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Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP
Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP - PCSTATS
From quick tips to WindowsXP, right through to cool tweak, toys and experiments, PCSTATS has go you covered with over a hundred new Tech Tips!
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Filed under: Beginners Guides Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: PCSTATS May 01 2007   M. Dowler  
Home > Reviews > Beginners Guides > PCSTATS

Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 68-69

Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments

68. Create a Portable Version of Windows XP

For a long time now, Linux users have been spoiled by the availability of 'Live' Linux distributions. These self-contained operating systems can boot themselves on almost any PC off a single CD or even a floppy disk, allowing users to carry their operating system with them wherever they go. The most well known version of these 'live distros' is Knoppix). These portable operating systems have many advantages, not least of which is their ability to boot PCs whose operating systems have failed, possibly rescuing essential data.

Until recently, there was no similar option for Windows users. Microsoft has come out with WinPE, a portable version of Windows intended to simplify the pre-installation of multiple computers, but it is a separate product from XP, command prompt based and frankly not very useful for anything except its intended purpose - not that this has stopped a host of modifications for it from appearing.

There is a another way though. This website offers access to a program that can build a bootable Windows environment out of your Windows XP CD. This 'BartPE' environment can be used to rescue data or perform a number of other tasks, and there are several add-ons (see here for starters) that can turn it into a viable, portable version of Windows (with restrictions, read the FAQ for more details). Download the PEBbuilder software and follow the instructions to get started!

69. Create Alarms and Reminders with Windows XP's Scheduling Service

Like other versions of Windows, XP includes a built in task scheduling application which is generally used to automatically run operations like data backups and disk defragmentation that need to be done when no-one is using the system. If you're creative though, you can find numerous other uses for this time keeping utility, including as a musical alarm clock and reminder.

To open the scheduled tasks application, go to 'start\all programs\accessories\system tools\scheduled tasks.'

Now, if you want to create a musical wakeup call, drag and drop a single MP3 file (or a playlist) into the scheduled tasks window.

If you want to create a text file reminder that will pop up at certain times, create a notepad document with the desired info, save it and then drag it into the scheduled tasks window. Now right click the new entry and hit 'properties.'

In the 'tasks' tab, you need to fill the 'start in:' box with the application you want to use to open the text or music file. To use notepad, type 'notepad.exe'. To use Windows media player type 'wmplayer.exe'. Note that if you are using another application to play MP3 files as your default, 'wmplayer.exe' should start that app instead. If not, you need to use the 'browse' button to locate the .exe file of your MP3 playing software.

The 'schedule' tab allows you to set the time, date and frequency of the alarm or reminder. The 'advanced' button contains further options. Once you have set your schedule, hit Ok and right click on the new entry in the scheduled tasks window again. Choose 'run' to test that everything is working correctly, and from them on your scheduled task will now occur at the time you set.

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Contents of Article: PCSTATS
 Pg 1.  Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP
 Pg 2.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 1-2
 Pg 3.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 3-6
 Pg 4.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 7-9
 Pg 5.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 10-11
 Pg 6.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 12-14
 Pg 7.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 15-17
 Pg 8.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 18-20
 Pg 9.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 21-23
 Pg 10.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 24-25
 Pg 11.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 26-30
 Pg 12.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 31
 Pg 13.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 32-33
 Pg 14.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 34-36
 Pg 15.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 37-39
 Pg 16.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 40-41
 Pg 17.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 42-46
 Pg 18.  Computer Security Tips 47
 Pg 19.  Computer Security Tips 47 con't
 Pg 20.  Computer Security Tips 48-49
 Pg 21.  Computer Security Tips 50-51
 Pg 22.  Computer Security Tips 52
 Pg 23.  Computer Security Tips 53-54
 Pg 24.  WindowsXP Shortcut Tips 55-57
 Pg 25.  WindowsXP Shortcut Tips 58-63
 Pg 26.  Disk and Storage Management Tips 64
 Pg 27.  Disk and Storage Management Tips 65-67
 Pg 28.  — Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 68-69
 Pg 29.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 70-71
 Pg 30.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 72-75
 Pg 31.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 76-78
 Pg 32.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 78 con't
 Pg 33.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 79-81
 Pg 34.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 82-85
 Pg 35.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 86-90
 Pg 36.  Networking and Internet Tips 91-93
 Pg 37.  Networking and Internet Tips 94-97
 Pg 38.  Networking and Internet Tips 98-101
 Pg 39.  Networking and Internet Tips 102-104

 
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