WinDOwS Tricks - Part 8

Go to ALL WinDOwS ©Tricks + Secrets Contents

aol

your browser assumes that you want to access the America Online web site, and "completes" the URL to point to:

www.aol.com

actually displayed in your browser's URL address box as:

http://www.aol.com/

Well, the reality is that not all web sites contain the www. prefix or/and the .com suffix into their URL notation. Examples of such web sites:

members.aol.com/ojatex/

or:

users.aol.com/ojatex/

in which case adding the www. prefix is incorrect. Therefore the members.aol.com or users.aol.com servers cannot be accessed if typed as shown above, because the www.members.aol.com and www.users.aol.com host names do not exist. :-)

WORKAROUNDS:

1. TEMPORARY FIX: Type the complete URL. Examples:

   http://members.aol.com/ojatex/

   or:

   http://users.aol.com/ojatex/

   to avoid having your browser add the "www." prefix.
   But I'm not happy (are you?) with this "quick" fix because many other web site URLs have the same "problem".

2. PERMANENT FIX: Win95/98/ME with MS Internet Explorer 4/5/6 (or newer) users can apply this Registry workaround to force IE to access such "non-standard" URLs correctly.
   Run Regedit and go to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\Prefixes

   In the right hand pane you'll find a list of most used URL prefixes, which are added by IE to a "truncated" URL, to match a real server name:

   home
   home.
   mosaic
   mosaic.
   www
   www.

   Note that they all have "http://" assigned as their value.
   You can add your own prefixes to this list. Right-click and select New -> String. Name this new string "members" (no quotes). Double-click on "members" and give it the value "http://" (no quotes). Then add 3 more new Strings, name them respectively: "members.", "users", and "users.", and then give them the same value: "http://" (don't type the quotes).
   Close the Registry editor when done.

3. NETSCAPE FIX?: Unfortunately I haven't found a way [yet :(] to "patch" Netscape Navigator/Communicator 3/4/6 (or newer) to recognize "non-standard" incomplete URLs. If you find a Netscape URL fix, please let me know.

"Does your ISP tell you their MaxMTU value when you log on?

I have discovered that my Internet Provider "tells" me, everytime I log on, what "their" MaxMTU is, and have discovered that, although it may not be standard for the entire world net, provides the quickest times for me when connecting to them.
If your ISP's tech support won't (can't *gasp*) tell you what MTU they use...
To "see" the MTU setting, I perform this once a month, just to make sure my ISP's MaxMTU hasn't changed.
When I use a Terminal window (instead of PAP) to log onto my ISP, after choosing the correct menu choice for PPP, I get these three lines...

Entering PPP mode.
Your IP address is (my static IP)
MaxMTU is 1524

As you can see, this tells me what MTU my ISP uses.
I do not know if every ISP has this same feature, but it may help others in testing to get the fastest speed over a Dial-Up connection.
If you feel this might be useful to your site's visitors, you can add it.
Please feel free to modify it in anyway you wish.
This isn't copyrighted material, just a tip that I thought might help SOME.
Due to the many ways ISPs use login procedures, including only PAP authentication, it may not work.
I know NETCOM uses instead of just the username at the "Username:" prompt... something like this (not exactly sure of the middle)...

Username: protocol,2 letter country code,username

Ie, mine would be...

Username: ppp,us,rsutton

If YOUR ISP doesn't give you "Shell" access, this procedure WILL NOT work!

* Proper steps for using a Post-Dial Terminal window in Win95/98 DUN.
(There are other ways, this is the most common):

• Double/left-click "My Computer".
• Double/left-click "Dial-Up Networking".
• LEFT click ONCE on the connection icon you wish to monitor.
• RIGHT click ONCE on same icon.
• Choose Properties from the popup menu (shows up after above step).
• Here, a configuration screen will appear, from this screen, click on the"Configure" button below the "Connect using... (your modem here)" area towards bottom.
• From next window that pops up for the Modem Properties, there will be an "Options" tab towards the top, select that tab.
• Select the "Bring up terminal window after dialing" box in the "Connection control" heading box.
• Click OK twice.
• Either double-click the same icon to dial, or use the software that normally dials this connection for you.
• After going through your normal connection procedure, and if connected, a "Black" window will appear.
• A prompt asking for your Username should appear.
• Username: <- type your username, press Enter.
• A prompt asking for your Password should appear.
• Password: <- type your password here. Press Enter.
  Most times, NOTHING will be seen when typing it, trust your fingers, watch them as you type it.
• A menu should appear, from this menu, choose your connection type... i.e.:
  1. PPP
  2. SLIP
  3. CSLIP
  Choice ? <- Here, I would press 1 and press Enter.

  Then I get...

  Entering PPP mode.
  Your IP address is (my static IP)
  MaxMTU is 1524

  Voila! My network's (ISP) MTU.
  

• Press F7 to continue with normal connection if all goes well, OR...
  Press the Cancel button, and set your MTU settings using EasyMTU, reboot, then reverse the procedure to deactivate the terminal window."

BIOS + POST bootup error codes/messages:

• BIOS Central.
• BIOS Information Guide.
• The BIOS Companion.
• Power On Self Test Beep Codes.
• MSKB: Parity Errors in:
  • Windows 95/98/ME.
  • Windows/WfWG 3.1x.
• Accessing Motherboard BIOS.

If you got a PC within the last few years, there is a good chance you are using SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Modules), DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Modules) or RIMMs (Rambus Inline Memory Modules). No matter your memory type: EDO, FPM, ECC, SDRAM, RDRAM etc, power spikes or outages, especially on computers not protected by surge protectors or backup Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units, inadequate room temperature (too hot), insufficient case/CPU/motherboard ventilation/cooling, improper/long lasting CPU/bus overcloking (by increasing the voltage over factory preset values), computing habbits (some leave their machines on 24 hours a day), can all contribute to shortening your RAM chips life span.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

1. The first step you should take when you suspect bad memory, is to open your PC case (you need to be a little familiar with your computer's "guts" to attempt this, so you know how your RAM looks like), pull out ALL memory chips and clean them with a dry cloth. To do this properly, you MUST FIRST power off and unplug your PC. Then you MUST "ground" yourself (using an antistatic grounding cable) to avoid nasty static discharges, that may DAMAGE your computer's electrical components!
   Then reseat them and make sure they "snap" in firmly.

2. If this doesn't work, remove one chip at a time and then reboot each time, on systems that operate without a minimum or even number (2, 4 etc) of RAM chips, to see if the error messages are gone.
   On systems that take RAM modules only in pairs, remove one pair at a time (if you have more than 1), and restart your machine.

3. Another way is to use a memory diagnostic software tool [free(ware)]:
   • DocMem for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 + DOS.
   • MemTest for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003.
   • MemTest86 for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 + DOS.
   • MemTest86+ for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 + DOS.
   • NMI for DOS.
   It is recommended to run the program of your choice continuously for at least 12-24 hours, to get accurate results.

4. You can also use Microsoft HIMEM.SYS (loads as default memory manager on ALL Windows 95/98/ME + MS-DOS 6.xx machines) to test the reliability of your entire extended memory (XMS) area. The HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:ON command line parameter performs a more thorough memory test every time your PC boots than the standard powerup memory test performed by most computers BIOSes, by writing and reading data to each memory address and checking for differences.
   If the data HIMEM.SYS reads from an address differs from the data it just wrote to that address, then the memory at that address is unreliable, and can cause system instability or loss of data!
   /TESTMEM is turned ON by default in MS-DOS from 6.00 up to 6.22, and doesn't need to be mentioned on the CONFIG.SYS HIMEM.SYS line.
   But if you own Windows 95, OSR2, 98 or ME (any release), you need to turn it ON (it is OFF by default) by creating (if not present) or editing (using Notepad in Windows or EDIT.COM in DOS) your CONFIG.SYS file (located in C:\ root), and add/modify this line to read:

   DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:ON

   Change the path name if different on your system.

   • Win95/98/ME users only:

     Add/modify this MSDOS.SYS (found in C:\ root) line to read:

     Logo=0

     Use SYS95.BAT to edit MSDOS.SYS the easy way.

   • All Win3.xx/95/98/ME + MS-DOS 6.xx users:

     Reboot when done.

   Now watch the OS bootup screen for any messages like:

   "ERROR: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable extended memory at address XXXXXXXXh."

   If this happens, HIMEM.SYS will abort, and Windows won't even load without extended memory enabled!
   In such cases you should have your computer's RAM stick(s) checked for hardware defects (and eventually replaced if necessary) by qualified personnel.

   NOTE: Microsoft REMOVED COMPLETELY the access to native/real/true/pure MS-DOS mode from Windows Millennium Edition (ME), a.k.a. MS-DOS 8.00. :(
   But you CAN get it back by applying the Unofficial DOS Patch, which modifies COMMAND.COM + IO.SYS (from C:\Windows\Command\EBD) + REGENV32.EXE (from C:\Windows\System) to allow Windows ME to boot to native MS-DOS and use DOS mode startup files (AUTOEXEC.BAT + CONFIG.SYS), Windows 95/98 style.

5. A cheap (read "free") and "hands off your PC" troubleshooting method is to add/modify this line (using Notepad or Sysedit):

   MaxPhysPage=hexadecimal-page-number

   under the [386enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file (located in your Windows directory), to isolate the amount of memory used by Windows, no matter which version you have: 9x/ME or 3.xx. Most 80386, 80486 and all Pentium class (and above) CPUs make use of RAM in 4 KB (4096 Bytes) pages. Newer Pentium II/III/IV and AMD K6/K6-2/K7/K8 CPUs use 4 MB (4096 KB) pages. That's exactly what "MaxPhysPage" does: limits the number of RAM pages available to Windows. This way you can tell EXACTLY how much RAM Windows accesses, and if THAT particular memory is defective.
   Example: to force Windows to use only the first 4 MB (MegaBytes) of RAM, this line must read (hex value):

   MaxPhysPage=400

   Save your changes and restart Windows (which is valid every time you make changes to SYSTEM.INI).
   If the GUI (Graphical User Interface) comes back OK, try to perform some routine tasks. If everything looks good, modify the MaxPhysPage line again to read:

   MaxPhysPage=800

   This setting tells Windows to use only the first 8 MB of RAM.
   Similarly, this line:

   MaxPhysPage=1000

   limits Windows to the first 16 MB of RAM.
   Repeat the steps above every time you changed the MaxPhysPage line.
   These are the most common values for the "MaxPhysPage" setting:

   RAM Limit [MB]  MaxPhysPage Hex Value
   -------------------------------------
   4               400
   8               800
   12              C00
   16              1000
   24              1800
   32              2000
   48              3000
   64              4000
   80              5000
   96              6000
   128             8000
   160             A000
   192             C000
   256             10000
   384             18000
   512             20000
   640             28000
   768             2C000
   960             3C000
   1024 [1 GB]     40000

   Win98/ME users ONLY: you can also decrease the SYSTEM.INI "MaxPhysPage" value by using MSCONFIG.EXE (System Configuration Utility): click the Start button -> click Run... -> type MSCONFIG -> click OK or hit Enter -> click the General tab -> click the Advanced... button -> place a check mark in the "Limit memory to ??? MB" box -> hold the up arrow or down arrow slider until the desired value appears -> click OK or hit Enter twice -> restart Windows.
   The "Specifying Amount of RAM Available to Windows Using MaxPhysPage" MSKB article lists all possible values for limiting Windows memory.

6. The more drastic solution [if everything else fails :)] is to buy more RAM, again, one chip at a time, and restart your computer each time to test it.
   ALL your RAM chips MUST be of the same type, and you MUST get the RIGHT RAM type (SIMM, DIMM, RIMM etc) for your specific motherboard/chipset. Read your system documentation FIRST!

Learn about RAM types + flavors:

• Tom's Hardware RAM Guide.
• System Optimization Memory Guides.
• Ars Technica RAM identification.
• Crucial Technology: identify basic RAM modules.
• Kingston Technology: Ultimate Memory Guide.
• PC Stats: Diagnosing Bad Memory.

And while you're at it, I recommend you get MORE memory [no more excuses, they are so cheap now :-)]. 64 MB of RAM is a good start, 128 MB is even better, and 256 MB SDRAM (or RDRAM) is today's "sweet spot" [but not for long :)], especially if using Windows 98/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003, to give Windows more physical RAM (faster operation) to "play" with, instead of spinning that hard disk to access the slower virtual memory (swap file).

WARNING: Microsoft acknowledged in these MSKB articles:

• Q184447
• Q304943

"Win98 Font Selection

Perhaps you can help me with a problem I am having. I work with people who have physical handicapps --most of them are or were very active and well respected professionals until a sudden accident or illness struck-- now they feel left out of the mainstream, many because of limited vision. Here is the question:
Is there any way to re-set the proportional and fixed fonts for IE4 to be BOLD (like Arial Bold for proportional and Courier New Bold for fixed)?
The size limitations (sm, med, large etc) are ok but the letter density is too light. The Arial Black in Med or Large runs the text too close together.
They can manage with the light type for composing e-mail etc, but the reading of INCOMING is almost impossible."

A [MDGx]:

"Re: Win98 Font Selection

I'm afraid the answer to your problem offers only a partial solution.
Here it goes:

1. Right-click on an empty spot on the Desktop -> Properties -> Appearance -> press the B (bold) button for ALL items below (you can select them from the drop-down list under "Scheme"):

   • Menu
   • Message box
   • Selected items
   • 3D buttons
   • Active title bar
   • Inactive title bar

   Click Apply/OK when done.

2. Start Notepad and take a look at the 2 included Registry files: IE4BOLD.REG + IE4MINE.REG. IE4BOLD.REG sets IE4's display fonts to Bold into the Registry keys described at paragraph #3 below. IE4MINE.REG contains my system's IE4 font settings, you can view as example.

3. Run Regedit and go to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\1252

   and respectively:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Styles

   Use Regedit's "Export Registry File" menu to backup each of the Registry keys above, and name the 2 saved files something like IE4-1252.REG and respectively IE4STYLE.REG. Keep them for restoring purposes in case something goes wrong. [Everything should be OK, but with Windows you never know... :-)]

   NOTE: The "1252" IE registry key above implies that you are using the US English Language (code 1252). If you use a different language on your computer, you need to make similar changes and backup the appropriate Registry keys into your currently used language code key: determine your IE4 language by running the Internet Properties applet: right-click on your Internet [Explorer] desktop icon -> select Properties -> click the General tab -> click the Languages button, and then add it (using Regedit's "Export Registry file" function to save it to a REG file) to the supplied IE4BOLD.REG file, by editing IE4BOLD.REG with Notepad: cut and paste the entire language key from the new file you have saved into IE4BOLD.REG on a line of its own. Then replace the font names on the "IEFixedFontName" and "IEPropFontName" lines (under the new language key you have added) with "Arial Bold", a popular font, installed on all Windows systems. Your custom IE4 language key added to IE4BOLD.REG should look something like this:

   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International\xxxx]
   "IEFixedFontName"="Arial Bold"
   "IEPropFontName"="Arial Bold"
   "Script"="Western"
   "Default_Encoding"="Windows-xxxx"
   "Default_InternetEncoding"=hex:e4,04,00,00
   "IEFontSize"=hex:0b,00,00,00

   where all xxxx instances must be replaced with your current language code!

   NOTE: I have set the "IEFontSize" hex value above to 11.

   You can reset this value to one of these values: Smaller, Small, Medium, Larger or Largest, by running the Internet Properties applet (as described above) -> select the General tab -> click Fonts -> scroll the drop-down "Font size" menu.

TO DO: Read also "IE FONT FANCY", also in REGISTRY.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], for more IE font tweaks.

Now connect to your ISP/LAN/etc, start IE, and browse away to see if all this made any difference.

NOTE: This tip works with Windows 95 (all releases) ONLY with MS IE 4/5 installed, and with Windows 98 systems.
I haven't tested this workaround on Win95 machines with MS IE 3.0x installed."

"When you have AutoScan/AutoSearch/AutoComplete enabled in MS IE, and you want to load a national domain (for example a Dutch domain which ends in .nl), AutoScan will only look at: .edu, .org, .net + .com. To add extra domain names to the default MS IE search list, run Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\UrlTemplate

and ad two or more strings for each new domain. I have added "www.%s.nl" and "%.nl" (don't type the quotes). Now I can just type a name in the URL Address box and IE is looking at the .nl sites first."

This is an example of custom MS IE "UrlTemplate" Registry key saved as a .REG file:

-----Begin cut & paste here-----
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\UrlTemplate]
"1"="www.%s.com"
"2"="%.com"
"3"="www.%s.org"
"4"="%.org"
"5"="www.%s.net"
"6"="%.net"
"7"="www.%s.edu"
"8"="%.edu"
"9"="www.%s.gov"
"10"="%.gov"
"11"="www.%s.ca"
"12"="%.ca"
"13"="www.%s.co.uk"
"14"="%.co.uk"
"15"="www.%s.de"
"16"="%.de"
"17"="www.%s.nl"
"18"="%.nl"

------End cut & paste here------

Just copy the lines between cut & paste strings above in Notepad, save it as URLTEMPL.REG, and then register (merge) this info into your Registry by (double)-clicking on it in Explorer or File Manager (FM = %windir\WINFILE.EXE).

UPDATE: "I assume that the order of the templates is the order in which AutoSearch works, so IE will use www.%s.com first, www.%s.org second etc...
More AutoSearch templates you have, slower the search process will be. :("
[Thank you James!]

TIP: AutoComplete may become slow, especially if your History folder contains a lot of URLs. To speed it up, delete the ones you don't need, or better, delete the entire History folder. Don't worry, it will be recreated every time IE starts. :)
This can be also done using Microsoft TweakUI [110 KB, free, unsupported]. Click TweakUI's Paranoia tab -> check the "Clear Internet Explorer history at logon" box -> click OK/Apply.

shell=Explorer.exe

Replace "Explorer" (don't type the quotes) with the program's executable that gives you "headaches". Example:

shell=C:\Jedi Knight\Jedi.exe

In this example, Windows 95/98 will start as usual, BUT will NOT load/run ANY other programs/drivers/TSRs specified in the Registry "Run" keys, on your "load=" or "run=" lines found under WIN.INI's [windows] section (WIN.INI resides also in your Win95/98 folder), or listed in your StartUp folder.
It will simply execute the Lucas Arts' Jedi Knight (Dark Forces II) DirectX 3D game (see example above) EXCLUSIVELY, with NO overhead.
You can use ANY Windows based program filename on the "shell=" line, just make sure to type its extension (.exe).
The drawback is that when you're done playing Jedi Knight (or whatever app/game you want), you'll have to shut down Windows by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del, since no other programs are running (and if Explorer is not the shell, you don't have a Start button or menu available).
Therefore you need to be able to see the native/real/true/pure MS-DOS mode prompt after Windows shut-down, in order to edit your SYSTEM.INI using EDIT.COM, the MS-DOS text (ASCII) editor, which in this configuration is not possible from Windows (i.e. using Notepad). To learn how to shut-down to MS-DOS, see "2 DOS OR NOT 2 DOS", also in MYTIPS95.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE].
Alternatively, you can boot directly to the native/real/true/pure MS-DOS mode, by selecting the "Command prompt only" option from the Windows 95/98 Start (bootup) Menu, or by modifying the "BootGUI=" line under the [Options] section of your MSDOS.SYS file (located in C:\ root) to read:

BootGUI=0

Use the SYS95.BAT batch file [part of W95-11D.EXE] to automate MSDOS.SYS editing. Save the file when done and reboot.
To see the Win95/98 Start Menu at boot time and be able to choose a different way of starting your system, modify the "BootMenu=" line under the [Options] section of your MSDOS.SYS to read:

BootMenu=1

To understand the meaning of MSDOS.SYS lines and how to customize them, read "COMPLETE MSDOS.SYS REFERENCE", also in MYTIPS95.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE].

NOTE: Network/modem game play and Internet access are DISABLED if you start your game from the SYSTEM.INI "shell=" line, therefore you can play your game only in SOLO mode!

UPDATE: "No rebooting is required when changing the shell line in Win95/98.
With Explorer as shell, open SYSTEM.INI with Notepad or Sysedit and replace Explorer.exe with let's say Litestep.exe, a freeware shell alternative.
The new shell line should now look like this:
shell=C:\Litestep\Litestep.exe
Exit all running applications. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del, then select End task with "Explorer.exe" highlighted. The Shut Down screen will appear. Click NO. After a few seconds a nagging screen shows up saying "this program is not responding blah... blah...". Press End Task. The Start button and Desktop will be gone and will be replaced by the new program you specified on the shell line."
This update courtesy of Akmal.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Update

In the right hand pane -> right-click on the "UpdateMode" Hex (or DWORD) Value (or create it if not present) -> select Modify -> check the Hex (or DWORD Decimal) box -> change its value to read 0 -> close the Registry Editor -> restart Windows when done.
If UpdateMode is set to 1 (default), file/folder/shortcut/link refresh rate is much slower.

CAUTION: This constant refresh might impair your computer's performance IF:

• your CPU clock speed is 200 MHz or slower
• using Windows 98/ME
• have installed Microsoft Internet Explorer 4/5/6.

See MSKB article Q258765 if using your Windows 98/98 SE computer with Remote Update enabled to connect to a Windows 2000 server:
Download the fix [137 KB, English].

FYI: In Windows NT4, 2000, XP + 2003 the UpdateMode Registry value has completely different meaning:

• Windows NT4.
• Windows 2000.
• Windows XP.

1. "If you are setting up an Ethernet network between two or more PCs and find that you can only "see" your own PC on the network, i.e. in Network Neighborhood, don't give up.

   First: Make sure that you have the correct protocol installed (as MS nonhelp files always mention), I use both NetBEUI and IPX/SPX successfully.

   Second: Check using an ohmmeter, that the terminating resistors are of approx 50 ohms resistance, if not, then replace.

   Third: Double-check, using any form of continuity checking device (i.e. an ohmmeter), that there are no breaks or shortages in your Ethernet cable.

2. On a slightly different note, if you are trying to setup two different networks on the same PC, don't despair, it can be done using Windows 95.
   I have a dual Network running, that comprises 7 PCs: 5 on Ethernet and 3 on Token Ring (1 PC runs both as a "router", sort of). 2 of the Ethernet PCs are running Win98, 2 are running Win95, and the last is running Win3.11, while the Token Ring has 2 Win95 PCs and 1 Win3.11 PC. The PC that is the router is running Win95a, not Win98 (which I have been informed is pathetic at networking), with the IPX/SPX protocol installed for the Ethernet adapter only, while NetBEUI and TCP/IP are installed for both adapters.
   With this setup the router can see all 7 PCs on the network (which includes itself), but the Ethernet section can't "see" the Token Ring section and vice versa."

BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FILES BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES!

DO NOT MERGE NEWTCP.REG INTO THE REGISTRY THE WAY IT IS! YOU NEED TO MODIFY IT FIRST!

To do this properly, follow these steps EXACTLY:

1. Open Regedit to find where your TCP/IP resides under the following key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans

   There you will find one or more four-digit subkey(s). Example: 0000, 0001, 0002, 0003... etc.
   Your TCP/IP keys MUST ALL include this value:

   "DriverDesc"="TCP/IP"

   DO NOT MODIFY them if this parameter has ANY other value!

2. Open NEWTCP.REG in Notepad and change ALL 000n occurrences found in NEWTCP.REG to MATCH ALL your TCP/IP NetTrans subkeys, and ADD new lines if you have more than one! Example of NEWTCP.REG original line that you NEED TO MODIFY:

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\000n\Ndi\Params\DefaultRcvWindow]
   "Location"="System\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\VxD\\MSTCP"

   Example of new MODIFIED lines:

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0000\Ndi\Params\DefaultRcvWindow]
   "Location"="System\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\VxD\\MSTCP"

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0001\Ndi\Params\DefaultRcvWindow]
   "Location"="System\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\VxD\\MSTCP"

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0002\Ndi\Params\DefaultRcvWindow]
   "Location"="System\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\VxD\\MSTCP"

   ... etc. You get the idea.
   Repeat same steps above with ALL NEWTCP.REG "MaxConnectRetries" keys.

3. Now merge (register) NEWTCP.REG into the Registry: (double)-click on it in Explorer or File Manager.

4. Two new parameters are now available in the Network applet "TCP/IP -> Dial-Up Adapter" Advanced tab:

   • "Default Receive Window" = recommended values: 2144, 3216 or 4288 (depending on your MTU value).
   Default = 8192;

   and:

   • "Maximum Connection Retries" = recommended values: 16 - 64.
   Default = 32.

TIPS: All text files below are part of W95-11D.EXE:

• The "Default Receive Window" (RWIN) and "Maximum Connection Retries" (TTL) TCP/IP parameters are also discussed in "HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? - Part 2", also in REGISTRY.TXT.
• To learn how to adjust your Win95/OSR2 MaxMTU TCP/IP parameter to speed up your Internet connection, read "HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? - Part 1", also in REGISTRY.TXT.
• To learn how to adjust your Win98 IPMTU TCP/IP parameter to speed up your Internet connection, read "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 1" and "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 2", also in TIPS98.TXT.

Happy tweaking!

NOTES: Cut & paste the lines between the marks below, and then save them as REG files (i.e. RIGHTCAB.REG). Then modify the "C:\\Windows" strings in these REG files to match your installation, if your Windows 9x/ME path is different. Then (double)-click on the REG file you want to use in Explorer or File Manager (FM = C:\WINDOWS\WINFILE.EXE) to merge the settings into your Registry, BUT BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FILES FIRST!

"Extract CABinet files with right-click:

Find the program where your Cabinet Files (*.CAB) are registered to, then go to that program's key in the Registry. Then add, better if you have the latest Extrac32.exe, or you can get it from CabPack [470 KB, freeware] that supports the LZX compression (~ 30% more powerful than ZIP).
Or you can use Extrac32.exe, usually located in your Windows folder.
TIP: Rename your original Extrac32.exe to something like ExtrEc32.exe, so you don't have to delete it.
KNOWN BUG: The machine will STOP RESPONDING if the files you want to extract already exist!
CAUSE: Extrac32.exe CANNOT REPLACE existent files.
To do this:

1. If XXX is the program your *.CAB files are associated with, use this REG file:

   -----Begin cut & paste here-----
   REGEDIT4

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.cab]
   @="XXX"

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XXX\shell\Extrac32]
   @="Extract Cabinet 32 bit"

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XXX\shell\Extrac32\command]
   @="C:\\Windows\\Extrac32.exe /E /A \"%1\""

   ------End cut & paste here------

2. Or if you use CabView from the Power Toys, use this REG file:

   -----Begin cut & paste here-----
   REGEDIT4

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.cab]
   @="CLSID\\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}"

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\shell\Extrac32]
   @="Extract Cabinet 32 bit"

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\shell\Extrac32\command]
   @="C:\\Windows\\Extrac32.exe /E /A \"%1\""

   ------End cut & paste here------"

1. Make sure your CD-ROM is properly detected and present in the System Properties applet: right-click My Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager tab -> CDROM. You MUST NOT have a yellow exclamation sign (!) or a red X mark next to the "CDROM" item. Try to select the optimal "Hard disk controllers" for your system in Device Manager, until such marks dissappear, or redetect your hardware by running the "Add New Hardware" applet from Control Panel. For CD-ROM drives connected to a separate drive controller (SCSI or proprietary, i.e. the one on your sound card), install the newest (current) driver releases from your vendor/manufacturer's WWW/FTP site.

2. Make sure your sound card drivers are properly installed and configured: right-click My Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager tab -> Sound, video [and game] controllers. You MUST NOT have a yellow exclamation sign or a red X mark next to the "Sound, video [and game] controllers" item. Install the newest (current) sound card drivers (provided free) from your vendor/manufacturer's WWW/FTP site.

3. Open Control Panel -> Multimedia -> CD Music tab. Drag the CD Music Volume slider all the way to the right. Click OK/Apply.

4. Open Control Panel -> Multimedia -> Audio tab. Check the "Show volume control on the taskbar" box. Click OK/Apply.

5. Double-click the Volume icon on the Taskbar. Make sure the Line in, Main/Master/Play control and CD Audio/Digital CD volume sliders are positioned near the top.

6. Make sure your powered speakers/earphones are properly connected, or your sound card "Line out" jack is hooked to your (Hi-Fi) stereo receiver/amplifier if using an external amplifier, and don't forget to turn on the power switch(es) and bump up the volume knob(s). :)

7. Restart Windows if prompted to do so, i.e. if you make changes to your hardware settings, using the Device Manager or Add Hardware Wizard.

8. Now insert an audio CD into your CD-ROM drive, and start:
   • one of these freely included Microsoft CD Players, found in your Windows 95/OSR2/98/ME main folder: CDPLAY.EXE or MPLAYER.EXE,
   • or your sound card provided,
   • or 3rd party CD Audio Player.
   • Microsoft Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP Media Player2 (WMP) 6.4/7.1/9.0 (free) also plays audio CDs.

9. Select an Audio CD track (.CDA) and click Play. You should be able to hear some music in your speakers/earphones. ;)

FYI:

• MSKB: Troubleshoot audio CDs playback in Windows 9x/ME.
• View *.CDA tracks as *.WAV files CDFS.VXD patch for Windows 9x/ME.

NOTE: If you are also connected to a Network (peer-to-peer, LAN, WAN etc), some of these settings might impair your networking performance.

To access the Internet as fast as your modem will allow it, you need to tweak some of the settings in your Dial-Up Networking (DUN), Network and Modem panels:

1. Right-click on your "My computer" icon, click Open, (double)-click the Dial-Up Networking applet, right-click on the appropriate connection icon (usually bears your ISP's domain name, i.e. AT&T Worldnet, Prodigy, EarthLink, MindSpring etc) and select Properties. Click the "Server Types" tab, and under "Allowed network protocols:" deselect "NetBEUI" and "IPX/SPX". Make sure "TCP/IP" is the only option checked, unless you're connected to a network. :)
   Then uncheck these items in the "Advanced options:" area: "Log on to network", "Enable software compression", "Require data encription" and "Record a log file for this connection". If your ISP allows it, check the "Require encrypted password" box (optional). Click the "TCP/IP Settings..." button. Enable both "Server assigned IP address" and "Server assigned name server addresses" check boxes, to let your ISP pick up the DNS addresses automatically for you, especially useful for ISPs that change them dynamically every time you log on.
   Deselect "Use IP header compression" and check the "Use default gateway on remote network" box. Click OK until you exit your connection icon completely.

   NOTE: Experiment with the "Enable software compression" option. Enabling it might speed up your file transfers over the internet (on my machine disabled is faster).

2. Now open the Control Panel Network applet, select "Dial-Up Adapter", right-click on it, click Properties and select the "Bindings" tab. Select "TCP/IP" as the ONLY protocol. Click OK until you get back into the Network main screen. Select "TCP/IP -> Dial-Up Adapter", click Properties, select the DNS Configuration tab: click "Disable DNS". Select the WINS Configuration tab: click "Disable WINS Resolution". Click OK until all applets are closed. Reboot your computer when prompted, pop in your Win95/98 Setup CD-ROM into the appropriate drive, and answer Yes to reinstalling the networking drivers.

3. Reopen your Dial-Up Networking folder, right-click your connectoid (same as above), select your modem from the list, click Properties, and browse to 115200 (or the highest number available from the drop down list) in the "Maximum speed" area. Click the Connection tab and select these options:
   • Data bits = 8
   • Parity = none
   • Stop bits = 1
   In the "Call preferences" area check only the "Wait for dial tone before dialing" box. Click the "Advanced..." button. Select only: "Use error control", "Use flow control" and "Hardware (RTS/CTS)", and deselect all others. Select Standard for "Modulation type". Add any extra settings you know work better with your particular modem (study the manual or go to your modem vendor's web site for details). I use S11=50 with my "U.S. Robotics 56K Fax INT PnP", which will speed up the dialing process from 100 milliseconds (default) to 50 milliseconds (or even lower: i.e. S11=30). Click OK once. Click the "Port Settings..." button. Drag both sliders all the way to the right for both "Receive Buffer" and "Transmit Buffer" settings. Check the "Use FIFO buffers" box. Click OK until you close the Modems applet.

4. Connect to your ISP using the appropriate Dial-Up Networking icon on your Desktop, usually bearing your ISP's domain name (most common examples are listed above).

Enjoy the Internet speed boost!

A MUST: See this Internet Connection Security guide.

1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Modems, and select your modem from the list. Click Properties -> Connection -> Advanced. Uncheck the "Compress data" box under "Error control". Click OK until you exit the Control Panel and restart Windows. Some users may need to disable error control completely for this to work!

2. Now call your ISP's tech support voice number (usually toll free) and ask if they support STAC compression. If they do, click the flashing modem lights icon in the Taskbar, after connecting to the Internet (using Dial-Up Networking), and then click the Details button. It should display a message that STAC is currently running. If it's not present, it is not supported by your ISP. :(
   In this case, reenable modem error compression, by following the steps at paragraph #1 above, and check the "Use error control" and "Compress data" boxes, to use your modem's built-in hardware compression (default).

Open an Explorer window (full screen) and left-drag the left edge of the Modified column header to cover the Type column entirely. Release the mouse, and left-drag the Modified column to cover the Size column. Release the mouse again, and left-drag the Modified column to cover the Name column.
This way your Explorer display has been reduced to a column of File Date/Time stamps!

FIXES:

To recover the Explorer missing columns, apply one of these methods:

1. Using the mouse dragging function: with an Explorer window open at full screen, place your mouse at the left edge of the Modified column header and left-drag this header to the right. Do this again, until the rest of the missing columns are exposed. When all columns are visible again, you can (re)size them to your liking.

2. Modifying the Registry: Close ALL Explorer windows FIRST. Then start Regedit and go to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

   This is the place where Explorer stores its column layouts.
   Select the Explorer key (above).
   In the right hand pane, you can see a list of values (strings), including "DirectoryCols". Right-click on "DirectoryCols" and choose "Delete". Answer "Yes" to the confirmation prompt, and close Regedit.
   Now open Explorer again. You should be able to see ALL the details columns again, sized at their default widths.

3. "Open Explorer, left-click once in the right hand pane, and then press Ctrl and + (the plus key on the Keypad) the same time, to "auto-resize" and "auto-fit" the file content."
   Third fix courtesy of Joker.