43. Giving a password to the
'Guest' user account
Windows
XP contains a guest account (turned off by default in XP Pro) that has the
rather unique distinction of not having a password. Not only does the account
not have a password, you can't even set one. As you can see, if this account is
active, it presents a slight security risk. Fortunately, there is an easy way to
assign a password to the guest account:
To apply
a Password to the guest account:
Using an
account with administrative privileges, go to the command prompt ('start\run'
then type 'cmd') and enter the following command:
'Net user
guest password'
Now go to
'start\control panel\user accounts' and activate the guest account if it is not
already. You will be able to assign and change its password.
44. Use system restore when
you cannot boot your system normally
If your
system has failed to the point where you cannot access the Windows GUI either
through booting normally or through safe mode, you may still have the chance to
use the System Restore feature if you have it enabled, by running it form the
command prompt. To do this:
Restart
your computer and press F8 after the POST screen to bring up the Windows XP boot
menu. Choose 'boot in safe mode with command prompt.'
If your
system gets to the command prompt successfully, type
'%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe' and then press enter. Follow the
onscreen instructions to restore your computer to a previous saved point.
Next Section; Customizing Windows XP
45. Stop Windows messenger
from running
Windows
XP was the first of Microsoft's operating systems to include a built in instant
messaging application, the Windows Messenger (a variant of Microsoft's popular
MSN Messenger service). Unfortunately for those who don't use instant messaging
services, the program is extremely difficult to avoid, especially if you use
Outlook Express as your mail client.
By
default, Windows Messenger is started each time windows starts, and will attempt
to log you in as soon as you connect to the internet, and every time you start
Outlook Express. Worse yet, it will reappear when you start Outlook Express even
in you have uninstalled it. With a combination of steps, you can disable Windows
Messenger, though it is not really possible to actually remove it from the
computer.
Let's
look at how to do this: To stop Windows Messenger from reappearing each time you
start Outlook Express, open OE then go to 'tools\options' and uncheck the
'automatically log into Windows Messenger' box. Close OE, exit from Messenger
and also close any browser windows.
Now you
need to find out if you have Service Pack 1 for Windows XP installed. If you are
not sure, right click on 'my computer' and select 'properties.' In the first
Window under the system heading, your version of Windows XP will be shown.
If you do have service
pack 1 installed, simply go to 'start\control panel\add/remove programs' to
remove the messenger service.
If you do
not, go to 'start\run' and type 'RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection
%windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove' To remove the program.
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