Number 250 - March 2004

Windows 2000 & XP Information
Reprint from Front Range PC Users Group Newsletter September/0ctober 2003 Issue of k.Byte
Windows Restarting?    Windows 2000 and XP are installed with a default setting to restart the operating system automatically in the event ofa "fatal error." A fatal error would be described as any condition which locks the operating system completely. Fortunately, experiencing a true fatal error with either of the latest incarnations of these operating systems is not a common occurrence. However, under certain circumstances an error caused by a software application bug may fake out this feature resulting in the operating system rebooting itself automatically with no error message or explanation.    If you have experienced this unwanted reboot condition you can turn off the setting. Open Control Panel and choose System / Advanced / Startup / Recovery Settings. Uncheck the box titled " Automatically Restart" under System Failure.	Windows XP Activation Backup    If you ever need to reinstall Windows XP you will need to also perform reactivation through Microsoft. However, there is a way to avoid this. Windows XP stores it's activation information in a file named "wpa.dbl" which is stored in the \Windows\System32 subdirectory. Copy this small file to an external diskette and store in a safe location. At any point that new hardware may be installed to the system, be certain to recopy the wpa.dbl file to the diskette. Should Windows XP ever need to be reinstalled, upon completion of the installation process copy the backup wpa.dbl file from the diskette to the \windows\system32 subdirectory and reboot the system. Your reinstalled Windows XP operating system is now registered.
Number 250 - March 2004