explorer Default To My Computer
2) Yet Another Activation Issue
3) Dont Fix What Isn't Broken
4) hal.dll Missing
5) Password Manager
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1) Change Explorer Default To My Computer
Jacques asked - When I click on Windows Explorer, it always start with "My Documents" selected. Can it start with "My Computer" selected or Local Disk C: instead?
Nepatsfan said:
You can create a new shortcut or change the target in your existing shortcut.
HOW TO: Change Windows Explorer Default View to My Computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=221878
How To Customize the Windows Explorer Views in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307856
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2) Yet Another Activation Issue
laws5725 posted - I'm having trouble activating my windows XP home edition Its showing the pair of keys in the tool bar. when I click to activate it comes up on the screen as a window with nothing on it only little squares with x's I guess where the images are supposed to be.
Shenan S. suggested:
Try the fixes in this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314935
Or this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=322960
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3) Dont Fix What Isn't Broken
ABC123 wrote - I have two dvd burners and both of them show up as cd-rom drives in windows explorer. They work fine and it's not really a big deal, but I would like to know what the reason for this.
*** It's best not fix what isn't broken especially for cosmetic issues. You can find yourself in a huge jam that could take days to fix and
possibly a reinstall of Windows and loss of all your personal files.
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4) hal.dll Missing
Richard inquired - When my Windows XP Home Edition restarts it goes to a black screen that says: Windows root system32\hal.dll file missing. Reinstall file. What do I need to do to reinstall this file?
***That's generally an incorrect error message as your hal.dll file is most likely just fine and in the right place.
http://www.bootdisk.com/txtfiles/xpquick.txt
Part 4
taurarian adds:
"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows Could Not Start" Error Messages When You Start Your Computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330184
Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is Missing or Corrupt:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320252
How to Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654
Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk Hardware Configuration Problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314477
How to Determine the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) That Is Used in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=298898
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5) Password Manager
Phil asked - I am looking for an online password manager utility. I want it to be online because I would like to be able to use the password manager from either my work, 1st home, or 2nd home PC, or when traveling and trying to use someone else's computer.
I would also like to hear your feedback on whether or not this is a good idea, i.e.: possible security comprised due to using an online password utility, etc.
*** Pick up a steno book and keep your user names and passwords in it. Way safer and easier than keeping them on a hard drive in a separate program. An online option is even worse as the system admin can access it anytime he/she wants to. Make a copy of the many pages and put it in another location in your home.
I also travel a lot and dont take my steno book with me as I only need to remember my most important user names/passwords or just use write them to a small card and keep them in my wallet. If my wallet gets stolen the thief wont know what my writing means anyway.
Ayush says:
https://www.passwordsafe.com/
Ken B. adds:
If it were me in your shoes, I would feel safer not trusting any on-line site with something like this. I would prefer to use a thumb drive
that I could carry with me.
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