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 If you have not purchased a hard copy of Windows XP by now, your chances are dwindling. June 30, 2008 is the last date Microsoft Corp distributes copies of stand alone or pre-loaded software to computer and software distributors. After this date, retailers, wholesalers, and other computing outlets will only have remaining inventory available for purchase.

Purchasing a hard copy of the Windows XP software may be a good idea if:

• You do not own a computer capable of upgrading to Windows Vista, and do not plan on upgrading in the next few years.

AND

• You do not own a copy of the software other than a recovery disk from your computer manufacturer.

Hard drive damage, lightning strikes, viruses, and other computer problems occasionally result in a wipe or replacement of the hard drive. In these situations, a complete reinstallation of the operating system is necessary. Many recovery disks from computer manufacturers are a way to restore systems from certain failures and errors, but not completely reinstall the operating system and prepackaged software bundles.

Large corporations and volume purchasers of computing systems will have longer availability of Windows XP acquisition, if a downgrading clause exists in the contract. This protects educational institutions, major businesses, and government entities. Small businesses need to begin thinking about future computing needs now.

Here is a possible scenario small business owners could find themselves in:

New computers were purchased about 2.5 years ago, but cannot run Windows Vista without significant and expensive upgrades. However, these systems still function completely adequately for the business’ needs. Six months to a year later, the business expands with two new employee positions, and two new computers are purchased. Windows Vista is preloaded on the new computers. Now, the small business is using and supporting two different operating systems.

Although both Windows XP and Vista are from the same software developer Microsoft, it is not an ideal business situation to run both operating systems. First, if computer systems are shared in anyway, staff will need to learn both operating systems. Second, there are still lingering problems with Windows Vista and third-party software (software not developed by Microsoft). Any regular reliance on specialty software, such as engineering, database, or accounting software may be interrupted by suddenly introducing Windows Vista into the network or office.

All business owners should review any contracts concerning the previous purchase of computing systems and software. This review will provide business owners with information about options available as the world shifts from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Regardless of how a computer has Windows XP installed, either pre-loaded from the manufacturer or from a hard copy of the operating system, Microsoft will supply security package support until April 2014. By then, who knows what the operating system will be called, and Windows XP will be nothing but a memory.

 What should be a simple and straightforward installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3 isn’t always the case. I am a firm believer that it certainly is more pleasant when everything goes according to plan, but hey, this is not always the case. Hence, the need to deal with the fallout of certain updates becomes a necessary evil. Sure, it might take a bit longer to install this service pack if you follow a few precautionary tactics, but in the end, it is certainly worth it.

Although the reasons for a failed installation can vary, typically, the fixes are relatively simple. Perhaps this is the reason behind Microsoft’s decision to continue their distribution of Windows XP Service Pack 3. Although known problems exist, they aren’t severe enough to merit a total shutdown of the distribution for this product. Attempt one fix at a time. Reboot the computer and see if it worked before moving on to the next tip.

Tip 1

Perhaps one of the first steps to take when installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 would be to disable any anti-virus software that is installed on the computer. AV software is notorious for creating minor problems with certain types of installation. Therefore, eliminating if from the Windows XP Service Pack 3 installation process could help to eliminate the failure to install the catalogue files. Once the installation is complete, re-enabling the AV software should not be a problem whatsoever.

Tip 2

Windows XP Service Pack 3 is an extremely large update and as such, it requires a tremendous amount of space. Therefore, it is essential to have enough free space available for this installation prior to attempting it. For anyone who has already tried to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 and encountered a failure to install the catalogue files, it might be wise to uninstall this software while in safe mode, ensure that the machine has enough free space, and then attempt to reinstall it.

While in safe mode, it might be necessary to act as administrator in order to uninstall the update. Safe mode can be reached by pressing the F5 or F8 button during boot up. If the restore point has not disappeared, restoring the computer to an earlier time prior to the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3 should also work.

Tip 3

Rename the Edb.log file by following this path: start→ run→ type in cmd in the box→ click okay. At the prompt, type “ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2\Edb.log*.tst” and click enter. Attempt to install Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Tip 4

Set the Cryptographic Services to automatic by following this path: control panel→ administrative tools→ services→ Cryptographic Services→ properties→ automatic startup type→ start. Attempt to install Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Tip 5

Rename the Catroot2 folder for Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP by following this path: start→ run→ type cmd→ okay→ type each of the following commands, pressing enter after each one:

net stop cryptsvc

ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2

net start cryptsvc

exit

All temporary cat files or tmp*.cat files must be removed from this folder: %systemroot%\system32\catroot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}. So not remove any files except tmp*.cat files. Attempt to install Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Tip 6

If none of the above techniques have worked, it’s time to remove the hidden attribute from %Windir% including any subfolders by following this path: start→ run→ type cmd→ okay→ type each of the following commands and press enter after each one:

attrib -s -h %windir%

attrib -s -h %windir%\system32

attrib -s -h %windir%\system32\catroot2

exit.

Attempt to install Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Tip 7

Setting the non-driver signing policy to silently succeed might correct the problem. For Windows XP and later versions of Windows, follow this path: start→ run→ type regedit→ okay→ right click the Policy binary value for this key “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Non-Driver Signing→ click modify→ replace the existing value with 0→ click okay→ exit the Registry Editor.

Caution should be exercised when attempting any changes to the computer. Back up the system and ensure that a reliable restore point is available.

After investing in a router and network cards, you may be surprised to find out that the computers in your home network are not set up to automatically share files. But never fear, you’ll be sharing files with family members in no time!

Depending on the operating system, you may need to first turn on file sharing through the Control Panel and Network and Sharing Center before you can begin sharing individual drivers and folders. To do this in Windows Vista, log on as the computer’s administrator on the computer that you’d like to share files from. Next, go to Control Panel> Network and Sharing Center. Check to see if Network Discovery and File Sharing have been turned on. If not, turn it on.

You’re not done yet. Just below File Sharing is an option for Public Folder Sharing. Click on the arrow next to Public Folder Sharing to view the various options. You can grant read-only rights, open, change and create rights, or turn off sharing. While you’re at it, consider enabling password protected sharing. This means that only those who have a user account and password can access your files.

Further down the list is an option for Media Sharing. With this option enabled, you can allow other networked computers to access shared media files such as photos, videos, and music. Enable the options that suit your needs the best.

Now that you have the different sharing options enabled, you can easily move files into the “public folder” so that other users can access them. You can also take your file sharing to the next level and share specific folders on your computer. To do this, open Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start button and choosing Explore. Find the folder that you’d like to share and right-click it. Select Share from the sub-menu. Here, you’ll find a list of users and be able to set permissions so that only your trusted users can access your files within the selected folder.

Earlier versions of Windows have fewer hoops to jump through in order to share files. For example, Windows XP Home Edition comes with Simply File Sharing turned on by default.

Simply right-click the folder you want to share, click Sharing and Security, and then click Share this Folder on the Network. During this step, you can create a unique Share Name as well as remove the check mark in the box that says, “Allow network users to change my files.” Removing this check mark makes your folder and its contents read-only for other users.

While file sharing is convenient, consider the possibility that other users might inadvertently view sensitive data or accidently overwrite your files. It’s smarter to selectively add files to the public folder rather than give full access to folders on your computer. Whenever sharing folders, be selective and never share root folders as this makes your data more vulnerable to prying eyes.

If you have been running Vista for some time then it is likely that you have installed several programs and applications. As a result of increased processing and demands on your system you might be noticing delays in the Vista shut down procedure. One main reason for this is that many software programs run applications in the background, even if they are not actively running, and each has to close before the operating system shuts down.

To increase your shut down speed you can adjust your registry and do some cleanup to rid the clutter and help Vista shut down all the programs that are running. As always, you have to be very careful when adjusting your registry, and you should ensure that you have all your important data backed up to a disk or USB stick in case anything goes wrong.

To edit your computer’s registry click Start and then type regedit in the Start Search. In the registry editor, scroll to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control. On the right side of the screen there is a key called WaitToKillServiceTimeout with a value of 20000. This means that Windows Vista is programmed to wait 20000 milliseconds, or 20 seconds, for the service to stop once it has been notified that the system is shutting down. You can change this setting as low as 5000, or 5 seconds, but shouldn’t go any lower so that the programs have time to close before Vista does. This should speed up the shut down time by closing all the running applications faster.

Another tip to speed up Windows Vista shut down is to prevent Vista from emptying the contents of each page prior to shutting down. If security is a priority on your system, you might prioritize clearing the page contents prior to closing. However, if you are more interested in increasing speed you can try this.

Go in to the registry editor by typing registry editor in the Start Search field and pressing Enter. Type regedit.exe and click OK. Scroll to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\MemoryManagement and double click ClearPageFileAtShutdown and change the value to 0.

There are other general operating techniques that can cut the time you spend waiting for your computer to shut down. First, make sure that your system isn’t running on a cluttered registry. You can use a registry scanner available online to streamline the files left over on your registry from incomplete downloads and other unnecessary bulk. If you know your way around your registry you can open the registry editor yourself and delete what you want, but you need to know where things are and, in either case, you should always back up your registry before making any changes.

You can also decrease the number of programs that your computer automatically loads at startup. The fewer programs that are running at anytime, the faster the computer will function generally and the faster it will shut down. Vista maintains a list of all the running programs and all of the programs set to run at startup in a program called Windows Defender. Once open, click Tools in the menu at the top and then Software Explorer. In addition to startup programs you can also look at, and possibly edit, Currently Running Programs.

Windows Vista Optimization is Different

One way to increase your Vista start up speed is to tone down some of the special features, such as the side bar and the Aero interface. However, while making Vista run more like XP might increase its speed, it is hardly the best way to optimize its performance.

Like Windows XP and other earlier models, Vista has a Performance Monitoring function that eases your ability to configure the operating system. However, on Vista the tool is named Reliability and Performance Monitor and is on the Administrative Tools menu in the Control Panel. In addition to the operating system, the Reliability and Performance Monitor provides performance information of hardware and other software functions to help determine where there are performance bottlenecks.

Vista’s Performance Information and Tools

If this tool is not helpful, or difficult to understand, there is an easier way. New to Vista is the Performance Information and Tools Control Panel, which might be less intimidating to the average user. This panel assesses the computer’s hardware and provides a Windows Experience Index (WEI) score between 1.0 and 5.9.

If you are noticing slower speeds on your laptop compared to your desktop, this might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Whereas an average score for a desktop’s hardware components might be around 5.0, a laptop might rank only a 2. In order to run Vista Aero and other advanced features the system needs a WEI score or about 3.0 or higher. To check your system’s WEI click on Start, Control Panel, Performance Information and Tools.

The WEI rating scheme divides the components into processor, RAM memory, graphics, gaming graphics and hard disk, so you can determine where the bottleneck is occurring.

Even if your laptop is weak in the hardware department, there are still some configurations that you can adjust to increase Vista’s speed on your system. On the left hand side of the Performance Information and Tools Interface there are menu options that can be tweaked to improve startup speed.

Is Vista Bogged Down by all the Extras

When you first get a new computer, it can come loaded with a bunch of software trial programs and other extras that will slow down your start up time. Managing your startup programs will help Vista load more quickly. The more programs you have loading automatically when your computer boots up, the longer the operating system will take to load.

The number of programs that your computer is running at any time, as well as programs set to launch at startup, can be viewed and removed by using Windows Defender. While in the Performance Information and Tools interface, click on Manage Startup Programs in the task pane.

Adjust Visual Effects

Adjusting the settings of your visual effects may also speed up Vista’s loading time. You might have to trade some of the shiny new Vista features for increased performance but, depending on your purposes, you might gladly exchange eye candy for speed. There are some other tools to try, most of which can be found in the Performance Information and Tools console.

The other day a reader wrote to Filetonic regarding Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) and an annoying “nag” he experienced after un-installing SP3. Turns out that many users are un-installing this latest service pack due to a variety of bugs popping up since its release last month. This reader didn’t mention what prompted him to un-install SP3 in the first place but he did say that after the un-install, new windows related to Flash open and then “immediately retreat” to the system tray.

As with just about every Microsoft service pack ever released, XP Service Pack 3 promises new and improved features but delivers bug after bug in the immediate aftermath of its release. No doubt, Microsoft will work out the kinks in the coming months but that doesn’t reassure those who are dealing with many common problems such as third party application failure, failed SP3 installations, reboot “loops,” stop error messages, status prerequisite failed messages, access denied messages, invalid boot.ini messages, Windows could not start messages, and more.

These errors have been acknowledged by Microsoft. In fact, in the Knowledgebase article 950717 “Steps to Take Before you Install Windows XP SP3,” nine general installation errors (along with multiple sub-errors) are described. Many of these known errors already have solutions.

But what about the guy who simply wants his Flash Player to work again? SP3 actually contains an older version of Flash (complete with vulnerabilities of its own). The Flash Player version included in SP3 is 9.0.115.0 while the recently-released version from Adobe is 9.0.124.0.  While this may or may not be the cause of the “retreating Flash” problem, anyone who has installed SP3 should double check to see which version of Adobe is on their PC. You can check by opening this link from Adobe: http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/. It will tell you which version you have.

In addition, Adobe lists a variety of solutions for troubleshooting Flash Player in general here: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_19166&sliceId=2#internet_explorer

Of the known Microsoft errors associated with XP SP3 is “application compatibility in Windows XP SP3.” Microsoft says in Knowledgebase article 947309 that “some third party programs may experience a change in functionality after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.” Microsoft specifically lists three such applications: ATI Catalyst Unified Software Suite, XPize, and Neat Receipts. In ATI’s case, a new driver is available; in Neat Receipts’ case, an updated version of the software is available.

If your applications no longer function after installing SP3, device drivers, DLLs, and other issues may be the culprit. Check with Microsoft to see if a fix has been released yet. If not, head over to the non-functioning application’s support Web site and search for possible updates, fixes, or new releases.

Other major problems associated with Windows XP SP3 involve HP computers with AMD processors. While it’s easy to blame Microsoft for the headaches involved, Microsoft says that the problem originates with HP and other OEM vendors who used the Intel version of Windows XP, not the AMD version. Problems such as a “no boot” error associated with ASUS A8N32-SL1 Deluxe motherboards have also been reported.

Another hassle you can expect after installing SP3 is that you cannot uninstall Internet Explorer 7.0 or above without first uninstalling SP3. This won’t be a problem if you never need to uninstall IE 7.0 but it will be a pain for anyone who does. Apparently this is by design.

Expect a few more errors to creep up in the coming weeks before things settle down and get resolved.